Follow along with the audio file! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZodnItl229U&list=PLqDdUMMPmcNlyxfzZgSGDJvIbcZPmVUmS&index=8
Dodging was the first part of the plan, then Mathgar would try to single out each knight, systematically eliminating the threat. After that, he would rest. But, there was a flaw in this plan. The knights wouldn't let him dodge their attacks. Their flanks consisted of a five-way squeeze play, preventing escape in any direction, except upward, and Mathgar didn't trust his Jump to evade this group. He managed to weave through three, but the last two pancaked him with a shield bash from the front and back side. Mathgar swore his nose broke. After they reorganized their ranks, Mathgar decided to try a new tactic: using his new skill, Blade of Justice. He called forth that shocking pain into his arms, creating energy spikes that surrounded his forearms, but extending to a sharp point about 10 inches past his hands. "Well then," Mathgar marveled the new toys. He charged into the advancing flank, arms poised to strike.
The battle seemed to go on forever, since his mana burnt out after decimating 4 of them. The knights thought that their previous strategy wasn't effective enough. So, they decided to charge him all together, removing any chance to evade their advance. Mathgar had a silly idea. He jumped straight up, after the knights came to be in a close ring. As he returned to earth, he raised his arms, and slammed them into the ground, while the Blade of Justice skill was on (he managed to store enough mana for one more strike). The result, was earth-shattering; he created fissures in every direction, releasing energy from the cracks, in the form of dazzling white lightning. When Mathgar's vision returned to him, he saw the skill window come into focus.
New Skill: You have learned Shockwave.
Shockwave Beginner Level: 1 [86%]
The force of gravity cannot be held in place from your powerful ground strike. Causes fissures in a 15 foot radius circle away from the user.
Power can increase based on the spell channeled through Shockwave. Mana cost will increase based on spell channeled through Shockwave.
Mana Cost: Flow Stat
Flow rises by 45. (+45 FLW)
Strength rises by 30. (+30 STR)
Level Up!
Level Up!
Level Up!
Level Up!
Level Up!
Level Up!
Mathgar rolled his shoulders forward, popped his back, then dusted his hands off. "All in a day's work. That was easier than I expected." He spent this down time also using Healing Spring, which now healed for much, much more. Using it again showed him that he leveled this skill past Beginner Level 8 (he used this skill often in the training). "Good deal."
"Once again, you have exceeded my expectations, Mathgar. But, your training is not yet complete. It will take time to prepare your final phase of trials, so you may spend time in town, as you so wish, or you can come back here, to practice on this dummy." The aspect of Nemesis conjured a dummy, that looked like a ironclad goliath. "No need to fear, he will not attack you. You can train your physical prowess whenever you wish. Don't worry, you won't destroy this one." The aspect assured Mathgar. With a great sigh, Mathgar fell to the ground, his virtual body, exhausted. He decided to put his stat points equally into AGI, VIT, WIS, and INT, to keep his natural stats balanced (slightly).
When the stats were allocated, he felt his speed and health increase, and his mind became clearer. He stood back up, and healed himself with Healing Spring, and stopped when he felt satisfied. He then realized that he was famished; he wasn't quite sure if he was hungry in-game, in real life, or both. He decided to take his first delve into his beginner's pack. He found ten stale pieces of bread, water, and a simple cloak. He put a few pieces of bread into his dry mouth, drank some water, and put the cloak on, after putting the bag back in his inventory. He looked back at the Nemesis statue. "I will return, but I have something I need to do in Khurt."
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"This is fine. If you wish to return here, just merely ask." Mathgar swore he saw the statue twitch with a smile, but quickly dismissed this notion. He was transported back to the front doors of the church, where he opened them, revealing the whole town inside, in the middle of a sermon. He slid in, and listened to the hymns and the words of Marvin, who sounded much more regal when it pertained to Nemesis. He learned that Nemesis's blindness also allowed her to "see" the truth, and is able to judge without bias, or prejudice. As he sat through the service, he noticed that his Faith stat slowly rose. He was confused, he was in the presence of the aspect of the god, and he wondered why he didn't get Faith points, then. But, regardless, he hasn't been able to reap the benefits of this stat, so it didn't matter anyway. After the service, he whispered to his brother, Jorkama.
"Hey, how are you doing right now?"
"I just got done completing a dungeon. I didn't even lose any health, it was so easy!" This made Mathgar slightly irritated. Mathgar has lost most of his health time and time again, and he hasn't even truly killed anything yet.
"Cool, I'm going to fight a horde of evil in a few days, wish me luck!"
"K." Okay, that...this ticked Mathgar off. He hated short responses like that. Too big for his britches, eh? He thought to himself. He will see who has more impressive feats.
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Mathgar scoured the town, doing odd jobs for villagers, like saving a cat from a tree, or cleaning the gutters of the inn. He accumulated roughly 600 Fame, and got two more levels, which he put the points into VIT and AGI. He spent about six hours helping the town, when the librarian, his name was Frederick, he thought, approached him. "Excuse me, Mathgar. Could I have a moment of your time? I need some help with my research." Frederick pushed the rim of his glasses back to the bridge of his nose.
"Sure thing, what is it that you need of me?" Mathgar was curious about Frederick. Since he had freed him from the stone curse, he hadn't seen very much of him. He wanted to know more.
"I had been researching the effects of mana crystallization and its application to alchemy, as well as enchanting. But, when Ghal's forces invaded the town, my research was lost. Could you help me find my research?"
"I will do what I can, Frederick. Your work will be back to you in no time at all!"
Quest Accepted
The Apprentice- Scribe
You have decided to help Frederick, the librarian, find his research.
Difficulty: C
Requirement: None
TIme Limit: Before the town of Khurt is razed
Reward: Class, Simple Spellbook, Alchemy Research Notes, Scroll Container
"A class! Finally!" Mathgar practically shouted in excitement. Now he had something he could tell his brother, to rub it in. He was also getting close to the level 25 mark. He felt like this was important, somehow.
"Alright, I think that in the sacking of the town before the Curse was finished, the forces went to the caves nearby. You can start your search there. Be careful, and good luck!" Frederick straightened his tan robe, adjusted his papers, and strode off, back to the library.
Mathgar traveled to the caves, which were several hundred meters outside of the town. The mouth of the cave held the stale stench of solitude, with smoke leaking from the gaping orifice. This made him tense, this would be the first time he has set foot into a dungeon in RR. His held his breath, then tiptoed into the lingering abyss....
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