Chapter Three
It took nearly three days of cautious travel before Razorfen Kraul was on the horizon. I'd made little to no progress in leveling my class up again, too cautious to spend my mana for little gain in what I now felt to be hostile territory. The journey had been made mostly in the darkness of night as my paranoia was raised against running afoul of Horde or Alliance scouts, but as I finally approached the familiar, twisted thorn walls of Razorfen Kraul, a sense of relief washed over me.
As I drew closer, the earthy scent of briars and damp stone filled my lungs, along with a horribly pungent scent. My snout wrinkled at the sudden foul intrusion. "Geez, it fucking stinks," I muttered to Solara, resting coiled on top of the backpack with her head peeking over my shoulder. She–unlike me–seemingly disregarded the taste on the wind.
Had it been this bad last time I was here? If it had then it hadn't been nearly as evident; maybe because I wasn't yet used to the enhanced sense of smell of my new race, but now it hit like a damn truck. It smelled like rot and death.
Major Quest {Saving Agamaggan's Legacy} Updated!
Objective Added:
The scent of necromantic magic emanates from the Kraul; investigate and put an end to it.
I was tempted to turn right back around and delay returning to the Kraul for a while longer. Necromancy in this universe was no joke, and I didn't want to face off against some fleshy abomination. Ultimately, the fact that I was tired after a three-day trek, and had already come all this distance convinced me to stay.
The twisted briars and stone of Razorfen Kraul loomed closer, shrouded in an eerie stillness that was even more unsettling than the chaos expected of the quilboar stronghold.
As I approached the entrance tunnel, the oppressive scent of necromancy thickened.
Two guards stepped out from the shadows, blocking my path. Their eyes gleamed with greed as they took in my travel-worn appearance and the bulging pack slung over my shoulder.
"Another one back from their first outing," one of them sneered, his tusks glinting in the dim light. "Thought you'd waltz right in after your little adventure, did ya?"
The other guard, a hulking brute with a scar across his snout, crossed his arms and grunted. "I recognize this one, took off all on his own after the naming fights, must think he's too good to join the guards or hunters."
The lanky guard leaned in closer, his eyes narrowing with cunning. "Arrogant, aren't ya? Think you can just leave and come back without paying your dues? Razorfen doesn't take too kindly to deserters, especially not ones who come back with a pack full of loot."
"I'm not a deserter," I grit my teeth in annoyance. "I am an Earthcaller back from a trip to better my magic."
The lanky guard snorted, clearly unimpressed. "Earthcaller, huh? Fancy title for someone who thinks they're above paying tribute. Razorfen deserves its cut, and we deserve ours."
The same lanky one stepped closer. "Better your magic all you want, but you ain't above the rules. Entry to the Kraul's got a price. Empty the bag," he ordered with a smirk.
I tightened my grip on the pack, feeling the weight of my journey and the loot I'd risked my life for in equal measure. Solara hissed softly from my shoulder, her feathery crest raising with agitation, having sensed my own irritation.
"You want what's in this pack?" I said, my voice low and steady. "You can try and take it."
As if to highlight my words, my pet rose up on my shoulder with a hiss.
The lanky guard's grin widened, a wicked glint in his eyes. "Oh, we will. You think we're scared of your little snake? I've killed ones like that for breakfast!"
Why was I still entertaining this idiot?
I'd come to learn over the last few days that after I cast a spell enough, I didn't really need to say the incantation anymore so much as think it with intent. So that was exactly what I did.
A chunk of rough stone flew directly in-between the unprepared guard's eyes, knocking him to the ground.
"No one threatens my pet," I snarled.
He moaned in pain, likely on the verge of unconsciousness.
I cast my gaze on the other one who was glancing between me and his fallen partner.
I took another step forward. "Go ahead, make your move. But know this: if you try to take what's mine, you'll regret it."
The brute took a step back and shifted uncomfortably, clearly not eager to test my resolve given how his friend had fared.
I glared at him, as he still stood partially blocking the entrance with his bulky frame.
The brute took another step back, glancing nervously at his fallen partner. "Earthcaller," he said, his tone now laced with a fearfully respectful edge, "you're welcome to enter the Kraul. No need for trouble."
I tsked, stepping past him and into the entrance. Typical quilboar behavior: the strong take from the weak. Except that wasn't quite right, it was more like if you're not strong we'll take from you, because those two couldn't even charitably be called strong. The most common way to gain things among the quilboar was to take from those weaker than you. The greed was akin to being a goblin, but without the shrewd cunning or business sense to be smart about it.
The proclivities of my race were eventually going to be a problem for me at some point, I could just feel it.
As I ventured deeper into Razorfen Kraul, I realized how much of the place and of my own people was still new to me. Every twist and turn seemed to reveal more of the quilboar's rough and brutal culture.
Groups of quilboar huddled together, some sharpening weapons while others bartered with scraps of meat, bones, and other assorted junk. Their eyes followed me as I passed, suspicious and calculating, weighing my worth and the contents of my pack. The air was thick with tension, and I knew I had to keep my wits about me.
I stumbled upon a crude marketplace, a chaotic mess of stalls and vendors yelling out their wares. The bartering here was fierce, with raised voices and occasional threats. One quilboar slapped another, making it clear that a deal had gone sour. It was survival of the fittest, every transaction a battle.
In another area, a group of young quilboar were sparring, their training intense and unforgiving. The older ones barked orders and criticisms, not hesitating to use physical force to correct mistakes. It was a harsh way to learn, but effective. These young ones would grow up tough and ruthless, the cycle of violence perpetuating itself.
I couldn't help but be thankful I hadn't been placed in this life as young as those ones who were being literally beaten into shape.
Further in, where the naming fights had been, I came across a pit where two quilboar were locked in a brutal fight. The crowd around them cheered and jeered, betting on the outcome with cooked meats, crude weapons, and in one case I spotted someone's tusks being broken off as payment. Blood splattered the ground as the combatants fought with a ferocity born of desperation. The winner would take what little the loser had, leaving him to lick his wounds and plot his revenge. I kept moving, taking it all in. This was the reality of life in Razorfen Kraul. A place where strength and cunning were paramount, where only the strong survived and thrived.
I continued on, ignoring the pit fights in favor of my goal in coming here, the elder enclave, where the most experienced magic users of my race were gathered. The path to the enclave was winding and narrow, the thorny walls closing in around me as I delved deeper into the Kraul.
The air grew colder as I approached the enclave. The scent of decay was still present here, as it was in the rest of the Kraul but here it was mixed with an earthy scent. I stepped into the entrance, the elders' eyes turning to me as I entered. Their expressions were inscrutable, but I could sense their curiosity.
"What is your name, young one?" one of the elders asked, his voice a deep, resonant growl. His eyes bore into mine, weighing and judging me.
"I am Kapros of the Razorfen," I stated.
"And why have you come here, Young Kapros?"
"I've come to seek guidance and knowledge," I replied, standing tall despite the weight of their gazes. "I am an Earthcaller, and I wish to further my understanding and mastery of our magic."
The elder who had spoken nodded slowly, his gaze still intense. "You are young still, little more than a boarlet. Our knowledge is not given freely, nor is it easily attained," he said. "What makes you think you are worthy of our teachings? You stand before us unscarred, and I have heard no tell of your strength."
"I have journeyed the lengths of this land," I said, my voice steady. "I have proven myself in battle and in the use of our magic. I am committed to growing stronger, not just for myself, but for the future of our people."
"The future of our people is not in the hands of younglings like you," another elder sneered.
"Of course it is," I claimed, eyes narrowed, and anger stoked. "The quilboar are an aimless, unambitious, weak mess of a people. I would make us strong! I would see us stand proudly against all other races!"
The elder's eyes flashed with anger. "You are but a blind, reaching child, eager for personal glory and adoration. Your arrogance blinds you to the true nature of our people and our struggles."
I observed him.
Elder Grek
Level 10 Earthcaller
HP: 80
MP: 100
Traits: N/A
Multiple uses of {Observe} on a single target may now reveal additional information.
I burned with anger, disregarding the notification for the moment. Level 10? That's it? A lifetime to hone himself, to master his magic and that was all he could muster? I'd been at this little more than a week and was on the verge of surpassing him.
"And you, Elder Grek," I shot back, my voice rising, "are stagnant and weak, content to wallow in your own decay. You have no vision, no ambition. You and those like you are the reason our people remain in the shadows! Forced to live in a hole in the ground like rats!"
Grek's face twisted in fury. "You dare insult me? I have seen more battles, faced more enemies, and endured more hardship than you. You know nothing of the burdens our people bear."
"It matters not," a different elder said, his voice cold in the face of your burgeoning rage. "None may learn from the enclave of elders without the support of an elder, and none present would speak for you. Your words are empty, and your ambitions will crumble into dust, Kapros."
"I would," an aged voice claimed from within the enclave. "I would speak for Earthcaller Kapros."
Grek grudgingly stepped back to allow the elderly quilboar to shuffle forth, leaning heavily on a familiar stone staff decorated with beads.
It was the old crone, who spoke to me after I won my name!
I hadn't done so before but I observed her now.
Elder Crone Neela
Level 30 Spiritwalker
HP: 220
MP: 500
Traits: Embraced by Earth
She was by far the most powerful being I'd spotted so far in this life. A fact the other elders seemed to know as well as they all scrambled out of her slow path.
"You know of this arrogant youth, Elder Crone?" Grek asked with reluctant respect weighing in his tone.
Crone Neela's eyes glinted with amusement as she addressed the gathering. "Arrogant, perhaps, but with good reason. I saw this one shape stone as easily as the most practiced members of this enclave within moments of declaring his intent to be an Earthcaller."
The other elders murmured among themselves, disbelief and curiosity mingling in their expressions.
Neela continued, her voice steady and commanding. "His appearance in this time is a sign from the Great Boar himself. We cannot afford to dismiss such potential. I intend to administer his trial myself."
Grek's face twisted in a mix of disbelief and resentment. "A trial? For this unproven boarlet?!"
Neela's gaze hardened, silencing any further objections. "Yes, a trial. Should he fail, you may cast him out as you see fit. But if he succeeds, he will be a valuable asset to our people. We must be willing to embrace change and strength where we find it, particularly in these uncertain times."
Her words hung heavy in the air, leaving the other elders with little choice but to acquiesce. Grek, still seething, managed a curt nod. "Very well, Elder Crone. We will abide by your decision."
The crone snorted, an inelegant sound that tore me from the weight of what was happening. "As if the lot of you could stand to me, if you disagreed," she said drily.
And given how she stood head and shoulders above the rest in her magical prowess, it wasn't even wrong to say so.
The elders shuffled uncomfortably at her words, as the elder crone left their ranks and addressed you directly.
"Kapros, I can sense that you have grown in your chosen path, show me what you have learned," she barked at me. "Show them my faith is not misplaced."
I took a deep breath, focusing my mind on the task at hand. The weight of their gazes was heavy, but it fueled my determination. I stepped forward, raising my hand and feeling the familiar tug of earth magic flow through me.
The ground beside Neela began to tremble and shift. Slowly, it rose and contorted, forming into a smooth, solid stone chair.
The elders watched in silence, their expressions a mix of surprise and grudging respect. I stepped back, allowing the crone to inspect my work.
Eventually she nodded and sat down, watching me expectantly. "Is that all?"
No. It wasn't, not even close.
I focused again, this time channeling my energy into a more aggressive display. "Rockshot!" I commanded, and a chunk of stone shot up from the ground, hurtling through the air with force before embedding itself into a nearby wall.
The elders murmured amongst themselves, their reactions neutral. They'd seen this before, and they weren't easily impressed by simple attacks.
I wasn't finished. Drawing upon my deeper reserves of power, I felt the earth's energy wrap around me, forming a protective shell. "Earthshell," I called out, the magic weaving itself into a hardened barrier that encased my body. Gasps of surprise rippled through the enclave as the elders took in the sight of the shimmering, protective armor that enveloped me.
Their astonishment was palpable.
"The earth…it embraces him just like the crone…"
"Perhaps there is truth to her claims…"
"...impossible…how…he is a boarlet…"
Their mutterings continued for the entire minute. Earthshell was active, slowly fading out when the ability ended, the chamber was silent now, the elders watching me raptly for what I might do next.
I decided to keep Meld a secret for now, a hidden ace in the hole should I need it later.
For my final demonstration, I channeled the restorative properties of earth magic, feeling the gentle hum of life beneath the surface. I should have enough mana left for this last spell.
"Soothing Loam," I said softly, directing the energy towards a small patch of ground in front of the crone. The earth responded, the soil richening and after a few moments in which it found no injury to act on the restorative energy shot back into the ground and green shoots emerged from the once lifeless ground.
The mutters and chatter of the other elders picked up like crazy, and you could see naked envy at your skill in some of their gazes.
The crone's eyes widened with genuine surprise, and she nodded approvingly. "You have gone even further than I thought possible, and in such a short time as well," she praised. "Your mastery of our magic is impressive, Kapros. You have proven worthy of your trial. It shall take place at sunup tomorrow, rest well and be prepared for the most arduous challenge of your life so far."
Class Quest Added!
{Trial of Earth}
Objective: Succeed in your trial and show the Elder Crone her faith wasn't misplaced.
Rewards: 2000 Earthcaller XP, Massively Increased Reputation with Razorfen
My eyes widened at the reward. That was more than I'd received in one go since I'd chosen this class, hell, that might be enough to springboard me to max level.
Failure: Exile from Razorfen for being incapable of backing up your words, Possibility of Death
I eyed the failure penalties, wryly. Was it bad that I was getting used to my life being threatened in every single quest?
As the crone's words settled, I sensed the weight of anticipation and the promise of significant rewards if I succeeded. I nodded respectfully and made to leave the enclave. The other elders, still in their places, watched me with a mix of begrudging respect and thinly veiled disdain. They had been forced to acknowledge my skill, but their expressions revealed their reluctance to fully accept me due to my youth.
"You are dismissed, Kapros. Prepare yourself for the trial. And remember, your success or failure will reflect not just on you," the elder who'd spoken in tandem with Grek advised me ominously.
With that, he turned away, signaling the end of our encounter. As I walked away from the enclave, the cacophony of Razorfen Kraul continued around me, but my mind was set on the task at hand. Tomorrow would be a decisive moment, and I was determined to rise to the occasion. It could even be seen as my first true step towards taking my place atop all of the other rabble and cementing my place at the pinnacle.
{Quest Complete: Triumphant Return}
+300 Earthcaller XP
Earthcaller lvl. up 911
+1 Spirit
I checked my stats to see that I now possessed 10 Spirit and a max of 100 mana. A welcome upgrade right before my mysterious trial, but far more relieving was the fact that I could now make another two spells to aid me.
I sat down in the tent I had claimed for my use, closing my eyes and focusing on the flow of mana within me. I had no clue of what the hell the elders were throwing me at tomorrow, and I needed the advantage of new spells.
The question was, of course, what the fuck do I make?
I thought about it for a few seconds before deciding.
Rockshot was a single target spell, cheap and spammable if needed, I needed something equivalent for multiple targets. In other words, an AOE (area of effect) spell that was similarly cheap but still useful enough that I wasn't wasting my mana on it.
It took a while but I eventually had an idea in mind.
Sharp.
The tip of a spear, pointed enough to pierce through the toughest of hides.
Needle.
A simple shaped shard of metal. Thin, pointy, and easy to make in bulk.
Cannon.
A sleek black barrel filled with gunpowder and projectiles, launching them at lethal speeds.
Spell created!
{Shardburst}
Create a stony projectile that is shattered into dozens of piercingly sharp needles as it is fired. Costs 15 MP.
Fuck yeah! And it was pretty cheap too!
My noble aspiration of becoming a mobile artillery cannon was slowly but steadily coming to fruition.
I really wanted to test it, but it was probably best to focus on making my next spell.
So far I had one sort of overarching class spell in Shape Stone, that had all kinds of minor utility, as I'd already learned.
Two directly offensive spells in Rockshot and now Shardburst.
My obligatory healing spell is covered for the moment in Soothing Loam.
An overarching defensive in Earthshell that has proven its worth already by keeping me from being sliced in half by an angry blademaster.
And lastly my escape and concealment technique in Meld.
So the question from earlier had to be posed again, what should I make?
I had several limitations at the moment, but I wasn't sure what the priority was.
To summarize:
I had no truly heavy-hitting option for offense.
My healing was limited by the fact I had to physically apply the healing substance I create.
My escape technique tragically didn't let me go where I couldn't see, so I couldn't pass under walls.
After some hesitation, I decided to prioritize creating a heavy-hitting offensive spell. While Shardburst would be effective for dealing with unarmored groups, I needed something that could deliver a devastating blow to a single, powerful opponent. A spell that could turn the tide in a critical moment. And since I had no clue what I'd face in this trial, it'd be good to have another ace up my sleeve.
Fist.
A hand closed tightly. A punch ready to be thrown.
Constrictor.
An enormous snake winding around its prey, choking the life from them.
Crush.
A giant taking hold of a small nuisance and ending it with ease.
Spell created!
{Stoneclamp}
Summon a massive fist from beneath your enemy target to hold them in place. The fist is also capable of tightening into a crushing grasp. Costs 50 MP to summon. Costs 10 MP to crush.
Perfect. Stoneclamp would serve as my trump card, my go-to spell when faced with an enemy I couldn't handle easily. It was definitely costly in terms of mana, but it would be worth it to take down targets my other spells would struggle against.
With my two spells created I turned my attention to another pursuit, namely the small locked chest I had stolen from Fort Triumph.
I had been hesitant to smash it open in the wilderness due to paranoia at being caught in a fight with lessened mana but that wasn't as much of a problem here.
I set it a ways away from me and shot a rock at it.
The sturdy wood of the container dented inwards slightly, but didn't give.
So I did it again.
And again.
Finally the wood bowed before my stone assault and splintered inwards.
Inside the chest were a few assorted gems, 23 gold, and an amulet that I could tell had some sort of magic at a glance.
{Enchanted Silver Amulet
Quality: Rare}
Well yes, I already figured that out, you annoying system. Tell me more.
I observed it again, hoping for more detail.
{Enchanted Silver Amulet
Quality: Rare
Enchanted to help the wearer keep a clear mind.
+2 to Intelligence}
Well that was interesting, it seemed I could improve my stats with enchantments, something to pursue in the future.
Whatever human this amulet had been made for must be one fat slob, as the silver chain fit fine around my own neck.
Strength: 10
Agility: 6
Intelligence: 7 (+2)
Stamina: 7
Spirit: 10
My stats revealed that it was effective. Given that intelligence improved the potency of my spell casting it was definitely a good addition to have going into tomorrow's trial.
I looked over the rest of the items I'd taken from the fort.
I would definitely take along the battleaxe tomorrow.
I also slipped the gems I'd found into one of the pouches on the belt, before filling another one of the pouches with some Soothing Loam. If it didn't touch the ground or an injury, its power shouldn't be spent so I could store it like this and use it without wasting mana tomorrow.
With all the preparations I could think of done for now. I settled back and shut my eyes for the night.
The sun had barely crept over the horizon when I was summoned by the Elder Crone, Neela.
The quilboar child sent to fetch me stared at me the whole time he was tugging me towards the Elder Crone.
I greeted her with a bowing of my head, if nothing else, she'd stood up for me.
"It is time," the old quilboar stated, and gestured for me to follow, beckoning to me with her staff.
She led me through the twisting paths of Razorfen Kraul, her steps deliberate and unhurried. We passed through familiar terrain, the bustling activity of the Kraul already in full swing. Yet, today, the usual chaos seemed muted, as if the entire Kraul was holding its breath in anticipation.
"It is not often that this trial is undertaken," she stated having noticed my staring. "The entire Kraul is watching with anticipation."
"What is the trial? No one has explained it still," I pointed out, annoyed.
"Some winters ago, an overreaching fool of a Spiritwalker tried to bargain with something much greater than him, he did not return, and neither has any other that has ventured to the depths where he disappeared. You will attempt to rout whatever force haunts those sealed tunnels."
Oh what a fucking joy. Spooky backstory, and an ominous quest to deal with a big bad. My favorite.
"Is this usually the trial given?" If so I could definitely see why I was the only young Earthcaller around.
"Other Earthcallers need only brave the tunnels for a time and return safely, but the enclave pushed for a more impressive task for you to prove yourself."
Translation: Those fucks were trying to get me killed.
I was going to kill those geezers, not Neela though, she was chill.
We continued into a tunnel too narrow for the watchers to follow.
"Elder," I prompted her, deciding to take this chance now that I had her in relative privacy. "Why does the Kraul reek of death magic?"
The crone faltered, stumbling a step before steadying herself on her staff. She turned to regard me with a strange look. "Your senses are that strong?"
I nodded and she muttered to herself something about how I was blessed indeed before responding to me.
"What you speak of is known to me," she admitted heavily. "Deep in the Kraul there lies the ancient burial grounds of our people, under the High Crone, Charlga Razorflank, the fallen flesh of Agamaggan is discovered..."
She stopped there, hesitantly, but I already knew the general overview of this story. "So she employs necromancy to try and raise him from the dead," I finished for her.
"Yes, she sends out her elite to collect blood to be sacrificed in pursuit of her goal, she calls them the Death's Head." Elder Neela says, with distaste. Before eyeing me curiously. "You know far more than most, young Kapros."
I brush off her questioning gaze.
Eventually, we arrived at a closed-off tunnel, the entrance blocked by a heavy stone barrier. Before it stood a gathering of the other elders, their expressions a mix of sternness and curious anticipation. Grek was among them, his face set in a scowl, while others muttered among themselves, clearly discussing the trial.
Neela gestured for me to stand by her side as she approached the gathered elders. "Kapros is here," she announced, her voice carrying the weight of authority.
The elders turned their gaze toward me, their eyes scrutinizing and cold. "The Trial of Earth will take place within these tunnels," Neela explained, her voice steady and commanding. "I shall allow the others to explain your task."
"Cleanse the tunnels of whatever it is that haunts them." One elder spoke.
"You are allowed only one weapon," another said, nodding at your battleaxe.
"What about pets?" I asked, pointing at Solara who was hanging off my shoulder.
Some of the elders muttered to each other before another spoke up. "It is permitted."
One approached with a small sack and handed it to me, opening it revealed rations of food and water. "It is enough to last you three days, after which we will open the seal again," he pointed at the enormous boulder.
"If you have not succeeded you will be exiled upon your return," stated a darkly amused Elder Grek.
Left unsaid was what would happen if I died, but I already knew that there'd be no journey to retrieve my bones.
As one, they and Neela raised their staves, a series of intricate runes glowing along their lengths. With a muttered incantation, the stone barrier began to shift and rumble, slowly retracting to reveal the darkened tunnel beyond.
The air from the tunnel was cool and musty, carrying an almost palpable sense of foreboding. I could feel the gravity of the trial settle upon me as the entrance was revealed.
The elder crone led me to the mouth of the pitch black tunnel, "Great Boar watch over you, Kapros," she offered her final blessings.
I entered the darkness, and the stone behind me slowly closed, stealing away what shreds of light remained.
AN: Mostly a set up chapter for the first arc of the story. Enjoy. Seeya in the next one!
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