Ryan Shifted to his Dimensional Anchor, the feeling was more unsettling than he had ever imagined. Using Portal earlier had confirmed that he could distinctly feel the concentrated node of e?n?t?a?n?g?l?e?m?n?t that was his Dimensional Anchor with the Bifröst, no matter how far away. The infinitely suspended wrenching that was Shifting to that ball of yarn had him puking out his guts as soon as he emerged from that subliminal space in between. “Eurgh, hope that this gets better after a few tries…” Ryan gasped before resuming painting the large boulder chosen as his anchor point a lurid shade of vomit.
A few seconds later, still afflicted by overwhelming vertigo, he wobbled off towards the meeting room. That hadn’t been fun. As soon as he entered the room, still smelling lightly of vomit, John spoke: “Thank you for finally joining us Ryan. I see your distaste for meetings has found a new way of expressing itself.”
“Yeah, sorry I’m late. Had to regen some Energy before I could shift home, and no, it wasn’t a pleasure cruise. Anyway, before we get started can I just ask something? Were any off you aware that experience rewards are significantly decreased for opponents higher than Level 10?”
“The council is, yes. I also mathed out a rough progression based on the rewards below Level 10 and the limited information I have on the Levels beyond that. It should reach parity somewhere between Levels 22 to 26.” John answered. “Anyways, I have been aware of this since we killed Bliksem and Bastiaan but needed more data to confirm. I suspect that it has something to do with the boost classes provide at Level 10 but can’t confirm. That aside, could we get on with the program please?”
“Okay, you all know why we are here. The combat group received an achievement for their actions in town and we need to discuss the consequences the choice it presents will have. I’ll project my screen for Lizzy and John, the only two present who don’t have the Achievement.
Achievement earned: Liberator, free more than one hundred sapient entities held captured against their will.
Reward: Player may elect to receive the Liberator Title. Title effects are: Quadruple experience gains for killing sapient entities that the System designates as being involved in the activity of slavery (as defined). Entities are designated as such when Analysed* and Player will be issued with a compulsory quest to eliminate the target. Refusal/failure to complete the quest will attract an experience penalty equal to a quarter of Player’s current experience to the next Level. Rejection of Title will automatically grant the Exsolutus Title. Titles will be effective for any formal group the Player is part of.
*or on use of similar Skills
…Note: System has detected that Player is part of a non-formally affiliated group of Player’s operating from the same premises and co-operating closely. Requirements for creation of a Guild have been met. Do you wish to form a Guild?
Yes
No
…error…Guild function not enabled. Please contact nearest Administrator.
…auto complaint issued…
…received System Message…
Dear William Dafoe Hunter
Guild functionality will be patched in live as soon as possible. The System Administration thanks you for your patience. Please accept these as compensation for the inconvenience.
Sincerely
Guardian Calyx
…Time remaining: 29 minutes, 52 seconds…
…Player receives 100 Mortal Crystals…
“We have no idea what effects the Exsolutus Title has. We have queried the Interface but I suspect there will be no answer. Alexis has also sent messages to a trader through the Obelisk asking if they’d sell us the Information but has received no answer yet.” William added. “So, to summarise: We need to make two decisions. First, do we want to create a Guild? Second. Which Title should we chose? And we should decide on the first issue sooner rather than later. Any thoughts?”
“I think the issue of the Guild is moot. We should definitely create one. We all have more or less the same goals and are already co-operating in an informal structure that has a lot of aspects I would assume would be formalised in a Guild.” Lizzy quickly said.
“I’d also support founding a Guild. It should provide some advantages and I concur with what Lizzy said. In addition, it’s possible that we have a first mover advantage here, at least the system messages strongly suggest this. I assume a System Announcement will be made when the functionality is implemented so we should move fast. It’s likely that being the first Guild on earth comes with an Achievement.” John added.
“I’d also suggest we form a Guild.” was Alexis two cents.
Ryan looked around, everyone seemed excited about the idea of the Guild and it was probably a foregone conclusion that they would found one. “Do we have any idea what being a Guild entails?” he asked.
John quickly answered. “Nope, no Information in the Interface. Query only gives ‘Functionality not enabled’.”
Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.
“So, we’d be going into this blind?”
“Yes, more or less. Especially if we move as fast as I suggest we should. I highly doubt that there be any negative consequences to founding a Guild.” John answered.
Ryan considered the question for a moment and then stated: “Okay, I suppose that I concur with Lizzy and Alexis. Unless anyone else has any opposition I suppose that we can shelve the discussion on the Guild. Personally, I’m more worried about the Liberator Title, so let’s discuss that rather.”
“Yeah, I really don’t like that Title. It makes my spidy senses tingle.” Mike quipped. “Quadruple experience for killing specific sapients sounds great and all, but how often will it actually be applicable. Secondly, compulsory quest requiring killing of sapient beings? No thank you.”
John looked at Mike questioningly: “I agree with you on the most part. But if we chose this Title we could quickly advance by clearing out the more detestable participants of society. I for one wouldn’t be surprised if we find many more ‘slavers’ in town which we should be able to eliminate quickly. It would also be the right thing to do. Secondly, we have no idea what the effects of the Exsolutus Title are. It makes the choice riskier.”
“I’m all for killing ‘slavers’, but what happens when the System designates someone a ‘slaver’ and we do not agree with the System?” Alexis asked. “For example, when someone imprisons some serial mass murderers for a life of hard labour. Might the System define that as slavery? In that case, I’d rather eat the penalty.”
Ryan observed the discussion going back and forth for a while. It seemed that the group was more or less evenly split on the issue and the situation was slowly getting heated. Eventually Ryan decided to pour some cold water on the fire. He tapped William on the shoulder and whispered in his ear. “Could you keep them quiet for a second? I don’t want to raise my voice when I say my piece.”
“Quiet!” William shouted, the continued more softly. “This is getting nowhere fast. You’ve all added your thoughts, repeatedly. Ryan just wants to add another point of consideration. Go ahead please, brother dear.”
“I’ll add two things. I will be rejecting the Liberator Title. I’ll help found the Guild in any event but should you guys chose to go with the Liberator Title I’ll probably have to leave it. Don’t know if that would be the case but I doubt two conflicting Titles could work within that setting. Naturally, I’d still cooperate with the Guild in that case. Secondly, as for why I will reject the Title: I have no interest in being issued a compulsory quest that might force me to choose between fighting a significantly stronger opponent or eating an Experience penalty. Primarily, I could never accept being required to kill sapient beings, having the agency to make that decision taken away from me. In that light, I also have a good feeling about the Exsolutus Title.”
His announcement left the group quiet. John had a thoughtful look on his face when he asked: “Is that an ultimatum?”
“No, it’s not. I just clarified my stance on the issue. It’s possible that others would hold a similar stance. Something that hasn’t been considered in the discussion so far. I suggest that everyone re-evaluate their position. Remember, when we had the discussion on killing the gangs in town and freeing the captives the only reason the vote actually passed was because the moral outrage engendered by the captives living conditions.”
Ryan continued: “The title might well require the Guild to kill ‘slavers’ that treat their slaves well. I can guarantee that some people will likely leave the Guild rather than participate in such actions. I think that removing our agency in such conflicted scenarios is the worst mistake we could make, hence, no matter what the group decides, I will not burden myself with that Title. It’s a bloody trap.”
John settled down after Ryan’s last statement, clearly gathering his thoughts. Nobody seemed to want to add to the discussion, everyone quietly contemplating what Ryan had said. John spoke up a scant few seconds later: “In that case, since you’ve already made your choice, could you kindly go ahead and reject the Title and inform us what Exsolutus’s effects are so we have more information on hand.”
Ryan felt like a fool, John’s suggestion was logical and Ryan should have considered that option as well. In his defence, they had agreed on waiting with the choice until they could discuss it. Ryan had only later realised that under no circumstances would he chose the Liberator Title. So he entered his Interface and rejected the Title.
…Title rejected: Liberator. Automatically receive Exsolutus Title…
Selecting his new Title Ryan frowned. Instead of reading out the message he received he just shared the information with everyone.
Title effects will be revealed when every member of the group has made their election.
“Well shit.” John swore “Seems that the System definitely wants us to make a blind choice there. Fuck it. Let’s table the discussion for now and decide after we found the Guild.”
“I agree,” William added, “I’d also like to know who might feel similar to my big brother and possibly leave the group or guild if we chose the Liberator Title. Personally, I’d prefer to take the risk on Exsolutus now. So, anyone else dead set on rejecting Liberator?
“I am. Ryan raised a valid point. It removes our moral agency.” Alexis said. “I’ll think on it some more but I now doubt I could live with that choice.”
When no one immediately spoke up William continued. “Ok, everyone think on it some more. But I suggest we call the others in for a general meeting now. We have about five more minutes before the change should be implemented and we should all be present, it’s a momentous occasion. Anyone in the combat group want to be the founder? I’d be up to retiring.”
Ryan had to smile at the chorus of negations that followed. No one present was a hound for glory and they all appreciated the hard work that Lizzy and William had put into the group. The implicit trust that they gave William by allowing him to be the founder of the Guild, a position they assumed came with a lot of sway, was gratifying to Ryan. He was happy to see his little brother earning the trust and respect of the group.
As Ryan made to follow the group now heading out to the dining area, John, who had remained seated, silently gestured Ryan to stay for a moment. Puzzled, Ryan complied.
“I just want to thank you for making your position clear. I hadn’t considered the moral quandaries the effects of the Title might result in. I’m now leaning to support your decision. I just want to ask: Why did you not volunteer to found the Guild? You’d make a good leader. You’re headstrong, decisive, driven and with a clear moral code. Any group interaction I’ve observed you in you haven’t hesitated to take command when needed. You often take extra effort to reinforce William’s authority in subtle ways and I can see that it is deliberate. William isn’t as naturally talented in projecting authority as you are. Why then are you deferring to him in this respect? It’s just strange to me.”
“Because he is a better man. He’ll always keep the best interest of the group in mind when making decisions, something I might not. I’d be willing to sacrifice every single member of this group, except my brother, if it means I’ll remain alive to reach Prime. I don’t know if William or Alexis told you, but my baby daughter Victoria is in stasis. I cannot lead a group I’d be willing to abandon if it furthered my primary goal. So no, William is the best choice and I’ll do my best to support him in that position until such time I decide that the groups aim differs from my own. What I will not do I assure you, is betray the group. I’ll always make my position clear.”
Ryan stepped out of the room after he said his piece, slightly ashamed of the vehemence he had displayed towards John. The quiet “Thank you.” following him out the door however reassured him that he had made the correct choice in being candid with the Spymaster.