[Bag ‘a Mats] = 5 Cores (Nightrealm, level 11+) + 2 Cores (Monster, level 11+) + Blood (Expatriate, 2.3L) + Essence (Vitus, 500mL) + Essence (Vacuus, 2L) + Essence (Terra, 1L) + 8 Wood (Hard, 0.3m) + Leather (Any, 1.3m) + [Cauldron] (Any, 5L, 400°K)
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What is life and all it deems, but the fleeting interstice between nightmares and dreams?
Sanity – 88/88 (Cursed)
Jay pondered the question as he raced back to camp, the dazzling, frightening image of the Bag ‘a Mats transfixed in his eyes.
Yes, this was a machination that must see the light of day! To deny the world such a majestic construct would be the ultimate sacrilege. This had to be built.
Jay rubbed his eyes. That’s the Curse talking. Tül’Rah had explained as much. By accepting his patronage, he’d gained the ability to make this overpowered device, but the sheer act of knowing it existed was already driving him mad. Before Jay had come even halfway home, his sanity had fallen five whole points, with no sign of stopping.
But damn, would this be worth crafting. Unlike regular skills, his [Forbidden Knowledge] was a character skill that wasn’t tied to any piece of gear, and granted him with an inhuman connection to what he’d make.
He could see the result of this craft floating in his mind… The Bag ‘a Mats had a bottomless compartment that would let him store ten thousand kilograms of raw materials inside a backpack that weighed less than five kilograms. It was exactly the cheat he needed. A transdimensional space that would let him grind near-indefinitely without ever needing to return home. No longer would Jay be limited by how many trees were near his base.
If only he could make it before the idea drove him insane. He glanced at his Stats and grimaced.
His sanity had dropped another two points.
He studied the ingredients. Only a handful could be solved out of hand. Most required extra advancement, which thankfully, the [Forbidden Knowledge] had also provided. The essences required Alchemy, something that he’d only be able to level once he made a cauldron. He also needed to level it at least once to access basic alchemic deconstruction for the essences.
The cores wouldn’t be too bad either. Because of the Wyrm’s vision in the dungeon, every monster he killed dropped a “Nightrealm” core instead of a normal one, though he still didn’t know the difference…
Keep your eye on the prize. Jay couldn’t let himself get distracted trying to theorycraft all these new discoveries. That would have to wait until after he got this craft finished.
Yes, the Bag ‘a Mats came before all else.
Jay picked up his pace with a chuckle, feeling the recipe’s madness slither ever tighter…
* * *
If shadows are formed where light does not reach, is “light” no more than where shadows are leached?
Sanity – 72/72 (Cursed)
Jay reached his base, his heart racing and lungs short of breath. It wasn’t the hike that disquieted him half as much as the daunting task ahead.
He paused, once again trapped in the aura of his marvelous machination. The Bag ‘a Mats. So incredible! He chuckled as he pictured it in his mind.
Only to pound his head a moment later. Keep it together! The Curse was more powerful than he’d expected. Because it dropped his total sanity, nothing could be done to reverse the effects inflicted, other than finish what he’d started, and each moment lost was another he couldn’t get back.
He flipped through the Guide, fingers still quivering. One stood out from the rest. His next step forth.
[Ash Glaze] = Ash (Any, 0.1-1kg) + Water (Fresh, 0.1-1L) + [Bowl] (Any, 1L)
The water was easy. Just needed to be pulled from the nearby lake through any of the wooden bowls he’d crafted before.
The ash took more doing. Jay wasn’t sure how much he’d need for certain. The following recipe remained locked, and there was no telling what it would contain. The [Forbidden Knowledge] only granted him a sixth sense for where he needed to be progress. The steps were still required to be performed in order.
So, with no other direction to go, Jay cleaned out his campfire of any ash and started burning more wood, for no reason other than to produce more ash. His eyes fixated on the campfire until it burned down, then quickly threw in some more. The process dragged on at an agonizing rate until he’d collected the maximum amount of ash needed.
His hands rushed from there, swirling the ash and water in equal measure until it formed a smooth, viscous glaze.
Buzz.
Jay ignored all the new recipes produced but the one he needed next.
[Crude Cauldron] = Clay (Any, 6-10kg) + Glaze (Any, 1.2-2L) + Furnace (Any, 1000-1150°K)
Dammit! Jay groaned, his fingers curled into his palms. Not only did he need to dig up clay now, but his total glaze count wasn’t near enough! Why couldn’t his extra knowledge have been more clear!?
With the color rising for his cheeks, he doubled back, began to burn more wood, and got a second bowl to make more glaze. The Bag ‘a Mats required a full 5L cauldron, which meant the maximum size that could be produced. He even crafted a second and third campfire to expedite the process of ash production.
While the second liter of glaze would have to wait, Jay used his time to dig up some clay. This step was easy enough and could be done by hand since Jay seldom needed shovels until this point.
When he collected enough, he pressed the unfired clay into the rough size and shape he’d need for the cauldron. By the time he finished, the remaining ash was ready for use.
With no time to lose, Jay applied the glaze to his giant clay bowl and ran to the cave where his furnaces were kept. The nearest one lit to life as he shoveled in more coal.
Again, Jay was forced to sit and watch for the cruelest of times. How could it be taking this long already? Didn’t the world know what was being deprived right now!? He could see the ethereal vision of his grandiose creation at the cusp of sight. If only he could get this over with…
The cauldron flared to completion. Jay chuckled and scooped it out. He winced as his hands got burned, but that did not matter. Not compared to this. His first cauldron was now complete.
Buzz.
Jay beamed, knowing he’d gotten closer still.
Congratulations! You have created your first [Cauldron]. Use this Crafting Bench to create decoctions that enhance your physical powers.
New recipes available.
* * *
In the everlasting recesses of a mind made profound, what becomes of madness and genius once their essence is bound?
Sanity – 61/61 (Cursed)
Jay hunched over his crude cauldron, the sweat building on his face.
And… Done!
This alchemic creation was his first: a healing potion made from a mix of lifeberries, herbs, water, and just a touch of bonemeal to give it a thicker base. His nostrils wrinkled against its smooth flavor that warmed his heart.
…And he poured the useless substance onto the ground.
Anything that didn’t bring his brilliant, incandescent recipe to life was one that could be discarded.
The Guide contained the only detail that mattered.
Level up! Alchemy 0 → 1.
Alchemic deconstruction now available.
New recipes available.
He gleamed, feeling so much closer to his coveted creation…
The Lexicon contained a more detailed breakdown of how Alchemy worked from there. Unlike most recipes, the conversion of materials to products wasn’t one-to-one. Every time he broke down something in his cauldron, a dice was first rolled to determine the type of essence extracted based on the composition of the material inserted, and a second dice was rolled to determine what percentage would be made from the total mass. Only through experimentation or research could he identify these odds, and they could only be improved by upgrading his workbenches to accommodate more advanced deconstruction or tuning his Expat Core, which he did not have.
But none of this mattered right now. All Jay needed was a small amount of each essence for his craft.
Vitus, Terra, and Vacuus. That was what the recipe called for, and he only needed them.
He started with the most obvious, taking a full kilogram of lifeberries and putting them into the cauldron. Extreme heat and water were needed to make the crafting table function, forcing Jay to burn through more coal. He’d set them both up near his furnaces, in the cold, dark cave where could work in peace.
The water boiled, and the lifeberries dissolved to nothing, replaced by a reddish liquid he’d never seen before.
Hmm, less than I thought. Jay poured the liquid into a wooden bowl and consulted his Inventory page.
[Wooden Bowl] (1L) – A bowl made of wood. This [Wooden Bowl] contains 86mL [Vitus Essence].
Not nearly enough! That had practically cost him a day’s worth of lifeberry tea. With a fever in his gaze, Jay glanced over his shoulder, at his log cabin, where he kept so many supplies he’d meticulously collected until now.
He clenched his fist, knowing this craft was only just beginning.
* * *
In shadows deep, where ancient secrets dwell, what is life’s fragile breath, compared to death’s fathomless well?
Sanity – 49/49 (Cursed)
Below the halfway mark. Running out of time.
But Jay had gotten so much closer! After hours of experimentation and alchemic deconstruction, Jay had collected most of the essences he needed.
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Vitus was the simplest, coming from most animal or plant parts, though he quickly discovered that he might produce Sanguis or Natura essences instead, depending on the material input. Both were frustrating developments, and had to be discarded without thought.
Terra also proved straightforward, albeit inefficient for time. Any earthen material could be broken down, from dirt to stone, but only a smidgen of essence got extracted. Jay spent hours trying to get his necessary liter of Terra essence ready.
He’d thought the blood might be challenging to acquire as well. The other Expatriates were higher level, and would be the hardest to kill. A daunting challenge that would be worth the reward if he could pull it off, of course.
But thankfully, Jay considered the more efficient path by using his own blood!
The pain was brutal and siphoned off much of his vitality, but the result was worth it. With a mere slice of his wrists, he’d extracted all he needed and was still strong enough to keep working.
In the end, Vacuus essence became the hardest of all to acquire. Jay practically gutted his base trying to make it work, but everything he owned dissolved into different components. The only materials that bore results came from the monster parts he’d collected in the Wyrm’s nightmare. All of it had to be broken down to accommodate his needs.
But that still hadn’t been enough! His backpack could only hold so much monster materials… Most had been foolishly left behind!
Were it not for a single discovery when breaking down flowers, all hope would be lost. Fortunately, nightshade contained a small amount of Vacuus essence, so he need only collect more. It would take backpacks’ worth to reach his goal, but that would be worth it in the end.
He laughed out loud, tears in his eyes as he pictured its brilliance again.
Who cared if this revelation was the result of a curse? Jay was learning so much! He was experiencing the world as never before!
But he had to finish what he’d started. This holy creation must become one with reality!
With his heart steeled, he rushed off to finish this craft!
* * *
Below nightmarish blessings, true insight gleams, a veil of dread to mask forbidden schemes.
Sanity – 33/33 (Cursed)
Jay grunted as his spear got knocked from his hand, a puff of steam erupting from the level 13 hyena’s mouth. Blood flowed free where it had chewed into his arm. It licked its lips and grinned.
But Jay did not see this creature anymore. He only stared into the monster core it contained. With a shriek, he rushed at his enemy. The hyena’s eyes widened as he punched its face, no longer caring for the weapon he’d lost.
The two went back and forth and more armor shattered, but the victor was obvious. Jay was the more ferocious predator, and he wanted for nothing other than seeing his splendor realized.
The hyena breathed its last before long.
And Jay wasted no time. Tearing its flesh asunder, cracking its ribcage in two, hacking through the tough heart to get the coveted core beneath. He crackled in awe, knowing how much closer he’d come to see his craft reached!
Only a little more nightshade remained too. And then he’d be finished.
He marched off, still laughing without control.
* * *
Life’s slumber puts souls into blind flights, but the cosmic truth lies beneath starless nights.
Sanity – 18/18 (Cursed)
Yes. That was it. This nightshade patch would be more than enough! He need only return home!
His body slackened, his breath heavy. It wouldn’t do to die before seeing this through. Jay would have to check his Stats.
He opened the Guide.
Name: Jay Reis (Copper Age)
Vitality – Shadows whisper
Hunger – Astral winds howl
Thirst – Slay the firstborn
Fatigue – Bathe in virgin death
Sanity – Beneath the blood moon
Jay nodded, appreciating the insight that had been gifted.
He continued to walk home even as his legs dragged uselessly behind from their injuries. His mouth salivated at the chance to see this finished. The hills rolled and bent as he moved through this jungle.
To think of how much more lay beneath this ruined landscape. Jay had not been able to see these truths until now. Annwyn and Earth were but drops in the ocean as Tül’Rah had explained, and only now could he pierce through the veil of lies.
He was so minuscule in comparison.
Jay no longer walked through these simple trees, but the place that lay beneath. The ground contorted and bent before turning grey. A starless night formed above, even as the sun still shone bright. Blackened vines choked the earth, and flowers wilted.
The [Forbidden Knowledge] hadn’t just unearthed a single recipe as it first seemed, but opened a door that expanded his mind into this hidden realm. One that contained even more incomprehensible truths. How had he never seen this place before?
Jay navigated this new road.
This darker, stranger route.
And he saw a forest of gnarled monoliths shaped like demonic horns.
And he saw men fused with mushrooms, their eternal screams trapped behind fibrous membranes.
And he saw a ram made of silver with eyes bleeding gold.
And he saw creatures that defied explanation mating beneath a red sky.
And he saw the path to glory paved with the skulls of a thousand innocent souls.
And he saw his own visage gibbering back in a language without words.
And he saw the most brilliant creation of all – the Bag ‘a Mats. It was right in front, its materials sitting in the cauldron, waiting to be mashed together into their final craft.
All that remained was the incantation to summon forth otherworldly power.
But Jay could not bring himself to perform this last step. His body quaked against its intricacies.
This was a grotesque construct. An impossible design. One that could only be gained through here. At the base of a bottomless pit. The foundation of a nightmarish abyss.
And the abyss stared back.
The red planet beamed, its great eye piercing into the depths of his soul. Jay fell to his knees under its might, his arms spread in a T-shape, and palms pointed down. This was the evocation to his Lords, after all.
The blood world thrummed in response.
Well, well, Tül’Rah beckoned. What a sorry sight this has become. Have you abandoned your quest already?
“I’m so close!” Jay cried back, still prostrated.
And yet, your mind is inches away from slipping out of the Annwyn dream for good. Pathetic!
He grit his teeth, unsure how else to respond.
Tell me, Jay Reis, Tül’Rah continued. Do you still think yourself bold enough to reach such grand heights? Do you believe you can master this divine realm?
He nodded.
Such hubris! You can’t even control your own mind, let alone a fraction of the forbidden truths that lay here.
“That’s not fair! I’ve come so far. Look!” He pointed to the cauldron, with the almost completed prize within.
Tül’Rah scoffed. Whether an inch or a mile from the surface of the sea, it makes no difference to a drowning man. Why, you haven’t realized how close your death has come.
It was then that Jay realized the inhabitants of this realm were coming for him. Creatures with an impossible shape, made of pure shadow. They swooped across the terrain, ready to swallow him whole.
And Tül’Rah chuckled in amusement. It seems that you have run out of time, human. Unless you can defeat the madness you have wrought, you will be consumed by it. Fight or die against this fate. It is no matter of mine.
One of the shadow monsters dove forth.
Snap.
Jay cried out where the armor shattered, his shoulder welling blood where the creature’s fangs pierced through. He [Slashed] instinctively, but the wound closed seconds after hit! The creature hissed.
Just need to get to the cauldron! He was so close! So ready! He just had to finish the incantation and resolve the rest.
But the moment he drew near, a shadowy tentacle smacked him aside. The Bag ‘a Mats grew ever more blurry.
Jay shook his head and [Stampeded], only for another monstrosity to latch onto his back. It coiled and slithered around, teeth sprouting free and lacerating his flesh. He screamed.
With each attempt to rip free, another shadow anchored itself against him. Biting into his flesh. Dragging him into the ground. Gnawing at his very soul.
And there was nothing he could do…
A gunshot rang out.
“Oh, no, you don’t!” a female voice suddenly pierced through the abyss. Light enveloped this ruined landscape under an incandescent beam. The shadows recoiled. “Come here, Jay! I’ll cover you.”
Jay sprinted for the light with all his might. The monstrosities launched in chase, but thunder roared in rapid succession, and their inconceivable shapes shattered into piles of black viscera. More came from the sides, only to meet the same fate.
Jay gasped for air, pushing with all his might. He didn’t need power anymore… Or knowledge… Or this cursed gift…
He just had to get ou–
Name: Jay Reis (Copper Age)
Vitality – ??/43
Hunger – ??/72
Thirst – ??/24
Fatigue – ??/48
Sanity – ??/?? (Cursed)
Main Crafts: Alchemy 1, Armor Crafting 2, Base Building 2, Cooking 1, Medicine 1, Tailoring 1, Tool Crafting 2, Weapon Crafting 2.
Weapon Crafts: Axes 3, Bows 4, Clubs 3, Daggers 3, Spears 5, Swords 5.
Armor Crafts: Heavy Armor 5, Light Armor 2, Medium Armor 0, Shields 5.
Character Skills:
[Forbidden Knowledge]
Armor Skills:
Heavy Armor: [Push], [Stampede]
Light Armor: [Dash]
Shield: [Brace], [Track]
Weapon Skills:
Axes: [Chop]
Bows: [Sharpshooter], [Longshot]
Clubs: [Bash]
Daggers: [Slice]
Spears: [Thrust], [Sweep]
Swords: [Power Attack], [Slash]
Armor:
[Lizardscale Helmet+2] (Hardened+1), (Reinforced+2)
[Lizardscale Leggings+2] (Hardened+1), (Reinforced+2)
[Scaled Roundshield+4] (Hardened+1), (Reinforced+2)
Weapons:
[Copper Sword] (Hardened), (Reinforced+1), (Stable)
[Wooden Bow+3] (Reinforced+2)
[Basic Leather Quiver]: Contains 20 [Flinthead Arrows]
[9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol] (Accurate+2), (Quick): Contains 5 [9mm Cartridge] (JHP)
Tools:
[Copper Knife]
[Copper Axe]
[Copper Hammer]
[Copper Pickaxe]