So, lets begin author's corner!

1. If you liked "Hero of Naught", you probably hate The Adventures of Valgrim, but I have to throw it out because some people have asked about it. No judging plz, it was my first try :p

2. My friend (fellow author, work acquaintance maybe?) Scott writes many good stories on RR, my personal favorite being Galataea Crystallim. I wrote a short piece about my character in his world here ->Dr. Falcon Andreas. Dr. Falcon Andreas can also be found in the popular story "Dive" on FF, I believe chapter 53 or 54. Support their wonderful writings! :)

3. I got so excited to see where this was going I'm posting an extra chapter today. I blame you readers for showing so much support. Enjoy consequences

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The sun had just disappeared when Steel finally arrived at the armorer's shop. It had been a real hassle navigating the smaller streets in the city, but he had managed to get there just in time, at least he hoped.

Remembering the captains lesson, Steel beat the door with manly gusto!

The door then opened on his face and knocked him into the dirt. Dazed, he picked up a low chuckle coming from the doorway. His returning vision granted him the sight of the largest man Steel had ever seen.

The man, or giant in Steel's opinion, had to bend over to pass under the 7 foot high doorway. He had pointed ears and two large fangs jutting out from his bottom lip. He had short black hair and light brown skin, his clothes consisting of an apron over a set of large, tight pants and a sleeveless shirt that was ripped in places.

"That was a good knock young traveler." The giant rumbled, "But as you can see, it is not wise to stay in front of the door once you knock with manly gusto."

"Is this whole manly gusto thing common around town?" Steel wondered out loud, "If so, I'm going to have to buy some cushions for my ass."

This set the brute into a roaring laughter, hitting his knees with his hands in mirth.

"No traveler, have no fear. Only a small group of us use that type of knock, us old adventurer's and the like." He gestured toward the building, "Come tiny one, lets head inside and talk about why you were knocking on my door at such a late hour."

The inside of the giant's house/workshop was quite cozy. The main room held countless tools for leather working, all collected together in a storm of organized chaos. A large niche outlined where the large man slept, and another door led to the blacksmith part of the building. Steel sat himself in one of the scattered chairs while the giant sat in a large armchair, clearly built for him. He regarded Steel.

"I know the question on your mind, 'What are you?'. Don't worry little one." He said, noticing Steel's flash of guilt, "I can't help who I am as much as you can help who you are. To answer your question, I'm a half orc, half elf."

Steel was very confused. "Er, I don't understand." He began.

The giant interrupted him, "About why I look human except the ears and teeth right?" He gave a terrifying grin, but it held no malice, "It's one of those strange things that comes with age. When I was younger, my skin was greener and my hair was long and silver." He patted his head affectionately, "As I aged, my skin became the color you see today. When I quit being an adventurer, I cut my hair and covered it in coal. It allowed me to settle with my companions in this town years ago, so I gladly gave it away." He smiled in nostalgia.

"Companions..."Steel considered, thinking a bit. The giant smiled

"I suspect you know a few of them right?"

Steel nodded slowly, "Captain Harkin and the twins Mema and M.M. right?"

He nodded, "Aye, Harkin and Missy were friends of mine. Minny didn't travel with us at first, but she joined after Missy's injury to her eye as a cook. There are others in the group that you have yet to meet, though I advise to stay away from ole thunder-stick." He chuckled, "I hear you threw his daughter for a tizzy on the orientation day."

Steel struggled to remember what he could have done. Of course he had dismissed the notification without reading it when he had fled the Mage Tower, so he still didn't know the extent of his actions. He shrugged, thinking it unimportant.

"Uh, so what do I call you, sir?" Steel asked the giant.

"Bob, just ole Bob now." Bob informed him, "Now, tell me why you were knocking on my door so late in the day?"

Steel explained the circumstances of the day, starting when he entered the grassland and ending with the captain's reaction to the beast. Bob listened the entire time, his eyes never leaving Steel's. He nodded a few times, grew concerned when he heard about the devil wolf, and grew sad at Harkin's response.

"Aye, that was a hard time for all of us." Bob sighed, "We were still young then, but old enough to desire a place to call home. The city was a much more dangerous place back then." He put his arms on his legs and folded his hands, "That day was a true tragedy though. Harkin wasn't the same, he threw himself into work and rose to captain in record time. None of us could talk to him for years, even lil Missy. It's only been a few years since he began opening back up, now I'm worried that he'll try to take revenge by killing all dem devil wolves."

"Isn't that a good thing?" Steel asked, "That way there are less monsters in the world right?"

Bob shook his head, "No little one, monster have their place, same as we do. That's why Milna looks after them, otherwise they'd be all dead within a generation."

Lore UpdateYou have learned more about the goddess's role in the world. She protects both monsters and animals, for the the good of the world. +1 intelligence and wisdom.

'Huh, who'd a thought.' Steel wondered blankly.

He shook his head. "So Bob, do you think you can make this into something useful?" Steel asked, holding out the fur. Bob leaned down to the fur and inspected it with surprisingly gentle hands. He grunted in annoyance.

"Hmph, your a real rookie aye lad? This fur is close to being considered worthless in areas, and all these holes."

Steel blushed, "Sorry sir, all I had was this throwing knife."

Bob looked at the tiny knife and chuckled, "Bet that took you most of the day huh." He grinned at Steel, "Wait here."

Bob lifted himself up and rumidged around in his desk on the wall. He returned with a skinning knife.

"Here, take this so you don't make the spirits cry as you butcher their bodies." He gromphed.

Steel accepted it graciously.

Bob spoke up, "To answer, yes, I can make this into a decent bit of armor. For your size, I could make a full leather set. Looks like your captain is footing the bill, so I don't need anything else." He got up and hefted the fur over his shoulder.

"Come back tomorrow night and I'll have it ready for you."

"Eh? but what about the tanning?" Steel asked surprised.

Bob chuckled, "Silly human, Bob does what Bob does, and goes where he pleases. Go away now, time for Bob's sleepy time." He yawned for emphasis, showing off his big teeth. Steel hastily thanked him and returned to the night air.

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As Steel walked down the street, he came to the unfortunate realization that he had to find somewhere to sleep. Normal players could just log out if the times aligned, or payed for lodgings at an inn. Of course, Steel had no money-his guard pay was going to the armor and he hadn't done any other quests.

He wandered around the city, choosing to aimlessly wander and take in the sights rather than actively search. The city was peaceful at night. Torches burned against stone walls, casting dancing shadows over the cobblestone and dirt paths. Stars twinkled over head, laughing at things only they could see in the darkness. Muggers moved swiftly through the shadows toward him....'Wait a moment' he thought.

3 vagrant looking fellows took positions around him, pulling knives out of their shaggy rags.

"Aye ba, ba, boy. That's a fine looking necklace you have around your neck. Why not help some wounded veteran soldiers out?"

The other two giggled, a strange high and low pitch noise that was out of place on the night. Who was he kidding, he should have expected this.

"I'm telling you guys beforehand, I'm a member of the guard." Steel warned, hefting his shield.

The leader laughed at him, "Fool, we'd know a member of the guard if we saw one, they all have dem symbo thingies on der clothes."

Steel looked down and cursed silently. He hadn't realized a formal induction was needed to make him a member. Come to think of it, the captain had given him the job out of no where. He'd have to remember to get a...symbol... next time he was at the guard house.

"Harkin will be mad at you guys if you start anything." He warned.

One of the muggers shifted uncomfortably behind Steel.

"'ey, he knows Harkin boss, maybe we should reconsider."

The boss spit on the ground, "Stupid, everyone know about the Captain, don't mean he know em personally. Come on, lets get im!"

Cursing his poor life choices, Steel dived to the left to avoid the slashed by the muggers. He brought his shield up just in time to block another slash from the boss, then staggered back as the two henchmen threw their bodies against him.

Clenching his teeth, Steel regained his footing and ran at the muggers, passively activating Charge. two of the muggers managed to jump out of the way, the third one was knocked against the wall and crushed by the shield. Wasting no time, Steel bashed his shield into him, finishing him off to sleepy land.

-10 Charge

-5 impact damage

-20 Shield Bash

-15 impact damage

Taking a stance, Steel quickly scanned the other two.

Opponent InformationNameLevelThreatHealth[tr]Rostwood Mugger3A.60DescriptionA common thief of Rostwood, more active at night. Not too smart, but actively searches for weak marks to steal from. Will not kill unless provoked, scared of the guard.

Opponent InformationNameLevelThreatHealth[tr]Rostwood Mugger Leader5H.A.75DescriptionA common thief of Rostwood, more active at night. A little smarter than the average thief., Actively searches for weak marks to steal from and kill.

(I'll make adjustments later to rabbit boxes so they look like this with an explanation)

Humanoid NPC's had the ability to fall unconscious when most of their health was gone. This meant the player had the option of taking them in for questioning and bounties, rather than killing them outright.

Of course, the muggers wouldn't settle for that fate for him, they'd gut him and leave him for dead.

"Okay you bastards, Come On!" Steel roared at them.

He raised his shield just time time to block 3 throwing knives, then felt pain as the mugger removed his blade from Steel's side. He had snuck in under Steel's line of sight!

-20, Minor Bleed inflicted

"Frack!" Steel yelled as he whirled to hit the mugger, but he had safely retreated after the knife was out. He licked Steel's blood off his blade.

"Mmm, you're a fine catch boy, how about this? Instead of killing you, we'll sell you. You'd make a pretty fine piece for dem orc sadists out there."

The pother mugger roared in laughter, but cut it short as he dodged another charge from Steel.

Steel cursed. He didn't have too many options here. His build was more as a protector than a fighter, and the two muggers were a lot faster than him. Another barrage of throwing knives flew at him, and he leaped out of the way.

He shield bashed where had been standing, and managed to clip the mugger on the shoulder.

-10 Shield Bash, Fracture inflicted

Steel smiled at the mugger's howl of pain. Fracture mean his arm was useless the rest of the fight, and would be until he healed it up.

The mugger looked at him with hateful eyes, but took in the scene. One of his men was down, the other would follow quickly, and he had a useless arm.

"Grab him and retreat." He ordered. The henchman grabbed his comrade and ran away into the night. The mugger gave Steel one last look and said, "You'll pay for this boy." He disappeared into the night.

Steel sighed and sat down. His day had been one exciting thing after another.

Battle ResultsYou have won a skirmish against a set of muggers in Rostwood. Be careful of their retribution.

+50 exp

+10 copper pieces

+1 luck for encountering a quest set up

"Crap." Steel groaned, "Don't tell me I'm going to have to fight these guys again."" Still, the fight had earned him 10 copper, so he was hopefully able to buy a room now.

"Hmm, the only inn I know is at the Adventurer's Guild." Steel mused, "Might as well go check it out."

The guild was fairly close to his current position, so he was able to get there quickly. The crowd inside had lessoned since he had been there last, filled with only drunks now. Steel made his way over to the bar.

The bar lady smiled at him, "Hello sir, what'll it be?"

"I was wondering how much a room cost for one night?" Steel asked politely.

"You'll have to ask Mema, shes over there cleaning tables." She indicated a corner and Steel noticed Mema bent over a table with a rag.

He walked over to her, "Good evening Mema, how are you?"

She turned with a smile on her beautiful face, "Well, didn't expect to see you again o soon boy, what can I help you with?"

"I was wondering if I could buy a room for the night."

Mema's face shifted, a business look replacing her friendly place.

"How much do you have?"

"10 coppers." Steel said proudly. Mema looked at him closely for a moment and sighed.

"Good thing you have no desire to be a merchant boy, you'd be terrible at it." She shook her head, "Sorry boy, my cheapest room is 1 silver, you need 90 more copper to afford it. To be honest, that amount would not buy a room anywhere in Rostwood."

Seeing Steel's disappointed face, she sighed, "How about your pack boy. Anything interesting in there that could cover the rest?"

Steel took out the meat he had harvested from the devil wolf and showed it to her.

Mema's eye widened as she inspected the meat. "Boy, this is high quality devil wolf meat." She declared, "It has a high value here in town because it's so hard to get. Better still, the wolf was on the edge of maturing, so the meat is at it's finest point." She looked hungrily at the meat, then shot up to look Steel in the eye.

"Boy, I'll take this meat off you hand, and I'll give you a permanent room. In return, you gather more of this meat for me. What do you say." She extended her hand with a smile.

Steel was having none of her female wiles. "I don't know Mema, I was planning to eat this meat myself. If it's as good as you say, maybe I could get a better price somewhere else."

Mema cursed herself in her head. She had been so excited seeing the meat that she had inadvertently blurted out the meat's worth. While she wasn't "trying" to cheat the boy, her merchant instincts beat out any motherly attachment she had for the boy. She had to get this meat from him, and any other meat he may pick up in the future. Her instincts told her that if he managed to kill one, he would have a chance to do it again.

"I'm sorry boy, I must have been a little tired from all the work today." She gave him an easy going smile, "What I meant to say was I'd be willing to teach you how to cook and give you a permanent room in one of our nicest rooms in exchange for the meat you have on you. And, " she continued with h'er finger pointing at Steel, "your promise to bring me any unusual and special ingredients you find outside the wall. You'd be payed on commission if I see anything interesting."

Steel considered her offer. A free room, new skill, and payment. Sounded good.

"Sure, as long as you pay me for the meat." He said with a smile. They shook on it.

Quest UpdateRecover unusual ingredient for the Adventurer's GuildDifficulty:HardRequirementsWhenever you leave the wall, be sure to gather at least one unusual ingredient for cooking.Ingredients Found: 0/20RewardA permanent room in The Adventurer's Guild as long as you stay in Rostwood

Learning the cooking skill from Mema

Pay by commission on each ingredientFailure to meet agreement will result in loss of intimacy with the Adventurer's Guild and may gain the "Liar" permanent title.

(And it looks like I'll have to update all the quest things so they look nice too, sigh)

Mema beamed at Steel as she handed him 5 silver for the meat and a key to a room. She bustled off to the kitchen, eager to experiment on her new ingredients.

Chuckling to himself, Steel made his way up the stairs to his new room.

It was a nice room, no other way to describe it in Steel's mind. It had a large bed, a window, a nightstand, and no bathroom. "Well, "Steel thought, "I guess that's one thing they didn't make to realistic." His happy thoughts were cut short when he noticed the chamber pot beside the window.

"Frackin hell."

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And that's it folks. Now, don't worry. The harem train was to pass through the mountains before it can reach the sea. Expect an all female chapter coming in 1/2 chapters. I'll release it at the same time as it's companion, so expect double the fun at a later part of the day :p. Enjoy!