Stepping out of the cell, Cire was relieved that he would not be reviled as a horror and cast from the hamlet. However, there was bloody work to be done. The other four residents caught him up on what had taken place after he was rendered unconscious. Once their war leader had been slain so viciously, the other gnolls had broken and fled.

During the fight, several members of the community were taken by the retreating raiders. Food stores had also been looted. Fortunately, the fighting had been localized largely to the tavern and the lodge. The large number of people grouped in that area had drawn the brunt of the attack.

Half of the population of Sunset had been killed or taken in a single evening. Any notions that Cire had held about finding a non-combat oriented profession and working out his days in minor comfort, but sweet and safe obscurity, were buried with those bodies.

He squeezed his fists together and grit his teeth. How many times would it take him to set his resolve? Had he built his moral foundation so weak that each time he faced a decision between comfort or challenge that he would opt for the easy path? No. I am done with that. My determination will be built of GRANITE.

One of the notifications he had been ignoring since waking, exploded into his vision. It was a simple quest box, but with one main difference.

Through his thoughts alone he had already accepted it, without even knowing it was offered. An inextricable tightness in his chest surged as he read the text.

Quest Title: Defend Sunset from the Attackers II.

Condition(s): Pursue the gnoll raiders to their camp, cripple their ability to attack Sunset again. Recover any captives still alive.

Optional Condition(s): Kill all the gnolls who attacked Sunset.

Additional Optional Conditions (achieved): Make an oath to those who are aware of your true nature that binds your fate to theirs.

Rewards: Unknown

Penalty for failure or refusal of Quest: Massive decrease in your relationship with Durg, Selene, Stout, and Maisy. These people hold your fate within their hands, refusal would be unwise.

Do you Accept? YES

Of course, I will avenge my companions and help keep my home safe. Taking in a breath to steady himself, he looked around to the others.

“What is the plan? What can I do?”

Stout answered his queries, with a still bitter tone. “We are going to hunt down the dogs and bring back our people. You, Durg, Selene, Nicolas, and myself will be one of two parties to leave the Chimera’s Mane and enter the Shadowed Forest. We leave at sundown from the tavern entrance. Ready yourself for travel and battle.”

Walking back to the tavern, Maisy and Stout split off from the three friends.

“We do not have long, Cire. Durg and I need to tend to injured friends, you do as well. Go see Andreas and Nicolas. We have both already sat with them this morning before you woke.” Selene's tone was softer than normal, but she was straight to the point as always.

“Aye. We be seenin' ya at the tavern later anyhow.”

Cire had been fearful of no longer being trusted, but he was left alone as he started making his way to the lodge. He needed to move forward for himself, but more so for others.

Cire took the opportunity while he walked to address all the updates from the previous evening. He could not be sure when he would get the opportunity otherwise, he imagined they would travel with haste. Surprisingly, it was his promise earlier that very day which had the highest priority.

You have made an oath to Maisy, Stout, Durg, and Selene. Zeus and his pantheon have recognized your oath. Failure to keep to your word will cause a massive decrease in reputation with them. Additionally, you will lose your Trustworthy aspect.

Ahhh hah. That explains why they had so readily left him by himself among the villagers. Also why it had put them at ease. He had assumed something like this would happen when Stout had insisted on the specifics. Cire made a mental note to remember the power oaths and actions in this world.

You have acquired a favored enemy: Gnolls

+25% attack damage to gnolls, -3500 reputation with all gnolls on sight.

Good. Cire thought as he read over the words. He would gladly drink the blood of every one of the canine beasts he could find. If by some miracle he met an innocent pup... well the others could handle it.

He realized that he had stopped walking. Shaking his head to clear his mind. Cire started moving again. Looking over the next notes as fast as possible to distract himself, he pressed on.

Skill level up! You have reached skill level 12 in Blades.

Skill level up! You have reached skill level 12 in Large Blades.

Skill level up! You have reached skill level 8 in Armor.

Skill level up! You have reached skill level 8 in Light Armor.

Skill level up! You have reached skill level 7 in Martial Combat.

Skill level up! You have reached skill level 7 in Fluid Motion.

You have gained a new skill: Communication (General)

“Speech is the mirror of action.” - Solon

At initiate rank you have access to basic speech based actions with no penalty.

You have gained a new sub-skill: Persuasion (Uncommon) Communication Tree. “Persuasion has only one temple, speech.” -Euripides

At initiate rank you receive a +1 bonus to your persuasion checks.

You party has slain a total of nine Mongrel Gnolls (Levels 5 – 12). You receive 5,043 experience points.

You have slain Mongrel Gnoll (Level 9). You receive 2,627 experience points.

You have slain Mongrel Gnoll Pack Chief (Level 13). You receive 9,863 experience points.

You have been awarded 6,904 experience from Bite against Level 13 Mongrel Gnoll Pack Chief.

You have received 3,500 experience for Defend Sunset from the Attackers I.

You have gained +2,000 (1,000 base + Trustworthy bonus) Relationship Points with The Hamlet of Sunset.

Your relationship with The Hamlet of Sunset has improved from Neutral to Friendly.

Level 9 & 10 Acquired!

Received per level

Points

Health & Mana Points

You receive 5 – 10 hit points per level + constitution modifier (4)

You receive 5 – 10 mana points per level + intelligence modifier (3)

27

22

Skill Points

You currently receive one skill point per level.

10

Ability Points

You currently receive one ability point per level.

3

Racial Bonus

You receive an additional skill point per level that is restricted to a martial skill of your choice.

10

Level 10 Bonus

Choose one of the following-

1. Gain 2 stat points to allocate as you chose.

2. +1 to the aptitude level of a current skill.

3. Gain a common or uncommon tier skill.

Ability

Current Lvl

Points until next Lvl

Shapechanger: Can change into a small black bat once per rest for a duration of 2 hours. Bats are considered a tiny creature. You will have reduced stats in many areas, but increased stats in others.

1

1

Bite: You can savagely pierce your enemies' flesh with sharp fangs to drain their health and experience. HP drain is currently 250 per minute and experience drain is 7% if the target is killed by the action. This ability renders you helpless. This ability is synergistic with Regeneration and will boost it by 1 ability level.

4

4

Regeneration: You can heal from small wounds with ease and heal faster than most sapients. At your current level you regain 2 HP per minute.

2

2

Blood Rage: Significantly increases your physical stats while decreasing your mental ones. +50% to Strength and Constitution, +25% to Dexterity. -50% to Intelligence, Spirit, and Charisma for the duration of the rage. If your mental resistance is overcome by the ability, you will attack targets at random. At your current level, the duration of this ability is 5 minutes. Duration is refreshed if Bite is performed while enraged.

1

1

Without a second thought he had allocated the level 10 bonus. Cire’s Luck score jumped by 2, nothing noticeable happened. It was an intangible contrivance, but those ethereal strings had been tugging a bit too often. A decent dance with lady luck would be most welcome.

The new skill gain, Communication, was a small piece of good news as well. The additional sub-skill, Persuasion, would most likely be influenced by his Charisma score. Cire was starting to get a feel for how the skill system worked and where his talents were within it.

Looking over the explanation of his new Blood Rage ability took more effort than he would have thought. Memories of the previous evening drifted through his mind. Cire now realized why the rage had not ended after he thought it should have. When he had drank the chieftain's blood it had extended the abilities duration. Furthermore, this also clearly spelled out why he had tried to attack Maisy. If he had not emptied his stomach so fully already, these thoughts would have assisted.

Maybe if I put points into the rage ability, it will make it easier to control? It could just as easily do the opposite. It’s not like Bite leveled like I expected it would. The ability was powerful, no doubt, but it was far to risky to use when anyone he cared about was close to him.

Not knowing what they faced while hunting down the gnolls, Cire decided not to wait on the points to level his Bite ability. Neglecting tools at his disposal, like his other abilities, had become a bit too routine for him. Stace had seemed to all but ensure the party's survival, if not victory. How wrong he had been.

Regeneration: You can heal from small wounds with ease and heal much faster than most sapients. At your current level you regain 3 HP per minute.

Biographical Information:

Name: Ciresil

Level: 10

Experience: 64,911

Race: Vampire – Sun Elf

Class: Unavailable – Requirements not met

Alignment: Neutral (+1 to Good, +1 to Orderly)

Languages: Divine Elvish, Common

Stats:

Health: 123/123

Mana: 108/108

Armor: 6

Dodge: 4.5%

Strength: 14

Dexterity: 19

Constitution: 14

Intelligence: 13

Spirit: 9

Charisma: 19

Luck: 9

Resistances:

Immune to Electricity

25% Enchantment

20% Weather

-50% Holy Magic

Aspects:

Indefatigable

Trustworthy

Favored Enemy:

Gnolls

Skills:

Wilderness Survival 3, Natural

Martial Combat 7, Natural

Sub-skill: Fluid Motion 7, Natural

Blades 12, Natural

Sub-skill: Large Blades 12, Natural

Scavenging 3, Natural

Armor 8, Average

Sub-skill: Light Armor 8, Average

Herbalism 1, None

Lore 4, General

Communication 1, General

Sub-skill: Persuasion 1, Natural

Abilities:

Shapechanger, Bite (4), Regeneration (3), Blood Rage

Traits:

Child of Night: Vampiric abilities, Darkvision. If noticed by others, your true nature may have drastic consequences. Other elements of this trait may reveal themselves over time.

Child of Heaven: You have retained a divine soul. Reduced susceptibility to Holy Magic, vampiric light vulnerability negated, vampiric hunger reduced. Other elements of this trait may reveal themselves over time.

Elven Heritage: 25% Enchantment Resistance.

Inventory:

Basic Set of Clothing (Body)

Blessed Fine Steel Longsword (equipped)

Light Linen Armored Pants (Legs)

Light Linen Armored Gauntlets (Arms)

Light Linen Boots (Feet)

Light Linen Helm (Head)

Steel Longsword (unequipped)

Small Pouch of Coins (pocket):

1 Star Ruby, 2 gold, 34 silver, 14 copper

Skill leveling decisions were harder than previous levels, and it wasn’t because he wanted to spend the points. Cire looked at the skill points and almost resented them. He had just been in a situation where he would have used all of the stored points he had if they would have made a difference. I need to remember and treasure Eugene’s advice, not lament it. I can carry it with me.

Cire touched the torn remnants of the armor the farmer had given him, he had to figure something out before they left. Without a chest piece, he would be particularly vulnerable. He didn’t think that his dodge stat was up to the task of being relied upon yet.

Ambling up to the far entrance of the lodge, he made his way up on to the deck. Seeing two friends die had been terrible, but there was a sense of finality to it. Witnessing someone he cared about in pain, possibly never recovering, that was something different.

Addressing all the busy work had been a useful tool to distract himself. However, Cire would do Andreas a disservice if he was mentally absent when visiting the man. Besides, there would be others inside as well.

Uncontrolled laughter from the other side of the door was not what he had been expecting to hear. It brought a confused smile to his cheeks for the first time that day. Stepping in and closing the door behind him, the scene that greeted his eyes was warm and comforting.

Four cots had been set up and separated from the rest of the lodge by a hanging curtain. Three of the makeshift beds held occupants in various states of recovery. Andreas was resting with Nicolas by his side in a chair. Bandages covered his abdomen and wrapped his left shoulder.

Waving Cire over, both woodsmen smiled a bit shamefully. Laughter the day after losing so many people was awkward, even if they had practically died themselves.

“Cire! Good to see you in one piece!” Nicolas jumped up and wrapped him in a hug.

Cire hesitated for a moment, but his initial anxiety faded quickly and he embraced the woodsman. The casual human contact was reassuring. He held the hug a bit longer than normal and released.

“Good to see you both as well. How are you doing Andre?”

“Maisy is a very good healer. She will be treating the me and the rest of the wounded. However, it will be a few days before I can walk. You and my brother need to go hunt down the bastards that did this to us.”

Andreas looked away and to the other occupied cots, then back to Cire. “We need you to go and do this for us. For Stacy and Eugene. For everyone else who died last night.”

Pausing, the normally stoic frontiersman looked to his brother and then back to Cire with poignancy. “I need you to bring my brother back to me alive.”

Nicolas shifted in his chair, about to speak, but caught himself. Nic was torn between the earnest request his brother just made of a friend and his desire to insist that such was not necessary.

Nodding, Cire extended his hand to Andreas. “I will, of course, do my best to accomplish what you have asked. Your brother will return to you.”

Cire noted in the back of his mind that there was no quest associated with this interaction, sometimes a promise between friends was just what it was.

Standing up from his chair, the older brother practically 'humphed' out loud. “No need to be so dramatic about it. By Dionysus, we are hunting those bastards down and taking our people back. Not marching to our deaths.”

Andreas clasped Cire's hand and shook before settling back down into the sheets. “Brother, we can be as ridiculous about this as we please. Now, go get his present before you both are late.”

Nicolas moved to the other side of the curtain and returned with a large burlap sack. Setting it down in front of Cire with a thump, he retook his chair.

“You did not really think that you received no share from the kills did you? All those boars, yeti, and the cave bear yielded a fair amount of materials. You almost caught on the other night at Stouts.”

Chiming in, Andreas would not let his sibling steal all the thunder. “We thought you could use some sturdier armor, given how often you are fighting side by side with Durg. It is still light enough for you to move in. Figured this would be more valuable to you than the small amount of coin you’d get from selling the skins.”

Reverently, Cire took the various pieces of treated hide armor out of the sack.

Yeti Hide Breastplate

Armor: +4

Rarity: Uncommon

Quality: Average

Yeti Hide Trousers

Armor: +2

Rarity: Uncommon

Quality: Average

Yeti Hide Sleeves

Armor: +2

Rarity: Uncommon

Quality: Average

Yeti Hide Gloves

Armor: +1

Rarity: Uncommon

Quality: Average

Yeti Hide Boots

Armor: +1

Rarity: Uncommon

Quality: Average

Yeti Hide Balaclava

Armor: +1

Rarity: Uncommon

Quality: Average

Armor Set Bonus – 6/6 pieces:

Light Yeti Hide Armor:Armor given by each piece increased by 1, +25% resistance to Water Magic.

Reinforced with Dire Boar Bone:+5% physical resistance.

“Thank you. This means more to me than you know.” He reached out and shook each of their hands in turn. Before releasing Nicolas's grip he looked him in the eyes with renewed vigor and hope.

“I will meet you at the tavern around sunset.”