{Mankrik
Level 10 Blademaster
250 HP
Traits: Hatred of Quilboar}
Instinct took over. I invoked my protective spell, "Earthshell!" The ground responded, forming a protective barrier of hardened dirt around me just in time to absorb the impact of the blademaster's brutal assault. The force of the blow reverberated through the stone, vibrating throughout my whole body.
9/10 attacks absorbed
I rolled to the side avoiding the next strike.
I scrambled to my feet, adrenaline surging through me.
Quest Added!
{A Widower's Rage}
Objective: Survive and find a way to escape from Mankrik's onslaught.
Rewards: You get to live. 200 Class XP.
Desperation drove me to invoke "Shape Stone," crafting a crude staff to defend myself.
I lunged at Mankrik, thrusting the staff towards him. With a swift motion, he parried the attack, his sword cleaving through the stone as if it were made of clay. The construct shattered, sending shards flying, and I barely managed to avoid the fragments.
"Quilboar scum," Mankrik growled, his voice dripping with venom. "For my wife! For Olgra! I'll slaughter you all!"
He swung the massive blade once again.
I rolled away, focused on forming another weapon—a two-handed axe this time. I plucked it from the ground coming up out of my roll and swung it at the orc, aiming for his midsection. He sidestepped easily, his sword flashing in the early morning sun. With a powerful swing, he shattered the axe, the pieces crumbling to the ground. His strength was overwhelming, each strike of his sword showcasing the disparity between us.
{Objective Complete: 10/10 attacks absorbed}
"I didn't kill your wife, you crazy orc!" I roared at him in fear as my Earthshell was depleted from constant attacks.
"Quilboar killed her," he said, menace in his eyes as he swung the massive blade with a single hand.
All I could do was duck and dodge and pray on my mana to regenerate a bit quicker.
"Tore her limb from limb!"
Another swing that I dodged only by the skin of my teeth.
"Befouled her remains!"
I had no chance here, I had to run!
"I won't rest until every last stinking murderous one of you is wiped from the Barrens!"
He knocked me on my back and stood over me, sword held high and casting a shadow on my face as if telling me just where his next cleaving strike would land.
There was an opening!
I lashed out with my leg, putting every ounce of strength I could muster into kicking the murderous orc in the dick.
Mankrik doubled over, and fell to his knees, sword falling from slack fingers to clutch at his gut and groin.
"A cheap…blow. You have…no honor," he gasped out.
I felt the urge to point out he'd tried to kill me in my sleep, but there was no time, while he was incapacitated I could either try and take him out, or the far safer option of fleeing from him.
I was angry about the ambush, I wanted this orc dead. But I valued my new life more.
"You'll find no easy prey when next we meet, blademaster," I swore before taking off in a run. Fleeing from the man.
Unfortunately, as I sprinted away, I heard Mankrik give chase. The pounding of his heavy footsteps was right behind me. My mind raced for a plan. I noticed a herd of kodo grazing not too far away. If I could lead the crazed orc into the herd, I might stand a chance.
I veered towards the kodo, hoping to use their massive forms to my advantage. Mankrik followed, relentless in his pursuit. As I approached the herd, I summoned my mana. "Rockshot!" I aimed not at the orc who looked prepared for it, but instead at the largest kodo's flank.
The spell hit, causing it to bellow in surprise and anger. The other kodo, startled by the sudden commotion by their matriarch, began to move restlessly, the normally docile beasts began stomping, and pawing at the ground. Another Rockshot, and the herd began to stampede, their massive bodies creating a wave of chaos.
The ground shook as the kodo stampeded, and I dove behind a large stone to avoid being trampled. Mankrik, caught in the middle of the herd, was forced to dodge and weave, his pursuit momentarily halted. Using this distraction, I scrambled to my feet and ran, the sounds of the stampede and Mankrik's curses fading behind me.
"Wherever you go, I will find you!" He shouted after me from within the pile of angry kodo. I ignored him and pressed myself to run harder.
A while later, once I felt I could run no further, I stopped, kneeling in tall grass to catch my breath
{Objective Complete: Survive and escape from Mankrik.}
+310 Earthcaller XP
Earthcaller lvl. Up 35
The combined rewards of me using my spells in combat and the quest's reward managed to bump me from level 3 to 5. I could make some spells that were more useful to me as soon as I found someplace safe to do so. Rockshot and Earthshell were not enough to face off against a level 10 Blademaster who was out for my blood. Was Blademaster a prestige class? It sounded like a prestige class.
I sighed, taking a deep breath as I swatted at an annoying fly that kept landing on my left tusk. What I really needed was a training montage and a dungeon I could enter and endlessly farm for experience. I had seen such a skill for sale when I had chosen my perks for this life, but the cost had been too much for me at 100 LP.
For now, finding a safe place to rest and create new spells was my priority. I scanned the area and spotted a small cave nestled among the rocks not too far away. It looked like a decent enough place to regroup. I made my way towards it, careful to stay low and move quietly in case Mankrik was still on the hunt.
No signs of it being an animal's home. Perfect for a temporary hideout. I sat down, focusing on my mana. I needed new spells that could offer me more options, something beyond Rockshot and Earthshell.
"Alright, let's get to work," I muttered to myself. I closed my eyes and reached out to the pool of mana within me, ready to create something more useful to me, I just had to be specific.
I took a few minutes, thinking about exactly what I wanted, before an idea dawned on me.
Conceal
Blending perfectly into the surroundings, like a chameleon evading predators.
Mobility
A horse running free through the plains.
Escape
The quiet and sneaky fox, slinking away from the den of much larger predators.
Spell Created!
{Meld}
Allows you to meld with the earth, submerging you within the earth and stone beneath you for 30 seconds making you all but indistinguishable from the land, and allowing you to travel at half of your maximum speed. Costs 40 MP.
I stared at the notification in shock for a few moments, unable to believe my luck. I resisted the urge to laugh maniacally. This was even better than the camouflage I had been aiming for. "Meld," I announced and felt myself fall through the earth for a single terrifying moment in which I couldn't even flail my arms.
My viewpoint had shifted to one just above the ground. I moved around for a moment, feeling a weight holding me back from my full speed. I tried to run to the other side of the cave but the weight forced me into more of a walk.
It wasn't cold or hot per say underground, more cool than anything, like getting under a quilt that had been laying in an air conditioned room. It was a bit disorienting seeing everything from an ant's height but this would no doubt become one of my most utilized spells. It offered stealth and protection from the wild animals that prowled the sparse grasslands of the Southern Barrens, so until I had become the undisputed power in the Barrens I would likely be using this quite a bit.
Mentally, I reached for the thread of the spell and snapped it, canceling the effect and popping me out of the earth with no fanfare and the same abruptness with which I had entered.
I began to imagine using the ability in various situations. Slipping past enemies unseen, escaping from tight spots, or launching surprise attacks from the safety of the ground. I couldn't help but lament not having this spell when I was ambushed by that fucking insane blademaster. If I'd had Meld, I could have disappeared into the earth the moment I saw Mankrik's murderous glare, avoiding the entire confrontation. Instead of desperately trying to fend off his relentless attacks, I could have simply vanished, leaving the orc bewildered and alone.
This spell could change everything. It was a game-changer, giving me a way out of situations that I wasn't strong enough to handle yet.
Lost in my thoughts, I fantasized about using Meld in countless scenarios. Escaping ambushes, bypassing guards, launching hit-and-run attacks—it all seemed so much easier now. I could almost feel the cool earth enveloping me, hiding me from sight, protecting me from harm.
My musings were interrupted by a quiet hiss from the mouth of the cave. I snapped back to reality, my senses immediately on high alert, searching for a threat. There, slinking into the cave with fangs bared, was a wind serpent. Its scales, a blend of crimson and bronze, shimmered in the light streaming through the entrance, giving it an almost fiery, metallic sheen. The serpent's segmented underbelly, stark white and slightly translucent, contrasted sharply with the deep hues of its back. Each scale seemed to catch the light differently, creating a hypnotic, shifting pattern as it moved. Despite its once-majestic appearance, the serpent was now in a state of disarray.
The serpent's wings, usually powerful and elegant, were now folded tightly against its body. They were tattered and stained with blood, dragging limply as it crawled like a common snake rather than the majestic beast it was. The creature's movements were sluggish, each flick of its tail slow and labored. The serpent's eyes were dull and heavy-lidded, betraying its exhaustion. It hissed intermittently, the sound a low, ragged whisper that spoke of pain.
{Thunderhawk Cloudscraper
Level 5 Beast
HP: 36/100
MP: 8/50
Traits: Heavily Injured, Starving, Fatigued}
It hissed at me testily as it crawled into the cave and curled up on a rock. Its once-proud form now reduced to a pitiful sight, barely able to move, let alone attack. I watched it with a mix of apprehension and curiosity, noting the ragged breaths it took and the faint, erratic flick of its tail. It was clear it was not in any condition to mount a serious attack. It seemed to be seeking shelter, or at the worst, looking for a place to die in peace, as it was too exhausted and weak to pose a threat.
Several minutes passed as I kept a wary eye on the serpent. Gradually, I convinced myself that it was unlikely to trouble me, given its current state. With a deep breath, I tried to push my unease aside.
Settling back into a cross-legged position, I focused on the ground beneath me. The serpent's pitiful state did nothing to lessen the urgency of my task, in fact it highlighted it. The beast had fought a superior foe and came away wanting, I couldn't afford the same loss. I needed to create a spell that would enhance my survivability and utility in the wild. With the threat momentarily neutralized, I allowed myself to slip back into meditation, determined to shape my next spell.
I glanced at the serpent once more and focused on the first word.
Envelop.
A comforting cocoon of energy, like a warm bath after a long day.
Comfort.
A soothing balm, flowing over injury like a gentle, warm stream.
Mend.
A skilled artisan carefully stitching together the torn fabric of a garment, seamlessly repairing the damage and restoring it to its original state.
Spell Created!
{Soothing Loam}
Alters targeted earth into a velvety soft soil which, when applied to injuries, soothes pain and accelerates healing. Costs 30 MP.
I decided to put it to the test. I selected a small patch of ground in the cave, focusing my mana on the spell. "Soothing Loam," I stated with intent. Hard-packed soil and stone transformed before my eyes, becoming a dark, silky smooth loam. It radiated a calming energy, beckoning to be used.
I wanted to see the spell in action, to see how good it was at healing, but despite Mankrik's angry efforts I was uninjured beyond a bruise or two, I needed another way to test it. My gaze fell on the wind serpent, still curled up on the rock, even more pitiable than before. I checked its status, hoping it hadn't worsened too much.
{Thunderhawk Cloudscraper
Level 5 Beast
HP: 17/100
MP: 11/50
Traits: Close to Death}
The other negative traits from earlier had disappeared, seemingly combined into that encompassing status. With a cautious approach, I gathered a handful of the soft, enchanted loam and spread it along the length of the beast. The serpent hissed weakly but made no move to stop me, since it very likely couldn't, as I spread the loam across its wounded form.
Almost immediately, I noticed a difference. The serpent's ragged breathing began to steady, and its eyes, though still dull, showed a faint glimmer of relief. The loam seemed to absorb into its scales, and its health began to increase gradually. After a few moments watching the handful of loam I'd dumped on it be absorbed I checked its status again.
{HP: 46/100
Traits: Injured, Starving, Fatigued}
The massive rend in its wing had lessened and the clearly broken wing bone had set itself. I scooped up another armful of the Soothing Loam and deposited it on the wind serpent watching it's health return even faster than before as the major injuries had been taken care of.
It took two more scoops of loam after that to fully heal the serpent.
Skill Acquired!
{Beast Taming}
Rank: Novice 1/10 (LOCKED)
Beasts you tame will follow basic commands, and answer to a granted name.
{Note: Beast Taming cannot be ranked up beyond novice, until an appropriate class to do so is acquired.}
You have tamed {Thunderhawk Cloudscraper}
I read through the stream of notifications before glancing down at the wind serpent which was now staring at me from the rock curiously, having straightened its wings and pushed its upper body up to watch me. I slowly reached a hand out to the serpent, ready to pull it back at the first sign of aggression. It only watched placidly as I pet its head, scratching at some of the dirt in its scales, it seemed to like that as it pushed its head further into my tri-fingered hand.
I checked to see if its new status reflected its taming.
{Unnamed Female Wind Serpent
HP: 100/100
MP: 17/50
Obedience: 30/100
Skills: Fireball
Traits: Starved, Curious, Fatigued}
My new pet had magic too it seemed, and fire magic at that, that would come in handy I'm sure.
"Huh," I stared back at the serpent. "So you're a girl, well we can't leave you without a name now can we," I pet the crest atop her head, smoothing dust and dirt out of the bundle of feathers. "Now, what to call you?"
I started tossing names around, trying to find one that fit her. "Brightscales?" No, too generic. "Flicker?" Too playful. "Blitz?" A bit too aggressive, especially considering the poor creature's former state. "Seraphina?" That sounded elegant, but maybe a bit too grandiose. None of these names seemed to capture her essence.
I looked into her eyes, observing the subtle intelligence and resilience within them. Despite her recent suffering, there was a grace and majesty about her. Her colors, a blend of crimson and bronze, reminded me of the setting sun over the Barrens. Suddenly, a name came to me.
"Solara," I proclaimed. "Like the sun, strong and radiant." It seemed fitting for a creature that had endured so much yet retained such an imposing presence. "What do you think, girl? Solara?"
The serpent blinked slowly, tilting her head slightly to the side as her forked tongue darted out to taste the air. I took that as a sign of acceptance. "Alright then, Solara it is."
Taming the creature hadn't changed the fact that she was hungry and too tired to hunt so I guess I would go fetch something for her to eat.
I wasn't sure exactly what wind serpents ate but given that they were partially snakes and partially birds, I figure mice would be a good bet, and if there is any single animal that the Barrens have far too many of, it's mice.
As I prepared to leave the cave in search of food, I glanced back at Solara one last time. She had settled more comfortably on the rock, her eyes half-closed in contentment. Not only had I created a pretty useful healing spell, but I had also gained a loyal companion. Now, I just had to keep us both alive.
{Cooking} rank up!
Novice: 8/10
The crackle of the fire and the smell of roasting boar filled the air as I turned the spit, watching the meat slowly cook. I reached into a crude pouch and sprinkled some spices onto the meat, it was nothing fancy, just some dried herbs I'd identified as safe for consumption through excessive use of Observe. The herbs that were safe to eat had names I recognized from years ago when I had quested through this area on my herbalist. Mageroyal was a flowering plant, the petals when dried and crushed served as a sweetener that tasted faintly of honey. Swiftthistle was a long and sharp leafy plant that grew sparsely and was a bit bitter, but made some strong tea. It also added a lot of flavor to meat as I had learned.
Solara, perched nearby, watched me with a keen interest. I'd found that the flying snake was omnivorous to some extent, but with a strong preference for meat, and cooked meat at that.
I'd watched her hunt a time or two, and roast her prey with the fireballs she produced. If nothing else, she was a much quicker route to starting a cooking fire then having to collect dry grass and strike stone and flint for minutes until they caught.
As I rotated the spit, I found myself pondering a rather unsettling question: was this cannibalism? Boars were, after all, related to quilboar in the distant evolutionary tree, seeing as how Agamaggan had fashioned my race from boars, and eating one felt a bit too close to home.
I agonized over it for a few minutes, the thoughts swirling in my mind as I continued to turn the spit. The smell of the cooking meat was tempting, and I could almost taste the crispy skin and tender flesh. My stomach growled in anticipation, not caring for my moral concerns.
Eventually, I decided that it wasn't cannibalism.
For one, I liked bacon way too much to give it up. Besides, I was sure that there were boars being raised in Razorfen Kraul as livestock, and if the other quilboar could do it, so could I.
It had been a week since I'd tamed Solara and shortly after completed my {Rocky Start} quest. In that time, I'd gained another four levels in Earthcaller. At level nine I was nearly halfway done with the class and one level away from another point in Spirit. Hopefully, future classes gave me stat gains at a greater rate because otherwise it would take a long time to become the spell-slinging artillery cannon I was meant to be.
I glanced at Solara, who had become a reliable companion over the past week. She had also proven to be an excellent hunting partner, helping me track and catch prey in the sparse grasslands of the Southern Barrens. It was astonishing how well it worked to have her engage our prey first and then ambush them from underground while they were busy dodging fireballs.
Anyway, boar meat was the best.
I'd sampled just about all of the animal meat the Barrens had on offer in the past week—apart from wind serpents, as eating one with Solara watching would be awkward, thunder lizards, as they were a bit out of my level range still, and lions as I try to avoid them were possible due to the fact they hunted in prides—and let me just tell you, giraffes were NOT good to eat, too stringy by far.
Not to mention they were surprisingly deadly, the only one I'd fought had swung his entire head at me and if it weren't for the fact I had just used Earthshell his short horns would have gored me quicker than I could react.
Between Solara and I we made quick work of the roast boar. What remained of our midday meal, I wrapped in scraps of cloth and stowed away for later.
I looked in the distant horizon where I could just begin to make out the very top of one of the stone towers I had observed earlier, and started the long roundabout trek that would keep me from detection.
Yesterday, I had used Meld to get close to just where the most dangerous part of the Barrens to one of my kind was, namely the human outpost that existed to monitor Horde activity close to Theramore.
Today, I was going to do something pretty risky, you see I had no clue what time period I was in. I could be in anytime from Classic WoW to Warlords of Draenor and have no clue, but there was a surefire way to find out. See I had quested through this zone countless times, and there were a number of events, landscape changes, and questlines that only took place after the cataclysm. I aimed to find proof of any of them. It was hard to tell at a glance given I wasn't in an animated universe anymore, so I needed alternate means of proof and that meant some espionage was required. Now I could have also chosen to infiltrate the Horde outpost that I was sure was within a few leagues but I found this one first, and besides Alliance documents were sure to be in the Common tongue which I spoke, Horde documents might be in Orcish.
{Getting Your Bearings}
You have no clue what time period you're in, but there is a way to find out.
Objective: Sneak into the human outpost and find documents or other proof that can tell you of current events.
Rewards: Opportunity to plunder, 10 gold, Vital information
Failure: Capture, Death, or Reputation with Human Factions locked to Hostile.
Despite the risks which were helpfully emphasized for me in the failure text–as if I wasn't already aware of how this could go wrong–I had to do this. The sun had just begun to set, casting long shadows across the Southern Barrens. I watched the human outpost from a distance, the wooden palisades and stone watchtowers standing stark against the fading light.
My heart pounded with a mix of anticipation and anxiety.
This infiltration was going to be risky, but I had no choice. I needed to know what time period I was in, and the outpost was my best shot at finding out. I glanced at where Solara was hidden, where I had ordered her to "Stay," hidden among the sparse bushes.
Taking a deep breath, I muttered the incantation for my spell. "Meld." The earth swallowed me up, and for a moment, I felt a familiar disorienting shift as I sank below the surface. My viewpoint lowered to just above the ground, giving me a worm's-eye view of the world. I began to move, feeling the cool, compacted earth pressing against me, slowing my pace to a cautious crawl. I navigated towards the outpost, making sure to avoid the well-trodden paths and keeping to the shadows. There were no signs that my passage disturbed the earth above when using Meld, but it was best to stay cautious. As I approached the outer walls, I could hear the muffled voices of human guards patrolling above. I surfaced momentarily in the shadow of one of the watchtowers to get my bearings as the spell ran its course, before I triggered it again with a whisper and resumed my infiltration.
The guards were alert but seemed to be focused on the horizon, watching for any signs of Horde activity. I needed to find a way inside the fort itself without drawing their attention, that was the most likely place I'd find the information I needed.
I had planned my infiltration around the changing of the guard, the routine that I had observed the previous day. The guards were at their most distracted during this time, exchanging words and jokes. As the new guard took his place and the old one walked away, I emerged from the earth, making my way to a gap in the palisade that I had noted earlier. It was small, likely a result of poor maintenance, but it was big enough for me to squeeze through. And just like that I was in the confines of the outpost.
Once inside the outpost, I hugged the shadows, keeping low and moving quickly. Since I possessed a grand total of 90 MP in total, at the moment I could only use Meld twice in succession, which meant the next few minutes while I waited for my mana to regenerate to an acceptable level were the most vital, and dangerous.
The layout was familiar from my time questing in this zone: barracks to the left, a small armory to the right, and a command center straight ahead. The command center was my target; it was where the most important documents would be stored.
I moved towards the command center, pausing behind barrels and crates whenever a guard passed by. I reached the door and found it locked, but that was a minor obstacle at best. I had seen the key hanging from one of the guard's belts, it was nothing fancy, a simple two pronged iron key, I could easily imitate that by shaping some stone into it.
A few moments later I slipped my fake key into the keyhole and slowly unlocked and pushed open the door, mindful of the possibility of there being any guards within.
The command center was dimly lit, the flickering light from a single candle casting eerie shadows on the walls. I moved to the desk, rifling through the papers and maps strewn across it. Most of it was mundane—reports on supplies, patrol schedules, and scouting reports. I needed something more concrete.
My eyes fell on a leather-bound journal tucked away in a drawer. The name on it read: John Hawthorne. I pulled it out and began to skim through the entries. The handwriting in the recent entries was neat, almost meticulous, and detailed the daily operations of the outpost. One entry caught my eye:
"Day 115—Received word from Theramore today. Despite assurances that our position here at Fort Triumph is one of non-aggression, for the moment, Lady Proudmoore has refused to send additional troops to reinforce our position, citing Theramore as a neutral entity in the brewing war between us and the Horde."
This was good. Well not good, actually, if this was right then I was pretty early in the timeline. Theramore still existed in this world, so the timeline was pre-Pandaria still. Given that Jaina had been in Northrend for the majority of Wrath of the Lich King, I was dealing with Cataclysm-era WoW. Which meant there'd be a whole bunch of elemental unrest, but chiefly for me it meant that Thrall had stepped down, and Garrosh Hellscream had been granted the mantle of Warchief, so soon there would be all out war on every possible battlefield on Azeroth between the Horde and Alliance.
I skipped several pages forward before landing on a passage that caught my eye.
"Day 213—The sacking of Camp Taurajo is a decision that will haunt me. With the official conclusion of the elemental crisis, we were commanded to begin our offensive. When our scouts reported that Taurajo's most dangerous units were out on the hunt, due to the famine we induced by shorting their supply lines, I knew it was our only opportunity. Despite being a 'soft target,' the camp has long been a critical site for the recruitment, equipping, and training of Horde infantry. I ordered the attack aware of the implications. I made a point to leave a gap in our line, to allow the civilians a chance to escape. However, the levies recruited from the Stockades, made the decision to ignore this command and worked with the Wildhammer mercenaries to firebomb the village, exacerbating the destruction. The Horde now calls me 'The Butcher of Taurajo'. I never intended to kill civilians; my goal was to cripple their war effort, not to shed innocent blood.
Perhaps Clarice was right, as wives ever are, it is time to retire. I have served Stormwind with distinction since the Outland offensive, but I am afraid I can no longer stomach the commands I am made to give. Despite my pleas for the soldiers who struck out on their own to be executed, the answer from upper command was to discipline them with some time in the dungeons of Northwatch Hold. In the esteemed words of High General Branson "they were only seeing to the end of future threats."
The sacking of Camp Taurajo was one of the most emotion-inducing Horde quest lines ever, I had never really thought of the other end of that. This General Hawthorne seemed like a remorseful man if his words were true. But the important thing to note is that he had all but stated that the Cataclysm was over, which meant that we were now in the interim period between the cataclysm and the discovery of Pandaria. In other words the war between the Alliance and Horde was about to kick off, and given that the Sack of Camp Taurajo had happened recently and was one of the inciting incidents that kicked the war up to a new level, shit was about to get really dangerous around here.
With the information I had gathered, I knew the current state of the world and the key players involved. Now time for some plunder!
I slipped underground, making my way towards the armory. I paused for a moment, listening for any signs of activity. It was quiet, save for the occasional murmur of the guards patrolling the perimeter.
The armory door was locked, as expected. Fortunately, the same trick that had worked on the command center worked here as well. It did take a few different keys though as this lock was far heavier and needed a sturdier key. I carefully pushed the door open, slipping inside and closing it quietly behind me.
Dim light from a hanging lantern illuminated rows of weapons and armor. I snatched the lantern off its hook and moved quickly, knowing my time was limited. I scanned the racks, searching for anything that might be particularly valuable or useful.
Ooh a leather backpack and a leather satchel!
Yoink.
A gleaming battle axe caught my eye. It was finely crafted, with intricate engravings along the blade and a handle wrapped in leather. I tested its weight and balance, nodding in approval before slipping it into my pack. Next, I found a set of throwing knives, their edges honed to a razor-sharp finish, not really my style, but they were shiny. They went into the pack as well.
I continued to scour the armory, picking up a few more choice items—a small crossbow with a quiver of steel-tipped bolts and a sturdy leather belt with various pouches.
As I worked, I couldn't help but marvel at the craftsmanship of the Alliance blacksmiths. These weapons were a far cry from the crude implements I had been using up until now. Just as I was about to move to the next section of the armory, I heard footsteps approaching. I quickly doused the small lantern I had found and melted into the shadows, pressing myself against the wall, my heart racing. The door creaked open, and a guard stepped inside, his torch casting flickering light across the room.
He glanced around, his eyes scanning the racks. I held my breath, staying perfectly still. After what felt like an eternity, the guard turned and left, closing the door behind him. I waited a few moments to make sure he was gone before resuming my search at a much slower pace, careful not to step too heavily.
Near the back of the armory, I discovered a locked chest. This piqued my curiosity. If it was locked, it must contain something valuable. This wasn't the kind of lock I could eyeball a key for however, the mechanism was far smaller, if I wanted what was inside my only recourse was to smash it open, something I couldn't exactly do at the moment. Given the chest was small enough I threw it into the backpack, lightly grunting at the weight of the thing when I slipped into the straps.
With my pack now significantly heavier, I decided it was time to make my exit. I slipped out of the armory and back into the night, moving quickly and silently. As I made my way back to the gap in the palisade, I couldn't help but feel a surge of exhilaration. Not only had I obtained vital information, but I had also managed to procure a haul of valuable items.
Solara greeted me, flying up out of the bush where she'd been hidden and coiling around my legs as if a particularly strange housecat.
I gave Solara a quick pat, signaling for her to stay quiet as we made our way back into the wilderness. The thrill of the successful infiltration was still coursing through me, but I knew that we weren't out of danger yet. The humans at the outpost would eventually notice the missing items, and they'd be on high alert, they might even have ways of tracking me through magical means.
{Objective Complete: Proof of timeline found}
10 gold added to Coinspace
I'd almost forgotten about that perk as I had no money to my name until now and quilboar don't typically use money, operating on more of a barter/theft system. As in, if I think I can get away with stealing it from you I will, but otherwise I might offer you something in trade.
I willed the miniscule inventory system open, and was rewarded with a small box that bore a few lines of text.
10 Gold, 0 Silver, 0 Copper
{Upgrade}
Note: Money may be withdrawn by mentally choosing an amount and reaching in, money from quest rewards will be automatically deposited.
Good to know I guess. I tapped on the upgrade button to see how much it would cost.
{The first three of Coinspace's upgrade path are as follows:
Hammerspace (100 gold): Grants an inventory space large enough to house a weapon.
Closetspace (1000 gold): Grants an inventory space the size of a small closet.
Vaultspace (10k gold): Grants an inventory the size of a bank vault.}
I nodded at the upgrades, I had chosen a good perk, but this was ultimately not a great priority at the moment.
We moved swiftly through the sparse grasslands, keeping to the shadows and avoiding open areas. Solara's presence was reassuring; she had proven to be a reliable companion, and her keen senses often alerted me to dangers I might have otherwise missed. I took my queues from the flying serpent, when she was relaxed I knew to be relaxed as there was no danger present, when she tensed I knew we'd entered a predator's hunting grounds and I should be on watch.
As we traveled, I began to consider our next steps. The information I had gathered confirmed that we were in the Cataclysm era, and the war between the Horde and the Alliance was about to escalate. This knowledge was crucial, but it also meant that I had to be even more careful moving forward. I didn't want to draw too much attention to myself before it became unavoidable. Maybe it was time to return to Razorfen Kraul, the old crone had said to 'take of the world, then return to the Kraul,' or something along those lines. Besides all the spells I'd learned since Shape Stone, I had created myself, it wouldn't be crazy to get some instruction or inspiration from other Earthcallers.
Quest Added!
{Triumphant Return}
Objectives: Return to Razorfen Kraul. Speak with an experienced Earthcaller to further your class
Rewards: 300 Class XP, Earthcaller Class Quest
With the path set firmly in my mind, I oriented myself southward, using the stars and the lay of the land to guide my way. The vast grasslands stretched out before me, a seemingly endless sea of green under the pale moonlight. I kept a steady pace, my senses alert and my mind focused on the task at hand.
The journey back to Razorfen Kraul was both familiar and daunting. As much as I was eager to return and seek further training from the Earthcallers, as well as finally relax in the relative safety of the Kraul, I couldn't shake the memory of my last encounter with that crazed blademaster, Mankrik. The thought of running into him again was less than appealing if he was still lurking near the quilboar homeland.
I guess time would tell.
AN: Chapter 2! Now you know where we're at in the timeline.
Seeya in the next one!
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