The group decided to spend the next handful of days returning to the depths, dodging the horde of spiders, to explore more of the tunnels and pools they’d neglected on the first run.
Lynn advocated for the need for a decent map to offer with their report and subsequent sale at the guild. Provided the Temples didn't attempt a claim.
She also argued that returning to explore them now that many of the dangers were known or removed would help with other things.
"Face your fears?" Chess had joked, receiving a curt nod in response.
Chess thought Lynn was more interested in pulling as many enchanted items out as they could and didn't argue. She was hoping to find something good for herself. Something that would help with our impending conflict would be doubly welcome.
Chess's increased supply of wood made many of the barriers insignificant and the two nights they spent below more comfortable.
They pulled a handful of minor mining enchanted gear from a few of the pools the first day with the help of Mikel and a few of his friends.
Lynn kept everyone under an enforced level of caution. Her biggest fear was another encounter with Ghouls, now that they'd learned the habits of the waterweavers. Despite this, they made better time, often running through tunnels they'd previously explored.
They discovered early on the first day that Heliwrs really disliked water. Whenever the group was forced to swim, they tended to fly ahead or wait on dry ground until Ashley called for them at best. At worst they tried to ride on your head as you swam.
Chess and Lynn both agreed they were far from a combat-capable pet at the moment. Lynn figured they'd need extensive training for that.
After the first day, they left the Heliwr in the care of a pair of the young muskrat-kin that wanted to spend more time sifting the silt of the one pool that had rewarded three small charms the first day. Chess walled in a short dead-end for them with a reinforced door so they could retreat if needed.
"Ashley," Lynn brought them all up short at one point in a bare section of tunnel late on the first day. "When is your next weekly update?" She asked.
"Tomorrow night I think. Why?" Ashley asked.
"I've put off a decision that affects you for a while now and I'm sorry. Truthfully I don't have to choose whether to use or sell the spinnerette core yet but we all know I'm likely to take it as part of our deal.
"What I'm trying to say is I think you should take the Decomposition Core. Your mother and I discussed it, and it suits you best. It could potentially incorporate three of your current pyth so you can retain a free slot. In fact, I'm certain it will likely usurp your Rot without a prompt since they are closely related. You won't lose the ability to level any abilities. It will be good for your coming passive choice. You're likely to level right?" Lynn asked.
"Yeah, I think so, but what other two might apply?" Ashley asked.
"Strengthen-Bone which is a common undead drop and I've heard of Harvest being used in some of the death cores," Lynn said.
Ashley frowned. "I'm not sure I want to lose Harvest."
"If it does take over harvest, would it count as a heritage slot?" Chess asked.
"Yes. Though it's unlikely to without a prompt. It wouldn't affect any of her current abilities either other than to require her new core to surpass the old rank before ranking up again. Aside from losing the lost pyth's abilities."
"What about the passives they currently give?" Chess asked.
"Cores usually have one powerful passive or two lessers along with their actives. You'll lose what the pyths give in the change."
"What do you say?" Chess asked Ashley.
Ashley thought about it as they continued for a time before saying. "I'll take it."
Ashley held out her hand to Chess who opened her vault and handed it over.
Ashley plopped it into her mouth without preamble and grimaced in clear distaste for a full minute as she absorbed it.
"Gah, it tastes like burnt maggots," she whined as she opened her mouth to scrape at her tongue with her fingers.
"I'm not sure I want to know how you know what burnt maggots taste like," Chess laughed. "So? What does it do?"
"Did it take another over?" Lynn added.
The window popped up into Chess's view as Ashley started reading it to Lynn.
Decomposition Core: Rank 1:
Active: increase or decrease the development of bacteria and small insects involved in the decomposition of any once-living organism to speed or slow decomposition by up to 10xRankxWill (mod) days. [Current 20 days]. In an area covering up to 2 x Rank x Will (mod) yards [Current 4 yards]. Can be used 2 x Rank x Will(mod) times a day, [Current 4 times].
The slowing effect prevents bacteria and insects from entering or growing in the target area for a length of time no greater than the maximum current days. It does not remove existing organisms.
Bacteria and Insects or their larvae need to be present in the environment to be affected by growth effects.
This ability has no negative effect on living organisms within its range.
Passive 1: Increases your resistance to bacterial infections by (con(mod) x will(mod) × rank)%. max 99.999% [Current 2%]
Passive 2: Increases the efficiency of the bacteria in your body, improving the amount and efficiency of energy gathered from foods and making minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients more accessible to your body.
"There is a monk I know with that second passive from one of the food pyths. You'll have to be careful with how much you eat from now on. Your body will process food more quickly but if you're not active enough it could quickly make you excessively fat. At least it did for him. You'll have to find the difference between being empty and hungry. It will take some experimentation to figure out a proper amount. It will be less than you eat now for the same benefit." Lynn cautioned.
"That's some borderline fat shaming if I've ever heard it. Are you sure your monk friend didn't simply like to overindulge?" Chess joked.
"I'm just making her aware of a drawback of her ability. She's a growing girl. It will be years before it'll likely matter but it's better she knows and takes steps now," Lynn argued with a frown.
"Being fat doesn't sound so bad. Fat people survive winter better," Ashley said.
Chess sighed and rolled her eyes. "It was a joke… never mind. The resistance to infection is huge."
"Agreed," Lynn nodded. "What did it remove?" She asked Ashley.
"Rot and it's asking if I want it to take Strengthen Bone."
"She can keep them separate?" Chess asked.
"Yeah, though if she doesn't combine them now, she'll have to wait until she gets enough to rank either it or her core up or get it removed manually if she changes her mind. It will stay a separate pyth, and she'd have to choose where to apply future Strengthen-Bone pyth when she takes them if she doesn't combine them."
"I'm gonna keep them separate," Ashley decided.
That night Chess received her weekly update and reached all the way to level 8 and well into level 9 with the 100,000 exp from her crafting firsts alone.
With it came a whole host of welcome windows granting perks from her crafting.
The actual effects were a mixed bag though useful in certain situations, but the stat bumps were a welcome boon that left her dizzy as the world flooded her with magic to effect the changes.
Sailing perk: Sealegs: it takes you considerably less time to adjust to the sway of a ship or similar craft and to regain your land legs after disembarking. Motion sickness is a thing of the past for you. Constitution +1
Tinkering perk: Spot flaw (common): makes you notice the flaws in everyday items more readily when studying or using them. Mind +1
Knotwork perk: Insight(knots): The proper method to disassemble a knot is more pronounced to you. Dexterity +1
Climbing perk: Improved calluses. Your calluses are now more soft and supple to the touch and your hands and feet are considerably less likely to tear, crack, or to lose calluses from prolonged disuse. Agility +1.
Survival perk: Storm sense: You're more sensitive to any weather-related change in barometric pressure. Willpower +1
I should attempt to talk Ashley through making a few things to get some perks. These boosts would be better for her than a few skill points after a first for me.
The boost to her inventory pyth from the increase to her mind stat was a pleasant surprise when she opened it.
They spent what time they could relaxing at night, and the constant daily activity helped immensely with the trio's spirits, keeping them from dwelling on the worst parts of the past few weeks.
It didn't go unnoticed how the normalization of the tunnels took the looming edge off of them and muted the fear the first delve had elicited. Chess had to admit to Lynn that she had been right about her feelings in general, after the first day.
As predicted early on the second day, Ashley received her weekly update and reached level 6, promptly giving Chess the window and reading it aloud to Lynn.
Stand Tall (Shield, Sure-Foot)
Amber Bones (Shield, Decomposition, Amber)
Reinforced Fifth Limb (Binding, Sure-Foot, Decomposition)
Cat's Grace (Amber, Sure-Foot, Decomposition)
Infectious Blood (Amber, Decomposition, Binding, Harvest)
Deep-Mountain Dwarven Vitality (Amber, Shield, Decomposition, Sure-Foot)
The moment Ashley had finished reading the choices Lynn had spoken firmly. "Deep Dwarven Vitality, no contest. That's one of the best dwarven racial abilities or so I've heard. I've also heard people lamenting not taking vitality passives when they were younger because they increase the time you stay young and vital. I intend to take one if it's ever offered to me."
"Are you sure?" Chess asked.
"Yeah, it may take a lot to rank up, but it is worth it."
"Okay, I was thinking it or Cats Grace anyway," Ashley said.
"I choose Deep-Mountain Dwarven vitality," Ashley announced then shared the information from the floor where she'd dropped as it took effect.
Deep-Mountain Dwarven Vitality: Rank 1: increases user's remaining lifespan to match that of their ancient dwarven heritage. Lifespan increased by Con(mod) x Str(mod) x Rank percent. [Current 1%] Current max 150%. Charisma + 1 Constitution +2 Strength +2
"Freya's sweet titties that's awesome!" Chess proclaimed.
"See?" Lynn said.
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Early on the third day, they'd made it back to the original helium-filled cavern and Chess's garden despite periodic stops for the muskrats to dive some of the pools and stops to fight a handful of undead they found in other tunnels—including another Ghoul in the same tunnel where they'd encountered the first one.
They'd even stopped to loot the first ghoul now that its miasma had faded. It had given a few doses of Rot pyth, nine-doses of Harvest and Binding pyth, and one new pyth that was a first for Chess. 17 doses of Fermentation pyth.
"Fermentation is likely one of the needed pyths for decomposition to rank up. If I'm right, its four are; Fermentation, Rot, Strengthen Bone, and Preservation, given its granted abilities," Lynn had explained.
"That's good to know. Now we need to figure out what amber takes." And my wooden gem, Chess thought.
"Hopefully they're all fairly common or in low demand." Lynn nodded her agreement. "You both have powerful abilities associated with it, and the sooner you both get it to rank three or four the better."
Chess and Ashley nodded.
The rest of the day was spent refilling the stagnating pool with water and making it back to the nearest balcony.
The whole time they were in the tunnels they never encountered any sign of their pursuit which once again reinforced the notion that the time dilation was in their favor.
They'd discussed setting traps, but Lynn had knocked down the idea, explaining they'd likely rot before anyone came and that she had asked what the muskrats did with their dead.
She'd been informed the only real thing of importance they held from their dead was the taking of teeth by the keepers. Usually, they dumped the bodies off the side of the island after the keepers locked their memories in their charms.
This had excited Lynn and she and Chilkuy had had a long discussion about the care and maintenance of undead pits.
The plan was for the tribe to dump their dead into the tunnels and harvest them for pyth from time to time to keep them from growing too numerous and wandering out.
To help with this, Chess built a thick wall with a large grate door in it in the main tunnel out of the tunnels to keep the dead in.
A little time was dedicated to harvesting more berries from Chess’s brambles, filling a few pails, before the team set up to rappel down into the waterfall's basin below.
Lynn and Ashley had spent an afternoon exploring the falls from the other side and found a small area where the water hit a large outcropping of stone near one of the edges and figured it should be more than safe for them to pass through.
With her new confidence in the equipment and with the assurance of a watery landing less than 60 feet below, Chess had no problem rigging it up and descending to the water after throwing a few lengths of wood down.
Once down, she pulled one of her floats close and waited for the others to join her. Lynn copied her and rode the line all the way down, whereas the muskrats—and to her dismay, Ashley—lowered to about halfway before unhooking themselves and kicking off the wall to swing out then letting go with a whoop.
Chess let herself smile it off after a moment. She had to admit to herself, once you were about halfway down, it was evident how deep the water was at the base.
The swim out and back to the village passed slowly but uneventfully, and they reached the village well before dark.
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Ashley’s pets and their other helpers met them for dinner that night to trade and compare their finds.
The muskrats had managed to pull a few more minor mining rings and beads from the pool but nothing the team was interested in. Chess had better already and mining really didn’t appeal to her as a career.
Lynn facilitated the trade of some of the minor enchanted items they found themselves, including a second pair of pickaxes in exchange for more rolls of finished silk cloth, a half dozen silk shirts, pants, and simple robe-like dresses made specifically for Chess and Ashley, a few dozen spools of the thread, and as much rope as could be made before they left.
"It turns out more than a few of the women have one of the silk-creating pyths to a high rank. So, we aren't stressing their supply in a significant way. Apparently, the main requirement for its production is an excessive intake of food. And with the amount of spider meat available at the moment," Lynn explained with a shrug.
"With the way you're bargaining anything and everything but our pyths for any of the products you can get, I assume silk is rare?" Chess asked.
"Yeah but that's not the only reason. I've never heard of watertight silk before or dyes that hold their color like these… so, if there's anything else you're open to trading?" Lynn asked.
"That explains those pails you wanted. We could part with the gladius? I want to keep its scabbard though. You already traded the mining helm and any of the mundane metal items you had on you. You could trade the two crossbows. I have an idea for an improvement and I was thinking we could each use one anyway," Chess said.
"That will help. We may as well get what we can. With your increased inventory space we have the room too," Lynn nodded.
"That's another thing. I need to build a stairwell and second level in there. It's needlessly tall right now," Chess said.
"Well in that case why not empty it out before you do that?" Lynn reasoned.
"Okay," Chess said and got to work.
Other than the handful of mining boosting items, they'd found two items at the bottom of the stagnant pool after sifting through the silt that Chess wanted for herself and had said so.
Both Ashley and Lynn readily agreed since they'd both personally made out like bandits already on the delve.
Chess studied the matched pair of enchanted hoops again, while the others shifted through all their gear that they had spread out on a large table that Chess had crafted.
Body
Type: body piercing
Rare
Properties: A ruby-studded rhodium hoop earring with a few missing stones.
Durability: 117/200
Requirement 1: Hoop must be pierced through the flesh for the enchantment to activate.
Requirement 2: Natural Agility of 18
Improve your physical reaction time by 3xAgility(mod) milliseconds.
Mind
Type: body piercing
Rare
Properties: An emerald-studded rhodium hoop earring missing a pair of stones.
Durability: 148/200
Requirement 1: Hoop must be pierced through the flesh for the enchantment to activate.
Requirement 2: Natural Perception of 18
Improve your mind's ability to process dangerous stimuli by 4x Perception(mod) milliseconds.
"True-silver is one of the best enchanting mediums in existence. There are people who'd kill for that much of it. It may be safer to sell them," Lynn cautioned.
"But I think I like them. Besides I'm a noble lady. Aren't the commoners supposed to be envious of me?" Chess threw back her shoulders and strutted with a wide smile.
Both Ashley and Lynn snorted in unison.
"Fine be that way," Chess laughed and retook her seat.
There was another problem with the whole thing she needed to consider. She'd never had her ears pierced before. Ashley has healing, so it shouldn't be so bad. It would be better if I could hide them, hmm.
"How many enchanted earrings can you wear in each ear?" Chess asked Lynn drawing her attention away from sorting their finds into 'keep' and 'trade' piles.
Lynn frowned for a moment. "Usually one in each ear like normal is safest. Though I suppose you could get away with more if the enchantments don't overlap and break down, or you know, interact violently. Just like your hair charms. Those earrings should be fine since they were likely made by the same craftsman."
"Uh," Chess coughed. "If it says earring does it have to be worn in the ear?"
"Those don't say they require an ear, only that they pierce your skin. Why? Where else would you put them?" Lynn frowned.
"I just thought maybe it might be better if they were out of sight...You know what? Nevermind," Chess coughed.
"Want to pierce my ear for me?" she asked the skunk-kin woman.
"I guess so, though I don't see the point until you have the stats to use them. What are we using?"
Chess pulled one of the bolts from her vault and unscrewed the arrowheads before turning its end into a razor-sharp needle and handing it over. I wish I knew what a piercing tool looked like.
Lynn sidled up beside her and took the needle in one hand and Chess's small earlobe in the other.
"Wait," Chess held up a hand to stop her. "Give that back I don't think it's thick enough."
Lynn smiled but did as she was asked.
Ashley giggled.
Chess took it back, expanding it a little and making it hollow so it could remove some skin for the thick ring to go through. She dipped it in the small pot of water boiling over the fire before returning it to Lynn. Then she made a second one and gave it to her also. "One for each," she explained.
Lynn once more readied herself only for Chess to stop her again.
"Don’t be a baby. This is nothing compared to being stabbed in the arm," Lynn sighed.
"I know," Chess rubbed at her scarred arm for a moment before continuing with a shake of her head. "It's not that. I don't want it in the lobe. I want it here." Chess pinched a place about halfway up in line with her ear canal on the inside of her right ear.
"I want it so the loop stays close to the ear," she explained.
"That's a strange place for an earring," Ashley said.
"It's cool," Chess countered.
"Okay, ready?" Lynn asked. Chess nodded then stilled.
"On…" Lynn didn't finish speaking instead thrusting the needle through Chess's ear followed quickly by one of the earrings.
"Oh, that wasn't so bad. No worse than the first line of a tattoo," Chess murmured to herself.
"You have tattoos?" Ashley asked incredulously.
"Uh? Not anymore?" Chess shrugged at her daughter.
"Okay," Lynn dragged the word out. "Want to turn around for me?"
"What are you doing? I said ear. Make the next hole a little above the last," Chess said.
"Alright," Lynn set up again "Read…" she didn't finish the word before the second needle was in then out and was Lynn threading the second hoop through.
"Good," Chess breathed a sigh of relief before turning to Ashley. "Mind wasting a heal on it? It's late so it will reset soon."
"Sure," Ashley smiled, checking out Chess's new piercings before using the spell.
"Try to direct the spell as we discussed," Lynn coached Ashley as she started her spell.
Chess saw her daughter nod from the corner of her eye.
Once Ashley finished her cast, Chess ran a finger over the small loops in her ear. I wish I had a mirror to see.
"How do they look?" she asked the others.
"Fine, it's a strange placement," Lynn shrugged.
"I think I like it," Ashley said with a smile and a little bounce.
She likely wants some herself but where would be best with her cat ears? Chess thought.
"Well, while I'm at it, I may as well equip this," Chess mused, pulling the bracelet of the monkey from her vault and laying back on her bedroll. "You said it would knock me out for a bit?"
"Maybe, as much as half a day. Depends on your magic tolerance," Lynn explained. "When you're done with that take those 15 doses of Totem pyth. And you have some harvest to take as well," she turned to Ashley who nodded.
"Okay," Chess said and slipped it on her scarred arm. Her world went dim for what felt like a second before returning.
"That wasn't so bad," she said, sitting back up only to find the tent empty and dark.
"Oh, hmm." Chess rotated her new bracelet for a minute before picking up her vambrace and flexing her magic to incorporate the new item so they wouldn't rattle against each other.
----------------------------------------
"What are you naming them? Chess asked Ashley as they sat petting the trio of Heliwr later that night.
"They haven't earned names yet," Ashley explained with a fond smile. "But hopefully they will soon."
"Well if you want any help, let me know," Chess said and ruffled her daughter's hair before giving her a sideways hug.
"How are you holding up?" Chess asked when Ashley returned the hug.
"Good… better," Ashley said with a firm nod, leaning back to meet Chess's eyes. "The dreams were really bad before we went back into the tunnels, but they seem less...bad now? I think butchering spiders helped a lot also."
"That is good," Chess said, shifting the cat from her lap. "Don't hesitate to talk about it if you feel like it. It doesn't have to be with me."
"Okay," Ashley murmured against her chest.
"You know, music helped me a lot when I lost Kira then my dad. It's a good reason to scream your feelings to the world without anyone looking down on you for it. That and sometimes other musicians are better at finding the words for what we're feeling than we'll ever be," Chess said, giving Ashley a squeeze.
"Will you teach me?" Ashley asked a minute later, pulling back from the hug to meet Chess's eyes.
"Sure," Chess smiled. "I don't think Sprig will mind you playing her."
Chess stood and retrieved Sprig from outside and returned to her spot holding out the guitar for Ashley before summoning one for herself.
She taught Ashley how to hold a guitar properly before spending an hour showing her a few chords then having Ashley practice them to get a feel for where her fingers needed to be.
"Will you play a song for me? So I can try to see the chords," Ashley asked eventually. Chess figured the girl's fingertips likely hurt and chuckled.
"Sure. I was the same way when learning my chords. They get boring after a while. I'll have to teach you a few simple songs like Gramps did for me. Frankly, I'm surprised you lasted this long."
"Yeah, please. That would be nice. Could you play something new?" Ashley asked.
"Sure," Chess nodded and thought for a moment before deciding. She played a few chords then went through it a few times in her head to try and translate it before pulling out one of her wooden note slabs and writing it out phonetically in Brastian.
"Okay this song is a little dark," Chess warned before she started to play.
"Bury all your secrets in my skin…"
----------------------------------------
By the morning of the fifth day, even Chess had to admit to herself that she was dragging her feet. We've had too much time to consider what we will likely need to do the moment we step through that portal. No one ever talks about how hard it is to motivate yourself when you know what you have to do but don't have the heat of the moment as an excuse.
She'd made them each a pair of lighter crossbows, going so far as to embed skystone in their stocks and bodies, which allowed them to feel solid yet be light in their hands. They even slow-fell if you let go of them, a neat trick Chess had fun with.
She and Lynn spent most of a day testing and tweaking the crossbows so they were as powerful as possible while still being able to draw them with their belt loops.
Chess had also spent considerable time increasing the mass of the bolts she'd made for them by filling the shafts with ground skystone. She and Lynn sacrificed the rest of their leg armor and Chess's mace so she'd have materials for more heads, fins, and the bit's needed for the crossbows. Replacing the lost armor with thickened redwood.
All three spent at least an hour each day on target practice with the deadly devices.
Chess also spent time each day experimenting with her new abilities. Her most significant discovery was that if she played with the sustenance passive on her wooden gem in effect while sitting in the sun for half an hour, Ashley and Lynn tended to eat noticeably less throughout the day. It was hard to pin down just how long she'd have to play for the full effect or if with Ashley it was her new reluctance to overeat at Lynn's prompting.
Chess spent any free time she had making more small figurines from scrap bits of wood but had yet to feel that same surety she had when making the falcon so she couldn't bring herself to waste more precious items on trying to form more charms. At least not until we figure out a living situation. If it feels right I'll try again but in the meantime, I'll leave off, she told herself.
----------------------------------------
"We should leave soon. If we do this any longer, I feel we'll talk ourselves out of it," Chess greeted Lynn when she joined her at their fishing spot on the sixth morning.
"If anyone deserves what's coming, it's that lot," Lynn said, an edge of bitterness in her tone while taking the free silk and wood folding chair Chess had left for her.
Chess had been disappointed she'd not gotten a creator's boon for the creation.
"I know. I just… I worry about Ashley stepping into it with us. She hasn't had to kill a person before, and she is still so young."
"She's a blooded warrior now," Lynn said.
"Killing real thinking beings is different."
"I… I know. I'd argue the Ghouls, but they're basically undead." Lynn sighed and took her own fishing rod from where Chess had laid it and baited the hook with a small worm. "At least we'll likely have the element of surprise."
"That doesn't help how I feel. Besides, there are upwards of what? Eight? Armed bandits in that cavern."
"Potentially more," Lynn allowed while casting her line out.
"See? It's a clusterfuck whether we're contemplating cold-blooded murder or dropping into a group that greatly outnumbers us. Half of which may not even choose to be there. You've hinted at how slave armies operate with those bloody collars and bindings." Chess pointed at the band around Lynn's neck with a thumb.
"It's possible," Lynn agreed. "But it's more likely they're Canfree soldiers pretending to be bandits. And they have a different way of growing and training their people to be loyal. Slave armies have their downsides after all.
"This whole thing has Duke Canfree's fingertips all over it. Hell, the band that trapped us in here is run by his bastard, and he's always coveted the Heel. This could be all part of some larger plan," Lynn added.
"That's one bastard I wouldn't hesitate to put in the ground. He's the one shit-stain I don't need to think too long or hard on. Him or his little toady, Raff," Chess murmured her cheeks flushing red with renewed anger at the hopelessness she felt in his hands, what Raff had done to Ashley, and at what he'd orchestrated for Kan and the others.
"Caldur and Serus may still be alive. You said it yourself, the bandits were asking him to surrender," Lynn said, reading Chess like a book.
"I know," Chess sighed. "None of this makes it easier to move forward. In fact, it just sounds harder now that it's out there in the open."
"We could ask Ashley to stay here until we return or she reaches her majority. We could attempt to deal with them then reenter the rift," Lynn suggested.
"Uh, no. It's a thought but I don't like that at all. She may even resent us if she's forced to wait years for us here without knowing if we're even still alive.
"I hate to say it, but you're still collared, and we may need her healing and extra shots." Chess stared out over the beautiful landscape and newly-risen sun then sighed into the prolonged silence.
"No. We leave today," Chess decided a few minutes later and stood to reel in her line.
"We've taken the time to prepare as best we can, with what we have, already. Let's take a few hours to gather everything and make any last-minute trades then just go," Chess added as she summoned her vault and stored the chairs, rods, and small stringer of fish.
"Yeah, alright," Lynn nodded with her mind evidently elsewhere. "I'll tell Ashley, and we'll meet at our tent to dismantle it."
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
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Chess paused at Freya's altar for a few minutes.
Taking a few random pyth, the stringer of fish she'd caught that morning, and a small lock of her hair she laid them into the bowl between the Heliwr's paws.
"A little something extra for the successful charm and for seeing us safe this long, Freya," Chess said, nodding towards the items and laying a palm on the altar.
About thirty seconds later the now-familiar rainbow of magic swirled in the basin and turned the items to white ash.
She watched until the magic faded before turning and almost running over the ancient muskrat kin elder who stood waiting behind her.
"Hey," Chess said awkwardly.
The elder raised one of her knobby hands to grip an ancient charm hanging from her left breast before speaking. The tiny figure of a fish looked almost petrified with age.
"Have little of tongue," the keeper greeted Chess in a silky smooth language that Chess was surprised she understood. Must be wood elven.
"Your child teach many child her tongue. This good for people. Bridge maybe no so good." The old head nodded slowly but never took her gaze from the bowl on the altar and the small pile of ash there.
Chess didn't know what to say so only nodded in return.
"If give memories to spirit, she give more words?"
"Maybe?" Chess said the new language was smooth and silky on her lips.
"Good, good. You leave today," the elder stated with a firm nod.
"In a few hours," Chess nodded back. Lynn must have found her on the way back.
“Change hard.” Chilkuy said carefully. “Bad, stand in front. I too old,” The old Muskrat-Kin shrugged one shoulder and turned from the altar to rest a hand on Chess's shoulder for a moment.
"Was going to give this to spirit but maybe give to you be better. Speak to spirit of us in future. Safe travel," she said and handed Chess a small Heliwr fur pouch before turning and picking her way down the bluff, her ephemeral staff tapping a steady beat in the soft earth.
"Uh, you too?" Chess said to the elder's back.
"That was strange," Chess murmured and opened the pouch to look inside.
30 doses of Totem Pyth.
Holy balls, score! Chess did a fist pump before tying it to her belt with a wide smile.
She took another look out over the sparkling lake with its islands floating above before turning to follow in the elder's wake.
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"Ready?" Chess asked her companions as they stood outside the stone circle on the small floating island, adjusting their gear for a final time.
They each had a loaded crossbow in their hands with their spares, cocked and loaded, hanging from lanyards against their breasts.
Lynn had her spear in the crook of her left arm while Ashley had hers fed through her fingers, ready to drop the moment they were through. Both had their shields strung on their backs with a mace on a loop on their belts.
"Remember time will even out as soon as I step through, for a handful of minutes. Don't tarry. If they're still there, we'll be expected. Choose your target and don't hesitate," Lynn reminded them.
Both Chess and Ashley nodded.
Chess had made a point of taking a proper bath in the lake that morning, using a bit of lye soap that Lynn had scraped together and felt better than she could remember in weeks. She and Ashley had braided each other's hair into a tight rope down the center of their backs, instead of the rat's nest they'd been in for weeks.
Instead of a shield, Chess had Sprig slung over her shoulder, ready to use the vines she knew filled part of the target cavern if the opportunity arrived.
"Okay," Lynn said and with a deep breath raised her crossbow to her shoulder then stepped into the stone ring, disappearing in a blinding flash of green light.
Ashley commanded Dent to go next, then she and her gaggle of Heliwr followed on his heels.
Mikel and a few of his friends were there to see them off, and Mikel received a quick hug from each of the three before they stepped into the ring and disappeared.
"Take care of yourself. If you or your descendants ever decide to leave this place, try asking for us at the delver's guild in Portheel. We still owe you for your help," Chess had reminded him, pressing a small ironwood grizzly bear figurine into his hands when it was her turn before following the others through. She'd embedded a small piece of skystone in its densely swirled center so she could identify it in the future.
Chess's Status
Status
Name: Chess Stewart
Age: 18
Race: Half Wood-Elf/Half-Human
Sex: Female
Level: 8
Exp: 320,835/360,000
Class: Minstrel
Subclass: N/A
Unspent Stats points: 2
Unspent Skill points: 35
Profession 1 Carpenter: Mid Journeyman
Profession 2 Bard: Mid Journeyman
Profession 3 Tinker: Mid Journeyman
Pith and Gems: 4/4 Free slots filled. 3/4 Heritage slots filled.
Freya’s Blessing. +4 Char, +2 Agi, +2 Dex. Increased Fertility and +3 Animal handling: Cats
Perks:
Steam-forging perk: Bronze hands: Increases the temperature required to burn your hands by 900% +1 Constitution
Sailing perk: Sealegs: it takes you considerably less time to adjust to the sway of a ship or similar craft or to regain your land-legs after disembarking. Motion sickness is a thing of your past. Constitution +1
Tinkering perk: Spot flaw (common)l: makes you notice the flaws in everyday items more readily when studying or using them. Mind +1
Knotwork perk: Insight(knots): The proper method to disassemble a knot is more pronounced to you. Dexterity +1
Climbing perk: Improved calluses. Your calluses are now more soft and supple to the touch and your hands and feet are considerably less likely to tear, crack, or to lose calluses from prolonged disuse. Agility +1.
Survival perk: Storm sense: You're more sensitive to any weather-related change in barometric pressure. Willpower +1
Stats
Strength
14 (2)
Dexterity
19 (4)
Agility
18 (4)
Constitution
15 (2)
Willpower
15 (2)
Mind
16 (3)
Charisma
22 (6)
Perception
14 (2)
Faith
14 (2)
Luck
13(1)
Skills
Framing Const.
35
Singing
34
Woodworking
30
Instrument: Piano
28
Instrument: Guitar
30
Aqueduct Const.
16
Knitting/Weaving
23
Sculpting
16
First-aid
15
Perform
22
Language: English
16
Language: Brastian
15
Metallurgy
10
Swimming
18
Instrument: Bass
10
Dance
11
Archery
15
Writing
8
Hunting/Gathering
18
Survival
21
Steam Forging
20
Ride: Horses
4
Animal handling: Cats
7
Running
9
Whistling
7
Instrument: Harmonica
3
Climbing
22
Spears
3
Shields
6
Healing
4
Language: Wood Elven
8
Drafting
12
Tinkering
31
Chemistry
6
Mana vision
7
Massage
10
Instrument: Percussion
8
Skinning
7
Daggers
3
Math
24
Foundation Const.
24
Plastering
16
Herbology
12
Lumberjack
15
Dodge
9
Stealth
5
Spy
1
Medium Armor
5
Maces and clubs
13
War-Hammers
16
Language: Delvers sign
6
Identify traps
3
Polearms
4
Tumbling
12
Fishing
16
Knotwork
11
Sailing
5
Minstrel
Synergy with Musical (Ld), Wood (Un), Sound (Ra), Dance (Un), Social (Co), and Performance (Un) aspect Pyth and Gems.
+Composition, all instruments, Dance, Perform and singing skill growth
Pith, Cores, and Gems
Thump Pyth: Common: Rank 1
Active: Amplify (multiply) any percussive sound by Rank x dexterity(mod), [Current 4 times], the caster creates, for 10 x Rank x Dexterity(mod) minutes, [Current 40 minutes]. It can be used 5 x Rank x dexterity(mod) times a day, [Current 20 times].
Passive: Increased sonic tolerance by Rank x Will (mod) %, [Current 2%]
Inventory Pyth: Uncommon: Rank 4
Allows access to storage of (Rank x Mind(mod) feet) cubed [Current: 12ft high by, 12ft wide, by 12ft deep space]. Takes 1 minute-Mind to retrieve two items or containers, and 1 minute-Mind seconds to store two items or containers. [Current 44 seconds]
Summon Musical Instrument Pyth: Uncommon: Rank 2
Allows the summoning of a magical replica of a musical instrument the user is intimately familiar with. Rank x Charisma (Mod)/Day [Current 12] , lasts (Rank + Char(mod))*10 minutes, [Current 120 minutes]
Amber Core: Rare: Rank 1
Active: Apply Rank x Will(mod) square inches, [Current 2sq inches] of sap per second to an injured organism to help promote healing and prevent infection. The healing rate of wounds increased by 5(Rank x Will(mod)) percent/day, [Current 10%] that it remains applied. Created sap loses efficacy after Rank x Will(mod) minutes, [Current 2 minutes] if not applied to a wound.
Passive: Slows the blood loss from your wounds by 2.5(Rank x Will(mod)) percent/second. [Current 5%]. And increases the resilience of the heart muscle by an equal percentage.
Wooden Gem: Rare: Rank 4
Allows free manipulation and adjustment of deadwood at a rate of Rank x Char(mod) cubic feet a Minute, [Current 24 cubic feet]. For 2 x Rank x Charisma(mod) minutes every 4hrs. [Current 48 minutes].
Passive 1: receive Rank x Charisma (mod) percent of daily required sustenance from the sun. Max 50% [Current 24%]
Passive 2: allows a detailed perception of the interior properties of the wood that you are working on with the Gem's magic. Including flaws, density, structure, moisture content. Accuracy improves with rank.
Snow-Flurry Pyth: Uncommon: Rank 1
Create a localized snow flurry. The maximum area affected = Will (mod) x Rank x 10 yards. [Current 20 yards]. Flurry area can be condensed by Will x Rank x 5 percent, increasing the volume of snow by an equal percentage. [Current 10%] Lasts 5 x Rank x Will (Mod) minutes. [Current 10 minutes]. Can be used Rank x Will (mod) times per day. [Current 2 times].
Passive: Increases cold tolerance by Rank x will (mod)%. [Current 2%]
Infuse Minor Totem Pyth: Uncommon: Rank 2
Active: Infuse and combine your magic and magical ingredients into small detailed charms that can boost your God or Goddess’ natural or animal aspects. The only restriction is your imagination and available materials. Requires materials in line with the desired effect. More potent imagery and materials will generally create stronger effects. Expect to fail.
You can produce Musical charms without the following restrictions or faith requirements.
Freya’s available aspects: death, love, beauty, fertility, sex, war, gold, and magic.
Freya’s Animals: Cats, Boars, and Falcons.
Restriction 1: All Charms are restricted to use by worshipers of Freya or Divine interpretations of her associated Animals.
Restriction 2: All Charms require consistent exposure to worshipers of Freya or Divine interpretations of her associated Animals or will lose power over Rank x Faith(mod) days. Items in stasis are unaffected until removed.
Passive 1: Increases resistance to Faith-based attacks and unwanted Faith-based effects by Rank X Faith (mod) when wearing a charm you create, [Current 4%]
Passive 2: Increases the efficacy of charms for the creator’s own use by Rank x Faith (mod)% [Current 4%]
Active Abilities
Fascinate/Charm: Rank 2: (Wooden/Summon Inst.)
As you play soothing melodies, you can keep one person per Rank + Char(mod) [8] people and/or creatures enraptured if they fail a will check against the caster. The weak of will may even fight for you.
Shaped Growth: Rank 2: (Wooden, Summon Inst.)
Play and sing with intent and the world will bloom about you. Plants in a radius of (Char(mod)*Rank meters [Current 12 meters] about you will grow to your intent, as you play music or sing. The growth speed is up to Rank*Char(mod) inches a second. [Current 12 inches] Growth will die if the soil isn’t sufficient to support it.
Spread the Magic: Rank 1: (Wooden, Totem, Summon Inst, Thump, Amber, Snow-flurry)
Spread your passive magic to allies who hear your music. Allies within ‘full’ hearing of your music can receive your full benefit of up to (Rank) the number of passive effects you currently possess from Pyths, Cores, Gems, or Class abilities. [Current 1]
This ability has integrated identify-friend-or-foe based on the feelings of the caster.
Playing an instrument or singing alone halves the power of granted passive(s). The full effect can only be achieved through both singing and playing an instrument together.
Passive Abilities
Musical Memory: Rank 1: (Inventory, Thump, Amber, Summon Inst, Wooden)
Rank 1: Grants perfect recall (lyrics and musical notation) for any song you’ve heard performed in a similar arrangement more than 10 times or have played more than 5 times in a similar arrangement.
Greater Amplify: Rank 1 (Summon Inst, Thump)
Rank 1: Amplifies any sound you produce with your mouth by up to Char(mod) x Dex(mod) x Rank %. This percentage can be added to all similar effects. Volume adjustable by will. [Current 24%]
Enchanted Equipment:
Sprig
Bonded: Chess Stewart
Type: Acoustic guitar
Rank: 3
Rarity: Custom/unique
Properties: Living Dryad Ironwood
Durability: 9684/10000
Enchantments:
Musical Ease: Sprig is enchanted to work with Bonded’s music, correcting up to (Rank) number of mistakes per song. [Current 3]
Synergy between bonded’s Musical Memory skill and Musical Ease found:
Musical Storage: Store one song played on Sprig per Rank each day. Stored songs can be played back once for each time stored. The first (Rank) songs played on Sprig each day will be stored. All stored songs fade at midnight.
A gift, freely given, to a traveler for her gift of beautiful music, magic, and patience.
Titan’s Steel War-Hammer of Impact
Type: War-hammer
Rare
Properties: A seamless one-piece blackened titanium War-hammer. The hammer face is split into four with an enlarged head for added mass and backed with a slightly curved 6-inch spike on the reverse.
Durability: 651/700
Weight: 1780 grams
Enchantment(s):
Increased Impact: Increase the striking mass of the hammer when still held on impact by Str (Mod) x Agility (Mod) x (Power Attack Pyth or its related Cores or Gems) Rank. Maximum 50% [Current 8%]. This effect is calculated after all Power Attack Pyth and its related Cores or Gems and/or mass-related class abilities have already been added to the value.
Body
Type: Body Piercing
Rare
Properties. A ruby-studded rhodium hoop earring with a few missing stones.
Durability: 117/200
Requirement 1: Hoop must be pierced through the flesh for the enchantment to activate.
Requirement 2: Natural Agility of 18
Improve your physical reaction time by 3xAgility(mod) milliseconds. [Current 12 milliseconds]
Mind
Type: Body Piercing
Rare
Properties. An emerald-studded rhodium hoop earring missing a pair of stones.
Durability: 148/200
Requirement 1: Hoop must be pierced through the flesh for the enchantment to activate.
Requirement 2: Natural Perception of 18
Improve your mind's ability to process dangerous stimuli by 4xPerception(mod) milliseconds. [Current, unactivated]
Motherhood Totem Charm
Type: Hair-Charm
Unique
This charm is restricted to use by worshipers of Freya or Divine interpretations of her associated Animals.
Requires an eight-inch braid of hair.
Decreases the chance of the wearer, or an animal the wearer solely raised, having stillborn offspring or otherwise losing an unborn fetus from natural effects aside from violence by (Faith(mod) x Con(mod) x Harvest Pyth or Fertility Core Rank)% while worn. [Current 4%] If over 100% increases the chance of multiple offspring by the percentage minus 100.
When worn by Creator: in a radius of faith(mod) x totem rank miles detect a pregnant mother in need once every score of days.
Can’t be worn with other pregnancy charms.
If removed from stasis or/and from the possession of a follower of Freya for more than two days this Charm will lose all effect.
Effects of this charm are hidden from unbelievers.
Stone Chipper
Type: Pickaxe
Uncommon
Properties: An ancient well-preserved miner’s steel pickaxe with a burnt-ash handle.
Durability: 601/1000
Minimum requirement for enchantment activation.
Pickaxe Skill of 20
Natural Strength of 14
Natural Constitution of 14
Enchantment:
Anti-Oxidation: Prevents Oxidation
Hardened Tip and Edge: Reduces chipping and other damage to the working edge and tip by half.
Strengthen: Doubles base durability.
Worn Weathertight Polishing Scabbard
Type: Scabbard
Uncommon
Properties: An old well-worn black-drake-leather, moonsteel, and teak scabbard that’s spent centuries underwater. It’s developed a worn patina that will discourage more than a casual glance.
Durability: 129/200
Enchantment:
Polishing: Any blade placed inside will be polished to a mirror finish over the course of each day.
Cleaning: Any blade placed inside will be cleaned of any accumulated filth over the course of each day.
Weathertight: Increased resistance to environmental damage by 90%
Development:
Patina: This item is easily dismissed, hiding its enchantments from a casual glance.
Bracelet of the Monkey
Type: Bracelet
Rare
Properties: A thin rose-gold bracelet with tarnished silver inlaid flowers.
Durability: 234/250
Minimum requirement for Enchantment activation:
At least 25% Human or Monkey-Kin blood
Natural agility of 15
Natural dexterity of 15
Natural mind of 15
Enchantment:
Tumbling skill Increased by 10
Climbing skill Increased by 5
Ashley's Status
Status
Name: Ashley Pemburtton Stewart
Age: 12
Race: Mixed-Breed: 11/32 Human 1/4 Cat-Kin 5/16 Deep-Dwarf 1/16 Fox-Kin 1/32 Other
Sex: Female
Level: 6
Exp: 178,575/210,000
Class: Valkyrie
Subclass: N/A
Unspent Stats points: 2
Unspent Skill points: 25
Profession 1 Shepherd: Low Apprentice
Profession 2: Soldier: Low Apprentice
Pyth and Gems: 3/4 Free slots filled. 4/4 Heritage slots filled.
Freya’s lesser Blessing. +2 Char, +1 Agi, +1 Dex. Increased Fertility and +3 Animal handling: Cats
Stats
Strength
12 (1)
Dexterity
13 (1)
Agility
18 (4)
Constitution
13 (1)
Willpower
15 (2)
Mind
12 (1)
Charisma
15 (2)
Perception
14 (2)
Faith
12+1(1)
Luck
16+1 (3)
Skills
Language: Brastian
19
Survival
16
Woodworking
8
Farming
14
Animal handling: Dogs
14
Animal handling: Oxen
12
Animal handling: Sheep
18
Running
18
Cooking
15
Knitting/Weaving
8
Swimming
14
Climbing
11
Ride: Horses/Donkeys
14
Hunting/Gathering
12
Animal handling: Weasels
10
Butchering
10
Archery
11
Cleaning
10
Skinning
13
Shields
12
Daggers
7
Herblore
6
Tinkering
4
Math
4
Spears
10
Swords
4
Healing
6
First-Aid
9
Trapmaking
9
Writing
4
Animal handling: Cats
10
Shearing
10
Dodge
12
Language: Dryad’s rest Muskrat-kin
3
Instrument: Percussion
1
Instrument: Guitar
1
Maces and clubs
10
Polearms
6
Tumbling
5
Fishing
1
Stealth
4
Medium Armor
6
Language: Delvers sign
7
Language: Common Cat-Kin
15
Language: southern marches cat-kin 6
Language: Mountain Dwarven
8
Pyth, Cores, and Gems
Shield Pyth: Rank 7 Common
Active: For 2 x Rank x Con (mod) seconds distribute the force of any blows you receive equally between nearby allied shield holders within Rank meters. [Current 14 seconds]
Passive: Reduce the force of any blow taken on your shield by Rank x Con (Mod). [Current: 7%]
Harvest Pyth: Rank 5 Uncommon
Increases yield of any harvest. Effects Pith collection, and birthrates of domesticated animals primarily raised by the holder.
Increased by Rank x Luck (mod). [Current: 15%]
Binding Pyth: Rank 3 Uncommon
Bind up to Rank x Will(mod) People, Creatures, and/or Items. (Living beings must accept the binding or fail a will check against binder). [Current 6]
The location of any bond can be felt within 10 x Rank x Will(mod) kilometers. [Current 60 kilometers]
Bound creatures and people suffer a willpower penalty of Rank x Will(mod) x Char(mod)% against binder's orders. [Current 12%]
Amber Core: Rank 2 Rare
Active: Apply Rank x Will(mod) square inches of sap a second to an injured organism to help promote healing and prevent infection. [Current 4 square inches]. The healing rate of wounds increased by 5(Rank x Will(mod)) percent/day that it remains applied. [Current 20%]. Created sap loses efficacy after Rank x Will(mod) minutes if not applied to a wound. [Current 4 minutes]
Passive: Slows the blood loss from your wounds by 2.5(Rank x Will(mod)) percent/second. [Current 10%]. And increases the resilience of the heart muscle by an equal percentage.
Strengthen Bone Pyth: Uncommon: Rank 1
Passive 1: Increases the break and impact resistance of your bones by 3 x Rank x Con (Mod) percent. [Current 3%]
Passive 2: Increases the flexibility of your bones by 2 x Rank x Con (Mod) percent. [Current 2%]
Sure-Foot Pyth: Uncommon: Rank 3
Active: Spread up to Rank x Agi (mod) x Str (mod) [Current 12%] percent of your weight to each of up to Agi (mod) [Current 4] companions when stepping over unstable or treacherous ground. The effect lasts rank x Agility (mod) seconds. [Current 12 seconds]
Passive: reduces the chance of losing your footing or slipping by Agi (mod) x Rank percent. [Current 12%] Max 75%
Decomposition Core: Rank 1:
Active: increase or decrease the development of bacteria and small insects involved in the decomposition of any once-living organism in order to speed or slow decomposition by up to 10xRankxWill (mod) days. [Current 20 days]. In an area covering up to 2 x Rank x Will (mod) yards [Current 4 yards]. Can be used 2 x Rank x Will(mod) times a day, [Current 4 times].
The slowing effect prevents bacteria and insects from entering or growing in the target area for a length of time no greater than the maximum current days. It does not remove existing organisms.
Bacteria and Insects or their larvae need to be present in the environment to be affected by growth effects.
This ability has no negative effect on living organisms within its range.
Passive 1: Increases your resistance to bacterial infections by (con(mod) x will(mod) × rank)%. max 99.999% [Current 2%]
Passive 2: Increases the efficiency of the bacteria in your body, improving the amount and efficiency of energy gathered from foods and making minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients more accessible to your body.
Valkyrie
Synergy with Faith (Uni), All Weapon (Ra), Shield (Ra), Death (Ep), Harvest (Ra), Movement (Co), and Riding (Un) Pith and Gems.
+Shield, Weapon, Riding, and Harvesting skill growth.
Active Abilities
Lay on Hands: Rank 2: (Binding, Amber)
Heals target for the equivalent of 5xRankxWill (mod) days upon touch. [Current 20 days] It can be used Rank times in 24 hours. It doesn't set bones or prevent scarring. Stacks with ongoing healing effects.
Amber Armaments: Rank 2: (Shield, Amber)
Extrude sap to form hardened amber equipment. Can maintain up to Rank x Will(mod) created Items. [Current 4 items]. The cast time for each item is 10 - Rank minutes: max instant. [Current 8 minutes]. All items fade after 12 hours or can be dismissed at will. It can only be used to create up to (common) styles of armor, weapons, and camp items. The durability of items based on Constitution mod. -3: Bone, -2: Copper, -1: Bronze, 0: Iron, 1: Steel, 3: Moon Steel, 5: Mithril, 11: Adamantine
Einherjar: Rank 2: (Binding, Harvest, Shield, Amber)
Rank 1: Raise a max of (1) willing humanoid warrior as a permanent Sap Golem to defend you. It requires 80% of the body's skeletal mass to form the golem. The Soul must still be present with the body, and receive Freya's permission through an appropriate ceremony or reside in the halls of Fólkvangr or Valhalla; some linger longer than others. Valkyrie must be near or witness the death of potential risen. Potential risen must agree to be raised and to the terms and duration of service. Potential risen can’t be ardent followers of a god or goddess outside the Norse pantheon. Limited ‘Speak with Dead’ granted for communication with viable dead. Golem has access to its strongest hereditary Pyth at the max rank of the Einherjar Ability if unharvested before raising. If harvested, the caster can slot one pyth, Core, or Gem up to rank of the ability. Durability is equal to a Flesh Golem. Stats of Golem are equal to the raised individuals in life, minus 4 to each mental stat.
Rank 2: Increases the healing Sap-Golems receive from Caster by Will(mod) x Rank %. [Current 4%]. Now grants access to the Golem's second strongest hereditary Pyth, Core, or Gem at the max rank of Einherjar ability. If harvested, the caster can now slot an additional Pyth, Core, or Gem. Stats of Golem are now equal to the individuals in life, minus 3 to each mental stat, and +1 constitution.
Caster passive: Golem counts as two people when the caster’s Shield Pyth is active and the Golem has a shield equipped.
Passive Abilities
Skuld’s Skildi (Fate's Shield): Rank 1 (Shield, Decomposition, Amber, Sure Step)
1: Improve your physical and mental reaction times by 10 x Agility(mod) x Perception (mod) x Faith(mod) milliseconds. [Current 80 milliseconds] The effect will only trigger during or immediately before combat situations and no more than once every 10 minutes to a max of Perception (mod) x Rank times a day. [Current 2 times a day]. Effect lasts Agility(mod) x perception(mod) x Rank seconds. Max 30 seconds. [Current 8 seconds]
You’re able to better utilize all your innate athletic abilities while the effect is active. This may lead to excess muscle damage.
2: All physical blows received by the body, or equipment worn or held by the skill-holder, reflect an additional (Rank x Faith (mod)%) of their force. [Current 1%] This effect stacks with all similar abilities.
Deep-Mountain Dwarven Vitality: Rank 1: (Amber, Shield, Decomposition, Sure-Foot)
Increases user's remaining lifespan to match that of their ancient dwarven heritage. Lifespan increased by Con(mod) x Str(mod) x Rank percent: max 150%. [Current 1%]
Charisma + 1 Constitution +2 Strength +2
Enchanted Equipment:
Dwarven Bulwarks Amulet
Type: Jewelry
Rarity: Epic
Properties: A exquisite adamantine, emerald, and ruby shield amulet on a runic silver chain.
One of the Emeralds is damaged beyond repair limiting the full enchantment.
Durability: 81/100
Minimum Requirements for enchantment activation:
Wearers must possess at least 1/4 Dwarven blood.
Natural willpower of 15
Natural constitution of 15
Natural shield skill of 20
One of the following: Active Shield Pyth over Rank 8, Shell Core over Rank 5, or Fortify Gem over Rank 3.
Enchantments: [Unactivated]
Reduce force: Doubles the passive effect of your Shield Pyth, Shell Core, or Fortify Gem’s force reduction and all similar Class skills.
Bulwark: Any attack made against an ally's shield in the range of your Shield Pyth, Shell Core, or Fortify Gem's active skill radius receives ¼th your total force reduction. This amount stacks with any similar class skills.
Giants Toughness: + 2 constitution. +1 strength (Reduced by damage to enchantment, from +4 constitution and +2 strength).
Grump’s Bulwark: Equipped shield loses durability at half the normal rate from attacks and repairs over time. Repair:(Constitution (mod) percent per day).
Keen Ironwood and Steel Spear
Durability: 187/200
Keen: Stays sharp as long as the durability doesn’t fall below half.
Silver ring of Trickster's Luck
Durability: 178/250
+1 Luck
Thova’s First Find
Type: Haircharm
Rare
Properties: A small uncut ruby smoothed by time and handling, with a small hole drilled through the middle
Durability: 8,673/10,000
Minimum requirement for enchantment activation.
Wearer must possess:
At least 1/8th Dwarven blood
A braid of the wearer’s hair at least 16 inches long
Natural Strength of 14
Natural Constitution of 14
Enchantment: [Unactivated]
Moderate Reduced Carry. Reduces the weight of anything held in the wearer's hands by the wearer's [Str(mod) x Con(mod)] percent. Max 50%
Paired Dwarven Spelunking Rings
Type: Ring
Common
Properties: A matching pair of plain brass rings.
Durability: 156/200, 123/200
Minimum requirement for enchantment activation.
Wearers must possess:
At least 1/4th Dwarven blood
Natural Agility of 12
Enchantment:
Body-weight reduction: Reduce the effective force of the wearer's body weight against the equipped limb by (Agi(mod) x (Fast Climb Pyth, or Traceless Accent Core (If applicable))) percent. Only effective when climbing. To a maximum of 35% per ring [Current 4% per ring]
Stonestrike Bead
Type: Haircharm
Uncommon
Properties: Ancient large silver wire knotwork bead.
Durability: 341/400
Minimum requirement for enchantment activation.
Wearers must possess:
At least 1/4th Dwarven blood
A braid of the wearer’s hair at least 12 inches long
Natural Agility of 14
Enchantment:
Minor true-strike (Pickaxe only): Increases the chance any blow you land with a (Pickaxe) will land true, by Agi(mod) percent. Also reduces the chance of a bad rebound by an equal amount to a maximum of 25%. [Current 4%]
Dwarven Oarsman’s Blessing
Type: Earring
Common
Properties: A plain thick gold earring.
Durability: 276/325
Minimum requirement for enchantment activation.
Wearers must possess at least 1/16th Dwarven blood
Swim Skill of 5
Enchantment:
+1 Faith