Zeni found herself seated at Neith's rustic wooden table, her stomach growling with anticipation as she gazed upon the simple yet sumptuous meal that had been lovingly prepared by her gracious host. The dish before her was an enticing array of colors and textures, each morsel enhanced by the ingredients and spices native to this new world.
As the windows inside this dwelling were narrow (probably to keep the sand out) light had to be provided. Golden candlelight flickered upon the array of mouthwatering dishes, casting a warm glow over the tabletop and the feast that awaited. At the center of it all was a steaming, fragrant tagine, its conical lid lifted to reveal tender chunks of slow-cooked lamb nestled amidst a garden of vegetables, the likes of which Zeni had never before encountered. Crimson tomatoes, vibrant zucchini, and plump apricots, bursting with sweetness, all mingled together in a rich, spiced sauce that hinted at the mysteries of cinnamon, saffron, and cumin. The aroma wafted through the air, filling Zeni's windburned nostrils with a symphony of scents.
To the side, a heaping platter of couscous awaited, each golden grain glistening with a drizzle of fragrant olive oil, speckled with flecks of fresh parsley and bright slivers of sun-dried tomatoes. A basket of warm, freshly baked flatbreads lay before her, their soft, pillowy surfaces inviting her to tear off pieces and savor the earthy aroma of the grains that had birthed them. A colorful assortment of mezze rounded out the feast, with jewel-toned bowls filled with creamy hummus, tangy yogurt drizzled with honey and sprinkled with crushed pistachios, and a vibrant, crunchy salad of cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions, tossed with a zesty lemon vinaigrette that seemed to dance upon the tongue.
As she eagerly devoured the delectable fare, her taste buds danced with delight at the harmony of flavors—the earthy richness of root vegetables, the sweet tang of sun-ripened fruits, and the fiery warmth of whatever exotic spices were part of this food’s DNA. Each bite was a journey unto itself, a tapestry of culinary artistry that nourished both body and soul. And as the meal progressed, Zeni found herself ever more grateful for the opportunity to savor the profound pleasures of this land's bountiful fare.
“Man,” she moaned, her mouth full. “Getting transported here was a nightmare of confusion. But, it was all worth it just to eat this meal.”
As she continued to eat, Zeni reviewed the details of her chosen class, the Heket Enchantress, which appeared before her like an ethereal vision.
Heket Enchantress - Level 1
Stat Bonuses:
* Intellect +3: Your keen mind allows you to tap into the intricacies of Elemental Invocations, curses, and potion making with greater ease, ensuring your spells are as mischievous as they are effective.
* Clarity +2: With the wisdom of the ancient Heket gods and spirits, you possess a slightly deeper understanding of the world around you, helping you discern when to apply a well-timed curse or brew a much-needed potion.
* Deftness +1: Your nimble fingers make mixing ingredients and weaving spells a breeze, allowing you to deftly dodge and weave through dangerous situations, all while maintaining an air of grace and mystique.
Elemental Invocations: Unleash the whimsical and occasionally indignant forces of the elements in the form of basic invocations. With a flick of the wrist, you can create a small gust of wind, a tiny burst of flame, or a minuscule splash of water – perfect for putting out small fires or annoying your companions.
Curse: Invoke the wrath of ancient magic and the ire of long-dead spirits to inflict a minor curse upon a single enemy. With a flourish of your hands and a dramatic incantation, you can cause your foes to experience a sudden case of the sniffles or a fleeting moment of mild confusion. Nothing too severe, but enough to make them question their life choices.
Potion Making: Combine basic ingredients, a dash of hope, and a pinch of improvisation to create rudimentary potions with various effects. Whether you're brewing a potion to cure a headache or concocting a mixture to encourage plants to grow at a slightly faster rate, your skills will make you the life of any party – or at least, the mildly interesting side attraction.
The description, while fascinating (and strangely sardonic) also served as a reminder of just how inexperienced she was in this world. First and foremost: it was straight-up cuckoo birds that these sorts of things existed here. She supposed she could have been a little more discerning when she arrived, but, to her credit, that was only a couple hours ago and she was discombobulated. That being said, even she knew that her abilities were limited, and the thought of wielding any sort of power seemed daunting. She was nervous. She considered what it truly meant to have a…class in this strange land.
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Neith, who had been watching her intently, seemed to sense her unease.
"Do not worry, Zeni. You will learn to master your powers in time. Everyone starts from the beginning."
Zeni looked up from the class description, a little embarrassed as she snapped back to…was this reality?
"Oh! Hey. Sorry for drifting like that, Neith. Just doing my thing over here! I was thinking though…Do you have a class as well? Also, how does this world work? Oh! Also, also: Why do we have these abilities? And am I the only person you’ve met from somewhere else?"
Neith chuckled at the sudden deluge of questions.
"Yes, I have a class. However, it is quite a divergence from the usual ilk you may someday become accustomed to.”
“How so?” Zeni asked, sneaking a grape from her plate while maintaining eye contact.
“In that I am known as a Ra's Shepherd, a guide to those who are new to our world. I help those who are wayward navigate the complexities of this land and its Ka."
Her brow furrowed in thought, Zeni asked, "So, I'm not the... what do you call us? 'Other guys,' maybe? That’s cute. Anyway—I'm not the first to arrive here?"
Neith shook her head, her linen headscarf rustling softly.
"No, you are not the first. We call you 'Far Travelers,' or just ‘Travelers,’ for you have journeyed greatly from another realm. Over the years, I have guided many like you, each with their own unique class and abilities."
As Zeni processed this information, she felt a wave of relief wash over her. She was not alone in this strangeness, and she may have found an ally in Neith, whose kindness and generosity were evident in every word and gesture.
Good ole Mama Bird, she thought.
Neith, with her motherly demeanor, seemed to anticipate Zeni's needs before she even voiced them.
“You have more questions,” she said—it was a statement. “Please, do not be afraid to ask your fill.”
Zeni thought about that for a moment, and then felt the rumble of hunger and remembered she had food sitting right in front of her. So, as she considered her response, she ate.
“So, uhm, what do I do with this class?” Zeni finally asked between bites of a delicious potato-like tuber. “Like, what’s the whole point of it?”
“Oh, I suppose that might all seem strange, wouldn’t it?” Neith said. “Well, in the simplest terms—your class is designed to assist you in understanding the greater world. Our world is an ancient one, and though it seems that some Travelers come from magical worlds themselves, many do not. It is important to know that this world of ours is absolutely teeming with Ka—whether that is sorcery, wizardry, gods, demons, and the like. Kemet-Aaru is a veritable royal tomb of supernatural splendor—though, I might be using the term a little loosely. Much of it is also…dangerous. However, if you keep your wits about you and focus on the important things, you’ll be more than capable of surviving your first days here. With my help, especially, you’ll be right as the running river!”
Zeni thought about this.
“So, I probably should have waited to choose my class, then, until I could talk to you about it more? Whoops.”
“Oh,” Neith said, winking. “It probably wouldn’t have hurt. But you seem like a sharp girl. I am more than confident you’ll be able to utilize your class to the best of its abilities, and carve your own fortune out of the sands. That I have no doubt.”
Zeni gave her an unconvincing smile.
“Uh…okay. Yes. Definitely. I am going to not die. That will be my primary goal. Yep.”
Her thoughts turned inward, reflecting on her own life and the choices that had led her to this point. She had always been drawn to the unknown, her insatiable curiosity pushing her to explore the world and uncover its secrets. Now, what she mostly did was bum around her house and watch movies about other people exploring the world and uncovering its secrets, but she had dreams, dangit! But even in her wildest dreams, she had never imagined she’d wind up in a place as peculiar and inexplicable as this.
"And here I am," she mused softly, "just a humble, drama-prone adventurer—uh, Traveler, caught up in some grand cosmic game…with like, gods and stuff. If anyone back home could see me now, they'd probably think I'd lost my damn marbles. But then again, maybe that's what makes this all so... thrilling. I could die right now, and it would still have been the most interesting twelve hours of my life."
A wry smile played on her lips as she acknowledged that notion. This was the kind of adventure she’d one day hoped for, and she was determined to see it through to the end, no matter how wild and weird it became. After a boring life, wild and weird would be a welcome change.
“All you need to know, Zeni,” Neith continued. “Is that your success is largely dependent on your ability to get stronger.”
Zeni gulped. She’d never been the ‘hard work’ type back at home. This was not a convenient truth.
“And, uh…” she began, not sure exactly how to ask. “How, uh…what is the best method of getting stronger here?”
Neith smiled.
“There’s a few ways, of course, and—”
However, suddenly, she was interrupted by a loud screeching sound, and her eyes widened. The kindly older woman glanced out of the open window into the street and turned back to Zeni with a worried expression.
“Well,” she breathed. “Coincidentally…one way to get stronger has just arrived.”