(GR) Wildlands: Private

[Part of the Wasted Land story] 

As the stew maker has cartel radio on 24/7 we go after its DJ next who isn't so hard to find - the downsides of broadcasting right? He spills the beans on a rockstar musician hired by the cartel to perform at a private and secret concert which is decently guarded in the mountains. Good thing this guy is a coward, as all it takes is a little gun fire to make him run to his car and flee out the only road to that place - away from the people defending him! 

We nab him after shooting his tires out and learn a little about who financed him. As expected the cartel financiers don't really trust each other so we lean on that, stealing one of their armored cash delivery trucks and delivering it instead to the garage of another cartel accountant. Soon enough this guy is getting death threats from his own organization and comes forward on his own to snitch on his superiors.

Assassin's Creed: Bolivia

Of interest is the cartel's contact in the Unidad military, an untouchable general based in one of the largest military installations in the country. His previous aide who he recently imprisoned is easier to reach though, and from him we learn about the general's private life including his weakness: his daughter. Getting her and then setting an ambush for her papa is a piece of cake.

AC Odyssey: Christmas Special!

[Included in the AC Odyssey journal]

This is not a continuation of the story but I thought I'd gift you, my dear readers, with some of the funniest lines I've come across while running the player made missions. Enjoy!

To be fair, there it also gives opportunities for other nice screenshots. :)

Happy holidays once again!

AC Odyssey: The Paradise Experiment

[Part of the AC Odyssey journal]

Best to just dive right in!

Atlantis: a massive, technologically advanced paradise shared by humans and those they call gods. No, not a paradise. An experiment. "It's over Poseidon," announced Juno as she appeared in his throne room. "Not even a single one of your children remains by your side thanks to your... pet." She found the time to sneer at the Eagle Bearer who now held a rank almost equal to the city's ruler.

"You've been abducting and experimenting on people, turning them into monsters!" Alexios shot back. "I've seen it with my own eyes!"

"You humans are too violent," Juno smirked. "War between us was always inevitable, so I made a pet of my own." A hideous giant made of corpses emerged behind her, with as many limbs as a spider.

"How dare you defy my commandments!" yelled Poseidon in a rage as he charged Juno with his trident. Alexios followed suit against the monster of many hands. Despite its terrifying look, it had no chance against someone who could fight Hades to a draw.  

With Poseidon and Juno still engaged in battle, Alexios knew what he had to do: something Poseidon himself had shown him when he first arrived. Plugging the Staff of Hermes into the control point, Alexios channeled the new found energy he now had access to after studying the great works scattered around Atlantis... and with a great flash of light, destroyed the city - sending it sinking beneath the waves.

When he awoke, Alexios found himself back in the chamber where he defeated Pythagoras. "Congratulations Keeper," spoke Aletheia. "The power and responsibility of the staff is now yours. What will you do with it?"

"I'm sure I'll think of something," Alexios muttered.

Insight: The 10 second invulnerability skill can be prolonged if you use the slow time skill right after it - a very handy combination which should make you more unbeatable than you already are at this point.

AC Odyssey: Hell Duel

[Part of the AC Odyssey journal]

They can fire lasers!

"Eagle Bearer, have you completed your task?" Hades asked, as he patiently sharpened his wicked looking scythe while giving Alexios a side-long glance with red eyes that seethed with barely controlled rage.

"Four guardians for four gates," nodded Alexios. "And I re-captured a number of Tartaros escapees as a bonus. Now, will you please teach me how to use this staff?"

"No," Hades grinned. "You see, the minute you killed my dog your soul belonged to me! There are actually five gates to the Underworld and you - Eagle Bearer - will be the fifth guardian for all of eternity! Now bow to your master!"

"Never!" declared Alexios as he brought his minotaur axe to bear on the levitating god, but blow for blow Hades matched him with his scythe and magical powers until both finally fell from exhaustion.

"Enough of this!" declared a booming voice as Hades' brother Poseidon appeared from a nearby portal. "The mortal has proven himself. Come Alexios, I can help you with your quest to master the staff."

"Anywhere is better than here," grunted the Eagle Bearer, sharing one last look of disdain at Hades as he stepped through the gateway and into... Atlantis!

Insight: The fallen armor set will help you get through the misty veil areas but don't wear it when fighting Hades. Go back to whatever your prior set is as it will be more useful - mine was the Achilles set.

AC Odyssey: Anger of Elysium

[Part of the AC Odyssey journal]

Elysium is beautiful!

Furious both at the rebellion amassed at her beautiful palace and the failure of her guards in preventing it, Persephone scowled down at the rebel leader, Adonis, as she casually tossed one of her own supporters off a sky scrapping bridge.  

"Why do you do this to me Adonis!? I made Elysium for you!" she yelled, gesturing at the magnificent splendor her palace overlooked.

"As a prisoner yourself, you should know why." Adonis replied. "Just let me go, please! Let me go to Aphrodite!"

Persephone's best friend and advisor Hekate then appeared beside her. "That's the one," she said pointing at the interloper beside Adonis... pointing directly at Alexios. "He's the one that made this rebellion possible."  

With a glare and a sigh, Persephone waved her had and suddenly she, Adonis and Alexios were inside her throne room which sported an ominous and large dark hole in its center. After a moment of thinking the goddess finally spoke. "Very well Adonis, I set you free - but as for your friend... I'll let my husband deal with him."

Persephone flicked a finger and send the Eagle Bearer tumbling down the pit... down to the Underworld.

Insight: Elysium is so beautiful! It also introduces Kolossi, statues who only activate if they detect combat. Assassination kills do not activate them, but don't be too worried about them if they wake up. Just treat them as regular enemies because that's all they are. Just be sure to dodge their very obvious laser beam attack.

AC Odyssey: Relic Hunter

[Part of the AC Odyssey journal]

Aletheia had been watching Alexios for sometime now, having gained her attention ever since he defeated the minotaur long ago. Since then he had faced triumphed over other monsters - the sphinx, medusa, and a number of cyclopses while in his new profession of "relic hunter". A profession that was leading him directly here, to the Gateway to the Lost City.

Only one person now stood in his way, the ancient known as Pythagoras who was also Alexios' true father. Wielding the Staff of Hermes, Pythagoras was gifted with knowledge and magic but at the same time corrupted  by the power flowing through him. Unwilling to share this gift with the world he attacked his son, and after a brief battle was disintegrated as Alexios took the Staff for himself.

Showdown at the Lost City!

"Hello Alexios," said Aletheia through the staff, which startled the so called Eagle Bearer. "I am Aletheia."

Alexios felt a little silly talking to a shiny stick, but was told plainly about the burdens of its gift and that if he learned to master the staff, it wouldn't corrupt him like it did Pythagoras. Instead it would make him near immortal.

"How do I master the staff?" Alexios questioned.

"For that, you must journey to the Underworld," Aletheia answered. "Are you ready?"

Insight: If you liked facing the legendary creatures then the Fate of Atlantis DLC is definitely for you as it features three entirely new maps!

AC Odyssey: Someday

[Part of the AC Odyssey journal]

A small house, a stall at the market... the quiet life. Darius was surprised that he was content to now be living in a small but beautiful village with his family: His daughter Neera, the now retired Eagle Bearer Alexios and their little baby boy - Elpidios (Hope).

The quiet years almost made them forget about the Order of the Ancients, but the night the Persians attacked again quickly reminded them of their old ways. Even working together, Alexios and Darius were hard pressed to defeat the Immortals sent against them to buy Neera the time to escape with Elpidios. While the old assassin and Eagle Bearer are victorious, Neera does not succeed and is found dead on the shore.

Enraged, the pair begin extracting their vengeance upon the newly arrived Order members and their mercenaries - with Alexios using his ties to the Sisters of Artemis to track down a few while Deimos (who bonded with Alexios during that tree-falling incident), hunted the new Persian navy aboard the Adrestia.

Not a line I thought I'd hear from the bad guys!

Eventually learning that the leader of the Order was here in person, the pair faced him down and executed him together, rescuing the Elpidios whom he had kidnapped. Knowing the Persians could be back at any time, Darius convinces Alexios to let him take Elpidios to parts unknown (aka Egypt) - forever separating the father from his son. The Eagle Bearer tearfully agrees and says goodbye. Forever.

Insight: The Immortals boss fight happens early and is one that tests your dodge skills! Alas it is also the best fight in this chapter.

AC Odyssey: The Flaming Sea

[Part of the AC Odyssey journal]

With most of their land forces defeated it falls upon the Tempest, captain of the huge Persian fleet, to lock in and tighten the noose on the trio of rebels and their supporters hiding out in a small portion of Greece. Regarded as a skilled tactician, she is immediately suspicious when a single enemy vessel - the Adrestia - appears on the horizon to challenge them.

She is right to be suspicious too as it becomes clear the enemy vessel was outfitted with a weapon meant for her flagship, a forward facing flamethrower! She desperately tries to keep her distance but the Adrestia is too fast and its captain too ruthless as one by one her ships are sunk, with her own flagship cleaved in two.

Her luck really runs out when she awakes on the shore, only to face the Eagle Bearer waiting nearby and already sharpening his blades. "How are you here!?" she coughed, as she looked out over the waves to see the Adrestia still in pursuit of her few remaining vessels. All of her intel squarely put the Eagle Bearer as the captain of that vessel.

"Oh, I've been training someone else to captain the ship," answered the Eagle Bearer. "And she's very good at it."

Deimos knows how to keep people in line.

With no options left the Tempest drew her weapons and charged her enemy but was easily outclassed and stabbed through the gut with a half-spear. As she lay bleeding out on the sand she whispered "They will find you. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow... but someday..."

Insight: You can upgrade the forward flamethrower for more damage. It works extremely well with the battering ram.

AC Odyssey: Darius

[Part of the AC Odyssey journal]

Darius wasn't sure how the Persians had found him, or how they now had Spartan allies, but he wasn't going to let them take him alive. Leaping from his perch he smashed his hidden punch-dagger down on the unsuspecting Greek warrior that had followed the trail of bodies he had left behind. Unlike the others this one could parry the surprise attack and subsequently go toe to toe with the old assassin.

Moves pretty well for an old man...

"Father! Stop!" cried Neema, his daughter who arrived only minutes into the fight. "This is the Eagle Bearer, the one sinking those Persian ships!" The two men stared off and lowered their arms.

"You can call me Alexios," said the Eagle Bearer, his golden Minotaur axe still firmly grasped in his hand. "Now can someone tell me why the Persians are so interested in invading Greece?"

"They simply want to expand their empire," replied Darius, not wanting to admit his murdering of their previous ruler, King Xerxes, had led them to these shores. "But if we work together, we can stop that from happening."

Alexios readily agreed.

Insight: The Legacy of the First blade adds a new cult to hunt down and fight against - the Order of the Ancients, with new members arriving in each chapter.

AC Odyssey: Herald from the East

[Part of the AC Odyssey journal]

"What have you done!?" demanded Herodotus angrily as he confronted his old friend in Samos. What was supposed to be a visit due to the death of his parents had quickly escalated into an investigation on the mercenary attacks on the island village; attacks propagated by the man now before him.

"You've been gone too long Herodotus," came the reply. "The Persians are paying good coin to establish a foot hold here and their fleet is already en route. I'm afraid I can't let you interfere with our plans."

The distinctive face masks gives them away.

 "Then I am sorry too," Herodotus nodded as his comrade Alexios, better known as the Eagle Bearer, lunged from a nearby shrub and within a blink of an eye killed the conspirator and all of his armed guards. "Looks like you've recovered from that tree incident nicely," said Herodotus.

"I'm getting there," nodded Alexios. "Come on, we need to sent the Adrestia to sink that fleet!"
 
Herodotus didn't move. "I... I can't. While I've enjoyed our adventures, Samos needs me now."

"I understand," Alexios said approvingly as he shook hands with the scribe. "And don't worry about those Persians. I'll take care of them."

Insight: Now that I got gifted the DLCs for this game, this story can continue! Thanks Juris!

Little Inferno

The game for pyromaniacs.

Do you like burning things? If so, this game is for you. In it, you sit in front of a fire place, buy digital goods, and then proceed to burn said goods which earns you more money to buy more goods (which come in a wide assortment of things). You can burn spiders, toys and even JPG images on your computer!

Threw in a screenshot from Assassin's Creed: Unity since it was fitting.

Uh, yeah. So, that got really creepy really fast. Not one for me, thanks!

January 2020 Review

Starting the year in pretty bad shape. On the plus side, that leaves plenty of room for improvement! The Epic Games store is going to be my main adversary in that though I think, since they're continuing to give out free games regularly over 2020. It does depend what the games are though - for example I think I'll skip their offering of "Farming Simulator 19" as I get enough farming simulation in MMOs! :P

    End 2020 with less weight (-1 kg from last month, running total: -1 kg)
    Make 1 web comic page (working on the story draft - again)
    Make new board game idea (dropping, too many board games to play atm)
    +hire landscapers for back yard
 
BACKLOG
Borderlands 2 [gift] (done)
The Escapists [free from Epic Games] (had enough)
The Wolf Among Us [free from Epic Games] (done)
Postal 2 [free from GOG] (done)
How to Survive 2 (gift)
Undertale [gift] (done)
LISA: The Painful [gift] (done)
Rimworld [gift] (had enough)
Metal Gear Solid V: Phantom Pain [gift]
Totally Acurate Battle Simulator [free from Epic Games] (done)
+FTL [free from Epic Games] (had enough)
+Sundered: Eldritch Edition [free from Epic Games] (had enough)
+NWO: Infernal Descent (0/2) [free to play]
+Horace [free from Epic Games] (12GB for a platformer!? No thanks!)
+The Bridge [free from Epic Games] (had enough)

Board games:
Zombicide: Black Plague Campaign (10/11)
London Dread Campaign (1/4)
Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage (0/13)
Love Letter
Black Orchestra
+Mice and Mystics: Heart of Glorm (0/11)

BLOG STATS

One Year Ago

I made a number of Absurd Game ideas, won Hellblade: Senuas Sacrifice, and asked you guys for help on what to do with an Anti-Vaxxer acquaintance.

Five Years Ago

I began my Creative Writing Experiment, played the masterpiece To the Moon, as well as a few of the Assassin's Creed game series.

Most Viewed Posts last Month
Madam Secretary
The Cursed: Cold Turkey
NWO: Ode to the Forgotten Adventurer
Cloak and Dagger

That's an unexpected listing, though Madam Secretary was definitely a popular show! The ratings are a bit weird though as I noticed my highest audience is from "Unknown region". I assume that means space! Hope all you aliens are enjoying my work! :P

Top Search Terms last Month
ac odyssey adrestia mods
how do i get my worshop to lv 2 neverwinter
more and better prime day coupos online

Proving that once again, people are mainly after services and info.

Questions fom the Brink

Brinkofgaming has a question of the week thing and since he's accumulated a few I thought I'd cherry pick the ones I wanted to answer. :)

1. What is Your Biggest Non-Gaming Interest?

Boardga... uh.. music. Yes. Music. That's non-gaming. :P

2. Who is the Most Obnoxious Character in Gaming?

Without a question - Claptrap, the robot from Borderlands.

3. How Much of a Game Do You Usually Complete?

Usually the main story at least, unless I end up hating it. Extras if I really like it.

4. What is Your Favorite Video Game Boss Fight?

Baphomet in Neverwinter Online. Straight to the point, no adds and can be finished in seconds.

5. What Game Would You Like to See Remade?

Loom.

6. How Many Games Do You Typically Play Concurrently?

Three at max, any more and I start losing player skill across the board.

7. What is Your Favorite Video Game Series?

Given I have so many of them: Assassin's Creed. More good ones that bad ones so far.

AC Odyssey: Cheated at the End

[Part of the AC Odyssey journal]

The Ghost of Kosmos, leader of the now nearly memberless cult, watched the battle from a safe distance. Like many battles before it, the blue armored Athenians clashed against the red themed Spartans but this time the cult's top enforcer, Deimos, had taken the field. On the opposing side was Alexios the Eagle Bearer, now renowned for all his previous adventures across most of the Greek world.

It was a sight to behold the two of them locked in mortal combat. Even some of the other soldiers on the field stopped fighting to watch as explosive heavenly light erupted from the ground while each champion took turns doing even more and more amazing feats of agility and strength... It was as if two demigods were fighting in their midst. Neither had the upper hand.

And then, the unthinkable happened. Two large flaming trees fell right on top of them, abruptly ending the fight in the most comical way possible. This result stunned everyone in silence with each army losing an appetite to continue the battle that day. Only the Ghost could think of something to say.

"Malaka!"

Second flaming tree incoming... in three... two...

Insight: While I'm ending this story here for now, the game certainly has more quest plots going on (and a much better ending) - most of which I avoided writing about! Speaking of Stories though, there is a capability to for players to generate their own quests for everyone to play. As expected, there are numerous XP farms (just keep replaying them without leaving the mission) if the level grind is too much for you. And yes, that totally counts as cheating!

AC Odyssey: Over Achiever

[Part of the AC Odyssey journal]

The list of accolades for the Eagle Bearer was long. A veteran of many battles and wars both on land and sea, verified leader of the usually female only Daughters of Artemis, and even an Olympic Champion for Sparta. None of those mattered to Keneon the Plains Walker who was now in Sparta city, along with numerous other mercenaries to protect the Spartan King that exiled the Eagle Bearer from those lands.

The Olympic quest line has some funny dialog options.

Besides the influx of mercenaries, the King was prudent enough to put all the soldiers in town on high alert too - knowing his life was in danger due to this decree and he was right. Keneon's keen eyes spotted the corpse of a soldier hidden in a nearby shrub, easily missed by someone less than rank Secret 4. The Eagle Bearer was close. Too close... right behind him!?

Though the backstab didn't do much damage, it did disarm Keneon's shield leaving him with just a sword. The Eagle Bearer then engaged him in a lengthy duel right in the street. Unfortunately for Keneon, his opponent was just too experienced now and could read all his moves flawlessly. And so, the Plains Walker died on that street. While he bled out, his last thoughts were of how he couldn't even land a single strike. The Spartan King would follow him to Hades shortly after.

Insight: Once you reach level 50 you unlock Mastery Levels which might seem more boring than the usual skills (they are just maths) but are far more useful. Only put 12/20 points in each one you want though as after that the gains are too small to be worthwhile. Whatever you choose, make sure to engrave your gear with synergistic components. For example, I focused on criticals: higher chance, higher damage. I was eventually one shotting any Secret rank 3 and below merc because the odds of me landing an insanely powered crit was so high.

AC Odyssey: Guerrilla of Greece

[Part of the AC Odyssey journal]

Unrelated: This is what happens when the wife learns the game has a unicorn skin.

Bleeding and singed, Matullos and his pet lion emerged from the rubble of the twin silos that had exploded on either side of him. Still in a daze, he couldn't avoid to the ruthless and relentless strikes from his attacker - the Eagle Bearer, simply tanking the damage until his adversary tired out. Finally seeing an opening, he managed to land a single punch that sent Alexios flying back, and a sliver away from death. Matullos on the other hand, still had 70% of his hit points, as to be expected from a rank Secret 3 mercenary.

He even shrugged off the razor sharp "death" arrows his opponent fired at him while he and his pet roared in anger. Hearing the call, his allied mercs arrived - forcing the Eagle Bearer to retreat into hiding. Matullos took the opportunity to let his minions hunt down the assassin while he mounted his horse and rode off to the next village to bandage his wounds.

It was mid afternoon when Alexios arrived, having killed all the others, but Matullos was already fully recovered. Knowing a fair fight would end badly for him, the Eagle Bearer opted for guerilla style sneak attacks but hiding in the farm fields was made difficult as Matullos' lion would sniff him out. Overconfident, Matullos sent his pet ahead only to see it get eviscerated by Alexios' overpowered strikes and he was too far to stop it.

Without his pet, Matullos became a slow moving pinata. Taking backstab after backstab, unable to counter in return until finally the Eagle Bearer's shoved his broken spear into his face.

Insight: Peek-a-boo tactics are fantastic (though boring) on enemies who will probably 1 hit kill you in combat. Careful of beasts though, as hiding in grass/bushes doesn't work on them and they give your position away. Hiding vertically (animals can't climb) works better for them.

AC Odyssey: Better than the Best

[Part of the AC Odyssey journal]

Monia never understood the need for The Battle of a Hundred Hands, a last man left standing event held on the Volcanic Isles, but it served to be the easiest place to track down her prey. The Cult of Kosmos had doubled the bounty on the Eagle Bearer after he recently sunk another of their fleets, but who do you send to hunt the best? Those who are better.

Past Tier One was a roster of four more "secret" ranks, and Monia being a Secret 2 traversed the battle field with ease finding Alexios right out in the open just as he finished another batch of competitors. It was only at the last second that he managed to dodge Monia's grenade, rolling right into her shoulder charge which knocked him on flat his back.

He recovered just in time to evade her blade finisher, and countered with the same moves he used to win against Exekias. It wasn't as effective on Monia as she was only slightly injured. Seeing this and running out of steam, he quickly fled with the Secret 2 merc easily keeping pace behind him. To her surprise, he ran straight into another large cluster of Hundred Hands contestants and began slaying them.

Monia joined the skirmish but suddenly found Alexios reinvigorated, parrying and dodging perfectly and worse - able to spam his Minotaur axe overpower attack. Even all her preparation couldn't withstand that so she began to back off but it was too late. She was in range. The axe came down on her... again... and again... and again... and again...

The axe is so strong is distorts reality!

Insight: Contrary to logic, you thrive in mass combat as long as most of your enemies are fodder as they feed you a lot of adrenaline per attack combo, parry and dodge to fuel your bigger attacks. For this same reason always kill wildlife in your way (this includes goats and deer), to keep your Eagle Bearer "excited". You will get penalized for harming domestic animals though. 

Using the overpower attack of the Minotaur axe makes the most use of this, though if you are hidden using rush assassination to "bounce" between a strong enemy and others (or 2 strong enemies) is a good way to deal tremendous damage.

AC Odyssey: Tier One

[Part of the AC Odyssey journal]

"I see you stabbed Diona," said Exekias slowly approaching Alexios with his twin maces drawn. "I think many people have 'stabbed' Diona," retorted the Eagle Bearer as he retrieved his blade from the beautiful cultist's neck whose blood now seeped onto the stones of the Aphrodite overlook. "I'm ready for you this time Exekias!"

"I would hope so, Arena Champion," spoke Odainathos with his halberd drawn and flanking his ex-captain. "Don't look so surprised. Most cultists are cultists for life."

"Then it's time I end yours!"

With a sudden burst of speed Alexios brought the Minotaur axe down to bear on both his attackers with an overpower attack. It's unearthly might smashed through their defenses badly wounding Odainathos and half killing Exekias. They tried their best to retaliate, but missed as the Eagle Bearer just dodge rolled between them... and then swept the champions leg from under him.

Sweep the leg!

Just like that, both opponents were slain and Alexios took the mantle of Tier One.

Insight: It pays to change your skill allocations when the situation calls for it. The monetary cost is pretty low in the overall scheme of things.

AC Odyssey: A Story of Theseus

[Part of the AC Odyssey journal]

Volunteering to be one of the "sacrifices", Theseus approached the entrance of the Labyrinth with his sword hidden underneath his tunic. At the entrance, he tied one end of the ball of string he was carrying so that he could find his way out again and then proceeded into the maze, always going downwards. Never left or right. There in the deepest pit he found the monstrous minotaur and after an epic battle slew the beast.

Unfortunately that last part was a lie.

The labyrinth looked like just the place to hide away from his many pursuers, the latest of which was the tier 2 Agafya the Smouldering whom he had great difficulty defeating. Her flaming mace was a nice reward though, and now illuminated the dark, corpse filled tunnels. It was then that Alexios came upon the beast... the minotaur was very much alive and was ready for an epic battle against the Eagle Bearer!

Totally historical. Honest!

Through perseverance and good timing Alexios proved the victor and put an end to the monster, who turned out to be more than meets the eye.

Insight: There are a few actual monsters in this game but the minotaur has the best fight, and the best reward. The minotaur axe became my mainstay weapon for the rest of the game, mainly because of the reduced cost to perform the overpower near-unblockable attacks.

AC Odyssey: Most Wanted

[Part of the AC Odyssey journal]

From atop his horse Exekias could see a ragged group of workers frantically set about repairing the Adrestia, beached upon a hidden cove. Despite the improvements that had been made on the ship, the Athenian Navy, bolstered by mercenary vessels, triumphed against it and the invading Spartans. Judging from the damage, the Adrestia barely escaped.

Dual simultaneous boarding is the best type of boarding!

A loud horn and a pillar of smoke over the hill caught the rider's attention as he kicked his horse into a trot. It was a signal flare of the nearby fort and most likely caused by the Eagle Bearer having been detected there. Sure enough, soldiers and mercs were scurrying up onto the battlements when Exekias arrived. Most just ended up falling back down as corpses. The warrior was happy enough to wait below.

When it finally stopped raining bodies, the Eagle Bearer leaped down and suddenly noticed the helmed rider quietly watching him.  While numerous mercenaries occupied the lower tiers, only one person was classified as tier 1 - Exekias the Legend, the most renowned warrior in all the land.

"Malaka," swore Alexios under his breath.

Insight: It pays to upgrade your boat, and a good way to get resources is to buy them from each blacksmith you encounter. They are available at the end of the "to buy" list.