1.04
Thursday, April 5, 2046
Defiance, Earth, Sol System, Terra Ferox Universe
You leave your house almost immediately after waking up, first making sure that you look normal. You do. Your clothes don't even smell. That's another benefit of the Gamer power, you suppose. You make a beeline for the border guard outpost with the papers in hand.
Rick greets you amicably, with a man in uniform and four others in casual clothes standing around him. Taking a look at the paper in your hands, he grins. "You looking to join the clean up effort?"
"It's good money."
He nods. "You're in. Looks like the next guy is already here. We can get this started."
A burly Castithan nods at you as he walks past. Huh. You haven't seen one that wasn't skinny. You assumed that being lanky was just a think that was cross species for them. The man, Alzat, speaks to Rick for a few minutes before being allowed in the group. He gets a look of disgust from a human, a miner apparently.
"Alright, ladies. Get in the back of the pickup, we're going to kick some tree ass."
A lighthearted whoop comes from a different human. You Observed him, but you don't particularly care about him, so you don't think you'll remember it anyway. The drive is boring and bumpy, with most of the group silent or expectant of the job. You wish Defiance had paved roads.
Rick stops the roller by the first tree, and gets out of the truck with his partner. The job goes exactly as you thought it would be. Eight guys standing around a tree and picking it up. For around five or six times before anything interesting happens.
One of the men, another handyman named Recife points to something in panic. "Hellbugs!"
You curse. Clancy warned you of them, but you've never actually seen them before. They're...disgusting. Fierce looking crab things with a Sarlacc mouth and odd protrusions from the head.
Hellbug Skitterling. Level Three. 150/150 HP. 0/0 MP. Annoying little buggers. They have a habit of dodging attack at the last minute, and being generally annoying overall. Kill them quickly, before they create an entire hive, or worse, bring an existing one down on your heads.
+1 Observe! Observe 8/100.
You're carrying an axe, borrowed from the border guards, and you rush towards one, bringing the wood chopper down on its skull. Saying it bounced off would be inaccurate, but it doesn't do very much. Another hellbug leaps at you, and Alzat gives you a timely rescue, jamming another axe into the monstrosity's skull.
After seeing your previous efforts fail, you change tactics, and swipe the axe from the side. The skitterling's mouth is constantly open, and it seems that there isn't much flesh in between thin air and the inside of its mouth. You take the gamble and swing the axe once more. A critically damaging hit. The first creature is down to 50 Health, and an enormous hole appears in the side of its face.
Rick takes out a shotgun, and fires into the third one right after Alzat narrowly blocks its bite with his axe, unfortunately breaking the weapon. It doesn't kill the creature, but the hellbugs skitter backwards out of uncertainty if anything. You don't look the gift horse in the mouth. A final blow kills the hellbug, and creates a new skill.
+15 EXP.
Skill Unlocked! Blunt Weapons Mastery 1/100. Sometimes mankind's (and Votan-kind's) worst problems are solved by hitting with a big stick. Or axe. Or baseball bat. This skill covers blunt weapons, and your skill, speed, and number of critical hits when using them.
You dismiss the messages, and turn to the next enemy. The hellbug that tried to bite Alzat gets an axe tearing into its side, piercing through one 'cheek' right through the next, before you pull your weapon out and draw back. The creature isn't retaliating, so you move in for a final blow.
+15 EXP.
The skitterling Rick shot is sprawled on the ground, almost done, and you finish it, mostly for the EXP.
+10 EXP. Huh. Wounded creatures give less EXP. 40 Exp isn't exactly peanuts, though, so you'll take it.
+1 Dexterity. And a little skill boost. Always convenient.
In total, the three creatures dropped 18 scrips, and four pieces of Hellbug Chitin. That stuff can be used to make armor, so you keep it. "Alzat, Rick, you guys helped me, so you guys can have the scrips. I'll keep the chitin."
A human worker speaks up. "So, are we going to talk about the fact that those corpses disappeared? And left behind
money?"
You arch an eyebrow. "No. Why?"
Rick looks like he's about to say something, before he stifles it and looks away. "Okay, let's finish the job, everyone."
Besides Alzat, the others give you a wide berth as you do your job. The eight of you roll the tree into the side of the road, just like the others before. You get back in the truck, and enjoy a bit more space than before, as those assembled give you suspicious or downright fearful looks.
Finally, you arrive back at Defiance. You speak up. "I trust that none of you will talk, since I did just save your lives back there? I enjoy a bit of privacy, and I would like to keep it."
Heads shake all around, and you aren't sure, but you don't think anyone will talk about this. The quest finishes when Rick hands you your well earned scrip.
+80 Scrips. +107 EXP. Increased relations with Defiance Border Patrol (Neutral to Friendly). Increased relations with Alzat Hinlo (Neutral to Friendly).
The Castithan shakes your hand as the other humans leave. "Thank you for what you did back there. Feel free to call me if you ever need to kick some more ass."
His voice is brusque and quick, like you expected. You return the shake. "I'll do that."
Alzat leaves, satisfied at that.
Level Up! 5 Stat Points Gained! 54/630 EXP!
Huh. He might be a good ally in the future.
Alzat Hinlo. Level Three. 250/250 HP. 50/50 MP. Formerly the favored son of the Hinlo clan, Alzat ran away from home after being forced into an arranged marriage. He is currently lying low in Defiance doing odd jobs. Wow. You shake your head, and continue on with the day.
Miss Gonzalez at the library gives you three new books, as well as letting you buy the Spanish textbook.
-10 Scrips. You Observe all of the books, naturally. They're on the topic of Votan assimilation into human society and native Votan culture. You get one of the former and two of the latter, while returning the books you previously had.
Hello, New York! Recollections of a Life in the Big Apple by Stephanie Yardash. A young girl adopted by interspecies parents, Stephanie describes her childhood living in a Votan neighborhood in the capital of Columbia. It tells of heartbreak, systematic discrimination, triumphs, and focuses on the belief that maybe the two systems can come together to make a greater world.
The World Hatched Anew: Our Love for Our Gods by Kaarti Sishemo. A Liberata cleric wrote this thesis to explain to humans (and even other Votans) about the polytheistic religion that his species holds so dearly. Relates how the belief system evolved over time, and how certain sects vary in their opinions.
Waiting for a Land to Call My Own by Halan Koylu. Halan was a Yuke Liro when the Votans left for Earth, and has a story to tell about conditions on the ark, as well as how he was treated on the homeworld. It's...not a pretty story.
You excuse yourself, and once in a private space, you use the Spanish skillbook.
Skill Unlocked! Spanish 2/100. The human language born of Iberia and now dominant in South America. Spoken prominently in the Iberian Cooperative, most nations in South America, and parts of North America.
Satisfied, you put the other three books into your inventory, and head to your next stop. The Castithan haryiv, or martial arts dojo stands in front of you. You open the door, and you see only a large, pristine room, with a Castithan man sitting at a desk in the back reading a pamphlet. You check. He's definitely the guy in charge.
"Excuse me, sir?"
Avizu Hyaro looks up at you, almost as if he's confused as to why you are. "Yes?"
"I'd...like to sign up to take courses."
"Really? Hmm. Don't see your kind here often. Well. Classes are Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday at seven. 10 scrips a month."
"I'll be there,"
Lovely to know that casual racism towards people not like yourself isn't just a human thing. You leave the instructor with a mild bit of annoyance and offense taken.
-10 Scrips.
You'll admit, the next twenty minutes are mostly just walking around and looking for Irathients. Eventually, you give up and look for the blacksmith. You struggle to remember his name, before you mentally shrug and just go looking for him. Davan Nyoraj.
The smith gives you a look of inspection, before returning to his machinery. You're admittedly a bit confused, but you speak up anyway. You use the traditional L'Irathi greeting to start the conversation. "
I greet you with weaponless arms and an open heart."
The Irathient briefly gains a smile. "
It has been a long while since I have spoken my own tongue. Even my fellows here in Defiance do not often use it."
"
Disappointing, aligned stranger. Would you care to share tales of blood?" you respond politely. Tales of blood is a bit less metal than you would think, it actually means war stories.
"
An acceptable request. I shall start small. I slayed a ~~~~ with my bare hands just last lunar cycle."
You hold your arms out wide, and regale him of your battle with the hellbugs, leaving out the part about the Gamer power. The conversation lasts for the better part of an hour, and you develop that particular skill quite well.
+3 L'Irathi! L'Irathi 7/25. Increased relations with Davan Nyoraj (Neutral to Friendly).
The day feels shorter than it should, and you have an hour of daylight left. You spend it jogging around town, getting a feel for Defiance and its parts. You steer clear of the Hollows after seeing what you think was a drug deal, but otherwise it was an entirely pleasant occasion.
+2 Vitality.
Tomorrow is Friday, April 6, 2046. You have a variety of things you can do. Please select six actions to take to enrich yourself and your strength.
[ ] Choose where to put your five stats! Below, choose where to put your stats.
You cannot put more than three into the same choice.
---[ ] Write in.
[ ] Read the books. Could give valuable information on the cultures of this brave new world.
You can choose up to two. 1 action each.
---[ ]
The War of the Three Hells
---[ ]
Hello, New York! Recollections of a Life in the Big Apple
---[ ]
The World Hatched Anew: Our Love for Our Gods
---[ ]
Waiting for a Land to Call My Own
[ ] Visit the library to return the two books you've finished, and acquire two more.
40% chance of one being a skillbook. You can buy library books for 10 scrips. Counts as 1 action. You can choose 2 books/book subjects below, or write-in.
---[ ] Get the book
Our Flag Was Still There, describing the survival of the United States after the Pale Wars. You could use some patriotism right now.
---[ ] More stuff on post-war human culture.
---[ ] Focus on human geopolitics post-war.
---[ ] Write-in. Please don't be a smartass and write 'something that's a skillbook'.
[ ] Look into jobs. A wealthy merchant wants someone to wash his roller. It's not a very dignified job, but it looks like it pays well, and you only have to do the exterior. Materials for doing the job are provided by Mr. Bedford.
100% chance of success. 30-70 EXP. 50 Scrips. Counts as 1 action.
[ ] Look into jobs. The restaurant Delights of Daribo wants someone to help paint the exterior. They're willing to pay a small amount for anyone willing to work.
95% chance of success. 25-60 EXP. 30 Scrips. Increased relations with Delights of Daribo. Increased relations with Swoga Tilemso. 40% chance of Housework skill. Counts as 1 action.
[ ] Look into jobs. Defiance is a mining town, and almost all of its mines are controlled by a fellow named Rafe McCawley. Maybe you can get a job as a miner?
Rewards 120-160 scrips per day. 80% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, unless you succeed, in which case, it's 3. New skills, potential rewards, EXP. Job has unreliable levels of security (cave-ins, scrappers, hellbugs, etc.). You'll compete with other workers for who gets the more profitable shafts or exploration duties.
[ ] Look into jobs. Maybe Clancy needs a junior Lawkeeper to help out?
Rewards 3200 scrip per month, other benefits, new skills, allies, EXP chances. 60% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, unless you get the job, whereupon its 4 per day, and you get a new Title.
[ ] Look into jobs. There's an Earth Republic recruitment officer giving out pamphlets on joining the Terran Unitary Expeditionary, a place for people to get a new life serving in the military. Life will be hard if you get in, but you think you can handle it. See new places, kill interesting people. It'll be fun.
Rewards 2500 Scrip per month, other benefits, new skills, EXP chances. 60% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, changes the quest entirely if you succeed. You will get a new title.
[ ] Explore the town on your own.
1 action each. Rewards are a surprise. Will expand Sam's knowledge, allies, and armory in varying ways.
---[ ] Go to the Need/Want and just talk to people. Might meet someone interesting.
---[ ] Find some Irathients and strike up a conversation. You want to grind up your L'Irathi.
80% chance of success.
---[ ] Go to the bookstore to see if they have any particular skillbooks you might want.
60% chance of success.
[ ] Go to the bazaar/shop section.
1 action each. Write in for details. I will respond with the cost if not stated.
---[ ] Buy weapons.
---[ ] Buy new clothes.
---[ ] Buy an alarm clock.
15 scrips.
[ ] Grind your skills.
---[ ] Write in with elaboration.
Hey, @mysterius, I've got a job opportunity for you. Every three updates, would you mind doing what you just did with the inventory/info page again? I'll give you 1 stat point every three updates you do it. (1.4, 1.5, and 1.6 would give you 1 stat point, and so on.) I'm just no good with it, and inventory management is my least favorite part of Gamer quests. That offer stands for other people if Myst doesn't accept.
Yes, yes. I'm not going to do the inventory page again. I'm just tired of it, honestly. I might reconsider when I wake up in the morning, but the inventory is easily the worst part of Gamer quests.
Aside from that, not much in this update. First combat scene, yeah. Questions, comments, criticism welcome. I might want to redo this one, admittedly.
I think that this is everything gained in this update, condensed into brief mentions.
Level Up! Level 4, 54/630 EXP. 5 Stats.
+60 Scrips.
+4 Pieces of Hellbug Chitin
+1 Dex
+2 Vit
+3 L'Irathi
+1 Observe
New Skill: Blunt Weapons Mastery
New Skill: Spanish
3 Hellbug Skitterlings Killed
