MORNING FOUND TY lurking outside of the armorer’s shop, sitting on the step, tapping his foot in a fevered rhythm, impatiently waiting for the place to open.
He’d spent all night loping around the village, checking various places out and familiarizing himself with Altunn’s layout again, though he’d purposely avoided the darker, seedier parts of the town.
Ty had been excited to spend his gold and didn’t want to stumble across some less scrupulous thief than Theolin, who’d take his little windfall away from him. So, he essentially camped out on the armorer’s step once he felt comfortable navigating town. A guard was stationed just twenty feet away from the row of nearby shops, so he felt safe waiting out the business day there.
All night long, he’d played with the coin in his pocket, wondering what he’d buy. He knew the two reputation points he lost would bite him in the butt when he tried to haggle for a better price, not to mention his complete lack of anything resembling a haggling skill, but the gold Theolin had given him would still be enough to buy what Ty needed, and then some.
Then he could make more money on his own once he was equipped properly.
First thing I’ll do is go back and pay Sully for the muffin I stole, he thought, sighing.
As much as he understood he was in a game, it was clear it was so much more than that. If what Charice, Amon, and Deven had said was true, this was his world now. His actions here had consequences just as they did in the real one, and now he was a criminal.
The consequences might be a little more apparent in this world, seeing how they popped up in a weird shade of blue text on the insides of his eyelids, but he figured they were just as far-reaching as those back in Chicago.
His heart sputtered as he thought of home.
His mom would just now be getting up to go to work, if he’d converted the weird difference between game and real time. Of course, she’d wait ‘til the very last minute, like she always did, her blaring alarm going off and barely giving her enough time to hop in the shower, grab a quick bite to eat, then yell at Ty and J about being good, her mouth still full, before she bolted out the door to catch the L and head off to the hospital.
She wouldn’t even know Ty was gone.
“That’s probably a good thing,” he whispered. For now. What happens when she does figure out I’m gone?
He swallowed back the tears that threatened to break loose, knowing he’d get stung by another MP drop if he kept thinking that way, and he didn’t need any more challenges. He’d racked up more than enough already since he’d been dragged into the game.
At last, after the sun had risen and hung in the sky for a while, the armorer leisurely made his way to the shop and unlocked the door, ignoring Ty, who still lurked on the step. The scruffy man didn’t so much as look Ty’s direction, but that was normal.
The NPCs had limited function in-game, specifically the shop owners and other background characters. Unless they had a quest to offer, or that were part of some greater story line that required interaction, they didn’t speak to PCs unless spoken to outside of their designated locations.
To them, Ty didn’t exist. Not until they thought he’d spend some money, at least.
He laughed, that in mind as he entered the shop behind the armorer.
And, true to form, the man was stationed behind his counter as if he’s been there all night rather than just having shown up.
“Greetings, traveler!” he called out, grinning from ear to ear.
Ty grinned back. Yeah, so now you see me, huh?
A mug of something warm sat on the counter beside the man, wisps of smoke rising into the air. Ty caught the scent of cinnamon, and it reminded him that he’d soon be hungry again. He’d have to do something to fend the hunger pangs off here soon.
Fortunately, he only needed to snack on something small in order to ward them off or, at least, that’s how it was in-game. The system wasn’t so finely calibrated that it knew what or how much a player ate, just that they had. As long as Ty stuffed a bite of something into his mouth, the hunger notification and, more importantly, the debilitating effects of not eating would be delayed until the next food bell.
“What can I do for you today?” the man, his glowing green nametag reading Oswald, asked. “I’ve some great deals on plate mail and brigandine,” he announced.
Ty just laughed and glanced down at himself. Oswald, of course, was oblivious to his meaning.
Even if Ty was tall enough to wear either, and could afford them, either of those suits of armor would tax his encumbrance beyond its max. He wouldn’t be able to roll around, let alone walk in that stuff. Though he had no idea what his strength was in-game, he was pretty sure he’d be hard-pressed to even lift the armor, let alone wear the stuff.
“I was thinking of something…cheaper and in a smaller size, and maybe weighing a whole lot less than either of those,” Ty clarified.
For the first time, Oswald seemed to actually look at Ty, the older man examining him, sizing him up.
“I see,” he replied after a moment. “Well, we don’t carry much in children’s sizes, ‘fraid to say, but maybe I’ve got some dwarven leather you can try on. It’ll be used, mind you, though still hardy. That okay?”
Ty nodded. He’d expected as much. The stores in the starter towns didn’t stock brand-new gear, largely because the parade of noobs passing through couldn’t afford any of it.
The armorer smiled and slipped through the curtain at his back. He rustled around in the other room for a moment or two, seeming to search through his inventory for the aforementioned armor.
Ty laughed under his breath at the juxtaposition of what seemed to be happening and what he knew was really going on.
Oswald knew exactly where every piece of armor he had was stashed, and it wouldn’t have taken anywhere near the amount of time it had already for him to retrieve it. Yet, the game was designed to approximate the feeling of dealing with a real, live person in every aspect.
Ty knew if he peeked behind the curtain, he’d likely see Oswald standing there, doing nothing but staring off blankly into space while phantom noises rattled on around him until the system timer warned enough time had elapsed for Oswald to return to the front room with the chosen piece of armor.
Ty was half-tempted to peek in on him when Oswald reappeared, carrying the soft leather jerkin in his meaty hand.
“I found it!” he announced, wiping sweat from his brow. “One day, I’m gonna have to clean that mess back there or I’ll never be able to find anything.” He circled around the counter and came over to Ty, holding the jerkin up against Ty’s chest.
It was painfully obvious to both of them that it was way too wide. While the length was perfect, he would swim in the jerkin, two and a half Tys able to fit side by side in it the way it was now.
Oswald grunted, tugging at the sides to tighten the leather. “You know, I could take it in a bit,” he said. “Would take a couple days to resize it and add some longer straps to the sides. Of course, it’d cost a bit more, too.” He said the last with a sly grin.
Ty sighed. “What are we looking at for all that?”
Oswald offered a causal shrug and paused a moment, as if he were really contemplating the cost rather than simply accessing a pre-determined amount already programmed in as his answer. “I’d reckon, fifty silver, all told. Less’n you want a rush job. Then you’d be looking at eighty.”
Ty stiffened at the amount, a sick feeling roiling in his stomach.
Normally, he wouldn’t have blinked at such a price. To AzzKickerofTheGodz420, powerful warrior and ultimate sugar daddy, that was nothing, a grain of sand in the desert that was his wealth, but to Ty, tiny noob, that was half the cash he had, more so if he wanted the armor rushed, which he’d need if he had any hope of facing down the horde.
“How much for the armor as is?” he asked, knowing he couldn’t invest all that in a single piece of equipment.
“Seeing how it’s worn, got a few blemishes here and there, not that those will impact its defensive qualities…”
Ty snorted at the obvious lie—never trust a used-armor salesman—but Oswald went on without pausing.
“I could see me parting with it for ten silver,” the armorer finished.
“You think maybe you could go…eight?” he hedged, offering up his best sad puppy face.
Oswald grinned. “You know, normally I could see myself offering up a discount, but…” he looked hard at Ty, sizing him up, and Ty knew his failed effort at pastry smuggling had derailed his attempt at haggling, “I think given the circumstances, ten is the lowest I can go right now.”
Ty nodded, biting back a sigh. He tried. “I guess can do that,” he replied. “Sold.”
And the deal was struck.
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You have paid Oswald 10 silver in exchange for a used, dwarven leather jerkin. It will provide basic protection against most attacks, lowering your damage taken and increasing the difficulty of a foe landing a critical blow. More or less.
“And how about some rope?”
Oswald left the jerkin with Ty and moved behind the counter and shuffled about underneath before bringing out a short coil of Sisal rope, only a few frays showing. “This is all I’ve got at the moment, so hows about it?”
The rope was a good bit thicker and bulkier than Ty had been hoping for, especially given what he planned to use it for, but he shrugged. It’d have to do. “I’ll take it.”
Beggars can’t be choosers.
You have purchased rope for 5 copper.
“Now, all I need are some boots and a pair of leather leggings,” Ty continued. “Think you’ve got anything in my size for those?”
Oswald examined him again and nodded. “The leggings might be a challenge, finding some to fit those twigs you call legs, but you’ve got huge feet for a little guy. Those, I can work with.”
“Heyyyyy,” Ty whined as Oswald slipped behind the curtain again, the same rustling noises picking up where they’d left off the last time.
While he was gone, Ty unraveled the rope and set to work. With one hand, he tucked the excess leather of the jerking under the rest of it and maneuvered it around until it laid somewhat flat across his back. Then, holding it in place, he wrapped the rope around his chest, pulling it tight until it held the armor in place, freeing his hand.
He then tied a small knot to keep the rope in place, and then wrapped the rope around his torso again, this time positioning it closer to the bottom of his ribs. Another loop around him ended at his waist, and he pulled the rope as tight as he could without hampering his breathing, and then he tied it all off.
He panted a little as he finished, the work awkward, and stretched side to side to adjust the grip of the rope so that it settled more comfortably around him.
You have equipped—the word used loosely—dwarven leather jerkin. Your Armor Rating (AR) has improved slightly (+2). You are now ready to take the fight to your foes. Small, delicate ones, at least.
Oswald walked out of the back room right then. He started to speak, but his mouth just kind of hung there, dangling open and silent as he spotted what Ty had done to secure the leather.
Ty could only imagine what he looked like right then and offered up an embarrassed grin. “Sometimes a guy’s gotta make do with what’s available.”
Oswald nodded. “Indeed.” It took him a moment, his eyes locked on the makeshift effort Ty had put in to keep the jerkin in place, before finally coming around the counter to offer up the other items Ty had asked for.
“The boots will be a perfect fit, though the leggings, I’m afraid, might be a little loose on you,” he said. “We could, of course, find you some more rope…”
An annoyed growl slipped loose of Ty’s mouth, but he forced a smile to cover it. “Do I amuse you enough to get a discount?” he fired back.
Your attempt at Charm has failed! Sarcasm is not an appropriate bargaining tool.
The heck it’s not!
Oswald grinned but shook his head. “No, but nice try.”
“What’s the damage then?”
“It’ll be five silver for the leather leggings, and while they are sized for a small woman, they are new…”
“Great selling point, Oswald,” Ty grumbled.
“And the boots will run you two silver. They, however, are not so new, nor are they sized for a woman. They’re closer to half-ogre size, minus those ragged toe-claws they’re so proud of.”
For a moment, Ty wondered what the hit to his reputation would be if he stabbed the old man in the throat.
He decided against finding out, especially considering he didn’t even have a weapon. Besides, he wasn’t up for getting his butt kicked by a shopkeeper, then getting dragged off to jail.
“Sold,” he finally spit out.
You have purchased a pair of women’s leggings and a pair of huge boots for 7 silver coins.
Ty groaned, realizing both of those wonderful descriptions would show up should anyone examine his equipped gear.
As if people aren’t eyeballing me enough already, he thought, sighing. Now I’m going to be the BDSM freak with girl pants. Who needs friends, anyway?
Still, it was better than nothing. He’d spent less than eighteen silver for everything, and while it was hardly top of the line gear, it’d keep him from dying if he stumbled into a rose bush, maybe even if he got stabbed a time or two.
He slipped the loose pants on, tightening them with the waist clasp, all while doing his best to ignore Oswald’s amused chuckle. He then eased into the boots which, of course, fit him perfectly.
You have equipped small ladies leather pants and noticeably large leather boots. Your Armor Rating (AR) has increased slightly (+1).
If I ever get out of this place, I’m going to have a long talk with the programmers of this game, Ty vowed. All the trash talk was exactly how he pictured high school being. At least I’m not missing out on anything if I never get out of here.
As he made to leave, he remembered something else her needed.
“Hey! You have any backpacks lying around?” he asked.
“Of course,” Oswald replied. He dug under the counter and pulled out a ratty pack that looked as it’d had better days. “Got one here you can have for free. Not even sure where I picked the thing up, to be honest. Just been sitting here collecting dust for a while.”
Glad to avoid having to dig into his already meager stash of cash, Ty nodded. “I’ll take it. Thanks.”
“You got it, traveler. Use it well.”
Ty slipped the straps over his shoulder and cinched them tight. He was as prepared as he could possibly be. So, ready to get out into the world and face the disapproving eyes of his peers and the neighborhood NPCs, Ty offered a backhanded wave to Oswald and headed for the door.
“Thanks for your patronage,” Oswald called out to his back. “Be sure to tell your friends about us.”
“Oh, you can be sure of that…” Ty muttered as he left. “Not.”
Though, to be fair, he didn’t have any friends to tell, anyway.
Outside the shop, the sun beat down on him. It was already mid-afternoon in game time, but he was surprised to realize how neutral the temperature was. Though the sun was shining, and it was technically summer in Emerhant, Ty felt quite comfortable despite the layers of armor—and rope—encasing him in dark leather.
A great gong sounded then, and Ty grunted as a wave of hunger shuddered through him.
You are hungry!
“Yeah, yeah,” he griped, starting off at a brisk march.
He’d spied several food stalls the night before, though they’d been closed, but he knew where to go to get some lower-priced food he could stave off hunger pangs with.
Doing his best to ignore the grumbling pains in his gut, Ty took in the town in the daylight, watching all the people as they milled about, headed about their daily lives. There seemed to be more of them today than yesterday, both PC and NPC alike, and there was a kind of shrill tension in the air. He could feel it as he joined the crowd, a palpable sense of something…wrong, something looming.
+1 to Perception.
You have become more aware! It’s a shame people don’t look around more often.
Ty caught the notifications and blinked them aside, though it was nice to know he’d been right after all. There was something different about Altunn today. He wasn’t sure what, but it hung in the air like storm clouds ready to unleash their load.
He listened in on everyone as he walked toward the food stalls, angling for the thicker crowds, slowing in order to get a better feel for what was going on. It didn’t take long for him to be reminded that there would be a full moon tonight. It was all everyone was talking about.
That’s when he remembered Theolin mentioning it during his aborted robbery, along with something about a horde. Charice, Amon, and Deven had brought it up, too. It was what they’d supposedly summoned him for, but outside of the obvious connotations of a horde, Ty didn’t know anything about it. Whatever was coming, the town was on edge.
Ty stopped off at the nearest of the food stalls and ordered the cheapest meal they had, gulping it down without tasting it, just so he could avoid being hungry. He was glad to see the hunger notification subsiding, so he could focus on what was happening in Altunn.
No memory of a horde from his time in the starter town way back when, he figured it was one of the newer quests the programmers had added into the game to keep things fresh. And while that was cool, no one wanting to run the same quests over and over, it left Ty at a distinct disadvantage of not knowing what was going on in his newly adoptive home…realm.
He didn’t like it one bit.
While he wasn’t one to obsess over game tutorials or YouTube videos of gameplay, watching other nerds play scenarios he’d yet to get to, he did, on occasion, Google the less obvious of quest mysteries so as to avoid dying and having to rush back and grab his death pile before someone else looted it.
Ty wasn’t a big fan of surprises.
You know, crap like being sucked into a game world out of nowhere. Had I known that was going to happen, I’d have dressed more appropriately. Riot gear would have been my choice, along with an AK-47 and a couple thousand rounds.
Curious as to the nature of this coming horde, he left the food stall behind, already missing the scent of fresh meat cooking over an open fire, then made his way to the town gates.
He’d only taken a quick look at the area last night, the neighborhood more than a bit shady even by his standards, and approached the guard stationed just inside. The gates sealed up tight, he couldn’t see anything beyond their wooden exterior.
Ty paused for a few seconds when he got close to the guard, waiting to see if he was wanted for the Great Muffin Heist of 2019, but the soldier barely even glanced at Ty, and there wasn’t any indication he had landed on the Altunn Top Ten list.
He let out a quiet sigh and went toward the gates.
“Hold there!” the guard shouted, suddenly way more interested in Ty than he’d been seconds before. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Just wanted to take a quick look outside, get some eyes on this horde everyone is talking about.”
The guard looked him over, taking in every inch of Ty, then shook his head. “There’ll be none of that, traveler. You have not yet reached the required level of skill to survive in the world outside these protective gates. I cannot allow you to pass.”
“Dang it,” Ty growled. He’d forgotten all about the limitations placed on exiting starter towns.
Before the guards would open the gates to PCs, they had to first resolve all their debts. If they had any quests outstanding, or owed a shopkeeper money, they had to clear those debts or cancel the active quests. Then, on top of that, they had to be level 5, otherwise the guards would block their passage.
Ty wondered for a second if he could dart past the guard and make it to the gate, but he dismissed that as a stupid idea. Unlike when he’d outrun the guard before, he’d had someplace to go, someplace to slip away, out of sight. Now, he doubted he’d even get the bar raised before the guard bashed Ty over the skull with his halberd.
If that happened, then he’d have a twelve-hour timeout, and he’d miss the horde altogether.
Then again…
Ty contemplated doing just that, but what purpose would that serve?
None, he figured.
Having slowly put the pieces together, it was clear Charice and her buddies had thought he could help them with their horde problem. Mind you, they’d expected AzzKickerofTheGodz420, the destroyer of MMORPG worlds, not the guy clacking the keys behind the screen name.
However, despite the lack of muscles and skills and real armor and courage and a kick-butt weapon, Ty might still be able to help.
He eased back from the guard to keep from getting walloped, hands raised, and surveyed the area, looking for a way around the guard and his moratorium on the outside world.
Not more than a moment later, he spotted what he was looking for.
Just about ten yards off to the side of the guard’s position, he spotted a small shack built right up against the great stone wall that separated Altunn from the wilds the other side of the gate. The roof wasn’t more than ten feet from the ledge of the battlements. Sat alongside the shack were a variety of wooden crates.
Ty examined the arrangement for a moment, then grinned. He went over to the shack, keeping an eye on the guard for a moment, until he realized the man didn’t give a dang as to what Ty was doing, and examined the crates up close.
He nudged a smaller one with his toe, and it moved easily, scraping across the dirt. Ty glanced over his shoulder at the guard again, still oblivious to what Ty was contemplating.
Must be a programming thing, he thought.
Regardless, he planned to take advantage of the soldier’s inattentiveness.
No longer worried about being interrupted, he piled the crates up into makeshift steps so that he could reach the top of the shack without much difficulty. Then he tossed a few of the smaller crates onto the shack, each landing with a loud thump.
One last glance around to ensure no one was going to stop him, Ty clambered up the crates and onto the roof of the shack. Then he quickly arranged the crates there so he could climb onto the battlements.
Not more than a moment later, he was there, standing on the narrow ledge that encircled the wall, providing a clear view of the open field just outside.
He regretted his curiosity immediately.