Chapter 29
Ethan felt something strange happening to him. It all began when Eragoth blew a breath in his face, and he started receiving a slew of messages.
| Alert |
|---|
| You have been bestowed with The Mantle of Leadership for the nation: Krell Tribes of Meerenva. |
| Lead wisely, Ethan West: Patriarch of The Krell, First of His Name, [Harbinger] of Science, and [Magineer] of Chaos. |
| You have now joined the sovereign elites of the world: those who vie for power and fame in the eternal battle for supremacy. |
| A number of world leaders with the requisite Skills have been notified of this political event. Welcome to the game of thrones! |
• Settlement Information is now available.
• Leadership Skills are now available.
• You gain 4 additional skill points upon your ascention to a position of power.
Other leaders were informed of his position? God damn stupid Wheel!
He had to take some serious precautions, then.
The unintended George R.R. Martin reference would have normally made him chuckle, but the next few messages were accompanied with a deluge of serious warnings from his AI.
<WARNING: UNKNOWN INTERFERENCE WITH NEURAL PATHWAYS DETECTED. INITIATING EMERGENCY DEFENSIVE MEASURES!>
• Your settlement was built near a place of power. A Nexus of Ley Lines runs deep below the earth, granting you access to a number of Settlement Points every day. Settlement Points are a rare and generic currency, and may be spent in place of Construction, Research, Education, and Crafting Points.
• As the ruler, you gain access to the Nexus Interface. Use this to obtain information about possible upgrades to your settlement.
Ethan closed his eyes and heard a distant scream. Was that his own voice screaming? He couldn’t focus enough to be sure.
<WARNING: HOST’S BRAIN IS CURRENTLY SUBJECT TO EXTERNAL INFLUENCE. UNKNOWN ACTIVITY DETECTED IN THE FOLLOWING REGIONS: CEREBRAL CORTEX, VISUAL AND AUDITORY CORTICES, BRAIN STEM, HIPPOCAMPI AND THE LIMBIC SYSTEM. UNABLE TO INITIATE DEFENCE PROTOCOL! OBSERVED CHANGES ARE OUTSIDE OPERATIONAL PARAMETERS! NEURAL CIRCUITRY COMPROMISED!>
He felt like his soul was being torn from his body. The pain was unlike anything that he’d ever experienced. His heart rate was climbing and he truly feared he was having a stroke.
<WARNING: NEW NEURONS REPLICATING IN HOST’S BRAIN TISSUE! INITIATING QUARANTINE AND ISOLATION PROTOCOL.>
Then something strange happened. It was like experiencing double vision, but with his thinking. Suddenly there were two versions of Ethan, one was augmented, and the other without the implants; yet both were sharing their thoughts, with a slight delay.
Both versions hoped to God that this state was not permanent as this realisation hit both of them simultaneously.
<ALERT: SUCCESSFULLY QUARANTINED EXTERNAL CONNECTIONS. RE-ESTABLISHING CONNECTIVITY TO SEVERED REGION.>
Both versions of Ethan suddenly slammed together again, and his thoughts returned to normal. His screaming stopped, and silence reigned once more. He opened his eyes to find Eragoth staring him in the eyes, and a flashing message plastered across his vision.
• Congratulations, ruler. Your connection to The Wheel deepens and grows stronger. As your settlement expands in ranks and you grow in power, your connection to The Wheel of Aspects will deepen further.
Shit! Was this the price of power? Would the Wheel continue to invade his mind and ultimately control him in the end? He resolved to fight it, somehow… he just had to figure out how.
“Not so easy, is it?” Eragoth whispered for his ears only. “It changes you.” She added, gently putting her hands on his shoulders, “Although I’m not sure if it’s always for the better.” She seemed lost in thought.
Ethan blinked. He wasn’t sure why she was being considerate. He only knew her by her cruel and fierce nature.
“This has happened to you, before?” He asked in bewilderment.
He didn’t wish this experience on anyone, even her.
She seemed to snap out of her reverie; then threw her head back and laughed heartily. She moved a hand up to hold his chin.
“Long before you were born, youngling. I am surprised you have survived this unscathed, where many will go mad, perish, or lose themselves.” She looked at him with an appraising look, which turned to begrudging respect, “You have earned your place, otherworlder. I was convinced that you would not.” She stepped back.
He blinked at her in understanding. He suddenly figured out the part she left unsaid of that sentence: “and your head would have exploded in a shower of blood, and my power would have been restored.”
He looked to the rest of the prompts in the corner of his vision.
• Congratulations, ruler! As the [Harbinger] of the Primal Force of [Science], your settlement now enjoys a cumulative and permanent 11% (0.01 x 11 [Harbinger] Level x 1.0 Settlement Level) daily bonus to Research Points generation, and Education Points generation. This makes learning and researching 11% faster than normal for the entire settlement.
• Advance in your major class or grow your settlement to boost this bonus further.
• Congratulations, ruler! As a [Magineer] touched by The Primordial Force of [Chaos], your settlement now enjoys a cumulative but random daily bonus of up to 5.5% (0.005 x 11 [Magineer] Level x 1.0 Settlement Level) to Construction Points generation and Crafting Points generation. This makes construction and crafting up to 5.5% faster than normal for the entire settlement.
• Additionally, your settlement gains an extra bonus of up to 5.5% to the effects of any Enchantments to items, and up to 5.5% to the effectiveness of any Macroenchantments applied to any buildings or fortifications erected henceforth.
• Advance in your minor class or grow your settlement to boost this bonus further.
Macroenchantments? Hell yeah! Why not? He felt excited by this new concept. Why the hell hadn’t he thought of that before?
• New settlement specialisation unlocked: [Science and Technology]
• Due to the presence of a [Mother of Chaos] in your realm, an advanced settlement specialisation is now unlocked: [Chaos Alchemy], and an advanced branch of the research tree is immediately available: [Energy and State Manipulation – Entropy]
• You may select or upgrade one settlement specialisation per settlement level. Your settlement is currently at level 1 (Tent City).
Well, that’s one hell of an info dump… He thought as a slow grin began spreading across his features. He couldn’t wait to mess with this new settlement interface. He’d do that later, though. For now, he had other things on his mind. Namely, the silent crowd currently gazing at him. He had yet to make a move.
Eragoth was still staring at him. “Well?” She asked, “Are you not going to address your new subjects?” She cocked an eyebrow.
He turned around, and met Kothar’s eyes. The look of immense pride on Kothar’s face was enough to jarr him out of his reverie and to make him realise just how much responsibility he now held.
Ethan cleared his throat awkwardly. He wasn’t sure what to say.
Kothar smiled and nodded encouragingly, and Ethan started to speak.
“I may be a stranger from another world,” he began, “but I have been transported here, and since then, I have witnessed war, conflict… and the injustice wrought against you by the Polarii.” He spoke slowly.
“Despite this, you took me in,” he looked at Kothar as he spoke, “…and I found friendship amongst you, and a new home.”
Ethan raised his glowing sceptre high and cast a spell. He then began levitating into the air. Every gaze was on him, and he heard the shocked gasps of many present who hadn’t seen him fly before.
“I’m not a man of war,” he stated a fact, “I’m a scientist, a scholar; but where I come from, we have a wise saying…” he paused, “…and that saying tells that the pen is mightier than the sword!” He lifted his sceptre above his head, “And I promise you this: my pen is damn deadly.”
They looked entirely unconvinced. So he decided to elaborate a little, despite his earlier decision not to speak of his world to the Dwarf historian.
He needed to make an impact here, to make his words stick.
As long as I don’t reveal any specifics. He thought.
“My old world has no magic.” He let the statement hang, “It has no spells or skills, no professions, and no classes. It has no Wheel, and it has no Gods.” They all looked at him uncomprehendingly.
He paused and looked over the crowd.
“But we have science.” He continued, “…and with that science and effort alone, mortal men crafted terrible weapons that could pierce a man’s heart from miles away, or blot out the sun and poison the land!” He paused yet again and looked into their eyes, his words sinister, “We made weapons of mass destruction that could descend from the sky and pulverise cities in moments! The worst of us engineered horrible plagues that could eradicate entire nations! We made engines of war – millions of armoured machines – that could raze mountains and bring down nations! And when we went to war… it was on a scale your world has never witnessed. When we went to war… no one was spared.”
He heard murmures of disbelief and raised a hand to silence them.
“But our wars are not a source of pride!” he continued, “Our history may be bloody and brutal, but not all our efforts were for destruction.” He let his next sentence take root, “For despite our lack of magic, we made our own!”
A shocked silence greeted him, and he pushed on.
“By working together, we made golems that thought and spoke!” He paused after each proclamation to let the gravity of his words sink in, “We made a world-wide web, spanning thousands of miles, to carry our word across the lands! We made horseless carriages that drove themselves to ferry us around!” His voice was rising with every word, “With science alone, we created artificial suns and chained them to harness their energy and power our cities! Cities made of hulking towers of metal that pierced the clouds! We made birds of steel that flew from city to city, carrying passengers and goods, and they flew faster than sound! We made edible crops that grew in saltwater to feed our poor, and our nations made a sport of erecting their flags on the moon!” He paused, “…and we sent massive ships carrying our colonists to the distant stars!”
He enjoyed the look of wonder on their faces, and especially enjoyed the Dwarf’s predicament. Felwar Ironvine had his quill out and was writing furiously into his journal.
That’ll keep him guessing. Ethan thought with amusement.
“I may be a stranger to this world,” he repeated, “But this is my world now, and you are now my people! I promise you this: injustice will not go unpunished! Slavery will not be tolerated in a world where enlightened minds dwell!” He was unsure where his fierce words and undying conviction were coming from, “Hear this well! Follow me, and I will forge you weapons the likes of which have never been dreamt! I shall free you from those who wish to enslave you and yours!” He felt something rising inside him, and words poured out of him in an unstoppable, torrential tide, “I shall free your brothers and sisters who were captured, and break their chains!” He then made a declaration, “Together, we shall turn this mountain into a shining beacon. A safe haven for those wishing to grow their knowledge and learn in peace, and all who stand against us with arms or magic shall wallow forever in the darkness of their ignorance and defeat. They shall regret the day they thought to enslave and subjugate.”
He put as much force into his next words as he could manage.
“Follow me, and I will bring you wonders, and a new golden age! I will bring you change, for I am a [Harbinger] of Science, and this I swear!”
He finally fell silent. The crowd contemplated his words, and he realised they were afraid… afraid of change… but then a few voices picked up a call; then the whole mountain shook once more.
“Krell! Krell! Krell!”
• Know this, ruler! Your actions in public will always affect the morale of your settlement. For good or for bad, only time will tell. [+2 CHA]
• Your speech has inspired some of your people: +10 to Settlement Morale. Current Morale: Segregated.
• Your reputation with The Krell Tribes Of Meerenva has improved by +200 points from Neutral to Respected. (1462 points remaining to next rank)
He almost facepalmed.
What the hell? It keeps track of morale and relationships too? Is this just mind reading? Or mind control? Ethan thought in anger. I’m gonna break that fucking Wheel! He promised to himself as he landed gently from the air.
Then the drums started beating once more, and his people began to celebrate.
~-~
Eragoth sat alone, away from the bonfire, as her people milled around and spoke in groups while passing drinks.
She had a lot to think on.
That man. That damn man. He infuriated her.
But she had to give him his due. She felt more respect for him now.
When she’d first ascended to her position as the Matriarch of the Krell by challenging and killing the previous Patriarch, she had spent days in delirium, unconscious and helpless.
The Mantle of Leadership had almost killed her, back then.
She was fully prepared to see him lose consciousness, or die and get rejected by The Wheel, but no. He just had to take it in stride, and make it look like a damn walk in the rain.
What kind of iron will did he possess? To take The Mantle of Leadership so casually, then give a speech? She was both envious and outraged.
Yet, she was also feeling a sort of relief. Finally, she was free, well… it was a freedom of a sort, she felt no pressure. No urgent issues to take care of.
After centuries, the lack of responsibility felt strange. It was…
Odd.
Then there was this science he spoke of… was his world really so different? A world with no magic? No skills, spells, or classes? A world without Gods?
A world where mortal men made their own magic… a world without a Wheel.
She still remembered the glory of her ancestors… and what the world-walkers did to her people… she remembered the long march, the exile… The Krell of today may not remember, but she did. The stories the elders passed through generations did. The chronicles did. They seldom spoke of them, but they remembered all the same.
Back then, she was just a little girl, barely old enough to comprehend snatches of conversations; but she still recalled the tales, and the legends of the Krell of old.
She looked at the celebrating tribespeople, and felt her anger simmering at the long banished memories. Sadness overtook her, and she closed her eyes.
This otherworlder… was he different from the world-walkers of old? If his world has no magic, didn’t this mean that he was transported here under his own power?
Could she really trust him? Could his so called science restore what was lost? Restore the Astral Gate?
If so, then perhaps he would prove worthy to the cause.
Perhaps.
For now, she would watch him closely.
He had a year and a day, and after that…
After that, she would decide.
~-~
Ethan ducked and weaved through the crowd, exchanging nods and polite greetings, and accepting congratulations as he tried to outpace a furious Dwarf that stuck to him like industrial glue, which wasn’t an easy task.
The Dwarf was fast, despite his shorter stride. He kept pleading incessantly all the way, and when an angry [Færie Queen] finally caught up to them and took Felwar away; Ethan was immensely relieved.
That was when Aylin Merza found him, and the process was started all over again.
Kothar saved him by shushing her away, and he managed to evade her too.
Maybe I should introduce the two. He thought with a chuckle, after dodging that bullet and getting away.
He was currently sat with Kothar on a log near his old tent.
“While that was an inspiring speech…” Kothar said, “I don’t think you understand my people completely.” He said hesitantly, “We only appreciate strength.” He explained, “While the wonders you spoke of may have impressed them for now, they will want to see that power for themselves before long.” He advised.
Ethan nodded. “I know.” He looked contemplative, “I have a plan. I just need to see what I have to work with first.”
He fed the fire some wood to keep it going, then got to work.
“All right! Time to explore my new powers, then!” He cracked his knuckles, in preparation for a long awaited moment.
He first accessed his character screen.
| Name | Ethan West | Species | Human |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class (1st) | Harbinger – Science (Level 11) | Strength (STR) | 18 |
| Class (2nd) | Magineer – Chaos (Level 11) | Vitality (VIT) | 17 |
| XP (Deferred) | 676 (0) | Dexterity (DEX) | 23 |
| AP/SP Available | 0 AP / 6 SP | Agility (AGI) | 24 |
| Health | 173/173 (+1.7/min) | Intelligence (INT) | 39 |
| Mana | 319/319 (+1.95/min) | Wisdom (WIS) | 29 |
| Soul Type | Sapient | Willpower (WIL) | 122 |
| Station | Patriarch, Krell Tribes of Meerenva | Charisma (CHA) | 15 |
He first noted the fact that Charisma was now a visible attribute. Did new attributes become available through use? Or did they become visible when they deviated from the norm? Or by simply becoming relevant?
He recalled Willpower and Soul Type appearing after his battle with the Nephilim and his usage of the Spell he’d developed, “Contest Of Wills”… perhaps that was the key?
It didn’t really matter, he had a lot left to figure out. Let’s get this moving. He thought, and accessed the Settlement Screen.
| Settlement Name | The Gathering | Nation | Krell Tribes of Meerenva | [Change...] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level | 1 | Rank | Tent City | [Details…] |
| Specialisations | None | Available | 1 | [Select…] |
| Morale | 117 | Rank | Segregated | [Details…] |
| Population | 13,274 | Yearly Growth (Approximate) | 135.3 | [Details…] |
| Health | 10 | Rank | Below Average | [Details…] |
| Buildings | 3,506 | Average Construction Quality | Shoddy | [Details…] |
| Settlement Points | 11,270 | Daily Income | 120 | [Details…] |
| Education Points | 10 | Daily Income | 5.55 | [Details…] |
| Research Points | 4 | Daily Income | 2.22 | [Details…] |
| Construction Points | 167 | Maximum Daily Income (Variable) | 12.66 | [Details…] |
| Crafting Points | 302 | Maximum Daily Income (Variable) | 73.85 | [Details…] |
He sighed. This was going to take a while.
He mind-clicked “[Details…]” next to the settlement rank, and was presented with a breakdown telling him about the next rank, and the conditions to achieve it:
| Settlement Details | - |
|---|---|
| Level | 1 |
| Rank | Tent City |
| Architectural Style | Nomadic – [Change…] |
| Effects | +5% Population Growth, +120% Resettlement Speed |
| Description | The road to civilisation begins with congregation… the congregation of great minds! Unfortunately, your settlement is a congregation of haphazardly erected tents and wooden huts, with no semblance of order or foresight. |
| Next Level | 2 |
| Next Rank | Tent Metropolis |
| Effects | +10% Population Growth, +115% Resettlement Speed |
| Condition | Population: 250 (Met), Morale: 250 (Unmet – Current: 117), Number of tents: 150 (Met) |
Tent Metropolis? Nomadic architecture? No, thanks. He thought with a grimace.
He tried to change the architectural style, and was presented with a serious warning and a prompt:
• Be warned, ruler! Unlike manual construction, changing your settlement’s architectural style instantly through this method will cost a substantial amount of Construction Points (Currently insufficient – will consume Settlement Points), and may have unintended and far-reaching consequences. This sudden cultural pivot could trigger a powerful psychological reaction in your settlement’s populace and affect morale, and the process is irreversible. Proceed? [Y/N]
He just wanted to see the available options, damn it! He guessed it was not meant to be an easy act.
Knowing he had the option to magically transform the place into a real city was a cool fact, though.
He guessed that The Wheel had an unlimited mana pool, and could make the changes for real; which was something that piqued his curiosity; but he decided against it for now. He selected ‘No’ on the prompt.
He’d have to do it the classic way, through effort.
He sighed. He first had to convince the Krell to erect solid buildings – preferably with stone, or wood as the minimum. The current tents were just a painfully uncomfortable fire-hazard. He’d have to speak to someone about this. Would the elders help him?
He stole a look at Kothar, maybe he’d know.
“Hey, Kothar. Do you think we should erect wood or stone houses instead of tents? And maybe designate streets and proper walkways?” He asked, curious to see what his friend thought on the subject. It might give him a much-needed insight into the general population’s reaction, once he gave the order.
Kothar was oiling his sword. He paused and looked up with a contemplative expression. “Houses? Streets?” He seemed puzzled, “Why would we want them?”
“Because tents are a fire-hazard, they’re not very organised, they don’t protect us from the elements very well, and they’re not very comfortable, nor sanitary. No offence.”
Kothar scoffed at the statement and laughed. “You think houses are sanitary? Have you never been to a city? My father once told me of his journey, and how the disgusting city people throw their filth into corners or on the streets.”
“That’s not what I… wait… where do you throw yours, then?” Ethan was curious.
“Into the river, of course.” Kothar responded simply.
“What? The river we get our drinking water from?” Ethan was aghast.
“We dump it much further downstream.” Kothar gestured dismissively, “It flows down the mountain and into the Polarii lands. The bastards get the filth they deserve.”
Okay. Recycling and indoor plumbing had to be introduced to this world. He would make this his priority from now on.
But to introduce commercial plumbing, he first had to introduce an important industry: pipe-making. He guessed pottery or ceramics were the first things he’d have to set up here, and those required their own chains of production, resources, and tools. Damn.
Or he could skip a few stages of the industrial revolution; and directly introduce Plastics, and consequently, PVC pipeworks. He couldn’t introduce them to carbon-nanomech construction yet, of course; but maybe – while he’s at it – he could introduce cement and concrete, too?
As for cement… he’d have to find a source of limestone. He’d keep an eye out, but for now, he focused on polymers.
It was an interesting thought. Polymers would not only help with pipe-making, they would also allow him to set the stage for various industrial products and pave the way for other, more advanced technologies.
Were there even fossil fuels on this planet, though? He had no way to check or dig that deep into the earth. Besides, petroleum-based polymers may introduce environmental pollution to this world, and he didn’t want this one on his conscience.
Perhaps go for bioplastics instead?
But biodegradables would be a bad match for waste pipes, since they could be corroded by bacteria or fungi, and eventually leak into the ground…
No, he’d just have to make a machine to synthesise non-degradable polymers from organic matter, and an enchanted factory would do. He’d been itching to use the atomic manipulation Bind and Release thaums from Alchemy in an enchantment ever since he learnt the craft.
Besides, enchanted industrial machinery tickled his fancy.
He contemplated the idea for a bit; then he had a sudden epiphany.
Why make it a stationary machine at all? He remembered the Golems guarding Eragoth’s hoard, and a vision played across his mind: he envisioned an army of magically enchanted construction drones laying infrastructure and erecting buildings, and smiled.
Speaking of which, were Eragoth’s treasures his own now? He remembered her fury when he had brainlessly [Analysed] her, and felt a cold chill caressing his spine.
Nope. Definitely not taking a single coin from that woman, no matter what. He thought with a grimace.
Ethan shook his head, and focused his wandering mind on the topic at hand again.
A plan was coming together in his mind. Yes!
He had set a goal, and now he had a feasible means of achieving that goal.
Transforming the settlement into a proper city would become a much easier task with a construction fleet at his beck and call.
He just had to learn how to craft a golem first!
Perhaps he would make that stationary polymer factory his first project after all, then; since that would allow him to make the new drones out of plastic, instead of asking a blacksmith to forge precious metal ingots into parts, and speed things up even more. Besides, the machines wouldn’t require heavily armoured bodies to perform their construction tasks.
First things first: he needed a place to work on his ideas: he needed a workshop.
So that’s what he set out to do. He quickly got up, and asked Kothar to help him find an empty space.
His exploration of the other screens could wait.
~-~
The construction of the new workshop took less than two hours, and most of that time was spent waiting for his mana to regenerate as he repeatedly cast [Meld] through his sceptre to compress and transform plain rock into thick, structurally-sound walls, and a sturdy roof.
The sceptre amplified his Skill’s effects admirably. Despite his Mana Deficit, it made working with tonnes of stone quite an easy feat. His castings got progressively stronger, too. Simply amazing.
The workshop now had a basic shape, and looked like a simple airplane hangar from the WWII era, with a vast space in the middle. He made a couple of tables and cabinets out of compressed stone, to store any new tools he made and hold his experiments as he worked.
People had slowly gathered to watch; and although he thought about it, he didn’t shoo them away.
That changed when he finished placing two sturdy doors into their sockets on the walls, though.
People wanted to wander in, and loiter around; and he ordered them all to leave, except for Kothar and the followers of Memeta, who wandered in at some point in time; attracted by the gathering crowd.
He dismissed the notifications telling him about [Meld] rising from level 3 to level 6, [Mana Manipulation] rising by 1 level, and how he had gained 210 experience points in total; then turned to face Kothar.
“What do you think?” He asked as he wiped the sweat from his brow with his left sleeve.
“It is a strange building, built in a strange style.” Kothar commented absently as he inspected the cabinets full of stone shelves. “I am curious about its function.”
Ethan looked at the followers of Memeta, who seemed curious as well.
“This is my new workshop.” Ethan explained, “I plan to use this place to work on new inventions and perform magical experiments.” He paused, “This way, if something explodes or an accident happens, then nobody else will come to harm.”
“Like a [Wizard] Tower?” Solinda – the Drake [Librarian] and [Mathematician] – asked with curiosity.
“It dunna be a tower, Solinda.” Felwar scoffed loudly, “A [Wizard] Tower can focus magics and draw power from ta land.”
A metaphorical light-bulb lit over Ethan’s head, “What’s a [Wizard] Tower? How does that work?” He asked excitedly.
“Well… no one truly knows. It’s all conjecture, mostly from legends and stories, and the like.” Faisal answered, “The legends mention that they may only be built on top of a Ley Line.” He shook his head, “They say that the Polarii Empire’s Magisterium has only one such tower, and that its location is a closely guarded secret; but those are only rumours; and the Polarii are jealous with their knowledge.”
Ethan visibly deflated.
Internally, his thoughts raced at the speed of light. Hell yeah! Boooooy! Ethan thought with savage glee. His facial expression of abject dejection didn’t change, however.
He didn’t dare disclose the fact that he was in control of an entire Nexus of Ley Lines right now. Not yet, anyway. He thought.
The Dwarf put an arm around him, “Dunna be sad, lad. Ye get ta lead a nation at yer young age. Dunna be tellin’ me yer wanting ta build yerself a [Wizard] tower, too.” He laughed good naturedly at the absurd idea.
Ethan’s grin was the only response, he turned and spread his arms towards the vast, empty workshop.
“Anyway, that’s the basic layout taken care of. Now I need to study those Golems and figure out how they’re made.” He prepared to walk out and head towards Eragoth’s hoard for a long night of studying and tinkering with the guardian golems, when Faisal stepped forward and stopped him.
“You wish to study the art of Golemancy?”
“I do.” Ethan said, “Why?” He asked.
“It is a branch of Enchanting, and If you’ll allow me, I can teach it to you.” Faisal volunteered, “It will go much faster than reinventing the art by basic observation and imitation,” He stated, “However, we’ll have to discuss some form of compensation.” His [Trader] side finally made a sudden appearance.
Ethan chuckled, “Sure, then. How can I repay you for such knowledge?” He asked with a raised eyebrow, curious.
“Now that you mention it, I think we can come to a mutually beneficial understanding.” Faisal said with a shrewd smile, and an epic battle of bargaining was joined.
~-~
| Name | Ethan West | Species | Human |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class (1st) | Harbinger – Science (Level 11) | Strength (STR) | 18 |
| Class (2nd) | Magineer – Chaos (Level 11) | Vitality (VIT) | 17 |
| XP (Deferred) | 886 (0) | Dexterity (DEX) | 23 |
| AP/SP Available | 0 AP / 6 SP | Agility (AGI) | 24 |
| Health | 173/173 (+1.7/min) | Intelligence (INT) | 39 |
| Mana | 6/324 (+1.95/min) | Wisdom (WIS) | 29 |
| Soul type | Sapient | Willpower (WIL) | 122 |
| Station | Patriarch, Krell Tribes of Meerenva | Charisma (CHA) | 15 |
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Divine Lawbreaker | You have broken a Divine Law and incurred the wrath of the heavens. Beware the consequences. |
| Runebreaker | You have transcended all forms of magic and unlocked the more mystic base elements behind it. You now wield great power over the arcane. Beware lest you err! |
| Divine Slayer | You managed to do what few claimed to do throughout the history of the world: to slay a higher being and live to tell the tale! |
| Divine Artificer | You have created a divine-grade artefact. Guard it dearly, lest it falls into the hands of your enemies! |
| Friend of The Fæy | Grants you a permanent extra +10 bonus to LCK and a positive relationship boost with all creatures of the Fæy. |
| Affliction | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mana Deficit | 1 (0%) | Your mana has regenerated, but the effects linger. Your mana regeneration is halved for one week. |
| Skill | Level | Progress | Cost | Description | Origin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyse (Active) | 9 | 0.18 | 5 MP | You analyse any object or living being, obtaining information about it. More details will be revealed as the level of this skill rises. | [Scientist, Level 1] | |
| Lecture (Passive) | 5 | 0.78 | — | You instruct another character on a subject. The level of knowledge conveyed and the success rate are limited by the level of this skill. | [Harbinger – Science, Level 5] | |
| Assemble Schematic (Active) | 2 | 0.27 | 15 MP | You assemble a schematic quickly and efficiently. 10% Less material wasted per level. | [Engineer, Level 1] | |
| Adjust Entropy (Sustained) | 6 | 0.78 | ~ | Adjust the level of entropy in a system or creation. 10% To effectiveness per level. | [Chaos Engineer, Level 5] | |
| Stabilise (Active) | 2 | 0.88 | ~ | Allows you to stabilise any chaotic reaction, quickly bringing down the energy of an unstable system, chemical reaction, spell, or machine. | [Chaos Engineer, Level 5] | |
| Mana Manipulation (Passive) | 6 | 0.26 | — | The ability to manipulate mana is at the core of spell-casting. This skill governs how much mana your body can channel. 2% bonus to maximum mana per level. | [Magineer – Chaos, Level 8] | |
| Rune Mastery (Passive) | 3 | 0.56 | — | The ability to construct and maintain spell models in one’s mind is what governs Rune Magic. Your mastery over runes will increase with the level of this skill. Can control +2 extra runes per spell model per level of this skill. | [Magineer – Chaos, Level 8] | |
| Design Schematic (Active) | 2 | 0.43 | 100 MP | Allows you to design a schematic. | [Scientist, Level 2] | |
| Chaos Reign (Passive) | 2 | 0.26 | — | Chaos reigns! Your mere presence instigates chaos around you. | [Magineer – Chaos, Level 10] | |
| Meld (Active) | 6 | 0.17 | 4 MP | You shape an object or material to your liking, consuming mana in the process. | [Magineer – Chaos, Level 10] |