Realm of The Forgotten Gods

Mana Manipulator

  Finding the Chieftain's tent wasn't hard, it towered over all the others. While most of the other tents were barely tall enough for them to stand up in. This tent was massive and made of a thick red canvas that reflected the desert sun fine enough that the inside was cool and comfortable, despite to musk of orc stank.

Entering the tent, it became clear why the tent was so big. The tent was not only Barolo's personal lair, but it was also some sort of council room. Maps and papers laid haphazardly on top of a large oval table in the center of the room. Upon looking through a few of them, Malcolm saw that most were either exact copies of his Adventures Map or cut outs of it. Though there were quite a few maps of places Malcolm had never heard of before. The Isles of Valayun, Yugocheknia Republic, Azmar's Bay, and the Ruins of Aurita. It appeared that the orcs had been searching for something, or possibly planning on their next plundering target.

Malcolm pulled out his map from his bag and compared the markings, to his surprise a prompt popped into his vision.

Would you like to update your map with the more detailed map locations? Yes or No. Be wary, this is irreversible.

Not seeing an issue with learning more about his situation and surroundings he mentally selected yes. He watched in awe as the fog on his map shifted and revealed more landmarks and land formations. Placing his map on the table he traced his finger southward from his location to find out where the Death Goddess was sending him, he stopped at a set of squiggle lines that indicated a small ridge. Squinting his eyes, he saw a small dot and a jumble of words that had a line crossed through it. Abandoned Mine.

So, Lorne wants me to take sanctuary in an old mine? But why did the orcs cross it out... There must be something there. But to his annoyance he couldn't find anything else. Just squiggle lines that indicated more desert with fog blocking off the rest to show him even the orcs didn't travel that far.

Looking over the map again, he marked a small town that was maybe a two day walk away called Goulcrest. It was to the northeast, it'd be the smartest route to safety, but his eyes still trailed back to the south. He couldn't quite place it, but in his gut, he could feel that heading south was his best bet.

With a sigh, he rolled up the map and placed it into his bag. Tightening his grip on the chest key he went back to searching for loot, either way he'd need supplies and gear for his trip. There wasn't much else in the meeting room, moving to the back of the room he pushed a curtain to the side. The silk curtain was being used as a divider to separate the meeting room from Barolo's private quarters.

Immediately Malcolm wrinkled his nose at the potent musk that lingered in the room. Steeling himself against the stench he continued his search. After a moment he found a plate of moldy food and beside it a basket of mostly untouched fruit, losing to his grumbling stomach he grabbed a fruit that looked like an apple and bite into it. The satisfying crunch and sudden flow of sweet juices washing over his tongue made an uncontainable moan escape his lips. Over the past few weeks of eating nothing but moldy bread and drinking muddy water, this fruit was pure ecstasy. Quickly he consumed the fruit and grabbed another, then another.

You have found: Elppa Fruit!

Info: A sweet tasting fruit. Restores 2 points of Health. Weight: 0.1. Value: 8 Copper.

Malcolm placed a few into his bag for future consumption.

Pulling a sheet off a shelf in search of more unspoiled food, he finally found the chest. Letting out a whoop of excitement, he marveled at the size of it. The wooden chest came up to his waist! He clapped his hands in excitement, then not delaying any further he shoved the key into the lock and twisted. With a satisfying click the lid unlatched, he swung the lip open and let out a whistle.