The Labyrinth, page 11
part #2 of The Gods' Game Series
Her face fell. “The Elder Forest was not what I expected. It was so much darker. Hostile. What I sought was not there.” She stroked her whiskers comfortingly then continued. “The expedition’s goal was the treasure vaults of the dwarven city. Amdin had found—or stolen most probably—some bits of lore that promised of ‘untold riches’ still contained there. Curan and Amdin were convinced that whatever it was, it would make us all rich.
“But they underestimated Crotana.”
Her face crumpled with sadness. “The expedition began with twenty—rogues and thieves mostly. Despite my warnings, Curan and Amdin did not prepare for the journey through the forest. They foolishly believed it would be no great hardship, that the real perils were in the labyrinth. The forest quickly proved them wrong.
“Two days in we lost the first of our company to an otherworldly beast, the likes of which I have never seen before. A few days after that we ran afoul of a nomadic goblin tribe—losing yet more. And soon after, we attracted the notice of a dire wolf pack. They hounded us for days, to the very gates of Crota.
“We were out of options. To escape, we entered the dead city and the pack did not follow.” She snorted. “And then Curan had the crazy idea of looting the citadel, since, as he put it, ‘we were in the neighbourhood.’
“I would have left then but Curan would not have allowed it. So instead, like the rest, I went along with the scheme. We gained access to the citadel easily enough. Only to fall into the waiting arms of the undead. It was eerie hearing them speak. I didn’t know they could do that.” She shivered.
“They demanded our surrender, which none were inclined to give. So we fought. And died. And in the end with just the four remaining, we submitted.”
She sighed. “And the rest you know.” She lapsed into silence, her tale complete.
Kyran thought over their words. Neither tale reflected well on the expedition’s leaders, Curan and Amdin. He reflected what it would have been like with those two bonded as his vassals, and whether the game had not been right after all, in judging their karmas incompatible. It would be something to keep in mind for the future—not that he contemplated further vassals. The responsibility for just these two was onerous enough.
“Are expeditions into Crotana common?” he asked.
Adra shook her head. “Not at all, Curan’s was the only one that I knew of.”
He probed deeper for knowledge of Crotana. “Is passage through the Elder Forest the only route to Crota? And how long did your journey take? Assuming we manage to escape the labyrinth, we will need to plan our next course of action.”
Adra pursed her lips, thinking. “It took us about two months to cross the forest from Springhill, which is the nearest source of civilization. I suppose it should be possible to reach Crota through the Skarral Mountains or by ship from either its eastern or western shores, but I have never heard of anyone doing so. I doubt either of those routes would be any easier.”
Hmm, even if they escaped the labyrinth, there would be more challenges waiting, but that was a dilemma for another day. He turned his thoughts to other matters. “In the throne room you mentioned that becoming a vassal is considered a great honour. Why?”
“Why?” asked Adra, puzzled.
Kyran clarified, “You claimed that millions wish to be vassals but I still don’t understand why this is so. Are the gifts granted to players that great?”
Understanding lit Adra’s face. “They are. For the lowborn, vassalage is the only path to power, glory and prestige. Vassals are players—even if only minor ones. With it comes the opportunity to improve skills quicker and faster than any norm can. Few achieve rank beyond adept without becoming players in the game.”
Gaesin nodded, re-joining the conversation. “The slippery ice spell for example. Such a spell on its own would usually take a norm years to learn but you probably obtained the knowledge instantly?”
Kyran nodded. “I did, but what of the vow and oath that comes with it. Does that not bother you?”
Gaesin shrugged indifferently. “The game, gods and their champions are a facet of everyday life in Myelad. The academy I attended in Iltenial, its primary purpose was to train candidates for vassalage. Every year, the academy’s best and brightest are presented—eagerly mind you—to Balkar’s champions in the hope of being chosen as vassals.”
He shook his head firmly. “There is no escaping the game or the gods, Kyran. In one way or another every mortal on Myelad is beholden to them. Why not reap what benefits you can? It matters little if it comes at a price.”
Kyran did not know what to say to that. Freedom was sacrosanct. He would never willingly surrender it or pledge himself unconditionally to another. The duo’s choice was not something he could easily understand. But he could accept it. And do his best to honour both them and the trust they placed in him.
It was time to share his story. “Let me tell you of my own journey to Crota.” The two listened with avid interest as he told of his summoning, the choice, his meeting with the gods and his early days in the labyrinth. He left out any mention of Eld and the Thirteenth Well. When he finished, he looked up to find both Gaesin and Adra staring at him with wide-eyed wonder.
Awkward under their stares he moved the conversation on. “What do you know of the skills, abilities and traits you’ve been granted?”
“Very little,” admitted Adra and glanced to Gaesin who shrugged his own ignorance.
Kyran grimaced. He had hoped that they were already familiar with the game’s mechanics. They had much to learn. He started with the basics. “Have you accessed your player interface?”
Both nodded, looking awed. “We were discussing just that during our walk here. Some of it is easy to understand but most we’ve struggled to make any sense of,” admitted Adra.
Gaesin bobbed his head enthusiastically. “But the spells were amazing! The—, what did you call it? Interface? Yes, that. It gave me access to more spells than I ever hoped to learn! Please, can I cast one? Please, oh, please!” Gaesin stared fixedly at him, eagerly awaiting his permission.
Feeling very much the indulgent parent, Kyran waved for him to proceed. Gaesin leapt to his feet, casting ice wall as he went. This being Kyran’s first chance to observe a fellow mage in action, he keenly watched the process. At the edge of his senses, he detected Gaesin’s manipulation of his essence as he channelled it outwards into an ice wall. The youth excitedly rushed off to inspect his handiwork.
Kyran smiled, having gone through similar feelings of amazement just a few weeks ago. He watched Gaesin’s antics awhile, before shaking his head in bemusement and turning to Adra. “It’s evident that Gaesin is thrilled with his player-given gifts. What of you? How does your transformation sit with you?”
The wolven pondered his question before answering. “I’m not sure. I feel different yet the same… it’s hard to describe. My knowledge from my days as a norm is unchanged but weighed and… quantified.”
It was the third time that one of them had used the word. “What is this word, ‘norm’ that you two keep using?”
“It’s the term given to non-players.”
“Ah,” he said, disturbed anew that the game so permeated life on Myelad that there was a term for non-players.
“Do you two have any questions about being a player?” he asked as Gaesin re-joined them. “I, myself have only been one for a few weeks but I will do my best to answer.”
That opened the floodgates and he was subjected to a deluge of questions. He did his best to answer as fully and completely as he could but for some, he found himself just as ignorant of the answers. In the end he showed them the Champion’s Handbook and promised to share it with both.
Once the conversation of the game’s mechanics subsided, Kyran took out Aveyad’s map. “Now to the business of our escape from the labyrinth.” He unfurled the map, weighing down its corners with stones. While the major landmarks were easily identifiable, the tunnels between them was a complex network of lines that he managed to follow only with great difficulty. Thinking back to how the Overseer had granted him knowledge of the citadel’s layout, he wondered if he might accomplish something similar here.
Focusing intently, he willed himself to absorb the map’s knowledge, trying to merge it within his player’s map.
You do not have the necessary ability (read maps) to absorb knowledge of this map.
“Damn!” he exclaimed in disappointment. The others looked at him enquiringly. He said, “I tried to absorb the map’s knowledge but failed—I don’t have the read map ability.”
Adra flickered her eyes eerily inwards. Reading her player interface, he thought. She said, “I have the ability Kyran. Do you want me to try?”
He brightened, and handed the map over. “Please do. The process itself should be simple. Study its contents and will yourself to absorb the knowledge.”
Adra puzzled over the map, turning it this way, then that. Finally, she put it down, frowning. “I tried to do as you asked. The game reported that basic players don’t have access to the player’s map.
“But I did gain its knowledge. We are here,” she said, pointing with one clawed finger to the symbol of a cavern. She shrugged. “I don’t know how I know that. I just do.”
She continued, “And five hundred metres from here that tunnel bends east.” Her eyes glazed over and she pointed to her left. “And that way, many days journey west is Wyvern Peak.”
Kyran looked from the map to Adra. If she was correct then her ability would be invaluable in navigating the maze that was the labyrinth. It was unfortunate that she did not get a player’s map. So basic players did not get the map or inventory. I wonder how else they differ. “Well you’ve made better sense of those scribbles than I did. Looks like you’re destined to be the party scout, Adra.”
She replied, “It will be my honour, Kyran.”
Kyran leaned over the map again. “Adra, where did you say we were again?”
She pointed to the symbol marked ‘East Core’ on the map. “And how do we get to Wyvern Peak from here?” asked Kyran.
Adra traced a path through a maze of tunnels to another central cavern, labelled ‘North Core’. Studying the labyrinth, Kyran noted four prominent caverns that served as hubs for the tunnels and pathways through it. The spider’s cavern was one such hub—labelled East Core. It effectively controlled access to the east labyrinth. The North, West and South Cores served the same purpose.
He followed the route Adra traced. Unfortunately, it skirted close to a number of feral kobold settlements. Their villages seemed especially concentrated in the south and western labyrinth but some dotted the north as well. The east, presumably due to the undead’s influence, was largely free of them but for the odd outpost in what he suspected were the fringes of the undead’s reach.
There were a few beast lairs en route as well, most of which were rock beetle nests. Scattered amongst these were a ‘giant scorpion nest’ and a ‘barghest lair’.
“What do you know of feral kobolds?” he asked his companions.
✽✽✽
Game Data
Base skill in commander has increased to 12. Max battlegroup size: 98.
Base skill in nature lore to has increased to 11.
Kyran has learnt shared sight.
Remaining: 8 Civilian AP.
Kyran Profile (Condensed)
Name: Kyran Seversan
Race: Elf
Combat Level: 10
Civilian Level: 12
Health: 120/120
Stamina: 450/500
Will: 1020/1020
Essence: 1200/1200
Attacks
Physical: 21.3 (slash).
Mental: 20.4 (psi).
Spell: 25.5 (fire).
Defences
Physical Defence: 14.4
Psi Defence: 12
Spell Defence: 12
Combat Skills (3 SP available)
Beast Bonding: 17.8 (7 base)
Body Control: 16.3 (8 base)
Light Armour: 12.0 (10 base)
Psionics: 20.4 (10 base)
Psi Armour: 0
Telekinesis: 14.3 (7 base)
Telepathy: 20.4 (10 base)
Will Regen.: 0
Air Magic: 17.9 (7 base)
Earth Magic: 17.9 (7 base)
Essence Regen.: 0
Fire Magic: 25.5 (10 base)
Supportive Magic: 7.7 (3 base)
Wands & Staffs: 0
Mystical garments: 0
Spellcasting: 25.5 (10 base)
Water Magic: 17.9 (7 base)
Longbow (Racial): 0
Longsword (Racial): 6.4 (8 base)
Civilian Skills
Commander: 8.6 (12 base)
Feudal Lord: 0
Governor: 0
Mage Lord: 2.4 (1 base)
Scrying: 8.6 (12 base)
Travelling: 8.6 (12 base)
Nature Lore (Racial): 13.2 (11 base)
Vassals & Minions
Maximum allowed: 8 (12 base)
Current: 2.
Combat Abilities
Novice:
Beast Bond, Extend Bond, Confusion, Boost Speed, Hold.
Truesight, Fire Dart, Slippery Ice, Grasping Roots, Fire Shield, Ice Wall, Earth Tremor, Poison Ward.
Base:
Calm Beast, Mind Over Matter, Teleport (Self), Mind Shock.
Blend, Barkskin, Flaming Hands, Restore Health (Self), Water Armour.
Civilian Abilities (8 AP available)
Novice:
Travel (Self), Basic Scrying, Gather Plants. Shared Sight.
Base:
Inspiring, Channel Essence, Show Hostiles, Show Portals, Show Plants (map).
Equipped Items
Full set of Chitin armour (20 base armour).
Novice’s Training sword (15-20 base slash damage).
Bone shaman necklace (+2% earth magic).
Chapter 8
09 Augi 2603 AB
The Labyrinth spans the Skarral Mountains. Its northern entrance is protected by Crota, and its southern one by the dwarven city, Durn Duruhl. There have been rumours, but no confirmation of other entrances. Its original inhabitants were the mountain dwarves and the feral kobolds, both of whom have been locked in conflict since time immemorial.
With the advent of the game, the dwarves allied themselves with Eld, with whose aid they stamped out the kobold infestation in the upper tunnels. The kobolds, driven back into the deeps, bided their time. When Crotana fell, the ferals seized their moment, and overran Durn Duruhl.
They have squatted there ever since. None of the forays by the exiled dwarves, forced into the mountains further south where they now scrap out an existence under the shadow of Xetil, have been successful in unseating them. – from The Origin of Myelad by Marcos Aurclasy, Silenheim Librarian.
Kyran woke up rested and optimistic about the day ahead. The party had spent many hours last night planning their trip to Wyvern Peak and strategies to employ against any feral kobolds they encountered. If the kobolds in the north labyrinth were anything like those he had encountered already, their plans should serve them well.
The party breakfasted on the remains of the rock beetle soup. Kyran surveyed the pile of supplies unloaded by Gaesin and Adra last night. He packed it away in his inventory to reduce the weight each of them would have to carry on their backs. To make room he happily abandoned the rock shells, the cooking utensils a welcome replacement.
Inventory (New items)
Storage Capacity: 78.6/200 kg.
Money: 2 gold, 5 silver, 20 coppers.
General Items:
Labyrinth Map (0 kg).
Spectacles of Revealing (0.1 kg).
Message scroll (0 kg).
Mysterious owl lockbox (0.3 kg).
Champion’s Handbook (0.4 kg).
Camping Items:
Tinder and Fire starters (0.3 kg).
Firestones (3.0 kg).
Sleep sacks x 4 (4.0 kg).
Small camp alarm system (0.7 kg).
Crafting Items:
Blank scrolls x 500 (2.5 kg).
Scribe set (0.5 kg).
Weapons:
Basic longsword (1.4 kg).
Basic Arrows x 200 (4.0 kg).
Steel knife x 2 (0.5 kg).
Food:
Food preparation kit (1 kg).
Basic travel rations x 140 (25 kg).
Cooking utensils (2.0 kg).
Kyran handed over the shaman’s staff to Gaesin, his wands & staff skill meant he would get better use out of it. He then formed the battlegroup.
Battlegroup: A battlegroup is a virtual representation of the players in a combat team. The status of each battle group member is superimposed on the commander’s vision using semi-transparent threads. All members of a battlegroup gain equal combat XP and can communicate telepathically with each other. Its size is limited by the commander’s player level (x 1) and the commander skill (x 10).
They had experimented with it last night. The battlegroup was a combat management interface that gave the battle leader oversight of the party’s status and allowed its members to send telepathic messages within the group.
With the group assembled, virtual constructs formed, superimposing on his sight ephemeral threads that pulsed into and out of being. Each thread led to a party member and coded within it—through colour, intensity and frequency —was a wealth of information on the party member’s health, status and location. At a glance, it provided him with all the information he needed on each, without the need for him to open individual interfaces. Most crucial of all, it did not impair or unnecessarily clutter his sight. It would require practice to master interpretation of each thread’s coded information but it was sure to prove invaluable in battle.
Commander Interface (Kyran’s Battlegroup)
General:
Max size: 98.
Current size: 3.
Max range: 980m.
Members:
