“Right then. Listen up, as this likely be the most important o’ the subjects I’ll be teachin ye today. Mana cores come from evolved or advanced beings o’ power. Some species are even born with mana cores, like naturally formed elementals, all the species o’ lesser to greater dragons, and dozens more are born with living mana cores. And they don’t have to be large buggers either. Even a wee phoenix,” Bragden said, holding his fingers out to indicate something the size of a regular chicken egg, “is born with a living mana core. Most o’ these beasts though are slagging hard, if not impossible, to kill. Which is why mana cores are the rarest o’ all the types o’ physical mana.”
“Didn’t you used to hunt earth elementals for their cores?” Glade asked.
“Aye, that we did. Baby ones. And they were slagging dangerous, that they were. Lost some good dwarves to those hunts. And out o’ all the cores, the earth elementals were the easiest to hunt. You ever try to kill a water elemental when it be inside its element? Ye might as well skip the hassle by lightin yer own pyre and sending yerself to the Mother.”
“But what do the cores actually do though?” Glade asked.
“Glad ye asked. In short, a lot more than most would think. Short sighted folk can try and use em’ for personal advancement, but that be a right waste if’n ye ask me. Ye can also use advanced cores to enchant truly powerful items like kingdom destroying weapons and armor, but again, that be a bit short sighted in my opinion.”
“If’n ye have the right skills and attunements, ye can use the core to recreate the beast's natural abilities like ye were casting a spell, all without limiting the core by locking it into an enchanted item.”
“Now listen well lad,” Bragden said in all seriousness. “This be important. If’n ye can cast the spells yerself, ye can learn them. There be a clan within the Crag known as the Thunder Fists. Rumor is their ancestors killed off an ancient lightning elemental and instead o’ selling it or making a weapon out o’ it, they used the core to grow their whole clan. Over the centuries, the warriors within their clan have mirrored the attunements needed to replicate lightning magic, which takes a whole host o’ attunements to do from what I hear. Now-a-days, their clan be one o’ the most powerful in both wealth and strength seein as their warriors be the most sought-after mercenaries throughout the Crag and beyond. All because o’ their prowess and magical equipment.”
“So, you’re suggesting we study the mana core so we can grow stronger,” Glade said.
“Yes and no,” Bragden replied, handing the core to Glade. “There be one other option that not many have access to. Krazzik and the pyro said there be two mana core slots for this here room. Would ye mind seein what would happen if’n we used it one o’ those slots?”
“I can’t imagine they didn’t test it themselves,” Glade said, examining the core. It was a perfect sphere of solid blue stone about the size of a grapefruit. And it was far heavier than he had anticipated.
“Ha! You’d be right on that account,” Bragden barked. “Had to take the slagging core from Krazzik to keep him from using the bloody thing. I swear, he’s worse than a drunk gnome on a shoppin spree. Still, I want ye to try so ye can see the power o’ such an item. Just think about puttin it into one o’ them slots. The room will take it from there.”
Glade did what he was asked, feeling a thrill of excitement run through him. Whether that was from him or Ember he couldn’t tell, but he still enjoyed the feeling.
Holding the core out, Glade imagined incorporating it into one of the room’s mana core slots.
Attention! You have brought two active mana cores to the representation of power for Storms’ Rest Tri-Pointed Core.
1. Aged Stone Guardian Mana Core
2. Corrupted Living Core of Unknown Origin
Both cores have the potential to be incorporated into either the Council’s Hall (0/2 slots filled) or the settlement (1/3 slots filled). Would you like to see what abilities they would provide to either the council’s hall or the settlement?
Y/N
Glade blinked at the notification, processing the information as he absently laid a protective hand over Ember’s egg. There was no doubt in his mind that it was the other core mentioned in the prompt.
“Ye alright there Glade?” Bragden asked, eyeing the hand resting possessively on top of the black egg. “Ye look like you’re ‘bout to knock someone’s teeth in. Truth be told, that was not the response I was looking for.”
“Sorry,” Glade sighed, not wanting to bring up Ember's existence with the dwarves quite yet. “Just confused. The prompt asked if I wanted to incorporate the core into the hall or as part of the settlement.”
“What!?!” Bragden cried, leaning so far forward he fell out of his chair.
“Stupid, slagging, tall chairs!” Bragden growled, picking himself up. He then glared at Glade, daring him to laugh.
“Read to me exactly what yer prompt says,” Bragden growled as he climbed back onto his seat.
Glade did so, omitting any reference about the corrupted living core.
“By the Mother,” Bragden said, shaking his head. “I don’t know if’n me heart can take any more surprises. Go ahead and see what ye can do with the core for this here room first. But be quick about it! I want to know what’ll happen if’n we use it in one o’ the settlement’s slots.”
Glade didn’t need to be asked twice.
Attention! You have brought the mana core of an Aged Stone Guardian to the Council’s Hall. If placed within one of the room’s empty slots, the following abilities and traits will be adopted:
* Stand the Test of Time – The durability of the council’s hall and any item belonging to the room will increase by a factor of x2. (Passive)
* Room Guardian – Any member of the council can cast the earth-based spell Create Golem to form a room guardian. Power and ability of the guardian depends on how much mana is used. The Golem cannot leave the room it is meant to protect. Spell must be cast within the Council’s Hall. Only one guardian can exist at a time. Cost: Variable.
Glade’s eyes widened in understanding. The first passive ability was interesting, but the room guardian took his full attention. The previous owners of the settlement had likely used this core to create the Golem they had fought. He mentioned as much to Bragden.
“Aye, that be what we thought as well, which explains why the Golem was so weak in comparison with its core. Whoever created it likely didn’t have that much mana to spend. Either that, or its durability faded over the centuries. But ye missed the whole point o’ why I wanted ye to look at using the core as part o’ the hall.”
“The create golem spell?” Glade asked.
“Aye, the create golem spell,” Bragden confirmed. “There be a handful o’ artificers and magic users that I know who can create some minor golems, but nothin the likes o’ what we can learn from that spell.”
“But you can only cast it once,” Glade said, re-reading the prompt.
“Aye, but then ye can dismiss it and cast it again,” Bragden said slowly as if having to explain it to a child. “And once we get someone who learns the slagging spell, we can then teach it to others so long as they have the proper attunement levels and skill.”
“Right…” Glade said. “And how did Kendryn process the news?” Not that he was trying to compare himself to the Kid’s freakish brain power when it came to magic. No, not at all.
“He asked if he could cast the spell see’n as he doesn’t have an earth attunement,” Bragden stated. “The answer to that be yes. Just like ye can all cast the settlement’s healing magic thanks to Riya. It be weaker, but ye can still cast it. Which means he can grow the skills faster and likely help grow the proper attunement if’n he has the earth mana channels open, which he said he doesn’t. Then he explained that he has all eight o’ the basic channels, seven o’ which need to be opened. By the way, ye really should teach that one when not to share information.”
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“He’s a lot like Krazzik in that regard,” Glade said, as he processed the information. Access to that spell had the potential to be extremely powerful.
“Aye, I can see that,” Bragden sighed.
“How many dwarves have earth mana channels in our group?” Glade asked.
“Most o’ them do,” Bragden said..
“How many with them already open?”
“Less than 10,” Bragden said again, this time in a more guarded voice.
“You mentioned earlier that you could open astral channels because of your attunement level. Are there other ways to open channels?” Glade asked.
“So ye know, that was the royal’s first question, truth be told. The fact o’ the matter is that it be slagging hard to do. The most common way is to be born with yer channels open. I know that doesn’t help much for most o’ the poor blighters out there, but it be the truth.”
“There also be potions, talismans, and the like that can open yer channels, but they be rarer than sunstone diamonds and just as expensive. The last way be having a master o’ that sphere o’ magic, or someone with an Accordant attunement like me, open yer channels. However, they be few and far between and will either require a lifetime o’ devoted service or charge ye a kings ransom to do so.”
“Got it,” Glade grumbled, more from learning that Kedryn had asked that specific question first than from the actual answer. He knew it wasn’t a competition, but he’d like to at least be ahead of the Kid in at least one of the areas of magic. “Where do you fall in that category for anyone who wants to open their astral channels?”
“I don’t do it for free if’n that’s what yer insinuating,” Bragden growled. “But fer those o’ me clan, and now Storms’ Rest? I’d consider doing it on the cheap. But like I done said earlier, I need a lot more astral mana than I currently have to make it happen.”
Seeing that there wasn’t anything else he could think of asking, Glade decided it was time to see what the core would do if placed within one of the settlement’s slots.
Glade stared at the interface in silence, his eyes growing wider with each passing moment.
“Well, don’t just stand there gawking like some beardless gnome on his first date,” Bragden said, leaning so far forward on his chair he was in danger of falling off again. “Tell me what the slagging notification says!”
There was no doubt in Glade’s mind they were going to integrate the core into one of the settlement’s remaining slots. But if he played his cards right…
“If I tell you,” Glade said, drawing out his response. “You would need to tell Kedryn that all my questions during this round of instruction were nothing short of genius.”
“The notification be that good that yer willing to ask me to do that?” Bragden asked. “Because, while I said he had good questions, I done mostly lied to make ye feel better about yerself.”
Glade glared at the dwarf.
“Fine,” Bragden said, with a shrug. “I’ll agree so long as the actual benefits shock me even more’n they already have.”
Moments later, the ball of blue lapis vanished from Glade’s hand and into one of the settlement’s slots. Bragden sat deep in his chair, a permanent grin on his face that made him look like some terribly cast James Bond villain.
Congratulations! You have slotted the mana core of an Aged Stone Guardian into one of three slots for Storms’ Rest. The following abilities and traits have been adopted:
* Stand the Test of Time – Durability of all structures, rooms, items, and equipment created within the Settlement of Storms’ Rest have increased by a factor of x2. (Passive)
* Create Golems – Any member of the council may cast the earth-based spell Create Golem within the settlements area of effect to form any number of Golems to perform directed tasks. Power and ability of the golem(s) depend on how much mana is used in the creation process. Golems are not restricted to the settlement. Cost: Variable.
* To create a golem, you must first introduce the genetic makeup (blood) of whichever form you wish your golem to assume.
* Current forms available:
* Humanoid (blood of Glade introduced to the core) - Cost: Minimum 150 mana
* Open Attunement (Earth) – The Aged Stone Guardian core is strictly an earth-based mana core that is at the Resonant attunement level. Any member of the council may open existing earth mana channels. Cost: 250 mana.
Note: Leveling the settlement will unlock more abilities of the Aged Stone Guardian Mana Core.
“By the Mother,” Bragden breathed as the magic from the slotted core rippled throughout the room. The stones within the walls grew darker as they increased in density and durability, shifting ever so slightly to create mesmerizing geometric patterns everywhere he looked. The pains of glass even changed, creating stained glass windows of giant golems standing watch over mountain passes. Hundreds of other little things changed as well, making the room they were living in seem even more incredible than it had been moments before.
“I canna believe it,” Bragden breathed. “Wish I could see the interface…”
A notification leapt to the forefront of Glade’s queue before the dwarf finished his statement.
Attention! Bragden Grimheart’s instruction within the magical arts has led to the installation of the Aged Stone Guardian Mana Core into the Settlement of Storms’ Rest - an act that has helped the settlement as a whole grow in strength. He has been found worthy to be appointed as a the settlement’s Storm of Magic.
Congratulations! You have selected someone worthy to fill the Storm of Magic’s council position. Bragden Grimheart is a Journeyman in the sphere of Astral magic with an Accordant Attunement. His additional ranks as an Expert Scholar and Enchanter make him uniquely qualified for this position.
Note: Once the appointment of the Storm of Magic has been confirmed, the majority of settlement spells will be accessible to use.
Warning! Settlement spell levels are intrinsically tied to the settlement level. Accessible spells now available: Level 1
Note: Due to Bragden’s unique specialization as an Astral Enchanter, the entire settlement will receive the following benefits:
* +5% skill advancement in any sphere of magic (+10% for astral). +5% increase in attuning to any sphere of magic (+10% for astral).
* +15% enchantment success and strength.
Do you wish to grant Bragden Grimheart access to the settlement interface?
Y/N
Glade loved it when a plan came together! Ember also trilled its excitement within his mind, adding to the incredible moment. Things seemed to be finally working out for them.
Just before Glade selected yes, a bright light flared in the center of the dais.
Patch, the clan’s quartermaster, appeared out of nowhere, wearing loosely fitted white cotton shirt and pants.
“What in the hell?” Glade asked, immediately recognizing a rebirth.
“Quick! Close the slagging door to the catacombs!” Patch cried, as another flash of white revealed one of the other dwarves that had been on the quartermaster’s detail. “The spiders done tunneled through the collapse! They’re on their way here!”
Bragden leapt out of his seat, running for the door with Glade’s temporarily enchanted blade in hand. As he approached, several hand sized spiders could already be seen crawling out of the tunnel’s entrance along the walls, floor and ceiling.
Bragden charged anyway, screaming at the top of his lungs as he stomped on one large spider while swiping at another as it dangled from the ceiling.
“Get Riya and anyone else who can’t fight out of here!” Glade cried, trusting the newly rebirthed dwarves to comply with his orders. He was halfway out of the throne when Glade felt a pinch on the back of his neck.
Warning! You have been bitten by a level 5 Astral Spider and received 4 points of damage.
Warning! You have been poisoned with Astral Spider Venom, a powerful neurotoxin that breaks down the vertebrate central nervous system. Does 10-15 points of damage every second for the next 15 seconds.
Ember screamed in rage at the same time as Glade roared in pain.
Warning! You are down to 27 HP.
Without thought, Glade threw himself back in the stone chair, slamming his back and neck against the hard surface.
Warning! You are down to 19 HP.
He felt a sickening crunch against his upper back, feeling the many crystalline spiders legs twitch against his tattered combat uniform.
Warning! You are down to 6 HP.
Eyesight dimming, Glade accessed the settlement's interface and immediately cast a heal spell.
You have been healed for 5 HP, bringing you to 11 HP.
Glade’s vision momentarily brightened before going dim again, many more dwarves screaming in the background.
Warning! You are down to 1 HP.
Knowing his time was at hand, Glade chose to cast one more spell. The healing spell wasn’t at all helpful seeing as he didn’t have the skill levels or attunement.
But he did have access to one more spell that might make the difference between his people living or dying.
You have cast Create Golem – Humanoid.
Warning: Settlement mana down to 87 MP.
No sooner had he cast the spell, than darkness overtook Glade, drowning out all sound. The only emotion he still felt was Ember’s rage roiling through him.
Another prompt arose, unbidden, pushing everything else to the back.
You have died.