Talax was awakened by insistent knocking on their door. He groggily sat up and noticed that Qalo was still in the same spot where he had left him, sitting in a lotus position on the hardwood floor, though his head had drooped to the side, indicating that he was fast asleep and snoring loudly. Talax stretched and stood up, realizing with pleasant surprise that he felt moderately warm, well, not exactly warm, but definitely not freezing cold either.
The knocking on the door continued, growing more impatient. Talax called out, "Coming!" He spotted Aria's medallion still clutched in Qalo's hands and swiftly snatched it away, hiding it under his cloak. He then turned to Aria and asked, "How did the training go?"
Aria's voice, for the first time since their bond had formed, sounded strained as she responded, "long, excruciatingly long." She sighed softly and added, "at least he managed to reach level 4. With a little more training, he should be able to learn the ability."
Talax nodded, pleased with the progress, and made his way to the door. He opened it to find someone waiting outside.
Talax stepped back in surprise as he opened the door and found himself face-to-face with a rather impatient Lirielle, who stood alongside a musclebound, bearded giant of a man with a sour expression. The imposing presence of the giant was enough to make him take a step back, feeling a bit overwhelmed.
Lirielle, seemingly unfazed by the giant's presence, exclaimed indignantly, "Finally! We can't wait on you forever! Let us go!"
She glanced around their room, her eyes darting inquisitively as she continued, "Wait, where is your friend? There's supposed to be an orc with you! Where is he? Did he leave? Did he flee into the night? Did he find himself overwhelmed by the demanding conditions of the monasteries? Are you going to leave too?"
Talax winced at the barrage of rapid-fire questions, and his mouth opened and closed several times trying to respond, until he finally resigned himself to his fate. Finding Lirielle's upbeat and hurried tone a bit too much for his early morning senses he stopped listening and studied the duo. He couldn't help but notice the humorous contrast in height between the small gnome and the towering man beside her. The gnome barely reached above the giant's knees.
Rubbing his tired eyes, Talax muttered, "Give us a minute," before abruptly closing the door in their faces. He could hear protests and objections from outside, but he paid them no heed as he turned his attention to his sleeping friend. Talax approached Qalo and gently shook him, whispering, "Qalo, wake up, we have visitors."
Qalo stirred, his eyes slowly fluttering open as he yawned and stretched his bulky arms. His gaze landed on Talax, and he mumbled in a groggy voice, "What's going on?"
Talax motioned towards the door and replied, "We have guests, including a very peppy Lirielle. They are waiting for us."
Qalo blinked, still half-asleep, but the mention of Lirielle's name seemed to jolt him awake. He muttered a few choice words under his breath and scrambled to his feet, patting his clothes and attempting to make himself look somewhat presentable.
Talax opened the door again, revealing a slightly annoyed Lirielle and the imposing figure of the giant. "Sorry about that," he said, suppressing a yawn. "We're ready now. What's going on?"
Lirielle sighed in exasperation and explained, "We're heading to the central monastery for an important meeting. We don't have much time, so hurry up."
Lirielle turned to them for a moment and gestured toward the hulking man beside her. "This is Kaelen," she announced, her voice bright and enthusiastic. "He'll be your guide, Qalo during your stay here. Kaelen, these are our newcomers, Talax and Qalo."
Kaelen offered a curt nod and a grunt of acknowledgment, his gaze drifting over them in assessment before he returned looking blankly ahead. Before too long Lirielle made a motion with her hand and she started walking.
Exiting their room, they stepped into the summit area that housed the quarters for the initiates. The small, wooden stuctures looked frozen solid, their surfaces glistening with a layer of frost. They followed Lirielle and her hulking companion toward the nearest rope bridge, the wooden planks creaking beneath their feet as they swayed slightly in the brisk morning air.
The hulking man accompanying Lirielle was an imposing figure, looking like a barely restrained barbarian, with bulging muscles that strained against the fabric of his robe. His face was rugged, and his eyes, though stern, held a hint of watchful curiosity. With each step, his massive form moved with a grace that defied his imposing appearance, and his presence seemed to command the space around him.
As they traversed the rope bridge, Talax couldn't help but notice the world around them was still bathed in muted shades of grey, the sun yet to make its ascent. Qalo, shivering beside him, clutched his robe tighter to ward off the cold.
Lirielle's cheerful voice broke the silence, explaining that they would need to wait while she and the elders had their meeting. Afterward, they would be taken on a comprehensive tour of the training grounds, giving them the chance to observe different groups and eventually choose which one they wanted to join. Talax nodded in understanding as they continued across the swaying bridge, the world beyond shrouded in pre-dawn mist.
As they continued their journey across the bridge, Talax couldn't help but notice the stark contrast in their reactions. While he was growing more accustomed to navigating the precarious ropes, Qalo's unease was palpable. Each step the half-orc took seemed to carry a heavy burden of anxiety, and his grip on the handrails tightened with every sway of the bridge.
In an attempt to shift the focus, Talax turned to Lirielle and asked about the purpose of the meeting. Kaelen's gruff response indicated it was none of their concern, but Lirielle was more forthcoming. She explained that just an hour ago, two members of the Brotherhood of Enlightenment had been found dead. They had been sent to Foothill Hollow to collect supplies but never returned. Scouts had discovered their lifeless bodies earlier that day.
Talax furrowed his brow, recalling the innkeeper's mention of the two brothers and how he had advised him to join them for safer passage. He had even overheard a hushed argument between the pair. "Were they attacked by mountain lions?" he ventured.
Lirielle shook her head, her expression grave. "No," she replied somberly. "That's what troubles the elders the most. They were killed by human hands."
Talax felt a chill run down his spine that only grew more intense as Kaelen added to the grim conversation, mentioning two initiates who had gone missing in the past week. Lirielle shot the hulking man a pointed glare, clearly unhappy with his choice to divulge more unsettling news.
Talax couldn't help but voice his ironic thoughts, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm so glad I've come to such a safe and welcoming place. It warms my heart," he muttered, his tone laced with dark humor. Kaelen, unimpressed with Talax's sarcasm, growled back a stern warning, "the monasteries aren't a playground for the inexperienced initiates, and they shouldn't be coddled or protected. If you don’t like it, you can leave!”
Talax nodded in mock admiration, his voice dropping to a fake whisper as he leaned toward Qalo. "See, the man does talk! I told you he wasn't mute!" he remarked, a mischievous glint in his eye. Qalo turned toward him with wide-eyed horror at his audacity, while Kaelen growled once more, sounding eerily like an angry bear that made Lirielle laugh uproariously, her voice echoing against the surrounding mountains.
They walked the rest of the way in silence, Talax’s mind occupied by the news of the recent deaths. He had barely the presence of mind to notice the big structure they had visited yesterday and only came to his senses when he heard Qalo sigh in bliss at having left the chilling cold behind.
The dining hall, which had been bustling with activity the previous night, now bore a stark contrast. It was mostly empty, save for a few half-asleep initiates scattered here and there, their presence merely a whisper in the eerily silent room. Lirielle turned to Talax and gave him a friendly suggestion, "You should have something to eat while we're having our meeting. We won't be long."
With a nod of understanding, Talax and Qalo proceeded to follow the familiar routine, walking to the side of the room where they picked up wooden bowls, and a brother dressed in blue robes ladled porridge into each of them. As they sat down with their simple breakfast, Qalo voiced the question on both of their minds, his words slightly muffled by a spoonful of porridge in his mouth. "What do you think this is all about?"
Talax tasted the bland porridge, its flavorless nature doing little to lift his spirits, and he responded with a noncommittal shrug. "I don't know, maybe they've made some enemies, or perhaps there's more to this place than meets the eye. Either way, it's not our place to pry too much. We're just initiates here."
Their conversation was hushed, considering the somber atmosphere in the room. They ate their porridge in silence, a sense of uncertainty hanging over them like a heavy cloud.
Talax, wanting to ensure their privacy, glanced around the mostly empty dining hall before leaning closer to Qalo to share his discovery in a hushed tone. "You know, when we were at the inn, while you were still sleeping, I overheard a conversation, and I'm pretty sure it was those monastery brothers." Qalo, intrigued, paused from his meal and leaned in, asking, "And?"
Talax continued with a cautious tone, "Well, they were arguing. I couldn't hear exactly what it was about, but it seemed like one of them didn't want to do something. He sounded afraid, but the other one was pressuring him into it." Qalo mulled over the information, his brow furrowing in thought.
"That's it?" he finally responded. "That could be anything. Maybe he was just scared of returning to the monasteries with all those mountain lions lurking around."
Talax swallowed another spoonful of the bland porridge and shrugged. "It could be, but it wasn't the lions that killed them. So... who knows?"
The conversation about the mysterious brothers was set aside, and they turned their attention to a less ominous topic, their struggles with the mana manipulation skill. Talax tried to offer some tips from his own experiences, but Qalo appeared overwhelmed and stressed by the idea of more training ahead. It was clear that the skill was causing Qalo trouble, but if he wanted to survive the plunging temperatures he would have to continue with his training.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
As the minutes passed, a small sea of blue-robed figures began descending from the staircase at the side of the dining hall, their expressions all equally grim. The brothers and sisters of enlightenment took a moment to engage in hushed conversations among themselves, probably discussing whatever took place at the meeting, creating a constant murmur that filled the dining hall. Eventually, the crowd dispersed, with some members going about their tasks and others choosing to enjoy a light breakfast.
Talax spotted Lirielle among the departing figures and raised his hand to catch her attention. When she noticed him, she motioned for him and Qalo to join her. Talax elbowed Qalo, who was busy licking his already empty bowl and muttering, "I need some proper, fattening food. I still have those worms somewhere..."
Rolling his eyes, Talax urged his friend to stand up. "Come on, let's go. Kaelen looks to be in an especially foul mood!" They quickly made their way to Lirielle, ready to face whatever awaited them.
Talax and Qalo fell in step behind Lirielle and Kaelen as they exited the dining hall, the cold mountain air greeting them with a brisk chill. The atmosphere was tense as the small group made their way through the monastery grounds. Whatever happened during the meeting must have unsettled the two, if their tight mouths and knotted backs were any indication.
Once they were outside, Lirielle turned to face Talax and Qalo, her expression serious and her green eyes fixed on them. She informed them that from this point forward, they would need to take a separate route. Talax's eyes widened in surprise, and he exchanged a concerned glance with Qalo, who looked just as unsure as he did.
"Separate route?" Talax repeated, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Lirielle nodded gravely. "Yes, it's customary. The path to enlightenment is a solitary path, and you have to be unburdened from all distractions."
Talax swallowed hard, his thoughts racing. Enlightenment? Solitary path? It sounded to Talax like a bunch of nonsense, but he decided to give the monastery a chance, since they would have to stay until the shaman returned. He glanced at Qalo, whose furrowed brow mirrored his own concerns. Kaelen, the hulking man, remained silent but kept a watchful eye on them.
When they reached another knot of rope bridges at the other side of the summit the foursome split up, with a disgruntled wave Qalo followed the hulking man, and with a deep shuddering breath stepped onto the rope bridge.
Talax walked in silence behind Lirielle, his footsteps echoing faintly on the wooden planks of the rope bridge as he followed her across. The vast expanse below them seemed endless, and he focused on putting one foot in front of the other, trying to keep his fear at bay.
Unable to endure the silence any longer, he decided to break it, his curiosity about the monastery's situation nagging at him. "So, how did the meeting go?" he asked tentatively, glancing over at Lirielle.
The gnome didn't respond immediately, and a sense of unease settled over Talax. When she finally answered, her voice carried a hint of hesitation. "It's internal business, Talax, and it concerns only the brothers and sisters of enlightenment," she replied cryptically. "Suffice it to say, an investigation is underway, and soon we will have answers."
Talax couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration at her vague response, his ever-present curiosity demanded to be satiated. Earlier, before the meeting, she had been more forthcoming with information. He wondered what had transpired during that gathering of the enlightened members of the monastery, but it seemed he would have to wait to find out.
Talax was about to pose another question when Lirielle cut him off. "Are you interested in any specific skill training? Our monasteries provide trainers for an endless number of skills, and it would take us days to visit all the training grounds. I will still take you to some, so you can see how our training works, but it would be more productive if you already have made a decision." Talax thought about it for a moment and decided to study his character sheet.
Name: Talax
Health points:290/290
Mana: 688/688
Level: 16
Race: Human (Voidborn)
Age: 25
Profession: None
Class: None
Humans stand out as the most populous and adaptable race. While some races may possess inherent magical abilities, superior strength, or extraordinary longevity, humans rely on their inherent versatility to navigate the diverse landscapes and challenges of Helios. Their broad affinities and capacity for learning quickly have allowed them to thrive in nearly any environment or occupation.
Skills:
Scribing
Level: 3
Persuasion
Level: 3
Interrogation
Level: 4
Brawling
Level: 4
Mystic Insight
Level: 4
Mana Manipulation
Level: 6
Herbalism
Level: 2
Athletics
Level: 13
Evasion
Level: 8
Natural Defense
Level: 9
Light Armor
Level: 5
Dual Wielding
Level: 3
Short Blades
Level: 5
Swordsmanship
Level: 10
Archery
Level: 9
Traps
Level: 5
Tracking
Level: 4
Stealth
Level: 6
Attributes: +5 per level (+3 Voidborn)
Strength: 25
Constitution: 29
Dexterity: 29
Willpower: 22
Intelligence: 37
Charisma: 23
Elemental Magic:
Void Magic
Level: 1
Water Magic
Level: 6
Earth magic
Level: 3
Ice Magic
Level: 2
Lightning Magic
Level: 1
Dark Magic
Level: 1
Death Magic
Level: 1
Shadow Magic
Level: 1
Patron: None
Blessings: None
Wreaths:
Voidborn
Lion-hearted
Mental Aigis
Silver-tongued
Slayer of Behemoths
Soul-bonded
As Talax examined his character sheet, a sense of disappointment and urgency washed over him. While his proficiency in swordsmanship and archery remained his strong suits, the rest of his skills lagged far behind, with most of them remaining at levels below 5. His magical abilities in particular had remained stubbornly stagnant for what felt like an eternity. The prospect of advancing his water and ice magic, which had proven exceptionally challenging, beckoned him. Perhaps the monasteries will finally help him level up his magic.
Unable to contain his curiosity, Talax turned to the diminutive gnome by his side, Lirielle, who had been guiding them through the intricate maze of rope bridges and summits. He inquired, "Is it possible to train in more than one skill simultaneously?" Lirielle glanced at him, her keen eyes sizing him up for a moment before she offered a nonchalant shrug in response. The journey continued as they reached yet another summit, this one with a pair of initiates engaged in hushed conversation. Without hesitation, Lirielle led the way to another rope bridge, this one boasting a steep incline.
Finally, after they had settled onto the swaying bridge, she elaborated on the matter. "Technically, you could choose to train in multiple skills, but I must warn you, it's an arduous and time-consuming experience. Most initiates opt to concentrate on honing a single skill due to the intense nature of our training regimen. To be frank, during the first week, you'll find the training so grueling that you would wish you were dead, let alone attempting to train on a second skill."
As they navigated the intricate web of rope bridges and summits, Talax mulled over his options.
Caught in the throes of indecision, Talax turned his attention inward to his ever-present companion, Aria. She had guided him through many trials and tribulations, offering wisdom and insight to help him navigate his path. He addressed her with a hint of uncertainty in his thoughts, "What do you think I should do, Aria? Should I focus on a lower-level skill to become more well-rounded, or should I stick with what I've already good at?"
In response, he heard soft laughter echoing in his mind, and Aria's amusement carried through her telepathic connection. Her voice held a playful tone as she replied, "Oh, Talax, you mustn't forget that you're not particularly skilled at anything just yet. Even a level 10 skill is considered rather low, and even the most basic guards surpass you in swordsmanship. But don’t worry; you are a quick learner."
Talax couldn't help but release a low growl of irritation at the spirit's candid assessment. The outburst garnered a curious glance from his companion, so he quickly concealed his frustration with a friendly smile. Ignoring Lirielle’s inquisitive eyes, he pressed on, his inner voice a mixture of irritation and frustration as he asked Aria, "Fine, then. What should I do? Which path do you recommend I take?"
Aria's ethereal presence hummed with contemplation for a moment before she offered her guidance. "The decision ultimately lies with you, Talax. Consider which weapon you feel most comfortable with, which one resonates with your spirit. Is it a sword? An axe? Perhaps a bow? Choose the one that speaks to your soul, and once you've made your decision, it won't matter if the skill is low-level or not, that’s why there are trainers in this place after all. Dedicate yourself to your chosen path, and your skill will flourish accordingly."
With Aria's counsel in mind, Talax began to weigh his options more thoughtfully. He understood that, ultimately, the choice was his to make.
With Aria's guidance and some introspection, the answer to Talax's dilemma became clear. Among his weaponry, one choice stood out above the rest, the sword. It was the weapon that made him feel most secure and empowered, like an extension of himself. While his proficiency with a bow and daggers had their merits, they felt like specialized tools suited for specific situations, not his core strength.
Having resolved his internal debate, Talax turned to Lirielle and confidently announced, "I've decided that I would like to train in the swordsmanship skill." The gnome acknowledged his choice with a nod, her demeanor not showing much enthusiasm for his decision. "The swordsmanship arena isn't too far from here. However, if you'd like, there's a closer arena we could check out first," she suggested.
Talax nodded in agreement and replied, "Sure, lead the way." They proceeded across two more rope bridges, moving higher and higher. As they reached a bustling summit filled with activity, Talax's eyes widened in astonishment. He watched in awe the display before him that made him question his skill choice. Stammering in disbelief, he managed to mutter, "Are... are they flying?"