Chapter 8
“The curse summoned a kind of harmless demonic creature called: Satori.”
“What did it do?”
“The demon spoke what the afflicted thought and thus he could speak no lies which was the main point of the curse aside from it being hilarious to watch.”
“I don't wish to harm anyone though.”
“Don't worry as I said previously this magic circle only resembles that curse. It is most likely a modification of the curse though the effect is not clear to me.”
“Are you telling me to use it and hope for the best?!”
“No such thing sir. If you let me finish my explanation it might help you.”
“Forgive me.”
“I befriended the head magician in the village and in secret he told me the origin of Satori. You seem like a trustworthy fellow so I will share the secret.”
He began to tell a new story which started before he left for the west mountains and it took a while until he got to the origin story. Satori wasn't a curse at start but a mischievous demon which plagued the mountains before magic was widely known. It was a mountain spirit who fell from the mountain Gods grace and became corrupted. Before it was corrupted the spirits hid from humanity’s eyes dwelling deep in the mountains sometimes playing tricks on humans. They still exist out there and you should be careful not to follow a voice you cannot see in those regions. They like to imitate human sounds and can lead people off cliffs or help lost people escape the mountains. It isn't known how they became corrupted though.
[DING!]
From having heard of an ancient tale you have learned the skill:
Study of Ancient History Beginner level 1 (0%)
Reading or hearing about unfamiliar events in the past you are able to reveal more detailed information that might lead to new discoveries that may be recorded in the history of the Versailles continent.
Bonus: +5 to Wisdom and Intelligence
Study of Ancient History Beginner level 1 (45%)
The villages in the western mountains were a colony of the long gone Kingdom of Wa. The Kingdom of Wa was led by a spiritual leader presumed to be a powerful Witch. Any more details have not been disclosed as of yet. Today the villages have no known relation to the ancient Kingdom.
“-so I would advise you to go to the Summoner guild since I found some inscriptions in the magic circle that are commonly used in summoning. They might be more helpful but you might encounter some difficulties getting answers since they dislike giving out class secrets.”
“Thank you for everything. You've told me a great deal of useful information.”
“Haha, no problem the tea you served me was incredibly delicious. Definitely worth it.”
“Well if you enjoyed my tea then it makes me glad. Please come to Café René in the academy district and you can enjoy even tastier tea.”
“Will do good sir.”
Henkel would soon have his answers about the magical circle and would be able to help Daniel. From speaking with the elderly Black magician he had even gotten a new skill. Maybe fate played tricks on him because researching old history was part of Henkel's job when he was younger and worked with Camilla at archaeological sites. He was happy to have something in-game to connect with his past. On the way down and out of the guild he saw the young girl he previously talked to in the corner of his eye. She was once again trying to grab the attention of the visitors. He hurried out and marched towards the Summoner guild.
***
“Geh, do I really need to wear such a short skirt?”
“Do you want the extra copper or would you rather become a test subject to some of the senior magicians?”
“Shut it! I need the money to buy my first skill book but I'm just worried about my privacy.”
“Then don't bend over and get to WORK!”
Soo-jin was mad that just because she as a girl had to dress provocatively to earn some more copper. Seems like RR wasn't as different than reality. People still fixated on their looks but it's not like she could talk. She chose to be a Dark elf and as an elf she was more beautiful than humans objectively speaking. While her friends chose the ordinary elves, Wood elves and High elves she would rather play as the Dark elf but changed her skin colour to a pale white instead because she was tanned year round from working outside.. She loved to eat meat but she was living in a Buddhist temple and her family was on the monk diet, no meat and dark elves could gorge on the stuff without looking weird.
Soo-jin had greeted visitors for a couple hours and she was really tired acting as if she was happy to see every single lecherous man. It was an hour left until midnight and the end of her quest. A tall slim elder gentleman had just walked in and was looking around searching for something. Soo-jin's eyes widened and she ran up to him, she was happy but she just couldn't get the right words out and she stumbled with them. That was the start of her most embarrassing conversation she ever experienced. He looked so much like her parted father and the moustache was exactly the same as she remembered cuddling with as a child.
She continued greeting visitors as normal and just as her quest was about to end she noticed the older gentleman walking down the stairs. She quickly distanced herself from him and engaged in small talk with a visitor. She was too embarrassed to look at him and hoped he wouldn't approach her but she also wanted him to come forward and talk to her. He left the guild and Soo-jin quickly finished her quest and got a measly 90 copper for showing off her legs to people. At least she thought it was measly but in reality 90 copper for a simple quest of greeting people as a beginner was astronomical. She ran out and saw the man just before he disappeared beyond a corner. She ran until she could see him again and then sneakily followed him.
***
“So it comes back to summoning? I guess he was sort of right when he mentioned it at dinner.”
Henkel was thinking out loud while he was searching for the next towering building. He had passed the other major Magician guilds and the one he was aiming for next was the Summoner guild. In front of the guild was a gigantic fountain with different kind of monster sculptures on top of it, the sculptures represented some of the more common summoning creatures. There were Salamanders, Basilisks, a Griffin, a Minotaur and other kinds. The commonly known Sylphs and Undines were not Summoned creatures but spirits which were summoned by Magicians as Elemental creatures.
Remembering the Dark magician's words he steeled his resolve and went inside. The inside was totally different from the Black magic guild. There were arenas placed on the first floor and no visible stairs to the second. By the entrance there were many rooms with closed doors and on the arenas there were people and monsters standing together. A woman in her thirties walked up to Henkel asking what his business was and he explained the need for consulting a summoner experienced with magical circles. She led Henkel to a room but before she let him in she placed her hand on the door pointing at a plate.
Become a summoner – pass a test.
Advice on improving Summons – 10 gold
Summoner class counselling – 50 silver/free first time after class change
Rent a room - 1 hour / 1 silver
Specific information - ?
“Then I would like to know specific information on magic circles. Should I just wait inside then, miss?”
But she was already gone. Henkel was a bit freaked out but went inside anyway and waited. It didn't take long before a bespectacled woman with long red hair came in. She was carrying a bunch of papers and an ink bottle and at her waist was a tool-belt with brushes, knifes and feather pens.
“Pleasant night we have today.”
“Most pleasant, indeed. My name is Henkel and I have some questions for you as you probably already know.”
“Yes, we work very systematically as it reduces the amount of stress. Before I can tell you my fee I will need to know what your question pertains. Nothing said will ever leave the room if both parties do not wish for it.”
“That would be perfect. I wish to know about this magic circle. I know it is a modification on a curse which summons a demonic being called a Satori and that it originated in the mountains to the west.”
“You seem to know a lot already. Hmm...yes this is a modified curse, with correct summoning procedure the beast won't bring harm to the afflicted party. Most peculiar, who gave you this did you say?”
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“I didn't. I do not wish to divulge the source of this magic circle. As compensation might I offer some tea though?”
“I do not fancy non alcoholic beverages, so no thank you.”
“I am happy that you told me it poses no threat if summoned and it was my biggest concern so I will take my leave if that is all.”
“I won't stop you but you won't be able to summon anything like you are now.”
Henkel had just stood up and turned around to leave but upon hearing that comment he quickly shifted his head and looked upon the woman.
“What do you mean?”
“This isn't a summoning spell that a complete novice can handle and it will cost you but I already see you do not have the standard fee. If you have any information pertaining the magic circle I would trade for it though.”
He did indeed have information about it and they both came to an agreement they would trade information. Afterwards she explained to Henkel that to use this particular magic circle to summon he would have to first know a certain skill and she would be happy to teach it to him if he chose to change into the summoner class.
Class Change!
You can convert to the secret class Inscription Summoner. You can learn skills not available to the ordinary Summoner class and as you gain fame the class will be made accessible to all players.
Do you want to convert to Inscription Summoner?
***
“I'm happy to be able to share my food with someone so kind to animals like you.”
“I wouldn't say I'm a big animal lover it is just that I don't like seeing someone I care about get hurt or pass away.”
“Yeah that is a big fault that disqualifies you from being a Tamer. As a Tamer you must see Life and Death as something natural or you won't be able to bring out the best abilities in your tamed creatures.”
Henkel and Hyt'r sat together after having eaten dinner and were drinking tea that Henkel brought with him. Hyt'r was talking about what being a Tamer was all about and how hiring dogs to mercenaries and knights worked. It was an interesting fact that you could hire pets to help you hunt but the drawback was that if the pet you hired died you would need to pay compensation and your Infamy rose. If you continued to hire help and they died you would earn the title of Animal Abuser. With such a title female NPC and children would not give you any quests and you would have problem buying things as your infamy was high.
“If you ever want some help I'd be happy to bend the rules for you and let you hire some of my dogs. I feel if they worked together with you they will return stronger and won't experience any fatal injuries.”
“I appreciate it and I would be happy to take you up on your offer in the future.”
“Say Henkel.”
“Yes Hyt'r?”
“I feel as if you are destined to turn into someone that takes care of others. Have you thought of being a Mercenary or Knight? They both lead a band of people and I think anyone would let you lead them into battle.”
“I don't know yet but a Knight is certainly appealing. Though I don't know if I would be able to handle nobles and politics.”
“So you'd rather live a Vagabond lifestyle? Then being a Summoner would fit you. If you master your class you would be able to direct a small army of creatures with no fear of them dying.”
“Haha. Yes that would be something wouldn't it? Well I'm not sure yet, I quite like the endless choices I have right now.”
This was the conversation Henkel had with the Beast Tamer Hyt'r after declining the class change to Tamer. At that time Henkel hadn't yet experienced enough of playing casually. Taking each day as it came was something he had been doing for a very long time before playing RR, even before his arthritis. There was nothing in Henkel's life that urged him on, he had lost his family in his thirties and been very lethargic. With time and the help of a new friendship he formed with Camilla he got through the difficult times. He had let his ordinary life affect his new life in RR but that was about to change as he forged new friendships with players and NPC. Many different situations occurred around the people he knew and Henkel was ultimately dragged in to them.
Which marks the start of his new beginning.
***
“To help my friends, I agree.”
Henkel's surroundings suddenly swirled and a whirlpool of different colours appeared before his eyes and one by one the colours mixed together until only one colour was left. Black. Darkness was everything Henkel could see and silence was everything Henkel could hear. Henkel felt as if he floated in space and he was wondering if the machine had suddenly broke down. But before his eyes lightning struck. From the place it struck a fire began to spread in two opposite directions and it curved until a circle twice Henkel's height had formed. When the fires connected they spread like lightning in many different shapes sizes, the spectacle only took a few seconds but to Henkel everything felt as if it was taking place in slow motion. The fires had shaped a huge magic circle which proceeded to multiply into two mirror images, they then decreased in size until they were small enough to fit in Henkel's palm. As if it knew what Henkel was thinking the magic circles flew onto his hands and left their mark there.
The surroundings came back and his stat window had popped up with the new profession in fire red colour.
NameHenkelAlignmentNeutralLevel1ProfessionInscription SumonerTitleNoneFame40Health100Mana250 + 50Strength10Agility10Vitality10Stamina10 + 10Wisdom15 + 20Intellect15 + 20Charisma91 + 10Leadership40 + 10Luck0Concentration0 + 50Maintenance1Attack3Defence0Magic ResistanceFire0%Earth0%Water0%Black Magic0%+ new stat: Concentration
+ new stat: Maintenance
+ new skill: Summoning Mastery Beginner Level 1 (0%)
+ new skill: Inscription Mastery Beginner Level 1 (0%)+ Enables you to equip certain items specialized for the class
+ Enables you to learn all Magician skills to Intermediate Level 1
+ Enables you to learn special skills based on your Inscription Mastery+ 50 to Concentration
+ 10 to Charisma, Leadership, Stamina
+ 20 to Wisdom and Intelligence
+ 20% Mana
“Congratulations Sir Henkel you are now the proud pioneer of Inscription Summoning.”
“Pioneer. Is this not the normal Summoner class?”
“Do you wish to counsel me on your class? The first time is free of charge so please think carefully what questions you ask.”
“Ehm. Let me think for a moment.”
Henkel looked at his stat window and examined them carefully. There were two new stats he had never heard of before: Concentration and Maintenance. He asked out loud for the details of these two stats and two separate windows popped up with a brief explanation of both stats.
Concentration affects spell casting and skills that need a high level of focus.
Maintenance affects how many Summoned creatures you can have in the physical world.
“This really is brief, I don't think it's enough information. I would like it if you explained more about my class to me.”