388 days until the Arkon Shield falls
All living things possess spirit. —Trials Infopedia.
The loggers and their guard companies caught up with Tara and me soon after.
It seemed that when the scouts had caught sight of the strange burning light through the trees, the loggers had already been heading back for the Outpost.
The train of logs, hauled by men and sleds alone, moved slowly through the forest, making the trip back much longer than t...
2021-10-15 13:13:34 +0000 UTC
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388 days until the Arkon Shield falls
It didn’t take the pack long to resume their assault.
They were more wary, but no less persistent. The three hounds, scorched and scarred from dragonfire, blinked in, tested me with feinting attacks, and then jumped out again.
They did this often enough that I lost count of the number of assaults I fended off. Each time, the pack would inch closer and closer, until I was forced to flare. Then they would flee. ...
2021-10-15 13:12:20 +0000 UTC
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388 days until the Arkon Shield falls
Of course, I stood no chance of catching the soldiers.
I could only follow in their wake and hope that when I got to wherever they were going, disaster hadn’t overtaken either the spearmen or the loggers. Reaching the Outpost’s eastern trench line, I found it unguarded and crossed over without fuss.
I knew I should have informed the commander of my plans and asked for an escort—or at the very least notified someone...
2021-10-15 13:11:26 +0000 UTC
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388 days until the Arkon Shield falls
2 days to Earth’s destruction
2 days until the Warren is destroyed
“Jamie? Jamie, wake up, I have to talk to you.”
I groaned and rolled over, but Tara didn’t let me go back to sleep. She tugged at my shoulder again.
I blinked open my eyes and stared blearily at the dark shape leaning over me. I knew it was Tara, yet I couldn’t make out any of her features. My gaze s...
2021-10-15 13:10:06 +0000 UTC
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389 days until the Arkon Shield falls
3 days to Earth’s destruction
3 days until the Warren is destroyed
Tara met me on the lower riverbank. “Good job, Jamie,” she said quietly.
I nodded, not breaking stride. I was trying hard not to think of what I had done. Once again, the Trials had rewarded me for my efforts, and I had gained another level from the death I had dealt on the river’s shores.
You ...
2021-10-15 12:57:12 +0000 UTC
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390 days until the Arkon Shield falls
I ducked into my tent, emotions in turmoil. For a long time, I sat alone in the darkness, staring at nothing.
I had been elated by our successes today. I’d felt that I had accomplished something good, both for my own cause and the people here. And while the conference had underscored how desperate the Outpost’s situation was, it had not taken away from what Tara, I, and the others had achieved.
The commander though...
2021-10-15 12:54:13 +0000 UTC
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390 days until the Arkon Shield falls
4 days until the Warren is destroyed
There was no way to remove the queen’s body from the lair without cutting it up, and none of the bladed weapons we had were suitable for the task.
After burning free the silk cloth covering the hole, I ended up climbing back down and using flare to burn off the queen’s body into smaller parts. The spell the queen had attempted in her dying moments had dis...
2021-10-15 12:52:53 +0000 UTC
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390 days until the Arkon Shield falls
I got my wish, but not in the way I had hoped.
Ten minutes after leaving the nursery, the five of us were stretched out flat on a ledge and staring down on what was without a doubt our last obstacle to claiming the warren.
The central tunnel had continued its arrowlike path for another hundred yards before abruptly ending onto a ledge overlooking an enormous cavern. Its gaping emptiness of space dwarfed the other stone c...
2021-10-15 12:51:59 +0000 UTC
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390 days until the Arkon Shield falls
Cassandra had been spot-on about the location of the warren’s entrance. After travelling only a few dozen yards farther, we drew to a halt at the base of another hill.
A large hole had been dug out in the ground, and judging by the cobwebs stretched across its width, it was unmistakably the entrance to the spiders’ warren. Eight feet tall and about three feet wide, it was large enough for us to walk through upright—and s...
2021-10-15 12:50:52 +0000 UTC
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390 days until the Arkon Shield falls
It was a two-hour hike to the foothills north of the Outpost. The sisters believed the intervening region to be safe—relatively safe, anyway. It didn’t stop the pair from jogging off to scout ahead though.
After the sisters disappeared over the horizon, Tara turned to the rest of us. “Alright, let’s get moving. We have to hurry if we’re going to make it back in time for the old lady’s conference.” I nodded, and t...
2021-10-15 12:49:34 +0000 UTC
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390 days until the Arkon Shield falls
After the battle, Tara and I were left with little to do. My conversation with the old lady had been so brief, I hadn’t had a chance to question her about her sorcery or dungeons, or even about her intentions regarding the settlement.
What now? I wondered, chewing at my lip. “Let’s go find the medics,” I said eventually.
Tara rolled her eyes, but she didn’t object. She led me through the ranks of soldi...
2021-10-15 12:48:39 +0000 UTC
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390 days until the Arkon Shield falls
The morning stillness was shattered as, all along the line, sergeants and captains shouted out orders and spearmen rose to their feet.
The water’s frothing intensified and more murluks surfaced. A lot more. Soon it seemed as if the entire river was coated by a carpet of living blue. The horde made no move to advance though, seemingly content to wait until their numbers built.
“Bloody hell,” Tara swore, eye...
2021-10-15 12:47:39 +0000 UTC
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390 days until the Arkon Shield falls
4 days to Earth’s destruction
Many believe dragonfire to be myth and not fact. Yet the snippets of lore and text the Elders left behind are rife with mention of it. Dragonfire is as real as the Elders. —Arustolyx, gnomish archaeologist.
Despite my exhaustion, sleep did not come easily, and when it did, it brought troubled dreams and nightmares that had me tossing and turning. After waking up...
2021-10-15 12:46:31 +0000 UTC
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391 days until the Arkon Shield falls
It seemed we had missed the call for supper and the cooks had already dampened the fires in the crafting yard. Which was a relief. I wasn’t quite ready yet to face those who had witnessed my berserker rage on the training grounds.
Tara helped me back to the tent I had been assigned, one close to her own and the commanders. Leaving me outside the entrance, she went off in search of a hot meal for both of us.
I sank to t...
2021-10-15 12:44:57 +0000 UTC
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391 days until the Arkon Shield falls
Magic is a manifestation of the caster’s will through the use of mana, but very few possess mana. Only those with Magic Potential are so gifted. —Trials Infopedia.
Tara laughed.
“Don’t worry, Jamie,” she said. “No one is going to make you hold a position in the wall anymore. You’re too important. Forget about weapon training.” She pulled at me again, not changing course.
I slipped out of he...
2021-10-15 12:43:44 +0000 UTC
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391 days until the Arkon Shield falls
We know even less of sorcery than we do of magic. It is a potent tool, some would say, even more so than magic, but its uses are limited by how deeply its spells draw from the spirit. —Taura Biaxal, svartalfar mystic.
I picked myself up slowly, then pretended to dust myself off to hide my embarrassment. Tara was not buying it though. Throwing back her head, she roared with laughter.
“Alright,” I said, red-...
2021-10-15 12:42:26 +0000 UTC
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391 days until the Arkon Shield falls
Mana is a living, breathing thing. Anger it at your peril. —Cale Ames, elven spellweaver.
We were ushered out surprisingly quickly after that. Well, I was. The commander kept Tara back a little longer. Routine orders, Jolin had explained.
While I waited for Tara, I reflected on my meeting with the old lady. I had expected to be interrogated further on my magic and abilities, and to be provided with unsolicited...
2021-10-15 12:41:22 +0000 UTC
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391 days until the Arkon Shield falls
Sorcery is magic of the spirit and is fuelled by spirit itself. Even those with no Potential for magic may harness it. —Trials Infopedia.
The inside of the tent was brightly lit with torches. In its centre was a log table. I frowned at its crude construction. The table had been made from hacked-off logs, bound together with sinew and gut. Can the Outpost’s crafters do no better?
There were three peo...
2021-10-15 12:39:49 +0000 UTC
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391 days until the Arkon Shield falls
The runes of the Elders are just one of the many mysteries of the Trials we hope to uncover. Although we know beyond doubt that the runes are how players are enhanced, not even our best minds have been able to duplicate their effect. —Taura Biaxal, svartalfar mystic.
Your health pool has increased to: 63%.
It took Nicholas only fifteen minutes to stitch and bandage all my wounds. The medic app...
2021-10-15 12:37:27 +0000 UTC
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391 days until the Arkon Shield falls
Overworld is too dangerous for the humans to survive on their own. Let them come to us with caps in hand. Or perish through their own folly. —Unknown royal advisor.
I limped after Michael and re-joined the line.
While we waited for the next attack, I rolled up my leather vest and inspected the jagged wound in my lower back. The spear hadn’t penetrated deep and the bleeding had slowed. I breathed easier. It s...
2021-10-15 12:36:10 +0000 UTC
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391 days until the Arkon Shield falls
Magesight is a Technique granted by the Trials to all players with Magic Potential. It is the foundation of both magic and sorcery, and without it, any would-be mage is blind. Truly, without the gift of magesight, magic itself is not be possible. —Cale Ames, elven spellweaver.
I don’t know how long Tara and I spent killing.
The bodies around the warrior kept piling up, and protected by her prowess, I was unt...
2021-10-15 12:35:19 +0000 UTC
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391 days until the Arkon Shield falls
It is no secret that the Trials permanently accelerates a player’s learning rate of Neophyte Disciplines and Attributes beyond what is ‘natural.’ Yet, with the newcomer buff, the Trials does even more for players on their first day. While the buff is in force, a player can rapidly advance his Disciplines and Attributes to Trainee rank in a mere matter of hours. Don’t squander it. —Trials Infopedia.
Just as I...
2021-10-15 12:34:32 +0000 UTC
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391 days until the Arkon Shield falls
5 days to Earth’s destruction
No matter what your Potentials, without Traits and Feats, you’ll never amount to anything more than an average player. Accumulate as many of them as you can, as quick as you can. —Anonymous Veteran.
Straight out of the gate, I stumbled and yelped in shock. I sprawled forward, and my nose buried itself into the green grass underfoot.
Ooof, that hurts<...
2021-10-15 12:33:40 +0000 UTC
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12 May: 5 days to Earth’s destruction
We cannot ignore the facts. The Elders were here: on this planet, Earth. We must know why. —Arustolyx, gnomish archaeologist.
I blew out a calming breath as the open purple windows disappeared and were replaced by a single golden one.
Thousands of Traits scrolled through the window.
I gulped. How was I expected to go through all that in fifteen minutes? I turned to Aurora in incipient panic. ...
2021-10-15 12:32:35 +0000 UTC
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12 May: 5 days to Earth’s destruction
The humans show an uncanny aptitude for magic. Enslaving them will serve us well. —Orgtul Silverbane.
I left one world and entered another between one step and the next. The transition was seamless and without the slightest misstep in my footing.
I looked around.
Earth’s bright blue sky and concrete buildings had disappeared. Replacing it was a wide-open beach of fine white sand under a storm-wracked...
2021-10-15 12:31:46 +0000 UTC
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12 May: 5 days to Earth’s destruction
The humans’ technology is strange and admittedly powerful. Yet it will benefit them little on Overworld. Given their technology’s nature, the Trials will not allow it to function. And without the aid of their Earth-forged weapons, the humans are weak and ripe for conquest. We should prepare for immediate invasion once the Arkon Shield falls. —Lilith Smoke, fiendish spymaster.
Ignoring the Trials’ messages, I...
2021-10-15 12:30:57 +0000 UTC
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12 May: 5 days to Earth’s destruction
Gentlemen, we must face reality: humanity has been subjugated. We cannot do anything to save Earth’s millions, but we can still save ourselves. We must negotiate with the overworlders. —Unknown politician.
Awareness returned slowly.
With it came voices, reaching my ears as if muffled by great distance.
“We can’t take him through the portal like this. His wounds are too severe. He will never survi...
2021-10-15 12:28:54 +0000 UTC
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06 May: 11 days to Earth’s destruction
Sir. All attempts to establish contact with the svartalfar have failed. They slaughter our envoys on sight. We have been forced to conclude negotiations, with the overworlder race impossible, and recommend discontinuing this line of investigation. —Military report.
The next few days went by in a blur.
To my great relief, all the goods I ordered were delivered the next day, in full and without any surprises....
2021-10-15 12:28:08 +0000 UTC
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05 May: 12 days to Earth’s destruction
Sir. There have been 10,214 confirmed Overworld gate sightings worldwide. Of the gates identified, the orcs control approximately forty percent, the elves roughly thirty percent, and the gnomes less than five percent.
While the gnomes seem the least threatening of the alien species, judging by gate numbers, they also appear to be weaker than the elves. Our analysts are of the opinion that they will make for poo...
2021-10-15 12:26:29 +0000 UTC
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05 May: 12 days to Earth’s destruction
My colleagues believe the humans are dangerous. I disagree. Certainly, they are a violent and bloodthirsty species, but they also possess a capacity for greatness and ingenuity that I find remarkable. In time, the humans may prove to be our salvation. —Arustolyx, gnomish archaeologist.
The next day, the second since Duskar’s ultimatum, the other gates also opened, and humanity was treated to its first sight of ...
2021-10-15 12:25:30 +0000 UTC
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