Happy Holidays!
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It took me hours to get up the cliffs. With my weak child body I was sure I wouldn't make it. Luckily, there were places in the cliff face where I could rest my body. As a matter of fact, the day passed into night and into day again before I made it to the top. I pushed myself hard in order not to think about something troublesome.
Now, however, I was finally at the top and could see before me a a field that stretched some far distance until it reached a forest on the horizon. The forest stretched to the left and right to each end of the horizon.
My vision was blurry, my body heavily hurt, and I was still hungry. Fortunately, and strangely, the body of water was fresh water, so I got plenty to drink before my climb.
Still, I was panicked. Dizzy due to hunger and exhaustion, and with many more bruises and cuts all over my body from the climb, I doubt I could even make it to the forest.
I clenched my teeth and forced myself forward, one step at a time.
I wasn't sure when it happened, but I realized everything I could see was dark, but I still forced my new body forward.
******
Miraculously, I made it to the forest. Upon getting there the very first thing I noticed was a bush with berries on it. I was simply overjoyed, but couldn't even shout for joy.
It had been a terrible decision to walk the plains, which I had simply called a 'field' before, during the day. Large insects biting all over my body, two large sun's blazing heat hammering onto my body.
I'm sunburned all over, I have a fever, I think I'm starting to get delirious too. My lips cracked in a dozen places and have been bleeding, and I am pretty sure some of the cuts from before have gotten infected too. This is not looking good..
Greedily, he reached began eating the berries in front of him without caution. He was too hungry and too exhausted to think about any potential consequences.
"Jedná se o druh jedu." a voice could clearly be heard.
I stopped eating and looked around for someone nearby. I didn't see anyone.
Right, I'm just going crazy.
"Tyto bobule jsou jed." the voice had a lazy tone to it.
This time I looked around, my eyes bolting to shadowed areas looking for someone nearby.
"Převod jazyka." In response to those words my body briefly glowed a reddish color.
"Can you understand me now?" a voice slowly drawled contemptuously.
Hesitantly I spoke with a hoarse voice. "Y-yes."
"Good. Look up by the way." said the amused voice.
Looking up I see a large bird. The first things I see is a highly prominent high-arched deep bluish-gray beak. Then, I see the yellow legs with menacing and powerful looking dark claws. Finally able to focus on the non-threatening aspects of the handsome specimen of raptor, I can see that it's nape is adorned with long dirty-golden feathers that form a shaggy crest that would have given the appearance of a lion's mane had it been brown. The nape and crown both are golden-red and the underside and under-wings are white. The dark face matches the hue of the beak, and its eyes had gold specked blue iris around the dark pupils. Finally, the feathers adorning its back are a dark goldenrod color.
I gulped audibly. It was at standing on a branch half a dozen meters above him and is approximately 150 centimeters in height. It was a very large raptor. A type of eagle?
"P-pleasure to meet you." I said automatically.
The eagle seemed to perk up at that. "Good. Manners. How rare among your kind. Stop eating those. They're poisonous."
I immediately dropped the berries on the ground and spat out what was left in my mouth.
"Thank you. I appreciate that."
The eagle's head tilted. "Come to think of it, are you really a human child? I know it has been a few centuries since I have met one of your kind, but I seem to recall that one as young as yourself should not be able to speak so easily." The tone of puzzlement was clear.
"Ah!" the noise involuntarily sprung from my mouth.
"I-i am human, but not a normal one. I was born with otherworldly knowledge. Most of it useless in this world though." A variation of the truth.
No, what's truly puzzling is how this bird talks and how I can suddenly understand it? was that glow on my body magic?
"Interesting. Well, otherworldly knowledge or no you are going to die." came the matter-of-fact sentiment.
"The berries' poison is that strong!!?" I was panicking. I have only been in this world a few days!!!
"A sorry, no. The berries' poison isn't anything like what you seem to think. This berry is a fruit that brings out the maximum capabilities of the senses of anything that eats it. It takes a couple of hours, but basically the awakening of your senses to their peak will either kill you or drive you insane. " The eagle's eyes were filled with pity.
I gulped.
The eagle continued. "With that in mind however, I suppose it doesn't matter if you keep eating the berries. It will affect you in a few hours no matter what. Might as well eat some more and sleep awhile to gather your strength. I'd prefer you not die. As long as you're alive, insane or not, you'll still be interesting!"
*****
The mysterious eagle had refused to talk after that statement. I had asked several questions such as "Was that magic you used so I could understand you?", "Is there no antidote for the berries?", "What kind of bird are you?", "Are there any nearby human towns?"
However, no response. It just stared intensely at me, it's eyes following my movements carefully. So, I took the advice. I ate more of the berries until my hunger was sated, and although I didn't want to sleep, my exhausted body pretty much collapsed and my eyes were uncontrollably worn out and my eyelids were falling heavily. I couldn't get up even if I wanted, so I slept.
When I fell asleep it was dusk. When I woke it was dawn. Waking was not comfortable. Actually, it was painful. My senses seemed to have fully come to from the effect of the berries in my sleep.
I went mad.
The intensity of the environment around him beat him down tremendously. Smells, noises, touch, taste, sight and other senses hammered into him. My smell was capable of of separating scents with acuity and precision on par with chemistry labs, my eyes could could see everything with such precise detail and noticed every detail and the shadows were practically no longer shadows as even a dim amount of light enabled me to see perfectly. I couldn't stop seeing, feeling, hearing, and smelling with vibrancy and brilliance. It was only intensified by the bruises and cuts all over my body. Every inch of my skin I could feel, so every drop of pain was magnified, throbbing intensified. Heat, cold and wind direction could be perceived thanks to my thermoception, and my overwhelming kinesthetic sense made me exactly aware of my body.
But there was more. I had a sense for something else I couldn't describe. As if there was something intangible all around me and within me. I became acutely aware of this intangible "something" I could feel, and whenever I thought about it it was if my vision became able to see it as well in the form of a strange blur that seemed to be apart of everything around me.
My body writhed and lashed in a berserk like fashion as I tried to make this sensory overload stop, which only made things worse as I punched trees, headbutted the ground and dug my fingers into my own flesh. I wanted it to stop. My screams could likely be heard for miles and the terrible anguish and pain in my voice was so extreme I could feel nearby animals shudder in their own instinctual fear of such pain that they could sense from me.
As my mind was approaching it's breaking point there was a soft, soothing mental touch I could feel. Alarmed at first, my mind nearly broke, but the feeling of gentle warmth and kindness transferred itself across the 'link' from its' mind to my own. With desperation my mind practically seized the presence and tried to fling itself across the 'link' to escape the pain. But I was stopped with force, and my mind was caressed gently.
The presence taught my mind over many hours how to properly handle everything my new found senses could perceive. Several times it would force my mind to rest, and I would sleep awhile, before waking to the sensory pain again, but the presence was still there. It kept my sanity for me, and I was dimly aware that it was teaching my mind how to unconsciously handle the vast amount new information coming in.
Finally, I woke once again and everything was bearable. Nothing was overwhelming and it felt more normal to have such extreme senses.
I laid on the grass and dirt starring at the night sky crying tears of joy. I had survived.
And the damned eagle was still there too.
"So, Sir Eagle, did you enjoy the show?" I spat bitterly.
"What happened to those manners kiddo?" the eagle's wing twitched. "Who do you think saved your life? While you were busy crawling around helpless, not only did I keep large predators away, I healed your injuries AND kept you sane, risking my own mental health in the process."
The anger in the eagle's voice intensified through the rant.
I looked down and saw that indeed my injuries were healed up, leaving behind only some black blue non-painful bruises.
"Thank you, you are right and I am sorry."
"Good! I haven't slept either. ahem." The strange sound of the eagle clearing it's throat was complimented by it bringing a wing up to cover it's beak to make the noise.
"Now then, some answers to some of your questions. I am Lelantos and I am known as an Earth Phoenix. This forest is, to my knowledge, simply known as the Great Forest by humans.
Humans do not come here easily as there are many denizens of the forest, like myself, who do not take too kindly to trespassers. And the nearest human village is on the far side of the forest, weeks of travel for you, a few days of flight for me."
I could feel myself go pale. Weeks of travel? I wouldn't live. Unknown foods, predators, and who knows how many poisonous or venomous things along the way.
"As it so happens I am also an Elemental. As an Earth Pheonix I'm a hybrid Elemental which enables me to use wind magic and earth magic instinctively. I also trained myself in some water magic a couple centuries back too, as well as healing magic. Oh, and as one who lives in the Great Forest, it's a given I am skilled with Mind Magic."
"Why is that a given?" I had a million more questions, but that was the first one that came to mind in the interlude of quiet.
"Well, because most higher animals species in this forest use Mind Magic. By the way, while I was in your head keeping you from going all crazy you were 'shouting' your memories at me. I know everything you have been through recently. You're much more interesting now." He spoke with gleeful delight.
I stood up and brushed off some of the dirt off myself and my simple garments and sighed heavily. I began walking deeper into the forest.
"Hey, little human. Don't go that way. You'll die, you'll definitely die without my help!" screeched the Pheonix.
"You're willing to help me more?!" I was genuinely surprised.
"Of course, I've already invested some effort, energy and time into helping you, why wouldn't I? Besides, I find you interesting. Everyday is the same around here it's nice for a change of pace."
"Then, would you answer some of my questions?"
"Sure thing kiddo." The phoenix flew down and landed onto the ground in front of me. "Flap away."
I almost chuckled aloud at that phrase.
"First, is this world called Vernica?"
"You bet."
"Aren't phoenix’s supposed to be covered in flames?"
"That's obviously a fire phoenix."
"Can't you just fly me to the human village?"
"That's no fun and extremely strenuous. And dangerous."
"Dangerous?"
"I would certainly need to stop a few days to take breaks carrying you, and the central regions of the forest are filled with many creatures that could take me out easily."
"How am I able to understand you?"
"I cast a knowledge transference magic on you. I'm surprised you haven't noticed but you're speaking the same language I was when you couldn't understand me."
My mouth clearly formed an 'O' shape as I pondered this revelation. "Shouldn't I have experienced some form of imagery and words flooding into my mind in combinations?"
"I have a delicate touch... I added it at a lower level than that so your worn body and mind could handle it."
"I was told there were.... 'rules' to this world that make it quite different from my own. What are they?"
"Well, I don't know how your world works, so how can I explain the differences?"
"Then, don't explain the differences, explain the basics of this world."
"Ah! You're a really smart human."
Not really... isn't this much obvious?
"Well, first, everything in this world has 'properties'. Intellectual species can view their 'properties' and their 'ranks' at will."
"How do I go about doing that?"
"When I was in your mind I noticed that you were able to feel a strange energy within yourself. That is called 'life force', and the energy in the surroundings is called mana. You must connect your mind to your life force. Only then can you know your properties and rank. Your body renews your life force by bringing in mana to your life force repository, simply called your soul. Your soul cleanses the parts of mana that cannot be used by your body, and circulates the refined energy as life force, once it cannot do that any longer, mana collected goes to your mind. You can strengthen your soul through training to be able to have larger amounts of life force and be able to recharge your life force at a faster pace. Lastly, your mind can store mana. By strengthening your mind you can increase the amount of mana storable and using your body as a channel, mana can be weaved into magic. One known exception is mind magic, which actually consumes life force instead of mana, another would be healing magic which, depending on the spell can consume either life force or mana."
Whoa! What a wealth of information! So basically, mages would want to strengthen their minds to increase their magic capabilites, while keeping their life force low so they can have speedy mana recovery. But what does training your soul accomplish?
"What does increased amounts of life force do for me?"
"Longevity, greater strength and senses, and improves how capable one is when handling mana, albeit, that's only minor differences compared to training your mind. Greater improvement for control comes from more mental training rather than life force training. Ah, also, by strengthening your body you can 'load' life force into your muscles and such for great improvement in physical capabilities. While doing that, it is difficult to use magic in that state as doing so IS linked to life force in your soul. By having life force loaded into your body, mana cannot escape. However, they can interrupt their mana replenishing to gather to an external point near their bodies and use it for a specific function. Usually attacking as it is hard to manage unsettled mana."
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
So warriors would want to train life force so they can load more into their bodies. With high replenishing rates they could maintain such a state for longer periods of time. Mages wouldn't train life force unless they want to gain more time to train their minds and gain more knowledge or develop healing magic. And gather mana outside of their bodies? What the hell is that, kamehameha or a hadoken? So, wait, should a mage train mind or soul first or am I just getting everything backwards? Too much theory! It sucked in college and it sucks now!
"Can you demonstrate that?"
"Nope."
I stared at the phoenix accusingly.
"Aren't you centuries old? Why the hell haven't you learned something that sounds so useful."
"I'm a mage that is a natural born flier and can naturally use Earth magic and Wind magic... I can just fight my opponents from a distance and stay out of range from anything threatening." Lelantos sounded a little annoyed.
"Ah, sorry, yeah that makes since."
I took another long look at Lelantos. Truly, what he said made sense. He could fly far from his opponents skills and so ranged magic could be dodged easily, and he could use earth and wind magic. Are they something like bending? If so, those combined with mind magic, assuming that includes telepathy, telekinesis, mind blasts and mind control and those talons of his... he might be quite a dangerous force to be reckoned with.
I once again looked at Lelantos, but this time with new found admiration.
"Anyway human, hurry up and bring out your info card."
"Info card?" This really does sound like a game. I'm getting excited!
"Didn't I tell you? Ah, I suppose I did not. The info card, status plate, and other names is the manifestation of the connection between your mind and soul. It shows what your body is capable of accomplishing."
"I have a few more questions first." But I'm so curious!!!
"Tsk, more of those silly things? You think alot human." Lelantos's voice was filled with irritation.
"Do most people strictly train either life force or mental mana storage? Are there people who can utilize both?"
"Of course there are. Dragons, unicorns, paladins, dark knights, and many more. Strictly training one or the other is an option though. There is no one true path as they say."
I closed my eyes in response to that. I began controlled breathing to still my mind. I was gonna try to bring out my "info card." After a few moments of relaxing my body I began to -
"Whatcha doing?" This irritating bird!
"I'm trying to connect my soul and mind together to get my info card." Be patient with him.
"No, no. That looked more like you were trying to train your soul. Rather than that, think about the energy that you can feel inside you with your heightened senses. Imagine reaching out to it with a mental hand. Like you did when you 'grabbed' me when you were crazy on berries."
I took a deep breath, recalling how it felt to 'reach' for and 'grab' something mentally. I located where I could feel the energy within me and my mental hand reached out. It took a minute but I was finally able to grab it, and I was covered in sweat from that one minute.
Suddenly a small stone looking plaque materialized in front of me.
"Hey Lelantos, I did it!" I cried joyfully. This is the beginning! I can't believe this is happening!
I looked at the plaque looking thing:
Name:Mathea RandalAge:2 (Spiritually 24)Race:HumanLevel:1Status:HealthyGender:FemaleLife Energy:200Mana:200Strength:20Agility:20(+7)Vitality:20Dexterity:20(+7)Stamina:20Perception:20 (+20)Intellect:30Wisdom:20
Racial Traits:
Fighting Spirit: Can Intimidate lower leveled entities. Usage skill needed.
Adaptive: Skills gain an extra rank when first learned. On level ups a random skill may rank up, stat may increase, or magic affinity may be gained/improved.
Youthful Growth: While young (20 and lower), learning new skills is 100% easier. Gaining stats are 100% easier. Gaining levels are 100% more difficult.
Personal Traits
Skill Evolution: Skills are 100% easier to train. With wisdom, may gain insights from existing skills to develop new ones.
Rebirth Bonus: Life Energy, Mana, and Vitality increases through training are doubled.
Diverse Genes: 50% chance of gaining a Talent based personal trait every 5 levels until level 30.
Modified Body: Unknown effects.
Skills
Sensory Perception (Rank: Max):
Max Equilibrioception: Agility is increased by 5 * level
Max Proprioception: Dexterity is increased by 5 * level. Agility is increased by 2 * level. Perception is increased by 2 * level.
Max Thermoception: Perception is increased by 2 * level.
Max Somatosensation: Perception is increased by 5 * level.
Max Olfaction: Perception is increased by 2 * level. Increases susceptibility to pheromones. Can detect any poisons with odors.
Max Gustation: Can detect any poisons with taste or unique texture it may add to food.
Max Hearing: Perception is increased by 5 * level. Increases susceptibility to noise based effects.
Max Sight: Perception is increased by 4 * level. Ranged visual perception ranges further than other perceptions.
Max Modified Stereopsis: Accuracy increases greatly. Accuracy based on visuals is increased further. Dexterity is increased by 2 * level.
HOLY- WHAT KIND OF SUPER PERCEPTION DID THOSE BERRIES GIVE ME?
I was breathless, speechless and stunned.
I quickly did some mental math.
AT LEVEL 10, I'LL HAVE 220 PERCEPTION!!! AT LEVEL 100 I'LL HAVE 2020!!! AND THAT'S ASSUMING MY PERCEPTION DOESN'T RAISE AT ALL. I'M A SONAR ARRAY!!!
"Lelantos!! L-look at this!" I simply couldn't keep the shock out of my voice as I trembled.
"Ah, you got some major perception boosts right? Figures after eating those berries. I did the same a few centuries back. What will yours be assuming no base growth by level 100?"
"2020!"
"Not bad for a human! My actual level 100 perception was something around 1900, but visual perception was about 2200. Of course, the there are huge differences between myself and you."
Coming out of my daze I asked, "What do you mean?"
"Well, my fine featherless friend," he said with a smug looking face. At least I assumed it was smug. "Humans, as a weak species on individual capabilities, cannot exceed level 100. While many others can. That is why your kind tend to fight with numbers, strategies, and tactics. Still, at least with Perception, no other human will possibly be able to match you! Screeeee Screee!" he let loose a high pitch sound that I could only interpret as a laugh.
"Then, what's you're level?!" I cried out.
"Eh? You wanna know my level?"
"Yes!"
"... 359"
"YOU MONSTER!"
"SCREEEEEEE SCREEEEEEEE SCRAAAAAAWWW" Lelantos's eyes whirled in delight.
*****
Agility and Dexterity? Intellect and Wisdom? Strength, Vitality, and Stamina?
At this point in time I was pondering the significance of each stat. I was sitting in the middle of a cavern a large distance away from where I was previously. Lelantos grabbed me up and flew to his "nest". I was surprised it was a cavern, but he waved it off as being part of being an earth phoenix. Oh, I should also mention that the cavern is into the side of a huge pillar of stone that is towering far above the trees. The only thing I can compare it to would be a skyscraper.
After arriving here Lelantos went to sleep. I stayed awake for a brief while too but I soon passed out as well. I woke to the rising sun the next morning. Now, I was sitting around looking at my status plaque and was organizing my thoughts in preparation of some new questions that were at the back of my mind before and hadn't gotten a chance to ask. Unfortunately, Lelantos was still asleep.
Agility would be.... reflexes, movement speed, nimbleness and stuff like changing directions at high speeds. Then, dexterity would be fine motor skills seeing as it is being increased based on my sense of depth and my proprioception. So, knife handling, lockpicking, detailed craftsmenship and possible accuracy of aim would all be determined by this. If this were a video game, then a ninja or thief would prioritize these two stats, whereas an archer would want Stamina and Dexterity in lieu with a bit of Strength? But I suppose dexterity and perception helps with accuracy. It is tough to know what to train, huh?
Strength and Stamina seem straight forward... at least until I consider what the differences are between Stamina and Vitality.
I stretched out and laid back on the smooth floor. I briefly admired the cavern. It was obviously man-made, or in this case, phoenix made. It must be part of the capacity of earth magic.
I got lost back into my thoughts.
Wisdom must be insight, tactical decision making and strategic decision making. This would stem from the ability to assess and evaluate people's mentality, previous decisions and so on. Basically, connecting the dots more or less. Or not? Then what is intellect? Simple strength of mind, capability of learning and remembering? It undoubtedly has a huge impact on the ability to control Mana if this world has video game like rules.
"SCREEEEEEEEEEE!!!!" My vision blurred from the sudden intense screech from the other side of the cavern. Damn Lelantos.
"Morning Lelantos."
"Good morning Mathea." he said while stretching out his wings through the middle of the cavern.
"I have three brief questions."
"I have three brief answers." This annoying bird.
"If two individuals with matching stats, levels, skills and traits fought, how does one determine the winner?"
"What are you talking about child? The one with more combat experience and overall technique. Without experience and technique a skill is just a skill and the stats are just stats. You need to understand when to use a skill, and how to utilize your stats to the maximum. Just because you have stats, doesn't mean you can use them properly, or for that matter know how to use them properly in a real scenario. This being said, someone with overwhelmingly greater stats would win over someone with less but real combat experience and technique."
"Added question. By technique, do you mean that in most cases skills will represent what you're capable of doing, but technique would be real time application?"
"That's exactly what I said."
No, you said nothing of the sort! Ah! he did mention combat experience. I was thinking about experience points in a game but that wasn't what he meant.
"So it becomes impossible to win if someone has the same skills and traits, but superior ranks, experience, technique and stats, even if it's all slightly higher?"
"No, it's possible to win using willpower. Or rather, willpower can push your body to it's absolute limit of what the stats make it capable of doing. Typically, even the most trained and proficients soldiers cannot normally do that. So, if your motivation for fighting is strong and you can push yourself you can win. Factors like willpower, experience, and technique are all intangible factors and there is no real way to know who has more of what until a fight starts."
So, in the end, this word isn't vastly different from mine in that regard.
"Last question. How does vitality help me?"
Lelantos sat quietly for a few moments, then said, "What would happen if I pushed you out of my nest?"
"At this height? I would die." I'm fragile and can't fly! You Dodo bird!
"Don't be so sure. That's vitality. Well, with your low vitality you probably would die."
I had to think about that. Boy, did I think about that. Those implications were enormous. It couldn't be that amazing, could it? But then, it clicked and I understood.
"It makes intangible factors concerning my health less dis-favorable. Like how many injuries I can take before dying, or blood loss, or improves my resilience to diseases and such."
So it in part affects what can only be referred to as hit points.
"My, you're quite insightful! That's as close to putting it into words as possible. But answering all these questions is making me bored. Do all humans of your world need to think so much? Can't you just go figure it out by doing something? Oh I have an idea!"
He looked at me. Perhaps it was because of my improved perception, but I knew he was keeping his face innocently straight.
This mischievous bastard, what is he planning?
"I'm going to teach you the basics of wind magic. While I'm teaching you, you cannot leave this cave. I'll bring food and such for you. You have six months."
"... Six months until what?"
"Until I push you out of my cavern and see how you fair." His face was entirely innocent.
"MOTHERFU-"
"SCREEEE SCREE SCRAAAAAW" his resounding laughter drowned out my fury and raging storm of curses and swears.
"Let the training begin!" Once again, his eyes were twirling in delight.