Svalinn woke with a jolt as a bowl was place in front of him
“Eat, we start when you’re done” Master Sten said sharply
Svalinn, in a sleepy daze, ate the simple fair and stumbled outside. The dark sky alight with stars, a chill still in the air from the night. Stretching and yawning he saw his master sitting in the circle. Master Sten gestured impatiently for him to sit down.
“You must learn to control your rage. It may make you stronger and faster, but it also makes you stupid and careless, with no regard to your own welfare” “You are a danger to yourself and to those around you. If you wish to truly protect others you must change”
“Now sit down and concentrate”
Svalinn sat quickly and copied the way Master Sten was sitting
“Find the seed of rage inside of you and let it grow” “Feel the heat of it, embrace it, and let the flames ignite” “Can you find it?”
Svalinn gritted his teeth as felt the rage boiling to the surface
“Yes Master Sten I found it”
“Good” “Imagine the source of your rage and release the fire it brings”
Svalinn erupted into flames as he thought of the circumstances that brought him here. Thomas flashed into his mind. The broken bodies of the others caught in the explosion he saw on the news. The OTW on his soapbox, preaching their views before them. The flames were larger than ever before and burned hot.
Master Sten spoke calmly and quietly staring at Svalinn and the flames erupting from his skin
“Good this is your burning rage”
“This gives you power and strength, but it only gives the power to hurt and kill, never to protect”
“If you use this power you will never protect anyone. You would only lash out and hurt everyone around you”
“To use your rage to protect others you must bring the flames inside yourself and make them burn coldly”
“See past the flames of your rage”
“You must be as cold and solid as ice, your fury must be clean and pure”
“Rage clouds your mind but a righteous fury clears it, letting you act quickly and with certainty”
Svalinn listened to Master Sten speak and tried to follow his directions. The flames slowly shrank and danced just on the surface of Svalinn’s skin but try as he might he could no suppress them completely. He growled in frustration.
“I can’t do it Master Sten. It’s too hard”
“You must do this. Your life depends on this”
Master Sten got up and walked over to Svalinn and stood over him.
“Your rage is strong but you must use it differently”
As Svalinn focused on Master Sten’s words the flames died down and finally disappeared.
“Good…good”
“Now let your rage go cold”
“Become clear…Become pure”
“Instead of exploding at the injustice of the world you must focus it inward. Use your rage to clear your mind and think of what you must do”
Svalinn listened carefully to Master Sten and focused on what he wanted
--I want to be like Thomas…I have to protect everyone--
--I NEED TO PROTECT EVERYONE!--
As Svalinn concentrated on his goal his anger once again burst forth, but instead of flames, frost appeared on the sand and the temperature dropped noticeably.
*Ding*
The following skill has changed: no experience or levels have been carried overBurning Rage has turned into Cold Fury
Skill Window
Skill Name:Skill Level:Skill Experience:Cold FuryBeginner Level 10%Your rage; once terrifying to behold has turned cold and calm
Increase attack speed by 5%
Agility +5 Intelligence +2
Attacks have a 5% chance to apply cold damage and slow the target
No exhaustion or stamina loss after skill ends
5 minute duration
2 hour cooldown
Svalinn released the skill gasping, and looked up at Master Sten
“Very good boy, very good”
“It’s a start. Go get something to eat inside, come back out when you are rested”
“We start your physical training when you are done”
Svalinn walked outside hand shading his eyes from the high sun. Master Sten once again waiting for him by the circle. A large log placed in the center of the square. He walked out to his master and stood before him.
“I’m ready Master”
“Good. You are going to learn the most basic forms of the fight”
“They are simple but effective and will serve you well”
Master Sten went through the motions. First he got in a defensive guard, hands up and shoulders squared.
“First is the jab. It is a quick punch to gauge distance and stun the enemy briefly”
Master Sten took a small step forward and released a punch while in his guard stance.
“Next is the straight. It is much like the jab but made with your dominant hand and with a larger step in, you must also quickly turn your body to add power to the blow”
Master Sten threw a punch that even slowed down still whipped through air with a crack
“Now the hook and uppercut. They are very similar in appearance and execution. They are both short, compact powerful punches, and can be quite damaging when thrown correctly”
He once again demonstrated the punches slowly
“These are what you will learn today”
Svalinn looked at his master questioningly
“Why am I only to learn punching master? Why not any kicking?”
Master Sten looked at him incredulously and gestured around him
“Do you not see where we stand? Where we live? All around us is sand, have you tried running and jumping in the sand?”
“No…here in the desert we stand our ground when we fight, we do not jump and kick like the soft monks of the north.”
“We who fight in the heat of the south know not to tire ourselves out with useless movements. When we move with do so simply and with purpose, to close in on our enemies and allow them no quarter”
“Now first you must work on the jab, hands up, guard yourself. Tell me when you gain the skill”
Svalinn, caught up in his master’s furor, turned to the log, put up a guard and threw a punch. Blinding pain ran through his arm as his fist contacted the log.
“AHH!”
Svalinn screamed in pain and cradled his hand. Master Sten without looking back called out
“Keep at it!”
Svalinn bit back a retort and settled himself and continued striking the log. An hour passed before Svalinn gained anything.
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*Ding*
New Stat: Endurance
Reduces the loss of vitality and stamina Also increases defense. Stat point distribution is possible and depending on the player's actions, it can be increase itself
--Finally, now it won’t hurt as much—
For another 6 hours Svalinn stood there jabbing at the log but still he did not gain the skill. Finally his sustenance and stamina had dropped so low he had to stop. His endurance had raised by several points making the experience less painful. He dragged himself to the house and collapsed into the chair at the table. A bowl once again placed in front of him he devoured the meal with relish. He was soon finished and sat back sated, his stamina once again full. Master Sten walked in from the room and saw Svalinn. Excited Svalinn told Master Sten of his progress.
“Master! I’ve learned endurance!”
*Tch* “That’s all?”
Master Sten turned back to the other room and gestured to him
“Come boy, I have something to show you”
As Svalinn walked into the other room he was stunned. It had been made into a bedroom, complete with a bed, dresser and table. He even had a log of his own to train inside.
“This is yours now, so stop sleeping in the kitchen chair”
“Thank you Master Sten”
*Hmph* “If you’ve rested go back to training. There’s jerky in the kitchen to eat while you train”
“Yes master”
Svalinn once again headed out and preceded to punch the log until night fell. Though the sky grew dark and he could barely see he continued, eating when his satiety bar fell, resting when his stamina fell. His endurance rose as he punched. Finally as the sun began to rise he heard a blessed sound.
*Ding*
Strength Raised by 1
Agility Raised by 1
Vitality Raised by 1
You've learned Jab a sub-skill of Unarmed Mastery
Reduced prerequisites of other sub-skills of Unarmed Mastery
“Show skill info Jab"
Skill Name:Skill Level:Skill Experience:JabBeginner Level 10%
A quick punch to stun the enemy
Stun duration 0.25 seconds[/table][/center]
“HA HAH!”
Amazed at what he had discovered he ran back to the house and rushed in yelling
“Master! I’ve done it! I learned jab!”
Master Sten awoke with a start
“Shut your mouth you fool boy! It’s not yet morning!” “Leave me be and go to sleep”
Svalinn ecstatic with his success and what he had gained laughed and went into his room. He collapsed into bed but couldn’t sleep.
“Status”
Status WindowName:SvalinnAlignment:NeutralLevel:1Class:??Race:HumanGender:MaleTitles:NoneFame:0Infamy:0-Health:120 / 100Health Regen:1.2 / SecMana:100 / 100Mana Regen:1.0 / SecStamina:120 / 100Stamina Regen:1.2 / Sec--Strength:11Agility:11Vitality:12Endurance:5Inteligence:10Wisdom:10Leadership:0Luck:0
“Skills”
Skills GainedCold Fury Beginner Level 1 0%
Challenging Shout/Terrifying Howl Beginner Level 1 0%
Jab Beginner Level 1 0%
--Slow progress…but not bad for a few days--
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