You are woken by a rather rough shake from the carriage rider. You shout out that you're awake as you flail a little, which the orc seems to take as "good enough". You step outside the cart, and your jaw just drops. The place is absolutely amazing! This has to be the single largest city you've ever seen, and you can see the whole thing from up here. The tower is just a short distance away, at the top of a rather steep hill. It's more massive than you ever imagined, and you suspect magic is the only thing holding its sheer weight together. But you need to have a closer look at the city, because the view is astonishing. You can only barely see the very lush vegetation the orc land are known for, with vines that reach everywhere and trees as large as buildings, at the very edges of the massive city. The city's buildings must be larger still. You can see smoke rising from a collection of superstructures to the far north, right of where you're looking. Closest to the tower you see mostly stone buildings and colorful tents. You don't know exactly what's there, but you suspect something along the lines of a market? You've never been to a city this large, and it makes the idea of calling the last place with a wizard tower a city seem like a joke. The other scholars are hopping off the carts, and despite the horrible conditions of the trip they still seem somewhat happy to have arrived. Even the girl with the goggles, who you know as a fact got infected by the plague. She has a cloth in front of her mouth, and you have a suspicion that she didn't get off as lightly as you did.
Back to the town, you suspect you could take a whole day walking in a straight line and still not get to the end! They probably don't even work with districts, because of the sheer size. You'd love to take a closer look, but you need to look to the tower. It was your goal, after all. Once you've entered and looked around, you can take the time to explore the massive city. The tower itself is no slouch either, when it comes to sheer size. The carriages stopped in front of a surrounding wall, and you can see heavily armored guards look down upon you. They have unique helmets, with small wings poking out of it. You think so, anyway, the wall is pretty high up. The scholar party just silently approaches the gates, which are surprisingly modest. You'd have trouble fitting a carriage through here, even! Two guards stand ready, and their armor is impressively decorated. Golden vines seem to spread all across the plate armor, and their helmet looks like an eagle spreading it's wings on top of a bucket helm. If it wasn't so well made, it would look very silly indeed. But it just seems to switch over, and the "beak" looks like it has a purpose in battle. The two guards are completely unmoving and silent as the party steps through the gates, and you can't even see their eyes through the slits of the helmet. One design that they all seem to bear is that of a cross, implying a connection to the crusaders. You've never met one apart from your uncle and Reynauld, and they were both rather unwilling to talk about it overmuch. All you know is that it was BAD.
It doesn't matter, though. Behind the walls, it turns out there is a another town in and of itself. You see people darting to and fro, from all walks of life. The only thing that binds them is the uniform, and the surprised look on their face as they watch you walk in. You don't know if it's because of your injuries or the fact you're a drider they look surprised. You suspect a healthy mix of both. You decide to walk next to Meandra, who is looking a little dazed. She's slouching, and there's a dumb sort of smile on her face. The type you get when you're tired beyond the pale, and you go a little mad. You decide not to ask anything to her, as she seems to be mumbling to herself anyhow. Eveline and Yunikki are close behind, at least. Eveline looks as amazed as you are at the surrounding area, especially at some of the plants she sees along the way. You don't see anything too special about them, other than the fact that they're a lot larger than you're used to. Yunikki is walking around without her armor, for once, although you could hardly call it proper clothing. She's actually just using wrappings around her chest and what looks like pants with the legs cut off just above the knee, which is getting her some very interested stares. You can't help but have an eyeful as well, as you don't get to look at her that much. She really is quite strong, or if nothing else, her definition is absolutely crazy. She looks like she can lift damn near anything, especially with legs like that! And the abs, my gods-
Syd, not that I don't appreciate it, you're kind of obvious about it. To be fair, you're not hiding anything, either.Hey, it's hot as hell out here. And, uh... How did they say it at Vvulf's? "Sun's out, Guns out?" Dwarven saying, but I think I get the idea.She says, even flexing both her arms, showing quite the biceps. They pale in comparison to her legs, though.
If nothing else, you've got the unique experience where you don't have the most stares in your direction. You need to make an active effort not to look at Yunikki yourself, but fortunately, the tower soon takes up your attention. As you get closer and closer, larger amounts of people are starting to follow you. Guessing from their age, you assume they are students. Suddenly, you hear the long DONG of a bell that must be at the very top of the massive tower. It must be truly enormous if it can still be heard from that high over the entirety of the city. With that sound, everybody wearing a similar robe (the uniform, if you'd have to guess. Many different colors, though) starts walking towards the tower. Suddenly, one of them even talks to you. A short guy, wearing a white robe.
Hello, miss. If you have come here for our healing services, please follow me to our class. With master Richard's warnings, we have prepared the students for a hands-on lesson.Uh...That won't be needed quite yet. I would like to put these people through orientation, first, especially young miss Aestinus. I suspect the tower may even learn from HER. Are the headmasters ready?Master Richard! You haven't asked him to make a public appearance, right?! Please tell me you didn't?!Oh please, people will discover at some point.But it's so... inappropriate!The conversation stops as the group arrives at the base of the tower. There are more eagle guards here, wielding long spears. They also bear two swords, one over the shoulder and a smaller one on their hip. They also carry a dagger in their boot, which you only noticed after Yunikki pointed it out. As you enter the tower, you find that it looks even bigger on the inside! There's a massive hall with a checkered pattern on the floor. The floor looks like you could eat off it, and if you looked closely, you could probably see your reflection. This place is so expensive you feel like you're already in debt. Suddenly, you hear a shout from one of the surviving scholars. You look up to see a man flying down from the roof, which is at least thirty meters high! He lands on his feet, in a kneeling position. He is almost completely naked, and...
Dear god he is fucking BUFFDEAREST STUDENTS AND TEACHERS! He bellows, raising his arms and showing that all he wears is a loincloth.
TO ALL THOSE, THAT HAVE NOT SEEN THE MAGNIFICENCE OF MY PERFECTLY. He kneels down to flex his body
SCULPED he flexes again, twisting his back to give everybody a handful of his amazing posterior. Oh my...
BODY!He makes a final stance, hands on his hips and moving his pectorals.
I AM THE HEADMASTER OF THIS MAGNIFICENT FACILITY, AND WE HAVE SOME FRESH FACES. THEY ARE BATTERED, BRUISED AND SHAKEN FROM A COLOSSAL STRUGGLE AGAINST A MOST HORRIBLE FOE. He gesticulates wildly, and his voice carries all across the hall, despite the massive size. It seems to reverb through the hall and into one's skull. Many people around you look flabbergasted, while you are trying to hide your flushed face.
BUT THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF A SIMPLE KOBOLT ALCHEMIST, THEY HAVE FOUND A CURE AGAINST THE BLOOD PLAGUE. ALL THIS, THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF HER DEAREST FRIENDS. A TRUE SPECTACLE TO HEAR! PLEASE, CAN EVELINE AND FRIENDS PLEASE STEP FORWARD?Oh god he can't be serious.He is, dear. You should just go. You lot, you as well. The longer you wait, the worse it gets. Don't worry, he won't bite.I. don't. Do. Crowds!You scoop up Eveline and carry her closer to god come to life before you. You can claim it was to hurry it all along, and it give her a better podium from your back. Once you leave the crowd, Meandra and Yunikki follow without issue. Almost, anyway, considering Meandra needs a hand from Yunikki to not get lost. She is really out of it.
HAHAA! BEHOLD, EVERYBODY! THE FACES AND PHYSIQUES OF TRUE HEROES! I HAVE ALREADY TOLD YOU OF THE AMAZING EXPLOIT OF OUR DIMINUTIVE FRIEND, BUT THESE OTHERS HAVE ALL DONE A VALUABLE SERVICE AS WELL! FOR INSTANCE She slaps Yunikki on the back, which knocks the air out. You can see her resisting the urge to cough, and she very gracefully manages to breathe back in and keep her stance. You notice that she is showing off a bit as well, but not to the ridiculous extent of the headmaster.
YUNIKKI HERE SPEARHEADED THE DEFENSE TO ALLOW OUR ALCHEMIST TO FINISH HER CURE, AND MEANDRA HERE SPENT THE VERY LAST DROP OF HER MANA POOL FOR IT. SHE HAS GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR IT ALL. AND FINALLY, THE ONE I TRULY WISH TO COMMEND! SYDNEY AESTINUS,
THE FIRST DRIDER TO HAVE ENTERED THIS PLACE IN OVER A CENTURY, SACRIFICED HER VERY LIFE AND SOUL SO HER FRIENDS COULD ESCAPE. SHE ALONE STOOD AGAINST A MASSIVE HORDE OF THE MOST FOUL CREATURES CREATED BY THIS PLAGUE. ALAS, SHE SUCCUMBED, BUT IN DOING SO SHE ALLOWED THE CURE TO WORK ACROSS THE TOWN! WHERE ONCE, THOUSANDS WOULD DIE I A QUARANTINE, THOUGH THESE BRAVE EFFORTS COUNTLESS LIVES HAVE BEEN SAVED! A WHOLE FOREST CAN BE DECONTAMINATED, AND FOR THAT WE GRANT YOU THE HIGHEST REGARDS. YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY A DIME FOR YOUR CONTINUED EDUCATIONS, MY DEAREST FRIENDS!
NOW, WITH THESE SHORT FORMALITIES OUT OF THE WAY, I BID THEE FAREWELL! FOR I HAVE WORK OF THE MOST PAPERY COMPLEXION WAITING FOR ME ON THE HIGHEST LEVEL!He bends down a final time, builds up power in his massive legs, and blasts off from where he came, landing on the highest balcony and then moving up the stairs.
Eveline is currently clinging to you, clearly terrified from all the stares and loud noises. Her hair is standing on end, and you hear a low whine coming from her. Meandra looks as dazed as before, and Yunikki seems a little deflated. She's been outdone in every way. You could hear a needle drop in the room right now, it's deathly quiet as people just stare with befuddled or annoyed expressions.
You're the first to speak.
What the fuck was that?After that had been uttered, the massive crowd standing in front of the hall seems to come alive again. A massive amount of chattering happens, and Richard comes towards you.
Well, that's out of the way. So, I figured I could get you scholarships if I told him the story of how you managed to beat a plague. There's an alchemy course available, so I assume miss Eveline knows what to pick?Y-yes. Thanks.As for you, miss Yunikki. The guards will take you in, if you wish. They're quite exceptional in their training, and I believe you'd make a good fit. Of course,
that is if you want to. You can get something other than a scholarship, but the Headmaster tends to be a bit vagueI-I'll take it. I mean... maybe I could take this as a second shot. Oh gods... She looks very happy right now. In a wistful sort of way.
Meandra and I already know where to do, which leaves us with you, Sydney. The necromancy course is a natural fit, but you are unique enough that some others may want to take an occasional look at you. For that matter, I have requested the medical classes to prepare for a hands-on lesson. Many of us were injured, after all...
I'd like for you to please make your way to class A208. Second floor from here, to your left. They'll take good care of you and fix what they can. In the meantime... I suggest coming up with a job of some sort. You may not have to pay for scholarship, but living here isn't exactly free. I'll be in at the headmaster's office if you have need of me. For that matter, those who aren't injured should head there immediately to make their choice. Almost on autopilot, you go to the medical classes. The place is exceedingly sterile, and smells distinctly of soap. You see all manner of people looking ready to begin, all of them wearing white robes. The person you talked to on the way here looks to be the professor.
Ah, miss Aestinus. Please, lay down on this table here, and we'll take care of the rest. Please call out if you suffer any unexpected pain.You're going to be here for a while, you consider as they start removing your equipment and bandages.
Maybe you should get some ideas ready for a job? You'll get a proper set of options available to you after this, but it doesn't hurt to think ahead.
The options that are available in town are:
Chapel worker
Crusador Division (guards with a religious tinge)
Research Assistant
Hunter
Test Subject (safe-ish)
Potential Other (I'm really short on time, and all these options will be placed in more detail next update)
Stats
Level: 8
HP: ??/25
Mana: 21/29(1 mana invested)
Stress: 20/75
Inventory
Equipment:
Drider Shirt
Steel sword
Rough leather armor
Gardener's iron shield
Items:
Magic Cookbook
150 coins
A lot of stuff has been left at the carriages.
Party
Ex-bandit: Yunikki Madotsu
Floramancer: Meandra Malindra
Paranoid Alchemist: Eveline
Magic, skills and minions
Magic:
Resurrect vermin: Allows you to resurrect very small creatures such as rats(1) (invests 1 of your max mana)
Resurrect average beast: Allows you to resurrect creatures such as dogs, cats and other similar-sized creatures.(10- (invests five mana)
Reshape minion: Allows you to slightly change the appearance of your resurrected minions. (///......)2
Minion Vision(weak): Allows you to see what a minion sees. The minion must have eyes.
Animate Piece: Allows you to animate just a piece of dead tissue. It requires your constant attention, and cannot act independently. (invests one mana) (1)
Graft: Allows you to use dead tissue as a replacement limb. Requires a lot of mana. (2 per second)
Gather Soul: Allows you to make a soul visible. You can't do anything with it, quite yet. (10 mana)
Undead flashbang: Allows you to blow up a minion for a flash-bang effect. (15 mana)
Stitch: allows you to close a wound and stop bleeding as fast as you can stitch. Costs very little mana, but requires something to stitch with.
Siphoning Cloud: Breathe out a cloud that drains the life from victims and gives it to you.
Minions and coerced Followers
Lizard
Skills:
Poison Stinger (Potentially lethal)
Oral Fixation: Can cast spells spells from the mouth.
Draining Limbs: Can drain blood using pedipalps.
Major experience in blocking and swords.
Climber
Crafty: Bolas
Cooking skill: Excellent
Corpse Cutting: below average.
Animal handling: inexperienced.
Necromantic knowledge
Soul Sniffer
Running really low on time, but I'm glad I finally got to introduce the headmaster.
Author
Topic: Web of Life: A Drider's Adventure (Ended) (Read 185968 times)