The screen appeared before Azarus like an eager puppy, ready to play. Azarus felt the tumbling dice in his palm. He meant to equip Moka to the best of his abilities. Luck would play a role.
Welcome to run number: [3]!
Guide your Champion to stand apart from the masses.
[Upgrade Token] detected! You may use this to evolve any selection, or save it for a future run.
To begin, please select your Champion’s [Archetype]
Available:
[Peasant]
[Soldier]
[Assassin]
Azarus considered his options. It was a quick decision. [Peasant] still had some appeal. He firmly believed the archetype had potential. Yet, he was ready for something new. [Assassin] was straight out. That was not the side of Moka he wanted to encourage. [Soldier] was the only actual choice.
The god made his selection and waited for the screen to present the next round of choices, his [Upgrade Token] on his mind. Using one to upgrade Moka’s class, like he had done with [Handyman] to [Architect], seemed like a worthwhile gamble. An upgraded Skill or Boon could be useful, but her class was the foundation.
Generating Potential Classes from Archetype…
Please choose a class for this run.
[Infantry]: The backbone of every military, these are the grunts who do what others can’t or won’t.
Minor gift of Vigor. Moderate gifts of Perseverance and Resilience.
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[Lineholder]: The line that breaks the tide. First to die, hardest to kill. These soldiers watch death come with a steady shield arm.
Minor gifts of Might and Vigor. Moderate gift of Perseverance. Major gift in Resilience.
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[Trenchrat]: Digging holes into perfectly good battlefields, tunneling through siege walls, and infesting sewers, these folk do dirty work that makes burying bodies look light.
Minor gifts in Knack, Savvy, and Perception. Major gift in Luck.
The first thing Azarus noticed was the [Soldier] archetype’s tendency toward classes that granted Vigor, Perseverance, and Resilience. [Peasant] had offered greater variety, if less impact. The [Soldier] archetype classes boasted superior gifts, both in quantity and quality. However, the [Sapper] Class, [Trenchrat], interested him the most. The issue was, the name of the Class and its implications were not how he wanted to be represented.
Azarus selected the option to use his [Upgrade Token] on the Class selection. The listed classes vanished, the screen going blank to load up more. At his side, Zag barked. Azarus glanced over to see the hound glaring at him. His expression froze. He had not asked Zag’s opinion. Did he need to?
Azarus reached down to ruffle Zag’s ears. The hound was adorable when grumpy. He offered some mollifying words through a chagrined smile.
“I would have asked your opinion if I thought it differed from mine.”
Zag whined, and Azarus felt his heart relent. He had promised they would choose the Class together. They had not even discussed the options before he upgraded the selection.
“You are right, I apologize. I was a poor companion to not seek your guidance. For now, do any of these speak to you?”
The screens helpfully displayed the upgraded options.
[Sentinel]: These folk are skilled warriors, charged with protecting those beneath their watch.
Moderate gifts in Savvy and Vigor. Major gifts in Perception and Knack.
-
[Halberdier]: Mighty soldiers who wade into the battlefield, these folk wield two-handed pole-arms with Skill.
Moderate gifts in Perseverance and Resilience. Major gifts in Might and Vigor.
-
[Demolitions Expert]: Digging is for suckers. Blow it to smithereens. Ditches, tunnels, a hole in a stone wall big enough to march an army through—these folk hold the solution.
Moderate gifts in Perception and Savvy. Major gifts in Luck and Knack.
Azarus let out a low whistle. Not a single minor gift in sight. Between the two upgraded [Soldier] Classes, [Sentinel] was a solid fit for Moka. [Halberdier] was an excellent class, but with Moka’s Trait: [Scrappy] providing her a free +2 to Resilience and [Dead on My Feet] coming with its own brand of perseverance, it was redundant. Still, Azarus lingered on it. The description implied the class suited two-handed weapons. It would pair well with the [Ironthorn Staff], especially since the description implied Skills in that direction. He wondered how +2 Resilience would stack with a moderate gift of the same. There had to be a tier of gifts beyond major. Minor, moderate, major, then massive? A Massive gift of Resilience?
A persistent, attention-grabbing bark broke Azarus from his thoughts. As soon as Zag was sure he was looking, the hound sat straight up on his hind legs. He pointed with his white paw, his black one tucked to his chest for balance. His paw was like an arrow, pointing straight to [Demolitions Expert].
Plucking a brush from his satchel, Azarus twirled it in his fingers. He nodded to confirm he heard Zag’s message and considered the suggestion. Moderate Perception and Savvy, backed by major Luck and Knack, were an arrangement of gifts he thought would suit Moka well. That much Luck would be a boon. The issue started and ended at the Class itself.
Moka had proven adept at adapting to [Architect], her natural creativity and experience lending itself to the Class. [Demolitions Expert] was a role she could excel in. Azarus found himself concerned about potential casualties.
Tucking the brush behind his ear, Azarus palmed one of Zag’s coins out of his pocket and gave the hound his full attention. With a flourish, he displayed it, like he was plucking it from thin air. Zag tracked the motion of the coin like there was a string leading from it to his nose.
Azarus gestured toward [Halberdier]. Zag acknowledged the stakes with a serious nod. The god flipped the coin into the air with his thumb, sending it zinging toward the stars. The coin raced its reflection in the Mirror of Eons, no finish line in sight.
“Call it!”
Not responding immediately, Zag watched the coin reach the apex of its arc. Its rotation paused, hanging motionless in the air while gravity sought to reassert control. Zag let out two quick barks. The coin plummeted, air resistance causing it to spin back up.
Azarus nodded to confirm Zag’s call. Tails. The coin fell to the ground like a miniature meteor. He snatched it out of the air, a muffled impact coming from his hand. With a twist of his wrist, he opened his fingers to reveal a gold coin engraved with a flying phoenix. He tossed the coin to Zag. The hound caught it in his mouth and made it vanish into his fur, claiming it as his prize.
Selecting [Demolitions Expert], Azarus grinned, soft lines forming on his face. He was almost glad Zag won. [Halberdier] and [Sentinel] both seemed a shade dimmer next to the potential chaos. He was already looking forward to what Moka would do with the Class. The Skill selection promised to shape how she used it.
With a brief flex of his will, the god activated [Divine Insight] and viewed the available Skills.
Generating Skill from [Demolitions Expert]…
Please choose your Champion’s starting Skill.
[Create Blueprints: Explosive Device]: Moka may generate blueprints for an [Explosive Device] she can build with the tools and materials on hand. Scales off of Savvy, Luck, and Knack.
[Weak Spot]: Allows Moka to sense and find weak points. Scales off of Perception and Luck.
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[Artisan’s Hands]: Crafting components stay intact and stable as long as Moka is touching them. Scales off of Savvy and Knack.
Azarus shared a dopey grin with Zag. The hound’s was better. Still, he was quite pleased with the choices. [Weak Spot] had great synergy with [Triple Strike]. [Artisan’s Hands] could be invaluable with [Condensate] and the potential equipment that came with [Demolitions Expert]. [Create Blueprints: Explosive Device] was the best stand-alone Skill, scaling off of two of Moka’s major gifts instead of one. It was a hard choice.
Zag had no qualms in making his opinion known. He ran around in a circle, pausing periodically to stand as still as a statue and point at [Artisan’s Hands]. His nose and tail stretched out in a straight line as he brought up a paw like a hunting dog. Azarus examined the Skill again, trying to see if he missed something.
Picturing Moka with [Artisan’s Hands], Azarus supposed he could see her doing something wild, like using [Condensate] and liquid oxygen to make bombs. That specific scenario seemed beyond her, but she had surprised him before.
Azarus met Zag’s eyes, holding his gaze. The god tossed the hound another coin. Zag caught it. He held it delicately in his mouth, giving Azarus a questioning look. Azarus gestured to [Create Blueprints].
“You toss, I’ll call.”
Zag dipped his muzzle in understanding, then whipped his head, flinging the coin straight up. Azarus’s eyes burned emerald. Zag side eyed the god as he immersed himself in his traveler persona, but did not protest. Azarus made his call far before the coin reached its apex.
“Heads.”
The coin fell to the ground, bouncing off the clouds. Zag pounced on it, trapping it under his paws before it could spin. He lifted a paw to reveal Azarus’s gold-carved profile. Azarus flashed him a triumphant smile, selecting [Create Blueprints: Explosive Device] in the same breath. Zag tossed him the coin. The win felt bittersweet. Azarus would have almost preferred [Artisan’s Hands]. But what was gambling without opposition?
Searching for [Domain]…
[Domain] unrealized.
Generating Boons…
Please choose a Boon for this run!
[Boon of the Summer Court]: Your Champion gains +3 to their gift of Spirit.
[Boon of the Gladiator]: Upgrade a combat Skill or add one if none are available.
[Boon of the Archmage]: Magic runs through your Champion’s veins.
Azarus frowned. Using the Upgrade Token on the Class selection had not granted him an extra Skill choice like [Boon of the Prodigy] had. It made the boon one to watch out for.
Examining the screen, Azarus realized he recognized [Boon of the Archmage]. The flowery script was familiar, and he could remember passing it up before. He examined it through [Divine Insight].
[Boon of the Archmage]: Your Champion becomes attuned to the [Plane of Magic]. Equipped spells are easier to use, more economic, and allow greater flexibility.
Azarus dismissed [Boon of the Gladiator] from consideration. Between [Triple Strike] and [Create Blueprint], one was a clear combat Skill. A straight Skill upgrade to [Triple Strike] was a good choice, but [Boon of the Gladiator] lacked the potential he saw in the other two boons.
By his count, with Moka’s lack of Spirit, an additional three would put her as having a Major gift. His understanding of Spirit was that it allowed Moka to communicate with the natural order and suggest changes. He flicked through a couple of old notifications and used [Divine Insight] to check his facts.
[Gift of Spirit]: Expand and strengthen your Champion’s natural Spirit, allowing them to better commune with the Planes. Enhances equipped Spells.
That was twice the screens had mentioned the Planes. The idea tugged on something in him, reminiscent of his instincts when he was first born. There were a few threads of Azarus’s inborn instincts left, survivors from when he combined them with [Divine Insight]. He called to those threads now, digging up knowledge on the Planes like a long forgotten memory.
Blinking, Azarus let the thoughts settle, turning to Zag as they organized themselves. Zag gave him a very serious look. Azarus opened his mouth, and the thoughts fell into place.
“Planes are akin to separate dimensions that border each other. The World Tree holds them together, syphoning their power to create Realms, like fruit.”
Zag’s tail thumped like applause. Azarus took a mock bow. When he stood straight, he had a coin in hand.
“Spirit is useful, but [Boon of the Archmage] earns my bet. A direct connection to the [Plane of Magic] promises many opportunities. What say you?”
With a shake of his head, Zag pawed [Boon of the Archmage] on the screen. His paw passed straight through, but caught on the edge of the screen before he withdrew it. Azarus flipped the coin up a few inches and caught it with a definitive closing of his fist. When he unclenched, it was gone.
“Deal. [Archmage] it is.”
Azarus selected the boon and waited for the next selection to load. Unfortunately, this one was not worth betting on.
Generating available Achievements…
Please select one.
[Divine Bloodsport]
[Giant-Friend]
Azarus knew he would pick [Giant-Friend]. A Moderate gift of Might outweighed a Minor gift of Violence by a metric ton. The [Ironthorn Staff] would make sure Moka put it to work. Still, he waited to equip it. Once he did, he would have seconds to speak with Moka and the run would begin.
Taking a deep breath, Azarus examined himself in the mirror. He was free of paint, except for the scene he added to his breast pocket. His sword hung at his waist, dice spinning with endless cheer. Zag sat at his side. When he saw their reflection together, Azarus could almost see himself as a shepherd, with a crooked staff instead of a sword. He liked that. Between [Followers] and [Chosen One], he intended to have Moka gather him a flock.
Giving Zag a reassuring pat on the head, Azarus turned to Moka and equipped [Giant-Friend]. Her statue, now burning incandescent, bled fire. First wisps, then streams of flames leapt from her figure and lunged for the Mirror of Eons, sinking beneath its surface without a trace. Moka started, taking a heavy gasp and glancing around like she had just woken from a dream.
Azarus looked deep into his champion’s eyes, capturing her attention. With one hand on Zag’s head and the other on the pommel of his sword, he spoke the words he hoped would carry her through the long Trials ahead.
Beginning Attempt Number: [3]
[Speak to your Champion]
“I, your god Azarus, task you to find those who feel your hopelessness. Change their fate. Choose kindness when you can. Listen closely, my instructions will reach you as a whisper.”
The flames whisked Moka away before Azarus could finish. He trusted she heard enough. If not, he would paint himself some earplugs and have Zag bark for a few hours to get her attention.
Azarus paused as he went to examine Moka’s new location. That was an interesting thought. He wondered if Moka could hear Zag through [Chosen One]. It was worth testing, maybe by using [Through Mortal Eyes].
The mirror displayed the location for this run’s first Trial. It was another forest. Zag let out a disdainful growl. Azarus understood his frustration, but did not agree. He was coming to enjoy the variety of woodlands. Despite each being a forest, they had their own unique nature. This one was the fourth and, so far, his favorite.
Fallen trees and low branches, covered in long flowing vines, created an almost hill-like landscape. Roughly twenty feet above, a second layer of vines created a dense canopy, spreading diffuse light and shadows as creatures scurried above. At first glance, Azarus expected the ground layer to be devoid of life, suffocated by the vines. Instead, he found a blooming ecosystem, filled with various bushes and plants growing out of the vines like they were mere grass. Creatures darted in and out of the underbrush. Bird calls echoed through the trees. Small blue flowers, growing in softly glowing clusters, decorated the vines.
Moka stood in a fighting stance, [Ironthorn Staff] held in both hands. She looked between the screens in front of her and the unfamiliar, lively forest with frantic glances. Before Azarus decided what to say, eager to test [Chosen One], she took a deep breath and settled herself. Standing up straight, she dropped the butt of her staff to the ground, no longer clinging to it like a rope at sea. She turned her full attention to the screen, pretending the forest did not exist.
Not interested in the screen’s drivel, Azarus looked at Moka through [Divine Insight], examining the overview of her abilities.
Moka, Champion of Azarus
Archetype - [Soldier]
Class - [Explosives Expert]
Bloodline - Locked
[Boon of the Archmage]
Overall Gifts*:
Minor Vigor
Moderate Perception, Savvy, and Might.
Excellent Luck and Knack.
Skills:
[Triple Strike]
[Create Blueprints: Explosive Device]
Spells:
[Condensate]
Equipment:
[Titan Twine Bracelet]
[Elven Heartwood Breastplate]
[Ironthorn Staff]
Waving his Moderate, Major, Massive, theory goodbye, Azarus greeted Moka’s Excellent gifts. He had high hopes for Excellent Luck. Given it was a primary part of the Class, he knew Moka would need it. It did not take a god to figure out why an [Explosives Expert] needed an excess of luck.
Mentally comparing Moka’s information from last run to her status now, Azarus was pleased to find she was far stronger now. It felt right. Like she had gained something from her efforts.
He looked at her attire and was pleased to see the [Elven Heartwood Breastplate] had finished wrapping her arms in vines, creating pauldrons and gauntlets to cover her arms. It still had a strange fascination with the [Ironthorn Staff]. Several vines reached out to caress the thorns when Moka wasn’t looking.
The [Titan Twine Bracelet] clasped over Moka’s wooden bracers. Its gray weave, the knotted twine forming intricate patterns, went understated amongst the colorful wildlife. Seeing his champion overlook it in favor of examining her armor and staff was an amusing reminder of how much more expensive it was than anything else in the [Achievement Shop].
Over her armor, Moka wore a plain green uniform jacket, with gold trim and gray buttons. She had trousers to match, and rugged boots meant for long marches. To complete the [Soldier] look, she had a large bag on her back. When she slung it to her feet, Moka found an [Explosive Expert’s] rucksack. She pulled out several sealed packages and two sleeves of clay cups. When she took one cup out of each sleeve, it was clear they fit together to form a clay ball with a hole in the top. The next thing she found was a bundle of fuses.
Azarus pet his dog and watched his champion stuff the items back in the bag and move to find a quiet nook where she could figure out her equipment and abilities. He looked forward to what this Trial had in store, but his vision was longer. Moka was capable, and as well-equipped as he could manage. She would grow stronger with each defeated Trial. Azarus had every intention of seeing the third floor this run.
Glancing over at his hound, who was sitting quietly as he stood, then around the empty hall, Azarus reached into his satchel. He pulled out a brush, his domain running through him. He gathered it, forming a drop of paint. With a few precise strokes, he painted a branching tree. Its ashen trunk and branches pierced the cloud-covered floor, its roots crushing chunks of clouds like they were stone. The tree had spade shaped, emerald leaves with golden veins. Azarus painted an open bed roll at the foot of the tree.
Taking a few steps forward, Azarus turned around and sat down in the bedroll, resting his back against the tree. He could feel the steady pulse of the tree gathering starlight.
Zag looked at him, one ear raised and the tip of his tongue sticking out of his mouth. Azarus met his gaze and patted his knee. Splitting into a grin, Zag galloped over. He sniffed the empty section of bedroll next to Azarus. After a few sniffs, he spun around, stomping all over it several times before curling into a ball. He rested his chin on Azarus’s knee.
Scratching his hound behind the ear, Azarus watched Moka experiment with [Summon Blueprint: Explosive Device]. He settled in to climb several Floors, excited to see what his champion could do.