Landon woke up and wearily rubbed his eyes.
He went through his clothing chest and settled on his favorite blue linen shirt and some tan breeches, knowing it was going to be a hot day. He wasn’t sure if he’d be on the beach or not, so he opted for his leather sandals.
As he made his way out the front door, the small town of Sandcrab’s Shoal was still waking up. Most were still inside their houses, which dotted the shoreline like little white shells on the beach. The smell of his town’s famous Sea-berry Bread permeated the air; no doubt the baker was hard at work for the morning rush.
He lazily walked along the main road, his pace not at all matching how he felt inside. His mind buzzed with nervous anticipation.
Today, he would finally know what his future held.
In all of the Vell Archipelago, on one’s eighteenth birthday they would take part in the awakening ceremony. This was quite different from how things were done in the rest of Tierrus. The archipelago had been so far removed for so long from the mainland politics that traditions had changed. One thing remained the same regardless of where people were located -Their soul would link into the system irrevocably ,allowing the assignment of an Archetype.
There were thousands upon thousands of potential archetypes, from Brawler to Time Mage to Bandit and everything in between.
Landon however, only cared about one in particular, the Mariner.
Archetypes tended to be affected by genetics, although that was not always the case. Still, he hoped he could stand alongside his father with his bloodline’s famous archetype.
The Mariner received many boons that were perfect for the region. Not only did they gain 150% bonus fishing experience, fishing yield, and ship durability; they were second to none when it came to oceanic navigation. His father had told him countless times of how after a storm many years ago his abilities were able to keep his boat together against the fury of the sea and then safely get him back home. Any ship they manned received countless passive buffs; and the archetype even had skills that could further enhance their vessels.
The most renowned skill they received, however, was Breath of Life(Ship). This master level skill allowed it’s user to breathe a spark of life into their vessel; allowing it to gain a lowly form of sentience and also gain experience and attributes. It is said that in olden times some vessels were even able to gain Archetypes themselves.
Many days of Landon’s youth were spent pretending he had a living boat, he’d run around the beach with his imaginary vessel pretending to sail the world.
He just knew it, beyond any doubt, that the title of Mariner would be his by the end of the day. He had spent his teenage years training in the skills directly correlated to the Archetype.
True, it was impossible to gain skill or attribute levels before being tied into the system, but it was said what you naturally developed before the ceremony could impact the Archetype you received.
Finally, he made it to the heart of the town. Here, where the energies of the region converged and mana was the strongest, would the transformation take place. In this spot there was a towering white Lighthouse, watching over the city like some alabaster guardian.
He stepped into the Lighthouse, where a blue orb floated idly on the first level; pulsing a brighter blue every so often. It was by this mana-focus that his life would change. It was said this object was a fragment of one the gods that created Tierrus, the physical embodiment of the heavens. He nervously walked towards it; loosing his languid swagger from earlier.
The elder of the village, alongside his already initiated family members, stood beside the orb silently urging him forward. He could see the excitement in their eyes. Their white robes looked odd in the blue light of the focus, giving the scene an otherworldly hue.
The elder, Axon, stepped forward. Although he had been touched by the passing of time, there was a strength in his body that was unmistakable. In fact, the only indication of his age was his greyed hair, and the wisdom behind his piercing blue eyes.
“Landon Reed, please step forward.” He had the voice of a leader, a rich tone that was used to giving commands yet still had a thread of warmth running through it.
Landon anxiously took a step forward towards Axon, careful not to let his emotions show in his gait.
Axon gave him a quick smile, he could sense the tension in Landon’s body and hoped to ease the situation a bit.
“Landon Reed, today you will be forever tied into the system. You will gain a strength you did not think possible. It is important to note, however, that this strength has a cost. You must swear to protect the realm from danger, and the evils of the world, with your life if so need be.”
Landon looked Axon directly in the eye and gave a nod, not trusting himself to speak without his voice shaking.
Axon stepped forward, years of experience giving him an easy confidence in his steps that could rival the mightiest of kings. He placed a wreath of native sea grasses around Landon’s head.
Next his mother came up, giving him a quick kiss on the forehead and then placing another wreath on his head, this one with the berry producing shrubs of the region. He had grown up eating his moms renowned bread made with the very same berries.
Finally, his father came up. His stormy greys eyed looked into Landon’s with such proudness that Landon couldn’t help but feel emotional. He gave his son a firm hug, and placed onto his head a wreath of Blue Cassia, a plant whose bark was essential in the creation of a Living Ship’s heart.
“Landon Reed, now place your hand on the Orb of Sandcrab’s Shoal.”
Landon slowly reached out towards the orb, placing his hand onto it’s perfectly smooth surface. It had a warmth to it that he wasn’t expecting; like holding a warm mug on a cold day.
Hello. Do you wish to be added to The System? (Yes / No)
A blue screen had popped up in front of his face.
“Yes” he said uncertainly.
Thinking commands works just as well. Please wait while Archetype is selected.
Landon couldn’t contain himself. Year’s of dreaming and finally he would become a Mariner like his father.
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Archetype Selected…
His heart was beating so fast it felt like it may flutter away, he shut his eyes, scared to see the outcome.
He steadied himself, counting to five before he dared peek.
Archetype Selected… Evoker
Health: Minimal--
Mana: Mythical+
Body: Minimal-
Spirit: Mythical++
He blinked, hoping that when he looked again the results would be different.
They weren’t.
Evoker… he had never heard of this Archetype before. This was all wrong, he had spent his life readying himself to be a Mariner.
Unfamiliarity detected, Archetype explanation requested? (Yes / No)
“Yes” he thought back angrily. If he was going to be stuck with this unwanted Archetype, at least he should know what it was.
The Evoker is a living portal to countless other realms. He is able to not only call forth the beings of these other existences, but shape them to his will while they reside in Tierrus. They have mythical levels of mana and spiritual power, while their bodies and health leave a bit to be desired. They are experts of both battle and utility, although they are most powerful from the backlines allowing their familiars to do the more hands on work.
Landon Reed Human Evoker Lvl 1 Health 75/75 Mana 1000/1000
Body 5 Vitality 5 Agility 8 Mind 14 Presence 10 Spirit 18
Basic Abilities/Skills :
Weak Summon Elemental
Spiritual Empathy
“So, Is there another Mariner in the family?” his dad said to him, a look of certainty in his eyes that his son would in fact continue the family line.
“No…” Landon replied barely audibly.
He saw his father’s smile widen, as if his reply had been some sort of joke. Slowly though, his face began to fall as he realized it hadn’t been a joke at all.
“I mean, son, your mother and I are proud of you no matter what,” He said, seemingly telling himself that just as much.
He walked up to Landon and put his sturdy hand on his shoulder, “What Archetype did you get then, Fisherman? You know, that isn’t one to scoff at. Your uncle has made a fine living off of the Increased Bite Rate V perk.”
“No, not Fisherman. Dad I got assigned Evoker, it’s some sort of magic based Archetype centered around summoning elementals from different realms,” He said.
He looked at his son with a trace of sympathy on his face, “Oh, uh, a magic arch. It won’t exactly help us bring in a bigger catch but I’m sure you’ll find some use for it here.”
His mom walked up to him and wrapped him into a tight embrace, “Son, I love you no matter what. I’m sure Evoker will be an amazing arch.”
His mother had the heavily support oriented Archetype of Herbalist, allowing her amazing skills are growing and caring for various herbs and spices as well as imbuing them with mana to make their effects more potent.
Axon walked forward, “No use in crying over it. I’ve never heard of the Evoker arch but let’s put it to the test.”
He motioned for Landon to follow and went down a stairway to the basement, “See these wooden practice dummies? Here you can practice your new skills and even gain a few levels in them.” He indicated the simple wooden structures shaped like various creatures, “ You won’t however be able to level your arch here, since that requires actual experience gained from monsters.”
Axon moved back towards the stairway to observe, leaving Landon almost alone in the center of the room.
Wait… what were my skills he thought.
He looked at Axon, the embarrassment evident in his features “I don’t remember my abilities…”
Axon moved his hand over his face, clearly a little discouraged, “You can bring up almost any information you need by interacting with the System interface. Just think it with some conviction behind the thought.”
Show abilities
Basic Abilities/Skills :
Weak Summon Elemental (I)
Spiritual Empathy (I)
Well clearly one of my skills is useless for battle practice he thought to himself.
He challengingly stared down a dummy in the shape of a large rat, “Summon Elemental”
Please select element from starter choices (You will be able to change this every time you use the skill)
A list with thousands and thousands of options popped into Landon’s view. He was quickly overwhelmed with the sheer amount of options, Flowers, Breeze, Seashells, Embers…and on and on it went.
Unsure what to do, he picked a random element, “Summon Slime Elemental!”
He felt a draw on some reserve within himself he hadn’t noticed. Like the humming of an electric current, he felt it snake it’s way from his core to his hands where it danced around his fingers like a miniature green lightning bolt. He pointed his hands at a spot a few feet away from him.
Glyphs and sigils, the likes of which he had never seen before formed on the ground where his hand had been aiming. Then, with a dazzling flash and an extremely unimpressive “Pop!” his familiar spouted into existence.
He heard Axon chuckle in the background before examining his creation.
It looked like a domed puddle the size of a large melon, with little specks the size of grapes where it’s eyes should be. It’s blue body seemed to constantly be melting and heaping itself back up in order to keep form.
This is my ability… summoning a freaking ball of living snot.
System, what in the hell is this thing.
Minor Slime Elemental(lvl 1)
A young slime, still incapable of some of it’s species’ more impressive feats. Eating it is extremely toxic, and it is composed of a moderate acid able to dissolve even bones within 5 hours. It is extremely resilient against physical damage.
Ok, so it’s completely useless unless eaten or given hours to do some damage. Does it have any abilities or skills?
Minor Slime (Lvl 1) Acid Spit Slime Pound Liquefy
“Slime, Acid Spit,” he yelled, pointing a finger at the dummy.
The slime didn’t move, still fixing it’s little unblinking eyes at him.
“Slime Pound, Liquefy!” he shouted, still without results.
“Landon,” Axon called out barely containing his laughter, “ have you checked your other abilities or skills to see if they might help?”
Skill Description he thought angrily at the system.
Weak Summon Elemental- Call fourth a spirit from another realm to temporarily serve as your companion.
Spiritual Empathy – Able to sense general moods and emotions from summoned spirits as well as convey vague messages mentally.
Slime, please just attack the damn rat dummy.
Unexpectedly, he felt as though the slime was trying to nod at him. It turned around and slowly worked it’s way to the dummy.
Once in front of it, the slime proceeding to spit up a more liquefied version of the sludge that made it up all over the wood before proceeding to pound it with pseudopod like appendages it made from it’s body.
Each hit didn’t do much damage, but combined with the eroding qualities of it’s thinner and seemingly more acidic slime the dummy began to fall apart.
Landon’s face burst into the biggest smile he’d had all day, “Woohoo!” he yelled, his little slime had done it.
“Good job,” Axon said “That honestly turned out much better than what I had anticipated. Now, do it fifty more times or until you gain an ability level.”
Struck by inspiration, Landon decided to try something.
Summon Elemental
Sorry, (1/1) familiar slots currently occupied, please dismiss any active elementals.
Well, that hadn’t worked quite how I wanted, he thought.
Dismiss Elemental
With another unimpressive “Pop!” his little ball of slime vanished from existence. He still wasn’t willing to go through the whole list, but he needed to pick a better matched familiar to destroy the dummies.
Summon Elemental he thought at the System.
Select Element….
System, show me only the fire based elementals.
Select [Fire] Element…
Ember
Sunshine
Arid Heat
His eyes glazed over before even reaching the fourth element. Sure, eventually he’d have to really dig in, but not to fight unmoving wooden figurines of already not so dangerous creatures.
A devilish smile found it’s way upon his face as he pictured the wooden destruction this familiar could cause.
This could work, he thought.