"Are we going for something to eat?" Dom asked Andrew and Kai as they sat around the breakfast bar, Andrew having just finished eating snacks from the fridge.
"Of course, I am starving!" Andrew replied seriously as Kai rolled his eyes.
"That would be a good idea, but before we do, did you notice anything strange in Riverside?" Kai asked Andrew as Dom looked on confused.
"What do you mean?" Dom asked him, whilst Andrew also looked slightly confused.
"I think it may be related to the Hero grade, but as we travelled south and through many Towns and Cities, a lot of the in game characters had individual personalities that felt extremely realistic." Kai began, "There was an acceptance that we disappeared when we logged out, it was as an unmentioned thing mostly and we are just treated like other people in the world by the game characters."
"I think I know what you mean, once we met Crassus, that feeling was slightly different." Andrew pondered out loud as Dom listened in.
"He seemed to have a higher level of awareness, he looked at us with different eyes. Part of it was greed, part was sadness and another part was excitement. He is a well developed Character to be stuck in the wilds for a Lord Class Player to experience." Kai explained, "You could quite easily have been wiped out by Bandits and this deeply built character to disappear with you."
"He isn't the only one though is he?" Andrew stated as he seemed to realise what Kai was talking about.
"Your Wives, whilst you introduced them to us and then they soon left, their eyes seemed to have knowing looks." Kai began, "Your other heroes were the same, your Prime Minister Shang Yang had these air around him that was intimidating. He felt like he had walked out of a History book and I was in front of one of the founders of the Legalism."
"Subutai was intense as well, he had similar eyes to Crassus, but less with greed and more of opportunity." Andrew agreed as he nodded his head along.
"Xun Yu was the same, in the game he treats you how we treat you, that isn't something that is easily replicated." Kai stated as he stroked his chin, "We have played many games, but its impressive by how deep the levels of the characters are, especially in a back water place like Riverside."
"Less of the back water!" Dom countered with a laugh, "I hadn't really thought about it, well I had, but not in the way you have said it. I have definitely had an enjoyable experience playing World Conquest Online and my Heroes have been a key part of that. But so have my Warriors and Civilians that feel very similar."
"I do not doubt that you have had a good time." Andrew teased him, "But it's an interesting thought Kai, what are you thinking?"
"Nothing really, it is just something interesting to think about. I can understand why there is so much focus on the game for it's realism, but I am trying to understand why my family are also trying to put so much effort in to it. We can't transfer wealth in to the game currently, so it doesn't all make that much sense." Kai stated, "Visiting Riverside has really raised some questions for me, I am just looking forward to working with these people and learning from them, but I also want to help my family if I can."
"And visiting the Sabre Tooth Tavern when it's singing night?" Andrew laughed, before standing up and walking towards the door. "This conversation has gotten too deep, let's go and get some food!"
Dom spent the rest of the day with Andrew and Kai as they travelled around the Campus. They found a nice clothing store and bought some new clothes for the following day when they would have their first Lecture. They also found some other interesting stores that sold training weapons and gym equipment which Kai purchased after Andrew had hinted multiple times, so they could train at home.
"Aren't you really rich now Dom?" Andrew asked as they left, with Kai looking at him confused.
"No I am not, well it depends really." Dom replied as he thought about how his Aunt was trying to be involved with his life.
Before Kai asked anything else they walked past a Book Store, which caused him to stop with Dom and Andrew walking in to the back of him. The three of them crumpled on the floor, with people who were walking by looking at them with confused looks.
"Andrew, I do not like you that way." Dom complained as he pushed Andrew off him, with Kai climbing to his feet apologetically.
"Sorry, I just realised that we should buy some history books and get some back ground information." Kai explained, "I know we can research a lot online, but it would be handy to start mapping out Dom's current Heroes and their connections, we can start planning for the future. We could also buy some technology books to see how different tools and styles develop over the centuries."
"Yeah let's do that then!" Dom and Andrew agreed, fully happy for Kai to do some research if it helped them. After the Book Store, they headed back to their Manor, where Andrew made some instant noodles for them all.
"It feels strange eating Instant Noodles in a house this fancy." Dom laughed as he took a bite, burning his tongue on the hot broth and complaining loudly about it.
"You are a Lord, and as your personal Chef I must make sure you get the best food." Andrew laughed in response, as he then took a bite and also burnt his tongue. "I hate my life at times."
"I think you should read Golden Sun's Blog." Kai interrupted them both, a slight concern on his face.
"I really can't be bothered." Andrew exclaimed as he put his head breakfast bar.
"What has happened Kai?" Dom asked him seriously, his friend normally quite a calm person.
"We will have some competition at Mycale." He expressed as Dom opened up Golden Sun's blog.
[Golden Sun VI here, I hope you are all well?
Preparation across the world has been taking place for the first World Conquest Online Battle Maps. Civilian Class Players are preparing their crafts, to earn some coin preparing weapons and armour, or trading their goods they have collected. This should be a great opportunity for Players to meet others who are based elsewhere and find items they can't themselves.
I have already made arrangements to trade some furs from the north with some of the materials from my location, it is quite exciting to think of what could be created. I have heard of a strong black wood from the east if anyone can bring me some!
Now, we already know about where some Players are going to go, but some other Warrior Players have been in touch and explained that they...]
"You are kidding me!" Andrew exclaimed with a laugh, distracting Dom from the Blog. He turned and saw that he was reading something that Kai was showing him.
"What is it?" Dom asked them both, wanting to find out.
"Scroll to the end!" Andrew laughed again, whilst Kai didn't seem as impressed.
[...I can't wait to see what they get up to, please do let us know how it goes!
Finally, GeneralSlaughter671 has been in touch, the current eight Ranked Lord Player. I believe the new Rankings are due out in the coming weeks and I am sure these Battle Maps will be key to the Lord Players growth. GeneralSlaughter671 has told us he will be fighting at the Battle of Mycale, bringing his flagship on the side of the Achaemenid Empire to change history. In his words he has said:
"I intend to destroy those annoying, diplomatic Greeks who were known to constantly infight. I will remove the traitors within the Persian forces and destroy the Greeks before they even hit the land. If we are lucky, we can strike towards Athens itself and make ourselves and our Allies rich."
I asked GeneralSlaughter671 why he was telling me this, and his response was clear. If you are at Mycale, join his forces or be destroyed. What will your decision be?]
"Eighth against First?" Andrew teased, "I hope he is prepared for what we are to bring."
"He sounds confident, if he has grown a lot since the last rankings and he is anything like Dom, he is a risk." Kai stated seriously, "None of us have fought another player before."
"Except against Li Shang. We defeated him on the Sun Family Quest." Dom put forwards, talking about the current tenth ranked. "Li Shang did ruin some of our plans, but he wasn't aware that we were at the battle either, otherwise it could have gone very different. It is probably a good opportunity to see what another Top Player has with him."
"The key thing is, he wants a sea battle, where as the Persians may not. He has to persuade them to regroup and attack the Greek Alliance, whilst also uniting the Players that join them" Kai replied as he looked at his watch and stood up. "It's going to impact our plans slightly."
"It doesn't impact them, it is just an additional situation to be aware off." Andrew stated calmly, "They are going to ally themselves regardless, he has just put himself forwards as the Leader."
"His tactic is different to ours, as we plan to purchase our allies ships!" Dom added, "Unless he is bringing something bigger and more powerful than the Bellona, I am confident in what our ships and the Greek Alliance will bring."
"I do doubt many Players have ships, so he may have just shown his hand too early." Kai agreed, "He probably doesn't expect another Lord in the Top Rankings to either be a naval presence and at Mycale. The World is vast and the chances of the other Top Rankers being on the coast, being given the option of Mycale and then choosing it over Plataea, does feel like small odds."
"Kai, are you coming with us?" Dom asked as they prepared to head back to their bedrooms to log back in, all thinking about the introduction of GeneralSlaughter671
"I wasn't going to, but I have thought of something I want to try. If you can get me a ship and some finance's I want to try something wild." Kai explained as if a lightbulb had appeared above his head, but refused to elaborate any further.
"I'll get you some guards and a ship if we are successful with our purchases. But the spare ships are primarily for Andrew and Ling Tong." Dom replied honestly, whilst Kai seemed to accept the response.
"So are we meeting at the Palace when we log in?" Andrew asked, excited to explore the central building in Riverside.
"No, let's meet at the Docks!" Dom replied quickly, not wanting Andrew to try and move in to his home. He was enjoying his own space away from his friends as well, and didn't want them taking over everything he was involved in.
"You are just hiding your wives away from me!" Andrew laughed, "I am sure they have attractive sisters?"
"I am protecting you, Meritamen is a dangerous woman." Dom explained seriously, as Andrew nodded in understanding.
"I also doubt he would actually want to be related to you!" Kai teased as they began heading up.
"He does have a secret Cousin I could look towards." Andrew offered in response to Kai, whilst Dom just shook his head.
"See you both soon!" Kai stated as he headed up, soon followed by the other two. He stopped at the top and looked down at them both, "I just realised we are never getting a break from each other are we?"
"Oh we definitely are Kai, I'm shipping Andrew off to the front lines!" Dom laughed, whilst Andrew looked hurt.
"That may be for the best." Kai agreed jovially.