WILD LIFE: CHAPTER 12 ~TRUST~
Shortly after Hope had started cooking in the mess hall...
*ding*
-You have altered another player's destiny.
-You have conflicted another player's morals.
-A title has been augmented.
Benevolent SuccubusYou have no qualms acting the fool or compromising your lesser morals to get what you want. Seriously not a single qualm in your mind or body. You're so shameless that half the time you don't even realize what you're doing till its already over. Rumors of your antics have reached epic proportions within a city. You always get what you want. If you're acting this way you must have a good reason for it. Use of this title will draw attention. Freya has taken an interest in your amusing activities, use of this title may draw her personal attention.
Charm + 250
Fame + 150
Leadership + 50
'What the... pretty soon it's going to get difficult to justify not using that title...'
As Hope stared in shock at the message she was approached by Amanda. "I got a new skill that I was hoping you could explain."
"Is it confusing?"
"Not the skill itself, the reason that I got it. Show Hope skill window, Freya's favor."
Freya's FavorThe Goddess of beauty and fertility Freya has taken a liking to you. For showing your loyalty to the polite adventurer she favored Freya has seen fit bestow upon you a blessing.
-Strength + 20% when in a party with Hope.
-Vitality + 20% when in a party with Hope.
-Endurance + 20% when in a party with Hope.
-Magic resistance + 10% when in a party with Hope.
-Healing received + 15% when in a party with Hope.
After quickly looking over the skill's description "Oh wow... that does seem like something she would do."
"You know Freya!?"
"We've talked once during my avatar creation. I guess I left an impression... it may also have to do with the fact that my favorite place in Restia happened to have a very nice statue of her."
"I've never seen that statue."
"It was in the park." Hope explained
"I'm thankful and all for the skill but... I was planning on sticking around you for a while anyway. Now it kind of feels like I'm staying with you just for the boost."
"I know, I get it. It's not like you asked for it and you did seek me out before you got the skill. I won't think were in a party together just because it would be a nice perk for you. This only happens to be an added bonus... and it's not like I won't benefit from it as well. Send party invite, Amanda."
You have been invited to a party.
"Accept party invite, Hope."
You have joined a party.
"I'm glad you understand. I know you've got some sort of trouble with trust and I didn't want you to think any less of me because of Freya's favor." Amanda said
"If anything I think better of you now... care to explain how you showed me loyalty?"
Amanda looked a little taken aback seeing as she had forgotten about that part. "I decided that some of the more personal things we discussed and information that you wouldn't want others to know, like your special class are better left unsaid."
Hope understood at that moment that Amanda was very likely to be the first person in royal road that she could really trust. "Thank you Amanda, you have no idea how much that means to me... but why wouldn't I want others to know what class I am?"
"People get jealous when they hear about a hidden class, especially if the person who has it is really strong." she explained
Hope mulled over that for a second "I see... I won't be showing people my status window so openly anymore, thank you again." she said smiling gently at Amanda.
"Show Hope avatar status window, Amanda."
NameAmandaAlignmentNeutralLevel90ProfessionKnightRaceHumanTitleStraightforwardFame347(+20)Infamy0Health3420 / 3420Mana800 / 800Strength175(+65)Agility90(+20)Vitality183(+30)Honor54(+10)Intelligence10(+10)Wisdom60(+10)Leadership93(+20)Luck10(+10)Fighting Spirit86(+10)Endurance198(+60)Attack194Defense382Magical ResistanceFire10%Water10%Wind10%Earth10%Light10%Darkness10%-10 points added to all Stats.
-Shield defense double.
-Magic resistance + 10%
-Honor stat raises familiarity with nobility and increases your chance of receiving requests.
-Enables you to equip certain items specialized for the class.
"Now were even." Amanda claimed as Hope began to laugh at her.
"You didn't have to do that."
"I wanted to do that."
Hope gave her a more appraising look "Careful Amanda, I may get attached."
"Go right ahead." the knight claimed unashamedly as Lily walked in.
"I'm sorry I took off earlier..." Lily said
"Don't worry about it, you caught me at a bad time that's all." Hope chuckled ruefully
"I'll say."
"Calmed your nerves a bit?" Amanda asked
"Yeah I ran into that knight... she couldn't stop blushing while she explained what happened. The odd part is she didn't seem to be mad with you at all. Normally the npc would never speak to you again after something like that."
"Ah, Cynthia and I have an unbreakable bond... the highest level of familiarity. I seduced her and then I saved her life, something like that won't even put a dent in our bond." Hope explained
"Seduced her!?" Lily exclaimed
"Yeah, for a barbarian she was surprisingly bashful and innocent." Hope reminisced slightly as Amanda and Lily shook there heads.
"Was it easy?" Amanda asked now curious
"Sort of, I think my charm stat makes me appear even better looking to the npcs than I really am. Otherwise, it's just a matter of knowing when to take advantage of opportune moments." Hope said absently
"You're character already looks really attractive, you must absolutely glow when an npc looks at you." Lily explained
"Thank you for the compliment." Hope said
"That's your real body?" Amanda asked
"Almost" Hope answered
"What's different?" Lily asked
"Well aside from the obvious..." she said pointing to her ear with the cooking utensil "my complexion isn't quite this youthful and I've got a few... scars."
"... oh" they both said in unison feeling that they shouldn't ask anything else.
"Well that's gonna make Guy's day." Lily spoke up
"Why?" Hope asked
"You didn't tell her?" Lily asked Amanda
"I didn't think it was my place." Amanda said
Hope being the intelligent woman she is put two and two together. "The reason he's trying to change is for me?"
Amanda looked back at Hope "Yeah... hes got a bit of a crush."
"That's disappointing..." Hope said looking a little saddened
"Why?" Lily asked
"I thought that maybe he was going in the right direction for the right reasons, trying to change yourself because you want to bed someone is obviously the wrong reason." Hope explained honestly
Amanda blushed and now felt really sorry for her cousin. "I think that's only half the reason Hope. Sure he's got a little crush but he barely knows you, I think this is more about the way you made him feel... you really tore him apart with what you said."
"I see, I suppose as long as his heart is in it for more than just gaining the attention of a woman it can't be a bad thing." Hope said as her expression turned less pained. "Alright enough of that the guardsmen have eaten, let's eat!"
"I'm starving... wait, were you just cooking?" Amanda asked
"Oh... yeah I've got the cooking skill."
"Why!? Isn't that a total waste?" Lily asked
"Not at all, eat some of these bison steaks I made and you'll understand... then again I suppose when I got the skill it wasn't because I realized that it would be this helpful, I just wanted to be able to make my own food." she explained
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"Sooooo tasty!" Amanda yelled out in excitement
"Wow Hope, this is amazing!" Lily shouted
"Thanks" Hope said a bit embarrassed
'nom nom nom nom nom nom'
-You are well fed!
*ding*
Bison SteaksThis simple hearty dish can be prepared by any intermediate cook.
- Health, Mana and Stamina regeneration increased by 25%.
- All attributes are increased by 15.
- Maximum Health and Mana increased by 8%.
- These effects last for 6 hours.
"No way!" Amanda shouted
"You're kidding..." Lily said as she looked at the item window.
"Cooking is pretty useful isn't it? Of course I would've gotten it just so that I didn't have to eat any more rations or rye bread." Hope said absently remembering the bitter and stale bread.
As they were finishing their meal Commander Darius approached "Hope, do you have some time... I'd like to hear what you have planned for the coming battle."
"Yes Darius of course, I'll be in the command center as soon as I bid Amanda and Lily farewell... actually would you mind if they joined us?"
"These are two of the ones you mentioned from the northern operations?" he asked
"Yes these two are the ones I spoke of when we first met. It's in no small part thanks to their bravery that Fort Odin still stands unscathed." Hope explained
*ding*
"Wha...!? I just got an absurd amount of fame and familiarity." Lily said
"You did save them." Hope said candidly
"Of course Lady Lily and Lady Amanda are welcome in the command center."
"Then let us be off Sir Darius."
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Once they were in the command center Hope began to speak "First of all, we need to make sure that the lizardmen don't try to draw us into another open conflict until the Restian knights have arrived. From what you told me earlier that will just cause casualties. I just arrived so I'm not sure how best to go about doing that, I'll defer to your judgement on the matter Darius."
*ding*
Familiarity with Darius has been increased.
Familiarity within Fort Odin has increased.
"It shall be done." Darius claimed confidently
"Now let's go over the battle plan. The knights will be on horseback and they've got a lot of experience with those halberds so I say that we use them to break the enemies lines. With Cynthia riding Blindside up front the lizardmen might just throw up the white flag."
"Agreed" Darius chuckled
"After your men have drawn the lizards into open conflict they will open a hole in the line as the Restian knights charge through. When the knights begin their charge we'll set the enemy lines ablaze by lobbing the molotovs from atop the fortress wall... can you draw the lizardmen in close enough for that?"
"If they think they're winning... it won't be a problem."
"Good, after that the battle should be won if what you told me earlier is true."
"It is, I believe that this will be a resounding success with minimal casualties. On behalf of my men I thank you."
*ding*
Familiarity with Darius has been greatly increased. An unbreakable bond has been forged.
You have given a Fort Commander the inspiration to reach new heights fame + 75
Leadership has been permanently increased by 10
"Hope I'd like you to have this, it's something I was given when I first started my own journey and I believe that it will be of great help to you."
-You have received a Heroic Ring
Heroic RingTypeRingQualityGrandDurability60 / 60Artistic Value180CreatorUlgren StonehandDefense1An engraved gold ring created by a skilled dwarf as a gift to his dear friend Darius.RestrictionNoneEffect(s):
Leadership + 50
Strength + 50
Mana consumption - 20%
Cannot be dropped upon death.
"Thank you Darius, I will use it well my friend."
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The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
As they left the command room Amanda spoke up "Was that what happens when you get maximum familiarity?"
"Yes, also it would seem that being unable to drop the items upon death may be a recurring theme."
"That didn't seem to difficult..." she claimed
"You may have forgotten but for one, we saved this fort. Two, I've raised morale within the fort a considerable amount through all of my actions from the moment that I stepped foot here. Three... I may have acted a little shameless here and there." she said a bit shyly
Amanda laughed and said "What did you do? The usual, play with his rear?"
Hope looked away...
"You're kidding!" Lily shouted in shock as Amanda began to double over laughing.
"I didn't play with it so much as I did smack it when I walked by..." Hope said defending her honor.
"Well you've certainly got a talent there Hope. Far be it for me to question your methods." Amanda said as she once again broke out into laughter and was left behind with Lily.
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Hope decided that it was time to work on her blacksmithing skill some more while she had the free time. While she was at it she thought that she should go ahead and update her machete and knives. So in an attempt to gather better materials than the iron and steel that was laying around the forge she located Blindside.
"Blindside can I have a few antlers?" Hope said with puppy dog eyes
".. of course you can." he said remembering the after effects of Hope's antler farming.
*schhwaff* *schhwaff* *schhwaff*
"..."
"..."
"I guess you can't break them this time? Sorry." the moose apologized
"Lay down and keep your head still Blindside."
Blindside shivered a bit as he had a feeling about what was coming next. Harry looked on in horror and thanked the gods that he didn't have antlers.
*POW* *CRACK* *POW* *CRACK* *POW* *CRACK* *POW*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hope made her way back to the forge leaving behind an emotionally scarred moose having used her offensive buffs with helm splitter to gather eight identical antlers... that didn't grow or change shape in anyway. After Hope felt comfortable with her level of ability and focus she took out the antlers and the highest quality steel she could identify laying around the forge.
-You have received Balanced Horn Throwing Knife
Balanced Horn Throwing KnifeTypeKnifeQualityFineDurability35 / 35Artistic Value20CreatorHopeAttack35-40A short tiny knife, specifically built for throwing. This knife is very sharp and made with majestic antlers.RestrictionAgility: 100Effect(s):
Increased throwing velocity.
Causes bleeding damage.
After she was satisfied with the knives Hope began to work on her blade.
-You have received Wicked Horn Machete
Wicked Horn MacheteTypeSwordQualityFineDurability125 / 125Artistic Value70CreatorHopeAttack30-36This unusual sword was crafted by Hope using majestic antlers and high quality steel.
The way the blade is shaped will increase chopping speed and damage significantly.RestrictionLevel: 60 Strength: 120 Vitality: 60Effect(s):
Strength +40
Amanda had been watching in honest shock as Hope crafted the weapons "Why can you craft your own weapons?"
"Because I learned to blacksmith?" Hope replied a bit confused
"No I mean most people wouldn't bother with that skill unless it was their main profession. Why did you get it?" she explained
"Oh..." Hope thought for a moment "I was planning to journey alone through the uninhabited areas of Versailles... I thought that since I'd be out in the middle of nowhere all alone for long periods of time I should work on attaining skills that would allow me to be self sufficient."
"What else did you pick up for the sake of being self sufficient?" she asked
"Mmmm you know about cooking and blacksmithing, that leaves sculpture master to carve spare arrows and tailoring to craft clothing and armor like what I'm wearing right now. Oh wait, I also learned herbalism and alchemy... and obviously item identification seemed important but I already had that." Hope said nonchalantly
Amanda stared at Hope now more shocked than she had ever been... standing before her was an impossible existence. Hope had become a self sufficient hybrid class character capable of befriending powerful beasts and matching most warriors in combat... not to mention the healing magic.
*KYAA!* she sounded, Hope had mischievously smacked Amanda on the rear in her absentminded state.
Amanda looked at Hope ignoring what she'd just done and said. "How long did you spend in Restia?"
"More than a month in real life time."
"Without even walking out the gates?"
"I looked from atop the towers."
"How did you do that!? The knights won't let anyone... never mind I forgot who I'm talking to for a second there." she said looking at Hope with a judging gaze as Hope began to whistle. "Why didn't you leave town sooner?"
"Only a fool would go into the wilderness unprepared." Hope said plainly
"You must have some real life experience?"
"I spent nearly seven years living in various wild parts of the world, for the most part as a guide and cartographer... I came back out to play royal road. The advertisement said come explore and adventure in a whole new world... that caught the attention of the people I'm living with now, they told me about it and convinced me to join up." she explained...
"That explains a lot." Amanda said as she nodded in understanding.
"Is it really that odd for someone without a crafting class to have crafting skills?" Hope asked now curious about her own circumstances.
"Some people do it... but I've never heard of someone with multiple crafting skills being a combat class profession... you might be the first?"
"Probably not... it seemed like common sense to me at the time. I can't be the only one who thought cooking your own food and making your own equipment was a good idea."
"Sure people will think it's a good idea, right up until they realize how much time and effort they have to put into each skill. After that little epiphany they usually drop the crafting skills and leave it up to other people... usually guild members." Amanda said as she realized Hope was definitely not in a guild at the moment.
"Well maybe picking up the skills hasn't been as difficult for me because of my art and charm stats, not to mention the fact that it sounds like Freya has some personal interest in my work."
"Oh, charm effects your crafting skills?"
"Show Amanda charm attribute description."
CharmThe presence of an attractive person draws the attention of those in their proximity, increasing the effectiveness of Leadership. As charm rises the avatar becomes more attractive, and for those who have professions related to crafting; works may become more detailed. The charm stat acts over NPC troops making them more liable to do as you command, stacks with personal rep and leadership.
Makes it easier to tame pets
Makes it easier to hire mercenaries
Allows more easily one to influence how an NPC thinks
"... I had no idea charm was so... useful." Amanda said honestly after reading the description.
"Yeah I had no idea how good it was when I first generated the stat."
"That also explains why the fort was basically under your control by the time Lily and I arrived." Amanda said as Hope began to laugh
"Well I'm not in control, I'm just helping a bit that's all." Hope claimed modestly.
"Hope, what do you think of guilds?"
"I'm not sure... it sounds like a good idea but I think that most guilds aren't exactly what I'd be looking for."
"What do you mean?"
"How many members does your guild have Amanda?"
"A little over a hundred why?"
"How many of them do you know personally? How many of them have you fought together with? How many have you shared a meal with?"
"I see what your getting at..." Amanda said while turning Hope's words over in her head "You mean that you wouldn't join a guild unless you knew everyone that belonged to the guild?"
"If I joined a guild I would assume that in the future we may be pulled together and have to rely on each other. I won't entrust that task to someone I haven't judged with my own eyes first. I... know you're strong Amanda and Lily seems helpful. If you said hey let's make a guild and only invite people we know, then I'd go for it. If you said hey do you want to join my guild full of strangers, I'd laugh at you." Hope explained with utter sincerity
After a few moments of silence Amanda spoke up "... I'm leaving my guild."
Hope looked at her in shock "Why!?"
"I joined the guild because my cousin asked me to, I don't really know many of the members at all. We started inviting every low level person who started in Restia. After hearing you put things into perspective... I just don't feel right staying there. Guy will understand." she explained
"You're sure?" Hope asked a bit worried
"It's not like I'll be around anyways, we're going on a journey right?" Amanda said with a grin
Hope looked at her more than a bit shocked "You're coming with me?"
"It sounds like a lot of fun and being around you tends to be interesting to say the least... yeah why not?"
"I can't really think of a reason to say no..." Hope said a bit perplexed
"Then it's settled!" Amanda shouted in excitement
"... thank you, Amanda"
"Don't thank me yet, this may go horribly wrong." Amanda said with another grin as Hope began to laugh.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Amanda had left Hope alone in the forge to once again track down Lily. Soon after she left Hope moved to the far end of the forge and laid down on the cold ground.
Hope took a few moments to think about what just happened. 'Why did I tell her that?' It didn't take Hope long to realize that the reason she talked about herself to Amanda was because she trusted the knight... and the reason for that trust was because through her actions, she had reminded Hope of Julia. 'Thank you... Julia.' Hope thought silently as she moved to join the others once again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I'm leaving the guild Lily." Amanda said
"Why?"
"Hope put some things into perspective for me and I'm going to follow her for a while."
"Do you have to leave for that?"
"Following Hope is only half the reason."
"I see..." Lily said feeling a bit down.
"Take care of Guy for me... I know you'll enjoy it."
Lily blushed "Am I that obvious?"
"Not really with your feelings for him... but your jealousy is pretty hard to miss." Amanda explained as Lily felt a bit disappointed in herself.
"Should I apologize to Hope?"
"I don't think she even noticed... Hope has never seen what you're usually like with people. I actually think she likes you a bit." Amanda claimed with a faint smile.
"That's a relief."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When Hope approached the pair she overheard them talking about the battle.
"Hope, I've decided that I'll be behind the front line of guardsmen during the battle. As a priestess I think I'll do the most good there."
"Sounds like a good decision to me." Hope agreed looking to Amanda.
"I'm sticking with you during the battle, where you go I go." she said candidly
"I'll be glad to have you Amanda."
"So what are we doing?" she asked
"I plan to wait atop the walls and watch the battle from afar. If any problems arise to throw a kink in our plans I'll move to intervene."
"Sounds like a good idea." Amanda said as Lily nodded.
"Well nothing much to do but wait for those knights now." Lily said
"Right" Hope agreed
"Well I'm logging out for now." Amanda said
"So will I" Lily said
"There's a book I want to read a little before I call it a night, goodbye." Hope said as she waved herself off heading towards the forge.
"I'm not sure I understand her." Lily said
"I'm not sure I ever will... the more I learn the more questions I have." Amanda said as she gazed at Hope's back.
"...Amanda you're not thinking of ruining Guy's day are you?" Lily asked
"I might have to." she answered honestly.
"Didn't know you swung that way Amanda." Lily said candidly
"I haven't before... but my parents didn't raise a fool. I know what's happening to me... and I'm not too sure that I like it but I won't deny it when the time comes. If I fall in love I'll dive headfirst like I do with everything else."
"What about Guy?"
"He has a crush and he barely knows her... plus I don't think he stands a chance. From what I've seen nothing less than being a saint will move her heart... and you'll be there to pick up the pieces when they fall."
"You're a saint?" Lily asked a bit amused while changing the subject.
"No, but I'll sure as heck try." Amanda said as she logged out.
'Guys gonna hate you...' Lily thought to herself as she logged out.
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