"Have you noticed, the number of cursed animals has increased and they have been getting stronger since the mist appeared?" A random individual inquired of another player.
"Yeah, I heard rumor that The Dragoons Guild has started a hunt for these cursed creatures because they discovered that killing them weakens the mist."
"Really? That is great news! The Dragoons have always been a fantastic guild. They do a lot to help out normal players like us. I wouldn't mind being one of them."
"Are you sure? The way they go about things is weird and excessive sometimes. The other guilds wouldn't consider tickling a monster to death. Don't the members feel embarrassed?"
The man sighed. "That is true. Not only that but a lot of guilds have thanked The Dragoons for their slow approach to problems. The Dragoons have had a lot of quests stolen from them by other guilds in the past. But despite that, they have an almost perfect record of completing difficult things successfully on the first try even against bosses that other guilds have failed to beat repeatedly."
"Yeah, while i am not expecting them to solve our problem soon, I am glad it is them that are working on it. I feel reassured that it will be done right."
"I wonder of some other guild will come in and beat them to it again. Other guilds often see The Dragoons as a shortcut to good things."
"Don't jinx us! If they do try, I'm leaving Pren. I don't want to be around when they fail."
"Do you know how The Dragoons are tracking these cursed creatures?"
***
"Lord Harr, welcome to Pren." A guild member greeted the tall imposing figure of one of the sub-leaders.
The man wearing the mossy green lizard-like armor removed his monstrous helmet. "Thank you."
The guild member looked up at the dark brown haired man that towered him. "I have an important status update."
"Speak." He ordered.
"As you are aware, we have been analyzing the mist since it first showed up. It seems that the cursed creatures that emerge from the mist are progressively getting stronger. When the mist and the cursed creatures first appeared, the creatures were all around the same levels the foxes were in the vulpine woods."
Harr gave a slight nod. "Around level 3 to 10 correct?"
"Indeed sir. However, ever since the natives and the players started running in to try and solve it, the creatures' levels have jumped. While most of them are still on the weaker side, we have seen beasts higher than level 15 which is dangerous to the common players. The starting area is slowly changing into a transition zone. If this trend continues, this starting area may end up becoming a high level raid or dungeon."
Lord Harr closed his blue eyes and sighed. "Dragon Lord Heath will feel a bit conflicted about that. Strong raids and dungeons have always peaked his interest but so has helping the non-guild players. Is there is more?"
"Yes, as you were informed before there is a direct correlation between the deaths of these cursed creatures and the mist weakening. However that seems to only be a surface solution. Killing the cursed creatures seems to only be treating the symptoms and not the root of the problem. We have determined that until we can determine the root of the problem, killing these beasts is the best way to keep the normal players safe."
"Continue."
"We have confirmed that these cursed creatures travel alone and the items they drop have been, unusual. A good amount of the weaker ones seem to be foxes, which is surprising considering the fox population dwindled to nearly nothing."
"The drops are unusual and the number of foxes has increased again?" the large man in green armor inquired.
The guild member gave a nod. "Take a look." He pulled out some leather armguards and passed them over.
Harr looked over the items.
[Gondry's dirty armguards: Leather arm wraps made from the filthy fur of Gondry the dirty dog-fox. Level requirement 5 Tier 2 Leather armor. +5 Defense. +3 agility. While worn the wearer will smell like a filthy canine. They will take a penalty to charisma based on who they are communicating with. They will also randomly bark, yap, and yip as they speak.]
Harr started laughing. "So these creatures are dropping gimmick items?"
The guild member nodded. "Not only that but they drop some normal things along with some cursed items."
"I understand. Store the cursed items for now. Lord Heath can make a decision on what to do with them later. As for the normal and gimmick items, if they aren't productive for our guild or guild members to use, you have permission to sell them to the guildless players. Remember to check the buyers guild status before selling."
"Thank you sir."
"Good work so far then." Harr replied. "How are these beasts being tracked?"
"The tracking method is a bit problematic at this point. Unless there is a quest directly related to them, the cursed beasts are almost indistinguishable from normal creatures. We have created a solution that can give us the ability to see these creatures for what they are; however it blinds the user while in effect. Only some of our more skilled players can fight mostly blinded like that."
"That is a problem. How are the preparations to enter the mist?"
"They are underway. I suspect by the time the new game patch is ready to be released Sunday evening we will have enough materials to go in with a large group safely." The guild member fidgeted.
"Is there something else?" Harr asked.
"Yeah, The EastSeaDrakes have been seen around town. They have come into conflict with a few of our members. While nothing has escalated yet, we are unsure of their motives."
Harr raised an eyebrow. "Again? Keep observing their movements. If they seem to be trying to steal our goal like last time, inform me immediately with enough proof to convince our guildmaster. You know how much Heath hates assumptions."
The guild member nodded. "Currently, while it won't be enough to convince him, I already have a small bit of proof. Someone leaked the curse sight recipe and possibly other pieces of information that we have gathered so far. The EastSeaDrakes have also started hunting down these cursed beasts."
Harr put on his helmet with a sigh. "It seems countermeasures are needed. Is there anything else?"
"Not yet, Lord Harr."
"I see. I'll be off then." He pulled out his poleax and left the building.
***
Back in front of the apothecary…
Ken felt his face shift. "Merwaly?" His voice came out funny.
(Now you can track people's scent too!) Lux replied. (I'm a great pet helping you do all these useful things. You should give me a treat!)
Princess chuckled at the lynx muzzle and whiskers that has sprouted on her friend's face.
Ken covered his face and crouched down. He spoke quietly in Lux's ears. (Really? We talked about this, I asked you to not use resonance to change my appearance in front of Princess. I wanted you to help me track the girl for our quest. Why did you ignore my earlier request? Growing a muzzle in front of Princess is uncool.)
(My curses will get in the way and get us lost; otherwise I would have tracked her. It is better this way. You can track her now and I won't get us lost.) The cat turned his head. (Besides, that face is really awesome and looks better on you, why don't you like it?)
(I give in.) Kenneth replied; feeling defeated. (Princess, can you translate for me? This mouth makes it really hard to speak normally and I don't think your brother knows Speak with Animals.)
Princess nodded. "Sure thing Ken." She leaned down and pet Lux again. (You should be nicer to him.) She pulled out one of her grilled fish and gave it to the lynx. (But here is a treat for helping us.)
The cat sulked. (Sorry, nice lady. I will try. Thanks for the fish.)
Ken let out a light mew as he tried to sigh. He was relieved his friend was trying to help him despite feeling very humiliated by the current situation. (Let's go.) He said dejectedly. He led the way with his temporary feline nose.
The lynx walked calmly by Kenneth's side. (See Ken, you are good at tracking. Isn't a lynx's nose helpful for you to follow her scent?)
(If you weren't cursed, would you have given me this face?) The hunter asked his lynx seriously.
The lynx shook his head. (Only if you asked for it or it seemed productive. I like hunting things down on my own but it became really hard after I got cursed.) The cat slumped sadly. (So when you asked for help to track her, the best way to do that was to use Resonance Gift, even if you didn't want me to use it in front of that girl. The more I use it, the stronger it will become and the more helpful I can be.)
(Then when we find Purai and have her break your curses you will start using your other abilities again?)
Lux perked back up. (Wait, we are tracking her so we can break my curses? You are the best Ken! I'm glad you wanted to be my friend. If you do that I can be helpful in more ways! That would make me feel great.)
(You didn't know that?) He asked.
(I don't understand most non-animals.) The feline replied as if it were an obvious fact.
Princess came over. (I have been meaning to ask, Lux. How did you get cursed?)
The cat stopped and sat down. (A few days ago some humans came into the smoky part of the forest and nearly killed me. A strange voice asked me if I wanted revenge. It gave me more power and I became strong. I left to hunt after defeating the invaders and then everything started going bad. Other creatures started hating me, calling me cursed, and avoiding me. I tried hunting but everything I caught ended up tasting really bad and making me feel sick. I was really hungry. When I saw that old mean fisherman fall asleep I thought I could get an easy meal.)
Ken nodded. (And then that is where we found you?)
(Yeah, I was really happy that you were a nice human. I wanted to be helpful so we could stay friends. Sorry for making you upset.)
Ken let out a lightly awkward sounding laugh out of his feline face. He crouched down and petted the cat. (We agreed to be friends. I will help you get rid of your curses and then you can work your butt off you lazy cat.) He teased.
Lux purred happily as he dreamed of being curse free.
They followed Ken's nose out of the elven village and into the forest.
© J Eranoth