Benjamin – Dimensional Siphon #1001
“MAY YOU WITNESS HIS MERC-“
My unarmored fist punches through where a mind assumes the beings heart resides and the bone, purple viscera and red shards of shattered platemail splinter outward. Meanwhile, my [Khon-Tumic’s Robe of Acceleration] whips in the wind its had created and the notification confirms the uneducated anatomical guess:
You have slain Initiate Beastmaster level 99, experience awarded.
8,281 Manamotes acquired from Initiate Beastmaster.
Your Secondary Class has leveled up, + 1 to intelligence + 1 wisdom.
Parasitic Mutator trait activated, do you wish to absorb One of Many trait y/n? 4 minutes 59 seconds remaining.
You have acquired the title of Racial Pinnacle I (Unique) for being the first of your species to reach level 99 in your primary and secondary class.
You have successfully cleansed a Dimensional Siphon!
Rewards: 3000 Manamotes, [Staff of Vaul-Bik-Qev]
Warning: Dimensional Siphon closing in 4 Minutes 59 Seconds.
Dismissing the offer of the trait I feel a warm tingle run through me whilst the triumvirate praises his pastaery goodness for the appropriately leveled siphon.
One of me catches a black and silver runed staff as tall as my brow as it flashes into existence.
All of me are more than a little relieved to be done with this shit for a while.
Don’t get me wrong I was glad for the staff, as it would be useful if any of me had to actually cast anymore, but what I was really glad about was the fact that the grind had finally paid off.
Now I know what you’re thinking.
‘But Benjamin you have been out here for months and you still haven’t leveled capped yet?’
Well this was mainly because the scarcity of level 99 invaders these days. Then after I had hit cap in my primary class I didn’t get any bloody blue screens telling me I’m the greatest…so naturally my now multiplicitous inner completionists took over and well, here we are:
Staff of Vaul-Bik-Qev
Level Requirement: 99
Attributes: Melee Damage + 61 – 84, Magic Power + 491 – 623, +52 Intelligence, +20 Vitality, +754 Maximum Mana, +92% Damage to All skills, +46% to Mana Regeneration.
Durability: 183/183
Description: A synthesized replica of the infamous mage Vaul-Bik-Qev’s masterwork, inscribed with journeyman offensive runes, intermediate empowerment and support runes. A randomly generated yet rare magical item rewarded to Benjamin for successful participation in the cleansing of Dimensional Siphon#1001.
A me stows my shiny new toy with the piles of other crap I would probably never get around to using in my [lesser Dimensional Pocket], whilst another me surveys the white stony plateau of the siphon and the broken remains of the Juvenile Ravagers that litter it.
So as we wait impatiently for the timer to tick down, a me elects to review my ‘status’, to check on the effects of the new title and stem the encroaching boredom:
STATUS
Name: Benjamin
Age: 31
Titles: Forerunner IX, Dimensional Forerunner, Lone Adventurer, Racial Pinnacle I, Survivor
Class 1: Initiate Gravity Mage Level: 92 (99) +1 Intelligence per level +1 Wisdom per level
Class 2: Initiate Dimensional Mage Level: 85 (99) +1 Intelligence per level +1 Wisdom per level
Profession: Basic Gathering
HP:3391/3232 + 159 = 3391 MP:4862/3305 + 1557 = 4862
Status Effects: Abyss Scarred (All non-core attribute effects negated)
Vitality: 1098 + 22 x 1.20 (1344)
Strength: 946 x 1.15 (1088) Dexterity: 943 x 1.15 (1084)
Intelligence: 1091 + 88 x 1.15 (1356) Wisdom: 1007 + 24 x 1.15 (1186)
Charisma: 201 x 1.20 (241) Luck: 199 x 1.20 (239)
Undistributed Attribute points: 0
Passives –
Human: + 5 attribute points per level
Lingua System: Able to communicate verbally with any system integrated entity and be understood
Parasitic Mutator: Ability to absorb a prevalent trait of a recently killed entity by the host. Must be within 1 meter of target, maximum 3 traits at any one time. Current traits.
1) Lesser Primordial Blood: Increase all core attributes by 15%
2) Heart of a Lesser Dragon: 250% increase in health and mana regeneration rate.
3) Lesser Insectile Musculature: Your muscles have increased strength of 150% at the cost of increased metabolic energy.
Loner: +15% all damage dealt when fighting alone, -10% all damage taken when fighting alone, -10% all damage dealt when fighting beside others, +15% all damage taken when fighting in a group.
Forerunner IX: + 9 to all core attributes per level
Dimensional Forerunner: +1 to non-core attributes per level
Lone Adventurer: Non-core attributes increased by 20%
Racial Pinnacle I: +1 to non-core attributes per level
Survivor: Vitality increased by 5%
Improved Instant Renewal: Regenerate 25% of maximum life when below 5% of life once every twelve hours.
Perpetual Regeneration: Regenerate 1% of maximum life per second on top of existing life regeneration rate.
Improved Metabolic Overdrive: Double all physical damage and physical size for 1 minute after which you will suffer a 25% strength penalty for 5 minutes, useable once every twelve hours.
Solid Foundation: Physical resistance and bone density are directly increased by the strength attribute.
Improved Quick As A Flash: Move at double your maximum speed for 1 minute after which you will suffer 25% dexterity penalty for 5 minutes, usable once every twelve hours.
Off The Clock: Dodge a lethal attack if the attacker has less than 750 Dexterity, passively available once per day.
Thrice Minded: You possess three independent cognitive centers.
Predictive Pondering: Able to predict what an opponent within 20 Meters will do for 5 seconds, if the opponent has less than 750 Intelligence. Useable once per day.
Mind Vault: Once a memory has entered your mind, it may only leave it should you allow it to do so
Mana Fount: Increases your own mana regeneration by 75% and those within 20 meters of you by 25%
Gravidic Sense: Sense gravity around you within a 20 meter radius
Dimensional Sense: Sense the dimensional fabric around you within a 20 meter radius
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Skills – Initiate Gravity Mage
1) Decrease Gravity (LvL 10): Decrease a single targets gravity by up to 1000% for a duration of 100 seconds. Target must be within 25 meters for the skill to take effect (Range, duration and gravity multiplier scales with skill level). Cost: Variable, Cast time: 1 second, Cooldown: 45 seconds
2) Increase Gravity (LvL 10): Increase a single targets gravity by up to 1000% for a duration of 100 seconds. Target must be within 25 meters for the skill to take effect (Range, duration and gravity multiplier scales with skill level). Cost: Variable, Cast time: 1 second, Cooldown: 45 seconds
3) Lesser Repulse (LvL 10): With you as a fixed center of gravity, repulse a single target with a force of 1500% of your current mass weighted against 75% of the targets current mass. Target must be within 40 meters for the skill to take effect (Range, mass multiplier and cooldown scales with skill level). Cost: 40 Mana, Cast time: 1 second, Cooldown: 1 seconds
4) Lesser Attract (LvL 10): With you as a fixed center of gravity, attract a single target with a force of 1500% of your current mass weighted against 75% of the targets current mass. Target must be within 40 meters for the skill to take effect (Range, mass multiplier and cooldown scales with skill level). Cost: 40 Mana, Cast time: 1 second, Cooldown: 1 seconds
5) Lesser Field of Gravity Manipulation (LvL 10): Manipulate gravity within a radius of 20 meters around you with an increase or decrease of up to 1250%, for a duration of 1 minute. You being the locus of the field are excluded from its effects (Range, gravity multiplier and mana cost scales with skill level). Cost: 100 Mana, Cast time: 1 second, Cooldown: 2 minutes
6) Lesser Gravidic Focal Point (LvL 10): Create a lesser gravidic focal point within 50 meters of yourself for a duration of 1 minute with an alterable gravidic value increase or decrease of 1000% and a radius of effect of 20 meters. Given that you are the point’s creator you will be immune to its effects (Range, gravity multiplier and mana cost scales with skill level). Cost: 100 Mana , Cast time: 1 second, Cooldown: 10 minutes
Skills – Initiate Dimensional Mage
1) Lesser Dimensional Pocket (LvL 10): You have the ability to create and maintain a minor dimensional pocket adjacent to your current dimension, the proportions of which are linked to your wisdom attribute’s total value. The aperture radius to the pocket is 10 meters and you may only access this pocket 2 times in a 30 minute period for a duration of 2 minutes (Aperture radius, frequency of access and mana cost scale with skill level).Cost: 2 Mana per second, Cast time: 1 second, Cooldown: 30 minutes
2) Lesser Dimensional Instability (LvL 1): Create a minor dimensional instability within 15 meters of you that has a radius of 1.5 meter, the targeted area experiences the very fabric of your dimension shift in unpredictable ways for 15 seconds (Range, radius and duration scale with skill level). Cost: 20 Mana per second, Cast time: Channeled, Cooldown: 5 minutes
3) Lesser Dimensional Size Increase (Lvl 10): Increase the total size of an inanimate object that is within 100 meters of you by up to 250% for a duration of 2 minutes (Range, percentage increase and cooldown scale with skill level). Cost: 50 Mana, Cast time: 1 second, Cooldown: 30 seconds
4) Lesser Dimensional Size Decrease (Lvl 10): Decrease the total size of an inanimate object that is within 100 meters of you by up to 250% for a duration of 2 minutes (Range, percentage Decrease and cooldown scale with skill level). Cost: 50 Mana, Cast time: 1 second, Cooldown: 30 seconds
5) Lesser Dimensional Portal (LvL 10): Create a lesser dimensional tunnel which origin is within 2 meters of you, that connects with two known points. The tunnel bypasses physical space and has a 5 meter radius for its termini for a duration of up to 5 minutes. The distance between to termini is dictated by your Wisdom attribute 1186 AU’s (Termini radius, duration and cooldown scale with skill level). Cost: 300 Mana, Cast time: 5 seconds, Cooldown: 30 seconds
6) Lesser Dimensional Absence (LvL 10): Create a lesser dimensional absence within 50 meters of you that has a radius of 50 centimeters, which nullifies all matter within the target location for a duration 50 seconds (Range, radius and duration scale with skill level). Cost: 250 Mana, Cast time: 1 second, Cooldown: 1 minute
A me frowns at being so close the charisma and luck attribute threshold whilst another me bemoans the fact that I would no doubt be the luckiest most charminingest pirate on the planet right now if it were for that whatever the fuck it was touching me and leaving the debuf that still wont fuck off!
To make matters worse, a me subsequently tries and fails to not be aware of the fact that I’m still too chicken shit to mess willy nilly with the fabric of reality and thus can’t get perfect 10’s for all my skills, lest all of me earn an even worse status effect.
And while another of my minds is lamenting the lack of use I have for weapons with my trait harvesting friendly fighting style, the triumvirate concurs before also lamenting that its about time to head back to the remnants of humanity and endeavor to not create a misunderstanding based murder death kill scenario…again...
So as the timer ticks down and all of me are gladly taken into the tunnel of unreality and deposited back into volcano land with a fragile smile on our face:
You have entered Delta Zone #2 Level 80 – 99
Finding no greeting party in the toasty and sulfury environs of any description, a me figures its better to skip the scenic route with Greeny this time and go directly to go.
Opening a [Lesser dimensional Portal] with the edge of the only Outpost I’ve been to’s clearing, a me steps through into a decidedly cooler and greener environment to meet my fellow man:
You have entered Alpha Zone #193 level 1 - 20
A mind surveys the near vacant surroundings for a moment and registers the movement of a couple of people entering and leaving the Outpost that takes pride of place in the clearings center.
Another me also note that the size and dimensions of the Outpost do not seem in any way different to what I remember and rather than stand on the edge of the clearing with my hood up like a creeper, all of me elect to lower it and head toward the nearest entrance arch.
While the me on motor function duty closes on the Outpost at slow walk so as not to alarm the nearby people. Another me notes that they have official looking guards stationed at the entrances now.
Feeling a collective hope rise within my chest at the prospect of law and order having being reestablished, a me picks up my pace slightly to hasten the start of a new chapter in our life during the apocalypse.
Coming to the entrance a me offers a smile to the bored looking guard with a mace hooked on a leather belt and his shield slung on his back.
Nodding in silent greeting he reciprocates and states in a bored American accent.
“Greetings friend, I am sorry to inform you that the entrance fee has now been changed to..er..to ten percent of the ‘Manamotes’ in your possession at the time of your arrival at this here fine outpost.”
The guard seems like he’s a bit unsure about what to do next and I continue to smile while one of my minds tells me that I should just give him about fifty manamotes and skip the whole percent bit, and another me supplies.
“How about we call it an even 50 mate?”
The guy seems pleasantly surprised by the offer and opens his mouth, but a leather clad Asian guy steps in, stating obsequiously to the American’s obvious annoyance.
“I’m sorry good sir, but every entrant must be subjected to my Assess Worth skill by order of the Outpost Council.”
Well shit, that sounds like it might put a spanner in the works.
While one of my minds rebukes that I should have worn defensive stat’ed platmail, another rejoins that with my attributes I might even be immune to the skill. Meanwhile a third mind engages my talky/smiley bits as it entreaties.
“Please don’t, I would strongly advise against that.”
The Asian gentleman blinks confusedly for a moment at my polite refusal then narrows his eyes and at the same time I feel like some part of me is being exposed to fresh air for the first time since forever.
After the feeling dissipates the guys face and stance slacken like he’s been hit with a mild tranquilizer whilst he stutters.
“F-F-Fi-Fifty fi-five Mi-“
Before he cuts himself off by clapping his own hand over his mouth and a me points out that he was about to accidently announce my Manamote total to everyone within earshot.
Now that he knows, one of my minds suggests we eliminate him under the state of Ben’s secrets act, another reckons that it’s still salvageable and if we bribe him he will shut up. Meanwhile the one in charge of the external side of things, replies with a tinge of genuine regret at the first potential hitch in operation Rejoin Humanity.
“Now I asked you not to do that….”
The Asian fellow obviously sees this as an opportunity for profit and a little color returns to his face as he launches into a stammering sales pitch.
“P-Please take a moment to consider good sir, the running of the outpost and the required upgrades for individuals such as yourself to u-utilize, cost many many Manamotes. S-So it is only fair and just, to contribute 10% of your earnings n-no?”
I feel I should give the guy some credit for the size of his balls, but frankly my annoyance at having my privacy breached is winning out and a me replies frostily.
“And what is stopping me from just walking straight past you guys?”
The guards next to the Asian man look nervous as one of them slowly summons an arrow and to my bemusement shoots it straight up in the air where at about 50 or so meters up, it explodes into red smoke.
A me fixes the Middle Eastern looking guard with a questioning gaze, to which he replies in a manner that suggests he’s no stranger to such situations.
“Effendi, I have just signaled my fellow guardsmen that we have a situation here, please comply or there will be a problem…you do not wish for such a thing….yes?
As one mind goes into stratagem mode, weighing the pros and cons of engaging in a one sided massacre or not, another one believes that diplomacy is still the better option yet to the surprise of the other two, the one in charge of face time, comes up with the best plan of action yet as it shrugs and states while smiling.
“Ok, I guess I’ll take my business somewhere else.”
As one of me turns away from the gathered individuals, all of me relish the fact that they all seemed flummoxed by my course of action. Mind two however, is a bit of a Debbie Downer and isn’t so sure this will work, instead believing that this course of action contravenes Bruce’s mantra to ‘Never Show Weakness”.
As if to call mind one and three soporific pacifist’s, the cry of the Asian man from behind me puts a spanner in minds three’s mission of ‘just walk away bro’.
“ARREST THAT THIEF, HE IS A WANTED CRIMINAL!”
Now that all of me is committed, none of us can turn around and give in so we continue to walk until the Middle Eastern guard calls out.
“Effendi there is no running from this we are in contact with the other outposts and will inform them of you, please turn back…”
‘Oh great Spaghetti monster in the sky, this is why I fucking hate people!’ mind one gripes. simultaneously, mind three opts to take the passive route, as mind two looks to the growing crowd of armored people at the arch in the Outpost’s wall and retorts, whilst giving a dismissive wave.
“Yeah nah, I’m good thanks.”
Apparently unimpressed with my reply, the guard shouts back as he begins to walk down the Outpost’s ramp.
“THIS WAS YOUR CHOICE EFFENDI!”
Ignoring the threat and continuing to walk in a leisurely gait, so as not to show more weakness than I already have. I make it a couple more paces before I hear the soft whistling of something and just as the whistling reaches a crescendo, a minute pressure on my hind quarters is accompanied by the splintering of wood.
One of me reaches to my behind slowly, to confirm what we all suspected to be true. Unsurprisingly it discovers that the bastard shot an arrow at my ass and put a hole in a perfectly good robe, whilst I was fucking retreating no less!
Fighting to contain my collective rage at the sheer dick hole-ery on display, the guard’s voice booms out a little angrier this time.
“I PROMISE YOU THIS CRIMINAL! WHATEVER TRICK YOU JUST USED, IT WILL NOT WORK A SECOND TIME!”
Endeavoring to try and take the higher road all of me try and shrug off the attempted butt arrowing as one of me tries to offer him a final way out in the most neutral and non-shouty tone it can muster.
“That was your one and only free shot….”
Turning around and continuing my measured gait, It took a jointly supreme effort of will not to cross my fingers in a mirror to my held breath and internal angst.
Yet still, the guard failed to let us leave in peace as he bellowed.
“I WARNED YOU EFFENDI!”
My vastly improved hearing picked up the man’s breathing, as one of me instinctively zeroed in my focus on him. Then I heard the straining of cord and the creaking of wood as if it was right next to me, followed by a *THWAK* of released tension.
Having had enough, mind three turns me and ploughs me through the complaining air as it brrings me past the slow moving projectile, whilst mind one helped mind three pluck the arrow from the air. Next, mind two took note of the attacking guard’s position on the ramp, and coordinated with mind three as it brought up my empty fist at just the right height to make the guard’s head cease to maintain cohesion.
Contrary to the lack of resistance all of me expected after my fist had beheaded the foolish guard and sent his disintegrated cranium elsewhere. What met it was a shimmering and transparent blue wall that apparently has informative notifications accompanying it:
You have slain Apprentice Archer level 31, no experience awarded due to level disparity.
Parasitic Mutator trait activated, do you wish to absorb the Keen Sight trait y/n? 4 minutes 59 seconds remaining.
You have assaulted Outpost #846! Defensive Shield integrity: 98%
Quest: Conquer Outpost #846
Duration: 29 minutes 59 seconds
Description: Destroy the defensive barrier around Outpost #846 and Claim or Raze it by accessing the central HUB
Rewards: Varies based on contribution
After the fraction of a second of shock wore off, the triumvirate convened a hasty meeting and decided that the potential trait was crapola, but more importantly, the defacto government is going to make it impossible for me to have access to the shop without essentially robbing me. If that wasn’t bad enough they would do it while sullying my pristine reputation with the other settlements.
Thus the unanimous decision is reached that it’s probably for the best that we relieve them of their Outpost all together.
One of me grins as the triumvirate elects to give them a sporting chance and evacuate before engaging in all-out war, mind one diligently assumes the role of providing them fair warning.
“Guess we’re on the clock now….uh…nothing personal guys but I just got a quest to take the Outpost and well….you were kinda dicks, tryna take my stuff and then kill me……so I guess it is personal? Anyho.…I’ll be riiiiiight back!”
Then we make for the forest as quickly as mind two and three can manage to go in search of the biggest trees I can find.