Archimedes blinked down at the younger girl before glancing around for whomever she was talking to.
“I’m talking to you, Master.”
“Okay time out.” The young man rubbed his forehead, which was weird because he technically didn’t have a body. “What do you mean…? Ya know what, never mind. I heard you the first time. More intelligent question… who are you?”
The girl smiled and curtsied, the edges of her dress shimmering and her pigtails bouncing. “I am the consciousness within the Beryl Tetrahedron of the Talis Mundi.”
“So many questions. What the heck is the Talis Mundi?”
The girl turned and pointed at the glowing green pyramid on the megalith. “The Talis Mundi. A series of gems cut with sacred geometry and enchanted by the Lord of Controlled Chaos.”
Archimedes frowned up at the structure. “… You mean the dice?”
“They resemble dice, to you, yes.”
“Okay… Next Question: Where am I?”
The girl gestured to the mist scape around them. “This is a trans-dimensional space that acts as a bridge between the Talis Mundi and your subconscious. Think of it as a dream-scape.”
Understood some of those words. “Okay… back to the beginning again… Why am I now your… Master?” It felt so weird to say that out loud. “And what should I call you? What’s your name?”
“I am Beryl Tetrahedron. You may name me whatever you wish, as you are our Master.”
“I think Beryl is fine. Less confuse… What what do you mean our?”
“You had a Talis Mundi before you rescued me.” Beryl raised a hand and pointed at the shape at the base of the megalith. It glowed a steady white and now that he looked at it again, it vaguely resembled a d20. The carving flashed and suddenly there was a large version of the die he’d picked up weeks ago floating in front of him. It looked roughly the size of a basketball, but it was unmistakably the same die.
“Crystal Icosahedron.” Beryl said, also looking up at the floating shape between them. “Although the aura is weak. Functioning at 35% normal arcane coalescence.” Archimedes frowned. “Is that why she hasn’t… well, spoken to me before?”
“Perhaps. Since releasing me and connecting to the Astral Chain, base power from this Artifact has raised from 29% to 35%. Perhaps returning the Crystal Icosahedron to full power will prompt her to… Speak up.”
Archimedes scratched his ethereal cheek for a moment in thought. “So… if you and the d20 are both magic dice then… what can you do?”
“I know things.”
“That’s super vague.”
“Clarification. My function is the ability to scan things in the observable visual spectrum and provide you with information pertaining to the subject. I believe you would call it…” The girl tilted her head, thinking for a moment. “Googling it.”
Archimedes didn’t have a response. That was extremely useful. “I… guess that’s everything. How do I-”
“- go back?” Archimedes blinked, looking around at the sands he was still kneeling in. In his hands he saw the dagger he had been examining, and the green gem that was set into the hilt was now separated and in his other hand. He examined the gem, the four-sided shape glimmering in the firelight. Archimedes could almost feel the green haired girl smiling up at him.
He quickly made his way back to Gethra, pulling the sword behind him. The healer was just pulling their hands away, the wounds closing and knitting themselves back together. “How are you feeling?” he asked as Gethra took the sword from him, using it like a staff to stand with. The orc rolled her shoulder and neck, generating a loud and messy popping sound. “Haven’t been knocked around in a long time, almost forgot what it was like.” She grinned, looking down at Archimedes.
“Although thanks to that little display back there,” Archimedes’ face turned red “a LOT of the caravan is now thoroughly intimidated by you. And they have graciously offered us one of the other wagons to use. How’d you know to do that anyhow?”
The young man shrugged as they made their way to their new cart. “I didn’t. I was panicking the whole way through. I just figured I was their target, and if I could distract them you could get a good hit in.”
The two loaded up, and with their new wagon being pulled by Betsy and the newly christened chikatrice Blue, the caravan continued towards the capitol. The Caravan leader later approached them, and in no uncertain terms had requested they take the wagon and leave, as he didn’t want any other freakish attacks to happen. Archimedes assured him that nothing of the sort was likely to happen, and then doubly assured him by offering the sack of gold coins that had been on the draconoid. The Caravan Leader was far more reasonable after that. When Gethra asked why he didn’t simply intimidate him with his very effecting menacing aura, Archimedes shrugged. “There’s no point in trying to fix a problem with a hammer when a spoon can get the same job done, and with less hassle.”
Archimedes had also been enjoying the use of Beryl. The d4 seemed to know basic information on everything. Any time he rolled the die, he would hear anything from a short blurb to a detailed description, depending on what number he rolled.
Something else had accord to him. With the existence of Beryl, and seeing the megalith, he felt it same to assume that there was full set of dice. A seven piece polyhedral set of magic world influencing dice. And maybe it was the call to adventure; maybe it was his OCD side kicking in. Maybe it was the collector inside of him that couldn’t stand something being incomplete. Now he had a mission. Archimedes would find all of the dice, one way or another.
The majority of the trip had gone by without much incident. Camping was becoming routine, Archimedes had become accustom to the cold, and sleeping during the day was much easier to do now. However eventually, a conversation was started that he’d known he would have to discuss.
“So what’s with that shiny rock you keep messing with?”
Archimedes knew better than to try to lie or avert the subject. Gethra would always cross her arms and give this him stern disapproving look that made him squirm.
“Okay… you know how I said I was from someplace else?” Archimedes said, sitting near the campfire by the parked wagon. Gethra had stuck her sword in the ground and was using the flat of it as a backrest. She nodded.
“Well, before I came here I was someplace else. Some dragon’s cave.” Gethra raised an eyebrow but didn’t speak, prompting him to continue. “Well, I wake up there, and soon after the dragon shows up. Talks to me for a few minutes before saying he was going to kill me. And…” Archimedes shrugged and held out the d20. “This… saved me. Right as the dragon was going to eat me alive this die glowed and… Well I think his firebreath got reflected back inside of him. I’m still not sure what exactly happened.”
Gethra pushed her hair back, looking at the tiny crystal. “That is the craziest case of bad luck I’ve ever heard of. And I’ve heard some doozies. So what, this rock makes bad things happen?”
“Not explicitly. It’s more of a modifier. If the number I roll is high, whatever action someone is performing that I’m focusing on has a better chance at success. Same with low numbers and failure.”
“I see…” Even by the tone in her voice, Archimedes knew she didn’t totally understand. Or believe him. “With something like that I’d think you’d be unstoppable. Just make yourself always succeed.”
“Yeah, weird thing. It doesn’t work on things I’m doing. It only effects… well things around me. I’d rather not leave someone’s attack on me up to a roll of the dice. Pun very much intended.”
“What about the other one?” Gethra pointed at the smaller green die. “You pulled that from the bat right?” Archimedes nodded. “Yeah, this one lets me find stuff out about things.”
“That’s very vague.”
“That’s what I said. Uh…” Archimedes took the dagger he’d lifted from Xybrithe and picked up the d4. He rolled it while looking at the dagger, and in front of his eyes, he could see words starting to form.
{4} [Seer’s Talon - UnEmpowered. A dagger made by the weapon smiths of Cragrok Canyon. The blade is made of razor sharp platinum, and is enchanted for durability. Has a slot for a gem in the hilt. Damage Type: Slashing]
Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.
Well this was certainly interesting. “This dagger was called the Seer’s Talon, and apparently it’s made of platinum and is magical.” Gethra whistled. “If you don’t plan on using it you might want to sell. Plat is very rare and very valuable to mages, so I hear. What else can the rock do?”
“Well I’d need to scan something else…” He looked around for a moment for something to scan, and Gethra waved at his face. “Do me.”
“What?”
“You said the green rock helps you know things. What do you see when you use it on me?”
He hadn’t thought about using it on a living person but it made sense it would work the same. “I mean if you’re sure.” The orc leaned forwards, a big curious smile on her face. Archimedes shrugged and looked at her as he rolled the dice. The words began to form before his eyes next to his visual of Gethra.
{2} [Name: Gethra Shatterjaw, Shatterjaw Clan]
[Class: Mercenary - Level 9]
[Hometown: Uldymire Hill]
“Well that’s altogether unhelpful.” The human said huffing a little bit. Gethra motioned for him to continue and he shrugged. “Well you’re from the Shatterjaw Clan, which, given your last name is not that hard to figure out. Apparently, you’re a mercenary and… well without an upper limit I can’t tell how experienced you are in that regard. I’m gonna go with very experienced.” Gethra laughed. “Anything else or did you get hustled?”
“Um… your hometown was a place called Uldymire Hill?”
Gethra’s expression changed. She looked at him, then at the green die on the ground between them. She was silent for a moment, rubbing a scar on her cheek absentmindedly. “I take back what I said pup. I believe your shiny rocks may be the real deal after all.”
Archimedes frowned and tilted his head to the side. “Is… Something wrong? Where is Uldymire Hill?”
The orc woman let out a sigh and looked up at the darkened sky. “Nowhere, not any more. Uldymire Hill was a place far to the east, home of many Orc clans and was the largest settlement for my people in Dunesia.” Her voice had become soft, as if she was recalling a memory. “It was a harsh place, but it was home. Born there, raised to fight there. Raised a family there…” Her hand touched a leather strap on her belt, her thumb slowly running over the letters carved into the surface. “Some years ago, the clans were scattered when the village was attacked by dune giants. I was in a hunting party at the time, probably the only reason why I wasn’t killed. I lost my mate and our three young ones…”
Gethra let out a sigh, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand. Her rougher, jaunty attitude had returned as she gave him a smile. “Anyhow, I’m very impressed. That trinket of yours is certainly something.” Archimedes was quiet for a long while, watching his friend’s expression. “Geth?”
“Yes pup?”
“Could you tell me more? About Uldymire Hill? If you feel like it, I mean…”
The tension in the warrior’s shoulders loosened. She smiled, pushing her hair out of her face and nodded to the younger man. “Of course. I’d be happy to.” They both settled in, Gethra looking back up into the sky. There were no tears, but the light that shined in her eyes spoke of years of emotion she’d never been able to talk about. “Well… where to begin… I was born in one of the caves, during a sandstorm. That’s where I got my name actually. The Winds of Sand, or Gethra…”
Their journey concluded with the duo arriving one evening in the Capitol City Purzia. The previous city was nothing in comparison on size alone. While Selosako had been a large town inside a wall, Purzia was a giant city behind a mountain. Massive walls of bleached white sandstone rose from the dunes, with beautifully intricate carvings etched into the surface. Even from a mile away, Archimedes could see the images of royalty on thrones, of giants above mountains, and of guardian beasts between the giants and the people. Two black obelisks stood as a gateway to the Capitol; far enough apart that four wagons could easily pass through without issue.
As the caravan drew closer, Archimedes could see that the obelisks were covered in sigils and writing, reminding him of hieroglyphics but mixed with words he could understand. He made out what he assumed was names, and then it clicked. These must have been the previous nobility of Purzia, and from the looks of it, the lineage went back for quite a ways.
Upon passing through the open archway, Archimedes felt like he had been taken back to Ancient Egypt. The city around him looked, sounded, and smelt like an exotic desert experience. Torches on the end of poles stuck in the ground illuminated the road. Large and stocky palm trees were numerous in the area, and the inner builds were made of wood and sandy brick. The sounds of revelry could be heard in the distance as a gathering of musicians played on drums and brass. Children could be seen watching from homes as the caravan made its way through the city, headed for the final stop on the journey. In the far distance, even at night, Archimedes could see a massive pyramid rising from the center of town.
The caravan stopped at an inn called the Pharaoh’s Rest and after saying goodbye to Betsy and Blue, Archimedes joined Gethra inside. The tavern was loud and the wine was flowing, and though the human did not partake, he couldn’t help but get swept up in it all. People were talking about how they were attacked by a dragon; he must have heard three different times that the beast was three different sizes. Some person said that HE actually defeated the beast; another said it took the entire caravan to stand up to it. Such was the way of travelers, Archimedes mused to himself. Gethra was halfway through her forth cup when he dismissed himself. She waved him off with a smile, talking and joking with some of the other patrons in the room.
The young man headed to their room, the sounds of downstairs only so muffled. Letting out a sigh he pulled his satchel off his shoulder and tossed it on his bed, flopping down and groaning. He winced slightly as he felt a sharp pain in his side, then he dug out the gem colored die. Archimedes held the d4 in his fingers, looking up at in from his spot on the bed. Knowledge was power. And knowing stuff before anyone else was advantage a lot of people would kill for. That power was literally in his hands, and he didn't know what to do with it.
"C'est la vie." he muttered, rolling over and picking up his satchel. He'd never really gotten the chance to look at the stuff he lifted from the dragon's cave, maybe there was more to it than he realized. Emptying out the contents on the bed, he took stock of his plunder. Sans the gold, there were the two books, a rolled up scroll, what looked like a mug or a tankard, a crystal, the vials he’d gotten from Xybrithe, and the key.
The books turned out to be fairly mundane, one being an encyclopedia of herbs and plants, the other being a collection of war poetry by some long dead general. The vials were a healing potion and some sort of poison, both of which he was very glad Xybrithe hadn’t had the chance to use. The mug however was very interesting. If you filled it with a liquid, the cup would never spill or run out of said liquid. The only way to stop it was to wipe the inside out. Tucking the mug away and hoping he’d one day find coffee, Archimedes picked up the scroll and rolled the d4.
{4} [The Concession of Thadeus Glyde: Artifact. When shown to an unknowing individual, the scroll appears to be documentation proving that the owner is who they say they are. Not effective against constructs, espers, or seers.]
"Interesting. Might have a use for that later." Archimedes next picked up the crystal. It was smooth and cold to the touch, pure white but had a soft purple glow about it. It was also very light. He let the d4 clatter and observed the information as it was given to him.
{2} [Xynthium Crystal. A rare element sought after by mages and enchanters. Has the unique property of acting as a super-conductor for spells and magical effects.]
Archimedes let out a low whistle turning the crystal over in his hand. Something like this could certainly come in handy. "Exactly how much of a superconductor are we talking about here?"
There was a brief pause.
[... Based off the amount of Xynthium here, a simple spell to light a candle would be charged to the point of turning granite into magma.]
Archimedes carefully put the crystal back in the bag, promising himself that he would find a careful and secure place to keep it later. Finally, he looked at the key. He didn't expect much, maybe where it was made or the lock that it went to. However, there seemed to be no real limit on how often he could probe for information, so why not? Setting the key down he rolled the d4.
{2} [Dungeon Key: Artifact. Used on Rift Gates to summon an extradimensional labyrinth. Can also be used to open a pathway to a predetermined location.]
“Whoa whoa whoa, time out.” The young man sat up looking at the key with a newfound interest. The entire key look like it had been carved from some sort of brown grey rock. The stem and teeth of the key was one solid piece that looked like it had been cut and polished over a long period of time. The bow of the key was more akin to a carving of a wing, and there was a silver looking gem embedded in the center of it. Outside of looking like a fantasy key, it didn't really look all that special. Certainly nothing like what was described to him.
"What can you tell me about Dimension Rifts? Or Rift Gates? Whatever they were called."
[I cannot.]
The heck? "What do you mean you can't?" He said, looking at the die in his hand in confusion.
[My primary function allows me to know information to anything that is observed. However, I have to observe them.] Archimedes could almost see Beryl shrugging. He let out a sigh. "So in order for you to use your power, I have to physically see what I want to know about?"
[That is correct.]
He ran a hand through his hair, looking back at the key. "I guess at this point I need to start taking notes. There's no way I'm going to remember everything that you tell me."
[That I can help with.]
Archimedes watched as a book suddenly materialized in front of him. The cover was a glossy black leather, with the spine trimmed with silver. In the center was a green beryl gem that look almost identical to the d4 in his hand. The book open before him, and on its pages was a fine sketch of the key. Below the sketch was all the information that Beryl had told him.
[This is my functional form, Librum Infinite. I will catalog everything that you discover in these pages. If you ever need to know anything from it, I can easily grant that to you.]
“Thank you…” setting the key down he looked at his new worldly possessions. It wasn’t much but at the same time, it was a crazy amount. He wouldn’t have to sell any of it for a while, assuming his gold didn’t run out. That being said, he needed to figure out his next move. He wanted to find the other dice and add them to his collection, and see what they could do. If being able to alter probability and knowing anything just by looking at it were possible, the thought of what other cosmic level powers the other dice could have was terrifying and exhilarating. Archimedes packed up his belongings and put them back in the bag, before stretching out and settling in for the night.
“Beryl?” he asked aloud.
[Yes, Master?]
“Why is it that I can use your power?” He paused for a moment, and got no response. “I can’t use magic. I can’t use magical items as far as I’m aware. But the d20… Crystal, she helped me. And when I use your die, you still show me information. Why is that?”
There was another long pause, before Archimedes felt a presence in his mind. It was as if Beryl, in her human form, was leaning against his bed, very close.
[I cannot speak for Crystal. But… You saved me. And I know when you try to use my power, so I allow it. I cannot sense magic from you, but I can still perform my primary functions.]
The young man smiled and let out a sigh. “Well… thank you. It means a lot.” He felt a smile come from her, as the presence faded.
[Thank you, Master.]