Phoenix Phire

Nix slipped on his wolf mask and stepped off the platform in Phai City, stopping for a moment to take in all the differences from his last visit. The smells, noises, and general chaos was an impressive and welcome change. The market square was filled with vendors aggressively hawking all sorts of goods. Class trainers were lined up against the South wall at the edge of the market. Without anything pressing, he decided to first check them out.

Next to the Class trainers were skill trainers and a few scroll vendors that sold common skills. It was here that Nix purchased three fishing scrolls. After reading the scroll description, he was pleasantly surprised to find that no other purchase would be required. It contained the basic fishing starter kit.

With the exception of the vendors, nearly everyone kept their faces covered. There was an auction going on in the northeast corner. He had hoped to observe the interactions but it ended just as he walked up. Three Fir'Dhassi men were examining the horses they had purchased.

The seller was quite animated, he kept mentioning their pedigree and how they were getting the fastest horses in Oasis. Nix studied the mounts, one stallion, and three mares. All three mares were brown, and the stallion was black as coal with a single splash of white on his forehead.

Nix liked the white mark, it looked like lightning to him. "Hmm... I could call you Flash."

"Stand aside!" A tall Fir'Dhassi was bulling his way through the crowd, Nix couldn't see who he was escorting. Several of the other customers voiced loud complaints.

Nix had to adjust his course so that he would accidentally be in the dhassi's way. A hand gripped his shoulder and spun him around, Nix used the momentum to strike the inside of the dhassi's elbow with his fist. The dhassi grimaced and clutched his elbow.

Nix smiled apologetically. "You okay friend?

"Did you strike my clansman?" A familiar voice spoke from behind the Fir'Dhassi. A moment later Raine Xai stepped out from behind the tall dhassi.

Nix was suddenly thankful he had put on the wolfmask. "Are you blind? The dhassi grabbed me when I wasn't looking. Wait a moment, you look familiar. Are you talking about the Assholio Clan?"

Several snickers and laughs could be heard in the surrounding crowd. The sound of weapons being drawn turned the crowd silent.

Nix noticed that Raine didn't draw a weapon. "Don't do any fighting Princess?"

Raine pulled a singular long blade from a scabbard that was strapped to her back. "I do some fighting."

"Oh, I see." Nix cleared his throat, "got a spare blade? I seem to have left mine at the Inn." He shrugged and showed the crowd his empty hands, a moment later 12 emerald flame strands wrapped around the sword-arm of Raine Xai, the sound of sizzling of flesh could be heard as the blade dropped to the ground. Nix dug his toe into the sand and kicked a large cloud of dust at her.

Raine pulled a hideout dagger from her belt and slashed at the cloud. The dust settled a moment later showing that no one was there.

[Detection]

Raine Xai's eyes glow with the blessing of True Sight.

Nix walked softly passed the Fir'Dhassi who had been admiring their horses but had now stepped away to lend their assistance. Not worried about being detected he grabbed the horses leads one at a time.

"Where is he?" Raine glanced around the auction area while rubbing her burnt arm. "Find him, he couldn't have gone far." She bent down to pick up her blade, only to discover that it was gone.

Nix waited until the Fir'Dhassi spread out and Raine looked away, then he activated Deep Blue and chose his binding point. It was a few seconds before anyone noticed his appearance, by then it was too late.

A shout alerted Raine who turned a moment before the sword/horse thief disappeared. Nix waved her blade in the air. "Thanks, Princess."

Nix stepped off the Haven platform a moment later with four horses and a sword. Fortunately, no one was around when he arrived. He placed the sword in his inventory and then placed his hand on the stallion's head.

[Do you wish to unsummon this mount?]

"Yes." Nix unsummoned each of the mares after that and then summoned Fey. A half-hour later, Fey landed on the plateau they had visited earlier. Nix summoned all four horses and then turned them loose.

"Nice looking horses." Fey watched them with an interested eye.

"Don't eat my horses." Nix watched them charge away, there was plenty of grass and water in the area, they should be fine. He stowed their bridles away and activated the Guild Office Icon.

The Guild Office was empty. Nix took a seat on the couch and opened the crafting menu. The Wolfmask that he liked to wear was too recognizable. He brought up the tailor menu and chose the alterations option. The Ain'Dhassi face from before appeared in his hud once again.

[Which item would you like to alter?]

[Enhanced Wolfman Mask]

It was here that Nix discovered it was possible to change the appearance of any item without altering the statistics.

[Warning: Some of the Enhancement on this item are unavailable in Oasis. In exchange they will be converted to the calculated equivalent.]

He chose black for the color change and was about to select the crafting icon when he noticed the Enhance option was blinking.

[There are two enhancement slots available for this item]

Nix chose to add Lamia and Kraken leather.

[Enhanced Wolfman Mask]

[Lamia Leather] [Kraken Leather]

[Please select items new appearance]

Nix considered the options, one type hid the eyes and upper part of the face while the other masked part of the nose and the lower part of the face. "With my eyes, I better hide the upper part."

[Appearance Change: Enhanced Wolfman Mask] [Black] [Mask: Lower Face] [Enhancements: Lamia Leather, Kraken Leather]

Nix frowned at the 20 million credit crafting charge. "F*ck!! What about my free shit?" He selected the crafting icon.

Snake Eyes

Mask: Tyrant I

True Sight: Enhanced vision that enables the wearer to

see through illusions and stealth

Night Eyes: Sharpens' vision to see in darkness.

Charmed Vision: Immune to charm.

Your Tailoring skill has improved to 104.

[Whisper: Semmi to Nix] There's a fight brewing in the Northside courtyard.

[Whisper: Nix to Semmi] Anyone from Inferno?

[Whisper: Semmi to Nix] No... Raine Xai and Del Tali.

[Whisper: Nix to Semmi] My money is on Del.

[Whisper: Semmi to Nix] You aren't going to step in?

[Whisper: Nix to Semmi] All weapons are locked in Inventories. At the very most, they'll beat each other up.

[Whisper: Semmi to Nix] There's always a workaround Nix.

Nix stared out the window for a moment.

[Whisper: Nix to Semmi] Fine, I"ll put on my diplomacy hat.

Nix found Semmi and Pon sitting at the cafe, the old mage was nursing a cold beer while enjoying the show. The voices of the two dhassi were quite loud but no one had resorted to violence yet.

"The armor had a distinct coloring, just like the one your clansman is wearing!" Raine pointed at Cora who was standing behind a group of Ain'Dhassi. She was wearing the basic armor that Nix had put the overlay on.

Del's blue eyes showed their anger. "Cora hasn't left Parliament today. We aren't responsible for your inability to retain your belongings."

Nix bit his lip to keep from smiling. Del was being reasonable while making sure to twist the dagger a bit. He winked at Semmi and approached the arguing dhassi.

/Inferno: Semmi: Oh shit...

/Inferno: Pon: And the Diplomacy master steps in.

"I made the armor. As you can see, I wear a similar set." Nix didn't bother to hide the amusement in his voice, both dhassi turned to face him.

Raine frowned. "Guild Leader Nix."

Del offered him a smile. "Nix."

Nix deliberately stealthed and moved to the other side of them before reappearing. "Don't the dhassi constantly raid and steal from each other? Why are you disturbing the peace of Parliament over a personal dispute?"

Del bowed her head slightly. "I have no part in this feud, she is accusing us without evidence. I will step away without further conflict."

Raine's eyes had glowed when he stealthed, she had definitely used magical detection on him. "Raids for resources are part of our culture. This does not extend to the stealing of personal treasures."

"That's a bit self-centered, right? Who gets to decide what's too valuable to acquire? Aren't you being a bit ungrateful? Didn't the Ain'Dhassi recently protect the life of someone important to you?"

"Guild Leader Nix has a point Apprentice." A male voice spoke from the crowd, they parted willingly as he walked slowly toward the arguing dhassi. He wore dark brown leather armor and his light brown hair was tied up in a ponytail. His face had the healthy tan of a person who spent their life outdoors.

[Whisper: Nix to Semmi] There are two paths in the Ranger tree right, sword, and bow?

[Whisper: Semmi to Nix] Yes, bow and dual-wielding swords.

[Whisper: Nix to Semmi] What Oasis Class would be heavy into woodlore and wield a single long blade?

[Whisper: Semmi to Nix] Nature's Wrath or Wrath for short.

Nix bowed slightly to the newcomer. "Master Delyn, well met."

Delyn returned the bow. "You know my name, yet we have never met. That's very curious."

Nix kept his face expressionless while they stared at each other. "I could say the same, Sir."

A smile creased Delyn's face. "Fair enough." He turned slightly to face Raine. "Drop this matter Apprentice, if the blade is truly yours, then it will find its way back to you."

/Inferno: Nix: What a load of shit.

/Inferno: Pon: Too mumbo jumbo for me. We should have let them fight, my money was on Raine.

[Whisper: Mina to Nix] Special mission, you and me. Are you available?

[Whisper: Nix to Mina] Yes. Be there in a few minutes.