Shardrunes

[Beastborne: Tower of Blight] (Book 6) Chapter 17

A glowing bar at the bottom of Hal’s vision tried to grab his attention. Hal grinned, realizing something that they had likely all been too tired or wounded to notice before.

Their Ultimates were ready. Hal called it out, pulling every person in the alliance back into a loose defensive ring. The Tower had just played into their hands without even realizing it.

They were clustered together with monsters surrounding them, but that just meant any Ultimate had to...

[Shrubley, the Monster Adventurer] Chapter 104 – Dungeonley, the Dungeon

A pair of Iron Ranked adventurers escorted Shrubley and his party to the edge of the miasma. They would go no further.

“I’ve already been in there three times,” Remus said. “It’s not worth it to go further. Does something terrible to your head. Hope you lot have a better time than we did.”

“Thank you, Remus,” Shrubley said kindly. “Your help has been most appreciated.”

Remus and Qela both looked at each other in surprise and then gave a frien...

[Beastborne: Tower of Blight] (Book 6) Chapter 16

“New plan,” Hal said, rising to his feet and giving a wink to Kow. “Whether the Tower is aware of our numbers and is actively trying to throw everything it has at us or not, the current strategy of rolling in and fighting everything isn’t working.”

There was some grumbling by the dwarves at that.

Nobody had died, and any severe injury was wiped out with a timely use of a potion. However, they had limited supplies of potions and the mounting stacks of ...

[Shrubley, the Monster Adventurer] Chapter 103 – Enchantree

Shrubley spent hours reading his [Enchanting Manual]. There had been so many types of crafting to pick from. Surprisingly, enchanting had felt right as soon as he came across it.

It agreed with his ethos about the world. That all who live in it should strive to leave it better than they found it. What better profession could embody that than an Enchanter?

They didn’t take and transform materials from the world. They took mundane objects and uplifted them. They empow...

[Beastborne: Tower of Blight] (Book 6) Chapter 15

“How didn’t I see them?” Hal wondered aloud.

“Komachi used Treasure Sniff!” the pobul explained. “Shoulda waited for ‘Machi.”

Hal grumbled, but otherwise didn’t argue.

She was right. He had totally forgotten that she was a support type familiar. Her goal was to buff and enhance others, including finding valuable loot.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Hal told her.

“Maybe you want this, though?” Komachi asked, hold...

[Shrubley, the Monster Adventurer] Chapter 102 – Herb Your Enthusiasm IV

All eyes turned to Shrubley as he screamed. Once Miranda was able to tell it had nothing to do with her, she turned back to the shopkeeper, Hershil’s, inventory. “You have a lot of manuals here.”

“Lord Hammar is good to the town, my Lady,” Hershil said smoothly. “Many adventurers find things that they can neither identify nor unlock. You know how it is with cursed tomes, they require a great deal of effort to decontaminate. Time that most adventurers don’t hav...

[Beastborne: Tower of Blight] (Book 6) Chapter 14

“That was fun, ma’am!” Kow cried. His bushy, fluffed up tail wagged rapidly back and forth with excitement. “I even learned a new magic spell.”

Ashera brightened at that and talked with Kow quietly.

A quick triage was set up among the Rangers, who had some small skill with minor wound dressing. People were seen based on the severity of their injuries, the worst of which were treated by Komachi’s brews first.

“Drink your [Komachi’s Rejuvena...

[Shrubley, the Monster Adventurer] Chapter 101 – Herb Your Enthusiasm III

The very next morning brought a number of surprises to the group. Not only the Countess’ explanation that a new member would be joining them on their travels, but that it was somebody Shrubley already knew.

Konko was ushered into the private dining room, much to the surprise of Shrubley, Cal, and Smudge. Each of which had previous run-ins with her. None of them good.

“She tried to kill us!” Cal said, standing up and spilling his bowl of custard. “Aww, now look...

[Beastborne: Tower of Blight] (Book 6) Chapter 13

Area Discovered: First Floor (Tower of Blight).

You gain 2,000 Experience Points.

Your Exploration Skill has risen to Level 27.

+10% Faster drawing speed.

+3% Discoverable range.

+0.5% Hidden location discovery.

Hal grinned to himself. He didn’t even fight anything yet, and already gained a chunk of experience.

From deep within the folds of Asher...

[Shrubley, the Monster Adventurer] Chapter 100 - Herb Your Enthusiasm II

Miranda made sure to check in on Shrubley frequently. Cal, Smudge, and Slyrox demanded it, even if they knew they couldn’t do anything to help him.

When the little shrub was tucked into bed, Miranda took him to the rooms she had set up for the group. Several people were unhappy about the move, but nobody dared to say anything to the Countess.

“Sometimes having a reputation is helpful,” she said after placing Shrubley into a much more comfortable and, above all, ...

[Beastborne: Tower of Blight] (Book 6) Chapter 12

Dwarves, elves, karaks and everyone else talked amongst themselves, trying to sort into their respective parties until the leaders got things under control.

Hal was in charge of his own party, and then it was Mira heading the second group, and finally Durvin in charge of the third. Each adventurer was accustomed to leadership in some capacity or another, so it made sense to appoint them as leaders of their respective party.

It was integral that each party had a...

[Shrubley, the Monster Adventurer] Chapter 99 – Herb Your Enthusiasm

“I do not know what you think you can do,” Retima told him as she showed him the patients, “but Lord Hammar wishes you to accompany me, and I will do as my lord asks.”

“Thank you, Miss Retima,” Shrubley said politely. “I am concerned that so many in your fair town have fallen ill. It must be difficult.”

Retima eyed the little monster, unsure if he was making fun of her or calling her out for her lack of skills. The little beast had to know she d...

[Beastborne: Tower of Blight] (Book 6) Chapter 11

More people than a single party could hold wanted to go, and Hal was the one who had to make the final decision. Obviously Noth was his first choice. Not only because she was exceptionally skilled, but because she would probably kill him if he passed her over again for something like this.

There was no excuse Hal could think of to keep her out of harm’s way, and he realized with a start that he shouldn’t want to. She was supposed to be his Queen, going into Dunge...

[Shrubley, the Monster Adventurer] Chapter 98 – A Chilly Reception

Sitting beside the hospital bed, the Guild Leader, Hammar, listened to Shrubley’s story. Beside them, an older woman was checking the Captain’s vitals. It struck Shrubley was odd that she wasn’t using magic of any kind that he could tell.

Finally, the woman straightened up and made a note on her clipboard. “The green one is right, Hammar. The Captain was having what should have been a fatal stroke. His timely intervention was all that saved him, and even then...

[Beastborne: Tower of Blight] (Book 6) Chapter 10

“I was content to leave you alone!” Hal growled, balling his fists. “All you had to do was stay away from my home.”

He had only known such anger once. When Val’s Khaeros had nearly killed Besal. Now he felt that old hatred well up in his chest like molten bile.

I’m going to finish this once and for all.

Noth put her arms around him. “No, Hal. Don’t.”

He took one more step, dragging Noth with him before he realized what he ...

[Voidknight Ascension] Chapter 180 – Hope of Haman

Komachi collapsed and curled up, breathing labored.

Confused, Chompers opened his lid to howl and began to attack the cart’s side.

Boxes rained down around the mimic.

“Ran. Out. Of. Inventory… Couldn’t stop!” Komachi wheezed.

Chaos reigned until Kai and Sam were able to simultaneously calm the mimic, pick Komachi up, and haul what remained of her cart away to the workshop where they had two locations for storage.

The mimic still tried to ta...

[Shrubley, the Monster Adventurer] Chapter 97 – Existential Dread

Count Haalften stared out into the bleak night. Rain lashed the windowpanes as he put a hand gently onto the glass, splaying his fingertips. He looked forlornly for his love.

Thunder rumbled, then crackled in the distance.

“My precious wife,” he whispered miserably. “That monster hero has stolen you away from me. But I will get you back.”

The rain began to slacken, the somber mood spoiled as the rain gave way to a beautifully clear night sky.

[Beastborne: Tower of Blight] (Book 6) Chapter 9

Noth, it seemed, was well aware of Hal’s arrival.

She met him halfway to the town hall where she was usually found poring over one document or another. Her cute monster slimes bounced along after her, forming long tracks in the snow.

One of them looked a little odd. Hal took a more thorough look and realized it wasn’t a slime at all, but Vorax mimicking a slime.

“Shashshasha!” Vorax laughed, reverting to his normal form. All around, the slimes let...

[Shrubley, the Monster Adventurer] Chapter 96 – Deciduously Devious

By the time they reached the gates of Talvar, the bandit seeking freedom was getting increasingly nervous. “Hey, what’s this then? You said you would let me go!”

“I am,” Shrubley said. “Once you are properly in the custody of the law, you will be let go.”

He said it so simply that even Miranda had to do a double take.

She ran the previous conversations through her mind. Had Shrubley lied? No. He had manipulated the trut...

[Voidknight Ascension] Chapter 179 – The Bronze Grind

Sam put chunks of Copper and Tin ore into the Artisan Orb, beginning the crafting process of yet another [Bronze Ingot].

He was determined to push this ingot to at least a +1 quality. He wanted that extra Blacksmithing Experience.

The heat of the [Mobile Forge] was intense within the ramshackle workshop. It didn’t bother him much, though. Apparently high Vigor, a decent enough Fire Affinity, and his connection to the [Archflame] counted for a lot.

It sure both...

[Beastborne: Tower of Blight] (Book 6) Chapter 8

Pouring on the speed, Hal burst through the Gloamgate of Brightsong.

Mira and Komachi were in a newly constructed gatehouse. Hal didn’t remember seeing any plans for that anywhere.

“How long has it been?” Hal asked, barging into the gatehouse and letting in frigid drifts of snow.

“Shut the door!” Mira yelled at him.

Komachi, though never considered the sharpest tool in the drawer, caught on to Hal’s discomfort. Perhaps it was a soul aede...

[Shrubley, the Monster Adventurer] Chapter 95 – Beeting a Dead Horse

“You can just let us go,” one of the bandits tried for the tenth time that night. “We’ve learned our ways, honest!”

Shrubley shook his bushy head and continued to haul his cargo. After another careful search for hidden weapons and the like, they struck out again through the Ranmount Pass.

It wasn’t an easy journey by any stretch, and the bandits tried everything they could to get the little shrub to let them go. Nobody else would speak to them, and ...

[Voidknight Ascension] Chapter 178 - Matthew’s Mystic Medicines II

“I’m never going to get that smell out of my nose,” Matt said to the darkness. A few candles burned fitfully near his rough-hewn desk, but he didn’t really need them. They helped, but necrams had natural Dark Vision.

“Okay,” he muttered to himself. “Every fourth turn needs to go in the opposite direction.”

While hardly ideal, it was progress of a sort. And the best part? Alchemy still provided Experience even for failures. Some failur...

[Beastborne: Tower of Blight] (Book 6) Chapter 7

While Hal slept with a level of peace that only one marked by the Kindred of Dreams could ever achieve, a dark and foul miasma seeped up through the ruined stones of the cavern, seeking any sign of life.

Bereft of the few monsters that once inhabited the cave, the fumes were drawn to the beacon of magical potential sitting in their midst.

The Shadesblight had not held much sway in these stones for an age. With the disappearance of the dreaded Abyss, a force so ...

[Voidknight Ascension] Chapter 177 - Matthew’s Mystic Medicines

Matt was busy grinding away his Alchemy levels when the kingdom quest came through. His eyes brightened at the thought of helping not only Sil’mara, but himself.

Those hellhound molars were proving to be useful in developing alchemical poisons. It was too bad he hadn’t been able to snatch up those hellhound fangs, too. Lenal likely already [Analyzed] them into oblivion, or whatever nerdy ability she did.

He couldn’t help but be excited to further explore the syn...

[Shrubley, the Monster Adventurer] Chapter 94 – Sup Succa?

As soon as the black bolt whizzed through the air, Shrubley went into a flurry of motion. He whipped out his shield and sword, swiping through the air at the missile, but the Countess was much faster.

She stepped forward, her long legs propelling her out of Shrubley’s reach. With casual disregard, she snatched the bolt out of the air, snapped it in two, and pointed. “Case in point, my dears,” she said with a feral grin.

Shrubley didn’t need to be told w...