[Norrus Loruste’s PoV, Harron’s Apartment. Immediately precedes ch.85]
“Okay, I guess I am ready to level. I didn’t think I would do this for years. Hey, can I still talk to you once I start?” Mom said that I could. “Here I go, then.”
“Interface, please help me level.”
Greetings, Norrus Loruste. You have met the requirements to be graduated to Level 1. You will be given three sets of choices. The first is optional, but will simplify the follow-up choices. Second, you will choose your Primary class. Finally, choose your secondary class. After that, you will see your Level 1 character sheet and assign 2 free points.
Aetherial Options: Mana ● | Ki ● | None ● | Select via Primary Class ●
“Should I select by mana, ki, or primary class?”
Harron suggested, “Either ki or primary class would work. Choosing ki will eliminate mana-based classes when you choose by list or hierarchy.”
Curious, I verified, “The ‘None’ choice would be for pure warriors, right?"
Master Yon answered, “That is correct, Norrus. Pure warriors and some ‘townies’ as you called them. People who, for whatever reason, do not want aetherial classes, preferring instead to maximize their stamina and health regenerations."
“Okay, I’ll choose ki.” I selected it.
Choose Primary Class: By Name ● | By Alphabetical List ● | By Hierarchy ●
“What’s the difference between choosing by name, alphabetical list, or hierarchy?” Mom explained. I was too curious to just think ‘Ki Healer’, so I chose alphabetical list instead.
There aren’t as many as I thought there would be. It’s still a lot, though. I see that most craftsmen classes have a ki type. That’s what Mom is, a Ki Tailor. And there’s her Tutor class, which I think she should use more often. Mainly she has used it with me. There is something called a Soul Singer. I’ll ask about that later. Wait a minute – there’s Ki Blacksmith, Ki Carpenter, Ki Jeweler, and Ki Prestidigitator. Where’s Ki Healer?
“I don’t see Ki Healer.”
I: Ki Healer is a disfavored class. You have to choose it by name. You must be looking at the classes by list or hierarchy. Tell your interface to start over.
“Thank you, Interface.” I started over, and this time I told it that I wanted to choose my primary class by name.
Please think the name of your desired primary class.
“Ki Healer”
WARNING: Ki Healer is a disfavored class. Choosing it will have ongoing ramifications. You will immediately lose 4 charisma, and charisma gains beyond that point will be felt at half their normal effect.
Verify that you choose Ki Healer as your primary class: Yes ● | No ●
I remember Forrest saying he started out with very low charisma. I guess that’s why. Oh, well, he seems fine and I like him the way he is. And I’ll be a shapeshifter anyway, so if I end up really ugly, I can just change the way I look.
I selected Yes.
Ki Healer accepted. You will be given the option to change your selection prior to locking in both classes.
Choose Secondary Class: By Name ● | By Alphabetical List ● | By Hierarchy ●
This time I chose Shapeshiter by name. Simple, except:
WARNING: Shapeshifter is a single-skill class. You will have less skills to use than most people, and leveling will tend to take more time.
Verify that you choose Shapeshifter as your secondary class: Yes ● | No ●
"Yes."
Lock in Ki Healer and Shapeshifter: Yes ● | No ●
I chose Yes again. There is my character sheet, and it has changed a lot!
Name: Norrus Loruste
Race: Covargh
Sex: male
Age: 11+10
Primary Class: Ki Healer
Secondary Class: Shapeshifter
Level: 1
Base Attributes:
Agility: 10
Charisma: 6
Dexterity: 11
Endurance: 11
Intelligence: 11
Luck: 9
Perception: 10
Strength: 9
Vitality: 11
Wisdom: 11
Free Points: 2
You sacrificed 4 points of charisma, and it will rise at half the normal rate.
Level bonuses
Race: +1 Agi, +1 Dex, +1 End, +1 Per, +1 Str, +2 Vit
Primary Class: +1 Cha, +1 End, +1 Int, +1 Luc, +1 Vit, +2 Wis
Secondary Class: +1 Agi, +1 Cha, +1 Dex, +1 Int, +1 Per, +1 Wis
Stats
HP: 54/112, max = (Luc + Str*3 + Vit*6)*(1+lvl/10)
SP: 80/110, max = (Per + Agi*3 + End*6)*(1+lvl/10)
Ki: 0/116, max = (Int + Dex*3 + Wis*6)*(1+lvl/10)
Granted Skills
HP Regen, E
SP Regen, E
Ki Regen, F
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Heal Other, F
Bless Blood, F
Shapeshifting, F
Learned Skills
Running, D
Swimming, E
Meditation, E
Tactics, D
Common Labor, E
Tailoring, E
Hunting, F
Shopkeeping, E
Wrestling, E
Visualization, E
Deception, F
Basic Knifemanship, E
Basic Polearm, E
Common Ki Skills
Analyze, F
I quickly read through the descriptions for Heal Other and Bless Blood. I had witnessed Forrest and Onre use both during the apprenticeship sessions I attended, and they have even used Bless Blood on me. I took more time reading about Shapeshifting.
Shapeshifting is the general capability to alter your physical form. It includes two auxiliary capabilities. Touch-learn allows you to understand the physical nature of other beings and objects so that you can later morph into their form (unlocks at Rank E). Modify persona allows your interface to report false information to others who analyze you (unlocks at Rank D). As rank increases, the breadth of your form selections grows, as well as your capability to fully mimic them. As level increases, the time you can hold a form also increases, as well as the degree to which you can change your mass. Your attributes remain the same, but they are scaled to the base values of any creature you morph into. You cannot morph to eliminate injury, curse, or disease; the new form will still suffer from prior effects. At Rank C, gains limited capability to use monster aetherial capabilities, soon losing access to primary class Ki capabilities. Rank F values:
Morph breadth: self
Mass Range: one half to double (factor = level + 1)
Duration: one half hour (level/2 hours)
Ki used: 10/morph + 0/minute
SP used: 25/morph + 5/minute + actual exertion
Recharge: 1 minute
Ronkel and Tiyana told me a lot of that, but it showed me new stuff, too. I’ll ask about free points, but otherwise I am done.
NL: I leveled, everyone! I have three class skills – Heal Other, Bless Blood, and Shapeshifting.
FR: Norrus, I am sorry I forgot to mention the charisma penalty. Hey, Onre – Tomorrow would you turn over my charisma earrings to our new Ki Healer?
OL: Yes. I will be sure to do that.
NL: Thank you. I don’t know how much they’ll help with my starved and probably ugly face, but they shouldn’t hurt.
OL: Forrest and I will help you with Heal Other and Bless Blood. Even Abbie the formless abider will help. Being a shapeshifter now, does that mean you can look young again?
NL: Yes, that is what Ronkel and Tiyana Yon have told me. I just finished leveling and have not used any skills yet.
FD: It’s weird that you beat me to Level 1, but I’ll catch up to you in a little over a month.
AS: I’m the same, but a few days before Ferret.
KS: Day after tomorrow for me!
I asked those in the room, “Where should I assign my free points? My charisma had a penalty, but it will get two points per level, sort of. It's 6 now. But it looks like any free points I assign to it will be cut in half. All my other attributes will get at least two points per level except luck and strength.”
Forrest asked me, “Does having low charisma bother you? If it does, I’d boost it with two points now, and with the earrings tomorrow, you’ll get another two.” Then he verified with Ronkel and Tiyana if I could increase my attractiveness with Shapeshifting. They said I would be able to. “Then I’d say screw your charisma. Let it settle itself out over time.”
“Mom, what do you think?” I turned my head to the right and left to give her a full look.
Her answer came with a grin, “About having an unattractive son?” I stuck my tongue out at her. “Seriously, you’re beautiful to me now and always. Since Shapeshifting can make you look like you want, and few skills depend heavily on charisma, I think keeping your strength up with everything else is important. Maybe assign the other point to luck, or wisdom to give you more Ki Regen.”
“I already get three points per level for wisdom. Does anyone think strength and luck is a bad choice?” No one objected so that’s how I assigned them.
Luck: 10
Strength: 10
HP: 60 / 116 (-30 starvation and dehydration)
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[Forrest Rhodes’ PoV, Abbie’s Cavern. Immediately follows ch.85]
“I guess it’s about time I take a look at the Big Gory. Query character sheet.”
Name: Forrest Rhodes
Race: Covargh Hybrid
Sex: male
Age: 16
Primary Class: Martial Artist
Secondary Class: Ki Healer
Level: 7
Base Attributes
Agility: 26
Charisma: 11.5
Dexterity: 26
Endurance: 26
Intelligence: 26
Luck: 11.5 (1 from river stone)
Perception: 26
Strength: 26
Vitality: 29
Wisdom: 28
Free Points: 0
Consolidated Level Bonuses
+3 Agi, +1 Cha, +3 Dex, +2 End, +2 Int,
+1 Luc, +1 Per, +2 Str, +3 Vit, +4 Wis
Stats
HP: 447/447, max = (Luc + Str*3 + Vit*6)*(1 + Lvl/10)
SP: 441/442 max = (Per + Agi*3 + End*6)*(1 + Lvl/10)
Ki: 460/462, max = (Int + Dex*3 + Wis*6)*(1 + Lvl/10)
Temp: 304 (Int + Wis*3 + Cha*6)*(1 + Lvl/10)
Granted Skills
HP Regen, B
SP Regen, B
Ki Regen, B
Ki Punch, D
Dodge, C
Claw Strike, D
Boost Armor, B
Heal Other, D
Bless Blood, D
HPR Boost, D
Share Health, F
Learned Skills
Meditation, C
Running, D
First Aid, C
Swimming, E
Wrestling, D
Drafting and Sketching, D
Tactics, D
Firefighting, F
Common Labor, E
Field Dressing, F
Basic Martial Arts, D
Group Mind, D
Deception, E
Basic Polearm, E
Visualization, E
Authoring, E
Teaching, E
Basic Archery, F
Horse Riding, E
Common Ki Skills
Analyze, C
Dark Sight, C
Infertility, C
Make Water, F
“I’m not exactly what one would call an offensive powerhouse, am I?”
No, but you have become adequate defensively.