"So if we want to train before we do any quests, where would we do that?" a boy Goblin with slick blonde hair asks.
"Well, obviously we have a place specifically constructed for our fighters, it is two blocks from here and Gomk will lead you right after we are finished," Thornhart states while gesturing to the mohawk Goblin.
"Where will we stay and live?" Thalassa questions.
"Very good question, Thalassa. For Goblins that are uncommon and below, you will stay in the barracks until you reach a certain threshold in skill. For Goblins Rare and up, we have the Fighter Palace ready for you and a room to stay in. Living is not free though, you need to complete a certain amount of quests each month to be able to keep living in the places we have funded. Anything else?" Thornhart says, gesturing for more questions with a smile on his face.
"Will we be able to see the city or is our whole purpose to do the quests posted?" Another Goblin asks.
"Well of course, young lady. After the introduction here I have made accommodations for Gomk to lead you guys to all the important landmarks around," Thornhart states, answering her question.
"Duh, he already said that," a boy with two huge black eyes and a red-greenish skin color says.
"Now, now, there is no reason to bicker amongst each other. We are all allies in this city. Is there anything else you would like to ask this old man, I'm afraid I do not have too much longer, the city's nobles are expecting me soon," Thornhart says.
"Well if nothing else, Gomk, please lead them on the tour. Thalassa and Gorb, you come with me," Thornhart states, addressing everyone.
Thalassa and the red/greenish colored Goblin head over with the old man while I and the rest of the Goblins start to walk with Gomk.
"Gomk, why do they get to go with the old man?" a girl with beautiful red hair and blue eyes with a light green skin color asks.
"Well, Josie, let's just say they are special, one had a rarity of rare and the other was mythical. Thornhart likes to give his own proper display of the city to the Goblins that show such high rarity," Gomk answers.
"I thought he said hard work pays off, not rarity," a boy Goblin states, questioning what he was told. This boy is dark green and very muscular, huge biceps and legs but with a small head.
"Hard work does pay off, but rarity is a huge part in progressing as well. Thornhart doesn't want to get your hopes up, but let me tell you. I'm uncommon rarity and I made it all the way to being a captain; there's only one other person I know that is uncommon as well at my position. Everyone else is rare or above. I'm not saying to give up your hopes, but be prepared to work much, much harder than those surrounding you and don't be surprised when they surpass you in a short amount of time," Gomk states while gesturing for them to follow him. "Now, no more questions. We have a lot to cover and only a certain amount of time to do it."
He leads them out of the dome-like structure they are in, on the outside it's colored red and yellow with depictions of Goblins fighting on the outside with armor and weapons. The place they are at has statues of people and a plaque with words under each one with flowers at the bottom as well. These statues are up and down the street. The folk are a mixture of troll kin, hobgoblins, Goblins, and orcs. Almost all of them have very neat clothing, dresses, and suits on. Some have servants with collars around their necks that do the chores for the people. These people are of all different kinds of looks. Some have horns, some short, some very tall and skinny, but one thing they all have in common is a blue collar around their necks.
"This is the royals' streets, we usually have fights and entertainment scheduled here in the dome that the naming ceremony was located. The people in collars are usually people that we have won from war. We use them to do the minuscule tasks in our city. The lords and ladies like to do what they want them. To each their own. They are more or less spoils of war, and if we lose war then we would be in the same situation or worse. That is why our naming ceremony and the fighters who come out of it are so important to us," Gomk says while giving them history on where they come from.
Gomk leads them through the royals' streets and into the Commoners Gathering. He says, "It is the place where commoners live and maintain order." This is also where the library, shopkeepers, and the barracks are located. The key difference here is that the streets are not marble like the royals' streets but gravel and rocky. You can hear the loud bickering between customers and shopkeepers, as well as fights in the bars and roughhousing on the streets. After giving them a tour of their city, they arrive at the barracks.
"Lastly, this is where you lot will live. The Fighters Order has already assigned your beds depending on your rarity, come to me to get your number," Gomk says, ushering them to come forward.
One by one, all the Goblins get the number and dash toward their beds. Finally, I am able to get mine as I am the last one. Number 325.
"Gutter word of advice, the barracks will most likely not be kind to you. People respect strength and authority. Since you are flawed, it is probably already being passed around the rooms in there. The last flawed Goblin fighter we had left to make a living in another city. I am telling you this so you can prepare yourself. No one will take you seriously without strength," Gomk says to me while turning and walking away.
The barracks is a huge three story building with one big gate at the entrance, the body is mainly made of wood with cracks in some parts. As I walk in theres a huge counter where all the Goblins in my batch are. Two sets of stairs to my left and right and also two doors to the left and right of the counter. The first floor is made of marble with huge king size beds laid throughout the floor. There are also barriers that give privacy to each of the occupants. I notice the uncommon Goblins in my batch were given the first floor areas. The common ones were walking up the set of stairs to what I assume would be the second floor.
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“number 325, please step forward.” The grouchy old woman says.
I walk up and hand over my number that was given to me.
“Wow, we really have another 300 occupant. This is a rare occurrence. Anyway, head up to the third floor. There will be utensils and basic necessities for you to get started here. The shower is usually at the end of the floor to the back.” The woman says gesturing to the stairs.
when I get to the second floor, it's made up of pristine wood and queen size beds. The key difference between this one and the first one is there are no barriers. So everyone can see whatever you do. Some occupants have made makeshift barriers with blankets and cardboard though.
“Oh, look who it is, the new recruit that's flawed.” An Orc standing at around 6’2 says.
“Knock it off Geo, we all started somewhere and it’s not his fault he's flawed.” A Hobgoblin woman says
“Just don't get in our way, and if I see you fail a quest then I will personally challenge you to a duel in the arena for making our Fighting Order a laughing stock. Now get out of here. The third-floor scum are one up.” He says walking to the bedroom.
“Don't mind him, he's strong but doesn't get along with everybody that well. I'm Veen, who are you?” The girl says. She has beautiful blonde hair that reaches down to her shoulders, green eyes with light green skin as well. She is wearing a gown and looks like she just got out of the showers.
“Gutter.” I reply.
“If you want to gain your strength, I would take the slow route instead especially since you are flawed. Try out the library and read some books on spells to learn how stuff works around here. Here I’ll give you 100 coins for now. This should get you 2 books, maybe even three if you are lucky. Also I would prioritize a healing spell, it will get you back into the quests much faster” Veen says smiling.
”Thank you Veen, how should I repay you?” I reply.
”Well if you really want to repay me you can give me a medallion when your strong enough. I have a quest to get too so see you soon Gutter.” Veen says while dashing to her room.
”THANK YOU VEEN.” I yell trying to get her to hear me.
The third floor it is, as I make my way up to the last floor of the three-story barracks, I soon realize there's cracks in the floors and roofs, the beds are just mattresses on the ground and there's only 2 other occupants here.
"Hey look, there is our new roommate!!" A Goblin with slicked back black hair exclaims. Another Goblin jerks her head to look at me.
"So, it is true, I didn't believe it." a girl says continuing on. "Welcome to the third floor, it's not much as of now but we have been trying to renovate it as best we can. As you can see, we have blocked off the holes in this corner of the room if you wanna move your stuff over here." She says gesturing to my things and my mattress set up in number 325. She has black hair as well that is up in a bun being held together by a pin.
"Don't mind if I do." I reply smiling.
"Are there people that make fun of us a lot here? I just had it happen to me on the second floor, and my tour lead Gomk mentioned it as well before I entered." I ask
The air in the room feels as if it took a turn to the gloomy side.
"Yes, but it is usually only the second-floor occupants that do it, the first-floor people don't even recognize us or if they do, they just ignore us completely because of our rarity. Me and Goobs are of the Inferior rarity, so we only learn 75% of the normal speed." She says looking down.
"Well you guys are better than me, I got flawed and learn stuff at a rate of 50%." I reply.
Their eyes shoot to me as if this is the first time they have heard of it.
"WOW, I didn't know there was a rank below us." Goobs mentions fumbling onwards. "Ex- excuse my rudeness, I am Goobs and this here is my quest buddy and roommate for the past two years, her name is Evela."
"I am Gutter, I'm going to get my things situated here first and then head over to the library to try and get some spells to use for quests." I say walking to my things.
"You already have money for spellbooks?" Evela questions.
"Ya, this girl named Veen gave me 100 coins earlier." I reply.
The two Goblins jaws both just dropped at the mention of 100 coins and her name.
"First of all, in these two years that we have been questing together, we have only managed enough for two spellbooks. One for me and one for her. Also, we are talking about THE VEEN, the Hobgoblin with blonde hair..... correct!!?" Goobs exclaims.
"Ya that description sounds about right." I reply.
"Dude, she is getting promoted to corporal in a few days!!! You have no idea who you were talking too. OH MY GOD, and she just gives out 100 coins like that." Goobs says looking dead inside.
"Well, I'll be sure to thank her next time I see her then." I say, feeling a bit overwhelmed with the information. "Anyway, I'll get my things settled and then head over to the library."
"Good luck, Gutter. And remember, don't let anyone else's opinions get to you. Just focus on improving yourself." Evela says with a supportive smile.
"Thanks, Evela. I'll keep that in mind." I say, setting up my mattress in the corner of the room.
After everything is set up, I head over to the library with my 100 coins. The library is a grand building, filled with rows and rows of books. I spend some time browsing through the shelves, looking for books on healing spells. The spells are mostly of common rarity, and they are priced between 40-50 gold each. Only a couple are priced below 40. The only other spells I found were a couple of uncommon rarity spells priced at around 150 gold coins. There are sections for magic, defense, and offense. Each priced roughly the same amount. Scanning through the magic section I found a pretty good healing spell book called Aura of Comfort which essentially makes the body heal itself faster, this book is priced at 43 gold. The next spell I wanted to find is an offensive one. After looking through the books, one caught my eye called Fangs of The Predator which allows me to transform my teeth into very sharp fangs resembling a beast for a certain amount of time. This spell book cost me 54 gold. Left with only three gold I leave the library and head back to the barracks. It is already nighttime but the amount of people on the streets is no less than the day. I make it to the barracks, greet Goobs and Evela and head to my mattress. The necessities that the Fighting Order has given me is a blanket, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a little mirror, and an extra loincloth. Looking into the mirror I realize this is the first time I have seen myself. I am dark green in complexion and no hair on top of my head. I AM BALD!!! My eyes are red and everything else on my body looks like what a regular Goblin would have. I head over to the shower after the long day and notice the showers have moss in it. Looks like they neglect us third story Goblins a lot. After taking a hot steamy shower and brushing up I lay down for a good night's sleep so I can get started on my new spells tomorrow