Raiment Slot: Hands
Armor: +16
Magic Resistance: +10%
Durability: 50/50
Item Score: 85
Defense Rating: 160
Type: Cloth Armor
Quality: Above Average
Rarity: Uncommon
+40 Wisdom
***The memory remains.
Item Requirements:
Level: 25
Boots of the Forgotten
Raiment Slot: Feet
Armor: +26
Magic Resistance: +5%
Durability: 50/50
Item Score: 85
Defense Rating: 130
Type: Cloth Armor
Quality: Above Average
Rarity: Uncommon
+40 Wisdom
***The memory remains.
Item Requirements:
Level: 25
Garath was psyched about the upgrade for his hands and feet. As a bonus, they were both a stylish black. It may be a silly thing to be happy about, but his black tiara, black robe, and black staff looked downright silly with his white gloves and boots. He now looked like a uniformed harbinger of death. Garath smiled to himself. A pretty harbinger of death.
When they’d finished inspecting their rewards, the Party met in the center of the room, where a portal had appeared to take them back to Earth. Daisy pouted for a time when Garath told her that he doubted the dungeon would let her bring one of the puppies home with her, but he didn’t discourage her from trying. The tiny golden retriever she’d chosen to make the attempt with was a solid choice in Garath’s opinion and, for his part, he truly hoped that when they appeared on the other side of the portal she’d still be cradling the creature in her arms. Unfortunately, his intuition had been correct. When the Party materialized on the foggy pier from which they’d entered Chuchusullay, Daisy was puppyless. After trying and failing to console her, the Party shifted into flight-capable forms and soared toward the Guild Hall with the setting sun at their backs.
Chapter Twenty-Five – Hello, My Name is ____
The plan had been to take a second group into Chuchusullay after the one-hour waiting period allowed for the instance to reset but, after doing a run of the place, Garath wasn’t very keen on that idea. Only Athios and Warrion were still below Level 30, but barely. Instead of flying back to Hat Island, Garath asked if they would be okay with Lair farming their way to Level 30. After hearing the Necrologist tell them about his experience in Chuchusulay, Athios and Warrion readily agreed. They shifted into a pair of crows and took off into the early evening sky, heading east toward the mountains.
Garath was tempted to accompany them, but he was sure they would be alright. Between the two of them they’d be able to handle any Lair they ran into. Still, he couldn’t help worrying. Unsure of what to do with himself while they were gone, Garath climbed to the roof of the Guild Hall.
He was disappointed to find that Aldrasyl was missing from his usual perch. He took a seat on the west-facing ledge and watched the setting sun as it slowly sunk into the ocean. Sitting there, admiring the scenery, Garath’s thoughts moved to the reason for all the work that he and the Dungeon team had put in.
The green tower to the south.
After tonight, his team would be ready. But something still bothered him. Though everyone had worked together well, they didn’t know that much about each other. Before heading south to The Tower of Vy’thishrak, he wanted to get everyone together, maybe hang out around a campfire. Get to know each other a little better. Garath took a second to send a private message to each member of the team, asking them to meet him back on the clifftop to do exactly that later that evening.
While he had the messaging partition of his MENU panels open, Garath glanced down at the last message he’d received from Alice. It had been a few days since they’d talked, so the Necrologist mentally typed up a message to the Lore Keeper to check in. He told her that his group had been assembled and that, by the end of the night, they’d meet her requirements. Garath went on to tell her that, unless she had other plans for tomorrow, he’d like to meet with her in the morning in person and that the rest of the group would make their way south to begin their run of The Tower a bit later.
Alice’s response was almost immediate. Impersonal as always, the Lore Keeper’s private message was simply an acknowledgement and agreement to his proposal, and instructions on how he might find her. Garath sent a simple ‘see you in the morning’ in response, then closed his MENU panels.
He was just about to get up from his seat overlooking the water, when a massive white form caught his eye. The great white Dragon was flying over the calm waters of Puget Sound, his tail skimming its surface. A few minutes later, the winged reptile joined Garath on the roof. He smiled a greeting and waved awkwardly as he approached the Dragon.
*Hey Aldrasyl,* Garath said in the silent language of the Dragons. *Were you doing some fishing?*
Aldrasyl gave only a brief nod in response.
*Can you talk for a minute?* Garath asked.
The great white Dragon stretched his wings expansively before nodding again. Aldrasyl swung his long, serpentine neck around to face the Necrologist. *I am tired, but say what you are here to say.*
Garath nodded. *I’ll keep it brief then. My team is ready, and we’re heading to the Dungeon south of here tomorrow afternoon. I just wanted to let you know because, well, as you already know, there’s a chance I won’t make it out of there alive. I figured you deserve to know. My team is strong and capable though, and I have every confidence in them.*
Aldrasyl’s draconic features took on a look of surprise. *Well done, human. I did not expect you to go through with your claim to enter the Dungeon. I am impressed with your bravery, ambition, and resolve,* Aldrasyl said. He looked directly into Garath’s eyes with an intense expression. *And I am proud of the bond we share. I acknowledge and accept the risk that you are taking. May the Dragon blood in your veins grant you the strength to
