The system was working overtime, pumping out notifications to the new Baron and Baroness along with their faithful minions.
Open for Business!
The Great Druids would certainly be disappointed, but that's their problem. Times are changing and ACME has come to town. Billy and Layla are the current favorites for 'Employee of the Month', since the rest of you were 'just following orders. But, don't worry, there are lots of other bonuses to spread around.
William Horvacs may ditch that boring class Branch Manager and gain the class of Baron of Gadobhra (+2 INT, +1 WIS, +4CHA, +4 COR.)
You also have the right to count yourself as a Noble of the Empire and sit on the Baronial Council. And you assume the responsibilities of the title plus a grant of land.
You have gained the titles: Baron of Gadobhra and Boss of the North. Assuming you live long enough to have progeny, you may establish the House of Horvacs.
You have reached Tier 2.
You are awarded +20 Enhancement Points.
Layla Vandergilt has chosen the class Baroness of Gadobhra. (+3 INT, +6 CHA, +4 COR.)
You have the right to count yourself as a Noble of the Empire and sit on the Baronial Council.
You have gained the titles: Baroness of Gadobhra and Assistant Boss of the North. Assuming you have progeny, you may re-establish the House of Knives.
You have reached Tier 2.
+20 Enhancement Points
The ACME Corporation gains 10,000 building points under the control of the Northern Regional Manager Boss of the North.
Benjamin Franklin the 7th has gained the following:
+500 experience in Inventor and +500 experience in INT
+15 Enhancement Points
You have gained the craft skill: Technomagical Tinkering. This is a Primary Skill.
1000 Event experience that may be applied to any skill known. You also gain experience in the stat governing that skill.
Suzette has gained the following:
+200 in Rune Lore and +200 experience in INT
+15 Enhancement Points
1000 Event experience that may be applied to any skill known. You also gain experience in the stat governing that skill.
Rolly and Squirmie have each gained the following:
+15 Enhancement Points
1000 Event experience that may be applied to any skill known. You also gain experience in the stat governing that skill.
Ozzy has gained the following
+15 Enhancement Points
1000 Event experience that may be applied to any skill known. You also gain experience in the stat governing that skill.
An agreement between the Baron of Gadobhra and his minions (known as Contract Workers) has been logged by the System. The minions have accomplished their side of the deal.
Ozzy's already aching head was getting worse as he read through all the system announcements, and more seemed to keep coming.
You have accepted the challenge to Trial by Combat against the Fallen Angel Lemechial!
Should you win, you will gain "A big bag of Legendary Gear"
Should you lose, you will be working for Leroy for a long, long time.
Rules: No rules have been stated. Someone needs to say "1, 2, 3, Go!"
You have won a Trial by Combat!
(Technically it was a tie, but when we looked up all the rules, it clearly said "Underdogs and Mortals win Ties." )
For finding a way to win a Trial by Combat with a vastly more powerful creature you are awarded 50 Enhancement Points.
For good or ill, you have been noticed by many greater and lesser gods.
- You are awarded 1 RAD for ending the life of a powerful force of the Dark.
- You are awarded 1 COR for ending the life of a powerful force of the Light.
You have argued a case before a godly Tribunal and won.
Your lawyer has increased his level!
Your file has been moved from the silver cabinet on the left to the gold cabinet in his personal files!!!
Elgebert shook Ozzy's hand, "It is always such a pleasure doing business with you. So many interesting cases. I look forward to your next need for legal advice, as do my wives. They are already ordering new dresses for tonight's celebrations. But before I go, let me assist you with this bag of strange items, the halo, and the sword." Ozzy nodded his acceptance. His lawyer produced a piece of chalk that he used to draw a circle around the halo and sword. He was taking no chances of anyone touching them without fully understanding the consequences. When finished the chalk mark glowed with considerable power.
"There, that should keep curious people away until we are finished. Please check the rest of your notifications. I'm sure you have quite a few. Paperwork doesn't stop when the trial is over." It took a bit for Ozzy to scroll through and read the various notifications and clear them away. In addition to the normal ones, there were 15 notifications that he had been noticed by this or that god, and 24 pieces of paperwork he had to sign off on that dealt with the trial. Elgebert made him read through each one carefully before signing them.
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
"This is the basic rule of contracts: Don't sign what you haven't read, or don't understand." Based on the events unfolding, he suspected that Leroy had been ignoring that rule for quite some time. Now, let's get an inventory of this bag. I haven't seen one of these in years. They aren't popular with most people because of their weight. I'm doubting you'll have any problem with that aspect."
The Hefty Bag of Large Capacity turned out to be a rare type of storage item that could hold a large number of items far exceeding what should fit into the bag. Its drawback was weight. The bag weighed 250 pounds empty and, while it saved space, it didn't negate the weight of the items. It did however tell the owner what was in the bag and give them the correct item when they needed it.
Currently, the bag held:
1. Hammer of Gopher Thumping (Legendary)
2. Chariot of Mulfistucles (Legendary): Missing one Wheel
3. Vorpal Plowsword +3 (Legendary)
4. Golden Goose of Egglaying (Legendary)
5. Ring of the Ducklord (Legendary)
6. Inflatable Yacht (Legendary)
7. Evercheese, 5 lb wheel: Cheddar. (Legendary)
8. Gauntlets of Gauderang the Vile (Legendary)
9. Lady Mourninglade's hair sticks. (Legendary)
10. Horse Shoes of the Traveling Oatburner (Legendary)
11. Mirror of Harsh Truths (Legendary)
12. Dragon's Blood: 3 vials
13. Hoffa
14. Pin-Striped Suit (burnt): 1
15. Pin-Striped Suit (clean): 6
16. Angel Wing Feathers x 217
17. Angel Wings: freshly plucked x3
18. Roasted Peanuts: 1.1 tons
19. Cask of Dwarven Whiskey: Empty
20. Cask of Old Rotgut '57: Full
21. Angel feather pillow, worn.
22. Whupass, 1 can.
23. Large quart crockery jar of Bad Jam, sealed. (Legendary)
Ozzy quickly read off the list to those listening. Reactions were mixed, although Rolly was very excited about the cheese and the peanuts. Elgebert made a copy of the list with an animated pen and parchment. He gave one copy to Ozzy and kept one for himself.
"As your lawyer, I advise caution. If you can give me a few hours of time, I will research each of these items as best I can to give you options on how to deal with this bag of mixed blessings. Look for me at the first light tomorrow. Tonight, I will be celebrating with my wives on achieving another level. You have my personal thanks for letting me handle your legal services. The unique nature of the problems you bring to me is invigorating and profitable."
Ozzy remembered something, "Oh! Speaking of that. There will be a small contract winging your way from the goddess Artemis. I'd appreciate it if you could look it over."
The gnome smiled brightly, "Of course I will. I look forward to it." The gnome pulled from his briefcase a doormat and put it down. A handsome door with the name of his firm on a brass plaque appeared. The door opened and he stepped through, picking up the matt and shutting the door behind him, which vanished as if it was never there.
Ben looked at the empty space and whistled, "Lawyers seem to be pretty overpowered here. It's almost enough to make me wish I'd kept up those mail-order courses."
More announcements appeared, rewarding those involved in the singular event of a Fallen Angel destroyed by mortals.
Benjamin Franklin the 7th
Your actions resulted in the death of a Fallen Angel.
You have increased the reputation of the House of Franklin.
You gain 20 Enhancement Points
You gain 2 RAD
Suzette, The Lonely Barmaid
Your actions resulted in the death of a Fallen Angel.
You gain 20 Enhancement Points
You gain 2 RAD
Rolland of Evermount
Your actions resulted in the death of a Fallen Angel.
You gain 20 Enhancement Points
You are not aligned with either the Dark or the Light, and frankly, both are quite happy that you aren't.
Squirmie
Your actions resulted in the death of a Fallen Angel and in the unsealing of Gadobhra.
You gain 20 Enhancement Points
You have absorbed a vast amount of magical energy to power your next evolution.
You have gained primordial energy. This may be used in your next evolution.
Your pet has been upgraded to a Tier 3 Incubation Host for your next evolution.
William, Baron of Gadobhra
Your actions resulted in the death of a Fallen Angel.
You gain 20 Enhancement Points
Layla, Baroness of Gadobhra
Your actions resulted in the death of a Fallen Angel.
You gain 20 Enhancement Points
As the gnome disappeared, a horde of small, polite humanoids came into town, marching down the road from Gadobhra. They were each two feet tall with grey skin, wearing overalls and workman’s caps. One of them, who was slightly taller than the others, approached the small group of humans who were staring at him, "Pardon me, but is one of you in charge? I have a work order for '1 town, Gadobhra style architecture according to plans, destroyed' and '1 pit, dented' that we have on our repair schedule."
