You have been killed by Fey-harpy. Character Maya Starborn has been locked for two minutes.

Warning: You have died in a zone intended for players between levels 40 and 55. It is highly recommended at your current level to respawn elsewhere.

Maya considered her options before deciding on where to respawn. Her first thought was the mage academy. As long as she stayed in her room, there was no reason for Zarene to know Maya was anywhere near there. She certainly would've remembered seeing someone like Zarene in the academy…

Wait. Would she? Half the female characters in the game had a similar body and build. Without the specific combination of hair and skin color, would she even know? Zarene was… an elf? A vampire? Maya couldn't remember. She quickly ran through everyone she could remember having seen in the mage Academy, but there were so many she soon gave up.

Maya was quite sure she had never hated anyone as much she hated Zarene. Of everyone she’d encountered in the game, no one came close.

Sure, Kittykitty had been petty and slightly irritating. Venix had been a dreadful obstacle, but Maya would not have considered there to be any enmity in their relationship. She didn't have anything against Standalone, he was just a quest target. Kittykitty was probably the closest, with her rage and inexplicable grudge, but Zarene was far beyond that.

And she was even higher level than Sevard. How?

Well. Maya knew that. Even if only half Zarene's days were lucky, she'd seen for herself how powerful luck could be. Her one lucky day so far, Maya had earned two levels and come very close to unraveling the secrets of magic.

It would almost be more surprising if Zarene weren't insanely overpowered compared to normal players. The combination of being permanent, more than doubling the time in-game, along with the insane luck bonuses from being a trickster? Maya was almost surprised, now that she thought about it, that there wasn't a trickster fighting out with Shardlord and Domitius for the top spot.

Did she even know that Shardlord and Domitius weren't tricksters? Domitius certainly could be. Especially if he had an unbeatable class that no one knew the details of.

Shardlord wasn't. He couldn't be. Judging by her own experience, coming so close to breaking the code of magic in a single day, Shardlord would have solved it all long ago if he were a trickster.

Maya forced herself to stop thinking about who might be a trickster or not. It wasn't helping. She had to get through this week, and hopefully do something useful in the meantime.

With Sevard out of the picture for the moment, that meant heading for the arena. That was the one place where she could gain experience while guaranteed that Zarene would have no NPCs to turn against her.

She was so tired of complications; so tired of bad luck. She could use a straight one-on-one fight. No tricks, no surprises. Just her and another player, bashing into each other until one of them dropped, then do it again.

Choosing to respawn at the arena, she was surprised by a wave of nostalgia as she walked through the anachronistic lobby.

She smiled. A few days ago, she'd have called herself crazy for imagining that she'd ever look forward to fighting and probably dying to another player. But it reminded her of simpler times. And, after all, wasn't that was nostalgia generally did?

Shadow came out to greet her, silhouetted as always against the light behind him. "Back so soon! I'd worried you wouldn't be returning to us for a while."

"I need to kill something. Or at least throw myself uselessly against it until one or the other of us shatters." Maya was surprised to hear the venom in her own voice.

This wasn't like her. Was it?

But, no. She remembered her violent attacks against Kittykitty and equally aggressive assault on the training dummy while practicing to fight Venix.

Her temper wasn't anything new, her violent frustration. It was only unfortunate she couldn’t take it out on Zarene.

There were plenty of other players up and about this morning. The arena wasn’t exactly bustling, but it was far from empty.

Maya couldn't help glancing around uneasily every time she saw a female player anywhere close to Zarene's build, but if Zarene were here she did nothing to accost Maya.

"No one very low-level for you today, I'm afraid,” Shadow informed her. “I've been approached by that pink creature, apparently she very much wants a rematch. I've thus far told her it is your decision, whether you fight her or not, but…"

"I don't care. I'll fight anyone. Just get me a match, any match. I don't care how hard, I just need to fight something."

"Well. Then I will inform her that you will face her again. Be careful. I'd hate to have my newest fighter run off by someone like her."

"You may rest assured that no one will be able to run me off. And if it’s Kittykitty again, well, right now, she's the least of my worries. If killing me a few more times will help her get over this stupid pointless grudge, better get it over with and move on."

Shadow nodded and left to make the arrangements. Maya reached Shadow’s practice arena without any complications besides tripping over her own feet and stumbling into walls.

Maya was pleased to note that her equipment token had been upgraded to suit her new level. Oceanblade was still her weapon, ostensibly, though she'd never actually drawn it and only carried it strapped across her back. The increased stats were incredibly exciting. She couldn't help looking forward to making proper use of her new vast energy reserves.

Compared to her regular equipment, her expendable stats were significantly improved. Her energy went up from 126 to 292, and her health had increased from 191 to 258.

She’d forgotten how good it felt to be strong, well-equipped, and ready to fight.

When Shadow returned with her list of upcoming matches, she didn't even care that all her opponents were significantly higher level. Even getting smacked around by Venix would be preferable to her day so far. How could it barely be noon? It felt like the day had already lasted an eternity.

Maya Starborn (8) vs Kittykitty (14)

Maya Starborn (8) vs Kavatapi_843 (21)

Maya Starborn (8) vs Kittykitty (14)

Maya Starborn (8) vs Hoortis (15)

“Good. That should keep me busy for a while.”

There was a half hour between each of the first three matches, then a four-hour gap before the last. Maya was glad; that would give her a chance to prepare before the fight she had the best chance of winning. Kittykitty just had an unreasonable grudge, and there was nothing she could do about it, and Kavatapi was just too high level.

Her first match wasn’t set to begin for another hour, though, so she had time to prepare.

“Oh, by the way, did you ever find a sword instructor?" Maya asked. "I think I remember asking for one."

"Indeed I did. And I have one, though she isn't on hand right now."

“Will she be any time today?”

Shadow shrugged. “Perhaps. She doesn’t have a set schedule.”

Which Maya took to mean ‘it’s a player, and I don’t know when she’ll be logged in’.

“Thanks. I don’t know if I’ll have a chance at winning any today, but I appreciate you putting this together on such short notice.”

“Gladly. You are one of our rising stars, after all.”

Maya snorted. “I haven’t done anything impressive.”

“On the contrary. You haven’t given up. You underestimate the rarity of dedication in the face of defeat.”

“I doubt dedication will be enough today.”

“It rarely is. But it always helps.”

Maya smiled. "Thank you, I needed to hear that."

The arena felt strangely removed from the rest of the world, its modern architecture helping form a near complete disconnect from the realities outside. Though she’d initially come here full of helpless fury, just standing in these familiar rooms began to dispel the rage that formerly threatened to consume her.

She still itched to fight, still looked forward eagerly to the chance to vent her frustration, but it no longer felt as immediate.

With Zarene put firmly from her mind, she drew Oceanblade and held it before her in both hands, trying to accustom herself to its weight. She swung a few times slowly, then tried a bit faster attack.

The enchanted blade had a weight to it, a momentum of its own that drew her attacks onward, but without being used to how it acted she lost her balance. Oceanblade slipped from her hands and went flying across the room, thudding into the dirt much further than she’d have anticipated it going, as Maya toppled over and landed in a cloud of dust.

She rolled over, coughing and giggling. She had a stupid, stupid idea. The kind of bizarre thing she’d ordinarily have ignored the moment it popped into her head.

But today, it just felt right.

She jogged over to retrieve the weapon, hefting it in her hands, then sighted on the most distant target dummy and swung the sword like a baseball bat, letting go just as the weapon’s enchantment kicked in. It spun across the arena, far faster than any normal blade would go, and bounced off the far wall with a heavy THUD. It hadn’t come anywhere close to her target, but that was fine.

She slipped and fell once on her way to retrieve it, but by now she’d gotten so used to her luck-induced clumsiness that she just picked herself up without thinking about it and continued on her way.

The blade flew in a predictable curve, she found, beginning in a nearly straight line for the first dozen feet, swerving into about a fifteen-degree angle for the next, then swerving off to a nearly 80-degree angle as it reached the end of its momentum.

She wondered if it would boomerang all the way around and back to her if she were a little stronger, which made her laugh even harder. With her luck, it would definitely hit her if possible, so perhaps it was good that it always wound up halfway across the room.

Fortunately, there was only one other Shadow team fighter in the room at the moment, so Maya could keep practicing her new trick without worrying too much about hitting an ally.

Well. Without hitting an ally too many times. Perhaps it was her luck, or perhaps just carelessness, because she did manage to accidentally fling Oceanblade directly into his face once. And somewhere else once. Fortunately, neither of them were PvP flagged, so it only knocked him over and disrupted his practice kata.

“Sorry!” Maya called as he picked himself and started for the exit after the second incident. “I’m having a bad day.”

“No need to take it out on me,” he joked, waving. “I’ve got a fight in a few minutes anyway. Good luck.”

Maya chuckled nervously, hoping she hadn’t driven him away. But with the practice arena to herself, she spent the next half hour in intense practice.

Shadow arrived near the end, watching for several minutes before laughing and approaching her. “Oceanblade has gone through many wielders over the years, but I’ve never once seen it used as a thrown weapon.”

Maya jogged over to retrieve it, grinning. “I know! It’s so idiotic, it just might work.”

She hadn’t made an ability from her attacks yet, though she’d managed to actually hit what she aimed for twice so far. Though she wasn’t sure if 'hit' was appropriate in this context. 'Clubbed' or 'smashed' might be more apt. It certainly hadn't struck sharp-end first.

“Your first match is in eight minutes.”

“Do you think I should lead with this?” she asked, turning to face him. “Or should I save it for a later fight, as a surprise?”

“That, I leave up to your judgment.”

Maya entered the arena with confidence. She was going to lose - that was never in question. But she was going to fight, and she was going to do so without any larger consequences than the immediate. No allies to get involved. No unknown enemies. Just her, her blade, her magic, and her target.

“Nyah, nice to see you again, feathers. How is it you’ve managed to stay so low level? I haven’t seen you log out once.”

Kittykitty was still lithe, with full scale armor and an array of accoutrements that didn’t exactly make her look bulky, but definitely more dangerous than before. Her pink-tinted fur was almost completely concealed beneath her equipment.

Maya didn’t respond to the taunt, except to charge her Windborne Blade and fire it at Kittykitty. By then, the felinis had closed the distance and begun clubbing at Maya with her mace, which dropped Maya’s health rather more quickly than her own attacks could reciprocate.

The fight didn’t last very long, and Maya could only comfort herself in the fact that she was paid for fighting, not only for winning.

The second fight, against the inexplicably-named Kavatapi_843, lasted significantly longer despite the much wider level gap.

Kavatapi was an elf mageblade of some sort, carrying a gold-glowing staff in one hand and a sword in the other. She wore black rogue leathers with all mage accessories, most in white or gold, leading to a very confusing overall image.

And her playstyle was just as confusing as her attire.

Maya couldn’t tell if Kavatapi was playing with her, or if she genuinely had no idea how to manage her cooldowns. It led to a much closer match than Maya had anticipated, even if Kavatapi did end up winning. More because Maya had exhausted her energy and stamina than from any particular skill on her opponent’s part. The level gap was just too high.

But Maya had an idea now. She knew she didn’t stand a chance against Kittykitty - the felinis had far too much health and almost seemed to have built her character specifically to counter Maya’s. But the final fight of the afternoon, against Hoortis, was an unknown factor. That would probably be the best time to pull out all her tricks. It also had that nice long four-hour break in the middle for practicing.

She fought her third match, the second against Kittykitty, and this time decided to try something even stupider than usual. She drew Oceanblade, but instead of throwing it like she’d been practicing, she tried using it to block Kittykitty’s attacks.

It failed miserably. Kittykitty was too fast, and Maya’s coordination couldn’t keep up, much less get ahead. She only managed to deflect one attack, and was so surprised she completely failed to take advantage of the opening it created.

Heavy sword fighting was not Maya’s forte. She’d known it from the start, but this only proved it.

A quick glance at her stats, though, proved that the morning hadn’t been a complete waste.

Level increased. You have 3 attribute points to allocate.

Though, in fact, she had five. She still hadn’t assigned those last two from the dungeon. It felt like a different life, the cameraderie of working with Fire team to take down the Phoenix. She smiled at the memory. Her one great victory.

No, no time to get distracted by reminiscences. She considered the options seriously as she walked back down to Shadow’s practice arena. Strength, to increase her health? Agility, for speed? Or should she go all in on attunement, for more energy?

None of them would ever be a bad idea, she just wasn’t sure where to prioritize. But then she realized. The answer was obvious.

She could never outfight any of her opponents directly. She could put every point into gaining more health or more energy, and still not stack up. In a fair fight, she’d be outmatched every time. She couldn’t possibly deal enough damage fast enough. They’d always have more health.

But she’d already seen, in her fights with Venix, how valuable the ability to actually pay attention and evade could be. She’d come closer to victory with evasion tactics than any other time.

She put one point into attunement, and the rest into agility. That would bring her speed up to 2.04 with her current equipment.

Not close to good enough. She moved to apply anyway, then stopped and canceled the stat allotment.

“Shadow,” she asked slowly. “Do you have any runners who can go out to shops and buy things, for instance?”

“My equipment isn’t good enough for you?”

“No, it’s not.”

Shadow laughed. “I generally purchase my equipment personally. I don’t need errand boys.”

“Well, can I leave for a half hour or so to buy something myself?”

“Certainly. You’re not a slave. Just be back on time for your next match, or you’ll forfeit and I’ll have to take the fee from your payment for the day.”

“No problem. This shouldn’t take long.”

She had a map now. No more getting totally lost in the labyrinthine back alleys of Kalyx City.

As much as she wanted to stay and practice her new attack, this was more important.

Maya Starborn Average Androgynous Harpy Level: 9 Affinities: Magical Physical Tier: 1 Class: Trickster Specialization: Path of Life Base Equipment Modifiers Total Strength: 8 9 0 17 Momentum: 11 11 3 25 Agility: 8 9 1 18 Control: 8 7 0 15 Attunement: 17 60 1 78 Focus: 8 16 1 25 Intelligence: 15 23 2 40 Flexibility: 8 14 1 23 Luck: -25 - -45 -70 Unassigned: 5 Health: 263 of 263 Will: 50 of 50 Stamina: 111 of 111 Energy: 292 of 292 Speed: 1.84 Switch penalty: -45%, 9.5 secs Stealth: 1.55 Chain bonus: +8% Awareness: 2.7 Cooldown: 88.5% Max abilities: 4 Abilities Abilities: [5 of 4] Wind Whisper

[5 energy] Blow into cupped hands, then push the air toward the target.

Creates a light breeze, a quick gust, or a damaging slash.

[Overcharge: +5 energy, +0.2 sec cast time, +50% force/duration/dmg] 1.9 sec

5 dmg

(wind) Throw Knife

[5 stamina] Throw a knife at a target with high accuracy. Requires a knife. 0.8 sec

3 dmg

(physical) Windborne Blade

[45 energy, 5 stamina] Cast Wind Whisper in a loop up and behind, aligning with throwing arm.

Throw knife straight at target with wind as augment. 4.3 sec

33 dmg

{physical} Spark

[5 energy] Draw magic into palm and snap fingers to ignite into a spark of fire.

Can be used as a light or thrown at a target. 1.1 sec

3 dmg

(fire) Sense Balance Discern if an area is lacking in or has an excess of any materials, creatures, etc. Perks: Quick Strike Decrease one ability’s activation time by 30%.

Lasts 3.5 minutes.

1-hour cooldown. Inventory Item Name Slot Str Mom Agi Con Att Foc Int Flx Mage's Circlet Head 3 1 3 1 Armor of Improvement Body 3 1 3 1 2 2 2 2 Mage's Gloves Hands 1 1 1 1 Leggings of the Mage Legs 1 1 1 1 Shoes of Attunement Feet 15 Armband of Intelligence Arm 1 4 Armband of the Mage Arm 2 1 1 1 Mage's Pendant Necklace 1 1 1 1 OceanBlade Held 1 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 OceanBlade Held 2 Ring of the Mage Ring 1 1 1 1 1 Ring of Attunement Ring 2 6 Ring of Attunement Ring 3 6 Ring of Improvement Ring 4 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 Mage's Hooded Cloak Shoulders 2 1 2 1 Badge of Motion Misc 1 4 3 Attunement Trinket Misc 2 3 Attunement Trinket Misc 3 3 Attunement Trinket Misc 4 3 Attunement Trinket Misc 5 3 Trickster's Mask (Mage) Special Money: 153 Gold, 2 Silver, 91 Copper Quality Item name Details Flimsy Newcomer Tunic Flimsy Newcomer Leggings Soulbound Trickster's Dice Soulbound Trickster's Orb 2/5 uses remaining Normal Apple x2 Rare Diviner's Orb 1/3 uses remaining Normal Throwing Knife x481 3 damage (physical) Special Key - Arrival Plaza Apartment Expires in 26 days Special Key - Room 6, Sapphire Hall Special Arena Equipment Token Registered to Maya Starborn Uncommon Juggernaut’s Collar Level 29, +12 mom, +11 str Uncommon Boots of Fluidity Level 29, +6 mom, +6 con, +6 flx, +5 foc Rare Crimson Flame Charm Level 30, +12 att, +12 foc, +6 int Legendary Ring of Concentration Level 29, +24 Int, +12 Con Legendary Necklace of Acuity Level 29, +18 Flx, +18 Foc Legendary Circlet of Acuity Level 29, +18 Flx, +18 Foc Normal Peach Normal Pear Normal Mango x3 Rare Shirt of Meditation Level 15, +8 flx, +7 att Uncommon Minor Chestpiece of the Dancer Level 4, +1 mom, +1 con Normal Monkey Pelt x70 Uncommon Crimson Coil Scales x5 Normal Short Sword x3 Level 19, +7 Flx, +6 Mom, 1 damage (physical) Uncommon Broadsword x4 Level 22, +6 Foc, +5 Mom, +5 Str, 3 damage (physical) Rare Longsword Level 20, +5 Att, +5 Int, +5 Str, +5 Flx, 2 damage (physical) Rare Tiara of Vision Normal Leather Armor of Agility Level 19, +13 Agi Normal Leather Leggings Level 19, +3 Int, +3 Flx, +3 Foc, +1 Agi, +1 Str, +1 Att, +1 Mom Uncommon Dust of Recall Uncommon Universal Dye Uncommon Survivor’s Bracelet Level 5, +1 str, +1 foc, +1 int Uncommon Bronze Dagger Level 7, +2 agi, +2 int, +1 con Normal Acrobat’s Ring Level 7, +2 agi, +1 foc, +1 flx Normal Dancer’s Ring Level 5, +1 mom, +1 foc Legendary Greater Ring of Focus Level 7, +16 foc Normal Cape of Deceit Level 7, +1 str, +1 agi, +1 con, +1 foc Legendary Athlete's Talisman Level 5, +7 agi, +7 con Exceptional Rogue’s Jacket Level 4, +3 agi, +2 con, +1 foc Normal Rogue’s Belt Level 8, +2 agi, +2 con, +1 foc Normal Cheap Ring of Strength Level 4, +1 str Nomal Footwraps of the Acrobat Level 5, +2 agi Exceptional Lesser Bracelet of Control Level 2, +4 con Legendary Ordinary Gloves of Control Level 4, +13 con Uncommon Minor Waistwrap of the Dancer Level 4, +1 mom, +1 con Missions Mission Description

Time Reward A Private Grudge Claim Standalone's house in Conquest and hold it for at least 10 hours. Personal House Trickster Day 4 Claim in Conquest the home of the next player you see.

Once claimed, hold it for 24 hours. 5d 9h 11m Trickster's Reward

??? Arena (Shadow) Spend at least one day every week fighting in the Arena Ongoing Variable Trickster Day 5 Visit a higher-level zone and defeat an enemy more powerful than yourself. DONE +5 Reputation with The Trickster Trickster Day 3 Lose a fight to another player in the Arena DONE Ordinary Gloves of Control

+5 reputation with The Trickster Gazebo Construction Construct a new gazebo for Maylon the Poet

[Optional] Also varnish the entire structure once built DONE 3 silver 50 copper

+5 reputation with Maylon the Poet Trickster Day 2 Lose a fight to another player in PVP DONE Lesser Bracelet of Control

+5 reputation with The Trickster Windy Creek reconstruction Locate the missing workers' tools

Construct a new dam by Windy Creek

Help clear the wreckage of the old Windy Creek Dam

Help construct a new bridge over Windy Creek DONE 5 silver, 80 copper

+25 reputation with Windy Creek village Trickster Day 1 Side with a person who is losing an argument or disagreement. FAILED -5 reputation with The Trickster Help Shary the Produce Merchant Find the missing apple delivery boy. Ensure his safety and the successful delivery of apples to Shary's Produce Stand. DONE 5 copper

3 apples

+10 reputation with Shary and Elaph