Well, I wouldn’t go as far as the Rebel and say that the Catacomb is morally corrupt, but it certainly is terrible for business. Why, you can spend an hour in there, and, if you don’t die, come out with enough treasure to completely destroy a local economy. If anything, it’s good that the only people able to go in there are already ridiculously rich.
-anonymous Xli’ven
The goblin was a little weird. Sli’ver had thought that the moment he saw him. Some kid, outside past dark, who didn’t know a lick Vuntglossa, speaking in Eli’goblish like he was born with it. It screamed runaway noble. Although, he didn’t know of any noble Goblin families, it seemed plausible.
Even more plausible when he started spouting off nonsense about some ‘Lady’ and pulled out a sheet of Mithril. Some rich Goblin cult, sends the sheltered kid out into the big wide world with a useless task to show him how terrible it is outside of the commune, loading him with expensive trinkets that were bound to get him mugged.
Even with his knife throwing skills, that still wasn’t unheard of. Warrior cult maybe?
He never would’ve guessed that he was talking to a monster. Perhaps that was why he spoke so politely. To masquerade as a true Goblin. His heart throbbed in his mouth as he drew his sword.
It spoke monster. Not even a proper language, just a translation that the ((SYSTEM)) granted to the deprived creatures to give them a way to communication with each other. The Runt, Sli’ver was beginning to realize that it wasn’t a cruel naming but rather a type of peerage in of itself, The Runt turned to look at him, seemingly realizing his mistake. It tossed its coins on the counter, and out of it spilled enough wealth to buy several horses.
Sli’ver was level twenty three, the highest in Delnarin, twenty years ago, he had survived his conscription into the Catacomb, now, he was older, wiser maybe. But slower too. He’d only leveled once in those twenty years.
That was more than enough for stopping muggings, but a feral goblin with some kind of advanced intelligence? If acted like the practically mindless, but still dangerous animalistic goblins in the Catacomb he wouldn’t have been so wary.
But this was a different threat.
The Lady who had tamed a Feral Goblin and sent it to gather her more monsters. Somehow increasing its intelligence without breaking its spirit. She had to be at least a level forty ((MONSTER_TAMER)).
The Runt’s eyes flicked down to his sword, then back to his eyes. “My mission is completed. The Lady does not benefit from your death.”
Sli’ver felt his palms begin to sweat. Whatever the Lady wanted with the slime wasn’t good, he was sure of that. Slimes were harmless, too slow and stupid to be of much use. So were Goblins. That’s how they were supposed to be.
The Runt stared at him. Sli’ver lifted his sword and sliced. There was a moment of resistance, then his swing continued, sending him stumbling forward. There was the sound of metal clattering to the floor. Sli’ver looked at his sword in confusion. The blade had been cleanly sliced in half.
He barely saw the Runt sheath his weapon. The goblin opened the door, and slipped back out into the streets. Sli’ver stood to his feet, he dropped the ruined sword.
“Xlibellevera?” He said, “it hast gone.”
The Lizardkin poked her head back into the room. “Why, Why doth thou bringest it here?”
“It hid itself well… I didn’t know.” Sli’ver said, sighing. “I wouldn’t have if I knew.”
“Aye. I believe that.” Belle said, “Anit ye going after it?”
“No.” Sli’ver said,
“No?” Belle said incredulously
“Its too dangerous, too many people around.” Sli’ver said, “best to let it leave.”
“Was it… was it from the Catacomb?” Belle asked,
“No. Didst thou see its eyes?”
“Aye, I thoughtst it was blind at first.” Belle said,
“The Catacomb’s monsters all hath purplish eyes.” Sli’ver said,
“Doth thou meanest… there is a second Catacomb?”
“By Tilfet’thin I hope not.” Sli’ver said, “No… perhaps… perhaps twas the Duchess.”
“Lower your voice.” Bella hissed.
Sli’ver jabbed his thumb at the small fortune scattered across Belle’s counter top. “What other Lady do you know of that could give up that much gold for a useless mission?”
Belle opened her mouth, then closed it. “What would the Duchess need a slime for?”
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
“She wouldn’t.” Sli’ver said, “Perhaps… perhaps it was merely a test.”
Belle frowned, “Perhaps thou art correct, perhaps the monster was a Wraithdien, perhaps what then?”
“Then… perhaps it is best that I didn’t kill it.” Sli’ver said,
“…Perhaps.” Belle said, musingly. “Perhaps.”
STATUS:
Name: Runt
Mantra: The big fight, the small take.
LV: 35
EXP 0/35,000
Gender: Male
Affinities: Stealth
Class: Retainer
Race: Feral Goblin
Tethered: N/A
Traits: brave, tenacious.
Blessings: Blessing of Catacomb, Blessing of Sanctuary
Curses: Smallheart
Titles: Runt, Underdog
Notoriety: 0
Fame: 0
Infamy: 0
Kills: 12
INT: 11 (+1)
SOUL: 9(+2)
WILL: 11(+1)
MAG: 10 (+1)
STR: 10 (+0)
DEF: 10 (+0)
CONS: 11 (+1)
STATUS:
Name: Sli’ver
Mantra: unto and once again! for time does not wait.
LV: 23
EXP 20,221/23,000
Gender: Male
Affinities: Telekinesis
Class: Sword Wielder
Race: Nocturnali {Hearthorn Variant}
Tethered: N/A
Traits: Green skinned, Variance
Blessings: Blessing of the Hearth
Curses: N/A
Titles: Rebel’s Solider, Guardian of Delnarin
Notoriety: 3,329
Fame: 2,883
Infamy: 446
Kills: 27
INT: 7
SOUL: 4
WILL: 8
MAG: 6
STR: 14
DEF: 9
CONS: 7
Name: Xlibellevera
Mantra: N/A
LV: 7
EXP 302/7,000
Gender: female
Affinities: n/a
Class: Monster tamer
Race: Lizardkin
Tethered: N/A
Traits: Fool’s sense
Blessings: Blessing of the Beast
Curses: Curse of the Beast
Titles: Merchant
Notoriety: 302
Fame: 103
Infamy: 199
Kills: 0
INT: 6
SOUL: 4
WILL: 5
MAG: 1
STR: 3
DEF: 2
CONS: 4
