Faithful Defender: Aelterna Online, #2

1

Mika, Votess and I stood in the restored nave of the Temple of the Goddess. We were surrounded by white stone, carved entirely in low-relief figures of the People and their deeds. A language none of us could interpret captioned many of the carvings. I wondered just what stories were told here, in the days before She was sealed.

My mind wandered as my friends worked together to reconsecrate the temple. The last time I’d set foot here, it had been overrun with undead, led by a vengeful and traitorous revenant priestess. We’d fought and won, but the real battle had been waiting for us farther in.

Now, the deepest part of the temple was sealed to all except Votess and I, and it would take a lot to get me to go down there. Not because I was afraid, but because that was where my Goddess had almost died, and where I’d been ready to give everything I had to keep Her in the world. Mika had died before the battle, but as a player, death was more of an inconvenience than a real setback. Votess had lasted til the end, and it was her own power that had forced Unmat, the betrayer, to turn from his path and fight her. Together, we’d killed him. Votess later told me that they’d taken his body out in the swamp and left it to rot.

Good riddance.

Now, almost a month later, we were ready to perform the ritual that would dedicate the temple not only to the Returned Goddess, but also to Minolt, the God of purification. Mika’s God had lent her the power she needed to overcome the undead, seal the desecrating force that had tainted the altar of the Goddess, and destroy the phylactery that bound the undead priestess to this world. It was only natural that the People would welcome her faith alongside their own.

The two priestesses stood opposite each other, a study in contrasts. Mika stood midway between four and five feet tall, her stature typical of her elven race. She wore a flowing white robe, unarmored, and bore a holy sword on her belt. Votess stood over six feet, even as she hunched over slightly in the posture that the lizard folk habitually stood in. Her body was unclothed other than a sash around her shoulder that tied into a rope waist belt. On her hip hung a leather pouch. She needed no armour; her scales were more than enough to carry her through most fights, and with my barrier magic, she was almost invulnerable to the enemies we’d fought so far.

I kept quiet. I’d only come at their urging; I didn’t have a role to play in this ritual other than as an observer. My faith in the Goddess was more of a personal thing. But for my friends, my presence was important, and so here I was.

The two of them raised their hands silently. From Votess’s hands a red energy, flowing and chaotic, poured forth to splash on the altar. Mika summoned a golden yellow light that angled down from her palms like sunbeams. Both powers poured into the white stone of the altar and were absorbed. From my position below the dais, I could see that they were speaking, but their words didn’t reach my ears.

From the altar, a pair of shapes took form. They were indistinct, more of an impression, really, but it was impossible not to understand them for what they were. A golden warrior, armoured and leaning on his sword, stood beside a vermillion reptilian figure. The two faced each other for a moment. Did they nod imperceptibly? Did they reach across to clasp hands? My eyes saw none of that, but in my heart, I knew a bond was forged. Then, without a sound, the two figures disappeared, and my friends lowered their hands.

[The Returned Goddess is now allied to the faith of Minolt.]

It is done, said Votess. Thank you, Mika Hix.

"No, thank you, said Mika, shaking her hands by her sides. Whoo! That tingled a little!"

The pair of them stepped down and approached me. Nice work, you two, I said. So we ready for some action?

Outside the temple, the village of Goddess Watch bustled with activity. The return of the Goddess had brought with it the receding of the swamp’s waters, and there had already been a number of interesting things revealed. The most exciting was the discovery of what seemed to be a mine entrance. It was well outside the boundary if the village, but close enough that we could reach it easily. As we’d learned that the area had once been rich in orichalcum, a divine-touched metal, we’d had high hopes. However, everyone had been forced to be patient as the water level slowly lowered, revealing more and more of the excavation to us.

Now, the waters had receded enough that we were ready to go explore the tunnels. I was hoping that they’d be empty, bone-dry, and ready to start working in right away. I also wasn’t so foolish as to think it would be that easy. None of the scouts that had entered had reported any dangers inside, but neither had they spoken of finding seams of orichalcum ready for the taking.

In addition to the mine, which I was desperate to explore, there were other, more boring matters. We had a number of humans that had integrated into the village. They were led by Joenn Bixby, a man that I didn’t know well, but I respected. This in itself wasn’t a problem, but two of the women that had arrived, including Joenn’s wife, were noticeably pregnant. There was some concern about whether the next generation would be born able to understand the speech of the People. Also, one man had privately asked about what it would mean to be born and raised a human among the lizard folk. I hadn’t given him an answer, because how would I know? This was all new to me.

All I could do was hope for the best. The People had opened their village to the humans that Mika had brought, and in return the humans were working alongside the lizard folk. As long as everyone worked to support each other, I had a feeling things would work out all right.

The three of us gathered in the audience chamber of the village. The familiar three thrones dominated the room, two of them occupied by Telix and Krees. The central throne stood empty, because its normal occupant, Votess, was standing with Mika and I.

What will the three of you do now? Telix asked.

We glanced at each other. By their expressions, my two companions made it clear that I was going to be the one to answer. Well, there’s a lot on the table here. There’s the mine, which I’m hoping is chock full of orichalcum. Votess and I have already had some people asking after training in our vocations. Finally, now that the temple here is consecrated, Mika can use it to open a portal to her home temple, which means we might be able to start trading with others.

Those are indeed pressing, said Krees. But what was asked was: what will the three of you do now?

I took a breath. First, I think it’s a waste of time to open trade with Scaleless, at least right now. We have limited goods to offer them, and little money to purchase anything. I also think that we’re not ready to start training paladins and priests. I can’t speak for Votess, but I’ve barely got a handle on what I’m doing. Me teaching someone else what being a paladin of the Goddess means would be a little pointless right now.

I agree, said Votess. I have had many applicants, but I am not ready to choose any as apprentices.

I’d love to go back to Imillar and see Minolt’s altar in the temple there, but right now, I have to say that Denel’s right, said Mika. It would just be sightseeing, and the village needs us here more than I need a vacation.

So, I think that the first order of business should be exploring the mine, and if there’s orichalcum in it, learning to forge it. We have a talented smith among the humans, and hopefully he can learn how to work the metal as soon as possible. Then we’ll have trade goods, the possibility of armaments for the village, and who knows what else. I deliberately kept to myself the fact that I’d shown Tomma, the human smith, my orichalcum sword already. The man had scratched his head and declared that with his equipment, the metal was impossible to work. I’d spoken some words of encouragement, but in my heart, I knew that if god metal was easy to craft with, it wouldn’t be god metal.

I approve, said Telix.

As do I, said Krees. Prepare tomorrow, and the next day you may begin exploring. Votess, choose a scout to go with you. Remember, daughter, you are our only priestess, and Denel our only paladin. Your lives are valuable, more so than any metal that you might find.

I’ll keep them both safe, said Mika. The two elders nodded at her. It seemed a lifetime ago that they’d treated Scaleless like vermin. Now we were one of the People.

The three of us left the chamber and headed towards the eating area. It had formerly been more central to the village, but now that the humans had brought their mess hall and cooking equipment, Jin the butcher had relocated his operation to be nearer to them.

Denel! Jin called out to me the moment he saw us approach. I have perfected a new dish! Will you try it?

Reath, the woodworker who had been so taken with my cooking, waved his clawed hand. It contains roots, but it is good! How can you make food that is not meat? This is better than magic! The lizardman returned to devouring his food messily.

We sat down and Jin served us each a large bowl of a thick stew. The meat was tender, and the root vegetables were something like a parsnip, but blander. I ate my fill and could immediately feel the effects of the meal. I checked my status.

[Straylix stew]

Food effect: END +2 (derived statistics not adjusted)

It’s great! I raised a thumbs up to Jin, who flashed his teeth in what had become the lizard folk’s version of a smile. How about six portions, packaged up for travel?

I will have them made for you, said Jin. He returned to his work serving his well-made meals.

We should plan for battle tomorrow, said Votess. We do not know what is in the mine.

Yeah, I agree, said Mika. What if there’s like, cave spiders or something?

I shuddered. "No giant spiders. Please. Please. If there’s spiders, let’s just burn the whole place out."

Mika nodded. Nuke it from orbit.

It’s the only way to be sure.

Votess stared at us, then shook her head. It is difficult to tell when you are serious, and doubly so when you use words I do not know.

Oh, I’m deadly serious. I meant it, too. Giant spiders? No freaking thank you.

We finished our meal together and retired for the night. I was still sharing a home with Votess, although I had a bed of my own now. I hung my orichalcum blade on Votess’s spear rack. I didn’t need the weapon in the village, but it was practically my badge of office, and when I didn’t carry it people gave me some weird looks. It was a little unsettling how quickly I’d fell into the role of protector.

Good night, Denel.

G’night, Votess. Sleep tight.

My friend got into a comfortable position and then lay still. I envied her ability to fall asleep instantly. Lately, I’d had trouble with sleeping.

When the dark came, and I was alone, I couldn’t avoid thinking about it any longer. In the real world, I was dead. My body had been disposed of by Plus Ultra Realis Enterprises, and there was nothing of me left out there. I didn’t even have family that missed me. My entire existence was here, in Aelterna. What did that make me? Was I a human being? Was I anything more than a series of bits cascading through quantum calculations?

At first I’d pushed the thoughts away, tried to pretend nothing had changed. But it hadn’t worked. Every day I was surrounded by people who were the same as me; people who existed only in the game. It was impossible for me to ignore. I had spent more than one sleepless night wondering if that made me unreal, or if it made them real.

I had decided on the latter. I was still me. My ego, my personality, and my memories: all these things made me who I was. Votess, sleeping beside me, was every bit as real as Mika, who logged out at night to return to her world. Both of my friends here were equally important, and there was no point in pretending otherwise.

A digital life was still a life, no matter where it came from. Votess, Joenn and the rest of the villagers were equal, in my mind, to me. With that thought in mind, I managed to fall asleep.

2

My sleep wasn’t dreamless, but I didn’t remember my dreams in the morning. I also didn’t feel unsettled or nervous, so I figured whatever I’d dreamt couldn’t have been all bad.

As usual, Votess was up and gone well before I was. Her ability to rise before the sun was a little scary to someone like me. I was the opposite of a morning person. I went through the motions of getting somewhat presentable and then headed to the private bathing area.

My clothes hadn’t survived the past month, but luckily for me the human villagers had someone talented in sewing. He’d made me a suitable set of trousers, a belted tunic, and a rather heavy cloak. I hung my ensemble on the nearest tree branch and braced myself for the cool waters.

While I scraped away the grime of the past couple days, I thought about what I wanted in the future. I was happy here in Goddess Watch. I had friends and I was appreciated and valued. It wasn’t that I was unsatisfied; far from it. If anything, I wanted to give back to the village. I was already concerned about a number of things.

First, Mika’s adventuring company definitely knew where we were. One of the dungeon party that we’d sacrificed to the Goddess had been the company leader, and he was mad as hell about being delevelled. Mika was no longer a member of the company, so she wasn’t privy to the details, but ultimately the man had been removed from the company and had been publicly advertising to hire mercenaries. I could only assume he was aiming at us.

Second, the return of the Goddess meant that She was touching the minds of other villages. Votess had told me about other communities of lizard folk, and that they primarily avoided each other so as to not conflict over resources. However, with the return of the Goddess changing the landscape, there was no way to tell how it would affect other villages. Goddess Watch had benefited greatly; the receding waters had made travel and hunting much safer, and the humans had already started making plans to cultivate the land. That didn’t mean that things were as rosy for other communities. I wanted to reach out to them, to see how things looked, but as a Scaleless I knew I wouldn’t be welcomed, at least not without some proof of my intentions.

Both of these concerns tied in to my main worry: the defence of Goddess Watch. The People were now mixed; the humans brought a higher technology with them, and the lizard folk were tough and powerful in battle. I had my barrier magic, and Votess was mastering her powers of healing and regeneration. I’d watched her regrow a severed limb in seconds, and my own scaled and taloned right arm was a testament to her powers. Mika’s magic focused more on purification than healing, but it was incredibly valuable in the swamp. We had clean water, safe food, and absolutely zero disease or infection due to her.

However, we were only three people. We couldn’t be everywhere at once. The guards and warriors of the village were hardy and brave but I’d seen what a single party of adventurers could do to them. My heart ached when I saw the orphaned child of Ket training with the humans at the archery range. I didn’t want that to happen again, and I was afraid. If Griz, her former company master, brought a bunch of mercs here, the loss of life would be enormous. That was not going to happen if I could prevent it, but I wasn’t sure how I could.

Orichalcum. The metal that we hoped to mine might be the key. My sword glittered where it leaned against the tree. Every part of the weapon was crafted from the metal, and it fit perfectly in my taloned right hand. The more time I spent with the blade, the more I suspected there was more to the metal than it simply being impossibly strong and resilient. However, nothing in the sword’s description indicated a secret hidden power.

[Orichalcum Temple Sword]

ATK: 15 (base 9, +5 from skill Sword Fighting, +1 from Race: Divine-Touched)

DEF: 0 (base 0)

Durability: ∞

Quality: Superior

Special: Orichalcum blades never dull and cannot be damaged by normal means. This blade was forged for Lizardman hands and will have an Accuracy penalty if wielded by any other race.

Regardless of whether there was more to the metal than I could see, it was clear that it would make superior weapons for us. If I could arm a strong force with orichalcum weapons, maybe even armour, then the village would be much better equipped to defend itself. The only issue was the fact that I had no idea how we would shape the metal, if we even found any.

The other approach I’d taken was to work hard on my alchemy. The past month had taught me a lot; I’d levelled my alchemy skill up to 5, where it had stopped gaining any experience. That fifth point had granted me a new Talent: Elixir Analysis.

[Elixir Analysis]

This talent allows the alchemist an attempt at discovering the formula used to craft a potion. The potion in question is destroyed in the process. Alchemy skill, Luck attribute, and equipment quality all factor in to the chance.

Your current chance to successfully analyze a potion is 40% (base 20% +2%/level of Alchemy skill + 5%/Luck point over 10 x 1.0 equipment bonus/penalty multiplier)

I’d seriously considered trying my luck with the remaining two Invisibility potions I had, but with only a 40% chance of success, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I justified my decision with the knowledge that I probably wouldn’t be able to find the ingredients around here easily regardless. However, I’d gotten a disheartening message when I had gotten Alchemy 5.

[You may not raise your Alchemy skill further until one of the following conditions are met:]

Invent an entirely new potion

Analyze three unknown potions

That was frustrating as hell, but there was nothing I could do. I’d played around trying to invent a completely new potion, but without any success.

Relaxing in the water, I brought up my stats.

Daniel Descouteaux, AKA Denel

Title: Paladin (Teacher, Sacrifice)

Framework: Paladin of the Returned Goddess

Race: Human, Divine-Touched

Level: 16

Attributes:

Strength: 12 (ATK bonus: 20%)

Endurance:12 (Vitality/level bonus: 2)

Agility:11 (Accuracy/DEF bonus: 5%/1)

Intelligence:11 (Mana pool multiplier: 1.1)

Willpower:12 (Resistance bonus: +2)

Charisma: 14 (Disposition bonus: 20%)

Luck:12 (Bonuses unknown)

Derived Attributes:

Vitality:292

Mana:341

Traits:

Gift of Tongues

Skills:

Sword Fighting: 5

Barrier Magic:5

Alchemy:5

Diplomacy:2

Assess Target:2

Skill Instruction: 2

Spells:

Barrier Rank 5

Talents:

Channeled Barriers

Freeform Barriers

Faithful Defender

Elixir Analysis

I dismissed the AR HUD when I realized I wasn’t alone. Denel. The voice was familiar. Joenn Bixby, de facto leader of the human refugees who had joined Goddess Watch, was stripping down to bathe as well. His body was well-muscled and strong and obviously the product of hard work. You look troubled.

My reflexive response was to deny it, but I pushed that down. Joenn was a major figure in the village and he deserved to know what was on my mind. I’m worried about the future. I fully expect that we’re going to be attacked by players and mercenaries, and the village isn’t ready for that.

Joenn reached over and I handed him the scraper and sponge. I don’t know about that. The lizard folk are powerful and I wouldn’t wager against them in a fight. For our part, we’ve got a few archers and we’re training everyone to at least handle a weapon.

I nodded. I’m not saying that everyone isn’t doing their part. Before you arrived, we had a player group attack us. They killed three of the People before we repelled them, and not to blow my own horn but if I hadn’t been there we might have lost more. What if we get attacked while we’re in the mine? What if I’m not around for some other reason?

"Then we’ll fight on our own until you return. Denel, these people survived for centuries without us. Without you. They know the risks, and so do we."

What about your wife, Joenn? The moment I said the words, I regretted them. I watched the man’s face harden, but I pressed on. Would you bet her life? What about your child’s life?

"I know you mean well, Denel, but hear me: never, ever use my family to argue your position. Rachel knew what we risked following Mika here. She is as aware of the dangers as I am. You players return from the dead. Don’t ever dare to preach to me about the value of life. I know it better than you."

I looked away, shamed by my words and by Joenn’s response. It wasn’t until the man touched my shoulder that I looked up again. Denel. We are all here together. We will all work together. Don’t think of us as weak, but instead think of how to use our strengths. My wife is pregnant, yes, but she is not helpless. None of us are.

The man rose from the water and left me with my thoughts. He was right. I needed to work with the villagers to figure out what we could do together.

When I returned to the village, Mika was nowhere to be found. According to Rachel, she was in the other world, which meant she’d logged off. I wondered what she did there. I’d opened myself up to her, telling her my life story, but she’d never reciprocated. Whatever she did in my former world was her secret. I didn’t really mind. She was my friend here and that was enough.

I have selected a scout. Votess sat down beside me at the eating hall. His name is Calt.

What’s he like?

Do you mean what does he like, or what is he like?

I winced inwardly. Sometimes talking to Votess was infuriating. Now and then I suspected she did it on purpose. The latter.

He is like me: scaled and strong. Her eyes glittered and she flashed her teeth in a lizard grin. I am joking. He is small of frame and fast. His scales are dark and well suited for hiding in the swamps. He is unusually skilled with the knife, and is learning the bow alongside the Scaleless. I believe he is the best choice.

Great. He’s all right with Scaleless?

He is. Something in Votess’s expression made me want to ask her if there was a problem, but the moment passed when Mika arrived.

Hey, gang! She plunked herself down beside us and reached for a slice of cured meat. So what’s the plan?

We’re going in tomorrow. Votess found us a scout, guy named Calt. The plan is to map the entire mine, if that’s what it is, or as much as we can before we have to leave. If we run into anything down there, we’re gonna kill it if possible and retreat if necessary.

I expect to find degenerated ones in the mine. Votess said out loud what I’d been thinking. The tunnels underneath the swamps have always been home to them, and they are nearly as comfortable on land as under water. The receding of the waters will not harm them.

Mika tilted her head. Degenerated?

Yeah. When the Goddess was forced to seal herself away, some of the lizard folk regressed into something monstrous. I’d fought a few of them with Votess, and they had been as tough as she was, or tougher. They’ve got venom in their talons and they’re amphibious. They look like the People, but with alligator heads and generally bigger.

Mika’s face paled. Oh damn. And we are gonna have to fight them?

Only if we see them, said Votess. We will not seek them out.

I hadn’t even considered the degenerated ones in my worries about the village, but we hadn’t had any issues with them. They hadn’t approached the walls, and none of the hunting parties had reported seeing any out there since the waters had retreated. I wasn’t so naive as to think they were all gone, but I had let myself forget they existed in my calculations.

Sounds like everything’s all set. What about the orichalcum? Are we gonna mine it if we find it?

At Mika’s words, Votess looked at me expectantly. I sighed. I’m gonna tell you a secret. Let’s keep this between us, all right? I brought my sword to Tomma and asked him what he thought, and he doesn’t see any way he can forge orichalcum. He’s not sure whether it’s a lack of skill, his forge equipment, or both, but there’s no way that he can make anything out of it. I have no idea what we’re going to do.

Votess narrowed her eyes, but Mika didn’t even blink. No worries! Whatever it is, there’s got to be a way. We’ll figure it out!

I like your enthusiasm. Let’s see what we find down there. No sense worrying about things we can’t do anything about.

We broke up our impromptu planning session and went our separate ways. Mika had duties to attend to with her people, and Votess was spending every spare moment in the temple. I did something a little more personal.

When I arrived at my destination, class was already in session. I climbed my usual tree and watched the archery trainees at practice. Eight lizard folk, including two children, were hard at work shooting at butts set up at a respectable distance. The person I was there to watch was second from the right, and she was doing just fine.

Daughter of the Last Clutch of Ket was still small, but already she could handle a full size longbow that would take a human years of training. Her strong arms and nimble fingers nocked, drew and fired in a series of smooth motions. I smiled to myself as I watched her practicing. As far as I knew, she’d never spotted me here, and that was fine by me.

I came here because she was the daughter of the first person I’d ever known to die in the defence of the village. Her mother had been killed by a player group who had treated the People as monsters. Watching her reminded me of what she’d lost and what I needed to do to protect the village. I didn’t want any more orphans. I didn’t want to meet any more last daughters.

Of all the promises I’d made since I entered Aelterna, the most important one was to myself: to defend my People with my life. That was the essence of being a paladin, as far as I was concerned, and below me