Before the raid

‘Stand at ease. This isn’t the army, but let’s look proper, alright?’

Nob had everyone arranged in a neat row just outside Rockbase, on a grassy meadow. They first had to find a suitably spacious place that also was away from bystanders and random foot traffic. Once the groundworks around the Town Hall are complete, there would be a suitable square for public gatherings, briefings, and such - but until then, they had to improvise. These were the sixty people who volunteered and demonstrated sufficient combat ability and the right mindset to set aside their ego for the betterment of the group. In total, seventy people of various backgrounds and habits, and of various personalities. Despite their willingness however, doing something as simple as arranging them in a line and making them stand still and listen was a challenge. They were not military, they were not drilled, they were only now learning discipline. Some of them were kids. Nob did not blame them for their lack of perfect composure; he was also just finding himself in a role that felt more like a military commander than just a gamer who founded the Kill Loot Repeat clan as a teenager and led some raids. Poorly, at first. Since then, he led others in raids hundreds of times, but he never stood face to face with them like he was standing now, and the groups were never this large before. Usually, no more than forty souls. And aside from that, there was never a need for logistics.

Getting to see them all posed before him was very helpful in assessing the troops. Helpful to him, to Tycho, and to Koori who was their third raid leader. The three men had the joint command of the raid group, but they each had their unique roles, much like the Administration who made this operation possible, and who was currently observing the muster through the eyes of Seelastraxx and Oneiron.

Nob knew some of the raiders from the days when he would only see this world on a computer screen. He recognized another few from the server he had been playing NAVIS Online on. There was Bittervet, and Sinistic next to him. Over there, Alza, Eiri, KingToad. Aldebaran. Further right, Sunpraiser. And that BFBK guy, one of those people who would not change their online gaming name to something more pronounceable on a daily basis, something more natural.

But many of the rest were completely new to him. Show no preferential treatment to anyone, even if they’re from your Clan or family, he said to the other two leaders, and they concurred.

‘Alright, listen up, ya amazing beacons of skill and courage’ Nob said loudly while pacing back and forth along the row. ‘Raid Leader Tycho has some words for you all, but since my only useful quality is the loudness of my voice, you will hear them from me instead.’ A few snickers answered him, and he was glad to see good morale from the start. ‘To those who don’t know me or can’t see me or both, my name is Nob, I’m a Warrior,’ he pointed to twin axes strapped on his back. ‘You are here because you volunteered and you were selected for the honor of being the first group to brave the challenges harder than your usual dungeon.’

‘Our destination for this trip is the Theater of Pain to the north. We go by foot, and we carry supplies with us. You will notice there are seventy of us, but ten are volunteers for hauling resources only - and carrying the loot, when we get it. Not if. When we get it.’ A few heads nodded.

‘Here to my right is none other than our lovely Seelastraxx herself who came to send us off. You can close your mouths now.’

Clad in her uniquely skin-revealing, white, spotlessly clean Priest regalia, Seelastraxx almost glowed in the afternoon sun. Her gown, long enough to reach her ankle but still permitting a glimpse of thigh through strategic placement of cutouts was adorned with golden thread in arcane patterns. She stepped onto a crate with perfect composure, complete confidence in her femininity and leadership, and with not a hint of embarrassment. Her purple eyes looked at every face looking back at her. She spoke loud and clear for everyone to hear.

‘Before you go, I want you all to know why you’re doing this. You used to be just nerds playing a game. Myself included, believe or not! But look at us now, all devilishly handsome girls and stunningly pretty boys!’ The assembled crowd cheered mildly. ‘This isn’t a game now though. We sat back on our asses long enough. If we are to get back to our lives, we must start doing something. If there is a clue on how the frakk we ended up here, then we must find it! We will look into every troll cave, every harpy nest, and every pair of goblin underwear!’

‘We’ve been working hard these last few weeks. The research into our powers, our bodies, into combat abilities, into what’s edible and what’s not. We sent the Portal Divers into the unknown. We’ve been sending scouting parties all over the region. But there are places they can’t go, and this is where you come in. You face the deadliest creatures, you enter their lairs, and see how that helps us. I’m not going to lie to you - we have no idea if this is worthwhile. There’s a long and boring walk ahead of you. Maybe you will find nothing. Or maybe you will die in a spectacular fashion. But when you’re deep in shit, I want you to grit your teeth and remember why the frakk you’re there! It’s so that we can all go home!’ She proclaimed the last part loudly, and a roar of support answered her. Gauntlets slammed chestplates, boots thumped, fists flew in the air.

And so that I can go back to being useless, she added in her thoughts.

‘Now get out there before I cry!’ she said, giving everyone the best smile she could, and turned to leave. ‘In your hands now, boys,’ she said to the raid leaders as she passed. Oneiron waited a moment longer, enjoying the view of dozens of grizzled veterans who were already hyped for adventure but now had a greater purpose too. Then he also turned and followed Seelastraxx back into Rockbase.

Inside the group, Sinistic whispered to Bittervet.

‘Frakk me, she’s so cool!’

Bittervet was about to say something back, but Nob’s voice boomed once again:

‘Alright you bruuls! First of all: See all those sacks, crates, and two wagons over there? Don’t you forget for a second that dozens of people worked to prepare them for us. They hunted beasts for meat, they harvested fruit, they traded, they cooked and packaged. So don’t waste it! Secondly: I know you have dozens of questions. We will be walking for the next three days, so ask them as we go, not now. Thirdly: say goodbye to whatever beds you have here, it’s sleeping rough from now on! Four…thly?’ He hesitated. ‘We leave in an hour, or when Tycho decides an hour has passed! Raiders! Check your gear, your personal supplies, go get whatever you’re missing. Logistics bros! To me, we will brief you separately now.’