Tutorial Day 2

Leaving town made me more anxious than I thought it would. Due to Mental Fortitude, I had to truly concentrate on that feeling to know I was feeling it, but when I did—it was certainly there.

Especially when our group of young adults crossed through the milling crowd just outside the Gates. That step from paving stones to hard packed mud, was the hardest I’d taken since arriving in the Tutorial. I felt the cleaning magic pass over me again, making goosebumps rise.

I almost held my breath. However, Mental Fortitude allowed my brain to counter my physical response with calm calculation.

I possessed a Skill that most people here probably did not. Plus, at this point, no one knew about it.

The calmness and logic inside my head reserved by Mental Fortitude simply pointed to a single Skill of mine to alleviate the chill. Recovery. I had it, and it would certainly increase my survivability.

I wasn’t the only one in my group that was feeling the increased tension. A quick glance showed that the two women were holding their breath and the two guys were breathing heavily, like they had been jogging here.

Did they go through this same ‘gauntlet’ each morning? Instantly I began to sweat, as the perfect temperature of the city changed back to the humid heat that I vaguely recalled from yesterday.

I gained a newfound respect for the group—realizing that they were far braver than I’d originally known. I’d only been past this entrance once and somewhat forgotten about the milling crowd of people.

The eyes of the rabble followed the group. I could tell that a few were cataloging my presence with them. A few individuals made it more obvious by narrowing eyes before rushing back inside. I was pretty sure the people manning the Gates in the Central Square would already have informed the other Tribes about me, but I guessed that there was a second layer of informants mixed in amongst these people.

Would Maelstrom be upset that I didn’t immediately start working toward Alchemy? It had certainly seemed important to the man. Whatever the significancne of that Inheritance was, it seemed it could either help him directly or the Tribe. I hadn’t gotten a good enough read on the leader to tell which yet.

My mind scolded me as I tried to begin speculating on what the other Tribes would do with the knowledge of a new Tutorial arrival. I had zero information on them. I figured I could fix that, and as soon as we were close to a kilometer from the gates, I turned to London.

“As you know, I just got here. Can you tell me about the other three Tribes?” I almost added a ‘please’, but killed my inner Canadian. I didn’t want to pander. Plus, London had seemed like a talker when we first met.

“Oh, yeah. Sure,” London said, coming out of his own anxiety ridden state thanks to my leading question. I watched as he shook the remaining goosebumps off himself before smiling and regarding me seriously. “I know you said you can Gather almost anything, but don’t go getting any ideas on trying to change Tribes. I don’t think anyone has survived that before.”

That statement caused me to frown and consider. What could London say that would make me want to switch Tribes?

“The Maelstrom Tribe is known as the Mage District. That’s because the Skills that are offered inside its Tower are all Caster-based, that and Swords but the Sword Skills are kind of weak—”

London cut-off as Sarah gave him an elbow to his kidneys. The short woman had to make the gesture at about her head height to not hit him in the mid thigh or hip. He looked to her and somehow her scowl and impatient gesture at me conveyed something to him.

“Oh, right!” He exclaimed. “You’re a Gatherer so you likely would also want to know what Profession Skills the Tower has. Maelstrom is known for Alchemy. Happy?” He said the last pointedly to Sarah who nodded.

“After Maelstrom in the North, is the Warrior District in the East. It’s owned by the Hero Tribe. Its Tower supposedly offers Body Strengthening Skills, and a good variety of weapon Skills. For the Crafting side of things, its known for Armor and Weapons—”

Jacky broke in. “Blacksmithing, you moron. They both fall under Blacksmithing.”

London’s face shaded slightly red, as he tried to pointedly ignore Jacky and continue, “—Then there’s the South, which is known as the Assassin District. Its Tribe is called Shadow, and most of us can only conjecture what its Tower specifically offers. Definitely Skills that are based around sneaky shit.” He caught another elbow from Sarah.

“Oh, umm yeah no idea on the Crafting stuff there. It’s speculation that they work with Leather, or Enchanting since the other Districts don’t have those. I’ve never spoken to a member of their Tribe, if I’m honest.”

“How would you know if you did?” Gavin asked. “We never see anyone entering or exiting their District through the gate. You can only see the Guards on duty at the gate, and the heads atop the walls. So if they got out and claimed they were from another Tribe, you’d simply have to take their word for it.”

“Unless you have a Truth Skill,” Jacky countered.

“Right, cause there’s so many of those in here!” London responded a bit too hotly for what I felt the comment warranted, letting me know he was still upset over the name calling earlier.

Jacky stuck her tongue out and flipped him the bird as she pointedly turned away from him. It might have been amusing if this wasn’t the group I was about to Hunt with. As it stood their dynamic just made me nervous.

London continued though, distracting me from that line of thinking. “The West District is kind of a catch-all. It’s got Skills that don’t focus on any one area. They also are the weakest of the Districts because of that. The Tribe is called the Hunter Tribe, and I guess they do produce more ranged fighters than any but the Maelstrom Tribe. They are also not known for any one Crafting Profession. I’ve personally seen members use Magic Traps, Formations, Skill Scrolls and other assorted items in combat.”

London looked at me after he was finished. “Do any of those sound more appealing to you?”

Despite him not saying it, I instantly understood his implication from his tone of voice. I looked at the four members of this Hunting party. Only Jacky might have been a Mage, but they were all part of Maelstrom—a Tribe that offered Mage Skills primarily in its Tower.

London was projecting his feelings onto me. He wanted to join a different Tribe and from the information he’d just offered—he’d likely fit better in the East Warrior District—or the Hero Tribe. Next, I studied Sarah, who was small and thus used two rapiers instead of more weighty weapons.

I could picture her with two daggers on her hips easily, and if the Southern Shadowy District really did specialize in Stealth, she’d likely be a better fit there.

Finally, there was Gavin, a man who wielded a large Sword, which might make him fit with Maelstrom—or it might not. He could also likely fit in the Hero Tribe or maybe in the Hunter’s of the West…

I only had to look at my own situation to realize what had likely happened. I was found by someone in Maelstrom and was thus a member. If what London said was true and people who left Tribes were often killed, then they were probably in the exact situation I was.

“Why do they kill people who try to leave?” I asked, not understanding that particular point. I could perhaps see why Shadow, who was largely secretive, might do so, but the Maelstrom and Hero Tribes seemed to be pretty well-known for what the Towers offered.

“We don’t know,” Gavin answered, causing me to look away from London, who I’d expected the answer from. “We think it’s a hangup from the early days. But we’ve only been here for about five years. Some of the old -hats and the Tribe leaders have been around for thirty plus years.”

That wording made me stop in my following walk. “Wait—the Advent was only twenty-four years ago. How can people have been here before that?”

“Oh,” Sarah said as she stopped and spun to look at me. “That was one of my first questions. Maelstrom said it’s total speculation, but he thinks there is a Time Dilation on this place. He wouldn’t give specifics but he definitely arrived well after the Advent and is one of the ones who’s been here for Thirty or more years.”

The rest of the group had stopped to look at me also. I blinked as my brain turned that information over. So, as others arrived and were asked the year outside, the leaders of this place must have discovered the disparity. My hand rose to the nape of my neck as I began to scratch at the sweating, small hairs that were standing on end.

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“Bet his next question is about the severity of the Time Dilation,” Jacky said haughtily.

“Now it will be,” London growled. “Way to ruin it Jacky!” The group started walking again, as London called back, “It’s approximately three to one. Or that’s the best guess of the smartest people I’ve talked to.”

My eyes widened. So, I was still in my first day in this place? At least as far as Earth’s time was concerned. So, it could be Saturday night back home? Despite everything, that did make me feel slightly less worried for my family.

Surely, I could discover a way out of here before they pronounced me dead, right?

Mental Fortitude silenced that line of thinking instantly pointing my attention to the start of the forest and the hovering plaques I could already make out.

“Boar,” Gavin called, stopping my smile before it managed to raise the edges of my mouth by more than a millimeter.

To my surprise, the group seemed to calm in opposition to my slight tension. London moved forward first, his shield swinging off of his shoulder-carry position and onto his forearm. His sword dangled toward the ground a moment before it was flipped and held in a practiced grip.

Gavin stepped in on his right shoulder and Sarah on his left, forming a triangle around Jacky who raised her hands, before spinning her neck to look at me. “You’re with me. Get over here. Now!”

The fact that she didn’t sling any names and even had a commanding voice made me instantly jump to her side. The three in front separated then. London moved forward while the other two moved on forty-five degree angles away from each other, but still toward the grazing boar Gavin had spotted.

I could tell it would be alerted to London’s presence first, since he was moving directly toward it. I took the moment to study the creature. It was nowhere near the size of the Porcu-hog, but simultaneously it was more sturdy looking.

It was easily six or seven feet at its shoulders and had two gleaming tusks protruding up past its bottom lip, which was clearly apparent with each bite of foliage it took. To my horror, I watched as a plaque near its mouth vanished down its throat.

I scanned the forest for the other plaques I could see. Knowing what to look for now, I could see Boars foraging through the trees near a few of them.

Damn, so collecting Herbs wasn’t going to be as easy as it looked on first approach. The thick mane of a mohawk on the Boar’s back jumped as it stopped foraging and jerked its head up to stare at London.

A few loud grunts sounded out, followed by a squeal, making me unsure if it was angry or afraid. Either way, before I could blink, it leaped forward to begin a charge directly at London.

London raised his shield, looking like he was getting ready to meet the couple tons of muscle head-on, and I couldn’t help but wonder how much Strength the kid must possess to be willing to do that. I still hadn’t tested my own limits with ten Strength but I doubted I could even lift double what I used to in the gym.

If London was thinking of catching that thing with his legs planted—

Gavin and Sarah struck from the sides—Gavin with a slash of his great sword at the creature's front legs, and Sarah with piercing strikes from her rapier that glowed red. Even as her body closed the gap with the bulk of the beast, I saw her arms pumping back and forth in actions that were so quick I couldn’t count them.

Needless to say, she struck more than once, but no more than ten times in that split second. The Boar squealed and crashed forward as Gavin’s slash sheared through leg muscles that supported it. London’s shield glowed then and instead of the Boar charging him, the man was suddenly flying forward to charge against its skidding snout.

The shield made contact, and the percussive sound was far louder than it had any right to be. It sounded like one of those ornamental tanggu drums that I’d often see the Chinese use on TV. Light from beside me made my head turn to find Jacky weaving her hands and forming something between them.

At first I watched on without understanding what I was seeing. My mind oscillated between Wind or Water—until I heard the strange crackle that only came from water freezing. She was forming an Ice Spear. Once the spell had become almost totally white around the blue core of the five foot piece of ice, she shot her hands forward and it exploded outward.

I followed her trajectory, somewhat worried for London. The Spear passed by his right hip, skewering into the red eye of the Boar. Between one breath and the next, the Boar went limp.

The fight was over and I was left marveling at the coordination on display by the four in front of me. I might have had misgivings at first but that teamwork had been beyond impressive. London looked back at me, seemingly unconcerned with how close the Ice Spear was to his hip.

“You good to Skin and Butcher this guy?”

Blinking, I was about to nod when I remembered the foraging Boars and Herbs that were likely still far enough away from the visible ones so I could collect them. Unsure, I suggested, “I should probably collect the visible Herbs first, no?”

“We’ve never had a Gardener before. Do you think you can get them without pissing off another Boar?”

I pointed twice in quick succession, then added a third. “Those two for sure, that sapling probably. After that, I doubt it.”

“Sapling?” Gavin asked, turning to look at the small tree I motioned toward.

“What good is a tree?” Jacky asked, from right beside me. Her volume and level of derision almost making me jump.

“It’s a little trick I discovered in a Portal.”

“Okay we’ll guard you just in case. Plus we all help out with Butchering anyway. We just don’t have Skills for Skinning so we often are just left with scraps.”

“I’ll be honest, I’m a bit slow on the Skinning myself, but I think I can get the hide off in one piece.”

I directed the group to the sapling first, London moving in front of me, and past it to ensure it was safe. One problem quickly became apparent. I had no bucket to place the thing in. Sarah solved it rather quickly though by handing me a bucket made of woven leaves. I wondered if this was something she already had on her, in a Storage item or if she had made it that quickly. I was leaning toward the former, regardless of how fast her hands could move. Soon I had the thing dug out, thanks to my Gardening Tools and we retreated to the two Plaques I could see.

Without a pot to put the Sapling in, I first dug another hole outside of the forest and then prepared it for fusing as Smegma had instructed. Afterward, I returned to the nearest Plaque.

Witch Hazel

Rank: Low-F

Quality: Good

Efficacy: 75%

The plant itself was more of a bush with something I’d have called yellow flowers adorning it. One of my two Gardening Skills, I assumed Harvesting, highlighted in blue where I should cut the flowers off. Another line in purple highlighted where I could cut an entire branch off. Due to the angle and clear intention of the Skill that the instructed cuts were those needed to graft it to the sapling behind me, I assumed this was the Gardening Skill that my Status Screen mentioned.

I performed the branch trim first with my shears and then hurried it over to the sapling before trimming away a thin branch and inserting the cut stem and some of my Mana into it. Once the wound on the Sapling closed over, I returned to the bush and collected more of the Witch Hazel flowers, following the clear instructions from Harvesting.

Sarah crouched beside me and began putting the flower into a Bag. I could tell it was magical because the yellow Witch Hazel vanished from her hand. Guess that answered where my ‘leaf bucket’ came from. At my glance she explained, “This is a Bag of Holding meant to keep items fresh. It has a time dilation on it, but it isn’t the most expensive. So, if we stay out here the whole day, things will probably lose half of their freshness.”

After I had collected roughly a hundred Witch Hazel flowers, I moved on, not wanting to collect the entire bush if the plant itself wasn’t too valuable. Plus, leaving the bush to grow more would surely mean I could come back in the future. Unless of course a boar ate it whole…

The group protected me as I walked to the next Plaque.

Earth Vine

Rank: High-F

Quality: Poor

Efficacy: 35%

This time, there was no purple line and only two blue ones. I followed the cutting ‘instructions’ and soon had a wriggling vine in my hand. It felt like a snake trying to escape. I hurriedly held it out to Sarah who made it vanish.

The group gave me a look and I answered the unspoken question. “Probably not worth the risk to try to grab any other ones that are closer to the other Boars right now. We’ll Skin and Butcher the first kill, so we don’t have to abandon it if we alert multiple Boars while going for the other Herbs out here that I recognize.”

Sure, the ‘recognize’ part was a total lie, but I figured the group needed me to sound like I knew what I was doing instead of relying blindly on my Skill. Then again, for all I knew they were used to others relying on similar Skills.

When I turned around and looked at the Boar corpse, I was first shocked to find a Plaque hovering above it. It was a bit far away to read and I first wrote the thing off as being the plant the thing swallowed. I figured that perhaps the System had been just letting me know I could get it from its belly.

However, the closer I came the more the size and length of the plaque paired with the color of the lines floating on the Boar’s skin, which began to stand out as different from the ones on the Herbs I’d collected.

When I finally got in range and saw the red plaque fully, I realized one other part that stood out. The final portion was orange, and while it clearly had something to do with my Skinning Skill, it also hinted at so much more.

Borker Skin

Difficulty Rank: Low-E

Damage from Fight: Low

Quality: High

Skinning Rank: 10-30

Where had that final line been when Harvesting Witch Hazel or Earth Root? What did it mean?

At times like this, I wished I had Smegma hovering around annoying me. Even if his knowledge of the current system had some gaps, he still was smart enough to theorize possibilities.

I certainly was smart enough too, but it would be nice for someone to confirm my current theory—was this Tutorial actually simply a place to level Skills, and maybe even Evolve them?