You have been offered a quest – “Heart of the Forest.”
An object of extreme importance to the Quarris Elder Council, along with any elf who calls the High Thicket home, has been stolen by a charlatan who was offered sanctuary and respite during a time of need. Cicero the Blaspheme, under the guise of a gifted arcane scholar, was granted access to study the power source to the city’s teleportation circle as a show of thanks. Appearing as an unfaceted polished gem a foot in diameter, the Heart of the Forest is a power source unlike others. While the elves utilized the jewel to empower its teleportation circle, the Heart has a myriad of other uses which are no doubt being studied by the thief, Cicero.
After slaughtering the heart’s guardians, Cicero the Blaspheme escaped the city with the Heart and, unbeknownst to the elves, fled to a newly constructed fortified emerald spire to begin his experimentations. Since his day of betrayal, the elves of the High Thicket have seen a surge of encounters with grotesque monstrosities and amalgamations roaming the surrounding lands. Many suspect these horrific creatures were created through some profane ritual or archaic form of magic, with the Heart of the Forest at the center of these creations.
You are being dispatched by the Elder Council to retrieve the Heart of the Forest and slay the one who stole it. If you succeed in your mission, you will be granted access to the city’s teleportation circle. Will you agree to right this wrong, or allow these abominations to run rampant?
Objective One: Locate Cicero the Blaspheme’s Emerald Spire.
Objective Two: Slay as many monstrosities created through the Heart of the Forest as possible. (Optional Objective).
Objective Three: Slay Cicero the Blaspheme.
Objective Four: Retrieve the Heart of the Forest.
Objective Five: Return to the Quarris Elder Council.
Rewards: Experience, a level-appropriate spell, skill, or item (depending on a number of enemies slain), significant reputation with the elves of the High Thicket, and permanent usage of the Quarris teleportation circle.
Accept: Yes/No.
While the quest notification appeared in my vision, Elder Corona explained essentially the same thing, laying out the details of our objective. “Cicero the Blaspheme resides in a spire of emerald a day’s journey south of the High Thicket’s border,” the chief elder continued, sharing additional details of what we were up against. “Whatever material the spire is composed of is of the utmost durability as it has seamlessly repealed all attempts to knock it down. Our strongest trebuchets and spells had little effect against the tower’s hardened fortification, shrugging off each as if we were throwing pebbles against a mountainside.”
Corona bowed her head before returning to her chair and taking a seat, her shoulders dropping as if carrying an intensely heavy burden. “After many failed attempts, we no longer send our warriors and competent wizards in an attempt to retrieve the Heart. Those few who return from these failed assaults soon shared tales of how many of their comrades were captured and returned as grotesque versions of themselves. Each rabid with hate for the living, and far stronger than they were in life. Seeing the heart’s return as an impossibility, the council has gone a new direction and are working at growing a replacement. Yet, even with our vast resources, we are still many years away from creating a substitute. Perhaps you can do what we could not.”
The chief elder let out a deep sigh and shook her head from side to side as if dislodging a painful memory. “When we first found him, we offered Cicero shelter after finding his body broken at the foot of the forest. He was an inch away of losing his life. For our compassion, he betrayed us, pretending to aid the city and this council with any and all undertakings so he could get close to his true objective. We know now, it was all a ruse. Perhaps too even his near-death experience! All to earn enough trust to ‘study’ the Heart, as he put it. Once he discovered its location, he turned on his former friends, slaying more than I wish to recount with you today. The Heart in his possession, he departed the city as quickly as his feet could carry him. His destination? A tower of unbreakable emerald which seemed to suddenly sprung into existence the same day of his betrayal. Our elven scouts roam far and wide, yet never once spotted the several hundred feet tall spire. Seemingly free to do as he pleased, with an unimaginable power source at his fingertips, Cicero immediately began twisted experiments bringing further harm to us and any living creature residing within the High Thicket.”
Corona looked to her sides, eyeing her fellow elders. Each bowed their heads in response, shame practically radiating from each Elder’s skin. “This council failed in its duty and has been unable to rectify the injustice experienced at the Blaspheme’s hands. Some among this council feel we should cease placing any trust in the hands of an outsider, but more still see the true benefits we realize by allowing everyone within our city with welcoming arms. Be true to yourself and your purpose as this council requests you to hunt down the betrayer and return our precious Heart of the Forest. If you do this, you will be justly rewarded and allowed to use the teleportation circle to further your quest against your nemesis. What say you?”
As soon as I spoke my next words, the System automatically accepted the quest hovering before my eyes. I hadn’t needed to manually select it. “We accept this imperative quest. We will leave immediately to find Cicero and return what was stolen from this great city.”
What followed next over the course of a half hour was a rundown of all the information the council had gather about Cicero, including what they knew of his tower, as well as his distinctive form of magic. Cicero, as it turned out, was an orc shaman specialized in totem magic. His race came as surprised as I believed orcs were no better than the monsters. We soon came to learn, orcs were one of the least seen of all surface races, perhaps similarly so to the elusiveness of the Silvern Dwarves. The elves, not caring for the color of one’s skin, allowed Cicero sanctuary after he was found as little better than a bloody mess near the forest’s edge about six months earlier. After being fully healed, Cicero quickly dedicated himself to helping the city and its residents however possible.
Cicero, front the start, was playing a long con. Confirming my suspicion with Stella, the devious orc shaman had done everything in his power to gain the reputation necessary to not only be granted access to the teleportation circle but also its secured power source. Never once in his six-month tenure in the city had the orc displayed the slightest bit of hostility to anyone. He was gracious, kind, and willing to help anyone who sought his assistance or council. Cicero had done so much for the city, he had been granted a title. He was known as Cicero the Altruist, though the title had long since been revoked. No one had a clue of his true intentions until the fateful day when Cicero’s true nature was revealed.
As the chief elder explained it, Cicero’s power was akin to a shaman. The orc utilized many various types of spells, making him something of a jack-of-all-trades, but his primary focus was on summoning mystical totems into existence. Each totem he created, and he could have several running concurrently, would provide a wide array of different functions like restoring lost health, mana, or stamina. Others could temporarily summoned preternatural beings which would flit about their totem, fighting back against anything hostile to Cicero. Apparently, the shaman had become quite the celebrity before he showed his true self. He was always willing to step in and finding solutions for any issue brought to him, no matter how small or insignificant.
Worse still, it wasn’t until after the elves attempted to retrieve the Heart when they discovered Cicero was using forbidden forms of magic. He was somehow merging two wholly unlike beings into towering monstrosities.
“Cicero the Blaspheme appeared to take pride in these ghastly creations,” Corona explained with a grimace. “Those unlucky enough to be captured, such as during one of our several assaults against his tower, would later show up as devilish versions of their former selves. We, as a city, have been forced to put down too many friends, too many loved ones, to continue any assault against the vile shaman.”
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“Have you discovered any weaknesses Cicero possesses, or have realized the tactics which proved useful when confronting him?” I asked, hoping to determine the best approach when we eventually faced the orc. I wasn’t sure how we could breach his seemingly impenetrable spire, especially if an army of elves could not, but if there was a way, we would find it. No one was invincible. You simply needed to find the one way to make it happen.
“The Blaspheme appears to gain strength, both physical and magical in nature, from the many monstrosities he creates,” Corona replied after considering. “In the few instances, we were able to bring him forth to defend his tower as a result of our concentrated efforts in defeating his creations. Whenever we can safely do so, we do everything we can to eliminate those beasts, though we no longer approach the tower for fear of being captured and experimented on. From what we have gathered, nothing short of focusing on his creations seems to infuriate the orc more than killing his monsters.”
I paused, connecting with both Stella and Tallos to see if they had any other questions we should bring up with the council. No one did. Conversing with my friends, we hoped our small strike force would have better luck than a whole contingents of elves. A part of me suspected one of Cicero’s many strengths was in handling many foes, but less effective against singular powerful opponents. It was only a gut feeling, though. Time would tell if my suspicion was accurate, and hopefully not at the cost of our demise.
“Archer Tallos,” the chief elder stated after seeing our internal deliberation was coming to an end. “The council also wishes to express our thanks to you for your actions beside Xaz. As such, we would like to formally invite you to become a citizen of Quarris and to permanently make your home within the High Thicket.”
Everyone’s attention turned to a now beaming, prideful Tallos. My friend stood tall at the pronouncement from the leader of the elder council. In a way, it already seemed to me that Tallos had choice Quarris as his home, especially with Leandra. Making the change official, with the blessing of the city’s elders, likely brought with it many expectations and responsibilities. Responsibilities that could mean his inability to continue on the hunt with us against Duke. It could mean he would need to leave our party permanently. It was a saddening thought but, whatever he decided, I would be happy for him.
“Thank you, Chief Elder, I am grateful for this opportunity,” Tallos replied with a hint of pride ringing his normally stoic voice. “I accept. I would be honored to become a citizen of Quarris.”
“We are happy to hear it. Henceforth, you will be known as Warden Tallos of Quarris. Welcome, friend, to your new home.”
Placing my hand on my friend’s shoulder, I smiled brightly at him. Stella mirrored my move with wistful smile. A round of claps reverberated the wide chamber as everyone in attendance cheered at the news. Tallos was clearly elated in the offer being officially made. His closeness and relationship with Leandra certainly precipitated his desire for it. I could hardly blame him. I would miss him, dearly. Or… so I thought before Elder Corona spoke up when the clapping began to wane.
“The council recognizes the bond of friendship you have formed with your companions,” she stated with a gesture towards the rest of us. She bore a genuine smile of one who knew the blessing true friendship brings with it. “As a citizen of Quarris, your primary responsibility is to the safety and well-being of the city, along with all life within the forest. To that end, we ask you, do you intend to assist Xaz in this quest?”
Perhaps Tallos wouldn’t need to leave our party after all, at least for this particular mission to take down Cicero and return the Heart of the Forest. My curiosity grew to new bounds as I turned to look at my friend. Tallos was about to respond to the elder’s question when I interrupted. “Tallos,” I whispered. “You do not need to follow us further. You are free to make whatever decision will make you the happiest. Any debt you feel you owe has been paid back ten-fold, I assure you. We will support you, no matter what you decide. I know how much Leandra means to you. You need not follow this dangerous path any longer.”
“Thank you, Xaz,” Tallos replied, the corner of his lips tugging upwards as if he had expected my words. “Leandra and I intend to make a life together, it is true. Our destiny is forever more intertwined. Yet, no less than I, she understands that our bond is not only to each other. I will see this quest through to the end and will fight beside you until you ascend beyond this world. Helping you, is helping the forest, of this I am certain how the council sees it. Once that hopeful day arrives, I suspect our journey will come to an end as I cannot ascend with you. You will continue on, doing everything in your power to end the tyranny of evil Hunters. On that day, I will return to Leandra. Yet, if the worst should happen, we know we will find each other again, in this life or the next. She will understand this. I am with you until that fateful day.”
Tallos gripped my shoulders, genuine happiness bright in his eyes. He turned back to Elder Corona and said, “If given the opportunity, I desire to remain with Xazorus and Stella until the day he leaves this world with Cicero and Duke no longer a threat to the forest.”
Corona nodded her head at my friend’s words. “Then the council will seek nothing else of you until your quest is completed. Returning the Heart of the Forest, bring both Cicero the Blaspheme and Duke the Nemesis Hunter to justice. This aligns with our tenets, beliefs, and duty to the forest. Go with our blessing, Warden Tallos.”
“Thank you,” Tallos responded confidently. He had been right, predicting the council would allow him to continue beside us all along. “For the good of the forest, I accept the quest laid before me.”
“We know time is of the essence, with Duke an ever-present threat of returning to cause further waylay and destruction,” Corona added hastily, her tone of voice indicating our meeting soon coming to an end. “You have at least a half-tenday before such a possibility could be realized. We will assist you in accomplishing your task against Cicero.”
Corona turned and silently called over the elf maiden who handed me the ornate chest from earlier. The two spoke in whispered tones before the young maiden bowed her head and left the council chambers through a side door. The chief elder reoriented on us, “You will be escorted to the southern border of the forest and then given directions to locate Cicero’s Emerald Tower. Natalia, my lady-in-waiting, has been sent to have swift travel enchantments placed upon your horses. By the time you find them in the south stables, you will find their ability to traverse through the forest and surrounding plains will be greatly enhanced. Additionally, with time being of essence, we will give you a rare scroll of recall. It will allow everyone in your party to quickly return to the city once your quest has been completed. Good luck, friends, and may the resilience of the forest guide and protect you until we next meet.”
The sound of a drawer opening reached our ears as Corona reached inside her desk and removed what appeared to be a tan scroll case. Everyone’s attention was upon her as she removed a piece of parchment from the tube, placed it atop her desk, and began chanting soft words under her breath. In a few moments, her spell completed and a dim violet glow began emanated from the thick parchment.
“This scroll of recall has been bound to you alone, Xaz,” Corona said as she rounded her desk and descended the stairs separating us. When she was within arm’s reach, she handed me the scroll case. It was rather simple looking, nothing outwardly indicating the powerful spell scroll contained within. “No one else will be able to utilize the magic contained within, and it can only be triggered once you possess the Heart of the Forest. It will return you to the city, along with your adventuring party as long as they are nearby. Please know I have manifested these requirements due to the risk posed to the city should you be defeated or captured. We cannot allow an enemy an easy means of transporting instantly to Quarris, nor have you coerced into triggering the effect as a prisoner. I do not believe either will be your fate, but we must be careful with these types of spell scrolls.”
The restrictions made sense. If we were captured or killed, or if the scroll was stolen from us, no one else could use it. It also protected the city if we ended up being turned into monstrosities and sent back to cause serious harm. There was no ill will felt by anyone as a result of the restrictions placed upon the scroll. It really could only be used if we were successful in our mission, otherwise it was no better than a slightly glowing piece of paper.
Signaling my understanding of the understandable precaution, Elder Corona return to her chair before her and the rest of the council of elders bid us farewell and for a speedy return. The pair of guards from the hallway returned to our sides and escorted us outside. From the cathedrals front portal, another two elves in plate armor stood waiting to escort us to the stables where Dutch and Jax waited. Taking one look back upon the magnificent building, we readily followed our guides, more than ready for the next challenge laid out before us. It was getting dark, but we each decided, with time being of the essence, that we would depart the city as soon as possible. Our guides assured that a small force of wardens would be waiting us once we retrieve our horses and used the lift to lower to the forest floor.
Seeing the stable in front of us, I pulled out the scroll we had been given and inspected it. I hadn’t wished to do so in front of the council, and now seemed as good a time as any. As I suspected, the restrictions placed upon it were clear as day when the System menu appeared before me. Hopefully, the protective measures would prove unnecessary because, if they did, it would mean we were either dead or turned into grotesque versions of ourselves.
{Scroll of Return (Quarris)}. Quality: Superb. Rarity: Rare. Type: Scroll. Durability: 100/100. Cast Time: 10.0 second(s).
Effect(s): When used, this scroll will instantly teleport the caster and nearby party members to the city of Quarris. Up to a maximum of ten individuals, companions, pets, minions, and mounts will be transported upon use.
Note – This scroll is keyed to only function for Xazorus the Hunter Killer when the Heart of the Forest is within his possession.
Tucking the scroll case away, I turned to Stella, ready to take down one more Hunter. "Let’s get it done," I stated, matter-of-factly.