Cearbhail:

So, we come to the end of the Ruins and Dwarves campaign for this day. And now.. just one last chapter. And then... it's all over. There will be follow-up chapters, like the story teaser for Changing Fates (which will not begin until Chronicles of Ruby and Veselle are completed, which will not take too long). And I will be showing premiers for the other stories, Chronicles of Untold Tales, and Ruins & Dwarves Online. Going to be a fun time. Might even get started on A Certain Mystical Ballista, but not sure on that one. Maybe the first arc of the story, since it takes place before Changing fates, while the second arc takes place after Changing Fates. And when Changing Fates is finished (it won't be too long, I swear), I'll begin the Crimson Blades story. Well, anyway...

=^^= Enjoy...

[Vatu]

Ruins and Dwarves Character Sheet

Player name: Crassi Tatiana

Name: Jessaline

Race: Imperial

Class: Witchhunter

Age: 27

Hair Color: Strawberry blond

Eye Color: Hazel

Weight: 145

Size: 5'8''

Fears: Zombies, Argonian Zombies, Argonian Zombie Maid-cosplaying Assassins, and birds.

Preferred Enemies: Argonian Zombie Maid-cosplaying Assassins, Necromancers with pigtails.

Religious beliefs: All necromancers with pigtails with Argonian zombie maid-cosplaying assassins as their personal assistants should burn in Oblivion for all eternity. And I will kill them on sight. Amen!

…

"So… this girl…" Oh, gods… not again. I really don't want to talk about Primrose right now. I really didn't want to talk about anything right now.

"Junna… we're in-game. We'll talk about it later." I was trying to be patient. Against all I had with Nexa and Primrose, I kinda actually liked this girl. Being asked out by her kinda excited me… and I don't know why, but against all I had with Nexa and Primrose, I actually wanted to be around her more. Primrose was sweet but… I felt like I had to reserve myself around her. Like I had to be gentle. Nexa was different. I couldn't be gentle with her, and she couldn't be gentle with me either. And then… there's this girl. Somewhere in between, as far as I can tell. So, even though I liked her… she was beginning to test my patience. That, and I'm trying to focus my Listen checks on clambering footsteps. We were trying to sneak around a giant tower protecting an area of the Ghostgate. This area was supposedly supervised by Daedra and whatnot. And since we were on the other side of the Ghostgate, where our friends waited for us patiently to find the quickest and safest route to the tower… I'd rather not draw the attention of every corprus monster with our little conversations. I'm guessing Junna doesn't know much about being stealthy after all.

"Not Primrose. Lilly." Lilly? Was she worried that Lilly was serious about asking me out or something?

I did a quick scan of the area. We were settled on a small hill surrounded by rocks. I didn't see any enemies, but that didn't mean anything. I might have rolled a poor Search check and they might be using their stealth abilities to hide from us. For all I knew, they could actually see me watching for them and were sneaking their way up to me. I had to be careful. So far, I had only seen one way across the Ghostgate without drawing attention and that was the way Junna and I got here… by climbing up rocks. Even though we used our little firefly friend Tinkerring to get up here in the first place.

"Lilly and I are not an item. Never will be."

Junna shook her head at my answer. "Not that. Look… I'm really late into this whole… thing. Obviously, you guys have been doing stuff for a while now, some war or quest or something, but… you know a lot of stuff I don't. I understand this pyramid we're looking for is important. I understand we're like… on this brink of some war with… the Dwemer? Really? So… all this stuff is going on and the past few months I've been… what? I ran away from home, moved to Torval… started taking classes in Alchemy, Destruction, and Restoration and… what? Suddenly the world is at war with Aedra, Thalmor, and Dwemer? Those Aedra things never made their way to Torval. And Elsweyr was allies with the Dominion so… I never expected them to turn on us. And now the Dwemer? I'm stunned. If people didn't mention the horror going on in the Empire, I would have just continued living my new life learning how to be a firedrake. When I heard about what was going on in Rimmen, I decided to help my brother. When the Mane left for Rimmen, some volunteers were called to respond to the crisis. I wanted to help my brother, so I volunteered. Some teachers laughed at my wanting to go, others commended me on my bravery. And so… I came here to Rimmen to find my brother… not a world war. So, you can understand that I'm a little confused. And I can't just go home to Torval and pretend it's not happening. I'm in the thick of it… and I will kick and scream and claw anyone that tries to get rid of me. I'm not leaving, so fill me in. What's really going on?"

If I had been in her shoes, I would be demanding answers as well. I guess we had time. So, I cleared my throat. "It started mid-Morningstar, maybe towards 20 or something, this year. So… about six months ago. I was kidnapped with my friends Davilia and Erandur… only two weeks into our training at the Arcane University for the Battlemage Pre-Training Program. It was a program to prepare college students for the lifestyle of being a battlemage. Well, Hans the Hardy, current commander of the Battlemage Legion, rescued us. During the rescue, we were attacked by Aedra. As it turned out, several forts of mages were attacked by the Aedra. And… it just developed after that. More attacks began to happen, more people began to die. We didn't know what we were fighting, and to be honest, my friends and I were out of the loop. While all this was happening, Hans the Hardy was training us to become battlemages. He volunteered people from the college to train in haste to meet the foe. A month of oblivion… all so that we could go out and get revenge on the Aedra destroying the world."

Junna nodded. "So, what happened next?"

I did another scan of the area, seeing if anything new popped up, any enemies or some pathway that I didn't notice. I didn't see anything so I nodded to Junna to follow me. You'd think there would be some enemies. I thought this place was heavily defended. I didn't see anything, and that scared me. Heavily defended meant… a lot of enemies or one very powerful boss. "We'll speak as we move to the next point. Keep your eyes open for any secret doors. Or enemies." I started heading down the hill to the next rock. This area didn't have any entrances we could use other than the front gate. I'd rather not tell everyone in Red Mountain that we're just waltzing on in. The gang wanted another way to get into the tower. Perhaps a sewer tunnel or something. Or a window.

"I know a good spell." She replied. "So, I'll look for the entrance, you just keep telling me about this war. And your training. And Primrose." Ah… so, this was her attempt to learn more about me. Damn, she's good at getting me to talk. Eh, whatever.

"I'm pretty interested in this too." The little firefly floating overhead drifted down from the clouds, flying over our heads.

"Can't you just go find an entrance for us?" I asked Tinkerring.

The tiny fairy shook her head. "I wouldn't know what to look for. But… you know…" She tapped her chin. "I could just fly up to the tower, look for an entrance, and then fly back here. You two could scout out a secure passageway through the gateway."

I nodded to the fairy. "You go ahead and find the tower. It has to be nearby. Once you find a way in… a way that's not surrounded with enemies or protected by traps, come find us. If you get caught, come find us. We'll just fight our way in."

Tinkerring nodded to me. "Ok!" She took off like a firebolt.

I turned around, heading us back towards the gate. "Ok, so keep your eyes open for enemies."

"Got it." She replied. "So… you were telling me about your training."

I kept my eyes open as we walked through the rocky mountainous terrain. "Well, we trained for a month in a battlemage advanced course. We did things like learn how to use maps, use magicka, learned how to enchant things with our own magicka. We fought Daedra, evaded traps in traps-infested ruins… jumped off cliffs, did training simulations with liches and battlemages." I ended up shaking my head. "Honestly, it was hard. But we made it. And during this time, I guess the world went to oblivion and back. Places like Chorrol… Kvatch… Cheydinhal… they were destroyed. Everyone basically murdered. We met the Davilia's father, an old leader for the Fighters Guild. He told us about their battle with the Aedra. Things happened, people died. Same story as with everything else. Honestly, there is only one story I actually cared about… and I guess you should hear this one. So, pay attention.

"My sister, Nisha, she was staying at the University, studying Alchemy. Well, during her birthday, I guess, the University was attacked by the Aedra. They killed everyone we knew there. All but my friend Nexa. The girl that wants to kill you, probably. My friend Nexa happened to see my sister about to be killed and basically saved her. They ended up in Black Marsh where Nisha was captured and left to rot in a cell until Nexa saved her… again. Nexa helped my sister escape while forcing herself to get captured by the very people she swore to serve her whole life. She was tortured for three weeks without end. My sister escaped though. And found her way to me; told me the whole thing. And to let you know, my first experience with Nexa was in my Restoration class at the University. Our teacher was a sadistic bitch. When Nexa wanted to test out of her class, our teacher basically said the only way Nexa was going to test out of the class was if the teacher could repetitively stab me and Nexa with a knife while Nexa healed us both before we both bled out. I was scared of our teacher and I waited after class to make sure Nexa would be safe. Nexa took her sweet time leaving and I found out later when she pinned me in an alley, pressing a knife up my throat, that she wanted the teacher to come at her. She wanted to kill the teacher. That was my first experience with Nexa… a knife at my throat. She will kill you. She has no reason not to."

Junna nodded. "Ok. So… what about Primrose? And Lilly? And the Dwemer? The Dominion? What about them?"

How to abridge this so we can get moving with this? She did deserve to know this stuff. Being caught in the middle of two wars… the war with between my love interests and the war with the incoming Dwemer. "Well, let's start with Primrose. She was my first friend at the University. I met her while eating a rat. I grossed her out by shoving it in her face."

"Wouldn't gross me out. I'd gladly eat it." Junna replied with a purr.

I rolled my eyes. "I'm sure. Anyway, after the kidnapping, the call to war, Primrose decided to join us as a healer. She was at the University to be a healer so, I thought at the time she wanted to keep us safe. I learned later that she wanted to be closer to me. But… then something happened to me. And this is why I have trouble opening up. During my training, I learned about my Sengar state. I… I almost killed a student over a sparring match. And later, I killed a whole army of liches, but I took so much damage that I almost died. And I went into a coma. Primrose and Davilia climbed into my head with BI Hans… and they saw my deepest fears, my worst nightmares. After witnessing that, Primrose locked up. She stopped talking to me, stopped looking at me. She thought I was a monster. I thought I was a monster. That fear of me continued until Primrose and I were confronted with an invisible frost troll. I saved her life… and she forgave me. More than that… she fell in love with me. I was pretty lost at that point. Becoming a Sengar, losing myself in my ancestors' past lives… I couldn't risk putting someone in that danger by being near me. I was a monster. And… during our final exam, the Aedra attacked. I went Sengar. I almost died, again. And this time… my monster caged me in my own heart. Primrose came to free me. My fear and anger almost consumed her. I never let go of that. When I woke up, Primrose was a mess. She would stand over me, heal my every wound… spend hours upon hours healing me, neglecting to eat, sleep, drink. I hated it. I hated that she would put so much effort into helping me while dismissing herself. I still hate it. I love her… but I can't be with her. It hurts to see her put too much into me and not into herself. When she's not with me, she's herself. And when she's with me… she's not."

"So…" Junna said, looking down at the ground. She nodded like she understood. "That's the issue. That's why you haven't chosen her or Nexa yet. Both of them have done so much for you… and you can't choose one over the other because that would be unfair to the other. So… instead of pursuing either one, you've decided it's best to just let yourself be considered a shell of a person, hide behind your fears of hurting others and getting hurt, as opposed to hurting your friends. You're basically a coward. And…" She looked up at me as if she suddenly figured it out. She pointed her finger at me, her tail flicking behind her. "you're choosing to accept me because I'm easier… is that right? And don't deny that you are choosing me… I can smell it in your scent."

Oh gods… I really hope that wasn't the reason. It hurt to hear her call me a coward… but it sounded like the same crap I keep telling myself every time I look in a mirror or think about Primrose or Nexa. I want to accept someone… but I don't want to lose them. Prim loves me… but it seems different. I can't explain it, but it doesn't really feel sincere. I'm not sure I love her either. And Nexa… well… that's a whole different story. I could never choose her. I'd spend too much time running for my life if I forgot to take out the trash one night.

Seeing the reaction in my eyes, Junna shook her head. "I'm right. And you know I'm right." She shouldered past me, quickly making her way down the hill. "Ok, we have a path to find. Let's get moving, Ma'dato."

"Ri'dato." Gods… did I really just correct her on my character's name?

"I know what I said." She replied sarcastically, giving me a look that I knew was partially accusatory and partially annoyed. She started walking faster down the hills towards the gate. "So, tell me about this Lilly girl. How does she know so much, even though she's as blind as she is?"

"Still talking to me?" I followed behind her, trying to keep my eyes open for surprises.

She glanced back at me in that 'are you serious' way. "Vatu… you promised me answers. And I still want to know what's going on. As for… the whole thing with you… I'm still learning. My first impression of you was hearing about you standing up to the Khajiit Royal Knights… to protect two children. That's my first impression. This, I consider our first date. I'm learning more about you, and those chasing after you. There has to be a reason you've attracted them, as well as me. As for the whole 'coward' thing… I've dated worse. Way worse. So bad that I had to change an important part of my name. I'll reserve my true judgment of you after I learn more about you." She had to change her name? Wow… that's pretty intense dating right there.

Well, where to begin? "Well, the stuff about Lilly. We only know that she's a seer. After we graduated we met up with some shadowscales in Black Marsh, being led by Nexa. When she met me, she told me her father planned on killing me because I was a Sengar and he knew it, and that she would try to protect me."

"This, being the same girl that just killed her dad?" Junna asked as she turned back to look at me. I nodded. "Ok… think I get her now. I'll try to keep out of her way."

"So, after we met up with Nexa and her squad, we went up to Cheydinhal to find this seer. While we were up there, we ran into a girl being turned into a vampire. Babette, if you couldn't tell. Lilly ended up being the seer we were looking for. Nexa, I, Lilly, and everyone else started to leave Cheydinhal until we were ambushed by the Aedra. The entire area around Cheydinhal became a warzone. Every nation sent their soldiers. And… it happened. The Dominion betrayed us. Not sure how or why… but suddenly we were at war with the Dominion. I went in a blood-rage… killed most of the Aedra… almost died, again. My friends brought me back. And then… well… we came here. Our team broke up into several groups, some going to Alinor, some going to Black Marsh, all in the effort of shutting down the Dominion. I only just learned about the Dwemer, and you'll have to talk to Lilly about her or the Dwemer. She'll answer your questions… as long as they're not during the game."

Somehow, during my little recollection of everything we'd gone through to Junna, we ended up by the Ghostgate. I could see a small collection of enemies off on the other side of the canyon entrance, coming towards us. They hadn't seen us yet. It looked more like a small patrol squad. Junna had been watching them when I looked for them. "So… should we turn around?"

I looked behind us to the mountainous hills that stretched up. "Think we can do it without causing attention?"

She nodded. "I have potions of invisibility. Here, take one." She pulled out a small purple flask, handing it to me.

I took the potion from her, nodding to the stretch of rocks. "If they see us…it's over. You know that, right?"

She nodded. "Then, let's not waste time."

I looked off towards the sky. I didn't see Tinkerring anywhere. I wonder if he was still looking for a safe way to get to the tower. I sure hope he wasn't in some trouble.

…

[Erandur]

Ruins and Dwarves Character Sheet

Player Name: Pra'ja Vanderma

Name: Grungle gra'Dum Dum

Race: Orc

Class: Barbarian

Age: 26

Hair Color: Black

Eye Color: Black

Weight: 210

Size: 5'11''

Fears: Boogie Fever, poetry, words, apple pie, boredom.

Preferred Enemies: Time.

Religious Beliefs: Umm… we die. Eventually.

…

"Line up, ladies!" A large burly Nord with long shaggy brown hair bellowed to us.

I had to admit, this was better than sitting on a floor, listening to Lilly narrate everything that was going on. I got to live it instead. Her spell was simply amazing. When I looked down at my character's hands, I felt like I was looking down at my own. When I touched something… I could feel me touching it. Sure, there were some drawbacks (dice rolls) dictating how things happened. Sometimes my body would lock up or my legs would give out. Sometimes I felt like I wasn't see everything there was to see, or hearing everything there was to be heard. It's a weird experience but I guess it mirrors real life. Walking down the street… how do you know what you're seeing or not? What are you passing by that you're not noticing? Or not paying attention to the sounds of people chattering about stuff. You probably miss a lot when you're not actively paying attention to it… and Ruins and Dwarves emulates that pretty well.

I was playing my favorite character of course: a rogue Bosmer. Proficient in both bows and short swords, I was able to do pretty much anything. I was primarily the scout of the party along with the Imperial archer. He looked like the capable sort, even though I'd yet to see him in action.

"Now!" The Nord screamed to us. I jogged up to the bellowing Nord dressed in what looked like Imperial Legion armor. It was a shiny golden metal with a red outlining dragon imprinted on the breastplate. Everyone else fell in behind me, lining up like we would during all our morning formations. I looked around for the Altmer mage I just got done making out with a few minutes ago. I mean, we did pop up in an ash farm, and Davilia for some reason, really wanted me to pay no attention to the farm. She dragged me off to one of the sheds and pretty much jumped me. We stayed in the shed until we ended up popping up to this dusty location near a large engraved gate. According to what I remember studying with my dad… it was a magical barrier designed to keep powerful entities locked in. Wonder what we were doing here. Hopefully, our beastly Nord can tell us.

As soon as everyone lined up, standing at attention, the Nord scanned us. "Hmm…" He started towards the end of the line, over to where the Imperial archer stood. He was holding out a sheet of paper, reading off it. "Imperial archer; name: Imperius… Archer…" The Nord looked up at the archer. "Really?"

The archer nodded. "My parents are very ironic, sir."

The Nord rolled his eyes. "Fine." He stepped up to the Orc. "Orc barbarian; name: Grungle gra'Dum Dum. Huh… I've been to Dum Dum. They have great soup chefs there." He walked past her to the Altmer mage. "Altmer mage: Tatianna Ocato." She used my last name? Aww… that's cute. The Nord walked past her up to the Argonian. "Argonian white robe. What… is that some kind of…" The Nord looked her over. "You're a healer, right?"

The Argonian nodded. "Yes, sir. Reemei Veindei at your service."

The Nord looked down at his sheet. "Ok." He walked past her over to me. He studied me for a second before saying, "And you must be the Bosmer rogue; Drusa Orfay."

I nodded. "Yes, but… who are you?" Hey, I have to play the rogue. And that means not subjecting myself to authority figures.

The Nord nodded at my question. He backed away, so that he could address all of us. "My name is Jyor Shatter-Sword. I am the current Prefect of the Imperial Legion for this region. In a group effort with Tribunal of Morrowind's forces, we have been selected to help stabilize this quickly deteriorating situation of a Ghostgate. Now, this is important because of one little fact: the Ghostgate keeps powerful corprus beings locked up in Red Mountain. With it weakening, some of the lesser monsters are now roaming free. The more powerful ones… the more epic ones… are still locked away. So, we're going to fix it… or blow it and everything inside it to Oblivion. While two separate forces are doing their missions to somehow repair the Ghostgate, our squad is going something a little… different. I run what is called the Suicide Squad. All of you are some of the best recruits we've received in a long time, and so… we have the hardest mission of all."

He pointed behind him towards the massive volcano in the distance. "We're traveling through Mordor… I mean the Ghostgate, to the Red Mountain. When we get there, we will set up a bomb, one that can be detonated by any means of magicka directed by a kill switch in General Killington's war room. If nothing else works, the General will pull the trigger and this entire mountain… half of Vvardenfell, and maybe parts of Morrowind and Skyrim will explode into ash and hot magma. Maybe. However, this is all in an effort to save the world from turning into a large corprus diseased planet." He clapped his hands reassuringly. "Any questions?"

"Umm…" Reemei raised her hand. "I seemed to have soiled myself in fear of your plan. Can I go change?"

Jyor laughed at that comment. "If there are no questions, let's get going."

And so… off we went. Jyor took the charge of the formation, leading us through the gateway. As we passed through, I felt a powerful magicka pass over me, humming like it was alive or something. I remember fighting some corprus monsters when we were at the farm so… if those could get through the gateway, I wonder what was inside?

Right behind me I could see Reemei shuffling around behind me. "I'm serious, I really need to change. One of my primary fears is blowing up in a fiery volcano explosion." She mumbled to herself as she walked behind us. "Ugh… this is going to give me a -3 penalty to movement and sneak… and charisma in general."

I looked back at Reemei, nodding to her. "Can't you just cast a Cleansing spell on yourself?"

She looked stunned before nodding. "You're right… I can!" She closed her hands in a prayer as her body began glowing in a bright light.

I quickly jogged ahead to the front where Jyor was walking with Tatianna. As soon as I got up there, I placed my arm around Tatianna's waist… which is weird because normally it's Davilia that has to put her arm around my waist. I'm actually short for once… and she's the tall one. Is this what it's like for her? To be shorter than me? It's weird, but still. It's a nice experience, seeing someone so much taller than me. I hate towering over everyone I bump into. That's why I played a Bosmer… one of the shortest elves known.

"So, how close are we to the mountain?" I asked Jyor.

"Red Mountain lies in the middle of the valley. And be warned… all the monsters in Ghostgate are well advanced in strength. They're above level 15, and as far as I can tell… you all are only level 5. Any fight we get in… if you get outnumbered… you're dead. So, we have to stay quiet, we have to stay quick, and we have to work together." He pointed to the mountain ahead of us. "So… on we march, to the mountain. We're the Suicide Squad… and we'll die blowing up the mountain, or we will die trying!"

…

[Vatu]

Ruins and Dwarves Character Sheet

Player name: Travis Upall

Name: Brolly Upstart

Race: Nord

Class: Graybeard

Age: 25

Hair color: Blond

Eye color: Blue

Weight: 172

Size: 5'8''

Fears: poorly drafted mead.

Preferred enemies: A keg, rabbits.

Religious beliefs: Way of the Voice; Sky above… Voice within.

…

So, after retreating back to the mountains, Junna and I had to hide out in the hills. The invisibility potions we took lasted an hour if we didn't move too quickly or activated any skills. And hide we did. I waited in a small crevice, wedged deep into it in a spot that no one would climb towards. Junna was off somewhere I couldn't see her. I couldn't see her either way since she was invisible.

I could hear casual moaning, deep raspy breathing of what I think were corprus monsters lumbering towards me. They were shifting rocks underneath me, and I knew they were making their way up to me. I remembered moments in old ruins when I would hide much like this. I would find a small table or crate to hide behind… holding my breath… keeping very still. I'd listen to the light moans of the zombies shuffling right in front of me… dragging a foot on the stone… stuff like that. Sometimes I had to bring Nisha with me. It was too dangerous to leave her alone on the road. People might try to steal her, and I had to protect her. I would only do that if I knew the ruin was abandoned. These scouting missions were important to me. In order for my sister and me to make it from town to town, we had to sneak there. I am a sneaky Khajiit. And I play a sneaky Khajiit. I know my hiding place is perfect… I know my sneak level is high enough…

So, when a corprus monster stuck his head into the crevice, just inches away from my head, I knew that I couldn't move a muscle. Being a rogue, I have a special ability called Stats Check. I can tell what a monster's stats are as well as their level and equipment, I just have to make the dice roll for the skill. The only problem was… I can't be invisible and make that check. If I were to check the monster for his current level, I'd only be sealing my own fate to the numerous advisories waiting for me. I could only sit here and wait for him to pass. I just hoped Junna was ok. And Tinkerring as well.

The corprus monster stared into my eyes for a few seconds before pulling his head out of the crevice. He clambered away. I sat in complete stillness for another few minutes. I'd listen to the corprus monsters just clambering away. I made no attempts for Listen Checks; I made no attempts for Search Checks. I just sat here silently, waiting. Eventually, my invisibility wore off, and I stopped trying to hide. I pulled myself out of the crevice. I looked around for anyone, making my first Search Check in a while. The field filled up with rocks and a shifting cloak that looked a lot like a rock. The cloak lifted up and out came Junna, looking around.

"Is it safe?" She asked as she looked around.

I nodded. "I think so." I scanned the area, making Listen Checks. I didn't hear anything over crickets chirping. That's a good check score if you ask me. "Yeah, I don't hear anything with my Khajiit ears."

Junna sighed as she pulled the blanket up, letting a small fairy fly out into the sky. "Yuck… that cloak is smelly!" Tinkerring cried as she flied up into the air.

Junna only smiled and looked over to me. "Ok, we have our information. So, let's get back to the group and tell them what we found."

I took the lead, retracing our steps back down our familiar pathway past the gateway. It took us a few minutes, and there were no words spoken. I think Junna and Tinkerring were a little startled over the fact we were hiding for an hour. An hour of sitting completely still, waiting for someone to find you and kill you, kills you inside. I've lived that life… before the Mages Guild. Before learning how to fight for myself. I never learned how to fight with a sword from a teacher. I learned in the field. I learned from bandits… I learned from corpses. I became stronger to support my sister and myself. I became a mage because it helped with killing creatures. It helped get me money for food, shelter… everything we needed. A game like this was nothing compared to my real life. And seeing Junna's face, she was a little shaken by this experience. I wonder how long she would survive a day in my life, my life back when I was ten and running around with a seven year-old complaining of an empty stomach… and knowing that the only way you could pay for food was to find it in the sewers… or a ruin… or a bandit camp.

It took us perhaps another ten minutes or so to get back to camp. Every so often, I looked for the corprus monsters we saw earlier. I guess we hid longer than I intended for, I couldn't even track their footsteps or pathway. As soon as we got back to the camp, I could see everyone huddled around a small campfire. A few corprus monster corpses littered the outskirts of the camp. As soon as Junna, myself, and Tinkerring came walking towards the camp, Cherry, who was really my sister, ran up to see us. She waved madly to us.

"It's about time you two!" She screamed. "We were about to come looking for you."

I shrugged. "Sorry, but that's how scouting works. We have to leave for a while to find out whatever it is we need to find. We were searching for a safe way to the tower." I pointed to Tinkerring. "Tinkerring did a full fly bye, I think. He should know a way into the tower."

Tinkerring nodded. "Yeah. There's a river… and a drainage pipe that leads right into the tower." Ha, called it. I knew it would be a sewer we'd be crawling through. "Outside the tower were a few roaming ogres… but bulkier and with flaming great-glaives. I did a scan of their levels using my fairy magic… and each one was level 21… way outside our level range. Why are we all only level 5?"

Master Neloth smirked. "You may wish to check your stats."

I pulled up my character stats, amazed that I was currently level 11. When did I advance this much? "What? When?"

"We're a team. We grow as a team." Neloth responded. He waved to the corpses of dead corprus. "We were ambushed a few times… we killed them. We gained experience. You… well, I can see from your stealth increase… you added to our leveling by being very stealthy. You, Junna, and Tinkerring. You three added much to our development." He shrugged. "Well, we're still not strong enough to do much of anything unless we outnumber something by three-to-one."

Jessaline sighed. "Perhaps we should level up some more before heading in…"

Neloth shook his head. "We haven't the time. We must end this. If need be, I can probably handle bosses on my own. Anyway…" He smiled. "We're out of time today. I can't hold this spell any longer. We'll have to call it here."

I sighed. "Well…" I looked around at everyone. "Next game, we'll discuss what we found." I pulled up my memories, things I noticed, and placed my memories in my journal, turning into map pins and photo-graphic stills, as well as jotted down notes. There, that would be everything I need to remind everyone what we found.

I nodded to Neloth. "I'm ready now."

He smirked. "Then… time to get back to the real world. I just hope our friends are ready as well." His eyes flashed. "Progress saved. Exiting illuminated world."

Cearbhail:

And now... the last chapter. In a couple days anyway. I really want to get done so I can get working on the other stories that need updating.