It didn't take Gregory too long to map out this level of the mines. He found the shaft and ladder that headed down first, but he decided to see if he could find a way up instead. He knew the next quests would be leading him deeper, but he figured getting outside the mines and setting up a camp would be a good idea. He didn't want to live in the dark mine tunnels.
His hopes were dashed when he eventually found a gently sloping path up. After following it for a minute, he noticed what looked like faint black mist in the air, and he started to feel unwell. After another half a minute, he received a notification.
----------------------------------------
Deadly miasma is eating away at your life. Retreat from the miasma before it kills you.
----------------------------------------
He could see and feel his health ticking down, but he wanted to see how far he could go. He began healing himself. He could heal up to full a couple times, but he would turn around if he needed to heal again. Naturally that happened only a dozen feet farther up the tunnel when the black mist grew thicker.
----------------------------------------
Deadly miasma has intensified. Retreat from the miasma before it kills you.
----------------------------------------
He sprinted back the way he came while healing himself the whole way. He was more exhausted when he got back than he felt when Olivander sent him here.
"I guess I can't leave," he said to himself.
He ambushed one of the prowlers on the way back to the ladder leading down. He hit it with enough blows in quick succession that he took it down before it had a chance to howl and draw attention.
Glad these things aren't tough.
He set up a looting ritual this time.
----------------------------------------
Prowler Hide
* Crafting material
* Rarity: Useless
* The hide of a Glausen Mines Prowler
* The taint of the miasma around the Glausen Mines has rendered this hide useless
* Carrying the hide on your person will cause a health damaging debuff once an hour.
Prowler Claws
* Crafting material
* Rarity: Useless
* The claws of a Glausen Mines Prowler
* The taint of the miasma around the Glausen Mines has rendered these claws brittle and unusable for most applications.
----------------------------------------
"I've never seen 'Useless' rarity items before. What kind of awful deathtrap have you sent me to?"
Gregory dropped the items on the floor, not wanting to chance carrying them. He returned to the shaft that led to a lower level.
"Guess I'll just camp here."
He dug through the pack Olivander sent with him. He found the Spellforge on top. He hadn't had any real time to fiddle with it yet, and set it to the side to tinker with once he finished setting up a makeshift camp.
He pulled out a bedroll that was crammed into the bag. Then he found a bundle of familiar jerky.
"Oh nice!" He grabbed some jerky. "I hope there's something else in here too though."
An enchanted canteen provided water, and he found some wafer biscuits that served as a break from the jerky.
Now comfortable, Gregory pulled out the Spellforge. He could use a spell created with the forge once a day, but he wasn't sure how to use it to create spells. He tried channeling a little mana into the object, and was greeted with an explanation.
----------------------------------------
Spellforge activated in Crafting Mode.
Select an option:
* Craft a spell [0/10 spell slots filled]
* Add components [4/30 component slots filled]
* View spells [NONE]
* Remove spell [NONE]
----------------------------------------
"What are components?"
He selected the "Craft a spell" option.
----------------------------------------
Combine components to create a spell. Complete rituals and partial rituals can be added to the Spellforge using the Add components option.
Available Components:
* Touch Effect
* Ranged Effect
* Neutral mana
* Healing mana
----------------------------------------
Huh, it looks like it took components from my current spells — Mana Bolt is neutral ranged and Healing Touch is, well, healing touch.
He left that menu alone and selected "Add components" instead.
----------------------------------------
Draw a ritual above the Spellforge.
----------------------------------------
He could just barely remember the shock spell Olivander taught him. He sketched out the ritual above the forge. A moment later, the Spellforge drank it in.
----------------------------------------
New components added:
* Lightning Mana
* Variable Strength (Special Effect)
----------------------------------------
Curious, he tried to select "Special Effect."
----------------------------------------
Component - Variable Strength (Special Effect)
* You can specify a fractional amount of the Spellforge's mana to use on a given spell. Spellforge mana regeneration will be delayed by one hour after spell usage, but the spell can be used up to the full fractional amount before full recharge is needed.
* Cannot use more than one variety of fractional spell per day.
----------------------------------------
That was interesting. He didn't know how strong the Spellforge effects could be, but if he could make a spell for free healing three or four times per day, it would really help out his longevity. On the other hand, if he could make a powerful lightning attack, maybe he wouldn't need the endurance.
Since he was about to try to sleep anyway, he decided to experiment.
----------------------------------------
New spell created - Multi-heal
* Heal a moderate amount up to 3x per day
Health: 40/130
----------------------------------------
He intuitively knew how to change the Spellforge from creation mode to active mode, and he was able to trigger the spell effect with a thought. A bright flash of healing swept over him. He felt amazing.
----------------------------------------
Health: 130/130
----------------------------------------
"Oh, that's good. That's really, really good. I guess it is an Epic rarity item from a dungeon first clear."
He noted that the Spellforge could hold nine more spells, but decided to hold off on creating anymore. He wanted the healing spell, and could wait until he had a few more ritual components to add before trying out other combinations.
Satisfied and with full health, he tucked the Spellforge away. Then he tried to settle down to get some sleep. He just hoped he didn't wake up to a Prowler trying to eat him.
The next "morning" — he had no idea what time it was, or even if these mines were remotely close to where he had come from — he packed up and descended to the next level.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
----------------------------------------
Glausen Mines, Level 2
----------------------------------------
He was pretty sure it was part of his quest skill that was keeping track of what level he was on. He noticed a difference right away. This level of the mines was covered with bioluminescent moss and felt wet.
"What kind of mines are these?"
He was on high alert with his shield on his arm, so it came as little surprise when a small cat-like monster pounced at him, wicked fangs visible and massive claws aimed right at him. He raised his shield and caught the impact.
The shadowy cat was small so the impact didn't hurt. Its claws were now stuck in the shield, and it was trying to pry itself free, hissing at him. Gregory grimaced, but he knew the cat monster would try to kill him, so he began slamming his shield against the wall. It stopped moving a short time later, and he had the grizzly task of removing the cat from his shield himself.
He had a thought, and set down the shield instead. He drew out the looting ritual and activated it. As he expected, the cat vanished and his shield was left unharmed — except for some small holes where claws had sunken in. He picked up his shield and frowned at it. It was a mess of brown Fog Behemoth roots, and now had several small holes in it.
I'm going to need Zeke to fix this.
He strapped it back on and took a look at the rest of the loot, it was just a pile of bones.
----------------------------------------
Miniature Shadow Cat Bones
* Crafting Material
* Rarity: Common
* Basic bone crafting material, and be used to reinforce or repair items.
----------------------------------------
Interesting, he glanced at his shield, maybe I can repair it myself?
He decided to wait on any kind of attempt at something like that. He picked up the bones and…
Gregory felt around his waist.
"Gods damn it. He took my dimensional bags. I guess I'm going to have to be choosy about loot."
He decided to put the bones in one of his pack's outer pockets. They were small, being from a small cat, and he wanted to give repairing a try. He still needed that non-combat class after all.
Gregory had no issues making his way around this level of the mines. The moss was bright, and the shadow cats were very susceptible to blunt damage from his shield. He felt bad, and needed to remind himself that these appeared to be monsters. There was no way there would be so many natural magical creatures populating the mines, especially since there didn't seem to be anything to eat besides moss. He was no cat expert, but he didn't think they ate moss.
He fought the shadow cats as he went, his progress to the next level of his Guardian class drawing close. He planned on focusing on that. It seemed like magic wielders had to rely on other classes at low levels, just by virtue of mana constrains, so he wanted to push his Guardian class forward.
He was breathing hard when he put down the last cat in a group of four. He had more injuries than usual, but the fight had been worth it because he finally saw the alert he had been waiting for.
----------------------------------------
You have reached Level 8 in Class Lesser Guardian.
You have gained four attribute points.
You have gained one skill point.
----------------------------------------
"Nice!"
He slotted all his attribute points into strength, he wanted a little more attack power. Then he made what was maybe a conservative purchase with his skill point, but he could tell that in these narrow mines, it would be worth the point spent.
----------------------------------------
New skill acquired: Shield Bash
Shield Bash
* Active Skill
* Cost: 10 Stamina
* Use your shield as a weapon, enforcing your body to inflict slight to moderate damage, depending on target, and your reinforced body takes slightly less damage for a short time.
* Knocks back smaller opponents and has a chance to interrupt actions taken by any opponent.
----------------------------------------
Gregory was essentially already using a version of this, but without the skill it was an unrefined poor imitation. His shield felt more natural, like it was an extension of him. Even though the skill was offered up because of his Lesser Guardian class, it felt like the skill was meant to be paired with the class, like it fit better than the others would have.
----------------------------------------
Class synergy bonus. Your new skill pairs perfectly with your class, Lesser Guardian. You have gained two points in Constitution while using a shield.
----------------------------------------
No one had told him he could get bonuses for having skills that complimented his class. He guessed healing touch and mana bolt weren't quite as perfect for the Magician's Apprentice class.
With his new attributes and the bonus his strength was now fifteen and his constitution was thirteen. He could feel the substantial increase in strength and swung his sword to test it out. The weapon was lighter in his hand than ever, but he could tell the swing was unbalanced. He needed to improve his dexterity a little to be able to handle this new strength with his sword.
With his shield though? He started jogging down the moss laden tunnel to find something to test it out on.
He found the path down, and having only spent a few hours on the second level, he decided to head down immediately. After healing himself up and the occasional fight, he was only missing a little stamina and mana. Compared to yesterday when he was tossed in here, he felt great. He wondered why Olivander had waited for him to be injured and on his last dregs of endurance to throw him in the mines. The question would have to wait, he was full of energy and ready to see what challenges awaited.
----------------------------------------
Glausen Mines, Level 3.
----------------------------------------
The tunnels on this level were dimly lit, torches somehow burned with a fitful flame, though he had no idea who would come change them out or why. Unlike previous levels, which had been a maze of corridors, so far this level just led straight forward. He passed a room on the right. There was a bet and a small chest inside.
Gregory would, of course, never describe himself as greedy. But he was his father's son, and Olivander's apprentice. He wouldn't pass up loot that might not technically be his when it could lead him to greater power.
As soon as he entered the room, he knew he made a mistake. The appearance of the interior changed to that of a dark prison cell, and when he turned he found a door with iron bars slamming in his face.
"Ohhhh that was easy!"
Gregory didn't know who spoke, he looked down the tunnel in either direction and didn't see anything.
"Down here, bozo!"
In front of the cell, Gregory found a short goblin. Shorter than Fezzic, with more brown than green skin that appeared somewhat scaly. He hadn't seen this variety before, but Fezzic was also the first goblin he had ever known.
"You some kind of giant? Never seen a human so big before," the goblin said.
"Uhh, no. I'm just tall." He knew he was tall, but he hadn't filled out like his father. His mother was lean and he had inherited at least a part of her build. He imagined the goblin wouldn't even try to talk to his dad, assuming Burtrum was actually a giant.
"Hmm. I guess you don't sound like a giant. Give me your stuff!"
"What, no. Who are you? Why did you lock me up?"
The goblin laughed. "A bold one. It's always the wizardly types that send apprentices here. They're usually whiny but spineless. You on the other hand. Big, tough. Not afraid of a goblin. Very interesting. It'll be fun seeing how long you last."
"I'm Gregory," he hoped that giving his name might soften the goblin's disposition.
"Gregory? Pffft, nevermind. With a name like that I take back what I said about big and tough. You're probably as soft as the queen's pillow."
"What's wrong with my name?"
"See you later, Gregory, we'll see if a few hours in the cell makes you more charitable to goblins in need."
The goblin started walking away, and Gregory rattled the bars. "Hey! Wait! Come on, let me out of here!"
The goblin ignored him and left Gregory's line of sight.
He took another look around his cell. To his horror, there was a skeleton in the corner. It was wearing dusty tattered robes and was hunched over against the wall. It was holding a book in one hand. He avoided it for now. It could just be another trap or illusion. Also, he really didn't want to have anything to do with skeletons. He had really had his fill after fighting waves of them with Cooper.
The rest of the cell was nothing more than a bare floor and walls, a bucket for taking care of business, and a cot against the wall that looked as old as the skeleton. He thought he'd probably just sleep on the floor rather than risk sleeping on whatever was left of the cot — not that he intended to just hang around.
He went back to the door and examined the hinges. They were thick, and he didn't see anything he could leverage to get himself out of the cell. He tried all the bars to see if any were loose, spent half an hour poking blocks all around the cell to see if there was a hidden exit, and finally gave up and sat down on the cot.
It collapsed immediately.
In the back of his mind, he just assumed this was a part of his "training." Now he was reconsidering. He had two options: potentially exhaust himself trying a combination of magic and skills to escape, or wait for the goblin to return so he could figure out a way to talk it into letting him out.
He didn't like either option. As he thought, his eyes fell back onto the skeleton in the corner. Maybe he had another option. Carefully, he reached over and pulled the book away. The slight action was enough to disturb the remains, but the robes, fortunately, kept the bones more or less where they were.
The book was heavy and worn, with the spine practically crumbling just from his handling of the book and the glue all dried up. Still, he could read the cover, and the pages inside seemed to be more or less intact with some stains whose origins he chose not to think about.
Rune Crafting
A Study of Forgotten Arts VI
His eyes locked on the word "Crafting." Maybe his time in this cell wouldn't be worthless. Carefully, he opened the book.