14 The draugr (1/2)
On the morning of the seventh day the sun was not visible behind the clouds as usual. It was raining tired again. Another attempt to clean up the cemetery had begun. Yesterday was a very fruitful day, except for what the Inquisitor had experienced. Dan received an award, he increased strength, agility, and endurance. The system fully appreciated his constant jumping and dumping from monsters. From his victory over the Banshee, he got 4 points in 'Self Control', 1 point 'Psycho Control' and 1 point 'Resistance to Cold'. So, the creature was really freezing him. Dan raised the 'Cognition' by two more points.
Until lunch, he only pulled out warrior skeletons, the players were already able to handle them. Players were getting hurt, but Ron was quickly restoring their health. Now the whole group was in iron armor. The whole group wore rings and amulets. Even though the skeletons were at least level 15, they didn't cause any particularly serious problems and the experience was good. Even the partners got 1000 points of experience. When the skeletons were out of reach, the players consulted and Dan called level 12 zombies in equipment and with weapons.
The creature managed to kill Alexander, Tom, and Nick, who had slipped into it. Michael was cured.
Players took a break to wait for the boys to come back to life.
The differences between classes are now quite visible.
The biggest resistance to monster attacks could have been Dan and Leo.
The zombies, apart from the usual loot, dropped a bow with +1 to dexterity and a quiver with arrows.
Nick was very excited and immediately began to learn new weapons. Now from behind the Warriors' backs was flying a shimmering blue death. Nick often didn't hit the target, and no dexterity helped him. He made everybody angry! His arrows beat in the back and caused annoying damage.
But after a while, when Nick had gained enough experience, he discovered the skill of 'Shot'.
Nick even smiled the first time he used his skill. With this skill, he always hit the target and dealt good damage, due to the effect of ignoring the enemy's defense.
The only problem was that using the skill required 5 mana points. And intelligence doesn't count on scouts! A scout is strong and dexterous, he doesn't need intelligence.
John immediately started calling Nick 'Dumby eye'. Nick was silent and patient and only occasionally threatened to shoot the joker Assassin. John responded by saying that a cop had no right to do that. The stupid bickering between the two of them was really defusing the atmosphere. Even the wounded players had a smile.
Everyone was tired, but by evening the players had killed all the zombies.
There were not enough arrows for Nick, although it was the zombies who sometimes fell the trophy of 10 arrows.
Scouting with Michael ran to the village to resupply and put the trophies in the chest.
A glass of bones caught in the house.
Jim was developing a repair on leather armor.
Dan and Gandalf complemented the bestiary and began to form a guide for the game. The entire group received 100 points of 'Glory' for the first guide in the world.
Dan and Gandalf got the 'Chronist' achievement and each received 25 points of 'Glory'.
Gandalf was already level 13, he had raised his magic and threatened to make Doomsday for monsters.
Dan had fully developed all the skills of the 'Librarian'.
He sometimes took a complete distraction from the atmosphere of battle in the cemetery. He was already free to read most of the inscriptions on monuments and graves.
He had the impression that the world was working out perfectly well and in every detail.
Now Dan wasn't sorry for his specialty. He was absolutely convinced that in this game it was important not to live the grey life of a player who quietly develops his class.
He was sure he'd meet the surprises of the game again. And it will be powerful surprises, ancient and ancient secrets will not change into little things.
He wasn't going to share his findings. He decided he'd think long and hard before revealing his secrets.
The guys from the village came back. Michael treated the guards to wine. He found out there was a small fortified house three days' journey with a small group of five players.
The newcomers were tied to the point of revival in the Castle and sent under the care of Turin to the castle.
But there was one nuance. Valerie flatly refused to leave in the village of a mangled soldier from the guards of the caravan. She helped treat him. The problem with this warrior was easy to solve. He wouldn't go back alone, it was a suicide in his situation. No one in the village needs him. Michael talked to the guard's colleagues, and then to the warrior himself, and as a result, the cripple got the right to go to the castle. He will become a coach. A specialist at this time can give initial lessons on how to properly handle a sword and how to use it in battle. Taking on the service of a local experienced soldier is the right thing to do. There is a lot of information from him about this world. Dan realized that such an expert would be interesting.
Just smile and wave, Dan. Smile and wave.
The evening's usually over. Each player prepared and tested his equipment. Those who received new levels distributed new points of characteristics and skills. The players had dinner and went to bed.
***
The morning battle began with a performance of His Majesty. Gandalf showed his new possibilities. Magic in this game turned out to be terrible stuff.
The first fireball that Gandalf released left no one indifferent.
The ball of fire became slightly larger and flew much faster, but the most terrible was the consequences of hitting this ball. There was a small vortex at the site of the fireball explosion. The monsters that had been hit not only flew away but were also seriously injured. A maximally developed fireball dealt at least 1000 points of damage.
The 'Blow of the Wind' was a skill that allowed the enemy to be thrown away. Warriors' skeletons flew away from a sharp blow of wind at five yards, zombies at two. The skill was developed by only five points. 'Ice Needles' was an interesting skill. There were three icicles on the sides of Gandalf, three thick in the arm and one long in the elbow. Then, they quickly flew away towards the enemy and stabbed wounds were inflicted. The damage to the dead was small, but the skill was poorly developed only 3 points.
'The Swamp'. Control! Good skill and very useful. It was a pity that Gandalf hadn't developed the magic of the Earth.
The enemy caught in the spelling zone, knee-deep in viscous mud, and he had to make serious efforts to get out. Players tested and learned that this skill slowed the enemy's movement for a short time! But the magician did not want to be an assistant, he wanted to become the main killer of monsters. He can be understood, Gandalf is sure to prove his usefulness to the clan.
Suddenly, Gandalf made a bid for the title of the formidable Damager on the team. But he only had enough mana for five fireballs. Michael scolded himself for not thinking of buying more potions that increase mana regeneration.
There were explosions and loud sounds from weapon strikes, alternating with swearing. Black and smelly smoke rose to the eternally frowning sky, and the bodies of ghouls and zombies were puked on fire. The players seemed to have been at war. They may have been in hell.
Beast after beast, the players were breaking through to the center of the cemetery. There must be a boss in any location, and they were approaching him. Dan guessed what was waiting for the group ahead. The transformation marks on the bodies of zombies spoke clearly about the future enemy.
In the middle of the cemetery was a gorgeously decorated huge crypt. It stood on an elevation. And on the steps of the crypt stood a new enemy with a two-handed blade. The sword shone dead blue. The enemy stood in absolutely whole armor. It looked like an ordinary warrior's skeleton, but the description clearly stated that it was not.
*
Rebellious Draugr
Type: Elite
Status: Boss of the location
Level: 20
Life: 30,000
Description: A zombie that has consumed enough flesh for the rebirth can turn into one of two types of undead, the Butcher or Draugr. And both of these species are extremely dangerous. But ask any veteran, and he will answer: 'I'd rather meet the butcher twice than meet Draugr once'. This creature's bones become stronger than iron after transformation, his body gaining weight as if the monster were made of steel. This creature is intelligent and the fight is very calculated.
Draugr is a natural warrior, and his fighting skills and weapons are fully developed.
This class is also capable of rebirth, and you must crush this monster as soon as possible.
The remains must be collected and crushed into dust, then drowned in the sea, otherwise, the monster will be reborn again.
Improved skills:
'Master Blade'. The weapon in this monster's hand is as dangerous as its master. This skill increases weapon damage and allows the use of special sword tricks and techniques. [10/10]
It opens up skills:
'Pressure'. Skill is very similar to the `Strike' of a warrior, but in strength is many times superior to it. Draugr can punch a fully equipped opponent through with a simple blow of the hand. Even light stone walls can be punched through by a creature. Cooldown: 200 seconds. [10/10]
'Cutting through the void'. This skill increases the chance to ignore your opponent's armor and class abilities. Cooldown: 120 seconds. [10/10]
Class skills:
'Invincible'. This skill increases protection and gives immunity from many types of damage. [10/10]
It opens up skills:
'Juggernaut'. This skill greatly enhances the monster's characteristics, making it a perfect destruction machine. [10/10]
'Inevitable Death'. This skill significantly increases the speed of the monster's movement, helping him to overcome his own weight. [10/10]
Battle skills:
'Enter the Crusher'. The creature blows up into the air and lands on its feet, creating a powerful shock wave that inflicts huge damage and injury to the enemies around it. Cooldown: 400 seconds. [10/10]
'Singing Blade'. Spinning a whirlwind, the monster strikes a powerful circular blow, destroying everything within its blade radius. Cooldown: 240 seconds. [10/10]
Immunity to arms:
Stabbing: 100%
Cutting: 80%
Crushing: 80%
The magic of fire: 80%
The magic of water: 60%
The magic of air: 90%
The magic of the earth: 60%
*
This monster's suit was two levels 17 banshees.
\”What's up, Dan?\”
\”This is our death, Michael. Death on Two Legs.\”
\”Is it really that bad?\”
\”I'm afraid that's the deepest ass we've ever met.\”
Dan loudly read the creature's description of all the guys.
Everyone was quiet. With two more banshees, no one had any idea how to destroy this monster.
\”We go around the edge and kill the weaker undead. We leave these behind for last.\”
The leader decided that it was clear, comfortable and pleasant for everyone.
Players made a circle and continued to clean up the rest of the territory.
By evening, they had finished cleaning the cemetery. They gently went around the center and went to the house. The mood of the group was depressed. The players could only retreat, they were not ready for a battle with such a monster.
But there was an important point: the description said that the creature could be reborn and become even more dangerous. And it seriously scared everyone.
On the way back, the players found a couple more skeletons that were hiding in the crypts. John got the 'Tomb Robber' achievement for stealing things from surviving crypts. The shaggy assassin was not punished and the players continued to explore the crypts.
They picked up a lot of interesting stuff, some things they couldn't even identify. They didn't have enough scrolls.
Now, almost all the equipment on the players was of the type \”rare\”.
Five people went to the village. Michael thought of something and took the strongest.
Dan went to bed. He had a bad feeling about it. He was already used to having to stand on the edge of the attack. Inquisitor, no monster can get past him.
When the boys came back from the village, Michael told them his plan.
They brought two large barrels of oil and a small bag of red powder from the village. It was an alchemical reagent that increased the flammability of substances.
The Banshee group will kill with the usual method, Dan will pull each creature out to fight alone.
The guys promised to try to keep the creature away from the Inquisitor.