“I’ve heard it said that not all who wander are lost, but some most certainly are. Those are the ones to watch.”

~Unknown Sage

The room was silent. I looked at what appeared to be an old world tavern filled with people who only a moment ago had been drinking and sharing stories loudly. They had quoted down upon seeing a tall man with sandy blond hair, piercing green eyes, a muscular build that had started to turn to fat, and clothing that was drastically out of the local style; he appeared out of thin air stumbling into a table before finding his balance. Basically, they had seen me. Let me tell you, I was as surprised as they were! Here I was walking home from a late night at the dojo; I just started studying self-defense, to keep the fat from spreading and letting me have a beer and a slice every once in a while. Dieting was slowly sapping my will to live. I had been on my way home when all of a sudden POOF! I’m standing in a tavern wearing my workout clothes, carrying a messenger bag, and looking like I had lost a few dozen fights. My instructor was a big fan of object lessons in defense and he did not pull the punches.

The patrons of the tavern looked as old world as the place itself, almost as if I’d stumbled into a set from Game of Thrones. It was so quiet you could hear people breathing

“Beggin’ your pardon, sir.” The man behind the bar spoke up. He was a scruffy older man who looked a bit like shaggy from Scobby Do. “But magic is strictly forbidden in this er’ establishment.” His accent was a mix of Gaelic and proper British.

“Excuse me”I questioned, “but are you talking to me?”

He looked at me like as was both stupid and deaf. “O’ course I am talking to ye! Who else been popping into the bar all Mage-like.”

At this point figured the best thing to do was roll with it. “I’m a sorry friend, I didn’t know about the prohibition on magic use.” I had no idea what magic he was talking about, but it was best in these situations to make a quick and quiet getaway.

I left the tavern through a pair of thick wooden doors banded in black iron. The street outside was well lit by old-timey street lights that burned a light blue color. The street itself was cobbled and well maintained with grates for drainage and raised sidewalks. The homes and storefronts up and down both sides reminded me of the period dramas I’d seen of Victorian England or one of those quaint tourist towns you see in New England. I started walking to the right it looked like the road leading to the center of town. I needed to figure out where I was and how I had ended up here.

After walking for about 30 minutes I was stopped by a man who looked like a police officer. His uniform was strange, a long belted overcoat with matching pants and leather boots all in a deep dark navy. “Citizen, what are you doing walking the streets this late at night and dressed so strangely. What manner of clothes are you wearing?” He asked pointing to my baggy sweatpants and hoodie. I could only imagine how strange I must have looked to him.

“Officer, I’m new to the area and find myself rather lost. As for my attire, it is the traditional training outfit for my people. If you could point me in the direction of the town square I’m sure I’ll be able to find my lodgings.” I put as much authority and respect in my voice as I could muster. This day was getting difficult to deal with.

“I am no Officer, simply a town guard. I can escort you to the square and show you to The Otter, it is the only Inn after all.” He laughed obviously finding the thought of being an Officer amusing. I’d file that away for later.

“I would be most grateful …”

“Yes, of course, my name is Charles. And you are?” He asked turning and beaconing me follow.

“I’m Mike McConnell. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Charles.”

He led me around town for about 15 minutes until we hit the square. It was about 300 yards to a side with a government building in the center of a manicured yard with trees and flowers tastefully spread around giving the place the feel of tamed wilderness. The building in the center looked like a courthouse with three floors and huge stained glass entrance doors flanked by statues of who I assumed were town heroes or founders. We quickly crossed the square following a gravel path through the trees to the back of the building and across the street. Charles led down an alleyway and right to a large field-stone house with a sign hanging from the porch. The sign showed a large otter floating on its back smiling at the world. “Here we are, Mike. Now don’t go wandering around town at night if you don’t know where you’re going.” Charles gently chided me.

“Thank you again, Officer,” I said grinning and extending my hand to him. He laughed and took my hand in a full forearm shake like you’d see warriors use in movies. He clapped me on the back and left shaking his head and chuckling “Me an Officer, ha!”

I walked into The Otter not quite sure what to expect. The front room was a sitting area with large overstuffed chairs and low coffee tables beyond them was a small counter with a young girl behind it. She didn’t notice me enter and looked to be reading a book as I approached. Even when I was right at the counter she still hadn’t looked up. I was afraid id have to tap her on the should when she suddenly spoke, “It’s five coppers a night with meals and linen service. We offer a discount if you pay a week at a time and if you’re here longer then a week meals are free.” She still hadn’t looked up from that book.

“You’ll have to excuse me miss, but I’m not sure how long I’ll be staying.” I quickly opened my bag and fished out some pennies. I only had 20 and that was only because I was lazy and hadn’t cleaned the bag out since college five years ago. “Will this do for a night?” I asked handing over five cents. She finally looked up to count the coins.

“I can’t say a recognize the mark but they looked real enough.” She reached under the counter and took out a scale. Placing a penny on it she let out a sigh, “your coin’s a little heavy. It’ll only be four a night.”

I smiled at her and handed over three more pennies, “Let’s make it two nights then.”

“It’s your coin Mister.” She said taking the money and grabbing a key from the pegs behind her. “You’re in room 5. It’s down the hall to the right. Baths are in the back past the kitchen. Get there early if you want the water hot.” She sighed again and went back to reading. I left her to it and found my room.

The room was about the size of a dorm room with a twin bed, small writing desk with a chair, a love seat, and a coffee table. The only light was a lamp on the table, but try as I might I couldn’t light it. of some kind. I just need some matches or a lighter, really wish I didn’t quit smoking right about now. I sighed and laid down on the bed. It was comfortable and before I could even take my shoes off I had fallen into a deep sleep.

I woke up in the morning feeling sore all over, “Damn Sensi really did a number on me last night” I sighed and rolled out of bed heading for the shower out of habit. Tripping over the table, “Shit” I yelped landing in a heap on the love seat and remembering where I was. I guess I’ll be spending the day figuring what the hell is happening to me. First I should take an inventory of what I’ve got with me. It might be a while before I can find a way home assuming its possible at all. I emptied my bag on the bed and began sorting my meager possessions. I had my bag, my phone, my laptop, chargers for both, my wallet with I.D. and credit cards, 12 pennies, 10 quarters, 4 gold U.S. Dollars, 3 U.S. Silver Dollars, my knife, a trusty Smith and Wesson 9mm concealed pistol, and three spare mags. I’ll have to see if I can convert my currency to the local standard and see if my tech even works here. From all I can tell I have somehow stepped into a different world, or I’m completely mental. I took the time to power up my phone and was surprised and relieved when it turned on. It was at eighty percent power and had no signal so I turned it off it save the battery. I didn’t bother with the laptop assuming it would work as well and not wanting to waste any power booting it up. Next, I took all my money and stashed it in the front pocket of the messenger bag. Finally, I strapped on my concealed carry shoulder holster under the hoodie, fixed the knife’s sheath to the bags strap, and got ready to leave. Looking at my watch it was just after 7 a.m. and they should be serving breakfast downstairs. I had the room for another night, but I didn’t want to leave anything in the room unattended. Walking to the front desk with all my worldly, Otherworldly, possessions I greeted and elderly gentleman, “Good morning sir, I checked in last night. Where is the morning meal served?” I asked cordially.

“Good morning young man,” His voice was like the pages of a book turning light with the weight of history and his eyes shined with mirth. I could tell this man had lived a long a full life.”I hope you’ve enjoyed your stay so far. I see you’ll be with us another night and by the look of you, you’re not from around here.” He chuckled. “I have a map of the town and if you have any questions I’ll be happy to answer them.”

“Wow, A map would be a blessing!” I almost yelled smiling. “And if you could tell me where I can convert some of my currency, it looks like I ended further from home than I realized,” I said sheepishly.

“Firstly, the meals are served in the common room down the hall and the map is free for our guests. As far as a money changer I think the blacksmith or jeweler would be your best bet, I’ll mark them on the map. My name is August and what shall we call you during the remainder of your stay?”

“How rude of me, My name is Michael Decimus McConnell, but you can call my Mike.” I bowed to August as it seemed the right thing to do at the moment.

His smile was full of barely hidden mirth as he replied “Oh a man of noble bearing if not noble birth. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Mike.” He bowed his head making the map and going back to his business still smiling.

I could get used to this place, the people have all been so helpful and pleasant. I walked back to the common room and was served a hearty breakfast of sausage, eggs and rye bread. It was the best meal I’d had in months and for only 4 cents a night it was the cheapest I’d paid for a meal ever.

It took an hour of walking around the busy streets until I found the Jeweler. I’d figured that he would offer the best exchange rate for my coin. I entered the shop to see a short woman behind the counter looking out at the street wistfully. “Excuse me, Miss, Can you help me exchange some foreign coin?”

Her eyes widened slightly as I spoke and she took the time to scrutinize my appearance. “Boy, if you have more than a few coppers to rub together I’d be surprised. You defiantly have the look of a foreigner about you and a poor one at that. Let’s see what you have and get this over with.”

I was a taken back by her attitude, but I didn’t think I could find anyone better to change my money. “Okay, this is all I have,” I said gruffly handing over my coins. Her eyes got saucer wide when she saw the gold and silver dollars. She quickly schooled her expression, but I’d seen enough to know that I had a good amount of wealth here. “So, I take it we can make a deal.” I grinned.

Scowling slightly she took out a scale and weighted each coin and made notes in a small book on the counter. “I believe we can make a deal, Boy.” She grouched. “The copper ones I can give you 15 pieces of the same, the big iron ones’re only worth 20 copper, the silver I can exchange at 1 for 3, and the gold a little less than that.” She was scrunching up her eyes and calculating how just how much she could squeeze out of me, but much to her delight I accepted her offer right away. After all it is only about ten bucks to me.

“A pleasure doing business with you.” I smiled and walked out of the store. Now it was time to get a change of clothes all the locals were staring at me where ever I went.

The Tailor’s was a nice little corner store with big glass windows on two walls mannequins dressed in the latest fashion displaying it for all passers-by. A bell chimed as I entered and a portly man of about 30 walked through a curtain that led to the back of the store. “Good Morning! It looks like you are in dire need of my services.” He frowned at me tsking as he came.

“Yeah, I could use some new clothes.” I was a little tired of the store clerks judging me. “If you could point out something a moderately well-off foreign man such as myself would normally wear I’d be happy to pay top coin.” I wasn’t sure if the phrase translated, but the clerk perked up and started to take my measurements. I ended up with what was essentially a very high end suit from my own world with minor differences. The collars were rounded and the coat was longer than I would normally wear, but over all it was a very fetching outfit. I had picked a forest green coat and pants with a dark navy vest and black shirt. I thought I looked very dashing and it only cost me two of my silver pieces. I said goodbye to the clerk and left.

By the time I had finished my shopping, it was starting to get dark, the street lamps were lit and I started back to the Inn. It was a nice fall evening with the first hint of winter in the air. I could tell the first snow would be falling here soon. I need to find a way home before winter sets in. I wonder if there’s a mages guild or tower. The bartender last night mentioned magic that might be my ticket home. I was lost in thought and hadn’t noticed the two men following me until I had turned down a dark alley, the same alley Charles had led me down the previous night. Tonight I didn’t have a town guard to keep the thugs away and I was dressed like a rich man. This is going to be trouble I thought as a third man stared down the alley cutting off any retreat. “Okay, guys I don’t want any trouble” I started to back against the wall so I wouldn’t be completely surrounded.

All of the thugs were dressed in patched and dirty clothing. They smelled like old piss and stale beer. I was not getting out of this without a fight. I could just shoot them, but I didn’t think gunfire would go unnoticed by the police and I couldn’t afford to be questioned. They’d lock me up for sure.

“What do we have here boys.” The apparent leader of the thugs, a tall man with a hideous scar running from his ear to the other side pf his mouth, said laughing. “Looks like a rich boy out on the town without paying the ‘tax’”.

“Oh, I must have forgotten to pay you when I got into town. How about we settle up an no one has to get hurt.” I smiled at him and reached for my bag.

“Not so fast yer Lordship.” He sneered. “I see that knife you got there. Don’t go getting any bright ideas.” I cursed silently. I was hoping to draw them in and catch them off guard with the knife.

“We’d hate to have a misunderstanding.” one of the others, A toad faced man laughed. I slowly reached into the front pocket and took out a gold piece.

“Gentleman, I’m sure a gold will more than cover my taxes while I’m in town.” I tossed the gold at the leader and while his eyes were following the flipping coin I reached into my coat and pulled the pistol hidden there. The seconds it took me to draw were enough for Toad-face to pull his knife and charge me. Everything seemed to slow down in that moment. The leaders eyes narrowed as he looked at the weapon in my hand the loud retort echoed in the close confines of the alley and he was dead before he could realize it. His brains were splattered down the street. Toad-face made it to me then and stabbed me in the side. The pain was more excruciating than anything I’d ever felt. I could feel the serrated blade slicing and ripping my insides apart as Toady pulled the knife out and got ready to stab again. He never got the chance, his charge had put him right in my line of fire and I squeezed off two round before he could bring the blade to bear again. He looked confused as he fell to the ground his life quickly draining out of the holes I’d put in his chest. The final thug hadn’t even drawn steel before his two friends were laying at my feet. He took one look at me and ran. I wanted to chase him, I wanted to kill him, but my side was in agony and I needed to get out of here. Those shots would undoubtedly cause an alarm to spread in the area.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

I was too close to the Inn to go back with out risking being caught. I quickly rifled through the thugs pockets and took anything of value; A few coins, copper and silver, three good quality blades , and a strange blue-green gem the size of a quarter were all they had. I could here the alarm being yelled and whistles blaring in the night, it was time to go. I took off running in the only direction that made any sense, back to the bar where I’d first arrived. It must have been some kind of instinct guiding me because after about half an hour with my vision blurring around the edges and my hands and feet numb I found the bar. I was delirious from the blood loss, I could feel something pulling at the back of my mind. Like that feeling when you forgot to turn the stove off or left the car lights on. I followed that pull around the back of the Tavern. Through the haze that was my sight the alley shimmered and I felt static charge the whole area. In a flash I was no longer where I had been. I was home. Just in time too, I fumbled with my bag until I got my phone out and turned on. I dialed 9-1-1 barely telling the dispatcher that I needed an ambulance before passing out.

————————————————————————————————

I woke up cold. The room I was in had a sterile feel to it like most hospitals I’d ever been in. The walls were a pristine off-white,florescent lights hummed overhead, and I was dressed in a thin linen gown that barely covered me. I did have some new accessories to go with the outfit, a pair of lovely steel bracelets that held me tightly to the bed and I had company, a smartly dressed young man in police uniform who looked like he had been up all night. He turned when he heard me moving around, “Oh, you’re awake!” He started, it must have been a very long night. “Now don’t struggle. We had to cuff you when they brought you in. Not often we have a guy stabbed in the side and a pistol missing three rounds.” He seemed nervous and stood backing slowly out of the room as he spoke. “Sarge! He’s awake.” He yelled down the hall before stepping outside and standing guard at the door.

Looks like I may have gotten myself in some trouble. Hopefully they don’t lock me up. I lay still listening to the machines slowly beeping keeping track of my heart and other vitals. I was surprised that I was so calm, I had killed two people after all and now the cops were keeping me cuffed to a bed. However, I couldn’t bring myself to care too much; They had attacked me and on another world! No way the cops here could hope to prosecute me. Just as I came to this realization the Sargent and two detectives walked into the room. “Good afternoon Mr. McConnell. It appears that you’ve had quite and interesting week.” Detective number one said flipping through his notes. He was a short dark-skinned man with a slight accent that sounded like he was from the Caribbean somewhere. “When they brought you in the doctors called us to report a man stabbed and waving a gun around before he collapsed in the street. Now, I see here that you called 9-1-1 yourself so I can assume you were acting in self-defense, yes?” He asked looking up at me for the first time since entering the room.

“Yeah…I had been out on the town. I had just gotten a new suit, you see, and I wanted to see if I could meet a woman. It’s been a while.” I replied bashfully, or at least I hoped to look that way to the cops. “I was walking home after a very unsuccessful night when this guys with a knife jumped me. He wanted all my money so I grabbed my wallet and he stabbed me. I had my carry pistol on me and got a few shots off before he ran off. The rest I guess you guys know.” I looked over the assembled men in the room hoping for some sympathy. The Sargent at least looked ready to give me a chance, but the two detectives just looked on impassive.

“We haven’t had any other reports of muggings in that area, but it doesn’t look like you actually hurt anyone and you were stabbed pretty bad. I’m not saying you’re off the hook, but right now we have other cases that need our time. Please, don’t leave town Mr. McConnell we will have followup questions for you.” The lead detective said and they all turned to leave. “Excuse me, Sargent, could you uncuff me please?” I called after them.

“Shit, sorry.” The Sargent cursed under his breathe. He quickly took the cuffs and left.

Now able to move my arms I gingerly examined my side. It was tender but not as bad as I’d expect from everything I had gone through. The bandage came away easily and the wound itself looked like it had been healing for about a week, still ugly but the redness was going away and I could see the scar that it would leave. I must have been out for a while.

The next few weeks past quickly filled with doctors visits and therapy to make sure I healed fully. When I was given a clean bill of health and the police had stopped coming by, telling me that they had concluded their investigation and I was free to go about my life, two months had gone by. I was itching to get back to work and start my self-defense training again. My brief time in that other world had shown me the need to be prepared for anything to be honest I was hoping to find out how I had ended up there in the first place. I went back to work, I was a draftsman working for an engineering firm outside of Pittsburgh, and I started up my classes at the dojo again. My Sensi used me as a living example of the importance of knowing the fundamentals. I even convinced him to teach me to fight with a knife. I also used this time to save some cash and buy up gold, silver, and copper bars thinking that once I figured out how to get back to that other world I’d need the wealth. After 6 months I had spent $8,000 on metal bars, bought a very nice combat knife, and upgraded my pistol to the military version with all the bells and whistles. I was ready to start looking into the world of magic and getting back to Victorian World, as I had taken to calling it in my head.

I packed up an old-style leather backpack I’d picked up just for my traveling with all my metal bars. I’d accumulated 4 gold, 10 silver, and 15 copper 1 oz. bars. I was surprised that copper costs almost as much as silver in my world. I had a small camp stove, utensils for cooking, a self-filtering 1-gallon water carrier, laptop with solar and crank chargers loaded up with all my drafting software and a few other toys, my phone, and a collapsible carbine made to look like a miniature AK-47 with 500 rounds of ammo and four mags. I dressed in the coat and pants I’d bought on my last trip with some improvements. Even though it had taken me four months to learn I’d become a halfway decent tailor and spent the time to sew ballistic plate pouches into the coat along with leather and scale-mail reinforcements for it and the pants. I also have a light leather vest similarly reinforced over a silk shirt. I had my old 9 mm on a belt holster in a cross draw for right-handed shooting with my knife sheathed to hide it and my new military pistol secured in a hidden shoulder holster. I had three spare mags for both pistols and 500 more rounds in my pack. It was a very heavy load-out and if I hadn’t spent my recovery time rucking with a similar weight I’d never make it out the door.

I took all my built up vacation time and told work I was taking a trip to Scotland to visit with family and reconnect with my roots. I even booked a flight in case the police were still keeping tabs on me, I knew it was paranoid, but I couldn’t help feeling I was about to embark on a dangerous journey and should cover my bases. I planned to be gone from work for two months. I closed up my house for an extended absence and walked away from my life for a while.

I had a vague recollection of the pull I felt before coming back and I focused my mind on that memory feeling around as I walked the city. I was near the University’s campus when I felt something faint brush over my mind. I looked around and it was coming from the Cathedral. I crossed my fingers hoping it would be too crowded on a Saturday and walked inside. The feeling grew stronger the further I got inside the building and suddenly in an alcove between two classrooms, I felt that static in the air. This time I wasn't bleeding out and took my time observing what I felt and slowly pulled myself through the static and into another world.

———————————————————————————————

Opening my eyes I saw a message floating in a golden flowing script.

Attention Traveler: As you have with purpose and forethought stepped from one World to Another you have been granted limited control over your development. We, the gods, have deemed Travelers worthy of this small gift. On the ground in front of you is a notebook in this notebook you will find a brief guide to the Multiverse alongside your ‘Character Sheet’. With these tools, we hope you survive and enjoy all the Infinite Worlds have to offer.

Shocked and caught off guard I dumbly reached for the small leather book sitting on the ground in front of me. It was a simple thing that I could have picked up in any book store back home, but when I touched it I could feel a slight shock of power running through it that spread swiftly through my hand and into my body settling just above where I had been stabbed. I flipped through the pages to find that they were all blank. Strange, I thought that message said it was some kind of guide book and character sheet. I figured it would act kind of like in D&D or maybe WoW. Maybe I’m doing it wrong… I took a closer look at the first page and as I concentrated the power I’d felt before shifted and moved very slowly to my eyes. I blinked once and there were words.

I would like to take this time to personally welcome you Traveler McConnell. My name is Sirsir, god of travel for the people of your World back to the earliest Civilizations. Now, I know what you’re thinking and Yes gods do exist. We are rather limited in our ability not the all-powerful gods of myth and legend. Think of my more like a very knowledgeable and advanced alien, your people have a saying “Sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” We have a similar philosophy ‘Sufficiently advanced magic combined with technology is indistinguishable from Divinity.’ We are or rather were beings similar to yourself many millennia ago. Now we just play in a bigger sandbox. Travelers are given a tiny portion of Divine power when they first transition. This allows you to talk with me and any other god you meet without having your brain turned to mush leaking out your ears. It also gives you some small measure of control over yourself in the form of Advancements. Advancements are simply abilities that you can use in any World you visit no mater the local conditions. For example, magic can only be used in Worlds that have the proper mix of radiations and other factors, but if you were to select the Magic Advancement a small mana well would be created in your body to allow magic to be ‘cast’ in any world. It is of course more complicated than that, but it will serve as a good example. On to the next topic, Worlds are what we call different Universes in the Multiverse, it simplifies discussions greatly. There are an infinite number of Worlds, but they are not all safe for Humans; we’ll talk more about that if it become relevant. Finally, Travelers are very rare. Only 1:1,000,000,000 every have the ability to Travel and of those only half ever do so purposely. So, it is unlikely that you’ll ever meet many like yourself. Any questions? Just think them while concentrating on the guide book.

That was a lot to process all at once and Sirsir had gone over most of what I would ask already. There was one question, So what do I do now? Am I like your minion or something? I thought at the book. Haha, That’s a good one! You are now my slave for life, muahahaha!! But, seriously you’re free to live your life however you wish. The gods may occasionally have requests for how you spend your time, but those are optional. I do recommend you fulfill any request that you aren’t morally against. The rewards are defiantly worth it, more advancement points! If that’s all I’ll be on my way, lots of godly things to do haha! Just like that I felt some of the power fade from the book. It still had a slight weight of divinity, I guess that’s what to call it, but it was only what I could feel coming from myself. I focused on my own power and the pages shifted to show me an overview of myself.

Name: Michael Decimus McConnell

Age: 32

Advancement Points: 5

Advancements: None

Select Advancements from the list below…

The list of Advancements was so long I gave up looking through it after half an hour. I wonder if I can filter the results like in a computer program. I concentrated on what I wanted and sure enough the list of potentially millions of choices was cut down to ten:

-Lifespan Advancement: Gain 50 years of life, may be chosen up to 10 times resulting in Immorbity (1 pt.)

-Memory Advancement: Total recall from this point forward (2 pt.)

-Physical Advancement: Gain peak condition in one of the following areas Strength, Speed, Dexterity, Endurance, Coordination, or Power (1 pt.)

-Magic Advancement: Gain a Mana-Well (2 pt.)

-Knowledge Advancement: Gain an expert’s level of understanding of a topic. Must be specific, example Math(no) vs. Calculus(yes) (1 pt.)

-Skill Advancement: Gain an expert’s level of ability in a skill. Must be specific, example Fighting(no) vs. Aikido(yes) (1 pt.)

-Teleportation Advancement: Gain the ability to teleport up to 500 yards (3 pt.)

-Charisma Advancement: Gain one of the following Irresistible Nature (Sexual advances always successful), Leader (Others swayed by your words and follow you), or Oppressive Aura (Others are fearful of your very presence, intimidation always successful) (3 pt.)

-Mental Advancement: Gain a psychic ability. Example Telekinesis, Telepathy, Mind Reading, etc… (1-3 pt.)

-Augments Advancement: Gain a mechanical Augment. Example Cybernetic Eye, Data Processor, etc… (1-3 pt.)

With only five points to spend I was hard pressed to make a decision and that gave me an idea. Select Knowledge Advancement: Advancements System I thought at the book. Knowledge Advancement: Advancements System selected cost assessed at 1 pt, Continue? I immediately thought YES and my mind was flooded with knowledge about the Advancement system. I even knew about it’s origins and possible workarounds, but my mind was overwhelmed by everything I now knew and I passed out.

When I woke up my head was pounding worse than after a weekend in Cancun. “Shit” I cursed weakly groaning as I sat up. The world around me was bathed in the early morning sun for the first time since stepping through to the World I looked around. My breathe caught and I stared in wonder at the scene around me. I was sitting on a small rise above a coastal valley. The gentle crashing of waves could be heard even from here which had to be 5 miles away. The valley was carpeted by lush green grass and low fern-like trees sloping gradually down to a white sandy beach and natural harbor. There was a small town built up around the natural harbor and it looked like they were still in the age of sail as there were no metal ships or the sound of combustion engines. It was a true paradise.

Shaking my head I tried to recall all that I had learned about the Advancements realizing too late that I simply couldn’t hold of the knowledge of an expert without forgetting a huge portion of it. It’s like my Dad used to say “Mike, I’ve forgotten more about manufacturing than you’ll ever know”. He did spend 40 years as a plant manager working the steel mills in Pittsburgh. I should have gotten the Memory Advancement first, damn it! I laughed at my own stupid mistake and waste of points. Let’s try again, Select Memory Advancement. Memory Advancement selected cost assessed at 2 pt, Continue? I sighed at the cost Yes I reluctantly agreed. I felt a change in my mind almost right away, but it was subtle. I closed my eyes and tried to picture what was in front of me and miraculously I could picture every detail. I tried to remember all about Advancements and could only pick out pieces. I guess it really means it about from this point forward…I’ll just get it again. Select Knowledge Advancement: Advancement System. This Advancement has already been selected and cannot be granted again.

I had considered the possibility that Advancements could only be selected once unless, like the Lifespan Advancement, they said otherwise. Still, it was a blow to my confidence that I had wasted one of my precious points. I hadn’t played an RPG in years, but I had been avid in my younger days and knew that spending points were serious business. I had two points left and I needed to use them wisely. I needed to plan for the long term especially if I got more points and became functionally immortal with Lifespan Advancements. These last two points needed to be versatile; I needed to be able to make money, survive hostile situations, and complete requests of the local gods. I could only think that combining the Knowledge and Skill Advancements was the way to go, but what did I want to do with them. I was already a proficient draftsman, a pretty good engineer, and now with my perfect memory I’d become even better; that would keep me well employed on my home World, but out here where technology might be vastly different I wasn’t so sure. I’d need to be able to make my own industrial base in many Worlds if they were less advanced, if they were more advanced I could take what they had and make it my own back home.

Select Knowledge Advancement: Materials Science and Skill Advancement: Blacksmithing. Knowledge Advancement: Materials Science and Skill Advancement: Blacksmithing selected assessed cost 2 pt, Continue? Feeling pretty proud of myself I happily replied “Yes”. The world spun and I fell back to the ground. My head was flooded with knowledge and my body was reshaped as if I’d spent 50 years as a Blacksmith. My whole being vibrated and darkness fell.

I have got to stop passing out all the time! I thought before even opening my eyes. My whole body hurt and I was so thirsty it felt like I’d spent a week in the desert doing Crossfit. I had to gently rub my eyes before I could crack them open even then it was difficult to see. I fumbled with my pack searching for my water carrier to relieve this terrible thirst. Ah! That’s the ambrosia of life, nice cool water. I had to force myself to take my time and sip the nectar of the gods. A full hour later I was fed and watered enough to go over what I had learned and how I had changed. The first thing I noticed was that my clothes were tight, not uncomfortable, but for sure not the well-fitted garments they had been. It wasn’t the clothes that shrunk and instead I had gained some serious muscle. The Skill Advancement had granted me all I needed to be an expert blacksmith, muscles and all. This alongside the Materials Science I now remembered I was extremely confident that I could create a good little industrial empire where ever I went.

I looked to the coastal town with new determination and a goal in mind. I would change the World.