The flickering lights sent dancing shadows upon the cracked, stained windows of the old church, while Drake and the others waited within the weed-infested courtyard. Next to him, their blonde healer paced back and forth frantically, her usual cheer nowhere to be found. Suddenly she stopped, whipping her head in his direction as another pained wail pierced the capital’s chilly evening.

“And they’re absolutely sure about it?” Mia asked, her brow furrowed into a deep frown.

Drake nodded, pulling up his quest log to check the Guild’s report again. “As far as the Artificers could tell, that tablet has a spell circuit carved into it, capable of applying a delay-activated curse. And anyone unlucky enough to drink from the first batch of water conjured by those tainted Waterstones get afflicted by something called a 'Curse of Withering.”

“I just don’t get it,” said the healer. “Why would anyone ever do such a thing? What could they possibly gain from inflicting pain and misery onto people who are already struggling just to make ends meet?”

“Unfortunately,” said Lilly, “tactics like this aren’t exactly anything new under the sun.”

“What do you mean?” asked Bane.

“Well, think about it,” she explained. “Corporations using some employees as scapegoats. Government majorities willing to sacrifice the wellbeing of some of their constituents in order to remain in power. Hell, almost any political party you can name usually resorts to treating part of the population as the enemy. The others.”

Vala scoffed. “Honestly, crap like that always gets under my skin. Stuff like ‘the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.’ To me, that always sounded like a cheap excuse they used to hide their own ineptitude. Sure, maybe in some cases the end does justify the means, but this certainly isn’t one of them.”

“Okay, you’ve lost me,” said Bane, scratching his head.

A bemused sigh left Drake as he turned to look at the lycan. “You never really liked politics,” he smiled, prompting an immediate ‘duh’ from his friend. “Basically, the Conclave’s probably doing this to gain political clout by seeding unrest.”

“Monsters…” Mia muttered as she resumed her manic pacing. “That’s why they were buying up all the health potions back when we first logged in!”

“Could be,” said Lilly. “Using the Stranger’s Arrival as a pretext to buy up potions as ‘supplies’ for them, but then also using them to solve a problem that they helped create. It’s not that much of a stretch.”

“Yeah,” said Vala, turning around to look at the battered stone church. “And they’re just the ones that managed to slip through the cracks of this deplorable scheme.”

A low creak echoed from the door behind them, drawing their gazes to the silver-haired mage that had exited the church.

She nodded towards Lilly before shifting her mahogany eyes towards Drake. “Your friend was right,” she said as she pulled out a small notepad from one of her blue robe’s pockets, the golden accents around her sleeves swaying in the evening wind. “I’ve already notified the Guild.”

“How long before you think they’ll have someone here?” asked Drake.

Grace’s expression turned sullen as she heard his question. “We don’t know the full extent of the situation. There might be dozens of cases like this throughout Xeladia. We’ve already sent a High Mage to retrieve the shipping logs from Harkon, but until we know for sure, it’s hard to say. They’ve already sent word to find a light mage capable of lifting curses, but it might still take a few days…”

The moment she heard the mage’s words, Mia dropped to her knees, grabbing her tome and snapping it open. Her fingers raced through it, flipping dozens of yellowed pages before coming to rest on one of the entries within.

Drake noticed Grace’s eyes widen upon seeing their healer’s Tome of Light.

“This is it,” Mia muttered, tracing along the impossibly well-ordered script. “Sanctifying Radiance… In her grace, the Lady of Light does not turn anyone away, bathing all the souls who come before her in the radiance of her kindness. Cursed and afflicted, or shattered and forsaken, all of them shall find comfort in the Lady’s light.” She sighed, closing the book before hoisting herself up. “I can do it,” she said, her blue eyes filled with fire. “I can do it! If I can just get a bit stronger, I can lift the curse myself!”

“That’s quite the Tome you have there,” said Grace, her eyes still fixed on the black-bound book around Mia’s waist. “But I’m getting off track… Drake, come find me at the Guild before you decide to do anything.” A mischievous grin spread across the mage’s scarred lips, sending a glacial shiver down Drake’s spine. “I might know something to help your two friends.”

With that, the lighting-shaped runes carved into Grace’s boots flared up. Crackling, red energy surged within them as the mage shot towards the Guild, vanishing within moments.

“Boss, that lady scares me a bit…”

“Me too, Zeph,” said Drake as an image of Roy popped into his head. “Me too…”

Though, as intimidating as his master was, he couldn’t help but be excited by the prospect of being even a fraction as strong as Roy.

“So,” the lycan said, drawing Drake’s attention back to the others. “What were you saying before? About getting stronger.”

Mia smiled. “Let me show you,” she said, opening her tome again as her eyes fiddled around with what had to be the game’s menu.

Sanctifying Radiance (Spell)

Magic School:Light

A light-based purification spell capable of damaging undead and lifting curses.

Level Requirement:12

“I see,” nodded Bane. “That’s just another four levels.” The lycan flashed them a boyish grin as his ears perked up. “If you ask me, I think this calls for some good, old-fashioned grinding!”

“Grinding?” Mia asked, tilting her head.

“The most noble of all game-related activities,” Bane said, straightening his back as he gazed solemnly in the distance. “The very fire that can temper our tumultuous soul, and bring it peace and clarity through the whole-hearted application of our fundamental craft!”

A well-practiced sigh escaped Drake as he flicked his friend over the head. “That’s killing shit and leveling up, for those of you that don’t speak moronese,” he said, unable to completely stop himself from smiling.

“If that’s settled, then let’s go!” said Mia as a system notification rang out, her smile partially restored.

Restoring the Light

The situation is dire. With the Conclave willing to sacrifice the lives of those caught up in its scheme, it is up to you to try and save as many as you can.

Assist the Church of Shattered Light by helping Mia, and rid the Curse of Withering from those in need.

Quest Difficulty: C

Do you accept this quest?

YESNO

****

“Thanks for waiting,” said Grace, the door leading down into the Guild’s Hall of Lecture closing behind her. She scanned the courtyard and, after making sure that no one could see them, she handed Drake a book. “As promised. I think this should prove useful to your lycan friend over there.”

He checked the thin tome, turning it around on all sides. Bound in pristine, white leather, with a feathered crest emblazoned on the front.

“I know it doesn’t look like it,” she smiled, lowering her voice, “but just have him read through it. I got it out of the Supervised Section in the back, so just keep this between us, alright?”

“Will do,” he replied, storing the book within his inventory

“And about your little light mage’s request,” she continued, “you might want to head west near the Trorian border. There’s no official bounty that I know of right now, but we’ve received reports of increased monster activity in the area.”

Hearing Grace’s suggestion, Drake shot her a knowing grin. “Let me see if I understood this correctly. We go there and mop up a potential problem for you, for free, while you just reap the benefits of not having to actually put out an official mission?”

“Precisely,” she smiled. “One less problem for us, and less competition for you to disturb you while you do your thing.”

“Fair enough,” Drake chuckled, clasping his hands in front of his chest and bowing slightly, half in jest and half in respect, as he had seen Grace do in front of Roy.

Smiling approvingly, she pulled out a cloth pouch, placing it in Drake’s palm with a small click. “And that’s your pay for Harkon,” she clarified as she turned around and waved goodbye. “And once you’re done with that book, be sure to bring it back to me and not anyone else!”

“Got it. And thanks!” he waved back before returning to the others who were waiting just a bit further away next to the Guild’s Teleportation Beacon.

Lilly’s attention immediately switched to the small pouch. “What do you have there?”

“Apparently this is our reward for the quest,” he answered as he untied the lithe string, revealing a bunch of gold coins. “There’s… 75 gold in here.”

“Not bad at all!” Bane whistled. “Working for the Mages Guild does have its perks I see!”

“So, do we just split it all up equally?” Lilly asked.

“We could just store it in our guild vault,” said Vala. “That way we’ll all have access to it for buying gear and supplies, or for stuff like repairs.”

Drake eyed the taur, his brow raised questioningly. “Since when do we have a guild vault?”

“Since I registered us for one earlier today,” she smiled. “You should be able to access another tab right next to your own inventory.”

Indeed, a new option had appeared besides his regular inventory, a Guild Funds counter that stood alongside his meager 44 silver coins.

“Is everyone alright with this approach?” Vala asked. Seeing only nods and shrugs, she gestured towards Drake as he took the coins and added them to their vault.

“Before I forget, Grace also told me to give you this,” he said, offering Bane the slim, leather-bound book.

The Shattering – Records of the Fallen

A collection of accounts from the Shattering, following the deeds and exploits of one of the Elemental Exemplars, Ereviel Dark Bringer, the fallen Exarh.

Heavily regulated under the decree of the Royal Court, the distribution of the few copies of this book that still remain is usually strictly monitored.

“And one more thing,” said Drake. “Grace mentioned something about increased monster activity near the western border. There’s no actual quest or bounty, but that also means that we probably won’t have to compete with others over experience.”

Rubbing his hands together, Bane narrowed his eyes in delight. “Everything already seems a lot more promising than what I was hoping for. Come on!” the lycan grinned. “Let’s get ready!”

Their first stop along the way, the general goods store at the edge of the Trade District, had them buying enough supplies and rations to last them a few days. Mia had also bought a bit more than a dozen Small Healing Potions, since every other kind of recovery potion was still sold out. She then went to drop them off at the church, and while she was busy doing that, the rest of them swung by Henry’s, the leatherworker that Loke had recommended. After just a few measurements and some strap adjustments, both Bane and Lilly had walked out of his shop with full sets of leather armor.

Lilly had opted for a cropped, green, leather jacket with matching shorts, and knee-high leather boots. Bane, on the other hand, had traded his more rudimentary leather tunic for a sturdier, hooded version, and some reinforced, heavy-weave pants.

As for Drake and Vala, they had both bought themselves gambesons: padded jackets, meant to be worn underneath the rest of their armor.

They then stopped at their final destination within Alissey: Loke’s smithy.

Despite it already being pretty late, they could still hear the steady crash of Loke’s hammer as they opened the heavy, wooden door. Next to the counter, sitting in a chair and fast asleep despite the noise, was Dhek. Closing the door behind them, the bell’s chime caused the hammering coming from the basement to stop.

“I’m sorry,” they heard Loke’s as the dwarf climbed up the staircase, “but we’re closed.” However, seeing exactly who had entered his shop brought about a wickedly enthusiastic grin on the blacksmith’s face. “Perfect! Just the lass I wanted to see. Just wait one second,” he said, darting back down into the basement, only to return a moment later, holding a large war axe.

He handed Vala the weapon’s pole, looking very pleased as he measured its length against the taur’s height. “Armor still isn’t ready yet, but I managed to find a long enough shaft to fit you. And that’s top-quality ironwood right there, lass. Use it well!”

Valaris

An exceptionally well-crafted poleaxe, made by the dwarven blacksmith Loke. Versatile and wrought out of mana-infused steel, this named weapon sports a large axeblade ending in a serrated tip, along with a curved thorn on the opposite side.

Additionally, the mana-infused metal lends itself well to various enchantments and spell effects.

Equipment Slot:One-handed WeaponEncumbrance:7.5

Durability:80/80Base Damage:12-15

The blue-tinged axeblade reflected the dim light coming from the lamp on top of the counter, making its sharpened edge look as if it was shimmering. Seeing his brother snoring quietly, the dwarf smiled and rolled his eyes.

“Loke…” Vala said reverently, “This is absolutely incredible!”

“Of course,” the dwarf grinned. “That right there is the final piece I made using one of Terasborg’s Elderforges.”

“You know that I can’t possibly accept this, right?” the taur asked, still unable to look away from the poleaxe’s perfectly polished surface.

“A dwarf doesn’t name a weapon for someone, only to have that weapon returned to him.” Turning his back to them, the blacksmith pulled out a shallow, wooden case, setting it on top of the counter. He then gestured for Bane to come closer, lifting the lid to reveal a pair of slender short swords, the handles wrapped in matted, black leather. “And this should serve you better than those two toothpicks of yours.”

Ruin & Claw

An extremely lightweight pair of short swords, made by the dwarven blacksmith Loke. Made out of gravisteel, the balance of these named weapons is nearly perfect.

Additionally, the gravisteel blades are very reactive to weight-altering enchantments and spell effects.

Equipment Slot:One-handed WeaponsEncumbrance:0.5

Durability:60/60Base Damage:8-10

Bane picked them up slowly as he started twirling them around. “How are they lighter than my current daggers?” he asked before stopping to compare the blades directly.

“Gravisteel,” Loke smiled. “Best thing out there if you want to be light on your feet. Not so great for soaking up blows or parrying, though. And I see you already paid Henry a visit. Good!”

“Yeah,” said Bane, sheathing his newest weapons as he turned to face the blacksmith. “Actually, we only stopped by so that our friend here could buy a weapon.”

“What kind?”

“Something a bit better suited against well armored foes,” Drake answered. “I was thinking–”

But before he could even finish, Loke opened a drawer beneath his counter and took out a war hammer, handing it to Drake.

“Something not too heavy, but with enough power to still be effective, and at least a bit of versatility?” the dwarf asked, grinning at the look of confusion on Drake’s face.

“More or less, yes,” he answered.

Spiked War Hammer

A well-crafted war hammer, made by the dwarven blacksmith Loke. Made out of high grade steel, the hammer’s back curves into a sharp spike, capable of puncturing armor.

Equipment Slot:Two-handed WeaponEncumbrance:4.5

Durability:50/50Base Damage:9-12

“How much for it?”

“Seven gold,” said the blacksmith as Drake happily placed the coins on top of the wooden counter. “Pleasure doing business with you.”

Taking and shaking the dwarf’s hand, Drake smiled. “Likewise.”

“Thank you again, Loke,” said Vala. “Whatever you say, we’re still in your debt.”

“Far from it, lass.”

Bidding the blacksmith farewell, the five of them left, exiting Alissey through its western gate, all while Lilly continued to stare longingly at everyone’s new equipment.