Ghostdevil
The Devil of Ghosts
- Location
- United States
No, he can go read his fanfiction.net version it goes to chapter 11
- Location
- with internet
Nice solid evidence against anything resembling 'Gamer's Mind' here; not only does his emotional state influence his choices as normal, it can also overwhelm his established skills.
Thus, the skill shows that it has a good side, thereby making it all the more tempting.
On the other hand, if one were to take "mastery" literally, then this skill not only governs being able to self-deceive, but also being able to control when and how.
This is good; we already had a hint from the cleric in the first chapter that this might have happened before and there might be records of it, and now we have confirmation that at least one other person knows it well enough make predictions. This world could have a Gamer each generation, or perhaps one whenever a major disaster is on the way. It's existence might even be well known among elder beings and historians, who will recognize the quirks on sight and react accordingly.
No spoiling it for those of us who are taking it as it comes. :]
- Location
- Brazil
It will be heaps of fun when a higher leveled Observe suddenly changes Perenolde's title or status from "Founding member of the Alliance" to "Traitor".
Is This fic from ff.net were it has some other guy with the gamer power as well or not.
Interlude: Aiden Perenolde
- Location
- Philippines
Interlude: Aiden Perenolde
The King of Alterac had a startling discovery on the nameday of Prince Arthas Menethil. As soon as the Menethil and Proudmoore spawns stopped talking, the boy's level went up by one. This was not the first time he had witnessed someone attain a higher rank, but it was the first time he'd seen it happen for something as simple as talking. Normally, it occurred during a fight or a period of meditation or whilst studying tomes of forgotten lore.
His suspicions roused, he investigated further. 'Observe' he thought, zeroing his sights on Prince Arthas.
Name: Arthas Menethil – The Crown Prince of Lordaeron
Class: Gamer
Level: LV 4
HP: 168/168
MP: 112/112
STR: 12
AGI: 17
INT: 14
WIS: 8
VIT: 14
LUK: 11
Points: 5
"There's more than one Gamer," he muttered. He watched as the prince stared blankly into space, all the while giving the impression of watching the men whack each other below. It was a commendable show, but it would not fool a seasoned Gamer like Aiden, who had done the same countless times before.
The boy, Arthas, blinked, likely finished with checking his updates. "Is there something I can do for you, King Perenolde?" he said in a polite enough tone. Neither deferential nor disrespectful, it was the sort expected from one in his shoes.
"Oh no, don't mind me," Perenolde said, his grin turning feral. "Go, enjoy your nameday. Don't let an old thing like me ruin this festive occasion for you." Aiden shooed him away with his hands.
He tilted his head in acknowledgement and turned his attentions to the tourney, for real this time.
"Things just got more interesting." Aiden muttered. The question now was how he could best take advantage of this fact. He had gone to this assembly skeptical that any long-lasting alliance could be possible, not with detractors like Greymane and isolationists like the elves.
Then, there were the squabbles. Gilneas and Kul Tiras would fight over some small fishing island halfway between them, Stromgarde would argue they needed more food given their famine, Dalaran would clamor for more gold to support their research and rebuilding, and his own Alterac had up until recently, been fighting with Lordaeron for control of some much in demand fertile agrarian land near their border.
These issues needed to be resolved or this 'Grand Alliance' Terenas extolled would collapse like a straw hut in a storm.
The only reason he had come to the negotiating table was to cut a deal that was favorable. Now, he had another: Getting a hold of the boy-prince. Having the undivided allegiance of another Gamer would be invaluable. One Gamer could grow exponentially powerful in his own right. With two of them, they'd be nigh unstoppable in a few years.
-Gamecraft-
The first official Alliance Meeting was held the day after the Menethil boy's, Arthas's, birthday. The seven kings hadn't all been together in the days prior, or if they had, it wasn't to discuss anything important. Mostly they had spent their time negotiating one-to-one behind the scenes or plotting and scheming and politicking.
"My fellow rulers," Terenas began, as was his right as the host, "we face a dire threat. As you may have heard, the Kingdom of Azeroth was fighting with strange creatures known as orcs. These barbarians are fierce berserkers whose strengths outmatch even our knights. They are without mercy, having put entire towns to the sword. King Varian Wrynn, the son of the late King Llane, escaped only with the help of Sir Lothar to warn us of the danger. I have no doubt that they with Azeroth captured, the rest of us will be next. To combat them we will need to work together. We will need a Grand Alliance!"
"I concur!" said Thoras of Stromgarde, banging his fists in support. Unsurprising, given he was Terenas' best friend. The two had grown up together, Aiden recalled, since Thoras had fostered in Lordaeron.
"And I!" Lord Admiral Proudmoore said. This too was to be expected. Kul Tiras and Azeroth had always been close. No doubt the mercantile city-state was incensed their main trading partner was taken from them. They'd also be feeling threatened now that these orcs were within striking distance of their islands. If he were in the orc commander's shoes, he'd definitely hit Kul Tiras rather than try to face an army guarding the Thandol Spans.
"I believe it should be clear what my stance is," Sir Lothar said as the representative of Azeroth. "And as the head of the Lothar family, whose bloodline has been ancient since the reign of the Arathi, I call upon the elves of Quel'Thalas to honor their word."
"King Anasterian will join you, of course," An elf woman, no doubt the Sunstrider's emissary, said. She didn't look familiar to Aiden, which implied she wasn't important enough. And if she wasn't important enough, the elves were showing a pittance of support so they could say they paid their debt. How typical of the elves.
"I'm sorry, and who are you supposed to be?" Genn Greymane, king of Gilneas, asked, narrowing his eyes. "I may not know much about elves, but I know Anasterian never had a daughter."
"My name is Alleria Windrunner, Captain of the Silvermoon Rangers."
Genn's nostrils flared and his heavy hand threatened to break the table they gathered around. "What's this? Anasterian insults us by sending a mere Captain to meet with us? You da-" So the problems begin.
"-Lady Alleria," interjected Terenas easily, raising a hand in a placating manner, "is from the prestigious Windrunner family. They would be an elven equivalent of a dukedom. I ask that we also keep in mind the elven armies are organized much differently than ours. A ranger-captain, so I'm told by my advisors, is a rank similar to our generals. Isn't that correct, Lady Alleria?"
Alleria raised an elegant brow at the human king. "Your advisors do you credit, King Terenas. You are, indeed, correct."
That seemed to settle Greymane's complaint, only for another to spring up in its place.
"Have you got any proof these 'orcs' as you call them will come after us?" Aiden asked. "The lands of Azeroth are rich, vast and plentiful, certainly enough to satiate even the most insatiable of men."
"They don't care for riches," Lothar replied. "These orcs thrive on battle. It's a damn hobby for them! They fight as much as they eat and breathe."
"Of course you would say that," Genn said. "You'd say just about anything to get us to fight your wars for you. If you ju-"
"We're not here to question anyone's honor," Terenas said before the Gilnean king started a war, "but to decide on a course of action in response to this threat."
"We obviously aren't getting anywhere in this discussion," Aiden said. "Perhaps we should put it to a vote? I think we've all heard enough."
Terenas seized the idea enthusiastically. Of course he would, the votes were stacked in his favor! Aiden just didn't want this discussion to drag on. He had much better things to do, and his time as a Gamer was worth infinitely more than the time of an NPC. "Very well, Lordaeron will join the Grand Alliance."
"As will Azeroth."
Alleria sighed. "The elves side with Sir Lothar."
"Stromgarde stands with the Alliance!"
"The fleets of Kul Tiras will serve."
Archmage Antonidas, head of Dalaran's ruling order – the Kirin Tor, was next to answer. "Based on everything I've heard, I must concur on the need for a Grand Alliance. Dalaran's mages will fight."
Greymane scowled "I guess I have no choice if all of you are going to strong arm me into it."
Seven pairs of eyes turned towards Aiden in anticipation. "Alterac will support the Alliance on a conditional basis."
"Conditional basis?" Greymane repeated. "Conditional basis! What does that even mean?!"
"King Greymane," Aiden's soft, silky tone created a dichotomy with the peninsular king's harsh, gruff one, "it's a yes if certain things are done."
"Such as?" Terenas asked, leaning forward. No doubt he expected Alterac to dissent, given the two kingdoms' less than optimal relationship.
"A fostering," Aiden said. "This 'Alliance', it's a lofty goal, but we can't ignore the realities of life. Our own kingdoms were recently at war, King Terenas. Kul Tiras and Gilneas have yet to resolve ownership of that tiny island in the middle of nowhere." Greymane and Proudmoore glared at each other. "Stromgarde needs food, Dalaran needs gold and so on and so forth. These problems don't go away because we decide to play nice with each other."
"King Aiden makes a wise point," Alleria said. "You will remember, King Terenas, that the border dispute between your lords and my people had to be fixed before Quel'Thalas and Lordaeron could begin trading."
Terenas nodded slowly.
"Bah! Any treaty we write up would be broken the moment it's convenient!" Greymane, ever the optimist, said.
"Which is what the fostering is for," Aiden said. "or to be precise, the series of fosterings, which we shall build on existing ones. I believe it has been arranged for your daughter to stay in Lordaeron, Lord Admiral?" I looked to Proudmoore for confirmation.
"That's right."
"And King Varian is likely staying here until these orcs are driven from his lands?"
"That is his choice," Terenas said, frowning.
"Of course," -Aiden nodded along- "so what I propose is this: Lordaeron and Alterac will keep the border as it is until this...crisis if over, and to make sure we keep our word, we will each send one our children to foster with the other. My eldest, Beve, has expressed interest in coming here to study magic and I believe your son, Arthas, could learn a lot from me."
"Arthas?" Terenas' voice colored him perplexed. "Why Arthas?" It wasn't a fair exchange. A crown prince who was the only male heir was worth more than a princess, even if she was the eldest child. Terenas wanted this 'Alliance' to work far more than Aiden did however.
"Your son and I have things in common. There are things I could teach him that others couldn't," Aiden said. It didn't look like it was convincing anyone. He decided to throw the dice. "If you let me speak to him in private for a few minutes, he would agree as well."
"…I can allow that. But to drag a son away from his family right after his nameday…"
"It doesn't have to be immediate," Aiden said. "Say, you send him over in a few months? I daresay I'm not quite ready to have him in Alterac just yet either."
"If you can get my son to agree, then that is acceptable." Terenas nodded, looking reluctant.
Aiden was pleased. "Well, that's our problems solved. I don't know about the rest of you, but Alterac will join the Alliance on the condition that the Crown Prince Arthas fosters in Alterac."
"I have a question. If we're an Alliance, who's going to lead the armies?" Greymane asked.
"Sir Lothar perhaps?" Proudmoore said. "He's fought the orcs before, and he was successful in organizing a retreat from Azeroth, despite the odds against him."
"Aye, and before that he led the Brotherhood of the Horse to a series of disastrous defeats against these greenskins. What's your point?" Greymane again.
Aiden sighed. It would be a long day before they finished discussing everything, but the hardest part was over at least.
Arthas Menethil would be easy to convince. After all, he was a PC, and PCs had to stick together.
Chapter 6: The Other Gamer
- Location
- Philippines
Chapter 6: The Other Gamer
"King Perenolde, I'm told you wished to see me before leaving for your mountains."
Perenolde grinned wryly, though there remained at the edges a hint of yesterday's feral smile. He seemed a bit…wolfish. Yes, that would be the best way to describe it. Perhaps there was some truth to the commoner's rumors about his line having descended from the werewolves that supposedly dwelled on snowy mountains?
"You and I, we share a lot in common," he said.
I tilted my head to the side. "How so?" He couldn't seriously have called me here to discuss our similar attributes, right?
"Yes. I dare say we're more alike than you think." Perenolde chuckled and then in a voice so soft that it was nearly lost in the wind, he whispered, "Gamer."
My blood froze. Were my ears playing tricks on me? A forced smile came into being on my face. "I beg your pardon?"
"Gamer," he repeated, louder now so I was certain it wasn't my mind playing tricks on me. "Don't try to hide it now. You can't fool me, not at your level and there's no point in rejecting what we are."
"We? You're-"
"A Gamer?" Perenolde interrupted. "Why, yes I am."
I narrowed my eyes. "Prove it."
"Oh, what skepticism plagues our youth today," he moaned, mockingly placing a hand to his forehead. "Pay attention then."
I saw something I had never seen before.
The Avalanche
Warmage Aiden Perenolde
LV ?
His title changed on command. The act of changing titles wasn't in itself too surprising. People were rarely single-purpose beings. We played a variety of roles throughout our lives depending on the situation, and the titles reflected these. But for someone to change it willfully? That was definitely new.
"Still have doubts?" he asked, sounding more amused than anything else. "Go on, use your 'Observe' on me."
Name: Aiden Perenolde – Warmage of Alterac
Class: Gamer
Level: LV 51
HP: 1600/1600
MP: 8800/8800
STR: 40
AGI: 40
INT: 176
WIS: 50
VIT: 40
LUK: 40
Points: 0
My jaw went into freefall for a split second before I caught it. He was at Level 51! His MP and HP were ridiculously high! I couldn't fathom how many Quests he must have done to get to that level.
"It's not that impressive," he said dismissively. "When you see the magical juggernauts within the Kirin Tor, you'll see what I mean." There were people even stronger than him?!
"How did you get that high?" I asked, eyes wide.
"Oh, believe me, it was a lot of work. It took maybe two years to get this far? Mind you, I started as a level twenty two."
"You've been a Gamer for two years?"
He made an affirmative gesture. "What about you?"
"I've only been a Gamer for about a month. I started at level two," I said, looking to the ground.
"You've done well enough. Raising levels is difficult, especially when you aren't free to move around," Perenolde said.
I glanced around shyly at the room, checking to see if anyone was around even though I knew we were alone. "This power the Game gives us…is it safe? I mean, it's not demonic, is it?"
"Demonic?" Perenolde repeated incredulously. "What gave you that idea?"
"The Church warns us to be ever vigilant against their corruption. Isn't that why we're taught to understand the world around us, so we'd notice these strange signs?"
"No, nothing demonic about it at all. I'm still me and it's been two years. Besides, if it were trying to corrupt us, I doubt we'd be given choices as to our quests. Instead, we'd be compelled to do so."
"Oh," I said. In that case…"Well, are there more of us?" I asked. "Are there more Gamers out there?"
"Not that I know of," Perenolde said. He sighed. "I only discovered you by chance. Before yesterday, I thought I was the only one. Still, I have high hopes that there are indeed other Gamers out there hiding among the NPCs."
"NPCs?"
"Non-Playing Characters," he said, "or non-Gamers, if you prefer."
"How did you discover me anyway?" With a reliable method for discovering other Gamers, our odds for finding them increased by a fair margin.
"Like I said, it was by chance. I saw you level up while talking to the Proudmoore girl and that struck me as odd. People usually level up while training or learning," he said, "so I deduced you were likely a Gamer through that and confirmed it with 'Observe'. Thankfully, your level's a lot lower than mine, so my Perception score could get a full read on you. If you had a higher Stealth score, I may not have been able to confirm if you were a Gamer."
The terms he used sounded familiar. Hadn't the Game mentioned these stats before? "We can hide information about ourselves from others?"
"Theoretically, it's possible," Perenolde answered. "I've never tried, never had to, since there wasn't anyone who could use 'Observe' on me. But the Game mentions the Stealth and Perception stat several times. I have some ideas on how they might work. My leading theory is that these stats are directly affected by your level, largely because the higher the level of the NPC, the less information I can get using 'Observe'."
As he said it, my mind made an instant connection with all the times I'd been unable to see the level of someone. "That makes sense." I agreed with a nod. "I've experienced the same."
"Yes, well, unfortunately, it means that we'll only have success in looking for Gamers that have lower levels than us. As for the higher level ones…we'll just have to hope they come to us." That made getting my level up a priority then.
"Have you decided on your specialty?" he asked.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean what stat you wish to focus on increasing. Trying to raise all of them isn't very efficient in my experience. Similar to how NPCs spend their lives training with one weapon, it's best if we concentrate our efforts in a specific area. In my case, I've chosen to increase my INT mostly because I'm training as a mage."
"I haven't really decided yet," I replied. I hadn't given it much thought really. Good thing I hadn't spent my recently earned stat points yet. There was so much to learn from him! "When are you leaving?"
"In a few hours, I'm afraid to say." My face fell. "All the kings are leaving. We've already decided on the Alliance, and if we are to be ready for war, the people and the nobles need to be told to prepare as soon as possible."
"Couldn't you just send word for that?" I asked, looking for any excuse to have him stay longer. Who knew when an opportunity like this might show up again?
"Unfortunately, no. The nobility isn't as obedient as I wish. Without me there in person to give the order, they'd just find an excuse to delay and that's something I can't afford." I believe he saw my face fall, because he quickly added, "Not to worry, I've made an arrangement with your father. If you should wish it, you may foster with me at Alterac." Perenolde gave me a meaningful glance.
That was perfect! We'd have all the time in the world to talk about the Game that way! Only…could I really leave my home…my family behind so suddenly? He seemed to sense my internal struggle, because it wasn't long before he added, "Not immediately, of course, but in a few months to give you time to prepare. This is a big step, one that most children don't have to make until they are a fair bit older than you are now."
A few months…I'd be read as I'd ever be by then. "A few months...I'll go."
Perenolde beamed and clasped his hands together. "Excellent. I'll inform the King of Lordaeron."
"Do you have any more advice for me?" I asked. A few months felt like a lifetime away, honestly.
"That's my problem. I don't know where to start. Is there anything in particular that comes to mind?"
"What's the best way to get XP points? I've done a few Quests, but they seem to take too long to finish." I said. At least, those that yielded major rewards. 'The Ties that Bind', for example, took me close to three weeks to accomplish.
"Ah, Questing is but one way. Another method is fighting others. These yield less XP than Quests, but can be done in a fraction of the time. If you can win against someone that has a higher level than you, the XP reward is rather substantial. Hunting monsters is another way of gaining XP." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I wouldn't dare presume I've found the best way of going about it, but so far, a mix of all three gives the fastest results. Some Quests especially have a time factor to them that leaves large gaps of time where you aren't actively finishing it. I use these lulls to go hunt or train some more."
"I don't think I'm at a level where I can go hunt anything but the most harmless of creatures with much success," I said with a frown. And that was ignoring the fact that my father would never let me. In any case, it seemed counterintuitive to lose my life just to gain XP when the point of getting XP was to level up so I could keep myself safer.
"That's true," Perenolde said. "You could go hunt with some NPCs, use them as shields while you leech off of them."
My frown deepened. The way he kept referring to people as NPCs was…disturbing. It's as if he didn't even consider them human anymore.
Perenolde took my frown for confusion, or so I assume as he went further into detail. "You see whenever a creep is killed the XP for the kills is distributed among all of you who participated. It's far from an ideal solution to share XP with NPCs, but if you want to raise your level faster, that would be one option to consider."
"I doubt my father would approve if I did that." I replied.
"Ah, that would be troublesome." A pensive look settled on his face. "Maybe Multi-Questing then?"
I raised a brow at this. "Multi-Questing? We can do more than one at a time?"
"Yeah, though it can be a bit of a bother with all the updates. I don't really like doing this," he said, shrugging. "I'm terrible when it comes to keeping track of several things at once. If this isn't to your liking either, just focus on training up your skills. Once you're in Alterac, it shouldn't be too hard for us to raise your level."
That sounded promising. "Have you figured out how the Game gets our HP and MP numbers? I've only managed to determine that they're affected by STR, VIT, INT and WIS, but not by how much." I asked. If he had, I wouldn't have to figure it out for myself.
His eyes became the size of a dinner plate. "They are? I hadn't considered that possibility. I thought it was just a random addition every time we leveled up."
"They're definitely related," I said, utterly convinced of that fact at least. My observations supported this to an overwhelming degree. It was nice to know even an old hand at the Game hadn't figured everything out. It made me feel better about my own ignorance.
"Well, I'd be interested to hear your findings when you manage to decipher that mystery." He laughed. It was a deep, rumbling sound. "We're going to have so much fun when you get to Alterac! Just you wait."
For some reason, comforting warmth burst from my chest and spread to the very tips of my body. I had finally found someone like me. I had finally found someone who could understand what I was going through.
I belonged.
- Location
- with internet
So he has only about three months to get enough wisdom and levels to successfully resist Aiden's manipulation... and hide that resistance.
Although, I wonder just how many things in this conversation Aiden was not using his Bluff skill for. That observe window could mean Arthas has a really high Observe score for his level, could mean people can selectively discard their Stealth, or could mean that Aiden chose ahead of time exactly what it would display.
"Oh hello, I'm really smart and really experienced and my wisdom score is over 25, trust me with your life."
Although, I wonder just how many things in this conversation Aiden was not using his Bluff skill for. That observe window could mean Arthas has a really high Observe score for his level, could mean people can selectively discard their Stealth, or could mean that Aiden chose ahead of time exactly what it would display.
"Oh hello, I'm really smart and really experienced and my wisdom score is over 25, trust me with your life."
Chapter 7: The Multiplier Effect
- Location
- Philippines
Chapter 7: The Multiplier Effect
The Royal Repository of Lordaeron was the largest library in the known world, or so Nort loved to boast. In terms of magical tomes, it was second only to the Kirin Tor's Sanctum Sanctorum in Dalaran's Violet Citadel. Having access to the goldmine of arcane knowledge would be an invaluable resource for any would-be practitioner of magic.
Naturally, this was the first place I brought Jaina too. Benjy, one of Nort's favored assistants, stood in vigil as we combed through the shelves. Likely he was there to ensure we didn't damage anything, because the section of the library we were in didn't contain any forbidden or dangerous knowledge.
"Is there a book in particular you're looking for, my lord?" Benjy finally asked after an hour had passed and we had yet to stick with a book longer than a minute. "Perhaps I can be of assistance?"
I glanced at Jaina and she gave a small nod, granting me permission. "We're looking for books on magic."
"Is there a title in particular? Any branch of magic specifically? The subject is a broad one, Prince Arthas."
"No specific book…something basic, I guess?"
Benjy's lips turned straight and taut. We weren't giving him much to go on. "I see. The standard reading of an apprentice mage would be The General Nature of Magic or An Introduction to the Arcane Arts."
"I've read the latter," Jaina whispered into my ear.
I nodded. "Do we have a copy of the first book?"
"We have three copies, though with differing forewords by High Master Arius of the Silver Circle, Archbishop Alonsus Faol of the Northshire Clerics and Archmage Kel'Thuzad of the Kirin Tor," recited Benjy dutifully.
Jaina's eyes lit up from the mere mention of the Kirin Tor. "We'd prefer the one with Archmage Kel'Thuzad's words," I said.
"An excellent choice, my lord," he said in a bland tone. "If you would wait by the tables over there, I shall return with the book in a few minutes." I suspect he simply didn't want us roaming free by ourselves. Children generally didn't inspire much confidence among bookkeepers, given our disparaging treatment of parchment which was a commodity not easily replaced.
He waited until we were seated before leaving, throwing occasional looks behind him as if to see if we would disobey instructions.
Aelin swam in a figure of eight pattern between us while we waited for Benjy to return.
"I heard from Calia that King Perenolde had a word with you the other day," Jaina said. Clearly, she was fishing for details.
My index began to draw small circles on the table. "What about it?"
"Did you talk about anything interesting?"
It was the most important, most interesting, most meaningful talk I've ever had to date. Instead, I shrugged. "Not much. Mostly he was trying to sell the idea of fostering at Alterac with him."
"Oh?" I could hear the frown in her voice. "When do you leave?"
I smirked at her. "So eager to be rid of me? I won't be gone for the next couple of months, at the very least."
Before she could reply, Benjy returned with the book in question and our attentions shifted to that.
"Thank you," I said as he handed it over to Jaina. He bowed stiffly and walked over to a shelf just far enough to give us a modicum of privacy, but close enough to keep watch over us.
"Wizards, mages and learners of the arcane love to profess the universality of magic." Jaina began reading. "'Everyone can learn,' I oft hear. While it is certainly true that everyone can learn, it does not mean everyone should learn." A frown appeared as she read this. The words were far from encouraging.
"Simply put, not everyone learns at the same pace. Magic is a demanding discipline that will encompass most of your life, should you choose to tread this road. There are those chosen few among us who hold a particular affinity for harnessing the power of ley lines and it is this very affinity that separates the truly great wizards from your average spell throwers. Some say that affinity is a result of inborn talent. Others might call it luck."
Jaina didn't need to be worried about that then. The Game did say she had a 'prodigious affinity for magic and the element of water'. The second part was clearly true, seeing as she had a lake spirit around her 24/7. The probability that the first part was correct as well was very high.
"In truth, it is a far too complex a thing that can be ascribed to just one thing. The Magus Senate describes it as the combination of a scholar's heart, a discerning mind, an enduring will, a disciplined hand and a tuned spirit – these attributes form the so called Magus Virtues." Huh, I hadn't heard of these before. "Abstracts like these cannot be quantified, and thus, it is impossible to say what mix of the five would be the most optimal in a mage."
"We can, however, tell how which combination is better through comparison of results. One mage might study for an hour and learn but the basics of a levitation spell." Just one hour? It'd probably take me days to figure out how to do that! "Another might study for the same time and manage without an incantation afterwards." Seriously? There are people who can do that? Because if that was expected capability of the average mage, there was no way I was going to cut it.
"Clearly it is the latter mage that the combination works better!" Magic sounded hard. For Jaina to be tackling it at our age...she was something else.
"Thus, we have shown through example the existence of what I call the 'Multiplier Effect' – the increase in magical skill with respect to the right factors (i.e. the Magus Virtues). This 'Multiplier Effect' explains the difference in skill between two individuals given the same learning conditions." That sounded…oddly familiar.
"Those who lack are better off dedicating themselves to another craft for it is personal excellence that we should all strive for." Harsh, but true.
"Consider this book as one of your first forays into the world of the arcane. Consider this book your first test as a mage. Succeed, and you might one day join the ranks of Dalaran. Best of luck, Archmage Kel'Thuzad of the Kirin Tor," Jaina finished. Her frown had grown gradually throughout the entire passage, I noted.
"Is that all? If all it takes is talent, then you're a shoe-in," I said.
She looked at me quizzically even as the tip of her lips reversed ever so slightly. The thing about people is that they love it when they think you're genuinely confident about them. "How are you so sure?"
Because of the Game, I thought. Because from the moment I met you, you reeked of so much magical potential even your status window took note of it. "Because you are the only person under the age of twenty I've ever met that was cool enough to hang out with a water spirit."
The giggle that followed was high-pitched and distinctly girly, but the uneasy spell was replaced by determination. Then she bit her lip, shifting her gaze between the book and me, as if trying to make a choice. I decided to make it easier for her.
"Magic's not really my thing," I confessed. "Do you mind if I leave you to it?"
Jaina gave me a small nod and dived headfirst into the book with more enthusiasm than I had ever mustered in my entire life for anything. She looked like someone with purpose.
I had done all I could. How well she did from this point on would be up to her.
Since the Alliance Meeting was over, I'd be resuming lessons with Nort later this afternoon. I had expected my search with Jaina to last until that long at least. Now though, I was unsure and wandering aimlessly past stone walls and stone floors as my mind repeated the archmage's strange words.
Kel'Thuzad mentioned that magical talent was affected by five factors. His description sounded similar to how my theory on mana points was computed, namely as a result of two factors (INT and WIS). "Multiplier Effect," I said out loud, the words strange to my tongue. "Sounds like multiplication to me."
That was it. Multiplying!
"Stat window!" I shouted in my excitement. Thankfully, there was no one nearby to think me crazy for shouting random words at thin air.
I checked my INT and WIS stats, which were at 14 and 8, respectively. Together their product was 112…which was the exact amount of MP I had!
Now to test it further. I clicked on the +1 button next to INT, watching with anticipation as one of my available stat points went into the chosen stat. Immediately my MP shot up to 120. In other words, by exactly 8 points so that it remained the product of my INT and WIS.
Ha! Figured it out! I was so ecstatic that I punched the wall.
…Admittedly not the best way to celebrate as the pain quickly killed whatever outward jubilance I expressed. Note to self, never punch the wall. It punched back harder.
There was a blinking in the corner of my eye and it took my mind a moment to realize I had an update.
Through continuous thought and experimentation, you have gained the skill 'Mathematical Insight' to better understand the world around you using numbers!
That sounded promising. It was as close as I'd ever get to an explicit confirmation from the Game. Curious about the new skill and with nothing to do, I looked it up.
Mathematical Insight (Passive) LV1 EXP: 58.21%
A skill developed by those who apply mathematical principles in unraveling the mysteries of the world. The user's ability to perform calculations, do mathematical analysis and recognize patterns is boosted. As part of the Mathematician series of skills and abilities, gaining 'The Mathematician's Answer' will grant a 100% bonus to its effects.
+2 to WIS!
+2 to INT!
Bonus stats? This was just the cherry on top! I might have decided not to be a magician, but I wasn't going to say no to free stats! Really, with all the plus stats I got, did I really need to level up still? Why not just work on my stats directly? There wasn't a downside to it, as far as I could tell, and now I had a second reliable way of increasing INT and WIS aside from studying and making smart choices. I guess the best way to increase my level for this skill would be to figure out how other things worked in the game.
Light be Praised, I could do that now! HP, I had already figured out, was based on STR and VIT. It likely had a similar computation as MP.
Smirking, I added a point into my VIT, raising it to 12. Lo and behold, my HP rose by 12 points – the exact number of STR points I had at the moment. I crossed my arms and waited, which was my way of telling the Game I had it figured out.
As if to spite me, it took extra long for the update telling me that Mastery of the skill 'Mathematical Insight' has increased! Mathematical Insight's level goes up by one! It took eight minutes and twenty two seconds, to be precise, whereas it was normally instantaneous.
My smirk grew even wider. "I've figured you out," I hope it conveyed to the Game. Today was my victory! Today the House of Menethil triumphed over its enemies! I cackled wildly, throwing my head back and closing my eyes as I embraced my superiority over the Game at last!
So what if another of the servants thought I was crazy? I was their Prince and their Prince was allowed to be a little crazy.
With the methodology finally down, I could finally ask the next important question – how to make the best use of my points so that I'd get the most HP and MP for them? The answer, of course, was easy.
Why struggle to figure it out when I could ask Nort the answer?
I walked into the Royal Library for a second time today after lunch, which was a rarity in and of itself. I didn't know if Jaina was still here or not, but she wasn't by the table I left her. Whether she had moved or decided to stop for the day, I couldn't say exactly.
"Good afternoon, Prince Arthas," I heard Nort say. "Is there something on your mind?"
Was I that easy to read? "How did you know?"
"You're here twenty minutes early. That's never happened before."
"Maybe I decided to be punctual for a change." Nort raised a brow at me. He wasn't buying this at all. "Alright, fine. I did have a question I've been meaning to ask."
"Let me guess, something to do with that Math project you've been slaving over for the past month?"
I nodded. Now that hard part. How to phrase the question. "If I wanted the get the maximum product of two numbers, how would I go about finding these numbers, provided that their sum should remain constant?" That complicated drivel was as simple as I could make it.
"Is that all? Just get their sum and divide by two."
That was it? He usually provided a more…in depth answer. He continued to speak. "I could prove it, of course, but I doubt you'd be interested. You've always been more interested with the results and have left the proving to the more intellectually inclined. Now, can we begin the lesson?"
I gave my assent, half-heartedly listening to the day's lecture – something about some war or another that happened a few hundred years ago. Long and short of it, Lordaeron won, GIlneas lost.
I waited for my Mathematical Insight's EXP to go up. It didn't. No matter it was just trying to wait me out like last time.
Five…ten…fifteen minutes…nothing!
It answered me with Mathematical Insight's description. A skill developed by those who apply mathematical principles in unraveling the mysteries of the world.
What? So knowing the answer wasn't enough? I had to figure out everything by myself too?
Correct. The Game answered directly for the first time. Figures that it would choose to do so to spoil my earlier victory high.
And it couldn't have said so instead of wasting my time by making me wait? I scowled at it internally while listening to Nort. I wouldn't want him to think I was scowling at him.
Bah. This game just wanted me to suffer.
Dragonskyt
Ashen one, hearest thou my voice, still?
- Location
- Kiln of the First Flame
I clicked on this thread because my interest was peeked.
Now I am anticipating a huge amount of canon derailment.
Now I am anticipating a huge amount of canon derailment.
Chapter 8: Quest Choice
- Location
- Philippines
Chapter 8: Quest Choice
"Magic is simple, Arthas. Anybody can do it with the right mindset. It's simply the realization of your will." - Jaina Proudmoore
"Something on your mind, Arthas?" Varian's voice, a peculiar thing that seemed to deepen the longer he was with us, brought me out of my thoughts. "You've been lagging behind for a while now."
"Just curious and a little excited, I suppose. I've never been outside the city," I said in a hushed, if barely contained, voice.
Varian nodded understandingly. "I was two years older than you before I was ever allowed out of Stormwind," he said with faraway eyes, "but these visits King Terenas pays to the farmers…it is a custom I have not seen another King do."
"Father always said that it was the least we could do for the people. After all, they put food on our tables and marched under our banners," I said from memory. "Even if they have nothing bad to say, people wish to be heard, no matter their birth or circumstance."
After a moment of contemplative silence, he spoke. "Perhaps the other rulers would be wise to follow your father's ways then."
"It's the people that make a king, thus for a king to rule he must know his people." This was a line I had heard Father repeat on countless times. Thus, he made it a point to leave the Capital every few months to see how his subjects fared and to hear their complaints, if there were any, of those who could ill afford to leave their home – people such as the farmers and fieldhands of the Tirisfal Glades whose crops would surely die if left alone. It was Brill's turn to receive the King.
This excursion was different for two reasons, or should I say two persons.
First, Varian had come along. He had insisted on it actually, so that he could properly express his gratitude to the very people who had ensured his countrymen wouldn't starve. The Northwest was the most fertile lands of the Kingdom of Lordaeron, and it was their crops that sustained the Azeroth Remnants, the majority of which had opted not to make the trip to Lordaeron City but instead settled down south in the Hillsbrad Foothills.
Second, and more importantly, I was being allowed to come at long last. "You should see your people before you leave them for the mountains," Father explained, "so that in the darkest of times, you will remember who you fight for."
I could not help but recall the Game's words when Varian arrived, when I leveled up for the first time.
Additional levels also unlock more skills, titles and areas for you to visit! – And prophetically enough, its words had come true. Just a few days past my eighth nameday, I would be seeing a farm for the first time!
"You'll go mad in minutes," Falric said over the rhythmic clacking of hooves on the paved King's Road, replacing the smile slowly sprouting in me with a scowl. Again I had fallen behind, or perhaps Varian had ridden ahead? I couldn't tell. "I'm telling you, farms ain't that interesting, Prince Arthas."
"So you've said," I answered, recalling his words from some nights ago.
"'e ain't wrong, milord." I turned my head to my other side and lifted my chin up and up and up 'til I could see the guard's face. Jax was his name and he was a head and a half taller than Falric. Not to say that Falric was short – in fact, he was of average height – but Jax was a giant. "From a farm me-self to the west o' 'ere, and t'was as dull as dull can be. Can't imagine 'tis much different 'ere, m'lord."
Falric smirked triumphantly and I frowned. "You know, I get the feeling I'm more excited to see your birth town than you yourself, Falric."
"Don't get me wrong, I love my home. I'm just not blind to its faults."
-Gamecraft-
The town of Brill, in its entirety, was barely the size of Lordaeron Palace, never mind the city! At the heart of it all was the town hall, a construct of hardwood that I doubt would hold up against a determined attacker. The rectangular form of a barracks huddled close to the town hall such that the narrowest of alleys stood between them. It was obvious even without the use of 'Observe' that a particularly thin man would find crossing the cramped gap bothersome. A rather large smithy proved adequate to service the needs of the thousand or so households here. Probably the most the town blacksmith (and apprentices, of course) had to do was maintain horseshoes and farm tools.
The obligatory town tour ended around midday and our party congregated at the town hall for lunch. Its interior was a mirror of its exterior – simple and undecorated. Even the city hall in Lordaeron could be considered opulent compared to this!
"Bah! Those walls would be beneath the attention of bandits!" I heard Lord Warwick complain to my father as he stabbed a fried chicken wing with his fork. "I could run this village to the ground with five men and keep my sword sheathed all throughout."
"Then it's fortunate for these people that you are on their side, Lord Warwick," Father answered with wry amusement, before drinking from a golden goblet that was worth more than what the entire village earned in a year.
"That's not the point I was making, sire." Aristocratic manners kicked in as he paused to bite, chew and swallow. "These villagers have grown complacent."
"Can you blame them? The ravages of war have not touched these lands in hundreds of years. It makes little sense for them to waste time on stone walls they do not need."
"I'd rather have stone walls and not need it, then need stone walls and not have it," said Warwick.
"Evidently, the villagers disagree," Father said.
Warwick wasn't one to back down so easily. "They'll be singing an entirely different tune if their enemies get here."
Their conversation did not seem like it was going to end anytime soon and already I was tiring of it. "I think I'll take a walk," I said to no one in particular. Father locked eyes with me for a moment, indicating he had heard, before returning his undivided attention to the Lord Commander.
Falric and Jax were by my side before I was halfway to the door. "Where to first, Prince Arthas?"
"You mentioned your family had a farm here, right?" He bobbed his head slowly while wearing a mask of uncertainty. "Well then, let's go see if farms are as boring as you say."
"That's what you want to see?"
I shrugged. "Sure. What else is there here that the capital doesn't have a bigger version of?"
Falric opened his mouth to retort then shut it quickly. "…'e ain't wrong," Jax said.
Despite his efforts to conceal it, it was rather obvious Falric was pleased. He missed his family. I'd feel the same if I was away from mine for months. A feeling of uncertainty crept up on me.
Did I make the right choice by agreeing to go to Alterac? Sure Perenolde was the only other Gamer I knew of…but on the other hand, I was leaving behind my family. Who knows when I might see them again? Despite the unique bond I shared with the King of Alterac, he was, for all intents and purposes, a stranger to me.
"You alright, milord?" Falric asked, interrupting my thoughts.
"I'm fine. Just thinking about my fostering, is all. I…leaving my family behind isn't as easy as I thought it would be."
"It never is," Jax said wistfully, "but you get used to it."
"Not to worry, Prince Arthas," Falric added, "Jax and I will be with you at Alterac."
"You will?" I gave them a surprised look. This was the first I was hearing of this.
"'Course we will!" Jax bellowed heartily, thumping his chest with a meaty hand. "Where you go, we go."
"Someone's got to make sure you don't cause too much trouble," Falric said. "You didn't think the Crown Prince of Lordaeron would be sent away without his guards, did you? Your family cares about your safety." His words warmed me.
Falric's family built their home on the outskirts of the town. The house itself was two stories tall and of medium size, made from the very trees that grew outside of Brill. Between the house and the browning forest's edge was a stretch of open land neatly subdivided into these rectangles. Bushels of grain sat on the field while farmhands worked their way across the field.
"That's odd." I could hear the frown in Falric's voice. "The harvest ought to be done by now." It could be nothing. Or it could be trouble.
We were some distance off when Jax lifted my banner even higher and gave it a wave or two for good measure. One of the farmers – a teenage girl by the looks of it - spotted us and began pointing, her fellows turning themselves to see what about. Some continued their labor, while others, presumably the more prominent ones, readied to receive me.
"Welcome to our village, milord!" the leader by virtue of being the oldest greeted.
Elder of Brill
Gerrart of Brill
LV 21
I tip my head in acknowledgement. "The harvest looks to be running late this year," I commented in an off-handed manner.
"Not as many hands working the fields, milord. Plenty of our boys left the village for prospects with the King's Men." He puffed up his chest. Now that he had mentioned it, there were fewer men in the crowd than I expected, especially for a village of this size. "It's nothing to worry about since first frost is running late this year anyhow."
I accept the reasoning, mostly because I trusted a local would know better than myself about such matters. "I'm sure they will serve my father well," I said, before gesturing with a hand to my side. "Why, my own guardsman here hails from this village."
"Greetings, Elder Gerrart."
"Ah! The young Falric!" Gerrart exclaimed after a moment. "I see you have made something of yourself in the Guard!"
"I-"
"RAID!" Instinctively, my head (along with everyone else's) turned to the source. A frantic villager emerged from the fringes of the Eastern Forest. "RAID! FROM THE FOREST!"
"W-we must take refuge in the Town Keep at once!" Gerrart told me in a hushed and hurried voice. Already the crowd had dispersed and fled.
"Aye, we best head back, m'lord. Warn the other guards about this first." Jax agreed.
"But the villagers will be in danger!" Falric protested. "The old and the children might not make it there in time!"
The Quest 'The Raid of Brill' has been created!
-Go to the Keep and warn the Guard
OR
-Defend the villagers
The Game was throwing a lot of firsts at me today. Not only was I given a quest where the reward and failure penalty were unknown, but I also had to make a choice. Up 'til now, the Game dictated what actions were necessary to fulfill the quest. Having a certain freedom was refreshing, but it had its shortcomings.
What was the right choice here?
I had no idea who might be attacking the village. Another of the human kingdoms was unlikely, given the Alliance. A treacherous noble even less so. My mother and sister remained safe behind the Capital walls and those loyal to my father would rally once word reached them. An uprising here and now couldn't succeed. Bandits, perhaps taking advantage of Brill's defenseless state? Lord Warwick had predicted this would happen sooner or later.
Heading to the Keep was the safe option, to be sure, but the thought of abandoning some of these innocent folk to death to preserve my own hide left a bitter taste in my mouth. Was I not their Prince? Would I cower this day from mere brigands who dared to threaten my people?
"We should go now, m'lord," Jax urged once more. "Quickly, 'fore we're spotted and made a target."
"No." I tilted my head towards Gerrart, whose face was now as white as freshly fallen flakes of frost. "Elder Gerrart, head to the Keep and warn my father of this please," I said.
"A-as you wish, sire!"
"Now ain't the time to be stubborn, m'lord." Jax said. "Our charge 's to keep yeh safe and, by the Light, that's what we'll do!"
"Your charge might be to keep me safe, but it is my charge to keep my people safe, Jax." I said firmly. "I'm staying to protect these villagers. You may run, if it suits you."
Jax growled. "The bravado of youth. Was I ever this stupid?" he asked the heavens, noticeably losing his accent. It lasted for a moment only. He planted my banner into the ground hard before dismounting. "If 'ere's where ye'll fight, m'lord, then I guess we'll have t'er cut down the bastards 'fore they reach you." He drew his blade, which looked like a child's plaything in his hands.
Redemption's Seeker
Guardsman Jax
LV 33
Falric's weapon was already out and in his hands, grim determination on his lips.
The Sword's Edge
Guardsman Falric of Brill
LV 33
By a stroke of good fortune, I had brought my bow and a quiver full of arrows for this trip. They were a bit blunted, perhaps, from practice, but better than nothing still. It made my choice of weaponry obvious. I had some skill in the bow now after weeks dedicated to that weapon. Holding the sword properly was my upper limit. My bow was a proper weapon, chosen after careful consideration. My sword was a ceremonial trinket, more for awing than fighting. Besides that, I was nowhere close to being equal to my guardsmen in the art of swordsmanship. I'd be more hindrance than help with a blade.
And from a distance, I'd be safer too from the reach of enemy steel. I was brave, foolishly so according to Jax, but not to the extent of putting my body where all the sharp, stabby, pointy things were.
Hulking, humanoid shapes burst from the tree line, the distinct form of axes in their hands. Made from white stone, I noted with 'Observe', or bone, for it did not glint in the sun as metal would. The leading figure drew back a muscled arm then flung his axe at the villager who had screamed the warning, the head of the weapon biting deep into flesh. The man was dead before he hit the dirt – his name and level vanishing.
The raiders were green and tusked and tall, each as large as Jax. There was only one creature I knew of that fit that description.
"Fuckin' forest trolls!" Jax vocalized my conclusions, minus the swearing, of course. Mother would slap me silly if she ever heard such foul words from my lips.
Forest trolls were brutish cannibals that lived in the woods. While most of them resided further north, near Quel'Thalas, it wasn't uncommon for some small tribes to be seen in Lordaeron. They were strong and tough, but none too bright.
I grabbed an arrow from my quiver and notched it, taking careful aim. I didn't have as much practice with moving targets as I liked, and these targets in particular were moving fast, albeit in a linear fashion.
Bow Mastery: Level 13 – Continuous training with the bow and arrow increases attack damage with bow and arrow by 65% and attack speed with bow and arrow by 19.5%.
Yew Recurve Bow – This is a recurve bow made of yew. It doesn't hit as hard as longbow and crossbows, but it requires less strength and is reasonably accurate for long distance shooting. It is a choice weapon for hunting. It is a ranged weapon that deals piercing damage, effective against the unarmored and light armor, but weak against fortified and medium armor. It is under the status effect "Well-Maintained". It suffers no penalties.
Yew Arrows – Standard issue arrows made of yew and steel tips. It is under the status effect "Blunted Tip". Damage is reduced by 25%. 30/30 Available.
I wonder how much HP these trolls had? Wait, I had an option for that.
"HP bars always visible," I muttered, grinning as green bars appeared over the green skins. I fired, the arrow's metal head striking the troll leading the charge.
He snarled - a truly ugly visage – and continued on, the arrow bouncing off his skin. My mouth fell. Barely a blip of his health disappeared! "For Zul'Jin! For da Amani!" he roared and the trolls sped up even more.
"That lead troll looks like a tough 'un, m'lord. Doubt y'er arrows will do much 'against 'im."
Jax wasn't wrong. Instead of channeling my attacks on him futilely, I'd be better off thinning out the dozen trolls headed our way.
The group was close enough that I could now see their levels, which ranged from 35 (the lead troll) to 15 (the runts struggling to keep up at the back of the group). Given the level gap between me and them, I'd have the best luck against their weakest.
Forest Troll Grunt
Vuzato of the Amani
LV 15
HP: 500/500
MP: 25/25
No doubt his HP was incredibly as a result of the troll's innate resistance and regenerative ability, or so the soldiers say. Translated to Gamer terms, I suppose that would be STR and VIT. His low MP also indicated his INT and WIS weren't that high and that he wasn't particularly bright. Most trolls weren't. 'Observe', now at level 18, showed me more than that however.
Equipped Weapon: Bone Throwing Axes (Ranged)
Equipped Armor: Unarmored
The second arrow I fired hit his right thigh, dealing 62 points of damage. I frowned. It was decent, I supposed, but not enough to make a big difference in the fight. My arrows needed to be sharper, hit harder and faster.
My arrows needed to pierce deeper.
I felt warmth course through my body, the crimson in me flowing faster. My ears thrummed. My vision tunneled. My heart pounded painfully.
My hand felt a tad cooler when I released my next arrow, and I knew it was different somehow -enhanced.
A skill has been created through a special action! Continuous manipulation of mana has created a skill to sharpen the penetrative qualities of your weapons, 'Piercing Edge'.
The metal tip hit him dead in the eye and a flash of red numbers appeared over his head. Whatever it was, it seemed to be a good thing, especially since only a tenth of his health remained. Vuzato clutched the arrow shaft, shrieking in an inhuman tone, which was actually normal considering he wasn't one to begin with. I placed a third arrow through his throat to silence his horrid screeching and end his misery.
The trolls were halfway across the field now and picking up speed with every second. In moments, the first of them would be within reach of Falric's sword.
I charged another of my arrows with 'Piercing Edge' and struck a she-troll (or so the Game said, I couldn't tell from looks alone honestly) in her right thigh, watching with satisfaction as it skewered skin and sinew, immobilizing that leg of hers. It did slightly more damage than my unenhanced arrows, but not as much as the arrow with the red numbers. Perhaps that one was a fluke?
A mystery for another day - for now, I had more trolls to slay.
With the she-troll struggling on the ground, I shifted my sights to another of her companions. After all, she wouldn't be doing us much harm while crippled in the distance. That and it was exceptionally difficult to hit something lying in the dirt from far away.
The sound of clashing arms made me release the string too early, causing my arrow to fly askew and without the strength behind it to hurt anything really.
The troll leader traded blows openly with Falric and Jax both. The thing was a berserker, its mind gripped by insanity or battle hunger. He would freely take hits from either one just to land one of his own. It wasn't a terrible strategy, all things considered, as it had far more health than either warrior. Though the blades of my guards had drawn terrible lines inked with blood, the troll continued to fight without even a hint of pain, a testament to the resilience of trolls.
I didn't let this distract me for long and fired off another shot. I'd take down as many of these trolls as I could before the nature of melee combat made it unwise to continue for fear of hitting my own men. Two more I managed to fell, one with an arrow through each arm and another limping forward at a turtle's pace.
It wasn't enough.
The outnumbered troll leader gained the upper hand in numbers as its allies joined the fray, turning the fight into a two on five. The other three were axe throwers, ranged combatants of the troll race. They too were afraid of hitting their own men and did not unleash their axes on Falric and Jax.
They turned their eyes on me.
Oh shi-
I jumped backwards in the nick of time as three stone axes made themselves at home on the dirt I used to be on. A troll head landed at my feet as Falric's blade passed through the formerly attached neck. I continued to dodge the axes, which were rather poorly aimed in my opinion. The need to be on the move constantly made it impossible for me to launch my own attacks though.
"Onwards men! To the Prince!"
I sighed in relief as the sound of charging horsemen reached my ears. Help had arrived!
The lead troll snarled again, and I must say that his ugliness didn't improve with time. He shouted something undecipherable, but I assumed it was a call to retreat for the survivors started to run for the forests. A small party such as theirs had no hope of defeating the two score of mounted soldiers coming to our aid.
The cavalry didn't pursue, opting instead to form a protective ring around us.
Your level has increased by one! Your level has increased by one! Your level has increased by one!
"Forest trolls, Your Majesty," I heard Warwick say. "Shall we give chase?"
"A small band like that could cause all sorts of havoc to these people," Father said. "Go."
"On me men!" Warwick yelled, leading half the men into the woods.
A pair of strong arms squeezed the air out of me. "Arthas! Are you alright? Are you injured?"
"I'm fine!" I managed to squeak out.
He parted with me slightly and the concern in his eyes gave way to fury, no doubt for putting myself in danger. His mouth opened, a harsh rebuke no doubt on his tongue.
I was so grounded.
S_K
OG Multi-Stand User
- Location
- Road (Avoiding Kars)
Well, in canon, he's a paladin, who used MP for spells. In this? I dunno, but I assume he'll get access to some powers that will use mana if he never learns any spells.
- Location
- Philippines
Uh, where did you read that?
The Stormbringer
Worm Fanfic & Crack Connoisseur
- Location
- Spaaaaace~!
I love it. Love it. I have a theory our Arthas is going to become quite the Ranger... possibly even a Holy Ranger?
More please!
More please!
Chapter 9: Rescue
- Location
- Philippines
Chapter 9: Rescue
"That was incredibly reckless of you, staying behind to fight trolls while outnumbered," Father said, keeping his voice even. It conveyed his disappointment well enough without being raised.
"I-" –I took in a deep breath, still winded from earlier- "-I had to," I said. "The villagers-"
"The villagers," Father said, "are light of foot, more than you give them credit for. They would have reached the walls and the guards we set there before the trolls overtook them." He sighed. "My son, your intent was admirable, but your actions were needlessly reckless." He glanced to the side, dragging my own eyes with his by some invisible force.
A selective chill affected my face, not unlike being struck by the frigid winds of winter. My throat became rigid as tempered steel.
"The hazard of leadership," Father began, "is that it is the men who follow us who pay for our mistakes."
I tore my eyes away from Falric's supine body, from the red seeping out of his side, from the steady drop of his health points. "But he was fine not a moment ago," I whispered.
"In the midst of battle, it's difficult for a man to know if he's been injured," Father said. He placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.
"W-will he live?"
Father did not answer. Instead, he walked towards a kneeling cleric whose eyes and hands glowed with divine light as he whispered words into the injured guardsman's ear. I had a feeling this conversation was not over, so I followed after Father.
"Cleric Haen," Father said, "how is he?"
"Stable for now, thankfully. While the wound is deep, none of his vital organs were hit," the cleric said. "Still, I would advise that he not travel for a few days."
Father frowned. "That complicates things. The trolls might've been a scouting party for a larger force. I can hardly afford to leave anyone here to care for him."
"He has family here," I said. The adults turned to look at me and I pointed to the nearest house. "That's where they live. These are their farms, this is their land."
"I would suggest we get him inside then, sire. I'd rather not risk infecting his wound more by leaving him so exposed," Haen said.
"Do what you must, Cleric. I must join Lord Warwick and determine what measures are required to deal with this matter." He moved to mount his horse, brought to him by a soldier with golden markings setting his armor apart from the bland grey of the unranked. "Sergeant, take your dozen and hold here. Keep my son safe."
"As you command, my liege!" the sergeant said, saluting by thumping his chest with a gauntleted hand.
Father nodded to the sergeant then urged the horse forward with his foot, our mounted men-at-arms following after him. "Light watch over you," I murmured, refusing to shift my gaze until the last of their party was hidden by the trees.
"Headin' 'side, Prince Arthas?" Jax asked gruffly.
I glanced at him, then at Falric's house and began moving my feet.
"Guess that's a yes," he muttered, falling two steps behind me. He remained quiet all throughout, thankfully, though I could sense his gaze lingering on me. Never mind that, I had a dozen updates to check.
Observe's level goes up by one!
Bow Mastery's level goes up by one!
Rapid efforts caused your AGI to increase by 1!
So that's how to raise AGI! It's about how quickly I did something.
Title 'Crown Prince of Lordaeron' Battlefield Presence unlocked!
Battlefield Presence – Your mere presence on the field of battle is an inspiration to the men! Bonus to Morale of Allied Units!
Now that sounded like it could be useful in the future. There were a lot of skills leveling up just from this one battle, not even counting the three levels and my new skill, Piercing Edge. King Perenolde was right, winning against a higher level opponent did give substantial rewards.
Name: Arthas Menethil – The Crown Prince of Lordaeron
Class: Gamer
Level: LV 7
HP: 154/169
MP: 59/247
But I wasn't even hit! How did my HP go down? Unfair! This game is so unfair.
STR: 13
AGI: 18
INT: 19
WIS: 13
VIT: 13
LUK: 11
Points: 18
Eighteen free points was a lot. Which stat to increase though? Perenolde had mentioned specialties; that I should focus on one stat in particular because raising them all wasn't as efficient. I had dumped five points into LUK previously, but…I didn't want that as my primary stat. It left far too many things out of my control and having to rely on circumstances to win didn't feel like truly winning. No, LUK would not be my specialty.
I had also placed a point in INT and VIT each, to test out how my stats affected HP and MP. That had ended up paying for itself with how I unlocked Mathematical Insight and gained even more bonuses.
INT was a tempting choice, I had to admit. It was already my highest stat and Perenolde had chosen it as his own specialty too! However, that probably meant being a mage and while magic was cool, I couldn't see myself becoming one. They seemed far too scholarly and far too fragile, requiring masses of manpower to keep them safe and away from the frontlines. I didn't want that. I didn't want to be protected – not when it might get others hurt.
My eyes focused on Falric's house for a moment. No, definitely not a mage.
AGI was another strong contender, being my second highest stat at the moment. I knew that it made me faster, granting me a versatile mix of offense and defense. I could evade and run faster as well as shoot more often during battles, perhaps enough that what happened to Falric wouldn't happen to another. Speed itself was essential to being a good swordsman too, so raising this stat would help me when I was finally allowed to start training with the sword.
On the other hand, STR and VIT would boost my HP significantly, allowing me to last longer as a front line fighter. However, my father and my guards weren't likely to allow it, no matter how much potential I showed. In their eyes, I was far too young. Grownups could be ridiculous like that.
I could be facing a situation at any time and I wanted to be useful now. I wanted to be able to help now.
I mentally clicked the plus sign next to AGI, placing all of my hard earned points into it.
All at once, I sensed the change. My feet were lighter than feathers, or so it felt to me, each step more graceful and more assured. Wind blew past me and I had the sudden urge to race against it. Wind blew past me and I knew, I just knew, I could beat it.
"Arthas!"
I turned around, letting my sight refocus.
"Arthas!" Varian called out again, urging his horse forward faster, a pair of guards flanking him. He stopped a few feet away and dismounted, striding forward hurriedly. Any faster and he would be running, 'unkingly behavior', to quote mother. "Are you hurt?"
I nodded curtly. "Fine." The word came out quickly, harshly. Varian didn't deserve that, not from me. "Sorry, but-I, Falric's hurt," I said. I turned to the house again and took the last few steps forward. My feet felt heavier, despite all those points I had just put into AGI.
I breathed deep and entered.
"M'lord!" There was a bearded man crouched by the fire, eyes wide. He stood quickly, wiping calloused hands on his shirt and bowing at the same time. "Forgive the mess, m'lord, I wasn't-"
"It's fine," I said. "Where is Falric?"
"Upstairs," he said, before adding, "but the Cleric asked not to be disturbed while he worked."
"It's delicate work." There was a pause as I thought of what to say. "Are you his father?"
"Yes, m'lord," he said, equal parts of pride and worry in his voice.
"I…I owe you an apology."
He looked at me like a startled gazelle, mouth already open to protest.
"No, it was because of my orders that he was hurt. I shouldn't have forced him to make a stand when there was no need to." My head dipped, every inch of me pleading with the earth to open its mouth and take me whole.
An awkward silence filled the space between us. It was a strange setting after all. A prince did not apologize to a peasant, it simply wasn't done.
"At least the fighting is over now, m'lord," he said finally.
That I could agree with. "Yes, that's-"
Wait.
The fighting was over…so why didn't I get a quest update?
Quest 'The Raid of Brill' Incomplete
Remaining Tasks:
-Defend the villagers
-???
Oh no.
"Prince Arthas?" Jax peered at me closely. Falric's father was behind him, looking as pale as I felt.
I shook my head and took a step back. "We have to warn the men. There are more trolls coming."
Jax's face scrunched. "What're you talkin' 'bout?"
"There's no time to explain," I said, heading for the door. "The villagers are still in danger!"
"M'lord," Jax began, his armor clanking as he took a heavy step forward, "calm down. Your father'll see the last of 'em off."
Then the town bell started to ring. "No he won't." I was outside again now, an arrow nocked though I hadn't pulled at the string yet. "To arms! To arms!" I screamed. The dozen men loitering around drew their weapons, furtive eyes scanning from side to side for any dangers. The ringing of bells continued incessantly.
Still no dangers in sight. Where could they –
There were forests on all sides of Brill. "Inside the town! Quickly!" Varian barked out, reaching the same conclusion as I had a moment earlier.
"Bar the gates and man the ramparts!" the sergeant's voice followed not long after.
Little good that would do. There were cracks a man could slip through along its length and the gates were in a sad state, more fit for penning docile animals than anything else.
"Best two of you stay here," the sergeant said. "The enemy could be in the town already, for all we know. Guardsman Jax will keep you safe."
"I can help," Varian said, gripping the hilt of his blade a tad tighter. "I've been trained."
I…I was far less confident about the worth of my contributions. Yes, I was faster now but how much use could an archer be in a melee? It was just as likely that I would shoot a villager or a guard. Even ignoring that, I couldn't leave Falric and his father here, defenseless.
"I don't doubt that, milord, but the King would be displeased if I allowed you to enter the fray." With that, he grabbed for a spare mount and rode into the village.
"Go to Brill, they said. 'Tis peaceful, they said," Jax murmured. "Liars, the lot of 'em." He spat and there was a sound of rattling metal. "Some sort o' future vision, m'lord?"
"Intuition."
Jax snorted. "Never saw intuition make a boy worry as much as you."
I shrugged and kept my eyes open.
-Gamecraft-
The limping forms of the soldiers and Elder Gerrart streamed out of the gate, plumes of smoke rising in the backdrop.
"Prince Arthas," the village elder murmured, bowing.
"There are only three of you left," I said to the sergeant. Had things truly gone so badly?
"Two are in the village, helping put out the fires. Another three are being tended to by the women."
That still left four men dead.
"Who was it?" Varian asked. "More trolls?"
"A score of bandits this time, milord." The sergeant managed to crack a smile. "Poor fighters all around, only their leader had any skill to speak of. We killed six, hurt four of them too badly to escape."
"A valiant stand by the sergeant and his men," Gerrart said. "I would have been happy to call it a great victory on any other day."
"Unfortunately, a few of them got away," the sergeant continued. "With a few captives."
"Captives? How many?" Varian asked.
Did the answer really matter? One was too many. Protecting them was my duty and I had failed in that.
"Three daughters, about fourteen?" The sergeant turned to Gerrart.
"Thirteen, fourteen and sixteen, respectively."
The sergeant nodded. "Right, so three girls about fourteen."
Quest Update! 'The Raid of Brill' has progressed!
You have defended the villagers of Brill…in a manner of speaking.
Remaining Tasks:
-Rescue the daughters of Brill
"Can't we give chase?" I asked. The sergeant and Gerrart shared a look.
"Give chase? With all due respect, milord, we're in no condition to go after them, not with the injured. Even if we left them here, we'd be going in outnumbered and into the forests where they will have the terrain advantage."
"Ten men of inferior training, against the seven of us."
Eyebrows rose. "The seven of us?"
"I will be going, of course, along with Jax."
"Eight of us, actually," Varian interrupted with a grin. "I've always wanted to rescue maidens fair. This seems like a most excellent opportunity."
The sergeant frowned. "This isn't some grand story about knights and dragons. Fighting is real and dangerous, where a man can die in a hundred different ways."
"Doubt y'er father 'ould approve either," Jax murmured.
"Jax raises a point, Prince Arthas," the sergeant said. "Our charge was to keep you safe, first and foremost. I will not risk your life for three girls."
"What makes my life worth more than theirs?" I demanded.
"You are the Crown Prince of Lordaeron, milord," Gerrart said. "As much as it pains me to say it, the sergeant is right. You are far too important to be put in harm's way for three villagers. The same can be said for Prince Varian."
"Fine." I crossed my arms. "Then I'll stay here and you can go save them."
"If you stay, Jax stays as well. That means we're back to five people," the sergeant said. "We'd be outnumbered and tired and in terrain where they hold the advantage; a fool's task."
"Are there no men within Brill who will fight?" I asked. Abandoning those girls was wrong. They weren't even trying!
"We are farmers and woodsmen, milord," Gerrart said. "Hardly fighters."
"It doesn't matter who wields the sword, a thrust or swing will end a life all the same," I shot back. Never thought Nort's history lessons would actually come in handy. "You once boasted to me of how the men of Brill were loyal and hardy, of how they sought to prove themselves by joining the Lordaeron Guard. Are all that remained here the cowards?" His eyes lowered.
Mastery of the skill 'Persuade' increases! Persuade's level goes up by one!
Mastery of the skill 'Oration' increases! Oration's level goes up by one!
"And what of finding them?" the sergeant asked, a glint of something in his eyes.
"Did they have horses?" Varian asked.
The sergeant shook his head.
"Then they can't have gone far," he said. "Are there any hunters in the village? Men who might know these woods?"
"There are," Gerrart said. "A few of them can fight too."
The sergeant saluted.. "I'll get the men organized. We head out in an hour."
"So," Varian whispered to me, "we're sneaking off after them right?"
Your intent was admirable, but your actions were needlessly reckless. I winced as Father's words sprung to mind.
"No," I said, uncertainly. "No, I trust the sergeant and his men. We're not needed."
Varian frowned. "That's a shame."
Jax snorted. "Y'eh still got y'er youth, don't cha? There'll be plenty of women to rescue in the future. Come on, let's see to Falric."
I glanced back at the town, the plumes had lessened now. How many had been hurt in the fighting?
"I want to see the village," I said.
Jax grunted. "We can do that too."
-Gamecraft-
Brill's state was not as bad as I feared. A few fires were the worst of the damage they suffered and these were mostly gone by the time we had arrived. Already people were making plans and fixing things up.
In the town hall, the local herbalist, a woman in her fifties, struggled to treat the injured. A few of the younger girls were helping, but seemed...lost? Aside from the three guards the sergeant had mentioned, there were eight other men and women with concerning wounds.
There was far too much for one person to keep track of.
"That's willow bark tea!" I shouted at one of the girls.
Her eyes were wide, like a child caught in the midst of a lie. "Er, yes, milord. For the pain."
I glanced at the man she planned to give it to. His chest was bandaged diagonally, too much red appearing. "Won't it prolong his bleeding?" At least, that's what Observe was telling me. "And this bandage isn't tight enough." Again, from Observe.
The herbalist hurried over, checking on the man and poking at the bandage. "The prince is right. Redo the bandages and set aside the tea for now." She spared me a look, as if assessing my worth. "How much do you know about herbs?"
"Not much," I admitted. "I can recognize most of them and generally what they're used for. I don't have much experience-" Observe was great like that.
She raised a hand to cut me off. "Take a look at the herbs the girls have gathered then." And with that, she went back to work.
The girls rushed over. "This one's poisonous, no more than a pinch of it if we have to use it. This can be used to clean the wounds. This one's…" I finished describing the herbs to the girls in minutes and found myself...unsure of what to do next.
The herbalist noticed quickly enough. "You've been of great help here, milord. Would you happen to know how to bandage as well?"
For all the knowledge 'Observe' could grant me, it didn't make up for experience. It could tell me what a herb was and what it did. It could tell me what the herbalist was doing. It could tell me how to treat an injury. But those were just words before my eyes, like having a book open before me. Try as it might to tell me how to bandage a wound, it wasn't the same as knowing how to do it.
The Game on the other hand, might be able to help me learn faster, but...I wasn't going to risk further harm on the men who had placed life and limb on the line for me just so I might gain a skill. There was no hurry here. The herbalist could take care of it. I shook my head.
"Ah, it's no matter. You've done more than enough here," she said before returning to her work.
The Quest 'Medicine Man' has been created!
-?
Was I supposed to just figure it out for myself? Great.
Varian was waiting outside with Jax. "Will they be alright?"
"They should be," I said. "I hope."
He nodded. "That's good." We began to walk back towards nowhere, myself in the lead. "Are attacks like this common in the South?"
Were they common? Did they happen at all? While Nort had insisted on teaching me the name and place of every village (a work in progress, admittedly), he had never covered a topic like that. "I wouldn't know," I said after a while.
"They are, no doubt 'bout it," Jax said.
"Didn't you say you were from west of here?" I asked, recalling his words from yesterday.
"Don't matter. Been a little o'er two years since the Titantide. Everywhere near the ocean was hit hard, the South included."
"Well yeah, but I don't see how the two are related," Varian said.
Jax scratched his chin. "It's like this, m'lords. Ain't nothin' bandits and wild beasts like less than law 'n order. If it's all peaceful, everyone's going to notice real quick if someone's breakin' the rules and pretty soon, those people are going to start doin' somethin' 'bout it. They can't stand peace, but they thrive when everything's gone to hell."
I frowned. "Is it really that bad in the South? Why hasn't the Kingdom done anything about it yet?"
"Y'er father's tried, but it ain't easy," Jax said. "A lot 'o people died, and even more were hurt. You need strong, healthy bodies to do any rebuilding."
There was a faraway look in Varian's eyes. "I remember when the Titantide came sweeping into Stormwind. In the blink of an eye, half our fleet disappeared and the city was drowning. So many people were lost…" He blinked twice and shook his head. "I wouldn't worry about the South for much longer, Arthas. Soon it will be dealt with."
"How do you mean?" I asked.
"King Terenas and Sir Lothar presented me with a plan last week," Varian said. "Southern Lordaeron needs people to help rebuild. My people need land to live on. The obvious solution would be to settle my people there. This way at least, we will have done something other than live off of the generosity of your people."
My brows furrowed. "But what about you?"
"My place is with my people," Varian said. "Your family's hospitality and your friendship mean the world to me, but I my heart lies with my people first and always. Now more than ever, I must stand with them against winter winds and war."
It was the right thing to do. It was the honorable thing to do. It was what Father would have done. "Do you know when you leave?"
"In a month's time, if nothing goes wrong." He turned to watch the setting sun. "Think the men will be back soon? They've been gone awfully long."
The Quest 'The Raid of Brill' has been completed!
+1000 XP
+Relations with the Town of Brill
+Relations with Commoners
"Faith, Varian. Faith." I smiled and began to walk once more.
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