Congratulations! You have processed an additional 3 points of pure mana, saturating your astral channels in preparation to grow them to level 2. Total saturation: 65%.
Kedryn groaned, sagging into his chair as exhaustion settled onto his body and mind like a heavy blanket. For the last two hours, Bragden had pushed both himself and Captain Glade to their utmost limits and beyond. But as drained as he felt, Kedryn couldn’t keep a smile from face. He was finally, blessedly, learning how to advance his magic. And it was every bit as impressive as he had imagined it to be.
“Good on ye lad!” Bragden said, slapping him on his shoulder. “Ye managed to process a three point mana shard like a pro!”
All he could manage was to smile dumbly and nod. Truth be told, 3 mana points didn’t sound like much. They could handle more if all he or Glade were aiming to do was to replenish their mana pool. But trying to force the amorphous mana to bond to his resistant channels was like shoving pudding through a soda straw with your bare hands. The less you had the easier it was to manage.
“How are ye doin there, o Master o’ Storms?” Bragden chuckled, watching the Captain struggle with his own three-point mana shard.
“Are you always in this good of a mood when watching your students suffer?” Glade growled out, sweat dripping down his face.
“Aye, that he does,” Krazzik laughed as he joined them at the table. “I only ever see his smiling face when he be torturing young dwarves or pounding sense into blockheads.”
“Ye should know,” Bragden scowled, “Seein as I have to thump sense into ye every slagging day.”
“Is that what ye call it? I just thought that was how geriatric has beens limbered up in the mornin!”
Kedryn smiled even wider. One thing could be said about living with dwarves, there was never a dull moment!
As the Captain continued to struggle with processing his mana, Kedryn decided to compare their status pages. He was curious how far they had both come.
Name: Glade (Enlightened Human)
Age 26 Level: 10
Experience: 22,723 Next Level: 23,000
Health: 190 Stamina: 200 Mana: 190
Attributes
Strength: 17 Dexterity: 17 Constitution: 19
Endurance: 20 Intelligence: 19 Wisdom: 24
Charisma: 13 (+3%) Chance: 14 Willpower: 22 (Avg:17 + 4 pts + 10%)
Brands:
Courage Perseverance Creation
Intellect Passion Meekness
Evolved Brands:
Honor (1): +10% XP for completed quests/-10% XP for failed quests
Sacrifice (1): +10% to Willpower Stat
Titles:
Master of Storms, Sah’eld to Da'Riya Ki'Loshere
Strategist: +10% growth to martial skills and perception; +10% XP
Royally Bonded, Second Degree (Bei'Kedryn Ri'Serevilir), Blood Brother of Krazzik Slaghammer
Languages:
Elvish (Plains Dialect) Dwarfen (Reaches Dialect) English
Skills:
Archery (Crossbows): Lvl 1: 1% stamina reduction. +1% damage/accuracy.
Astral Magic: Lvl 8: +16% mana efficiency in Astral Magic
Aura Sense: Lvl 3: Identify through use of aura reading. Cost: 5 MP.
Cartography Skill: Lvl 4: Internal mapping function. +10% chance to find interesting locations.
Cooking (Amateur): Lvl 1: +1% to enhance flavor. +2% to identify edible foods
Drawing: Lvl 1: +2% increased hand eye coordination.
Leadership: Lvl 3: +3% to Charisma
Mana Processing Technique (Twin Root and Branch - Unique): Lvl 8: +64% mana absorption
Meditation (Basic): Lvl 4: +2% to mana regen/+2% to attunement absorption.
Perception: Lvl 8: +16% to perception
Diplomacy (Dwarven): Lvl 1: +1% in negotiations
Reflection: Lvl 4: +1 to Wisdom. +8% skill advancement.
Tactician: Lvl 3: +6% to attack, defense, and unit cohesiveness; +3% to XP
Telepathy: Lvl 9: 2 x Targets. 135 ft radius. Costs: 10 MP + 5 SP per 10 seconds
Time Dilation: Lvl 9: Slow down/speed up perceived time by +/- 9 seconds Cost: 5 SP per sec.
Labyrinth Sense: Lvl 4: Sense labyrinth within 10 miles; +8% success within any labyrinth
Small Blades: Lvl 1: 1% stamina reduction. +1% damage/accuracy.
Spears and Polearms: Lvl 1: 1% stamina reduction. +1% damage/accuracy.
Unarmed Combat: Lvl 4: 4% stamina reduction. +4% damage/accuracy.
Abilities:
Will (Will Points: 22/22)
Shared Bond, Second Degree with Bei’Kedryn Serevlir (Royal Perk)
Direction Sense - Always knows which way is north.
Inner Strength - +25% Fear Based Resistance
Specializations: None
Attunements:
Air: 0% Water: 0% Earth: 0%
Fire: 8% (Spark) Light: 0% Shadow: 0%
Astral: 13%(Sympathetic; Channels: 54% saturated) Corporeal: 0%
Name: Bei’Kedryn Serevlir (Royal Elf)
Age 19 Level: 11
Experience: 25,330 Next Level: 28,500
Health: 150 Stamina: 140 Mana: 270
Attributes
Strength: 13 Dexterity: 21 Constitution: 15 Endurance: 14
Intelligence: 27 Wisdom: 15 Charisma: 21 Chance: 13
Brands:
Courage Perseverance Intellect
Sacrifice Passion
Titles:
Bei (First Born)
Royal (House Serevlir)
First of Storms' Rest
Languages:
Elvish (All Dialects) Dwarfen (Reaches Dialect) English
Skills:
Arcane Knowledge: Lvl 3: -3% mana cost for all spells. +1 INT.
Archery (Crossbows): Lvl 1: 1% stamina reduction. +1% damage/accuracy.
Concealment: Lvl 3: +6% to concealment; +6% chance to identify suitable terrain.
Fire Magic: Lvl 8: +16% mana efficiency in Fire Magic
Mana Processing Technique (Twin Root and Branch - Unique): Lvl 8: +64% mana absorption
Meditation (Basic): Lvl 6: +3% to mana regen/+3% to attunement absorption.
Multi-Cast: Lvl 3: Cast the same spell twice at multiple targets. -15% effectiveness.
Naturist (Natural Lore): Lvl 8 - +16% potency; +8% identification
Perception: Lvl 4 - +8% to perception
Quarter Staff: Lvl 2: 2% stamina reduction. +2% damage/accuracy.
Small Blades: Lvl 2: 2% stamina reduction. +2% damage/accuracy.
Spears and Polearms: Lvl 1: 1% stamina reduction. +1% damage/accuracy.
Abilities:
Passionate Growth
Shared Bond, Second Degree with Glade (Perk)
Specializations: None
Attunements:
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Air: 0% Water: 0% Earth: 0%
Fire: 13% (Sympathetic; Channels: 65% Saturated) Light: 0% Shadow: 0%
Astral: 0% Corporeal: 0%
Kedryn’s stats were on track for an elvish mage build, though his low chance score looked like it needed a boost. However, he was impressed with Glade’s overall build. Not only were the Captain’s channels 54% saturated, just 11% behind himself, but he was about to reach level 11 after this morning’s expedition to the mana well. Even more impressive was the Captain had done a fairly good job at balancing his attributes, except for his charisma and chance being too low and his wisdom stat being too high. While Glade’s choice to dump so many points into wisdom had ultimately led to saving Ember, the abyssally corrupted egg they had rescued from a Gnoll shaman, he couldn’t help but think the choice had been a rash one.
There was no question that saving Ember had given them all an advantage, seeing as it could cast fire magic as well as some minor healing spells. No, Kedryn’s primary concern was that Glade had chosen to save Ember alone.
The Captain had waxed eloquently many times since they had arrived on Veil about the importance to trust in each other. Yet, the man had made a rash choice without telling anyone about it. Anyone but him that is, which only happened after he had questioned the Captain about it days later.
Then again, no one else had asked about the mysterious black egg either.
A hint of excitement wormed its way into Kedryn’s mind through the fledging bond that had been created after he had helped the egg survive by providing some of his personal mana. From the vague sense he was getting, Ember was thrilled with both Glade’s and Kedryn’s progress in saturating their channels. It was a far cry from being able to openly communicate with the egg like Glade apparently could, but it still gave him hope. The idea of befriending what was likely a baby dragon before it hatched was nothing short of awesome! All they needed to do now was figure out how to cleanse the abyssal taint and strengthen the bond. Who knew what kind of perks they would get once they figured out how to hatch the egg!
Captain Glade finally finished processing his mana. Kedryn could tell because the man had finally dropped what he had come to recognize as his focused face, or ‘I have active constipation’ look. Instead, the Captain had adopted his ‘I’m far too serious for my own good’ look.
“That was harder than I thought,” Glade replied in his typical straightforward and emotionless manner. Seriously, did the man ever get excited? “I can manage the two-point mana shard just fine, but I lost control of the mana from the three-point shard halfway through.”
“Aye, I figured as much,” Bragden said running his hand down his braided beard like he was some wise wizard from legend, which he could easily pull off if he was wearing anything but his old slave clothing. “Yer both mentally exhausted and have finally reached the point o’ diminishing returns. Truth be told, I’m impressed that both o’ ye were able to get so far. Yer likely going to be ready to advance yer channels by tomorrow evening.”
“Any chance we can push through and finish tonight?” Kedryn asked. It was true that he was tired, but he was far too excited to quit now. Besides, all the stories had the hero’s collapsing from exhaustion after growing their magic.
“While I like yer attitude, I don’t recommend it,” Bragden replied, putting away the pouch of shards. “We could try, but we’d just be burnin through resources for little gain. No sense in wastin good shards. Ye should rest up and we’ll tackle the rest tomorrow afternoon.”
Glade grunted what Kedryn thought was an agreement before leaning back in his chair with a sigh and closing his eyes.
The utter shock at seeing the Captain so relaxed almost caused him to slip from his chair. Usually, the man simply moved onto the next item on their ever increasing to do list.
“What is everyone’s status on mana?” Glade asked right before Kedryn rolled his eyes. The man even worked when he was relaxing. No wonder the team had given him the callsign Major. He never stopped!
“I have 86 mana left after makin the bloody spider golems,” Bragden replied, still stroking his beard. “I already done sent them down into the catacombs to hunt any remaining astral spiders. We should be able to take a look down that way by the day after tomorrow.”
Glade just nodded, looking to Krazzik.
“120. I haven’t spent a lick o’ mana today,” the dwarven chief replied with an excited gleam in his eyes. “I can’t wait to see what’s behind that vault door!”
Kedryn immediately perked up. It had completely escaped his mind that they were going to attempt opening the settlement’s core vault tonight! Without hesitation, he pulled up Storms’ Rest status page to verify how much mana they needed in order to open said vault.
Settlement Name: Storms’ Rest
Settlement Master: Glade (Master of Storms)
Settlement Core: Tri-Pointed Core
* Available Mana: 58/3000
* Linked Mana Wells: 1/3
* Water/Pure (Link Strength - Faint)
* Astral (Link Strength - Lost):
* Air/Corporeal (Link Strength - Lost)
* Area of Detection: 62 meters
* Area of Affect: 50 meters
* Integrated Mana Cores (2/3)
Settlement Leadership:
* Master of Storms: Glade
* First: Bei’Kedryn Serevlir
* Second: Krazzik Slaghammer
* Council:
* Storm of Magic: Bragden Grimheart
* Healer of Storms: Da’Riya Ab’Loshere
Population: 67
Population Disposition: Optimistic
Buildings:
* Existing Structures:
* Storms Reach Council Hall (Can clean/repair hall for 39 mana)
* Privy (Can unclog 2/8 privies and clean building for 10 mana)
* Buildings Needing Repair (within area of detection and/or affect):
* Settlement Core Vault – Cost: 450 mana
* Cellar – Cost: 30 mana (must expand Area of Affect to repair)
* Kitchens – Cost: 275 mana (must expand Area of Affect to repair)
Settlement Quests: 2
“I have 145 mana left after using some spells,” Glade said, after which he gave Kedryn an expectant look.
“176 mana. That gives us a total of 527 mana total between the four of us,” he replied having done the math quickly in his head. He didn't have 29 intelligence for nothing! “We only need 450 mana total to repair the vault, which would leave us roughly 20 mana each if we decide to go ahead. That said, it looks like some of our boys backed up the privies,” Kedryn noticed Krazzik scratching the back of his head in embarrassment, “and we have damaged the hall a bit. It would cost 49 mana to repair those. If we roll that in, we will end up with about 7 mana each. While the settlement has 58 mana left, I don’t think we should use that as it puts us danger close of destroying our settlement core.”
“Thanks for the run down,” Glade said, shaking his head. “We could take the next hour or so to meditate and restore some of our mana…”
“Bah, we should just spend the mana and repair the slagging vault,” Krazzik snorted, interrupting Glade. “Or are ye all a little scared o’ a wee headache?”
“I was actually thinking about having enough mana to defend ourselves should something attack us in the middle of the night,” Glade replied with an all too serious look on his face. “After all, our record for being attacked is higher than our record for having a peaceful night’s sleep.”
“If only Riya were back,” Kedryn sighed. “Then we could use her mana as well seeing as only council members can contribute to paying the mana costs.”
“I can’t believe I be about to say this, but I agree with Krazzik. We’re never going to have a perfect situation,” Bragden sighed. “I say we spend the mana and open the vault. Lets leave the privy and the hall until tomorrow to fix. If’n we need mana in a pinch we can always absorb some o’ the shards we got.”
“I agree,” Glade said with a decisive nod. “Let’s do this.”
Kedryn grinned and spent the points. His mana immediately dropped to 20 as a headache formed from the rapid mana depletion.
The stone throne behind them on the dais flashed white once, twice, then three times before fading.
Congratulations! You and the rest of the council have repaired the entrance to the Settlement Core Vault.
Note: Glade, the Master of Storms, has granted you and the other council members access to the Settlement Core Vault. No one outside of the Council is authorized to enter. Simply touch the throne to gain access.
Everyone looked at each other for a moment before they scrambled out of their chairs toward the throne. Well, he and Krazzik scrambled to the throne. Glade and Bragden walked.
When everyone was within an arms length, they touched the stone thrown together.
No sooner had they laid a hand on the throne than all of them disappeared in a flash of white.