After their dramatic fight at the mine, the group returned to the village and were relaxing at the local inn. The Inn was full of the rescued workers and had a jubilant air to it. While Jean sat back with Ryan and Dawn she laughed as she watched Randy, who was trying to teach Sarah how to use his whip. The chair she was targeting was safe from the thorns, but the walls and floor were scratched from her attempts.
“Come on Sarah, you have to hit it at least once!” Randy encouraged her.
“Forget it Sarah, stick to magic and bows,” Silas laughed.
“I will hit the chair before I quit,” Sarah said with determination.
Jean turned back to Ryan. “Tell me more about Liberty.”
“Well, like I said, we are a new settlement with a nice mix of tradespeople and warriors. The mine is producing well and our trade channels are developing. We have a beautiful guildhall and a temple for the gods,” Ryan said with pride.
“A temple?” Jean asked.
“Yes, it is open to all gods to be worshipped. We have found it to be a source of great boons and wisdom. Dawn can tell you more about it.”
Dawn looked at Jean. “I’d love to. Perhaps you would like to join my acolytes? We can always use more strong women players.”
Jean shrugged, she was open to learning more about how they trained and lived but wasn’t going to commit to anything.
“Perhaps you should tell me more about your guild?” Jean asked.
Ryan nodded. “We are all medi-pod players. You might be interested to know that NPC’s can swear fealty to the Broken Bones guild and in the event that they die, they can come back to life in Liberty.”
“Really? That is amazing, it is something other guilds do?” Jean questioned.
“Not that I am aware of. I made a deal with a god and it worked out.” Ryan smiled and leaned back in his seat.
“An expensive deal. It cost him three levels,” Dawn said.
“I don’t know that much about how the game works or how it is going to evolve, but I like some of the unorthodox decisions you have made,” Jean said sincerely.
“Thanks, we would be happy to have you join us in Liberty. Come spend some time with us. We can share knowledge and ideas. I think you would really like Karen, she is an incredible asset to how we run things, especially the connection between the real world and the game,” Ryan added on.
“I don’t know. I will have to talk to Sarah,” Jean said as she looked at her granddaughter.
A strange man in a thick black robe, carrying a wooden staff entered the room. He reminded Jean of her AI. He looked powerful and had an aura of authority to him. He banged his staff on the floor to get everyone's attention.
“By now you should have received a notification on your interfaces. If you were responsible for taking the workers of the Cedar Springs Mine, you will hand over the workers immediately. Those of you who signed contracts with the Black Wolf Guild, you are still obligated to fulfill your agreements. Please make your way back to your areas. A representative of the guild will be there to confirm your agreement.”
“That is some bullshit,” Ryan said as the man spoke.
“Who is he?” Jean asked.
“A Mod. A player who represents the company. They have a lot of power to decide things in game,” Ryan said.
The man stood in the door of the Inn as everyone checked their messages and started talking at once. Jean stood up and walked over to the messenger.
“Hello. My name is Jean. Could you please tell me who I need to talk to about these contracts?”
“You talk to me,” he said with authority.
“Great, that will save time. May I see copies of all the contracts?” Jean asked with a smile.
“No.”
“No? Why not?” Jean asked.
“You are not a representative,” he said.
“OK, how do I become a representative,” Jean asked patiently.
“The person who is under contract must assign you authority,” he said as he looked down his nose at her.
“Great, thanks for your help,” Jean said as she walked away.
“Sarah, do you have a copy of your contract?”
“I think it is saved in my interface. I will share it with you,” Sarah said as she sat down.
“While you are in the file, make me your representative,” Jean said as she waited for the file to be shared.
When the file arrived, Jean read through it, clicking her tongue and shaking her head. “Really, this is just terrible work. Honestly, they should be embarrassed. Sarah what are these handwritten add ins?” Jean inquired.
“My contract was up, they renegotiated with me to stay on until my friends were released,” Sarah said. She was worried Jean would be mad at her negotiations.
“I understand. Give me a few minutes to work this out,” Jean said as she combed through the contract again. She already knew she could get Sarah out of the contract but she was looking for a loophole to get everyone out of their contracts. She walked back to the table Ryan was sitting at.
“Can you get me in contact with your Karen? I have some digging to do,” Jean asked as she sat down.
“Of course. I will message her and give her your contact. You should see a notification in a moment,” Ryan said.
Jean received a message from Karen within a few minutes. Jean was impressed by her speed.
Hi Jean, Ryan asked me to help you. I understand you are hoping to get your granddaughter, and others, out of a contract. I took the liberty to send you a few pieces of information from the forums, as well as a statement from the Game manufacturer.
Please let me know if you need anything else.
Karen
Jean looked up at Ryan. “You were right. I do like her. She is as good as my David, and David is good.”
“I thought you would appreciate her skills. She is also a really interesting person,” Ryan said.
“I look forward to getting to know her,” Jean said sincerely.
The information Karen had sent was good but Jean needed a little more information.
Hi Karen,
Thanks for the information. You are on the right track. Can you find out anything else about the game manufacturer's stance on medi-pod players? Also, is there any way to get video evidence of the verbal agreements prior to the signing of contacts? Lastly, is there any documentation of other contracts that have been broken or completed?
Jean
Jean made her way around the room interviewing the prisoners. She found that there was a common theme. Most of the prisoners had been promised things verbally prior to signing and then pressured into signing documents that did not match what was promised. Other prisoners were forced against their will into contracts by threats. So far, no one in the room had heard or met anyone who had been released from their contracts or received what was promised. Now Jean just needed some hard evidence. She had everyone assign her as a representative.
Jean received more information from Karen and smiled. She would have to thank Karen personally; her work was excellent. Jean approached the man still waiting at the door.
“Excuse me, but as assigned representative for all the contracted players here today I would like to officially state that the contracts are null and void,” Jean said confidently.
“No, they aren’t,” he said.
“Yes, they are. For several it is based on capacity, for example Sarah there is only fourteen years old. She cannot legally sign a document without an adult’s consent. For many others it is based on false representation. I have video evidence of at least twenty players being verbally promised one thing and then denied it once under contract. For others it is based on mutuality, the Black Wolf Guild has yet to live up to its promise of offering levels and experience in exchange for work with adequate food and shelter and comradery. In addition, not one person has been released from the contracts to verify the guild’s promises. Therefore, the guild is in breach of all contracts. Legally, I could pursue compensation for each contract. I also have statements and legal documents stating that any player who commits acts, such as those committed by the Black Wolf Guild can be banned from the game.” Jean let her words sink in.
“I will need to take a moment to verify your accusations,” the Mod said while leaving the Inn.
Sarah approached Jean and watched as the man left the Inn. “Are we free then?” she asked.
“Not yet, but when they realize the problems they have created they will be very willing to negotiate. What do you think most people want?” Jean asked Sarah.
“I think most of us just want to get back to playing,” Sarah said simply.
“Yes, that was what I thought too,” Jean said as she gave Sarah a hug. “What about you? What do you want to do?”
“I think I want to go with Ryan. We have all been talking and it sounds like a good place. I like Ryan’s style. Did you know he wrote his own guild contract?”
“Guild contract? I should have a look at it,” Jean suggested.
“Yes, you should. Ryan also wants to make sure it is fair and legit. I am sure you could help him with the wording,” Sarah said with a nod.
The Mod walked back into the Inn and banged his staff on the floor. Everyone stopped to look at him.
“Your contracts are null and void. However, if anyone would like to voluntarily come back to work for the guild, they will be welcome. Interviews for positions start tomorrow,” the Mod turned and left the Inn.
A cheer broke out and everyone got a new drink. Someone in the corner started playing an instrument and stomping their feet. It was a happy and festive mood.
“It is official. You can choose your next move,” Jean said to Sarah.
“Yes, thank you Grandma Jean! You’re the best!” Sarah said as she hugged both Daphne and Betty, who were crying tears of joy. “What about you? Will you stay with us and go to Liberty?”
“I don’t want to step on your toes or make things weird for you,” Jean said hesitantly.
Sarah busted out laughing. “Are you crazy? I have a badass knife throwing grandma who is super hot, by the way. I would love to have you come with us.”
“Well, maybe I will meet you there. I have some business to attend to,” Jean said with a smile.
“Oh? Like a ‘general store’ kind of business?” Sarah said suggestively.
“Actually, I need to help Elm do the paperwork to officially get his gold claim back, a lawyers work is never done” Jean said as she waved to Elm across the room. He looked hopeful and happy and Jean couldn’t let him down.
“OK, so after that then?” Sarah said as she handed Jean a pint of ale.
“After that I have some general store business to attend to, then, I will follow you to Liberty. And for god's sake don’t sign any contracts or swear fealty while I’m gone.”
“Deal,” Sarah said as she raised her glass to Silas. She then turned to Randy. “What about you?”
“I’d like to join the guild too,” Randy said as he looked hopefully at Ryan.
Ryan laughed. “I’d love to have all three of you join the guild. I have the perfect job for the three of you.”
Jean raised an eyebrow. “Oh, and what would that be?”
“Chaos. I need a group who specializes in terrorizing a guild full of jerks. A real goon squad if you know what I mean.”
Jean laughed as she looked at Randy and Sarah. The three of them together fighting bullies and asshat guilds? It didn’t sound bad at all. “Tell me more about this goon squad.”