The Northern Knights

John Decker, had just received a message from Marcus. Some how that guy has already reached level 10 and is off to the capital. Apparently he'll be waiting longer for me then usual. I wonder how he always manages to level up so fast. As it is John had only managed to reach level 4.

Thor

Lvl 4

Str. 24

Agi. 16

Chr. 27

Wis. 10

Int. 8

Luck. 8

Vit. 20

Equipment

Iron Swords (10 dmg each)

Armor Steel armor (22 arm)

Boots Steel (18 arm)

Starting Skills

Superior Strike lvl 1(requires 2 weapons) lvl 0-3 Range 3 meters as long as you are in range you will dash forward and execute a chop motion with both your swords

Lvl 0 Does 400% of str. Cost 10 mana can be leveled up at lvl 3

Lvl 1 does 400% of str. Cost 8 mana can be leveled up at lvl 5

Lvl 2 does 450% of str. Cost 8 mana can be leveled up at lvl 7

Lvl 3 does 500% of str. Cost 8 mana

He was faster then most of the guys who had become Northern Knights. This was because of course of John's stubbornness. Unlike most of the players who came in and just believed that the NPC's would be just doing the things they were programmed for, John had found that during the beta test they were more human like. Which of course he used to his advantage by badgering the quarter master into giving him steel armor instead of the usual iron armor. It had taken him half a day game time refusing to leave the quarter master's armory. Finally the quarter master had thrown his hands up and had given him the steel armor allowing John to immediately go after harder enemies.

"Thor!!" One of the Northern Knights was yelling at John. "Hey why don't you come join our party we are heading out on an uncommon quest and could really use a fourth. What do you say?"

"Sounds like a good plan I really need to speed up my leveling. Who's all going?" John was happy he had joined the faction he did. Lots of the people around were a lot like him, loyal, trusting and honest. It made the whole group a lot stronger. John had already been on 2 quests and he was quickly making a name of how fair he was when it came to the loot.

"Well it'd be myself, Lancelot, Freya and you." Percival said." Its the strongest team we can put together. Thor was surprised, Freya was the only Knight who had gained levels faster then himself. Apparently she had completed 4 common quests while he was badgering the quarter master. She had also done so by herself. Of course most common quests were designed for 1-3 people so it was expected that one person could complete them, however is was the speed that she completed the quests that impressed Thor.

"Yes I believe I will join when do we leave."

"We leave right now, as we were only looking for a 4th." Freya had come up behind Thor and clapped him on the shoulder. "Glad to have you along, I hear good things about you. Now get up let's go!" Freya was apparently this forceful with everybody. At least according to Percival." I need to be the first to the capital, and since I only need 4 more levels till I can get permission from the Garrison Commander. I can't waste anytime in between quests." Thor winced, this of course didn't go unnoticed by Freya." What is it?" Freya asked.

"Well you are definitely not going to be the first to the capital." John just kinda shrugged.

"How would you be able to know that? Leader boards aren't going to start being displayed until enough people hit level 15." This was of course was a tactic implemented by the company making the game. At the beginning of Celestial leader boards had been displayed in the HUD* all along with your inventory. This of course started guilds hunting top players to either to recruit or if they refused to join then to kill a couple times. This would ensure that guilds could remain at the top of the game.

" Well you see about 15 minutes ago I got a message from one of my friends, and he is already on his way to the capital." The look on Freya's face was one of disbelief." Before you ask, no I don't know how he has already reached level 10, also no I'm not kidding, or lying. This is just how it is I really hope this wasn't a quest you needed to complete." Thor stood up. "However as he is probably just leaving if we hurry we may be able to still beat him, there is lots of higher level creatures to the north of the Rusted Swampland." Thor was hoping that Freya and the others would go for it, however he knew it was a long shot as they could easily die and lose just as many levels as they could gain.

Percival and Lancelot both got up and promptly left. Freya however just stood there looking at him. " Do you really think we can defeat the monsters in the swamp?" Freya looked skeptical, but she had heard that after Thor had gotten the better armor that he had soloed an uncommon quest. "I mean getting to the capital isn't a quest per say, It's more of a bet really."

"Well I believe we can defeat them I'm close to level 5, plus I took a high charisma to start. When I was still level one the Potions master told me of a way to navigate the swampland to have the optimal amount of enemies at all times. He told me it's a tight rope and the fight is grueling. However he said that this would be a test that all Northern Knights should be willing to face." Thor was sure that the potions master wasn't lying. This was because of course Thor hadn't actually been asking about the swampland, he'd been asking how to get a better set of swords. Freya would be the perfect companion as it seemed she was a bow knight and probably wouldn't want the swords for herself if he helped her reach her goal of being first to the capital. "Of course I should tell you that the main reason I want to go there is because of a pair of enchanted swords called the Eleventh Hour." Thor felt no reason to hide the fact that he was going on a treasure hunt. " As long as the swords are actually there, I'll even give you the rest of the loot." Thor decided to sweeten the pot as it looked like Freya was still on the fence. Freya only paused for another second before she agreed to the deal.

"Alright let's go then, we've wasted enough time talking."

*HUD= Heads up display