Your rage increased by 1.

Despite the efforts of the previous day, Flor felt somewhat refreshed when she woke up on the boat. Say what you will about the day resetting, at least it prevents wine hangovers. Because I absolutely drank too much. I almost wish I smoked whatever that rage reducer was from the Witch Doctor.

She was anxious to get the manacles off and check her inventory to see if they had any of their acquired items from the day before. She rushed through the puzzle and opened her interface. There were zero coins, which wasn’t unexpected, but the gloves were still there and so was a health potion. So, potentially she would keep weapons, which was a nice benefit, and they could grind through the Carillon a bit faster since they didn’t need to earn as many coins. Perhaps they’d be able to earn enough coins after a few days of grinding to buy permanent health increases, which would be nice when facing the Mayor’s guards. Although, maybe armor would do the same.

Alastair wandered over to Flor. “We seem to be in a good place, compared to how we’ve started the last several days,” he said.

“I was thinking the same thing. I’ve possibly got a couple of addendums to our list. For our objective.”

Alastair scoffed, then said. “Sorry. I’m blaming the rage effect. I’ll work to be better. What are your ideas?”

“Armor for both of us. A weapon for you. Maybe stop by the temple to ask Amets why we don’t start with a job class and if she can adjudicate that for us.”

“Those are all probably good suggestions. Should we talk more over morning slop?”

“Sure.”

----------------------------------------

With their morning chores completed, they decided to first go to the Temple since it was on the way to the artesian district from their repeatable chores. Maybe it was worth asking Amets if there was a way to reduce rage for a bit longer since Alastair was becoming intolerable with each passing day.

Both Alastair and Flor decided to minimize their acknowledgment of the goddess statue, so they bowed, clapped twice, gave reverence, and then unbowed. As they unbowed, Alastair said, “Maybe someday we should get here before Klaos. It might be revealing of something we can use toward our objective.”

“Maybe. I’ve just written him off as a waste of time to pursue.” Flor began walking toward the back rooms.

The unnamed Cleric met them at the door and barred their passage. “You are not allowed in here.”

Flor said, “Would you get Cleric Amets, please? We have some difficult questions to ask her.”

The Cleric considered them for a minute. “No, I don’t think I will.”

Alastair didn’t seem to be having it. He yelled, “Amets! You’ve got players out here.”

The Cleric before them started getting red in the face. “You shame the temple! Please leave before I remove you.”

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Ah, let them pass. I know these two,” Amets said from the other room. The Cleric guarding the door grew more red and then huffed out into the temple proper.

Flor walked into the chamber. Amets was in a deep stretching yoga pose. It must have been difficult to reprimand someone in such a pose.

“I was hoping you’d be back soon. I can’t justify another boozy bender so soon, though. So hopefully you’ve got something else to ask.”

Alastair was staring at the contortion before him and seemed unable to speak, so Flor said, “Do you want us to wait until you’re unwound?”

“No, it’s alright. Talking distracts me from the pain I’m working through, which is nice. If not beer, what brings you back?”

“We explained our issue with repeating each day, and you explained job adjudication.”

“Yes, I was there and I remember.”

Flor continued, “Is there a reason you can think that we wake up each day without a job? And is there a way you can bestow upon us a job so that it sticks each morning?”

Amets seemed to consider, but Flor noticed a growing sweat and concentration on her face before realizing that Amets was slowly shifting her position into something even more gangling. After a moment, Amets said, “Sorry. Repositioning. Yeah. We can try to grant you a base rank in one of the job classes. I can’t say it will stick in the morning, though.”

“What do we need to do to be granted the rank? Bring you a rat’s tail or something?” Alastair had come out of his reverie.

“Shouldn’t be that challenging. We’ll do the same coming-of-age ceremony for kids. If that doesn’t work, I’ll think of something different.”

“Does it take long to prepare?”

“Not overly. A few hours. You can wait or you can come back.”

“We have a few more chores, so we’ll return shortly.”

“Okay. How about we plan something for around 14? It’ll give me time to unwind and set up everything without rushing.”

Alastair tipped his imaginary hat and then withdrew to bow to the goddess once again before heading to find the weapon shop and armorer.

Alastair said, “So they’re going to treat us like we’re kids, huh?”

“Your rage is getting you again. Should we stop at the Witch Doctor for a temporary rage reduction?”

Alastair threw his hands in the arm. “I guess. And we forgot to ask about that of Amets.”

“We can ask the Witch Doctor. Let’s stock up on potions while we’re at it.”

“Yeah. Let’s work out the maths. We’ve got forty coins; a second-level weapon for you will run eight, leaving thirty-two. Should we assume armor is on the same cost scale? No, more? It is bigger. So maybe two level one sets at five coins each? Leaves us with twenty-two coins. So that’s maybe five more potions, which should stretch further if we’re less injured. Perhaps we can get through the third deck of the Carillon and then replenish. Use today to grind out our gear since we know it will stick with us.”

“Sure thing, Alastair. Look, the eyes are glowing in the skull today. That’s new. But, how about you go down and deal with the rage reduction yourself? I don’t want to get tempted again.” He started down the stairs alone. She sat on the top step, despite the rain. After a week in this place, maybe she was used to it. Not that it wasn’t awful to be in, just that the constant gloom didn’t frustrate her as much. I hope he asks about traveling rage reduction. Maybe he has an edible. It would be nice to feel chill for a bit. She stood to walk down the stairs, but Alastair came out of the curtains just then.

“He says to come back. And not to come again when the eyes are lit up,” Alastair said.

“To weapons or armor next?”

“Whichever we see first.”

“That one shop is right over there. Let’s get there. What weapon do you think you’ll choose?”

“I’m not sure. There doesn’t seem to be a class restriction. If I’m inclined to be a scribe, since that seems like what the game is forcing me to be, maybe I can’t use a weapon at all. Or maybe just a feisty quill. Maybe you can only use brawler weapons until you level up to one of the other paths? There isn’t enough information on what we’re offered, and Vendor 1 doesn’t seem forthcoming.”

“You’re glib today. You sure you didn’t sneak a hit off that hookah?”

“No. It seemed like he was communing with a spirit world in a trance. I only know because he had a slate hung up with the note. And he looked stoned on his pillow.”