"Phew..." Finally stepping out of the castle, Arthos felt incredibly relieved. Perhaps it was age, crowds were just too stuffy and unbearable. Looking around, the town was in a circular encampment. Just outside the castle, stalls and hawkers filled the area, Arthos checked the minimap to confirm it was the trade district. Radiating from the trade district was the residential regions with a small section of 'slums' just before the city walls, with farms scattered beyond.
He called up the system interface which brought up a translucent window with multiple tabs.
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Character Panel
Name : Arthos
Life 100/100
Mana 34/34
Strength 5
Intelligence 7
Vitality 5
Dexterity 5
Wind affinity 1
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Skills Panel
Active : Wind rune (low)
Passive : Mind casting (low)
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Equipment :
Wooden staff (Attack 1-2)
Cloth robe and pants (No modifier)
Cloth belt (2 slots)
Cloth shoes (reduce stamina drain)
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Inventory :
5 pieces of bread
Waterskin (half filled, water)
10 silver pieces
Map of Lindber city
Book of basic runes
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Event log:
You have been summoned to Lindber.
You have obtained Book of basic runes.
You have failed rune sketching - wind.
You have succeeded in casting Wind blast (low). Wind affinity increases by 1. You have obtained Mind casting. Intelligence increased by 2.
Mind casting - allows casting through a mental image of a rune. However, induces greater mental strain to the mind compared to scroll casting or rune sketching.
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'Well, that's pretty bare.' Arthos mused to himself. 'I guess the game does give minimal information to let you get by. Note to self to look up other users sharing before dinner.'
"Wow, a brand new user. " Arthos was broken out of his thoughts. Arthos turned around and saw Lena approaching with another man. The man looked young, cheerful, honestly too eager, carried a bow and wore leather armor.. or sorts. Lena had also changed into an expensive looking blue robe and had a delicate wand hanging from her belt. "Hi, I am Aike. Friend of Lena's. I was surprised when she told me there was a new user at this time."
Arthos looked at them with a puzzled expression, "At this time?"
Aike grinned, "You really are new. We are just a week away from the 8th Apocalypse." Seeing Arthos' questioning look, Lena filled in. "It is probably in the game guide somewhere, but every 3 months, the demons from the moon invade and kills everything, and there is a reset after. Most people play at the start of the reset and the crowd dies off towards the end. However, when the monster invasion event starts next week, everyone comes back on to kill as many monsters to earn merit points that gives a few perks when you come back after the reset. You should take it easy and get used to the mechanics for this last week."
Arthos gave an "Ah" expression, well it seemed to make some sense. He would have to look it up later. However, he decided it was a good time to ask for some starter information, after all, he may not survive till the invasion, quite literally. "Would you all know a small peaceful town with a pretty atmosphere for someone new like me?"
Aike scratched his chin and looked at Lena. "Dear, the only place I can think of is Witherville. It is a beginner friendly village in a valley surrounded by mountains." "Yes, I think that would be a good place for him. Arthos, you can use the teleportation crystal at the center of the town. If you check the world map, it's in the central region of the continent. It shouldn't cost to much to teleport there. Very few people go there though. Some lore fanatics but nothing much to the town. Some call it a retirement home."
"Perfect." Arthos thanked them and ended with small chatter, added as friends to the communication panel with empty promises of partying one day.