I slowly woke up blinking as I looked around the room. My eyes shifted to the book that was lying on the ground next to my bed. Slowly my brain kicked itself into gear and the events of my study section came back to me. It turned out I was so enthusiastic about learning that I had fallen asleep sometime late in the night or was it very early in the morning? I reached down, picked up the slim book, and opened it back up to review what I had learned.

Spells had a core rune that held them together, the lines, aka pathways, that connected one rune to another could be any shape you wished and it was highly encouraged to break away from what the system granted spell structure as they were easy to counter. While the pathways' shape didn't matter, the distance from rune to rune did along with how thick they were.

The longer your pathways the higher the amount of mana each spell could hold and the depth or thickness of them determined both what runes you could connect to each other and the minimum amount of mana needed. The book did talk about some interesting things you could do such as have pathways split but it did hammer home that unless you wanted a spell that would blow up in your face to make sure each pathway always ended in a rune. About halfway into my night of studying I had gained the Basic SpellCraft skill.

I was about to crack open my encyclopedia of runes when I thought better of it. I got out of bed and ran through my morning routine getting dressed for the first time in my dark blue velvet outfit leaving my armor in the room. I headed out of the guild and to a general store. There I bought a blank spell book, an ink pot, quill and sold off my empty vials and rat hides. It still ended up costing me five gold.

I headed back to my room, and took my sword and dirk off. I sat at the desk with the runic encyclopedia and spellcraft primer open. The primer had mentioned that because my class was solely focused on physical combat I would only be able to learn spells that used basic runes and only a number of spells equal to one-fourth of my intelligence.

I tapped my claws gently on the desk as I thought over what spells I wanted to make. The first spell I would try to create was a healing spell. There were a few ways to go about it and I suspected a spell that encouraged growth would work for a regeneration spell but I decided to go with a modified recommendation from the primer.

I set my spell book on the table along with the ink pot. Before I started with the runes I wrote down a few of my thoughts on which runes would work, the how and why behind my reasoning before explaining that due to my lack of free spell slots I had decided on a more tried and true spell. I wrote down the runes I wished to use along with the minimum and maximum each rune could hold. With all the runes being basic they were all fairly close to each other in mana cost. I followed the example in the primer just switching out the rune for targeting with the self-rune.

I added the mana each rune would need along with the max they could hold. Next, I plugged those numbers into a formula to get the length of the pathways. With all that done I finally was able to create a small rough sketch of my new spell. I checked my design over and over before crossing my fingers and slipping into meditation.

Slowly and carefully I drew each rune arranging them so that the spell would twist in on itself having the core of the spell protected at the center. All that was left was to draw the pathways. I started to draw out looping and swirling pathways before I shook my head and erased them. I went back adjusting the runes slightly before drawing the pathways as a simple Celtic knot pattern. It meant that I was drawing two pathways to each rune instead of one but I was hoping it would be fine.

Slowly I poured my mana into the spell and watched each rune glow as it was filled with mana. I felt the spell click into place ad I reached the minimum cost and cast the spell. Healing washed over me before being used up. I pulled myself out of meditation and pulled up my notifications.

Congratulations, Basic Spellcraft has leveled up. Intelligence +1

Congratulations, you have learned the spell, Minor Self Heal. EXP has been awarded for learning a spell without a trainer.

Minor Self Heal level 1:

Cost: 50mp - [1mp × spell level]

Description: Heals yourself 25hp

I winced at the relatively high mana cost but the spell was just at the edge of what I was able to learn. Still, it could help save my life so I would just have to train it until it was somewhat manageable. I waited for the ink to dry before flipping to the next page. I had a buff, damaging, and now healing spell.

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With only two spell slots left I wanted one utility spell and another damaging spell with his favorite element. The only question for me was what utility spell I wanted. After going back and forth between a light spell or a spell to create water I choose the water spell.

I got to work creating my last two spells. I leaned on my D&D knowledge for the idea behind the spells while using the bit of science I remember to help make them a bit stronger. It took a while to find the right rune but I eventually was able to create the two spells.

Congratulations you have learned the spell, Create Water. EXP has been awarded for learning a spell without a trainer.

Congratulations you have learned the spell, Bolt. EXP has been awarded for learning a spell without a trainer.

Congratulations Calligraphy has leveled up. +1 to Dexterity.

Create Water:

Cost: 10mp

Description: pull up to five cubic feet of water from the air to a container or spot of your choice within thirty feet.

Bolt level 1:

Cost: 25mp - 1mp/level

Description: shoot an arc of lightning at your foes. Has an n% chance to cause the paralyze status for 2 seconds where n=10+[.5×spell level]. Damage dealt is based on intelligence and spell level.

I was happy with how both spells had turned out. Sure Create Water wouldn't level but with such a cheap cost I really didn't need it to and with any luck Bolt would quickly become a strong single-target spell. I tapped a claw against the desk as I thought but eventually decided against trying to modify my first spell. I wanted to play it safe and wait until I could get my hands on a book that went in-depth about the subject.

I was itching to go run to the local dungeon to test my new spells but it was time for me to go back to the forest. I enjoyed a hot bath before getting dressed in my battle kit. I hummed softly wondering if I should pick anything up before I left town. Shaking my head I headed downstairs letting the guild know my plan as I turned in my key. While I wasn't able to get a refund for leaving early they did make a note that I still had five nights stay.

I headed out of Sherwood leaving in the late morning. I checked my inventory and rubbed my chin thinking of what I could place in my belt to free up some space. First was my hatchet, I put it on my right side looping it through my belt to carry it. Next was the small sewing kit that I put in my belt pouch that held my square of fabric. With three spots open in my Inventory I was happy enough to wait until I got a hide to turn into a backpack.

Hopefully, I'd get another rabbit pelt or two. I wouldn't mind adding a fur lining to my cloak when I went to modify it so I could keep my sword on my back while I wore it. I shook my head clearing it of my ideal thoughts. I made my way to a tree and scurried up it and started to travel from tree to tree quickly making my way back to the adventurer's outpost.

I stopped a hundred yards out from the outpost and took in the sight. Through what I can only imagine was a back-breaking effort they had transformed the small tent city into one made of dirt homes, with an actual wall to protect them. At the center, I could see the same building that housed Sherwood's dungeon.

I made sure my guild badge was on before hopping down from the tree. I noticed a notification blinking calmly but chose to ignore it as I walked the rest of the distance to the manned gate. I was stopped at the gate by what looked like soldiers.

"Name and business." One demanded.

"Theseus. I'm here to run the dungeon." I replied

"Very well. It's a silver to enter the village." They said.

I sighed of course I'd have to pay to enter. I pulled a silver out and handed it off to the guard before I was let through the gate. I walked quickly through the makeshift village making my way to the dungeon.

Once in the building housing the dungeon I had a sense of déjà vu. The whole building was exactly like the one in Sherwood down to the same number and placement of the guards. I blinked twice and moved to wait in line behind a few other adventurers.

Everyone seemed to still be excited about the dungeon as I caught bits of conversation. Apparently, someone named Vick had gotten quite the sword as his reward, a gnome named Ellys got a mount, and someone named Xorlak Shield-breaker ironically got a very nice shield.

The line moved quickly enough as both groups and a few other solo adventurers paid the fee and entered the dungeon. What took the longest was the delay between groups. It was always ten minutes from the last person to enter. Finally, I was able to pay yet another five silver to get into the dungeon and step back into Oberon's Hunting Ground.