[Level Up]
Just before they reached the Sunnybrook portal, both Cain and Misha received a pleasant surprise. They'd reached Level 55.
They'd just finished putting down a small pack of Incubus, and were eager to head back to their new home anyhow, but now they had extra reason to celebrate. Every level after 50 was starting to take longer, they could easily kill the monsters in this area in large numbers, but the experience they were getting just wasn't enough for rapid leveling.
"Why don't we try heading towards those other ruins in the distance? Maybe they'll be a higher level area and we can get all the bonus experience for being lower level." Mythryll suggests. It's not a bad idea, and they might even find another portal, leading them to a new and higher level city.
Not that they are planning to abandon Sunnybrook any time soon, but higher level trade goods mean upgrades and faster leveling. Ever since he found out about the class change, it has fascinated Cain. What will he get to choose. Will he get to choose or will be have to wait more levels because of his overpowered hidden class? He's over halfway there now, he just needs to keep up the pace, and he's got the perfect group to do it with him.
The one thing his class lacks is ranged power. Despite his bow, the favor leans heavily to melee and single target. None of the demons they've faced so far have been strong casters, so he couldn't even switch his Nymphs for magic users if he wanted. They're kind of adorable in a rip your face off way though, maybe he can get another spell to make magical summons instead.
They've reached the exit and Cain is putting the summons, except Vala, away when Misha comes up with a great idea. In order to better learn the city, they should take a different way back every day. This is their new home, but they only know the main shopping district and a few basic locations inside the city.
They decide to go up and look at the Northwest dungeon, then come back down to the house through the crafting district. This logic leads them to checking out the smaller side streets in the way up, ducking through likely looking alleys and finding all sorts of hidden crafting shops.
Up ahead they can see flickering fire and hear clanging from an alley, so Cain decides to see what hidden blacksmith is in that dark tunnel between buildings. A small Dwarven woman, that seems entirely made of coal she's so soot covered is Forging what looks to be an axe head over a fire in a barrel.
There's personal belongings scattered everywhere, so it seems she lives in the alley, the first actual homelessness they've seen in Sunnybrook.
"Sorry if I disturbed you?" The child like voice says a a question. "There's a smithy on both sides though, and they're open."
"We just came to see what you're making. We're a new Guild in town and haven't had time to fully explore the city." Cain explains.
"Well, if you're needing a tour guide, I'm your girl. Just let me finish this axe head and put everything away." A tour guide would be useful. They have been having a great time alone, but they might be missing good things still, that a local could show them.
They all watch in fascination as the young Dwarf turns the axe head shaped chunk of metal into a magnificent, ornate battle axe, just waiting on its handle. Cain signals her to finish, and she produces a Black Ironwood handle, carefully carved already with designs of mountains and birds, and pounds it into place, locking it tight with the top spike and a bit of magic.
"Is that one of the branches from the tree by the Inn?" Elmira asks, startling the Dwarf who didn't notice her presence in Mythryll's hair.
"It is, but it's crafted now, you'll get nothing from robbing me." she says defensively.
"You misunderstand." Cain takes out his bow. "We found this being finished the other day, and the story about the tree was fascinating. You must be in favor of the Dryad, despite your situation."
"Aye, my father was a local Smith. Got killed at the start of the war when the Ogres breached the wall. Left me orphaned, but the Dryad gave me the favors he used to get." The Dwarf says quietly, like she doesn't want the neighbors overhearing. "I'm Dimnys by the way. A level 20 warrior, and a skilled blacksmith."
"You're a transfer? I've never heard of someone coming in with parents." Char says startled, then quickly does a group introduction.
"Oh, no. Some of the locals get the system too, when they hit about 10 years old. I'm one of those. But I'm as good as a transfer, got an inventory and everything." The items around her are disappearing into it as she speaks.
"It's hard to level here though, I'm too weak to fight in the dungeons, and too poor to travel. Should be able to get an apartment again if I can sell this axe. But they keep kicking me out of the market. Local smiths don't like competition that isn't a Blacksmith Union member."
Cain gives the group a scheming look "Would you consider a Guild Contract? 25 silver a month plus room and board. We've got a small smithy room in the Guild House for you to work at and we'd supply your materials when we get them."
"How about we tour the city first and I'll think about it. If you seem decent we'll have the Agent draw up a contract. Her contracts are trustworthy."
"She did up the ones for the cook and maids at the house too." Cain agrees. "They're well written and fair Contracts."
Dimnys leads them on a short tour of the smithy areas, still covered in soot. When they get to a well, she rinses off, showing just how tattered and worn her clothes are. But Cain has a solution to that.
