Unforeseen path, p.60
Unforeseen Path, page 60
Igtra Raktizu: level 36 - Red Draconian-Human - Wild Shaman - green eyes, long dirty blonde hair in ponytail, reddish-tinged skin, red horns coming from forehead, red scales around neck and in the shape of a V down the upper middle of her chest, red scaled gauntlets that go up to her elbows and ends in clawed fingertip (natural armor part of Nightmare tree). Coarse dark-brown leather boots, dark brown leather pants (not armor), dark-brown sleeveless leather vest with bare midriff (not armor), and wears a coarse brown robe with hood, 6'2". Short fangs. Wields a spiked mace, round shield. Brusque attitude, supercilious, and thinks most other species are inferior. Spells - Burning Heal, Fiery Blast / Seeking Flame Strike, Fire Shield, Blazing Weapon, Phosphorus Web, Attribute Boosts, Primal Strikes, Scale Armor pieces.
Shadowfell Village - is on the northeastern edge of the Crevice of Shadows.
Dalton Thatcher - level 65, old Adept-level Adventurer that retired to the village. Widower, uses a massive long bow to fight.
Lucille Taverner - level 75 Professional Mayor - Professional Distiller / Alchemist
Carter Lorimer - Village Protector level 71 Champion BattleMaster
Giles Taverner - Level 55 Expert Defender
Jessica Purcell - Level 65 Adapt Rune Stalker
Helen Tasker - Level 68 Adapt
Claude Collier - Level 71 Professional
Hollow Cove Village that is on the northwestern side, but it too far away to help or warn.
Shadow Thorn Village that is on the southern side, but is too far away to help or warn.
Hamlet of Hardfall (outside of Lodenburg) Gigantic
Grandma Drea Dmaw: Barkeep of The Lazy Stag Pub
Cheliferidae Risso Infestation Dungeon.
Dreadmaw the Ravaging Matriarch – Boss - level 63
Toxic Stalker the Noxious - Mini Boss - level 58
VaporStrike the Ravenous - Mini Boss - level 61
The Goats Guild in Hardfell Hamlet
Basic Start Players
Gillam Goreman - lvl 32 / Warrior
Owen Robin - lvl 31 / Rogue
Anna Neville - lvl 31 / Frost Mage
Connor Forcinas - lvl 31 / Ranger
Shawna Jacobsen - lvl 30 / Priest
Advanced start players Random Group in Hardfell Hamlet
Pyralis Kirk - lvl 36 / Ranger / Human (complete ass - dies early)
Samantha Buller - lvl 35 Defensive Warrior / Dark Elf - (belligerent but gets better)
Kevin Beeker - lvl 37 / Ranger / Dark Elf (warry but fair)
Alan Vans - lvl 35 / Fire Mage / Dwarf (gruff but fair)
Laura Mac - lvl 35 / Priest / Human (too nice and gets eaten)
Ron Malone - lvl 34 / Fire Mage / Human (pyromaniac and big talker)
Advanced start The GOAT guild players in Hardfell Hamlet
Gillam Goreman – level 32 Human Warrior
Advanced start Raising Cane Guild players in Hardfell Hamlet
Andy Lambert – level 22 Human Priest
START OF DOM’s NPC’s (Domenic’s notes / 24 Paladins, 240 Dwarves at arms, 50 non-combatants, 1 Gnoll companion =315 NPCs (324 Domenic, Gnoll, NPCs and players / 270 Water and 270 Earth Elementals=540)/players: Daniella, Tony, Kat, Glen, Jimmy, John, daughter, and her boyfriend)
Tony Tomohiahya: Anthony, Virginia, Human, Hunter, male, bear pet. Large Rock Bear
Fluffy Tomohiahya: Danielle, (Danny) Virginia, Human, Hunter – female, bear pet, Large Rock Bear
Runartin Stonehammer: Glen, Texas, Dwarf, Warrior – male
Lena Stonehammer: Kitty, Texas, Dwarf, Priestess – female
Nuthar Inurface: Jimmy, Florida, Gnome, Priest / Bruiser – male, 3’2”, bald headed, brown eyes, long goatee,
Daiza Karrath: John, Florida, Human, Warrior – male – cheated on Julie while we were dating,
Rinaquenon Karrath: Julie (John’s daughter), Florida, Human, Fire Mage – female
Aegis Karrath: Kenneth (Julie’s boyfriend), Florida, Human, Warrior – male -
Bruddol Jadepike: Level 49 NPC Male Dwarf (CLASS TBD) Expert Miner / Architect
Gutirrg Rotfist: Gnoll Blood-brother.
Oksana Oakenstaff: Level 49 - Female – Half Dwarf-Human, Earth Shaman (Twin Sister of Iolas Oakenstaff) and love interest.
Gala Ranit: Level 49 NPC Half Dwarf-Gnome Bard (Will become my Master Scribe and a Lieutenant)
Madori Bryce: Level 49 NPC Female Half Dwarf-Dark Elf - Ranger - Blacksmith from Dwarven Capital Aeroch Nor - Lieutenant
Iolas Oakenstaff: Level 49 Male Shaman - Half-Dwarf-Human, Paladin (Twin Brother of Oksana Ironwood.)
Ferox Ironwood:
Gorran Carabineer: Level Sword Trainer – Half-Dwarf from Telrain.
Lexi Ngwen: Level Half Gnome Female Paladin from his clan.
Lorna Lightstorm: Level Human Female Priest at Telrain (sick of the Human Politics and left the Human area)
Kurin HellHammer: Level 49 - Male Dwarf – Guard Commander at Dwarven Capital Aeroch Nor.
Vudune Tortoris: Level 49 Male Dwarf Warrior (friend of Kurin’s 2nd in command ) at Dwarven Capital Aeroch Nor.
Pounce: Level (Same as Player) Male – Blink Lynx cat companion + eventually a mount
About the Author
Jason A. Cheek, the author of The World & The Last Paladin series, works in Germany due to his current job assignment. He lives with his wife and daughter, along with their two dogs Monty and Melow (rescue dogs from Greece). Originally from West Palm Beach, Jason lived most of his early life in Florida, except for when he was serving in the military or traveling for his job.
Always feeling like he was born out of time from an early age, Jason’s interested ran the gauntlet of martial arts, swords, archery, Dungeon & Dragons, the SCA (Society of Creative Anachronisms), reading Sci-Fi, and Fantasy. After leaving the service, Jason taught himself computer support and networking by his hobby of computer gaming.
Working eighty plus hours a week as a waiter, Jason put himself through college, studying to be an Occupational Therapist Assistant. In the end, he ended up becoming an Information Technology Professional due to his many hours of playing first person shooters and strategy games at LAN parties around the United States or logged into Anarchy Online and World of Warcraft leading his guilds.
Excelling in his career as an Information Technology Specialist, Jason was able to get a job traveling the world. During that time, he became interested in motorcycles, skydiving, white water rafting, scuba diving, and other extreme sports. Moving to Germany after meeting his Polish wife, he taught himself German and Polish, settling down in Europe with his current job and started writing books.
Connect with Jason Cheek
Please visit Amazon to discover other books by Jason Cheek.
The Last Paladin Series
Book One - Flight
Book Two - Destiny
Book Three - (In progress)
The World Series
Book One – First Login
Book Two – Mixing It Up
Book Three – You’re Going Down
Book Four – Helping A Friend
Book Five – The True Enemy Revealed
Book Six – That Wasn’t The Plan
Book Seven – Elusive Prey
Book Eight – Neck-Deep In It
Book Nine – Into the Breach
Book Ten – Escape from Darom
Book Eleven – Two Birds One Stone
Book Twelve – coming soon
Connect with Jason Cheek
Friend me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jason-A-Cheek/1415815985327666
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=23281087
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JasonACheek
Email me at: JasonACheek@gmail.com
Favorite my Goodreads author page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7799118.Jason_Cheek
Visit my website and blog: http://www.thecheekyfellow.com/
Epilogue
Post Credit Scene
(Tuesday, May 13th / Day 23 of The World.)
(Rani Lamkin meeting up with Justin Mayfair at the City Café Diner in Chattanooga, Tennessee.)
“Ring … ring … ring …,” there was a click as a low murmur mixed in with the clink of plates and silverware along with Justin’s voice sounding annoyed coming from her car speakers, “Where are you, Rani? I warned you that I only have an hour for lunch!”
“I’ve been driving up and down the street for the last ten minutes trying to find this place,” Rani irritably snapped, “but all that I can find at the corner of Bonny Oaks and Lee is a freaking Best Western hotel!” Forcing herself to take a deep breath, she impatiently continued, “Where the hell is this place, Justin?”
“Oh, good, you are here,” Justin said mollified as the edge left his voice, “just pull into the Best Western’s parking lot.”
“I thought you said we were meeting at the City Café Diner?” Rani asked in confusion.
“We are,” Justin assured her, “it’s on the Bonny Oaks side of the hotel near the corner.”
“Why didn’t you just say, meet at the Best Western hotel and not this City Café Diner?” Rani complained in an exasperated huff.
“Probably because I didn’t want a “Me Too” accusation of inappropriate behavior by my suspended colleague,” Justin said without hesitation.
“Justin, that’s-” Rani’s voice died away as it hit her how that might’ve come across if he’d told her earlier that he wanted to meet at a hotel.
Some women might just assume Justin was trying to pressure them to sleep with him for his help with a suspension. Hell, if she’d told any of her girlfriends about this situation, they’d assume that the two of them were more involved than they were. Sherry would definitely be teasing her about liking older men. How much more evidence would a human resource department need to simply suspend him too for inappropriate behavior with a coworker?
“Just give me a minute,” Rani said, letting out the breath that she’d been holding, “I’m turning into the parking lot now.”
Ending the call, Rani focused on driving as a pair of young children raced out in front of her car. Slamming her brakes, she stopped without a problem. Freaking kids, where were the parents?
A moment later, she saw the children’s mother come waddling out of the hotel’s main entrance. Instead of offering a wave of apology, the woman glared at Rani as if having her children nearly run over was somehow her fault. Swearing under her breath, Rani snorted at the woman’s back as she hollered at the children for them to get into the car. It was just another example of people not taking responsibility for their own actions, or lack thereof.
Turning onto the parking lot side of the hotel next to Bonny Oaks Drive, Rani saw the hidden entrance to the City Café Diner. It really was a separate restaurant, she thought with a snort, and surprisingly enough was open twenty-four hours daily. The only other restaurants in the area that she knew were open twenty-four hours were IHOP or Track’s End, which was where most of the V-MMORG night crew ended up on their lunch break. Finding a spot near the door, she parked and hurried inside.
Walking inside, Rani was surprised to see a display of freshly baked pies by the register. Coming to a stop next to the “Please Wait to Be Seated” sign, she looked around the small restaurant for Justin, noting the outdated kitschy red cushioned booths and black-backed chairs, when a waitress stopped in front of her with a large tray of food on her shoulders.
“How many guests will be in your party tonight?”
“I’m actually meeting a friend-” seeing Justin waving at her from a booth near the rear, she quickly apologized, “there he is.”
“I’ll swing by in a moment to take your order,” the waitress said, handing Rani a menu and a utensil wrap.
“Uh, thanks,” Rani muttered, somewhat taken aback as the woman headed off to another table to serve the food she was carrying. Distastefully glancing at the menu and utensil wrap that she’d been handed, she started making her way over to Justin’s table while muttering under her breath, “Not exactly the friendliest of service.” Then again, that was like most twenty-four-hour diners were.
“Hey, Justin,” Rani said as she sat down on the opposite side of the booth.
“Evening, Rani,” Justin politely greeted between sips of a large chocolate shake, “How are you holding up?”
“Um, fine I guess,” Rani unhappily said as a frown creased her face, “Thanks for agreeing to meet with me tonight because no one else from the Admin team would.”
“It’s not a problem,” Justin said with an easy laugh as he worked on scooping out his shake with a spoon, “as long as we’re not meeting up at IHOP or Track’s.” Seeing the hurt expression that flashed across the young woman’s face, he gave an apologetic shrug. “Sorry, that’s just the way it goes when you’re fired with cause.”
“I wasn’t fired,” Rani argued, looking at him in shock, “I was told this was a temporary leave of absence until they investigate the issue.”
“When it’s without a return date,” Justin pointedly said with a spoonful of shake, “it basically means you’re fired. They’re just waiting for the investigation to finish before making it final.”
“What do you mean, fired with cause?” Rani grunted, deciding not to argue the point.
“They’re worried about corporate espionage,” Justin explained, shoving the spoon in his mouth before the frozen lump of shake melted off, “someone with an Admin-level access has been resetting all of the regions’ settings, and it’s causing havoc within The World.”
“Why would they think I had anything to do with that?” Rani asked in confusion, “I don’t have any kind of high-level access like that with my account.”
“Are you ready to order?” the waitress asked, interrupting their conversation.
“Um, I’m not really-,” Rani began to say when Justin cut her off.
“She’ll take a coffee and a slice of that fresh pecan pie you were telling me about.”
“It’s really okay,” Rani protested as the old developer waved her objections away.
“Just bring it out with my dinner, Tanya,” Justin said, not taking no for an answer, “that way I’m not eating alone.”
“You got it, Justin,” Tanya said, making a note on her pad.
“I wish you wouldn’t be all patriarchal like that,” Rani fumed as the waitress walked away.
“Patriarchal my ass,” Justin snorted, shaking his head at her like she’d disappointed him, “We’re here to eat lunch together, not to have you watching me eat by myself. That’s just plain rude on a number of levels.” As Rani swallowed her pride, she had to admit that he did have a point as Justin continued in a more caring tone, “Besides it looks like you haven’t been eating all that much since Sunday morning.”
“Eh, going without food for a couple of days won’t hurt me,” Rani flippantly said, dismissing her colleague’s concern with a wave of her hand.
“That’s most definitely not true, Ms. Skin and Bones,” Justin said without a hint of humor in his eyes, “Did you forget the training briefs about the Egg’s effects on the physical body? A regular gamer burns so many calories in an eight-hour session that they require a minimum of four thousand calories a day to not continue losing excess amounts of body weight.”
“I can’t believe you’re calling the immersion rig an Egg,” Rani joked, trying to get him to get off the topic.
“It’s as good of a word as any,” Justin dismissively said, “Besides it’s what everyone else is already calling them.” Pointing his spoon at her chest, a look of concern flashed across his face as he continued. “Just looking at you, I doubt that you have an inch of body fat anywhere on your body. If you’re not careful, you’ll start burning muscle mass and having health issues.” Seeing the annoyed look in her eyes, his frown deepened. “Seriously, you need to start making it a point to eat large amounts of high-calorie and high-protein foods on a regular basis if you’re going to keep on playing in The World.”
