The first bar I spotted was, of course, right across from the Broker’s Guild. It reminded me of all those times in college when I was faced with the dilemma of whether to go drinking or to buckle down and study. Naturally, just like all those times in college, I chose the bar. Only this time, in my defense, I didn’t do it for any of my usual reasons. The Inn across from the Broker’s Guild was full of activity. I could tell because I could clearly hear it even on the street through the open door. What caught my attention, however, was the brawl that was about to unfold in front of the Inn.

A lone dwarf was standing in front of a group of five human men. He wore a chainmail shirt and a pair of simple brown trousers along with a look that said he was about to either punch something or eat rocks. The men facing him were all decked out in shiny platemail but from the way they were constantly shifting and adjusting it, like a young boy wearing a suit for the first time, it was clear they had no idea how to use it. They were also all Travelers which was evident from the level one displayed next to their names and the first words out of their mouths.

“Dude, what is wrong with you people?” The dwarf, with the name Zach over his head, asked the other five.

“Buzz off, Gimli. Go find yourself a Legolas and a ring and have yourself a party,” One of the men in plate responded.

“You think its funny to just beat up on random people for fun?” Zach asked in a loud voice, clearly unconcerned at the odds arrayed against him. For the first time I noticed that he was standing in front of an older Merfolk man huddled on the ground, clutching an obviously broken arm. From Zach’s stance it looked as though he had stepped in front of the five on the man’s behalf.

There are a lot of things that I’m not proud of in my life and I wouldn’t call myself a good person by any means. But one thing I cannot stand is a bully. It tends to make my thoughts go in funny directions. I know that because as I walked over to stand by Zach without any conscious decision on my part I also started thinking about how these five guys might need training for their new armor. It was obviously brand new and completely un-scuffed, it would be a shame for them to lose it so soon after getting it simply because they didn’t know how to wear it properly. I wasn’t nearly as precise as Aaron, nor did I see a healer around, but that was alright. They could always come back to life for another round of training.

When I moved to stand next to Zach the leader of the other men stopped in the middle of whatever he was about to say and shut his mouth. Zach hadn’t seen me though and kept on dishing them out to the group in front of him, “Hey, I’ve got an idea!”

He said it like he had just hit upon one of those Eureka moments so well that even I looked over.

“How ‘bout I punch you in the face and we see what happens?” Zach pronounced with a grim delivery.

My shoulders were shaking in silent laughter but I rather liked the idea myself. The other guys looked more than a little unsure and just to mess with their heads some more I decided to up the ante and cast Embrace the Darkness for the first time. My vision seemed to darken at the edges as if the shadows were encroaching on my vision.

The effect on the five bullies in front of me was spectacular. They turned pale and one even looked like he was going to be physically ill. When I glanced down I understood where it came from. The combination of my black cloak, impenetrable hood, and darkened leather armor now also looked like I was wrapped in flames made of shadow, the inky blackness wafting off my limbs and extremities to dissipate into the air nearby. It didn’t actually do that much but it sure as shit looked impressive.

The leader spluttered something and tried looking around to his friends for support but they were already turning to go. One was practically running, in fact, and the rest soon followed their friend around the corner. Both Zach and I looked on at the sight in shock for so long that my spell wore off in the interim. Then Zach turned around and spotted me for the first time.

“Well, holy shit!” Zach exclaimed.

“Might want to watch the blasphemy in this world, man. The gods are real here and I can tell you from personal experience that they are powerful,” I told Zach as I moved to the Merfolk man still huddled over on the ground and watching us with wide eyes. I took out a gold coin, handed it to him, and said, “Sorry, on behalf of all Travelers who aren’t assholes. Best find yourself a healer.”

The Merfolk man stood up and looked at us both with gratitude then said in a low voice to me, “Gods bless you, Shadow Fang.”

To my immense surprise, they did.

Notification: Blessed by the Gods

Someone has called to the gods on your behalf. Their sincerity and devotion has been rewarded and so have you.

Effect: +10% experience gain for 6 hours

I was still processing the implications when Zach came up to me and hit me on the shoulder in a friendly fashion. It nearly knocked me over. Dwarves in Novarra are about five feet or so but extremely stout and tended to be thick across the shoulders, arms, and upper bodies. At least the men did, the women just seemed to have all the strength but turn it into extra curves. Thankfully the women didn’t have beards, although every male dwarf I’ve seen certainly did, and Zach was no exception. His wild auburn mane would have done Gimli himself proud, though I’d never tell him so.

“You’re a decent sort. Come on, let me buy you a drink,” Zach said magnanimously and led me into the Inn. I knew there was a reason I liked the guy.

As soon as we made it into the Inn we came to a halt. It was absolutely packed with all manner of people and almost all of them were armed. Fortunately, they all seemed to be there for the drinking and a gesture from the massive Stroi bouncer near the door got us moving. We spotted a table near the back that opened up just as we entered and with hand motions I directed Zach towards it and indicated I’d get a round. While I may have only had about ten inches on Zach’s five feet, all of them might be needed to catch the eye of a bartender at the packed bar.

I saw someone lifting a double handful of wooden mugs into the air so I waited for my chance and then slipped in to the bar behind him. When I stacked up on Agility during character creation this wasn’t exactly how I’d planned on using it, but I’d take it. With a couple gloved fingers extended, I managed to catch the eye of a gray-haired elven bartender and he gave me a minute nod in acknowledgment.

Just then the woman in platemail with a black ponytail I had moved behind at the bar moved her back towards me another couple of inches, making what was a tight squeeze downright uncomfortable. I glanced up to see that her name was Amanda and was surprised to see that her level was the same as mine. As I reached out to tap her on the shoulder and ask for a little more room I heard her conversation with my enhanced hearing.

“Look, I said no already,” Amanda said to the man across from her, someone I was surprised to note was also our level in the Inn full of high level adventurers. The hostility in the tone made me pause and focus more on what was going on.

“Hey, you’re a healer and we need a healer. Plus, you get to group with me. What’s not to like?” The man with the name of Rick over his head said to Amanda with a cocky smirk. Then he grabbed her arm.

Amanda was apparently not happy about that at all and violently pulled her arm free. Unfortunately, due to the laws of physics and the fact that I was located right behind her, she elbowed me right in the gut in the process. I can safely say, from previous personal experience even, that getting hit in the gut with an elbow like that is not a pleasant feeling at all. But it’s about ten times worse when said elbow is covered in steel.

When I managed to stand upright again I saw the woman had turned to look at me in concerned shock. Rick looked mildly perturbed.

“Oh my God! I’m so sorry!” Amanda exclaimed.

Then I realized she was another backer, a Traveler, like me. Despite the pain she’d inflicted on me, I wasn’t unsympathetic to her situation and blamed my recent discomfort squarely on the guy in front of me.

“No means no, buddy,” I said to Rick in my most diplomatic voice. It came out little better than a growl after the tender treatment my stomach had received.

“Get lost dude, she’s mine. She just doesn’t know it yet,” Rick said with such a smug little smirk I wanted to test out my new Hand to Hand skill right then and there.

Instead, aware that we were in a crowded bar full of people almost certainly better armed and more powerful than us, I decided to spell things out for him.

“There are two immutable truths in this world, or any other,” I began then held out a single finger in front of him before continuing, “Smell is transmitted by minute particles in the air.”

My second finger joined the first as I went on, “All living things die.”

Then I put my closed fist back on the bar and leaned forward a bit.

“Leave your toothbrush out in the bathroom,” I finished.

Rick was left opening his mouth but evidently realized he didn’t know what to say and closed it again. He did this several more times and I thought he kind of looked like a fish stuck on dry land. Amanda soon covered her mouth and tried to hold back laughter, either at what I’d said or Rick’s reaction. The sound of a couple wooden mugs landing on the bar beside me drew my attention.

The barkeep looked at me with a mostly neutral expression but I could see the corners of his mouth turned up in amusement. He said, “That’s one of the best I’ve heard in a while. On the house.”

Before I could so much as respond he turned to Rick and all traces of amusement vanished from his stern expression entirely. When he spoke it was with a hint of command and authority that I’d never heard before, “You. I’ve given you enough warnings. Get out.”

It was only then that I noticed the bartenders name, Aldyn, and next to it the incredibly high level of thirty seven. Definitely the highest I’d seen so far anywhere in Novarra, I was amazed and wondered what he was doing behind the bar. Then I supposed he could do pretty much whatever he wanted at that level. Rick seemed to think the same thing and quietly slunk off and out of the bar.

Without any more fuss, Aldyn moved on to another of his many customers and I picked up the wooden mugs filled with what I sincerely hoped was alcohol of some kind. After all the abuse my body and mind had been through today all I wanted to do was sit down and drink whatever was in this wooden mug. Amanda was still standing there though and I didn’t want to be rude.

“We managed to find a table, you’re welcome to join us if you like,” I said and made to move off.

“Would you mind if a friend of mine joined us?” she asked me.

With an absent nod I managed to weave my way through the shifting mass of people to the table Zach had been able to snag in the crowded Inn.