Avilien: Tutorial islands

Double trouble

Perched on his rightful spot, Lukes shoulder. Nebs held his furry head high as he, Quinn and Luke opened the varnished doors to the alchemy labs. Giant doors that moved apart as effortless as plucking a leaf from a branch. Inside, the doors swung to a close, and people dressed in strange outfits or scholars dressed like Orand rushed about. Numerous floors of marble span to the ceiling where metallic devices and cogs whirled. The building, for the most part, was like a library as every floor held rows off bookshelves containing thick tomes.

Benches filled with beakers, chemicals, and other science equipment were placed in a fashion, most being used by elven scholars as they jotted notes on parchment and mixed chemicals. Even a garden area existed where more scholars researched large oak trees and chemicals in the soils.

Luke had never seen an elve before in Avilien besides Orend. They didn't differ much from a normal human being. Long-drawn back ears that pointed upwards was a key distinguishing mark of an elve. Glistening hair, no matter the colour, style, or length was another. They all had slender, tall figures. In the building, there must have been hundreds of scholars, researchers, and potions masters, yet very few were dressed like Orend. Most dressed in strange mechanical looking clothing as if it were straight from a steam-punk film.

Admiring everything around them, Luke continued down the marble path in between grand pillars. Each person in the building had a name above their head, along with levels and health bars. The majority in the building were level five except for one. Sat at a grand dark oak table that curved like a half-moon and was stacked high in books was Lina. She kicked several books onto the floor as she made herself comfortable and rested her leather thigh-high boots on the desk. So deep in thought as she read from a giant tome, she didn't notice Luke, Quinn, or Nebs approach.

Level twenty and in her early thirties, Lina wore a blank expression on her pale white face. Slender, with pointed ears that pierced through her silver long hair she looked elegant. Dressed in a white rippling blouse, that also hugged her features she wore a skirt decorated in metal and leather and long brown knee-high boots. Her blues eyes drifted upwards for the briefest of moments and she caught a glimpse of the three lads.

Doing the unthinkable to a book, Lina bent the page to mark where she was before then placing it down on the cluttered desk. She stared at the group and interlocked her fingers, resting them on her stomach.

"If this isn't good news then I am going to turn you all into slugs. Like them," Lina motioned to the polished floor behind her that contained strange potted plants. There must have been a dozen or so giant slugs that had names above their heads.

"I'm here to learn alchemy. Orend told us to deliver this scroll to you," spoke Nebs as he detected a very strange smell from Lina. He couldn't quite put his nose on it, but her scent was so faint it was barely there.

"How strange," Lina chuckled as her blue eyes met with Nebs' blue eyes. She then looked Luke up and down and pressed a finger to her chin. "Very strange," she continued.

Nebs, confused by the scent, shook his head and got on with business. Luke gave him a hand and held up the holo watch for him to press and with a paw tap, Nebs removed the scroll from the inventory and chucked it onto the desk.

"What a peculiar Grenchitty you are, and your master too. Oh, and there is an adorable fuzzy orange thing hiding behind your leg. Don't the three of you look cute?" Lina clapped her hands together and giggled. She didn't give off the impression that she was a regular quest giver.

"Business please, lady. Are you going to teach me?" Nebs leapt off Luke and onto the table. He picked his paw up and noticed how much dust had accumulated, his paw turning grey.

Stretching out her hand Lina stroked Nebs behind his right ear. A soft, delicate spot that made his head tilt, eyes close and caused him to purr.

"A Grenchitty learning alchemy is unheard of. In normal cases, you guys go straight for farming potatoes."

"Well..." Nebs purred and then had to bat Lina's hand away as she was proving too distracting. " Have you ever looked up at the stars and wondered what it would be like to cackle as you brewed potions of pure destruction?" asked Nebs. His statement piqued Lina's interest as her thin brows raised.

"Potions of malice maybe? One's that melt-away foes? One's that do unspeakable damage?" Lina was smiling the more she continued.

"This chick gets me," said Nebs with a huge grin and a glance back at Luke.

"I think. This could have been a very bad decision little buddy," whispered Luke to Quinn as Quinn climbed up him.

"Tell me, little Nebs. Have you ever wished to turn people into things or make them disappear? Have you ever wanted to be invisible? There are four roads to choose from as an apprentice alchemist. As a master, you will be able to unlock two of the paths but be warned. You will lose the other two paths completely.

"Potions, transmutations, elixirs or specialised incantations to blow away enemies. No doubt you wish to start with transmutations, correct? I know what your little evil heart desires." Lina brought her face close to Nebs and attempted to snuggle up with him.

"I would love to learn transmutations. But I have to take the potions. Once I reach master level then I will learn transmutations." Nebs allowed Lina to stroke him and continued to purr. Her hands were warm and caring; she felt almost human.

"My, my. What a caring Grenchitty. Giving up farming and the clone transmutation. Would have thought you would want to clone those special little spuds of yours." Lina smiled.

"I haven't given up on farming yet," whispered Nebs into Lina's ear. He continued his talk making her giggle. Luke and Quinn couldn't hear.

"How very devious," Lina glowed with radiant happiness. "I do believe our brief partnership will be a pleasant one. Come, Nebs. Into the world of potions." Lina stood up out of her armchair and waited for Nebs to leap onto her shoulder.

"Can I borrow the holo watch master? It saves you the effort of following us around. There are no players in the area either aside from Nagori, Split and I would guess that other female scent is Cissy," said Nebs as he already held a paw out waiting for the device.

"I would like to understand alchemy as well to help you gather materials down the road," explained Luke. He didn't want to wait either.

"On a potatoes honour, I shall explain alchemy in-depth with you after I finish the quests." Nebs now held both paws out and made his eyes grow large.

"Fine." Luke took off his holo watch and handed it to Nebs who wrapped it around one of his tails.

"Quinn and I will find a bench to sit at and wait...." Luke didn't get a chance to finish as Nebs leapt onto Lina's shoulder.

"Sure, Sure. I'm going to go and make potions of darkness." Nebs cackled as did Lina. Deep down, Luke was regretting this course of action.