Fully healed and fed, we set out from the bandit’s camp just over two hours later, plunging deep into the thick trees of the Dark Woods. Gogo took the lead and stayed about twenty feet ahead at all times, their ears twitching as they looked left and right along the faint game trail that we were following. Still close enough to lend a hand in battle, but not so close that one enemy could hit both of us with an attack. It was smart, and the kind of logical reasoning that I’d have to learn if I wanted to stand a real chance in this world.
During our walk, I took the chance to further study the system that I was given for my time in Ahya. It took about half an hour to truly master it because it was more complex than I’d thought. But once I knew how it was almost second nature to navigate to what I wanted. The trick was in the eyes and my focus, I learned. Additionally, if I stopped focusing on the words in front of me to take stock of my surroundings, the words dimmed from my vision to the point that they were very easy to ignore.
My stats looked the same as the first time I’d seen them, with my skills beside them. It was a very efficient layout and looked nearly identical to the sort of information I was used to while playing D&D. The style was obviously reminiscent of 5th Edition, but I could see some marked changes. Some parts had been changed to fit Ahya, I supposed. Magic was the most obvious one. I focused on the option for a tutorial on magic that had appeared mid-fight while I was facing the bandits.
Magic in Ahya
Magic in Ahya is a mysterious and powerful force that dwells within all living beings. It is a natural extension of your being and can be tapped into with ease. But only with rigorous application and study can it be truly mastered, and its full potential unleashed.
Mana, Ki, and Aura are natural resources that originate from your mind, body, and soul. Taking a long rest will fully replenish these stores.
Ancient Mana originates from your connection to Ahya. This resource will only regenerate once per week, or if you visit an Ancient site of power
Spells can be refined through repetitive casts, up to level 3. Each tier of refinement is represented by a (+) plus symbol.
-At level 1: +1 additional mana
-At level 2: the cost for the spell is halved (rounded up). +1 additional mana
-At level 3: the power or effectiveness of the spell is increased. +1 additional mana
Learning additional spells increases your available mana pool in addition to leveling up.
-Every 5 spells learned: +1 additional mana
-Every 10 spells learned: +2 additional mana
Well, I thought, that was pretty simple. Not only that, but it was exactly the way I’d imagined it when I’d made the magic system for Ahya. There was no mention of Power, Capacity, or Speed, the terms I’d used to clarify the vague term of ‘Mastery’. I supposed that this was a dumbed-down version just for me, because I wasn’t from the world originally.
After reading through the introduction, the words vanished and were replaced by a list of spells. Well, not so much a list as a single spell that I could cast. Just one spell, I thought. No more advanced than a simple mana bolt.
Strike (M, K): Channel your energy into a mystical strike against an enemy. If your attack lands, deal (1d4 + 1) damage.
Dice was actually mentioned, I noted with surprise. Who was doing the rolling, then? Was the version of me writing it doing the rolls with actual dice on the desk? Or were they using software to come up with the answer? They could also be using numbers that seemed right for the moment. But I was certain it was the first option. Somehow, it seemed in character with my style. Yes, he was certainly rolling actual dice.
I was itching to try out a spell but thought better of it. I didn’t want to startle Gogo or make it seem that I was attacking them. I remember what the system had told me, that I could cast spells with my free hand as long as I was only holding the sword. So I’d just have to test it out the first chance I got. Little did I know that that chance would come much sooner than expected.
The only other thing that seemed interesting to me was the option to display the time, date, and area that I was in. I had just been thinking that it would be nice to know exactly what time it is when something appeared in the corner of my vision.
18 Masag, 891
Gitna, 19:32
Dark Woods, Reserves of Zaban
And, no sooner than that information had appeared in the corner, my character sheet changed, showing that I had a new feat. Feats were, it seemed, just like in D&D. A constant, passive buff to my skills.
Keen Mind: You have a mind that can track time, direction, and detail with uncanny accuracy. You gain the following benefits:
-Increase your Intelligence Score by 1, up to a maximum of 20.
-You always know which way is north.
-You can accurately recall anything you have seen or heard within the last month.
Ah, Keen Mind. My favorite feat in D&D. I’d be worried about copyright infringement if it weren’t for the fact that the game was creative commons now. But that was a thought best left alone. I’d figure out the limits of the feat eventually, in my own time. For now, I had to focus on my own situation.
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
“There it is,” Gogo said, breaking me out of my train of thought. I glanced up, and the character sheet faded out of sight.
Gogo was pointing ahead and slightly to the left of our game trail. Without realizing it, we’d reached the very edge of the forest. In the distance to our right and left, there were two massive bodies of water that stretched out of sight. They looked like oceans, but I knew better. These were the great lakes that I’d thought of. On the far side of the Wild Mage’s camp, there would be a third, the largest by far.
And sure enough, I could just make out the barrier around the Wild Mage’s camp. I wasn’t sure why I’d decided to call it a camp, as it was more of a large village in size. By my best guess, there would be nearly a hundred people living in there, all users of the Wild Magic style, a combination of natural and chaotic magic. I could feel my heartbeat starting to increase at the thought. My natural curiosity was demanding that I rush in and try to learn everything that I could, as quickly as I could. But reason stopped me.
“They won’t let us in so easily,” I said quietly to Gogo as I moved to stand beside them. “Wild Mages have a trial for each newcomer.”
Gogo nodded their understanding. “That’s what I’ve heard, yes. Do you know what kind of trial it is?”
Of course, I knew what kind of trial it would be. But I also knew, because I’d designed it that way, that nobody outside of those that the Wild Mages accepted knew about the trial. It was a very well-kept secret. So if I seemed to know what was coming, it would be strange. So I shook my head in reply, doing my best to look puzzled.
Gogo let out a low sigh. “Right. Sorry, that was a dumb question. Nobody knows, do they? Nobody except the people they let in.”
“Still,” I said, trying to inject a little optimism into the conversation, “We’re both strong. I bet we can pass their trial without too much difficulty.”
Gogo grinned, showing their sharp teeth again. “You have the instincts of a wolf, Tuck. I can tell in my blood.”
So that explained the ears, I thought. I’d known at once that Gogo was a Beast-Kin, the race of humans in Ahya that also had the blood of a beast inside them. In some, the mix was obvious. But for Gogo, apart from their ears and the tail that was doubtless hidden by their long coat, it was very difficult to tell. But now it was clear that they were of the wolf variety.
“Thanks for that,” I said. “Let’s just hope that it can help me impress the Wild Mages.”
Almost by silent agreement, we moved forward at the same time, veering to the left to get back onto the main path, then approaching the gate. There were two figures lounging at the entrance, and they spotted us at once, rising to their feet. Even at a distance of more than a hundred feet, I could sense their magic as they prepared to defend their home, on the chance that we were enemies.
I rose my hands to show that I was unarmed, as did Gogo right beside me. “We come seeking knowledge and the advancement of our magic.”
It was just one of the common phrases used by traveling mages that visited the Wild Mages, and it, along with the fact that we weren’t holding weapons, convinced the guards that we weren’t a danger. The pressure of their mana faded, and I heard one of them call back. “Come closer then. You know of us, so you must know of our trial.”
We walked closer until we were a few yards from the gate, and stopped. In the time that we’d taken to reach them, a third figure had appeared. I had absolutely no trouble recognizing the figure, for obvious reasons. It was Zerial Thunderborn, the current Alpha Mage of the camp. He looked a bit older than I’d imagined in my head, but his clothes, appearance, and the staff in his hand were dead giveaways.
“I am Zerial, of the clan Thunderborn,” he said in introduction. “I am Alpha and leader of this settlement.”
Gogo and I both bowed in respect, and I spoke. “We’ve come to learn the ways of Wild Magic, Zerial. May we be allowed in?”
I already knew the answer, of course, but the question had to be asked. Predictably, Zerial was shaking his head. “Not until you have passed our trial, outsider. To live among and learn from us, you must prove your worth.”
I was surprised to find myself growing impatient. I already knew what was required, and had an inkling as to what would happen. Knowing the end result made waiting for it to arrive much harder. I glanced at Gogo, already thinking of how to best showcase my meager talents in the arcane. What kind of magic would they show to gain access? To my surprise, they were also turning toward me, their broad wolfish grin showing.
“The only way I can show my unique magic is by wounding someone,” he explained to me. “You can show your unique healing magic the same way if that’s alright.”
I blinked at him in confusion for a few seconds, not understanding. Then I remembered his reaction to magic. I could have kicked myself, the answer was so obvious. I definitely couldn’t impress Zerial with the pitiful bolt that was the only spell I had. But the healing? I knew that nobody apart from the Ancients in the world could do that. I nodded my assent.
“Don’t hurt me too badly,” I said unnecessarily. “It wouldn’t be a good start to the introduction if you accidentally kill me.”
That made Gogo laugh. He had a very charming laugh, I thought. Genuine, booming, and so deep that it almost seemed impossible to come from that relatively thin chest. “I have more control than that, Tuck. Just trust me.”
Zerial watched this byplay with some interest, curious to see what skills we might showcase. Gogo drew the spear from their back and held it out, making a decent but light cut against my forearm, away from any clothes that could be damaged or bloodied. It was painful, but I bore the pain, clenching my teeth tightly.
Attack: 17 (+5) = 22 [Success]
3 Damage
Based on the damage I took, and the numbers that appeared, I gathered that Gogo was about as strong as me. Which meant that he was weak, of course. Low-level, just like me. Except that he seemed very skilled with that spear of his. So maybe not as weak. As soon as he wounded me, the blood that had ended up on the head of the spear glowed bright red, and vanished, replaced with a faint trickle of energy that flew to Gogo’s mouth.
He breathed the red mist in, and before our eyes, his body seemed to shift slightly. He put the spear away and seemed to wait for something to happen. Zerial and I waited as well. Gogo frowned as nothing happened, then glanced at me. “I suppose this would have been easier if I knew exactly what your strengths are.”
“You’ve taken on his strength?” Zerial asked critically, now watching Gogo more intently. “I’ve never heard of this kind of magic.”
“I’m used to hearing that,” Gogo said, grinning. “But I only know his healing magic. Is there some way to prove that I can do it?”
I drew my sword. “Well, we can test. It will take a while to show, though.”
I glanced at Zerial to get his opinion, and he nodded his assent. “I am content to wait.”
I lightly dragged the edge of the blade against Gogo’s forearm, giving him a much smaller cut, then sheathed the weapon. We waited. And waited. And waited. Then, after about ten minutes, I saw the cut on their forearm heal. The blood that had leaked out was still there, but the lips of the wound sealed flawlessly, and he gave a soft gasp. I knew that was a reaction to the warmth that flooded with the healing energy because I felt it a split-second before he gasped.
We turned to Zerial, both grinning. “How’s that for unique magic?”
Zerial was rubbing his chin thoughtfully as he studied us. “So, as I understand it, you have the ability to rapidly heal wounds without using your mana.”
I nodded, sure that wasn’t the full explanation, but it was succinct enough for the moment. We both glanced at Gogo, and the Alpha Mage took a guess. “You can take on the strengths of those you wound, to use their abilities?”
Gogo nodded. “I can’t copy anything that they’ve had to spend time learning, and it doesn’t last long. But yes, depending on how much of their essence I can devour, I can use their attributes for some time.”
And, before our eyes, their body was shifting back to its normal proportions. Thicker arms and chest, though their eyes did seem to dull a little. If I’d been forced to guess, I would have thought that he’d taken on my strength and constitution, which were both lower than his, and my intelligence, which was higher.
“Intriguing,” Zerial Thunderborn murmured. “Not quite powerful, but definitely interesting uses of magic. I accept your strength and invite you to our camp. You are welcome here, for as long as you like.”
Gogo and I grinned at each other, then followed Zerial inside as he turned to lead the way. “Looks like we managed it well enough.”
“Just as you predicted,” Gogo said, winking. “Let’s hope it’s worth the effort.”