The Elemental Brawler
Chapter 3 : Books and bumps
Part 1:
As he climbed the stair, bent under his load, Cilerius breathed heavily. He didn’t know yet what Bragarthon could want. Probably to scold him for something, but anyway, to climb like that, was already a punishment.
Reaching the summit, Cilerius did have a nice surprise:
!Ding! stamina +1, resilience +1
A long climb with an heavy load proved to be a good physical exercise.
'well, at least I will not have done that for nothing'.
“wait here, I'm telling the Grandmaster you're here.”
“ok...”.
And the man who did catch him at his entrance in the city, left him there standing while going to the Grandmaster office door.
Other peoples around were whispering, looking at the assistant with envy and at him with scorn. That made Cilerius wonder what was going around, but he didn't get the time to think about, since the assistant was already coming back.
“com with me now, the Grandmaster expect you immediately!”
“ok...” Cilerius was puzzled by everyone actions and couldn't think of better answers than the shortest one, for now.
He headed to the door, knocked on it and got in as soon he heard a loud “Yes! Com here right now”.
Inside the office, nothing changed since the last time he was here, when he got his class changed to wizard. Bragarthon was behind his desk, turning his back to the entrance. He stood like that while addressing him:
“so, I heard you did perform well in the plains around the city... you even ventured in the forest and found a gnoll nest?”
“yes, I did my best to eradicate a maximum of beast around here and, yes, I did discover the gnoll burrow deep in the forest. I'm pretty sure I did my best to improve the wizards standing in the city, since I whipped out the gnoll nest”.
“Your best, hu? Yes, i'm pretty sure too, you did your best”. Then Bragarthon rotated to face Cilerius, who for the first time since his arrival, got to look at the Grandmaster face. And it wasn't pretty... he seemed at least annoyed, maybe even angry. “seeing you, I can only acknowledge what was reported to me...”
At those words, Cilerius began to worry a little and noted for himself that he would have to look for those who reported so well to the Grandmaster.
“Yes... you did your best to desecrate your honorable profession, to wrestle with beast, to, let's say it, shame us all in front of those plebeians playing with sword!”
Each words came out louder than the previous one. And he continued:
“just look at yourself! Are those rags your robe? I'm almost wondering if by mistake, they let an hobo enter our prestigious tower! Didn't I tell you about elegance? Wasn't I crystal clear about the noblesse of our profession?”
*twitch*
A vein popping out, Cilerius tried to retort:
“well, I sure did have some rough fights and may even had to resort to non-magical means sometimes, but the result is here, the beast are no more and everyone will soon know that a wizard annihilated the gnolls that were a pending threat for Nivese”.
“OH! I'm sure they soon will know about yours fights... but they will not know about a wizard disgracing himself by brawling in the mud with beast. No, they will not. No, you will not shame us!”
*twitch, twitch*
“what do you mean?”
“what I mean? WHAT I MEAN? I mean I will not let you drag us in the mire! I mean I ban you from the wizard guild!”
!ding! You are banned from the wizard guild.
Familiarity with Nivese wizard guild: -200.
You no longer have the magic academy blessing
Int: -25
Wis: -25
“and now, get out! Don't afflict us anymore with your presence and go to the quartermaster to return your staff and what's left of your robe. Fail to do so and fear the wrath of the guild!”
*twitch, twitch, twitch, twitch*
“What the F... !!”
Eyes almost bursting out, forehead studded with veins, Cilerius let out that single outburst, clenching his fists, then glaring at the Grandmaster:
“Ok... so you do play it like that? So be it... “ 'I don't know how long it will take, but he's so dead!'
Never ever make JB angry and if you still do, hope for a quick retaliation... the longer it take to com, the deadliest it is... you can be his enemy, he accept it and it's fair play, but never stab him in the back, he never forget... and obviously, that apply even more to his character, Cilerius, who don't even have the civilization shackles to restrain him...
Storming out of the office, even forgetting the weight of his load, Cilerius did look around and could only see hilarious faces, derisive fingers and patronizing eyes.
'scratch that, not he, they... they're all so dead'!
He took note of each face assembled here, their attire, their mimicry and twitch, everything that could help to recognize them later even without knowing their names.
Then, he headed to the stairs and moved down to the quartermaster office.
On the way, he checked his status:
“Information window”!
A system window appeared in from of him, the first time since a while because he didn't check it a lot while he was hunting.
Avatar name: Cilerius Type: neutral
Level: 56 Class: none
Title: Scourge of the Pride Blood Pack
Fame: 1512 Infamy: 202
Life: 6650 (7297) Mana: 7160 (7675)
STR: 95 (125) DEX: 90 (120) VIT: 95 (125)
Stamina: 65 (75) Resilience: 52 (62)
INT: 152 (165) WIS: 146 (161)
Concentration: 66 (76) Knowledge: 55 (65)
Art: 5 (15) Fighting spirit: 5 (15)
Leadership: 0 Luck: 10
'hu? Fighting spirit? 10 points in luck? I missed those ones... I guess I got it in the fight with Iron Jaw, systems windows flashed a lot at the time. Ok, I already lost the blessing, that's minus 25 INT and WIS, since i'm not wizard anymore, the robe bonus doesn't apply so that's minus 5 INT and WIS... that's the actual situation... and I will lose 5 additional INT and WIS with the staff removed, so 160 INT and 156 WIS... I better check what I can wear soon. And damn... did someone already died in a trap? Useless bastard!'
In his mood, Cilerius wasn't really forgiving for people dying due to his traps. Yes, they were his traps, but peoples had eyes...
He then proceeded down, underground.
There, Sigismond saw him com happily at first, then noticing his mood, grow affected.
“I'd like to say I'm happy to see you again, but you seem annoyed, for the least.”
“I'm sorry Sigismond, nothing to do with you, I am happy to see you too, but well, up there was aggravating”.
“damn, sorry I notice it so late... you're not a wizard anymore? What happened?”
“well, long story short, let's say I was being efficient and it didn't please the Grandmaster... I suspect some of the assistant to have reported my way to fight in the worse words available. And this shithead did seem all too happy to ban me of the wizard guild. So here I am to return the equipment you graved me with.”
“what the hell? They're still so dumb to expel ones who may prove their best asset? But tell me more about your adventures since the last time I saw you.”
“ok... to you I can detail, I guess”.
“please do so”
And Cilerius began to recount what happened since his departure almost 5 weeks ago.
When he was done, Sigismond was facing him silently. Then he told him:
“Wow... just wow... now that was epic... and some creative ways to use combined magics and other skills... damn... if I was still Master of the earth school, i'd be delighted to have you around... seriously, I can't imagine what they're thinking up there to cut a so promising student... I know it's insufficient, be let me apologize for the wizardom. Not everyone in the magic profession is so obtuse. Please don't bag us all as the same.”
“don't worry about it... I may hold grudges, but only on those who wronged me. And you're far from having done that.”
“I'm glad you're not resenting the whole wizard community for the actions of few”.
“well, like I said, I'm here to return the stuff I got with my wizard promotion, since I got expelled and Bragarthon want it back...”
And Cilerius unequipped the ragged robe and his stuff, turning them back on the desk.
“thank you... did you think about what you will do after that?”
“not really yet... I must confess I was taken aback a little by these events.”
“yes, that's something natural... listen, even if the Nivese wizard guild banned you, you still can join another city wizard guild if you want, given you hold a neutral of better reputation. I even may give you an introduction letter for some the Grandmaster I'm in contact with, if you want.”
“thank you, but I may want to test something else. Close and personal doesn't leave a bad after taste.”
“hu hu... I understand... then, go return all those objects you collected and finish your assignment with the library cleric, then come back, I'll try to contact some peoples who may offer you alternative opportunities.”
“sure. I'm already in your debt Sigismond, so if you get me something interesting, count on my eternal gratitude.”
“that's nothing much. A helping hand to a promising guy, it's always a good deal with the future.”
“Right. Then it's a deal, I'll com back later, once I'm done with my mission. See you later, Sigismond.”
“see you, Cilerius.”
And Cilerius left the magic academy compound, with angry gaze directed up the tower and gratitude for the one guy underground.
After leaving the quartermaster, he headed into the city, seeking a quiet place for what he had to do next. A narrow dead-end alley he found, was the perfect place. Quiet, nobody to disturb him right now, when he was on a short temper moment.
There, he unpacked all the loots he got from the boss treasure stash. One by one, he took each object and identified them, getting their owner name and slowly but surely raising his identifying skill.
When he was done, his skill had reached beginner 7 and 76% and he had more than one hundred items to return to diverse possessor around the city.
Some were for merchants, others for craftsman or guild members and even a few for prominent peoples of the city.
With his “shopping list” completed, he headed to the nearest on the list. There, at a bakery stall, he asked the guy standing:
“hi, do you happen to be mister Rolfu or do you know him?”
“I'm Rolfu, do we know each other?”
“not yet... pleased to meet you.”
“so, we don't know each other but you know my name... this isn't fair...”
“sorry, my mistake... these few weeks alone in the wild fighting beast surely made me forget a little of the common courtesy. My name is Cilerius.” A hint about the difficulties he had to endure was like preparing the stage to show how hard he had to work for his interlocutor.
“Cilerius? Hum... and what can I do for you?”
“well, it's me who can do something for you. I happen to have found this rolling pin in a den I was exploring and I noticed this little label that seemed to indicate you were its owner. So, even if I had to deviate from my way, I felt obliged to com and return it to you.” Add a hint about how it was detour to increase the worth of his action.
“let me see that. Oh, yes, of course, this is mine... I lost it almost three month ago. Since this is a memento for my family, I was really worried. I thank you for taking the time to pick it up and returning it to me. Can I do something to repay you?”
“no, your happiness and earnest thank is enough. I like to say: a good deed lighten one's soul.”
“what a gentleman! I insist, I'd like to repay you.”
“no, no, seriously, it wasn't much”
“listen, do you happen to like cake?”
“uh yes, of course, like every sane guy, why?”
“please, do me the favor to take this one. It's my specialty”
!ding! Rolfu hand you and a “Religieuse”. This pastry give a taste of even.
!ding! +50 familiarity with Rolfu, +10 familiarity with the Nivese baking guild.
“oh, magnificent... I dreamed to eat one of those... I heard tales about the pleasure you were dealing to the connoisseurs. Some people were even saying it was like a legal drug, less the bad effects.”
“oh oh oh... you flatter me. But for sure I'm proud of my trade. Hey, don't repeat that to anyone, but since you're a gourmet and I'm in your dept, com back everyday if you fell like it, I'll give you another one. But don't speak about it, a lot of my customers dream of this kind of service and I'd have hard time to say no...”
“I'll try not to impose myself too often... I thank you for your kindness. Have a nice day and Freya bless you.”
“See you again. Freya bless you too.”
No doubt Cilerius crafty talk increased the reward and the familiarity obtained. A few chosen words were enough to increase the effect of an action.
Cilerius was about to head to his next “customer” when a vigorous hand caught his shoulder, words following.
It was the baker who did that, worrying Cilerius about some misconduct he may have done.
“excuse me, but do you happen to be a calligrapher? I noticed your pen...”
“yes, I fancy this trade, why?”
“I fell bad to ask someone who already helped me, but... may you write a new menu for the shop? I did this old one but my writing has far less elegancy than my pastry skill. I always felt it was lessening my product.”
!ding! Rolfu ask you to make his new shop's menu.
Prerequisite: calligraphy skill and familiarity with the shop owner.
Difficulty: E
Reward: Rolfu's secret pastry.
'oh, a quest... seem to be easy and perfect to raise my skill...'
“sure, let me see what you want on your menu”
You have accepted the quest.
“here is the list of the pastries, cakes and breads I'd like on the menu” answered Rolfu, handing him a list writed with a crude style.
Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.
“Ok, so, you want it on this sign?”
“yes please.”
“ok, I'm starting on it immediately”
Equipping his pen, soaking it in ink, Cilerius began to write with the highest care.
It took him 20 minutes to finish, since he did use extra care. Upon completion, a system window appeared:
!ding! A fine work.
The work of a talented calligrapher.
Special effect apply on the sign write with talent.
Effect: add extra appeal to the shop. Increase the customer willingness to pay for their order.
The shopkeeper may slightly increase the price of his products without bad effect.
For completing a fine work, you gain +1 Dex, Concentration, Knowledge, INT, WIS. +5 Art.
Your calligraphy skill raise. Calligraphy beginner level 4 (79%)
Your handicraft skill raise moderately. Handicraft beginner level 6 (65%)
Cilerius had already raised his handicraft skill with all his cooking and trap factoring and gained a whole 15% with this, and 55% raise for his calligraphy.
“Perfect... what an artwork... you really did me a favor with this one. I fell almost ashamed to display that outside.”
“Now you flatter me, pleased to have done a good work”
“here, take this... this is my special secret pastry. Only the Doge get these... and even him only on special occasion like his election or on new year eve.”
You gain experience.
You get a legendary pastry, the Eden's kiss.
Due your special work, Rolfu reward you with additional money: you receive 5 gold.
“many thanks, I'll be sure to savor this dearly. Ask for me if you happen to need for my help.”
“I will not fail to do so. Once again, may Freya bless you.”
“and you too, good bye.”
And Cilerius headed to his next target, enjoying himself.
'Not a bad skill... and it did go better than expected. You can't underestimate the power of trade skills. Let's see those pastries.'
Religieuse: a rare pastry holding some power.
“identify: Religieuse!”
Religieuse: this pastry was made by a talented baker. Upon consumption, one will gain awareness of evenly taste.
Effect: raise satiety to the maximum.
Mana and health regeneration +10% for the duration of the effect.
INT, WIS, STA, VIT +15 for the duration of the effect.
Permanently raise INT, WIS, STA, VIT +2 on first consumption.
Permanently raise Mana and Health regeneration +1% on first consumption.
“jackpot! The so called hidden effects of trade skills.” ' now, what about the secret one?'
Eden's kiss: a very rare pastry holding big power.
“identify: Eden's kiss!”
!Fail!
“identify: Eden's kiss!”
!Fail!
'damn... it does resist... ok, third time the charm!'
“identify: Eden's kiss!”
Eden's kiss: this pastry was made by a legendary baker. Upon consumption, one will gain awareness of godly taste.
Effect: raise satiety to the maximum.
Mana and health regeneration +20% for the duration of the effect.
INT, WIS, STA, VIT +35 for the duration of the effect.
Permanently raise all stats +5.
Permanently raise Mana and Health regeneration +4%.
Identifying successfully a rare product raise your identifying skill significantly.
Identify: beginner level 9 (13%)
“WOOT! Mega jackpot!” he shouted in middle of the street, causing passer-by to look at him with unwanted curiosity. 'oups, I better get out of here...'
and he nimbly sneaked between peoples and headed in a narrow passage.
'a whopping 137% raise for the skill? The possibility for permanent stats raise? Now that's what I call rewarding hard work.'
'now, better remorse than regrets. I may be able to sell those for good money, but I'm sure the effects will better on me... long term planning.'
And he began to eat the Eden's kiss.
!Your satiety raise to the maximum.
Mana and health regeneration +20% for the duration of the effect.
INT, WIS, STA, VIT +35 for the duration of the effect.
Permanently raise all stats +5.
Permanently raise Mana and Health regeneration +4%.
“delicious!” 'now, let's try the Religieuse.'
!Your satiety raise to the maximum.
Mana and health regeneration +10% for the duration of the effect.
INT, WIS, STA, VIT +15 for the duration of the effect.
Permanently raise INT, WIS, STA, VIT +2.
Permanently raise Mana and Health regeneration +1%.
“succulent!” ' I wonder how many players did try one of those... few I guess. I didn't even see the price for the Religieuse on the list he made me write... let alone the Eden's kiss. Ok, let's carry on... others owners may propose alike deals...'
And with a totally switched mood from when he left the magic academy, Cilerius proceeded to the next name on his list.
Two days after, he only had left the key to return. Two days returning miscellaneous objects after crafty conversation, then completing various quest, mostly involving calligraphy, good for his skill and getting rewards. Some of the place he visited offered him to learn skills related to his current knowledge, but since he was for now class-less, he couldn’t learn any more skill, having already exceeded the 15 skills limit. Instead, he received vouchers for future skills learning lessons.
For example, due to his reputation already acquired with the thief guild and with the additional familiarity for returning some objects and the related skill, trap building, he was invited to come again later to learn basic exploration skills available, sneak and later, hide. Likewise, the assassin guild was ready to teach him about poisons and some other tricks like fire grenade, a alchemist to teach him a little of his trade and the blacksmith also. 3 restaurants also proposed him a training course to teach him uncommon recipes.
Evidently, it was only because he already had some required skills, first of all, handicraft, or the minimum stats needed, at least 50 DEX to learn sneak for example.
At some other places, he received money or goods. The liquor merchant was very happy to get back his late wife ring, so he rewarded him with a rare vial of Freya’s tears, that Cilerius identified as soon he was alone in an alley, then drank it seeing the effects, same as those from the Eden’s kiss.
Being done with returning the items, he unpacked the other loots, sorting the ones that would immediately be sold to some merchant, those for trade with other players and the few rares ones that he intended to keep for himself.
For trade, he had 3 rusted chainmails, 2 pairs of leather boots, 3 pairs of leather glove, 4 tattered cloaks and many hunting and war lances, wooden clubs or rusty swords.
From the nameds ones, he had looted some equipment he could use.
From Iron Jaw, a studded leather tunic and the staff it was using.
From *The gnoll Oracle*, leather greaves and a cloak.
From *The gnoll archmage*, an earring and a ring.
From *The gnoll High Priest*, another earring and a cap.
All those seemed of good quality and Cilerius fitted the requirements to wear them. He already had good gloves but could use a better belt and boots of greater quality than those he had looted.
Hence, he settled on the marketplace, looking at how other were doing business and once he got the gist of it, began to shout:
“for trade or sale, chainmails, leather boots, leather gloves, cloaks, hunting lances, war lances, clubs. Perfect fit for lvl25 and higher. Want to trade for lvl50+ belt, lvl50+ boots or good money. Come see my haul!”
Few peoples first cam then more as the message was repeated and rumor of these good newbies equipment were available. For players who wanted to gear-up their friends or guild members to help for a fast leveling, gear like that was really useful. Limited amount and many customers, was the setting for good trades for the provider, Cilerius.
Hence, once done with the sale, he got 250 golds, a good leather belt and even a rare item, leather spartan sandals, perfect for him since they were fit for someone who fight with his feet and the seller had hard time to trade for them. In addition, he got a 25% weight reduction gigantic leather bag that he would put to good use, no doubts.
Done with his trades and errands, he finally took time to inspect his future gear with more attention:
“Identify: leather belt!”
Explorer leather belt.
A belt made to facilitate explorer job.
Durability: 45/60 Defense: 5
Level 50 minimum
STA: +5 FOR: +5
2 pouch attached on the side for fast inventory
1 idem space on the inside perfect to hide small items or the smallest kinds of weapon.
Identifying skill raise a little: identify beginner 9 (21%)
“Identify: Oracle cloak!”
fail!
Identifying skill raise a little: identify beginner 9 (22%)
“Identify: Oracle cloak!”
fail!
Identifying skill raise a little: identify beginner 9 (23%)
“Identify: Oracle cloak!”
Oracle spirit cloak.
A leather cloak imbued with the spirit power.
Durability: 57/80 Defense: 10
Lvl40 minimum
DEX: +5
All resists: +1%
Hiding skill: +1lvl
Special property: Unidentified
Identifying skill raise a little: identify beginner 9 (28%)
'hmmm, still can't reveal everything. I'll have to try again once i reach intermediate level'.
“identify High Priest cap!”
fail!
Identifying skill raise a little: identify beginner 9 (29%)
“damn!”
“identify High Priest cap!”
fail!
Identifying skill raise a little: identify beginner 9 (30%)
“seriously?”
“identify High Priest cap!”
Leather cap of the healer.
A cap imbued with the healing power.
Durability: 49/75 Defense: 5
Lvl 45v minimum
WIS: +5 INT: +5 Concentration: +5
All resists: +1%
All healing skills: level +5%
All healing effects: +5%
Identifying skill raise a little: identify beginner 9 (39%)
“ahhh, finally!” ... 'hmmm, that's a good one if I ever learn healing spells... even bandaging seem to be affected. Good catch. Ok, next one'
“identify oracle greaves!”
Greaves of the blood pact.
Leather greaves imbued with mysterious power.
Durability: 85/100 Defense: 25
Level 55 minimum.
FOR: +5 DEX: +5 STA: +5 Resilience: +5
All resist: +1%
Special property: Unidentified
Special property: Unidentified
Identifying skill raise a little: identify beginner 9 (48%)
'they're ok... i wonder what are the unidentified effects...'
“identify high priest earring!”
fail!
Identifying skill raise a little: identify beginner 9 (49%)
'I can keep at it longer than the IA... it's just a matter of mana remaining...'
“identify high priest earing!”
Earring of the dark light.
Earring imbued with the power of the dark gods.
Durability: 55/60
Lvl 50 minimum
INT: +10 WIS: +10 Concentration: +10
Resist dark magic: +10%
Resist poison: +10%
All dark magic effects: +10%
Identifying skill raise a little: identify beginner 9 (55%)
'oooookay... awesome but useless effect I don't have dark magic... good resists and stats bonus thought'.
“identify archmage earring!”
fail!
Identifying skill raise a little: identify beginner 9 (56%)
“identify archmage earring!”
!system window!
Not enough mana to cast this spell!
“arf... “ 'ok... let's meditate to refill my mana... still need to identify 5 items...'
Cilerius sat cross-legged and activated the skill:
“meditate!”
You enter a state of meditation.
Meditate skill: beginner 9 (51%)
Accordingly to your skill, mana regeneration is increased by 45%.
A few minutes later, Cilerius mana was at its fullest and he could resume, alternating fails and success with his identifying skill, finally reaching identify level beginner 9 (91%) and meditate level intermediate 1 (25%) once he was done.
The results were:
Earring of elemental channeling.
An earring imbued with elemental power.
Durability 55/60
Level 50 minimum.
INT: +10 WIS: +10 Concentration: +10
resist elemental magic (fire, water, earth, air): +10%
All elemental magic: -10% mana cost to cast.
All elemental magic: +10% effect.
Ring of the fire mastery.
A ring imbued with fire power.
Durability: 56/60
Level 50 minimum.
INT: +10 WIS: +10
Resist fire: +10%
All fire skills: +1 lvl
All fire skills: +10% effect.
Spartan sandals.
A pair of leather sandals fit for fighters.
Durability: 80/80 Defense: 5
Level 50 minimum.
STA: +5 Resilience: +5
All foot fighting skills: +10% damage.
Stamina consumption: -20%
Studded leather tunic of the blood pact.
A studded tunic imbued with a mysterious power.
Durability 81/100 Defense: 35
Level 55 minimum.
FOR: +5 DEX: +5 STA: +5 Resilience: +5
All resist: +2%
Special property: Unidentified
Special property: Unidentified
Reinforced bones staff of the blood pact.
A bones staff reinforced by blood hardened steel, imbued with a mysterious power.
Durability 89/100 damages: 20-30
Level 55 minimum.
FOR: +5 DEX: +5 STA: +5 Resilience: +5
All resist: +2%
Special property: Unidentified
Special property: Unidentified.
Done with checking his equipment, for the part he could identify with his current skill, he equipped all the armor parts while keeping the staff in his inventory, since his main melee skill didn't need weapon but only his gloves.
He then headed to the library to report his little key seeking trip to his friend, Desmond.