Climbing out of the dungeon, the air seemed lighter somehow. The heat wasn’t as oppressive, the wind a gentle caress. I took a deep breath of the clean air.

“Much better, isn’t it?” Instinctively I leapt away, going into a defensive crouch while half pulling my weapon.

“Sorry Zephire, you startled me.” I apologized to the fairy, squinting to try and see his wings. “What brings you up here and away from your tree?”

“This.” He said, handing me the magical tablet we had reforged together. “You will need it to truly finish off the curse.”

“Thanks.” I said with a chuckle. “That would have been embarrassing.” I placed the tablet into my inventory, and asked, “So. Where are your people going to live now?”

“Here. When the curse is finally broken, the oasis will regrow and our mana reserves will multiply. With this, we can conceal the entrance to our home as we have done for centuries.”

“I see. Well, good luck with that. If you’re ever near our city, feel free to drop by.”

“I will.” He said with a smile. Waving, I turned and headed towards the city. In addition to the atmosphere changing, I noticed that the monsters were less prevalent as well. All of them kept avoiding me, which was fine. I wasn’t going to gain any experience from them anyhow. Once back in the city, I headed straight to where Salmahim and his friends were usually found. To my surprise, they weren’t smoking the hookah.

“Everything all right gentlemen?” I asked, concerned. “You seem to be missing your hookah today.”

“Angus!” Salmahim froze when he saw my armor. “Wha. Wha?”

“Let’s go inside, shall we? Some things are best kept private.” I received a chorus of head nods, and noticed the breeze switch directions for a second. Confused, I activated [Mystic vision] and looked around, spotting a near invisible coil of wind. “You coming in too Endrian?” I asked.

“Yesssssss.”

“Who? What?”

“Relax Salmahim. He’s a recently freed friend.” Shrugging, Salmahim lead us all downstairs. As the light dimmed, Endrian became more visible. I noticed one of the men walking down with us kept giving him strange glances, but as he made no other moves it was fine. At the bottom, we all headed to a nearby table and sat down.

“So, what news of the lich?” Salmahim asked, hands shaking.

“Dead.” I said with a smile. “Permanently dead, and I am personally delivering his soul to Thanatos.” Cheering greeted my proclamation, the relief on their faces evident. “There’s more.” I interrupted their celebration. Reaching into my bag, I pulled out the restored stone. “I may have managed to come across this while down in the tombs. Figured you guys would enjoy having it back.”

“It. It’s whole!” Salmahim managed to stutter while everyone else was staring. Tentatively reaching out, as if it were some wild animal ready to flee at a moment’s notice, he slowly ran his fingers over the writing. “May I?”

“Of course. It rightfully belongs to you, the descendents of the kingdoms, right?” Smiling at me, he pulled it closer.

Congratulations!

Your group’s actions have altered the path of a region! Before the world announcement goes out, please enter the name of your group:

The Fuckest Uppest

Error!

The name you have chosen will not pass the language filters. Please enter the name of your group:

Notice me Senpai!

Attention Players!

Congratulations to the group “Notice me Senpai!”! Against all odds, they entered the true tomb of Zandkazaar the lich and broke his curse upon the desert! A call now goes out to all willing and able: Will you join the three fallen kingdoms and aid their recovery? Will you help them regain their prosperity?

“Thank you Angus. With this we can.” He was interrupted with a rumbling sound from above ground. We all rushed upstairs, to see something incredible. A storm had blown in, and it was raining!

“HA! HAHAHAHAHA! THE LAND BEGINS TO RECOVER!” Joyous shouts arose from all the populace, as everyone basked in the cooling rain. “Angus, thank you. For all that you have done for us. We shall never forget your deeds, and name the drakelings our allies. Should you ever be in need, you have but to ask.”

Deliverance of the Three Kings Complete!

You have freed the former kings and broken the curse upon the land. In addition, you slew the major threats from Zandkazaar. As a reward, the desert peoples shall forever consider the drakeling race as friends and allies. All desert people now hold you in Revered status.

“You’re welcome Salmahim. Thank you for helping me along the way, as I wouldn’t have even known how to break the curse without all of your help.”

“A reward, from the elementalssssss.” Hissed Endrian.

Additional Reward Acquired!

Endrian and the elementals wish to thank you for freeing the land. As they spread word of you, you will have +50% interactions with elementals.

“Thank you as well, Endrian. Now, if you guys don’t mind, I have to head back to my home city to finish some things there. Farewell.” Waving, I left them to enjoy their celebration. Despite the rain, the streets were crowded with people celebrating. Food vendors were giving away their wares for free, adding to the atmosphere. Down the main thoroughfare, people had cleared the road and turned it into a gigantic mudslide. There was even a friendly competition for who could slide the furthest.

I swung by the inn, turning in my key as quickly as I could. The cooks took pity on poor Inkler, who was absolutely miserable in the rain. While I finalized everything with the innkeeper, he was getting pampered with spicy sausages and toweled dry. I ended up relaxing with the innkeeper a bit, just so Inkler could enjoy a bit of pampering. Lord knows he deserved it.

As we finished things up, I had to practically drag Inkler out of the inn, much to the delight of everyone. Let me tell you, trying to drag a nightliger who can lick you in the face while on all fours is a losing proposition. When I threatened to leave him here in the desert with all the sand, he finally decided to follow. The normal three-minute trip to Mardigan’s shop took fifteen as we had to snake our way through the crowds.

“Avoiding the festivities?” Mardigan yelled at me as I got closer.

“Yeah. I have some time sensitive things that need taking care of.” I answered.

“Too bad. Anything I can do before you head out?”

“Actually. I was hoping to empty your stock of inferno potions. I was forced to use all of mine up.”

“That, and nothing in the desert will attack you anymore, right?”

“There’s that too.” I said with a laugh. We went through his shop, and I remembered to replace my major mending potion as well. Once that was finished, Inkler and I headed through the teleportation array to the alchemists guild, and then again to find ourselves back home.

“Who are you and why shouldn’t I kill you?” Djarleen demanded as soon as we appeared in her shop.

“Djarleen? Don’t you recog. Oh. Sorry, it’s the disguise. One moment.” I said, removing my disguise cloak. “Recognize me now?”

“ANGUS! Welcome back! How was the desert and what have you done to poor Inkler?”

“Desert was fun, a bit sandy though. As to Inkler, he can now reflect magic beams.”

“Oh, you went with a combat variant. Of course you did.”

“What other variants are there?” I asked with a laugh. “Besides, I find myself in combat daily. Of course I’m going to do whatever I can to help him out. So how are things here?”

“Fairly bland to start. Khaliss exiled most of the adventurers, especially those from the light races. Then someone decided to send an obnoxious elf our way. Khaliss was so very happy to drop her in my shop to wait for you, and she was infatuated. With. Everything. Inkler.”

“Oh god, I’m so sorry!” I said, mortified. “She was only here for a day though, right?”

“One day was more than enough! Then you have the drow ‘perusing’ my poison section. I don’t mind a good poison, but discussing the best way to get your target to imbibe them was a little much. Though their discussion about how to hide the taste while not lowering the efficicacy of the poison was a bit enlightening.”

“Ok, I get it. I get it. I have a lot of stuff to take care of and to keep people out of your hair. Don’t worry, I’m on it.” Heading out, I immediately heard something I knew I was going to dread.

“Kitttyyyyyyyyyy!”

“Inkler. I’m probably going to be going through a bunch of boring meetings. Would you care to stay with me, or spend the afternoon playing with Miss Elf here?” I looked, and he already had an elf necklace draped around his neck, and he was loving the attention. “Ok, you have all afternoon to do whatever you want with him miss elf. After that, you’ll have to leave the city. Is that?” I never got to finish. She was so excited that she had already activated her snipe shot skill and was leading Inkler away. Inkler was having a blast trying to catch the red dot that kept evading him. The only thing he took care to do was avoid the children wandering around, most adults either got out of his way or got bumped out of it. Sighing, I headed over to the barracks. Khaliss needed to know a few things.

To say the barracks were in a state of disarray, would be an understatement. Khaliss was talking to a giant, who would wave a hand and change the ground everyone was practicing on. “Hey Khaliss, Rock’em.” I said as I walked up.

“Welcome back Angus. Anything I need to know?”

“Who? How do I know you?”

“Yeah, about my trip. I kinda sorta made us some allies by breaking a curse.”

“I saw the notification.” Khaliss chuckled. “You really don’t know how to keep a low profile, do you?”

“Not really. So how long has this big lug been here?”

“Wait, Angus. Angus. Marty?” Derrick asked, bewilderment on his face.

“Took ya long enough.” I laughed. “What are you going by here?”

“Rocky. The rest is too long.”

“So, how long ya been in the city? And where are the other two?”

“Been here a day or two. Khaliss here offered to help me practice my field magic spells.” He said, nodding to the training yard. “Maintaining multiple fields at the same time is a pain in the but, though the gains are immense.”

“So that’s why a third of the field is icy, and somehow holding its own right next to near volcanic conditions. What all fields do you have?”

“Niflheim, Muspelheim, Vanaheim, and Svartalfheim. Before you ask, the first one summons the icy field, the second is the fire field. Vanaheim boosts all magic effects, and Svaralfheim boosts earth and dark magics. I’m missing Alfheim to boost light effects, Jotunheim to summon a massive forest, and Helheim to create a sense of impending doom.”

“Wait a second, that’s only seven worlds. I thought the mythology those came from had nine?”

“Yeah. It would be pointless to summon Midgard, as we are technically in Midgard. I can’t get to Asgard, as they managed to prevent unauthorized planes walkers from getting there. So unless I’m invited, it’ll be off limits to me.”

“That sucks. Any idea what it boosts?”

“Divine skills.”

“Bah. Worthless then, unless you are going for an achievement.” I waved off the last two worlds. “Hey, do you ever get a headache from channeling a spell for so long?”

“Yeah. You start to learn signs after a bit. Nothing you can really do about it but avoid magic for a bit.”

“Damn. Was hoping you had a cure all for it or something.”

“Nope. Some things you just have to deal with. Oh, and just so you know. If you do start feeling it, try and wait at least four hours before using a lot more magic. If you don’t, it’ll just come back quicker.”

“Good to know.” I said. “Hey, got a quick question for ya.” I said, snapping my fingers. “Can you use ice manipulation?”

“Yeah.” He said, dragging out the word.

“Perfect. I think I have a way to use you in the assault coming up, and hopefully all my plans will work out.”

“Speaking of plans.” Khaliss interrupted. “The drow have been asking about you for days. When do we start the assault?”

“Damn.” I muttered with a sigh. “I need to drop by the church of Thanatos first. Can we meet them in ten minutes or so?”

“Fine with me.” Khaliss answered. “Meet at the inn.”

“Sorry Rocky. I gotta go.”

“No worries. Life happens, just try and see if we can get in on the party aspect of it. I’m fifteen levels from max right now, and this sounds like a great way to boost me up so we can all evolve at once.”

“Wow, so close already? What have you been doing, hunting legendary creatures?”

“Yep. They don’t drop gear in my size, but between this sword and my mana, I hold my own.”

“Wait, seriously? You can go toe to toe with legendary creatures? Without any special gear?”

“Well, I’m saving up for a special set commissioned from the fire giants. I’ll tell you about it when you get back at the café.”

“Alright. Take it easy then.”

“Later.”

Heading off, I went straight to the church. Walking in, it was as deserted as always.

“Greetings brother Angus.” The Cardinal walked up to me, freezing with his eyes wide. “Oh my, you’ve been very busy in your absence, haven’t you?”

“I have. Shall we rank up in the church first?”

“By all means.” He said. Once again I headed and placed both hands on the altar, and felt the icy touch of the green flames as they flared through my body.

Congratulations!

You have advanced to the rank of Cardinal. When you wish, you may exude an aura of death palpable to even those with no spiritual talent whatsoever. You have also gained one more skill towards your repertoire, use it well. With increased rank comes increased responsibilities.

Weekly kills: 0/50

Church favor: 409/25,000

Elites killed: 0/25 or Heroics killed: 0/10

New Skill Acquired!

Soul Strike

Death’s Raiments (1 of 4)

Death strikes effect not only the body, but the soul. This skill gives you the same ability, and when properly wielded can even cleave a soul free from it’s body. This blow is also automatically considered a supercritical strike.

Supercritical strike: Critical strikes can do from 2x to 10x damage. Supercritical strikes can do from 5x to 25x damage.

1% chance to cleave soul from body, resulting in instant death

Cooldown: 4 hours

Death’s Raiments (4 of 4) Acquired!

You have learned all four skills that set Death apart. Upon activating all four of them upon the same target, you become Death Incarnate. A spectral reaper will strike at the same point you do, massively increasing your damage.

Effects:

Target is paralyzed for 5 seconds, or until blow is struck

Soul well is highlighted. The soul well is where the soul and body merge. Striking this will result in limit break damage.

A properly aligned strike at the precise location of the soul well will kill any target, regardless of health pool.

Warning: This attack will not work on creatures that have no souls, such as constructs, golems, and certain undead.

If Death Incarnate is used, skills from the church of Thanatos will be sealed for 24 hours.

“Wow.” I said as I read over the notifications. “Death Incarnate sounds amazingly powerful.”

“It is. But know, that delivering a proper blow is incredibly difficult.” The Cardinal spoke, startling me. “It isn’t just the location. You need the precise angle of attack and power as well. Be careful how you use it.”

“I will, don’t worry.” I said. Curious, I looked at the tattoo upon my chest. It was a fully realized Reaper, robes billowing in an unseen wind. “Just out of curiosity, what else is there to this tattoo? There’s what, two more levels to attain?”

“Yes. When you reach Bishop rank, the left hand and eyes will be lit with green flame. And should you attain Pontiff, then a crown of blue spiritual flames will ring the head.”

I nodded, thinking how awesome that tattoo would be if I could reach the Pontiff rank. Of course, it would probably take something crazy like 100,000 favor just to reach it. “Thanatos, I also have to turn in the quest for the lich. Zandkazaar’s soul is now trapped within the dagger.” I said, placing the dagger upon the altar.

Divine quest completed!

You have slain the lich Zandkazaar. As you are already at maximum level, Thanatos asks that you return after your evolution so that your rewards are not wasted.

“Whew.” I said, thankful for the reprieve. I had debated for a long while about whether to turn this in or not, and decided that I had to. The rewards were usually fantastic, and could give me a huge edge when dealing with the next bit of unpleasantness. “Brother, a question if I may?”

“Of course.”

“Was Thanatos upset when I sacrificed those three adventurers to Lolth? I ask, because I did come across a previous general of hers in the desert, and was torn. Do I sacrifice him to Lolth, as she would want that soul?”

“You are not the first to have this issue. Thanatos forgave you for the first one, as you didn’t know. He also knows of the soul of which you speak, and already passed that soul into her care. Going forward, his rules are simple. The majority of souls go to him. If there is a reason to sacrifice to another god, it must be substantial. The general would have easily qualified as a special case. We are also aware of your impending plans. Thanatos has instructed me to tell you this: Anyone of higher rank than High Priest may be sacrificed to Lolth by you for no penalty. Her and Pelor are at war with each other, as the gods of the light and dark pantheons often are.”

“Thanks for the clarification.”

“You are welcome. Now go, as the drow are getting anxious for your return.” He said, giving me a shooing motion. Laughing, I left and headed toward’s Alnoss’, no. Khaliss’ inn.