Legend of the Spellthief

Logan browsed Ahren’s stock of potions, seeing the next tier of healing potions on sale.

The second tier had practically double the effectiveness of the first though at around 2.5x the price, each one costing 37 silver and 4 copper. Logan’s max HP was 136, so he’d heal 37 from each tier 2 potion against the 19 of tier 1 since damage and healing rounded to the closest number.

Time was a major factor in winning fights so a little extra coin to heal a bit more per vial downed was more than worth it. Talking down the price, which was easy due to their PC relationship, Logan bought seven tier 1s and five tier 2s for 2 gold and 66 silver. He still had three tier 1s in his inventory so was quite stocked at this point.

Thanking Ahren for his cheaper prices and advice, Logan made his way to the G-Hall to investigate the next part of his quest. Entering the rather busy adventuring hall, Logan was treated to the sight of many able-bodied and seemingly available party members. Before his scouting could begin, however, he was approached by the two teams he had hired out his summons to.

Celsius had gained 1148 XP whereas Spark gained 1004. Logan updated his signet with the quest completions and was rewarded 8 silver for their participation. As he finished updating his adventuring signet another window popped up.

“You have gained the ‘Fledgling Adventurer’ title.”

“Fledgling Adventurer: Passing the tenth adventurer quest, you are now officially counted as a true adventurer and not one who would abandon the lifestyle as easily as others. Adventurers are more likely to ask you to join parties and invite you on quests, adventurers are also slightly less likely to antagonise you or demand a duel. You have gained 1 skill point to distribute.”

“I should have guessed this would grant a title, was a good idea to put the elementals to work. The only other type of quest variant I haven’t done at least ten of are dungeons, it’s a good bet that would come with a title too”, Logan thought to himself.

With so much choice in the way of skills to place his new point, Logan decided he would hold onto it until he knew what kind of creatures he would be fighting against and the team he would be fighting alongside.

As Logan made his way to the dungeon backrooms he spotted a familiar frame in the corner of his eye. Turning his head he saw Kreya sitting at a table with her signet in her hand, the silver colour of it shining in the sunlight from nearby windows. Recognising her stance as if she were looking for a group to join, Logan approached the Knight and tapped her shoulder.

“Busy working as usual I see”, Logan teasingly spoke as he grabbed a seat at the table.

“Oh hey. Trying to at least. Moella’s restoration is mostly done, I am just gathering some funds to help make some traps for them”, Kreya replied as a smile adorned her face.

“Well, if you’re up for work I can cash in that cheaper dungeon from you then.”

Sitting up straight at the mention Kreya responded, “Oh? Nice timing for us to work together again. Do you have a team and details ready?”

“I am just about to go pick the contract up. Wanted to make sure you didn’t run off before I had it.”

“Gotcha. Well, I can wait here for you then”, Kreya responded as she threw the thin rope of her signet over her head and hid the signet away under her armour.

“Back in a few then”, Logan announced as he stood up.

Finally arriving at the door leading to the backrooms Logan entered an almost empty room. Two receptionists sat at the counter with only one other adventurer looking over the dungeon board. Scanning the contracts for a few minutes Logan was eventually able to spot a newly made contract for some ice caves. Taking it in his hand he could read it further.

Dubbed the “Frost Monarch’s Cavern”, the ice caves were seemingly a commonly attacked dungeon, one of the spellforced persuasion. Since the contract was fresh it indicated that a team had recently failed to complete it, the contact being lost alongside the team who had taken it with them. The dungeon was around 6 days walking to the east, 3 by horse, equating to a distance of just under 150 miles.

The dungeon was an interior set of caverns dug out to represent a monstrous castle. Several rooms, with tall ceilings, were interlinked with large corridors, ramps and slopes to change levels, with plenty of guards on hand. Full of ice-orientated foes, the cavern was inhabited by ice golems, frost snakes, snowball sprites, icebolds, and was sometimes home to blue goblins.

Previous clearings and reports put the total number of enemies inside to be around one hundred strong. The quest itself was to completely clear the caverns of monsters, be it from killing them or driving them out. A payment of 600 silver was on offer, with a suggested minimum team size of six adventurers of rank 8 plus two devouts for healing.

As Logan read over the details the adventurer who was already present had leaned over to glance at what the Spellthief was so focused on.

“Ice caves huh? You’d be the third group this month to try it”, the man spoke off-handedly.

Logan turned his face to the man and replied, “Any of them make it back alive?”

“I see plenty of injured people move through here, don’t exactly question what they survived. Guys at the desk would know more”, the man continued as he pointed a thumb to the receptionists.

“Guess I’ll ask them.”

“Good luck if you take it.”

Nodding to the man, Logan moved toward the counter and placed the contract in front of one of the receptionists.

“I’d like a few more details for this dungeon, please.”

The man at the counter took a quick scan of the contract before tilting his head to meet Logan’s gaze, “Another one ey? You know how many teams have lost to this dungeon?”

“I heard of at least two?”

“This month, think it’s been eight since the seers mentioned it was full of monsters again. ‘Parently they are to blame for the chilly weather recently”, the receptionist continued as he pulled out a larger book.

“Eight? There has got to be some survivors from the attacks, right?”

As the man flipped through the pages of his book he replied, “A few, mostly Rogues who are speedier than most. They handed off some intel, so they got something for their troubles.”

“That’s more concerning. I heard about the ‘icy bastards’ back in Tinte. It would line up with being the hardest quest so far”, Logan thought to himself.

“Here we are”, the receptionist announced as he found the correct page, “The Frost Monarch’s Cavern, a 6-day walk to the east, well it is a bit south too but we have a map for you to follow. We have had eight contracted parties take on the dungeon to clear out its forces, we have at least four people returning from the assault. What do you wish to know?”

“What intel is on offer to buy?”

“Four pieces. There is a map from previous infiltrations, though be warned it may have changed. Plus information regarding the ice golems, frost snakes, and blue goblins. 10 silver each, all four will run you 35 if you want ‘em.”

Logan placed 35 silver onto the table from his pouch-inventory before continuing, “That will be useful. Do you know why the seers brought up the dungeon and how long ago?”

“Reports say they alerted the adventuring halls thirty-nine days ago about the dungeon having been refilled with monsters. It is normally the home of the Ice King, his revival has been foreseen to occur after three months from today’s date, at the minimum. Clearing his dungeon allows for an easier attack against their leader when he returns. If you clear the dungeon you will be assigned priority on attacking the Ice King if you wish.”

“So, it’s more to make it safer for when the harder creature appears. Are there any reports of portal magic at play? Does the leader bring in troops?”

“A very good question, you thought ahead. Yes, it is known that the Ice King is able to use teleportation magics, alongside revival magics, both of which he uses to return to our realm. His last defeat was nine years ago, three months from now marks the ten-year anniversary.”

“So my portal home might have more to do with the Ice King than my actual quest? It is still possible this quest was given to me since I was asking for a portal”, Logan thought to himself.

“Anything else?” the receptionist asked as he saw Logan planning.

“What is the time limit on the contract?”

“Two months, or death. If it comes to one month before the Ice King’s revival the monarchy will get involved to make sure his return won’t cause trouble for the kingdom.”

“The adventuring hall gets priority for these kinds of things?” Logan asked.

“There is no rush with this timeframe, adventurers are easier to throw away than royally-trained classed beings”, the receptionist replied with a bit of disdain.

“I take it there is no limit to how many people I can bring with me to the dungeon?”

“No? Just at least six, you’re rank 8 right?”

“That is what my last assessment put me at”, Logan spoke with a hint of mischievousness.

“You can find people to hire in the main hall, find people sitting at the tables with their signets on display as usual. Should be good pickings with the goblin focus dying down now.”

“Thanks, that should be everything. Can you mark me down as accepting this dungeon?”

The receptionist replied with a nod and took the contract from Logan, scribbling on it and his book while referring to Logan’s signet before returning it to the Spellthief.

With the contract in hand, Logan returned to the main hall as he waved at the other adventurer who was still pondering the board for their choice of mission. Kreya was still awaiting Logan’s return, to which he placed the contract in front of her with his name signed on it with the guild symbol.

“Ah, there we go then”, Kreya said with a jolt as he looked at the paper, “Huh, those chilly fiends to the east. Not my first choice. You heard about how many have died to that?”

“Call it lucky number nine. I aim to get a sizeable team for it, more than the minimum. You in?”

Kreya placed her chin between her finger and thumb as she thought for a few seconds, “Alright, fine. I’ll go at half pay. I know a few others who may want to come aboard, you cool with me getting them?”

Logan smiled at the ease of forming a team, “Sure, go for it. I am going to ask around the hall. We can meet here in the evening and talk things over.”

Kreya stood and picked up her effects slung across the backrest of her chair. Saying their farewells she left the hall, leaving Logan to his own designs. He quickly looked over his intel and found that the foes would be weaker to fire magics but resistant or even immune to ice damage. How unsurprising. Aside from that, physical resistance was prevalent amongst many, with the golems being even more resistant to bludgeoning attacks due to their thick hides.

Scanning over the hall left him with ample choice for teammates. Speeding up the selection process the Spellthief used Identification to weed out all who were below rank 8.

Approaching a table with two women sitting at it, Logan sprung up a conversation, “Greetings. Would either of you two be willing to join me in my quest to clear out the Frost Monarch’s Cavern dungeon to the east?”

The level 9 Sorcerer woman whose blonde hair was tied up under her pointy black hat was the first to respond, “What? A dungeon? Are there particular foes you’re wanting casters for?”

Following her companion, the level 8 Wizard woman with loose brunette hair that hid her shoulders spoke, “Two casters to boot? It’s not that death trap is it?”

“The creatures are weak to fire and resistant to physical attacks, so if you know fire spells it would be an immense help. If you two know micks that would also be very useful to deal with the foes that lack such a heavy hide”, Logan explained with a smile.

“So, a barrage of Flame is required. I hope you mean for tomorrow so I can adjust my slots accordingly”, the brunette continued as she neatened out her red robes.

“I can use fire-based spells and micks, no problem there. I don’t know of any alterations to take my allies out of the line of ‘fire’ though”, the blonde replied with a cheeky smile.

“Great, so are you two in? We would hopefully be setting off tomorrow, I use slots too”, Logan replied as he smiled at the brunette.

“Your leader is ok with three magi?” the blonde asked.

“I am the leader”, Logan announced plainly.

The two casters took on a stunned look at his response. They shared a glance at one another before looking at Logan.

“We’re in”, they spoke in unison.

“I guess caster leaders are preferred since they know I would treat them right”, Logan thought to himself. “Alright, we’re meeting back here this evening to talk about our plans. If you know of any other casters who’d like to join feel free to invite them. I can do with another Wizard or Sorcerer, but I would like at least one more Devout before we head off”, Logan continued as he looked around.

“I know of a Devout, he should be free. You good with a rank 9?” the blonde woman asked.

“That’s great. I’m Logan by the way”, Logan replied as he held out his hand to shake.

“Araxie”, the blonde Sorcerer spoke.

“Fleur”, the brunette Wizard added.

The two ladies stood to leave and prepare their own side of affairs, while Logan continued to scout for additions to the party.

Logan was having a bit of trouble asking others to join his team, many Knights and Fighters turned him down simply for being a caster leader. As he was about to approach another table, Logan was sent a new target as the entrance doors opened with Cerall walking inside. His disposition seemed to be that of a man looking for a quick buck, possibly due to his most recent losses at bets. Logan already knew the man’s skill and wanted to try his luck again.

Approaching Cerall, Logan waved at his past match partner whose face grew a smile in return. “Hey, Cerall. Looking for work?”

“Logan, grand day to you. Yep, you know it. Purse is a bit light, what with you taking my coin from me”, Cerall replied with a chuckle.

“You’re in luck, I am recruiting for a dungeon quest, interested?”

“Oh? Maybe I can show you some of the skills I didn’t use on ya! What is it for?” Cerall accepted as he took a seat at a nearby table.

Logan took a seat next to Cerall and continued as he pulled out the contract, “It’s to take on the Frost Monarch’s Cavern to the east.”

Cerall darted his eyes left to right as he looked over the details, “6 gold, nice pocket. Though I have seen some of the outcomes from that quest… You got a big team for it?”

“Aiming for it, at least five members so far, you’d make six and I want more.”

“Splitting the reward thin there, but, with so many fallen kin in the cave, there’s bound to be more money in items. There’s bound to be a relic of some sort too if something like a ‘King’ resides there”, Cerall spoke as he calculated the income in his head.

“I’ll be bringing my summons with me as well, but they won’t take a split on my behalf”, Logan continued while motioning with his hands to Celsius and Spark that were waiting patiently behind him.

“Oho, I get to see your buddies I missed in our match? We’ll see if they would have turned the tables even more in your favour”, Cerall spoke with a smile.

Celsius punched into the air twice as he spoke up, “Don’t worry sword-man, I got a lot of fire in these arms.”

“A pleasure to meet your expectations on the battlefield”, Spark added with a slight bow.

“Untethered? All the surprises from you, Logan”, Cerall spoke with a hint of surprise.

“What?”

“Untethered, your summons, you haven’t locked down their outbursts as the elemental-hiring business do.”

“Why would I?” Logan asked as he turned to face his elementals, “I like them like this.”

The elementals replied with communal smiles on their energy-designed faces.

“That is fair, I am just used to ones that take commands and don’t speak up. Seem ‘cool’ to me”, Cerall replied as he held up a fist to bump Celsius. The elemental obliged with gusto.

“So, you in I take it?”

“Yeah. We heading out there soon?”

“Hopefully tomorrow. We’re meeting at the hall this evening to go over plans. Do you know of anyone else who’d like to party up? Rank 8 or higher?”

“Tsuker, he’ll like to hit a dungeon. He prefers the indoors. He’s a rank 12 Rogue. I’ll bring him ‘round this evening to meet the team.”

“Great, I will see to getting another Knight to guard us all.”

“You don’t have one? Wait, are you the leader?” Cerall asked.

“We do have one, Kreya, Though I am the leader.”

“This’ll be interesting”, Cerall replied with a grin as he stood up. “I’ll go back to Lightbeam and talk with Tsuker.”

Saying their farewells the two split off. Logan had passed the minimum team number, recruiting seven adventurers of rank 8 and above, plus Marcus. Though he wanted more, being the ninth team to try this mission meant it was difficult and Logan knew all too well the difficulty of the portal quests. Seeing how others were apprehensive of a caster as a leader, he now knew he would have been better if he set Kreya as the leader.

Logan continued to ask adventurers if they wanted to join the team, but the rumours of the Frost Monarch’s Cavern had spread enough around the hall to divvy out worry amongst the members. Logan being the leader wasn’t helping either. Though the people he asked weren’t too angry about his asking, which he attributed to his new title.

As he came to the end of the current adventurers in the hall Logan decided to take a break and investigate the intel further. It would seem that Force would be severely reduced in its aid yet again, possibly even doing nothing to the golems. He could spend a skill point on increasing the power of his micks, but it would be an uphill battle against resistances and reductions.

The range provided by Force was a major advantage over his daggers, and the ability to knock down his opponents was another. It wasn’t always going to knock his foes down though, a mick was bound to enforce a much lower Strength saving throw than a higher-level spell would.

As he contemplated his skill choice and read through the intel, Logan was met by a slightly wary Marcus who sat at this table.

“How’d the information gathering go?” Logan asked as he looked over his friend.

“Disturbing. I was able to buy a history book detailing the Ice King. From what I read, he is a fierce monster that once took over a quarter of Gauntlet territory a few centuries ago. His final defeat was at the hand of a hero, and ever since his revival has been documented and halted. He revives at a fraction of his true power, the revived state requiring several rank 16 or above adventurers”, Marcus informed solemnly.

“16!? The receptionist says the party that clears the dungeon gets the first crack at him, but that only requires 8!”

“The book did state that the royals will get involved if the team isn’t good enough, you can probably ask them to aid in the first attack on the Ice King.”

“We won’t need a follow-up though. If I burn his throne he won’t revive. Does no one know that fact, or is it special to me?” Logan thought. “Anything else?”

“He was known for bringing in aid from what people referred to as the frost realm, it was compared to the demon realm but was considered a weaker variant. That may line up with your portal idea.”

“I heard something similar too. If we can stop his revival it’d be for the best”, Logan replied as he reclined in his chair.

“The book did mention that fire-adept magi tried a few experiments to make sure his revival was postponed, or he would appear weaker, but they seem to have not made much of an impact.”

“Is his revival every ten years?”

“Yeah, you hear that too?” Marcus replied a bit shocked.

“The receptionist read from his book about some of the details.”

“You said you could stop it? If so we need not worry about fighting the Ice King. That’s one fight I would advise against as we are.”

“Speaking of, we’ve reached the minimum requirement for a team and then some.”

“That’s good at least, who do you have?”

Logan explained their current team lineup, or at least the one they were expecting to arrive this evening.

“A good range, some high ranks too. Cerall’s presence calms my nerves a bit since I saw his abilities”, Marcus spoke.

“We can see about checking the previous teams that tackled the cavern, gauge how ours stacks up to other attempts.”

--- *** ---