“If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” – Rudyard Kipling

Consciousness returned. How, Hank wasn’t sure how he arrived nor where, all he knew for certain was how comfortable he was. “Hmm, soft warm bed.”

“Oh, goody you’re awake. I’ll tell Dad.” the door slammed and Hank remembered why he hated mornings. Headaches always came in the morning. Hang on a minute he hadn’t been drinking. That’s right crazy girls, smelly bandits, corrupt guards and angry dukes, yesterday had been one heck of a day. “Better check the logs starting with the quest log.” Hank opened his quest log

Quest : Damsel in Distress

Part :

2 - Report this to the Authorities

Description :

Hand the captured brigands over to the authorities in Perison for interrogation

Status :

Completed

Reward :

2 Tsuki (yet to be received)

5 xp

Quest : Damsel in Distress

Part :

3 - Question the brigands

Description :

Question the brigands about their involvement in kidnapping Elise

Status :

Completed

Reward :

5 xp (reduced as you did not conduct the interrogation)

Quest : Corruption in Perison

Part :

1 - Corruption in the guards

Description :

Discover if the guards at the gatehouses of Perison are corrupt.

Report your findings to someone in authority

Status :

Completed

Reward :

5 xp

“Corrupt guards, Damsels in distress. Please, could it be any more cliché. Someone needs to demand a refund from the programmers.” The dry tone of the AI intruded into Hank’s thoughts.

“Hello AI.” There was no response. "Hello." Only silence.

Hank returned to looking at the quest log.

Quest : Corruption in Perison

Part :

2 - Guard captain corruption

Description :

Discover if the captain of guards at the gatehouses is also corrupt, or just incompetent.

Report your findings to someone in authority

Status :

Completed

Reward :

10 xp

Quest : Corruption in Perison

Part :

3 - Who’s organising this?

Description :

Discover who is behind the corruption in the guards.

You will require evidence or testimony to substantiate your report.

Report your findings to someone in authority

Status :

Completed

Reward :

Unknown and will depend on who you report this too

Quest : Children are missing

Part :

2 - How are they being moved

Description :

A number of children have gone missing in Perison.

Discover where they are being held or how they are leaving the city.

Report your findings to someone in authority

Status :

Completed

Reward :

10 xp

Bonus Reward :

Some families may reward you independently.

Speak to the families to receive their blessings or curses

Note :

Part 1 was completed by others but they converted this to an open quest. Consequently you have been able to complete part 2.

Quest : Children are missing

Part :

3 - Who’s organising this?

Description :

Discover who is behind the kidnappings.

You will require evidence or testimony to substantiate your report.

Report your findings to someone in authority

Status :

Completed

Reward :

Unknown and will depend on who you report this too

“What? Where did all that come from?” Hank asked himself before noticing there was a helpful notice connected to all of them.

Quest Notice

On the statement of the corrupt captain the quests “Children are missing” and “Corruption in Perison” have been closed and all remaining items have been incorporated in the new quest “Something rotten in Perison”. You have automatically be given this quest.

“Huh.” He remarked. Hank had never seen a quest amalgamation before. He opened the window of the newly created quest.

Quest : Something rotten in Perison

Part :

1 - Who’s organising this?

Description :

There are a number of significant problems in Perison

Discover the source of these issues

Report your findings to someone in authority

Status :

Completed

Reward :

0 xp (other people facilitated this, your participation was limited)

Bonus Reward :

Talk to the Duke of Doncaster to receive any incidental rewards

“What! Stupid game. I almost get killed, twice, and all I get is 85 XP and a vague promise that I might get 2 Tsuki and some other rewards from people I don’t know. Just peachy.” Hank was incensed. “Well, hopefully I got some skills with the quarterstaff.”

Quest Failure

Please note that you did not escort the damsel in distress home. On the bright side the damsel in question made it home safely so the is not a total failure. As a result, all penalties reduced by 50%.

Penalty :

-40 xp

“So I lost XP this morning. Fantastic! I can’t believe this stupid game. Hey AI, your rewards systems sucks.” Only silence answered. “Fine, I’m checking the combat log.” Hank paused waiting for a response. Nothing. He opened his combat log. Hopefully it would contain better news than the obviously broken quest system.

Log (Combat)

Actors

Result

Level

XP Gain

Hank

Knocked out a guard

9

52

“Woohoo, some points, I so need to get into combat more often.” He rubbed his hands together before continuing with the log.

Log (Combat)

Actors

Result

Level

XP Gain

Traveling Duo

You have joined an informal team

You do not have the “Team Work” skill so you cannot share XP

Consequently XP is allocated using “you keep what you kill”

There are no team bonuses active

Elise (Team member)

Injured a guard

N/A

None

Hank

Temporarily disabled a guard

8

44

Hank

Knocked out a guard

10

60

Doncaster’s Roving Team

Your previous team has dissolved and you have joined the team lead by the Duke of Doncaster

You do not have the “Team Work” skill so you cannot share XP

Consequently XP is allocated using “you keep what you kill”

You do not have the “Team Work” skill so you are ineligible for any team bonuses

? (Team member)

Killed a guard

N/A

None

? (Team member)

Has died in defence of the team

N/A

None

? (Team member)

Has been rendered unconscious

N/A

None

? (Team member)

Has rendered a guard unconscious

N/A

None

All team members

Have allowed a brigand (Terrance) to escape

13

-15

Hank

Has injured a guard captain

12

9

? (Team member)

Has captured the guard captain

N/A

None

? (Team member)

Has captured the last guard

N/A

None

That’s the condensed version. Wow, so glad that I don’t have the long version showing during combat or I wouldn’t be able to see a thing. Ouch. I’m not sure how many points I missed out on, but I need to get that team work skill sorted out. What else happened? Hank’s interior monologue and obscured vision prevented him from noticing the door quietly opening.

Log (Skills and Techniques)

Observation has advanced to level 1, no bonuses at this time, 10 XP awarded

Observe Movement has advanced, awareness increased by 0.01% for all conditions

Sneak Attack has advanced to level 2, damage increased by 0.3%

Sneak Attack has advanced to level 3, likelihood of surprise increased by 0.2%

Hank closed the largely boring skills log. “I still can’t believe that I didn’t go up a level with all those lovely points I earned.”

“What’s this about points?” The voice of the rescued girl interrupted Hank’s thoughts startling him sufficiently that he jerked up in bed.

“What?” He asked before his brain caught up with the situation.

“Dad sent me in before. He said you should be awake. He told me to find out who you are. Even though you rescued me, he still doesn’t trust you. Which is just silly.” Elise continued.