Zalin strode along casually through the city streets looking idly at the goods the various vendors had to offer. Some sold food of various sorts imported from all across Alrisia, others sold weapons and armor. He wandered over to the weapons table and as he eyed a long thin dagger, black from hilt to tip. The little light that hit the blade caused a dark rainbow hue to glimmer across it's surface. He placed his hand over the dagger and an item screen popped up startling him momentarily.
"Item Name: Death's Remorse
Item Description: Dragon Bone Dagger
Item Lvl: 1 - 85
Item Rarity: Common - Legendary
+5 to Stealth
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Power Stone Slots Available: 4
Item Price: 50 gold"
"Seems you have a good eye," the Weapons Merchant NPC approached him. "That is a legendary piece of equipment made of dragon bone that is said to become more powerful as you yourself become more powerful." The Merchant sized him up and returned behind the counter. "50 gold and it's yours."
"35 gold," Zalin replied without looking up, his eyes moving over some throwing daggers. He reached his hand out to inspect them.
"Item Name: Assassin's Throwing Daggers (20)
Item Description: Class Specific Daggers made for long range attacks.
Item Level: 5
Item Rarity: Uncommon
+Hits Target for 10 poison damage per second for 10 seconds. Effects of multiple daggers do not stack.
Item Price: 10 gold"
"45 gold," shot back the Weapon's Merchant with a smug smile.
"35 gold," Zalin answer stood firm as his eye now moved on to a small black compact crossbow. He didn't bother inspecting it, just checking it's name and price, before he went towards the the stall counter.
"40 Gold, and I won't go any lower," the merchant replied, seeming to grow a little agitated with the bartering.
"30 Gold for Death's Remorse, 5g for the Assassin's Throwing Daggers, and I will buy the Plague Rot Crossbow for 25 gold." He made eye contact with NPC and held it, waiting for his response.
"Oi, you drive a hard bargain, but I have a family to feed so how can I say no?" the merchant replied half-heartedly. "Though don't go putting me out of business if you frequent this shop again. The items within this city are limited until the gates reopen again."
"Items added to your inventory, don't forget to equip them when you have time. Unequipped items cannot be used in combat.". The message box appeared before his eyes briefly before vanishing again.
"Say, Merchant, what do you mean until the gates reopen?" Zalin asked curiously as he opened his inventory menu and equipped his new dagger, the dagger suddenly materializing at his right hip.
"The Gate leading out of the Shadowlands and into the rest of Alrisia has been closed and sealed for more than half my life," the merchant eyes gazed into the distance. "Once a year they allow one person from our lands to venture out seeking supplies and weaponry enough to sustain the businesses here at the Citadel, until about five years ago when the Shadow Plague broke loose over the land near the borders where the gate stands."
Now this bit of information sounded useful. He had heard rumors that the NPCs held the secrets of the Alrisia. Unlike many VRMMOs he had found, this one didn't have a main storyline. There were quest to be found at every turn, and some could lead to huge open world events. And some could only be found by talking and listening to NPCs. The gates at the border of the Shadowlands had been one of the biggest talked about plots in the game. Some found ways to fly over the gates and land only to be logged out shortly their after, others realized they could fly clear over the lands so long as they never landed. This confirmed to Zalin that he indeed was the only player in this region. Though the thought did strike him as odd, it also gave him the revelation that any one of kind items this land had to offer were his for the taking.
"Do you wish to undertake the great task of breaking the seal and opening the Gates of the Shadowlands once and for all?" The merchant asked him, a quest marker suddenly appeared over his head.
"Yes, I will accept this quest." It had startled him at first to hear the offer, however he recovered quickly enough to respond. NPCs were fickle and did not like to wait long to be answered, and this quest was just the kind of hidden quest he wanted to encounter. So far his every wish for getting started was well underway.
"Yes is it? My aren't we a brave young hero. So be it."
The words "Quest Accepted" flashed in front of his eyes.