Note from Tom: Michael's player info at the end of Chapter 527.
Player Profile: Michael
Level: 243. Rank: 24. Current Health: 100%.
Stamina: 100%. Mana: 100%. Psi: 100%.
Species: Human. Lives Remaining: 4. Ghost’s Lives Remaining: 4.
Active Pacts: 6 / 20.
True Marks: Powerful Initiate.
True Marks (hidden): Worthy Adversary, Wolf Protector, Wolf Progenitor.
False Marks (fabricated): Lesser Shadow, Lesser Light, Lesser Dark.
<...
2024-10-25 17:06:17 +0000 UTC
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The thieves’ pamphlet was a quick read.
It contained a rundown of the underworld’s structures, its officers, and the guild’s code of conduct, which unsurprisingly, was not very stringent, and by the end, I could not claim to have learned much of value.
Importantly, though, my perusal triggered a response from the game.
You have completed the task: The Seedy Side of Life!
You have finished your induction into the thieves’ gui...
2024-10-25 16:31:02 +0000 UTC
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“I’ve come to a decision,” I said as I walked back into the cavern.
Safyre and Adriel’s expressions were resigned. They weren’t expecting good news, I realized.
“You two were right,” I stated bluntly. “Rescuing Saya must wait.”
Adriel’s brows rose, Safyre’s mouth dropped open in shock, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw Shael shift uncomfortably. Only Anriq didn’t react. Glancing at the bard, I threw him an apologetic look.
“I won’...
2024-10-19 08:58:47 +0000 UTC
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The task of hauling the scales fell not unexpectedly to Shael, Anriq, and myself. That was not to say, Adriel and Safyre did nothing. Working in tandem, the pair kept a portal open between the cave and the surface, and even Ghost was put to work, hauling a sled.
Working thus, we made steady progress, and by the end of the first hour, nearly all of the scales had been successfully relocated. Just past the two-hour mark, though, something changed.
Pausing in my work stacking one the...
2024-10-18 04:08:23 +0000 UTC
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I took Adriel’s pledge first, but I didn’t just induct her into the faction, I assigned her to office too.
You have accepted Adriel, a non-player, into the Forerunners faction and have furthermore appointed her to the role of custodian. Only a custodian may create items bearing a faction’s name.
Note, the custodian designation is a hidden one that cannot be revealed by any Game abilities.
Custodians could fulfill various roles in...
2024-10-16 07:13:01 +0000 UTC
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Hi all,
This year, I entered the Grand Game in the Self Publishing Fantasy Blog Off competition run by Mark Lawrence. If you're keen, check out the initial review of it here. :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgLyuAmvaFw&t=959s
2024-10-12 11:01:01 +0000 UTC
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The target is a nether portal leading to sector 107 of the Endless Dungeon. Warning: an unidentified stygian infestation has taken root in the ley line connected to this gateway. Infection type: unknown. The portal may still be used, however the consequences of doing so cannot be predicted.
Remaining time until the infestation is purged: 4 hours.
I stared despondently at the Game alert hovering in my mind for a moment before turning my atten...
2024-10-12 05:58:55 +0000 UTC
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A level 236 stygian naga has died.
A level 240 stygian naga has died.
A level 241 stygian naga has died.
You and Ghost have reached level 243!
For achieving rank 24, you have been awarded 1 additional attribute point and 1 Class point.
Your sneaking has reached rank 23 and your two weapon fighting rank 19.
Ghost’s magma maw has reached rank 10, he...
2024-10-10 13:07:54 +0000 UTC
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The naga fell on me like a ton of bricks, its weight crushing.
A level 241 naga has critically injured you!
Your health is now at 42%.
Trapped by the naga above and the solid cushion of air beneath, my bones broke. My body compressed. My eyes popped. The air from my lungs was squeezed out. And the pressure… the pressure ratcheted upward with every passing fraction of a second the naga’s body settled more deeply atop me.
In a ...
2024-10-09 14:32:07 +0000 UTC
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The windslide took us all the way to the edge of Adriel’s black dome which flickered off just as we arrived.
Great timing, I thought, scanning the surroundings. The survivors of the second stygian pack, while still sizable in number, remained scattered. They were of no threat yet. The pursuing serpents and hydras from the first pack, on the other hand, were closing in rapidly.
And the nagas…
I didn’t think I was imagining the hungry gleam in t...
2024-10-04 12:17:35 +0000 UTC
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Before the stygian naga’s attack hit, I managed another buff. And once again, it was not vanish.
You have cast enhanced reflexes, increasing your Dexterity by +16 for 20 minutes.
I wanted the stygians to see me; I wanted them to focus their attacks on me rather than my allies. The battle would be easier that way.
There was no time for further calculation, though. The naga’s attack was almost upon me. ...
2024-10-03 10:18:47 +0000 UTC
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The German edition of The Grand Game, Book 6 has been released and is available on amazon.de
2024-10-02 17:07:23 +0000 UTC
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I tossed Shael a nether protection crystal. “You don’t have to use it but keep it somewhere safe.”
The half-elf stared incredulously at the object in his hand. “You’re taking me into the nether?”
“Not quite,” I replied. “The void is present in the sector we’re going to, but we won’t be staying long.”
“I don’t understand any of this—” Shael shook his head—“but alright.”
Withdrawing a scroll from my backpack, I be...
2024-10-02 16:06:52 +0000 UTC
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You have acquired 6 x greater portal scrolls.
You have lost 3,000 gold coins.
Before leaving the emporium, I restocked my supply of portal scrolls, almost draining my remaining funds to the dregs. Money was tight again, unfortunately, but the added mobility the scrolls gave me made their hefty price tags worth it.
“Bad news?” Shael asked as I rushed out of the compound.
“What?” Looking up, I saw him scrutinizing my face. “Oh....
2024-09-28 03:45:16 +0000 UTC
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You have teleported 97 yards. You are hidden.
I teleported out of the Crooked Man using the furthest mindglow visible in my consciousness. I’d been tempted, for just a moment, to stay within the confines of the tavern and exact revenge on Dinara’s men.
That would’ve been petty though—not to mention dangerous.
But more importantly, it wouldn’t have served my goals.
The den chief wasn’t an enemy, nor were the rest of the thieves. Yes, for the...
2024-09-26 07:08:03 +0000 UTC
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Esteban continued to yap excitedly, but I no longer heeded him. The arcane markings along the tablet’s edge were moving and, here and there, had begun combining to form recognizable letters.
Keeping my gaze fixed on the artifact, I waited to see what it had to say. After what seemed like entirely too long, the text fully resolved itself, and I scanned through it feverishly.
Name: Macerio Deville.
Type: High Gift.
2024-09-23 06:01:01 +0000 UTC
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The den chief’s office was huge but surprisingly lacking in the opulence of the rest of the level. Bookshelves lined the walls, a sturdy leather rug lay underfoot, and magelights floated near the ceiling. It was the large oak desk on the opposite side of the room that dominated the space, though. Sitting behind it and facing the door was a gray-haired man.
Dinara.
The moment my eyes alighted on him, a Game message opened in my mind and screamed for attention.
2024-09-22 07:43:37 +0000 UTC
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Note from Tom: Minor update made to correct issue picked up.
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You have cast mimic, transforming your visage into that of Jasiah, a level 152 human duelist. Duration: 10 hours.
You have cast enhanced reflexes, load controller, and trigger-cast quick mend.
I returned to the alley wearing Jasiah’s face. All my ...
2024-09-20 04:18:36 +0000 UTC
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You have unlocked an unmarked chest with a key card.
The chest didn’t hold one million. Studying the paltry contents, I could immediately tell it was less than that—a lot less.
“Two bags,” I muttered. Why in hells are there only two?
“What’s in the pouches?” Shael asked, peering over my shoulder.
“Stygian powder,” I murmured, staring despondently at the mostly empty chest.
“Nether dust?” Sh...
2024-09-18 06:56:17 +0000 UTC
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“I told you I’m here to help—” Esteban began.
“Forgive me, but that hardly seems likely.” Flexing my hands, I took a menacing step forward.
The count didn’t miss the implicit threat but nor did he back away. “If you kill me, there’ll be no getting out of here for you,” he blurted.
I shrugged and took another step. “At least I’ll get to enjoy the taste of human blood before I die,” I said, not entirely joking.
Esteban’s face flushed. “I can...
2024-09-15 07:00:07 +0000 UTC
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You have successfully dominated Shael, a level 121 half-elf red minstrel. Duration: permanent until death.
Warning: you have cast enslave twice in one day and cannot recast it again today. The blood memory requires a full sleep cycle to recharge.
Releasing my grip on Shael’s shoulders, I staggered back and nearly fell. The dizziness from casting enslave was much worse this time around, and if the Game message was anything to go by, it was the bl...
2024-09-14 05:27:53 +0000 UTC
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You have acquired a cache of 28 miscellaneous items.
You have acquired all 30 farspeaker bracelets that form part of the matching set named: Sintar’s link.
Looting the corpses was as unappealing and tedious as I expected. Some of the equipment the thieves carried was intriguing, but ultimately nothing I looted was superior to my own gear. In fact, the most interesting items I found were the farspeaker bracelets.
My encounter with Sintar’...
2024-09-12 07:42:57 +0000 UTC
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Note from Tom:
Hi all.
This post is something a bit different. Some of you may recognize it—it's the opening scene of a short story I wrote for a LitRPG anthology a while back—now, I'm thinking of reviving it and running with it (developing it into a full novel). The story has potential, I think.
As for why I'm doing this... This is strictly a side project and won't replace the Grand Game in the list of priorities. However, I do feel the ne...
2024-09-10 17:32:17 +0000 UTC
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There was no easy way to deal with Narq and Agtor.
Killing the pair would be simple enough but slaying them before they could cry out in warning—whether verbally or through the farspeaker link—was going to be a little trickier. I would have to rely heavily on both my stealth and speed.
The other two players in the room were not an issue though. Reaching out with my mind, I sent psi delving into their minds.
You have cast slaysight.
2024-09-10 07:34:32 +0000 UTC
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Five minutes later, Hugo and I entered the building where Shael waited.
“Who’s this?” the bard demanded, shooting to his feet.
“My minion,” I replied laconically.
“Your minion—?” Shael’s mouth snapped closed and a moment later, a Game message dropped open in my mind.
Your blood-bound slave has been analyzed.
Now that’s interesting.
While I could perceive no connection between Hugo and myself, the Adjudicat...
2024-09-08 05:06:34 +0000 UTC
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The bard stared at me. “You can’t be serious? You can’t really expect the two of us to take on twenty players by ourselves!”
“I said at least twenty. There may be more,” I murmured. “And it’s better if I did this alone.”
“Saya was right, you are crazy,” Shael muttered under his breath. In a louder voice, he added, “I’m not letting you do this on your own.”
I shook my head. “I’m serious. It’s better if you stick this one out. I’m n...
2024-09-06 06:49:21 +0000 UTC
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I stared at the garment sitting on the table but made no move to take it, admittedly more than a little surprised by how easily Kesh was offering up one of the emporium’s famed red robes.
“That’s it? You’re just giving it to me? With no strings attached?”
“I trust Safyre to use it wisely,” Kesh said simply. “She understands the danger, not just to me, but her fellows in the emporium if she misuses them.” She paused. “Besides, the robes come with their own...
2024-08-31 06:57:09 +0000 UTC
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That's right, the audiobook is done, uploaded to audible, and ready for pre-order. It isn't quite synced with the e-book release, but 11 days apart isn't too bad. :)
Check out the link if you want to pre-order.
2024-08-30 02:24:40 +0000 UTC
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“Tell me,” Kesh said.
Gathering my thoughts, I wondered how to phrase my request, then realized it was best to just come out and say it. “Safyre needs her robes back.”
Kesh’s eyes widened. “She wants to rejoin the emporium?”
I shook my head. “No. She wants to borrow a set.”
The old merchant frowned. “That’s not the way it works.”
“I know and, more importantly, Safyre does too. She doesn’t need the robes permanently. Only long enou...
2024-08-27 07:53:50 +0000 UTC
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Hi everyone,
Ancient Debts, book 7 in the Grand Game series, is out, or rather the hardcover edition is. Michael has finally rejoined the wider Game, resulting in some unexpected twists and turns. For those who prefer physical paper, you can read all about it in the hardcover edition (out now) or wait for the paperback version (releasing 28th August 2024).
Some more good news: t...
2024-08-25 06:39:12 +0000 UTC
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