Touring the Keep

QJ posted the GCP information on each category and then selected the [Return to Base] icon from his hud.

[OP: QJ] Here it is.

[One Problem: GCP]

[World Reputation] WR points can be earned through quests, crafting, raids, and solo kills. (No Daily Limit)

[Guild Reputation] GR points are earned by accomplishing anything that increases our public reputation. (No Daily Limit)

[Morning Attendance] Show up on time! (Limit=5 GCP daily)

[Raid Attendance] Take part in Guild raids. (50 GCP whenever we raid)

[Raid Leader] If you find a suitable raid and do the necessary research, you may request to lead a raid. (10 GCP whenever you lead a raid)

[Guild Officer] Show your dedication and willingness to lead, and you may get promoted. (5 GCP daily)

[Gained Title] Any new title you get can add points to your GCP. (No Daily Limit)

[Guild Title] One hundred points are added to everyone's GCP each time a title reaches 100 percent status within OP. (No Daily Limit)

[Guild Rank] Every level counts. We can earn up to 20 GCP depending on OP's server rank. (Daily)

[Class Rank] Your server standing in your GnG Class can earn you up to ten daily points. (Daily)

[Named Kills: 10 [1(x10)] Ten points for named mob kills. They must be within two levels of you. (No Daily Limit)

[Elite Solo Kills: [1(x1)] Gain points for killing elites at your level. (No Daily Limit)

[Daily Quests] Finish any three guild quests. (Limit 30 GCP)

QJ closed the guild interface, his mouth dropping open at seeing OP's new Guild Base.

All evidence of the previous evening's battle had been removed. The draw bridge was down, and two Dark Elves stood guard. He recognized them both right away, Ry and Eten Jol. They were brothers, Ry being the older by two years.

QJ smiled at the two guards. "Younger brother QJ greets the Jol Clan."

Ry bowed politely. "Greetings, QJ. You may pass." They were looking at their huds displaying all the One Problem members.

"Thank you, until further notice, no one but OP members is allowed in."

"Yes, sir." Ry turned back toward the group of people following and started checking them it.

QJ noticed Ringo waiting just inside the gate; after joining her, they walked into the Courtyard together.

It would take a day or so before he recognized everyone. The sun was pleasantly warm as the two walked into the central Courtyard. Ringo was smiling at the condition of the Keep. It had been renovated as part of the server reset.

Ringo noticed a movement above and nudged QJ. A half dozen Ba'Avriel were flying overhead. "Dark Elves and Ba'Avriel Assassins. Our new Commandant is going all out."

QJ stared at the flyers; they were second-generation Ba'Avriel and not part of Gryphon Flight. Then, he turned toward the Keep, noticing three people standing at the entrance.

He couldn't stop the grin instantly plastered across his face. "Sweet Georgia, don't tell me you quit your cush Ravenwood job to rough it here!"

A lanky man in his mid-twenties with curly black hair returned the greeting. "I promised the Silverleaf Clan that I would keep you in line."

QJ laughed aloud. "Ringo, this is Jacob; he is the Stablemaster at Ravenwood. Also, one of my best friends."

Ringo raised an eyebrow. "So you know all the secrets? You are going to be quite popular. I'm Ringo; it's nice to meet you."

"Just call me Jake." He smiled shyly at QJ's teacher.

Robin stepped forward and pushed a small man ahead of her. He was less than five feet tall and quite muscular. "This is Blinky. He's an engineer."

QJ frowned; he knew who the gnome was, of course. He had personally caught the bald scoundrel trying to peep at his sisters while they were swimming. Jali had held the gnome down with one paw while QJ beat him with a stick; the little bastard disappeared right after that. "You better toe the line Blinky, or I'll have a word with a certain Apple Princess."

Blinky's face paled noticeably. "I will be very professional, sir!"

Robin hid her smile. She knew about the incident, of course. She also knew that if any of Q's wives knew about it, Blinky would be removed from this world. "Second chances are good. Let me show the two of your around."

Robin walked passed the entrance to the blacksmith shop. "We have an armorer currently working on Guild armor for the Guards. The back side of the shop is where our Tailor is. She said it would be a few days before she could finish uniforms."

The Tailor and the blacksmith were both standing by during the introductions; they were both Freeborn.

QJ had forgotten about their underground friends. "Where are Tanu and Dagmae?"

The Tailor's pale face seemed out of place in the bright morning sun. "I'm Din, and this is my husband, Vesper. Tanu and Dagmae have joined Princess Lillianna as part of her forces."

Ringo raised an eyebrow. "That is interesting. I'm sure they will do well."

"Who among the Freeborn can tell us about Liraraptors?" QJ asked.

"Liraraptors? You'll have to ask one of the caretakers," Din replied. "None of them accompanied us."

"Failyn did," Vesper countered.

Din's pale face twisted like she'd tasted something sour. "Don't say that girl's name around me."

Vesper ignored his wife. "I'll ask Failyn to report to the Commandant's office."

"Thank you," Ringo replied.

Robin pulled QJ back up the steps to the main doors. The entry led to a large room with many tables and chairs. "I figured this would be the best place for your members to meet."

Ringo nodded. It was perfect. It had a large table hud and enough comfortable chairs for everyone. "What about the bedrooms and offices upstairs?"

"I'm using the main office; the bedrooms will be occupied by staff." Robin would have left them empty, but she knew that heroes only slept in their own worlds. Well, except for Q.

The next stop was the kitchen; a familiar face smiled before launching herself at QJ and hugging him. "Where have you been, QJ?"

Ringo watched the interaction; they were obviously very close. She had never seen the dark-haired girl with beautiful curly hair.

QJ turned toward Ringo, "this is Felicia Fintree, the younger sister of Leah."

Felicia nodded. "You can call me Aunt Felicia, just like QJ."

QJ laughed and shook his head. "You're dreaming. I've never called you Aunt Felicia."

Felicia sighed unhappily. "You are such a difficult nephew."

QJ nodded. "Yep. I do my best." He was surprised to see her in the kitchen but knew she was an excellent cook. He waved as Robin pulled him away.

"Cya later, QJ!" Felicia called after them.

The smile never left QJ's face as he walked away. "I noticed the guards out front; how many can we muster to defend the Keep?"

"We are still a bit understaffed; twenty Ba'Avriel will patrol regularly. Additionally, Two hundred Dark Elves from the Jol Clan will be here within three days."

Robin's first call after being hired was to Serli Jol. The Dark Elf Queen hadn't hesitated in assigning troops to protect her grandson.

QJ nodded. "How many Silverleaf women?"

Robin gave him a knowing smile. "None, of course. I wouldn't do that to you."

Ringo leaned forward slightly. "Is there a story here?"

QJ shook his head while Robin nodded.

QJ stopped her from talking by grabbing her arm. "Is the tour done?"

"Nope, the infirmary and then a quick trip to the office." Robin led them through another hallway to a long rectangular room lined with cots. A familiar dark elf was stocking the shelves with medicines.

"Finally, my brother shows up." Sara Riley smiled when QJ walked in; she was a talented cleric like her grandmother and hadn't hesitated to volunteer to join the Keep Staff.

QJ hugged his little sister. "Nice to see you, Sara."

Sara extended her hand to Ringo. "Are you my brother's current girlfriend?"

Ringo nodded. "Yes... but just until tomorrow, then someone else takes over."

Sara laughed loudly, causing everyone to stare. "That's funny."

"Brat... this is your boss and Guild Leader, Ringo." QJ wacked her on the head.

The young dark elf held her head with one hand while shaking her fist with the other. "Don't you bully me, Quinn James!"

Ringo laughed at their interaction, "I should have streamed this."

"Come with me to the main office; we've some important matters to discuss." Robin led the way up the steps and down the red-carpeted hall to the set of double doors.

"Hard to believe we stormed this place a few hours ago." Ringo followed close while QJ peeked into the second to last room.

QJ smiled to himself. "Keep this room empty; I want it."

Robin nodded. "How did you enter the office during the assault."

"QJ stealthed and single pulled the Prince from the Balcony." Ringo didn't need to fake being impressed; the Wrangler class's ability to pull could be a game-changer.

"You can stealth QJ?" Robin paused and turned toward him. "Let me see."

*Fade*

You have faded from view.

The orange-hair songbird whistled. "A complete stealth. I can't see through it at all."

"It's just a Fade ring, but it is amplified with a tattoo." QJ opened his shirt to show the Draconian thief, which continually faded in and out of view.

Robin kept a straight face while she looked at the tattoo. "Very nice, golden dragon blood, right?"

QJ nodded. "How did you know that?"

Robin smiled innocently. "I'm the one who stole it for her."

Ringo took a seat in front of the desk. "Was there something else you wanted to discuss?"

"Yes, there are three private instances attached to this Keep."

Robin used the desk to bring up the Keep hud.

[Ghost Dancer] Instance 5-10 People. Level Match [Difficulty: Routine, Arduous, Deadly]

[Defend the Keep] Instance 30+ People. Level Match [Difficulty: Routine, Arduous, Deadly]

[Lover's Embrace] Instance 2 People. Level Match [Difficulty: Unknown]

"Shit... I'm assuming Level Match means it matches the participant's level." QJ glanced at his teacher. "You ever hear anything about Guild Keep's having Instances?"

Ringo shook her head. "This Keep has only been owned by Prince Morbin in the past."

"I took the liberty of asking Anna to look into it." Robin closed the hud and leaned back in her chair."

"Anna's good at finding information." QJ tried to keep a straight face. "Okay, what the hell is with that third Instance?"

Ringo laughed. "It's very suspicious."

"I agree; as Vice-Commander, I will personally explore these options."

QJ noticed that Robin was smiling at him. "I think you should take me. There could be hidden dangers."

Robin played with a strand of her hair; she was about to say more when her hud blinked.

Ry Jol's face appeared above the desk. "There's a visitor from the royal palace here for QJ."

Robin nodded. "On our way."

The three made their way out of the Keep into the Main Courtyard. There was a luxurious Coach parked at the bottom of the steps. Dagmae was standing in front of its door.

"Dagmae!" QJ shook the Freeborn Scout's hand. Although he wore the ornate black armor of the Freeborn, an emblem on his shoulder identified him as Palace Guard.

"Someone wishes to talk to you. Please enter the carriage." Dagmae opened the door for QJ. He smiled apologetically at Robin and Ringo. "Sorry, only QJ."

"No worries," QJ stepped into the dark carriage, the door shutting behind him.

A veiled woman sat on the cushioned seat next to him. "You are an uncommon man, QJ."

"Annabelle?" The voice was the same, but the entire demeanor had changed.

The woman lowered her veil and smiled at QJ; surprisingly, her hair was a deep auburn. "Yes, is my real face different from Dixie Jones's?"

"No, you are still quite lovely." QJ leaned back and exhaled. "What's with the secretive act?"

Annabelle laughed pleasantly; the sound of it made QJ's heart race. "I'm Princess Lilianna's Chief Operative, my mission in Laredo is now completed."

QJ didn't bother to hide his surprise. "You're her Spymaster? I didn't see that coming."

Annabelle studied his reaction. "Regardless of that, I am your friend."

QJ gave her a crooked smile. "Isn't that what a Spymaster would say?"

"You have seen through me. I don't care about you at all." Anna moved closer and grabbed his hand. "Is that what you think ?"

"No, I'm not someone important enough for you to groom. I have no real power nor possess anything you'd want." QJ squeezed her hand tightly, "I am your friend."

She smiled slightly and leaned forward until her lips brushed against the corner of his mouth. "I am your friend and someone you can count on." She reached inside a chest that was sitting on the floor. "These are for you and your friend."

[System Message] The title of Baron has been bestowed upon QJ

[System Message] The title of Baron has been bestowed upon Ringo.

QJ looked down at the two scrolls in his hand. "A royal title from the Princess?"

Annabelle shook her head. "This comes from the King."

"What about Prince Morbin?" QJ asked.

Annabelle moved closer to him and lowered her voice. "He was executed this morning."

"Hmm, I didn't see that coming." Then, QJ began to realize how impactful yesterday's events were. Morbin was a significant power player in every active server.

"I've something else also, just for you." She handed him a plain-looking silver ring with the letter A on it. "If you are ever in trouble, this ring may be handy.

[Spymaster's Ring]

Bound to QJ

Night Vision.

Additional Effect: The wearer sees

through stealth.

QJ slipped it on his finger. "See through stealth? Can you do that?"

Annabelle nodded.

QJ raised one eyebrow. "Show me."

*Fade*

You have faded from view.

The Spymaster's pretty face showed her surprise. "How are you doing that?" She put out her hand and touched his arm; instantly, stealth broke.

"I have an item that enhances stealth; it's quite powerful." QJ grinned and started unbuttoning his shirt.

Annabelle leaned closer, her eyes flickering with interest. "Do we have time for that, QJ?" She placed a hand on his knee, slowly moving it upward.

"Easy there... I'm only showing you the enhancement." He showed her the tattoo of the Draconian thief.

Annabelle's eyes widened slightly, "so beautiful." Her hand touched the gold surface, "I've never seen such a thing."

QJ moved away slightly and buttoned his shirt. "Do you need help with anything?"

She shook her head. "If something comes up, I will let you know."

"Very well. Give the Princess my regards." QJ reached for the door only to be stopped by an arm hooking through his.

Annabelle leaned close. "Save me a dance at the Star Crossed Ball." She pressed her soft lips against his cheek and opened the door for him.

QJ nodded. "Okay, but I can't dance at all." Her laughter followed as he exited and shut the door. Both Robin and Ringo were still waiting.

The coach and Dagmae left without saying anything further.

"I guess she didn't want to talk to me?" Ringo had tried to glance in the stage, but oddly enough, the darkness was impenetrable.

"Nope, you have the title now, right?" QJ handed her the scroll he was given.

"Yes, my estate is called Evergreen. It sounds rather nice." Ringo peeked over his shoulder while he looked at his deed.

Titles in GnG usually came with an estate attached. Depending on the rank given, sometimes they were quite large.

"Let's see; mine is called Briar Rose." QJ pursed his lips, "I suppose I'll check it out later." He caught sight of Lotte and Breeze coming toward them.

"QJ!" Lotte seemed out of breath. "Do you have time to come over during lunch break?"

QJ scratched his chin as if giving it thought. "Are you going to feed me?"

Lotte nodded. "Of course."

"Then I will see you there."