The Recruiter and Rowland were glad to see Roland again the next day. The cat was still sitting on the roof. There were no new archers since he came along. He learned Quick-eye, which was what Hunters also learned. It granted more range and accuracy. By knowing the arc of a projectile, one could more easily dodge ranged attacks. Its greatest benefit was that Roland could now shoot moving targets better. The three men had a shoot-off. Roland was nowhere near as good and accurate as the other 2, but they were impressed at his progress all the same. Still, he had to start the day by chopping wood and there were a lot of arrows to pick up.
Fireteam Alpha met for their demonstration.
"With Quick-eye, I can shoot moving targets better, but I can't guarantee every shot will hit." Brewary hurled a broken bucket from a nearby trash heap which he shot with a training arrow easily.
"They finally taught me how to use this thing", said Demit. She used Smash and there was a satisfying crack as the staff met the stone wall she was aiming for. The stone broke slightly. There was force beneath that strike.
"Turn around", said Jakson. They did and they felt a jab in turn at certain points of the back.
"With Backstab, I kill instant. But not all time accurate."
"Poke me, Paprika", said Brewary to Demit. She oblidged, stabbing with her staff and he caught her weapon with his own, wound it around and stopped the blade an inch from her face. She grinned instead of flinching. Crazy bitch, thought Roland. Jakson shook his head.
"Don't you already fight like that?", asked Demit.
"Wind isn't the same as catching it with the hooks, dear", said Brewary. Demit repeated the move slowly.
"Catching the weapon means still having to push it forwards, and an enemy who can fence only needs adjust his aim to get me". Brewary stopped mid-movement, allowing Demit to adjust her aim and still go for his face.
"With Wind, I wind the weapon and push it aside, so my enemy needs to pull back the weapon before using it again." He wound Demit's staff and pushed it off centre, forcing Demit to pull the weapon back. For another hit, she would have to jab again, raise the weapon or swing from the sides.
"Outstanding. We sure we all know what we're capable of?", asked Demit. Everyone nodded.
"Now there's the issue of hunting grounds".
From Sherry's (by Demit) and Britanny (by Brewary), Cyrene Mine was the place to go. Located 8km North-west of Alterna, it holds a small Kobold Kingom that had taken up residence. The mine is tiered, connected by elevators at various places. There are at least 10 levels, and not many have made it to the bottom. Kobolds look like giant dogs on 2 feet, they explained. Their talismans, ear and nose rings can be sold. They carry smithed weapons compared to Damrow Goblins' looted or crudely made gear. Their hierarchy meant that further down were more powerful kobolds with followers, so a small scale fight is to be expected from the usual party skirmish.
From the Veterans, there is Deadhead Watching Keep inhabited by Orcs. They are roughly the same height as humans, but broader, and stronger with green skin. They dye their hair bright colours and live a martial life that emphasised strength. They carry gear just like humans do, but their parties are generally smaller due to their combative nature, unless rallied by a boss. Mug Thumper veteran said that they occasionally chose to raid Alterna. In response, campaigns to retake the keep are done, which were successful but never permanent as the orcs would simply return and retake it. Mug Thumper and Arm Poker had campaigned against Orcs before, with Arm Poker losing 2 party members. Arm poker veteran said that you needed an army to assault the keep, but parties could fight Orc adventurers, patrols or outcasts that fell out of orc society. For currency, they use crystal buttons that sold depending on size, the largest being 5 silver and cheapest 5 copper. Naturally, they carry more than one button, just as humans carry more than one coin. Occasionally, an orc weapon that had good value and could be carried by humans can be sold. Those are pricey weapons with killing power, sitting on the 'Specials' racks and shelves of the more established vendors. They are popular among the largest Warriors and the more brutish Dreadknights.
Jakson had a different idea.
"Damrow New City."
"You think there's good pickings there, Broski?". Jakson tapped Roland's arm and gestured for him to explain.
"The veterans did caution against Cyrene. The elevators made natural choke points that were easier to guard. Also, if you go deeper in, you end up dry and cold camping and set up watch. It's all underground, so places to hide in are limited. You have to kill everything you fight or an alarm will be raised, pulling the whole floor to you".
"Oh, shit. PTSD Mary", said Demit.
"What about her?", asked Roland.
"I asked around the Temple. Some of her party died in Cyrene because she ran out of magic for Cure. Her friends couldn't be buried so they're now roaming as undead." She made the hexagram sign.
"It was some big fucker named Deathspots that fucked them up, the Priests told me. Whoever made it back disbanded and she became solo for hire, jumping from party to party, never fitting in", she continued.
"Which was another warning from the Veterans. Deathspots has caused enough kills to warrant bounty on its head. Add it to the enclosed underground, you fight your way out or die trying", replied Roland.
"Cyrene. We're going to Cyrene". The three said 'No' right away.
"C'mon you pussies, we can take 'em."
"Did you find out what skills she had when they entered the mine, Paprika? Was her party the same size as ours or larger?"
"C'mon man, I can't believe I'm hearing this bullshit from you", said Demit to Brewary.
"Why not? So far all we know is we're better than Team Manato. They have 1 of each class while we're only 4. There's no other new team we can compare ourselves to. I'm keeping an eye out for Renji and I have no idea where my little puppy trains. If he were in the mines, Deathspots would be dead. So likely he's fighting the Orcs or the Undead even farther north, and his team has 5 members."
"He's right. I get pressured as soon as 2 crossbow goblins show up. I pin one and the other one still gets to fire."
"That's why we got kevlar, soldier", said Demit, thumbing her padded jacket. Jakson rose from squatting.
"I scout New City."
"Thank you so much, Sugar". Jakson slapped Roland's arm.
"Come. Learn walk quiet". The 2 made to leave.
"I ain't done with you fuckers. Don't you turn your back on me!"
"Paprika, we're not chancing Deathspots with 2 skills."
"Shut the fuck up, faggot!"
"That's cute, Xena Warrior Princess. Bite me. Only girl in the family and everything to prove…" the rest was unheard as the distance grew. 2 streets away, there was still the faint sound of Demit yelling. They returned to their lodgings and had a mug of Kvass each. Jakson shook his head and started speaking another language. Roland wore a cape he bought at the market at Jakson's recommendation. It was somewhere between green and brown, making it harder to see when keeping still in bushes. Given that New City would likely be less maintained than human cities, the stones would've been overgrown and dirty.
Team Manato was on its way as usual. They could be heard before they were seen because of the noise Ranta was making.
"You remember Damrow tall tower, Old City?", asked Jakson. Roland nodded.
"We look first. Walk low. Not hold breath. Not step on stick and small stone". Roland nodded. Jakson made far less noise than Roland, but they were quite quiet as Jakson's leather armour panels did not rub against each other and Roland only had his jacket. He took extra care to not let his bow stave or hatchet handle bang into anything. Once, Jakson had to remind him to breathe naturally. Team Manato's strategy was to have their Thief scout while the rest hid somewhere. Jakson with his knack for streets and alleyways led Roland around the team to a half broken tower. Apparently, its stone steps were still intact, as a Goblin 1 was seen perched at an opening at the top. Below the tower are Goblins 2 and 3, in spear and Chainmail. Like most Damrow Goblins, they wore helmets.
"I shoot the crossbow goblin, then we take one goblin each", suggested Roland.
"Little change, droog. Shoot crossbow, hide. Axe when goblin come look. I take other goblin". Roland nodded.
"No yelling F.T.A.". Jakson stifled a laugh and pushed Roland's head.
"Count 'twenty one-thousand'". He turned a corner with barely a sound.
"One-one-thousand, two-one-thousand….". At the twentieth one-thousand, he pulled his bow as quietly as he could and loosed. Goblin 1 fell on Goblin 3. There were confused noises. Spears were picked up and chatter was heard. Roland quietly leaned his bow and pulled out his hatchet. There were pattering sounds approaching. A goblin stood at the opening and made a scary sound, as if to scare anything inside into moving. Roland used Chop blindly around the corner and caught Goblin 2 in the chest. It stumbled backwards with a choking sound. The axe did not penetrate but it still broke something. He rounded the corner and readied another Chop. Jakson had used Backstab on Goblin 3. He got lucky as it went through the chain mail and killed it outright. Goblin 2 was still struggling to rise, stunned by the hatchet. Roland used another Chop, then another, then another. It finally stopped moving. Damn chainmail, thought Roland.
Jakson dragged one goblin and picked up its spear. Roland dragged the other. They then hauled Goblin 1 into the small room at the base of the tower. They looted what was worth about 8 silvers total. Climbing the tower, they raised their heads gently to look around, taking care not to be too close to the openings in the walls where the sun could shine on their faces. Team Manato had ambushed a sleeping goblin. It was gruesome to watch as the goblin struggled. They didn't kill as quickly as Fireteam Alpha. Ranta cut off the goblin's ear. Is that how Dreadknight Vice works? They then saw New City. There was no going through Old City to get there. A line of buildings, towers and existing walls made some kind of fortress marking the border of Old and New City. Jakson sighed and whispered maybe they could just go around Old City, then gestured to leave.
There was more walking to be done.