I looted the mages' corpses as we left the arena. I'd inspect the gear once out of view of the crowd. I walked through the archway with my new familiar beside me and my teammates following. Telovir was waiting for us.
"Well done, you all overcame tremendous odds to win that one. You even managed to gain another teammate, it seems. I'm proud of you all," he stated.
"Yeah, Alex got a cute kitten!" Cass said jokingly.
"He is not a kitten! I have the scars to prove it," I retorted as we walked back into the courtyard.
"Actually, Alex, that is a young Firemane Lion. I wouldn't say a kitten, but certainly not an adolescent, and nowhere close to an adult. Also, healing magic prevents scars," Leo explained calmly.
"I was speaking figuratively! I'd hate to see an adult. This guy kicked my ass even if he is a kitten!" I said as I patted his head.
"Well, you will get to see that. As he levels, he'll grow larger, stronger, and more intelligent. He'll also gain new abilities," Leo said.
"How do you know so much about magical creatures and even magic in general?" I asked the mage.
"My parents were Arcanists. They studied all forms of magic and the magical beings native to our land. I learned much of what I know from them," he said with a hint of sadness.
"Well, I certainly appreciate having you around to explain things. Thank you," I told him as I clapped his shoulder. I couldn't help but wonder what Leo would be doing right now if he hadn't come to this hell hole.
Then I looked at my familiar. "We have to come up with a name for you—unless you already have one?" I asked the cat. He responded with a snarl.
"I think that means no. How about Blazeclaw?!" Cass said excitedly, only to elicit another snarl. She pouted at the beast's response.
"I've got it. How do you feel about Teos?" I queried my familiar. The lion pushed his head into my thigh and circled my legs like a house cat. I laughed at the absurdity of the gesture coming from a huge fire-breathing lion.
"Teos? Where do you even come up with that?" Cass asked.
I shrugged. "He reminds me of a dragon from a game I used to play," I replied.
"You played games with a dragon?" Cass asked dubiously, doubt plain on her face.
"No, not an actual dragon. It was like... an illusion. Where you would control a character and fight these great beasts but were never in any real danger," I explained, struggling to come up with a description for video games that they would understand.
"Sounds boring. Stop stalling, and tell us what the loot was!" Cass exclaimed, changing the subject.
I dumped the gear from my cache out onto the table. Then explained each piece to my teammates and Telovir. The first was the runestaff and the golden leather headband from the Dawn Ritualist:
[Casque of the Sun]
Uncommon Medium Armor - Head
40 Armor
+8 Vigor
+15 Intelligence
+25 Mana
+5% Spell Damage and Healing
[Stellar Runestaff]
Uncommon Weapon - Staff
40 Attack
+25 Intelligence
+20% Spell Damage and Healing
+10% Spell Casting Speed
Leo quickly snatched them up. No one protested as they were essentially useless for Cass or me. I then described the gear from the Pyromancer:
[Amulet of the Wildfire]
Common Jewelry - Necklace
+10 Vigor
+10 Intelligence
+5% Magic Resistance
[Scorched Ring of the Salamander]
Common Jewelry - Ring
+10 Regeneration
+8 Intelligence
I offered them both to Leo, but he declined. I shrugged and equipped the amulet. It was a simple reddish-silver chain. More Vigor certainly wouldn't hurt. Cass took the plain iron ring and slid it on her finger. The Level 8 mage Cass had killed dropped nothing besides 4 silver coins, which I kept to myself. The others dropped 21 silver coins each, bringing my total wealth to 43 silver and 10 copper. I had no idea how much that was. It could be enough to buy a house or not even enough to buy a loaf of bread. I didn't dare ask anyone and raise suspicion.
"Leo, I have a couple of questions. First, why, when I loot someone, I receive their gear, be it armor or a weapon, but the equipment they have equipped doesn't vanish? Also, sometimes I receive gear that the person or creature did not have," I asked the mage.
"I am not an expert on loot powers, but my understanding is you extract the magical properties of the item and ambient mana forms to create a duplicate of it. The items left behind on the looted are rendered inert by the process. As for items created that the being did not possess, like your spear from the Stagbeetle, they are created from ambient magic and imbued with the magical properties of the being it was looted from. Take the Ogre's Grip gloves. It didn't remove anything from the dead ogre. It just applied an effect that ogres can do naturally to a magical item and rewarded it to you."
"I think I understand. Thanks! As for my second question, why did the Roc disappear when its summoner died, but Teos didn't?" I queried.
"They are many ways to gain a familiar. You can be given a Rune Ability that allows you to summon a magical being. You can subjugate a living creature with a spell or item. Lastly, as you did with Teos, you can form an actual bond with the familiar. My guess is the Roc was summoned, and the Pyromancer subjugated Teos. If he were truly bonded to the fire mage, he would have fought you to the death. Bonded familiars are extremely loyal and share a deep connection with the person who bonds to them. I'm sure you can feel it even now," Leo stated.
He was right. Since Teos and I had bonded, I could feel him as if he was an extension of myself. We were deeply connected. I could sense his emotions and even felt like I could issue basic commands to him mentally.
"Alright, guys, I'm heading off to take a bath. I have a class to choose and an ability to upgrade. I'll come to consult you all when I delve into the options." I said as I walked towards my room.
I hopped into the cold bath and let out a shiver. That gave me an idea.
"Hey Teos, think you can heat this water for me? I asked him.
I'm not sure if he understood the words or just my intention, but he approached the metal tub and began heating his body next to it. A short time later, I had a warm bath for the first time in what felt like forever. I rinsed the dried blood from my hair and body, laid my head back, and opened the interface.
[You have reached Level 10. Please choose a class.]
* Runeguard: (Upgradeable Class) Runeguards are powerful defenders who utilize heavy plate armor and a shield to protect their allies while dealing moderate damage to enemies. Grants the following class benefits:
1) Allows the use of Extra Heavy Armor with no penalty to dexterity.
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2) While you have a shield equipped, all damage taken is reduced by 10%, and all damage dealt is increased by 5%.
Grants the following bonus attributes upon reaching a new level:
+ 2 Strength
+4 Vigor
+2 Endurance
+1 to all other Attributes
Class Ability 1: Unlocked at Level 15
* Gladiator: Gladiators are masters of physical combat, particularly against a single enemy. They utilize medium and heavy armor. They are ferocious attackers who specialize in wielding a one-handed weapon in one hand and a shield in the other. Grants the following class benefits:
1) When fighting against a single enemy, you gain +20% movement speed and +10% damage dealt.
2) Enemies suffering from control or slow effects take +30% damage from your attacks.
Grants the following bonus attributes upon reaching a new level:
+4 Strength
+2 Dexterity
+2 Endurance
+1 to all other Attributes
Class Ability 1: Unlocked at Level 15
* Vanguard: (Upgradeable Class) Vanguards are the first line of defense on the battlefield. They utilize heavy armor. They excel at rushing into combat before their allies to harass and distract the enemy. Grants the following class benefits:
1) When you first engage an enemy, they take +15% extra damage for 10 seconds.
2) While you are moving, gain +10% damage reduction and +15% magical resistance Also reduces the cooldown of any movement-based abilities by 30%.
Grants the following bonus attributes upon reaching a new level:
+3 Strength
+2 Dexterity
+2 Vigor
+2 Endurance
+1 to all other Attributes
Class Ability 1: Unlocked at Level 15
This was a tough choice. Gladiator was out. It was too attack-focused, and the fact that it wasn't upgradeable sealed the deal. The choice came down to Runeguard or Vanguard. Runeguard seemed more defense-oriented, and the ability to use Extra Heavy armor with no penalty was very nice. Vanguard was also appealing to me. The bonus damage from that first benefit could let me take out an opponent much quicker. Plus, I'd be much more mobile. I'd have to ask Tel and the team what they thought.
I moved on to the Relentless upgrade I had to choose.
[The Onslaught Ability: Relentless may be upgraded.]
* Relentless - (Passive) Any time you suffer a control or slow effect, you heal for 10% of your maximum health. Control and slow abilities have diminished effects on you.
[Please choose one upgrade from the available options:]
1) Relentless - (Passive) Any time you suffer a control or slow effect, you heal for 25% of your maximum health. Control and slow abilities have diminished effects on you.
2) Relentless - (Passive) Any time you suffer a control or slow effect, you heal for 10% of your maximum health. Control and slow abilities have greatly diminished effects on you.
3) Relentless - (Passive) Any time you suffer a control or slow effect, you heal for 10% of your maximum health. Control and slow abilities have diminished effects on you. In addition, it extends the duration of control or slow effects you cause to enemies by 30%.
This was an easy choice. The healing effect came in handy once or twice but never outright saved my life. And I'd like to extend my War Stomp and Crushing Blow abilities' duration, but the second option was just too tempting. I could already snap out of effects with Force of Will. Combining that with option two would make me nearly immune to them. I mentally selected the second option.
[Congratulations! Relentless has been upgraded to option 2.]
I dried off, got dressed, and headed out the door toward the courtyard. Teos followed me without hesitation. Telovir and Samuel were sitting at a table conversing. I approached and greeted them. Sam nearly fell out of his chair at the sight of my familiar, and I stifled a laugh.
"Sam, meet Teos. Teos, meet Sam. Don't worry. He's harmless!" I said cheerfully.
"He doesn't look harmless," Sam said with a frown.
"Well, I should've stated he's harmless to you," I replied with a laugh.
I described my class choices to them in detail and my thoughts on each. I even pulled up the interface and read each one out loud word for word. Telovir seemed to think it over for a long while, and Sam remained silent.
"I agree with you about the Gladiator class. I cannot choose for you, Alex. What I can do, is explain the benefits," he said before continuing. "Runeguard sounds like a seriously powerful defender. Extra Heavy armor has a huge downside for most. It seriously cuts into their dexterity. If your class benefit negates that, you'd be able to equip some of the toughest armor with no loss of mobility. The benefits to damage reduction and damage dealt are just icing on the cake. The bonus stats per level are great, particularly the vigor when considering your ability that doubles your vigor attribute. You'd become a veritable juggernaut." then added, "Vanguard would round out your capabilities more. The bonuses to movement would certainly help, as you only have two options to move around the battlefield quickly. The extra damage for the first ten seconds would let you and the team crush an opponent if set up properly. The bonus attributes are well-rounded also. I don't believe you can go wrong with either choice."
"I agree with Tel. Take your time and think it over. Come back if you have any more questions," Samuel added to the discussion.
"One more question. What is the benefit of an upgradeable class?" I asked.
"An upgradeable class will gain new benefits and sometimes even abilities as you gain levels. They are vastly superior to classes which cannot upgrade," Tel stated.
I thanked them and returned to my room, Teos entering behind me. I already had an idea of which class to choose.
"I have your help now, and you will become an even more impressive attacker over time. You definitely made this choice easier," I said to my familiar while rubbing his mane. He responded by crashing into my legs with his head and knocking me onto my cot. The giant cat took the spot next to me on the floor.
I opened the interface once more... and made my choice.
[Congratulations! You are now a Level 10 Runeguard.]
Alexander Venriel
Level 10 Runeguard (13%)
Health: 100%
Mana: 190/190
Stamina: 71%
Prime Rune: Ironwall (Intermediate Level 4 - 16%):
* Shield Charge - Rush at your target with blinding speed, blocking all attacks and finishing with an attack from your shield. Cooldown: 30 seconds. Cost: 5 Mana.
* Reflection - Send projectiles and magic attacks back at enemies for 5 seconds. Cooldown: 60 seconds. Cost: 15 Mana.
* The Immovable Object - Raise your shield and block all attacks regardless of direction or position for 6 seconds. You take considerably less damage for the duration. You cannot move for the duration. You are immune to knockbacks and control effects for the duration. Cooldown - 24 Hours. Cost: 10 Mana.
* Shield Mastery - (Passive) Shield attacks deal three times as much damage. (Upgrades: 1)
Augment Rune 1: Warlord (Intermediate Level 4 - 31%):
* War Cry - Shout a mighty war cry that increases your strength and speed by 15%. This bonus also applies to nearby allies. The effect lasts for one hour. Cooldown: None. Cost: 40 Mana.
* War Stomp - Stomp the ground damaging and slowing nearby enemies for 6 seconds. In addition, you take 50% less damage from enemies slowed by this ability. Cooldown: 20 Seconds. Cost: 20 Mana. (Upgrades: 1)
* Warlord's Cache - (Passive) Grants you a personal dimensional space to store armor, weapons, and other items. Using mental commands, you may immediately equip or remove armor and weapons.
* Blademaster - (Passive) Increases the rate at which weapon-related talents progress by 100%. Also grants you a bonus depending on what type of weapon you are currently wielding.
* Swords: Chance for attacks to be critical strikes that cause massive damage.
* Axes: Increases attack speed by 10%.
* Spears: Chance for successful attacks to cause an instant second attack.
* Maces: Increases strength by 10%.
Augment Rune 2: Onslaught (Novice Level 3 - 14%):
* Frenzied Strikes - Begin a barrage of strikes against a single enemy. Each successful attack increases your attack speed by 5%. Stacks up to 6 times. Duration: 8 seconds. Duration is refreshed upon gaining a new stack. Upon reaching max stacks, you may not refresh the duration. Cooldown: 90 seconds. Cost: 25 Mana.
* Crushing Blow - Deliver a staggering blow to an enemy. If successful, the target is stunned for 0.5 seconds. Cooldown: 45 seconds. Cost: 15 Mana.
* Execution - Attempt to finish off a critically wounded enemy. This attack deals 300% damage. The cooldown is reset if the target dies. Cooldown: 60 seconds. Cost: 10 Mana.
* Relentless - (Passive) Any time you suffer a control or slow effect, you heal for 10% of your maximum health. Control and slow abilities have greatly diminished effects on you. (Upgrades: 1)
Augment Rune 3: Guardian (Novice Level 2 - (6%):
* Provoke - Let out a challenging roar that causes all enemies within 6 yards to attack you for 8 seconds. Has diminished effectiveness against sapient beings. Cooldown: 25 Seconds. Cost: None.
* Intercede - Charge to an ally's position; any damage they receive for the next 3 seconds is negated. Cooldown: 60 Seconds. Cost: 30 Mana.
* Freya's Blessing - (Passive) Your Vigor Attribute is increased by 100%. Your natural Physical Resistance is increased by 25%.
* Titan's Favor - (Passive) Every time you block or parry an attack, you gain an instance of Titan's Favor. This ability may stack up to 12 times. - [Titan's Favor: Increases your strength by 2% for 2 minutes.]
Talents:
* Shield Expertise - Level 8 (98%) - Improves your ability to use shields effectively. Each level also improves your ability to block and increases damage dealt with shields.
* One-handed Axe Expertise - Level 1 (84%) - Improves your ability to wield one-handed axes effectively. Each level also increases damage dealt with one-handed axes.
* One-handed Sword Expertise - Level 7 (4%) - Improves your ability to wield one-handed swords effectively. Each level also increases the damage dealt with one-handed swords.
* Spear Expertise - Level 6 (22%) - Improves your ability to wield spears effectively. Each level also increases the damage dealt with spears.
* Meditation - Level 2 (67%) - Allows you to focus and gain experience by analyzing your previous encounters. Each level increases the experience gained from this action.
* Force of Will - Level 1 (15%) - Enables you to overcome control effects you are suffering from by using your willpower. Each level reduces the focus and resolve needed to break free from the effects.
Attributes:
Armor: 475
Attack: 165
Strength: 60
Dexterity: 15
Vigor: 138
Endurance: 10
Intelligence: 20
Regeneration: 10
Magical Resistance: 15%
Physical Resistance: 25%
Movement Speed: +5%
I was happy with that. With that decision made, I could more clearly see my purpose. I was becoming more comfortable with my role in the team. Now I needed to gain some levels and really push my attributes and skills higher. I was about to get up and inform everyone when a knock at the door startled me. I got up and opened it to find Telovir standing there, his face grim.
"What is it?" I asked hesitantly.
"Hector is here and is waiting for you," he declared dryly.
"Fuck. Fuck! Fuck! I thought we'd have more time!" I ranted.
"It's now or never, Alex. If we do this, there's no going back," he stated.
"I'm ready. Let's get going. Teos, stay here," I ordered.
We left my room and began walking toward the arena. My heart was beating out of my chest. It was time.