Dinners and Dragons

“So we’re not killing the dragon?” Mira looks around at the entrance of the dragon’s castle, wondering why Free Stuff went ahead.

Narco scratches his head, trying to sugarcoat his words. “The dragon is a vital part of the plan. You see, we’re at the bottom, and the dragon is on the bridge. There’s an interesting, erm, magic that makes skeletons spawn on the bridge whenever someone walks through the entrance. The dragon likes to kill anything that tries to cross the bridge, so when Free Stuff walks on the bridge, the dragon will let out a breath attack and kill the skeletons. It’s a really long process to do solo, but with team work, one person can repeatedly spawn the skeletons, and the other can repeatedly one shot them with the dragon attack by moving in and out of range.”

She ponders this for a moment, but she doesn’t fully get the concept. “I see.”

The two walk through the entrance, and in the distance the dragon’s roar can be heard. The HUD indicates on his screen that he is awarded a small amount of experience. They proceed to walk in and out, while conversing.

He looks over his shoulder at her. “You know about gravity, right?”

“Yes?”

“Well, just as there are laws of physics, there are other laws too. For example, you know about specific and generic experience. Right now we’re only getting generic experience which will strengthen our base stats, but not any specific skill.” He waits for her to nod along. “With higher base stats, we’ll have an easier time leveling up our specific skills, but we really just want the survivability that comes with them.” She continues to nod, neither truly confirming nor denying if she is following along. The dragon roars again. “You might think the dragon should get the experience for the kills, and while if it were capable of leveling up it would, since it can’t, it doesn’t. Generic experience acquired from defeat is always distributed to everyone in the vicinity that can level up, so since we’re the only ones here that can…” He trails off as he realizes Mira isn’t paying too much attention to his words. He begins to examine her, trying to understand the changes to the game. He mutters to himself. “It used to be that only players and allies could level up, but given how the NPC’s of this world act, it might be safe to say everyone of a certain intelligence can level up.”

She seems disinterested by the monotony of this strategy. She realizes that he has stopped talking, and tries to make conversation. “So how long do we do this?”

“As long as we want. I figure we’ll stop in a few hours so we can make it back in time for the feast.” He seems pretty pleased with himself for this strategy.

She on the other hand is bored. “Is this all there really is? What about GG and Gambit?”

He looks up at the ceiling where Free Stuff should be standing at the higher floors. “GG and Gambit are raising their specific skills while also getting the generic experience. GG is casting spells at a wall, while Gambit is going to the room beneath the dragon to walk in circles while crouching. They’ll be leveling up their magic skills and stealth, respectively.” The dragon roars again.

Mira asks with a coy smirk. “You sure know a lot about training for someone who was level one. Is this one of those things I shouldn’t question?”

He lets out a soft laugh. “Probably. There’s a lot we know, but there’s a lot we don’t know. Have you heard any news of a monster army in the eastern lands?”

“What?” She is surprised by the question. “Why? Is there one?”

He scratches his head. “No. I guess not.”

The dragon roars again.

Hours pass, and the party meets back up at the entrance of the dragon’s castle. The four players are laughing and joking about the experience that they gained. Everyone has gained around 10 levels of experience with Gambit and GG gaining a little bit more, and Mira gaining a little bit less for already being at a slightly higher level.

Mira looks back at the entrance of the dragon’s castle. “So we’re actually not going to kill it?”

“It’s a pretty useful tool. I mean look how many levels we just gained.” Gambit gestures to the entire party. “Sure it’s diminishing returns, but it could still be useful.”

“I feel like we're at a high enough level to fight it now. It’s only a lesser dragon.” Mira says, pointing back at the castle.

“A dragon fight is still a dragon fight. Besides, we have a feast to get to.” Narco waves to urge her to come along.

Beneath the two moons that hung in the sky like watchful eyes, the village which once was a plain town with most people going about their days working at the lumber mills or the stalls, has come to life. The streets were decorated with paper confetti, paper masks were made and hung from posts, and the magic stone lanterns were altered to give off an array of colors throughout the town. Not a single road was abandoned as the townsfolk celebrated with drinks and cheers as if it were their last night, but also their first.

At the tavern, an elf man in dignified clothing with a laid back demeanor stands on the small stage inside. Behind him sits GG, Free Stuff, Mira, and Narco. The elf looks back at them, then back to the crowd in front of the stage. “I know my forefathers and predecessors would probably want me to start this with a ‘And so it has come to pass, heroes of legend…’” The elf pretends to fall asleep in the midst of his own speech. “Boring! We’re here to celebrate these heroes! Let’s cut loose and have a great night in honor of the heroes that saved the town!"

His short and passionate speech is met with a loud hurrah from the crowd. “To Chief Verlyn and the heroes!”

The party kicks off and the tavern becomes filled with hollers and music from the bards. Free Stuff leaves to go find Gambit, and GG follows him to make sure he doesn’t let himself get too distracted. Narco remains sitting at the table and sips his drink.

Mira quietly watches the tavern, the way the patrons cut loose, the way the bards sing to mock the Mad God Jupiter for retreating. She smiles knowing they are full of hope and triumph.

“Not going to join them?” He asks.

She looks at him, and then back out to the crowd. “No. I do enjoy parties, but I was never one to get drunk and dance. The tenets of the Sunshine Church: temperance and moderation. What about you?”

He makes himself comfortable in his wooden chair. “Well I don’t have any religious aspirations if that’s what you’re asking me.” He sips his drink to punctuate his point. “But, no. I’ve never been a fan of crowds.”

“A hero who doesn’t like crowds? That must be a first.”

He laughs at her observation. “You’re right. I never thought of it like that.” He pauses, staring at something beyond the crowded room. “People are who they are though, even if it can sometimes seem contradictory."

There’s a worry in her eye. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to… I mean I was only trying to make small talk.”

Narco snaps back to the present. “No it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have said that. It just reminded me of stuff.”

“Free Stuff?”

He tries to stifle his laughter at her innocent confusion. “No, but I get it.” Narco glances at her, but does a double take when he sees she is looking back at him. Their eyes meet; hers with an innocent sincerity, and his with his usual tired expression. After a moment that feels too long of just looking at each other, he speaks up. “Let’s change the subject.”

Realizing how long they’ve been looking at each other, Mira blushes. “Sure.” She stammers.

Narco clears his throat. “So do you know anything about the nine celestial artifacts?”

“I’ve heard of them, but nothing else.”

“While they’re not…” He realizes he needs to change the way he is about to phrase it. “They’re not related to major historical events. They’re not found anywhere on the beaten path. They are nine of the most powerful artifacts in the world, guarded across the several crypts of heroes, crafted by the grand artificer Dweven during the age of conquest. They are the Boots of Mercury, the Tears of Venus, Terra’s Nursery, the Blood of Mars, Jupiter’s Coils, Saturn’s Rings, the Eye of Uranus, Neptune’s Trident, and Pluto’s Veil.”

“Jupiter?”

“Yes, and he was using Jupiter’s Coils. They are two bracelets that absorb all forms of electricity and convert it into mana. That mana is then stored in the coils and can only be used to activate the abilities of Jupiter. We’ve seen some first hand. Most have a definitive cost, but Jupiter's Cannon has a proportional cost. It’s actually quite similar to the Sunshine Church’s abilities.”

The roar of the party rages as the bards hit the fever pitch of their song. Mira places her hand on Narco’s shoulder. “So what are you saying?”

“Based on Jupiter, besides the Mad Gods high stats, the only thing they have going for them are the legendary artifacts. If we strategize right, we should be able to defeat them.”

There’s a glimmer of hope in Mira’s eyes, as he makes something so fantastical seem so real.

The roar of a dragon can be heard from inside the tavern as both Narco and Mira’s expressions turn to worry.