grandgame

Grand Game 547: A Test of Wills

My prediction proved accurate and only a little while later, my foe expired in a wash of flames.

A level 227 stygian naga has died.

Not entirely unexpectedly, I did not advance in level. The level disparity between me and the nagas was growing—and my chosen target had been especially weak. Going forward, I knew my gains would slow even further.

Still, it was not all bad news. The stygians had not found me yet. 

Partly, I expected, this was becau...

Grand Game 546: Striking with Mana

Your Mind has increased to rank 186. Other modifiers: +12 from items. Available ability slots: 22.

Your sneaking has reached rank 24.

You have replenished 100% of your mana.

Elise and Ghost returned from their run just as I finished replenishing my mana. Opening my eyes, I beheld the pair stretched out on the ground and panting heavily.

“Good run?” I asked Ghost.

“It was,” she ...

Runeguard 029

Three hours later, Night and I were still hunting. By this time, we had ambushed eight different sets of Crows, and killed over two dozen, and my black dragon companion had reached level five.

But finding and ambushing the thieves was no longer a simple matter. The Crows had figured out they were being hunted and had begun taking precautions. They now only travelled in large bands of six to ten and some were hunting me in turn. 

Time and again, they drove through town, pushin...

Runeguard 028

Leaving the alchemist shop, I made my way to the fields outside town. I kept the hood of my cloak up and hunched over, trying to hide my tall frame as much as possible.

My disguise was by no means perfect. 

Any player whose interest I drew would still be able to identify me if he queried his administrator. My hope was that with my features hidden, I would appear to be just another faceless mage, and none of the thieves would take the time to examine me closely.

The camp...

Grand Game 545: A Storm’s Fury

Ten minutes later, I was back in the river.

Ghost and the others remained in the gulley—the pyre wolf practicing her nether manipulation and the six nagians laboriously scrying the surroundings. While the nagian mages’ magical sight was no more acute than their physical ones, scrying allowed them to remotely—and safely—map the terrain.

“I’m drawing close to the shore,” I informed Ghost.

“Have the stygians spotted you?” she asked.

Grand Game 544: Forward Base

The telepathic blow struck my mind with the force of a hammer, leaving me reeling for a moment. But only for a moment. It was the unexpectedness of the attack more than anything else that surprised me. 

Well, that, and the appreciable dent it made in my remaining store of psi

Regaining my footing, I kept running.

An etheric lash has failed to injure you. 3% psi consumed.

Damnation, I muttered as the second blow landed. I kept my balance t...

Runeguard 027

Now what? I wondered as I stood on the steps outside the tavern.

Even with the Paragons refusing to help, I was still determined to take on the thieves. How though?

“You are not alone, Dace,” Night said. “I will help you do this thing you seek. It is the right thing to do.”

“Thank you, Night,” I murmured in appreciation. I had been so caught up in my own thoughts, I hadn’t realized the bl...

Runeguard 026

Day Five

I rose early the next morning, one hour earlier than my agreed upon meeting time with the Paragons. There were a few errands I needed to run first.

Sitting up in my bed, I reached out to the black dragon within me. “Night, you there?” I asked.

“I am,” she replied in a sleepy voice. “Do you need me?”

“No, I just wanted to let you know I’m venturing into town,” I answered. “Don’t reveal yourself to anyone.”

2024-12-16 11:00:33 +0000 UTC View Post

Runeguard 025

I spent a good five minutes staring at the System messages. While I understood the gist of what they meant, before I moved on there were a few things I needed Adi to explain.

“Adi,” I began, “do Classes have their own skills?”

“Not exactly, Dace,” she replied. “Each Class will unlock a specific set of skills that the parent Essence alone will not provide access to. These skills may be shared with other Classes or be completely unique.”

...

Runeguard 024

The stairway proved to be a portal as much as the dungeon’s cave entrance. After placing my foot on the first step, I found myself standing outside the same entrance we had used to enter the dungeon—and to my surprise, I discovered another System message waiting for my attention. 

Congratulations, Paragons + 1, your party is the first to have cleared dungeon 1050-B! For your achievement, you have earned: 3 Essence Points and 1 rebirth token. 

“Woot...

Runeguard 023

From a distance, I watched curiously as the Paragons began their summonings. It was my first time observing other players using spell scrolls, and despite the Paragons’ sudden dislike for me, I was fascinated by the process.

The spells were long ones, and for a time, the ante-chamber was filled with the sonorous voices of the elemental mages. Unconsciously, I leaned forward while I listened intently, trying to understand the words the four vocalized—any of the words—...

Runeguard 022

It took over an hour, but eventually, after quaffing multiple mana potions and setting the behemoth alight with fire spell after fire spell, Beth brought the shambling mound to its knees.

Dungeon Notice 1050-B-02

Congratulations Paragons + 1, your party has completed the first stage of Dungeon 1050-B. Claim your rewards before proceeding to the second stage.

With a last moan of anguish, the creature crashed into the water.

“Wow!” a...

Runeguard 021

Nearly an hour later, I was charging forward again, my hammer whirling above my head in a two-handed grip.

The others were sitting with backs against the walls, cheering from the sidelines and providing advice that was less than useful. Still, the battle was nearly done.

With a powerful heave, I brought my battlehammer down and struck off the head of the last golem. It fell to the ground, and I with it, my chest heaving and muscles burning with fatigue.

The Paragons cheered,...

Runeguard 020

In the end, I found six golems.

But for the mud creatures, nothing else occupied the room. Like the first two, the other golems failed to detect my presence, even when I snuck to within a few feet.

But most worrying of all, I failed to find any exits leading away from the room.

“Are you sure there are no exits?” Jorge asked me for what felt like the tenth time.

“I am,” I exclaimed in exasperation. “I searched the room’s walls twice.” Me and the Paragons w...

Runeguard 019

It was a good thing we were ready.

The moment the doors opened, a carpet of green and brown streamed into the room. Urgh. Snakes.

I slammed my shield down in an attempt to block the reptiles’ passage. It slowed the influx into the room, but didn’t stop the slithering creatures altogether. 

Behind me I heard the others’ shouts of alarm. 

“They’re level five!” Jorge shouted.

“Flames, Beth,” ordered Bayan. “Gavin, funnel them to ...

Runeguard 018

Day Four

I awoke to a loud banging. 

Groaning, I turned over. “Who the hell is that?” I growled. “And what time is it?”

“It’s 5:05 AM, Dace,” Adi said. “You are late for your meeting with the Paragons.”

My eyes snapped open. Damnit, Adi was right. I heaved myself upright, rubbing bleary eyes.

“Dace!” Beth yelled through the door. “Are you in there? You better get out right this minute. Bayan is all set to leave ...

Runeguard 017

With my chores done for the day, I headed for the tavern. Barging through its doors, I made a beeline for the stairs, eager to begin the experiments I had in mind.

But as I crossed the tavern threshold, I drew to an abrupt halt.

The tavern was not empty as I expected.

“Well, look who it is,” Jorge said.

“All dressed up too,” Gavin snickered.

Jorge laughed. “Looks like he is moving up in the world.”

I resumed walking at a much slower pace this ti...

Runeguard 016

I hurried south along the cobbled road as fast as I could. I had tarried longer in Wolf Valley than I should have and now was in a rush to return to town to complete my many errands. 

But despite my efforts, stars were already dotting the sky when I entered the town’s outskirts. The field was just as crowded with campfires as on every other night, but today my presence attracted no attention.

Surprised, I strained my ears to catch the conversations of those I passed. I hear...

Runeguard 015

The moment the last breath left the scorpion, I was inundated with System messages.

You have killed a giant scorpion.

You have reached level 10! 

+1 rank in strength, dexterity, constitution, life, channeling, and perception.

+3 Essence Points.

Congratulations, you are the first player in Creche 1050 to reach the level cap! For your achievement, you have earned:...