Excerpt from Ranks and Levels, Historian Del Antrim, London
-begin excerpt-
The System has imposed a new order upon the world. This order is based on a sequence of ranks. Each rank is an exponential level of disparity in measured ability and potential. These ranks are known to measure the value of one’s capability within their ‘Species’ and the group of rewards given by one’s ‘Occupations’. Occupations can gain levels with the expenditure of ‘Experience’.
The primary ranks from least to greatest are; Basic, F, E, D, C, B, A.
Regarding one’s Species, this measures one’s potential for growth and a baseline of ability. Using Humans as a primary example, a Basic ranked Human is the average everyday human. Several easily measurable differences exist when a person advances their species rank to F. For example: if the lifting capacity for an average human is 200lbs, then an F-rank is 800lbs, and an E-rank is 1800lbs. This is pure, unmodified strength, not adjusted for accumulated attributes, special abilities, or other factors.
Occupations are a massive modifier regarding the ranks and attributes one can achieve. These occupations are ranked the same way as species from Basic to A. The amount of attribute points one receives when leveling in an occupation depends on the occupation’s rank. Basic occupations only give a 3 per level increase, while F-rank gives 10. I, myself, can attest that a D-rank individual gains fifty (50) attribute points per level.
Attributes are known to give an approximate 0.5% increase in the overall capacity of a given feature. Using the example above, a Basic Ranked Human with a 10 in Strength could lift 205lbs. An E-rank with a Strength of 100 could lift 2700lbs.
-end excerpt-
***
I tabbed over to the Abilities tab and examined the information there.
Abilities:
Regeneration (Minor)
Cost: Time
Duration: Continuous
Regenerate physical damage at a rate ten times faster than a creature without regeneration.
Note: Allows for regrowth of lost limbs
Vibration Sense (Minor)
Cost: None
Duration: Continuous
Gain the ability to sense the vibrations conducted through assorted mediums to a greater extent than simple hearing and touch sense.
Vibration Control (Greater)
Cost: Varies based on the skill used
Duration: Varies based on the skill used
Gain the ability to vibrate self and touched objects to a variety of effects depending on the skill used.
Note: Vibration Control is disrupted by high-phase energy
Skills Known:
Phasing (Cost: Varies)
Allows the user to pass through physical objects. The user can carry any objects touched for an increased stamina cost.
*New Skill available
Advanced Interface (Lesser)
Cost: None
Duration: Continuous
Access Limited System information when examining the world. Gain access to the minimap.
Activate minimap? [Y/N]
Two things jumped out at me when I read this page. For the first one, I simply clicked to activate. My minimap. In my mind’s eye, I could see an area about a quarter of a mile across. Inside that area, I could sense the passageways, shafts, and things moving about within the region. Name tags popped up, marking these individuals if I knew them. I could feel Tukey in his workshop and Lina puttering around in the kitchen. Everything else was labeled with [unknown].
As I examined this, something odd happened. A new notification pinged, and I checked it.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE: Ability overlap detected.
Merging abilities.
Ability Vibration Sense (Minor) upgraded to Vibrational Sense (Mid)
Additional data will be displayed on the minimap.]
Then my map flashed and refined in detail. Things close to me became more defined, I could sense more stuff with my Vibration Sense, and that information was echoed onto my minimap. It wasn’t some kind of all-around vision; I had to focus on getting more detail beyond a vague sense. But now more names popped up on my minimap. I knew the step pattern for Davon and what her heart sounded like. Her dot acquired a name. Carla and the other neighbors all got named on my map. I sat there for a moment, taking it all in. I could feel the minuscule sounds of my own movements bouncing around the room I was in and painting the surfaces in reflected sound.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
Opening my eyes excitedly, I took a breath and looked at the other thing that had gotten my attention.
Vibration Control (Greater)
…
*New Skills available
-Please select one additional skill
1. Vibrating Striking (Cost: Varies, Damage: Moderate)
Allows a user to vibrate at a wavelength slightly out of phase with reality. Objects vibrating at this wavelength will disrupt matter vibrating at other wavelengths. This disruption causes moderate damage to both objects. User may imbue this partially phased state to an object worn or touched.
2. Partial Phasing (Cost: Varies)
Allows the user to incompletely phase individual parts of their body instead of the whole.
3. Reactive Phase (Cost: Moderate)
Allows a user to phase reactively to incoming danger. This version of phasing is of very short duration and instant activation.
4. Phased Movement (Cost: Low)
Allows a user to move through objects in a phased state. Allows for three- dimensions of movement as long as the matter being phased through is as dense or denser than the user.
Note: Does not include life support function
I read the skill selections. Each was a powerful addition to my skill set. They all were incredibly useful. The first seemed like a powerful attack option. I wonder what the disruption part of that meant. Would something I hit explode?
The third option was a solid defensive option; phasing through incoming bullets would be a game changer. Right now, I had to focus all of my will to change into my phased state quickly. Then it still took half a second or more. Not viable for not being shot. The cost might be an issue, however. How many stamina points equate to Moderate cost?
The second and fourth options were excellent utility skills. Reaching through a wall and touching something on the other side without coming entirely through the wall could be a game changer--if I wanted to be a thief of some sort. And the Phased Movement, would that be some sort of ground swimming thing? Or could I fly up the inside of a building’s walls? I understood the no life support thing. I already had to hold my breath when passing through walls.
I dithered and went rounds with myself and finally settled on option 1. I needed to be able to defend myself instead of just running away. This was the option specifically suited to that. I’ll need to test that out later.
The skill flashed, and the power now read.
Vibration Control (Greater)
Cost: Varies based on the skill used
Duration: Varies based on the skill used
Gain the ability to vibrate self and touched objects to a variety of effects depending on the skill used.
Note: Vibration Control is disrupted by high-phase energy
Skills Known:
1. Phasing (Cost: Varies)
Allows the user to pass through physical objects. The user can carry any objects touched for an increased stamina cost.
2. Vibrating Striking (Cost: Varies, Damage: Moderate)
Allows a user to vibrate at a wavelength slightly out of phase with reality. Objects vibrating at this wavelength will disrupt matter vibrating at other wavelengths. This disruption causes moderate damage to both objects. User may imbue this partially phased state to an object worn or touched. Damage increases based on Strength.
Now I need a sword! That would be awesome. I wondered if it would make vroom-vroom noises as I swung it around. Interesting that the additional line about being modified by my strength was added.
Lastly, I’ll check out the quest tab before I get back to ruminating on how to spend my experience. That is still percolating in my head.
The quest tab has three quests now.
[New Quests Available]
1. Species Advancement [Locked]
2. Occupation Advancement.
Advance any Occupation to level 10
Reward: Advance Occupation Rank, Occupation Specialization, Experience
Penalty: None
3. Unlock Species Advancement
Advance any combination of Occupation levels to 25
Reward: Unlock Species Advancement Quest, Experience
Penalty: None
Well, really, only two quests and both of them were related to my occupation or occupations.
That led me back to the occupation selection tab. A little math told me that I couldn’t afford to buy all three. I could buy one additional or try to sink it all into my Survivor occupation. Tukey had taught us about how experience worked for him.
The experience was a System reward for actions, commonly for fighting, surviving, and crafting. The System wanted you to gain power. It wanted you to do so in ways that you could achieve, but it was also a hardship. Greater risk equals greater rewards. Increasing your level increases the cost of the next level.
So back to occupations. I realized that adding a second occupation was the best way to go if I wanted to unlock my species’ advancement quest and gain more power swiftly. It would slow the Occupation Advancement quest, but I had to choose a path forward. I could focus on one or work on two or more for a bigger spread of awards. I decided that two occupations were the way to go for now.
There was only one choice here. While I like engineering and making stuff, it wasn’t a passion of mine. Going out in the world and doing dangerous shit, that was exciting. I spent the first 5000 experience on purchasing the Explorer occupation.
I felt a minor shift in my awareness. There were areas on my new-fangled minimap that changed. These gained a shading in my awareness, a fog of war, so to speak. I took a moment and examined these areas and understood just what they were. Unexplored areas, places I haven’t been.
The apartment of Dani the Demon, asshole supreme two doors down, was shaded. I’d never even seen the inside from the doorway. With my vibration sense and minimap functions, I could see its layout and the presence of four people within, but that didn’t count as explored. Most of the building was shaded like this. Huh. I should explore more. I hope it gives good experience.
I quickly spent the 1000 exp to get it to level one and felt another shift and notification.
[Ding! Explorer Occupation has leveled up. Current level 1]
[Attributes allocated, three free attribute points to distribute]
I felt a tiny bit sharper, a minuscule bit faster already. Attribute bumps were great. I pumped another 2000 experience into a level each of Explorer and Survivor. I felt the attributes slide in and grinned. I had 2342 experience left, but level 3 cost 3000 experience. I checked my stats and thought about how to allocate my free points.
Name: Izack Hopper
Species: Human, Variant (E)
Occupation: Survivor (F) Level: 2 / Explorer (F) Level: 2
Basic Statistics
Strength: 20
Toughness: 26
Dexterity: 28
Agility: 28
Intellect: 23
Cleverness: 31
Perception: 24
Presence: 18
Derived Statistics
Quickness: 29
Resistance: 22
Consumables
Willpower: 223/223
Health: 230/230
Stamina: 260/260
I thought about it for a moment and added two points to presence. I hated that it was below 20 for some reason. Then five points into strength, my new skill was based on strength, and the last 3 I held onto. I might need a boost later. Besides, I didn’t quite know the full extent of what the stats each covered.
Satisfied with the amount of progress from simply advancing my species. I was excited for the next thing. I stood up off the edge of my bed and almost fell over. I had launched myself a foot across the floor, but I didn’t lose my balance. My new stats! Of course, getting used to being 2.5x as strong as before would take a little bit. If that’s how that works. I’m not sure. I turned and caught myself in the mirror.
WHOAH! Who the fuck is that? Oh, wait, it’s me. Hehe. I guess gaining a few levels and a bunch of attributes makes you hot. Damn, I’m ripped. Holy shit, a six-pack!? Oh yes, game on now, boys.