I knew it was fifty-fifty that I would be right. The text of the spell dimension door at least for the game I was in said you would be temporarily unable to move after casting the spell. I am glad I cast the other spell, as I reappear about five hundred feet off the side of a mountain. I am temporarily frozen, and all I can do is move my eyes to look around. We are currently at least four or five thousand feet above the tops of the trees and falling slowly. I start to get the feeling back in my extremities and start to take control of my fall. Reduce gravity is allowing me to fall much slower so I can get a look around. I can now see the area I just came from. The side of the mountain, or I should say the dormant volcano is covered in a mass of fallen dirt and rocks. I can see more beginning to fall as the spider queen continues to throw her tantrum. I can also see a ledge to the side that I might just reach if I time it right.
I angle myself for the ledge and I make it just before my mana runs out. I know there has got to be some kind of trick that will make that better I just haven’t figured it out yet. After what just happened, I am exhausted. The ledge I am on is clear of debris and is not in the path of any of the rocks falling from the side of the mountain. I decided to stop here for the day Akurra agrees as he unwraps himself from my person. I could tell he was still shaking we barely made our way through that. I could tell he was apologetic about using his spell. I mentally shrugged it off I knew he was trying to protect me and himself and that it was instinct.
“It’s okay buddy we made it that’s all that matters.”
I was truly happy that we made it through that ordeal. Now I need to take stock of our situation. We were fine on food and water I had made sure to stock up just in case. But I needed to get a bearing. The first thing was trying to get a good picture of our surroundings. For the first time since my arrival, I could see the sun not just the filtering of the light through the canopy of the trees. I could not tell which way it was moving just yet. Once I could I would have my east and west. Of course, I would not know that for sure but since it was my frame of reference that is what I would go with. I also noticed several things about the sky of this world. Like the other planets of this solar system were close. I could easily make out three other very large planets in the skyline. I could also see that this planet has multiple moons. I could currently see at least two moons.
When I got done being amazed by the sky, I started to look at the forest below us. There was nothing but trees as far as I could see. From this point the forest was endless. I could not see any signs of anything just trees and more trees. I know there had to be people somewhere since I received so many languages. But I could see no signs of them.
I decided not to worry about it and just relaxed for a while. I pulled out a dire rat for Akurra and proceeded to make a bad meal for myself. While my food prep has gotten better my meals are still shit. I have no seasoning and I don’t know what plants are edible. So basically, my meals are slightly overcooked poorly skinned beasts. I know I am getting nutritional value since I am still alive. But, I would kill for even something as simple as a burger and fries.
Once dinner is over, I pull out my camp, and alarm stones. While I feel like we should be safe here I am taking no chances. I decided to look over the notifications I have been putting off. I would have normally looked at them earlier, but there were a lot of them. Plus, there was a new notification type this one is glowing gold. I decided to look at the new notifications first.
Hidden quest completed, Escape the bowl: You are in the bowl of Weeping Wound. This once mighty volcano has been dormant for two millennia. There is only one way out of the bowl, and it is now the home of SkyWeaver Queen. The Queen guards the exit jealously angered by her inability to leave her home. Quest difficulty/ Epic. Complete!
Calculating Quest rewards: +5 levels, +20 to all stats.
Hidden quest completed, Injure the Queen and Survive: The Queen has forgotten the sting of pain. Be aware by doing so you will be putting your own life at risk. Quest difficulty/ Epic, Chain part 1. Complete!
Calculating Quest rewards: +2 levels, +25% to spell potency, Title; Thorn.
Hidden quest completed, Take a Memento: In your conflict with the queen take a piece of her to remind you of the conflict. Quest difficulty/ Epic, Chain part 2. Complete!
Calculating Quest rewards: Legendary crafting materials, +3 levels, Access to the faction system, Friendly (Unknown Faction), Hated (Weaver Faction), Hostile (All Spider factions). Addition Title Gained; Heir of Violence
LEVEL UP! You have increased your level. You have attained level Twenty-Nine. You have received 160 attribute points you have 160 unspent attribute points.
Thorn:
You have fought against a beast well outside your level range and survived by wit and guile. +30% to stats when fighting a beast well above your level range.
Heir of Violence:
Your daily affirmations of violence have been recognized by the various entities that venerate violence. Your actions in carrying out this violence have been deemed worthy. You have been granted Violent Strike, and Violent Slice (Blade Skill).
Violent Strike lvl 0.
Once per combat you can multiply the strength of your strike. When this skill is active you add 5x your effective STR (3120) to one attack. Your weapon will take ½ the damage dealt, and if this exceeds the remaining durability the weapon will be destroyed.
Violent Slice (Blade Skill) lvl 0.
When this skill is activated, it will create Phantom Void blades equal to 1/6 the blades MR (4). These blades will attack the current target. Any skills/Spells will be copied by the Phantom Void blades and applied to the same target.
Familiar upgrades pending. Do you wish to initiate familiar upgrades Y/N?
I knew that Akurra would be happy about that.
“Looks like you have more upgrades pending buddy,” I say looking at the giant snake.
I can tell he is pleased even though he doesn’t move as soon as I select yes. Akurra’s scales start to cloud over. I also feel something coming from sky cutter. I try to draw the blade but it will not release from the sheath. I forgot that this place considers Sky Cutter a familiar as well. I guess I will have to wait. I allot my points as well and pass out.
The next morning, I woke up feeling amazing. I have never felt bad since my arrival here. It has been the opposite, even after fighting and being injured. Today though I feel like my whole body is energized, and I could jump from here to the forest floor. I feel unstoppable, it must have something to do with my new stats.
Vandwon “Van” Moore
Race
Human 6ap MR2
Deities
Subrace
OutWorlder 6ap MR 5
Class
Arch SpellBlade 2ap MR 5
Class Type
Unique 2ap MR7
Profession
***** Hidden
Boons
Outworlder
Black Blade
Human Might 2
Human Regeneration 2
Arch Mage MR2
Storage
Insight
Accelerated Growth
Titles
First of my kind. MR 2
Class creation.
High magic. MR 2
Knower of the Lost.
Thorn
Heir of Violence
Age: 26
Level: 29
XP gained 75% to next level.
+100% to Leveling XP.
HP: 8200
(Regen CON+STR per hour.)
MP: 9120 + 2000 = 11200
(Regen 96 per min. 48 per min/Combat)
ST: 8320
(Regen CON+[2xSTR/10]+15% per min.)
Attributes:
Strength (STR): 158+20+30 (624)
Dexterity (DEX): 156+20+30 (618)
Constitution (CON): 155+20+30 (615)
Intelligence (INT): 198*+30 (228)
Wisdom (WIS): 184*+30 (214)
Charisma (CHA): 151+30 (181)
AP: 464, 000 Unspent.
MR: 36, AC: 3800.
Spells:
Read Magic.
Minor Elemental Orb.
Runic Mark (Active/Passive).
Dancing Lights.
Detect Magic (Passive).
Ghost Sound.
Light.
Minor Telekinesis.
Clean.
Identify lvl 0 (Passive).
Reduce Gravity lvl 0.
Lesser Elemental Touch lvl 3.
Blade Lash lvl 0.
Blur lvl 0.
Bladed Dash lvl 0.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
Enhance Self lvl 0.
Glitterdust lvl 0.
Invisibility lvl 0.
Mirror Image lvl 0.
Sonic Scream lvl 0.
Storm of Blades lvl 0.
Fireball lvl 0.
Elemental Aura lvl 0.
Fly lvl 0.
Haste.
Locate Weakness lvl 0.
Lightning Bolt lvl 0.
Dimension Door lvl 0.
Weakening Blast lvl 0.
Infect lvl 3.
Stunning Sight lvl 2.
Envenomate lvl 3.
Skill Manipulation lvl 2.
Skills:
Linguistics
Map
Pain Resistance lvl 5.
Climb lvl 10.
Cartography lvl 1.
Perception lvl 10.
Threat Detection lvl 4.
Wands lvl 5.
Weapon Focus (Sword) lvl 6.
Power Strike lvl 3.
Focused Strike lvl 4.
Cleaving Strike lvl 5.
Combat Casting lvl 6.
Spellstrike lvl 6.
Arcane Empower lvl 0.
Enduring Empower.
Bows lvl 7.
Unarmed Combat lvl 9.
Stealth lvl 6.
Move Silently lvl 5.
Survival lvl 5.
Animal Behavior lvl 3.
Iron Gut.
Improved Climb.
Enhanced Senses
Tremor Sense.
Low Light Vision.
Scent.
Thermal Vison.
Monstrous Familiar.
Violent Strike lvl 0.
Black Blade: Sky Cutter, Familiar2/3: Akurra
Looking at my stats my HP, MP, and ST are all over eight thousand. I also see that all of my stats are over one hundred and fifty. I must have hit some kind of hidden bonus or something. That is the only reason I can explain what I am feeling. I can also say that I am happy to have something new to explore since I have been subjected to just one area since I arrived on this planet. The only thing is it is just more forest. At least up here on the side of this mountain I have more of a view. Again, it’s forest as far as the eye can see but I can also see the sky. I decide to make my way around the mountain on the path I am on currently. Even though this mountain is impressive it is smaller up here where I am than at the base. I will also be able to spot the signs of civilization better from higher up. I can also tell that while the stone is rough that this path was carved into the side of this mountain. I hope that means there are people somewhere close.
Akurra is still in shed at this point and has not moved. I decide to look at Sky Cutter, hopefully, I can draw the blade at this point.
Sky Cutter
Void Steel
Dragon Blade
Lvl 4.
MR 24
Heir of Violence
Skills:
Cut lvl 10.-> Remote Cut lvl 0.
Pierce lvl 10. -> Spatial Puncture lvl 0.
Violent Slice lvl 0.
The changes to the blade are obvious to me. The blade seems to have more heft. Somehow the new weight has not thrown off the balance of the sword. The steel seems darker almost obsidian black with star patterns. The etching now looks holographic it shifts depending on the angle. After looking at the tab for it I can see that it has gained a new skill and upgraded the others. When I look at the skills, I realize a little how they evolve. The original skill is still present, and functional. The new skill is just an additional layer. I also noticed that even after all of the leveling I have done Sky Cutter is only level four. Whatever different leveling scheme Akurras is on it's even worse for Sky Cutter. I technically have gained twenty-nine levels since I have been here to its two. I also guess that its leveling might be determined by the enemies I use it to kill or injure. That line of thought brings agreement from Sky Cutter. I get a flash of cutting the tip of the spider queen’s foot off and then slashing her eye. I get immense satisfaction from my blade. I can tell it wants to go back and try cutting her some more. I look at the blade like it’s crazy and sheathe it.
By the time I am done here Akurra has started to move. I move over to help him with his shed. He yawns when I get the skin past his head. And I notice for the first time that all of his fangs have fallen out and been replaced. I gather all of the loose fangs that I can find, I can use them to make crude weapons later. Akurra looks like not much has changed but his size. He has regained all of his previous length. Though he is not as wide as he was. I watch as he finishes pulling off his old skin and storing it. His sheds are pretty thick and I might be able to use them to make armor for others later. I take a look at his tab on my character sheet.
Akurra
Genus
Nalachesis
Creature Type.
Greater Minor Divine Beast.
Class
Familar
Age
Hatchling
MP 4000
HP 6000
ST 1700
Lvl 3.
MR 28, AC 2200
Spells:
Detect Magic (Passive).
Elemental Aura lvl 4.
Locate Weakness lvl 3.
Weakening Blast lvl 0.
Stunning Sight lvl 5.
Conceal lvl 7.
Size Change lvl 2.
Reduce Gravity lvl 1.
Skills:
Climb lvl 10.
Perception lvl 10.
Stealth lvl 7.
Move Silently lvl 9.
Survival lvl 10.
Animal Behavior lvl 9.
Enhanced Senses
Improved Tremor Sense.
Scent.
Thermal Vison.
His sheet shows rapid improvement for his current level. I still need to find someone to tell me how this all works. Once he is ready, we prepare to leave I tell him the plan of staying up high to be able to see better. Akurra doesn’t like that since there is not much up here, and that means he can’t hunt and kill things. I assure him that he will not be hungry, as I toss him a dire rat from my storage. I take a look over at the forest and see some birds flying off in the distance. Even though it is more forest the view is pretty awesome.
Not that it should be an issue, I cut an arrow into the side of the volcano just to mark our passage. It is just in case we come full circle. I doubt it will happen but better safe than sorry. We start our walk at a brisk pace. At first, the walk is no issue, but a few hours in I can start to feel issues start to crop up. The funny thing is as soon as they start, they are gone. I guess I can chalk it up to my human regeneration. Akurra seems to be fine as well, I can feel his displeasure at being up so high. But overall, he seems to have no issue with moving in this terrain. At three hours we stop to take a water break.
I realized that I have made a huge mistake. I have relied on my map too much to tell me when hostiles are around. If I had not noticed the shadow at the last minute, and ducked I might not have survived to rectify the mistake. When I rolled out of my duck, I see what tried to kill me.
Red Stone Beak Embris lvl 19.
What I see is one of the birds I saw earlier. It is a super-sized cardinal the size of a cassowary, and it can fly. It turned to face me and that’s when Akurra stuns it and strikes. I watch as his poison takes effect, and begin looking around. I realize that my map would not tell me about the birds since they are in the air. It was not a problem that I had before due to the spiders. Their webs kept the birds away I am pretty sure. When I look up, I see a few more birds watching me. Akurra has already eaten the bird by the time I turn back. I can feel he is pleased with himself.
“Hey buddy next time let me get the core first, plus I want some of those feathers.”
I receive a mental agreement from him but I still feel his pleasure. I can tell he is happy because that is the first new thing he has eaten in years. As we continue through the day the birds come back to attack me twice. Each time it’s like they don’t even notice Akurra until it’s too late. I take that with his scale color and his concealment spell they can’t see him.
For the next few hours, I am attacked by the birds four more times. Each time by a few more birds than before the first group is three birds, then six, and the last time is nine. Each time they come after me as if they do not recognize Akurra’s presence. The last time I have to act as two of the birds are out of Akurra’s visual range. Two of the birds go unstunned and I decide to use sky cutter and try its new blade skill. I target the first of the remaining birds and activate Violent Slice and watch as both birds turn into chunks, and feathers. It is like one of those old cartoons when something just turns into little pieces. The fact that it happened to both birds is surprising. Even Akurra is surprised by the mess. Nothing is left not even the skill core. Sky Cutter is pleased and wants to turn everything into little chunks now. I want to know if I can gain more control over the damage. A skill like that might be useful if it can be controlled. I can use it as a shit hit the fan kind of thing. I decided to try to target the skill the next time.
I don’t get the chance, after the last attack the birds decide that it is not worth attacking me anymore. I still see them off in the distance watching me, but they do not come any closer. Their behavior is strange, I decided that the area I passed through must have been too close to their nests for their liking. That is truly the only thing that makes sense after the first two groups. We keep moving that night we both eat a dinner of bird meat. Akurra is pleased with his meal of two more birds. I can tell he is happy with his new food options. I eat grilled bird it tastes somewhere between grilled chicken and quail but gamier. It turns out bird chunks are easier to cook as well. I also now have sixteen skill cores from the birds. I decided to try one.
Current Sense
You can sense the changes in the wind around you.
I mean it’s not the flashiest or even the most useful skill, but I can see its uses. I will never have to guess if I am downwind or upwind again. I can also tell what way the wind is blowing and how hard. This will make shooting my bow at range a lot easier. The skill is not even that intrusive so I only turn it down slightly.
The next day we continue on I am on alert from the jump, after the previous day’s events. So, I am not caught unaware this time when the first group of birds swoops down. I had spotted them and had been watching them keeping an eye on us. So, when they move in to attack, I see them coming a long way out and have prepared for them. When I tell Akurra that more birds are coming to attack us he is giddy. I can tell he likes the different types of food so he was hoping for more birds today. Not that he won’t eat whatever is in front of him. I watch as the birds get closer and at the last minute I dive into a roll, putting them right in front of Akurra who hoods up and stuns the group. It’s funny to watch as they freeze up and slam into the ground.
Blue Breasted Corvid lvl 28.x5
The birds today are much larger they have black and dark blue feathers. They are giant ravens. Today I have decided that I am going to get as many feathers from the birds as I can. Since the birds are much larger Akurra is happy just eating one, after I cut out its core. We go a few hours before the next attack.
Blue Breasted Corvid lvl 28.x5
Gale Corvid lvl 17.x2
This time when they come, I am buffeted by some type of wind attack. The attack might have been devastating if I had not already been on the ground. I watch as Akurra stuns the group, and this time the two larger birds use some type of skill. I use my stun and watch them fall like the others. It is the first time I have seen anything break free of the stun. Akurra kills the others while I move in to stab the two larger birds. I can tell as I am stabbing them that these two might have even broken out of my stun given more time. I decide not to allow them the chance. I slide Sky Cutter through the tops of their heads ending them.
The rest of the day is uneventful I watch the other birds. But they never attack or even come close the rest of the day. I know from numerous nature videos from back home that, ravens are very intelligent. I am guessing that from the way the other two groups were killed they realize that I am too much for them. I say that since they seem to never see Akurra until it’s too late.
The end of the day finds us on another platform like the one we landed on when we came out of the mountain. From this platform, there is an outcropping standing like a single pillar from the side of the mountain. The outcropping also juts out from the side of the mountain obstructing the view. If we keep up our current pace and barring obstructions, we should be on the other side of it by tomorrow. If I am right, it will put us on the windward side of the mountain and we should be able to see something finally!
The morning begins the same as the others with me on watch for the birds. Today is much different I see the birds but they make no move towards us. I can tell these birds are smart because they just watch us. Off in the distance, I see a massive bird watching us, it does not come close enough to us for me to identify. It stays pretty far off in fact, I can tell that for the first time one of the birds can see Akurra and has decided that it would be a bad idea to attack us. It stays with us gliding in the air high above until we are halfway around the outcropping. This area of the path is in good condition so we make great time. Once we fully clear the pillar, I am dazzled by the vista below.
For once the view is not just more forest, I mean there is forest as far as the eye can see. But there are few other things visible from our vantage point, and the things I see are amazing. There is not just a forest I see a large swamp. There is also a large lake that is surrounded by the forest on all sides just past the swamp. But the most amazing thing is the massive tree just before the lake.
The tree is more like a skyscraper it is so large. I can tell even from here that the trunk must be massive. The tree is also at least three times the size of the others. I can tell that there is something special about it as the trunk shimmers in the daylight. The leaves are also a riot of colors that cast rainbows across the tops of the other trees.
I figure if there is anyone around that big ass tree is where I will find them.
I keep walking until I hit another platform. This one is wider and longer than the ones before. I can also see what is left of several switchbacks. The rock on the switchbacks has eroded due to the weather and lack of maintenance. This is one of the ways whoever created the path that I am on got her. Up where I am at there is a narrow run of stone leading downward that goes for a couple of hundred feet before it disappears for almost a thousand. Closer to the base the stone walkway seems to be in better shape.
I decide to stop here to figure out my options. I could continue as there is plenty of daylight but I would have to backtrack to this point. I might have to if I can’t figure out a way down. Dimension Door is out of its range might get me just over halfway at this point. Plus, there is the added side effect of being frozen. It was worth the risk before but now, not so much. The good thing for me is that I have time to decide. Worst comes to worst, I can walk to see if there is another way down. If not, I can come back and figure it out. I just hate to have to backtrack if at all possible.
I pull out one of the birds and a dire rat for Akurra. I have to give him two because nothing attacked us today so he has had no other meals. As I look at the birds, I have a thought I now have ten more skill cores plus two greater cores. I could try one of those cores tonight and see if it might just have the answer I need in it. I decide to chance it later. For now, I am going to watch the forest below to see what I can.
I watch the forest for a few hours. I think I can make out some movement but not much. I am just too far up. I do however see the birds hunting on the edge of the forest. I can also see that they avoid the swamp at all costs. I also get bursts of fetid air from the swamp a few times when the wind changes. The swamp smells horrid even from up here. I can tell it is not going to be pleasant to cross. I could try to walk around it but from what I can see it seems to go on for some distance.
I decided to test my luck with the cores I take the two cores from the Gale Corvids.
Greater Skill Core.
These are deep blue with gold flecks floating in the center. I can only hope that they might contain a useful skill. I set the camp stone for the night and use the protrusion to activate the orb.
You have learned the skill Glide.
You have learned the skill Fly.
Warning skill incompatible with current physiology. Converting skill… Compatible skill Current Sense found… Compatible spell Fly found… Canceling conversion… Fly < Fly2.
You have learned the skill Glide.
Warning skill incompatible with current physiology. Converting skill… Compatible skill Current Sense found… Compatible spell Fly found… Compatible Spell Reduce Gravity found… Canceling conversion… Fly < Improved Fly2… Reduce Gravity < Greater Reduce Gravity.
Shit! I hit the jackpot with that one I hold on to the other core I might not need to use it. First, I want to look at what happened to the skills.
Greater Reduce Gravity: Active lvl 2.
This spell reduces the effect of gravity by 65%. This affects you and anything you touch while casting the spell. Cast time instant. 150 MP/Sec Cool Down N/A. Skill Synergy: Current Sense, Glide. Due to skill synergy mana cost was reduced to 10% of normal mana cost. Skill draw is based on height from the relative surface. Cast time instant. 15 MP/Sec Cool Down N/A.
Fly 2: Active lvl 1.
The subject can fly at a speed of 300 feet/Sec. This affects you and anything you touch while casting the spell. Cast time instant. 500 MP/Sec Cool Down N/A. Skill Synergy: Current Sense, Glide. Due to skill synergy mana cost reduced to 10% of normal mana cost. Skill draw is based on height from the relative surface. Cast time instant. 50 MP/Sec Cool Down N/A.
This makes getting down feasible. I am not the best at math but with the new mana draw on greater reduce gravity I can use it for twelve and a half minutes. I can also now use my fly spell for about three and a half minutes. That is what we call a game-changer. I want to test fly by jumping off the side of the mountain, but I remember about the birds and the really large one I saw flying around. The last thing I want is to get caught by that bird in the air.
I decide not to chance it. By my calculations, I should be able to get to the ground safely. I am tempted to glide father in, but I am in the dark as to the conditions of the forest below. There might be spiders down there and the last thing I want to do is get caught in the webbing. The truth is the forest below me is a complete unknown. But I do have a plan at this point and that is a good feeling. Sleep finds me a bit later as I pass out.
In the morning I have some cooked bird as I feed Akurra one of the many dire rats I have in storage. It was a good thing I stocked up before we left. If I had to keep traveling, I wouldn't have been able to keep feeding him.
After we eat, I have to explain a little to Akurra. He gets the gist that he needs to ride me, I also get from him that he intends not to watch. After our last excursion, I can’t blame him. Once he is securely mounted, I cast Greater Reduce Gravity and jump off the side. I decided to use GRG because of its longer uptime. Having twelve minutes gave me much more leeway. Plus, I will not be mana drained by the time I get to the bottom in case I have to fight when we land.
I decide to go down in parts. My first glide takes me down to the first switchback. Technically I could walk from here but after the first glide, I want to continue down that way. It was like riding a rollercoaster it was more fun than I have had since I arrived. I orient myself and jump again this time I angle for the last switchback. I only take a few seconds to orient myself again before I jump again. This time my target is the ground. The whole process takes me about two minutes to go about five thousand feet to the ground and most of that was spent checking my directions.