True Monsters – Chapter 2 - Oh Rats

In the cold lonely mountains the village of Broken Gorge sat, cowering between the mountain and forest. An old coach in slightly better repair, than the one that had been dragged into the village the day before, arrived. It sported the same colours as before. A driver from the trade guild, in an almost new blue uniform. A middle aged man who made the trip far more infrequently. A man in a neat red and green tabard sat next to him. He had been tested and seen adventure before, but his face was not yet old. He carried a short bow and quiver of arrows with him. An axe and a dagger hung form his belt.

The guards at the gate, went through the same ritual. The coach was let into the village. It rolled up to the market square. The coach was opened, people started to unload the contents. A few nudges, than a blue blanket in one corner, stretched to become a yawning young girl.

She shivered at the cold, grabbing her oak staff and canvas bag. She started to shuffle out of the coach. It was far colder than she had been expecting, she was of average height but pail and thin. She had blond hair kept in a ponytail. She wore a thin blue robe, which shimmered with various runes and symbols. Under the robe she wore thick woollen clothes, not thick enough. Now that she was actually up in the mountains she wanted a second layer. She huffed at the effort of carrying her bag, it bulged rectangularly. It contained a large number of books.

She leaned on her staff, it was old red oak. A few inches taller than her, it shimmered with an odd blue light. As she lent on it, the staff glowed if anything she looked the part. Runes and symbols were carved over every available surface. There were blue leather bindings, which denoted hand grips. A large iron sphere topped it off, at one end. She wore a silver ring, on her left hand. It was carved with more of the same runes, it glowed slightly blue. On her hip was a thin belt from it hung several small items, personal items such as a purse and cutlery. One unusual item was a small glass vial containing a blue liquid, it sparkled in the sunlight.

Her blue eyes took in the entire scene, it was horribly cold. It looked like the village around her, was going to fall apart all by itself. She felt her enthusiasm drop. She could see the inn across the small market place. Outside two people wearing armour were having a breakfast of vegetable soup, they waved to her. She waved back, there was a polite cough from behind her. She turned around, a man in a large coat and a massive hat stood behind her. He offered her a hand, “I am Martin Wright, blooded vampire hunter of the order of steel and silver”. She responded stuttering slightly, “My names Alice Costa, of the Royal mages guild, please to meet you”. He picked up her bag as if it weighed nothing, “come let me show you to your room, before you freeze to death”.

They stopped next to the two mercenaries, briefly Martin introduced them. “This is Vivian and David, the rest of our group.” Martin led her inside, through the inn and up to the first floor. “I will put your bag in hear, it’s the only room left”. She nodded, Martin left her stuff in the room and went to his own. He returned with a sturdy leather bag, and a woollen garment. “I assume that the cold is affecting you?” She nodded, “its freezing”. He handed her the woollen cloak, “your robe is magic, is it affected if something is placed on top of it?”

She shook her head, “it’s not affected, and it’s mostly to show off all the runes”. Marin nodded, “also that potion of yours. It should be kept in a leather bag, so you don’t accidentally break it. Unless being inside the bag will affect it in some way?” Alice shook her head. “The mana potion won’t be affected.” She paused unsure “I don’t think it will, this is the first time I have been away from the mage tower, since the guild recruited me. I have never done field work before, I will need some practical education I guess.”

Martin gestured to her to follow him, “we have an urgent matter to attend to. Come down to get a bite to eat, we can talk it through” Alice nodded, “yes of course, I can get to know everyone”. The group introduced themselves to each other. Then started to go round the table getting down to work. Martin started, “we have a giant rat extermination quest. It is our first order of business, we each state what we bring to the table. Then we make a plan and start killing the rats”.

The mercenaries nodded, Alice continued to slurp lukewarm soup. Martin began, “I have these two pistols, a set of heavy leather and steel armour. My equipment is designed to protect against the cold and the rain as well as vampires. It has a small blessing to enhance its durability, these pistols hit hard but take a lot of time to reload. I have some silver shot, if we encounter anything more supernatural. I can get off about 14 precision shots before I run out of focus”.

David was next, “I trained as a front line fighter. I am equipped as such, as a mercenary. I have three levels in sword proficiency, two levels in shield proficiency. I have the layered armour perk so I benefit from padding, chain-mail and a shield. Allowing me to weather very strong attacks. I can use up to six adrenalin fuelled power attacks a day, doing massive damage.

I could also train up the local farmers as levies to help them fight. The sheriff has already done that. I do have a silver dagger in reserve, if we meet something more supernatural, I have a chance to hurt it.”

Vivian followed after that, “I am also a mercenary, I chose the route of the long bow. I have 20 normal steel broad-head arrows, I have a good range to them. I have two silver arrows in reserve, for any paranormal pests. I am a slightly lower level, so I can only use 5 power shot attacks per day. Obviously I have to recover arrows after I use them, or I would soon be out of business.”

Alice fished her soup, “well I am a level four mage. I know four basic spells that would be of any use. Fire bite and tracking fire bite, the tracking spell dose a little less damage than the other one but you don't need to aim it. I have a touch heal spell and a ranged healing spell. The touch spell is a bit better than the ranged spell, in terms of healing.” She paused thinking “I have 100 mana so I can use my spells 20 times per day. So I guess it’s like Vivian's quiver of arrows then”. Vivian nodded “I suppose so but I can pick my arrows up later”.

She continued, “I do have 10 mana kept in the staff as a reserve, allowing me to cast two more spells per day”. She pointed to her robe, “this is enchanted with a 5 point armour boost, and the ring is enchanted with a 2 point armour boost”. Vivian patted her on the shoulder, “we will get you some mittens, so you don't freeze your fingers off.” Alice thought about it, “I would need to take them off to cast but that can’t be helped. I have a few reference books on magical phenomenon’s. My fire magic can hurt most supernatural creatures, also I have a small mana potion that can restore about 120 points of mana. I only have the one, if I get in a really bad situation.”

Martin looked at the others, “so let’s look at basic tactics. If we take the nests of rats head on we might be overwhelmed, badly injured or killed outright. We need to thin there numbers, they forage into the crop fields. It should be fairly easy to find and kill them. Some of the outermost fields have been abandoned. The farmers didn't want to fight the dam things, they are our best bet.” David interjected, “you said that there were trappers right. We could borrow a few traps, make things easier on ourselves”. Martin nodded, “a good idea. If you speak to the sheriff, he could arrange something”.

Vivian looked at them, “also some anti disease medicine would be good. Some torches and some lamp oil for the torches, we could be there out there a long time”. Martin handed Vivian a few bronze coins, “you grab some rations from the inn. I will get some torches and oil, David get the traps, get someone to show you how to use them. Alice why don't you check your books for anything useful and we will move from hear.”

The party broke apart and headed off in different directions. David headed to the town hall, the fire was higher in the hearth. The place stood in better repair. There was some decent furniture and a few small luxuries. He went through the building to a side office. He knocked on the door and waited, a dull flat voice shouted out. “Come in who is it?” He quickly responded, snapping to attention. “Sheriff Sir it’s me David, one of the glass bay mercenary company men”. He opened the door and stepped in. There were a few bits of armour, a few weapons and a lot of paperwork all over the office.

The sheriff wore a good suit of chain-mail. He had thick boots, a set of good gauntlets. To his left, on a stand he had a fine crossbow, with a quiver of steel bodkin bolts next to it. A thick practical helmet sat on his desk. He wore a sash with the local lord’s seal on it, denoting his official office. He was not tall, but had a certain bulk to him that implied muscle. A serviceable sword hung by his side.

“What do you want?” David looked up, meeting his eyes. This man was not quite a veteran, but had survived several tours of duty. He acted as a professional soldier, “we want some traps and snares to help with the giant rat problem”. The sheriff scratched his head, “you know that the rats, are already too big, to be done in by such items”. David shrugged, “the traps slow them down. Then we kill them”. The sheriff scratched his beard, “So you are not going to hide behind the walls, like the last lot. They met the local dread wolf out in the forest, they lost their nerve. Hopefully you will prove to be better”. He paused thinking, “old Joseph lost his dog to the rats, about a week ago. He has traps and snares, he can show you how to use them. I will get one of my men to introduce you”.

Martin went to the apothecary. The shop was more of a general store than a poultice seller. It dealt in any number of things. Samuel dealt with the caravans and coaches. Making sure that what little the village produced was shipped off. What goods were brought in were procured with the lowest cost possible. He went straight to the point, “If you do end up showing any signs of the disease taint, then we can talk about a purifying mixture. Until then my stock is limited, I can spare a couple of torches and some oil”. Martin nodded, he wouldn't get any better support. “Thank you”, he collected the items and headed back to the inn”.

The four of them met up, Vivian got four rations of dried bread and hard cheese. She also had a corked flask of water, she had her back pack. Alice returned from her room, “I did find a few facts about them in my books. Apparently if fresh and you have a way to purify them. The liver and whiskers, can be used as alchemical ingredients for a few basic poultices. Also they are one of the first recorded examples of blood alchemy. Where a natural creature is mutated through magical means. Also a wear rat can get to level 45, before they reach there kinds growth limit”.

David shrugged, “worth a try I suppose. I have four snap traps and ten snares they might be good for something.” Vivian took the rations and carried a torch. They found Alice a pair of brown mittens and a mustard yellow scarf. David took a torch, Martin lead the way. They moved past the tended fields to the outskirts of the farmed land. David quickly set up the traps using a series of wooden pegs to pin them into the ground. He used a small rock to drive the pegs into the cold hard soil.

Vivian and Alice took up positions at the back of the group, whey could get clear shots off. The remaining two looked at each other. David volunteered, “I am the most heavily armoured. I can go ahead and lure a group of the rats to us.” Martin shook his head, “as a hunter I am an endurance build, I can run and move a lot faster. Let me go and lure them out”. David shrugged “OK”.

Martin disappeared into the next field, he moved with a surprising speed. A few minutes passed, then there was the sound of two heavy footsteps. Followed by squeaking and the sound of many smaller footsteps. He deftly jumped over the traps and moved behind David. He had his shield at the ready. Eleven giant rats came out of the crops, moving towards them.

Martin was the first to shoot, his pistols echoed out two loud bangs. Two of the hungry rats dropped dead, one without a head one with a hole in the centre of its mass. He had emptied both his weapons and holstered them. In the next moment an arrow skewered a third rat, leaving it dead Vivian hurriedly drew another arrow. Alice pulled her mittens off and rapidly chanted. She waved her fingers through a series of complex motions. A glowing ball formed a few inches in front of her finger tips. It rapidly flew over the head of the rat she was aiming at and luckily hit the one behind it. The terrified creature was suddenly enveloped in magical fire. Then the fire receded leaving a dying burnt rat on the ground.

David responded to the first rat, which advanced upon him. He used his power attack, a massive over reaction. The blow cleaved through the rat, burying his sword into the ground. A second arrow found a verminous target, but didn't completely kill the creature. The remaining vermin were tied up in the traps, but were rapidly gnawing their way to freedom. David brought his shield down on the next rat crushing its skull. An aimed spell killed another rat. Martin picked up the rock, David had used to peg the snare traps down. He used it to smash the last rat’s skull in. The rat had desperately tried to gnaw its own leg off, to escape the steel jaw clamped onto its limb.

Martin was not out of breath, the other three were breathing heavily. This was their first combat, there first action. They had worked well against a very weak enemy. Alice was perhaps shivering, more than anything else. Martin reloaded his pistols, then started to use the hooked end of a stick to drag all the dead rats into one pile, away from the crops. “How is everyone holding up” he shouted out. Alice called out, “I have 17 spells left I wish I have learnt winter warmth as a spell”. David looked at the traps, “I'm OK but five of the snares have been torn or chewed through. One of the jaw traps is bent up”. Martin shrugged, “well we can still slow the next lot down a bit”, Vivian checked her arrows, “I have all my arrows back so I am good.”

Martin emptied a little lamp oil over the pile of dead rats, then set it alight with a tinder box. “This will keep the disease taint from spreading. Let’s just watch the fire for a bit to make sure it doesn't spread to the crops.” They watched the rats slowly burn away. Alice held her hands out to the fire to keep warm. David found himself idly wishing that they had some nice cooked meat. Vivian wondered if them smelt like smoked rat, might not be the best way to catch these creatures. But then they did seem highly aggressive, apparently they were also somewhat cannibalistic, so it probably didn't matter.

The fire burnt low, Martin looked around “ready?” Everyone nodded. They moved a bit closer to the remains of the old town. It was just a shell, closer to the mountain than the current village. Nothing that substantial reminded. It had probably been pulled apart for building materials, when the village was first built. They planned to repeat the same trick again. The ground was more open, the vegetation absent. The crops almost completely eaten away. David and Martin prepared the traps, David assumed a defensive position away from the traps. Vivian and Alice quite a bit further back.

Martin jogged away, then rapidly started moving back. He turned and shot, something squealed and died. Martin backed away some more, then fired again. Some more squeals and something else was left thrashing about dying on the floor. Another 14 rats were following him, they didn't seem to be very happy in the slightest. This group seemed quite a bit bigger and heavier than the first. Alice let off two tracking fire bites. The spells hit the first few rats badly injuring them, a couple of arrows finished them off.

The rats hit the snares, a few were caught up. One barrelled right though them and attacked David. He blocked it with his shield, slicing it in the body twice, killing it. Vivian let lose a power shot, it skewered one rat and sent its carcass crashing into a second. Martin was busy reloading his pistol, more spells arrows and sword slashes fell on the rats. Alice screamed as a rat passed David and sank its teeth into her leg. The protection from her enchanted robes reduced much of the damage, she was still injured. Martin gave up trying to re-lode his pistol and ran over to Alice.

She battered the rat with her staff, causing it to let go. He stomped on the creature, with his steel capped boot. Heavily injured, a second stamp and it was quite dead and quite flat. Alice used her healing magic, for the first time on herself. She was shaking and looked quite queasy. The last rat was a little more intelligent than its former brethren. It decided to escape, Martin noted the direction it took off. He primed his pistol, cocked the hammer. He shot it dead, with a focused pistol shot.

Martin used the same piece of wood, to drag the dead rats into a pile. Vivian helped him, after she had finished gathering up her arrows. A splash of oil, the pile of sixteen giant rats was left burning. The group gathered round, they were not so careful of the flames. There was far less to catch fire, at the edge of the fields.

Martin looked round as he reloaded his pistols, “OK how is everyone?” Alice didn't look good, “It bit me. That really hurt and I only have 27 HP total”. Martin finished re-loading and holstered his pistols. He looked at her face in her eyes, looking for signs of discolouration or redness. “You don't seem to have picked up the disease taint, but be careful”.

She nodded, “What about my clothes?” Martin looked at the woollen garment, “I can stitch up that little hole tonight. If you do get bitten in the future, let me wash it out with something first”. Alice looked at him questioningly, Martin held out a canister. “This is tip its 80% proof, perfect for sterilising a wound, even if it stings a bit, what about everyone else.”

Alice looked surer of herself, “I can still cast 11 spells, well technically 13 as I have a reserve in my staff.” Vivian was next, “I have all my arrows, I can still use my power shot 4 times.”

David checked over the rest of the traps. “The snares are all broken, the claw traps are also bust. I suppose they can be put back together, so I will take them back to the hunter. I can still use my power attack four times.” He looked at his shield, “the rest of the gear is good”. Martin checked himself, he had been slower reloading his pistols. “I have 13 uses of my focus shot and plenty of ball and powder left, I say we go forwards.”

Vivian and David said in unison, “Yes onwards”. Alice looked a bit more hesitant, a prod from Vivian in the back and she moved forwards. There were trails of small rat prints, greasy marks and large droppings. The trail directed the group to what would be one of the smaller nests. It looked like the rats, had started under some sort of old store shed. The door was off its hinges, heavily chewed by rats sharpening their teeth.

There was no sign of anything outside, Vivian and Alice set up fairly far back. David advanced shield at the ready while martin held a lantern out. As they approached, a single rat shot out of the dark opening straight for Martin. He struck it with the lamp sending it far back into the darkness. Martin had the most hit points. Due to his higher overall level and endurance based profession. But it was not that much at 113 health.

In the fraction of a second, he had to react he regretted not calling it a day. And going home earlier. An alpha giant rat was a hell of a lot larger than a regular rat, large enough to push him out of the way. In the process removing about a 10th of his health. It tackled David, gripping onto the edge of his shield. David felt the muscles in the creature, he had difficulty holding on. He used an adrenalin power attack against the creature. Thrusting downwards, leaving his sword embedded in its back. There was no way to get his sword free. A dozen of the regular giant rats burst from the nest. Vivian and Alice shot spells and arrows down upon them, Martin proceeded to stamp two of them into paste.

Then the main issue reared its very ugly head. The brood mother was massive bulky and very slow. She pushed her way out of the nest. Completely shattering what was left of the door frame. She screeching angrily at the creatures, attacking her home brood and mate. Vivian let lose one two three power shots in quick succession. Not even slowing the brood mother. Alice fired off her spells into the creature, and at the remaining rats. It killed the small fry, the brood mother took the fiery spells and kept coming.

Alice gripped the side of her staff. Chanting she drained the last reserve of power, from the object into herself. Two more spells flew from her finger tips, in quick succession. They struck into the brood mother, hitting it in the face hurting it a little but not much. Alice looked weak, she slumped onto her staff as she tried to keep her balance. She took one faltering step away then a second. Her body trembled, then she slowly slid to her knees, barely able to keep her eyes open.

Vivian was out of regular arrows and drew her last two reserves the silver ones. Martin drew one of his pistols. Using his focus shot ability he narrowed in on the alpha giant rat. His pistol barked straight through the eye of the creature it fell down limp. David abandoned his shield, he pulled his sword free from the creature’s carcass with both hands. He charged into the brood mother. Using his last adrenalin strike, to embedded his sword in its flanks. The creature twisted round, its back leg kicked him over.

Despite his armour, David lost about a quarter of his health from the blow. The beast lunged towards Martin. He had his other pistol ready, a focus shot was rather redundant at this range but he would be certain. The pistol clicked and fired, the creatures brain was punctuated from the inside of its mouth. Martin took one step to the side, as the creature fell down. It managing to look quite surprised, for a giant rat.

Martin checked around him, Vivian was OK David spat out a little bit of blood, but seemed to be OK. Alice slowly slumped over asleep. Her body ravaged by mana depletion fatigue. She would be OK but would need sleep. The brood mother twitched once. Vivian looked at Martin, his eyes seemed to flash white once. Then his body seemed to lock stiff for a second, then tremble as his muscles spasmed. A grunt of pain escaped his lips. Vivian looked at him questioningly, “what's wrong”? Martin tried to crack a grin, “that was a combat level up, it is quick but painful. I am now a level 4 vampire hunter.” David looked at him, “we each did damage to that monster. How come we haven't levelled as well?” Martin shrugged, “I landed the killing blow, and I probably still had quite a bit of XP left over from my first hunt.”

Martin started towards the rat nest, “make Alice comfortable, this was the smallest nest with the weakest brood mother. The rest will be far more challenging, we have plenty of opportunities to level up further”. He looked inside the nest there were several infant rats crawling around. A little splash from the flask of oil, and a few sparks of tinder and he stepped back. The panicking squealing stopped after a few seconds, the smoke had probably asphyxiated them. Martin looked around, David pulled his slightly battered shield, out of the jaws of the dead alpha.

Vivian made Alice comfortable, then started to pick up her spent arrows. Pulling the ones she had used power shot on, from out of the carcass of the brood mother. She swore as she felt one arrow snap inside the carcass, the steel broad head arrows were expensive. Martin rolled the dead alpha next to the dead brood mother. They dragged the rest of the dead giant rats onto the pile.

A splash of oil and some kindling, they were ablaze. Martin picked up Alice like a sack of potatoes, then grabbed her staff. Vivian looked at Martin, “I know pistols deal more damage the closer the target. But that seemed quite a lot more than you usually do”.

Martin tried to crack a thin smile, “that is an overload shot. 50% more powder two lead balls. It is far less accurate, but dose far more damage. Or causes the pistol to explode in your hand, removing your fingers. Due to the well maintained perk, the chances of that happening are pretty much zero.” David had used all his adrenalin, he was suffering from physical exhaustion. He needed to lean on Vivian's shoulder, to make it all the way back to the village. They reported there kills to the sheriff. Then went and saw the local priest, to heal there wounds with his salve blessing. They headed back to the inn to rest.

Status Screen Name Vivian Tanner Age 19 years old primary occupation mercenary level 5 affiliation Glass bay mercenary free company / Merchants guild association health 55/55 Adrenalin 25/25 strength 11 intelligence 5 wisdom 5 agility 6 endurance 6 charisma 6 dexterity 5 perception 5 bonuses Level attack bonus 5 level defence bonus 5 bonus base weapon damage 15 Class proficiency Comprehensive Training L1 Layered armour perk L1 bow proficiency L4 Adrenalin power shot L1 perks intensive training +1 endurance and Strength Status Screen Name David Fisher Age 18 years old primary occupation mercenary level 6 affiliation Glass bay mercenary free company / Merchants guild association health 60/60 Adrenalin 30/30 strength 12 intelligence 5 wisdom 5 agility 5 endurance 6 charisma 5 dexterity 5 perception 5 bonuses Level attack bonus 6 level defence bonus 6 bonus base weapon damage 18 Class proficiency Comprehensive Training L1 Layered armour perk L1 sword proficiency L3 shield proficiency L2 Adrenalin power strike L1 Adrenalin power block L1 Status Screen Name Alice costar Age 17 years old primary occupation Mage level 4 affiliation The Eternal Tower Mages guild/ Royalist Court health 27/27 Manna 100/100 strength 3 intelligence 5 wisdom 9 agility 5 endurance 3 charisma 5 dexterity 5 perception 5 bonuses Level attack bonus 4 level defence bonus 4 number of spells can maintain 1 base spell cost 5 mana Class proficiency Mana regeneration L1 Analyse magic L1 recharge enchantment L1 spell list fire bite (5 damage +2 per level ) 1x base mana cost Tracking fire bite (5 damage +1 per level ) 1x base mana cost Touch heal (5 heal +2 per level ) 1x base mana cost ranged heal (5 heal +1 per level ) 1x base mana cost Status Screen Name Martin Wrigt Age 29 years old primary occupation Vampire hunter level 4 secondary Occupation Journeyman Craftsman Level 11 affiliation Order of Steel and silver / The church of the creator God secondary affiliation Bay city guild hall health 123/123 focus 75/75 strength 11 intelligence 5 wisdom 5 agility 5 endurance 14 charisma 5 dexterity 7 perception 5 Faith yes bonuses Level attack bonus 11 level defence bonus 11 bonus base weapon damage 15 Class proficiency bonus vs vampire resist disease resist poison pistol proficiency L3 focus shot L1 overload shot L1 Focus re-lode L1 craft proficiency administration L1 Mettle working L5 Leather working L3 woodworking L1 sowing L1 perks well maintained perk on all equipment Flaws Alcoholism Survivors guilt