n

n

nNix opened his eyes slowly, the morning sun was shining directly into his face. The pleasant sound of running water somewhere nearby made him turn his head.

"I'm outside?

"

nPlayer Message Only Welcome to the New Everspire Expansion. You may start a new character at level 125 to adventure in the fabled dragon origin world of Everspire. There is now an entrance to Everspire North of Cyphix, you must be level 125 to enter. Be sure to explore with caution, you will have to earn new gear and weapons, none of your old equipment can pass through the rift into Everspire.

n

"A rift North of Cyphix?

" Nix sat up, one hand raised to shield his eyes from the sun. A read-me file popped up onto his hud without him activating it.

nGuild Leader Nix

nUnfortunately, the recent performance of Inferno was beyond our estimations and your team was able to win a fight that was supposed to be lost. This has caused us to make several adjustments so our new expansion could be launched seamlessly. Please take the time to read the re-edited version of the Khione fight.

nCurrently, you are the only player in Everspire, although many more will be joining you in the days to come. We've had to create several obstacles to slow your progression. We are aware that this is somewhat unfair, however, we are also aware that your current base stats are impossible for a Colonial player. In exchange for your cooperation, your stats will remain how they are. Additionally, you've been given an important quest.

n1) Your Guild privileges have been temporarily disabled.

n2) All of your gear has been removed. (This happens to everyone who comes through the rift.)

n3) Your Spirit Companions were slain in the Khione battle and may not be summoned for five days.

n4) You've been placed in the Forest of Titania, far from the nearest major city.

n5) Your Breach Commander and Archon abilities are temporarily disabled by a curse.

n6) Personal messaging has been disabled until you find someone on your friend list.

n7) Your new binding point is on the banks of the river you woke up next to.

nNix took a few minutes to read everything, he reread it a second time to get a better feel for his situation.

"So... I'm wearing basic leather clothes. I don't have a weapon and my companions are gone for five days instead of three.

"

nQuest: Curse of the Ice Goddess

nObjective: Find your way to the starter city

nof Ever Flame.

nNix took a moment to check his stats.

nNix Race: Human

/Salamander Hybrid (Cursed By Khione)

nLevel 125

nArchon: SubClass: Breach Commander (Disabled)

nClass Skill (Disabled)

nDirect Communication

nDetect Disturbance

nSummon Allies

nCreate Breach

nDual Wield

nTactician

nInspire

nLast Stand

nStrength 265

nEndurance 277

nIntelligence 65

nDexterity 87

nPerception 89

nAgility 55

nMana 34,500

/34,500

nCold Resistance 250 Ice Blessing Tier II

nFire Immunity

nEmerald Flame Strands 100 Flame Snare Fire Root

nFire Seed Emerald

nJosori's Stealth Champion's Ability

nDragon Eyes

nWeapon Skills:

nPrimary: Path of the Fire Lord Salamander

nSecondary: Spellsword

nSupport Skills:

nN

/A

nPrimary Path Skills Advanced

nBalefire

nMeteor Storm Fire

nCombustion Fire

nComet Strike Fire

nLance Elemental: Fire, Air, Ice

nGemini Bond Gemini

nCritical Chain Gemini

nTides of Flame Nemesis

nIncinerate Nemesis

nBalefire Burst Nemesis

nArchon's Armor Nemesis

nFlashblade Archon

nExecution Nemesis

nFire Burst Fire, Air

nFlame Throw Fire, Air

nVacuum Air

nGusting Flames Fire, Air

nNull Air

nSecondary Path Skills

nFlame Blade

nFlight of the Gryphon

nSpirit Animal 4

/4

n1: Soup Royal Sea Turtle

n2: Ducky Water Witch (5-Day Penalty)

n3: Fey Drakon (5-Day Penalty)

n4: Mortimer Titan Cave Bear (5-Day Penalty)

nSkills:

nSaboteur 211

/500

nTaxidermy 402

/500

nTailor 500

/500

nFishing 109

/500

nNix waded into the water, the rocky bottom of the river was slick with moss.

"Big mistake, overlooking my girl.

"

nSummons: Soup

nSoup flapped a fin loudly on the surface of the river while Nix rubbed her smooth green head.

"Everyone underestimates a turtle. Am I right?

"

n

"We've been temporarily nerfed Soup.

" He climbed up on her shell and sat comfortably while he opened up a local map. His access to the Everspire map was grayed out.

"The local map shows a lake, lets head downstream and check it out. Stay above water, I don't have my aquatic gear.

"

nNix sat leisurely on Soup's back, not really concerned that he'd been given the shaft. The sun was warm on his face and the scenery was nice. The Titania Forest was made of mostly of large fir trees that resembled redwood. They were a few hundred feet in height and offered shade to the ground below. Over the course of half an hour, Nix saw several deer and a few smaller predators.

nIt took three hours to enter the mouth of the river, although the stream was somewhat small, the lake it fed into was quite large. A single column of gray smoke rose slowly upward from the shore of the lake. A large wooden building built onto a sturdy looking dock was visible in the distance.

nNix had Soup bring him to shore so he could approach on foot.

"Stay hidden for now Soup, might have to use you to do some hunting.

"

nThe building was much further away than Nix had guessed. Nearly half of the structure was supported by the dock while the rest was built onto the shore. It was a sleek looking building made entirely of a red-colored wood. There was a large wrap-around porch at encircled first floor, an old man could be seen sweeping the dust from the steps.

nNix noticed the sign almost immediately. It read 'Iron Pike Trading Post.' He scuffled his feet loudly a few times so the old man would look up before he arrived.

nSitting the broom to one side the man moved toward the door and stopped. The old man waited until Nix was within hearing range.

"Morning Traveler. Welcome to the Iron Pike.

"

nIt was about this time that Nix realized that he didn't have any credits.

"Morning, I'm Nix. What kind of items do you trade here?

"

nThe old man had a full head of gray hair, although he was wrinkled with time, his broad shoulders gave evidence that he could still take care of himself. He wore leather armor and had a shortsword buckled around his waist. Off to one side, a short bow and quiver of arrows were hanging from a nail on the wall.

n

"Well met Mr. Nix. Folks just call me Hoot.

" Hoot opened the door and held it for his lone customer.

"Got lots of different items, take a look for yourself.

nThe trading post was basically a general store, it had a little bit of everything. A large brown pelt acted as a floor carpet. Nix didn't recognize the animal, but it had to have been large.

"What kind of beast is this from?

"

n

"Lake Otter, vicious critters that would just as soon eat you. Course we've cleared out the shallow areas, but we get the occasional straggler in from the depths.

"

nNix spend a few minutes browsing the shelves. Hoot had moved behind the counter and was keeping an eye on him.

"What items will you trade for? Do you have credits?

"

n

"I don't sell anything for credits, everything here is barter only. I'll take any kind of pelt you can bring in. I've got a smoker, so I'll take fish or meat off your hands also. If you want to exchange credits, you'll have to go into Bachoni for that.

"

nNix found several items he needed. A skinning knife, sewing kit, sleeping bag, and a small ax.

"Bachoni? Is that a city?

"

nHoot nodded from his chair behind the counter.

"In the middle of the Lake. Can't see it from here though. They send a boat out this way once a week or so.

"

n

"Anything I should know about Bachoni?

"

nThe old man stared at him for a moment and lowered his voice, even though there was no one else around.

"I don't see a weapon on you son. That usually means one of two things. You're someone who doesn't fight or you're a mage. None of my business, either way, Mages aren't very popular in these parts; especially Fire Mages.

"

nNix smiled casually.

"Thanks for the info, I'm a hunter. Just had a run of bad luck lately.

"

n

"Been robbed?

"

nThe question made Nix chuckle.

"You could say that.

"

n

"Seen you looking at that skinning knife. There's a bit of firewood out back that needs splitting. You handle that for me and I'll give you the knife and the sewing kit.

"

nNix nodded.

"Deal.

"

nIron Pike Quest.

nObjective: Split firewood

nfor Trader Hoot.

nReward: Skinning knife and

nsewing kit.

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