Personal Spells
Rewards
The trip back to the Stormguard fort was quick with only four mobs getting in the way before being killed quickly. DrFrank smirked to see Alburet running along with them instead of walking. Once they entered the gates of the Stormguard fort though Alburet stopped running, going back to his walking speed.
He got to the rest of the group as they finished turning in their goblin heads to the Sergeant, who was handing out the silver to them in reward. Alburet snapped a salute when the Sergeant looked his way. “Sir, goblins killed sir. I was part of their unit for the most part.” He went into parade rest when the Sergeant returned the salute.
Quest completed: Kill at least twenty goblins
Receive: 2 gold and increased rep with all Stormguard reputations
“Well done,” the Sergeant replied with a smile before handing over the two gold. “Let me know if you kill any more goblins before you leave the area.”
“Will do,” Alburet replied, snapping another salute. He turned to find the others all staring at him, “What?”
“Why the fuck didn't you have to turn in any heads?” DrFrank snapped.
“Because I was polite, and acted like a respectable person by not running up and demanding things. The Sergeant might also have given me a slightly different version as I went back into old habits of addressing a superior officer. I had to kill twenty goblins minimum for the quest I had.”
Marysue shook her head, “So we can get different quests from the same NPC? Just by how we ask? That’s a new take even by Mindblown's normal game standards.”
“They increased the number of AI's used in this game as well as the quality. They’re using their latest iteration of AI's which are supposed to be able to emulate emotion better.” Gerald said with a thoughtful expression. “Anyway, we have another quest to turn in,” he hitched a thumb at the Quartermaster.
The four all ran over to the Quartermaster while Alburet walked over with a smile. He waited for the others to receive their rewards before he saluted the quartermaster. “Sir, here are the supplies you requested.” Alburet dropped the ten supplies he had gotten onto the desk. “Also, here are the armbands I retrieved as requested.”
Quest completed: Capture at least five goblin supply caches
Receive: A Mindstone and a leather jerkin (armor 15)
Quest completed: Goblin armbands
Receive: 5 gold and increased rep with all Stormguard factions
You are now at Liked with all Stormguard factions
“Well done. Here are your rewards. If you come across any more supplies or armbands I will gladly take them from you.” the Quartermaster said before holding up a hand. “Also, I've had reports of some farmers freed from the goblin fort. As such I am authorized to give you all one piece of equipment from my list.”
Quest completed: Save the Slaves
Receive: Any one item from the Quartermasters stores
He turned a book around to the group, “Just touch the item you want and it will be yours.”
DrFrank grabbed the book skimming it quickly before selecting a ring with +2 intelligence. “I'll take this one, thanks,” he said with a chuckle and handing the book to Gerald.
Gerald, then Marysue followed finally by Fluffball all selected their rewards. Gerald took a mail coif, Marysue took a necklace of +2 wisdom, while Fluffball took a two-handed axe. Alburet finally picked up the book and went through the options while the others all used their Mindstones to friend each other.
Everything seemed to be an upgrade to what he had, but the box marked with just question marks caught his eye. “What's in the mystery box?”
The Quartermaster smirked, “If I knew it wouldn't be a mystery now would it? All I know is that when I touched the box it said the contents would be unique to the one who opened it. So I left it alone. Who knows what could be inside?”
Laughing, Alburet touched the box, claiming it, “Let's find out, shall we?” The box appeared on the desk and Alburet touched it, accepting that the contents would unique to him via pop-up. The box vanished and a set of dark red leather gloves appeared before him.
Alburet paused, his lips quirked up as he examined the gloves, “Well, guess they are meant for me after all.”
Demon Lord’s Gloves
Unique Scaling Item, Part of the Demon Lord set
Armor 8 to hands (up to 100 depending on level) stacks with Demon Skin
Strength 8 (up to 100 depending on level)
Intelligence 8 (up to 100 depending on level)
Indestructible
You may use any weapon regardless of Strength required
Becomes Soul Bound when equipped
Other parts of set:
Robe
Crown
Boots-Equipped
Pants
Belt
3 pieces bonus: ???
6 piece bonus: ???
Alburet put the gloves on to the disbelieving stares of the others, “So nice of you to leave me the box, guys.”
“What the fuck, a set item in a mystery box at this level?” DrFrank said in disbelief. “That is so fucking lame.”
“Kind of unique anyway,” Gerald mused, “I mean, who takes that gamble when there are clear upgrades to be had? Anyway, let's touch stones so we can contact each other. I want to head back out and into the dungeon for another round.” He tapped his Mindstone to Alburet's, both of them accepting the request to friend the other.
Marysue smiled as she exchanged names with Alburet, “Take care, and thanks for the interesting day.”
Alburet exchanged friends with DrFrank and Fluffball as well, then found himself without a group as Gerald removed the DPS as he and Mary headed for the exit, followed by DrFrank asking if he could do a full clear with them.
“So, I notice your boots match your gloves.” Fluffball said with a raised eyebrow. “How did you get the boots?”
Shaking his head, Alburet replied, “Long story. Short version of it was I traded an item to an NPC for them. Kind of odd to have two set items in the first few days, though.”
“Yeah, pretty rare I'm going to say. So we going to group up and kill some more goblins? I still have a few hours before I'm going to log off.” Fluffball asked as she sent a group request to him.
Accepting the request, Alburet smiled, “Sounds good to me. Let's hit the merchant outside to sell off junk first though.” Fluffball agreed and walked with him outside and over to the vendor.
“So you roleplay as well?” Fluffball asked as they walked.
“Well, I got time and I think it's fun to really try to immerse oneself into the game,” Alburet replied. “I notice you like to groom your ears.”
“It's an easy quirk to roleplay. Also it feels kind of good. The sensation I get is like the warm feeling you might get if a loved one strokes your hair.” Fluffball replied with a slight blush, “So it works out.”
“Interesting,” Alburet said with pursed lips in thought. “So maybe they’re working out how to adapt the system to reflect how to accept non normal stimuli. If it works maybe they’ll lift the same sex mandate their games have currently.”
“Oh, so you think the Lunari are a test run to allow cross gender characters?”
“Could be, after all it's not like you have those ears or tail in real life. That means that your brain is trying to figure out how to interpret the data the game gives it when they’re touched or groomed. At least that's my theory on it, anyway.”