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4: grave robbing
As Ginny, Luna, and I returned to the entrance of the graveyard Ginny noticed a flashing sign above her and my head. "Uh, Ivy? What does "Level up" mean, and why is there a sign with these words hanging over our heads?"
I looked up, then smiled. "For some reason, this world acts like a game. Try tapping the words and see what happens."
Taking my own advice I tapped the sign. A new screen popped up containing 2 tabs, "Set Attributes" and "Upgrade Skills".
I reached up and tapped the "Set Attributes" tab. The screen changed to show my attributes all in a list scrolling down the left side. A number 1 sat in the top center of the screen, and each attribute had an up-arrow next to it."
Ginny next to her scowled. "How do I know what attribute to increase?"
Luna pointed to a line of text next to each attribute.
"Strength: Strength measures your raw physical power. It affects the damage and accuracy of melee attacks, as well as how much you are slowed down by heavy gear."
"Dexterity: Dexterity measures your fine motor skills. It affects your damage and accuracy with ranged weapons, and your chance of parrying melee attacks."
"Agility: Agility measures your quickness and mobility. It affects the frequency with which you can act during battle, and your ability to dodge physical attacks."
"Constitution: Constitution measures your physical vitality. It affects your maximum hit points and stamina."
"Intelligence: Intelligence measures your mental acuity and alertness. It affects your maximum mana and your accuracy with magical skills."
"Will Power: Willpower measures your strength of mind and force of personality. It affects the damage and effectiveness of magical skills, as well as your ability to resist magical attacks."
Nodding to myself I tapped the up-arrow next to Constitution. I didn't want to die from a single hit from an enemy. This brought my Constitution up to 7.
Ginny looked over her attributes and decided to increase her Strength.
Luna looked over at Ginny. "Why that attribute?"
Ginny smiled. "Ivy here is a magical powerhouse. We will need a straight physical attacker during this quest. I already have decent stats all around except for Strength. So I think I will be focusing on that. Now what is this "Upgrade Skills?"
I tapped that item myself to take a look. A list of skills appeared.
"Melee attack: 1 Expertise.
Ranged attack: 1 Expertise.
Ice spike (rank 2): 1 Expertise.
Firebolt (rank 2): 1 Expertise.
Lightning bolt (rank 1): 1 Expertise.
Elemental attunement: 2 Expertise.
Enhanced focus: 2 Expertise.
Master focus: 2 Expertise."
I saw a number 1 above this list and pondered on what to get.
"Any idea how many points we will get to learn skills with" Ginny asked as she looked over her own list.
I shook my head but Luna nodded.
"We will get 1 point for each level we gain, and we can only reach level 30. So we will only get 28 more points. After all, we are all level 2." As she spoke Luna had increased her Constitution to 8 putting her above mine.
I looked over my skills and decided to purchase rank 2 of "Firebolt".
Ginny looked over her skills and decided to wait to use any of her skill points. Luna did the same.
After finishing up in the Level Up menu I turned to face the graveyard. "Before We begin looking for these rune stones I need to search this graveyard for a broken amulet."
Ginny looked intrigued. "Is it yours Ivy?"
I shook my head. "I found half of an amulet in the Large North Bedroom of the tavern. I think, and Father Ignatius agrees that the amulet being broken is responsible for that bedroom being haunted. I want to see if that amulet was berried here."
Getting a nod from my 2 companions I set out to find graves.
The three of us walked along the fence leading into the graveyard until we found our first grave. to my surprise the grave was open. I hoped that didn't mean what I think it meant. Searching the grave I found a "Warped Short Bow". I placed it in my pack since none of us could use it.
The girls and I continued along the fence until we came to another open grave. Searching this 1 I found a key with "Madranus Lion" written on it.
Continuing along the path I found another grave. Before I searched it I saw a young woman walk through 1 of the gates surrounding the graveyard. Putting the young woman out of my mind for the moment I searched the open grave and found a "Rusty Iron Cuirass". After studying the Cuirass I handed it to Ginny who equipped it.
As we followed the fence we came to a corner. Turning east the 3 of us continued following the fence. We had to fight some "Grave Robbers" and some "Ravens" along the way. After defeating the "Ravens" both I and Ginny leveled up to level 3. I placed my attribute point in Constitution raising it to 8, while Ginny placed hers in Strength bringing it up to 10. As for skills I powered up my Firebolt spell to rank 3, and Ginny purchased "Enhanced Focus" allowing her to get more out of focusing. After finishing this the group continued following the fence.
Reaching the southern most boundary of the graveyard I walk up to the city wall, and turn west. Ignoring the gate that would lead farther into the graveyard the 3 of us continue following the fence. Along the way, we fight 2 more "Grave Robbers" allowing Luna to reach level 3. After placing an attribute point in Constitution Luna decides to follow the path of the "pacifist". This will double all of her healing spells but will weaken her damaging spells.
The girls and I continue to follow the fence. Coming across a small gate that leads into the graveyard, and seeing that we would reach a corner soon, I pass through the gate.
Deciding to just search for open graves, I turn in the direction of the nearest 1. Finding my first open grave since entering through the small gate I search the grave. I find a "Smith's Apron". After studying it for a minute I toss it in my pack, and attempt to turn toward the next open grave.
Not finding any open graves in this little area of the graveyard I lead my friends back onto the path and head toward another gate. Entering through a small gate into a larger area I turn toward a tombstone in the distance. Upon examining the tombstone I find a picture of an apple, the word "food", and the number 5 written on it. Not sure what it means I turn toward an open grave.
As I explored the graveyard picking up items from the graves I came across the young woman I saw earlier.
"Hello, Gwen. I'm surprised to see you outside the city walls."
Ginny smiles at her. "It's nice to see you, too, Hope."
I look between the 2 women. "I take it you two know each other?"
Ginny smiles fondly. "Hope and I used to study combat together."
Hope gets some kind of grin on her face. "Those were the days. Gwen has real spirit, but I was always the better fighter."
Ginny scoffs. "In your dreams, maybe. What are you doing out here? I heard you resigned your commission with the city guard."
Hope nods. "Once the attacks started, Captain Lucian called all patrols back behind the walls. He wants us to lay back and guard the gates, but someone needs to get out here and hit the things where they live. Well, not live, but you know what I mean."
Ginny nods in agreement. "I feel the same way. That's why I joined our friend here."
I smile. "If there's any way we can help, just ask."
Hope looks grateful. "I'm in the middle of tracking down a major den of vampires; I can't leave the graveyard - but you can. I could use a favor, if you're willing."
I nod. "I'm happy to help. What do you need?"
Hope gives me a grateful look. My...um...friend went down into the catacombs beneath the graveyard to hunt the undead. I haven't heard from him in a while, and I'm a little worried. Just tell me if you see him, so I know he's alright."
I, noticing Hope's hesitation to say who her friend is examine Hope for a minute, but decide it's none of her business. "Of course. I'll let you know if we come across him."
Hope relaxes. "Thank you. I have to get back to the hunt. Please, let me know if you find anything out."
Ginny reaches out and places a hand on Hope's shoulder. "We'll do whatever we can, I promise. Take care of yourself, Hope."
Hope smiles at Ginny. "You too, Gwen. Try and keep her out of trouble, will you?" without waiting for a response Hope walks away.
While exploring the graveyard looking for the next open grave the 3 of us got into a fight with some rats, and a couple of "Crased Beggers". After defeating the enemies I found a "Hide Cap" which I equipped at once.
Deciding to search a different area of the graveyard I led the girls through the small gate in the north fence. Then led them around the path until we reached a small gate at a square marked "36 37" on my map. After entering the gate the 3 of us continued to search the open graves until I found the broken amulet.
"This is it", I said holding up the half amulet. "With this, we can return to the temple and see what else is needed to put this spirit to rest."
– Separator –
An: and that's where we will leave off this time. Ivy has finally found the other half of the amulet, and now she can work on repairing it to finish her first side quest.
As always if you have a comment or questions you can leave me a review, or send me a P.M. I hope you are enjoying this story, and I will see you all next time.