Sentenced to troll 2, p.9
Sentenced to Troll 2, page 9
Tormara clears her throat. “I do not agree. Our place is in the forest, where we may grow stronger, not spread so thin so that we may fall apart. I have said my piece, but you are the chief. If this is your decision, then I will support it. I pray it does not come back to bite us.” She slinks back into her chair. Tormara is spirited, but she has great respect for the chief.
“Very well. It is settled.”
Night comes, and we spend the next several hours outlaying a plan for the future. Several of the young trolls will be sent to Vanaria to learn the ways of humans in order to better understand one another’s culture. Tormara agrees to join as chaperon. I’m glad to not be a part of that debacle. I can’t imagine her listening to anyone who is not a troll. We decide to open the edge of the forest to human hunters. They will be granted a permit to allow them to hunt, but the troll village is to remain off-limits.
Our remaining stockpile of human weapons and armor will be traded to Lynchton and then we will begin bartering with them for supplies we may need.
“I do not know how I feel about offering mana-infusion—” Chief Rizza is cut off by approaching footsteps.
Gord appears from the darkness. Limery sits on Gord’s shoulder, with Lillith, his mother, fluttering behind them.
“What is the meaning of this, Gord?” asks Chief Rizza.
“It’s my fault.” I stand, acknowledging our new guests. “I requested they bring Limery and Lillith here the moment they arrived. I have a proposition that may help both imp and troll in this new endeavor. I would like the council to hear me out.”
She gives me a questioning look. “Alright then, out with it.”
I really hope this idea is as good as I have imagined. “I believe that the biggest struggle for our two sides will be the ability to communicate. Not very many humans outside of large cities have communication stones, nor do the trolls. I am proposing that we reinstate the IMS, Imp Messaging Service. They can serve as translators at the market, in exchange for a small fee. They can also deliver messages between you and the king, keeping a line of communication open. It will serve to make the transition easier, at least until some of the trolls learn the common tongue.” I look to both Chief Rizza and Lillith. “What do you think?”
Lillith is the first to speak. “There aren’t many imps left on the island. Many were trapped on other continents or went into hiding when the portals closed. I can reach out to those that I know of and see if they are interested, but know that many of them have suffered a similar wrath as the trolls over the years. They may not be willing. As for me and my family, we will help in any way we can.”
Chief Rizza smiles. “I am grateful. For this and everything you and your brood have done for us so far. Limery has played no small part in where we find ourselves. Please, reach out to your people. We will be grateful for any who take up the cause.”
Lillith bows to the chief. “Then I will take my leave and return when I have answers. Limery, let’s go.”
“Actually,” I interrupt before they leave. “I would like it if Limery could come with me.” He flashes me those demonic teeth in response.
“You have a communication stone,” says Lillith. “I’m sure he could be of greater use elsewhere.”
“I’m sure you’re right, but there’s something else I want to talk to the chief about.” I turn to her and she seems to have a knowing look on her face. She had to know this moment would come eventually. “I don’t really know the best way to say this, so I’m just going to come right out and say it. Trollkind is at the beginning of something beautiful. A new day is approaching, and I look forward to watching it all unfold. You are an amazing leader, one that the forest can be proud of.” I take a deep breath before continuing. “It is your time to lead. I brought magic to the village. I met with the king for peace. I am a hero, and it is now my time to do what heroes do. I need to leave the forest in search of adventure. The council is more than capable of handling the politics without me. I will always be a hero for the trolls, but it is time for you to lead them into a new age. Therefore, I will be vacating my seat on the council so that someone who has lived and breathed this village for far longer than I can help you going forward.”
They sit in stunned silence. Tormara raises a hand, but then it falls to her lap.
Chief Rizza nods several times. “I knew this day would come. I just didn’t think it would be so soon.” She intertwines her fingers, as if searching for the right words. “Chod, you will always be welcome in the forest. You are a member of this village now and that is not something that I nor anyone else can take away. I pray that your adventures lie elsewhere, and that though you are more than capable, this is the last we need of your services.” She pauses. “When do you plan to leave?”
“Tomorrow. If I may, I would like to offer a recommendation to replace my seat on the council.”
“Very well. Share your thoughts.” She wears a half-grin, and I can’t quite tell if she is amused.
“In my short time here, I have witnessed the importance of this council. They weigh in on every decision you make, offering varied points of view, giving you insight you might not normally have. Only sometimes losing their temper.” I nod to Tormara, and I swear she blushes. “When my predecessor fell in the battle with Glenn, I was given the opportunity to offer my own advice. In the coming years, it will be important to have someone with experience, but also who isn’t afraid to speak their mind. Someone who loves this village more than anything in the world. Someone like Gord.”
Everyone except the chief bursts into chatter. Gord’s eyes are as wide as I have ever seen them and his jaw hangs slack. I hope I didn’t break him. I raise my hand for them to let me finish.
“I know I was the first male to ever sit on the council. It would not have happened if I hadn’t completed the quest to clear the ley line. But be that as it may, you are entering a new age. Why not have a council that speaks for all trolls, and for all points of view?” I stand up from my council seat. “Think about it. He’s not as dumb as he looks.”
12. Farewell
When I wake up, I’m not nearly as well-rested as I would like. Thoughts of whether or not I made the right decision kept creeping through my dreams all night. In the dreams, the village was bombarded with secret attacks and the sky rained fiery arrows. I stood there, watching it all unfold but unable to help. In the end, the bodies of everyone I cared for in this game lay scattered over the forest floor, and I sat all alone in the burnt aftermath.
I sit up and rub my eyes. It’s not like I’ve been at the village every second since I’ve been here anyway.
They’re just dreams, nothing more. A manifestation of my worries. I know the village will be fine without me. Chief Rizza and the others are more than capable, and for the first time in ages, they have peace. Besides, I didn’t come back into this game to sit around and babysit them. I need to continue leveling up, because if there ever comes a time when they do need me, I want to be the baddest motherfucker on this island.
A light knock interrupts my thoughts. Limery hovers at eye level when I open the door.
“Morning, Chods.” He beams at me, holding a roasted leg of some small animal in one hand.
“Good morning. Want to come in?”
“I thought we was leaving?” He tilts his head like a confused dog.
“Soon. There are a few things I need to wrap up before we go. After that, it’s all adventure. You excited?”
“Limmy can’t wait to see the world with Chods.” He rips the last of the meat from the bone and contemplates throwing it on the floor.
“Don’t you dare.” I scold him.
He gives me a sheepish grin before stuffing the bone in a small pouch.
I pack what few items I have into my satchel and prepare to say my good-byes. “I need to go see the chief before we leave. If you want, you can go say good-bye to the others and I’ll come find you when I’m done.” I know for a fact that he and Gord grew pretty close over our adventures together. He’s really grown on the rest of the village, too.
Once I’m finished with the chief, I plan to say my farewells to Gord, Ismora, Yashi, and Tormara.
One of the troll children runs through the village center, a small wooden club tossed over his shoulder. I stop him, and he points me in the direction of the chief.
The spicy smell of incense greets me long before I enter Jira’s hut. Smoke wafts out of the chimney. He must be meditating extra hard today.
The chief’s wyrm guards the entrance to Jira’s hut but moves aside to let me pass. Inside, I find Jira and the chief leaning over a golden chest. The same chest where they plucked items for me and my party before our journey to Paltras Ruins.
I clear my throat and they both turn around.
“Chod.” Chief Rizza nods at me. For a moment, we just look into one another’s eyes. I hope she doesn’t view this as me abandoning the village. I want to spout off all the reasons why I can’t stay, anything and everything to justify why I must go. Why must I feel so guilty for doing what needs to be done? Our gaze breaks and she looks past me. “Morning has come too soon. It seems like just yesterday you came to us, and now it is time for you to leave.”
“I will always be around if you need anything. All you have to do is offer me a quest, and I will know to return right away. But before I go, I just wanted to say thank you. For taking a chance on me when I was just finding my way in this world. This village has made me into who I am.”
She smiles. It’s a smile of both happiness and sadness. “Before you go, we have a final gift for you.”
Jira pulls out a small pouch and it jingles as he hands it to me.
Currency: 10 gold.
“You’ve got better things to do than trade leather. Plus, your leatherworking skill doesn’t seem to have improved much.” Jira grins. “I don’t know if it is a lot or a little, but I hope it serves you well.”
Once again, their generosity astounds me. I find it funny, that for the majority of my time here, currency was never an issue. The trolls have a village that is built on community. For my first thirty days, gold never crossed my mind. Not until I entered a human city.
I have a feeling ten gold will go quite a long way in these smaller towns. “Thank you. Both of you.”
They both embrace me before I leave, and I’m certain it will not be the last time we meet.
When I step out into the courtyard, everyone is gone. Even Kea has left her stew unattended. The children that normally train to the other side of Jira’s hut are nowhere to be found.
“Where is everyone?” I ask the chief, but she doesn’t answer. Instead, she says, “Follow me.”
I follow her out of the village center and into the forest. We walk in silence, dead leaves crunching under our feet. We come to the spot where we battled Glenn’s army, the broken trees the only reminder of the chaos. It’s then that I see the translucent figures of the entire village as they sit stone silent in two rows facing one another.
A loud crack echoes as each of them claps their hands and rises to their feet. They all take a step back, making a path for me to walk.
At the end of the line, closest to me, Malak and Jojin face one another. They stomp their feet, then beat their chests. As they finish, the two trolls closest to them repeat the action. Then all four of them stomp their feet and beat their chests. The next two repeat the action. The thunder of their movements grows with each new addition. Then all six continue the cycle, with two more joining in. The cycle continues until the entire line of trolls has joined and their movements rumble the very ground.
Chief Rizza nudges me forward, and they all fall silent. As I step in front of Malak and Jojin, they all let out a roar so loud that the birds in the trees take flight. They begin another beautiful tribal dance, filled with stomps and thunderous chest-beats, thigh-slaps, and roars that clear the forest of animals for miles. I let the sounds and vibrations wash over me.
At the very end of the line, Gord and Tormara face one another. Gord’s nose ring flicks with each movement, and Tormara’s braid whips like a viper. I step past them, and they all fall silent once more.
Far behind me, a song erupts. It’s a song without words, but a guttural cry as Chief Rizza wails into the sky. It’s a song of power and melancholy. A song of farewell.
Suddenly, my body erupts in electricity. For a moment, shockwaves course through my veins, threatening to explode out like lightning. Then just as quickly, it fades away.
You have been blessed by the forest trolls.
13. Mythos' Most Wanted
The farewell dance will be burned into my mind for as long as I live. Much like the dance I witnessed my first night in the village, the power and might in those movements resonates in my bones. Maybe the dance called to something primal in me, to my very troll nature.
Aside from the notification telling me I had been blessed by the forest trolls, none of my stats have changed. Not like when Hawkin hit me with his Aura of Vigor. Still, there was something powerful about the blessing. Something happened, I’m sure of it. How else do I explain the electricity that seemed to course through my veins?
“Did you feel it?” I ask Limery. He sits perched on my shoulder watching colorful birds as they jump from limb to limb.
“Feels what?” His eyes are locked on the birds. He conjures a fireball, and I know exactly what is about to happen. A moment later, a bird is engulfed in flame and falls to the ground. Limery hops from my shoulder to claim his prize.
I guess it was just me who was affected by the chant. I wish I could have stayed to ask, but after such a mighty performance, I didn’t feel like I should hang around and ask questions. When a moment like that comes around, I think it’s best not to ruin it.
Even if there was no buff, the gesture itself was momentous. The entire tribe sending me off like that, it really shows the impact I made in my short time there. Not to mention the impact they had on me. I may not ever understand what it’s truly like to be a troll or have the history they have, but I know that I will always be a forest troll, even if I go back to the real world.
Now that I have no obligations, I feel both free and lost at the same time. It’s a strange feeling, not having anything to do. Since I first came into Isle of Mythos, I’ve had one quest right after another. And not just “help me clear these wolves that keep killing my livestock” quests, but big, world-spanning quests. Now, I finally get to experience the game without an entire race depending on me. It’s nice. I’m a free troll with nothing but time to kill until Taryn shows up.
Speaking of Taryn, he has to be getting close by now.
My first order of business: travel to Lynchton. I’d like to get the lay of the land and remind everyone there what I am capable of, so that they are on their best behavior when the first envoy of trolls arrives. There will definitely be a transition period, but if Lillith comes back with enough translators, things will go a lot smoother. The least I can do is give the village some warning of what to expect when the trolls arrive.
I pull Petrified Staff from my satchel and cast a Horror of Finesse. The blue, imp-like creature falls in line behind me. Since I’ve got some time to kill, I might as well do a little leveling.
Most of the creatures in this forest are far below my level now, but every little bit helps. Once Taryn levels up more I’d like to find some higher level areas, wherever they may be.
The first unlucky creature to cross my path is a deer. The young buck squares off with me, antlers lowered, and begins his charge. When it’s several yards out, I cast Horror of Vitality, and the bonus effect of the summoning slows the charge. The Horror of Finesse bites and claws at the creature, while the furry Horror of Vitality lowers its own horns and collides with the deer’s antlers. The collision disorients the deer and breaks off one of his antlers. With a few swings of my scepter, my XP bar moves a small amount. I loot the corpse of its hide and antlers.
Limery returns from bird killing just as I finish removing the hide.
I’m contemplating whether I should save the meat or cook it now when I hear a loud crash from beyond a thicket of trees. Branches crunch and something grunts in disapproval.
We follow the source of the noise and find an ogre pulling trees from the ground and breaking them in half. The small-headed, lumbering fool grunts to itself as it carries on its meaningless work. I focus on the monster and view its stats.
Ogre. Level 6. Big, strong, and ugly. Ogres are quick-tempered, powerful brawlers.
It turns at our approach, revealing a set of crooked brown teeth. The top row is dull, but the bottom row is jagged and sharp. It’s draped in an assortment of furs, and a bone necklace dangles across its pasty yellow chest.
I’ve seen that necklace before. That’s when I realize that this isn’t just any ogre; this is the asshole that killed me!
His bloodshot eyes cut at me. “You!” he roars. Thanks to my communication stone, I can actually understand him this time.
“Hey there. Long time, no see, big fella. I love what you’ve done with your hair. How do I get it to come out of my nostrils like that?” I taunt him. If we’re going to fight, I might as well get him angry beforehand.
He lifts a tree trunk and charges, his ogreboobs flopping with each step.
“Limery, stay back. He’s mine.” Limery lands on a tree limb to watch the carnage unfold.
I cast three more horrors in rapid succession, bringing my total to five.
“Bad troll!” the ogre shouts, spittle flying from his mouth. Each fat roll jiggles as the monster rushes towards me. He’s taller than I am, and definitely weighs more, but he’s about to get payback from our first encounter.
I use Sacrifice, and all five horrors vanish, a portion of their energy flowing into me. I gain +1 Dexterity for each Horror of Finesse, +1 Strength for the Horror of Power, and +1 Constitution for each Horror of Vitality. My muscles bulge and heart pounds with the sudden increase of stats.
