Carter logged in to an absolute chaotic scene in front of him. Bodies laid all around him, people shouting over proximity chat, arrows flying and swords flashing in the sunlight. A large orc ran towards him swinging a massive axe wildy. When he was within range to hit, Carter dove sideways, dodging it by inches. It clinged against the stone floor. He drew his elven blade and threw a fire bolt in the orcs face. It stumbled backward, clawing at his eyes trying to regain vision. He saw this as his chance and made a run for it, following the masses out of the southern city gates.

“For the Crimson Regiment!” Carter heard shouting and saw text appearing above some of the players heads. For the first time he noticed the majority of players were equipped with a red tabard decorated with two crossed cutlasses. The Regiment drove the live players from the city and killed anyone who dared to stay. Above the city, a giant timer appeared with a sword and shield icon. It showed 22:00:39 remaining. In the corner a new icon appeared, with the same icon as that which appeared above the city, showing the time and flashing red.

Outside the gates there was an influx of players regrouping in the village but were soon driven out even further by a scourge of the red. Anyone who tried to make a stand was soon cut down and sent to spawn at the nearest city which was Reander to the south. A much smaller city which focused on fishing as a trade. It was controlled by a player named Errekai and they were tolerant towards Breau.

On the retreat towards Reander, Carter spotted the Governor. He sat slumped over the saddle of his mount. Amazing Carter again with how the game could portray emotion.

Jiter738 (Level 27)

The crowds moved beyond the village and poured into the Golwynn forest to the east. Preoccupied by looking and following the crowd, the gnome didn’t here the ranger walking up to him. “Hey! I thought you looked familiar! Wild isn’t it? Occupation of towns are never an easy task and this will escalate into a full blown war if they try to take over the other towns as well. Hopefully the Governor looked after his relationships with Reander and Shater and they will help.” They found a place in the forest to wait on what will happen next, most players already walking off to other cities or dungeons in search of their next quest. Usually when a new Government settles into a place it takes a while for the surroundings to calm down. PvPers and bounty hunters thrive in this chaotic environment and they take advantage of the players as they are forced to do their activities in new areas.

All of this intrigued Carter greatly and he was already dreaming of having his own village one day. Controlling the ins and outs and developing it into a thriving city. “What you want to do today Rin?” Alora broke the silence. “I was thinking about doing dungeons in search of some more gold.” She thought for a moment and settled on an idea. “I can show you The Buried Tombs?” It’s in the desert between Reander and Teledo. It's quite a step up from The Black Snake but it is mostly mechanics so we will be fine!”

He agreed to her proposal and they started the journey. They followed the old stone road that leads to Reander as movement on a road was increased by 20%. While walking, a popup flashed on screen, notifying him Hrenian logged on. He sent him a quick message and asked if he liked to join, which he hastily agreed to, and they waited for him on the side of the road. When he arrived he gave them a quick rundown of how he escaped the Crimson onslaught and mentioned that there has been no push back as none of the other leaders have been able to assemble an army big enough, or they just didn’t care enough.

“I really need to upgrade my Fire Staff of the Magi, and my Elven blade. They seem to start lacking at the moment, and I can probably wield much better now, right?” He looked at Hrenian and Alora. “I am 21 Combat level after all.” Hrenian looked up at the clear blue sky as he thought. “Hmm pretty sure a wand and orb or book would be better than the staff at your current level as it allows you to attack much quicker than with a staff.” Alora expressed her agreement with a nod. “Well it looks like we’re going to be spending my mount money again it seems!”

Along the way they spotted lots of travelers heading to the safety of Reander, and as trading hubs inventories weren’t shared between cities, he was excited at the prospect of seeing new items he hadn't seen before. In the field on the right he saw a party of hunters hunting down a creature hadn’t seen. It was tall with thin long arms and short hindquarters. Running away on all fours. It had two white streaks from its face running down to the back of its body with no tail. But even though it had great speed, it was no match for the hunter's mounts, who gained ground on it much quicker than it could move. The hunter closest to the beast threw a spear into its side, as another threw a lasso around its hind leg.

The lasso thrower’s mountain stopped and the rope pulled taught, ripping the leg from underneath the wounded animal and making it stumble. A third hunter dismounted and rushed forward to the beast's face, he drew a long thin sword and drove it into the beast's forehead, killing it instantly. The three adventurers had stopped while Carter was watching the event unfold. “What is that?” He asked. “It's a Barilla. Hunted for its claws and green blood which is used in the Herblore skill. But it is very rare and seen as endgame content. It also spawns randomly in the world and there are never two at one single time.” Alora answered him, as always with a lot of info which he needs to digest. “Cool, maybe one day we’ll hunt those. By the Alora, how did you get out of the city? Did you recognize anyone? It is your old clan correct?” Carter asked. She gave him a death stare as if he said something he shouldn't have. Before he could answer, Hrenian asked, “You are in The Crimson Regiment?”. “Was. I had a level 31 Hardcore account ranked 63 in the world. Until I was ambushed by them after a raid. Let’s push on, I don’t really want to talk about it.”

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

After passing by the all-white marble city of Reander, and buying the new equipment they made their way through the desert towards The Buried Tombs.

Equipment

Gear

Attack modifiers

Equipped weapons: Wand of the Flame, orb of Knowledge, Pirate’s cutlass.

+6 damage to all fire spells and applies a burning effect of +4 damage every 4 seconds.

+6 melee, +2 agi.

Armour: Robes of the Flame.

Protection from heat +5% and +2 damage to fire spells.

Jewellery: Ring of Healing

+5 hit points per minute

Enchantment: Nothing

Resistances

Elemental: 0%

Cold: 0%

Ranged: 0%

Melee: 0%

Lightning: 0%

Undead: 0%

Acid: 0%

Heat: 5%

Dodge chance: 3%

Arriving at The Buried tombs they saw a large pyramid, with an entrance guarded by two wrapped skeleton statues. Carter’s excitement started to bubble through again. “Can you stop tapping on your wand, it's annoying the daylights out of me.” Alora said. He didn't even notice he was doing it but did as requested. When he entered through the doorway a foul smell started burning his nostrils. “What is that?” “Oh just some undead, you’ll get used to it.” Hrenian said with a laugh. The first mobs that came into view were two draugrs, wielding large cleaver-like swords. Hrenian brought his spear and charged. Carter used his new wand, threw a flame wave overhead while Alora fired a double shot into one of the skeletons. The draugrs caught flame easily, and Hrnenin pushed his spear through the draugr’s head, knocking its jaw off completely.

Carter threw flame ball after flameball, all hitting their mark as Hrenian duck and dodged the flurry of blades. When they were both dead, the trio pushed on to the next room. It had ancient texts on the wall with engravings depicting a war scene between beast and sentient. In the back corner, two coffins opened as they entered through the doorway. Two banshees raised from the coffins and flew towards the party, screeching.

Before Carter could react, a banshee had passed straight through him and knocked him off his feet. He saw his health bar deplete by 5 points. The screeching old hag turned around and prepared for another pass-through. But now Carter was prepared, and fired multiple fire balls the old soul and brandished a fire wall in front of him. To his surprise the banshee passed straight through taking immense fire damage. Claws outstretched it reached for Carter, slashing him across his chest, tearing through his armor. The banshee hardened as it did an melee attack and left its ghost form, he drew his cutlass and swiped across its neck, sending the ghostly white head flying. Turning to face the next opponent he saw Alora and Hrenian take care of it.

Loot

The Buried Tombs (Quest)

Read this text to start a quest.

He saw a new flashing icon showing a red blue compass. He pushed it aside and decided to come back to it after the dungeon was completed.

On the right side of the cavern, the walls separated and led to a new room. Inside, torches lit the area and they could see 4 zombies rising out from the stone floor. Instantly, Carter threw a fireball at the closest one sending it sprawling backwards. Hrenian ran with his spear holding it horizontally in his hands and cutting straight through the middle of two. He dug his spear into the heads of the two and they turned into black mist. Alora fired a headshot into the final one and from somewhere in the next room to the north they heard a deep growl. “Okay final room, it's a dracolich. It's an easy one, just stay out of the way of its ice spray.

They left the zombie bones on the floor and ran into the new room. They were met with a Skeletal dragon, with flesh dripping down its bones. “You dare enter the tomb of the great Elrat. You will pay with your lives!” He opened his mouth and filled the room with an icy spray. Hrenian was not quick enough and it froze him on the spot. A timer appearing above his head.

00:00:05.

“Oh I see what you mean!” Carter yelled at Alora. His fire spells did not affect the beast. It seemed to only anger the immense dragon. It swiped its tail and hit Carter, sending him flying towards the wall. The dragon roared and sent an icy wave towards Carter but he was fast enough to roll out of the way. Hrenian and Alora flanked the beast as its attention was focussed on Carter and started shooting and stabbing at its side. It let out a deafening roar and focussed on them. Clawing and biting at them.

After a large battle, leaving all three at low hit points and reduced stats from getting caught in his icy breath, they sat down in the empty room.

Loot

Dracolith’s femur bone x 1

Can be crushed up and used in herblore.

Bones

Bones. Just bones.

Dracolith’s tooth x 1

Can be added to a helmet and provide +2% cold resistance.

After deciding who gets what from the loot they left and made their way back to Reander.

Once safely inside the walls of the city, Carter once again clicked on the quest tab.

The Buried Tombs: Speak to the Head guard in Reander and show him this note. He will ask you to investigate an incident in Teledo.