The elemental brawler
Chapter 5: Let’s be spirited!
part 1
You are proposed a new job.
Accept: Yes/no
“Yes!”
You have accepted a secret profession, congratulation!
!class change!
You are now an Elemental* Brawler.
STR+20 Agi+20 Wis+20 Int+20 Vit+20 Concentration+20 Endurance(dmg mitigation and boost hp)+20 Sustenance(lessening of stamina consumption)+20
Possibility of spell casting being interrupted while moving or fighting -50% (does not apply to stuns, mute or wavering, be it skills or spells).
Effect of resilience and endurance is increased by 25%.
Limitations:
All combat skills are capped by the skill: brawling.
Can't learn any advanced magic spell either by teaching, spell books or quest reward.
All current magic mastery must be at intermediate level before being able to learn a new magic mastery.
Before learning a second major magic mastery, the others must be at advanced level.
Advantages:
Can learn every fighting skills.
The more advanced the brawling skill is, the fastest you can learn a new fighting skill.
The more fighting skills you already know, the fastest you can learn a new one up to the level of the lowest one.
Can learn up to ten "element" magic masteries and their spells up to the intermediate level. Magic mastery not included to this limit.
The versatile magical capabilities of the class allow you to create mixed spells form the one already know. Limitation applies. (magic masteries must be at least at intermediate level, source spells must be at intermediate level).
Effect of fame on leadership is doubled:
As you are known for your fighting prowess, individuals are more prone to follow you in combat.
Each winning pvp fight may present reward in the form of stats increase. Each losing pvp fight may cost you in the form of stats decrease.
!New skill: Brawling
"Element" magic mastery already learned:
Fire mastery: intermediate 2 (29%)
Ice/water mastery: intermediate 1 (51%)
Wind/air mastery: intermediate 1 (17%)
Earth mastery: intermediate 1 (84%)
"skill information: brawling."
!brawling: the aptitude to fight with whatever mean available. Everything can be used as a weapon. This skill enable you to use all fighting skills. All fighting skills are capped by the brawling skill. Skill already learned stop rising till brawling skill catch to them. All new fighting skills are easier to learn and rise. Brawling skill only rise when fighting other brawlers. The rise is slow against npc brawlers and fast against pvp brawler. All pvp fights are considered brawl for your class. As long a pvp fight is mutual and not a one sided murder, killing another player doesn't earn you the murder mark. As long as you fight when another player attack you, if he kill you, he doesn't earn the murder mark. The same rules apply to npc's attacking you without aggression. If you attack a “city npc”, even if he fight back, you will earn the murder mark. In all cases, arena fights don't earn anybody a murder mark.
Brawling: beginner 1 (0%)
taking in account previous recent pvp fights and know fighting’s skills: brawling skill rise dramatically.
Brawling: beginner 5 (98%)
After carefully reading everything in the information windows that popped, Cilerius, who had let some wince show on is face while reading, asked:
"System call: elemental* magic mastery list."
Another window opened and ten entries were listed.
-Mineral/metal magic
-Fire magic
-Ice/water magic
-Wind/air magic
-Earth magic
-Life/blood magic
-Light magic
-Dark magic
-Nature magic
-Spirit Magic
Reading that, Cilerius had to ask for more information:
"system call: mineral, light, dark, spirit, nature and life magic information."
!mineral magic: one of the major magic, governing over fire, water, air and earth magic. Reign over all the mineral/no life magic. Allow metal magic.
!light magic: one of the life magic. Allow blessing, heals and buffs. Based on the holly sacred arts and linked to the Gods. Usually mastered by priests.
!Dark magic: one of the life magic. Allow curses and unholy manipulations such as undead summoning and demons pacts. Usually mastered by necromancers and warlocks.
!Spirit magic: one of the life magic. Allow to tap in the spirit realm to enhances, cure and heal. Can call spirits to aid. Usually mastered by Shamans.
!Nature magic: one of the life magic. Allow seek the nature aid. Another line of buffs, cures and heals. Can call to living realm for aid. Usually mastered by Druids.
!Life magic: one of the major magic, governing over light, dark, nature and spirit magic’s. reign over all the life magic. Allow blood magic.
As he was reading that, Cilerius was deep in his thoughts.
'a lot of possibilities but that call for a lot of work if I want to be efficient.'
"us!"
'I don't want to be just another Jack of all trade master of none... that would suck for the group... and to endure their scoff.'
"lerius!"
'And the fighting skills... damn... I'm caught between the magic and the melee realm. if I don't gain bonus stats one way or another, no way I will be able to stay level with specialized professions.'
"Cilerius!"
"uh? hu? what?"
"You're some damn deep in your own thoughts that you didn't answer us for over ten minutes." that was Desmond talking.
"We thought you were so amazed by our gift that you were out." added Sigismund.
"gift? hell! All you did is take me there to bet on my fights!" retorted Cilerius faking anger.
"no, seriously, I was wondering how I would manage with this class. It's interesting, but the work needed to make it efficient will be extensive. And how will I find someone to teach me other magic masteries?" Continued Cilerius.
"we know you're a hard worker." Answered first Figras.
"as for magic masteries, you seem to forget something, Cilerius." answered Sigismund.
"I'm part of the of the elemental mages friendship and yourself made some work for us. I could guide you to one of my fellow member who could train you in his trade."
"oh... right! the elemental mages friendship... but... I already know the four elements."
"don't take the word "element" too literally in our association name. Elements are all kind of magic."
"so... you will introduce me to some of your friends who could teach me the others elemental magic?"
"yes, of course... but the decision to teach you remain theirs. And I can only think of one right now. Lucky for you, he reside on the way you have to head next."
"the way I have to head next? Ah, yes... damn, I almost forgot that part. I have to show in two month time in Hartburg. Well, at least there will be occasion to train my new annoying skill." Cilerius thought of the brawling skill as annoying, since its proficiency capped the other fighting skills.
"yes, Hartburg... too bad, we will not be able to accompany you there to support you. But I'll give you a letter for a friend who live on the way there."
"supporting me? You mean bet on my fights."
"well, if we bet on you, it's all the same as supporting you!" exclaimed the three friends at the same moment.
"hmmmf... if you say so" answered Cilerius, unconvinced.
At least, he wasn't trapped in a dead end. You could even say, to progress further, he had to live like he did up to now. Just, this lifestyle was now mandatory if he wanted to become efficient.
"Listen, you have a two months limit to show there. I need to contact my acquaintance so you don't show there unannounced. He's a bit associable so he might welcome you with scary stuff, else."
"ok... so, how long?"
"let's say 1 month... that will leave you 1 month to travel, knowing the travel to Hartburg require 10 days. The travel to my friend place require 5 days. Expect 5 days there to learn the ropes of his specialty if everything goes well. If not, well... just be sure to show to Hartburg in time."
"If everything goes well? Damn, Sigismund, You are really reassuring. And you seriously think I could learn your friend magic in just 5 days?"
"no, but as I told you, he can teach you the ropes. And you can train on the way. I know you can do it. Hell, you did the same for 4 elements at the same time."
"this is this and that's that... ok... now to find something to do for 1 month."
"Here I can help you, Cilerius" said Figras. "I figure you need to do some more physical training with your new class."
"well, yes, that's a given. I was thinking about it, but the city doesn't have mines. I figured that would be the best place to train my body."
"Sure, the city doesn't have mines, but we have something better, our harbor. They're always hiring strong men to load and unload the freight."
"Dockers? that could do it."
With his immediate concerns resolved, Cilerius took his leave from the three friends and teachers after agreeing of a meeting date with Sigismund. He still had to do some things before going to the harbor. Searching in his bags, he got was he was seeking. Checking the vouchers he had in hands and a map, he planned the visits he has to do.
At the different places he show, he could learn some skills and due to his new reputation, more than what was promised at first. At the thieves guild, he learned the sneak skill, that, they assured him, would allow him to walk egg shells, without even a noise once the skill was enough. He even could ask them for another training and got to learn the basics of the disarm skill. Knowing how to disarm an opponent was an usefull skill.
At the assassins guild, as promised, he was taught more about traps making and the counterpart, trap disarming. They showed him how to apply poisons on weapons and gave him a poisons recipe book. Then, figuring that was the best place to do so, he asked to be taught how to fight with daggers. The assassins were happy to oblige and made a display of their skill for him.
The alchemist, as promised, taught him the basics of his trade and, because it would be a necessity, the skill to detect herbs and gather them. He was given a book with the basics of both and told that if he wanted to know more, he had to be of use with the alchemist community, as he wasn't one.
At the warrior guild, he learned both one and two handed sword skill, the use of shield and even of maces and hammers. As he was about to leave, a thought came to him and asked the trainer if there was a skill to provoke the enemy. At that, the old warrior facing him looked at him with wide open eyes.
"Of course... but to do so, you need an open mind and extensive vocabulary." Cilerius soon learned that in fact, he needed to be proficient in throwing profanities at the face of an opponent, to taunt him.
"easy enough, I guess"
The last place in his list for fighting’s skills, was the knights barrack. Since he had a dubious reputation, he wasn't warmly welcomed, but he still had a voucher so they were obliged by their honor to teach him something. Of course they didn't present him with more than what was promised, so he left the barracks after learning the polearm skill.
Done with all the fighting’s guilds that were indebted with him, he headed to the restaurants and there, learned some rare recipes that he couldn't even cook yet with his skill, but that would be nice later. More useful, he was taught how to recognize edible food in the wild and how to cook it efficiently. That was a little perk of the herb gathering he learned just before and the fact that one of the cooks had an adventuring life in his young days. He was especially warned about poison mushrooms. If you think about it the other way, he was taught how to recognize poison mushrooms and their dangerousness. That knowledge would go hand in hand with poison making.
Cilerius had used the whole night and half of the next day to complete the favors reclaims. He then headed to the docks. There, he looked for the foreman who was indeed, constantly in need of capable men to do hard work. In fact, he was giving repetitive quests to load or unload some ship. The quest difficulty was stated E with really low cash compensation and an unknown reward.
Cilerius wasn't in for the money gain but to train. The game mechanics were well set and once one knew them, he could always use them to rise some stats, the same as he did at the training hall. In this case, the work was to carry huge hessian bags or roll barrels. Since he had to walk on narrow plank to get on and out of boat, he had to concentrate and make use of all his balance.
As a result of this hard work, his endurance and sustenance raised, slowly but surely. Sometimes, in rare occurrence, he even gained 1 point in str or dex. When done loading the first boat, he returned to the foreman to conclude the quest and received minor xp, 1 silver piece and here was the perk of this unexplored work, 1 point gain in either str, dex or vit, alternatively.
Clearly, not many people knew of this reward or the foreman wouldn't have problem to get workers. Maybe many tried to do this quest, but few finished it and knew of the reward because they grow tired too fast. And the few in the know didn't divulge this trick.
Doing his part, Cilerius needed half a day to carry the freight of one boat. He could so do the repeat quest three times a day, only keeping half a night to rest. At first, that was really tiring, but the efforts, the pain and even the exhaustion were becoming addictive in some way and he could carry on. As his strength grow, he was able to carry more weight and finish his work even earlier. He had to carry more weight, since else, he wouldn't get the endurance or sustenance gain. The gains are closely related to the difficulty of the task. When 50kg become easy to carry, you will not gain as much endurance as when it was hard to do.
At the end of the month, he had done the quest 93 times, raised his endurance and sustenance a lot and even gained 10 additional str and dex while working. He also increase his fortune by a whole 93 silver pieces... not even 1 gold piece. That would be laughable if he only looked at the monetary gain but he was here for the side gains. On his stay at the docks, he could see many times other players, low or high level, getting the quest and drudge under their load, only to throw the towel when, tired, they saw the meager 1 silver piece rewarded to Cilerius by the foreman, as he finished earlier than them. Of course, most noticed an endurance or a sustenance gain, maybe even, some noticed the strength gain, but they discarded this way to raise their stats and preferred to head out of the city, kill some mobs, gain xp and rise level, so allocating 5 points in their stats. That was a lot easier.
Looking at Cilerius, most thought or spoke one to another along the line:
"what a fool... is he a masochist to keep doing that work for only 1 silver piece? Maybe he has secret class, slave..."
Looking at them, Cilerius thought:
'the fools, they don't even think about the future but only on immediate gain... the way I am and I'm doing, I'll have soon almost and advantage equivalent of 40 levels on them if I count the training hall gains. If I keep doing that, I won't have to worry about how to allocate my level-up stats points.'
Cilerius was driven by the Need, with a big N, to have physical and intellectual balanced stats. Doing that with only the level-up stats points would mean soon lagging behind the specialized classes. Cilerius wanted to be a complete character, but not only with wide area of expertise and balanced stats. He wanted to be at the top. That was maybe the only place where his ambition show openly.
He didn't tell his gang what he was up to, even what he became, wanting to shock them when they would gather. JB and the gang only shared information’s on their current level or advices to resolve some quests.
As promised, the month passed, he headed to see Sigismund. They had planned to meet at the library since Cilerius was far from welcome at the magician building.
Getting there, Cilerius could see Desmond as his usual place, the desk at the entrance. They exchanged greeting and Cilerius told him what he did at the docks this whole month.
"I can see the results. You could carry the whole encyclopedia Versaillis in one go, with muscles like those."
"I fear the weight wouldn't pose problem, but the volume to carry... I'd have to carry the shelf at the same time to do that Hahaha."
"Yes, indeed, you would have to do that. So, Cilerius, did you think about the next step on your way to knowledge?"
"Only a little... but I think I may have an idea of "Where" to look. By the way, since Sigismund isn't here yet, I will go to the reserve, read a little and retrieve something."
"Do that... I'll call you when he come."
At this reply, Cilerius headed to the door and using his key, opened "his" reserve. What a change since the last time he came here. Books were tidied on their shelves, not moving. Calm... that's the word describing this place now. The atmosphere was now worthy of a library. Cilerius walked past the first three rooms and could see in the fourth, the door to the little office open. As he walked in, he could hear a strange sound, like if someone was sawing wood. That was a snore. on the table, a very thick book was laying on some sort of fabric, its cover slowly rising and lowering and emitting the snore.
Folding his arms, Cilerius stood for a little while, observing the scene then, as the book didn't seem to react to his presence, shout:
"Bok!"
At this cry, the book suddenly opened wide and hurriedly raised in the air, hovering while mumbling:
"uh? what? no, no, I wasn't drinking the ink and I for sure didn't break the pen!!"
"Bok... is that the way you pass your time? Don't you like knowledge? Why don't you read some other books to educate yourself?"
"oh!!! Master! welcome home. No, reading other books will do me no good. I can only learn new things if it's written in my blank pages."
"Is that so? okay... are you at least capable to tell me if you already know about something?"
"of course, Master. What are you looking in my immense knowledge for?"
"well... at first I would ask if you know the meaning of modesty but that's not really what I'm looking for. Do you know about the class "elemental* brawler"?"
"euuuuhhhh, no I never heard of this class."
"what about the elemental magic’s, not restricted to the actuals classics four elements?"
"Ah, on those I have information, though they're basics for some and I would love precisions on the subject."
"okay... that will be done in time. Hmmm, what about the gnolls?"
"the gnolls are usually a secretive race. Few information’s are known as for now. Though, some of their tribes are known to carry and spread diseases."
"Do you know about the clan living close of this city?"
"there is one? no, I don't know about it. But if that's true, it may be dangerous. the city could be in danger."
"no... they've been taken care of, for now. And they didn't seem to carry diseases, those ones. Okay, lay on the table, I have new knowledge to write."
"sure thing, Master. I love knowledge."
And Bok landed on the table, fully open to a blank page. We talk about "sweet tooth" for peoples who like sweet things, but what could we call someone who love letters, words and knowledge? Ink addict? Well, you see the point. Bok was a maniac when knowledge was concerned. the "taming" process couldn't fully explain how he was so obedient right now. He was looking for that part and didn't feel oppressed at this moment.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Cilerius sat on the chair, got his material out and prepared the ink. Ready, he began to write some words with the best writing he could. That was the title: On the "Pride Blood pack", their settlement and force and their fall to the status of "Pack of the Westerner gnolls".
Done with the title, Cilerius began to write on the page, everything he could remember of those gnolls. The different kind, their level and equipment, how they were packed. He listed the spells and skills each used. For each kind, he draw how they were looking. He even draw a map of the region locating where the burrow was and then, another describing the burrow itself. Just as he finished the last picture, a system window opened, warning about his learning of a new skill.
!ding! You have acquired the skill painting through your efforts to draw an accurate representation of yours thoughts.
'oooookay... and yet another skill. I hope it will have an use.'
As he was done writing, another system window opened.
!ding! Bok has leveled up.
The extensive information gained allow him to reach the next level of knowledge.
For writing previously unknown information’s, you gain +3 Wis, +3 Int, +3 Concentration and +3 insight.
The beautiful writing style is a work of art and testament of your skill. A fine work.
Calligraphy skill rise significantly. +2 Dex +10 Art.
Just as he closed the popped windows, he could see the text he just wrote, move on the external side of the pages, ink letters sliding. He followed their movement through the book and could see his text settle in the race part, at the letter G. Bok, once new knowledge acquired, arranged it for practical use.
'nice, this book is nice. I can work on my skill and gain stats at the same time. I like that. I just need to be sure to keep him close.'
Looking at the time, Cilerius figured Sigismund wouldn't be long now. He packed his writing tools then, told Bok:
"Bok, You will come with me to explore the world. But as I don't have, yet, a proper protection and since kids would probably throw stones at a flying book, you will enter my bag. I'll look for something more practical later."
"Okay master... I always wanted to see the world. But child are indeed scary creatures. I'll enter your bag."
And he did so. Cilerius had his own version of what practical device he would make, but he didn't share his thoughts with Bok, as he would have been then reluctant to enter the bag and go to the open world with his Master.
As Cilerius exited the reserve and approached Desmond desk, Sigismund came in.
"Cilerius! I'm happy to see you."
"Sigismund, I'm delighted to see you. So, were you able to contact your acquaintance?"
"yes, of course. He was even happy to hear of me, since he'd like some furniture’s delivered."
"I suppose I could do that, since it's on my way."
"yes, and that will make him in good disposition when he welcome you. But you will need a cart."
"is that so..." Cilerius thought he may need a horse too but on the upside, he could rest in the cart whenever exhausted after exercising.
"by the way, I didn't ask before, but what is his "element"?"
"spirits... the guy is a shaman and deal with the olds spirits. That's why he live alone and far from habitations. Normal peoples don't usually like when spirits wander too close."
"spirits? okay... that could be a good option for now."
"yes... hazard deal you a good hand in this case."
"so, when am I supposed to leave?"
"as soon as possible. I already wrote the introduction letter, here, take it. And here is the list of the furniture’s he ask for."
Sigismund presented him with a paper scroll, that, at the moment he opened it, popped a quest window:
!ding! You are asked to collect the furniture’s on the list under and deliver them to the lone spirit master in the forest 5 days to the east.
Difficulty: E
Reward: rise of reputation with the elemental mages friendship.
Small monetary reward.
"I'll do the delivery."
You have accepted the delivery quest. Time limit to completion: 10 days.
Cilerius answer was obvious. he didn't think that would be a quest, but knowing the game mechanics, that wasn't unexpected. The time limit could have been tricky if he wasn't prepared to leave.
There were quite a few items listed on the paper. And Cilerius had to pay for them so he was lucky to have earned much money so early in the game. Of course, what he had before the bets would have sufficed, but only because he cleared a dungeon solo and so could amass a nice savings.
It was just after noon, so Cilerius bid his two present friends farewell and left to go see the different merchants he needed to visit to get the items on the list. At the same time, He did buy in bulk, furniture’s for himself. Things such as spices for his cooking, ropes or clothes. When he was done gathering everything, the amount of freight was enough to fill a full cart.
Cilerius asked the merchants to hold his buying and he headed to a horse merchant to buy one. He chose a sturdy horse called a percheron, as he needed at least that to pull the heavily loaded cart. A cart he buy just next door, as the two merchants deemed useful to be close one of the other.
Now with his cart and horse and lighter by 100 gold pieces, he headed to each merchant and slowly, filled the cart. At the end of the day, his cart full, one could have think he was a merchant ready for a trade trip.
As Cilerius made his cart move through the streets of the Nivese, heading to the east gates, some npc's saluted him. He was, since both the lost object retrieval and the arena event, well appreciated by all the city peoples... that is if you exclude the mage guild and the knights. The mage guild, we know why. The knight guild... well, knights despise anyone who has even a bit of infamy. Were they not indebted to him for objects he retrieved for them, he couldn't even have walked a step in their barracks.
The sun was setting as he crossed the east gate, saluted by the soldiers on guard duty. Just like that, Cilerius left his starting city. One could think he was leaving late, since his level was 71, but as he did find ways to level-up in or near the city, it wasn't that late.
'Okay, even with the sun set, I still have enough light to advance for 1 or 2 hours. And the moon will be full in 2 nights, so that mean I can advance days and nights.'
His original purpose was to shorten the time needed to get to the shaman's house, since that would mean more time to work on the magic learned there. In addition, very few humanoids were out at night and monsters usually didn't come too close of the road.
As he planned, Cilerius used the traveling time to work on his skills and spells. Constantly using the wind walk and even the fire steps, he was casting every now and then, the other spells, targeting roadsides, rocks or trees. When he was low on mana, he would train his skills, slashing or piercing at a log he had attached to the cart, with low level sword, dagger, lance, mace and other weapons. He had buy those debutant weapon from player coming back from hunt. they were happy since he was paying more than the npc merchants, but he was too since the price was lower than what he would pay to a merchant.
Progress were slow, of course, but way faster than usual, thanks to his class specificities. He had buy 5 of each because he knew their durability would fall fast, given his strength. Even with 5 of each, he was soon left with weapon almost broken. That was a good time to use a skill he didn't use up to now, since he didn't have time and need. Climbing on the cart, he set the weapons on one side and a "portable" anvil on his front. He had specifically buy a large cart to have space left. By doing so, he could manage a king of blacksmithing workshop. Of course, only small work could be done with the tools he had. But, thanks to his fires spells, he didn't need much to heat the metal in the furnace.
All set, he took the first weapon, freed the blade from the handle and put it in the furnace. He then casted a fireball to ignite a small amount of coal, then more to heat at very high temperature. In this case, the coal was only used as an agent, the main heat coming from his magic. Once the blade turned from dark red to a yellowish, he picked it up with a pliers and set it on the anvil. He then took the hammer and started the work needed to repair the blade. When done with the hammering, as coolant, he was using a water bucket where he put his hand with the ice palm spell. He planned to use the spell directly on the heated metal when he would feel more confident about it. Burning his hand wasn't a good way to improve one’s fighting abilities.
The first and even the second try weren't very successful, but his skill still raised a little. With the knowledge of experience, his next attempts were more resulted. To repair all the weapons, it took him one hour and he reached beginner 2 (15%). Done with this work, he got down of the cart and resumed the abuse on the log.
And the travel proceeded the same, day and night while he was awake. Spell casting, fighting skill rising against an innocent log and weapon repair. This way, even without rest time, he was replenishing stamina while spell casting and mana while exercising fighting skills and using moderately both while repairing.
On the third day, at noon, Cilerius saw a little track going from the way he was traveling, into the forest. From Sigismund explications, he understood that it was the track he had to continue on to get to the shaman house. He was just done with repairs, once again and decided to pack for now. The uneven and narrow path wasn't adequate for those activities.
In three days, he had gained even more sustenance and endurance, thanks to his hard work, both while exercising and while repairing, 2 points of strength, 1 of Int and 5, good surprise, of concentration, as casting from a tossed cart wasn't really stable and so, needed more attention.
The repair skill raised to beginner 4 (56%) and he raised the fighting’s skills in a balanced manner, to beginner 4 (90%) each. Rising even more those skills proved hard if by only hitting a log. On the magic part, he was at intermediate 3 (10%) at least for all, the higher being his fire finger spell at 30% because of the intensive use for repair.
After 1 hour advancing on this side path, he arrived at a clearing where, clearly, spirits gathered. Already on the path, some crossed the road from one side to the other, exiting and entering the surrounding forest.
In middle of the clearing, a low house was there. Its door seemed half buried but when looking more closely, Cilerius could see steps that were going down and explained that. In front of the house, there was a pyre. On one side, a bog while on the other, a pond. On the roof, a mast with many mobile parts. There was, in the back, some kind of... a cemetery? Many small pits, with apparent bones, were dig there.
Stopping his horse, Cilerius waited, still, for a moment and when he saw no reaction, he climbed down the cart and walked to the door. He walked climbed down the steps and, facing the door, knocked it.
Nothing. The silence... He knocked again. Then some noise could be heard. The noise grow, slowly. That could mean something was coming closer. The noise was now coming from right behind the door. Then a huge voice resounded:
"I don't want to subscribe to the Versaille gazette nor to get an insurance contract. Go away!"
"uhm... errr, mister, I'm send by Sigismund".
At those words, the lock made a opening sound and the door opened slightly.
"Sigismund send you?"
"Yes. I have some furnitures you asked for and a letter."
The door opened wide. Facing Cilerius was a big man, both in height and width. He was probably 2m high for 160kg. Dressed in brown tunic and pant with some sort of rope as belt. His face was accorded to the rest of his body, big. Big mouth, big nose, bigs eyes overcome by bushy eyebrow. His hairs, same as his beard, were long, wavy and matted, with a grey color that showed evolve to the white. This big guy was apparently in his 60’s, even if his body condition could be of a 40’s man.
"hmmmf... let's see if you have everything." he told Cilerius, first looking at him from toes to hairs then behind, to the cart.
"So, according to the list, here are 3 barrels of molasses, 5 bag of rice ... " Cilerius was indicating items in the cart as he was reading the list.
"hmmm... okay... you did good. Everything is here and i was expecting you at least 2 days later. How much do I own you for the purchases?"
Cilerius told him the right price, without adding a commission fee.
"you are a honest fellow... thank you for your work." Said the man facing him.
!ding!, delivery is completed in time.
Quest completed.
You gain 1 gold piece for your work.
You gain some xp.
Your reputation with the elemental mages friendship increase.
Your Intimacy with Gurdianson raise.
As you didn't try to rip him off, your intimacy with him raise.
You are now in good terms with Gurdianson.
Level-up
Cilerius, given the 93 quest he did at the harbor, even with the very little xp it rewarded, was close to raise a level. The little push from this quest was enough to get to level 72.
"My name is Gurdianson... here are the buying cost I own you." he continued while giving Cilerius a little pouch.
"you told me you had a letter from Sigismund for me?"
"yes. Here it is." Answered Cilerius while taking out the letter from inside in tunic and reaching out to the shaman. He took it, watched the seal as to verify its autenticity and if it was intact, then broke it and opened the letter. While reading, his eyebrows raised a few times and he even looked at the occasional postman facing him.
"hmmm... it seem Sigismund like you. That speak great length about you. And you displeased Bragarthon? Even better. So... Sigismund write me you'd like to learn a little about the spirit realm? Do you intend to become a shaman? I certainly could train you."
"To be perfectly honest, even if the spirit realm seem to be of a formidable interest, I can't only focus on it. I don't know how Sigismund described it, but I learned some spells from the mage academy, but now, I need to look for many other kind of magic. So, if it isn't too much pain, I'd like you to teach me as much as you can to an "outsider"."
"honest... good... spirits usually dislike shroud persons. That's a start... and he tell me you're a hard worker. That could do... I may accept to teach you a little of my art. But first, I must see if you're worthy of it. Show me your what's your made of."
That was an npc way to ask to show the status windows.
"status window, open look for Gurdianson." Said Cilerius, and his status window opened, apparent for him and his interlocutor.
Name: Cilerius Level: 72 Class: Elemental* Brawler
Title: Scourge of the westerner gnolls
HP: 15391 Mana: 18372
Fame: 1601 Infamy: 202
Str: 253 Dex: 233 Vit: 183
Int: 255 Wis: 251 Concentration: 126
Endurance: 192 Sustenance: 157
Insight: 10 Art: 35 Luck: 20 Leadership: 20
Resist: Fire: 24 Light: 4
Ice: 14 Dark: 14
Earth: 14 Poison: 14
Air: 14 Disease: 4
Spirit: 4
Magic mastery: I3 (25%) Magical restriction: I3 (11%) Magic missile: I3 (12%)
Mana preservation: I3 (17%) Meditation: I3 (12%) Identification: I1 (%)
Fire mastery: I3 (25%) Fire finger: I3 (31%) Fire walk: I3 (10%)
Ice mastery: I3 (19%) Ice palm: I3 (23%) Ice shield: I3 (13%)
Earth mastery: I3 (12%) Mineral needles: I3 (17%) Soil alteration: I3 (12%)
Wind mastery: I3 (11%) Zephyr restriction: I3 (12%) Wind walk: I3 (11%)
Brawling: B5 (98%) Pankration: B7 (35%) 1H blunt: B6 (23%) 2H blunt: B6 (20%)
Piercing: B4 (90%) 1H slash: B4 (90%) 2H slash: B4 (90%) Polearm: B4 (90%)
1H mace: B4 (90%) 2H mace: B4 (90%) Dodging: B7 (88%) Disarm: B1 (5%)
Tracking: B3 (34%) Hunting: B4 (21%) Trapping: B4 (67%) Cooking: B4 (12%)
Tailoring: B3 (2%) Mining: B2 (89%) Repair: B4 (56%) Throwing: B1 (1%)
Trap disarm: B1 (1%) Calligraphy: B6 (67%)Drawing: B1 ( 78%) Apply poison: B1 (1%)
Alchemy: B1 (1%) Herbalism: B1 (1%) Foraging: B1 (1%) Taunt: B1 (1%)
Sneak: B1 (1%) Shield use: B1 (1%) Ambidexterity: B9(89%) Handicraft B7 (42%)
(B=beginner, I=intermediate, A=advanced, M=master, GM= grand master)
“hmmm, that’s quite the extensive collection of skills. And some are… nice.” Gurdianson said with an appreciative look.
“Sigismund wasn’t lying when he wrote you were an hard worker. Those stats, for your level. Mark me impressed. Listen, I now understand what you told me and that you can’t concentrate on only one element. Seeing how you worked with the hand dealt to you, I really feel like teaching you. But nothing can exempt you from the test each and every of my apprentice candidates must pass. Do you want to try the test?”
Cilerius didn’t answer immediately, Not that he hesitated, but an immediate and rash decision wasn’t probably what this shaman wanted. Shamans must take time to consult the spirits.
“yes, I want to try and pass your test.”
“good… may you not regret this decision.”
Cilerius was already prepared for a tough test. The way Sigismund spoke about his friend and from what he saw since his arrival, Gurdianson wasn’t one to let just anyone pass. One would have to convince him of his worth, whatever that meant.
“For now, come inside and undress. Just keep a loin cloth.”
And Cilerius did so, getting in the same attire he had in the arena.
“drink that and eat those.” added Gurdianson, presenting him with a sticky liquid in a cup and a plate with dessicated mushrooms.
Taking a sip of the drink and a bite of the mushrooms, Cilerius asked:
“what are those for?”
“anyone who want to deal with the spirits must open some gates in his mind. Sometimes, it does happen naturally or by accident. Else, you need to set some condition for the same result.”
Nodding in agreement, Cilerius gulped down the rest of the drink then the remaining mushrooms and waited for Gurdianson next direction.
“come with me.” He said while opening the way for Cilerius down some stairs leading to a cave. The cave was excavated in the rock and on the walls, primitives drawings represented many animals and some other things not immediately discernable. Even less by Cilerius who’s mind and eyes were becoming cloudy.
“here, sit down in the middle of the stone room. Open your mind as much as you can. Your potential at shamanic magic will be decided by how many spirits will come to visit you and may decide to stay.”