Towers And Tieflings: ONC 2021 Longlist

9: A Simple Solution

"Your character is max-level? How is that even possible?" Seamus points a stubby finger over at the timid druid next to the bard called Turtle. "Sage literally has no life and her druid is only level 18. How did you hit 25?"

"Aw, it's easy, I've been playing this game for years." Turtle smiles at Seamus, a jolly twinkle in his green eyes. "By the time this server opened up, I knew all the best questing spots. Plus, I've been playing with a bunch of other kids at our school. It's been a fantastic way of meeting new friends. Keeps me quite busy."

"So what kind of amazing kickass abilities do bards get at level 25? You must be insanely powerful, considering how amazing Sage is seven levels beneath you." Kohl rests her elbows on her knees and her face in her hands, eager to hear Turtle's answer.

The dwarf lets out a hearty guffaw. "One does not play a bard to fight, dear friend, but to live. To experience! To enjoy."

Kohl's nose scrunches up in confusion. She doesn't know exactly what Turtle the Bard means, but she can sense she probably won't like it. No one else has a response to the dwarf's nonsensical answer, but Sage readily offers the newcomer a shy smile none-the-less.

"So," Turtle says after two seconds of silence, "let's let you fine people have a turn at the introductions now! What are your character names? What brings you to the Spire?"

The five adventurers all state their names and class, with Orianna speaking in Sage's stead. The druid just keeps on smiling at the dwarf, completely charmed by his larger-than-life presence.

"We came here for a side quest of mine, I need to search the Spire ruins for a wizard artifact of some sort." Orianna says, aware that her teammates are still wary of the dwarf and might not want to invite him along to kill the evil wizard.

"Oh, I remember doing that quest when I played a wizard a coupon years back!" Turtle points over to a large, off-white altar broken into two halves. "There's an ancient book of runes in a secret compartment on the right side."

Kohl studies the dwarf with an incredulous look. "How do you remember a detail so small for a task you did so long ago?"

"Oh, I just have a good memory, and I really love this game. It's the best, isn't it?"

The party members nod as Orianna walks over to the cracked table and inspects the specified half. She finds a button on the underside of the altar, and presses it. The hidden compartment is revealed, and the quest item promptly added to her character's inventory. Orianna returns to the party, her task now pretty much completed.

"So, what now?" Turtle smiles at the party, ready to be of service. "Any other quests you guys are working on, or did you come all this way just for one member's side story?

There's silence as the adventurers glance at each other, still unsure of whether Turtle's presence is a beneficial, complimentary one.

"You can help us kill a wizard." Sage says, remembering the goal the group informed her of the other day at lunch in the real world. The others stare at her in disbelief, unaware she was capable of speaking to a stranger so willingly.

"Oh, you guys are going to see the wizard in the chasm as well? I think I remember that quest, it's a great one. You guys are gonna love it! There's just one problem…"

Everyone's attention fixates on Turtle, eager to hear more about the task ahead of them. Was there a plot twist? A trap? Was the wizard way more powerful than they already suspected?

"... I'm a pacifist. My bard chooses not to kill any creature in the game, and let me tell you, it has been an interesting and challenging playthrough. So I'd love to accompany you and help where I can, but I don't actually carry any weapons." Turtle gestures to his cask of ale and his lyre. "These two things are pretty much all I take with me. And, I really want the wizard to take a look at my beer, so if you could let me do that before you kill him, that'd be great."