Cain was forced logged once again, back in the real world. He realised he needed to start expecting this and create a routine around it. Eat his bread (that now tasted like dirt compared to the game worlds food), exercise and sleep.

***

After arguing with the camps cook for a while, Cain finally agreed to allow the meat to be cooked in a stew for all camp members and not just Cain himself.

Once I learn the cooking skill I’ll never have to share again!

As the group ate the stew and thanked Cain for slaying the beast, they began talking about the forest.

Maybe this is where I can learn more about the forest like the quest said!

“I’d like to know more about the forest, what can you tell me?”

“This forest is vast and covers more land than you would except when observing it from the outside. There are many beasts hidden away and the paths through the forest are a maze.”

“What do you mean? You told me the creatures of the forest were slain by the men of light?”

“They were, but that was back when Parowits truly existed. The beast you fought last night was a shadow of his former self. We are currently on sitting in the outskirts of the forest, but it gets much more dangerous as you travel further in.”

“So if Parowits is dead, and only fragments of him remain as possessed beasts. What else could harm me? I’ve fought one beast, I’m sure I could kill another.”

“Parowits is not dead! Gods do not have the same lifecycle as man. They gain presence and strength from controlling land and having followers. As his main followers were the creatures of the forest, he grew weaker as they were slain. He used his final strength to transform the forest into an everchanging maze to trap those who he resents. The deeper into the forest you travel, the harder it becomes to ever escape, though it is said if you are a true follower you will be given a free pass and the path will lead you were ever you need to go.”

“That’s all well and good, but that doesn’t explain any creatures…”

“You really are thick. Just like us, the creatures came to the forest as a last resort to be protected from the hunters and farmers. A lot of these were viscous creatures such as bears, wolves, goblins and even trolls! As they breed and grow under Parowits sanctuary, he becomes stronger and so does his influence. Though you do not see the creatures here on the outskirts as they are drawn to the centre of the forest were Parowits power concentrated.”

“So, what you’re saying, is the centre of this forest is extremely dangerous not only because of deadly creatures but also because it’s a maze designed to trap people? Why would anyone even think of venturing there?”

“There are rumours that in the heart of the forest the first outcasts built a shine to worship Parowits. Nobody knows where the shine is or what it is made from, but it is expected many treasures of the forest are kept there to channel Parowits’ power. If one were to discover it, who knows what the rewards could be? A few men from our camp decided to look for it a few months back, now we can only assumed that they have died.”

*Quest: The Shrine of Parowits

Within the forest exists a shine used to worship Parowits. Discover the location of the shine and report back to the camp with your findings. Maybe the bandits in the camp could be of help.

Reward:

Leadership of the bandits

1000 Experience

1000 experience! I could jump straight to level 5 with that!

“I will explore the forest and find this shine, if I am lucky I am even come across your old camp members. I will need some assistance before I start my journey though.”

“That’s a brave move Cain, but we thank you for it. What can we do to help you?”

“I’m going to need some trapping equipment to hunt along the way. I will also have to travel back to town to offload some weight for the journey. The most important thing I need though, is for you to stop eating the boar stew and package it up for me to take!”

Cain gathered his things and started off towards the village, making sure to wear his cloak tightly remembering the guards could be dangerous.

***

Back in the village Cain headed straight to the blacksmith, the other players where no longer hostile. Though he assumed this was because the ones he had killed had moved on and progressed past this village.

“Blacksmith, I have some supplies I would like you to see.”

“Cain! The hero that helped save the mines! What do you have for me? I’ll do any work for a great discount!”

Cain removed the skull and tusks from his bag

“Is there anything you can make from these?”

The blacksmith inspected the items with a critical eye

“The skull is too damaged to be of use to me, but the tusks are strong and carry the god of the forest. I could turn these into some very useful equipment. What do you need? A helmet of horns? A pair of blade proof bracers? Or maybe a sheathe for those daggers you carry?”

The bracers could be useful, though in hand to hand combat I doubt I’ll be blocking many hits as a thief. A helmet would be strong, though it doesn’t fit my class, I could use it to repay Marowit for that night at the inn…. But a sheathe for my daggers could be something I really need.

“These sheathes. What would it be for other than carrying my daggers and adding extra unwanted weight?”

“The tusks would be hollowed into a lightweight nimble frame, I’ll attach leather straps to hold them inverted across you back hidden beneath your cloak! Your draw speed will be faster, and because of the tusks strength, they will sharpen your daggers providing a temporary buff! Because the bone contains a part of Parowits spirit, you will also have protection within his forest, at least in the discovered parts. No one knows what would happen if you venture further.”

“Make them for me!” Cain said as he handed over the rabbit pelts he had connected from killing players in the wheat fields to use as leather.

“You might want to get a beer while I work on these, it will take a few hours. Bone is fragile and the work must be accurate otherwise it will shatter.”

Cain left the smith to work on the sheathes and headed off towards the pub.

I hope Marowit is still around, some real company would be nice after living with NPCs.

“Cain.”

Cain turned around expecting someone he knew. But only to see a slender woman standing before him.

Why do people always approach me from behind?

“Do I know you?”

“No, but I know you. Bring me the skull and some dust of boar tusks and I will make you as strong as Daeva promised.”

How does she know the god who gave me my class? Maybe she just overheard my conversation with the smith and worked it out from there… but this could be another quest and I’m not going to skip that!

“Okay, where will I find you?”

“Walk back towards the bandit camp, you will see my laboratory along the way.”

Laboratory? There was nothing but grass and trees along that route.

Cain went to reply but noticed she was gone. He decided he would have to walk back that way anyway so if he finds her again then great.

Cain continued to walk around town looking for new quests and check in on the smith until he was finally finished. There was no way he was going to the inn that charged him 6 silver for the night!

“Are you done yet?”

“Cain you’ve disturbed my work 23 times already, but yes, they are finally complete. The sheathes came out better than I could have hoped, the spirit within them is stronger than I initially though! Because you helped saved the mines, I’ll only charge you 30 silver for the service!”

“30 silver! Who do you think I am? A corporate? I barely have more than 2 silver and you want 30!? Give me back the tusks and I’ll take them elsewhere.”

“I’m sorry I don’t know what a corporate is but it sounds like you’re trying to insult me and my craft.”

“I have a wooden shield and some iron chainmail, would you consider this as payment instead? I just don’t have the coins.”

“The shield is useless, but I could use melt down the chainmail. Altogether I’d value these at 15 silver, how will you come up with the other 15?”

“Let me finish my quest in the forest and I will bring you more treasures than you could ask for! I will pay you far more than the 15 silvers I would owe you, but I will need those sheathes if I am going to successfully complete this quest. I will also need the dust created by hollowing out these tusks.”

“Very well Cain, the forest is a dangerous place and if you can acquire any precious metals for me that would be more than enough. Here are your sheathes and I hope for a safe return.” The smith said as he gathered the dust off the floor.

Haha sucker, I’m never coming back here again.

Cain took his sheathes and left the town as quickly as possibly in hopes to find the woman he met early. Once he was safely out of town he paused to take a look at his new gear.

*War-Scarred Sheathe

Unique Sheathe crafted from the tusk of a possessed boar. The spirit of Parowits lies within, providing greater bonuses.

Effects:

Provides Sharpness buff for 1 minute when the weapon is drawn. (+2 max damage)

Due to the craftsman’s talent, the item is weightless

Protection of possessed beasts within Parowits forest.

Inspect Sheathes!

Perfect! I’ve offloaded the weight of the useless armour and even this item is weightless! I’ll have so much room for more loot!

On the way back to the forest Cain noticed a run-down house that he was sure wasn’t there before.

Is this where that woman lives? What did she call it? Her laboratory?

Cain entered the house to find all sorts of unrecognisable animal parts and herbs cluttering the rooms.

“Welcome Cain, do you have what I require?”

Cain handed over the skull and tusk dust

“Thank you”

She walked over to strange array of glass vials, some filled with strange liquids and others sat over flames. She took a small portion of the dust and placed it within one, then chipped the skull and grinded the small piece into more dust, followed by adding that to another vial. After storing the leftover supplies she twisted various handles and allowed a liquid to flow though the intricate system before handing Cain a small tube of the final liquid.

This must be some kind of rip-off.

“ummm, what am I supposed to do with this? And can I have the skull and remaining dust back? You barely used anything.”

“The leftovers are payment for the power I have provided you! Within that vial holds Parowits power at its maximum potential, once you drink it there is nothing you cannot slay!”

Well I paid for it, may as well test it out here and see if she is for real or not

Cain went to open the vial and drink the substance

“Stop! Do you always act so quickly? The power is temporary and comes with side effects, only use it when you need it most!”

Damn woman sold me some dodgy water I think.

Inspect Vial!

*The Curse of Parowits

This potion holds within the curse of Parowits. The one who drinks the potion will be possessed by Parowits himself!

Effects:

Parowits Curse buff – All combat stats increased by a factor of 20 for 30 minutes.

Side-Effects:

Parowits Curse debuff – After the buff wears out, the player will be fatigued for 4 hours and combat stats will reduce to 0.

Whoa, that’s one hectic potion. I hope I never have to use it but I guess it may come in handy in the forest.

Cain looked at the woman for a moment thinking

“I gave you enough supplies to create 100 of these potions, give me 10 and I’ll call it even!”

“Are you mocking my worth as an apothecary? My potions are sort after by players across this whole continent! You should be fortunate that I even approached you! The maximum I will give you is 2.”

So you can barter with NPCs

“5 and it’s a deal!”

“You selfish human! I know what you plan to do to the blacksmith, never pay him back was it? 2 potions and I wont tell him, if you push me anymore you’ll have a mob after you!”

At least I tried…

“Okay, two it is.”

Cain left with his two potions feeling used and abused. Though he had more important things on his mind.

Its time to find this shrine!