Escape From Litchfield Read online

  [Tamara: I have magic, but I can’t move my hands enough to do rune magic. I could cast a spell using my voice, however, I can’t see much, and I am uncertain what spells could set me free. I don’t have the strength to break the chains. My special ability, Necrotic Nanobridge, is out of commission for a few weeks. I was able to cast spells via mind only during the battle for Hopetown, but I was doing it instinctively. I am confident that experimenting will unlock the secrets of mental spellcasting.]

  [Tamara: Hmm. I have one ally that no one knows about. What can you do to help, Bob89?]

  [Bob89: Well. I can move my nanocells around to help with your spell strength. I downloaded the entire Research 1 database, so I may be able to help with unique situations, although none of my knowledge seems to help with steel chains. I am also a second pair of eyes. I have access to all your sensor data. I may have mentioned that I don't perceive the world exactly the way humans do. I may have a different perspective on a given situation. If necessary, I can give you visual cues to assist you.]

  [Tamara: What kinds of situations would I need your cues?]

  [Bob89: Well. Sometimes visual cues are better than direct messages like we're doing now. Also, during combat, I can attempt to track your opponents. For instance, if a caster is casting a known spell, I can analyze the spell and place a timer over their head.]

  [Tamara: That is pretty useful!]

  [Tamara: Didn’t you say something about altering my body in various ways? Could I shift my body in a way to get out of the chains?]

  [Bob89: I did say that I could alter your body in minor ways but anything beyond minor cosmetics would not be possible at this time.]

  [Tamara: You can’t eat the chains or anything?]

  [Bob89: I could do it slowly but it would take time that we do not have. These chains are made of an incredibly strong alloy. It is also enchanted in some way that makes it more durable than normal. We need to get out of here before Jenny returns with tools. She enjoys pain.]

  [Tamara: Great! Get to work turning those chains into nanocells! ]

  [Tamara: OK, Let's keep brainstorming. Somehow during the fight at Hopetown, I managed to cast spells by drawing the runes in my mind.]

  [Bob89: Sounds good in theory. But what spell do you know that can break chains and not hurt?]

  [Tamara: None.]

  [Tamara: Think I can store the chains in the pocket dimension?]

  [Bob89: Hmm, it seems worth trying.]

  [Tamara: Since Myst has been taking metal from the pocket dimension, where does he store his extra mass? He's pretty light on my shoulder when he's small, yet when he gets big, he gets heavy too. Is his extra mass stored back in the pocket dimension?]

  [Bob89: Ha! Good idea. Yes, he probably stores his extra mass in the pocket dimension. If you call him and his extra bulk responds, it will be indistinguishable from his real self.]

  [Bob89: Actually, I think I can make good use of the space metal you ate weeks ago. Turn them into generic nanocells. Would make eating through the chains faster. Of course, I'll make use of your metals in your spatial storage as well.]

  [Bob89: Myst is a pretty smart cat. I've been limited to what you've been eating to turn into nanocells. I've also been mindful of keeping your figure and weight. However, if I can take metal directly from storage and store my excess nanocells in the other dimension, then the sky is the limit!]

  [Tamara: I knew it was you!]

  [Bob89: Yeah. To be fair, I was hungry, and I had the chance to get some space steel!]

  When she had first encountered the Foe, she had unlocked Bob89, but her ability, Necrotic Nanobridge had a small chance to give control of her body to Bob89 in exchange for a massive increase of her base stats. Back then, Bob89 had denied taking over her body when she had blacked out. Catching her core companion in a lie or evasion wasn't particularly satisfying. She buried the hatchet. Perhaps forever. For now, they needed to survive.

  A wave of uneasiness washed over Tamara.

  [Tamara: How many generic nanocells can you command?]

  [Bob89: As many as needed.]

  [Tamara: Would you be able to make a nanocell armor?]

  [Bob89: Technically, yes. I make no claims on durability or effectiveness. It would be better to combine armor and nanocells in some fashion.]

  ***

  As she heard footsteps marching up to her cell, Tamara minimized the prompts and prepared herself for the worst.

  The door opened and Glok entered, followed by two orc soldiers holding torches.

  Tamara closed her eyes at the sudden light. When she opened them, Glok stood there waiting for her to adjust a bit. Then he moved close to unlock her from the wall.

  As he unlocked the chains binding her to the wall, Glok said, "Glok take you to Dungeon." When the bard was finally free, the orcs grabbed her shoulders and half carried, half dragged her out the door. The hallway was long with multiple doors, probably other cells. The floor and walls were rough-hewn rock with reinforcing wooden timbers, which confirmed to her that they were in some sort of mine. Tamara sighed in relief as her body entered the warmer environment.

  Gesturing the orcs to follow him, Glok lead the way through the prison.

  Tamara asked, "Why are the cells all unoccupied?"

  Glok grunted out, "Quiet! Prisoner!"

  After a few minutes, he answered, "Prisoners all go to Dungeon."

  As they came up to a large ornate door, Glok paused to straighten out his uniform. Then they entered the Dungeon.

  Chapter 3

  The moment they stepped into the dungeon, Tamara noticed the uptick of mana. In fact, the floors and walls seemed to glow from accumulated power. The cavern they entered was massive. It appeared to be naturally formed with three entrances, the one they came out of, a massively reinforced gate, and a party-sized passageway. Merchants had various stalls displaying their fine wares. As would be expected in a dungeon, most of the vendors specialized in adventuring gear, spells, and supplies. Various objects glowed with power, but it was the spell merchant's table that drew Tamara's eyes the most. The scrolls were glowing. They didn't glow before she woke. Most objects of power didn't glow as well unless the wielder was so powerful that they could be targeted with impunity. Most adventurers, even the most powerful tank, did not go out of their way to be a target. Despite the bustling activity, there was an unmistakable aura of desperation and malaise. A number of adventurers were gaunt and ill-fed, while others appeared to be blue-tinged and gasping as if they were taking their last breath.

  Off to the sides, groups of adventurers and unawakened chatted and traded. All eyes turned to Tamara and Glok as they entered. It seems that these doors weren't opened that often for the entire cavern's occupants to stop everything to gawk at them.

  Glok puffed his chest out and bellowed loudly, "New prisoner! Make feel welcome!"

  As the news spread, a crowd of onlookers formed. Many of them kept their distance but shouted a greeting to her.

  Satisfied with the response, Glok nodded his head and began to unlock her ankles and wrists. Unfortunately, he replaced them with longer, looser chains.

  As Glok pulled back with the chains, Tamara asked, "Why am I the only one with chains?"

  Glok grunted and replied, "No worries. Can still fight. Gather ore." He mimed swinging a club with chains.

  "Don't I get any weapons or armor?"

  As Glok and the two orcs turned back to leave, Glok said, "Ask friends teach."

  Looking forlorn, Tamara was conflicted over her new circumstances as she watched her captors exit the dungeon. Clearly, she had not won any new friends in the last couple of minutes, and she suddenly longed for that nice safe, comfy cell. On the bright side, she was relatively warm and semi-free.

  Turning back to the crowd, she noticed how the onlookers had clumped up into groups and were slowly closing in on her. Looking from group to group, she could tell they hadn't pounced on her simply because they didn't want to turn their backs on the other gr
oups. She needed a distraction. Moving towards the crowd, she pleaded, "Hey friends. I'm a pretty badass mage. I can sing too. Anyone want to group up?"

  Someone in the crowd commented loudly, "Missy, you're not casting shit with those chains. No one here is scared of you and your green dress."

  Looking for the heckler in the crowd, chest puffed out, Tamara shot back, "Don't judge a mage by her clothes. I am more powerful than you can even imagine," with as much haughtiness and confidence she could muster.

  The effect of this brazen lie by an obviously helpless female elf had various effects on the crowd. Her goal of distracting the crowd worked, but not with the intimidation she had in mind. Half of the crowd, and most importantly the front crowd, let out guffaws, which led some of the crowd to pause, just enough that the seamless encroaching circle of humanity was now ragged. Another large portion of the crowd was dazzled by her display of beauty. Tamara was stunning even in a simple dress. Proper posture and fiery defiance amplified her beauty multifold.

  Grinning at her cowed crowd of would-be-assaulters, she strode forward confident in her intimidation skills, closing the gap quickly, until her ankle chains tripped her. She windmilled her arms but was quick enough to throw her arms out in front of her and let her hands take the brunt of the fall, saving her from a complete face plant. Shuffling her feet against the ground, she noticed the floor had a sandpaper-like texture and wasn't perfectly flat. She muttered to herself, "Ah, yes. Can't drag the ankle chains." Moving to a crouching position with her hands on one knee, she looked up to a crowd of laughing adventurers.

  [Bob89: Powerful entrance, your badassness.]

  [Tamara: Hush, you're destroying my mojo!]

  "Ohhh, sooo POWERFUL," mocked the heckler.

  [Tamara: Huh. It's like Bob90.]

  [Bob89: Haha. You do remember that you're the one that named me Bob89, right? Like my brother would be named Bob90. He'd obviously be named Bob89[Copy]]

  [Tamara: Hmm. Esoteric Machine Humor.]

  [Bob89: Genius is often misunderstood]

  Knowing Bob89 would pick it up, she thought an exasperated, "Machines!"

  Looking up at the crowd and gritting her teeth, she switched gears, checking the distance and muttered, "Close enough." That was when she unleashed her secret weapon, Sonic Scream. Everyone within thirty feet of her fell to the ground stunned, while people as far as 60 feet were dazed by the sound. A few people had managed to stay on their feet, but they were swaying dizzily. Unfortunately for them, the sound from the scream reflected and echoed multiple times, expanding its influence and power.

  Taking advantage of her opening move, Tamara activated Berserker's Rage, pumping her muscles with power, then quickly made her way to the passageway, while making sure to pick up her feet to keep from face planting again. Some people in the crowd tried to attack her, but she had noted all the standing adventurers and kept an eye on them. Their Dazed debuff made them slow and they telegraphed their intent, allowing her to dodge their clumsy ranged attacks. Absentmindedly, she liberated a number of weapons, items, and bags dropped by the fallen crowd, especially if they seemed to be glowing. The moment she was out of sight, she slid into the shadows, slowing her down but assuring safety. She took random passageways but still sought out the least travel-worn, trusting her mini-map to allow her to make her way back.

  ***

  Finally, a fair distance from the marketplace, she stopped in an unremarkable grotto to take stock of her situation. She didn't hear any pursuit, so she was most likely safe for the moment.

  Why were those people willing to attack her? She clearly didn't have anything of value to steal. Maybe it was how Glok introduced her that caused the reaction. She checked her logs and noticed that she had acquired a large amount of a new resource, "Air," when she had knocked out the crowd. Apparently, she had accidentally taken air from each person whom she had looted. With her berserker speed and telekinesis, she had acquired items from over fifteen people, each one contributing at least three days of air, which meant she initially had seven days of air and now had 61 days of air. Whatever this resource was, it sounded pretty important. She needed to find out how to get more.

  She pulled up her minimized status update messages and checked her status page. She got her quest completion for Landholders Must Clean Too! It seemed like a lifetime ago that she had received the quest from Sir Robins, the adviser to the King.

  Quest Completed!:Landholders Must Clean Too!

  Reward:1000 experience, 500 credits, Landholder title.

  Goblins have invaded the area where your city is built. Clean the land around your territory. Kill at least 100 Goblins

  Failure:Loss of Landholder title, and loss of regard from the King.

  Tamara has earned 1000 raw experience! After bonuses are applied, 1150 was earned!

  Tamara has received the Title, Landholder. As a Landholder, you have several powers granted you by the King. As a lesser noble, you are required to pay taxes to the Kingdom, abide by the King's Laws, and see to the safety of the citizens of your landhold.

  Tamara has unlocked a previously unknown profession. Master of Portals

  Master of Portals – Through experimentation and persistence, you are the first to open a portal. Choose this profession to further delve into the mysteries of portals

  Tamara has unlocked a previously unknown profession. Master of Gravity

  Master of Gravity – You have the ability to control gravity. Choose this profession to unlock the mysteries of gravity.

  Tamara has unlocked a previously unknown profession and subclass. Master of the Beat.

  Master of the Beat – You are a master musician who has touched on the divine. Choose this profession to enjoy an additional 10% to the Jack of All Trades skill.

  You have reached level 20. Please choose a profession.

  Tamara gained +2 Strength and it is now 48

  Tamara gained 5 levels in Leadership and now it is 6

  Tamara gained +2 Agility and it is now 24

  Tamara gained +5 Sync and it is now 58

  Tamara gained 15 level in Sense Magic and now it is 30

  Tamara gained 5 levels in Fire Magic and now it is 18

  Master of Gravity – You have the ability to control gravity. Choose this profession to unlock the mysteries of gravity.

  New abilities have been unlocked for Sense Magic!

  Sense Magic has evolved due to meeting the following requirements: Player level is above level 20. Sense Magic above level 25. Rune Master and Rune Magic unlocked!

  Sense Magic: The ability to detect magic being cast in the area. Currently, you can identify elemental magic by color. Evolution 1: You have been immersed in massive levels of magic, allowing you to determine the first base rune of any detected spell. The base rune gives you a clue on the components of a spell.

  New abilities have been unlocked for Blacksmith!

  Blacksmith has evolved due to meeting the following requirements: Player Level is above level 20. Blacksmith skill is above level 50.

  Blacksmith: You are a journeyman blacksmith capable of using any metal. Evolution 1: Due to reaching level 50 in blacksmith, you are able to add an additional core slot to your offensive and defensive items.

  New abilities have been unlocked for Cooking!

  Cooking has evolved due to meeting the following requirements: Player is above level 20. Cooking skill is above level 50.

  Cooking: You can create food from scratch. Evolution 1:Unlocked the ability to add an extra 10 Constitution to any food you create.

  Tamara gained +2 Strength and it is now 50

  Tamara gained +5 Sync and it is now 63

  Tamara gained 3 levels in Meditation and now it is 18

  Tamara gained +12 Constitution and it is now 36

  Name Tamara Owlkins Points 165

  Status Well-Rested

  Titles Director, Landholder

  Credits 16150 Health 100%

  Level 33 Class Bard

  Ex
perience 77699 Subclass 0

  Int 26 Dex 22

  Str 50 Agil 24(28)

  Con 36(39) Sync 63

  Mana 260.0(520.0) M Regen 1.18

  HP 390 H Regen 1.50/s

  Armor Plate 45%, Chain 20%

  Skills Cooking 50, Sonic Stun 7, Inspect 16, Perception 12, Sneak 14, Sword 20, Alchemy 21, Fire Magic 18, Blacksmith 55, Rune Magic 20, Berserker's Rage, Necrotic Nanobridge, Staff 1, Runemaster 1, Leadership 6, Trade 1, Meditation 18, Sense Magic 30

  Items +1 Ring of Agility, +1 Ring of Agility, +1 Ring of Agility, +1 Ring of Agility, Gravity Sword of Fiery Ice, Space Plate

  Upon reaching level 20 and every 40 levels afterward, Awakened have the ability to choose a profession. Picking a profession required great consideration since the choice was permanent. A profession granted additional bonuses to skills, abilities, or attributes. Ideally, the chosen profession will help with income, help combat, and help leveling faster. Many Awakened give up adventuring and open a business after gaining their profession since Adventuring becomes increasingly difficult the higher your level. In addition, death was permanent except for the incredibly wealthy and lucky few with access to Resurrection. However, choosing a profession that suited your lifestyle trumped any profession purely for the income because the profession quests often came with excellent experience and credit rewards.

  Additionally, at level 20, you are allowed to pick a subclass. This is a specialization that will focus your combat style. You can pick another subclass every 100 levels.

  Because she had risen many levels, she now had the option to choose her subclass and profession. The three new unlocked professions looked incredible but lacked concrete details on the bonuses.

  [Tamara: Bob89, what do you make of the new Sense Magic ability?]

  [Bob89: It states the first base rune, meaning that if the spell used multiple runes, you will only have one piece of the puzzle. Furthermore, you only get the base version, not the accented version, aka Glyph.]