Soul Bound

1        Soul Bound

1.1      Finding her Feet

1.1.2    An Immersive Experience

1.1.2.4  Every starting area has a plot quest

The Steward turned out to be a busy man too:

“Welcome Adventurers. Here is a map of the farm. I’ve marked on it the kitchen where Lelia can provide you with food and clothes, if you give her a hand. The farmyard where Cesare needs help keeping pests down, and can show you the basics of combat. The storehouse, where Dante can show you how to make or repair stuff, if you’d like to earn some money or buy anything. And the library, where Camillo can introduce you to magic and help you find answers to any other questions you might have. But there are plenty of other folks around the villa who could use a hand, so don’t ignore them. Remember, you’ll need my recommendation before they’ll let you in the city gate, and if you cause problems here I’ll just kick you out and leave you to be eaten by the wolves.”

At that last bit, he gave them a very stern look as he handed over the map, then muttered about foolish priests wasting his time and did Fra Mattheus think he, the Steward, had nothing better to do than act as a tour guide what with Lady Sienna demanding a feast and nothing prepared yet?

Nadine smiled to herself. Dealing with an ego like this was nothing, compared to some of her customers.

“Oh you poor man!” she declared. “How unfair of them to put all that upon you with such short notice, and then to be expected to deal with these new arrivals from Cov too!”

“Come, friends, we must help this man, lest the reputation of House Landi suffer. Have you booked entertainment for the feast yet, staunch Brusco? Any singers or musicians?”

[You have created a new quest : make the feast a success. Reward: variable. ]

{Yay, good going Kafana!} said Alderney

The Steward’s worried face took on a relieved look. “You could help?”

{I too approve. I have a plan. Tomsk, you and Kafana head to the farmyard. Alderney, get any measurements you need of the feasting hall, then head to Dante. I’ll talk more with Brusco then fill you all in.} said Wellington.

“It would be our honour, respected Elder. Just let Wellington here know your plans so far, and the rest of us shall head off straight away, to do our best to ensure that Lady Sienna is nothing less than delighted with you.” Kafana curtseyed, then hissed on the group chat {Wellington! Mind your manners with him. Even if you put every stat point you get into charisma, it will not help you if you do not use the correct protocol for them to perceive it as politeness.}

Tomsk too made a bow, and offered Kafana an arm to lead her regally out. {Kafana, if you chat with System, you can customise your user interface. For example, I’ve told it to overlay certain types of map information on my visual view, put known names, levels and health bars above people’s heads, and highlight the quickest route to my next intended destination.}

She tried it: {System, did you hear Tomsk’s suggestion to me on group chat?}

[Yes, Kafana.]

{Implement that suggestion, please. Also, can you create a virtual TODO list everyone in the group can look at, and update it as Wellington explains his plan?} Kafana was used to Wellington’s plans, and unfortunately could remember just how detailed they sometimes turned out to be.

[Yes, Kafana. Command word “TODO” will toggle its visibility.]

The number “1” appeared above Tomsk, followed by his name and, under that, a red bar showed full at 100/100. A twinkling line of blue stars ran ahead of her feet leading out into the main courtyard and then through an archway on the far side.

Wellington’s voice chimed in. {Tomsk, initially I’d like you to kill pests, to get materials we can use and grind us some experience points. Can you let Alderney know what support you’d like in terms of additional weapons and armour, once you find out what Cesare has to offer, and then experiment with Kafana’s help to find out how close another party member needs to be in order for them to gain experience from a kill?}

{Alderney, can you start learning crafting? Find out what materials you need in order to make stuff, and what Dante will pay money for, then let us know.}

{Kafana, the feast is in 4 hours realtime, so we should be able to get this all done today. Once Tomsk has no more need of your help, I’d like you to visit Lelia, get us some better clothing that Alderney can upgrade for us. Learn cooking from her, make something healthy for Tomsk to help with his combat if that’s possible, and find out what she’s doing for the feast. See if you can improve her menu at all. But chiefly what I’d like you to do is get singing as a skill. Charm, Flattery, performance, anything that would help entertain at the feast. Wander around the villa being nice to people, entertain them, pick up any incidental quests they have to offer. You can start in the farmyard while Tomsk kills stuff. Don’t forget to talk with other players too - they may be willing to share information about quests and the locations of resources, and they’re also valid targets to practice entertainment skills upon.}

{I’m done with Brusco, and am heading towards Camillo. I’ll try to get a more detailed map of the area, find out about magic, healing, staff at the Villa, lines of authority, resource requisition protocols for improving the feast, skill acquisition and sharing, guest list and numbers for the feast, local nobility, gossip and rumours, and, well, stuff. Let me know anything you’d like me to find out.}

Kafana brought up her TODO list, and checked it had updated

TODO (game document)

Priority Person Task

All

1 Ensure Lady Sienna is delighted with the feast (3hrs 50mins left)

2 Aid other party members with their tasks

3 Raise skill levels

Tomsk

3 Learn about the combat system

3 Gather materials

3 Grind experience

Alderney

2 Customise clothing for the feast

3 Learn about the crafting system

4 Prepare money and items for trip to city

Kafana

2 Entertain people

2 Help Lelia prepare for the feast

3 Learn about healing and the cooking buff system

3 Gather additional quests and information

Wellington

2 Explain plan

3 Learn about the magic system

3 Gather information

Kafana grinned in satisfaction, deciding that she’d one-upped Wellington. {Guys, tell your system the codeword “TODO” and tell me what you think. You may update it too.}

A second later, Kafana felt her arm jerk as Tomsk stumbled, his mouth hanging open. A line appeared added to Tomsk’s TODO items:

9 Find a disorganised country, and make Kafana its Queen.

She punched him lightly in the ribs. {Tomsk, be serious!}

Tomsk’s health bar went down from 100 to 97.

{I’m in earnest!} he protested, rubbing his side exaggeratedly. {You would make an excellent monarch.}

{It would get my vote} said Alderney. {Leave it on the list. Blue sky ambitions are good, they stop you thinking small. Talking of which, Wellington, give us a hint about your plan.}

{A small hint. Hmm, ok: “Zombie Walk”. Now hush, for a bit. I need to learn stuff. Keep the chat for useful stuff.}

Typical Wellington. Plans before people. Personally, the whole reason she was here was to chat with the others. She sighed, then perked up. Never mind, she’d Tomsk right here! She’d concentrate on him for a while, and catch up with Alderney later. She snuggled against Tomsk’s side and enjoyed the warmth, switching to talking aloud:

“Ok Tomsk, let’s go kick critter butt!”

She dragged him forwards along the blue star path, and they started running.