Jack looked over his options carefully. He wanted the Profession that would best complement his chosen path as a Warrior. Each profession offered unique advantages and presented different paths for specialization, and Jack needed to weigh these factors against his own priorities and preferences.
First, he looked over Weaponeer. The prospect of crafting weapons appealed to Jack's martial instincts. As a Weaponeer, he could create powerful weapons tailored to his fighting style, potentially granting him an advantage in combat. The Weaponeer profession offered significant bonuses to weapon crafting, promising that his armaments would have greater damage output and effectiveness in battle. However, Jack couldn't overlook the fact that specializing in weapons might limit his versatility on the battlefield.
Next, he examined Armorer. Armor was crucial for protection in combat, and becoming an Armorer would allow Jack to craft sturdy armor to shield himself from harm. The Armorer profession offered substantial bonuses to armor crafting, ensuring that Jack could create high-quality protective gear to enhance his survivability in battle. While armor was essential, Jack wondered if focusing solely on armor crafting would restrict his ability to adapt his creations to different combat situations.
Deconstructionist was interesting. Extracting materials from items could provide valuable resources for crafting and alchemy. Although the Deconstructionist profession offered bonuses to material extraction and a chance to obtain rare materials, Jack felt that his current focus lay more in creation than deconstruction. He set aside this option for now, prioritizing professions that aligned more closely with his current goals.
Leatherworker was next. Jack already possessed some proficiency in leatherworking, and becoming a Leatherworker would allow him to further enhance his skills in crafting leather items. While leather armor and gear had their advantages, Jack hesitated to commit fully to leatherworking, considering the potential limitations of working exclusively with one material.
The Alchemist profession intrigued Jack with its potential to craft potions and enhance his combat capabilities. High-quality potions could provide crucial healing and buffs during battles, offering valuable support in challenging situations. While the Alchemist profession offered versatility and utility, Jack wondered if he might be better served by focusing on professions more directly related to his role as a Warrior.
Finally, he examined Wargear Crafter. Crafting wargear items such as shields, swords, helmets, and other battlefield equipment appealed to him due to their versatility and adaptability. While the bonuses offered by the Armorers and Weaponeers were tempting, Jack valued the flexibility of being able to craft various types of equipment to suit different combat scenarios.
With his decision made, Jack selected Wargear Crafter.
[Congratulations! You have selected the Wargear Crafter Profession. You have gained a one-time bonus of 20 Profession Points for this action. Further Profession points can be obtained by completing Profession Quests.]
[Current PP: 20
The Profession Skills were interesting. They were all passives, and they all gave different bonuses based on things like what he was making and the materials he was working with.
[Scaley Expertise
PP Cost: 10
Type: Passive
Effect: Increases chance of crafting a higher quality item by 10% when working with scales]
[Axe Artisan
PP Cost: 10
Type: Passive
Effect: Increases chance of crafting a higher quality item by 10% when working making axes]
[Swift Helmcrafting
PP Cost: 10
Type: Passive
Effect: Reduces crafting time by 10% when making helms]
[Quick Timber
PP Cost: 10
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Type: Passive
Effect: Reduces crafting time by 10% when working with wood]
[Bone Recipe
PP Cost: 10
Type: Passive
Effect: Increases chance of creating a Recipe by 1% when working with bone.]
Jack called out “Hey Lyla, do you know what a Recipe is?" Lyla looked up from where she was sitting, her expression curious. "A Recipe? Yeah, it's a set of instructions or a formula detailing how to create something, like a potion, a weapon, or a piece of armor. It usually lists the required materials and the steps needed to craft the item," she explained.
But how is that different from simply memorizing the process of crafting an item?" Jack asked, genuinely puzzled. "I mean, couldn't I just remember how to craft something or write it down without needing a formal Recipe?"
Lyla considered his question thoughtfully before responding. "Memorizing a crafting process might work for simple items or techniques you use frequently," she began, "but Recipes provide more than just a step-by-step guide. They often contain valuable insights, variations, and optimizations that you might not discover through trial and error or simple repetition."
She paused, searching for the right words to explain further. "Think of it like this: Recipes are like a master craftsman's notes, filled with years of experience, experimentation, and refinement. They offer a depth of knowledge and understanding that goes beyond mere rote memorization. Plus, they provide a standardized method that can be shared with others, ensuring consistency and quality in craftsmanship. When you craft something on your own there is usually a large chance of simply failing and even if you succeed, another person who tries the same method will likely encounter difficulties or inconsistencies. With a Recipe, you're essentially tapping into the collective wisdom of craftsmen who have perfected the art over generations," Lyla continued, her voice growing more animated as she spoke. "It's like having a mentor guiding you through the process, pointing out potential pitfalls, suggesting improvements, and revealing secrets that would otherwise remain hidden."
Jack wondered what his chances were of recreating his hide armor or his Icy spear. If Lyla was correct there was a good chance of him failing even if he tried to follow the process from memory. He realized that having Recipes for these items would not only increase his chances of success but also potentially unlock new ways to improve upon them.
“Are Recipes common” he asked.
Lyla shook her head “Recipes are rare and closely guarded secrets held by skilled artisans or passed down within families or guilds. The chances of generating even a Basic Recipe when you make an item are so small that the vast majority of Crafters never do. You can increase your chances of generating one by buying certain Profession Skills but even if you invested every Profession Point you had into those Skills, you still wouldn’t be able to increase your chances by more than 10%. Meanwhile, your competitors have all bought Skills that make their products come out faster and better."
Jack nodded thoughtfully, realizing the importance of strategic decision-making in allocating his Profession Points. While improving his crafting speed and quality was essential, investing in skills that increased the chances of generating Recipes could open up new opportunities for innovation and differentiation in his creations. It might only have increased his chances by a small amount, but Jack wasn’t running a business. He didn’t have to worry about competitors.
He purchased Bone Recipe and a Skill called Mix and Match.
[Mix and Match
PP Cost: 10
Type: Passive
Effect: Increases chance of crafting a higher quality item by 10% when making an item with multiple different materials]
[You have been offered a Class Quest:
Path of the Warrior I
Objective: Defeat 5 strong foes without help
Penalty for failure: None
Rewards: Experience, CP
Accept Yes/No
]
[You have been offered a Quest:
Wargear I
Objective: Craft 5 pieces of wargear that are at least of Good quality
Penalty for failure: None
Rewards: Experience, PP
Accept Yes/No
]
Jack accepted both quests, then turned to Lyla. “You ready to leave yet?”
The Scraeling woman nodded vigorously “Absolutely! I’ve had enough of this place to last a lifetime. Will you be coming with me back to Aunt Elyra?”
Jack smiled grimly “Of course I will” He had not forgotten how Elyra had gotten him to agree to rescuing her without mentioning that he’d have to fight a necromancer to do it.
The 2 of them set out from the inner chamber, their footsteps echoing in the silence of the surrounding cave. Jack felt a sense of relief wash over him once they finally exited the dark and oppressive cave. The cool breeze of the outside world greeted them, carrying with it the scent of pine and earth. Jack took a deep breath, savoring the fresh air.
It took Jack and Lyla a couple of hours to make their way back to Elyra’s Bondtree. Once there, Lyla eagerly sat down and pressed her forehead against the rough bark. Her eyes closed and a look of peace came over her face.
Jack waited for about 30 minutes before Lylas eyes fluttered open. “She’s very grateful. She wants to talk to you,” Lyla said softly, her voice carrying a hint of reverence. Jack wondered if she regarded the tree as something sacred. He made a mental note to ask about it later.
“So do I press my head to the tree as well?" Jack joked lightly, trying to alleviate the solemn atmosphere with a touch of humor.
Lyla chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "No, that won't be necessary," she replied, her tone warm. "Just sit down underneath the tree and my aunt will open the connection."
Jack hesitated for a moment, then did as Lyla said. The familiar feeling of drowsiness came over him and soon he found himself standing in the glade, a smiling Scraeling standing before him.
This time Jack wasn't confused. He understood exactly where he was and who he was talking to. "Elyra," he said, striding forward. "We need to talk."