Over the decades, [Merchant Captain] Morris Menfield has gained a knack for finding great profits in unlikely situations. Whether that is finding bulk resources at a cheap price to the trading of expensive information. It was that last one where he profited enough to buy the Imperity. A nice, large ship with speed, cargo, and cannons fit for an enterprising [Merchant].
It is this ship that glides slowly through the sky towards the Timbergrove and Anadasta. The Imperity dwarfs the Timbergrove in size, and is even slightly larger than the Anadasta even though the ships are in the same size class. With white flag raised, the Imperity nests abeam to the opposite side of the Anadasta. It merely moments for his crew to tie the two ships together before throwing down a plank.
“[Captain], all is ready.” A [Sailer] rushes into his room.
“Good.” Morris grins. He stands up off his chair and takes one final glance in the mirror. A tall portly man with a belly smiles back. The man wears a heavily engraved coat and tricorn alongside jewels lining his neck and arms. All rare metals except for two runed rings on his right hand. He grabs a comb and quickly brushes his goatee so as to make sure all hairs are straightened. It would not do to show any weakness, even in looks.
After one final glance, Morris exits his quarters, walks up the stairs, and eventually arrives on the deck. When he does, he finds the crew to be on edge. Keeping up his smile, he walks to the bridge between the two ships where his [Ship Guards] wait. When he arrives, his eyes move to the fully armored woman. The woman wears an entire set of runed plate armor. A further glance reveals the armor pieces to all be of exceptional quality.
With a thought, he calls up her job.
Emma: Level 2 [Chief Carpenter]
The problem with Jobs is that they can be changed while a person's class level cannot. Unless you have a skill to discern a person's class, then figuring out how capable someone is is a fool's errand. It would not surprise Morris that this armored woman is at the very least an Advanced class.
Next to the woman stand three more individuals. One of them, a large muscular bear of a man grins widely as a runed hammer rests on his shoulder and a runed Shamshir on his back. Morris also notices the Blizzard Bear Leather Coat- a rather rare piece of equipment you’d expect to see in more arctic regions.
As for the man's job…
Boriss Smirnov: Level 4 [Security Chief]
Also low. Another surprise.
He checks the next person- a woman with a Raven Guilds runed cutlass and a cloak that is of equivalent or possibly better quality than his own. Considering how she holds herself, Morris experts her to be the [Captain]. But…
Irmgard Von Braun: Level 6 [First Mate]
He hides his surprise and growing unease well as he looks to the final person. A short plump man that somehow matches his own grin. The man has a sheathed cutlass on one hip and a gun on the other. Morris also notices a runed ring on the man's finger.
He must be the [Captain]
The thought rises at the forefront of his mind. But, that thought is quickly proven false.
Cillian Wallace: Level 9 [Quartermaster]
Odd. Very odd. Did the [Captain] give his crew brand new positions so as to level them? I’ve heard it done in military ships to diversify crew responsibility in the event of an emergency, but that's the military.
Regardless of Morris’s thoughts, there is an opportunity for profit so long he is willing to take a risk. He steps in front of his [Ship Guards] with head held high and a grin born of experience.
“I am [Merchant Captain] Morris Menfield. I wish to thank your [Captain] for the timely save of both myself and my vessel. Are they around?”
Four pairs of eyes turn to Morris’s left where a puffy cat sits casually on a railing. He’d not noticed the cat before.
“Your thanks are accepted. Now what the fuck do you want?” The cat speaks.
He and his entire crew freeze in place at the sight of a talking kitten.
The cat stares back entirely unimpressed. “Look, I’m a busy kitten. Can you skip with the amazement and get to answering my question?” The cat continues.
Morris is the first of his crew to recover, though that is more so because he can see the job.
Quasi Eludo: Level 11 [Captain]
“Y-yes. Apologies. I was merely distracted by your magnificent fur.”
The kitten snorts. “Laying on the compliments early. I guess I can be a bit civil too.”
The cat clears its throat. “As you probably already realized via your skill, I am Quasi Eludo, [Captain] of the Timbergrove. It is a pleasure to meet you. Now, what the fuck do you want?”
Undetered by Quasi’s vulgar tone, Morris just nods and grins. “You do seem like the type whose time is precious. So, I will be quaint. I would like to take this destroyer off your hands- for a price of course.”
“I’m looting the ship right now and planned on blowing it up afterwards… but, I can be convinced to leave the vessel intact.” The cat glances at one of his crew.
“Cillian, you heard what he wants. Go do your thing.”
“That I can.” Cillian steps forward. He extends an arm towards the much larger man. “I’m the Timbergroves [Quartermaster] and [Merchant]. I hope you’re up for a bit of haggling.”
Morris nods with his continued smile and a new twinkle in his eye. “I very much enjoy haggling. I’ve an office for it with many drinks included if you would be willing to join me.”
Cillian perks up. “Drinks you say? Oh, do lead the way.”
Quasi watches as Cillian and Morris leave his presence to start negotiations. When they are finally out of earshot, the cat looks to his remaining crew.
“Have we loaded up everything from the Anadasta?”
“We did, though there wasn’t much other than drink, ammo, and food.” Irmgard explains. “It seems the Anadasta was planning to pirate resources, so their holds are empty.”
“Damn. So the best loot is the [Captain's] sword.”
Emma raises a hand and touches the weapon on Borris’s back.
Name
Shamshir of Slicing
Rarity
Exceptional - 8 Runes.
* 1(1-Durability)
* 1(1-lightweight)
* 2(3- Enhanced Sharpness)
Description
This greatsword is +30% more durable, +30% lighter in weight, and is +150% sharper.
Sustain
0.10% Mana regeneration per minute.
“It has two runes of Enhanced Sharpness, so I think it could probably penetrate everything but plate armor quite easily.”
Quasi pouts. “You’d think a [Pirate Captain] would have something more impressive than a runed sword that can better slice things.”
“It’s the arm.” Myers walks up to them. The old man glances at the Imperity for a moment before staring back at Quasi. “Runic modification of flesh is powerful, but they also greatly reduce an individual's mana regeneration. I’d wager that shamshir hits the limit in the number of items he can have functioning.”
“Right, limitations. I never asked, but what happens if you go overboard on the number of items and your mana regeneration goes negative. Do you lose mana?”
“No. The items' runic effects cease functioning.” Emma adds.
“Correct. That’s why many [Captains] prioritize the vitality trait. That way they can wear more equipment and stronger equipment alongside living longer.”
“But you’re weaker physically,” Irmgard says.
“Nothing equipment cant fix.”
Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.
Quasi grimaces. “Are you telling me that putting all my points into strength is going to hamstring me in the future?”
Myers scratches his beard. “Yes and no. There are epic quality items that can add ten to a person's strength trait. For the average [Warrior], that's the equivalent of seventy to eighty trait points in strength. But for you, since your base strength is very high, putting trait points into strength gives you significantly higher returns.”
“But I still lack the diversity equipment provides. I may need to increase my vitality, though how much is a problem. Myers, what do you recommend as a good mana regeneration rate?”
The old man continues scratching his beard. A beard he very much needs to trim. It looks quite scraggy now. “Many high-end powerful epic items can cost up to half a percent. legendary items tend to all be in the single digit percent range while mythical items are a class of their own. If you don't mind me asking, what is your base regeneration? I imagine it differs considering your main body is a Fenrimorph.”
“My base regeneration is 0.54%.”
Myers raises an eyebrow in surprise. “That's exceptional. Other than Phytonids and Gemma, only certain human bloodlines have such a high base.”
Quasi sighs. “Now you’ve got me thinking about where my points should go. I guess I should sleep on it. I’m sure I leveled from that fight.” The kitten yawns. “Irmgard, if Cillian returns and I’m still sleeping, wake me up. Borris, make sure none of Morris’s crew get on board until Cillian is done negotiating.”
“Negotiating?” Myers asks.
“Comrade Cillian is accepting fat man's surrender. Is fine.”
“Surrender? Why are they surrendering?”
“They want the ship and are willing to pay for it. Otherwise we blow the ship up and they get nothing.” Irmgard translates.
Emma raises a hand like a child that wants to speak but doesn’t know when.
“You’re not five, just ask.” Quasi says.
“What should I do? Can I take this armor off?”
“Not until we leave. Keep the armor on. Lean on a pole, cross your arms, and look menacingly at the Imperity’s crew.”
She frowns at the order, but it goes unnoticed because of the lowered visor.
With the conversation over, Quasi hops off his perch to find a comfortable place to nap.
____________________________________________________________________
Three bottles. Three empty containers of wine don the table in front of the short man while Morris is still on his first. Normally, this would be a good thing if the person you are negotiating with is drunk, but the man seems tipsy at best. What is even worse is that the wine isn’t exactly inexpensive. Sacrificing a bottle for a good deal is acceptable. But three bottles? That’s pushing it.
“Twenty-six thousand trist is a ludicrous number for a damaged ship. Very few [Captains] would even have half as much on hand. I think a more reasonable number is five thousand. With repairs, docking fees, and the risk of transport, five thousand is a reasonable sum.”
Cillian bursts out laughing. “Thas cute. F…ucking cute.” He burps. “That ships a military class destroyer. Rare and expensive. Would sell for six figures easy.”
The short man grabs a bottle and frowns at how empty it is. He wiggles it in front of Morris so as to show it is empty.
Morris suppresses a sigh. He gets up and hands the man another bottle, which he opens and takes an immediate gulp.
“I won’t lie that the ship will sell well, but there are risks and costs I need to keep track of.”
“I know.” Cillian grins. “I’ve a skill thas tellin me you have twenty-seven thousand trist on hand. I also know yer ships s-s-slowa on account of a full hold of goods.” The man blinks. He shakes his head. Then he takes another gulp. “Wines good.”
“Mr Cillian,” Morris starts, but stops as Cillian waves him to stop speaking. “No, les me finish.”
The shorter man burps. “Here's the plan. Yer gonna park ya ships for free cause dockin fees are when yer leavin. Yer gonna sell yer goods and use the trist ta fix the destroyer. If yah need more trist for repairs, put yer ship on collateral for a loan. Easy money.”
For once, Morris allows his smile to fall. “I hope you realize that if I walk away from this deal, you gain nothing.”
Cillian takes another gulp.
“Ya came back afta gettin attacked cause ya greedy.”
Cillian leans back and places his legs on the table. “I’m greedier. Twenty-seven thousand trist. Take it or leave.” He grabs the bottle and mounts it vertically to his mouth.
________________________________________________________________
As dreamland takes me, my mind is swished to the realm of white. A mostly empty realm except for that which I own as part of my skill. Floating above me is the Timbergrove in all its majestic glory. Ship is a perfect replica of what I own from the red paint that increases its speed to the cannon extending out of its sides like spider legs, all the way to the large ballista on the deck and bow of the ship.
Alright, it's actually not very majestic, nor is it as impressive as it looks. The ballistae doesn’t have that much range while the ammunition is limited and expensive. The cannons are so strong that firing more than one would produce too much recoil on the ship. It also doesn't help that the ship has metal plating which slows the vessel's speed. The plating doesn’t even function that well since the ship's hull isn’t very thick so as to give it a lot of hull integrity.
So yea. The Timbergrove lacks in speed, firepower, and health.
The modification done to the ship weakened it, but you wouldn't be able to tell from a distance. All you’d see is a heavily armed and dangerous frigate meant for battle.
From the side of my vision, I watch as a red and green floating eyeball comes into existence.
I wave my hand. “Red, green, buddies, pals. How have you both been? Got any good news for me?”
Red blinks once as unemotionally as it usually is. “You have leveled to ten in your [Captain] job. The passive skill Remote Examination has been unlocked.”
Remote Examination
You are able to examine items and people utilizing appropriate skills by your crew.
“My crew? Does that mean I can use Cillians [Sense Rarity] and Emma’s [Identify Item] skill?”
“That information is restricted.”
“Of course it is. Fine. Show me my crew information.”
Job: [Ship Captain]
Level: Level 10
Job Skills: 2
Ship Size: Frigate
Primary Jobs Available: 8
Support Jobs Available:5
Maximum Job Capacity: 15
Primary Jobs
[First Mate] level 6: Irmgard Von Braun level 8 [Sword Officer]
[Quartermaster] level 10: Cillian Wallace level 17 [Merchant]
[Security Chief] level 4: Boriss Smirnov level 15 [Skirmisher]
[Chief Carpenter] level 2: Emma level 28 [Rune Smith]
[Head Chef]: N/A
[Chief Physician]: N/A
[Artillery Chief]: N/A
[Navigator]: N/A
Support Jobs
[Boatswain]:[Gunner]: [Cook]:
[Carpenter]:
[Rigger]:
[Physician Assistant]:
Is it weird that I want to fill everything out? It would be pretty impressive to see all of the jobs filled. Then again, the Timbergrove doesn’t exactly have space for that many crew. I would either need to get a larger ship or get another one. Though the second option is only available to [Fleet Captains]- which is unlocked at [Captain] level 25.
“No changes, red. I’m done with you.”
Red blinks once and disappears to wherever he comes from. I then turn to Green.
“Considering you’re here, I’m guessing that I leveled. How many levels have I gained?”
Green blinks. “You have gained a single level. You have one attribute available.”
“Show me my entire trait sheet.”
“Acknowledged.”
Traits.
Human Average
Individual Base Calculations.
Level modifications
Trait Actual Value
Strength
10
37
+29%
47
Endurance
9
43
+0%
43
Vitality
12
0.27%M/R/M
22
0.54% M/R/M
+0%
22
0.54% M/R/M
Perception
9
27
+0%
27
Intelligence
11
16
+0%
16
Mana
388.8
480
+0%
480
Control
12
9
+0%
9
Attributes Available/Attributes total:
1
30
Level:
21
Titles Obtained: 2
Title Name
Leviathan Slayer
Title Rank
Legendary
Title Effect
+10 Attribute points
Title Name
Underdog Boarder
Title Rank
Rare
Title Effect
[Captain’s Authority] stat decay is slowed when boarding enemy vessels.
I scratch my human chin with my human hand, only to feel a bit of oddness to it. I’ve been in the form of a cat long enough that scratching with hands instead of feet doesn’t feel normal.
I should probably start putting points into vitality if I’m to enhance myself with runed equipment. But, the payoff for strength is far more worthwhile because of the base value. Then again, it may be best to maximize strength. With my endurance being 43, I can boost my strength up to 86 without running into problems where my body can't handle the strain. This would also ensure I can handle any tests of strength going forward.
“Put the last point into strength and that should be it.”
“Acknowledged.”