the Forest Ruins Mystery

In the next 10 in game days the builders made considerable advances, putting down the foundation and the supporting wood pillars of the Inn and building the back wall of one of the houses.

I placed a quest announcement panel just behind the entrance to the Camp and made a 'well digging', 'tree chopping' and 'wood engraving' quests for Players.

I directed the well digging at the centre of the camp while watching players come back with long tree troncs, pilling them at the side of the clearing. A player with the engraving skill came a few days after i posted the quest. i made him engrave the inn's commercial sign on a wood plaque and a number of directional arrows all indicating the inn or Djaden and Antor city.

Then i sent a caravan of five wagons to each cities. the first was under Seymour command as he had increased his familiarity with the soldiers, and the second under one of the NPCs with a small Leadership stat.

Seymour's procession would cross the rest of the forest and go to the first town, Antor city, after it to promote the new commercial road, they would come back with more building material for the renovations.

The second caravan would go back to Djaden and bring back Vreen's cousin, the cook along with two kitchen boys, serving girls and stable boys. there would also be a stock manager a wood worker and a smithy.

Along the way each caravan was gonna plant the directional arrows at the tracks and trails intersections.

By the time they both came back all of the inn's and houses' external walls had been built. the workers had run out of material so i made them erect a protective wooden wall around the three Ruin entries.

The extra men were introduced to their future business, the wood worker, smith, architect and i talked about the wood work and smithy shops' locations and necessary material and one of the builders team was put on the project.

At the end of the in game month the protective walls and their doors, the inn and two out of ten of the houses were finished.

I left all the NPCs at the renovation site, distributing a few orders to occupy them and left with all the players back to Djaden.

The whole Expedition had been extremely quiet, near to no fighting had happened but it had allowed me to broaden my friend list and gather quickly increase the NPCs' level by sending them on drills or hunting parties.

When we arrived back at the city i paid the players, did a small written report to the City Lord and went to many shops to buy items necessary for the inn, smithy wood work shop and the houses. i also bought many aromatic plants, flower, seeds and a few young trees. I put everything on the wagons and left, going back to the Ruins.

Because this time there was only the ten drivers and myself we were often attacked by small groups of bandits or predators. thanks to this my level rose two times on our way. i put all ten points i had gotten into Vitality, raising my maximum health by 50 points. I still had to see Kaden to choose my Job but it could wait until the project was well underway.

By the time i was back to the Ruins another 20 in game days had gone by. The inn and smithy were finished and only 3 houses were left to build.

I directed half the wagons to enter the small village while i went around and used the lift.

The wagons in the village were full of building materials, table wears, woollen covers and wood furniture, wood work and smithy material

The other half of the Wagons were also containing covers, table wears and building materiam but had the plants, seeds and small trees.

I distributed the furniture, table wear and covers to the houses and the inn then had all the shops material placed in the artisans home and workshops.

By the end of the second month of work, all the houses were done and the wood work shop and smithie shop were opened.

The ruins had been cleaned and turned into a giant underground hangar. Wagons would come in using the platform and be stored in the old barm stables, the most precious Items could be put under guard in the old treasure rooms, the dinning hall and the dormitories were used by the soldiers, two dormitories were given as temporary quarters for passing merchants. Those who had more luxurious tastes could stay at the inn. Repairs to wagons and trailers were taken care of by the two artisans

The last task i gave to the builders was build a farm on the surface and plant the trees, aromatic plants and flowers in the big open roofed room.

All of the plants i had chosen were medicinal or used in cooking. the trees were fruit trees.

The seeds were vegetable seeds, i had the builders make a small gardening area at the back of each houses in the prospect of having the people grow their own food.

The wood carver had been sculpting non stop since i had left for Djaden. He had produced a series of sculptures of wild forest animals. i had him place them around the marble obelisk and table. he had changed their position for a while until he seemed happy about it. to me it looked like nonsense until an information window appeared.

"The statues of the 'hopping rabbit' and 'tracking fox' have been placed in correspondence to their predatory attributes.

Surrounding rabbit population has increased by 50%.

Surrounding fox population has increased by 25%."

"The statues of the 'seed eating mouse' and 'wise owl' have been placed in correspondence to their predatory attributes.

Surrounding mouse population has increased by 50%.

Surrounding owl population has increased by 25%."

"The statues of the 'shy dear' and 'noble wolf' have been placed according to their predatory attributes.

Surrounding dear population has increased by 50%.

Surrounding wolf population has increased by 25%."

"Three sets of statues revolving around the predatory cycle has been placed.

Village's attraction +30"

"Through the rebuilding of the ancient Druids covenant you have discovered new knowledge on the Druids culture.

New interior decorations are available to you.

Intelligence +10"

From there on all the work done in the site were purely decorative. the wooden doors were carved using ancient Druids designs, the underground tunnels' walls were carved with scenes of Druid rituals and the closes worn by the shop and inn workers were changed to be ornamented by glyphs on their sleeves and collars.

When the village attraction level reached 150 i prepared to go back to Djaden with the drivers and workers.

The night before we left i decided to hunt, i used my shape shifting skill far in the forest and tracked rabbits and dears in the forest. i had done it many time in my stay at the Ruins but today was a special occasion: it was a full moon.

I was gonna take back my original form when i felt something pull me towards the Ruins.

Feeling like it was important i followed the impression. it lead me up the hill between the three entrance.

Since i wanted to post a video on my Wall of Fame i turned the recording option on, setting it on manual.

I kept going up until i was at the border of a large and deep hole.

I was standing on what was left of the roof of the open ceiling large room.

Looking down i spotted a luminescence floating above the marble table and obelisk. i walked around them, following the roofs border to have a frontal view of the phenomenon.

As i was focusing on it, it took a translucid feminine shape and bended towards me.

In my mind a soft soothing voice talked to me.

"Greetings, young shape shifter."

Impressed by the spirit i bended my head down in sign of respect.

"I am so happy to see a follower of the Druids way, especially after such a long time... i can only guess that you are here for the man that came before. he had just enough affinity with Nature to use him as a mean to attract you here... my pleas have been heard. i shall free the man from my voices. In return i want you to do something for me."

A follow quest!

"I want you to go in the deepest part of the sanctuary which has been overtaken by a dark power and retrieve a powerful artefact."

The obelisk trembled slightly then it glided on its left, revelling a flight of stairs going deep into the dark. At the same time a set of windows appeared in front of me.

" 'The Forest Ruins Mystery' has been updated to 'The Forest Ruins Tunnels Mysterious Underground Level'

To free Andy from the Night Spirit's voices you have to locate and retrieve a powerful artefact that has fallen into the hands of a dark force.

Quest prerequisite: Druid Path follower, Spirit of the Wolf skill, full moon, solo player.

Quest failure: you die, you leave the underground tunnel without the artefact.

Quest difficulty: E+"

"You are the first to discover the Dungeon 'Forest Ruin Tunnels Underground Level'

All experience and loot obtained will be doubled for a week.

The first enemy killed will drop its top items"

"Good luck young druid"

I felt my four paws leave the ground and my body levitate towards the opening. i was deposited on the top step of the stairs and under the scrutiny of the spirit went down. As i was going deeper into the ground, a dreadful sound came upon me: the obelisk was being put back to its place.

Thanks to my wolf's night vision i could see were i was stepping. i went further into the earth for five more minutes before the stairs ended.

I was now standing in front of a large and pillar supported high roof room. Mountains of coins and jewels were pilled on the rooms floor. it represented a small fortune.

I went around the room, looking for the ancient artefact, worrying that i had yet to see any trace of the Dark Power guarding it.

I saw several promising jewels or precious stones all around me but decided to wait. behind a pile of tresure i discovered the mummified body of a man.

"Through your extensive knowledge and high intelligence you have identified the corps as the late Brehan the Fourth."

"Brehan the Fourth was the monarch of the Pantyr Kingdom more than five centuries ago. he ruled his people through tirany and fear. Overthrowned, he left with quite an amount of treasure and his few loyal followers.

One of them tried to steal the treasures and poisoned the king. Over taken by his greed, the Monarchs soul refused to leave for the Underworld and he hunted down the traitor, took back his treasure and hid.

Every time someone would try to take from him, he would come back and execute his bloody revenge.

At the end, no man could defeat him and the Druids had to seal him away.

The bandits and their treasure awoke the dead monarch's greed and tyranny, resulting in the darkness tainting the sanctuary."

As i was reading the message, the mummies eyes suddenly opened.

I jumped back as he stood and let out a ferral scream.

"You have been paralysed by 'undead screech'.

30 seconds of paralysis"

Ohoh. not good.

The squeletton bent to pick a long and rusty sword and looked around for its victim. Its dead eyes went over me, not registering me as a potent thief.

I quietly waited for the paralysis to wear off, thinking of the best way to damage an undead. Although it was dead i could still see its dried muscles working under the thick skin.

The vertebra, at the skull's base. it should incapacitate most of his body.

I waited until it had its back to me before jumping on him. i bit deep into him, using my claws to tighten my grip on my prey.

"You have dealt a critical strike: damage x2"

The undead tried to size me with its hands but i was out of its reach. i twisted its vertebra to the left then brutally to the right, ripping a part of it off.

"You have dealt two consecutive critical strikes: damage x4"

i was biting it again when it lunched itself into a pillar backwards, smashing me in the process.

I kept my grip on the creature until the third hit when i got stunned. My health had had only a third left however i had done a lot of damage. its right hand and legs could no longer be used. the undead king was now laying face down on the floor.

The only movement left for it was to try to grab me with its left hand. i quickly tired it apart, removing the threat. from there on i repeatedly beat, slashes and clawed the monster.

From time to time it would use its 'undead screech' on me and i would have to wait.

The one sided slaughter went on for a few minutes until its body turned grey and fell into dust.

"You have defeated 'Cursed Monarch Brehan the Third'

Exp 7748

Fame +150

Honour +130

Brehan's Ring

Ancient druid artefact

Moon stone earring"

"You have killed a creature whose level was twice as superiors as yours.

Experience +200%.

Fame +10

Respect+10"

"You have levelled up" (x7)

"Having been killed by a non Human, Brehan the third's undead curse has been lifted forever.

Fame +200

Respect, Honour +50"

"You have destroyed the Dark Power's source.

Spirit familiarity +15%

Spirit Understanding rises to Beginner 4 (0%)

Spirit of the wolf rises to Beginner 5 (0%)"

Around me, the room's wall started to produce a small light. phosphorous moss and mushrooms that had been hindered by the Dark Power came back to full life.

I cancelled the shape shifting, returning to human form and started packing my bags and pockets with as much jewellery as i could. i kept examining precious stones, golden bracelets and old coins, selecting the most valuable. when my bag was full i had at least fifty exemplares of everything and thousands of old gold coins in my bag.

I was trying to take as much as possible in case i couldn't come back.

I also took the time to examine the objects i had gotten from the undead monster.

"Brehan's Ring

Durability: 134/150

Value: 135,728

A golden ring with a dark red stone embedded in it. On the insides of the ring is a engraved an unknowed symbole.

There is a curse on it,

Notoriety +300

Vitality +50

Endurance + 50

Prerequisite: Dark Affiliation 100, level 60"

"Moon stone earring

Durability: 125/150

Value: 74,936

A single earring made of a small moon stone.

Because of its singular material, all moon related stats and effects are now available during daytime.

Can be worn in your wolf shape

Spirit familiarity +15%

Honour +10"

"Ancient druid Artefact

Durability: 75/94

Value: 274,826

A stone tablet engraved with an ancient Rune.

Prerequisite: Ancient Rune Knowledge 35, Spirit of the Wolf"

I immediately equipped the earring and slowly started walking the way up. as i reached the top the Obelisk had already been moved.

The Spirit was gone so i offered it the stone tablet by placing it on the marble ceremonial table. As soon as i placed it under the moon light the rune started to emit a soothing light.

The spirit started to reform as i was reading the information windows that had appeared.

"You have discovered the Spirit of the Moon Ancient Rune.

Intelligence +10

Ancient Rune Knowledge +10"

"Through your Ancient Rune Knowledge you have used the Ancient Druid Artefact and learned the skill Spirit of the Moonlight."

"Spirit of the Moonlight: Beginner 1 (0%)

At night Health recuperation rate rises by 2%.

At night mana recuperation rate rises by 3%.

At night Dexterity rises by 1%.

At night strength, Endurance and Speed rises by 1%.

Your wolf form now pocess moonlight markings on its head."

"Thanks to your Moon Stone Earring the effects of Spirit of the Moonlight are active during the day too."

This... this is so cool!

Thanks to the earring and my Druid's magiks my stats were increased. although i was now level 29 and once i had set my 80 stats points i had kept for after i choosed my job, i would be the same as a level 45 player.

The moon spirit finished appearing and once again its voice filled my head.

"Thank you, young Druid for returning my artefact to its rightful place. as promised i shall free the man of the moon's voices."

"You have solved the Forest Ruins Mystery.

Exp + 1000

Fame +20

Intelligence +10"

"The Night Spirit told you she ridd Andy of the weird voices and noises he was hearing.

Go see Andy to confirm it."

The obelisk glided once again and sealed the stairs. this time the sound was different, i had the impression that it was final. The passage way would never open again.

"You have gone to great length to restore my sanctuary. this act shall not be unrewarded. Where ever you are, as long as the moon and the stars shall shine upon you, my blessing shall accompany you."

"You have been permanently granted with the Night Sky's Blessing by the Spirit of the Night."

"Night Sky's Blessing:

At night all your stats increase by 20%.

At night all your skills and attributes increase by 20%.

At night all your Wolf Attributes increase by 15%.

At night your Health regeneration rate increase by 15%.

At night your Mana regeneration rate increase by 15%."

"Thanks to your Moon Stone Earing the Night Sky's Blessing effects will be active even durring the day."

" Farewell young shape shifter. May our paths cross again."

Just like this, the Night Sky spirit disappeared and i was left alone in the dark in front of the stone monuments.

Wahou... this whole druid quest was awesome!

I quickly went into my option menu and turned off the recording option.

This video is gona be huge!