Chapter 5: Discovery
I sit down for this one. Everyone else gets through their leveling pretty quickly. “I'm going to take my time this time,” I inform them.
“Okay.” Theo takes his shirt off revealing his 6 pack abs. He really is a good looking dude. “We'll take 15 after that fight, but then we need to get back out there.”
I close my eyes and dive head first into menus. The classes I qualify for are Mage, Fighter, Scout, Rogue, Plotter, Engineer, Tinkerer, Grenadier, Gunner, Caster and Magician.
I see that classes are essentially ranked by their “step.” Mage, Fighter, Rogue and Engineer are 1st step classes. Their levels grant 2 attribute points. The other classes, Scout, Plotter, Tinkerer, Grenadier, Gunner, Caster and Magician are 2nd step classes. They grant 5 attribute points per level, and better spells and abilities.
I look them all over but I'm really only considering either Scout or Magician right now.
Scout
Learn mapping and perception based abilities while keeping a distance from foes. Utilize ranged attacks of all types.
A second step class. Three subclasses. One class evolution.
Gain 1 Ki, 2 Agility and 2 Dexterity upon choosing this class. Two basic map related utility techniques will be granted to you upon choosing this class. You gain basic training with ranged weapons.
Uses Dexterity, Agility and Ki.
Upon level up an additional random basic or advanced mapping related technique will be granted, until all basic and advanced mapping techniques are known. Each level you gain 1 Ki, 1 Agility, 1 Dexterity and 2 free points.
Magician
Learn to cast illusions and deceive both foes and small children.
A second step class. Three subclasses. One class evolution.
Gain 2 Dexterity, 2 Charisma and 1 Arcana upon choosing this class. Two basic illusion based Arcana spells will be granted to you upon choosing this class. You gain basic training with the Deception, Performance, Thievery and Sleight Of Hand skills.
Uses Dexterity, Reflexes, Charisma and Arcana.
Upon level up an additional random basic or advanced illusion spell will be granted, until all basic and advanced illusion spells are known. Each level you gain 1 Dexterity, 1 Charisma, 1 Arcana and 2 free points.
I decide to put it to the group. “Hey guys, should I go for a Scout class to get mapping stuff or Magician which gives me illusions and a lot of rogue-ish skills?”
“Can you just get something to heal me you prick?” comes Brian's unhelpful reply. His hand is still dripping a little blood. I sure hope that demon dog didn't have some wacky fantasy game disease. Or rabies.
“Nah. Actually I don't have anything that gets me... Well, maybe Mage?” I hope he doesn't force me to take Mage again so I undersell it. “I get one extra spell but it's random and I have no idea if there's even a healing spell option.”
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He grumbles back to me. Jose holds out his bag of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos to Brian and Brian grabs a few with his non-bloody hand. “Shit these are hot but addictive.” He chomps down and his face turns red but he looks at his bandaged hand. He grabs the remainder of his energy drink, downs it, then takes off his bandage.
“What the hell are you doing?” Nat asks, a tone of actual concern hidden behind annoyance at another dumb masculine action.
Brian ignores her, washes off his wound in the sink, and shows us his hand. It's healed.
“It's healed,” Jose states.
“It was the Cheetos, I think.” Brian talks as he goes to examine the odd extra vending machines that popped up when the world warped. “Guys, I think the stuff in these is magical. Like magical healing items.”
Jose looks at his bag of Flamin’ Hots. “It looks normal,” he says. “Except for the nutrition facts. After protein but before the vitamins it says HP recovery 10 over 10 s.”
We all check out the other items in the room. Anything from the original vending machines or our lunches is totally normal. All the stuff from the new machines has some similar effect.
Food recovers HP. Candy also seems to recover status effects. Twizzlers help if you're confused and a Snickers does the trick if you're blinded. M&Ms only help if you're petrified but I'm not sure how you eat them if you've turned to stone.
Drinks recover Etheric (magic) points. Ki recovers from good old water. Sodas recover your Arcana points. Energy drinks boost up your Channeling and milk recovers Spirit energy.
We load up on supplies at this point. We all had bags of some sort in the break room, each of us having to bring at least a character sheet and dice to our lunchtime RPG session. Those containers are emptied and dice spill onto the table. In goes chips and drinks. Which will save our lives, but also give us diabetes and heart disease.
I go back to my class choice and see something I overlooked. Caster. It sure sounds boring but what did it do again?
Caster
Learn offensive and defensive spells that you cast intuitively. Magic books are for nerds.
A second step class. Three subclasses. One class evolution.
Gain 1 Intelligence, 2 Charisma and 2 Arcana upon choosing this class. Two basic combat Arcana spells will be granted to you upon choosing this class.
Uses Intelligence, Charisma and Arcana.
Upon level up two additional random basic combat spells will be granted, until all basic combat spells are known. Each level you gain 1 Intelligence, 1 Charisma, 1 Arcana and 2 free points.
Okay, so yeah, it's not exciting out of the box but it focuses on combat spells. And right now we need more combat options. Using a chair as a shield obviously ain't working well. “Okay, actually I'm going Caster.”
“Nobody cares,” everyone else says at once.
Your Intelligence is now 33.
Your Charisma is now 4.
Your Arcana is now 4.
You gain the spells Static Snap and Fire Bat.
“Ooh,” I say to myself.
Static Snap
Snap your fingers to charge a digit with static electricity. Touch someone to deliver a jolt. Okay in combat, but great at parties.
Range: Touch
Cost: 1 Arcana Point
Proficiency: 0%
Fire Bat
Summon a fire bat.
Duration: 10 minutes
Cost: 3 Arcana Points
Proficiency: 0%
I immediately say “Static Snap” and snap my right hand. A small coil of light blue electrical energy spins around my extended pointer finger. I move out to the hall and tap the dead dog to see what-
“Oh dog shit!” I cry as the second I step outside three dogs leap onto me. They are immediately biting and scratching my face, arms and legs.