I let out a groan as, after what felt like several days, the torment finally ended. There was light pressing against my eyes and heat emanating from either side of me, in small clusters. Groggily I opened my eyes, silently wishing for a few more minutes of sleep. I winced as the bright sun battered my eyes and turned my head to the side. Squinting I saw four familiar figures standing in a semicircle around me. It took a few blinks of watery eyes to be able to see clearly. As I sat up my body, which I had expected to feel sore and exhausted, felt fine. I automatically pet the foxes at my side, not looking down at them as I ran my fingers through their fur.
My immediate concern was of the smell that surrounded me. I smelled of iron and ammonia, sewage too. I couldn’t blame myself too much for it, the night or nights had been intense. It took my disoriented mind quite a bit longer than I’m proud of before I said, in a raspy dehydrated voice, “Where the fuck is my tent?”
Liana, who was looking at me with concern, stifled a giggle. The others’ expressions were hard to pin down. Amelia gave me the same half grin she always did, but her eyes were narrowed and I intuited that she was keeping me at arms length. Adrien was harder still to read. The only feeling that I got from him was that he was pissed. Elric was a blank slate, unreadable. I had always known the goofy man was likely more stoic at times, but had yet to witness it. The man had, so far, smiled and laughed about most of everything, aside from my goblin camp test. He had, in afterthought, been upset then but I still felt it was in part an act. The foxes were still curled up and asleep.
“So uh... Actually though, where is my tent?” I asked again after a minute long silence. “And is there somewhere nearby to take a bath?”
Adrien shared a glance with Liana who, after he nodded, raised a hand at me. I waited for a moment as she muttered something and was suddenly lifted by and assaulted by water. As it passed over my mouth I discovered it was fresh water. It pulled away anything... less than pleasant that had coated my body. As the water turned a deep brownish red, the shade of dried blood, the blood emulsified in the water and so did everything else, until it was disposed of a few yards beyond the treeline. I needed to learn a self cleaning spell. My enchanted clothes did quite a bit of work but could only clean themselves. Plus it was still repairing itself, from something.
“Thanks, Liana!” I shot her a big smile trying to hide the nerves I was feeling. Clearly something had happened, big enough for them to mostly just stare at me. I was getting ready to speak again when I felt the bundles of fur stir next to me. Evidently Liana had washed them as well. I could feel Lukas' discontentment from being soaked.
I was set on my feet, shocked that my legs weren't shaking. My companions, for they truly were now, sent me thoughts of confusion and a touch of irritation at being woken with water. Neither was a fan of swimming, and always argued with me when I tried giving them baths. They would eventually relent but it was always a battle.
I was shocked at the ability to feel their emotions through their connection, but elected to explore that further after figuring out why Adrien was glaring at them next to a seemingly impassive but imposing Elric. I looked at the leader of their merry band and frowned. “So whats going on, you all, save for Liana, look like you’re about ready to fight me. Elric I would expect to look at me like that but the rest of you... Can you just tell me whats going on?”
“You don’t know?” Adrien finally spoke. It was the second time I noticed him speaking without an accent. I filed that away but didn’t comment on it. I started a silent mental checklist over my body, flexing various muscles under the loose and flowy fabric.
“I don’t. So, are you going to explain or just keep staring at me?” I was starting to grow frustrated. To keep myself reigned in I looked for my armor, and for the first time noticed that where my tent had once been, where I was standing, was a small scorched crater. My eyes widened and I turned in a half circle, noticing the tent was wrapped up in tree branches, frayed and with a massive hole in the top. I groaned. It took another second of searching to find my armor, which was mostly intact aside from a few singes. Those would heal over time once I fed mana into the repair runes. Satisfied I turned back to the group who looked like they were deciding what to say.
“Lets start with a question -how were you able to invoke an Ordeal?” Elric, growing impatient it seemed, started the conversation.
“Ordeal? No clue what youre talking about.” I had an inkling that the pain I felt wasn’t normal. It definitely had something to do with whatever the seed was that Miamora had injected him with. I wasn’t sure how proprietary the information of a seed could be and I hesitated. Part of me wanted to use this group of clearly experienced adventurer’s as a backboard to bounce thoughts off of. I wasn’t sure yet whether I could trust them with the various unusual circumstances I kept finding myself in. I had a feeling if I mentioned the seed I’d only open them up to more questions.
“Yes, Ordeal. Or Tribulation, Trial, Heaven's Judgment, there are many names for it. How did you trigger it? What did your system say?” Elric stepped forward and sighed a touch, seeing the confusion in my eyes. “I can see you know something. Please, we are here to help.”
“Unfortunately I don’t know about these things youre talking about. I haven’t had time to check my notifications yet either. Why don’t we walk and talk?” I tried to distract them, if we were moving maybe they’d stop interrogating me. Or explain whatever Elric was bringing up.
“Alexilios, I apologize but we can’t do that until you explain yourself.” Adriens’ frown only deepened. I glanced to both Liana and Amelia for some support, then to Elric, but all three just gave a short nod as if they were agreeing with Adrien.
“Why? I didn’t do anything!” My frustration grew and I glowered at them. “I went to bed after enacting both my bond with Luka and Sky and entering my mindscape to choose a class. When I selected a class I blacked out then experienced a lot of pain for... well for a very long time. Other than that, nothing happened.”
Liana’s eyes flashed and her concerned motherly expression shifted to something... else. Perhaps she was good cop in this scenario. She shook her head when Adrien glanced in her direction. The man let out a heavy sigh and drew his sword.
“Lios, listen to me carefully. My job is to ensure the safety of my people. What happened last night was a very, and I emphasize, VERY odd occurrence. So odd, in fact, I briefly considered silencing the merchants we were traveling with so they couldn’t spread any rumors. This next part is important, Liana has a skill that allows her to glean enough information from someone else to pick up when they are lying or not entirely truthful with us. I suggest you answer our questions honestly and completely, else I be forced to protect my team.” The man took three steps towards me and raised his sword at me. His tattoos rippled and for the first time I had the feeling they were, at least somewhat, alive. I couldn’t help but gulp as a pressure surrounded me.
“So you’ll kill me if I don't tell you everything?” I stood my ground, glancing down at the foxes for the first time noticing the change in their furs. I growled at Adrien then the rest, perhaps my beast bond was making me give in more to my instincts. Waving away the passing thought I narrowed my eyes at them and drew my own sword. I knew it was a useless effort, that I couldn’t take a single one of them in combat. “I would ask you to put away your weapon unless you intend to use it, Adrien. I don’t know that I can answer everything... not unless you are able to make an oath with me.”
I resigned myself, if they could take an oath of secrecy I would tell them my story, if not I’d attempt to convince them to let me go off on my own at the next town so they weren’t put in danger. Truthfully, I would still try to avoid telling them as much as possible. I didn’t want too many people to know my origins, even if it didn’t elicit any sort of negative emotions from them. I watched as three of them turned to Liana who tilted her head at them. They whispered something to each other as a group before nodding. Adrien sheathed his sword.
“Aye, that we c’n do.” He slipped back into the accent but I could tell it was a bit forced after hearing him speak in the accent that was more natural to him. “Like Elric said we’re ‘ere ta ‘elp.” I simply nodded and sheathed my own sword.
“Okay, tell us the terms of this oath, Lios. I’ll cast a binding once you do so and we can get to the bottom of whatever happened last night.” Liana stepped forward, the kind concerned motherly look reappearing on her elven face.
“Fine. First, you can tell no one any of what I'm about to say. The only people you can speak to about this are the five of us. Second, there’s an amount that I am unwilling to share, none of you will press deeper once I tell you what I am comfortable parsing. Third, should any of you break your oaths you will be forced to sunder and restart your highest level class.” I challenged them each in turn, staring them down until they nodded.
“Damn, you’d have us sunder a class? This info must be pretty personal.” Amelia was the first to say anything. Her expression had shifted from one of minor hostility to amusement. There was a twinge of wariness in her as she nodded at Liana.
Sundering a skill was an already painful process. In short, a person's system given gifts such as classes and skills became woven into an individual's biology and soul. Sundering referred to the forced removal of a skill, or in this case a class. Any bonuses that came with it, any physical modifications, mental modifications were all forced out of the soul and body. I had only ever heard of classes being sundered by someone incredibly high leveled, or someone who had committed a crime. There were few skills that could forcibly do so, but an individual with enough will could do it themselves as well. Sundering their highest level class would be the most painful thing any of them could experience save for death. Well, maybe second most painful if they ever got a seed. Whatever a seed actually is.
Adrien took a few seconds to consider. Realistically the oath was incredibly simple. It only limited them to not spread any of what I was going to say. “The second clause. If I deem that not enough has been shared to satisfy my concerns you will need to share more. Also, no half truths or lies, you can only speak the truth.” He was back to speaking without his accent, instead of his words slurring minorly he was unusually articulate. Liana nudged him slightly.
This time, however, I let my curiosity win this time. “Why do you keep switching your accent? And, fine. If my initial explanation does not yield positive results I’ll share the rest. Else, I’ll share it when I’m comfortable doing so. Is that amenable?”
Adrien looked for a second like he wanted to say something but simply nodded, ignoring my question on his accent. Oh well, we all had our secrets, it wasn’t so surprising that he did as well. Liana waited for Elrics approval before casting the oath binding spell. I felt a bit of weight press against my chest until I willed it in, allowing it to take shape. The weight vanished once I accepted the oath. I resigned myself to ask Liana how to cast it, or to try to figure out an oath binding rune set. I felt a twinge of self doubt, that they would not accept my answers and at best force me to travel alone, at worst Adrien and Elric would defend their team against the newest threat that was evidently growing inside of me.
I winced slightly as some memories poured into my head without prompting, of moments of self doubt throughout my previous life. I had been depressed and anxious a lot in my early adult years, and despite living a very different life in Ravos I wasn’t able to completely shake the insecurities. I let some of the memories pass, knowing that by forcing them down they’d only return later in force, and pushed them aside.
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As my mind settled I saw the four of them staring at me as I still stood in the crater. I moved to the firepit where a few logs had been laid out the night before. Even these were moved a bit, making me wonder what exactly had happened while I was sleeping to have done so much damage. Now that I was looking, I noted that there was a redness on one of Elrics arms, and some hairs missing from Adriens forearms and eyebrows. Nothing more than that, from what I could see. Neither of the others looked similarly marred.
As they each took a seat and Adrien restarted the fire, Luka hopped up onto the log next to me. He was giving the evil eye to Adrien. Sky curled up on the ground at my feet, hastily falling back asleep. I pet Luka, thinking I was preventing him from hunting Adrien at least a little bit. It was odd, the differences in their fur. On top of the color change, Sky had become a touch smaller, lighter. Luka had the opposite change, he was larger, and felt a bit heavier though I couldn’t tell as he was still light. The size difference wasn’t drastic by any means, but noticeable to those who know to look for it.
“Any reason for me not to check my notifications before we go into storytime?” I asked them lackadaisically, even though my heart was racing. I didn’t think they’d harm me but those damn thoughts still flitted across my mind.
“Check em after.” Adrien waved a hand at me.
I didn't want to tell them everything, and intended to keep my story fairly short. “Fine. So, as mentioned before I entered my dreamscape to choose a class. I looked over the options and chose one, once I did though I blacked out and when I came to, likely only moments later, I was in a white room with another individual. I believe they are a god, but not of this world's pantheon. At that time I was barely able to maintain consciousness, I started to experience some incredible pain. I’d describe it but I dont think I'd be able to articulate it.” I paused for a moment, knowing that the thing about a god was not small. I tried to gauge their reactions but couldn’t tell what any of them were thinking.
Adrien had gone from barely restrained hostility to a blank, if not concerned, countenance. Amelia looked shocked and was not trying to hide it. Liana, well she hadn’t changed. She looked at me as though trying to make sure there was nothing wrong with me. If she was concerned by what I said, I couldn’t tell past her generally concerned demeanor. Elric was the one that shocked me the most. He had been stoic and unreadable throughout the conversations up until now, but after I mentioned a god outside of the pantheon he opened his mouth, closed it, opened it again before keeping it closed and steeling his mien. He took on his stoic and unreadable visage once again.
“The god named themselves Miamora, and told me they had implanted a Seed into my class. I don’t really know what it means, only that it would influence my class in some way.” I shrugged as I said it. I truly didn’t know but I didn’t mention the rest of what had happened. How the god had given me a single question, how they had laughed as I writhed. I didn’t want to bring into question my origin.
“How do you know that this god was from a different pantheon?” Liana finally asked when it became clear I was done telling my short story.
“I had never heard their name before. I know the names of all the gods of Ravos.” I tilted my head, trying to play it off like it should be common knowledge.
“Oh? And why do you know all of the gods? You don’t seem particularly devout nor does Arborton seem to have a religious presence.” Elric piped up this time, eyes narrowed a bit.
“There was only so much reading material in-” I let out a shriek as my chest tightened, the oath firing. The others looked at me with indignation, immediately catching on. After a few breaths I willed out a few words and the pain lessened and stopped. “Didn’t think that'd count... I can’t say why I read so deeply into the gods.”
Everyone was silent for a few minutes following that. Adrien spoke up after chewing on his cheek. “Why would a god, and especially a god from outside of our pantheon if such a thing exists, give you a seed?” He didn’t try to maintain the false accent now that I had called him out. I was glad for it, it had taken me a few extra seconds to translate him even though I had grown used to the northern accent by working closely with Derren.
“I don’t know. I can only speculate. Miamora wants to be entertained and finds... experimenting with mortals amusing. That’s my guess at this time.” I felt I was skirting the line of the truth. I truly had no clue why they had taken an interest in me specifically, but knew that they had left the seed when my soul was initially brought to this world. This time there was no pain from the oath.
“How did it change your class? What kind of seed was it? Your notifications will tell you.” The man's voice was gruff but he didn’t sound quite so frantic nor aggressive. I didn’t quite know which bit had placated him but I could tell that while he was no longer hostile, his mind was racing.
“Let me check them...” I said before I finally allowed them through.
Seed of Pandemonium fully integrated!
Your class [Wayfaring Smith] has been affected by the Seed of Pandemonium.
Your class [Wayfaring Smith] has evolved to [Wayfaring Smith of the Tumultuous Maelstrom]
Congratulations! You have received the rare class [Wayfaring Smith of the Tumultuous Maelstrom]
[Wayfaring Smith of the Tumultuous Maelstrom]
This class has been altered by a Seed of Pandemonium. thou hast wandered through worlds and seek adventure still. The world has many wonders and you intend to witness them all, insatiable and unyielding you wander and trade. You craft artifacts by way of the fade. Splinters of the maelstrom have penetrated your mind, ensuring each craft is one of a kind. Intended or not thine enchantments shant rot, but vary they will, for from within chaos spills. Muddy thine intent, and thine craft will face augment. Lost and solitary, a creator of weapons, condensing magic arbitrary, call upon the infinite maelstroms. Create, break, renew and make, shake the world with spear or sword.
The Wayfaring crafter is one who sees that which the world offers and makes from it wondrous crafts, the crafter of the maelstrom, similarly, crafts and creates but welcomes change and the worlds will in their .
Before looking into my new skills I looked at the group who were watching me curiously. “It was a seed of Pandemonium. It changed my class from [Wayfaring Smith] to [Wayfaring Smith of the Tumultuous Maelstrom]. I don't know yet what is different.”
“Well... Not trying to spook ya kid but that doesn't seem great...” Elric looked into the distance briefly. “Tumultuous is the part that screws a wrench into it. Go check your skills though. Perhaps we can figure something out from there.”
Liana walked over to me and put a hand on my shoulder. “We’ll help you through this. Can you show us the class description while you read your new skills?”
I glanced for a moment between her and the rest. I didn’t want to, this was my class that I had worked so hard to develop. Perhaps that was a childish notion but, the way I saw it these four strangers had just threatened me, cornered me even though I had done nothing wrong. “No. I’m sorry but even with the oath, at this point I don't feel comfortable sharing more. The only reason I've even said this much is because Adrien pressured me with his sword.” I crossed my arms with perhaps what would look like a moody harumph. As much as I wanted to trust these folks, I had only known them a few days and they weren’t exactly forthcoming with their own secrets either.
Liana pursed her lips and turned away. She seemed offended but I didn’t really care. Adrien blinked a few times before slowly nodding. “I s’pose that's fair...” He seemed like he had forgotten about it in the minutes we had been sitting.
“Now, how’s about we get going. And while we're at it you can tell me why you were freaked out enough to pull a sword on someone a quarter your level, maybe explain what a seed is?” I stood up and made to gather my things that had been scattered in the initial shockwave. “Also, why is my stuff all over the place? I still don’t know what the fuck even happened.”
Luka grumbled as I moved, he had been leaning against my leg. He and Sky followed after me as I started gathering my things. It took about fifteen minutes, during which the others were emphatically discussing something. Liana looked minorly furious while Elric and Amelia looked mildly frustrated but overall not involved. Adrien looked like he was getting scolded out, which judging from Liana's arms waving around, was likely what was happening. Without waiting for them I started walking following the cart path that the caravan had taken. I started looking at my skill notifications as I did.
Your general skill [Runesmithing] has been moved to your secondary class
Your general skill [Runeweaving] has been moved to your secondary class
Your general skill [Runic Inscribing] has been moved to your secondary class
The skill [Ephemeral Forge] is available for your class [Wayfaring Smith of the Tumultuous Maelstrom]
The skill [Maelstrom Modification] is available for your class...
The skill [Arcane Analysis] is available for your class...
[Ephemeral Forge]: A wandering forgemaster must have a wandering forge. This is a spacial storage skill in which you may store crafting materials, workstations, and tools related to forging and smithing. The amount you may store depends on the level of the skill. You may, rather than withdrawing the workstation, also summon a fully functioning apparition of the tools, workstations, and materials of your forge into the world when you desire to work on a project.
[Maelstrom Modification]: The tumult of the Maelstrom, the energy of the elements between all worlds, the vivacity of essence and mana lives within your core. The mana of the world heeds your call and beck. As you forge or craft a new item the Maelstrom within you will influence it. Each item you bring into the universe shall forever more be bestowed a boon by the Tumultuous Maelstrom. The maelstrom is chaos and bedlam, turbulence and turmoil. The weapons and armors created within it are either cursed or blessed, but all are powerful beyond their means. Good luck, and happy crafting. Perhaps you will be the one to tame the Maelstrom.
[Arcane Analysis]: With [Runesight] and [Mana sense] you have gleaned the nature of magic. With the addition of the maelstrom you are able to learn more. With an expense of mana you are able to read the magic around you and identify it. The higher the skill level the more you will learn upon use. Conversely the higher the level the skill is, the higher level the item you identify can be.
I nearly stopped in my tracks as I read the three skills. The descriptions weren’t as fanciful as some of the others had been but the skills themselves were impressive. Useful in a bevy of ways. I whistled to myself and reread them. The only one I could properly test was [Arcane Analysis] which allowed me to identify magical items and their effects. I drew my sword and looked at it, feeling a small drain as I did so.
Saber of the Mercurial Promenade.
This ever changing blade was crafted by Alexilios with added aid from Master Smith Derren Longshadow.
Effects:
Mercurial: Shape Changing. When mana is fed into the blade by its owner, the blade will change into a desired shape.
Sharpness: This sword needs not to be resharpened or honed, its edge will self repair any dulling or nicks to maintain a sharp, cutting edge.
Durability: This sword is much harder to break than a sword without this enchantment. The blade will not shatter under anything but the most extreme duress.
I had also attempted to add an enchantment to the handle to prevent it from being knocked out of my hand, but evidently it either didn't exist, or wasn’t a core enough part of the sword that it was listed. As I came out of my musings for a moment I pulled up my full character sheet and grinned at it.
[Name]
Alexilios
[Race]
Human
[Class]
[Bladedancer] lvl 51
[Class Skills]
[Bladed Weapon Mastery] LVL:51
[Runedancing] LVL: 51
[Dodging] LVL:48
[Intuition] LVL:31
[Mana Sense] LVL:35
[Mana Manipulation] LVL:47
[Rune Compendium] LVL:49
[He Who Wanders] LVL:3
[Runesight] LVL:39
[Compendium Actualization] LVL:1
[Secondary Class]
[Wayfaring Craftsman of the Tumultuous Maelstrom] LVL: 1
[Secondary Class Skills]
[Runesmithing] LVL:1
[Runeweaving] LVL:1
[Ephemeral Forge] LVL:1
[Runic Inscribing] LVL:1
[Maelstrom Modification] LVL:1
[Arcane Analysis] LVL:1
X4 Unavailable
[General Skills]
[Running] LVL:45
[Meditation] LVL:23
[Twin Pact] LVL:51
[Distant Recollections] LVl:18
[Cooking] LVL:22
[Pain Resistance] LVL:14
[Training] LVL:41
X3 Unavailable
Evidently I had gained a few levels here and there, the most notable being [Pain Resistance] which had previously been at level seven. I glanced behind me, the others were following while Luka and Sky looked up at me curiously. I felt a minor mental prodding from Sky asking if I was okay, along with a small desire from Luka to rush into the woods. I wasn’t overly sure what we were able to do with our pact skill, but I thought in his direction that he could go hunting. He seemed eager as he bolted off, and Sky chased after him faster than ever.