[SD:DD] Other Travellers Did It This Time - Chapter 2

While people are bustling around, there's a fire lit in their eyes and a smile on their faces. Gem squinted and chose to go directly to a receptionist.

While misery loves company, these people seem to have “suffered” a windfall. Better to ask the guild employee for the correct information instead of relying on someone that might not want to split their fortune even more. Though it seems Gem isn't the only one with this thought.

The receptionist they approach takes one look at them, flicks their ear and points towards the biggest crowd. “We have a holo display up with the vital information. If you want to know what's up, read that first.”

Gem shrugs at the buffalokin and walks towards the crowd, dragging their group behind them. The three are getting ready to slowly shoulder their way through the crowd, but they forgot one factor. Gem.

Like a force of nature, Gem hits the crowd. Not literally, in fact, from the outside it looks more like they walked into the packed space like a stone slipping into water without a single ripple. Though those “ripples” soon show themselves.

The others get the feeling that Gem probably could have gotten through without anyone the wiser, but they are following them. While every opening and gap is being taken advantage of by Gem, the three of them coming in behind is like a wedge. Yet no one is shouting at them or anything. It is honestly quite odd.

The groups passing is causing a disturbance as people shuffle around and bump into one another. Yet while they don't ignore the group, the group also isn't the target of their frustration. That being reserved for those “getting in their way” as they move back. It was all really odd.

Whatever the case, Gem was soon in front of a pedestal with a gem on it. Above the gem there appeared to be a matte white shape that has five sides facing outward, each of those sides with identical text displayed. From behind Gem, June smiles, “Huh, silent image. Wonder how they change the text?”

With was interesting to know, but Gem is a wee bit distracted by what the illusion has to say.

[

Suspected biome-wide event going on in the Horizon Oasis Desert!

A team of Travellers may have kicked off a system event after disturbing an ancient tomb. Since then, reports of ancient structures are up 12% and teams have been reporting undead encounters at an increasing rate.

Remember! While the Guild does not forbid you from opening up sealed tombs and such, we do encourage you have along with you someone skilled in some form of analysis. The ancient tombs found in this desert have a much higher incidence rate of trap hell style scenarios.

Thank you and have a nice day!

]

Gem slaps Emrys on the shoulder and laughs. “A bunch of desert critters and if we're unlucky, an undead or two? Well! It seems we might just be the luckiest unlucky people in SoulDive!”

Emrys sighs, “Don't try and say I jinxed it. Well, at least not beyond an irl jinx. That was in the regional chat. Also, what counts as regional for that, anyway? I'd figure we had left the ‘region’ by now?”

June half shrugs to not bump into someone else, “We were out of the region while on the ocean and the other continent. While they call it ‘regional’, the reality of it is that this continent only has three regions and most of the other continents are small enough to be regions in and of themselves.”

Gem looks around, “Okay, this is a bit too crowded. Let's get out of the crush. Follow me!” And they drag the others along with them.

Though the way out is a lot more disruptive. This is partly because the people that see Gem coming instinctively step out of their way. Once again bringing to mind the force of nature thing. Though it certainly doesn't help that not just the other three are following them. Rather, it seems a number of people had been stuck up by the holo display and are using Gems obvious move to leave for their own escape.

Once away from the crush Emrys can't help but lean up against a nearby pillar and laugh. “My oh my! Gem, where did you get so good at moving through crowds?”

Gem smirks, “You just experienced years of painstaking practice! I'm not exactly a fan of just hanging out in a crowd and chatting yet I ended up at a bunch of events where that's exactly what happens. The whole ‘make connections’ rigamarole was sort of forced on me with my trust.

“Anyway, those sort of ‘we want to be seen as rich and powerful’ events always go all out with their buffet, even if people rarely eat much of it.” Gem points at themself with their thumb, “Except for me!”

Gem's smirk gets wider, “Who cares about all that chatter? Not me! So I learned to get through the inevitable crowd that gathers around the buffet tables lickity split. They always provide the smallest of plates and don't let you linger once you do have food, so I'd have to keep going back.

“Though it is kind of funny. The tables were always ladden with all kinds of snobby foods. Which, admittedly, some of it was actually quite superb! Yet what I always ended up gorging on was the vegi tray! I love me some bell peppers! 

“Whenever I showed up for an event, the staff knew to put out extra bell peppers. Though they didn't mind. Me monching on the peppers meant I wasn't ravaging their fancy charcuterie board art or eating through their delicate finger foods. Made it easier on all of us.”

Samuel raises an eyebrow and frowns, “But what about all that better stuff? Surely it must have tasted amazing! I would have loved to go to events like that and make connections.”

Gem shrugs, “Eh, the food was good? Not that I didn't try a bit of everything! That's my usual thing with buffets. The first trip or two is to get a small sampling of everything. Then after that I eat what I like. It's just, well, those fancy foods tend to be more expensive than honestly worth it. While the vegetables? They're top quality as well and I honestly prefer the crisp bite and tang of a fresh bell pepper over caviar or a meat mousse.”

Samuel shakes his head at what he perceived as a waste. Gem however doesn't care, though they can understand his viewpoint. They were honestly just in a position to not care which was simply lucky on their part.Gem looks around, “So uh, why did we delay getting to the city? It’s just right over there. We’ve only been walking for like, a couple hours and we stopped way early last night.”

Samuel raises an eyebrow, “Well, I figure the rolling dunes might explain it?”

June shrugs, “That’s the last we’ll be seeing of forests and grassland for a while. Besides, we’ve been playing for close to a year now and taking a break every once in a while can’t hurt.”

Gem, “Huh, yeah, it has been a while, hasn’t? I guess the whole ocean thing let the days blend together for me?”

Samuel, “It has been a profitable adventure so far, at least. Even in the ship I was able to snag some worthwhile fishbones to sell.”

Gem nods, “This particular bit of wandering was certainly a windfall! I’m going to buy so much gear. Really set myself up.”

Samuel frowns, “I guess you don’t have to worry about money. I’m going to be exporting a good bit of my take. The game is fun, but money makes the world go round.”

June, “I’m not rich, but what I do allows me to keep playing as we are.”

Gem, “Huh, that’s right. We are basically hard core in this game. Always playing, almost every day.”

Emrys shrugs, “Eh, I’m being paid to play.”

Gem raises an eyebrow, “How’d you swing that?”

Emrys laughs, “So, you’re using one of those fancy capsules, right?”

Gem smirks, “Top of the line! Part of why I decided to join SoulDive instead of their other game. Got in on the ground floor of this game because I was able to acquire one.”

Emrys nods, “So, I’ve actually had mine for a good while. Now, don’t jump to conclusions, I’m not one of their medical cases, testing it out. What I am is their guinea pig to test how the capsules work on an average person.

“I originally joined up with Samuel because he was on a similar schedule to me and then you two showed up. Not often you find others who basically play the game 24/7. Oh sure, we get out on occasion, but it’s the exception. Though Samuel, I have to ask, if you’re down for cash, how are you managing this?”

Samuel shrugs, “Oh, I’m doing fine. Even now, almost a year on, you can sell a bunch of things for a decent irl profit. When we split loot, I make sure to grab the things that are worth more irl than in game. Though this stop is really going to take the cake! Herbs are Big! The top guilds are all racing to collect any strange herbs they can get their hands on. If it isn’t known, they’ll lay out a decent chunk of change.”

Gem shrugs, “Well, as long as you keep your gear up to date. Mages can get away with not keeping their stuff updated, but you’re a physical melee sort.”

Samuel, “I think I can turn that on you. As a physical sort, as long as my weapon keeps up, I can squeak through. Heavier armor keeps its value for longer. You’re a mage though and gear is what lets you truly bring out the power of your spells.”

Gem laughs, “Fair enough! I guess we all have our own bits to worry about. Now I have to ask, I can sort of see the city and do those people look like they’re running around?”

Emrys squints, “Nope, can’t quite see it? There is a bit of a haze. Do you have air resistance or something?”

Gem shrugs, “Yep, got quite a bit of it, in fact.”

Emrys nods, “Okay, then the haze is likely not dust based. That would be more of something you’d need earth resistance for. Given the desert we’re in? The haze is likely illusionary.”

Gem smacks her hand with her fist, “Ah! That makes sense. So, would fire resistance work on a mirage?”

Emrys shrugs, “Is it a low tier magical effect or a natural mirage? The basic resistances won’t help with natural phenomena or anything particularly powerful either.”

June nods, “This bonus is more of an edge case kept in than a purposeful effect. If that was a spell or a natural effect? You’d see the same thing we do.”

Gem crosses their arms and nods, “Well, good thing you have me with you, then!”

Emrys, “Okay, wait, I can see it now and those people do look a bit panicked?”

Samuel sighs, “Well, that’s not the best of signs.”

The group reserves judgement until they’re close enough to actually figure out what it going on.

Panic. They get close enough and that’s the answer. It seems the merchants that were in the city are all trying to not be in the city anymore. Though the locals seem a good bit calmer.

And as they get closer, Gem begins to pick up snippets of conversation.

“I’m not staying around to die”

“Blasted withered”

“Me out right now!”

“Know who I”

And so on. In particular, Gem is picking up a lot of snippets like the last two and not the first two. Just a bunch of merchants trying to demand, wheedle, use connections, and generally skip the line to leave.

Gem turns to June, “Why aren’t they just being allowed to leave? Last time I checked, we are allowed to do exactly that?”

June gestures at the nearest wagon, which is making good time the way the group just came from. “Who knows how much stuff can fit in that wagon? Is the inner space expanded? Did they sell out and are leaving with cash?

“So to keep taxes straight, they check merchants as they are coming and going. Though do note, in emergency circumstances, the checks do get suspended.”

Emrys smirks, “Ah, so while there’s danger, it isn’t immanent or at least the city officials don’t see it as such?”

Samuel sighs, “I’m guessing cult activity.”

Gem frowns, “Why would you guess that? I was more suspecting something like we showed up for the once in five years giant scorpion breeding season or some such nonsense.”

Samuel shrugs, “Cults tend to be into the whole ‘when the stars are right’ nonsense, right? Well, we just experienced cult activity and so it is entirely possible that a cult here did something and succeeded, so now that they’ve built their power base over a few months? They’re causing trouble finally.”

June shakes her head, “Wouldn’t cause this sort of mess. We’ll simply have to, you know, actually listen to what people are saying and maybe ask someone about it.”

Gem, “I say we check in at the adventurers guild!”

Emrys, “Yeah, that sounds reasonable.”

Samuel shrugs and nods.

June looks at the others and shrugs as well, “Though keep an ear out on our way.”

And they do, which helps reveal some of the issue. It seems someone dug up a grave of some sort. The “withered” they had heard mentioned was a zombie template and quite literal. They were fleshed undead sans water.

Though it wasn’t the undead that worried the merchants. Rather, they were trying to leave because those undead had riled up the wildlife. Something about the undead taint causing creatures to abandon their dens and move around.

So, the city wasn’t in danger as far as anyone could tell. It was just that the merchants wanted to be gone before the trip got too dangerous. Which if anything, made the city want to drag the inspections on even longer. All in hopes of keeping a few extra traders around. The city isn’t entirely dependent on trade, but they are for luxuries.

Then the group reaches the guild and things aren’t quite what was expected.

More Regional Chatter - Chapter 1

That's How The Spell Works - Chapter 3