The Reforming.

Things were tense after Tobias had been put in his place, I felt terrible. It needed to be done but I felt like I should have left it to Paula. But my social cowardice wouldn't get me far, I had to stand up now.

It was barely two hours past midday and I felt like crashing, our early morning start... ‘More like the night before…’ Our unexpectedly, wildly successful ambush. Our multi hour trek upstream.

Those were bad enough, shouting at Tobias for being a prick was the nail in the coffin.

I let the others know I was going to have a nap, grunting and pointing to the corridor with the beds hopefully.

I wandered off and found a series of pod like rooms with recessed beds…Wait is that a blanket?… don’t tell me…

A pillow…

I was literally in tears as I tucked myself into the little hollowed out bed, the hard stone cushioned by shimmering thick cloth covered in runes. Delia had outdone herself, I would worship her forever.

I slept for a few hours and woke feeling refreshed, my muscles were recovered and my mind was light and clear. The burdens of both of today’s confrontations eased by a simple bed.

I wondered out of my new rooms to see Paula and Delia coating the scaled fish skin with a disgusting looking paste, they were surrounded by steaming bamboo buckets, wooden jigs and a large wooden frame. ‘Ahh, tanning…’

I listened to their conversation quietly watching them work for a moment.

“Back on Earth I was a seamstress, I made pretty dresses for little girls…” Delia spoke wistfully, that explained her focus on cloth.

“No no no, you need to rub it in deep.” She admonished Paula, showing her how to rub the catfishes skin hard, breaking up the membranes underneath. It would make the leather supple and flexible.

“Yeah I never quite got the hang of this…” Paula was carefully following instructions, I wondered where Delia learnt to tan hides. It wasn’t an easy skill to rediscover unaided, while alone in the Eligere.

I walked over and looked in the buckets, stinking red water full of chips of tree bark. Yep she even knows to use tannins, further treating the leather and making it strong.

I guessed the gross looking paste was boiled brains, the proteins and fats contained in brain would start the process.

“Good work…” I said, genuinely impressed. The fish skin leather would make great clothing, if they could save some of the scales you could even make crude armour.

“Oh hello Crass, how do you feel sweetie?” Delia greeted me with a smile, she turned to give me a hug and I pushed her away gently.

“Feel OK… You stink…” While I had done some tanning before I wasn’t a huge fan of smelling like brains and tree juice. It was a powerful chemical smell. ‘The cave will stink for ages… Glad we have running water’

“Ha-ha, sorry.” She said not looking sorry at all. “Do you know how to tan?”

“Yes.” I grabbed a piece of fish skin and started working it over the wooden jig, running it back and forth over the smooth wood. It would be a few days but we could make clothes for most of the group with just this one massive catfish monster.

“Who taught you? I learnt from my father.” Delia asked, it was obviously something she remembered fondly.

I summed up some courage and told a story.

“A ghost…” I spoke quietly, losing myself in the task. It was like a form of meditation.

My words came haltingly and with many breaks for water, but I told them the tale of Rheerre.

Rheerre was a Hari’ex, a humanoid bird species. They had all the features of a bird with sharp beaks and taloned hands. Their wings sprouting from their lower back, were extremely important to them culturally. They were told as hatch-lings that flying through the sky was a gift from their gods, and it was a sacred duty of theirs to touch the clouds.

There were many types of Hari’ex Rheerre was of a type that looked like a shrike. She was a humble leather worker, when she was forced into the Eligere. Renowned for making comfortable leather coats, with tailored slits and tassels so the Hari’ex could keep warm while flying higher and higher in the sky.

It was a grand scolding I had received. When I was travelling along, my leather bag was ripped open by a monster. I used a strip of its untreated hide as a replacement. Rheerre had watched me, unseen in the Ethereal Sea and shouted at me calling me a 'Featherless Eggling'. She forced me to treat the hide with respect, coaching me step by stinking step until she was satisfied. Telling me her tales as she watched me work. When I had fixed my bag to her exacting standards, she vanished. Drifting away into the Ethereal Sea, wings spread wide.

I felt good, speaking about my bossy friend. It seemed easier to talk when I was distracted by a task.

“She sounds like my father, he was always serious about treating your tools with respect… even a backpack.” Delia was working on her own fish skin piece, hers was much better than mine.

“Strict but caring…” I chuckled, I had almost forgotten her scolding. 'Eggling' this 'Featherless' that…

“I’m glad you had people to talk to sweetie.”

I was too, isolation was not healthy for humans. We were fundamentally tribal creatures, we worked best in a unit.

After a few hours working and soaking the skins, we stretched them out to dry on the wooden rack.

I wanted to do something, we still had a couple of hours left of daylight. So I asked Indaya to accompany me into the untamed Mah’raxian Jungle, to find materials.

I was hoping to make another permanent totem, I would try to find a mongoose or something similar. If we could find one I would make a [Sentry Ward Totem] the strange nature of the totem skill would reward us if we could find a creature as close to the visual effect of the totem as possible.

The Lizards Retreat I had made being a good example, the monitor lizards being a strong material for the skill to bond with.

We swam up to the waterfall and climbed the wall of the ravine. Emerging on the lip of the ridge, water from uphill was pooling then flowing off the edge forming our waterfall.

I explained to Indaya what we were looking for and he laughed. “A meerkat yes! There are many snakes and reptiles in this jungle, surely we will find a mongoose!” My [Survival] skill was informing me that Indaya was correct.

The family of meerkats and mongooses was called Herpestidae they were snake eaters. While I was sure there would be a snake hunting mammal, I wasn't sure it would be an earth based one. Potestas was filled with all sorts of monsters and alien animals.

But my skill would accept an analogue for a meerkat, you could even trick it into accepting more esoteric representations of a material. It was pretty non-restrictive.

We trekked quietly through the bush, in a comfortable silence. The humidity was nearly unbearable, sweat poured off my back.

It was coming up to dusk. Indaya was inspecting tracks and carefully checking over every plant in sight. Learning what was safe and what wasn’t, there were many plants in the Jungle that could be more dangerous than the animals.

Thankfully we hadn’t run into any with teeth…

We suddenly ducked down.

Indaya was holding up his hand, signalling me to stop. There was a gentle crashing sound, something big was slowly picking its way through the jungle. We hid, Indaya quickly stringing his bow before turning around the bough of a tree.

I began channelling a [Find Familiar] mixed with [Carve], I plucked the totem out of the air before it could make any noise.

It still blew my mind to this day, the monsters of the Eligere and now Potestas were beautiful in a way.

Its large beaked head floated into view, a hard ridge of bone lining the nose. Two long horns stabbed out from above the eyes, and a huge shield crest protected its neck from above.

Its feet came into view, wide circular pads like an elephant attached to strong sturdy legs. Thick flat claws, good for digging.

Its shoulders towered over us, my meagre six feet something was nothing in the face of the four metre tall back.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

Its hind legs came into view, wide hips and squat and heavy legs. Powerful but slow, better used in a brutal charge than a long chase.

Finally its tail came into view. The base was as wide around as my entire body, tapering to a rounded tip. Thirty centimetres from the tip there were a brace of savage looking black tipped spines, designed to whip around and puncture flesh and bone.

A dinosaur… A cross between a Torosaurus and a Stegosaurus the horns of one, the spikes of the other… it was beautiful… and deadly… And huge… Way bigger than anything similar in Earth’s history...

We silently watched it go, I had no need to kill such a beautiful beast. We could get some Cassa for killing it, but we would risk our tiny lives against such a massive titan... Also there was no need. It was peaceful for now, we would let it pass.

Indaya had unlimbered his bow, coiling his bowstring back into a pouch. We watched the dinosaur carefully plod through the jungle it was incredible how delicately it moved, gently bending trees out of the way and picking through thick under brush with ease.

Alarm bells started ringing in my mind, [Survival] was cataloguing all the defensive features of the horned creature. There were very big predators in this Jungle I concluded.

“Big prey… Big predator…” I made a fanning gesture around my neck, mimicking the dinosaurs bony crest.

“Yes, we should move away from here. Now.” Indaya agreed, neither of us wanted to run into a creature that was big enough to bite the neck of the shielded beauty.

Not at level one anyway. I hadn't spent my Cassa yet.

We looped around, heading in a wide path back to the waterfall retreat.

I found some spiritual wood on the way, and managed to snap off a thick branch. It was a similar purplish tree as the first I had found. It would support my totem if we found a mongoose.

We picked some fruit and bugs, stowing them into cloth pouches made by Delia and heading back. I was feeling exposed, we didn’t want to range too far from base tonight. We were still being hunted no doubt, the Lizardmen would be furious with us. The Jungle would be boiling with them. I only felt it was safe to check the top of the waterfall because of the tall ridge line.

'And because we had led the Lizardmen in a merry chase clear in the opposite direction...'

We reached the wide shallow pool at the top of the waterfall and dived over the edge, surfacing and swimming to the crevice. I refreshed my sentry totem and we shambled in.

It was a good trip. We had seen a lot of the jungle around the top of the ravine, and found some decent food sources. Bugs were good protein.

And Indaya and My [Survival] were high enough level to determine what fruits were edible. I would still test it however, healing spells at the ready.

We busied ourselves. Crafting tools and making food, Tobias kept himself distanced from the group. Perhaps he was still sheepish, his blunder earlier drove a wedge between himself and the others.

I would address it, I was more scared of speaking to the group than the dinosaur…

Night fell and we settled in for dinner, we had smoked catfish with the ginger like plant and a wild salad with fruits, crunchy seared bugs mixed in. I ate well, though I noticed some picked out their bugs.

‘Tsk tsk beggars cant be choosers...’

We chatted about what we had seen, well Indaya did while I nodded along.

When we finished dinner I stood and tried to address the group once more.

“I… Choose levels… Spells…” I opened my Codex and read out what I had thought would be a strong first purchase in the Potestas proper.

“I will buy two levels…” it would cost me 950 CS to buy two levels, leaving me with 745 to buy some skills.

“My Spirit will… Sixteen…” I would five extra Spirit per level, it would let me cast totems frequently. And boost my connection to the Ethereal Sea.

“What! How?” asked Tobias, speaking for the first time since lunch.

“[Ethereal Heart] a... Legendary trait…” My response was open, hiding our skills and traits would not help anyone. We were stuck in a dinosaur filled jungle together after all.

'Not like they could take it off me either...'

“Five Spirit per level…” eyes were wide around the table, it was a powerful trait. I had paid for it dearly, it cost an absurd amount of Cassa.

“I take spells, [Water manipulation], [Air Manipulation], [Fire Manipulation] and [Earth Manipulation].” they were some of the cheapest tier 0 spells only 150 CS each, it would leave me with 145 in the bank.

The basic four elemental manipulation spells were foundational skills for my [Spirit Totem] spell, and with the extra Spirit I would be able to be far more versatile in combat.

“I think its wasteful getting all four… I have earth covered and Jack has fire.” Tobias spoke up, he wasn’t demanding but gave his opinion. It was progress.

“Not trying to… upstage…” I flipped my Codex to my [Spirit Totem] page and showed everyone.

“Less of a spell… More like… Meta-magic…”

Meta-magic was a higher level concern normally, magic that changed other magic at an increased mana cost. Doubling your spell, making it avoid allies, increasing its power and so on.

[Spirit Totem] combined two or more spells or skills, and made a unique area based effect. It did nothing on its own, I needed other things to put inside the totems.

[Spirit Totem: tier 0 (Level 104)]

Place a spiritual totem at your feet with a radius of 10m

Assign other spells at casting to create a new totem.

Cast time 5s

Mana cost: variable.

Duration: variable.

Durability: variable.

Spell Effect: variable.

10: Growing Stream: every skill level add 0.1m to radius

20: Iron Bark: +1% duration increase +1% durability increase per skill level

30: Gathering Clouds: +1% to effect of totem per skill level.

40:Ancestors Gaze: allies excluded from damaging effects.

50: Sub spell:

[Ancestor Spirits Embrace.]

Cast sub spell to create a Soul-bound Spiritual Necklace,

Spirit Totems can now be pre-cast. Pre-cast spirit totems will appear as small charms around the necklace. pre-cast charms can be placed instantly. Unused charms reset on rest.

Cast time 1hr.

Cannot wear other neck accessories.

Duration: until dismissed.

Maximum charms: 5

Mana cost: Entire mana pool at casting. 1 litre of casters blood

60: Links in the Chain: An allied unit can add +1 spell link to the Spirit totem at casting creating an extra modifier effect.

Only 1 link modifier may be active per totem.

70: Deepened Wells: The effects durability, duration and spell effect become pools. remove percentage from one pool and add to another.

pools can be adjusted at will on casting once cast pools are locked for that totem.

Minimum of a pool allowed is 1%. Eg. 298% effect 1% duration 1% durability.

80: Radiant Gift: Radius becomes a pool, radius cannot be lower than 1m

90: High Tide: Increase mana cost totem for a 10% boost to pool of your choice. Mana cost dependant on spell effect.

100: Sub spell

[Ancestors Spirit Manifest].

At creation of spirit totem double mana cost and add a carved totem to create a permanent totem.

Physically carve natural materials into a totem, Materials that are closer aligned to the totems spell effect will increase totems efficiency slightly.

Permanent totems spell effect will last the duration as based on the pools given at casting and can be recharged with input of mana.

Permanent totems must be placed immediately, if moved the totem is disabled until it is replaced and not moved for a period of 1 hour its mana cost must be repaid. Moving totem damages durability pool. Can be mitigated with added material cost.

Durability pool will effect the material used either increasing or decreasing durability.

Lasts until destroyed.

“I need… spells to put inside….” I explained to Tobias, I wasn't trying to steal someone's niche. As everyone read my spells description Jack spoke.

“We can add spells as well?” She was much better today than yesterday, Abu’s curse ritual had done wonders for her.

“Yes… Not sure what happens…”

“Weren’t you in the Eligere for ages?”

“Yes… Alone…” I had never used the ‘Links in the Chain’ bonus, I was alone and Kraas’vub was a ghost.

He couldn’t use spells. I had used it for the first time yesterday with Abu.

“Abu was the first time…” I looked at him sheepishly, pointing to the golden lizard. It really was a shot in the dark, who knew what kind of modifier would pop out.

The [Infused Lizards Retreat Totem] was incredible, Kraas’vub had told me that cooperation made the skill bloom.

“It worked though didn’t it, we are safe from smaller wounds now. As long as we have a defensible base.” Abu was smiling, the first time I had really seen him do so. The only other time was when we had made the totem together, he was coming out of his shell.

I laughed, “Yes it… Worked…”

“So... This is how... I will buy today.” I reminded the others, they all nodded but Tobias.

“Tobias?” I waited for his response, I wanted to hear his opinion even if I would ignore it.

“I agree then, your skill needs other spells to be useful.” he finally agreed after a lengthy delay.

He still looked reluctant, but he had agreed. While I wouldn't pander to anyone trying to affect the group dynamic, all opinions should be heard.

“Your voice… Matters… But don’t go too far… Again…” I made myself clear. Holding out my hand to Tobias, I wanted to put this to bed today.

He stood and after a long wait I started to worry he would reject me.

“I’m sorry. I just wanted what was best, as I saw it.” he shook my hand.

I nodded, satisfied that we had concluded the ugly social situation.

“We are a team then…”

“Yes. A team.” he looked up and gave a wry smile. It didn't reach his eyes.

Still holding his hand, I levelled up

Name: Crass

Class: None

Cassa: 145

Level: 3

Attributes:

Strength: 3

Dexterity: 3

Vitality: 12

Attunement: 12

Presence: 12

Spirit: 18

Luck: 3

Traits:

[Spiritual Self] – your Vitality is growing with your Spirit every 2 Spirit gives 1 Vitality

[Spiritual Connection] – your Attunement is rooted more deeply to your Spirit every 2 Spirit gives 1 Attunement.

[Spiritual Shadow] – Your Presence grows with your Spirit in addition to your Presence. Every 2 Spirit adds 1 Presence.

[Ethereal Heart] – Gain 5 Spirit per level. Increases your affinity for the Ethereal Sea.

Spells:

[Spirit Totem]

[Find Familiar]

[Cure Wounds]

[Air, Fire,Water, Earth Manipulation]

Skills:

[Spiritualism]

[Carving]

[Survival]

Soul-bound:

[Ancestor Spirits Embrace] – Necklace created with [Spirit Totem] sub spell.

Accolades:

[Delegati of Terra] – You have passed through the Eligere and become chosen to Struggle. You are an exemplary member of your species, you understand all human languages.

All my attributes had gone up by two from levelling twice, where as my spirit shot through the roof 18! and my Attunement Presence and Vitality were over 10! I had forgotten the level ups would give all attributes plus one across the board!

I locked in the level up, and bought the spells from the spell-book page, they appeared on my main page and I willed them to stack up to save space.

There was a moment as I closed my Codex, then I felt a powerful force spread through me from my albatross tattoo, my muscles strengthened my nerves grew thicker and my flesh felt like it was as tough as stone. My mind expanded and I felt an amazing sense that I was part of something unimaginably large. The feeling soon faded, and I stood in front of the others a changed man.

Here we go.