"It's a hell of a lot easier to be a bad person than a good one. People across the world have intentions that some couldn't even imagine in their wildest dreams. Yet, for some reason, the world we live in is filled with more people who choose to be good, rather than bad. What does that say about us?"
-Elder Alzecks Zere, Holy Record Keeper, Church of Ziranda
~~~(POV: Justin Xander)~~~
~~~(Location: Outside, Geonia City, Aeternitatem Genesis)~~~
~~~(Day, Date, Time: Tuesday, April 16th, 11:43 AM PST)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 19 Years)~~~
I know I shouldn't waste my time watching the auction, but it's kinda addicting. Watching that bid counter go up makes me lightheaded. It's gone up another 4,000 Platinum in the last 20 minutes. They're betting in intervals of 1,000 Platinum. The total for the shield stands at 184,000.
A part of me doesn't want to use (EoC) on the shield. Keep it a mystery. The issue with this sentiment is that the longer I stare at the shield, the more I want to use (EoC) on it. Giving in to my growing curiosity, I activate my inspect-type skill on the shield.
---[The Aegis of Calrovizere]---
[Grade: Legendary]
[Sell Price: 184,000 Platinum and rising. (Item is currently being bid upon).]
[Player Level Req: 250 Tier 2]
[Stat Req: 1,000 Stat points in STR, END, and LUK][2,000 Stat points in AGI.]
[Crafter: Zophiel, The Primeval Angel.]
[Owner: Bodart Mcfart (This individual is a player).]
[Info: (The Aegis of Calrovizere) was a gift given to the firstborn son of Queen Taldillia. Taldillia Vardis Miriella Calrovizere is the first recorded Monarch in the history of Aeternitatem Genesis. Queen Taldillia made a pact with Zophiel, and one of the rewards for completing the pact was a protective item for the Queen's first child. This occurred thousands of generations ago.]
[Zophiels Smithing Technique Bonus Info: Given that your ancestor, Zophiel, created this item, you can bypass all level and stat requirements. This item was crafted using some of Zophiels' own (Primeval Divinity) and blood.]
[Effects: +4,400 Stat points to STR and END][+2,500 Stat points to CHA][+90% (Immunity) to all incoming damage.][Enemies can't score (Critical Hits) against you.][Gives user access to the skill (Sacrifice).][Gives user access to the skill (Status Cleanse: All).][Causes the (Fear) condition in all enemies of a lower level than the user barring specific circumstance.]
[Materials: Refined Moyronium, Purified Twisted Mithril, Primeval Divinity of Zophiel, Blood of Zophiel.]
[EoC bonus Info: (The Aegis of Calrovizere) was wielded by the Prince and future King of the Calrovi Kingdom, Fardilis Barvesis Zarevoni Calrovizere. Only those who carry the blood of the Calrovizere Royal family, or alternatively, meet the stat requirements, may use this shield.]
The information bombards me without restraint. I read over the system screen a few times to get everything. Now that I see the shield's details, I understand why the player who found it decided to sell. Meeting those stat requirements is a dream for most people.
The effects of the (Legendary) graded shield are genuinely amazing. It's a defensive item, so it makes sense that there is no damage information. But this is the first time I've seen an item give access to actual skills. I can't help wondering what (Sacrifice) and (Status Cleanse: All) do. Maybe I should do some research of my own on those.
One thing that has made me laugh as I've read about the item is the name of the current owner. Bodart Mcfart. That's a player name if I've ever heard one. There are still millions upon millions of players who enjoy making player names for fun.
"I had suspected there were items out in the world that Zophiel created. I wasn't expecting to see one here, though."
I know very little about Zophiel, but I can deduce several things about him. The first being is that he was a crafter and blacksmith. Those are major functions of my own class, and it comes from him.
The Lore drop from the item was a nice cherry on top of everything. Never heard of the (Calrovi Kingdom) before, but it sounds like they have a long and deep history in AG.
"I've seen everything I wanted to see."
My curiosity is satisfied, so I stand up and leave. Exiting (Zindars Auction House) and beginning my walk to Haleen's house. It's kinda incredible that there are players out in the world who've already gotten their hands on items of (Legendary) graded quality.
I wonder just how many players have gotten weapons, armor, and accessories graded at (Ancient) and higher? Five hundred? Maybe half? Hard to say... There isn't any data to be certain. I'm sure the top guilds are already funding efforts to find out. Waiting for them is best since I don't need to work for the answer myself.
The real issue is what I should be focusing on right now. Finding Dusk is my priority, and as it stands, Haleen is the only hope I have for finding any leads on the assassin. She's been of great help the last two times I've seen her, and I'm hoping for a third.
"Was she serious last time..."
The sounds of players and NPCs are drowned out as I ask myself a question. One with many layers of answers. Last time I visited Haleen, she said our next meeting wouldn't be a business one. Suffice to say, she's looking for some action.
A crude way to describe it, but I'm not a poet. It brings up another train of thought. That being the openness of sexual encounters in Edaria, but the taboo and shunning of pregnancy before marriage.
I can't compare Earth's customs and morality to a video game. It's an entirely different world with its own views. But that doesn't make it any stranger. The forums are probably lighting up with people who hate what they've seen or heard about in AG.
"I should ask myself if I want to with Haleen..."
She's a beautifully stunning woman, don't get me wrong. But I prefer real girls. Sure, I've experienced virtual before. There really isn't a difference in feeling and sensation between the two experiences.
A long sigh escapes from my nose as I slump forward just a little. If Blake were here, he'd be calling me a wuss and telling me to do it. In the end, I'm really jumping to conclusions. Maybe she was joking last time. There are pretty good odds she's forgotten...
Oh, who am I kidding? She hasn't forgotten. I saw her yesterday. Although she did specify that it would happen the next time I came over at night... I'll be coming over around noon...
"If it happens, it happens."
I decide to let it go and think about something else. It's not that much longer before I reach Haleen's anyway.
~~~(POV: Saint Julianis Cardilsar)~~~
~~~(Location: Church of Ziranda, Capital City Plateo, Taleso Kingdom, Aeternitatem Genesis)~~~
~~~(Day, Date, Time: Tuesday, April 16th, 12:03 PM PST)~~~
~~~(Age: 66 Years)~~~
The meeting chamber is silent as we all stare at the (Legendary) graded shield up for auction at this very moment. There are 100 members sitting at this long table, and at the center of it is the display of the item being auctioned off.
"I never thought I'd see the day in my lifetime a (Legendary) item would be up for grabs..."
"Well, given the special requirements to use (The Aegis of Calrovizere), it makes sense that the person who put it up for sale can't use it."
Conversations about the item spark around the room. My mind dwells on another issue. That being the tournament taking place in the city in a little over a month. I'm worried about how well the city will accommodate all those who arrive.
"Saint Cardilsar, shouldn't we discuss the idea of bidding on the (The Aegis of Calrovizere)? We currently have the only (Divine) graded item known in our vaults. Wouldn't it be a good idea to fortify our position, given the new arrivals, with a new (Legendary) graded item?"
The chatter around the room stops as the political liaison for the Church of Ziranda to the Taleso Kingdom, Fredrick Woldariff, speaks over everyone else. I lift my head slightly and stare at the man a few seats down from me.
As the head of the Church of Ziranda and the leader of the faith, I wield considerable authority and power. However, that shouldn't be misused. We already have a substantial treasury of (Epic) and (Ancient) graded items.
Not to mention, we have the only known (Divine) graded item in the world.
"We can't forget that with the appearance of the new arrivals, a (Mythical) and a (Divine) graded class has appeared. The (Mythical) graded class has never occurred in recorded history."
Fredrick continues, as if trying to convince the rest of the room, since I'm not.
The world is changing so fast, and every Church of Light is doing its best to keep up. The war between two of our neighboring Kingdoms, and the war between the Fairy Kingdom and the Dark Church of Weistar, are omens.
"I will not make the decision alone, Fredrick. We'll put it to a vote. While we have the funds to outbid the Kingdoms and Empire wanting (The Aegis of Calrovizere), it will put a staggering burden on the Church of Ziranda for at least a decade, maybe even a generation."
As I voice my own opinion, doubt sinks into the room. The truth is, we do need more power. The new arrivals are proving to be problematic. This could secure our power in the region. However, we'll only gain the enmity and envy of more Kingdoms and Empires.
They'll see us as hoarders of the most powerful items in the world. A hit to our relationship and reputation we don't need right now.