| Alignment | Lawful | Neutral | Chaotic |
| Harmonic | Celestial | Ethereal | Astral |
| Neutral | Elemental | Material | Faewilds |
| Discordant | Infernal | Underworld | Abyssal |
Through meritorious deeds, paracausal comprehension or feats of extraordinary craftsmanship, individuals may come face to face with their place within all of creation and gain awareness of the Library of Fate. This is called Awakening, and those who have done so are known as the Awakened. Once Awakened, the universal Library of Fate acknowledges an individual''s existence, granting them their unique "Page of Fate." This dynamic record grows with them, capturing their evolution and accolades while allowing their owners to fine-tune their continued growth through the assignment of Peritia. While it is theoretically possible for any Mortal to Awaken, the vast and highly variable Peritia requirements can make it difficult for most. In addition, achieving a feat worthy enough to be considered an Accolade, is something few mortals ever deliberately attempt, let alone survive.¡°Erm, yeah, that¡¯s gunna take some getting used to,¡± Ori said blinking out of his mind''s eye. ¡®Did it work? The rote knowledge, could you understand it?¡¯ Freya asked pensively. ¡°Yeah, ¡®think so.¡± ¡®Good. At least that much I could help you with.¡¯ ¡°So you¡¯re saying what you did will stop me from this Awakening?¡¯ ¡®You¡¯ve killed two demons in single combat, one of which was at least three major ranks above your own, these are feats worthy of an accolade, if not a rare one. You would have needed only the Peritia to Awaken if not for my spiteful actions. I am sorry for taking this from you, I am sorry for repaying your kindness with something that may doom us both.¡¯ Ori tried to work out the gravity of her admission on his own. Was this purely a cultural faux pas he had stumbled into? Something religious? But no, there seemed to be some practical outcome in all of this. And by the way, she described those demons and rank¡ ¡°Those demons, s¡¯that why they were so much faster and stronger than me? ¡®Cus they Awakened?¡± Ori asked. ¡®Yes they were Awakened, at the very least,¡¯ she confirmed. ¡°At the least? And it¡¯s this Library is how everyone gets so powerful? These accolades and this Peritia, it¡¯s all to Level up and get stronger, like some kind of computer game?¡± There was silence for several minutes though through the soul bond they now shared, he got the sense that Freya was distracted. ¡®Yes, there are various realms above Awakened, stages where one''s strength and speed increase by orders of magnitude. Refer back to Awakenings, Vespasian, Edition twelve¡ chapter nine.¡¯
By assigning Peritia via one¡¯s Page of Fate to advance their levels, individuals amplify their Lifeforce. Every 25 levels marks a new rank, indicating on average, a tenfold increase to their Lifeforce. Awakened may often find themselves stuck at the boundary between ranks, as not only does the Peritia requirements to progress jump significantly between ranking levels but there may also be a comprehension, accolade or racial evolution requirement to advance. These bottlenecks and the limited resources required to advance beyond them are one of the major driving forces of conflict throughout Fate. An individual''s societal rank can be discerned by their life force''s intensity. This ranking system signifies meaningful milestones in power and capability that are rarely, if ever bridged by talent. Mortal (Level 0, G to F Rank): The initial state of unAwakened beings. Lesser (Level 0 - ???, F to E Rank): Devolved entities that may have once possessed access to their page of fate but now lack Lifeforce. Entities may also be born as devolved species that have fallen from fate. Awakened (Boundary: Level 1, E Rank): Awakened are defined by individuals undergoing a process of introspection and self-realisation. This entails the recognition of inherent abilities, with an emphasis on understanding one''s inner nature. Requirements: x1 Accolade. Peritia (varies) Nascent (Boundary: Level 25, D Rank): At Nascent, individuals venture outward, exploring the world and the broader magical landscape. This stage emphasises the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and experiences from external sources and interactions with the environment and other entities. While those who reach this stage early in life rarely remain at this rank, it is the plateau where most Awakened end their journey. Requirements: x5 Accolades. Peritia (varies), Selection of at least one class. Comprehension of a Nascent Affinity. Greater (Boundary: Level 50, C Rank): Attaining this rank by age 50 is a talent marker in many societies. The Greater realm is characterised by individuals who have achieved a deep understanding¡Once again Ori found himself zoning out of reality, suddenly knowing paragraphs of text all at once. It was still unsettling, but he found that this second time felt easier, as if he had more control over the information he wanted to read without as much disorientation as before. As for the information he had just read, it seemed like there were indeed actual levels, with bottlenecks that needed additional requirements, like accolades, whatever those things are. It was all too¡ unreal, and yet he now actually found himself getting angry which was understandable after finding out that a way of becoming Superman had just been denied him. ¡®...This computer, and these games, from your memories¡ I can see the parallels, but this is not a game Ori, this is all life and death, our fates far too close to the latter than the former.¡¯ ¡°What were the terms of this contract again, until one of us dies, or you evolve?¡± Ori asked, now almost desperate to find either a loophole in the contract or some way forward with the established terms. This time unbidden by one of Freya¡¯s references or prompts, paragraphs of text flowed into Ori¡¯s knowing.
Evolution transforms an individual by fundamentally changing their physical, cognitive and spiritual characteristics along racially defined paths. This process offers no downsides and is sought by all who have the drive and the means, as evolution not only enhances Lifeforce by an entire rank but enables access to more class slots, rarer classes and Spells, as well as racially defining signature abilities. There is no one-size-fits-all pathway for racial evolution. While some races are born evolved, others must undergo challenges, find unique locations and gather vast resources to achieve their next evolutionary state. Evolutionary Ranks:...¡®To evolve. I¡ All of my requirements to evolve are met bar Peritia. But¡¡¯ ¡°But?¡± Ori pressed. ¡®I am too far away, years of toil for the Peritia at the very least, and we do not have that long.¡¯ ¡°Yeah. Well, Awakened or not, I still intend to get out of here. Maybe if we stay out of sight while taking opportunities to free others, there must be more of us down here we could break out. Unless you have a better plan? I mean, you¡¯re Awakened, aren¡¯t you? With magic spells and shit?¡± ¡®I was Awakened. I am Lesser now, with Mana that hurts to use and regenerates too slowly to be practical.¡¯ ¡°Because of those chains that were syphoning off your, what? Magic and life energy?¡± Ori asked, trying to understand while struggling to push down his anger and disgust at the nature of the depredations done to her. ¡®Yes, my Lifeforce, as a result, I¡ don¡¯t have much longer to live. I¡¯m close to the end of my lifespan,¡¯ ¡°How long do you have left?¡± ¡®Days, perhaps weeks if I can hibernate?¡¯ ¡°But you¡¯ve been locked up here, what, years? A decade? You would have died sooner, had I not freed you from those bindings, wouldn¡¯t you?¡± ¡®Yes.¡¯ ¡°Pretty lucky that?¡± ¡®The threads of fate may conspire to weave improbable tapestries, but¡ sometimes wild luck is just wild luck. In this case, I used what little Mana and no small measure of vitality to complete the familiar ritual.¡¯ Freya continued dejectedly, as if even thinking about the chance of escaping was a weight too heavy to bear. Ori tightened his fists, a pain shot up through his shoulder but instead of flinching from it, it reminded him of his rage. Awakened or not, evolution or not, he was going to find a way out, and while he didn¡¯t have much of a plan or even a hint of one, Ori knew that Freya did. ¡°Well, we¡¯re not dead yet, and until that changes, I¡¯m gunna need you.¡± ¡®I¡¯ve already given you my knowledge, my spells¡.¡¯ ¡°We¡¯re going need more than that from each other to get out of here, I can feel it, it¡¯s going to take our all. Not just knowledge, but trust and determination. Because we ARE getting out of here. We have to.¡° Ori demanded, somehow convincing himself despite the odds. ¡°So¡ I think I understand this lifespan thing, all life has it. There¡¯s something in your books, a Vitality characteristic, if it¡¯s high enough then you could live forever, but if you''re wounded or you¡¯ve been overdrawing on your magic, then it can get damaged and you¡¯ll die sooner. Is that what you¡¯ve done, or have had done to you?¡± ¡®Yes.¡¯ ¡°So it''s not just that you''re old for a sprite then? I mean, you are a mum, maybe even a gran by now. Never would have pegged you as someone so old.¡± Ori said, trying to lighten the mood. For a long time, there was silence in the cave, ¡®I am not so old.¡¯ Freya said eventually. ¡°Oh yeah?¡± ¡®Though we are a similar age in planar cycles, we sprites live much fuller lives than mortal humans.¡¯ ¡°You were what, two years old when you had your kids? You must be like a thousand years old in sprite years now?¡± Ori said, the ghost of a smirk heard in his voice. ¡®I see what you are trying to do,¡¯ Freya said, suddenly taking shape in her glow bug form as she zoomed out of Ori¡¯s forehead and spun around Ori¡¯s partially propped-up pose in agitation. ¡°¡if you believe this crude attempt at banter will lift my mood¡ª¡¯ ¡°It¡¯s working though?¡± ¡®No.¡¯ Freya lied. ¡®Through my career, I¡¯ve been exposed to such rhetoric, wit and satire that your boorish efforts, instead of mirth, bring me heartache over what I now miss,¡¯ ¡°I can imagine.¡± Ori smiled as for a moment, a part of Freya¡¯s proud, academic background shone through. The aches of his broken body faded as he laughed at a random image. ¡®What is it?¡¯ Freya asked uncertainly, her light disappearing as her form flew back inside Ori¡¯s¡ skull. ¡°I just¡ it¡¯s a good thing you never had students or mentored anyone, I could imagine them being brow-beaten by your rhetoric, wit, satire, and lack of patience.¡± Ori continued, failing to ape Freya¡¯s mannerisms so badly he couldn¡¯t but laugh, ¡°It¡¯s so strange, I¡¯m in this fantasy world talking to a sprite that now shares a part of my soul, if I didn¡¯t ache so much, I would have thought this all to be a dream.¡± ¡®It¡¯s strange to me too. I never said thank you by the way. No matter what happens next, I¡¯ve had at least this moment¡ Your memories, I find myself reliving them. ¡°Oh yeah?¡± ¡®I must admit keen interest towards certain aspects of your realm.¡¯ ¡°Realm?¡± Ori asked, this time clamping down on his rote knowledge ¡®Is this also one of your peculiar gaps in understanding? This is something everyone should know.¡¯ ¡°Yeah, I have no idea what¡¯s going on, we have stories and legends about all of this, but it¡¯s not¡ real. Except that it is, and for some reason no one knew.¡± ¡®Your Earth and solar system and¡ universe? Do I have that right? I believe that all reside in a single realm in the Material Demiplane. At least that is what my divination spell stated as your planar origin.¡± Several questions flowed through Ori¡¯s mind upon those words as he tried to piece together what he knew. ¡°And this is the Twilight realm¡ on the Elemental Demiplane? And not somewhere else like hell or the Underworld? And how could I go back to¡ my realm.¡± ¡®Hpmf, we¡¯d have been long since dead if we were in the underworld. No, We are in..¡¯ Freya sighed as she answered. ¡®Ghigrerchiax, an infernal prison deep underground at the edge of Twilight. And to get back to your realm¡ Usually, I would suggest returning by the same method you arrived,¡¯ Ori was simply silent for a long while as a series of conclusions solidified in his mind. While simple vengeance and the vague possibility of escape had been enough to get him this far, he had just about been done as he crawled into this cave, and freed the sprite. But now, new goals coalesced in his mind like a surge of blood to the head, a confidence building with the momentum of an avalanche. ¡°You probably know this already, but when I was younger, I used to believe that my mother was still alive somewhere, maybe trapped and unable to get home. I mean, I knew she was dead, that¡¯s what they said, she died giving birth to me, but I always wanted to believe she was alive somewhere and would come back.¡± ¡®Oh, Ori¡¡¯ ¡°It¡¯s stupid, I know. But, here¡¯s the thing, you can go back to them. I don¡¯t know if they think you are still alive or not, but you are alive, and you can go back.¡± ¡®Ori you can¡¯t!¡¯ ¡°What choice is there?¡± ¡®I didn¡¯t mean for¡ª¡¯ ¡°Well, it¡¯s done. If I can¡¯t awaken, then you need to evolve, and if I understand the reason why you ended up here in the first place, then we have to find out where this god lives.¡± 4. Will ''Finding Tekrakathune would be a terrible idea. As soon as I¡¯d announce his rediscovery to the Library of Fates, every Awakened in the realm would know about it too, including every demon in the prison, and the gods of this realm.'' "Well, we''d just have to free the guy beforehand, then ask for his aid in escaping, or maybe just hide in a corner and wait for the dust to settle when he goes to town on the dicks that imprisoned us. Either way, I want to see what makes for a god in this world," Ori said. He knew that Freya, despite her words to the contrary, was far more invested in finding this missing god than her words suggested. It wasn''t just the sunk cost of half a lifetime searching, the vanity of leaving behind a legacy, or even her calling that compelled her to leave her family behind. She also wanted to live. In finding the missing god and announcing the discovery to the Library of Fates, she would receive an accolade, one significant enough that it would come with enough Peritia to essentially level her up, raising her rank from Lesser to Nascent, while changing her race from Sprite to Pixie. And she did indeed need this evolution. She was already old for a Sprite, and with the abuse and predation suffered during the second half of her life, her Lifeforce, the vital energy that fuelled her semi-corporeal existence, and her Mana that empowered her spells and rituals, had been severely crippled. Upon evolution, one''s body is remade, all grievous wounds and signs of ageing reversed broken Mana channels and pools restored and then expanded, with many aspects of a person going through changes that allow them to be either a whole magnitude smarter, stronger, faster or better able to use magic, depending on aspects such as class bonuses and who the individual invested their Peritia. ''Ori, stop and think, really think about this plan. If he is here, and that is not for certain, announcing it to the Library of Fates would start a war with god-like entities we could not hope to survive. There would be nowhere to hide when those who would throw mountains as we would throw stones come to blows. Also, my evolution won¡¯t be instant; as soon as I accept the accolade, I must hibernate for a time, breaking our bond and leaving you in the dark. It would be one thing if you could use mana, but my attempt to unlock your Mana pool didn''t work.'' ¡°Wait, what? It didn¡¯t work? But I¡¯m sure I felt¡ something, something different.¡± ¡°Do you feel an energy in your Mana Nexus? You should be able to grasp it, a warmth in your mind that you can draw from and bring out¡ª¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s like¡ The opposite? A cold? Like there¡¯s a hole in my mind? Does that make sense?¡± ¡®I don¡¯t know. Do you know of any family members in your line having the same feeling? Or being able to use magic?¡± ¡°Magic? No, there¡¯s no magic where I¡¯m from.¡± ¡°No magic? At all? In your entire town?¡± ¡°What? No, I mean no magic at all. Like, In the entire world, entire¡ realm. No Mana or life force or spells or rituals, just good old physics, biology, chemistry and a whole load of maths. Anyone claiming they can use magic in my world is a trickster or a fraud. Though with these demons, multiple dimensions and magic butterflies, who¡¯s to say what¡¯s real or not real anymore?¡± Freya, ignoring his quip on magical butterflies, was in silent contemplation for a long while before she asked, ¡®Then what about all those artefacts, those tablets and things you called eye-fooans?¡¯ ¡°Mobile Phone.¡± Ori said, reaching into his pocket to retrieve his smashed-up iPhone, raising it to his face, the cracked screen lit up with today''s date and time, which was roughly a day later than the last time he had checked, along with a ¡®no service¡¯ warning that hit Ori harder than he expected it would. Freya flew out of him as he held the device up. ¡°See? No Mana or magic, just electronics and clever engineering.¡± ¡®An entire realm of mortals, and such advanced mana-less artificing,¡¯ she said, awed as his thumb flicked through the interface. On a whim, he took a selfie, capturing an image of Freya and himself in the dim light of the cavern. He turned the device off, realising that the next opportunity to recharge his phone might be a long time from now, if ever. ¡®I have so many questions. You must permit me one day to walk your dreams so that I can understand. But¡ for now¡¡¯ She sighed. ¡®...we must focus on the topic at hand.¡¯ Ori frowned. ¡°Yeah, so my magic? Can¡¯t you tell if I¡¯ve got some or not?¡± ¡®I can¡¯t access any Mana from you. It¡¯s like you''re a nihiling stone. I have never heard of anything like this before. All mortals should have some mana, if even just a whisp, perhaps in my weakened state I wasn¡¯t able to unlock yours properly.¡¯ Freya wondered. ¡°So I can¡¯t use magic?¡± ¡®No, not like this. Maybe if we found a way to unlock your Mana properly¡ or perhaps with some research on your condition I could¡ª¡¯ ¡°I need something now, if not magic¡ª I mean, everyone''s so strong, fast too, and as you said, I¡¯m mortal, the lowest rank of them all, level zero in a game where I can¡¯t level up until you upgrade. I need an equaliser.¡± ¡°This is not a game, Ori. But¡ yes, I understand your predicament. Maybe we can get a small measure of what you seek if you are lucky. Through captivity, I have taken many dream walks in the minds of demons¡ª¡± ¡°Dream walk?¡± Ori asked, interest piqued. ¡°You mean the creepy spell that lets you voyeuristically watch other people''s dreams? But what does that even have to do with being a researcher? Just what kind of pervy research did you undertake?¡± ¡®You are such a boy.¡¯ Freya lamented. ¡®I am an Aurora Sprite, with an Aurora affinity which has a full dream aspect. With my knowledge, you should know, affinities and classes are the greatest influences on what spell constellations you might have access to. And with my dream aspect, I was fortunate enough to be able to choose a spell that has been invaluable in my endeavours.¡¯ ¡°But seriously though, you can just invade someone''s dreams, yeah? Violate private thoughts without consent?¡± Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. ¡®If they are infernals? Without hesitation. Otherwise,¡¯ Freya sighed as if suddenly exhausted. ¡®No, I could, but I wouldn¡¯t, or at least I haven¡¯t, not directly. The way I used to use the spell¡ It can be used in a goal-orientated way, a way that allows me to ignore the details of individuals and sift through a population''s unconsciousness, like panning for gold in a river. In this case, dream walking allowed me to know the whereabouts of key locations¡ But¡¡¯ ¡°But what?¡± ¡®It¡¯ll be difficult, and first, we¡¯ll need to get something to help fix your leg.¡¯ ¡°What about one of your rituals, Healing Sleep? That sounds like it should help?¡± Ori said hopefully, though Freya wasn¡¯t so sure. ¡®That ritual uses some of the target''s Mana to assist with the healing. With the state of how your Mana is, I do not think it would be wise to risk it.¡¯ ¡°Why? Can¡¯t we just try it? What¡¯s the worst that could happen?¡± ¡°That you could go into a sleep from which you do not wake? I really don¡¯t know because I haven¡¯t heard of a being with no Mana whatsoever. No, you need artefacts pre-saturated with mana, ones even a mortal without a Mana Nexus could use. You need a Wand, and I know precisely where to find them.¡¯
¡°Affinities are fundamental aspects of paracausal reality. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. It is said that the very Demiplanes themselves, the vast realities wherein countless worlds reside, emerged from these aspects of Fate. And while there are as many affinities as they are words in all the spoken languages of Fate, some affinities are greater than others, more profound than others, or more fundamental. Each Awakened, whether blessed with arcane talent or not, is born with at least one ¡°Inherent¡± or Major Affinity. With an individual''s Inherent Affinity, comprehension towards their affinity''s deepest mysteries is easiest, while spells and abilities that are based around this affinity are strongest. Meanwhile, comprehension and alignment with additional ¡°Attained Affinities¡± or Minor Affinities can incrementally change the nature of an individual''s physical body, personality and mindset, crafting products, available classes, Spells and ability choices, racial evolution and ultimate Authority. It is the comprehension and interplay between these Inherent and IAttained Affinities that drives, and in many cases, stalls, the progression of an individual''s might and Lifeforce. Stages of Comprehension: Threshold: This is the initial understanding of an affinity necessary for its application in spell crafting and other magical practices. At this stage, the individual begins to unlock the potential uses of their affinity. Immersion: At this level, the individual gains a deeper awareness of their affinity, understanding both its applications and limitations. Integration: Knowledge of the affinity deepens further, to the point where it begins to influence the individual''s very nature. This significantly enhances the power and efficiency of the affinity in their actions. Synthesis: The individual becomes a font of their affinity, with their aura exuding its nature. At this stage, everything they do is influenced in some way by their affinity. Perfection: This final stage represents either the complete assimilation of the affinity by the individual or the complete transformation of their nature by the affinity they once commanded. This stage marks the pinnacle of affinity mastery, where the individual and the affinity are indistinguishable. While there is no physical limit to the number of Attained Affinities one can align with, comprehension of many disparate essences can cause disharmony within an individual Mana Nexus resulting in reduced casting effectiveness. Meanwhile, before reaching the Immortal realm, the opportunity cost of comprehending multiple affinities and thus stalling progression to higher ranks is rarely seen as a sensible use of one''s limited lifespan. While affinities can offer routes to powerful abilities, no affinity can provide access to every ability, class or Spell, with alignment to many affinities closing more doors than they open, regarding an individual''s versatility and ultimate power. Through fate and circumstance, just as it is speculated that the Demiplanes and lands of Fate emerged from the Affinities, Lesser and Greater Elementals, avatars of tremendous natural power may emerge from concentrated sources of affinity. While wild and often untethered to the civilisations of fate, older entities, or those who chose to evolve to elementals may gain, or retain sentience, becoming individuals who could be bargained with, or sought after as guardians in exchange for Grace. There also exist energies that straddle the boundary between the fundamental paracausal energies and the natural affinities individuals may attune to. These energies, often known as the Lesser Essences, are often seen as concentrated sources of affinity and can aid in comprehension. They can also be refined into catalysts and used as reagents in Spellcraft, rituals or enchanting. These essences are commonly found near rifts in reality, as dungeon prizes, from dungeon cores themselves, and near sources of wild Aether.¡± ¡In the quiet moments between midnight and dawn, Ori often found himself browsing over the knowledge bequeathed him by his familiar. He used to answer questions that he had been unable to form in those brief, hasty moments since meeting Freya, like just what were the pages of fate, what were affinities and catalysts, and just how powerful could people and gods become? For example, Inherent Affinities, which appeared to encompass a person''s genetics, preferences, experiences, and personality, seemed to have a profound impact on each trial''s environment. This influence extended from the environmental themes to the ease of finding catalysts within. However, despite believing he had a strong affinity for life, light, and storms¡ªif Freya''s analysis were to be believed¡ªhis trials up until the third attempt had seemingly little connection to his god-given abilities. This observation led to the notion that mindset might wield a great, if not greater, influence on the trials. This hypothesis was supported by the fact that his fiery inferno and tumultuous oceanic ordeals had seemingly manifested from his expectations. Next, Ori surmised that each group of catalysts demanded a challenge undertaken or a lesson learned. Perhaps, had he considered offering the tree that killed him a sacrifice, it might have willingly shared its bounty. Maybe. When his thoughts led back to the time catalyst, Ori had an uneasy feeling that the necessary lesson required to obtain the crystal was yet to come.
Mortal (between G and F rank) Lesser (F to E rank) Awakened (E rank) Nascent (D rank) Greater (C rank) Sovereign (B rank) Immortal (A rank) Divinity (S rank)Individuals evolve along racial lines and class ranks, progressing through each rank to bring about qualitative and often fundamental changes in their power. The disparity between a Mortal and an Awakened''s strength could be as much as tenfold; however, this difference is often distributed across multiple attributes. For instance, instead of a tenfold increase in strength alone, improvements in both speed and strength might be balanced, resulting in a five times enhancement for each attribute. Ultimately, this leap in power and capability is replicated upon reaching every rank, transforming individuals who evolve to the Immortal or Divinity realms into living, breathing gods capable of reshaping worlds at will. This ranking system also applies to items and artefacts as well as animals and beasts, providing a rough gauge of the power rating or, for example, the attribute requirements an item might possess. However, unbeknownst to most, this ranking system did not end with Divinity; branching into three distinct, exclusive paths:
Immortal (A rank) to Pinnacle (SS rank) Titan (S - SS rank) to Primordial (SSS rank) Irregular (E - SS rank) to Transcendent (EX rank)In the dream, which was, in fact, Ori''s fifth trial attempt, new catalysts with fresh ideals and multiple facets of the same principles were discovered in such abundance and completeness that they fused into more advanced concepts, ideals, and fundamental truths, surpassing the initial item rank and compelling the catalysts to evolve multiple times into lesser essences and primordial energies. It was at the Irregular branch of the extended ranking system where Ori''s catalysts had stabilised, introducing concepts that were novel even to the all-powerful Library of Fates. When asked what it might mean, the Crucible''s response proved less than helpful. "It is an Awakened''s lifetime achievement to do what you have managed, with my help I must add, in a single night''s sleep. Preposterous. Yes, yes, you¡¯ve found them, comprehended them, you have those affinities now. Even without refinement, if you managed to find Quintessence you could probably do something with it. Meanwhile, all astral and celestial powers would be under your command¡ if you had any Mana to speak off that is, and somehow you¡¯re also on the cusp of merging your mental and spiritual characteristics, as a mortal no less! Ha! ¡°But don''t let it go to your head. Gods have successfully traversed the path to Divinity with nothing but the most common of affinities. Just because yours are... Irregular, doesn''t mean you are entitled to anything from anyone. Intriguing? Unusual? Perhaps. But when your worth isn''t determined by what you can do, but rather by what can be extracted from you, you become a resource rather than a being, a commodity to be exploited rather than something to be respected. So, let''s just say that at least for now if it weren''t for the fact that I, the magnanimous entity that I am, hold a vested interest in your survival and possess no concern for your... affinities, we would be engaging in a vastly different conversation or, more accurately, no conversation at all." ¡°So what does refining actually do then, if I already have these affinities?¡± ¡°Boy, would you eat a cake that hasn¡¯t been baked? Would you rather swing a blank of Iron instead of a blade of forged steel? I am the Crucible that will burn these gifts into your mind, body and spirit, refinement will turn you from an insignificant peculiarity, into something that could cause ripples in Fate.¡± Asked what was ¡®the path¡¯ and its significance, Crucible had this to say for itself: ¡°Many Awakened are acquainted with ''The Eternal Path,'' a journey frequently immortalised through legend and song, of those who forge or dismantle realms, of heroes and villains spanning epochs both ancient and unfamiliar, to even one such as I. ''The Path'' gently calls to all Awakened, whether men, beasts, demons, or even objects as inanimate as stone. Yet for those attuned to its subtleties, certain individuals glean more than others. A subtle thing, until it¡¯s obvious, an inconsequential thing until it¡¯s all-important. Distinct from fate and predestination but no less potent, with all else being equal, a man on the path shall more often than not, triumph over one who was not. As those on the path weave the threads of fortune in ways they often neither realise nor comprehend: ¡°By serendipity, they may encounter friends or lovers who guide and impel them, adversaries who test their mettle and endow them with a sense of purpose, landscapes of wonder and danger, each tribulation refining their spirit and tempering their resolve, or fortuitous artefacts of antiquity, long forsaken by time and hidden from view until the destined moment of unearthing. ¡°And tribulations there will be, for every God or Titan who has successfully traversed the path, a million corpses of those who shone too brightly, too soon, or those who failed to shine brightly enough when they needed to the most. A million tales of those who were on the path before a desperate world teeming with monsters, devoured them whole. For despite these dubious advantages, fate and fortune shall prove fickle patrons indeed. And make no mistake, for you are on the path, as an Irregular no less; the most perilous path of all. For there shall be no maps to guide you, no mentors to instruct you, only your wits, your resolve, and your fortune ¨C and even then, that will not be enough, not nearly enough.¡± Ori wanted to laugh at the entity''s representation of his situation. Crucible turned his living house fire of a week into the beginning of an epic suitable for Netflix. If it weren¡¯t for the fact that his life had already changed for the worse before the Crucible, the revelation that he was now living the computer gaming equivalent of hardcore mode would have hit more than it did. "So, why are you calling me the Astral Aspirant? Is it to do with that infinity sign next to the Astral Catalyst?" Ori asked "Interesting aspirants receive titles, some of which may even be acknowledged as accolades by those old dragons. Believe it or not, there are certain things even I cannot measure, and your affinity with the Astral and Celestial Demiplanes¡ Well, let me just say that I''m eager to see how this all unravels," Crucible replied, exuding a mix of delight and smugness for reasons Ori didn''t care to speculate about. ¡°What happens next?¡± Ori asked, his head spinning after having his list of questions answered. ¡°You have four attempts of the trial remaining, the laws of this construct state that each trial will count as one attempt, this will include the extra-planar summonings we¡¯ll be attempting. However, I have power enough for only three chances unless you¡¯d care to wait the two thousand years required for me to¡ charge up a fourth attempt?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll make do with three,¡± Ori replied. ¡°Wonderful, In that case, I¡¯d strongly advise returning to the Crucible for the final time.¡± ¡°But didn¡¯t you say I¡¯ve reached my limits?¡± "Ah, yes, I wondered if this question would arise again," Crucible mused. "In the simplest terms, an individual is defined equally by their capabilities and limitations. Every sapient being possesses strengths and weaknesses, as well as likes and dislikes. Within a thousand branches of Fate, there are actions that an Ori Suba will never take, while another individual might. Actions that, for all your determination, would never accomplish no matter the attempts. At these innermost edges of these possibilities lie the boundaries of one''s talent. These boundaries can only be approached, for expanding them would require altering the very psyche of the individual in question. "For you, Ori Suba, though you may harbour darkness in your heart, you will never follow the shadows. While you may respect the light, you will never join their ranks. Though you may misdirect, you will never master deception. And while you might be sought after, revered, and even followed, you will never rule. As an irregular, you walk the path on the razor''s edge and despite your profane potential, these are the limits that define you." 11. Void Ori reflected on Crucible''s words processing how he felt about them. It was a matter of principle to resist the notion of limitations, this idea that anybody could be so easily predicted and categorised. The belief that anyone was capable of anything if given the opportunity had always been a fundamental ideal. However, too much of what the entity he would soon become a guardian spoke of, rang true. While he would never blindly believe words without evidence, Crucible did possess an uncanny ability to decipher thoughts and emotions or just as likely, flat-out mind-read. It had taken only thirty-five seconds of incomprehensible technobabble from the entity to convince Ori that Crucible was an incredibly complex machine powered by a magical mind that had used its hundreds of thousands of years of existence to improve both itself and countless others. And while he would never blindly follow it or anyone''s advice, he had no problem listening, testing, and incorporating knowledge that worked for him. It was in that spirit that Ori now wandered the arid plains in his sixth trial attempt. With the lack of company or mental stimulation of any kind, the sudden wealth of things to occupy his thoughts was overwhelming. This wasn¡¯t helped by the unstimulating environment, the landscape itself was bleached white, as if the colour had been baked out of the stone and dirt. He had dreamt of something like this happening to the landscape below as he played snooker with suns. It was as if this realm was telling him he had drained dry all the resources and vitality, but to be here on the ground walking the endless wastes was something else. Worse still, unlike his astral self which had been able to float above the land and call upon storms like the God of thunder, Ori was back to being his normal, mortal self. Weak. He had tried everything, from falling asleep in the trial to clenching his fists and willing something to happen. When that failed, he walked the endless wastelands in search of water. He was well into the second day, long enough for his tongue to stick to the roof of his mouth, his throat to itch and thirst to bite at the edges of his focus before the terminal effects of nausea and dizziness arrived. With no landmarks, let alone life or sources of water in any direction, he decided to sit and think. As he pondered Crucible''s words on his limitations for the umpteenth time, there was one aspect that he kept circling back to. The fact that he would never rule nor be good at lying didn''t bother him, nor did the idea of harbouring darkness and light. Unlike many, he could never afford the self-deception that papered over the fear that he, unlike everyone else, was broken. He had pushed it to the back of his mind, tried to not let it define him, but the truth of this being, the driving force of this personality, the thing that made him, if not unique, then at least different was the fact that he had been abandoned. Had witnessed everyday depravity and cruelty, been subject to abuse and violence, but above all of that, he had been abandoned. And in return, he had sought nightmares in the tranquillity of dreams. Whether it was the magic of the trial or his quasi-dreamlike state, the darkness of the void lay before him. It was a portal that warped the very ground, funnelling reality and fate towards it, its centre was a calm disk, featureless beyond varying qualities of darkness. It didn''t swirl, it didn''t call out to him; it didn¡¯t need to. Ori stared at it as he held the notion that when he altered himself rather than the world around him, the trial manifested the result. Embracing this hypothesis, Ori broadened his perspective as he leant closer to the abyss. If this were a realm replete with concealed spaces¡ªregions unreachable due to his own perceived limitations, he would need to change and embrace these weaknesses instead of shunning them. An errant memory replayed Bruce Wayne surrounded and overwhelmed by screeching bats, before standing and opening up to his fears. With crystalline clarity, he fixed that scenario in his mind, recalling the lessons learnt from the first trial. With an exhale, he leant over and reached out into the void, and then he screamed. Had his awareness been intact, he would have felt himself hurtling through the primordial darkness. Sparks of chaos, shards of liquid light, fractured atoms of time, geometries and hues unfathomable to mortal comprehension¡ªdismantled and reassembled reason, peeling away all but the primordial and ceaseless Id at the core of his personality. The dark maelstrom persisted, a disintegrating gale hostile to the very notions of length or volume, past or future, life or death. But the Id endured, transformed yet unyielding¡ªlike a child shrieking against the storm, honed by the erosion, fortified by its baptism in oblivion. And then the ID remembered. It was desire, identity, torment, joy, determination, need. To become someone new, someone more. And so, it became. In this space beyond time, countless eternities passed by as the entity that was, and would one day refer to itself as Ori Suba reassembled itself in the void. There was no anatomical or biological knowledge underpinning this process, just a soul-deep instinct that it was human, and a process of trial and error over countless iterations. Even in the abyss, glittering silver specks of Quintessence called to him, granting him access to its transformative power. With it, and under the pressure of the howling void, his spiritual characterists unified; Will fused with Spirit into Intent, Presence fused with Perception into Aura, and Aura fused with Intent into Domain. Stolen particle by particle, snatched from the quantum arcana of the trial itself, the entity that would later be known as Ori, rebuilt not just the physical body¡ªas such a thing didn''t exist in this environment it now knew¡ªbut a true astral form that was porous and super-conductive, yet possessed a diamond invariance to the pressures of an uncertain future. Crucible had been right: Ori would never succumb to the shadows, he would not become the void. However, he had no qualms about using it as fuel. He forcefully transformed his Nascent Irregular affinity of Light, of creation and change, fusing it with the destructive void and the sparks of Quintessence into something new. While it could have taken this moment to strip away his flaws, leaving behind an unblemished, human-shaped, crystalline automaton, it valued the aspect it had once called humanity and left the flaws within. The elusive power he sought was gradually incorporated as he was reborn. Although incremental compared to the instinctual changes in his mind and spirit, he grew stronger as he seized particles from the void. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. He continued this process until he resembled a mountain in human form, abundant with substance and ripe with potential for further refinement. Yet, catastrophe struck when his astral form began to disintegrate once more. The relentless gales of the night and the howls of the abyss tore away his newfound flesh faster than he could rebuild it. As time stretched endlessly within the void, the reserves of the focus sustaining Ori''s will dwindled. He knew that, despite the trial''s rules and mechanics, a true, final oblivion awaited him should he fail and be destroyed in this place. Thus, he altered his approach. Instead of striving to remain solid and invulnerable to the forces of the abyss, he allowed himself to be swept away, focusing his energy on maintaining contact with the fragments that had been torn from him. The image he had formed before, of Batman embracing his fears and surrendering to the nightmares, shone brightly once again. Here lay the nightmares Ori''s mastery of dreams had once concealed. Facing the prospect of oblivion due to never fully acknowledging the entirety of his being¡ªboth the light and the shadows within¡ªOri exposed himself to these deepest fears and phobias unhindered: A particular type of claustrophobia, triggered by wearing a mask one Halloween, made it difficult for him to breathe. A hot spike of fear caused sweat to form beneath his shirt as panic overrode sense. His heart rate and breathing rocketed to hyperventilation. Vision that was already compromised, narrowed. Unable to remove the stuck mask, its straps caught and tangled in his hair. Ori remembered being stabbed, blood staining his tracksuit bottoms, blood coating his phone as he called 999 from a bus stop. The rage of being disrespected and betrayed by those who called him bruv, the crippling sadness of dying completely alone after living a meaningless life. Ori recalled the first beings he had killed, their demonic bodies now bloated and grotesque, with salt and pepper filaments decomposing the flesh in real-time. The unrestricted horror of their murder by his hands struck him as he saw the blood-covered shiv fall from his grasp before a bloom of fungus sprouted from his hands. The painful itch intensified as more spores burrowed into his skin. He screamed as his skin peeled, discoloured, and became pus-filled, before abyssal parasites consumed him from within. Ori found himself in a scuffle outside a nightclub with some troublemakers. It was typical argy-bargy with crew members looking to cause a scene. On his own, Ori might have been able to de-escalate the situation with a few bruises and a dent to his pride. However, Diane, his date, was screaming. He yelled at her to run, but unfortunately, she had other ideas. "Shut dat bitch up before she calls the feds," was all Ori heard as he was pinned to the ground and stomped on the back of his neck. A thousand and one similar scenarios, and worse, played out in a procession of personal catastrophes he couldn''t avoid. But then, more benign torments revealed themselves: the idea that those who had treated him well¡ªhis friends and what relatives he had met¡ªdid so out of pity and obligation; that he had nothing of worth to offer anyone, or he a fundamental flaw within him. That there was some part of him he lacked that others had, which meant he would never find love or understand happiness with a family of his own. For most of his life, he had buried that fear beneath a cloak of independence, accepting that if he were to be alone for the rest of his life, then so be it. In the post-pandemic world, being alone was the new normal for many, and he hadn''t been particularly outgoing or extroverted to begin with. Perhaps he preferred solitude? Why long for things beyond his control? Why desire something he was clearly unsuited for? "Hmmm? This is certainly a surprise," spoke a sweet, refined and distinct voice Ori would never forget. "Mel?" Ori said, finding himself back on the streets of Peckham, the same drizzle-soaked evening as when he was abducted. "Is this your doing, my light?" Mel asked with an air of wonder as she walked around, eyes sweeping over the scene as if it was all new and foreign to her. "This is your dreamcrafting, isn''t it, and you have somehow pulled me in here? Just who have I caught, Ori? Or are you even still where I left you?" Mel said, and instead of the expected anger or reproach, she seemed delighted, perhaps even proud. "This is really you, isn''t it? I mean, I¡¯m not just dreaming about you, am I?" "I could ask the same question." Mel came closer, her ruby eyes glistening in the streetlights, her delicate hands which Ori knew held so much strength, glided down his arm. He remembered that living nightmare, of being paralysed and impotent, of being knocked around like a chew toy, but he didn''t flinch away nor break his gaze. "Except you feel different? Not like I remembered... Oh, I know!" She continued, her eyes brightening as if finding out the answer to a riddle. "You''ve somehow escaped and gone into the Crucible, haven''t you?" And she smiled wider as Ori couldn''t help but twitch at the tendril of worry that his location was no longer a mystery. "Don''t worry, it''ll be our little secret. I''m actually curious how far along The Path you will go. Oh yes, I noticed even then. I wondered what would happen if I took you, and kept you. Would you somehow escape? Would you dispose of this worthless infernal at the first opportunity? Or would you somehow twist the fates into taking me with you?" Mel said with a smile that was one part wistful for every two parts sardonic. His prior anger at being assaulted and abducted was being twisted and confused by just the sight of her. "You said you needed my soul, you only want to feed off me, don¡¯t you? You don''t want me. Do you even know how to want someone?" Mel simply smiled as if every barb or slight slid off her Teflon-coated skin. "I''m willing to find out," she said with an earnestness that caught him off guard, coming even closer to wrap her arms around his shoulders, to kiss the side of his neck. For now, Ori let her. "Let me tell you a secret," she whispered. "In here, you could do anything you wanted to me. Touch me wherever you wanted, fuck me however you wanted, you could make me yours. I''d be completely powerless, nothing could stop you from punishing me like the bad little demon that I..." Ori sighed, stepped back, and observed a frozen Mel whose static expression mirrored that of a greater succubus at the pinnacle of her seductive abilities. With his newfound knowledge, the notion of her being powerless, even in a realm where he reigned supreme, rang hollow, for he was now aware that everyone possessed weaknesses and blind spots, critical vulnerabilities that could be exploited like a virus. The discovery that he longed to be desired took him aback more than it ought to have. Yet, as with all secrets concealed as long and as deeply, once they surfaced, to ignore them and refuse to confront and ultimately accept them as part of one''s self could only lead to soul-deep discontent. "See you around, Mel," He waved, and in the next moment, she was gone. Nevertheless, as the dream faded, Ori was oddly certain he would see her again. With each nightmare and truth unveiled, Ori increasingly absorbed the void. He started to grasp its capacity for lies and self-deception, as well as its overwhelming potential to instil fear and self-doubt. However, he recognised an honesty within the darkness he was ready to embrace. That he was still human, still a complex amalgam of conflicting virtues and vices, that he was a being of the material where all power came from the transition between heat and cold, light and dark. No matter how profound and transformative the powers of light and creation were, he would also need a destructive balance that could be found only in the abyss. Nevertheless, understanding this only marked the beginning of a long journey. As this transpired, his once-mountainous form coalesced and then condensed. Flaws ran deep like fissures beneath his darkened flesh, while light danced on his skin like glistening freckles. His formerly brown eyes now appeared black, encircled by a golden-silver corona of glitter at the edges of his irises. All matter even remotely connected to magic was haphazardly snatched from the void and compressed into his astral bones, organs, and flesh, disregarding the potential risks suggested by the knowledge his bond with Freya provided. That bond itself was curiously fortified, intensified to a degree that baffled both him and Freya¡ªwho, despite the aeons and distances that lay between them, consented and contributed to the process. His understanding of the void, the Abyssal demi-plane, the infinite expanse of shadow, the eternal darkness, and the realm of nightmares and fear merged with and transformed his power over dreams. He could almost sense his affinities evolving. Wonder and a sense of inner peace arose from the knowledge that he had done everything possible to grow and with a flex of his will, Ori departed from the trial for the sixth time. 12. Weakness By the Lifewell, Ori inspected himself, ensuring that whatever changes had happened in the Trial had carried over into this new reality. His skin, muscles, and tendons felt tighter; the imperceptible flex in his bones was vastly reduced as if mere collagen was no longer the predominant strength-giving material in his skeleton. His sensitivity to all types of energies made the goosebumps on his skin prickle. He could even feel the Crucible''s presence boring into him. It was like that invisible pressure behind your sinuses, except felt across his skin and flesh. "Yes¡ yes. I should have expected no less from my chosen guardian. Such a compelling specimen, yes¡ yes. I shall indeed enjoy myself watching this one walk the path. Yes¡ yes¡ I knew it was possible, but yet¡ and this¡ just a glimpse of Transcendence and yet, so compelling, This shall be a marvellous enchantment." Crucible continued as if unconcerned by the fact Ori was present and could hear it. Ori coughed to get its attention. "So, how did I do?" Ori said, suppressing an eager smirk. "Ah, yes... yes¡ he finally deigns to speak. Please mind that you will not be truly Transcendent in anything until after you awaken ¡ªif you survive that long, so, keep that ego in check, Astral Adept." "Adept?" "Yes, yes. I''m sure the accolade has been acknowledged by the library by now. As we can''t insist on calling one with both transcendent and primordial affinities an aspirant, can we?" "Also, was that dream real? Or, was she¡ the demon in my dream, real?" "You have a greater ability than I do to ascertain if a dreamer, in your own dream, is real¡¡± Crucible sighed. "...But yes, as you''re still a newborn baby in such things, I would be remiss in my duties if I did not, in fact, confirm that Melisandre the Wayward had walked your dream. Now, moving swiftly onwards. To the next phase before we find ourselves with an army of her minions forcing themselves in." "How long have I been in the trial so far? And what¡¯s this about Primordials and Transcendence; did something change with my catalysts?" "Five-ish of your days have passed by since you entered my domain, and as for your catalysts, see for yourself," Crucible said distractedly. ¡Þ [##Unknown##] ¡Þ [Quintessence] ¡Þ [Astral] ¡Þ [Celestial] ¡Þ [Abyssal] 989x [Material] 769x [Domain] 31x [Polydexterity] 24x [Aether] 7x [Mana] "So¡ª" Ori began, only to be interrupted by Crucible. "Aht-taht-tah, no more questions. Three more trials, three more chances to change your fate. When you are done, we will begin the refinement and our agreement will commence. A word of warning: these realms lie outside of my domain, and as a summons, you should never disclose your gifts. Even your lowest talents would be fiercely sought after out there and while a mundane death will see you returned, there are worse things than a mundane death. Now, brace yourself." Before Ori could do more than parse Crucible''s words, the grey featureless room went white.
| Name: | Ori Suba | |
| Titles: | Mortal Du?list (Unique) Astral Adept (Legendary) | |
| Accolades: | Titled: Mortal Du?list (Unique) Titled: Astral Adept (Legendary) Mortal four-fold unification: Domain (Legendary) Mortal two-fold unification: Polydexterity (Very Rare) Infernal Demon Bane (Rare) Fae-ted (Uncommon) Summoned (Common) | |
| Age: | Adult (23 Sols) | |
| Race: | Human* (variant unknown) | |
| Rank: | Mortal* (Irregular) | |
| Level: | 0 | |
| Peritia: | 19,664 out of 19,683 (to Awakening) | |
| Classes and Spell Constellations | None | None |
| Core (0/0) | None | |
| Inner (0/0) | None | |
| Outer (5) | Arcane Hand* Spectral Voice* Dreamwalking* Request Divination* Learn by Heart* (*familiar bond) | |
| Skills and Abilities: | Domain Boon of the Greater Succubus: One Thousand Tongues (983 out of 1000 languages remaining) | |
| Characteristics: | Dexterity: | Unified (Polydexterity) |
| Domain: | (exceeds diviners rank) | |
| Intelligence: | 13 | |
| Perception: Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. | Unified (Polydexterity) Unified (Domain) | |
| Polydexterity: | 10 | |
| Presence: | Unified (Domain) | |
| Spirit | Unified (Domain) | |
| Strength | 6 | |
| Toughness | Trace | |
| Vitality | Trace | |
| Will | Unified (Domain) | |
| Wisdom | 15 | |
| Statistics: | Mana Capacity: | None |
| Mana per second: | Trace | |
| Breath Capacity: | Trace | |
| Breath per Hour: | Trace | |
| Grace: | Trace | |
| Lifeforce Capacity: | Trace | |
| Lifeforce per day: | Trace | |
| Domain Radius: | Hidden (exceeds diviners rank) | |
| Inherent Affinity: | (???) (Unknown to Library of Fates) | |
| Attained Affinities: | Astral, Celestial, Abyssal, Material, Mana, Aether, Quintessence Light, Dream, Void, Lightning | |
| Traits: | Boon of the Succubus: One thousand tongues Du?list Familiar Bonded | |
Dear Summoned Hero, I hope this letter finds you well. The fact that you are reading this means that, while I was successful in summoning you here, I, unfortunately, did not survive the ritual. Do not worry, for if I had survived, your nature as my summon would have been woefully inadequate for our needs. By now, my mother''s briefing should have taken place and you must be aware of the plan to soul-bind you to a national treasure of Astor. I have no wish to plead nor beg for you to go through with this, nor to stay behind and save our city should the soul-binding be successful as such efforts are purely for the living. However, despite the impressions you may have of our realm so far, there are people worth saving, my mother and sister being chief among them. Regardless of the events to come and your part in them, I wish you the very best of luck. Yours sincerely, Lady Seraphine of House Searilian C Rank Magi of the White P.S. Please do not reveal the contents of this letter to anyone. Burn it, if you can. Thank you. P.P.S. Fitzgerald is not to be trusted. Do not eat anything he gives you, follow any advice he provides, or act upon any orders he issues. He and I are due a reckoning, and I will have one in this age, or my next.¡°Fuck¡¯sake!¡± Ori cursed into the empty room. 15. Seraphine III After a fitful sleep clutching a letter opener under his pillow, Ori awoke to a knock on his door. A mousy, young serving girl entered before revealing the day''s schedule and a brief tour of the guest wings'' hygiene facilities. A warm bath, which Ori wished he could luxuriate in, was followed by a nobleman''s breakfast full of salty meat, freshly baked and buttered bread, and a cold drink that tasted nothing like coffee but seemed to produce the same brain-enabling effects. He was officially in the best physical state he had been in for weeks, or aeons however, butterflies couldn''t help but dance around in his lower intestines. Part of the problem was that he hadn''t quite figured out what he was going to do. There was a small seed in his mind that refused to believe this was all real; the artificial environments of the trials had conditioned him into believing that none of this was happening as it was just some sort of magical simulation, a complex dream that would disappear like smoke as soon as Ori left. In addition to that seed of doubt, Ori was lukewarm on the prospect of risking his not quite life for causes that had little to do with him and worse, utterly hated the idea of being a soldier, a pleb on the battlefield, good enough only to take orders and make up the numbers. His death would be just a statistic, his blood sweat and tears, just a waste. He could understand the need for combat, for warfare, for violence. But to be ordered to do so, unquestioningly as part of a labyrinthine hierarchy? No, that was just not for him. Even the notion of being a cog in a far more normal, corporate machine appalled him to the point that he had gone into engineering, in part, to find alternatives. In addition, the Game of Thrones-style political infighting and backstabbing was already giving him anxiety headaches. It was almost enough for Ori to walk away right then and move on to the next, and final summoning. Almost. ¡®It would be so easy to be a colossal bellend and soul-bind the thing and then say, ''Nah mate.'' and run off with the treasure,¡¯ Ori thought to himself, Freya¡¯s words on his mind. ¡®But is that who I want to be? The person who looks back on life with smiles or the one who looks back on life with regrets. And, when it comes down to it, I kinda like doing the hero thing. At least once. To know what it feels like to try, so¡ Time to be a hero, I guess.¡¯ With his mind made up at least for now, Ori felt lighter. ¡®Nope, damn butterflies. Seems like it¡¯s squeaky-bum time until this trial''s over.¡¯
"Lady Lavine of House Serilian, you stand before this court charged with three counts: Firstly, the grand larceny of an Immortal Ranked Artefact, an act in clear violation of Section one of the Theft Act, third era of the Seraph''s, year Nine Hundred and Eighty Six. For intentionally and unlawfully taking property of immense value to the nation, with the intent to permanently deprive the nation of its possession. Secondly, you are charged with burglary under Section three of the Theft Act third era of the Seraph''s, year Nine Hundred and Eighty Six, for illegally entering the Astoria Reserve with the intent to commit this offence. Lastly, the charge of conspiracy is brought against you, as per the Criminal Law Act, third era of the Seraph''s, year Nine Hundred and Seventy Seven, for planning and coordinating this act with accomplices. These are serious offences that strike at the heart of our national heritage, and this court will proceed with the utmost gravity in considering these charges."An overly officious voice echoed down the corridor Cordelia marched through. They made their way past two guards frightened off by the mere glare of the woman between them before Ori found himself storming into the middle of a crowded courtroom. ¡®Mum,¡¯ Sera whispered. Lavine was scarcely recognisable, she sat elevated in the dock, body beaten bloody, if not broken, her rigid, ram-rod posture belied the steel beneath her nobility. Ori shared what he wanted to believe was his customary nod as she met his gaze. ¡°Order! Order!¡± The sound of a gavel smacking a block rang out across the courtroom as their dramatic entrance was noticed. "This is the Summons," Lady Cordelia announced to the chamber as if, instead of interrupting whatever proceedings were taking place, she was their conductor. ¡°As you can see, and as my mother claimed, he yet remains.¡± ¡°Your honour, this is highly irregular!¡± spoke Fitzgerald wearing a familiar barrister¡¯s wig. Looking around at some of the unconvinced gazes, Ori decided that some showmanship was in order and activated Aura Amplification. Gasps and a cacophony of sounds replaced the jaded murmurs of just a moment ago. Cordelia looked around, taking in the change in scenery and gave a nod so stoic Ori wanted to study it and take notes. ¡®She is very hard to impress, well done.¡¯ Ori heard internally as he took in the scene. "Last evening, Five of Astor''s Sovereign champions sallied out to face Eltitus and his armies, only a day''s march from the capital''s walls. And only two of us returned." Shouts and cries of dismay followed Cordelia''s announcement as their attention was yanked back to the crisis at hand. "My wards and protective auras were no match for the Lich, Terresa was the first to fall. The High Red Mage suffered a cursed arrow to the neck that we were unable to dispel before she succumbed to her wounds. Orick the High Blue B ranker was next, and as he fell, our progress through the Ravagers'' army became truly bloody; of our host of twenty thousand, only a hundred or so survive. So when I returned to find my mother in chains, my sister dead, I was understandably furious. Doubly so when I discovered that the reason for their sacrifice had been languishing in the dungeons. "This man, our final chance; a summons, though he refused to sign any contracts or voice any oaths, he stays while at any time since binding to that treasure, he could have fled like a thief in the night and left us to our fate. There is no obligation keeping him here, no power that could compel him to stay and yet he remains. By now, you may have noticed these Stygian Widows. I found him battling them in his cell, his Wand poise to strike as if it were a dagger. I say, let this man¡¯s honour be the proof of my mother''s innocence and not this blustering snake." She finished by pointing squarely at Fitzgerald. ¡°Boy, why haven¡¯t you fled? You¡¯ve gotten what you¡¯ve wanted despite attempts to foil Lavine¡¯s dastardly plans. You are no hero, and this is no place for fools with delusions of grandeur. Well, boy? Have you lost your tongue?¡± Fitzgerald shouted, his face red and puffy with rage. ¡®Just why did he betray your faction again?¡¯ Ori asked internally. ¡®I can¡¯t be sure, but I discovered evidence he was being offered substantial benefits to destabilise the court by outside forces, circumstances point to high elves, but I have my doubts.¡¯ Sera replied. ¡®So not Eltitus then? And what is he? A mage? Could you¡¯ve taken him in a fight?¡¯ ¡®No, the Ravager would not work with anyone he couldn¡¯t directly control, and Blue mages¡ª beast magic and transformations basically, excel in duels, an area white mages are often at their weakest. He is dangerous in a head-to-head peer confrontation, but why do you ask?¡¯ Sera replied ¡®Hmm, no real reason, just trying to get a sense of the guy.¡¯ "Well!?" Fitzgerald interrupted his thoughts bringing him back to the present. A previous Ori would have already lost track of the question, but Ori''s mind had been feeling clearer, memories coming easier to him, conversations¡ªeven those spoken simultaneously¡ªbecoming easier to untangle. And now, when he needed to sound serious and ''proper'', formal speech patterns that would hopefully not make him sound like a dunce came to him with a small exertion of will. He wanted to frame his circumstances in terms of divine tests of faith and perseverance, hoping to appeal to the vibe he had gleamed so far from his limited stay. "For me, this summoning is a trial, a trial where I¡¯ve come to understand the value of freedom. In a land from my realm comes a saying; ¡®freedom isn¡¯t free.¡¯ You have to value it enough to want it, be bold enough to take it when offered, guard it when it¡¯s threatened and fight for it when it¡¯s denied. The Ravager will deny you your freedoms. I said I will fight, but as a mortal, all I can really offer is an opportunity. Do you value your freedom? Will you be bold enough to take this opportunity?¡± Ori said as he subconsciously pulsed his amplified aura in time with his points of emphasis, vivid blue astral lights momentarily washing out the pink. ¡°Your honour,¡± Cordelia walked towards the judge. ¡°Now is not the time for petty court politics while the fate¡ the freedoms of millions hang in the balance.¡± ¡°A priceless treasure has been¡¡± ¡°Enough!¡± The judge banged his gavel once more, clearly frustrated to have his courtroom in such a state of disorder. ¡°You there, cease this¡ manifestation at once.¡± Ori complied and instantly, the starlight, pink and violet auroral sky was replaced by the comparatively low ceiling of the courtroom while the judge looked on in relief. ¡°Remove the manacles binding this man, he is under your parole Lady Cordelia until this crisis is averted. ¡°Understood, and about my Mother?¡± ¡°As you say, it will be his honour upon which your mother''s guilt or innocence will be determined.¡± This novel''s true home is a different platform. 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Sovereign (Boundary: Level 75, B Rank): A testament to both one¡¯s ambition and circumstance. At the Sovereign realm, the aura of individuals naturally extends their impact beyond personal boundaries, influencing the larger community and environment. This involves unconsciously shaping dwellings and landscapes, communities and practices, or leading or guiding others in the realm of magic. Most individuals seek to ascend to this rank over their prolonged lifetimes, but vanishingly few ever achieve it. Requirements: x10 Accolades. Peritia (varies), At least one class at the Arch Realm or Racial Evolution to High, Comprehension of a Sovereign Affinity or a requisite amount of Grace, The merging of every Spell or ability within one Spell Constellation, Unification of two characteristics.Knowledge from Freya¡¯s gift continued to provide context as he mulled over Sera¡¯s words. ¡®And humans can¡¯t evolve, they just ascend as divinities with enough grace?¡¯ ¡®Exactly! Goodness, just imagining what might be possible if humans could evolve. But I digress. I, as the youngest child in a noble house, born to caring, wealthy and influential parents, was mostly left to my own devices. I entertained myself mainly with academic pursuits, never feeling any pressure to commit to any specific path, and free to ignore the court for the most part. I wouldn¡¯t say I was a spoilt child as I tried to be aware of the lives and hardships of those outside of my social sphere and help where I could, but I was a daddy''s girl and shared in his passion for practical alchemy and enchantments. Like Cordelia, he was a High Yellow Magi and I had planned on following in his footsteps, but after his death, everything changed. ¡®I think it was then I truly connected with my mother, her quiet strength, her nobility, she became my example and seeing her there, on the dock, it reminded me of why I chose the White over the Yellow,¡¯ Sera¡¯s internal voice wavered before coming firm. ¡®Your mother believed you were too smart to stay in Astor and would go on to do great things.¡¯ ¡®Well, so far, her premonitions were accurate as turning an unbound Immortal Wand into a phylactery using White Magic and a touch of blood alchemy was no mean feat, give me a few weeks and Seraph knows what else I will do.¡¯ Ori smiled at her contagious enthusiasm and imagined just how much more of a chance he would have escaping Ghigrerchiax with her by his side. ¡®You said you had three classes? And you''re below level sixty? What level are you anyway?¡¯ ¡®It¡¯s generally uncouth to ask such questions of even a loved one or close family member,¡¯ ¡®Really? Well, you don¡¯t have to tell me if you don¡¯t want to.¡¯ ¡®The details on your sheet from the Library of Fates, are as close to sacred as any secret one could keep, so keep them safe, especially as I fear even the smallest detail would draw attention you can¡¯t afford to attract. However, as you have already disclosed your aspects, and given our unique situation¡ the most pertinent details from my sheet are that I am a level fifty-seven human, my classes are Clerk, Alchemist and Chromatic Magi of the White, I have Spirit as my Inherent, and Life, Light, Order and Regolith and Minerals as my minor affinities with no titled accolades as of yet. And If I were to speculate, your unified characteristics vastly surpass my own.¡¯ Sera said. ¡®Most of my characteristics looked pretty low, don¡¯t even know what they mean.¡¯ ¡®Barring Lifeforce, which is the universal characteristic used to determine one''s rank, all your characteristics are between one and ten, which is the realm of the Awakened. You also have unified Will, Spirit, Presence and Perception into Domain, and unified Perception and Dexterity into Polydexterity, which means when compared to someone like me, a single point in your Domain would equal ten or perhaps one hundred in my Will despite being three realms higher than you while your polydexterity will allow you to compete against those at Nascent rank or higher. In all but Mana and lifeforce, you already stand at, or beyond the peak of human, mortal ability.¡¯ ¡®But it doesn¡¯t feel like I¡¯m that much stronger?¡¯ Ori asked. ¡®Because you¡¯re mortal, unAwakened, unclassed and unpractised accessing the bound portion of your abilities. Remember those spiders in the jail cell?¡¯ ¡®I¡¯ll remember those fucking spiders for the rest of my life, thanks. But yeah, you somehow helped me¡ what? Access that strength? And what happened there anyway? Was that our soul bond?¡¯ ¡®I am unsure, but I¡¯ve heard tails of something called the Resonance of Battle Harmony. A link can form between those of similar affinities during periods of extreme stress. It can happen at random and while I¡¯ve not read of such in this context, I would not be surprised if our soul bond enhanced or even enabled the resonance to occur in the first place.¡¯ ¡®Resonance of Battle Harmony? That sounds sick bruv, but what does it do?¡¯ Ori mused. ¡®Sick Brove? Should I even ask?¡¯ ¡®Nah, just some slang.¡¯ ¡®I see, well then. As for your question, I¡¯m not sure what the resonance does exactly, but from what I experienced, it seemed like it allowed us to share our instincts when our goals were united. Perhaps with practice, this resonance could grow stronger. ¡®As for the rest, yes, I helped you, but that strength, those reflexes, your mind, it was all your own power. While you¡¯re far away from challenging most classed Awakened in a direct confrontation, you¡¯ll be able to surprise many with your quickness.¡¯ Sera added. ¡®And your classes?¡¯ Ori asked. ¡®Chromatic Magi of the White, also known as White Mage, Alchemist and Clerk.¡¯ ¡®Clerk?¡¯ Ori laughed. ¡®You would be remiss for taking the Clerk class so lightly. Many branching paths extend far beyond the reach of human progress. Some even say that one of the librarians of the Library of Fates started as a lowly clerk.¡¯ ¡®One of these days, someone will explain to me what this library is exactly and who are the librarians.¡¯ Ori grumbled. ¡®Goodness. Do you really not know?¡¯ ¡®I have some idea, they are like the gods of this world or something, they created the system that you all use to measure yourselves by.¡¯ ¡®That is somewhat correct, though to call them gods would be misleading on so many levels.¡¯ ¡®How so?¡¯ ¡®The librarians¡ how should I put this? They are to the Gods, as Gods are to us, except that they didn¡¯t create the gods, nor reality and they do not interfere with daily life except on matters relating to the Library of Fates. However, it is said that when you transcend, your ¡®Authority¡¯, something intrinsic to every being above Immortal, becomes interwoven into the very fabric of reality. This was how the librarians, with their Authorities unified by shared purpose, created the Library of Fates.¡¯ Ori found it all a bit much to take in, that you could become a god, and still have mountains you could climb and beings you would have to tiptoe around, this idea of Authority and profoundly altering reality for everyone just by getting strong enough was wild. That you could even become immortal or that souls were real was something Ori still hadn¡¯t truly processed. He could only imagine the chaos such news would cause to the major religions on Earth. ¡®Ori? There was something more I was hoping we could discuss.¡¯ 18. Apprentice What¡¯s wrong?¡¯ Ori asked, nonplussed. ¡®Nothing¡¯s wrong per se, but this is a discussion that needs to happen before we embark on our mission.¡¯ ¡®Alright?¡¯ ¡®Do you remember how I had planned on this wand being my Phylactery after your summoning? And how I plan on evolving my class to that of White Litch. It wasn¡¯t done entirely for self-serving reasons.¡¯ ¡®What do you mean?¡¯ ¡®While your aura will allow my sister and her forces to battle the Ravager''s forces, actually killing Eltitus is another matter entirely. I can not be certain how, but I believe he has an arcane source, one that grants Lifeforce instead of mana, one that is corrupted and tied to his soul in a manner not too dissimilar to the way we have been bound. ¡®If events unfold in a way that¡ leaves us no other choice, and gives you a chance to get close enough for this to work, I intend to use my soul to purify his source, breaking the link between Eltitus and his phylactery and giving you a chance to destroy his vulnerable mortal form.¡¯ ¡®You¡¯re going to use your soul? How? And why do I get the sense that you¡¯re planning on sacrificing yourself again?¡¯ Ori released an exasperated sigh. ¡®Well, it¡¯s called Soul Detonation, the spell that is. It became an option after my soul fused with yours. I do not intend on sacrificing myself, at least, not permanently and certainly not completely, but the chances¡¡¯ Sera said haltingly. ¡®But why? Surely there¡¯s another way?¡¯ ¡®Eltitus is an abomination. One who slew my father and threatens all I hold dear. Entire realms have been destroyed by less, and if the Ravager successfully consumes the lifeforce and Grace of this city, I am certain he may well yet evolve into an Immortal, one that even the High Elves in all their pride and hubris, will overcome only at great cost. And while I have given my body and may yet give my soul to see Eltitus removed from fate itself, I do not intend to sacrifice my soul, not permanently, and that¡¯s where I need your help. I¡¯ve asked so much from you, so know that if you refuse, I have alternatives that may help in lieu of you accepting this request.¡¯ ¡®Okay?¡¯ ¡®Do you remember when I mentioned that I need an apprentice to evolve my class?¡¯ ¡®Yeah?¡¯ Ori confirmed. ¡®The Order of Chromatics are the primary arcane classes for the human race. When compared to other arcane classes like warlock or sorcerer, we have many benefits and few restrictions, for example, we use Mana more efficiently, aren¡¯t bound by higher or eldritch powers or artefacts, and require no rare bloodlines to unlock. In addition, we have documented class evolutions from High, Arch and Prime which means the ceiling for Chromatic Magi is very high. ¡®However, despite this, there are five key restrictions:
Unlike the laws of nature that revolve upon observations of cause and effect, paracausal phenomena may have multiple causes or effects or use relationships between disparate influences that may not be understood by mundane observation alone. It is this paracausality that is the fundamental division between nature and magic. Of the most important paracausal energies are Peritia, Mana, Breath, Grace, Aether and Quintessence: Peritia: The energy that influences living creatures and spirits, enables fate to influence life. Mana: The energy that enables the conscious mind to influence fate. Breath: The transient energy of vitality, used by the body to empower itself. Grace: Gathered from the trust, belief and love held by others, enables the subconscious minds of many to influence fate. Aether: An unstable primordial source for all paracausal energies, glimpsed within primordial rifts and dungeon nexuses.Quintessence: A mysterious energy that hints at the complex relationship between will and fate. ¡°Sera, what do you think influences or is influenced by Quintessence?¡± Ori asked during a brief pause. ¡®I¡¯ll ignore the question until you address me with the dignity of your mentor.¡¯ ¡°Mistress. What¡¯s the deal with Quintessence? And Aether for that matter?¡± ¡®Better¡¯ Sera responded with a grudging sigh. ¡®We don¡¯t know Ori, or, those that do have kept all the knowledge to themselves, working theories suggest the wildness of Aether responds to our spirit desires, the wants we often hide beneath the surface of our soul. ¡®Quintessence¡ well, even our theories for Quintessence are scarce as Quintessence is so rare, and even rarer utilised. But if I were to guess, if Aether reflects our base desires, then as a balance, as some kind of imperfect symmetry, perhaps Quintessence is influenced by our higher-order ideals?¡¯ ¡°Yeah,¡± Ori¡¯s absent-minded reply was taken as permission to continue with the lesson and before long, Sera was diving deeper into the peculiarities and finer details of Mana. Ori was still aware of the gaps in logic, the contradictions between Sera¡¯s solely human perspective and the pan-species, peer-reviewed academic knowledge Freya knew as rote. From the histories of countless dead civilisations to the orders of knowledge keepers that rose and fell long before the advent of the Library of Fate, Ori suspected he knew why so much knowledge had been lost, over and over again across time. Conflict and competition forced knowledge scarcity, and in a universe where followers of religions or entire cultures were meticulously targeted as they were also sources of opposing grace, it was no wonder how oral traditions, let alone stockpiles of hidden arcane knowledge had been lost over time. For now, he held back his questions as many of the night''s revelations and their implications swirled in his mind. As Sera¡¯s opening lecture turned towards specific operational nomenclature and safety procedures, Ori couldn¡¯t help but smirk at the familiarity. ¡®While you have picked the class most likely to help you survive your foolishness, I would be remiss in reminding you that losing an arm due to a moments inattention will always be a bad day.¡¯ ¡°I mean, this basically boils down to, just do what you say?¡± ¡®Yes. I suppose you¡¯d live a very long and fulfilling life if that¡¯s all you did, but perhaps it would be easier if you could remember these simple precautions before any Voluntary Spellcraft¡¡¯ Sera said with only the slightest edge of mirth before continuing to describe a checklist of actions to take before using magic, such as checking Mana levels, levels of tiredness, his environment, the alignment of local Mana and more. ¡®So, are you ready to begin?¡¯ ¡°Yes, wait, so we¡¯re about to do voluntary, and unbound spell craft, so I need to check¡¡± ¡®Good, As you have no Mana capacity as far as I can tell, you can skip that step, but tell me, how would you judge your mental and physical state?¡¯ ¡°I¡ I mean, I have no idea. I don¡¯t think I could sleep even though my body is exhausted, my mind¡¯s buzzing. Saying it out loud, it sounds like this might be a bad mental and physical state for spellcraft?¡± ¡®Let¡¯s find out shall we?¡¯ And so they did, while focusing on small whisps of blue that intermittently pulsed from Ori¡¯s crystal wand, Ori had no more than a mortal''s success at manipulating mana, which is to say, almost none at all. Before the first rays of dawn cast light into his small room, Sera called an end to their first teaching session allowing Ori to catch a few hours of well-deserved rest. ¡°Sera, thank you. You have no idea what this means to me.¡± ¡®Oh I don¡¯t think that¡¯s fair. I do have some idea of the yearning for power afterall. Still, I can scarcely fathom how even these initial steps must feel to one such as your self, one from a civilisation without even the knowledge of magic¡¯s existence. Still, so far you¡¯ve been a joy to instruct, I just hope I am as equal an instructor to the no doubt prodigious talent and drive you possess. Now hush, time for sleep. Tomorrow I suspect will be a very eventful day indeed.¡¯ 20. Maker The next time Ori¡¯s eyes opened, the bright midmorning''s sun streamed through the narrow windows. The sounds of an entire town''s worth of people crammed into a courtyard, seemed shocking and unfamiliar to his half-awake state. ¡®Good morning apprentice.¡¯ ¡°Morning Sera? Did you even sleep last night?¡± ¡®One of the many benefits of the ethereal form; the wonders one can accomplish without the distractions and fallibilities of mortal flesh. Speaking of which, how do you feel this morning? Well rested?¡¯ ¡°Actually, yeah,¡± Ori yawned, arms stretching to the ceiling as he took in the room. ¡°Could¡¯ve sworn I¡¯d just fallen asleep but I feel pretty good.¡± ¡®Wonderful. Then it is time to continue your Mana manipulation training.¡¯ Sera said as Mana flooded the room, Ori felt it first as a tingle that brushed over his exposed skin before his efforts from yesterday''s training kicked in, and he saw the cloud of glowing, smokey blue mist emerge from his soul-bound artefact. ¡°Did you just summon the wand into my hand.¡± ¡®I did,¡¯ Sera sounded pleased with herself. ¡®Long productive nights lead to lots of opportunities for experimentation. I hope you don¡¯t mind the liberties taken?¡¯ ¡°Er, no, it¡¯s fine. As I understand it, we¡¯re kinda sharing it, as our souls are literally bound to it, aren¡¯t they?¡± ''More or less. Now, how much do you remember from yesterday''s lesson¡¡¯ Ori successfully moved the cloud of Mana on his first attempt. Unlike the evening before, it was far easier to focus his intent on the cloud of nebulous, invisible gas that surrounded them. Sera expounded upon this phenomenon. ¡®Always be mindful of your mental state, while Mana reserves and physical stamina are paramount, there is a seldom seen, mental limit to the amount of spell crafting one can do over a period of time, this is tied to the strength of ones will and spirit, and while the values for these characteristics in your case are freakishly high for a mortal, they are bound by your rank, and will only grow with practice and increasing your rank.¡¯ While blowing around Mana vapour as Sera lectured was fun, it didn¡¯t actually start to feel like real magic until Ori condensed the cloud of Mana to a point, and with his will, told it to become light. ¡®Seraphs above!¡¯ Sera mentally exclaimed. A prismatic hole in reality hung in the air above Ori¡¯s bed. While it outshined the light cast by the midmorning sun, to call the energy pouring out of the dot light would be to diminish all other sources of light to mere reflections of its radiance. Colours beyond the chromatic spectrum pulsed brighter than white in time with the very heartbeat of fate. Ori could feel the twisted, tension between order and chaos within, the power contained at the boundary between the astral and celestial, and how it teetered upon the finest of tipping points as if it were nitroglycerin given arcane form. And even still, that was just the merest fraction of the secrets held within. ¡°I take it that¡¯s not normal?¡± ¡®No. Those with an inherent light aspect often express their affinities in reality for the first time with this spell working. However,¡¯ Sera whispered, her voice reverent. ''I have never seen such an expression of light, never even heard of such.¡¯ At first, Ori stared in bemusement, then after several minutes half expecting the light to be close to exhausting the small supply of Mana in the room, Ori started to inspect the light more closely, using Mana sense and his beyond-Awakened perception. He could see the spray of aspected Mana radiate from the ball of light before somehow being swept back in, its alignment changing from light affinity to neutral before being consumed for fuel once more to complete the cycle. ¡°It¡¯s like it¡¯s self perpetual?¡± ¡®Mana Permanence.¡¯ Sera said reverently as if the words should have obvious meaning to Ori. ¡°What does that mean?¡± ¡®It¡¯s normally an advanced spell-casting technique.¡¯ Sera sighed. ¡®Mana doesn¡¯t behave like mundane gasses or liquids, it doesn¡¯t naturally mix, defuse, dissolve or disappear, only the alignment changes. That¡¯s not to say that you can¡¯t force it to do one of those things, you can, it just requires intent. Without intent, or other paracausal forces working upon it, Mana just lingers and can be reused if you can realign it to your will. ¡®Powerful spellworkings do this on their own, the spell containing its own source of will, enough to realign Mana to perpetuate the spell. When this happens, it¡¯s said that a spell is seen to be displaying Mana Permanence. That your inherent affinity does this automatically is unprecedented and reveals an important facet, one you¡¯ll need to study and gain comprehension over. Now please, if you would excuse me as I enter enlightenment.¡¯ Sera explained primly. ¡°Okay,¡± Ori said dumbly, his inner engineer screaming at the floating, glowing, perpetual motion machine above his bed.
With a spear, he stood upon a blood-drenched field of mud, the aura of death pervading an endless sea of armoured, twisted corpses. They surrounded a frozen mountain of polearms bowing before a single dominant spear. The inert iron-shod pole stood there triumphant as if declaring to all that if this world was the only one where it could be king, it would reign over blood and ash, everlasting, uncontested, proud and alone. Staring at the spear warlord brought upon him a pressure; the staggering waste of life and potential, the crushing, all-consuming weight of loneliness, a world he¡¯d rather die to prevent and yet this abomination stood proud ruling over desolation. Ori couldn¡¯t breathe, not even to scream ¡®fool¡¯ at the menace that stood against all he strove towards.Ori yanked his arm away as if burnt, the glimpse into the spear nature of incompatibility. With it, the dream seemed to become less stable.
With a buckler that gleamed to a mirror finish and a wand in his main hand, he dodged and rolled in feats of athletic brilliance as projectiles and lethal spells whizzed and flashed. Unable to dodge a ball of fire, it came careening towards his face only to be reflected by his fist-sized shield. Unknown assailants continued the ceaseless barrage. Despite how magnificently Ori dodged and blocked, he could spend only fleeting moments on the offensive. Combat continued until a wall of water overwhelmed him, surrounding his paths of escape before enveloping his head and drowning his lungs, his final thoughts of unwillingness and humiliation.Ori gasped, the buckler had seemed promising, compatible even, but he now had the sense that either he or it, was unworthy of the other. With Daggers and Maces, scenes where he was unable to even wield the weapons in question were joined with grim atmospheres of loathing, dread, chaos and gore. With various great and long swords, Ori slashed in wide swings only to be disarmed by a swordsman of greater skill, an arrow piercing his eye, or a bolt of lightning incinerating his nerves. Ori¡¯s frustration empowered the fear that such weapons weren¡¯t for him, that he wasn¡¯t worthy because he wasn¡¯t a warrior, not truly. Sure he had been in fights before and learned martial arts for a while. But before the events that brought him to Ghigrerchiax, Ori had never considered becoming someone who fought for a living, let alone fighting with such archaic weapons. But, so what? He was more than just what he needed to be at one moment to survive. Tomorrow he would be a fighter, the day after he would be something else, whatever he needed to be, every experience forging himself into something new, something better and less limited. No, the idea that he was unworthy of this dreamscape''s opportunity because he wasn¡¯t a warrior, was folly. He was more. And he believed this shrine, or whatever this apparition was, was more also. ¡°I come from a world where we could kill everyone in an afternoon, and you expect me to pine over shiny pieces of metal, why? These toys are basic. This test¡¯s a joke.¡± Ori¡¯s incredulity warped the dreamscape as he shouted, his gaze sweeping above the weapons racks towards the chapel''s watery rafters as if searching for something, or someone. ¡°I see.¡± Spoke a disembodied voice, ancient and cold and wholly unperturbed by his outburst. Ori had expected something like this. If the Crucible, an ancient, complex artefact that seemed to challenge all those who entered, had a sentient will, why couldn¡¯t this dreamscape that appeared to work similarly have a sentience behind it also? Although the intention to provoke it was rational, his frustrations drove his provocative choice of words. ¡°See what, exactly?¡± Ori asked hiding his uncertainty after the silence stretched well beyond the point of uncomfortable. ¡°While those may receive some talent with any weapon they choose, my selection is not one for warriors.¡± The dreamscapes will spoke. ¡°Who¡¯s it for then?¡± ¡°The finest tinkerers, the greatest enchanters, the most brilliant smiths of the age. Those with a maker''s soul call to me, as it has done so, with you. Though a fragment of spark your talent may yet be, I sense the same confluence of ingenuity, knowledge and traditions that have overturned epochs within you. Now, if my selection is not to your liking, then here¡¯s what I propose: ¡°I would have you be my divination conduit into the weapons of your realm. While I have no interest in the artefacts of sieges or mass devastation, I would be made aware of the weapons of your battlefields.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Ori asked into the silence. ¡°And then what do I get in return?¡± ¡°In return, the very same conduit I would use to peer into your realm, will I use to plumb the depths of your soul and the limits of your fate. Together we will make something, if not wholly original, then at least novel.¡± Ori had no idea what the entity behind the dream construct was offering but felt as if asking would undermine his negotiating position. ¡°The limits of my fate?¡± Ori asked boldly. ¡°My fate was to be kidnapped, abused and discarded. I¡¯m here because I need better.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± a cold amusement replied. ¡°You search out ones with a makers soul? Tell me, what is a maker, if not someone who reaches beyond the limits of their fate?¡± ¡°Excellent.¡± 21. Soulcraft ¡°So you agree?¡± Ori asked. ¡°We are in agreement.¡± Ori exhaled a breath he hadn¡¯t realised he¡¯d been holding. He searched his thoughts as his mind ran over the deal, looking for any deleterious clauses or loopholes. ¡°Right, so this conduit? It will last only for the duration of this¡ divination, yeah?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The construct agreed. ¡°And whatever we make, I get to take with me?¡± The voice laughed. ¡°Oh yes. Whatever we discover will be burnt onto the very skein of your soul, even shall you die a thousand mortal deaths, this imprint shall be everlasting.¡± Ori suppressed the urge to grimace. ¡°Oh, okay then.¡± ¡°So have we come to an agreement?¡± After the briefest of hesitations, Ori nodded. The light of the dreamscape faded away until there was darkness and Ori found himself floating in a sea of stars. He could keenly sense the construct''s attention, a presence as weighty as it was cold and dispassionate. Its focus seemed to be on a spot behind him. However, while weightless and untethered, Ori was unable to see just what the presence was looking at. After several breaths of time, the stars shifted as if he was rapidly reorientated, and the attention of the construct seemed to flicker, noting objects in orbit over a bright blue world with keen interest; satellites, spacecraft, aircraft and every craft that could slip the gravitational bonds of the world Ori called home. ¡°Excellent.¡± The cold, ancient voice spoke with increasing fever. Flashes of conflict throughout the world; soldiers fighting in the European cold, dusty conflicts in East Africa or the Middle East. These were not dreams or memories of the past, this was his world, its conflict and violence in real-time. High fidelity, full sensory scenes skipped by inhumanly fast. The dream constructs attention by switching between objects of interest, its desire to learn and be inspired, paramount. His heart rattled with the shattering sounds of gunshots and shrapnel, explosions that shook his chest as much as the ground beneath his feet. Cries of pain from wounded men he was thankful to skip from before truly soaking in any details, and the cries of command, fury, and alarm. He felt the cold steel, the weight of a modern rifle in his grip, the smell of cordite and gun lubricant, different types of blood, and the stink of released bowels and unwashed bodies, each flickered with increasing rapidity until every moment lasted a blink. Had he been in his real body, Ori would have retched. As it was, a growing nausea threatened to shut down rational thought from the disorientation and sensory overload alone. Just before his mind tapped out, Ori gasped, his perception returned to the chapel, his vision spinning from the ordeal. Blinking rapidly, the gleaming racks of weapons ceased their tilting before the display began to shift. Twisted, half-remembered facsimiles of handguns, rifles, magazines and their assorted ammunition formed from liquid steel, as if melting in reverse and with it, Earthly knowledge of the weapons model, manufacturing and uses burned into his mind. First were melee weapons such as the KA-BAR Fighting Knife and the Gerber MK II, their black oxide-coated surfaces a stark contrast from the glittering pieces of medieval steel beside them. Antipersonnel hand-grenades, Claymore mines, shaped charges, C4 sticks with their detonators manifested while mushy apparitions resolved themselves into increasingly detailed weapons; .22 caliber pistols such as the Ruger Mark IV and Walther P22. High-calibre handguns like the Magnum Research¡¯s Desert Eagle and the Glock 19 flanked them as new shelves rose from the floor. Larger weapons, Kalashnikov AK-74s and Colt¡¯s M4 Carbine formed new racks of rifles with enough variants to supply a platoon of modern infantry. A pain like searing heartburn deep within his skull bloomed as information poured into his soul. Ori could feel the construct''s exacting expectations of whom it would channel its divination of every major weapons manufacturer of Earth, for in the construct''s mind, if Ori were from Earth, he would have an affinity for Earthly weapons, and so it found his ignorance, anathema. Correcting for this oversight saw the construct force-fed the knowledge of the weapons as such a conduit of its divination should have, from the technical specifications, metallurgy and manufacturing processes, ballistic physics, and pyrotechnics chemistry, to the magically divined information of their usages, handling and lethality. Ori screamed. Meanwhile, the largest hand-held weapon archetypes and their magazines appeared: the Heckler and Koch 416 assault rifle, Accuracy International¡¯s AS50 sniper rifle, Barret¡¯s M82 antimaterial rifle, light and heavy machine guns such as the M2A1 and Browning M2, Rocket Propelled Grenade launchers and Stinger and Javelin missile systems that flanked the newly formed racks of munitions. As the weapons from Earth materialised, the dreamscape flexed before solidifying in acceptance of Ori¡¯s otherworldly offering. Ori stood breathing heavily, knowing that if he had been in his real body he¡¯d be covered in sweat or worse after being implanted with so much knowledge so quickly, knowledge that now flowed out of his skull like sand through splade fingers. Compared to all the weapons ever invented by man, at least on Earth, what the construct had divined was just a glimpse of the true weapons of war from his world, with the construct either having no interest in heavier weapons or with what it had scryed already being enough payment for what would come next. Despite this, as the overflow of knowledge poured out of his brainpan, Ori could still name every weapon that had appeared along with the associated munitions, and weapon maintenance procedures including one-handed and blindfolded dismantling and reassembly. Meanwhile, random concepts like the Munroe Effect or enfilade verses defilade fire invaded his thoughts in between eye blinks. Stolen novel; please report. ¡°It¡¯s like I know kung fu, but with guns, so Gun fu?¡± Ori shook his head at his errant thoughts before looking up, as if searching for the constructs will, ¡°That was¡ massively nasty, man.¡± Ori whined failing to keep the hint of accusation from his voice. ¡°Oh? If just a minor Affinity was too much, then perhaps we should end things here?¡± The amused, voice challenged. ¡°Fuck¡¯sake.¡± Ori sighed to himself before addressing the construct''s will. ¡°No, give us what we agreed.¡± ¡°Then, prepare yourself.¡± The voice replied, his voice suddenly solemn, the remnants of its words echoing through the dreamscape. Ori could feel the construct''s presence once again as the dream faded to black. Its attention seemed to be focused inside him as if it was burrowing inside his skin, a ceaseless, restless curiosity that cared not for its level of invasiveness. As its presence seemed to sink deeper, personal memories from Ori¡¯s past emerged. One is a half-forgotten memory of a strip of flash paper exploding from a plastic tube as a skinny black kid chanted ¡°hocus pocus¡± and ¡°abracadabra¡± on Christmas day. Years later, an adolescent made the accompanying swooshing sounds as he and a friend who had been really into Star Wars battled with toy lightsabers in a bedroom. Ori had never held a sword before, but was intimately familiar with knives, as memories of the kid who thought they were being clever by flashing theirs in the playground, to being threatened by them on the street, on the bus, or the lift in the tower blocks. He forcefully remembered an unfortunate, but predictable encounter in his teens, keenly remembered a doctor explaining how his ¡®major laceration to the fatty tissue of the omentum¡¯ was, in fact, very lucky. This drove Ori to understand the human body better during his six-month recovery. Since then, he¡¯d always wanted to carry a weapon. The comforting weight of something that satisfied that instinctive need to grasp something when alone and threatened. But he had known that in his world, knives tended to attract more trouble than they were worth and most alternatives were either as incriminating, or impractical. And so, he had carried a torch. An old, large Maglite to be exact, one that could dazzle an assailant in the dark, one that could parry a knife and be used to brain someone if he was quick and lucky. It wasn¡¯t until A-level Physics that Ori gained a better appreciation for all forms of weapons when forces and energies could be defined with numbers and manipulated with equations. The nature of the visible and invisible forces of the world, light, gravity, magnetism. The simplicity of how an edge magnifies force, to the surprising complexity of lasers. His torch collection grew through early adulthood, as did his interest in light, circuits and electronics. Memories of the true complexity of electrical engineering brought a wonder and desire to learn that broke through his world-weary shell. Ori could feel the attention of the construct drift, as if seeing recent experiences such as Freya¡¯s and Sera¡¯s experiences, his propensity for soul bonds, and Ori¡¯s interest and talent in magic, before travelling through or towards something Ori¡¯s perception could no longer follow. Before long, he could feel an increasingly uncomfortable sensation, as if something had become taught or was stretching far beyond its natural limit. Ori wanted to shout, to stop whatever the construct was doing as he instinctively knew it to be dangerous. However, he also felt that this was precisely what he asked for. And so he endured. Darkness was replaced by brief glimpses of blurry reflections, flashes from a kaleidoscope of impossible-to-decipher images. His soul blinked, his will sought clarity, and the dream flexed. ¡°Mortals are such predictable creatures, predictable in their habits, in their wants and needs. Even their contradictions are predictable.¡± The voice of the construct said as Ori found solid ground beneath his feet once more. Blurry light resolved itself into a dusty old carpenter''s workshop, with workbenches, wood turning machines and tools lined up against every inch of wall. In front of him stood a white-haired, barrel-chested man no taller than five and a half feet. He was bronze skinned in the way only a freshly polished sculpture was, with a foot-long, wispy beard and hair that revealed an obvious bold spot that seemed polished to a mirror sheen. And yet even though Ori was taller by a hand, the craftsman¡¯s presence seemed to be that of a mountain, one that would force you to stop and look up, while appreciating the distance that separated you from it. ¡°And you, are no less. You seek freedom, independence and space, yet you yearn for affection, validation and companionship. ¡°You care little about what others think but still wish to leave a lasting impact on the world you leave behind. You like to create and improve just as much as you seek the power to destroy. You value life but would see it ended to protect your own. You want power but cringe at the thought of holding such power over others. Contradictions, yes, but predictable ones nonetheless. No, what makes you unique is the strength of your Will.¡± The crafter spoke as it shuffled around the workshop, wearing an apron and thick, hardy gloves. ¡°Your irregular will empowers your soul, your dreamings, your bonds, your comprehension, your affinities, your magic. It is the nexus of all that you are and ever can be. If we are to settle accounts today, we must forge something that scales off this power,¡± A white fire beyond a small porthole lit, the contruct''s steely gaze fixed on his own. ¡°Lad, how do you turn Iron into Steel?¡± ¡°You¡ errr, add carbon?¡± Ori said. ¡°Is that an answer or a question? Yes, you can add Coke and Limestone to Iron in the blast furnace, a simple crucible won¡¯t do.¡± The man replied, its gaze was knowing. ¡°You asked me to create something beyond the limits of your fate, well, instead of a tool or weapon, what I offer is a way of turning Iron into Steel, a medium stronger, tougher, more malleable and ductile, resistant to wear and corrosion, and easier to re-shape and spring back into shape after duress. ¡°Except that this isn¡¯t mere Iron we¡¯ll be steelworking, lad. No, this time, it¡¯ll be your soul.¡± Ori groaned. ¡°I¡ don¡¯t understand. I mean, isn¡¯t messing with souls, dangerous?¡± ¡°It is a gamble and it will hurt, hurt like you won¡¯t believe.¡± The crafter smirked, his cold amusement back in full force as the construct''s presence ambled towards him. ¡°You have a greedy soul. With a familiar bond, a soul-bound focus, and the Lich bonded to both it and you. You¡¯re stretched, ripe for bursting, and yet you seek more. With the soulcrafting, your soul will be able to evolve and grow. Along with this, your comprehension to Soulcrafting will improve, which I must add, is no minor thing.¡± Ori¡¯s thoughts spun, in some ways it was far more than he expected as he started to see his accomplishments and bonds in a new light. So his soul was full? Would this mean he could form more bonds with people or things afterwards? That was probably useful in the context of these trials as whatever he found could come with him¡ but, it was also much less than he immediately needed: Something practical, tangible, specific. To him, all this talk about the soul sounded wishy-washy, nebulous and frustrating. However, if Ori was honest, something about the idea of him having a greedy soul, despite the negative connotations, really resonated with him. ¡°Okay, let''s soul-craft my soul, I guess.¡± ¡°I¡¯d ask you to prepare yourself, but to be frank, nothing will prepare you for the pain of a soul furnace.¡± The construct said, before it jammed its grasping hand into Ori¡¯s solar plexus, and pulled. Ori doubled over. He felt grey, hollow and cold. The sights and sounds of the workshop dimmed and desaturated as he had the terrifying feeling he had been tricked and robbed. He saw the crafter turn away, a bright¡ something clasped between gloved hands. ¡°While I do this, I suggest you focus on something¡ practical, perhaps fate might bestow you with another gift as it does so often for those on the Path. This next bit will sting.¡± His last thoughts were of Seraphine and Freya as the world went white with pain. 22. Specialist ¡°Holy Seraphs lad, what did you do?¡± ¡°That was the Arsenal of the Maker, wasn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Get him up, fetch a healer to attend to us.¡± ¡®Ori!? Ori!¡¯ Sera screams added to the tumult. Ori groaned. The commotion outside his skull increased in intensity as his consciousness returned. ¡®I¡¯m alright Sera¡¯ Ori lied, hoping his reassurance would cut down on the amount of noise his mind was battered by. ¡®What in Seraph''s name happened?¡¯ Sera responded, apparently reassured not one bit. ¡®I just need a minute.¡¯ he replied as his bloodshot eyes tried to make sense of the world. He was back within the chapel, mentally and physically this time with a ring of armoured knights surrounding him. One gruff armoured man with blue and gold trim and a particularly bushy moustache rolled Ori over to his side. He coughed wetly, his saliva salted with blood. ¡°Lad, what happened? D¡¯you offend the Maker Saint Donna?¡± the armoured man asked him when his eyes could focus ¡°...looks like he was just spat out of the Maker¡¯s asshole¡¯ ¡°...Perhaps we get a diviner to see wot happened.¡± ¡°...Never seen so much blood from the body of the living.¡± ¡°...Looks like he soiled himself, blood from every orifice, reckon he was cursed.¡± ¡°...Nah, Lady Lavine said he was on The Path, fortune waxes and wanes like the tide for sorry bastards such as this poor fella.¡± Commentary from a chorus of overlapping voices anchored Ori as he shrugged off the knight''s question and stood. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± He croaked as he wiped away blood from his face with the sleeve of his tunic. Unfortunately, there was little he could do about the rest of himself, feeling and smelling the appalling state of his lower half. ¡®Mans got quite a bit worse than a squeaky bum.¡¯ Ori groaned in self-reflection to himself. ¡°What happened lad?¡± Unsure of what to reveal and generally paranoid given his treatment to date, Ori chose to dissemble, ¡°Not sure, seemed like a dream. What did you see from your side?¡± Audible groans and gasps were heard as if he had said or done something truly stupid. ¡°That young laddie, was the Arsenal of the Maker of Saint Donna, a one-per-age occurrence that to this day, only a scant number of living witnesses remain to verify its legend. To be chosen is to have received an honour above all others, a boon as sure to better your future as any riches, artefact or accolade.¡± The knight continued. Ori looked around catching the gazes of the now dozens of men around him, their faces a mix of faltering interest, howling disappointment, and genuine despair. Ori caught the faces and frowned as he tried to work out just how he fucked up. ¡°It would honour us if you could tell us just what happened inside the arsenal.¡± ¡°I¡ There were lots of weapons, but none of them were really to my liking, and I said so and¡¡± A chorus of loud groans and mild shoving broke out interrupting him. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Desperate men cling to hope lad, such as an eleventh-hour miracle like the Arsenal appearing to bless one of us on the eve of battle, except due to ignorance or arrogance, it seems you squandered this opportunity by insulting the Maker.¡± Ori¡¯s frown deepened, part of him wanted to lift morale and reassure the men around him but he also knew that would be stupid. Beyond Crucible and Sera¡¯s warnings to keep such details to himself, he wouldn¡¯t be swinging a sword or casting fireballs in the battle to come so it didn¡¯t matter, whatever he had received from the Maker Saint Donna, was likely to be irrelevant for the upcoming battle anyway. So he simply shrugged, as if to confirm his blunder. ¡°Didn¡¯t know what it was. Felt like a dream. Besides, aren''t I supposed to just cast my aura, and then get carried to the Lich?¡± ¡°His soul changed.¡± A new speaker strode towards the crowd, his voice deep, resonant and well-spoken. His armour was blackened steel, his aura a dim field that seemed to suffocate as much as it pressed down upon those too weak to resist. From him, Ori could feel Mana that was, if not wrong, then a weak antithesis of his inherent affinity, though of the man himself, if he had to judge, was likely another nobleman. ¡°What d¡¯you mean his soul changed?¡± The first knight looked between them, eager for one or the other to spill. ¡°In the light before the Arsenal departed the realm, his soul changed, his page of fate rewritten, and not by some small measure.¡± The knight in black stepped forward, the gallery making way for him as they clung to the words of the nobleman knight. ¡°Though I would suggest if Sir Summons wishes to keep such matters to himself or at the very least, not disclose such private matters to such a public audience, he is more than entitled to, and we should be more than willing to oblige.¡± The knight continued, his voice turning stern towards the end. As if given orders to disperse, the crowd of soldiers clanked and shuffled out of the area near the altar, their voices echoing until the last of them closed the large chapel doors. In the silence that followed, Ori swept an anxious gaze across the men and women remaining. He gave a shallow nod recognising the sole familiar face in Cordelia. The rest, including both men who¡¯d spoken to him after his encounter with the Maker Saint Donna while wildly different in flavour, all auras seemed to be in the same ballpark as Sera¡¯s sister making them likely to be people at the Sovereign realms or close to it. ¡°Let us introduce ourselves, shall we? I¡¯m Lord Bartholomew of West Arragat, B rank High Chromatic of the Black, and Grace Knight. I¡¯ll be commanding our little endeavour and in the unfortunate circumstance of you suffering a mortal blow, it will be my job to keep your soul around long enough for my associate here,¡± Bartholomew gestured to a female, middle-aged, blonde knight on his left, ¡°to revive you, good as new.¡± Ori flinched as memories of the last trials and tortures flashed in his mind. ¡°Not to worry, should you truly wish to leave, I can¡¯t keep you.¡± Ori could see an invisible golden sheen coating his pale skin and grey-speckled black hair. His jovial attitude and quick smiles did little to blunt the edge of his tall, forboding presence and commanding aura. Grace Knight? Black Mage? Ori had plenty of questions and was curious to see how those combinations of classes functioned in practice. ¡°Lady Jasmine of House Mc¡¯Alister, Greater White Mage.¡± The woman Bartholomew had gestured to, nodded. ¡°May I?¡± She asked, Ori had no idea what she intended and glanced between her, Bartholomew and Cordelia for an explanation. ¡°Just a useful cantrip for use in polite company in situations such as yours.¡± She answered, her voice cool and polite. ¡°Sure,¡± Ori answered, before a familiar white light enveloped him, the sensation of stray organic matter on his skin, his hair, and his clothing, blowing away with a chill wind reminded him of the very first time he used magic. In an instant, he felt strangely clean and dry. Relieved no longer to be covered in filth, but more annoyed at the reminder of his previous state as it wasn¡¯t even like he was conscious when it happened. ¡°A marvellous spell, Jas. Captain Craig of House Cattif, C rank Red Mage, at your service.¡± A cockney-sounding voice from a fresh-faced man who looked no older than Ori¡¯s twenty-three years of age. He held himself loose and seemed approachable with eyes that smiled in pending exhilaration. ¡°Sergent Baker of Cudanow, or just call me Baker, non-com, C rank Breath Knight, I¡¯ll be your babysitter. I would say to keep your nappy clean as my services begin and end at keeping your bottom alive as opposed to clean, though we¡¯re well past that it seems.¡± A thick bush of a moustache hid the ghost of a grin his ribbing likely came with. Baker had been the first man to see to him after the Makers Arsenal. Ori simply nodded while hoping the rest of them had all gotten the jokes out of their system. He took note of the class, a non-mage? Breath Knight, wasn¡¯t that the paracausal energy of internal magic? He wondered how it worked and how his class compared to the others. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. ¡°Cordelia, though we are already acquainted.¡± The striking woman with long dark hair said, even amongst the other armoured men, she was tall, standing at least an inch taller than Ori¡¯s six foot in height. ¡°She¡¯ll be principally responsible for keeping your squishy mortal form intact. On a field where C and B rankers will be deployed, that¡¯s no easy task.¡± Bartholomew added. ¡°Jacobin, Sir Jacobin of House Gorran, B rank of the Blue, at your service.¡± The final man, a middle-aged knight wearing a white tabard with gold and blue trim over his steel armour stood with a posture that seemed to unnerve Ori. It was as if every muscle in his body was clenched and ready to spring, the cords in his neck were visibly tense. His eyes were dark, narrow beads upon a pale, bearded face. For a second, Ori was unsure what they were waiting for before he realised that had been the last of them to introduce themselves. ¡°Ori Suba, of south London,¡± there was a pause as if they were waiting for something. ¡°ah, F rank, Astral Adept,¡± Ori added, quickly deciding that electrical engineer and graduate likely wouldn¡¯t translate, and just replying probably Mortal wouldn¡¯t be enough to satisfy the situation at hand. ¡°Astral Adept?¡± Bartholomew asked in puzzlement. Ori had hoped it was a thing. He was wrong. ¡°I believe it was divined as one of his titled accolades, though I have scarcely any knowledge towards its meaning,¡± Cordelia interjected. ¡°It¡¯s something to do with my affinities.¡± ¡°I see,¡± Bartholomew replied in the way one does when they didn¡¯t and wanted you to elaborate. Ori refused. ¡°Well then, let¡¯s get to it then. Ori of South Lundon, do you have any formal martial qualifications, military training or front-line experience?¡± ¡°No.¡± Lord Bart grunted in confirmation, ¡°Will you follow orders? Without your summoner, you¡¯ll be temporally assigned the non-com rank of Specialist, officially outside of the chain of command. But as a military operation with you as a mission-critical part to play, things would be much simpler if you follow our lead. With the chain of command being Baker to Cordelia to me, as far as ranking officers you should be concerned with. So I ask again, will you follow orders?¡± ¡°Yeah, no problem¡± Ori answered. ¡°Excellent. The edge of the enemy''s forces has been spotted just over a day away from the city walls. With a forced overnight march, we aim to engage with the bulk of Eltitus¡¯s host at dawn. Lady Jasmine¡¯s Lesser Restoration should be enough to keep you hale and on your feet but we have contingencies for if you''re unable to keep pace with our task force. ¡°Things will get hairy as we engage whatever B-rank threats remain, but if you can keep your aura on throughout, we¡¯ll have a decisive edge. Do you foresee any issues on that account?¡± ¡°No, the aura doesn¡¯t require much thought or effort,¡± ¡°Good, and the forced march? If you''re unable to keep pace, Baker can carry you.¡± ¡°Should be fine.¡± Ori shrugged. ¡°Hmmm. Any questions?¡± Ori shook his head. ¡°Good, Baker, get him kitted out, we set off before dusk.¡±
Elementals are the primordial personifications of lesser essences and paracausal energies such as fire, water, earth, air, Mana or aether. Born from these essences, their forms and behaviours mirror their origins - for example, a fire elemental appears as a living flame while an earth elemental may resemble a mound of soil or rock. Their existence embodies the characteristics of their respective elements, with behaviours and appearances reflecting their elemental nature. Their sentience is uniquely shaped by the essence they represent. A fire elemental, for instance, might exhibit impulsive behaviours akin to a forest fire, whereas an earth elemental could display a more grounded, resilient disposition. Their intelligence diverges from mortal understanding and with wants and needs differing greatly from the vast majority of sapient creatures¡¡®I do now,¡¯ Ori confirmed. ¡®It can be confusing keeping track of what you know and do not know¡ I digress. Most elementals emerge from natural concentrations of wild energies, but every so often, a sapient, an Awakened, turns. This happens when in striving to comprehend their affinities, they wholly embrace its nature. It can become an attractive option for many who have stalled on their advancement as on the surface it guarantees a form of immortality. ¡®However, this comes at the cost of self. All that drove you, your motivations, your personality, everything incompatible with your affinity is shed, as you become a servant for the very power that once aided you. ¡®To avoid this, many classes that benefit from having a high comprehension of affinities and lesser essences have what is more wildly called an Antithesis. White Magi call this their shadow. It is a part of ourselves, in the case of a white mage, a negative characteristic that comes close to but not quite being against the ideals of our order. Our shadows are something private and often hazardous to well-being or reputation. It''s something intrinsic to our nature each of us carefully cultivates, else it have detrimental effects on our lives, society and class progression.¡¯ ¡®Err¡ Okay¡¡¯ Ori said, taking a moment to process Sera¡¯s revelation. ¡®I¡¯m not sure I really understand. Could you give me an example of someone''s shadow? I mean, that¡¯s how you got into that duel, isn¡¯t it? You have a dark side and it got you into trouble. So what is it? Don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s something kinky?¡¯ Ori prodded, trying to get a rise out of his mentor. ¡®If you must know¡¡¯ Sera seemed to hesitate before continuing. ¡®You don¡¯t actually have to tell me, you said these things are private, just wanted to get an idea but you really don¡¯t have to...¡¯ ¡®I have a thing for married men.¡¯ Sera said in a rush and sighed. ¡®I suppose it''s less about the men themselves but the fact that I can lure them away from women who I¡¯ve come to despise. For the most part, I did it to prop up my self-esteem as a form of petty revenge. There, it¡¯s done.¡¯ She exhaled, and Ori waited. ¡®It is something of a right of passage for one to bear their shadow to their apprentice, so regardless of my sensibilities and despite your accelerated tuition, I do intend to keep to traditions, or at least the most important ones. Other examples of shadows include destructive, spiteful, malicious or sadistic tendencies or an excessive drive for power or control. ¡®Our shadows are not inherently evil, but they are aspects that, if left unchecked, could lead to one''s downfall. In our order, acknowledging and controlling one''s shadow is crucial for preventing one''s transformation into an Elemental of Light, Life, Law or Order, which from historical records have caused untold devastation to the civilisations they have emerged from. ''It''s a delicate balance, nurturing a part of oneself that is contrary to the order''s principles, yet essential for our growth as it isn''t just about self-preservation; it''s about understanding and being honest with yourself and embracing the full spectrum of your nature, as individuals often are more complex than simply white, black and shades of grey.¡¯ The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. ¡®I have so many questions.¡¯ Ori wondered as he digested Sera¡¯s bombshell of a confession. While he wanted to pry into the details of her shadow, it wasn¡¯t important for the right now. ¡®Do I have to know my shadow now, before I can become a mage I mean? And tell you what it is?¡¯ ¡®No, but you should reflect on it, the reason why masters tell their apprentices is it¡¯s a requirement of mentorship and class progression from Journeyman to High, so by the time you come to advance, you should know your shadow and be prepared to bare it to your apprentice.¡¯ ¡®That¡¯s¡¡¯ ¡®Daunting? Excruciatingly embarrassing, mortifying? Also, should you tell anyone else about my shadow I shall haunt you from now until the end of fate.¡¯ ¡®Understood. Also, I¡¯m sorry for making fun of it before.¡¯ ¡®You¡¯re forgiven. Besides, telling a relatively new acquaintance was nothing compared to the mortification my mother likely felt when she revealed her shadow to me.¡¯ Sera shuddered. Ori chuckled in commiseration as his attention returned to the gathering army around him. An hour passed In the time they had conversed, the trailing elements of the ten thousand or so infantrymen and supply wagons had gathered into a clearing several football pitches in size. Dawnlight illuminated the edges of the horizon while the smoke of several cookfires were seen over the heads of helmed warriors, the standards of various regiments and houses and the spears and pikes that made their way from back to front. If it weren¡¯t for Sera, Ori would have felt oddly left out. With the men beside him huddled into their groups for banter and camaraderie and with Baker flitting in and out of awareness throughout the march he was left mostly to his own devices. Knowing this to be the calm before the storm that it was, he took the opportunity to wander and saw the same scene of clueless newbies left to their own devices while more experienced men clustered in groups, likely discussing previous adventures and conquests, though by the sounds of the bawdy tales, not all conquests were on the battlefield. Between the knights and mages, a network of squires, pages and runners, young boys and girls, crisscrossed the field with messages. Knowing what Ori knew about magic, he supposed that communication of this scale was a specialised type of High Magic, that they either didn¡¯t have the expertise for or were used sparingly for some reason or other and after forwarding the observation to Sera, she agreed. As he moved through the army, Ori caught more sights of magic. Blue and Green Mages tended to horses or mules that had been pulling carts while Enchanters and Clerics used Mana and affinities in completely different ways. Instructed to see with Mana Sight as often as possible, Ori caught himself mesmerised by the swirl of Mana in the air, the way unaspected Mana changed when touched upon by another''s will, and how spell forms shaped out of Mana became engines for miraculous effects.
Hl¨¥o¡¯torb¨¥on, derived from the Lanoroth (Archaic High Elven) term that embodies one of the most significant and enigmatic aspects of High Elven culture and law. Literally translated as "Song Law" or "Law of Songs," a complex and deeply rooted tradition that governs the interaction between High Elves and other races, particularly within Elven lands. Hl¨¥o¡¯torb¨¥on serves a dual purpose: maintaining the sanctity of High Elven traditions and protecting other races from the unintended consequences of their spiritual songs. The songs are not only a core aspect of High Elven spirituality but also carry immense power. When heard by the ''unevolved'', these songs can cause significant harm. The effects range from physical ailments to profound psychological and spiritual disturbances, for example, certain songs have been known to create long-lasting bewitching or charm-like effects from songs heard at the edges of human hearing. The experience can be overwhelming, leading to various symptoms such as acute emotional distress, physical disorientation, or in severe cases, long-term personality disorders The enforcement of Hl¨¥o¡¯torb¨¥on is most stringent within realm capitals but can vary across High Elven realms. Its existence has shaped High Elven interactions with other races, creating fundamental divides leading to misunderstandings, especially with humans who often view it as a form of exclusion or elitism¡Ori blinked away the details and returned his attention to Poppy. ¡°Hl¨¥o¡¯torb¨¥on, the unevolved are forbidden from hearing elven songs of the spirit, and as no high elf ruler would outlaw elven songs, most unevolved are forbidden from elven lands.¡± Ori fought to conceal an incredulous laugh from his voice. ¡°Wow? That¡ Okay. So wait, what would happen to me if I heard one of these songs right now?¡± ¡°My, that is mighty forward of you sir. We barely know each other.¡± Poppy¡¯s smile returned. ¡°So, I¡¯m confused, is this a sex thing?¡± ¡°Sex is Sex, and Songs are Songs. Though in a setting such as this, usually intimate, a song from one to another might have different meanings depending on the song. And to answer your question, depending on the song, as a mortal, you may be harmed in a variety of different ways without guest rights, but¡¡± ¡°What is it??¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure, neither of us are.¡± Poppy continued, somewhat uncertain. ¡°It is something we¡¯re trying to understand. About you that is. Why fate summoned you instead of the countless other summonses who may have been, if not more suited to our needs, then at least to our expectations.¡± ¡°I can understand that, anyway, it¡¯s not like you can¡¯t control yourselves from breaking into song is it?¡± Ori asked only half in jest. ¡°No, we have been known to break out into spontaneous dance.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Oh yes, surely you¡¯ve heard of the And¨²thallon?¡±
And¨²thallon: The Dance of Blade and Shadow In the annals of Fate, few figures command as much awe and respect as the Caladmaethor Lunae¡¯Sereg. Translated literally as ''Blade Dancers of the Blood Moon'', these warriors embody the Grace of And¨²thallon, transforming the art of high elven dance, into a deadly ballet. This chapter delves into the various forms of dance they employ and the havoc they wreak upon the battlefield. Caladmaethor training is said to begin within the tranquil groves of Lunaesidhe where they learn to move through shadow and moonbeams and strike with the swiftness of the wind. The core of their art lies in understanding that every motion in battle is part of a greater dance, a flow whose rhythm they control to manipulate to their advantage. The Dances of the Caladmaethor: Echor Aiwenor (Echo of the Eternal Forest): This dance mimics the whispering winds and rustling leaves of ancient woods. The Caladmaethor use swift, fluid movements to confuse and disorient their foes, striking from¡.¡°Caladmaethor Lunae¡¯sereg?¡± Ori asked uncertainly, in response Poppy¡¯s smile faded. ¡°Yes, I suppose our blade dancers would be many a human''s introduction to And¨²thallon, which is a shame as war dances are such a small part of it.¡± Ori smiled, ¡°Yeah, I can imagine. I could probably sit here for hours asking you questions but I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve better things to do. Just, before we go, what things must I know? You know, ettique, rules, what to do in case of fire?¡± Poppy shook her head, ¡°You¡¯ll be fine, you¡¯ll be protected under guest rights as long as do not try to harm anyone, safe and looked after. While I would avoid wondering anywhere on your own given Song Law and the politics your appearance you could stir, you are not a prisoner here.¡±
The city now known as Orinth was formerly Astor, a key urban centre in Astoria. Its renaming was a direct consequence of the conflict with Eltitus the Ravager, a Sovereign-ranked lich, and the critical involvement of Ori Suba, a summoned mortal. Eltitus''s necromantic threat led to a prolonged conflict culminating in a decisive battle a day''s march outside of the then-named Astor. Ori Suba, summoned by Lady Seraphine of House Serilian, played a pivotal role in this conflict. Tragically, Lady Seraphine sacrificed her life in the summoning process, a fact memorialised within the city alongside the contributions of many others. A significant legacy left behind by Ori Suba is the Everlight, a Light Orb spell cast in the keep on the eve of the final battle. Remaining active for over a millennium, the Everlight has become a pilgrimage site, drawing visitors across the realm seeking connection to the city''s historical events. Today, Orinth''s landmarks, including a statue of Ori Suba in the central square and memorials to Lady Seraphine and others, reflect its historical significance. These sites, along with the Everlight, symbolise the city''s past struggles and triumphs. The transition from Astor to Orinth and the enduring presence of the Everlight represent the impact of individual and collective actions on historical events. Orinth stands as a testament to resilience and recovery, a city shaped by its turbulent past and the sacrifices made for its future."Rah, fam! This is mad." Ori muttered under his breath, his mind reeling from the revelations. A city had been renamed in his honour. The knowledge that his actions had such far-reaching consequences should have brought a sense of vindication and satisfaction. However, it was all ashes in Ori''s mouth as he weighed the price Sera paid against the worth of such accolades and recognition. Moreover, the knowledge that his actions would leave ripples in fate held a weight Ori now needed to keep in the back of his mind. It was becoming clearer that through his actions, he somehow held Queen Harriet''s life and death in his hands. His natural inclination to save the striking elven queen was undeniable, but it was now tempered by caution and loss. Between the workshops and Elitus''s inheritance, he likely had everything he could have sought from this trial, and involving himself further would almost certainly have serious consequences that could follow him well beyond the end of the test and Crucible¡¯s machinations. In addition, Ori strongly suspected Harriet''s dissembling; that she likely knew what she needed from him and it most likely had something to do with either his inherent affinity or his will. Ori released a pent-up breath upon coming to a decision. He¡¯d play everything by ear. Ultimately, if she couldn''t ask him for what she wanted, he would not go out of his way to help her, even if he knew his help was worth her life. He was about to delve deeper into his familiar gifted knowledge in search of more information about summoning and Lunaesidhe when he heard a knock on his door. 28. Poppy (plus character image references) ¡°You look different this morning?¡± Poppy asked Ori as they walked the short corridor between his bedroom and Queen Varma¡¯s workshops. She stared at his face, her gaze searching and concerned, contrasting her usual polite geniality. ¡°Different how?¡± ¡°May haps, you had trouble sleeping? If that was the case and there was something to your suite that wasn¡¯t to your liking-¡± ¡°No, it was the opposite actually. It was good to have some time to myself and I slept so deep, it was like, one second it was dusk, the next it was dawn.¡± Ori yawned. ¡°Very well, then I can only hope your remaining stay is as restful then.¡± Poppy smiled. Ori was silent for a moment unsure of whether to agree or not. He had his goals, and so did they, but what was their timescale? Freya¡¯s lifespan of a week, if not shorter, placed a definitive zero on the amount of rest and relaxation Ori would indulge in. His time in this realm was limited and every moment counted. He needed to stay focused on his objectives, balancing the need for rest with the urgency of his mission. ¡°Actually, planning to hit the books hard, and learn the late Queen¡¯s craft in a few days if possible.¡± Ori declared. ¡°Oh my, I would be very interested to see if your ¡®hitting the books hard¡¯ method of study can accomplish such a feat more effectively than the elven method.¡± Poppy said, her sly smile growing. ¡°You¡¯ve got elven book magic that lets you learn stuff faster?¡± Ori asked confused. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sure some high-elven scholar somewhere has such, I was simply referring to reading books as opposed to hitting them.¡± ¡°Ha, and here I was, under the impression handmaidens didn¡¯t make jokes. Silly me.¡± ¡°Silly you indeed.¡± Poppy laughed. Ori''s attention was caught by bright red lips which smiled at him over her shoulder. Her dancer''s Grace was evident in the way her long brown hair bounced as it cascaded over her pale skin, dotted with freckles that concentrated over a nose pierced by a silver nose ring. This air of normalcy in contrast to the stuffy formality around him paradoxically enhanced her attractiveness in the same way the girl next door''s appeal often lay in her perceived attainability. A raised eyebrow reminded him he was staring. ¡°Sorry,¡± Ori chuckled. ¡°What is a handmaiden anyway?¡± Ori asked, accepting the barb, ¡°You''re not just a maid are you? Or is it like you¡¯re the handmaiden? a special title that means secret fixer or spy master all rolled into one?¡± Poppy giggled before she considered his question with a slight tilt of her head. ¡°There are Handmaidens known to have been as you say. Though for me, I¡¯m mostly what you see.¡± ¡°Just exactly what a secret spymaster would say.¡± Ori prodded, feeling comfortable enough to do so by her easygoing demeanour. Though on the surface he was joking, something about the fact that she was at the Sovereign rank pushed him to find out more. ¡°Ha! If you say so.¡± She laughed giving Ori a dubious glance just short of a full-on eye roll. ¡°Like every heir, Mistress Anoriel as she was known back then, was assigned a handmaiden. We¡¯re often girls of the same age who¡¯d grow up with and become playmates through childhood. While I was always destined to be her servant, taking turns to serve one another through adolescence brought us upright, with a level of mutual respect and trust.¡± Poppy said as she opened the door to the drafting room, its perpetually dusty, ¡®just worked in¡¯ state unchanged since dusk. There was a lot to unpack from Poppy¡¯s reply, but Ori left all the judgment and questions behind. ¡°Thanks,¡± Ori said as he walked through the open door. His eyes travelled across the entire room, unsure of where to begin. ¡°Sounds and looks like you treat each other like sisters, more than just a master-servant relationship?¡± Ori asked. ¡°That¡¯s right, we know each other''s mind quite well I should think.¡± ¡°But¡ actually it doesn¡¯t matter.¡± Ori began but thought better of it. ¡°Go on, I suspect I know what you''re about to say and I promise not to take offence,¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s that you seem very different?¡± ¡°I talk funny you mean?¡± ¡°No, she does,¡± Ori countered. ¡°She is who she is, a Queen. One who safeguards the hopes and security of billions. It¡¯s a burden and responsibility I wouldn¡¯t wish on anyone. As her bridge between the common and the gentry, I have some allowances in how I talk, whereas Mistress doesn¡¯t. However, well, it¡¯s hard to explain. There''s a lot more to her, so much more, her crafts, her song, if you could hear her sing, it¡¯s free and full of yearning, hope and beauty, equal to the highest bards of our race. I would not judge her too harshly on only what you¡¯ve seen as it is merely a glimpse of how special she is.¡± Poppy said, earnest and oddly defensive, in contrast to her earlier promise. ¡°I apologise if I offended.¡± ¡°I, you didn¡¯t offend me. I guess we didn¡¯t make the finest impressions did we?¡± She said, growing frustrated. ¡°Honestly, I¡¯ve had worse.¡± Ori laughed, though it was strained as intrusive memories of his first true summoning clouded his thoughts. Poppy¡¯s neutral expression, a million miles away from her earlier levity poured cold water upon his remaining attempts to lighten the mood. ¡°Did I say something wrong?¡± She shook her head. ¡°You get that look my da used to get when he was faking his smile.¡± Unsure of how to respond not only to her words but the sudden shift in mood, Ori stood, wondering just how badly he fucked up. ¡°That was inappropriate of me to say. I apologise for being so familiar.¡± Poppy said, her tone becoming formal and distant. ¡°I was given instructions by Mistress Anoriel. She said that Varma¡¯s journals might be the best place to start.¡± Poppy gestured to four or five, well-warn notebooks to the edge of the furthest shelf. ¡°Would you be lunching here or in the tea room Sir?¡± ¡°Here please, and just call me Ori.¡± ¡°Very well, unless there is anything else, Ori, I will be just down the hall if you need anything,¡± Poppy said, before gliding out of the room. ¡°Fuck¡¯sake.¡± Ori sighed as he scratched the back of his head. He spent a few silent minutes simply brooding where he stood. He knew he shouldn¡¯t have said it as any topic about the Queen would be sensitive to her handmaiden. By basically saying ¡®the Queen talked funny¡¯, upon reflection, it was no surprise that she¡¯d get defensive about it, especially given the likely circumstances of his summoning and her uncertain future. Beyond that though was a surprising feeling of loss. Had he liked her smile, their chemistry, those brief but pleasant interactions so much that their loss felt like another hole? Was he just lonely and missing Sera? Or was he just overwhelmed? He exhaled and with surprising effort, tore his mind away from circular thoughts. ¡°Not like I had time for drama anyway,¡± Ori spoke into the silence, overwhelmed and somewhat intimidated by the space. He sat on the armchair closest to the bookshelves after taking the pile of journals and began to read. The first one was incomprehensible. While the words written down were ones he could understand, they were broken up into lines that seemed more like song or poetry, each stanza more esoteric than the last. Suddenly realising it must have been an elven song journal, Ori tossed it back onto the desk as if it was on fire. He had no interest in even the chance of being lobotomised by an elven song in written form. The next journal seemed to be a continuation from another, and as Ori sorted them into the right order, those three of the four remaining books seemed to be from Harriet''s grandmother, Queen Varma, while the last was from another whose name Ori was unfamiliar with.
¡®Ugh, today was just dreadful. Mother insisted I spend the entire afternoon in her dusty old workshop. I swear, I have all but burned off all my nose hairs due to the fumes from the Aether and reagents. It¡¯s a wonder mother doesn¡¯t reek of the stuff given how ghastly it all is. Also, I mean, really!? Who cares about the proper alignment of an aether-doped crystal or the correct formula for this or that enchantment? It''s all so dull. And then there''s the matter of the upcoming Midsummers. Should I not be selecting gowns, practising dance, or not cooped up in a workshop? How am I to catch the eye of the well-liked, and apparently well-endowed Regent of Thornswood?¡¯ A.Ori laughed in second-hand, scandalised embarrassment. Given the date and references to a mother, Ori suspected that this Arabella, the journal''s author, was actually Harriet¡¯s mother, Queen Iris, with Arabella being one of her names of birth. Given the differences in the language and the intimate nature of the journal, Ori was tempted to put it aside as being too private. But before he did so, he did a quick skim read to see if there were any relevant parts.
¡®Spirits! My mother is a complete witch! Had she started me on the Hercher¡¯s Split Mind technique from the start and Gorren¡¯s Introduction to Enchanting, most of this nonsense would have taken far less time. Months! Months I¡¯ve wasted without the proper foundation. I still hate it, but this Wandsmithing business is far less odious and wasteful than it was before¡¡¯ This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.
¡®I¡¯m starting to see some wisdom in my mother''s attempts at force-feeding me these lessons though I¡¯d rather die than admit that to her face. From the magic of our song, how and why Queens are named, and even the Library of Fate itself, I now see enchanting parallels across all of fate. Gorren¡¯s book was great, Ghista¡¯s Advance Lectures was even better, though I suspect I would not have appreciated the one without the other.¡¯¡°Bingo.¡± Ori silently thanked the notes left behind by the young princess and searched the bookshelves for the mentioned books. Minutes later, two large, printed textbooks and a smaller scroll sat on the desk in front of him. They were: Gorren¡¯s Introduction to Enchanting, Advanced Lectures, Enchanting Techniques and Cyclics by Ghista, Hercher¡¯s Split Mind Technique. Ori began with the Introduction to Enchanting:
¡®Forward from the Author: To the dedicated reader, In this comprehensive volume, "Introduction to Enchanting," I invite you to the complex and intensely rewarding realm of Enchanting. This book aims to provide a foundational understanding of the paracausal and material aspects necessary for becoming a journeyman enchanter as well as providing a platform for future specialisation. As an author and Arch Enchanter myself, my goal is to offer a resource that covers both basic principles and the foundation for advanced techniques. To put it simply, while the mundane and paracausal energies along with their associated affinities bring substance to fate, Enchantments are its engine. Through these hidden inspirations, we have forged a disciplined craft that involves imbuing physical items with these energies in a process that includes several key stages: Shaping: The creation of the initial physical form of the item to be enchanted. Infusion: The introduction of catalysts or reagents into the item in preparation for enchantment. Enchanting: The application of intent via paracausal energies infused into spell language using specific mediums, like spirit ink or exotic metals. Refinement: The removal of impurities from the item to enhance its magical receptiveness. Quickening: Activating and stabilising the enchantments within the item by the investiture of paracausal energy and intent. Naming: The bestowal of a name upon the artefact, which can greatly enhance power and reaffirm purpose. Bonding: Establishing a connection between the artefact and its user or something greater, further enhancing its abilities and aligning it with the user''s essence. Enchanting requires a deep understanding of both the physical materials and the paracausal elements involved. The skill and proficiency of the enchanter play a crucial role in determining the complexity and power of the enchantments that can be applied. The process is also governed by various limitations and risks, particularly when dealing with higher-level enchantments or more complex items. We¡¯ll start with an overview of Skill Ranks, detailing the progression from Apprentice to Prime, and the competencies required at each level. Thereafter, a significant amount of this book will be devoted to the mechanics of enchanting, including shaping, infusion, enchantment application, refinement, and quickening. Each stage is essential, may occur in any order multiple times throughout the enchanting process and requires a thorough understanding of thaumaturgical principles. This book also addresses the limitations and risks in enchanting, the challenges and dangers of this profession, especially with high-level enchantments and rare materials. Understanding these aspects is crucial for any practitioner. Item classification, from Mortal to Transcendent, is discussed, providing insight into the power and complexity of potential enchantments. Additionally, the book explores the ethical considerations and personal, professional and societal impacts of enchanting, emphasising the responsibility of enchanters in their craft and your personal development as a crafter. Lastly, the book looks at advanced topics and future directions in enchanting, keeping you informed of new developments and trends in this evolving field¡¡¯¡°Rar! Let¡¯s go.¡± Ori was buzzing. After reading just the first chapter, he felt as if this was exactly what he was looking for. In addition, what little knowledge Freya had on Enchanting and magic, seemed to reinforce his learning forming a strange feedback loop that accelerated comprehension. He continued reading, heedless of the rise and fall of the sun until a knock on the door brought him out of his fugue state.
Our craft permeates every facet of fate, from the animate to the inanimate, encompassing practices as diverse as healing and necromancy, racial evolution, and the intricate workings of the Library of Fates. These universal rhythms, omnipresent in nature, serve as the bedrock of enchanting. To the trained eye, these patterns are evident in the natural world, offering insights crucial to the practice of enchanting. Observation is a fundamental aspect of enchanting, equal in importance to the act of creation itself. Mastery in enchanting is not solely about the manipulation of energies and materials, but also the understanding of their origins and interactions in the natural world. For instance, consider the formation of Iron sand. This material, a common source of mundane Iron, is typically found as deposits along riverbanks. Its alchemic and paracausal characteristics are shaped by the local geological and environmental processes of the river. Understanding these processes allows an enchanter to predict the properties of the higher-grade spell Iron that can be smelted and, consequently, their suitability for specific enchantments. The rhythm of enchanting, comprising Shaping, Infusion, Encoding, Refinement, Quickening, Naming, and Bonding, is not a rigid sequence. These stages may not always follow the same order, may occur in reverse, or may involve many intermediate steps. Some stages may happen more frequently, or not at all, depending on the nature of the enchantment being crafted. This fluidity is a critical aspect of the enchanter''s observational knowledge and skill, allowing for the discovery of new enchantments and the advancement of the craft. The Quickening and Encoding stages, in particular, heavily rely on the adept manipulation of paracausal energies such as Aether and mana, demonstrating the interplay between the enchanter''s skill and the unseen forces of fate. Similarly, the growth patterns of the Yewheart tree, whose wood is prized for wand-making, offer another example. The tree''s growth is influenced by several factors, including soil composition, climate, and magical ley lines. An enchanter, by observing these factors, can determine the optimal conditions for harvesting Yewheart wood that possesses the desired magical properties. Returning to Iron, another pertinent example may be found in alchemic smithing. This process often involves a stage of refining where the Iron is not only purified within a Crucible but also undergoes a transformation at a molecular level. Here, concentrations of carbon and zinc are intricately bound with Aether to form Aetheric Steel. This alloy, known for its resilience, ductility, and affinity for paracausal energies like Mana and Grace, is highly sought after in the crafting of enchanted weaponry and armour. In certain advanced enchanting practices, such as the casting of the spell Mana Forge, (see chapter 53) multiple stages of the enchanting process can occur simultaneously. This spell allows for the Infusion, Refinement, and Shaping stages to be executed in a single, harmonious action. By channelling Mana, exerting breath, and guiding Aether through carefully constructed spell forms, the enchanter can dramatically alter the nature of an object, imbuing it with new properties and functions. This spell exemplifies one of many intermediate milestones of an enchanter''s career.Dormant connections flared, his powers of observation retroactively scouring old memories as they resurfaced:
''...aspirants must first choose which of the three aspects to refine¡. Confirmed. Mind, Body and Soul aspects have been selected¡.¡¯
¡®...Reactant, Reagent, Catalysts, Mana, Carnis-Synthesis! You''ll become my eleventh masterwork, my fifty-eighth aspirant to successfully walk the path and my first complete flesh enchantment¡¡¯
¡®Yes, you can add Coke and Limestone to Iron in the blast furnace, a simple Crucible won¡¯t do¡ what I offer is a way of turning Iron into Steel, a medium stronger, tougher, more malleable and ductile, resistant to wear and corrosion, and easier to re-shape and spring back into shape after duress¡ Except that this isn¡¯t mere Iron we¡¯ll be steelworking, lad. No, this time, it¡¯ll be your soul.¡¯
¡®Refining where the Iron is not only purified within a Crucible¡¡¯So far, others had dictated the process he had unwittingly undergone, with higher entities shaping him to their whims. Could Enchanting be the key to controlling his own transformation? Realising Enchanting''s potential, Ori saw a path to independence. It was more than a craft; it was a means to self-determination, a way to escape being a pawn of higher powers. Embracing Enchanting was about seizing control and manipulating fundamental forces to carve out his destiny. This revelation sparked a determination in him, a rebellion against even the possibility of being moulded into something weak or superficial. He refused to be a puppet or curiosity, something to be manipulated later and discarded. It was time for him to take a stand, to build himself strong and complete. He would not be shaped by others; he would shape himself his own way and on his own terms. 30. Lunaesidhe An hour later, Poppy entered after a knock, pushing a cart upon which sat a tray covered in plates of food. Wonderful scents of meats and steamed vegetables wafted over as she set the cart beside the drafting bench Ori sat next to. After being well-fed the night before, hunger hadn¡¯t even been a possibility given how focused he¡¯d been while reading Gorren¡¯s Introduction to Enchanting. But now, that suppression had been lifted under a sensory onslaught that left his mouth-watering. ¡°Wow,¡± Ori said, his eyes wide at the sight and aromas. Poppy smiled at his reaction. ¡°Mistress was unable to contribute much to this meal beyond this dish, she recommended trying it last or not at all depending on your appetite-¡± Ignoring the recommendation, Ori reached over to the bowl she¡¯d gestured at that seemed to be chunks of meat coated in a thick curry, and before Poppy could finish her sentence, he scooped up a generous portion with a piece of flatbread. The rich, spicy aroma intensified as he brought it closer, and with an eager bite, he savoured the explosion of flavours with an involuntary groan. The meat was tender and perfectly spiced while the curry''s complexity came from an intense blend of sweetness, savoury, spice, citric and herbal flavours. Poppy couldn''t help but laugh. "I shall inform the Mistress of your approval.¡± ¡°Absolutely, this is amazing,¡± Ori said, mouth only momentarily free before the next mouthful of food. ¡°Like always, I¡¯ll be just down the corridor if you need anything.¡±She said as she turned to leave. Ori remembered Harriet''s concern over the apparent effect he had on Poppy and unwilling to let her go without some sort of understanding, he pushed aside the wonderful food and called, ¡°One second. Poppy, are we okay?¡± She paused just before the door and turned. Her genial smile was softer, if not more genuine than before. She moved towards him as if in a waltz or ballet, her natural Grace combining with something practised and more individual. She paused, then sat on the rug, a yard or so away, folding in her dress as she made herself comfortable. ¡°I¡¯m still deciding.¡± She finally answered. Ori, nonplussed. Left his chair to join her on the floor. ¡°Deciding? What do you mean?¡± Ori asked. ¡°I¡¯m deciding if we are okay. I am deciding,¡± she paused as if in thought, her soft brown eyes breaking contact with his own. ¡°I¡¯m deciding a lot of things. Mistress and I share everything, so I¡¯m aware of what she told you; my split heritage and it¡¯s a large part of it. The other part is like her, I see things in you, about you, but it¡¯s more intense. Unlike Mistress, I don¡¯t need class abilities or spells to feel it and it¡¯s all confusing. ¡°But not to worry, this is nothing bad, and I have Mistress''s support in whichever path I choose to follow.¡± Ori was even more confused than he was before. On the surface, her words sounded ominous as if he were a toxic spill she was deciding on how to deal with but her vibe was warm and positive. Ori¡¯s gut twisted as he considered various improbable possibilities as he replayed, broke apart and reassembled her words in his mind. In the end, he didn¡¯t have enough data to come to any conclusions and nowhere near enough time to worry about this if she was unconcerned. ¡°Alright. I don¡¯t get what¡¯s going on, but just know I¡¯m here to help, even if it¡¯s just to listen.¡± ¡°That¡¯s more than I can ask. Thank you.¡± She stood, seemingly taking his words as a dismissal though Ori would have been happy to have had her company during his meal. After eating, Ori finished Gorrens Introduction to Enchanting. It covered in detail the fundamentals of the craft, expanding Ori¡¯s mind and reinforcing the opinion that enchanting wasn¡¯t just the imbuing of an item with magical properties, but a holistic process that started from the very moment material for the artefact was harvested, whether it be rock from a mine, wood from a tree, or bone from a creature. He learned more about each step, mundane techniques for Shaping, a spell for Infusion and Enchanting Ori was desperate to try. Meanwhile, other aspects such as Skill and Item ranks forged parallels with the preexisting knowledge Ori already had on Awakened and the Library of Fates. The book also touched on more esoteric, and advanced concepts and most importantly for Ori¡¯s current purposes, repairing and reshaping damaged enchantments and artefacts, both before and after they had been Bonded. For a long stretch after Ori had placed the book down, the words; Shaping, Infusion, Enchanting, Refinement, Quickening, Naming and Bonding rattled in his mind forming a strange resonance, the purposes of each stage of enchanting burning themselves into his soul like its own enchantment of the mind. Feeling the swirl of Peritia, it was then he suddenly understood the profundity of the book he had just experienced. Without the speaking of oaths or promises, this unassuming textbook had just inducted him into the profession of enchanting as an Apprentice under the Library of Fates. The feeling snapped into place, his sense of it more sensitive now than it was when Sera had inducted him into the Order of the Chromatics. That he could receive a class just by reading a book was both awesome and terrifying and forced him to sit and examine his feelings on the matter and the consequences. He didn¡¯t believe he had made a mistake, on the contrary, he bubbled with elation and a sense of purpose greater than the one he felt when he had become a white mage. He¡¯d always wanted to make things, to change things, to advance or evolve things, there was no downside to this beyond the feeling some rarer, cooler version of enchanting existed, but from what he understood, those specialisms could be decided upon at any stage of his career. Ori exhaled, perhaps the book saw something within him, a compatibility or his silent declaration had been his consent. Maybe the book had no discerning capabilities whatsoever and would forcefully provide the enchanting class to anyone who had class slots available. It didn¡¯t matter, based on Freya¡¯s knowledge of human Awakened, he still had one class slot remaining. ¡®Let¡¯s keep that one open until I awaken¡¯ Ori decided, as he moved over to the second, more esoteric book on crafting which was far more detailed in descriptions of the formal stages and contained manuals on recommended techniques. Like that, hours passed by, though they were slower and certainly less productive than before. It was getting to the point where he needed to do stuff other than reading, however, before he could do any enchanting, there was a list of things he needed to do to himself to prepare. From over several dozen recommended transmutation techniques, Ori discarded any that required a Mana Nexus, had any rare or crazy requirements, or any that were too niche, and found he was left with three:
Ability Name: Split Mind Type: Passive, Mentalism, Transmutation Characteristic Requirements: Dexterity: ¡Ý20, Perception: ¡Ý40, Intelligence: ¡Ý20, Will: ¡Ý100 Other Requirements: Effects: Enables concentration on multiple tasks, with an intelligence multiplier based on the number of Split Minds Description: The Split Mind spell is a passive ability that fundamentally alters the cognitive functioning of its user. It allows the caster to divide their mental focus a specific number of times, a change that is permanent and irreversible. This division increases the intelligence characteristic by a multiple of the times the user splits their mind. Furthermore, this enables the user to concentrate on several tasks simultaneously, a capability that proves invaluable in situations demanding multitasking or rapid attention shifts. Notes: Once activated, the user''s mind undergoes a permanent transformation, with their consciousness being split a set number of times. This division facilitates the handling of multiple tasks concurrently. However, this comes with a significant trade-off: a 10% drop in reaction times for each additional task managed. This decrease in dexterity is indicative of the cognitive load and the divided attention necessary to maintain multiple focuses. The spell requires high levels of dexterity, perception, intelligence, and will, necessitating the user to finely adjust their mental faculties to cope with the complexities of a divided consciousness. Despite the reduction in dexterity per additional task, Split Mind remains a formidable tool for those who meet its stringent requirements and is invaluable for spell casters and crafters of all types. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.While somewhat uncertain, Ori believed he had more than enough to meet the characteristic requirements of this spell. And while the idea of a permanent change to his brain terrified him, the ability to truly parallel process was far too invaluable to pass on and had the likelihood of accelerating his progress towards restoring Sera¡¯s soul and fixing his soul-bound artefact.
Ability Name: Quicken Perception Type: Passive, Perception, Transmutation Characteristic Requirements: Perception: ¡Ý100, Will: ¡Ý120 Other Requirements: Must possess preexisting paracausal sight abilities, high comprehension of paracausal energies Effects: Permanently upgrades and merges existing vision and perception abilities with the user''s perception of paracausal energies based on their comprehension of these energies Description: Quicken Perception is a passive, transmutation spell that permanently enhances the user''s vision, merging it with their perception of paracausal energies such as mana, grace, Peritia, breath, aether, or Quintessence. This spell fundamentally alters the user''s sensory capabilities, allowing for an integrated and nuanced perception of both the physical and ethereal realms. The degree of enhancement and the specific nature of the sensory integration depend on the user''s understanding and affinity with the respective paracausal energies. Notes: Quicken Perception irrevocably recalibrates the user''s visual and sensory faculties upon activation. This change allows for a profound perception of magical auras, ethereal residues, and the flow of various paracausal energies in intricate detail. The enhancement is tailored to the individual''s comprehension of paracausal energies, resulting in a unique sensory experience for each user. The spell demands high levels of perception and will, as well as an advanced understanding of paracausal energies. It is designed for seasoned practitioners who are prepared to handle the complexities and challenges of an expanded and permanently altered sensory perception. While offering significant advantages in terms of magical perception and understanding, the permanent nature of this enhancement requires the user to adapt to a new way of perceiving the world, which can be both mentally demanding and irreversible.Upon the realisation that he was prepared to risk it all, this change to his perception seemed less daunting than it might have. What drove Ori to learn this skill was the irritating feeling he could feel, but not quite see the changes that happened to him whenever Peritia swirled around him, or his soul was externally altered. He needed clarity, and as with Mana Sight, perhaps with that clarity, manipulation of those energies would come easier. As this spell seemed to merge perception abilities, and to his knowledge, he possessed only one, Ori decided to seek another one to add to his repertoire.
Ability Name: Perceive ManaScript Type: Passive, Perception, Transmutation Characteristic Requirements: Perception: ¡Ý50, Intelligence: ¡Ý40 Effects: Enables remote reading of mana-sensitive texts, with range based on perception; ideal for enchanters. Description: Perceive ManaScript is a passive transmutation that allows users to remotely interpret texts, runes, and glyphs written with mana-sensitive ink or reagents. The range of this ability increases with the user''s perception level, making it particularly valuable for enchanters who need to understand complex magical scripts or researchers who need to be able to read multiple texts from a distance. Notes: Upon activation, Perceive ManaScript permanently enhances the user''s perception, enabling them to detect and understand mana-infused writings from a distance. The ability to perceive these scripts remotely, and the range at which this can be done, increases with the user''s level of perception. This includes the ability to detect subtle nuances, and hidden messages, and to comprehend the complex arcane mechanisms behind magical texts. The ability can be toggled on or off as needed. It requires a moderate level of perception and intelligence, as it involves not only the recognition of mana-infused scripts but also the comprehension of their deeper meanings and magical constructs. Perceive ManaScript is particularly effective when used in conjunction with the Split Mind ability, allowing the user to process and interpret multiple streams of magical information simultaneously.Looking outside to see the sun low on the horizon while feeling sand in his eyes, Ori decided to sleep on his decision to make permanently life-altering and potentially hazardous transmutations. He finished Advance Lectures, Enchanting Techniques and Cyclics by Ghista, and read and re-read Hercher¡¯s Split Mind Technique while visualising the spell forms and intent behind the Mana required through their various states. As this was a freeform casting without the aid of an artefact or the Library of Fates, it would require intense concentration, but no more than many of the trials he¡¯d already undertaken. Beyond that, he wondered about specialisms within the enchanting class. Contrary to expectations, instead of expertise that focused on one of the stages that could be applied to a variety of artefact types, enchanters were often specialised based on the type of artefact they made. This form of vertical specialisation wasn¡¯t absolute, a wandsmith for instance could make other enchantments for different artefact types at reduced efficiency, but as this was a commercial craft, price competitiveness was a huge factor. Production lines and resource networks and the pressures of capitalism were major guiding hands in the craft''s evolution into various specialities over time. Poppy returned with another tray of delicious food, and before she could leave with her genial smile and gliding stride, Ori asked, ¡°Would it be possible to get some fresh air?¡± ¡°Of course Ori. Actually, it should have occurred to me that you¡¯d desire as much. Could you wait till sunset?¡± ¡°Yeah, of course.¡± Ori agreed, feeling as if it was only an hour until then, part of which time he needed to eat and freshen up. ¡°Brilliant, we have this beautiful night garden I could give you a tour through, and with the night and reduced activity around the residence, it¡¯d be easier to conceal your presence.¡± ¡°Sure, that works,¡± Ori said, a mild curiosity stirring. ¡°Very well Ori, I¡¯ll be back then,¡± Poppy said before she left.
| Classes and Spell Constellations | None | None |
| Core (0/0) | None | |
| Inner (0/0) | None | |
| Outer (5) | Arcane Hand* ** Spectral Voice* ** Dreamwalking* Request Divination* ** Learn by Heart* ** (*familiar bond) ( ** Mana requirement not met) | |
| Classes and Spell Constellations | White Mage (Journeyman) Enchanter (Apprentice) | 2/5 ??/?? |
| Core (0/??) | None | |
| Inner (0/??) | None | |
| Outer (10) | Death Ward ** Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Purifying Light ** Light Orb ** Lesser Regeneration ** Cure Wounds ** Arcane Hand* ** Spectral Voice* ** Dreamwalking* Request Divination* ** Learn by Heart* ** (* familiar bond) ( ** Mana requirement not met) | |
Spell: Dreamwalking Type: Active, Mind, Dream Characteristic Requirements: Wisdom: ¡Ý10, Spirit: ¡Ý10, Will: ¡Ý90 Other Requirements: Dream-aspected affinity, Lucid Dreaming Effects: Enables the user to enter, navigate, and interact with the dreams of others, or pull others into their own dreamscapes. Description: Dreamwalking allows the user to transcend the boundaries of their subconscious and enter the dreams of others. This spell not only enables the caster to navigate these dreamscapes but also to interact with them or their denizens, potentially influencing the course of the dream, the target''s mental state, gathering information, or facilitating extraplanar communication. Notes: Dreamwalking requires the user to enter a state of sleep or deep meditation before activating the ability via their subconscious, though advanced practitioners may accomplish this through waking dreams. The user''s consciousness then transcends their mind, journeying into the dreamscape of another. This process demands moderate levels of wisdom and spirit, and high levels of will, as it involves navigating the complex and often unpredictable astral demiplane. The ability to interact within the dream is contingent upon the user''s skill and the target''s mental defences. While Dreamwalking offers profound insights and unique interaction capabilities, it also poses risks such as getting lost within the dreamscape, encountering countermeasures by experienced Awakened, or encountering ancient entities in the spaces between dreams. Mastery of Lucid Dreaming and an advanced understanding of Astral Projection are essential to mitigate these risks.¡°I believe this was the first spell you cast on your own, yes? That demon bitch you subconsciously dragged into your dream in one of the trials?¡± Freya said. ¡°Yeah, though I didn¡¯t know it until afterwards.¡± ¡°Yes, well, that is significant as it suggests some degree of natural talent. Though you need to be more careful and more deliberate with your actions in the dreaming, and not for the reasons you think!¡± ¡°How so?¡± Ori wondered. ¡°You''re like a baby leviathan, like those old slumbering entities in the deep astral. The ones old dreamwalkers tell stories of surviving, but never vanquishing. You are sapient, yes, which is more than I can say for the majority of those creatures, but you''re still a child lacking self-awareness and control. That you can so easily pull a greater demon into your dreams without even trying¡¡± Freya shuddered. ¡°Even if she may have been willing, that kind of power, if you had ill intentions, is terrifying.¡± Thinking briefly about the encounter, Ori could only begin to understand. ¡°Okay, I think I kind of understand. Still, haven¡¯t I been sent seven hundred years back in time? Wouldn¡¯t we need to be in the same timeframe for this to make sense? Else, why couldn¡¯t I contact you in the past or some other date?¡± ¡°Perhaps with more control and intent, you could? But your subconscious most likely reached out to the me from the current time of your trial by following our bond. Additionally, if I were to die, for example, my soul departing this body, reaching me would take a whole magnitude more skill and intent.¡± ¡°Wait, so it is possible to find and speak with dead people through dreams?¡± ¡°I said almost exactly the opposite! How you got this from that... spirits! I¡¯ll never understand.¡± ¡°You said it was a lot harder but still possible? Right?¡± Ori pressed. Freya sighed. ¡°She weaponised her soul, Ori, that action came with a cost and you need to accept that it might not be possible-¡± Lightning raced across the upper atmosphere of the dreamscape, the auroral greens and pinks turning a celestial gold and silver. Ori simply stood, fists clenched, jaw tight, his resolve invariant while Freya paused her words of caution and observed. ¡°Very well. Yes, for you, through the dreaming might be the best way in the future. But right now, we both don¡¯t know enough about souls, or about the Ethereal Realm to make the attempt.¡± ¡°Then what¡¯s next?¡± Ori asked, impatience bleeding into his voice. ¡°If I weren¡¯t your familiar, I¡¯d have run far, far away. Here, you¡¯re too dangerous to everyone around you. You need to learn control. But that will be a matter for another dream.¡± Ori sighed. ¡°My dream is ending.¡± ¡°Seems like it. Now, do you remember what I told you?¡± ¡°Yeah, yes! Okay, I will ask Harriet for help,¡± Ori relented after Freya flew uncomfortably close to his eyes and buzzed, ¡°What about Poppy?¡± ¡°What about Poppy?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. Maybe some advice on what to do?¡± ¡°No,¡± Freya said firmly. ¡°No?¡± ¡°Your problem, you figure it out.¡± ¡°But if the Queen¡ª¡± Freya giggled, ¡°I would feel bad for you if you didn¡¯t have preposterous, wild luck. My bet is on you coming out of this all smug and annoying when all is said and done. So I¡¯ll savour these moments of you floundering to tide me over when you eventually become insufferable.¡± ¡°Whatever, pervy¡ª¡± Ori started. ¡°If you finish that sentence I will hit you,¡± Freya said with a vicious calmness that told Ori he had perhaps pushed her as far as she would go for one dream. ¡°Anyway, what''s that sculpture you''ve been working on?¡± Ori asked smoothly. ¡°Also, no.¡± Freya answered. ¡°What? Really?¡± ¡°It is my Somaform. It¡¯s unfinished and not for your eyes.¡± ¡°What¡¯s a Somaform?¡± ¡°When a non-corporeal being evolves with a chance to take a physical form, they can create a guide or template in preparation, or else it is left to fate. With little else to do during hibernation and with all the Peritia¡¡± ¡°So, this is what you want to look like when you evolve? When you become a Pixie?¡± Ori asked, a smile growing at the realisation Freya was starting to hope again. ¡°Maybe, still deciding, and wipe away that dirty smirk, it¡¯s rude to stare!¡± "Fine, okay, okay!" Ori acquiesced, turning away from the distant sculpture upon Freya insistance. Though not before he caught a brief glimpse of its pristine form; a figure crafted from living marble depicting a nude woman with diaphanous butterfly wings glimmering in the dreamlight ¨C an image now forever seared into Ori''s memory. ¡°Also, do not forget, you have guest rights which should mean something. But do not abuse it, and offer fair exchange when able.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Ori said, somewhat confused. ¡°Also, we did something to our bond. It''s no longer just a familiar bond, not quite a soul bond either. We should fix that soon.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°Do the Split Mind transmutation first.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Ori asked. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s relatively safe with high enough Will, and it¡¯ll make the other transmutations easier and safer.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°Also, just be yourself with the Queen and the elves. No, actually, forget what I just said; your normal self is all childish and insufferable. Be your best self, become that self we talked about outside of the armoury.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Ori smiled, enjoying the feeling of being fussed over. ¡°And what about yourself? Will you be okay?¡± ¡°I¡¯m in hibernation, so dreams run differently. Unfortunately for me, when you next dreamwalk and find me, for me, it¡¯ll be like no time has passed at all.¡± She said forlornly. ¡°Right. Well, see you in a minute then.¡± Ori smirked. ¡°Yes, else I¡¯ll await your return from the Crucible. Good luck Ori.¡±
Aetheric rifts, formally known as Rupturae Aethericae Lacerationes, are naturally occurring tears in the fabric of fate where Aether, a primordial paracausal energy, spills into Fate from beyond reality. Unlike Mana, which is directly influenced by the mind, Aether''s chimeric and often chaotic nature is said to be influenced by the subconscious ego of a creature''s soul, leading to unpredictable effects that may manifest as internal or external phenomena. The influence of Aether differs markedly from that of Mana. The use of Aether in spellcraft is wild, unrepeatable, and unreliable, leading few to specialise in it. While no known, formal or repeatable forms of spellcraft, also known collectively as the long-fabled Aethermancy, have been derived from exploiting Aether, beings attuned to chaotic natures, such as the Fae, can use Aether in small measures in beneficial, albeit chaotic ways. Beyond the Fae, usage is primarily seen in aiding transformations of material in enchantments or transmutations of flesh, spirit, or nature. However, certain rituals can enhance the effects of standard, Mana-based magic in controlled settings. Aetheric weapons, such as bombs and poisons, have been rarely documented due to their unpredictable nature, leaving them just as dangerous to the user as their targets. In addition, unregulated exposure to Aether can lead to aberrant mutations or cancerous growths. For most Awakened beings, direct ingestion of even small amounts of Aether is lethal without prompt treatment by a High Healer. Aether is also chimeric, capable of replicating or transforming into other forms of paracausal energies (Mana, Peritia, Grace, Breath, Quintessence) when removed from its source and left in its raw, unstabilised form. This transformational ability adds to the complexity and danger of handling Aether. Despite being known as an unreliable and fickle form of magic, many believe that mastery of Aether is a path towards great power. This belief persists even though the inherent risks and challenges associated with Aether are well-documented. Natural Aether rifts significantly impact local flora and fauna. Typically docile creatures can become aggressive monsters requiring culling by experienced teams of Awakened. Through this Aether-Warping phenomenon, rifts have been known to spawn formidable magical creatures. Examples of such creatures include Hydra and Phase-Beasts, both known for their ferocity and unpredictable nature. The zones around unregulated Aether rifts are hazardous and become increasingly dangerous over time. The Delvers'' Guild and The Summons'' Guild are often tasked with addressing such problems when they exceed the local populations'' capabilities. Aether-warped creatures are highly sought after by many Awakened for their value in alchemical and crafting ingredients. These creatures often possess unique properties that make them invaluable in various magical disciplines. Many believe that the Faewilds, a realm of untamed magic and wonder, were a product of the wild nature of Aether. In the hierarchy of paracausal energies, only Quintessence is seen as more enigmatic than Aether in its apparent inaccessibility and potential. The allure of Aether, despite its many dangers, continues to draw the attention of scholars, Delvers and mages alike, each seeking to unlock its secrets. Despite being known as an unreliable and fickle form of magic, many believe that mastery over Aether leads to paths beyond divinity. This belief persists even though the inherent risks and challenges associated with Aether are well-documented. The study of Aetheric Rifts and their effects is a field rich with potential discoveries and perilous pitfalls. As we delve deeper into the mysteries of Aether, we¡¯ll find that rifts come in several ranks¡Ori''s mind glazed over as knowledge from Freya¡¯s extensive research filled his thoughts. Less than ten paces away lay the object of his study. He had thought he had seen Aether before, during the fifth and sixth trials. Those motes of blue, so different from the blue of Mana, compelling yet ephemeral, elusive no matter how hard one strove for them. Yet, their wild, alluring power tempted and tantalised all the same. To Ori, Mana felt like a cool, soothing, obedient fluid, whereas Aether, as he had experienced in the trials, was like willful, chaotic, glittering dust. Now, as he sat on the floor, Ori saw another aspect of Aether. Before him, an atavistic glowing rupture in reality, peeled away Fate, revealing a sapphire world of blue radiance pulsing in time with his heartbeat. It became clear to him why Aether didn¡¯t behave like Mana. With so much of it in front of him he could see that, unlike Mana, Aether lacked a ''mind'' to react with his own. If it had one, it was more ancient and primal than the logical, waking mind of sapients. More akin to the hypothalamus, that part of the brain that shivers, raises goosebumps, or sweats in response to cold, heat, or fear. The part that grows hungry when undernourished, aroused when sexually stimulated, or sleepy when exhausted. While his mind wanted to reach out, to experience and understand it, a deeper part of him, beneath the veneer of logic and structured thought, simply craved it, instinctively knowing it was essential for survival. ¡°As intoxicating as it may seem, Aether is ruinous, even to those with Affinity, like us,¡± Harriet said, walking around him as she watched the rift in fate bleed blue light into the cavernous hall. Across the ground lay concentric rings, infused enchantments that Ori currently didn¡¯t understand. Beautiful silver circles created patterns on the ground that reminded Ori of planetary orbits and their accompanying moons, and for some reason his mind drifted, thinking back to one of Harriet¡¯s classes. ¡°You have an Aether Affinity? And now that I¡¯m here, why do I think it has something to do with your Astrologer class?¡± ¡°Very astute. It¡¯s a talent or perhaps a mild Aether Warping of the Luinilthar bloodline, one that allows a higher measure of success for rituals and fate-based magic when in the presence of Aether. It has been the power that enabled our house to rule so successfully,¡± Ori bit back his tongue, he had so many questions, for example, was fate-based magic like divination or something else? And what spells did an Astrologer even have? He wondered if this bloodline or its lack thereof, was the reason for her current crisis, whatever it was, but he pushed those errant thoughts aside for now as he focused on what he needed to do. ¡°And now you plan to use this ability to what? Tip the balance of probabilities in my favour?¡± "Precisely. Split Mind is a relatively straightforward transmutation despite its effects. It''s one I undertook not so long ago, so it will serve as a good trial run for both of us to become accustomed to the process before we attempt what must come next." ¡°Alright,¡± Ori said, his attention returning to the high elven queen who looked starkly attractive bathed in the spectral light of the Aether. ¡°When we begin, I request that you take off your shirt and sit here,¡± she gestured towards one of the moon-like rune circles, ¡°with your back towards the Aether Rift, while I¡¯ll sit here, back to back with you, our skins touching,¡± Harriet said. Ori did a double-take, completely taken aback by her words. ¡°Our skins touching?¡± Ori asked, his mind split between replaying what she said in disbelief while a loud ¡®Sex Magic¡¯ klaxon drowned out almost all meaningful thought. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Okay. But why?¡± Ori said, the cogs in his mind only just starting to turn again. ¡°It is as I said, I plan to use the Aether to enhance your transmutation, for this to work however, I would need a direct link to you. As we have no other mediums, direct skin contact over a large enough area would be ideal.¡± ¡°What about just holding hands?¡± Ori said, wondering just what on earth was his life just then. ¡°If you''re uncomfortable with the idea of-¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s not that, quite the opposite actually. You are¡ distractingly beautiful, I don¡¯t think I¡¯d be able to focus knowing you were, behind me¡ like that. And wouldn¡¯t you be uncomfortable? And you''re a Queen, I¡¯m sure there''s-¡± Without offering any clarification, Harriet¡¯s dress fell to the floor cutting off Ori¡¯s babbling, leaving her dressed only in white, silken underwear. Ori stared both in shock and transfixed by the lines and curves of her figure. Oceans of pale, unblemished skin shimmered in the spectral blue light while proportionally large, teardrop breasts capped by pale, almost inverted nipples were freed by the sudden removal of her bra. She stood, her gaze fixed on his, just as heated and intense as ever. ¡°Well?¡± She asked as if in challenge. ¡°Well, what?¡± Ori swallowed, his eyes transfixed by the rapid rise and fall of her breasts. The part of his mind still listening wondered if she meant for him to compliment her or¡ ¡°Your shirt. Please remove it. Do understand that what I do now, I have not, and would not do for just anyone, and while other orientations may offer more contact, I believe neither of us is quite ready for that right yet,¡± She said, her deadpan delivery almost hiding the flicker of vulnerability beneath her stern, imperious veil. ¡°Okay,¡± unwilling to ask for a third time, he fumbled removing his shirt in a rush, Freya¡¯s flippant suggestion ringing in his mind. He caught Harriet¡¯s gaze one last time, then turned away in guilt of his prior, unabashed ogling. ¡°Sorry for staring,¡± He added sheepishly as he felt her presence move to the circle between him and the Aether Rift. ¡°I am not unaware of the effect my appearance has on you, nor am I naive enough not to know the scale of scandal this would cause if word of us got out. But for now, none of that matters. You require my aid and guidance, and I freely offer it. Please sit,¡± Harriet commanded. After sitting on the floor, Ori suppressed a gasp as he felt Harriet''s smooth, cool skin settle against his back. Shorter by half a head, he was surprised by how his breathing seemed to settle down, matching rhythms with the rise and fall of her slender shoulder blades and curve of her spine, as if he instinctively sought the optimal up-time for maximum skin contact surface area. And after that was accomplished, focus slowly returned to Ori as the sensation of sitting back to back with a topless elven bombshell, became, if not normal, then at least comfortable. ¡°Why risk scandal to help me? I would have been happy doing this on my own.¡± ¡°You are the man I summoned. Lets leave it at that for now as any more of an explanation will have to wait until this is over. Now focus, and when you are ready, begin.¡± 33. Transmutation ¡®Right, focus Ori¡ Should be no problem,¡¯ Ori said to himself, overwhelmed by the physical sensation of Harriet¡¯s naked back rising and falling in time with his own. Applying lessons learnt from Sera, instead of attempting to clear his mind in the same way he used his soul-bound artefact to sense mana, Ori used that sensation as his focus. While this wasn¡¯t a step required for the transmutation Split Mind, it did allow Ori to sink below the scattered sea of thoughts towards something more singular, and easier to direct. Beyond her cool, silken skin was a presence that sat heavily on his arcane awareness, like a boulder that influenced the flow of a river. The arcane potential of an Awakened at the Sovereign Rank, by definition, affected the flow of reality around them, their spirit, belief, and even moods seeping into the world and affecting things in countless, indescribable ways. Or at least that was normally how it felt. Here, before the Aether Rift, Harriet¡¯s presence was more like a shield against a burning wind, her will blocking the harmful tide of chimeric energies too intense for Ori to inspect with Mana Sight. ¡°Okay, I¡¯m ready,¡± Ori said after peeling back the many layers of the circumstances he found himself in, the novelty of their skin contact temporarily pushed to the side. Marshalling ambient Mana and removing all aspects as far as he could, Ori formed the spell form and pushed his intent, and his mind opened. Neutral Mana flooded into his mind, reshaping it and being reshaped by it, his affinities and nature forming a feedback loop that broadened his intellect, and grounded his thoughts. For a moment, Ori floated on this pleasant sensation of cool, liquid Mana coursing through his mind. Bodily sensation fell away as Ori sank inside himself. Distantly, he remembered the instructions of the scroll, how this was the most important part of the transmutation and how any deviation or distraction at this moment could be fatal. However, Ori was distracted, too much had happened to him in too little time, just who was he now and what did he want from life? Could he go home? Did he even really want to go back? Could he escape the infernal prison? What happened if he just lived the rest of his life here, free from danger and perhaps with people who cared for him? It was a pleasant illusion, a world free of risk, consequences, and urgency. But it was one he could no longer indulge in. Ori shattered his mind. Tendrils of Aether directed by Harriet¡¯s bloodline trait comingled with the influx of Mana reshaping the metaphysical construct of Ori¡¯s mind, splitting it into three equal parts, before linking and reinforcing them in ways stringent and profound. Without his soulcraft ability, knowledge of the process would have been lost to Ori. However, as his astral awareness watched on in fascination, he could feel the flows of Peritia as his page from the library of fates was rewritten. The slow restructuring and build-up of his mind, both the biological brain and that soul-deep construct that interacted with Mana and granted him his sense of memory and self. Hours passed, and when Ori finally opened his eyes, he was surprised to see Poppy sitting patiently on the floor less than ten paces away from him. His heart raced upon remembering their evening together in the garden the night before. Though still unsure of what it meant, surely being caught shirtless with another woman couldn¡¯t be good? He was just about to open his mouth when she smiled, shook her head, and mouthed the word ¡®later¡¯. Before standing up, diaphanous gown in hand for her mistress. ¡°Thank you, Poppy. How were the preparations?¡± Harriet said, wearing the dressing gown after moving to greet Poppy. ¡°I managed all that you instructed, Mistress,¡± Poppy said, handing over her ring. ¡°Any complications?¡± Harriet asked. ¡°I was tailed in several instances, but nothing beyond expectations. I would think that my unusual activities would have drawn suspicions though.¡± ¡°It can¡¯t be helped,¡± Harriet sighed, before turning to Ori, ¡°Congratulations, it seems like Aether had a positive effect on the process?¡± ¡°Yeah, I think so.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll perform a divination here later, for now, let us retire for some refreshments and to review the Perception abilities Poppy sourced before continuing.¡± ¡°Sure. And thank you.¡± Ori said, putting back on his discarded shirt. ¡°The worst is yet to come,¡± Harriet said. ¡°Yes, and it¡¯s not too late to put this aside, you¡¯ve already accomplished much.¡± Ori stared into Poppy''s warm brown eyes, her gaze full of concern stalled the flippant expression of bravado on his tongue. He summoned the fractured pieces of Seraphine, the clear crystal glittering blue in the sapphire light. His thoughts split; he considered his plans and their probabilities with and without Quicken Perception. Enchanting wouldn''t be a problem as Mana Sight was likely enough to fix his wand. However, as another faction of his mind stared at the hole where Sera¡¯s bond should have been and with his current lack of anything approaching a plan to fix it, Ori¡¯s heart rebelled at his cowardice. ¡°Thank you for your concern. I¡¯ll think about it, but honestly, I don¡¯t think this is enough.¡±
Ability Name: Triage Type: Active, Perception, Healing Characteristic Requirements: Perception: ¡Ý20, Wisdom: ¡Ý25 Other Requirements: Light-related affinity Effects: Enables rapid assessment of physical and magical ailments in living beings; ideal for healers. Description: Triage is an active perception ability that allows users to quickly and accurately assess the physical and magical health conditions of living beings. This ability is particularly useful for healers and medics in emergencies, enabling them to prioritise treatment based on the severity of injuries or ailments. Triage enhances the user''s ability to detect both visible and subtle signs of injury, disease, or magical afflictions. Notes: Upon activation, Triage enhances the user''s perception, granting them the ability to recognise the minute flows and disturbances of light-aspected Mana and their associations with different types of health at a glance. This includes identifying life-threatening conditions, magical curses, or poisons that may not be immediately apparent. The ability is essential for making quick, informed decisions in high-pressure environments.---
Ability Name: Chirurgeon¡¯s Echo Type: Active, Perception, Healing Characteristic Requirements: Perception: ¡Ý45, Spirit: ¡Ý50 Other Requirements: Soul-related affinity Effects: Enables detailed perception of internal bodily structures and functions; ideal for medical diagnosis and treatment. Description: Chirurgeon¡¯s Echo is an active perception ability that grants the user an enhanced understanding of internal bodily structures and functions. This ability is invaluable for medical practitioners, enabling them to diagnose and treat ailments with a high degree of accuracy. Users can perceive the intricate workings of the body, including organ function, blood flow, and even subtle imbalances in bodily systems. Stolen story; please report. Notes: Activation of Chirurgeon¡¯s Echo provides a deepened insight into the patient''s body by using its soul as a conduit. It is known for allowing non-invasive internal examinations, aiding in accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning.---
Ability Name: Soul Lens Type: Active, Perception, Soul Characteristic Requirements: Perception: ¡Ý60, Wisdom: ¡Ý25, Will: ¡Ý25, Spirit: ¡Ý55 Other Requirements: Soul-related affinity Effects: Enables perception of soul energies and conditions; useful for soul-based diagnostics and interactions. Description: Soul Lens is an active perception ability that allows the user to see and understand soul energies and conditions. This ability is crucial for those who work with soul-based magic or need to diagnose soul-related afflictions. Users can perceive the quality, strength, and anomalies within soul energies, making it possible to interact with souls in a more informed and sensitive manner. Notes: Upon activation, Soul Lens enhances the user''s perception to detect and interpret the nuances of soul energies. This includes identifying soul bonds, detecting soul damage, and understanding the soul''s alignment with physical and magical conditions.---
Ability Name: True Sight Type: Active, Perception Characteristic Requirements: Perception: ¡Ý70, Intelligence: ¡Ý60 Other Requirements: Mana-related affinity Effects: Grants the ability to see through illusions, invisibility, and other forms of magical concealment. Description: True Sight is an Active perception ability that enables the user to see through most forms of magical concealment, including illusions, invisibility, and disguises. This ability is invaluable for detecting hidden threats, uncovering truths, and navigating deceptive environments. Users with True Sight can discern the true nature of their surroundings, making it difficult for magical trickery to deceive them. Notes: Activation of True Sight provides clarity of vision that penetrates magical obfuscations. It is particularly useful in situations where discerning reality from illusion is critical.---
Ability Name: Chimeric Gaze Type: Active, Perception, Transmutation Characteristic Requirements: Perception: ¡Ý65, Will: ¡Ý55 Other Requirements: Aether-related affinity Effects: Allows perception of chimeric energies and their interactions with the physical and magical world. Description: Chimeric Gaze is an active perception ability that grants the user insight into Aetheric energies and their interactions with both the physical and paracausal realms. This ability is particularly useful for those who work within enchanting or use Aether as a component in spellcraft, as it may aid those who desire to understand the complex interplay of different energies. Users can perceive the emission and decay of Aether to a far higher degree, aiding in the creation and manipulation of chimeric substances. Notes: Upon activation, Chimeric Gaze enhances the user''s ability to perceive and understand the complex nature of Aetheric energies. This includes identifying the sources of Aether, Aether-warped entities and materials, intuition towards the outcomes of Aether-infused transmutations, and understanding the impact of chimeric energies on the physical and paracausal world.---
Ability Name: Perceive ManaScript Type: Passive, Perception, Transmutation Characteristic Requirements: Perception: ¡Ý50, Intelligence: ¡Ý40 Effects: Enables remote reading of mana-sensitive texts, with range based on perception; ideal for enchanters. Description: Perceive ManaScript is a passive transmutation that allows users to remotely interpret texts, runes, and glyphs written with mana-sensitive ink or reagents. The range of this ability increases with the user''s perception level, making it particularly valuable for enchanters who need to understand complex magical scripts or researchers who need to be able to read multiple texts from a distance. Notes: Upon activation, Perceive ManaScript permanently enhances the user''s perception, enabling them to detect and understand mana-infused writings from a distance. The ability to perceive these scripts remotely, and the range at which this can be done, increases with the user''s level of perception. This includes the ability to detect subtle nuances, and hidden messages, and to comprehend the complex arcane mechanisms behind magical texts. The ability can be toggled on or off as needed. It requires a moderate level of perception and intelligence, as it involves not only the recognition of mana-infused scripts but also the comprehension of their deeper meanings and magical constructs. Perceive ManaScript is particularly effective when used in conjunction with the Split Mind ability, allowing the user to process and interpret multiple streams of magical information simultaneously.
¡®Am I alright? Ori, you''re the one who went through a soul craft, as a mortal, while still living. Such a despicable act of cruelty I have never heard of, if it were up to me, I''d have wrapped you up in wool and forced you to heal your spirit for a season.¡¯Sera¡¯s words replayed in his mind, feelings of warmth and melancholy from her concern lingered until the realisation of her soul detonation was likely a thousand times worse than anything he had gone through so far. ¡®I will find you, Seraphine.¡¯ Ori promised to himself, his fists tightening by his side as he placed in context just how small a sacrifice this was going to be, when compared to the chance of survival she gifted me, when up against Eltitus. ¡°I sense a shift within you?¡± Harriet said, the sensation of her skin, now more a comforting presence than a distracting source of sexual arousal. ¡°I¡¯m ready,¡± Ori said, the scrolls for every spell placed around him within the enchanted, ritual circle. ¡°Very well, I¡¯ll flood the room with Mana, take what you must, and remember, in this version of the spell, those scrolls will be consumed.¡± ¡°Alright. I¡¯m going to begin.¡± Ori exhaled deeply, focusing the full might of his newly enhanced mind on the task of enchanting his perception. The process of Quicken Perception, when viewed as an enchantment, transformed the prospective spell scrolls into the Shaping. Their words and the mana-infused ink became the Enchantments, his affinities provided the aspects to be Infused, his own mind served as the medium to be Refined, and his soul, with its link to his ability to perceive Fate, was the aspect to be Quickened. Spell forms hung fully formed in the air as Ori channelled more Mana than he had ever consciously managed outside of a domain. Each spell form was drawn faster, his mind sharper, the process of manipulating Mana becoming increasingly effortless. The scrolls around him, each representing a unique perception ability, seemed to burn with blue fire, their ashes swirling around him in a storm of paracausal energies. Harriet, sensing the progress of the process, began to channel Mana into the room, filling the space with a palpable energy that Ori could taste on his tongue and feel on every inch of his skin. As the Mana swirled around him, Ori reached out with his mind, and the un-aspected Mana obeyed as if it were an extension of his body. Merged within were strands of Aether which Ori ignored even though a background curiosity drew his attention towards them. He felt the core of each ability seep into his essence, his eyes ablaze as if only a part of his soul was thrown into the blast furnace this time, instead of the entirety. Mana Sight blurred as his vision burned, ash from the scrolls fusing with it to form something greater and unique. Had Ori been able to see his physical body, he would have seen his eyeballs glowing and his prefrontal cortex radiating an orange, gold, and white-hot silver, in stark contrast to the spectral blue of the Aether Rift. Burning smoke flowed into every open orifice on his face as if he were a vacuum. Triage, with its ability to rapidly assess physical and magical ailments, Chirurgeon¡¯s Echo with its deep insights into the body''s interface with the soul, the revealing clarity of Soul Lens, True Sight with its power to see through illusions and magical deceptions. Chimeric Gaze granting insight into the true nature of Aetheric energies, and Perceive ManaScript with its detail-oriented ability to read mana-infused writings from a distance ¨C the essence of each enchantment merged and then morphed before being Infused with his affinities and the Aether directed to him in minute amounts by Harriet. Ori¡¯s soul had fled his body. Life and death were no longer meaningful concepts as his sense of self teetered on the edge of oblivion. Like in the soul furnace and his dreamings, it was his bonds and connection to them that allowed him to remember who he was, anchor himself, and regain his purpose. ¡®Seraphine,¡¯ his soul called out. The Aether responded. Distantly, a gasp was let out as the sanctum was washed in blue brilliance that overwhelmed the light of his burning face and spell components. The Aether released a chaotic, unrestrained howl as its power forcefully mutated the Nascent amalgamation of transmutations into something unbound and profane. But before it could truly do something monstrous, before it could warp Ori beyond the bounds of humanity into a beast of rage and chaos, the wild torrent of Aether crashed upon Ori¡¯s resolve and broke like waves against a rocky coast. Survival, however, came at a cost. Ori could feel his soul fracturing. Despite surviving the tide of Aether, its power still lingered in the air, crackling and snapping with uncontained fury, seeking any outlet for escape. It prodded, probed, ripped, and tore at anything within its influence. The boundary of Ori''s soul, tormented and abused far too often in too short a time, was like an eggshell with cracks, his soul seeping into the void like egg whites. Then, things worsened. Triggered by a qualitative change in Ori''s soul or general characteristics, something within him unlocked at the worst possible time. The assimilated fragments of Eltitus''s soul released their payload of knowledge and experiences, obliterating Ori''s tenuous sense of self. The cracks within the shell that was his soul became irrelevant as the entire structure exploded into the aetheric wind within the Sanctum. For a moment, Ori Suba of Peckham Rye ceased to exist. His page of Fate was archived; his story was no more. His last thoughts were of Freya and Seraphine, his fear not for his own fate, but for theirs. But within that last stray, errant thought, that single spark of soul essence, that tiny mote of will, was enough of himself to rebuild himself. Aether was consumed as Ori rebuilt his soul fragment by fragment. Power swirled into himself with cyclonic forces that shook the foundations of a palace built for Sovereign Rankers. Eltitus''s experiences were incorporated into his soul, including knowledge that enhanced and accelerated the process. A part of Ori remained ever watchful for undesirable aspects of his erstwhile foe becoming part of his whole while his new vision further accelerated the rebuilding of his self. Insights new to both Ori and what was left of Eltitus, were discovered whilst awash with the titanic quantities of paracausal energies saturating the sanctum, and his newly formed transcendent vision. The entire process, from start to finish, was over in ten breaths. And ten breaths later in the relative silence of the damaged sanctum, Ori opened his eyes to a dusty, damaged hall. Blue light still poured into the Sanctum, but it seemed dimmer than before. "You alright?" Ori coughed, his lungs finally deciding to clear out a bucket of inhaled dust. Behind him, he found Harriet untouched by the dirt and debris, her intense blue eyes wild with panic and fear. Beyond her eyes were a maelstrom of energies, Mana aspected with unfamiliar affinities, a wall of thick, golden Grace that acted like a second armoured skin, meanwhile a soul so beautiful and melancholic outshone the pulsing blue chaos of the rift. "Ori, what in the spirits happened? I thought you were doomed. And your eyes, spirits¡ your eyes are glowing." 34. Overlord For long moments amidst the settling dust, Ori found himself captivated by Harriet''s presence. With his newly acquired sight, she seemed to breathe life into the world around her. "Mistress, I''ve prevented the staff from entering for now," Poppy said as she dashed into the sanctum, cautiously navigating through the dust and debris. She seemed to enrich the atmosphere, her movements causing ripples in the room''s energies; multifaceted and sparkling like liquid crystal. Her Grace was displayed on so many layers that Ori found himself breathless with awe. "What happened?" she inquired, pausing to take in the full extent of the damage, Ori''s glowing eyes, and Harriet''s evident distress. "Thank you, Poppy," Harriet said, regaining her composure as she stood and retrieved her dressing gown. "Please take Ori and wait for me in my drawing room, there we¡¯ll try and work out what just happened. Ori, are you able to turn off that effect?" Ori blinked, momentarily overwhelmed by the swirling energies around him. He hadn''t considered that this sensory overload could be something within his ability to turn on or off. Closing his eyes, he managed to shut out some of the overwhelming colours and sensations. With much more effort and concentration than usual, akin to his experience with Aura of Amplification, Ori located a mental switch. Flipping it, he watched as the vibrant colours of the world faded. "How''s this?" Ori asked, reopening his eyes to a hall now coated in lifeless, monochromatic dust illuminated only by the baleful blue light of the rift. The two elves still looked beautiful, but the vivid life and energy he had seen before he turned off his newfound vision were now just faint traces. Observing their expressions, both Harriet and Poppy appeared reassured by his display of control, yet Ori was unnerved by their unwavering fixation on his eyes. "Better, but still different. Go, and I''ll see to the staff and repairs," Harriet said, her gaze lingering on Ori''s eyes as she turned away to leave the sanctum. "If it would please you, Ori," Poppy said, offering her hand. He took it, and within a few steps, found himself in a cosy office. The light from the ringed gas giant and a few lanterns gave the room a softer, warmer feel, contrasting with the wide and airy hall they had just left. Ori walked around the desk, his mind dividing its attention. One part wanted to gaze directly at Poppy but settled for the view outside instead. Another sifted through Eltitus¡¯s memories and soul fragments, purging or quarantining those he found useless or unsettling. While a third mind focused on Poppy, using her as a focal point to probe the changes to his passive awareness and its extended coverage. "You feel different," she observed. "Yeah, well, I''m working on it," Ori replied. "What happened?" "The short version is, a few days ago, I absorbed the soul of a Lich. I couldn''t use his experiences or access his power until right in the middle of that transmutation," Ori explained. ¡°And then it all came at once.¡± "That''s too short a version," Poppy said, her concern turning to displeasure at his flippant response. "Mistress looks genuinely shaken. What did you do?" "Honestly, I don¡¯t really know. Maybe we can piece it all together when she comes?" Silence stretched for long moments. Both were motionless, with Ori sensing Poppy¡¯s glare on his back. The first part of his mind joined the second in auditing his soul. While his soul felt stronger and more resilient than ever, a small part of it wasn''t entirely Ori. He could sense a separate set of instincts, some benign, others irritating or outright dangerous. With the useful parts of Eltitus¡¯s knowledge, tracing their roots back into his soul was now effortless. However, pruning them away from aspects that were useful or fused with his preexisting self was sharply painful every time he did it, but it was a necessary process. While he could sequester or delete the undesirable parts of Eltitus¡¯s soul, changes to the rest of himself were inevitable. The weight of the Lich¡¯s four-hundred-year-old existence pressed down on him like anchors bolted to his chest. Glancing over those moments of abuse and torment, first inflicted on Eltitus and then on his enemies, was like a third infliction of horrors that aged Ori well beyond his two decades of life. Ori used his bonds as a focus, always referring to them when his sense of self or purpose became unclear amidst the ocean of gloom and chaos. As the minutes stretched on, he indeed felt his chest lighten and mood brighten, with those second set of instincts disappearing or becoming less intrusive. "Sorry," Ori sighed. "For what?" "For causing so much aggravation, and sometimes you''ve just got to apologise, even when things happen that are beyond your control." "Well, at least you survived. I take it your soul isn''t possessed by an undead Lich''s spirit anymore?" "More or less. How can you tell the difference?" "You''re not the only one with fancy perception, Ori." "Heh," Ori laughed, turning to face Poppy, taking her in. "Are you alright?" Poppy sighed. "There''s much I cannot say." "Like how you decided something, held my hand as if we were lovers, without any explanation?" Ori said, his smile softening his words. "Yes, that," Poppy admitted, suddenly sheepish. "Not saying I didn''t like it. I did. It was nice, it''s just..." "It''s just that you''re a summons, or that your desires are split several ways, or that you don''t see yourself worthy of anyone, let alone a Queen or her Handmaiden?" "I..." "None of that matters. As mad as it might seem to you, I''ve made my choice." "About me? What does this even mean? Is it part of your heritage, or just like a crush, or what?" Ori asked, his confusion growing as his heart raced. As she approached him, Ori was once again captivated by the way she moved, as if carried by a hidden cadence, one that dictated a smooth rise and fall in time with deliberate, flowing steps. She stood before him, a hand on his chest, her usual enigmatic smile seeming more earnest as she looked up at him. "Much more than a mere crush, I''m afraid I''m stuck with you, summon or not. Any more than that will have to wait until the mistress arrives. Will you be okay? I should go to see if I''m needed, and you seem busy with your thoughts." Ori simply stared at her, his expression one of confusion and a hint of panic. However, if he were honest with himself, having some of the uncertainty cleared with the promise of answers helped to settle his mind. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine,¡±
''This is a soul bond after all, not a mere life bond. It''s one of the few things in Fate that can easily transcend the boundaries of time and realms¡ ¡tricked you into a union far more profound than marriage, one even more intrusive than your familiar bond¡¯In the silence of his room, and with a clear head, Ori asked himself if he was really, truly ready to forge yet another lasting bond. With each bond he forged, he could feel his heart torn in separate directions, the duties and responsibilities of one, clashing with the burdens and requirements of another. Upon reflection, it was no surprise that they were all women, even Freya ¨C though he had imagined her as a nagging elder sister, there was no doubt that despite the limited time and interactions, he deeply cared for her in a way he had never cared for anyone before his abduction. And now with Harriet and Poppy, Ori stared at the prospect of forming soul-deep, lasting bonds with two women worlds away from his own, and hundreds of years apart. He was relatively confident that even if they were human, at the Sovereign rank, their lifespans would extend well beyond the duration of their time apart. However, just how much could a person change in seven hundred years? Just how much could their worldview diverge? How much could life experiences and maturity alter who they were? Could they still love a person who hasn¡¯t had a chance to grow up? With a conscious choice this time around, perhaps he should consider alternative ways of helping instead of falling headlong into another, permanent bond with all the responsibility and potential heartache that would involve. Ori critically considered the idea of being in a relationship with either or both women, setting aside the complex issue of temporal dislocation. There were significant factors to contemplate. For example, did he truly want to be in love with a Queen, a woman whose nation would invariably come before him? As for Poppy, her duty to her queen would likely supersede any relationship or commitment they might share. Yet, didn¡¯t he have his own commitments, goals, and evolving bonds? While pride and responsibility would prevent him from abandoning Sera or Freya, he missed them too much to entertain the thought of remaining in Lunaesidhe indefinitely, never to see them again. Furthermore, the fact that they were High Elves and he was not, presented a significant obstacle. Song Law prohibited unevolved races from freely moving within High Elven society. As a human, this meant he could likely never legally or openly travel to, or stay with Harriet and Poppy. This restriction could also affect any potential children, given that High Elven society relied on the intermingling of specific bloodlines for Altus Progenitus ¨C the ability to bear evolved children from birth. Meanwhile, whether Ori actually wanted children was another complex web of emotions and insecurities he wasn''t prepared to unravel at the moment. All these thoughts and more swirled between the three portions of his Split Mind. Forcing himself to do something productive during his brooding, Ori re-tasked a third of his mind towards the translation project of Arabella¡¯s journal.
Enchantment Name: Dreamwalkers'' Ward Characteristic Requirements: Domain > 10 Other Requirements: Dream-related affinity, Hardbody shaping material, Effects: Passively projects a field around the user five yards in radius wide, that turns otherwise harmful attacks, effects, or entities into aspects that can be manipulated in the Waking as if they were in the Dreaming. Provides one activation per charge, with the number of charges variable based on crafting success. Description: The Dreamwalkers Ward is an artefact that melds the essence of dream manipulation with defensive warding. Designed to blur the lines between reality and the dream world, this ward utilises the user''s dream affinity to transform real threats into random, manageable dream-like entities. This unique characteristic allows the user to control, mitigate, banish or even repurpose incoming dangers as if manipulating elements within a dream. Hostile entities within the ward''s domain are banished to their original plane of existence upon activation of the ward, or if native to the user''s current plane, have a chance to be knocked unconscious, their dreaming mind held captive by the user in the dreaming. Notes: Crafting this artefact requires not only a profound understanding of dream-related magics, rare and exotic reagents and spell inks but also access to a domain. As a result, forging this artefact is rarely accessible to enchanters beneath the rank of Immortal. Additionally, the use of this artefact requires an innate capability to withstand and manipulate the ethereal and often unpredictable nature of dreams. Users must be cautious, as the ward''s effects can sometimes bleed into perception, requiring mental fortitude to separate illusion from reality. The ward is ideal for lucid dreamers with Dreamwalking aptitude. However, due to its passive, always-on nature, concealing the shield''s presence may not be possible against anyone with even a moderate perception ability.Ori stared at the enchantments crafting guide as he mentally tallied the materials and resources needed to craft it. Its requirement of a Dream Domain seemed to vastly reduce the complexity of inscriptions, and the cost of catalysts and reagents required to manufacture something this useful, and for most people, this was not a trade-off available to them. But Ori wasn''t like most people and intended to leverage this fact more often.
Sovereign (Boundary: Level 75, B Rank): A mark to both one''s ambition and circumstance. In the Sovereign realm, individuals'' auras naturally extend their impact beyond personal boundaries, influencing the larger community and environment. This involves unconsciously shaping dwellings and landscapes, communities and practices, or leading or guiding others in the realm of magic. Most individuals aspire to ascend to this rank over their prolonged lifetimes, but vanishingly few ever achieve it. Requirements include ten Accolades, varied Peritia, at least one class at the Arch Realm or Racial Evolution to High, comprehension of a Sovereign Affinity or a requisite amount of Grace, the merging of every spell or ability within one Spell Constellation, and the unification of two characteristics. Immortal (Boundary: Level 100, A Rank): The Immortal Realm is the threshold of transcending conventional paracausal boundaries. While not yet divine, those in this realm exhibit characteristics and abilities that are precursors to divinity, such as immortal life and local authority over fundamental aspects of nature. It is a rare pinnacle, especially for humans, as achieving this often requires harnessing tremendous quantities of Grace alongside Peritia. Requirements include ten Rare Accolades, varied Peritia, at least one class at the Arch Realm or Racial Evolution to Arch, comprehension of an Immortal Affinity, and comprehension of an Authority.He wasn''t sure how yet, but Ori knew that something about class and racial evolutions did something profound, fundamentally changing the nature of the soul. Perhaps if he could generate insights by direct access to souls¡ But that would all but certainly require Poppy, Harriet or likely both of their aids. Amidst his enchanting, Ori briefly contemplated delving into what he considered more controversial areas of magic that would challenge foundational principles of physics and engineering, that dark Pandora''s box Ori instinctively knew was far more dangerous than the void or necromancy, in terms of unintended consequences. Laws of conservation, mass-energy conversion, the Second Law of Thermodynamics, causality and the speed of light. The potential of circumventing these laws could yield powerful magical exploits. However, considering the inherent dangers and his limited expertise, coupled with a self-imposed deadline of two weeks, Ori decided that leaving such ventures be for now until he could ensure a safer and more controlled environment and far more privacy, was the best bet, despite how that cold, spiteful part of him wanted a weapon, a reassuring thing to hold while feeling threatened in the dark. As such thoughts consumed a third of his mind, the rest worked on his craft. The enchantments he envisioned were simple yet crucial. Using basic materials such as sticks for healing wands and stones for protective talismans, each item was infused with a simple spell capable of either healing minor wounds or providing a modest shield against physical attacks, ideal for field medics or scouts. Repetition carved the processes into his mind and muscle memory, he could feel his soul shift and grow as Peritia lazily swirled around him, his actions inviting the energy of fate itself to rewrite him as he sought to rewrite purpose and function into the inanimate over and over again. He switched focus towards creating items that would aid in surveillance and information warfare. These included enchanted proximity sensors and seemingly innocuous objects capable of capturing and relaying sights and sounds over long distances, allowing users to gather intelligence without risking exposure. It was now getting late on the second day of his crafting session and the clawing tiredness of a muddled mind and a body stiff from sitting still for far too many hours signalled the end of his flow state. He stood and examined the products of his work; several channelling wands, Yewheart rings of minor healing, paired stones of alarm that lit up whenever a living being got close to the paired detection stone, and a brooch with a dream enchantment that warded one from unwanted dream intrusions. Satisfied, Ori wore the ring and as he made his way back to his suite, placed the paired detection stones along the corridor as he contemplated the daunting task of crafting the Dreamwalkers'' Ward, a challenge he was unsure he could readily overcome. At the core of this artefact was a silver brooch, a material he had not inscribed upon before. Silver''s celestial neutrality and mana conductivity would ideally amplify the ward''s dream-manipulating capabilities, but working with such a hardy material required precision and steady hands he''d never demonstrated in his previous life. The engraving on metal posed its own set of challenges. Unlike the more forgiving Yewheart Wood he was becoming accustomed to, silver offered no room for error. Each line had to be precisely planned and perfectly carved as the metal would unforgivingly reflect any slip or misjudgement. This task was made even more daunting by the sheer amount of mana required to quicken the ward enchantment; ten times more mana than Ori had ever attempted to draw from the atmosphere, outside of his domain¡ªa formidable challenge given his lack of a Mana Nexus. If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Moreover, maintaining an active domain during the Quickening of the enchantment added another layer of difficulty. The domain wasn''t just a physical aura but a confluence of energies that needed constant nurturing and control. His domain had to be kept stable and aligned with the dream-related affinities that the Dreamwalkers'' Ward was steeped in, ensuring that the energies remained coherent and potent enough to form a pseudo-artefact will; a near-sentient presence. This Will within the artefact was the engine that enabled the enchantment to work without far more complex and resource-intensive processes and inscriptions. The problem was a near-divine grade ability needed near-divine grade characteristics, specifically Wisdom and Intelligence. And while Ori''s intelligence almost certainly exceeded that of a mortal man, he was a long way off, perhaps a thousand times less than where he needed it to be, to comfortably manage a domain indefinitely. Currently, his ability or rather, his inability to process and control every floating particle of mass or energy overloaded his mind with an overwhelming deluge of sensory information no mortal man could comprehend for long. Ori knew that the successful creation of the Dreamwalkers'' Ward would not only test his skills as an enchanter but also push the boundaries of his understanding of his dream-related affinities, his domain, and his own mental resilience. Despite the risks and the high stakes, the potential to master such an enchantment drove Ori forward, determined to overcome the barriers and breathe life into the silver brooch that would hopefully become his first step towards redemption and self-forgiveness. As Ori sank onto his bed with his arcane vision still active, he felt the surreal experience of himself sliding between conscious and unconscious with an unnerving lucidity, as if leaving his body behind and sinking beneath the surface of the waking world, into a realm familiar and of his design. For a moment, Ori was unsure of whether or not he was asleep, a strange inverse hypnopompic state that was as novel as it was disorientating. Fortunately, the space he found himself in was one he recognised. Before long, Ori soon found himself adrift in Freya''s dreamscape, the prismatic auroras and gentle hills a welcome sight after the turmoil of his waking hours. However, as his astral form took shape, it was clear something was amiss. The colours of the dreamscape seemed muted, the winds more biting, mirroring the troubled state of Ori''s mind. Freya sensed his presence immediately, the tug of their bond announcing his arrival. Yet as she approached, she realised this was not the same bright, cheeky Ori she had last spoken to. His aura was turbulent, swirling with shades of frustration, self-doubt, and simmering anger. "Oh, what''s got your knickers in a twist?" Freya asked bluntly as she hovered before him, her spectral form pulsing with a mix of concern and exasperation. Ori''s astral form shrugged, his shoulders tense. "Just found some clarity, that''s all." "Clarity doesn''t produce billowing clouds of storm aura ruining the peace and tranquillity of my dream, Ori. What happened?" Ori then went on to explain the events since they last met, from Harriet''s reasons for summoning him to her confession of being in love with him, to his tryst with Poppy in the night garden and their interruption. Finally, he described his encounter with Irbron, his assault and imprisonment, and the life, boon, and curse Ori had been offered in recompense. As Ori recounted his recent struggles, the dreamscape responded, the winds tossing the pink-leafed grasses. Freya listened, her glowing presence a steady anchor amidst the tumult of Ori''s emotional overspill. When he finished, she spoke curtly, "You feel like you were lied to?" "Maybe? I don''t know." "But not by the Elven Queen?" "No, not Harriet. I think I had this idea of finding peace, or some kind of safety far away from the battlefield before I started the trial. I guess mentally, I wasn''t prepared for it." "The blows that catch us unawares deal the most damage." "Yeah," Ori agreed. "But, Ori, this is still a trial, and all actions have consequences. Unless you limited yourself to making no interactions with anyone, it''d have been impossible for you to avoid conflict. In this case, a jilted ex-lover of your girlfriend." "She''s not my¡ª" "Ori, please do not complete that sentence, or else," Freya said, her voice suddenly icy. "But¡ª" "Ori, listen to me very carefully. I will offer you no relationship advice, but if you do not treat the women who care for you with respect, we will have a reckoning you and I," Freya said with an air of finality that made Ori''s astral form shiver. "Freya?" Freya sighed. "Hopefully, there will come a time when you''ll look back at yourself now, at a time where you are no one and have nothing to your name, and yet you still manage to find people who care for you, and you''ll weep in envy over more simplistic days." Ori sat, glowing eyes fixed on the distant horizon, his expression thoughtful. It was at moments like this where, despite their comparable ages, Freya''s improbable wealth of knowledge and experiences humbled him. "You think they actually love me?" he wondered. "It is no subconscious thing to want to form such a bond, you have to be willing and present in mind, heart or in the case of elves, spirit." "How do you mean?" Ori pressed. "Despite the obvious similarity, elves and humans are different, "their beauty belies an icy heart," is I believe, the refrain many a human refers to whenever they have the misfortune of meeting a high elf." "Icy Heart? If that''s the case then, why are they so... interested in me?" "Boys¡" Freya sighed. "AND you''re a human too... so driven by physical appearances, a primal response to beauty so hard-coded into the brains of you males that it forms the basis of all worth and value judgements. So what if they are beautiful and you are not? All high elves are beautiful. In a culture where physical attractiveness is a birthright, how do you suspect they deem a suitor''s worthiness?" "I don''t know. Personality?" Ori asked, genuinely curious. "Ha! Just as physical attractiveness is the be-all and end-all for human males, elven females go loopy over souls, specifically inherent affinities. You likely got their knickers wet just by showing your mysterious transcendent affinity to them." "That''s mad. Wait, so you''re saying all elves might find me attractive just because of my magic? Or my soul?" "High Elves, and likely specifically the celestial elves like the Lunaesidhe and Solarieal. Lesser elves are more fae-like but I honestly don''t know, Ori. Either way, before you plan on ever seducing your way through the high elven population, you''ll need to gain some measure of strength to back up that transcendent affinity of yours. Until then, keep it in your pants." ¡°My magic or my-¡± ¡°You are such a boy,¡± Freya growled. "And what about the Fae?" Ori asked, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. "No." "No, what do you mean?" "I mean no, I won''t be the one to tell you, and the day you eventually find out will be the day your head expands so large that it''ll float off in the wind like a soap bubble." "Ha, well, I guess I''ve to thank you for keeping my head attached. Anyway, I thought you weren''t offering advice?" Ori smirked. "And besides, what about Harriet and Poppy?" "What''s done is done. I admire you for trying to work out the potential consequences of your actions, but in this case, it really is too late." "And once again I''m really confused." Ori sighed "You''ll figure it out, once you get over your insecurities," Freya sighed. "Besides, I''m more suited to knocking down big heads and over-inflated egos, I fear I''ve got my work cut out for me in future." Ori smiled at the admission. "So you''re confident we''ll have a future? And that you''ll stick around?" "Yes. That''s becoming obvious to me now. I''ll still need to return to the glade at some point, but¡" As Freya continued, Ori''s heart lifted at her stoic certainty. It was like she saw his success as an unavoidable fact, her burden of inevitability. "How? And why would you stay with me? I''m not even sure what I''m going to do if we get out of that prison." "Which is exactly why I¡¯m going to stick around and keep you out of causing too much trouble. For now, let the future rest and focus your mind on the now. As all of this," Freya buzzed over Ori''s head, her movements apparently pointing out the stormy clouds above, "has shown, you lack control in the dreaming, and stewing in your anger isn''t going to help anything. Time to channel that energy into something productive." "Yeah," Ori agreed, standing up as if to show he was ready and up for some exercises. "Now, I suggest we do some training. Time away from the problems of the waking will help you blow off some steam," Freya continued. Ori took a deep breath, letting Freya''s words and the tranquillity of the dream wash over him. "Yeah, alright. Training sounds good. Where do we start?" Freya chuckled. "Control. Your aura is leaking emotions all over the place. Focus on calming your mind and visualise your aura as you do so." As Ori began to concentrate, Freya guided him through the process of stabilising his presence in the dreamscape. The winds died down, the colours harmonising into serene prismatic pinks, purples and blues. "That''s better," Freya remarked. "Now, let''s see if you can maintain that while we work on your dream focus." "My dream focus?" Ori thought for a moment, then pulled out the broken fragments of his soul-bound artefact he had named after Seraphine. The once-pristine crystalline wand now lay in shattered pieces, glittering in his palm. "I could try using these." Freya''s form pulsed with curiosity. "That is your focus from the waking world, Yes? The fractured soul bound artifact.¡± Ori nodded. ¡°It could work, the emotional connection is certainly there, and the crystal should be able to channel intent which is paramount in the dreaming. It''ll also be interesting to see if it changes when you get round to repairing it. Come, let us begin." As Freya guided Ori through stabilising his aura, she began discussing various aspects of dream manipulation. "Now that you''ve got some control over your emotional projection, it''s time to learn concealment within the dreaming." Ori nodded, focusing on maintaining the calming visualisation of his aura. "Like hiding from other dreamers?" "Yes," Freya confirmed. "The dreaming is vast and unpredictable. You may need to observe without being noticed or protect yourself from unwanted attention. You''ll need to blend in with the dream environment, making your presence unobtrusive." Freya demonstrated by dimming her spectral form until she was barely distinguishable from the shimmering auroras above. Ori concentrated, attempting to mimic her technique. Gradually, his astral form faded, blending into the prismatic hues of the dreamscape. "Good," Freya praised as Ori''s form became nearly invisible. "With practice, you''ll maintain this concealment even while interacting with the dream." ¡°Yeah, this doesn¡¯t feel like pervy dream spying, not one bit.¡± ¡°Ori!¡± Next, Freya moved on to permanence and dream creation. "The dreaming is mutable, responding to the subconscious. However, it''s possible to create lasting constructs, to shape the dream with intent and will." Ori thought of the Dreamwalkers'' Ward, the enchanted brooch designed to protect the wearer from dream intrusion. "Could I use it with the ward I''ve been working on?" Freya nodded. "It¡¯s similar in principle. The Dreamwalkers'' Ward is a physical anchor, a conduit for dream magic to affect the waking world. But within the dreaming, you can create barriers, sanctuaries, or even weapons, given sufficient focus and power." Ori''s eyes widened slightly. "Weapons? To harm other dreamers?" Freya''s form pulsed with caution. "In extreme cases. Dream constructs can harm, scare, or disorient. But such actions have consequences, both within the dream and in the waking world with spill over varying greatly depending on your current plane of existance." "Like, what kind of consequences?¡± ¡°Well as your on the elemental plane, dream spillover is rarer and less damaging, but for example, if crafted using a strong enough intent within a domain, any transmutations made would last several seconds, less so if against another Awakened.¡± ¡°Wait, dream affinity allows me to transmute¡ anything within my domain?¡± ¡°WITH A STRONG ENOUGH INTENT!" Freya exclaimed, "Intent being the key, you need to instinctively know and understand what you''re transmuting, and that will require familiarity borne of hard earned practice.¡± Freya explained. Freya then introduced Split Mind in the dreaming. "Your Split Mind transmutation can be applied here. In the dreaming, it would allow you to be in multiple places at once, to explore different aspects of the dream simultaneously." Ori''s astral form split into three, each examining the others with curiosity. Each third seemed faded or semi-transparent, though nowhere near the amount of each being a third as opaque as normal. "Rar, this is mad, fam. I¡¯m feelin'' all three perspectives at once." Freya giggled. "It takes getting used to, but it can be incredibly useful for gathering information or multitasking within the dream." As the training continued, Freya taught Ori to sense the dreams of those physically close to him in the waking world. "Every dreamer leaves a unique imprint, a resonance detectable while dreamwalking. With practice, you''ll locate and even enter the dreams of those around you." Ori focused, reaching out with his dream senses. He felt the faint, shimmering presence of Harriet and Poppy, their dreams tantalizingly close yet separate. "I think I can feel them, Harriet and Poppy. Their dreams are like distant stars, glimmering on the horizon." Freya''s form pulsed with approval. "Very good. Remember, entering another''s dream uninvited should be done with trust and consent." ¡°Unless their demons.¡± Freya sighed. ¡°Exceptions prove the rule." As the lesson drew to a close, Freya offered a final reminder. "Ori, when you cross the boundaries between dreams. In these spaces between spaces lie those ancient, strange entities. Don''t linger, and don''t leave a trace. Such beings are best left undisturbed." ¡°Yeah, you¡¯ve already told me about them. I''ll be careful." Ori nodded as the waking world regained its hold over his consciousness. 39. Herald "Alright, it''s time to cook!" Ori declared with a clap, its echo resonating through the otherwise silent workshop. It was late morning the following day, and all his preparations for his first major enchantment had been completed. He had prepared the Orichalcum by heating it within an enchanted Crucible, its once bronze matte texture turning mirror-like once its melting point was reached. Stabilising the Crucible¡¯s temperature, Ori arranged the rest of the materials. He carefully laid out the silver brooch and the lesser essences of Lux (Light), Nox (Void), Tyche (Fate), Fury (Wraith), Aegia (Protection), Anima (Spirit), Nimbus (Aura), and Somnium (Dream), as well as the rare catalysts needed for the complex enchantment. All the materials, as seen through his arcane perception shone with vibrant hints of their affinities, with almost all of Ori¡¯s senses being engaged as he carefully measured out the appropriate amounts for each. Anticipation vibrated through Ori¡¯s fingers¡ªa minor tremor he couldn¡¯t quite suppress¡ªas the room was awash with a kaleidoscope of swirling mana currents and the auras of affinities radiated from the lesser essences. Despite an excitement which bordered on nervous tension, Ori began the intricate process of inscribing glyphs onto the silver. Each line had to be precise, the rigidity of the silver, fortunately, compensating for the slight shaking of his hands due to his mounting nerves. As the initial channels for glyphs were carved, Mana and lesser essences were first infused into the brooch, followed by the molten Orichalcum, which instantly assumed the properties of Spell Ink. As he re-carved glyphs and the molten Orichalcum flowed, he drew upon the unaligned mana in the atmosphere, channelling ever-increasing amounts as the inscription progressed. Ori soon realised he was running dangerously low on accessible mana. He had underestimated his needs; the brooch, now thrumming with latent power, demanded more than he could safely draw from his surroundings. In a desperate bid to maintain control over the enchantment, he imposed his will onto the mana he had already channelled, desperately attempting to recycle it in the same way his light orb had done, using mana permanence. During this tense moment, whether it was the brooch or his hands that shook Ori would never know as an errant scratch disastrously disrupted the delicate circuit of mana and intent. An explosion propelled Ori backwards through the workshop. The silver brooch, now a twisted, molten mess, clattered to the floor amidst a shower of arcane sparks. Burning Orichalcum sizzled like hot coals on his clothing. Dazed, disoriented, and vexed, with his ears still ringing from the blast, Ori lay, his chest heaving in exertion and adrenaline, trying to make sense of what had just happened. For a long moment, he questioned everything: not just whether this was the right enchantment, whether he had the skill or aptitude for enchanting at all. Setting aside his unique, and likely temporary, restrictions, he wondered whether a failure of this magnitude was something he could afford if he indeed took up the practice in future. Just then, Poppy rushed in, her expression tight with concern as she surveyed the state of the workshop, the failed enchantment, and Ori lying in a heap on the floor. "Are you alright?" she asked, crouching near him. His arcane vision, still active, caught the delicate swirls of Grace and soul stuff swirling from her every movement. Ori sighed. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± The door opened, and Harriet stepped in, waving away the grey smoke from the burnt remnants of his misadventure. ¡°What happened? Ori, are you hurt?¡± Ori, still reeling from the explosion, shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± he repeated, the weight of their concern battling with his sense of failure. His Adam''s apple bobbed and eyes burned as he found it difficult to swallow or find words that could mask his disappointment. He had failed in a way that wasn¡¯t easy to overcome, using resources he doubted were easy to replace. He had wanted to keep his burdens to himself, to not add to the troubles he had already brought upon the two women. But as he looked into their eyes, he realised he couldn''t keep them in the dark any longer. "I was trying to craft the Dreamwalkers'' Ward, but I didn''t have enough mana. It backfired." Harriet¡¯s brow furrowed as she examined the ruined brooch. ¡°Show me the crafting guide.¡± Ori stood, fetched the scroll from the other side of the workshop, and handed it over to her. Her confused frown turned into a scowl as she read it. ¡°Ori, this is a High Enchantment, one that straddles the boundaries between High and Arch given the requirements. What on spirits'' name were you thinking¡ No, actually, I believe I understand. You wanted to craft some form of protection, but this is an incredibly complex enchantment, Ori. Even experienced enchanters would struggle with this." "It''s designed to automatically protect the wearer from harm. It seemed relevant against Sovereign rank threats, and it was the only one I thought I could manage.¡± Harriet and Poppy exchanged a glance, their expressions a mix of sympathy and concern. "Ori, this is an incredibly advanced enchantment," Harriet said gently. "One apparently, not even you could manage.¡± Ori shook his head, frustration evident in his voice. "It''s my lack of a Mana Nexus. That''s the only thing holding me back. I know I could do this if I had access to more mana." Poppy placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Ori, you¡¯re a mortal, why is risking these enchantments worth the backlash?" Harriet nodded in agreement. "She''s right, Ori. Your growth as an enchanter has been astounding, but you need to be patient with yourself. Rushing into advanced enchantments before you''re ready is dangerous." ¡°There is always danger! This is how I protect myself!¡± Ori all but shouted, annoyed with their patronising sympathy. Ori looked at the two women, his heart torn between gratitude for their support and frustration at his limitations. "if I had a Mana Nexus, I could draw upon more power, I could overcome these barriers. You have a way for me to make one, don''t you??" "There are ways. Rituals we High Elves have used in past ages." "Do they only work for elves?" "No, but¡ª" "Is it dangerous, like Quicken Perception? Or does it need rare materials or reagents?" Ori asked, his eyes gleaming with urgent need. "No," Harriet said sternly. "Then, couldn¡¯t I perform the ritual? It¡¯d be a massive help." Ori asked, his voice reflecting a readiness to shed his pride and seek assistance from the queen once more. At this, Harriet''s expression grew grave. She stepped closer to Ori, her eyes locked with his. "You do not know what you ask." The room fell silent, the weight of Harriet''s words hanging in the air. Ori, sensing the gravity of the moment, held his tongue, waiting for her to continue. ¡°Poppy, fetch the Lunaesutra¡¯kuri Kari,¡± Harriet commanded. Poppy¡¯s eyes widened, and then she grinned madly, Ori¡¯s curiosity and apprehension rising as she traversed through the shadows to fetch what was presumably a guide to the ritual. Turning back to Harriet, he was met by the mask of a monarch, her straight back rigidly in place over the otherwise relatable young woman he had come to know. ¡°What is the Lunaesutra¡¯kuri Kari?¡± ¡°A choice you¡¯ll need to make.¡± She answered cryptically still unwilling to make eye contact. Thankfully, the wait for Poppy¡¯s return wasn¡¯t long, and as she handed over a large, leather-bound book to Ori, she darted in for an unexpected kiss on the cheek. ¡°Read it, and memorise the relevant ritual, I will have your answer tomorrow.¡± They both left the room, Ori staring after them dumbfounded as he wondered what fresh hell he had stumbled on to now.
Ability Name: Vision of the Progenitor Type: Active, Perception Characteristic Requirements: Perception: ¡Ý85, Will: ¡Ý80, Spirit: ¡Ý75 Other Requirements: Unknown, Unique Effects: Grants the ability to perceive and interact with the essences of Lifeforce, Vitality, Soul, Aether, and Mana, seamlessly blending perception across physical and metaphysical realms. Description: Vision of the Progenitor is a Transcendent Rank perception ability, unique to the Library of Fates. It merges the highest forms of sensory and mystical insight, allowing the user to view the essence of souls, the flow of life forces, the intricate decompositions of aether, the harmonic interactions of Mana, along with hints of other Paracausal energies of Fate. Users can see the convergence of these energies within beings and objects, understanding their interplay in an almost preternatural manner. It offers a comprehensive view that transcends mere sight, providing profound insight into the very fabric of existence, including realms that may exist beyond the reaches of Fate. Notes: Upon activation, Vision of the Progenitor enables the user to gain insight and comprehension of observed effects ¡ªto which they have an affinity ¡ªat an accelerated rate. This ability also consumes and assimilates new or preexisting perception-related abilities or spells, morphing to incorporate aspects from the ability destroyed. Scaling with the user''s perception characteristics, this ability not only allows for the detection of hidden life forces and soul conditions but also grants insights into the manipulation of these energies, suggesting possibilities of creation and alteration extending well beyond the divine. The power to perceive such fundamental forces carries a grave responsibility, as the knowledge gained could reveal the vulnerabilities and strengths of both living and non-living entities. Ultimate mastery of Vision of the Progenitor may lead to unparalleled power over life and death, creation and destruction, potentially reshaping the structure of reality itself if wielded without restraint. Consequently, the inception of Vision of the Progenitor heralds the dawn of the Age of Blindness, its ominous potential outshining and permanently diminishing the strength of long-term divination forecasts across all demiplanes, serving as a lasting reminder of the vastness of Fate, and the unfathomable potential of Irregulars on the Path.40. Acceptance (explicit content) "The Oracles¡ Age of Blindness¡ this, this is because of you!?" Irbron shouted. "Submit yourself to a divination¡ª" "Errindel," Poppy growled, "he shall do no such thing." "You can''t be serious?" the prince exclaimed, aghast at the handmaiden''s vehemence. "One more word, Irbron, and I¡¯ll invoke your soul oath," Poppy warned, as Ori¡¯s gaze fixed on the prince, preparing to enter polydextery¡¯s heightened perception of time and unfurl his domain once more. "Harriet and the council must hear of this!" Irbron huffed as he stormed out of the room. "Ugh, he is such a pain," Poppy exhaled, renewed tension in her muscles disrupting the flows of Grace and void mana as she moved. She turned towards Ori, her eyes intense and fingers twitching within her clenched fist. "Do I need to be worried he¡¯ll try something?" Ori asked, unsure in the face of Poppy¡¯s agitation. She sighed. "No, though I should be there when he explains it to mistress. The soul oath will prevent him from discussing specifics with anyone else." "Okay," Ori said, expecting her to leave. "Ori, what does Progenitor mean?" "I¡¯m not sure, Poppy," Ori shrugged. "Someone once told me that I might become the first human to evolve. So maybe it has something to do with that?" At that, Poppy¡¯s eyes widened, and an intensity he¡¯d never seen before turned her welcoming gaze into something frenzied and primal. She then let out a short, manic giggle before darting in for a kiss. This time, before she could leave his grasp, Ori held her, his arms wrapping around the small of her back and deepening their kiss. Poppy returned his kiss with an unusual intensity, then she shoved him away. ¡°Please know that my desire for you is unconditional, but the way you handled Irbron, and our eyes¡ Well, let¡¯s just say that I¡¯m really glad I¡¯ve forgone the wearing of knickers when I¡¯m around you.¡± She said, an impish grin turning into a smirk upon the widening of Ori¡¯s eyes and his easily dodged attempt to pull her close. ¡°Sorry, but I really do need to see mistress," Poppy laughed, before turning and stepping through the shadows. He gaped as he watched her go, and could only shake his head in frustration and wonder not quite believing her brazen words.
Spell Name: Echo Forging Type: Active, Transmutation Characteristic Requirements: Intelligence: ¡Ý50, Perception ¡Ý750, Will: ¡Ý25 Other Requirements: Enchantment-related class, Dream-related affinity, Material-related affinity. Effects: Enables the user to transmute an imagined, memorised, or dreamt object into reality, contingent upon material costs and channelling skill. Description: Echo Forging is an active, channelled, transmutation spell that allows the caster to incarnate imagined, memorised, or dreamt objects into physical form. This spell relies heavily on the caster''s ability to visualise the object in detail, as well as the availability of necessary materials and sufficient mana. The quality, durability, and functionality of the created object are influenced by the amount of mana used, the duration of the forging process, the clarity and detail of the visualisation, and the size of the object relative to the caster''s skill level. Notes: Upon activation, Echo Forging demands intense concentration and a deep understanding of the materials involved. The spell allows for adjustments during the casting process, where the caster can integrate infusions and enchantments into the object, depending on their skill level. This makes it particularly useful for creating bespoke magical items or reshaping and re-enchanting items that are already soul-bound to a user. The effectiveness of Echo Forging can be enhanced by local environmental conditions that are conducive to the spell''s energy requirements. For instance, casting in an area rich in natural mana can reduce the material cost and increase the fidelity of the transmuted object. This spell requires a high level of perception and intelligence, as the caster must not only visualise the object but also comprehend and manipulate the complex arcane mechanisms involved in its creation. Echo Forging is particularly powerful when used in conjunction with abilities that enhance mental clarity and focus, such as Beacon of Wisdom or Lesser Clarity.Leaning into both his Material and Astral affinities, as well as Vision of the Progenitor, Ori believed he had found a great, all-purpose spell that would enable him to form the initial shape of objects without requiring bulky tools. Unfortunately, the spell proved to be exceptionally difficult to use. Beyond the high level of concentration required to achieve even basic results, the level of imperfections left behind in the process was unacceptable¡ªat least initially. A day of using the spell had produced noticeable improvements, though it wasn¡¯t until Poppy entered and noticed his growing level of frustration that he realised just how much he had improved over the day. She reminded him that as a mortal, the Intelligence requirements of the spell alone were pushing well beyond that of most middle-level Awakened. His original plan to use Echo Forging alone to reshape and re-enchant Seraphine seemed months away, however, and he was forced to simplify his process by breaking the re-enchantment into three steps.
Spell Name: Lesser Echo Print Type: Active, Enchanting Characteristic Requirements: Intelligence: ¡Ý55, Perception: ¡Ý100, Will: ¡Ý100 Other Requirements: Enchantment-related class, Alchemical affinity, Dream-related affinity. Effects: Enables the user to etch precise inscriptions into materials using a channelled spell, which can integrate alchemical essences and aspected affinities into the inscription for enhanced effects. Description: Lesser Echo Print is an active, channelled enchanting spell that allows the caster to precisely etch inscriptions into various materials using mana. Directed by a channelled spell glyph, or guided by a memory or vision from a dream, this spell is a mana-intensive and meticulous method that ensures high precision in inscribing magical texts and symbols. The inscriptions can be imbued with alchemical essences during or after the etching process, and aspected affinities can be incorporated to enhance the magical properties of the inscribed item. The depth, clarity, and magical potency of the inscriptions are influenced by the caster''s control over the flow of mana and their skill in managing the details of the spell. Notes: Upon activation, Lesser Echo Print demands the caster''s undivided attention and a profound understanding of the interaction between mana, material, and magical essences. The exceptionally high requirements for Perception and Will¡ªset at 100 each¡ªreflect the significant difficulty and skill necessary to successfully use this spell. These high requirements are indicative of the precise control and intense focus needed to manage and direct the spell''s complex processes. This spell allows for detailed adjustments during the etching process, where the caster can modify the intensity and pattern of the inscriptions as needed. Lesser Echo Print is particularly valuable for creating high-value enchanted items where precision and specificity of magical effects are crucial. Lesser Echo Print is particularly effective when used in conjunction with cognitive-enhancing abilities like Beacon of Wisdom or Lesser Clarity, which aid in maintaining focus and control during the prolonged and detailed channelling process.It was a pain needing to master another complex spell, but in contrast to Echo Forging, Ori found that Lesser Echo Print was far easier to use effectively, despite its mental and mana-intensive nature. With a reliable method to consistently inscribe enchantments, Ori then turned his attention to Quickening:
Spell Name: Lesser Life Spark Type: Active, Quickening Characteristic Requirements: Intelligence: ¡Ý20, Other Requirements: Lightning affinity, Life affinity, Celestial affinity, Light affinity. Effects: Used in the quickening stage of enchanting to potentially spark wills within enchantments and imbue the quickened artefact with properties beneficial to users with light, life, lightning, or celestial affinities. Can also function as a revival spell in specific circumstances. Description: Lesser Life Spark is an active spell used during the quickening stage of enchanting. It can ignite wills within enchantments if none exist, thereby imbuing the quickened artefact with dynamic properties that align with light, life, lightning, or celestial affinities. This spell not only enhances the artefact''s compatibility and efficacy with users who share these affinities but also introduces potent qualities into the artefact. Notes: Lesser Life Spark can also function similarly to Lesser Resurrection in specific contexts where an individual''s physical form has been restored, and their spirit remains linked to the body. This dual functionality makes Lesser Life Spark a versatile tool in both enchanting and healing disciplines. The effectiveness of the spell can be enhanced in environments that naturally amplify the affinities it utilises, such as areas rich in celestial or life energies. Lesser Life Spark is an indispensable tool for enchanters and healers alike, offering both magical enhancement and life-sustaining possibilities.For the final stage, Ori chose to learn Lesser Life Spark, primarily because it matched his affinities but also due to its dual-use nature. He envisioned using Death Ward to prevent someone''s soul from becoming untethered after a fatal wound, and, after leisurely repairing their body, quickening them with Lesser Life Spark to fully bring them back to life. Beyond this, Ori marvelled at the insights this link between the concepts of life, the spark of life, and the quickening stage of enchantment, provided him. Like those early introductions to enchanting which suggested that its rhythms were in all of creation, the more Ori observed and implemented techniques, the harder he found it to disagree with the premise. His initial attempts with the spell proved it to be relatively easy to use, requiring a moderate upfront mana cost that he could just about afford, for spell activation. After reviewing and practising these enchanted spells almost a hundred times each over the next two days, Ori was ready to reshape and re-enchant Seraphine. 43. Consort (explicit content) Ori blinked away a drop of sweat that had run over his eyelid, using the brief pause to loosen his jaw and inhale a deep breath that refreshed his nearly exhausted mind. "Couldn''t you take a break? You¡¯ve been at this all day," Poppy said beside him. Her presence was a massive boon as through Mana Union, her Sovereign ranker¡¯s Mana pool accelerated a process that was already pushing him to his limits in duration and mental focus. They stood within a circle in the Sanctum, the Aether Rifts'' blue light shimmering with chimeric potential under Ori¡¯s Vision of the Progenitor. "I wish I could, but every pause causes microfractures and imperfections. If I¡¯m lucky, I should be able to smooth them out with the Quickening, but only if they¡¯re small," Ori explained, before continuing. He was at the halfway point of Echo Forging when he started to question his life choices. He wasn¡¯t entirely serious, but the idea of spending hours hunched over something, keeping a perfect image of it in his mind while wanting to puke¡ªor worse¡ªbecause of the pain from nearly soulcrafting himself during the re-enchantment of a soul-bound artefact, was something he never wanted to experience again. Perhaps it would be easier with improved skills? Ori knew the truth was that he¡¯d more likely be attempting ever increasingly complex enchantments that required even higher levels of masochism as his pain tolerance increased. Without Split Mind this process wouldn¡¯t be possible, as one-third of his mind focused on the Spell, another third on the image, and the last free to observe the process using his perception, daydream, or react to anything during the channelling. Hour by hour, the new form of Seraphine took shape. Starting with a wire-thin length one and a half feet long, Echo Shaping added to the wand¡¯s form layer by layer, increasing its thickness so that the object tapered from an inch thick at the base to a blunted point at the tip. Gone was the astral crack that had split the celestial-imbued crystal in two, replaced instead by his unknown affinity that saturated the material now known to him as Solenoidic Zirconium. With the crack gone, so too was the wand¡¯s minor Mana Source ability, with Ori no longer able to call on the artefact for mana. Instead, Celestial and Astral energies were woven together in a cylindrical pattern that matched the deeper crystalline pattern of each layered ring. As the hours passed, the last third of his mind began to fall into a trance, instinctively gaining some understanding of the nature of his inherent affinity. It was light, similar in stature, if not in nature, to the Astral or Celestial affinity, as if it were part of the same family. However, while Astral signified chaos, dreams, and willfulness, and Celestial projected order, growth, and purity, his affinity differed. These hours were the longest Ori had ever been exposed to the magic that made him special, and with his overpowered perception ability, he began to enter a state of enlightenment. How would you describe the colour blue to someone who¡¯d never seen it before? How would you put into words a feeling or sensation to someone yet to experience it? It was this insight that Ori experienced, an ability to turn a wordless instinctive knowing into something he could describe¡ªthat light beyond the final light of stars, the living breathing flux of the universe, the promise that there¡¯d be a future even when the final stars blink out. That a cold death existed for any who wanted it, but for those who wanted more, strove for a future, chose to live on in wrath or joy, this light would be their servant, their torch, their beacon towards a freedom of their choosing. Distantly, Ori heard Poppy gasp as she collapsed to her knees. Peritia and a deluge of mana aspected with his affinity flooded the room. Fate and Aether intervened with his Echo Forging, accelerating his channelling and reinforcing his wand using mana created from nothing by his moment of enlightenment. For a moment, his artefact turned from a translucent, roughly hewn cylindrical crystal into something that glowed too brightly to be seen directly. "Ori!" Poppy exclaimed in alarm, as its light bathed the hall in a brightness too intense to be anything other than pure white. Ori, too, was forced to close his eyes. Meanwhile, he could sense that Echo Forging could no longer channel as he¡¯d completed the pattern, the re-shaping aspect of his re-enchantment complete. "You okay?" Ori asked, only now realising that his hand sizzled under the molten heat of this newly reshaped artefact. "Ori? Am I okay? Look at yourself, half of your skin is covered in blisters," Poppy said as she stood on unusually wobbly legs.
Artefact Name: Seraphine''s Beacon Type: Transcendent Channelling Wand of Harmonic Arcana Characteristic Requirements: Unknown Other Requirements: Harmonic affinity, Transcendent Affinity Effects: Enhances harmonic spells and abilities with 75% reduced mana cost, 99% increased accuracy, and 1000% increased range and coherence. Acts as the living phylactery of Lady Seraphine of Serilian. Description: Seraphine''s Beacon is a transcendent rank artefact, re-enchanted during the epiphany of Ori Suba, a moment wherein he was awarded a state of enlightenment recognised by fate. This artefact, invariant under all Demiplanes, embodies a harmonisation of arcane energies, offering a direct conduit to harmonic mana, breath, aether, Grace and Quintessence. As a twice soul-bound artefact to Ori Suba and Lady Seraphine of Serilian, it serves not only as a powerful channelling wand but also as the living phylactery of Lady Seraphine, ensuring her essence is intricately linked with its existence. Seraphine''s Beacon is unique in its capacity to be re-enchanted by its user, albeit with standard material and mana costs. Its structure and magical framework allow for a staggering increase in the efficiency, accuracy, range, and coherence of harmonic spells and abilities, making it an unparalleled tool for wielders of such magic. Notes: Wielding this artefact requires alignment with an affinity that as yet remains unknown. This mysterious affinity, imbued during the artefact''s creation, marks Seraphine''s Beacon as the first of its kind¡ªpotentially acting as a key to undiscovered planes beyond the reach of fate. This aspect renders this artefact not only a powerful magical instrument but also a beacon of exploration, hinting at realms beyond the knowing of all who are known. Legend: Originally crafted and enchanted by High Enchanter Queen Varma, Talulo Ardassieral Luinilthar, this artefact was subsequently sold at auction, finding its way into various hands before serving dual roles. Initially, it functioned as a phylactery for a White Magi before being soul-bound by its current owner, Ori Suba. In a notable incident involving Lady Seraphine of House Serilian, the artefact fractured when her soul was detonated while buried deep within the skull of a deadly adversary. Subsequently, it was reshaped and re-enchanted by its current owner, Ori Suba. During the transmutation of the artefact, a fortuitous moment of enlightenment enabled an enhancement of the item''s rank by three tiers. "Star by star, night ignites until darkness fades to dawn''s first light." "This light is your servant, a beacon towards a freedom of your design."Ori watched as Harriet shook her head in amazement when Seraphine¡¯s Beacon materialised in his hand. It still radiated a soft white glow and a subtle warmth that Ori suspected might never fade. Within its cylindrical structure, there was a depth that seemed to simultaneously darken and brighten the light passing through the crystal-clear material. ¡°Thank you for the naming, and for allowing us the use of the Aether Rift,¡± Ori said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. ¡°It¡¯s just as well I did, it seems the Aether responded to the wishes of your heart, preserving the bond with your... friend, did it not?¡± ¡°Yeah, looks like it.¡± Ori could only agree, it was as if the name symbolised his promise, his intent crystalised in its form and function. It was the perfect tool for him, one that would grow with him and evolve as he needed, and as its name suggests, he could only hope it vastly raised his chances of reclaiming Seraphine''s soul. ¡°Also, could you tell me what happened to the sanctum? You mentioned something about the sanctum sparkling. I thought it was just my eyes, but I hope we didn¡¯t break anything?¡± ¡°It''s now called Eldarmars Sanctum of Harmonic Intervention. Essentially, your epiphany imbued the walls with your mysterious affinity, permanently enhancing the chamber for nearly any magic we might wish to perform.¡± ¡°Fate seems to be going hard on this Harmonic theme?¡± ¡°It is unusual; I¡¯ve never known The Library of Fate to use the term ''harmonic'' to describe anything, and common literature only refers to it when discussing other than Celestial, Astral, and Ethereal energies. However, your affinity is about as far from Ethereal as one can get, yet it¡¯s still Harmonic. It''s making me question everything I thought I knew.¡± She shook her head again and playfully smacked Ori''s arm, water splashing between them. ¡°Anyway, you¡¯ve still not given me a gift. Don¡¯t think I haven¡¯t noticed that enchanted necklace around Poppy¡¯s neck. I was almost green with envy when I named it.¡± Ori laughed. ¡°What did you name it?¡± ¡°Memories of a Maestro. You had it soul-bound for her, and upon naming, it jumped up a tier, becoming a Sovereign-ranked artefact worthy of a High Enchanter, which is preposterous for a mortal apprentice. So, where¡¯s mine?¡± Harriet shot Ori an accusatory glare. Ori sighed. ¡°Well, I have something, or at least I will by tomorrow, but it¡¯s for after Taurna¡¯diem as you won¡¯t be able to use it now. However, there is something I could give you. I wanted to do this when Poppy was here, and when I could properly get down on one knee, but¡¡± Ori said, unsummoning Seraphine and reaching for his shirt beside the baths as he slid away from the Queen. She stood with a mix of intrigue and rueful understanding as water cascaded over her perfect High Elven form. Ori nearly lost himself as he gazed back at the dark-haired, deep blue-eyed vision before him, then remembered what he had made and what he wanted to do. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. He held out a silver wedding band, which caught the moonlight, turning its glinting edges blue, and lowered himself as close as he could to being on one knee in the waters of the bath. ¡°Harriet Anoriel Thalionwen Luinilthar, will you marry me?¡± Harriet moved towards him and said, ¡°Yes, I will, but¡¡± Ori was puzzled as her hand wrapped around his and closed his open palm with the ring inside. ¡°Legally, I cannot wear this ring until after an official ceremony, which I don¡¯t believe you have time for, do you?¡± Ori shook his head as his shoulders slumped. ¡°We could elope?: Harriet laughed. ¡°Could you imagine? I doubt I¡¯d survive the gossip, let alone the stuffy council¡¯s warnings on protocol.¡± She sighed. ¡°Please place it on a chain, and I¡¯ll wear it as our promise.¡± ¡°A promise? So, like an engagement?¡± ¡°An engagement?¡± Harriet pondered. ¡°It¡¯s a custom from my realm. It¡¯s a promise to wed, usually represented by a more ornate engagement ring with diamonds and stuff. I should have made one of those, but I guess I felt like Taurna¡¯diem was like already being married. With Poppy, I didn¡¯t get the chance to ask her and make it official, something I intended to correct with these, but, yeah.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, wearing a ring on a chain signifies the same thing in our culture. You¡¯d be¡ªyou are my consort to be, in elven law, Taurna¡¯diem or not,¡± she said and kissed him. They resettled themselves by the pool and chatted, their conversation meandering through a multitude of topics. Ori, seeking to know Harriet beyond her royal fa?ade, asked about her upbringing and schooling as a crown princess. He delved into her responsibilities and the pressures of her early ascension, comparing it to his more mundane experiences. As the topics lightened, he inquired about her favourite colour. Harriet revealed it was blue, unsurprisingly, but she elaborated that her preference lay in the specific contrast between dark blues and metallics like gold and silver, which she found regally beautiful. He continued his inquest and growing confused by the array of questions, Harriet asked, "Why ask me what my favourite meal is or favourite song when you¡¯ll know most of that after Taurna¡¯diem?" Ori shook his head. "This is all still so mad. I never expected to be married within days of meeting someone. We have these dating periods that can last years before couples decide to get engaged. I guess I¡¯m just grasping for something familiar, a sense of normalcy before my life changes again." "Do you regret being bonded to Poppy? Or fear becoming bonded to me?" Harriet asked, her vulnerability apparent, which Ori hated to see in the young queen. He shook his head and pulled her close. "You''re mine, I¡¯ve claimed you, remember? It¡¯s a huge responsibility being bonded to someone like you, but I¡¯m working on being worthy of it. And every day, I grow more confident that I¡¯ll get there," he said, with his last day approaching soon his mind drifting towards his plans after the trial. "How about you? You¡¯ve been tense and a bit distant lately. Having second thoughts?" "No, not about the Taurna¡¯diem or what comes after. It''s just that, believe it or not, I''m grappling with all the political implications. You''re quite the catch, but also quite the troublemaker. I often think it¡¯s a good thing that I¡¯m already at the Sovereign rank and have seven hundred years to prepare for your return else, I¡¯d be completely overwhelmed. Being your bonded is a tremendous responsibility, one I will take as seriously as my reign," she said, turning to look at him as he spoke. He kissed her and held her close, their foreheads touching. "This is why I need you. I¡¯m so fortunate to have been the one to answer your summons." "As am I to have been your summoner." Ori suspected their display might seem as sentimental as any clich¨¦d Regency romance novel, but this was his life now, and he was determined to snatch moments of peace from the eye of a hurricane and find joy wherever it was offered.
Accolade: "Bondweaver" Type: Unique, Significant, Merged, Evolving, Titled, Ability, Trait, ???, ??? Legend: As named by Harriet, Anoriel Thalionwen Luinilthar, "Bondweaver" is a unique, titled accolade bestowed by the Library of Fates for exceptional demonstrations of soul crafting and the weaving of soul bonds. This accolade honours the first mortal human to form a familiar pact with a wild fae in over seven thousand years. It also acknowledges the extraordinary feat of soul bonding with an Immortal-ranked artefact and its lich spirit, while being mortal, as well as being the first human to form Taurna''diem with a High Elf. The recipient of this title has not only formed two such bonds in rapid succession but has also used these connections to perform feats of high magic, such as dreamwalking across demiplanes and ages, successfully retrieving a soul fragment from the ethereal void and the assistance of a racial evolution that resulted in a new minor evolutionary branch. Further, by surviving a soulcrafting and enhancing their Soulcraft affinity comprehension to the level of Immersion, re-enchanting and reshaping a soul-bound artefact to exceed its original rank, and bonding their soul to more beings or entities than any other mortal man has done so before, "Bondweaver" has consistently reshaped bonds with expertise that surpasses their rank by levels never before seen in fate. These feats have been recognised by the Librarians as significant. As such, unique advancement opportunities exist should this individual ever awaken. Note: Upon naming, this accolade merged various lesser accolades into one, granting the unified Trait, Ability and Title of ¡°Bondweaver¡±. Further achievements related to souls and bonding will instead enhance the legend of ¡°Bondweaver¡± and evolve its aspects. Trait: Once per day, while bonded are under threat or duress, enhances spiritual and mental characteristics of the user and all bonded by 100% for the duration of the circumstance. Ability: Through an intimate act, weave bonds with those who desire you and are desired by you. Enables user the Soulcrafting of bonded without duress.¡°Wow¡ And wow, you named my title?¡± Ori asked, shell-shocked by the accolade and its implications. Harriet, still unclothed, simply shrugged, the movement of her smooth, flawless shoulder stealing his attention momentarily before he regained his composure. ¡°What are those question marks?¡± ¡°That, I do not know. Perhaps my naming expertise isn''t up to scratch yet? You should know, though, through stirrings in fate I sense the emergence of another title or accolade just as potent, although it is some way off and I lacked the skill to divine it,¡± Harriet explained. Ori grunted, a prickly feeling of unease wrapping around him like a cellophane bag. ¡°Probably something to do with my vision,¡± he mused. Sensing his discomfort, Harriet swiftly changed the subject. ¡°Now is not the time to dwell on such matters. Make your preparations. When Poppy returns, we''ll proceed as planned.¡± Ori nodded, stepping out of bed to put on his trousers and gather his sack of minor enchantments. He walked beyond the floor markings, scattering his aetheric enchantment breakers. These small, caltrop-like objects could automatically seek out and degrade enchantments. With the amount of stabilised Aether packed into each one, combined with the Aether rift and Harriet¡¯s Bloodline ability, there was a significant chance the Enchantment Breakers would do more than merely degrade their targets. While he would have relished creating a brilliant, unique enchantment like an Aetheric Tap, which might have empowered a defensive enchantment far beyond his or even Harriet¡¯s capabilities, Ori had to settle for the Dreamwalkers¡¯ Wards he had crafted. His original was still attached via a wrapping around his forearm, while another, a circlet for Harriet, lay in his sack. The residence shook again, dust falling from the ceiling. Ori''s heart skipped a beat, fearful for Poppy¡¯s safety amid the chaos. "Poppy will be fine," Harriet reassured him, drawing soothing circles on his bare back. He turned to face her, her translucent white satin nightgown doing little to conceal her stunning figure. She smiled, appreciating his gaze. "Are you ready, my consort?" she asked. Ori¡¯s eyes searched for the chain he had given her, frowning when it was missing. She then showed him her ring finger, where a silver-cobalt ring shone under the eerie aetheric light. ¡°Is this what you were looking for? I decided that if fate considers you my consort by Taurna¡¯diem, then I shouldn''t let trivial conventions stop me from wearing your wedding band.¡± ¡°You¡¯re amazing, you know that?¡± ¡°I¡¯m starting to. I¡¯m only beginning to understand how high a pedestal you placed me on. You think of me as a goddess, while I still see myself as a child. Perhaps by the time you return to me, fate will have found a balance between the two.¡± She smiled as he hugged her. ¡°Nope, I have plans,¡± Ori said cryptically. ¡°Oh?¡± Harriet began but was interrupted by Poppy¡¯s return. Ori¡¯s mouth dropped wide open as he saw her fully decked out in high-elven enchanted armour. It clung to her skin like living bark, with swirling patterns that not only decorated it but also provided pathways for Mana and Grace. The armour enveloped Poppy from the neck down, flaring out from her waist into an ankle-length, flexible skirt designed for freedom of movement. Ori''s awe and curiosity peaked as Vision of the Progenitor flared, revealing how the armour interwove Poppy¡¯s Grace into tightly coiled threads of protection, brimming with suppressed energies ready for release. Meanwhile, her presence projected the aura of a predator, a creature of deadly grace, void and shadow. His gaze then shifted to a sword staff, long and straight, its tip reaching about a foot above Poppy¡¯s height, which Ori estimated at approximately five foot nine, as it stood with its butt end on the ground. ¡°Wow,¡± Ori gaped. Poppy returned a prideful smile at his admiration. ¡°Mistress,¡± she said, handing over a similarly styled collection of folded armour. This set was inset with lines of sapphire and ivory within the swirling seams. She began to dress, and Ori, initially just watching, was confused as she seemed to contradict her earlier words. Yet, the vision of the queen donning her gleaming, intricately patterned elven armour was something Ori knew he¡¯d remember for the rest of his life. ¡°I thought¡¡± ¡°Ori, now that we¡¯re bonded, certain things have come to light,¡± Harriet explained, her smile bold and confident, the smile of someone secure in being loved. She approached him, pressing her armoured self against him, the material cool yet flexible, moulding to her form like a second skin. ¡°Desires you have for both Poppy and I. Things you¡¯d do with us, to us, or want us to do with you¡ªways you¡¯d like to claim me but would never ask even though I already offer myself to you completely. Knowing this, do you really think I¡¯d believe my regalia to impede what''s to come?¡± Overwhelmed and aroused by her newfound assertiveness, Ori took her in, imagining the intensity of their encounter in her high-tech magical cosplay. He shook his head. ¡°Good. While I intend to conclude this ritual and leave this chamber with your seed dripping between my thighs, I am still a Briar Queen, and entitled to the dignity and modesty of one.¡± ¡°Anoriel!¡± Poppy gasped in feigned scandalised outrage. Harriet kissed him and led him back to the bed. ¡°Come, my consort. I¡¯m curious about what you have planned.¡±
High Queen Harriet, Anoriel Thalionwen Luinilthar of the Lunaesidhe High Elves, often referred to as High Queen Harriet the First, ascended to the throne under extraordinary circumstances. Her rise to power was precipitated by the untimely death of her mother, Queen Iris, who perished in a duel against Rufus Terradi¡¯del Osson, the contender for the Elven Overlord. This event thrust Harriet into the limelight as one of the youngest briar queens, a title she assumed without the benefit of a regency period, earning her the moniker ''Infant Queen'' due to her ascension before reaching the elven age of maturation. Queen Harriet''s transition to the status of High Queen occurred amid a whirlwind of mystery, rumour, and controversy, particularly highlighted by the name of her unique class; ¡®Herald of the Bondweaver¡¯. This class title, which came to public attention during her official ascension, fuelled widespread speculation regarding the identity of her consort through Taurna''diem, the declaration of which preceded her ascension to high queen by only minutes. The nature of her ascension and the subsequent mystery over her personal connections have since become a pivotal aspect of modern elven history, inspiring many illicit tales of seduction, and salacious exchanges of power. Despite relinquishing the official title of High Queen following the ascension of subsequent briar queens over the centuries, Harriet''s early elevation to an Immortal rank solidified her legacy as the ¡®Briar Prodigy¡¯. With a reign marked by a complex legacy of innovation and controversy, she commands enduring respect among her contemporaries for her precocious rise to power, though her personality¡ªoften described as aloof and flippant¡ªhas occasionally clashed with the expectations and solemn decorum expected of her station. To this day, she continues to govern the Lunaesidhe as a divisive figure with a tenure characterised by a lack of familial alliances, typically forged through marriage and heirs, which, coupled with her isolation due to her mysterious and premature ascension, shapes a reign many consider just as groundbreaking and inspiring, as it is precarious.Ori doubled over in relief. ¡°Yeeeeaaasss!¡± Ori roared, relief turning into elation at the completeness of his success. He had suffered no losses as far as he could tell, no detrimental consequences; they were still alive and despite rumours about his own nature, his involvement and anonymity remained intact. A deeper, darker part of him revelled in the absence of any lovers or political engagements, having feared learning about Harriet finding another suitor or gathering a harem of her own during the long centuries since. But with nothing in the records suggesting that she''d found new lovers, official or not, Ori felt a weight he never knew he was carrying lift off his shoulders. Poppy was also frequently mentioned, though any word of her in connection to the ¡®Bondweaver¡¯ or being in Taurna¡¯diem seemed, thankfully, absent. He summoned Seraphine¡¯s Beacon into his hand, its crystalline weight and soft silver light, both a comfort and a reminder of all that was left to do. And then he summoned his Dreamwalkers¡¯ Ward, an equal reminder of all that he¡¯d accomplished, a record of survival and overcoming challenges. He drank and splashed his face with water from the Lifewell, curing himself of the momentary thirst and dizziness caused by his teleportation and spike of anxiety. Had it only been weeks? He wondered, taking in once again the feel, smells, and textures of the near featureless room to which he had once become accustomed. From one blink to the next, a second door in the Lifewell chamber appeared as if by apparition. Its location, Ori realised as he approached, was some distance from the chamber''s walls, as if floating within the room. ¡°Crucible?¡± Ori asked in mild alarm. ¡°Ah, it seems our too-big-to-deign-to-acknowledge-my-existence, Astral Adept, has forgotten the entire point of these trials. Three by Three symmetry: three of the mind, three of the soul, and three of the body. Through every trial, you gained something¡ªcatalysts, wisdom, bodily fortunes¡ªhaving been shaped, imbued, and inscribed by fortuitous experiences and opportunities many could only dream of. This all ends with refinement. "I have observed your transformation from a lowly mortal to the one whose quickened vision instigated the age of blindness much to my surprise and amusement I must add. You are now a being even those old dragons must acknowledge. Yes¡ yes. You have honed your mind into a blade ten times sharper than when you had arrived, with a Mana Nexus crystallised to a state many Nascent rankers would be proud of. Though your physical enhancements may seem modest in comparison, you now stand at the apex of human mortal ability in every characteristic with the knowledge and experience to rebuild your body and rebuild it better. ¡°It is time, Boy-o, to refine these achievements and crystallise your gains, scorch away all superfluities, and purify your mortal physique, your Awakened mind, and your Nascent soul. You shall be my magnum opus, my first complete flesh enchantment, one fitting for my guardian and an enduring legacy to my patience and your prodigious will. And after we have done what we are to do, you shall Quicken by induction into the Library of Fates, or die in the attempt." ¡°Tell me what we need to do next, and let¡¯s get it done,¡± Ori said, his mood grim, his mind recalling that final aspect of the Crucible; Refinement. ¡°There¡¯s the door. Prepare yourself, and when you¡¯re ready, step through and enter my namesake.¡±
In the heart of a battle, amidst the clashing of bloody swords and cries of warriors, an unnamed lightning wand awoke to, if not consciousness then awareness. Its form, once crafted by mortal hands, now had a spirit forged from the essence of storm and strife. It drank in the conflict around it, ignorant of its power and yet compelled by an inner desire to connect with the world through experience and repetition. It had learned from its wielders; its first spell, Channel Lightning, came as a revelation. The wand, held by a sorcerer draped in battle-worn robes, unleashed a powerful surge of electricity towards a formidable troll. Its power was enough to illuminate flesh beneath the skin, blacken bones, and cook it inside out. It had felt power, the will and purpose behind power, but more importantly, it had felt connection, that impulse to bridge and change the world with power. Each conflict thereafter sharpened its mastery, as it absorbed the ambient flux of war and conflict. As years turned into decades, the wand''s powers expanded. It learned Chain Lightning during a siege under dark, swollen clouds. Each bolt it cast split from one foe to another, chaining their fates together in luminous agony. Call Lightning was mastered atop a hill, under a sky punctured by the spears of incessant rain, where it called down the heavens to smite its wielder''s opponents. Greater Stun was the last spell it learned, in a skirmish where the air was thick with desperation and magic. The wielder, sensing the balance between victory and defeat, released a pulse that disrupted the very nerves and muscles in their enemies'' bodies, halting them in their tracks and thus turning the tide. After a forbidden ritual, demons from beyond were summoned and amidst screams and chaos, the wands previous wielder was taken never to be seen again. The artefact was then abandoned in a cold, dark storage, lost to the world, its connection to fate dimming with the passage of untold ages. Time eroded its memory, and it slept in a silent, lonely exile. Then came a new wielder, a mortal that became more, showed it more. A miracle whose presence pierced the wand¡¯s dormant consciousness. With unspeakable words that resonated in the depths of its core and a silent promise: to become more than a mere instrument of power, to evolve and never be alone again. Sensing a kinship and a shared destiny, the will evolved.¡®An irregular elemental.¡¯ Freya said, her tone awed and quiet as if in the presence of a babe. Ori rolled over, wiping blood away instead of the expected drool, snot and tears before casting Purifying Light and Lesser Restoration on himself. ¡®I am.¡¯ the elemental said, its voice fully aware, its mind rational, its emotions present in a way Freya, Ori now realised, naturally shielded. Meanwhile, after coming fully back to wakefulness, Ori found the newly formed elemental as a ball of lightning floating where his wand once was. It was blue-white and purple, the size of his fist, and levitated serenely in the air. Every so often, delicate fingers of lightning arced out towards him, harmlessly tickling his flesh. ¡®Hi,¡¯ Ori said, his attention on the creature. "Hi, I am... Lysara," she introduced herself, her voice now carrying a pride and distinctly feminine quality. It was quick and intense, intermittently buzzing with branching filaments of current that lazily flickered in and out of existence. ''Lysara?'' Ori wondered. ''Were you always called that or did you name yourself? And a female, I didn''t know elementals could... you know?'' ''I became Lysara upon awakening, and with it, a woman.'' She answered, simply. ''Okay?'' Ori wondered, though a dawning part of him was somewhat unsurprised given the recent trajectory of his life. ''You are my partner Ori, and you are a male, and so I must be female,'' ''Why?'' Freya asked, genuinely bewildered by the situation while Ori rubbed his forehead in a futile attempt to stave off an incipient headache. ''Like charges repel, opposite charges attract.'' Lysara said as if it was as simple as that. ''What is my life right now?'' Ori groaned to himself, happy enough to leave things be and focus on more pressing tasks. ¡®Okay, so yeah, welcome to the fam, Lysara.¡¯ Ori grunted as he stood and dusted himself off. His awareness of his surroundings fully returned as Split Mind divided his thoughts. He could feel the structure of four new spell forms, Greater Stun as well as Channel, Chain and Call Lightning. Beyond the newly accessible spell forms and the updates to Bondweaver''s Legend, Ori could feel a new, Inherent Affinity, one Ori instinctively knew was related to lightning, but of a greater, all-encompassing authority. ¡®I guess introductions are in order, I¡¯m Ori Suba, I am, or at least was Human. I''m a mortal White Magi of the Chromatic Order, and also an apprentice Enchanter. It¡¯s good to meet you. This is Freya Creisidottir, my first familiar.¡¯ ¡®Ori, I thank you for ascension, and I look forward to sisterhood with you Sprite, Freya.¡¯ Freya¡¯s attention jolted as she heard her own name mentioned. ¡®I shouldn¡¯t be surprised by now, but yet, here I am. Welcome, Lysara, Lesser Elemental of... Flux?¡¯ She finished uncertainly. The hairs on Ori¡¯s chest and arms stood on end as he instinctively reached out to the elemental, purple plasma bridged the distance between them, less a bolt of lightning and more a diffuse tendril of charge that reminded him of the atmosphere of stars. Between Lysara and his outstretched finger, the hum of an alternating polarity, of a¡ Flux, produced all sorts of divergent field effects, Vision of the Progenitor could now see. ''Yes bruv!'' Ori chuckled, and after a few seconds playing with the effect, he cancelled the freeform casting of their shared affinity with Lysara, one that had just become an intrinsic aspect of who he was. He knew that it wouldn¡¯t have been possible without his many talents; his Bondweaver accolade, his Quickened Perception, his high lightning comprehension, and the entirety of the Peritia he had gained before meeting Freya, but looking at the newly evolved entity floating next to him, he couldn¡¯t help feeling like he¡¯d just gained another person as important as any of his current relationships. ¡®As we didn¡¯t get a chance to really work this out beforehand, I can offer you a pact; for progress and future growth and connections, a fifteen per cent portion of my Peritia as well as reciprocal insights into our shared affinity. In exchange, I ask for your companionship, aid, and insights as my familiar until one of us decides to break this bond. Do you accept?¡¯ Ori asked. ¡®I do,¡¯ Lysara agreed. It was a formality, but Ori was starting to rely on these formalities, which was just as well as he now lived in a world where a misspoken word or errant thought could have lasting consequences, and nothing could be taken for granted. ¡®How do you feel? Do you need anything? Want to eat or need any more mana?¡¯ Ori asked, looking at the empty sources mostly consumed during the awakening. ¡®I am fine. I may ground myself in the land beneath your feet and gather charge until I am called upon. If that suits our shared purpose?¡¯ Lysara said, her speech patterns reverting to an oddly formal manner. ¡®Yeah, it does, for now. We will need to break out of this prison, and that will require conflict.¡¯ ¡®I was born during war and storm, I am no stranger to conflict, I shall await it eager to show all that I can do. Until then, Ori,¡¯ it said before sinking into the ground, Ori¡¯s sense of her presence spreading out beneath his feet felt oddly comforting. ''Okay. Am I missing anything?'' Ori wondered, somewhat strained and exhausted from the event. ''Armour?'' Ori nodded, ''The plate stuff is quite bulky, and with all the sizes, I wasn¡¯t sure¡ª'' ''Pick the biggest, with the best enchantments, and a few sets of mortal armour just in case,'' Freya interjected. Ori recalled his experiences with mortal armour, bile rising to his throat as he remembered the cursed blade sliding through the useless armour as if it was wet tissue before parting his ribs and the sudden, shocking feeling of creaming death stealing his consciousness. Ori cleared his throat. ''You sure that won¡¯t just slow them down?'' Ori asked internally, less than convinced. ''Beyond food that you can¡¯t find here, what else could be more useful? It does you no good to leave this place with room in your ring to spare. Worst case, you could always discard those pieces later if you find things more valuable.'' ''Alright,'' Ori said, piling the bundles of leather and chainmail, wondering at his adverse reaction towards wearing armour. ''Is it normal for mages to not want to wear armour?'' Ori wondered, his thoughts touching upon an old game trope. ''Should I be looking for mage robes or something?'' ''Yes. It''s normal. As affinities exist, so too do antipathies, and a mage, whose dexterity and awareness are paramount, might not have the greatest desires for plate and heavy armour,'' Freya explained. ¡®In your case, detrimental experiences are reinforcing your aversion aren¡¯t they?¡¯ ¡®It seems so.¡¯ ¡®Be mindful of your antipathies. In battle, with all else equal, having an antipathy against an aspect or an effect can be a serious, even lethal disadvantage.¡¯ Ori nodded, then left the armoury.
Class Title: Wisdom of the Bondweaver Rarity: Unique Rank: Journeyman Per level bonus: +15 Wisdom, +15 Perception, +15 Will, +2 Intelligence, +2 Spirit Class Traits: Enhances user''s, The Bondweaver and any of his bonded¡¯s wisdom by user''s level + 75% when within 20-yard proximity of the Bondweaver, or when Bondweaver is within user''s line of sight. Description: This unique class is bestowed upon the first familiar and constant advisor of the Bondweaver. It allows the user to passively enhance their wisdom, as well as the Bondweaver''s by an amount equal to their level plus 75% whenever they are in range. The class provides wisdom-related skills that negate mental debuffs and significantly enhance mana regeneration, making the user an invaluable asset in both mental resilience and magical prowess. Class Spells: Font of Wisdom, Beacon of Wisdom, Projection of Wisdom¡°I take it this unique class is pretty good?¡± ¡°It¡¯s ridiculous. The per-level bonuses alone¡ And with the passive, I can double your mana regeneration just by being near you. I¡¯ve never heard of the spell, Font of Wisdom before; an active spell that, with my characteristic values, will quintuple a person''s mana regeneration and wisdom¡ It¡¯s unheard of. And that¡¯s before we get into Projection of Wisdom, which, by my reckoning feels like a divine ability. I must ask you, Ori, are you a god and you just forgot to mention it?¡± Freya ranted, Ori had listened good-humouredly as they traversed their makeshift path but quirked his eyebrow at her last question. ¡°No.¡± ¡°Are you sure?¡± Freya needled. Ori sighed, his expression pained. ¡°I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m becoming, Freya, but I hope when I get home, I''ll still be recognised as human. A month ago, if you¡¯d asked me, ''Hey Ori, would you like to become a completely different species, one substantially better than humanity?'' I might have said yes. I never really had much love for our race; I¡¯ve seen too much of the petty side, too much of the nastiness to have ever cared about being human. ¡°But then Sera reminded me humanity isn¡¯t just the sum of its ills and vices. We can be kind, we can be curious and brave. We¡¯re explorers, makers, colonisers, conquerors¡ªpeople who step onto a boat with no idea of where their journey might lead, who dream about stepping into the vast and unforgiving vacuum of space despite the distances between worlds. Even after living with the elves, hearing their song, seeing their dance, and feeling their grace, my desire to be human remains. And if I have to, I will stand up and be measured against the very best of us; I will set the standard.¡±
Curse: Graceless Infernal Deathclock Rank: Divine Description: This curse feeds upon the Grace you accumulate. Notes: You have [one hour] to live. Extend this time by avenging the god you killed. For every infernal slain with a level disparity of greater than one, gain an hour of life. Additionally, gain one hour of life for each level the infernal is above your own.A spike of panic dug into Ori¡¯s chest as he read and reread the description of the curse. ¡°For fuck¡¯s sake. How do I get rid of this?¡± Ori said. Thraxis simply shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s nothing major. Keep your level low, kill a few hundred demons, progress far enough down your class, one that is renowned for specifically counteracting curses, and you¡¯ll be fine.¡± Ori caught himself hyperventilating, as he pushed down fear and a wellspring of bitter rage, one born of coming so far, doing so much, and yet still getting fucked in the end. He nodded, accepting the dragon¡¯s wisdom. ¡°What about evolution?¡± Ori asked, his mind now anxious about wasting further time. ¡°Like I said, anything you can do on your own is best done without my assistance.¡± ¡°So what would you recommend using the boons on?¡± Ori asked, curious but also starting to doubt the value of such boons. Thraxis¡¯s predatory smile returned, ¡°I can withhold all details, including your name and location, should you succeed in evolution towards High Human. A boon I, a librarian of the Library of Fates, am uniquely capable of providing, and one you shall ever so desperately need.¡± ¡°Ori, he¡¯s right,¡± Freya said. Meanwhile, Ori scowled as if he¡¯d been cheated. ¡°He¡¯s promising to not do something he doesn¡¯t have to do, how is that right?¡± Ori growled, still unsettled by the nature of his curse. Freya sighed. ¡°There are few things that would cause an announcement to all Awakened across fate, and the rise of humans would be one.¡± ¡°As a librarian, I sort, I gather and organise. It is not in my nature to act so¡ arbitrarily. I may bend some rules, and break others, but this? No, fate shall know of humanity¡¯s rise, just as it shall eventually know of its newest demiplane, in time.¡± ¡°Eventually?¡± Freya asked, Ori¡¯s eyes darting between them, struggling to follow the direction of the discussion. ¡°When an Awakened first explores this new territory, fate shall know of its existence. Until then¡¡± Thraxis shrugged as if it was no big deal. ¡°What would you recommend for the second boon?¡± Ori said, the artificial urgency of the situation once again forcing him to become impatient. ¡°A quest issued by the Library of Fates. Should you reproduce five more examples of High Humanity after your own successful evolution, you¡¯ll be offered¡ hmmm, let¡¯s say, royalties from the evolution method.¡± Freya gasped. ¡°Ori!¡± ¡°Is that good?¡± Ori wondered. ¡°Yes,¡± Freya squeaked. Ori glanced towards Thraxis, the silver-haired dragon, its golden nest of horns, its dark eyes and its reptilian smile. ¡°If I successfully evolve, I need to get five more humans to evolve also? And then you¡¯ll take the evolution method I made and sell it for me, in the Library of Fates? For what, Peritia?¡± Ori asked, once again feeling as if he was getting the raw end of the deal. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°Indeed, though there is an exchange for¡ more exotic materials for entities such as yourself.¡± Again, it seemed like something he¡¯d come to appreciate... Eventually. Something that could help with his long-term goals, but when compared to the uncertain and dire needs of his present circumstances, Ori¡¯s stomach twisted at the notion of not getting a chance to regret his decision. ¡°And just to make sure, couldn¡¯t you give me god-like powers or just send me back in time or something?¡± Thraxis¡¯s smile grew impossibly large, his face an inhuman gash that caused the goosebumps across Ori¡¯s skin to prickle. ¡°If only you knew.¡± He finally chuckled. ¡°For the price of naming the Cosmic, a new demiplanar affinity, I deem: your anonymity until one year has passed, royalties for the method after you have proven High Human evolution five times over, and twenty-seven minutes of further guidance, a fair trade.¡± Ori looked towards Freya who shrugged, then nodded uncertainly, glanced towards the now-grounded Lysara, then returned his gaze to Thraxis. ¡°Alright,¡± Ori confirmed, and he exhaled, his mind switching focus back towards his evolution. ¡°I¡¯ll be back in a bit, then.¡±
Curse: Graceless Infernal Deathclock Rank: Divine Description: This curse feeds upon the Grace you accumulate. Notes: You have [fifty-seven minutes, thirty-nine seconds] to live. Extend this time by avenging the god you killed. For every infernal slain with a level disparity greater than one, gain an hour of life. Additionally, gain one hour of life for each level the infernal slain is above your own.Fifty-seven minutes to live, fifty-seven minutes to find infernals to kill. He stood, surveying his immediate surroundings. Beyond the hefty chunk of Quintessence beside his feet, all that remained of Tekrakathune and the Ocean of Peritia was a smudge mark on the ground and the gently steaming rock surrounding him. He felt full, energised and restless as if this quiet moment of stillness was an unnatural, temporary state of being. But he knew this to be false. He could feel the foreign urges of his curse, his inherent flux affinity, and accolades that had transmogrified into something more, pushing him, urging him. They meant well, but as Ori clenched and squeezed hard upon his right fist, he bent his will towards silencing the rowdy collection of instincts. Freya gasped awake. ¡°Ori!?¡± she said with her next breath, darting eyes, wild and on the verge of panic. ¡°Shush. It¡¯s okay,¡± Ori comforted, as her pixie form leapt off his hand into a fierce hug, her head buried in the crook of his shoulder as she shuddered. ¡°That was really the Library of Fates, wasn¡¯t it?¡± she asked after a few seconds. ¡°Yeah, I think so. Anyway, change to your sprite form, we need to go.¡± Ori said, before storing the crystal of Quintessence in his void ring and leaving the cavern.
Curse: Graceless Infernal Deathclock Rank: Divine Description: This curse feeds upon the Grace you accumulate. Notes: You have [four minutes, nineteen seconds] to live. Extend this time by avenging the god you killed. For every slain infernal with a level disparity greater than one, gain an hour of life. Additionally, gain one hour of life for each level the slain infernal is above your own.¡®Freya, I¡¯m going to need you to hide in the rocks. Project yourself back to me if you wish, when the fighting starts. But I don¡¯t have any real way to keep you safe.¡¯ Ori asked, silence was his only response. ¡®Freya, please!¡¯ Ori pleaded. ¡®Ori, do you remember what I said, back before the trials? About what those infernals are, how they always win, in the end?¡¯ Freya asked. ¡®You said, they gain power even when they are slain, when they can make you strong enough in your hate, you¡¯ll eventually become like them without even realising it.¡¯ ¡®Yes, that Divine Curse, upon reflection, I¡¯ve come to consider it more insidious than I first believed. That god fell, not because the Aether warped it, or its will was eroded by time, it fell because it became consumed with hate, it could no longer see its enemy as anything but. Listen to me.¡± Freya¡¯s tone was suddenly urgent. ¡°You MUST be mindful of your lack of remorse, and ensure it doesn¡¯t erode your will¡ªyour sense of who you are, who you need to become.¡¯ She finished, before zipping out of his skull to phase through the rock. ¡®Alright.¡¯ Ori sighed, unsure of how to do as she asked as he watched her go. He walked up to the cave entrance. Despite an urgency tugging on him to go faster than he¡¯d like to, Ori stood tall, his steps measured and unhurried despite his disregard for stealth. He bore in mind that avatar of the High Human he saw during evolution and replicated its aura of challenge, dissatisfaction and menace and found it suited his mood. Will of the High Human activated without conscious thought as if it were part of the natural progression of his current energy, his right hand found itself summoning Seraphine¡¯s Beacon to his grip just as his Arcane Hands emerged from the ether. A burning cloak coated his skin as the entirety of his mind, his intellect and will, bent itself to violence. As he stepped out beyond the lip of the cave into the space near the bowl, Ori had a new found confidence that he could face all likely challengers, and perhaps a few unlikely ones too. His eyes lit up as he surveyed his harvest. ¡°It¡¯s him!¡± One of the bovine demons yelled as Ori¡¯s light show caught its attention. It, along with over three dozen Awakened and Nascent infernals were caught, moving bodies and body parts, mounds of dirt and rock and open pits signifying graves for the victims of his last raid. ¡°A level one Awakened? That scrawny little thing killed Korrent?¡± ¡°Demon bain!? Run!¡± Screamed an Imp no doubt more attuned to the arcane pressure Ori exuded. ¡°Level one¡ human? Could it be¡ª¡± A cord of brilliant prismatic lightning lashed out from Ori¡¯s wand before the last demon could complete its thought, its length spanned the hundred feet between him and the fleeing Imp. The creature managed three steps before its glowing ashes drifted up as if carried by an unseen draft. Ori''s strides continued as his Channel Lightning surged, its chaotic beam dancing across the cave, its tip scoring a jagged path between bodies that were fried and burned away. Freya''s projection appeared over Ori''s head, casting Font of Wisdom and Beacon of Wisdom, as Ori continued his massacre, his baleful aura now incorporating the idle snapping sparks from his spells. An Arcane Hand materialised within the pack, Ori''s mana regeneration now sufficient to spare for a second channelled spell as his split mind devoted another part of itself to the onslaught. The ionising light filled the air with the distinct smell of ozone, while roiling, subdued thunder sent vibrations through Ori¡¯s chest. One by one, creatures ignited into glowing ashes. Physical shields raised in defence, disintegrated under the relentless strike of the spell, as Ori¡¯s Cosmic affinity amplified his intent to annihilate. His power had grown stronger. The continuous channel of the spell forced the enemy monsters to scatter and seek cover. Even a Greater-ranked demon, caught out in the open and unprepared, succumbed as easily as the Imp. Its nerves jammed, its eyeballs boiling then exploding into steam before it evaporated into dust. After Freya¡¯s reminder, there was no malice in his actions, his remaining split mind doing its best to analyse and filter his emotions and intent, doing its best to scrub them clean of the kind of taint that could one day corrupt his soul. The problem was, he felt nothing for these sentient creatures, even his white mage who¡¯s instincts should have been shouting in warning or remorse stood silent amidst the throngs of shared clothing and armour, burning dust and smoke. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. An errant thought wanted to experiment with his magic and saw them as the perfect test subjects, another wondered how much death and misery must each have caused to be so far along his inner pacifist''s shit list. He swashed those thoughts, as he ceased his casting, running out of targets to kill after the first fifteen seconds of combat. Still, his stride was unchanged, his gaze surveying his destruction as he reached the end of the clearing before the descent into the bowl. The wisps of Peritia now seemed insubstantial when compared to the soup that surrounded him during his quickening, Fate no doubt dialling down the value of his accomplishments now that he was Awakened. Unworried by the shouts and calls of alarm below, Ori marched onwards as he checked his Deathclock.
Curse: Graceless Infernal Deathclock Rank: Divine Description: This curse feeds upon the Grace you accumulate. Notes: You have [fifty days, twelve hours and twenty one minutes] to live. Extend this time by avenging the god you killed. For every infernal slain with a level disparity greater than one, gain an hour of life. Additionally, gain one hour of life for each level the infernal slain is above your own.¡®How much time?¡¯ Freya asked. ¡®Fifty days. For forty or fifty infernals. It seems like I need to kill one infernal an entire rank above me or more, to live an extra day, Freya.¡¯ Ori said, troubled by the conclusion as his quick calculation brought with it a dread future of hunting monsters he no longer cared to hate. A ball of fire smacked Ori across the face. It clung, melting his skin and hair under the sudden heat. The jelly-coated fire insidiously roasted his brain through his skull even as he cast Lesser Restoration as if it were a channelling spell. Just before panic could set in, Purifying Light cast with his Cosmic affinity destroyed the spell construct long enough for Ori to heal himself. Will of the High Human turned the weak healing spell into something that completely restored his Awakened constitution. Meanwhile, unknown to Ori at this time, his Aetheric heart pulsed with chimeric energies, restoring devastating lifeforce damage almost as quickly as he sustained it. Another fireball of magical napalm splashed upon his chest and face. Purifying Light cleared the debilitating burning before he stood, Vision of the Progenitor like white holes in the gloom of the cavern, outshining the spell fire, their lights like two fixed points, the focus of their attentions only now beginning to understand. ¡°What the fuck are you?¡± A man¡ªno, not a man, too pretty with red eyes and bat wings¡ªstood before him. He was shirtless, with dark hair framing a well-proportioned face with a strong, heroic jawline, but his personality was all wrong. It was greasy and cruel, his confident swagger now slipping into angered caution, his voice that of a long island street thug as Ori assessed the creature¡¯s strength and tactics. Had this been the Ori from yesterday, he would have died without even realising how. Before him stood a Greater Incubus, a Greater-ranked, evolved demon far stronger than all but the infernal warden he¡¯d nearly died to send down a cliff. And yet, here he was, his characteristic points in toughness and vitality increasing his resilience, his Awakened lifeforce turning life-threatening wounds into glancing or less threatening blows. Even his brain, which should have cooked, still functioned despite the thousand-degree heat, made all the worse by the inflammatory jelly that allowed it to cling to his skin even as he healed himself. However, if it weren¡¯t for a rare spell taught to him on a whim by a woman he might never get a chance to thank, used mostly for utility, all of those advantages might have been all for nought. ¡°Demon bane, huh? You think you¡¯re all that, bitch? Come¡¯re and let me slap that cockiness right out of you.¡± Shadows enveloped the demon and before he could blink, daggers whistled towards Ori, their smoky forms signalling danger to his Du?list instincts. A dome appeared as Ori instinctively reached for Purifying Light in the shape of a shield, the daggers plinking off the semi-translucent surface before disappearing into smoke. The Incubus appeared just behind Ori, and while he hadn¡¯t been expecting the demon to appear so close, it made little difference to his transcendent senses. An Arcane Hand wielding Flenser materialised into reality and drove into the demon''s back, his intent, reinforced by Will of the High Human compounded the estoc¡¯s void-piercing enchantment and allowed the blade to plunge deep into the exposed back of the creature before its claws raked Ori¡¯s chest open. The demon¡¯s spine arched in pain, giving Ori just enough time to turn and cast a flux-aspected, point-blank, Channel Lightning to the demon¡¯s face. Ultra-hard gamma rays caused Ori¡¯s hand to blister and his exposed skin to instantly sunburn before he was knocked off his feet by the concussive snap of air molecules annihilating. Meanwhile, the beam of anti-protons made contact, exploding the demon¡¯s all-too-pretty face like a shotgun cartridge to a watermelon. The headless body of the bat-winged infernal stood there long enough for Ori to fear it wasn¡¯t dead. It crumpled to the ground, the sound of the heap thudding to the floor was the only noise Ori¡¯s ringing ears could make out. Using that variant of the spell so close forced him to cast Lesser Restoration before the effects of radiation poisoning took hold. Still, despite the unlikelihood of the Incubus having magic resistances, Ori had deemed the drawbacks worth a more certain, killing blow. ¡®What in Titania¡¯s tits was that?¡¯ Freya asked in the silent aftermath. ¡®The Incubus? Maybe another warden? Thraxis said they¡¯d soon send another down to inspect what¡¯s going on.¡¯ ¡®No, Ori, that spell? What was it? Is that your flux affinity?¡¯ Freya asked with obvious concern. ¡®Kinda? Seems like if I have the right conceptualising and the right affinities with high enough comprehension, I can just create antimatter.¡¯ ¡®What¡¯s antimatter?¡¯ ¡®One of the most dangerous things known in existence. It¡¯s the only thing I can come up with that has a chance of dealing with magic resistance. Pray that I never figure out how to store it, or make lots more of it. A cup of the stuff would leave a crater the size of a mountain range and ground the soil for hundreds of years,¡¯ Ori said, his gaze fixed on the headless demon as he confirmed its death via the addition of two more days of life in his Deathclock. Freya didn¡¯t respond. Leaving her to her thoughts, he stood and then rifled through the demon¡¯s belongings, which weren¡¯t much and left.
Accolade: "Bondweaver" Type: Unique, Significant, Merged, Evolving, Titled, Ability, Trait, Class, Entity Legend: As named by Harriet, Anoriel Thalionwen Luinilthar, "Bondweaver" is a unique, titled accolade bestowed by the Library of Fates for exceptional demonstrations of soul crafting and the weaving of soul bonds. This accolade honours the first mortal human to form a familiar pact with a wild fae in over seven thousand years. It also acknowledges the extraordinary feat of soul bonding with an Immortal-ranked artefact and its lich spirit, while being mortal, as well as being the first human to form Taurna''diem with a High Elf. The recipient of this title has not only formed two such bonds in rapid succession but has also used these connections to perform feats of high magic, such as dreamwalking across demiplanes and ages, successfully retrieving a soul fragment from the ethereal void and the assistance of a racial evolution that resulted in a new minor evolutionary branch. Further, by surviving a soulcrafting and enhancing their Soulcraft affinity comprehension to the level of Immersion, re-enchanting and reshaping a soul-bound artefact to exceed its original rank, and bonding their soul to more beings or entities than any other mortal man has done so before, "Bondweaver" has consistently reshaped bonds with expertise that surpasses their rank by levels never before seen in fate. Due to the uniqueness of this accolade and the benefits Fate has bestowed upon him through his legend, the Library of Fates now recognises The Bondweaver as an Entity. This recognition brings unique class options upon awakening, reflecting his exceptional abilities and legendary status. Note: Upon naming, this accolade merged various lesser accolades into one, granting the unified Trait, Ability and Title of ¡°Bondweaver¡±. Further achievements related to souls and bonding will instead enhance the legend of ¡°Bondweaver¡± and evolve its aspects. Trait: Once per day, while bonded are under threat or duress, enhances spiritual and mental characteristics of the user and all bonded by 100% for the duration of the circumstance. Ability: Through an intimate act, weave bonds with those who desire you and are desired by you in return. Enables user the Soulcrafting of bonded without duress.
Accolade: "Du?list" Type: Unique, Significant, Combat, Evolving, Titled, Ability, Trait, Class, Entity Legend: As named by the Library of Fates, "Du?list" is a unique, titled accolade bestowed for exceptional demonstrations of dual-wielding mastery and duelling prowess. While records exist of mortals defeating Greater-ranked foes in single combat, none have done so armed with as little as a shiv and a poisoned tooth. The Du?list extended his legend by vanquishing multiple Awakened and Nascent-ranked opponents while dual-wielding wands. His legend was solidified when he faced his greatest adversary, a Sovereign-ranked lich, in a battle of wills, leading to the total destruction of his foe''s mind, body, and soul. Remarkably, he repeated this feat by defeating a Sovereign-ranked demon and, soon after, a fallen divinity while still mortal, using only his limited understanding of arcana and a handful of soul-bound artefacts. The recipient of this title has demonstrated supreme skill and exceptional mental resilience, enabling adaptation and success in the most challenging combat scenarios. By unifying Perception and Dexterity into Polydexterity, by winning countless battles of wills, and by having a willingness to use any and every compatible tool at his disposal, the Du?list consistently utilised his dual-wielding abilities to perform feats of high combat, combining magic and melee with an expertise that surpasses his rank by levels never before seen in Fate. Due to the uniqueness of this accolade and the benefits Fate has bestowed upon him through his legend, the Library of Fates now recognises the Du?list as an Entity. This recognition brings unique class options upon awakening, reflecting his exceptional abilities and legendary status. Trait: When outnumbered, fighting alone or with bonded; Increases combat speed and damage inflicted by 100%, per additional weapon wielded.
Accolade: "Progenitor" Type: Unique, Significant, Titled, Ability, Trait, Class, Entity Legend: As named by the Library of Fates, "Progenitor" is a unique, titled accolade bestowed for groundbreaking achievements in human evolution and Aethermancy. This accolade honours the first individual to evolve into a High Human, thereby becoming the architect of High Human racial traits and bonuses. This accolade also acknowledges the first human to master Aethermancy by reaching Integration in their affinity with Aether, beneficially Aether Warping core aspects of their nature, and using Quintessence to rewrite the fundamental laws of Fate. By demonstrating a process for germinating a seed of Aether into an Aetheric Heart, the Progenitor has better enabled the practice of Aethermancy for all across Fate. Due to the uniqueness of this accolade and the benefits Fate has bestowed upon him through his legend, the Library of Fates now recognises the Progenitor as an Entity. This recognition brings unique class options upon awakening, reflecting his exceptional abilities and legendary status. Trait: Progenitor abilities may be subconsciously empowered by Aethermancy during moments of duress by up to 500%. Abilities: Vision of the Progenitor, Reach of the Progenitor, Aura of the Progenitor55. Level One (Part 2) Ori exhaled. Being recognised, yet having his entire ordeal reduced to a few paragraphs, stirred mixed emotions that he had difficulty making sense of. He had finally Awakened and by any measure, with increased strength and toughness, he¡¯d be the equivalent of a Marvel Avenger back on Earth, a literal superhero capable of calling down lightning and healing mortal wounds. Even in this world of Awakened Heroes, Sovereign Fairies, and actual gods, Ori was above average and certainly better off than most at his level. However, once again, an artificial constraint had been imposed, hindering his progress. Once more, had another person''s whims had detrimentally impacted his future. Beyond that, instincts pushed and pulled him as he borrowed from their intuitions and used their fonts of power to survive. But could he even call this surviving, this daily, constant battle to keep the core of who he was intact? He was an Entity now, the High Human, but could he still be Ori Suba? And what did it matter if he could or not? Was the image of an insecure, lonely boy with little going for him beyond recent academic success, worth clinging to in the grand scheme of things? In this quiet interval between inevitable bouts of violence, Ori allowed himself the space and time to simply feel. Freya seemed to sense Ori¡¯s mood and left him alone with his thoughts as she read the rest of his character sheet and came to terms with her own brooding thoughts, of which Ori could scarcely guess at.
Class Title: Du?list Rarity: Unique Rank: Journeyman Requirements: Unique Accolade: Du?list Per Level Bonus: to be decided upon selection +1 Inherent Affinity (Du?lism) Class Traits: Upon selection, this class uniquely tailors itself based on the affinities and characteristics of the Du?list Description: This unique class is bestowed upon those who have achieved a unique accolade through duelling opponents of higher rank while dual-wielding two items of the same or different type. The Du?list gains passive enhancements to their dual-wielding abilities, with additional bonuses for using multiple types of weapons simultaneously. As the unique class of the entity named Du?list, this class will tailor itself to suit the needs of its user upon selection and over time. Class Spells: After selection, this class uniquely tailors itself based on the affinities, characteristics and needs of the Du?list.
Class Title: Bondweaver Rarity: Unique Rank: Journeyman Requirements: Unique Accolade: Bondweaver Per Level Bonus: To be decided upon selection +1 Inherent Affinity: (Soulcrafting) Class Traits: Upon selection, this class uniquely tailors itself based on the affinities and characteristics of the Bondweaver. Description: This unique class is bestowed upon those who have achieved the unique accolade of Bondweaver, recognised for their unparalleled skill in soul crafting and the weaving of soul bonds. Along with an ability to form, maintain, and manipulate bonds, this class allows for the transfer of spells and abilities, extraplanar communication and passive enhancements to Bondweaver and Bonded. As the unique class of the entity named Bondweaver, this class will tailor itself to suit the needs of its user upon selection and over time, ensuring they can continue to achieve extraordinary feats in soulcrafting. Class Spells: After selection, this class uniquely tailors itself based on the affinities, characteristics, and needs of the Bondweaver.
Class Title: Progenitor Rarity: Unique Rank: Journeyman Requirements: Unique Accolade: Progenitor Per Level Bonus: To be decided upon selection +1 Inherent Affinity: (Aethermancy) Class Traits: Upon selection, this class uniquely tailors itself based on the affinities and characteristics of the Progenitor. Description: This unique class is bestowed upon those who have achieved the unique accolade of Progenitor, recognised for their groundbreaking achievements in human evolution and Aethermancy. The Progenitor gains spells and abilities that may enhance either the user or their willing targets, calling upon the wild transformative powers of Aethermancy. As the unique class of the entity named Progenitor, this class will tailor itself to suit the needs of its user upon selection and over time, ensuring continuous advancement and innovation. Class Spells: After selection, this class uniquely tailors itself based on the affinities, characteristics, and needs of the Progenitor.¡°Are you serious?¡± Freya admonished. ¡°What? Aren''t I right to be a bit underwhelmed? They''re all a bit placeholder-y¡± Ori said ¡°Why? Because your classes only grant you god-like abilities that solve only some of your problems and not all of them?¡± ¡°Really? These classes, apart from the Bondweaver, seem a bit vague and basic.¡± ¡°Classes that tailor themselves to the user end up the most powerful in the end. But yes, I can admit that if you seek power and protection now, it may seem underwhelming on the surface. But you should pick all of them eventually,¡± ¡°Wait, I¡¯m just going to check what else might be out there.¡± Ori pulled his attention away from those classes to access the list of compatible ones available to him. After stumbling through a few menus, and using Freya¡¯s advice on filtering based on requirements, Ori found several that he liked, including one he very much wanted to choose.
Class Title: Realmwalker Rarity: Legendary Rank: Journeyman Requirements: Void Affinity (Immersion) Per Level Bonus: +10 Perception, +10 Will Class Traits: Enhances the user''s ability to navigate and manipulate the void, providing increased bonuses for interplanar and extraplanar travel. The class passively enhances the user''s perception and will, allowing them to detect and interact with planar anomalies and void energies. This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. Description: This legendary class is bestowed upon those who have demonstrated exceptional prowess in void walking and extraplanar travel. As a Realmwalker, the user gains the uncommon ability to traverse and manipulate the void, enabling seamless inter and extraplanar travel. The class provides significant enhancements to perception and will, allowing the user to detect and interact with the subtle energies of different planes and negotiate the unseen aspects of the abyss. Realmwalkers are rare and exceptional explorers of Fate, with skills that offer both offensive and defensive capabilities through the manipulation of void energies. Class Spells: Void Walk, Planar Shift, Dimensional Anchor¡°I mean, with this class, couldn¡¯t I just portal my way out of here? Especially now with most of the defences down?¡± ¡°No,¡± Freya said. ¡°No? What do you mean, no?¡± ¡°I understand your desire, but no. It¡¯s the wrong class for you on principle.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Ori argued. ¡°While I know you wish for power now instead of more power later, this is an Abyssal class, derived from creatures of the Abyssal demiplane. Not only will it unbalance your Harmonic affinities far too much despite meeting the class requirements, but there is also a near certainty, based on records I¡¯ve seen, that you will suffer ego death if you try to progress this class to High.¡± ¡°You saying this class is a trap?¡± ¡°Based on records from Arcanum Collegium Deo at Vespasian, yes, though some hidden requirement may have been missed by most, before progression to High. Trust me, it is a popular class for members of the Couriers guild, but their members suffer for it. Perhaps, with enough intent, your unique classes could be bent towards fulfilling this desire.¡± Ori groaned. ¡°For fuck¡¯s sake.¡± For a long moment, Ori seriously considered disregarding Freya¡¯s and Thraxis¡¯ advice by choosing the super cool teleportation class that sounded only fifty per cent edgy. There were others, such as the awesome sounding ¡°Storm Warden¡±, and Freya¡¯s Dreamwalker class which he considered as strong alternatives, but with his Bondweaver, it seemed as if spells gained from his familiars would now count as class spells, which could then be under the influence of Will of the High Human. While deciding which of the two unique options to pick, Ori reviewed the details of the two normal classes he had already decided upon.
Class Title: White Magi (of the Chromatic Order) Rarity: Uncommon Rank: Journeyman Requirements: Sponsor or mentor, Light, Life or Order affinity Per Level Bonus: +6 Wisdom, +6 Will Class Traits: This class grants +100% increased effectiveness and -50% mana cost to all healing and restoration spells, as well as abilities that mend, cure, dispel, banish, cleanse, and ward. Description: This uncommon class is bestowed upon those who have demonstrated a commitment to healing and protection, guided by a sponsor or mentor within the Chromatic Order. White Magi specialise in magic that promotes healing, restoration, and protection. Their primary affinities include Light, Life, and Order, with secondary affinities in Healing, Protection, and Restoration. Dedicated to preserving life and empowering allies, White Magi use spells to mend wounds, cure ailments, dispel curses, and ward comrades, while adhering to a stringent moral compass. The Chromatic Order of Magi is unique to humans as they harness the power of Peritia in league with the Library of Fates instead of deriving power from entities, bloodlines, or lesser sources. By doing so, they must uphold a code specific to their colour¡ªin the case of the White Magi; the primacy of life and order. Each White Magi must voice the oath of their order before apprenticeship, and every journeyman or higher must take an apprentice to advance their class. Class Spells: Light Orb, Lesser Regeneration, Lesser Cleanse, Lesser Banish, Cure Wounds
Class Title: Wandsmith Rarity: Very Rare Rank: Higher Requirements: Successfully crafted a High Enchantment, Intelligence > 100 Per Level Bonus: +10 Intelligence, +10 Wisdom, +10 Will +1 Inherent Affinity: (Wands) Class Traits: Doubles the effectiveness of wands, foci, and channelling tools. Requires 50% less material for all enchantments and a further 75% reduction in material and mana costs for crafting and enchanting wands, foci, and channelling tools. Description: The Wandsmith class is a high enchanter specialism dedicated to the intricate art of wandcraft, with a lineage traced back to ancient Silvan craftsmanship. Those who pursue this path must have demonstrated exceptional intelligence and skill in creating high enchantments. Wandsmiths possess unparalleled expertise in crafting wands, from the initial shaping to the final bonding with their user. With roots in elven tradition, Wandsmiths draw upon timeless techniques and natural knowledge to create artefacts of power. As a Wandsmith, the user gains a passive trait for wand use, along with additional bonuses for creating wands, foci, and channelling implements. This class significantly improves the user¡¯s proficiency in crafting wands and other channelling tools, making them a formidable enchanter capable of producing powerful artefacts at a reasonable cost. Class Spells: Silvan Whittling, Spirit Lathe, Luminal Etching, Purify Essence, Taurna¡¯diehUpon confirming his choice of classes, Ori was astonished to see a vastly expanded spell list far beyond the base skills for each class. "Rar! Yes, Freya! Look at this!" Ori exclaimed, pumping his fist in excitement. "Yes, Ori, I can see it. That is an impressive repertoire of compatible skills." "Any advice? I guess the rarer and more mana-intensive spells are the best ones?" "More or less, the fewer the words in the spell''s name, the more powerful the spell is likely to be. Just note that some light-based spells might clash with void enchantments, such as those on your sword. Also, bear in mind your Spell Constellation; you will only have four core spells." From the extensive list of available spells, Ori selected several White Magi spells, replacing Lesser Restoration with a new, more powerful variant called Channel Restoration, which to Ori''s delight, synergised well with his Cosmic affinity and high regeneration Mana Nexus. In addition to several powerful combat spells that added versatility and diversity to his arsenal, one skill in particular caught Ori''s attention. It was called Moonbeam, and its characteristic requirements for wisdom and intelligence were right on the edge of what Ori could manage. However, as it was a channelled spell that scaled off his will rather than intelligence, Ori was keen to see if it was as effective in practice as it seemed on paper. While he encountered no issues filling gaps in his enchanting repertoire, Ori struggled to find good spells in two sorely needed areas: movement and defence. "There should be a magical armour skill," Freya mused. "No, I can''t find anything apart from Light Shield," Ori sighed. "That is a weak shield skill, a poor imitation of Lesser Barrier. It has a negative rank value, meaning it would normally only be effective against attacks from foes below your rank, easily shattering under attacks from awakened spells. Worse, you¡¯ll have to cast it every time you move, unlike an armour skill that provides continuous protection." Ori shrugged. "I guess I¡¯ll just have to make it work. You said the Spell Constellation system could eventually help me upgrade it?" "Eventually, though it is rarely as simple as you hope," Freya sighed. "And you''re sure there''s no movement spell?" "Yes, none," Ori sighed, even more disappointed with this discovery than the last. "So, the way I see it, I¡¯ll have to hope I get something to cover these gaps from my unique classes. From the Progenitor side, it seems to specialise in Aethermancy, altering people and things?" Ori asked, seeking confirmation despite his uncertainty. "I know as much about it as you do. None of this is certain," Freya replied. "Alright, well, the way I see it, that class seems all about augmenting the strengths of others¡ªhandy, maybe one day. But it could also make me stand out, in a bad way, and get me in trouble. The Bondweaver also seems like it''ll help me strengthen and manage others, specifically my bonds, which means you and Lysara. It with the added benefit of possibly transferring skills. But right now, I need... I need to become the Du?list," Ori said, and as he did so, something within himself shifted, settling into place as if a stone door had closed, forever changing his future. "Spirits, Ori, sometimes I forget that you''re not just a boy, and then something like that happens," Freya shuddered. Ori felt it too, his Fate affinity informing him of how history turned on this decision as he selected Du?list as his third class. "I see," Ori murmured, exhaling a breath heavy with the weight of transformation. As if a seed had sprouted within him, fresh leaves unfurling to embrace the sun for the first time, something far more profound than a mere class shift settled into his essence. Instincts that once felt separate now melded and synergised with his very being. At that moment, Ori drew his first breath as The Du?list, an entity of power far beyond its title. Though it would take time for him to fully assimilate the mantle, he understood enough to know he need not fear the obliteration of his self. The Du?list was, in many ways, the germination of a self Ori had long kept hidden and sheltered¡ªa self of mastery, where dreams and mind ruled over reality. It was his innermost potential, realised at the zenith of his abilities. It was the self he feared unleashing, the too-perfect use of weapons, the all-too-clever application of violence. It was the blade that, once drawn, could only be sheathed after something or someone met its annihilation. It was creativity''s uncanny ability to destroy. Ori nodded as if finally accepting that intense, competitive, yet pragmatically violent part of himself. "Are you all right?" "Yes. It seems this class has latched on to my Astral Affinity, Polydexterity, and Split Mind. And Du?lism... well," Ori chuckled, "I think we¡¯ll get along just fine." "Are you sure you¡¯re all right? You seem different," Freya asked, concern etched on her face. "Just a bit of inner peace and self-acceptance," Ori said, standing up and stretching. "Self-acceptance?" Freya frowned. "Yes, I¡¯m a boy who likes shiny swords and flashing lights, and that¡¯s okay," Ori laughed. Freya rubbed her brow, ever the picture of a long-suffering adviser to an immature child. Ori then selected the three new skills from his updated class.
Class Title: Du?list Rarity: Unique Rank: Journeyman Requirements: Unique Accolade: Du?list Per Level Bonus: +5 Polydexterity, +10 Intelligence +1 Inherent Affinity (Du?lism) Class Traits: Attack as you defend:¡°Titania''s tits!?¡± Freya snapped. ¡°Titania''s tits indeed,¡± Ori said satisfied with his choice. ¡°And for my final trick,¡¯ Ori said, his smile settling into something solemn. In his mind''s eye, he pictured Harriet and Poppy, Lady Seraphine¡¯s earnest desperation before she died in his arms, and Lysara the elemental who he still sought to know. His eyes settled on Freya, the spark that made this all possible. This time he ignored the sensation of fate turning beneath his feet as he became the Bondweaver. This was, if not an easier transition, then the small, final part of a transformation he had begun all the way back in Lunaesidhe. He possessed a curious mind, a lonely heart, and a greedy soul. This was a fact he had long since resonated with and now he accepted it willingly. He was the lover of beautiful, striving souls, the enabler of those who sought progress, life and growth. He was the weaver of bonds, not of fealty, indenture or sufferance, but connections that could do nothing but enhance, enable and protect those who sought his connection in return. In contrast to the acceptance of a darker part of his nature, Ori felt joy in acknowledging himself as the Bondweaver. Instinctively, he removed the pixie from his shoulder to cradle Freya in his palms, ¡°May I?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t like the look in your eyes,¡± Freya said sceptically, ¡°I¡¯ll be gentle.¡± ¡°Harumph,¡± Freya said, folding her arms while tilting her head up, her eyes closed. Knowing this to be the closest to consent he¡¯d get from the tough little pixie, Ori kissed her. It was a quick, light peck between his bottom lip and her tiny mouth, yet it was enough to vastly reinforce their bond. Ori laughed. ¡°There, was that so bad?¡± ¡°I fear by picking that class, that we¡¯ve just made a terrible mistake,¡± Freya said. ¡°I¡¯ll use it for good, I promise,¡± Ori said. ¡°Your mouth says one thing, and your lecherous eyes say another.¡±Description: This unique class is bestowed upon those who have achieved a unique accolade through duelling opponents of higher rank while dual-wielding two items of the same or different type. As the unique class of the entity named The Du?list, this class will gain additional traits as it tailors itself to suit the needs of its user over time, and as the legend of the Du?list grows. Class Spells: Du?list¡¯s Weave, Mind over Motion, Mind over Mind
- Enhances defence of preexisting auras, arcane and enchanted armour, wards and shields with every successful attack by a value equal to the damage of the attack, overkills overflow shields and barriers.
- +100% strength of the next attack after every successful defence or restoration. Defence or restoration of allies increases this enhancement to +300%.
Class Title: Bondweaver Rarity: Unique Rank: Journeyman Requirements: Unique Accolade: Bondweaver Per Level Bonus: +4 domain +1 Inherent Affinity: (Soulcraft) Class Traits: Invariant Bonds:¡°What did you pick?¡± Ori asked. Freya shrugged. ¡°Wanted to see what all the excitement was about,¡± she said as she cast a prismatic orb of Cosmic light. Ori laughed. 56. Level One (Part 3 Character Sheet) ¡°Do you regret picking up the Wandsmith class?¡± Ori simply grumbled. After rummaging through old or faulty sources in the armoury of ancient, long-forgotten artefacts, he was surprised to find that one source in very poor condition still seemed to work, or at least appeared fixable. Picking it up, Ori inspected the long crack that split the miniature Grandfather Clock''s facade. Using Echo Forging, he transmuted material to fix the visible defects as he carefully dismantled and repaired the device. Intricate gears bound moving enchantments and bands of mana wound so tight that Ori¡¯s heart raced as he handled the delicate mechanisms and steel springs. In addition to fixing the device, Ori learnt a great deal about how sources worked. He discovered the fine balance between power and control, power from mana, power from intent, and control through enchantments and material, each part working under the cross-tension of constraints and forces. A single imbalance, as Ori had recently exploited to his benefit, would lead to a chain reaction with only one explosive result. Power and control excited the Du?list in him¡ªthe part that revelled in chaos and violence as well as the studious exploration of how wondrous things worked. And in the case of tools that acted as large mana batteries and engines of wonder, this excitement was doubled. ¡°I don¡¯t regret choosing Wandsmith,¡± Ori sighed. ¡°But?¡± ¡°These class slot limitations are the worst,¡± Ori scowled Freya chuckled, ¡°You¡¯re not allowed to complain about something countless humans would have prayed to have the chance to influence.¡± ¡°Yeah, well. I have no regrets about picking any of the classes I have. Still, I think I will choose something like Realmwalker or Void Dancer for my next class. If I¡¯m ever going to live up to the hype of being this badass entity, the ability to come and go as I please feels essential. Plus, I really, want to travel more. It¡¯s something I planned on doing on Earth. I never really left my country, which was just an island at the end of the day. I used to think that if you were rich, you could travel anywhere. Well, that class is the definition of riches to my old self: instant, faster-than-light transportation. That, for me, will mark the moment I¡¯ve made it.¡± ¡°As a wild fae, or¡ at least¡ well, let¡¯s just say the idea of being unconstrained and free appeals to me very strongly, so I can understand your desire. Most would say there¡¯s a reason why those with such abilities seem godly, but I wouldn¡¯t count yourself out. Perhaps one day you¡¯ll bond with someone with such abilities? As a result, the Bondweaver has the potential to be just as godly, at least in my estimation.¡± ¡°So¡ you''re saying I just need to seduce someone from the Courier Guild then?¡± Ori¡¯s head poked up from his inspection of the source to see Freya watching him from the other side of the workbench, an orb of cosmic light the sole illumination in the old, dank, musty room. Freya sighed and muttered almost inaudibly, ¡°I swear¡¡± After several minutes of fiddling, Ori grasped the source and waited as it began to charge. Its capacity was likely a hundred times larger than the nascent sources he had used before. He could see mana in the vicinity spiral into the clock face, the hands of the clock likely a mana-gathering enchantment, its clock face symbolism a rigid structure for control and regularity. ¡°Besides, you know why I chose Wandsmith.¡± Ori continued. ¡°Yes, you have many positive associations with holding long, rigid objects in your hands.¡± ¡°I¡ wait, so you think it''s long?¡± Ori waggled his eyebrows, doing his best himbo impression. ¡°Grrrr, you''re insufferable.¡± ¡°You started it, and ¡®long and rigid¡¯ were your words, not mine.¡± ¡°I was actually¡ mostly referring to the flash paper wands you played with as a child, or that peculiar collection of torches you kept in your room or carried in your bag, or those red and green glow sticks you sparred with as if you were children with sticks¡ or you taking to the wands from the first armoury like it was second nature.¡± Freya pouted, her arms still crossed as she spoke. ¡°I was still surprised, though. I expected you to choose a more general class for your aspirations.¡± ¡°Nah. When I was looking through the big, long list of enchanting classes I was now compatible with due to having that Mortal High Enchanter accolade, none of them stood out for me, not in the way Wands did.¡± Ori chuckled. ¡°I mean, alright, maybe Aether-Technician came close. But when I imagined myself in the future, the version of me I want to be, I held a wand. You could say wands are merely channelling tools and magical foci. But something within me says they can be more, demands they can be whatever I need them to be. They can be the tools that make whatever I want.¡± Ori grunted as he stood. ¡°So, what the hell is this spell constellation?¡± Ori asked. ¡°This is actually one of the classes I taught while researching at the Arcanum Collegium.¡± ¡°So I¡¯m in good hands then?¡± ¡°Yes, I should think so. To begin, that cheat spell from your ridiculous Du?list class means you¡¯ll actually have five core spells instead of four¡¡± Freya¡¯s well-practised lecture was easy enough to follow. With all of his class spells selected, Ori had well over thirty spells to choose from, more than half of which were usable during combat. To aid Ori in managing these spells, both by providing a mental map of related abilities and as a guide for the evolution and emergence of new spells, the Page of Fates had an entire section called the Spell Constellation, with concentric wheels where spells could be placed. Core spells were nearly instinctual, requiring only the lightest conscious will to use. Core spells also used far less mana. The drawback was that only four, or in Ori¡¯s case, four plus the spell Du?list¡¯s Weave, could be selected. The inner ring had none of the mana reduction of the core and required the caster to spend time practising to achieve the same instantaneous, concentration-free casting as the core. This seemed like a downside, but from Ori¡¯s perspective as a former mortal mage who had been using spells stuck at the outer ring this entire time, each ring offered significant benefits. After several hours and multiple attempts, Ori had something that half resembled the sum of Freya¡¯s teachings. ¡°That will do for now.¡± Ori exhaled, then reviewed his spells, abilities and character sheet in its entirety. Core: Channel Lightning, Light Shield, Du?list¡¯s Weave, Echo Forging, Channel RestorationDescription: This unique class is bestowed upon those who have achieved the unique accolade of Bondweaver, recognised for their unparalleled skill in soul crafting and the weaving of soul bonds. Along with an ability to form, maintain, and manipulate bonds, this class allows for the transfer of spells and abilities, extraplanar communication and passive enhancements to Bondweaver and Bonded. As the unique class of the entity named Bondweaver, this class will tailor itself to suit the needs of its user upon selection and over time, ensuring they can continue to achieve extraordinary feats in soulcrafting. Class Spells: Whisper, Lesser Recall, Mirror Protection
- Bonds between Bondweaver and bonded can not be broken by time, distance or any external force.
- Effects such as Mantle of Battle Harmony, Gaze of Two Minds and Draw Breath are easier to control consciously and are no longer limited by proximity.
- Rituals of union between the Bondweaver and bonded are easier to perform and provide enhanced results.
- Once per day, with a minor act of intimacy, a spell, ability, affinity or trait can be transferred regardless of compatibility requirements
- Spells and abilities exchanged as part of the initial bond become class spells.
Spell: Du?list¡¯s Weave Type: Active, Enhancement Characteristic Requirements: Wisdom: ¡Ý30, Will: ¡Ý40 Other Requirements: Split Mind, Dream-related affinity, Du?lism Affinity Effects: Allows the user to merge the conceptual effects of two spells into one. Du?list¡¯s Weave can enter core spells without taking up an additional slot. Description: Du?list¡¯s Weave harnesses the power of Split Mind to merge the effects of two distinct spells into a single, cohesive effect. This spell grants the caster the ability to seamlessly blend magical energies and intents, creating potent new combinations without the need for additional spell slots. Notes: The effectiveness of Du?list¡¯s Weave is influenced by the caster¡¯s wisdom and will, enhancing the synergy of the combined spells.
Spell: Channel Lightning Type: Active, Offensive, Channelled Characteristic Requirements: Wisdom: ¡Ý25, Intelligence: ¡Ý25 Other Requirements: Storm or Lightning affinity Effects: Channels a continuous stream of lightning directly at a single target within line of sight. Description: Channel Lightning is a direct combat spell that allows the caster to unleash a continuous stream of lightning at a single target within their line of sight. This spell requires sustained concentration, delivering powerful and precise damage over time. The intense electrical discharge can overwhelm and incapacitate the target, making it an effective tool for focused attacks. Notes: The strength and duration of Channel Lightning scale with the caster¡¯s wisdom and intelligence. The direct nature of the spell demands that the caster maintain line of sight with the target, requiring strategic positioning and concentration during combat.
Spell: Light Shield Type: Active, Protection Characteristic Requirements: Wisdom: ¡Ý20, Intelligence: ¡Ý20 Other Requirements: Light or Order affinity Effects: Creates a minor barrier that protects the user from spells of a rank below the user. Description: Light Shield forms a protective barrier around the caster, shielding them from spells and magical attacks of a rank lower than their own. This barrier provides a light layer of defence, allowing the caster to resist harmful magic and focus on their healing and protective duties. Notes: The strength and duration of Light Shield are influenced by the caster¡¯s wisdom and intelligence. The barrier is most effective against lower-ranked spells and may not fully protect against more powerful magical attacks.
Spell: Channel Restoration Type: Active, Healing, Channelled Characteristic Requirements: Wisdom: ¡Ý30, Intelligence: ¡Ý30, Will: ¡Ý70 Other Requirements: Life or Healing affinity Effects: An upgraded version of Lesser Restoration that allows continuous healing to be channelled, reducing the Lifeforce cost of healing mortal wounds by 50%. Description: Channel Restoration is a potent healing spell that allows the caster to continuously channel restorative energy into a target, significantly reducing the Lifeforce cost associated with healing mortal wounds. This spell provides sustained healing over time, making it ideal for treating severe injuries and keeping allies alive during critical moments. Notes: The range (5 yards) effectiveness of Channel Restoration scales with the caster¡¯s wisdom and intelligence. The continuous nature of the spell requires the caster to maintain focus, but it offers substantial healing benefits, especially in dire situations where immediate and significant recovery is needed.Combat: Call Lightning, Chain Lightning, Moonbeam, Radiant Weapon, Purifying Light, Greater Stun, Mind over Mind, Mind over Motion, Mirror Protection
Spell: Call Lightning Type: Active, Offensive, Indirect Characteristic Requirements: Wisdom: ¡Ý20, Intelligence: ¡Ý20, Other Requirements: Storm or Lightning affinity Effects: Calls lightning from the sky to hit a target. Description: Call Lightning is an indirect combat spell that summons a bolt of lightning from the sky to strike a designated target. The lightning bolt is precise and powerful, capable of inflicting significant damage upon impact. Notes: The strength and accuracy of Call Lightning scale with the caster¡¯s wisdom and intelligence. The spell¡¯s indirect nature allows the caster to target enemies from a distance, making it a versatile tool for ranged combat.
Spell: Moonbeam Type: Active, Offensive, Channelled Characteristic Requirements: Wisdom: ¡Ý75, Intelligence: ¡Ý125, Will: ¡Ý300 Other Requirements: Moonlight affinity Effects: Creates an indirect channelled beam of moonlight that deals damage to a single target with a -rank effectiveness against physical barriers. Description: Moonbeam channels a concentrated beam of moonlight that targets a single foe. This offensive spell harnesses the serene yet destructive power of moonlight, making it a formidable weapon against foes. While weaker during daylight, this beam¡¯s continuous nature allows the caster to adjust its aim and maintain pressure on the target. This beam is particularly effective against creatures with an Underworld and Abyssal affinity, but weak against physical shields. Notes: This spell is mana use unconstrained. Damage dealt by Moonbeam scales with the caster¡¯s mana regeneration and Will.
Spell: Radiant Weapon Type: Passive, Enhancement Characteristic Requirements: Wisdom: ¡Ý20, Intelligence: ¡Ý20 Other Requirements: Light or Order affinity Effects: Coats the user''s melee weapons in searing light, doubling damage done upon hit. Description: When cast, Radiant Weapon envelops the caster¡¯s melee weapons in a brilliant aura of light, infusing them with searing energy for ten minutes. This enhancement increases the damage dealt with each strike, allowing the caster to cut through enemies with radiant power. The light¡¯s purity also has a cleansing effect, making it particularly effective against Abyssal or Underworld-aspected foes. Notes: The effectiveness of Radiant Weapon depends on the caster¡¯s wisdom and intelligence.
Spell: Chain Lightning Type: Active, Offensive, Channelled Characteristic Requirements: Wisdom: ¡Ý30, Intelligence: ¡Ý30, Presence: ¡Ý60 Other Requirements: Storm or Lightning affinity Effects: Channels lightning that chains to multiple targets, with -1 rank effectiveness on secondary targets. Description: Chain Lightning is a channelled combat spell that releases a bolt of lightning which arcs between multiple targets. The initial strike is highly effective, while subsequent branches suffer a reduction in power. This spell is ideal for engaging groups of enemies, delivering widespread damage in a single casting. Notes: The number of targets and the overall effectiveness of Chain Lightning scale with the caster¡¯s presence, wisdom and intelligence. The spell¡¯s chaining effect allows it to deal damage to several foes, making it particularly useful in large-scale battles.
Spell: Purifying Light Type: Active, Cleansing Characteristic Requirements: Wisdom: ¡Ý30, Intelligence: ¡Ý30, Will: ¡Ý60 Other Requirements: Light or Life affinity Effects: Cleanses and dispels harmful and necrotic spells, effects, and aspected materials. Can banish undead and is 100% more effective against creatures of an underworld affinity. Description: Purifying Light is a versatile spell that channels the pure, cleansing energy of light to dispel harmful and necrotic effects, cleanse tainted materials, and banish the undead. This spell is particularly effective against creatures with an underworld affinity, using its radiant power to drive away darkness and corruption. Purifying Light serves as both a protective and offensive tool, restoring purity and order wherever it is cast. Notes: The potency of Purifying Light scales with the caster¡¯s wisdom and intelligence. The spell¡¯s versatility makes it a cornerstone of the White Magi''s arsenal, capable of addressing a wide range of threats and afflictions.
Spell: Greater Stun Type: Active, Offensive, Crowd Control Characteristic Requirements: Wisdom: ¡Ý35, Intelligence: ¡Ý35, Presence: ¡Ý65 Other Requirements: None Effects: The strength and area of effect are based on the caster¡¯s mana pool and intelligence. Stuns targets within the area, rendering them temporarily incapacitated. Description: Greater Stun is a powerful non-lethal crowd control spell that disrupts the nervous systems of targets within its area of effect, temporarily incapacitating them. The spell¡¯s potency and range are directly influenced by the caster¡¯s mana pool and intelligence, allowing for large-scale or highly focused stuns depending on the caster¡¯s needs. Notes: The duration and effectiveness of the Greater Stun scale with the caster¡¯s presence, wisdom and intelligence. This spell is invaluable for controlling the battlefield, providing strategic advantages by neutralising multiple foes at once.
Spell: Mind over Mind Type: Active, Mentalism Characteristic Requirements: Wisdom: ¡Ý25, Intelligence: ¡Ý25, Will: ¡Ý200 Other Requirements: Dream-related affinity, Du?lism Affinity Effects: Uses mana to channel the strength of the caster¡¯s will to focus the mind and overpower opponents. For every second in combat, the user gains +10% intelligence and wisdom, while opponents lose -5%. Description: Mind over Mind empowers the caster to dominate mental battles, using mana to amplify their cognitive abilities while diminishing the mental strength of their opponents. This spell enhances the user¡¯s intelligence and wisdom progressively throughout the combat, creating a growing advantage as the battle continues. Simultaneously, it weakens the opponent''s mental capabilities, making them more vulnerable to strategic attacks. Notes: The effectiveness of Mind over Mind scales with the caster¡¯s will and mana capacity and regeneration. Prolonged combat increases the caster¡¯s advantage, making this spell particularly powerful in extended engagements.
Spell: Mind over Motion Type: Active, Enhancement Characteristic Requirements: Wisdom: ¡Ý20, Intelligence: ¡Ý20, Will: ¡Ý50 Other Requirements: Dream-related affinity, Du?lism Affinity Effects: The caster¡¯s Will enhances Dexterity and enables Breath to enhance movement speed. For 3 seconds, gain a 1000% increase in movement speed and Polyexterity. Description: Mind over Motion allows the caster to leverage their Breath for incredible bursts of speed and dexterity. For a brief period, the caster experiences a dramatic increase in movement speed, enabling rapid repositioning, evasive manoeuvres, or swift attacks. This enhancement makes the caster exceptionally agile, and capable of performing complex actions with speed and precision. Notes: The frequency and duration of Mind over Motion are influenced by the caster¡¯s will and available Breath. The spell is best used strategically to maximise its benefits during critical moments in combat.
Spell: Mirror Protection Type: Passive, Defensive Characteristic Requirements: Wisdom: ¡Ý25, Will: ¡Ý35 Other Requirements: Bonded Effects: Defensive effects such as shields, arcane armour, auras, or barriers applied to you are also applied to bonded allies within the range of your domain. Description: When cast, Mirror Protection creates a powerful link between the caster and their bonded allies, mirroring any defensive spells cast on the user onto any bonded within their domain for ten minutes. Notes: The range and effectiveness of Mirror Protection are influenced by the caster¡¯s will and wisdom.Healing and Restoration: Beacon of Regeneration, Channel Dispel, Death Ward, Cure Wounds
Spell: Beacon of Regeneration Type: Active, Healing, Area of Effect Characteristic Requirements: Wisdom: ¡Ý20, Intelligence: ¡Ý20, Will: ¡Ý50 Other Requirements: Life or Healing affinity Effects: Creates an area of effect that provides minor regeneration of Lifeforce, healing, mana, and breath to all allies within the beacon''s radius. Description: Beacon of Regeneration summons a radiant aura that emanates from the caster, providing continuous minor healing, Lifeforce regeneration, and replenishment of mana and breath to all allies within its range. This spell is invaluable during prolonged battles, ensuring that allies can sustain their efforts and recover from injuries more rapidly. The beacon''s soothing light promotes recovery and resilience, offering a steady source of support amid conflict. Notes: The effectiveness of Beacon of Regeneration scales with the caster¡¯s wisdom and intelligence and lasts a period determined by the caster¡¯s Will. While it provides continuous healing and regeneration, it does so at a minor rate, making it ideal for sustaining allies over longer periods or during periods of rest rather than providing immediate, significant recovery.
Spell: Channel Dispel Type: Active, Dispel, Healing Characteristic Requirements: Wisdom: ¡Ý25, Intelligence: ¡Ý25, Will: ¡Ý60 Other Requirements: Light or Order affinity Effects: An upgraded version of Lesser Dispel, Channel Dispel allows the caster to remove curses and unnatural effects. It can also purify tainted mana or arcane effects from wounds. Description: Channel Dispel is a powerful spell that enables the caster to cleanse curses, dispel unnatural effects, and purify tainted mana from wounds. By channelling their energy through this spell, the caster can effectively remove harmful influences and restore purity to affected individuals. This spell is especially useful in situations where allies are afflicted by potent curses or arcane contamination. Stolen story; please report. Notes: Channel Dispel requires sustained focus and concentration. The spell¡¯s potency increases with the caster¡¯s wisdom and intelligence, allowing for the dispelling of more powerful curses and effects as the caster''s abilities grow.
Spell: Death Ward Type: Active, Protective Characteristic Requirements: Wisdom: ¡Ý40, Intelligence: ¡Ý40, Will: ¡Ý70 Other Requirements: Life, Spirit or Order affinity Effects: Anchors a spirit to their body, allowing restoration from death after their body has been healed and quickened. Description: Death Ward anchors the spirit of a fallen ally to their body, creating a lifeline that prevents the spirit from departing their body''s current realm entirely. This spell enables the caster to heal and quicken the body, restoring the individual to life once their physical form has been adequately repaired. Notes: The effectiveness of Death Ward scales with the caster¡¯s wisdom, intelligence, and will. The spell requires careful timing and coordination, as the body must be healed and quickened promptly to prevent the spirit from slipping away.
Spell: Cure Wounds Type: Active, Healing, Channelled Characteristic Requirements: Wisdom: ¡Ý10, Intelligence: ¡Ý15, Other Requirements: Life or Healing affinity Effects: Allows the user to see and direct rapid healing to a region under the spell¡¯s effect. Description: Cure Wounds is a weak healing spell that enables the caster to channel restorative energy directly into an injured area. The spell enhances the caster¡¯s ability to perceive the extent of the damage, allowing for precise and efficient healing. By focusing on specific regions, the caster can expedite the recovery process, mending wounds without cost to Lifeforce. Notes: The effectiveness of Cure Wounds scales with the caster¡¯s wisdom and intelligence.Crafting: Lesser Life Spark, Taurna¡¯dieh, Echo Forging, Lesser Echo Print, Silvan Whittling, Sina¡¯lithilien, Spirit Lathe, Elen¡¯urithil, Luminal Etching
Spell: Lesser Life Spark Type: Active, Quickening Characteristic Requirements: Intelligence: ¡Ý20, Other Requirements: Lightning affinity, Life affinity, Celestial affinity, Light affinity. Effects: Used in the quickening stage of enchanting to potentially spark wills within enchantments and imbue the quickened artefact with properties beneficial to users with light, life, lightning, or celestial affinities. Can also function as a revival spell in specific circumstances. Description: Lesser Life Spark is an active spell used during the quickening stage of enchanting. It can ignite wills within enchantments if none exist, thereby imbuing the quickened artefact with dynamic properties that align with light, life, lightning, or celestial affinities. This spell not only enhances the artefact''s compatibility and efficacy with users who share these affinities but also introduces potent qualities into the artefact. Notes: Lesser Life Spark can also function similarly to Lesser Resurrection in specific contexts where an individual''s physical form has been restored, and their spirit remains linked to the body. This dual functionality makes Lesser Life Spark a versatile tool in both enchanting and healing disciplines. The effectiveness of the spell can be enhanced in environments that naturally amplify the affinities it utilises, such as areas rich in celestial or life energies. Lesser Life Spark is an indispensable tool for enchanters and healers alike, offering both magical enhancement and life-sustaining possibilities.
Spell: Taurna¡¯dieh Type: Active, Bonding Characteristic Requirements: Spirit: ¡Ý35, Wisdom: ¡Ý35, Will: ¡Ý6500 Other Requirements: None Effects: Soul bonds an artefact with the user or another artefact, spirit, elemental, or will. Description: Taurna¡¯dieh is a powerful bonding spell that establishes a deep soul connection between an artefact and its user, or between two artefacts, spirits, elementals, or wills. This spell enhances the artefact¡¯s abilities and aligns it with the essence of the bonded entity, significantly boosting its power and effectiveness. The bond created by Taurna¡¯dieh is profound and enduring, allowing for seamless interaction and synergy between the artefact and its bearer. Notes: The strength and depth of the bond created by Taurna¡¯dieh scale with the caster¡¯s spirit, wisdom and will. This spell is crucial for Wandsmiths who seek to create artefacts, ensuring that their creations reach their full potential.
Spell: Echo Forging Type: Active, Transmutation Characteristic Requirements: Intelligence: ¡Ý50, Perception ¡Ý750, Will: ¡Ý25 Other Requirements: Enchantment-related class, Dream-related affinity, Material-related affinity. Effects: Enables the user to transmute an imagined, memorised, or dreamt object into reality, contingent upon material costs and channelling skill. Description: Echo Forging is an active, channelled, transmutation spell that allows the caster to incarnate imagined, memorised, or dreamt objects into physical form. This spell relies heavily on the caster''s ability to visualise the object in detail, as well as the availability of necessary materials and sufficient mana. The quality, durability, and functionality of the created object are influenced by the amount of mana used, the duration of the forging process, the clarity and detail of the visualisation, and the size of the object relative to the caster''s skill level. Notes: Upon activation, Echo Forging demands intense concentration and a deep understanding of the materials involved. The spell allows for adjustments during the casting process, where the caster can integrate infusions and enchantments into the object, depending on their skill level. This makes it particularly useful for creating bespoke magical items or reshaping and re-enchanting items that are already soul-bound to a user. The effectiveness of Echo Forging can be enhanced by local environmental conditions that are conducive to the spell''s energy requirements. For instance, casting in an area rich in natural mana can reduce the material cost and increase the fidelity of the transmuted object. This spell requires a high level of perception and intelligence, as the caster must not only visualise the object but also comprehend and manipulate the complex arcane mechanisms involved in its creation. Echo Forging is particularly powerful when used in conjunction with abilities that enhance mental clarity and focus, such as Beacon of Wisdom or Lesser Clarity.
Spell: Lesser Echo Print Type: Active, Enchanting Characteristic Requirements: Intelligence: ¡Ý55, Perception: ¡Ý100, Will: ¡Ý100 Other Requirements: Enchantment-related class, Alchemical affinity, Dream-related affinity. Effects: Enables the user to etch precise inscriptions into materials using a channelled spell, which can integrate alchemical essences and aspected affinities into the inscription for enhanced effects. Description: Lesser Echo Print is an active, channelled enchanting spell that allows the caster to precisely etch inscriptions into various materials using mana. Directed by a channelled spell glyph, or guided by a memory or vision from a dream, this spell is a mana-intensive and meticulous method that ensures high precision in inscribing magical texts and symbols. The inscriptions can be imbued with alchemical essences during or after the etching process, and aspected affinities can be incorporated to enhance the magical properties of the inscribed item. The depth, clarity, and magical potency of the inscriptions are influenced by the caster''s control over the flow of mana and their skill in managing the details of the spell. Notes: Upon activation, Lesser Echo Print demands the caster''s undivided attention and a profound understanding of the interaction between man, material, and magical essences. The exceptionally high requirements for Perception and Will¡ªset at 100 each¡ªreflect the significant difficulty and skill necessary to successfully use this spell. These high requirements are indicative of the precise control and intense focus needed to manage and direct the spell''s complex processes. This spell allows for detailed adjustments during the etching process, where the caster can modify the intensity and pattern of the inscriptions as needed. Lesser Echo Print is particularly valuable for creating high-value enchanted items where precision and specificity of magical effects are crucial. Lesser Echo Print is particularly effective when used in conjunction with cognitive-enhancing abilities like Beacon of Wisdom or Lesser Clarity, which aid in maintaining focus and control during the prolonged and detailed channelling process.
Spell: Silvan Whittling Type: Active, Shaping Characteristic Requirements: Dexterity: ¡Ý15,Wisdom: ¡Ý15 Other Requirements: None Effects: Uses mana to carve wood without a knife, exceptionally mana-efficient. Description: Silvan Whittling allows the caster to carve wood using their mana, eliminating the need for physical tools. This spell provides a highly efficient method for shaping and crafting wooden items, making it ideal for creating wands, staves, and other wooden artefacts. The mana efficiency of Silvan Whittling ensures minimal resource expenditure while achieving precise and detailed craftsmanship. Notes: The efficiency and precision of Silvan Whittling scale with the caster¡¯s dexterity and wisdom. This spell is particularly useful for Wandsmiths who require a reliable and resource-efficient method for crafting wooden components of their magical creations.
Spell: Sina¡¯lithilien Type: Active, Purification, Refinement Characteristic Requirements: Intelligence: ¡Ý25, Wisdom: ¡Ý25 Other Requirements: Moonlight affinity Effects: Purifies materials using moonlight, requires moonlight affinity. Description: Sina¡¯lithilien harnesses the purifying power of moonlight to cleanse and purify materials. This spell, with its origins in Lunaesidhe traditions, uses the gentle yet potent energy of moonlight to remove impurities and enhance the magical receptiveness of the materials being purified. Sina¡¯lithilien is essential for preparing high-quality components for enchantment and crafting. Notes: The effectiveness of Sina¡¯lithilien scales with the caster¡¯s intelligence and wisdom. The moonlight affinity requirement ensures the caster can connect with and utilise the purifying properties of moonlight, making this spell ideal for creating pristine and potent magical artefacts.
Spell: Spirit Lathe Type: Active, Shaping Characteristic Requirements: Intelligence: ¡Ý140, Wisdom: ¡Ý60 Other Requirements: None Effects: Lathes transmuted material into desired para-cylindrical objects. Description: Spirit Lathe enables the caster to transmute and shape materials into para-cylindrical objects using a magical lathe. This spell allows for the creation of perfectly formed wands, rods, and other cylindrical artefacts, ensuring a high degree of precision and uniformity. The transmutation process imbues the objects with enhanced magical properties, making them ideal for use as conduits of power. Notes: The precision and quality of Spirit Lathe scale with the caster¡¯s intelligence and wisdom. This spell is indispensable for Wandsmiths who require flawlessly shaped components for their magical creations.
Spell: Elen¡¯urithil Type: Active, Naming, Divination Characteristic Requirements: Intelligence: ¡Ý20, Wisdom: ¡Ý20 Other Requirements: Celestial affinity Effects: Names recently completed or bonded enchanted items, enhancing their qualities. Description: Elendurithil calls upon the celestial energy of the stars to bestow names upon newly enchanted items or artefacts. This spell, rooted in ancient Lunaesidhe tradition, aligns the item''s essence with celestial influences, often revealing or amplifying hidden details and qualities. Elendurithil is most effective after the caster has established a bond with the item, ensuring the name given holds true power and significance. Notes: The effectiveness of Elendurithil scales with the caster¡¯s intelligence and wisdom. The celestial affinity requirement allows the caster to harness astrological energies that align with the essence of the item being named. This spell is particularly useful for enhancing the mystical properties and resonance of newly crafted magical artefacts, adding an additional layer of depth and power through its use.
Spell: Luminal Etching Type: Active, Enchantment Characteristic Requirements: Intelligence: ¡Ý20, Wisdom: ¡Ý20 Other Requirements: Light affinity Effects: Uses light to carve glyphs into wood, stone, or other shaped items. Description: Luminal Etching employs focused beams of light to precisely carve intricate glyphs and runes into various materials such as wood, stone, or other shaped items. This spell allows the Wandsmith to imbue their creations with detailed enchantments and symbols that enhance the artefact¡¯s magical properties. Notes: The effectiveness of Luminal Etching scales with the caster¡¯s intelligence and wisdom. The light affinity requirement ensures the caster can harness and control the light needed for precise etching, making the spell ideal for creating finely detailed magical artefacts.Utility: Lesser Banish, Lesser Recall, Whisper, Spectral Voice, Dreamwalking
Spell: Lesser Banish Type: Active, Banishment Characteristic Requirements: Wisdom: ¡Ý15, Intelligence: ¡Ý15, Will: ¡Ý40 Other Requirements: Light or Order affinity Effects: Banishes creatures of a lower rank back to their original realm of existence. Description: Lesser Banish is a spell designed to expel lower-ranked creatures back to their native realms. This spell is particularly effective against summoned entities or creatures that have crossed into the mortal plane. By invoking this banishment, the caster can quickly remove threats and restore order to the battlefield. Upon failure of banishment, this spell can also inflict damage and debilitating effects against Infernal and Celestial creatures while not on their plane of origin. Notes: The success of Lesser Banish depends on the caster¡¯s wisdom and Will, as well as the relative rank of the target creature. The spell is most effective against lower-ranked entities and may struggle against beings of higher ranks.
Spell: Lesser Recall Type: Active, Utility Characteristic Requirements: Wisdom: ¡Ý15, Intelligence: ¡Ý15, Will: ¡Ý30 Other Requirements: Bonded affinity Effects: Instantly recalls a bond to your location and pays back the mana cost over time. Recalling cannot be done again until the mana cost is fully repaid. Bond allies must be in the same realm and timeframe of existence. Description: Lesser Recall provides a swift and reliable means of regrouping, allowing the caster to instantly bring bonded allies to their side. This spell is especially useful in emergencies, ensuring that separated team members can be quickly reunited. The mana cost is repaid over time, making it an option for emergency support. However, the caster must manage their mana resources carefully, as repeated use is restricted until the previous cost is covered. Notes: The effectiveness and speed of Lesser Recall are influenced by the caster¡¯s will and intelligence. It is crucial to ensure all bonded allies are within the same realm and timeframe for successful recall.
Spell: Whisper Type: Active, Communication Characteristic Requirements: Wisdom: ¡Ý10, Intelligence: ¡Ý10, Will: ¡Ý20 Other Requirements: Bondweaver or Bonded Effects: Allows the caster to communicate with any bonded ally across any distance, regardless of the demiplane. Communication is one-way and occurs across fate in the current timeframe of existence. Description: Whisper enables the caster to send messages to bond, no matter the distance or demiplane. This one-way communication is transmitted across the threads of fate, ensuring that the message reaches its destination instantly. Notes: The range and clarity of Whisper are influenced by the caster¡¯s wisdom and will. Since communication is one-way, strategic planning is necessary to ensure effective information exchange.
Spell: Spectral Voice Type: Active, Communication Characteristic Requirements: Wisdom: ¡Ý15, Intelligence: ¡Ý15, Will: ¡Ý25 Other Requirements: Dream-related affinity Effects: Channels mana to project your voice as a spectral presence in the air around you. Description: Spectral Voice allows the caster to channel mana to project their voice as an ethereal presence in the surrounding air. This spell enables communication in a ghostly, otherworldly manner, ideal for creating an atmosphere of mystery, ventriloquism and moments where you are unable to physically vocalise, or for communicating discreetly. The spectral voice can be heard clearly by those nearby, making it useful for issuing commands, delivering messages, or unsettling opponents. Notes: The clarity and range of the Spectral Voice are influenced by the caster¡¯s wisdom and will. The effectiveness of the spell is enhanced by a strong affinity with dream-related magic, allowing for more precise and impactful vocal projection.
Spell: Dreamwalking Type: Active, Mind, Dream Characteristic Requirements: Wisdom: ¡Ý10, Spirit: ¡Ý10, Will: ¡Ý90 Other Requirements: Dream-aspected affinity, Lucid Dreaming Effects: Enables the user to enter, navigate, and interact with the dreams of others, or pull others into their own dreamscapes. Description: Dreamwalking allows the user to transcend the boundaries of their subconscious and enter the dreams of others. This spell not only enables the caster to navigate these dreamscapes but also to interact with them or their denizens, potentially influencing the course of the dream, the target''s mental state, gathering information, or facilitating extraplanar communication. Notes: Dreamwalking requires the user to enter a state of sleep or deep meditation before activating the ability via their subconscious, though advanced practitioners may accomplish this through waking dreams. The user''s consciousness then transcends their mind, journeying into the dreamscape of another. This process demands moderate levels of wisdom and spirit, and high levels of will, as it involves navigating the complex and often unpredictable astral demiplane. The ability to interact within the dream is contingent upon the user''s skill and the target''s mental defences. While Dreamwalking offers profound insights and unique interaction capabilities, it also poses risks such as getting lost within the dreamscape, encountering countermeasures by experienced Awakened, or encountering ancient entities in the spaces between dreams. Mastery of Lucid Dreaming and an advanced understanding of Astral Projection are essential to mitigate these risks.Ability Descriptions
Ability: Split Mind Type: Passive, Mentalism, Transmutation Characteristic Requirements: Dexterity: ¡Ý20, Perception: ¡Ý40, Intelligence: ¡Ý20, Will: ¡Ý100 Other Requirements: Effects: Enables concentration on multiple tasks, with an intelligence multiplier based on the number of Split Minds Description: The Split Mind spell is a passive ability that fundamentally alters the cognitive functioning of its user. It allows the caster to divide their mental focus a specific number of times, a change that is permanent and irreversible. This division increases the intelligence characteristic by a multiple of the times the user splits their mind. Furthermore, this enables the user to concentrate on several tasks simultaneously, a capability that proves invaluable in situations demanding multitasking or rapid attention shifts. Notes: Once activated, the user''s mind undergoes a permanent transformation, with their consciousness being split a set number of times. This division facilitates the handling of multiple tasks concurrently. However, this comes with a significant trade-off: a 10% drop in reaction times for each additional task managed. This decrease in dexterity is indicative of the cognitive load and the divided attention necessary to maintain multiple focuses. The spell requires high levels of dexterity, perception, intelligence, and will, necessitating the user to finely adjust their mental faculties to cope with the complexities of a divided consciousness. Despite the reduction in dexterity per additional task, Split Mind remains a formidable tool for those who meet its stringent requirements and is invaluable for spell casters and crafters of all types.
Ability: Vision of the Progenitor Type: Active, Perception Characteristic Requirements: Perception: ¡Ý85, Will: ¡Ý80 Other Requirements: Unknown, Unique Effects: Grants the ability to perceive and interact with the essences of Lifeforce, Vitality, Soul, Aether, and Mana, seamlessly blending perception across physical and metaphysical realms. Description: Vision of the Progenitor is a Transcendent Rank perception ability, unique to the Library of Fates. It merges the highest forms of sensory and mystical insight, allowing the user to view the essence of souls, the flow of life forces, the intricate decompositions of aether, the harmonic interactions of Mana, along with hints of other Paracausal energies of Fate. Users can see the convergence of these energies within beings and objects, understanding their interplay in an almost preternatural manner. It offers a comprehensive view that transcends mere sight, providing profound insight into the very fabric of existence, including realms that may exist beyond the reaches of Fate. Notes: Upon activation, Vision of the Progenitor enables the user to gain insight and comprehension of observed effects ¡ªto which they have an affinity ¡ªat an accelerated rate. This ability also consumes and assimilates new or preexisting perception-related abilities or spells, morphing to incorporate aspects from the ability destroyed. Scaling with the user''s perception characteristics, this ability not only allows for the detection of hidden life forces and soul conditions but also grants insights into the manipulation of these energies, suggesting possibilities of creation and alteration extending well beyond the divine. The power to perceive such fundamental forces carries a grave responsibility, as the knowledge gained could reveal the vulnerabilities and strengths of both living and non-living entities. Ultimate mastery of Vision of the Progenitor may lead to unparalleled power over life and death, creation and destruction, potentially reshaping the structure of reality itself if wielded without restraint. Consequently, the inception of Vision of the Progenitor heralds the dawn of the Age of Blindness, its ominous potential outshining and permanently diminishing the strength of long-term divination forecasts across all demiplanes, serving as a lasting reminder of the vastness of Fate, and the unfathomable potential of Irregulars on the Path.
Ability: Reach of the Progenitor Type: Active, Aethermancy, Characteristic Requirements: Domain: ¡Ý1, Intelligence: ¡Ý80 Other Requirements: Unknown, Unique Effects: Grants the user the ability to use the Aether-Warped spell Arcane Hands without mana cost. Reach, precision and strength are determined by the user''s domain. Description: Reach of the Progenitor is an Irregular Rank ability, unique to the Library of Fates. Initially known as Arcane Hands, this ability was aether-warped during the battle for Briar Queen Harriet the First''s ascension to High Queen. It was later refined and crystallised by the Crucible, becoming inextricably linked to the user''s Aetheric Heart during awakening. Reach of the Progenitor allows the user to manipulate physical as well paracausal energies including Aether, extending their reach far beyond the limitations of the original spell, and can not be disrupted by normal means. These arcane hands can interact with Lifeforce, Aether, and Mana, providing unparalleled versatility in both combat and utility. As a creation of true Aethermancy, this ability no longer relies on mana, making it an inexhaustible extension of the user''s will.
Ability: Aura of the Progenitor Type: Active, Aethermancy, Aura Characteristic Requirements: Aura ¡Ý85, Other Requirements: Unknown, Unique Effects: Negates the effects of weaker hostile auras, area-of-effect curses, and lifeforce-stealing effects. Projects a subconscious field effect that is beneficial to all allies in range. Within close range, Aura of the Progenitor becomes a tangible force capable of deflecting weaker attacks, hostile grace, aether, and lesser essences. Description: Once known as the Aura of Amplification, this ability was damaged during the attack against Eltitus. It subsequently underwent aether-warping during its attempted use in the battle for Harriet''s ascension to High Queen. Later, it was refined, crystallising under the winds of the Crucible, and ultimately connected to the user''s Aetheric Heart. This transformation converted the aura into a form of true Aethermancy, amplifying the user''s presence to subconsciously influence Grace, Aether, ambient Mana, and lesser essences.
| Name: | Ori Suba | |
| Titles: | **Shrouded** (Minor Soulcraft by the Herald of the Bondweaver) | |
| Accolades: | Titled: Bondweaver (Unique) Titled: Du?list (Unique) Titled: Progenitor (Unique) Titled: Astral Adept (Legendary) Blessing of a Prime Dragon (Legendary) Guest of the Library of Fates (Legendary) Mortal Journeyman White Mage (Legendary) Mortal four-fold unification: Domain (Legendary) Titled: Hl¨¥o¡¯torb¨¥on Undant¨¥on (Legendary) High Demon Bane (Very Rare) Mortal two-fold unification: Polydexterity (Very Rare) Mortal High Enchanter (Very Rare) Quintarch (Very Rare) Titled: Summoned Hero (Very Rare) Royal Consort (Rare) Titled: Saviour of Astor (Rare) | |
| Age: | Adult (23 Sols) | |
| Race: | High Human* (variant pending) | |
| Rank: | Awakened* (Irregular) | |
| Level: | 1 | |
| Peritia: | 817,359,664 /20,000 (to next level) /1,310,463 (to next characteristic point) /1,100,000,000 (to next evolution) | |
| Classes and Spell Constellations | White Mage (Journeyman) Wandsmith (High) Du?list (Entity) Bondweaver (Entity) | 1/5/10 1/7/10 1/6/10 1/2/10 |
| Core (5/4+1) | - Channel Lightning - Light Shield - Du?list¡¯s Weave - Echo Forging - Channel Restoration | |
| Inner (19/20) | - Beacon of Regeneration - Call Lightning - Chain Lightning - Channel Dispel - Cure Wounds - Death Ward - Dreamwalking - Greater Stun - Lesser Echo Print - Lesser Life Spark - Lesser Recall - Luminal Etching - Mind over Mind - Mind over Motion - Mirror Protection - Moonbeam - Purifying Light - Radiant Weapon - Whisper | |
| Outer (7/40) | - Lesser Banish - Light Orb - Spectral Voice - Silvan Whittling - Sina¡¯lithilien - Spirit Lathe - Taurna¡¯dieh | |
| Skills and Abilities: | Domain Pseudo-Domain (Envelop, Blade) Split Mind Summon Artefact (Seraphine¡¯s Beacon, Flenser, Dreamwalkers¡¯ Ward) Summon Familiar (Lysara, Freya) Progenitor (Vision of the Progenitor, Reach of the Progenitor, Aura of the Progenitor) Bondweave (Taurna¡¯diem, Familiar) Aethermancy (Devour Rift, Luinilthar bloodline ability) Boon: One Thousand Tongues of the Greater Succubus: (547 out of 1000 languages remaining) Will of the High Human | |
| Characteristics: | Dexterity: | Unified (308) |
| Domain: | 45 | |
| Intelligence: | 171 | |
| Perception: | Unified (4,788) | |
| Polydexterity: | 31 (30.8) | |
| Presence: | Unified (4,479) | |
| Spirit | Unified (4,479) | |
| Strength | 14 | |
| Toughness | 10 | |
| Vitality | 11 | |
| Will | Unified* (8,959) | |
| Wisdom | 48 | |
| Statistics: | Aetheric Capacity: | 2/3 |
| Soul Capacity: | 65/650 | |
| Mana Capacity: | 9 | |
| Mana per second: | 52 | |
| Breath Capacity: | 6 | |
| Breath per Hour: | 3 | |
| Grace: | 0 (138) | |
| Lifeforce Capacity: | 100 (216) | |
| Lifeforce per day: | 41 | |
| Domain Radius: | 448 yards | |
| Inherent Affinity: |
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| Attained Affinities: (name - rank - comprehension level) | - Abyssal - Primordial - Immersion (2nd) - Aether - Primordial - Immersion (2nd) - Astral - Primordial - Immersion (2nd) - Celestial - Primordial - Immersion (2nd) - Fate - Irregular - Threshold (1st) - Freedom - Irregular - Threshold (1st) - Mana - Primordial - Immersion (2nd) - Material - Primordial - Immersion (2nd) - Modern Warfare - Irregular - Threshold (1st) - Quintessence - Transcendent - Immersion (2nd) - Void - Primordial - Immersion (2nd) | |
| Traits: | Bondweaver High Human Du?list Attack as you Defend Invariant Bonds Progenitor Boon: One thousand tongues of the Greater Succubus Boon: Blessing of the Prime Dragon High Demon Bane Wandsmith White Mage | |
Class Title: Potential of the Bondweaver Rarity: Unique Rank: Journeyman Per Level Bonus: +10 Intelligence, +10 Will +10 Presence Class Traits: Enhances the user''s potential and growth, granting accelerated learning and mastery over elemental magic. Increases the Bondweaver''s and any Bondeds control and versatility over spells with an elemental affinity by user''s level value + 50% while within 20-yard proximity or within the user''s line of sight. A further +50% is added to spells of a lightning-based affinity. Description: This unique class is granted to those who wish to express the potential of the Bondweaver. The user gains heightened Intelligence, Will, and Presence, accelerating their mastery of elemental magic. This class also enhances the Bondweaver''s elemental control and versatility, making the pair a formidable force in both offence and defence. With skills that boost magical learning and adaptability, the user can quickly adapt to new challenges and environments, making them an essential companion in dynamic and unpredictable situations. Class Spells: Arcane Insight, Lightning Conduit, Capacitive Resonance
Class Title: Source of the Bondweaver Rarity: Unique Rank: Journeyman Per Level Bonus: +20 Intelligence, +20 Wisdom, +10 Presence Class Traits: Transforms the user into a living, bottomless arcane source of mana with no capacity limit. This boosts the user, the Bondweaver''s and his bonds, Mana regeneration by 10% * user''s level, regardless of range. Drains all ambient mana and neutralises excess charge within a 50-yard radius. Description: This unique class endows Lysara with the ability to become a living arcane source, acting as both a mana battery and generator. The user gains increased Intelligence, Wisdom, and Presence, turning them into a powerful conduit for magical energy. This class dramatically enhances the Bondweaver''s and the user''s mana regeneration and energy output, ensuring a continuous and potent flow of arcane power. Additionally, the class grants proficiency with electrical and material affinity spells, amplifying their potency and efficiency. The user operates as a bottomless source of mana with no capacity limit, facilitated by a quantum-paracausal process that sustains infinite mana generation. However, this immense power comes with the cost of draining all ambient mana and neutralising excess charge within a 50-yard radius, potentially disrupting other magic users and devices in the vicinity. Class Spells: Ground, Reservoir, Electrostatic Surge, Arcane Dynamo, Undying SparkReviewing the classes and spells, Ori couldn¡¯t help but be humbled by Lysara''s choices and the affirmation they represented. She had effectively dedicated herself to becoming his Source, supporting him and his bonded allies with mana regeneration that could only grow in time. The immense potential of her spells, especially their combined effects, was impressive. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. Arcane Insight could be cast on anyone Lysara chose, providing them with an enhanced understanding of magical constructs and auras. Lightning Conduit allowed her to control the charge of an entire region, dominating lightning effects such as natural storms or hostile spell effects. Capacitive Resonance acted as an aura, amplifying electrical and magical energies for all allies, significantly boosting the potency of nearby spells and devices. Ground neutralised excess electrical energy, which could be combined with Reservoir to store large amounts of lightning energy. In battle, Electrostatic Surge could be used to unleash a powerful pulse, dealing significant damage to enemies, both living, mechanical and unliving alike. Arcane Dynamo could convert electrical energy into mana and vice versa, ensuring an endless supply of electricity as long as mana was present. Finally, Undying Spark showcased Lysara''s determination and resilience. Once cast, and provided no mana nullification effects were in place, Undying Spark made Lysara impervious to annihilation for ten minutes. Exclusively usable by elemental beings, this spell was Lysara''s answer to her previous demise, hopefully ensuring her survival in situations few living entities could withstand. ¡°Woah,¡± Ori said simply, while Freya remained silent, her thoughts indiscernible. ¡°I¡¯m honoured. Thank you for your choices and your belief in me.¡± ¡°These classes were the best choices to further our goal. You get stronger, I get stronger. A virtuous cycle. A positive feedback loop,¡± Lysara said in a way that made Ori believe she was smiling. ¡°Yeah, it does, but still.¡± Ori exhaled a turbulent breath. ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°You are welcome, Ori Suba.¡± ¡°So, I actually summoned you to help us. We¡¯re in a place that¡¯s not very secure. Even at this moment, infernals could be making their way towards us, seeking our harm. I need you to give us early warning. Sink into the ground and use that flux sense you¡¯ve got to keep track as far and wide as you can. Feel free to take out weak and vulnerable targets of opportunity, but otherwise use your ability to sink beneath everyone''s feet to keep yourself safe, if not hidden. Reckon you could do that?¡± ¡°Yes, Ori. I now have a detection radius of just under one hundred yards. Should I centre my presence under this room, or move towards a specific direction?¡± ¡°Centre is fine for now.¡± ¡°I have detected thirteen infernal demons between Awakened and Nascent ranks within the current radius. Confirm kill order?¡± ¡°Err, you can do this without giving yourself away?¡± Ori questioned. ¡°Affirmative.¡± ¡°Then, yeah, do it.¡± Silence followed, but as Ori watched his Peritia and his Deathclock, he was shocked to see it rise by over a week. The power to order executions on creatures unaware of his presence was terrifying. He filtered the emotion through his various selves. The White mage was appalled. The Bondweaver was silent. The Wandsmith was impatient. The Du?list was impressed. The Demon Bane hungered for more. Ori shook his head, clearing it of negativity as he appreciated the convenience of Lysara¡¯s new... awesomeness. ¡°Erm, thank you and keep it up. I need to get back to work.¡± Returning to his enchantments, Ori studied the design. Freya, peering over his shoulder, asked the question he had just internally answered. ¡°What will you call it?¡± Freya asked. ¡°The enchantment? I was going to call it a Sword or Wand Array, but they¡¯re not really either, so I¡¯ll just stick with Array.¡± ¡°I believe I understand what you¡¯re trying to do¡ª¡± ¡°Oh yeah?¡± Ori said, surprised. Freya snorted. ¡°Six identical weapons, something that can channel like a wand, cut and stab like a short sword, with upgradable enchantments, designed to be soul-bound with harmonic and soulcraft affinities. It seems you¡¯re attempting to leverage the class trait of the Du?list to the utmost.¡± ¡°Min-maxing, yes. I double the bonus per weapon held. With me casting your newly evolved Astral Hands, that should make two to the power of seven, or one hundred and twenty-eight times the damage instead of sixty-four times. When I do more damage, I have greater defences, and with overflow damage, even my Light Shields should block damage from higher rankers. I was also hoping to craft Invariance and a Will bonus into the weapons, but I don¡¯t think I can find the right reagents here. As it stands, Will of the High Human only lasts three hours, so anything to extend that length beyond increasing my level¡ª¡± ¡°Will enchantments are a terrible idea. Moving the locus of your will from your centre weakens it and offers vulnerability. Worst-case scenario, you need only increase your level to fourteen to get the full twenty-four-hour duration for your racial ability. A much fairer trade-off than having your will shatter due to shifting its locus.¡± Freya¡¯s seriousness forced Ori to take notice. Each time she shared knowledge against his intuition, he couldn¡¯t help but wonder and absorb her wisdom. There were so many hidden pitfalls, so many undocumented ways to cripple oneself or reach a dead end. ¡°Alright,¡± Ori sighed, scratching those ideas off for now. ¡°As for Invariance, just loop enough toughness enchantments together, and it would be as good as Invariance for now and more useful on other demiplanes at that.¡± ¡°You mean¡ But doesn¡¯t that¡ But then... what¡¯s stopping someone from just doing that with every enchantment until they are impossibly potent?¡± ¡°You run out of space eventually. Even the finest enchantments struggle at the fourth fold loop.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Ori said, his mind spinning as a slow, crazed smile broke out on his lips. ¡°Ori, I don¡¯t like that face.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t help it, it¡¯s my face,¡± Ori said, his grin turning into a full-bellied laugh. ¡°You are truly starting to worry me now, Ori. What insanity has your despicable mind come up with now?¡± ¡°You have my memories. What was it that I studied, Freya? Back on Earth.¡± ¡°Photo... lithography. Oh.¡± Ori¡¯s mad cackles echoed through the armoury as he frantically redrew his enchantment schemas. Meanwhile, Freya shuddered, watching in horrified fascination.
Enchantment Name: Dreamwalkers'' Lesser Aegis Characteristic Requirements: Domain > 5 Other Requirements: Dream-related affinity, Hardbody shaping material Effects: Passively projects a three-foot radius field around the user, converting magical and ranged attacks into dream-like aspects that can be manipulated as if within a dream. This ward consumes the user''s mana regeneration to maintain its effect. The user can switch from the passive defensive field to a focused dream domain with a one-foot radius around the wrist guard. Description: The Dreamwalkers'' Lesser Aegis is a refined version of the Dreamwalkers'' Ward, designed for those with a developing affinity for dream manipulation. This aegis melds dream essence with protective warding, transforming magical and ranged threats into manageable dream-like entities. By tapping into the user''s dream affinity, the ward converts harmful effects into aspects that can be controlled or mitigated as if they were elements within a dream. Unlike its more powerful counterpart, the Dreamwalkers'' Lesser Aegis does not defend against physical melee attacks. Instead of using charges, it passively consumes the user''s mana regeneration to sustain its protective field. The aegis maintains a smaller, three-foot radius around the user but allows for greater flexibility by enabling the user to focus the ward into a concentrated dream domain with a one-foot radius around the wrist guard. This focused domain allows for more precise manipulation of dream-like effects within proximity for enhanced defensive and offensive capabilities. Notes: Crafting the Dreamwalkers'' Lesser Aegis requires a solid understanding of dream-related magics, rare reagents, and spell inks. While less demanding than the Dreamwalkers'' Ward, it still necessitates access to a domain. This artefact is typically accessible to skilled enchanters of high rank. Users must have the ability to withstand and manipulate the ethereal nature of dreams, as the ward''s effects can blur the lines between reality and illusion. The Dreamwalkers'' Lesser Aegis is ideal for lucid dreamers with Dreamwalking aptitude. Due to its passive nature, concealing the Aegis'' presence may be challenging against those with moderate perception abilities.A circular disk appeared around Ori¡¯s wrist. At first, it was a ghostly grey object, but it soon solidified into something that would be recognisable to many men from Earth. ¡°Impressive manifestation on the first try,¡± Freya said, genuinely impressed. ¡°Thank you. Shame it disappears when I throw it,¡± Ori said, standing behind the red and blue painted shield. ¡°Why on wild luck would you throw it?¡± Freya squawked. ¡°You¡¯d never get it.¡± Ori sighed in feigned exasperation, knowing that even if he explained it, it would still be lost on her. Finally, Ori summoned his Array, and the world seemed to hold its breath. There was a sharp, high-pitched sound just beyond hearing as all four of his Aetheric Hands manifested with blades that appeared to be long, sharp daggers as much as wands or any spellcraft-related items. The polished metal gleamed, despite the clear grain boundaries that refracted light in prismatic colours. The edges seemed to impart an understanding of sharpness just by looking at them. While Ori couldn¡¯t manage the four-fold loop enchantments Freya had suggested, he had come close enough with sharpness, toughness, resistance, harmonic affinity, and channelling proficiency to make a significant difference. He held only four of the six blades right now, and yet the effect of their presence was palpable. Despite this, Ori still saw room for improvement. He had used only traditional enchanting techniques, but with a few more tools and a new process, Ori foresaw seven and eight-fold enchantments being possible. As the Array howled, each blade slicing air molecules apart with every motion, Ori wondered just how much sharper something could get. ¡°Rawr, time to slice ¡¯em up, innit.¡± ¡°Now I wish I¡¯d never given you the inspiration. You¡¯re as likely to hurt yourself, or me, with those¡ things. Just keep them away from me. They are far more terrifying than the demons.¡± Freya huffed. Ori unsummoned the weapons from reality, and a psychic, almost imperceptible pressure seemed to lift from him. He realised that perhaps there was more to Freya¡¯s discomfort than just her general pacifist tendencies or squeamishness. Ori reviewed the results of his naming once more as he prepared to leave the armoury and seek out the Celestials.
Artefact Name: Prototype Array of Du?lism Type: Experimental Multi-Weapon Array Characteristic Requirements: Toughness > 100, Strength > 285, Intelligence > 100 Other Requirements: Du?lism, Harmonic and Abyssal affinity Effects: Grants an 1800% increase to sharpness, toughness, and physical and arcane resistances and range to Breath, Grace, and Intent extensions. Conversely, the range and coherence of harmonic and abyssal spells are increased by 1800%, while aspects of sharpness, toughness, and resistance are added to all spell effects. Description: The Prototype Array of Du?lism is an experimental artefact crafted to explore the concept of Du?lism in multi-wielding combat and spellcraft. The weapons within this array are honed to an extraordinary degree, offering an 1800% increase in sharpness. This allows them to cut through most mundane materials with ease. Their toughness is similarly enhanced, ensuring that the blades remain unbroken and effective under most situations. With an 1800% boost to physical and arcane resistances, the array provides near-impervious protection against conventional and magical attacks. Beyond its physical enhancements, the Prototype Array of Du?lism significantly amplifies the range and coherence of harmonic and abyssal spells. This staggering 1800% increase allows the wielder to cast spells with unprecedented precision. This dual enhancement ensures that the array is not just a set of weapons but a channelling focus for powerful and far-reaching magical effects. Notes: The Prototype Array of Du?lism requires proficiency in both physical and magical combat. The wielder must be skilled in dual-wielding and possess affinities for both harmonic and abyssal magic. The artefact¡¯s complex enchantments are accessible only to enchanters of high rank.59. Celestial The High Human left the storage room to little fanfare. While there were still crafting-related experiments and projects he wanted to try, he was already an hour beyond the day he had granted himself. While his Modern Warfare affinity prompted a cautious, room-by-room approach using Lysara¡¯s ability to move through Ground and her Flux senses, Ori was beginning to understand how Du?lism influenced his nature. The Du?list set the tempo, attacking while defending, embodying the concept of one against many, mind over matter, and creativity¡¯s talent for destruction. With a comprehension level at threshold and a class providing the greatest force multipliers for combat, Ori was eager to test his abilities against any challengers. ¡°There¡¯s something up ahead. I think they have at least one mage masking their presence,¡± Lysara said internally as she travelled beneath Ori¡¯s feet, her passive sensory abilities still providing early warning despite Ori¡¯s boldness. Freya sat incorporeal within his mind as Ori traversed the dark, rocky corridors of this part of the prison. The enchantments that once kept this section, far from the natural lava and aether pools lit, now felt dead with the absence of the engine, the Fallen God, removed from fate by Ori¡¯s hand. Ori moved with an indescribable weight, a presence that, while not wholly graceless or unsure of footing, felt like a boulder challenging fate, each step a correction to a world not yet suitable to his predilections. Split Mind ran through his selection of spells and abilities, determining their optimal uses, counters, the likelihood of infernal responses, and possible garrisons or watches beyond Lysara¡¯s sphere of influence. It also considered Thraxis¡¯s knowledge of wardens and how ranks determined by Fate represented an arbitrary ¡®health bar¡¯ size, varying wildly in abilities and offensive capabilities. While he hoped his damage multipliers were high enough to deal with most threats quickly, his limited combat experience was a problem he needed to rectify. ¡°They''re around this corner.¡± Aura, Reach, and Vision of the Progenitor blazed, each ghostly hand wielding a part of the Array, while Flenser and Seraphine¡¯s Beacon materialised in his hands. Through Invariant Bonds, Ori cast Freya¡¯s newly evolved Astral Hands, a spell that had once been Arcane Hands, but now evolved due to Freya¡¯s new classes. Unlike his aetheric Reach of the Progenitor, which appeared mostly solid despite their ghostly separation from his body, these Astral Hands possessed the light and ephemeral translucence of the dreaming. With his fourth pair of hands, the final implements of his Array caused the air to whine and a cringing dread to soak his senses. Ori could taste the concept of sharpness; it was so thick that with one errant swing, Ori feared the blades he had crafted would slip their leash and slice him apart instead. A fireball was swallowed by Dreamwalkers¡¯ Lesser Aegis prompting Ori to move. He cast Mirror Protection and Light Shield, three barriers sprung around him instantly. Upon sight of the enemy, Radiant Weapon caused the six blades of the Array to shimmer with Cosmic light, their prismatic, shimmering edges adding to the howling song of menace, a prelude to the violence to come. Mind over Motion slowed the world, linking his movements and perception. He felt his Breath seeping out of him as he moved in a world now ten times slower than normal. In this space, three seconds became thirty, and gravity became a mere suggestion. Before half the time was up, Ori had covered the one hundred yards to the garrison of twelve Nascent-ranking demons, likely placed to secure and report his presence. They were imps and corrupted humans, their fireballs and invisible curses absorbed by his Aegis. Ori spent the second half of Mind over Motion¡¯s effect watching their glowing ashes drift upwards in a surreal, slow-motion cloud of glowing sparkles. For each Nascent being, merely the presence of the blade and the intent to kill had been enough to obliterate them, regardless of physical contact. Panic lanced through Ori¡¯s heart. It was a fear born from a lack of understanding, something new, unexplained, and dangerous. With four pairs of hands, he was near the limit of his mind¡¯s ability to juggle, and with an artefact he could barely wield, Ori once again weighed the risk of using such weapons. Dismissing his Astral and Aetheric Hands along with the Array they wielded, Ori asked his familiars, ¡°Do you know what¡¯s going on with these blades?¡± ¡®Between your lack of control and the host of effects multiplying the lethality of your intent, I suspect you are on the cusp of learning what some martial experts call an ¡®extension,¡¯ Freya answered. ¡®It¡¯s a normal aspect for mid-ranked combat,¡¯ Lysara said, trying to put Ori¡¯s mind at ease. ¡®Yes, but your lack of control¡ Just avoid using those things near us, and maybe you¡¯ll come out of this with all your limbs intact.¡¯ ¡®I don¡¯t understand. Isn¡¯t a three-fold enchantment normal? I mean, why aren¡¯t the demons rolling with the same stuff?¡¯ Freya laughed. ¡®It is certainly not normal. That you managed to enchant them in a cave, using only spare parts¡ Had I not seen you kill a god while still mortal, I might have reacted appropriately at the time you crafted them. No, Ori, weapons like that are more likely for elites, and with your absurd accolades and class traits multiplying the effect to such a degree¡ Well, it¡¯s no wonder the effects of the weapons are so exaggerated. I would suggest sticking to spells for now.¡¯ ¡®Try aspecting your spells with Celestial affinity,¡± Freya continued. ¡®It is especially strong against Infernals, and it might be less conspicuous when used around allies. Remember, the closer we get to escaping, the more important it becomes to hide your true strength. This must start before we meet the Celestials.¡¯ ¡®More infernals come, lots more.¡¯ Lysara warned, shaking Ori out of his contemplations. Ori closed his eyes and tightened his grip on the weapons in his hands. ¡°Alright,¡± he exhaled, keeping his newly fashioned implements unsummoned for now. Returning to the junction that led from the Bowl, Ori took the route he had planned towards the part of the prison where Celestial beings were held. According to the knowledge Freya had gathered through her intermittent dreamwalking over the years, the prison was split into several sections or Reaches. These vast semi-natural cave networks spanned countless miles and were each connected to a central magma chamber. The lowest Reaches housed long-term, low-interaction prisoners slated for Will harvesting through various physiological and arcane techniques. The more potential for harvesting, the deeper within the lower reaches they were kept, out of sight from temptation and gluttony. The middle reaches were devoted to species of creatures captured via portals, gateways that acted as summoning stations for unwilling or zealous devotees from other realms. Here, victims, including humans likely abducted, were processed. Their lifespans were often no longer than a month from entering the prison to being drained of all will and desire to live. Other races were also present, with a large contingent of wild fae making up the main population of one of the Reaches Ori intended to free. The upper Reaches contained the vast hordes of demons near the surface of the mountains within a desolate, far-flung corner of the realm of Twilight. Emerging into a small cavern packed with demons, Ori cast Light Shield followed by Mirror Protection, creating a combination he knew would soon become a staple of his spellcasting repertoire. With Freya and Lysara essentially riding shotgun in or underneath, three slightly golden barriers of celestial aspect appeared around him as faint domes for the mana and time cost of one. Fourteen feet across, the near-transparent magical shields protected him from ranged attacks. Due to being a White Mage focused on healing rather than protection, the shields from his class were a rank weaker than those from more defence-oriented classes such as Yellow Mage. As they were, Light Shield was an incredibly flimsy defence for an Awakened going up against dozens of demons a rank higher than him. Or at least it should have been. At first count, there seemed to be at least fifty, enough to completely overwhelm his defences if they were all spell casters. Ori cast Mind over Motion, enhancing his perception and reaction speeds. Instead of paying the cost in Breath to move faster, Ori used the time to focus on casting and coordinating his bonds. ¡®Lysara, drop a Conduit and activate your aura,¡¯ Ori said internally. These two spells, Lightning Conduit and Capacitive Resonance, greatly enhanced their spellcasting control and efficiency. Meanwhile, the first hostile spells crashed against Ori¡¯s Light Shield. Without Attack as you Defend adding to the strength of the barriers, his Aura and Aegis, each shield shattered into glassy flakes and a shower of sparks in a brief countdown before his own reply. Ori then used Du?list¡¯s Weave to combine Chain Lightning with the paralytic effects of Greater Stun. With the weave complete, Ori cast just before the last Light Shield shattered. Light snaked from Ori¡¯s outstretched hand, the tip of his soulbond crystal wand igniting in golden light as current surged into the undisciplined ranks of demons. Physical and enchanted shields offered no impediment; the intent of Ori¡¯s spell and Lysara¡¯s elemental casting support allowed lightning to coruscate through dozens of humanoids at a time. The celestial aspect caused a lingering holy fire to ignite and twice-cook creatures already charbroiled. Ori continued to cast before he emerged from Mind over Motion, the slight disorientation causing him to lose focus on the channelled woven spell. As he strode closer to the mass of bodies, chains sprang from the ground, rapidly coiling around his limbs. Ori cast Mind over Motion once more, expending his limited Breath to break free from the control effect. The heavy metal loops pulled him bodily to the ground. He felt something draining, Vision of the Progenitor witnessing his own mana seeping through the chain into the ground. His back buckled as another chain gained purchase on his wrist despite his best efforts. His Page from the Library of Fates showed his mana regeneration plummeting from over a hundred and twenty to zero. But Ori didn¡¯t panic. ¡®You okay, guys?¡¯ Ori checked in with his bonds, the effect of this new spell unknown on his companions. ¡®Ori! That¡¯s the same spell that bound and captured me!¡¯ Freya screamed. Ori grunted under the tightening chains, brought to his knees as Split Mind worked to assess and dismiss tactics and abilities still available to him. ¡°Impressive. Level one, yet I drain from you as much mana as a Nascent. To have gotten so far, only to fall here, Demon Bane,¡± a voice sneered. While his face was pulled to the floor, Vision of the Progenitor took in the Fallen Human¡¯s visage. Piss-yellow irises ringed a dark, almost pitch-black pupil. His skin was pale and leathery, failing to stretch over the sharp, skeletal features of his face. The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. As the aura of its Greater Rank came closer, Ori felt the arcane pressure of the staff it wielded. The Fallen Human¡¯s stick-thin frame matched the twisted black and cruel branch it held. Ori grunted, annoyed by how effectively the chains manipulated his physical form. He waited, curious about what this overconfident villain would say next. Did he even know Lysara was beneath the ground, unchained and fully able to kill this reject on her own? ¡°Did you ever stop to think why he¡¯s still Level One, Prax?¡± another voice said, accompanied by a stronger aura. ¡°How a demon bane could kill scores of Nascent rankers at Level One yet fall to such cheap tricks as your bindings?¡± A sliver of doubt crossed the Fallen Human¡¯s face. Ori split his focus on the newcomer, likely another Warden if its power level was any indicator. Prax, the demon binding Ori with magical chains, sneered. ¡°He¡¯s my prize, Kox¡¯leugon. Back off!¡± Kox¡¯leugon chuckled. ¡°By all means. I already feel his attention settling on me. Perhaps he sees you as no threat?¡± Prax snarled, pulling out a blazing whip, confident his prey couldn¡¯t resist. He pulled back as if to strike, but he never got the chance. Ori stood, the clink of metal chains falling around him as their wielder disintegrated in a puff of red mist. His aura, eyes and the four Aetheric Hands blazed under Will of the High Human, each spectral limb wielding a piece of his Experimental Array. It had been one of the summoned, soul-bound artefacts that had been responsible for killing the Greater Ranking infernal. ¡°Dangerous indeed,¡± a colossal troll strode through the shadows. Its skin was pink, its eyes tiny black dots on a wide and unpleasant face. It would have been easy to disregard the colossal creature as slow and unwitting, but Ori saw the gleam of cunning behind those beady eyes. One meaty paw grasped a comically sized morning star, while the other tossed a net over Ori. Time seemed to slow as the glittery mesh expanded to engulf him. He should have been relieved it wasn¡¯t another attack, as the mana-draining effect had sapped energy from his Aegis too. Still, not wanting to see what new, crippling effect this artefact had, Ori dove out of the way. But things slowed further; his mind felt like syrup, and he nearly tripped over his own legs. Real concern slipped into his countenance as he struggled to understand the effect on him. Reaching for his magic, Ori cast Mind over Mind and Mind over Motion. One hand from Reach of the Progenitor tried to deflect the mesh. He felt the hand sizzle and cook under the hellish curses and enchantments. Stranger still, he couldn¡¯t unsummon it, as if the net had latched onto his soul, or at least a part of it. Even so, Ori breathed a small sigh of relief after escaping the net''s fall. With each encounter, Ori experienced a new method of entrapment, a new way to be caught. His inner Du?list revelled in the learning opportunity, though he wished it didn¡¯t come at the peril of facing another Sovereign Ranker. A weight, an immense force, pulled Ori to his knees. Purifying Light did nothing to dispel the near-physical effect as the Sovereign Ranker moved inhumanly quickly. Kox¡¯leugon¡¯s morning star bore down on him with the weight of a mountain, its crushing intent extending well beyond the weapon''s reach. Light Barrier materialised three times, its empowered state reinforced by his Cosmic affinity, stopping the deadly attack by the second barrier¡¯s shattering. Ori moved, recasting Mind over Motion and expelling Breath to move in time with his thoughts in this unusual domain. The Sovereign Ranker wasted no time in pursuit, its mace swinging horizontally and shattering Ori¡¯s shin even as three blades of his Array plunged in and out of flesh leaving wounds that quickly healed. His newly cast shields, Aegis, Aura, and two pieces of his Array forming a cross block, did little to stop the troll''s impossible momentum. With Will of the High Human, the shattered bone healed almost instantly under his empowered Channel Restoration, but the shock of the damage, the speed, and violence reminded him how close he teetered to the edge despite his recent gains. Ori knew he was defending too much, ceding too much of the initiative. However, the pressure of melee attacks from a creature that moved far too fast for its size was something he could only keep up with while expelling his most limited resource. Conceptually understanding Du?lism, to strike with one blade while guarding with the other, was one thing. Putting it into practice under the focused attention of a High Troll was another. Mind over Motion ended. The morning star glanced off his chest, Dreamwalker¡¯s Aegis in its shield form turning what should have pulverised Ori¡¯s chest cavity, into a blow that merely sent him crashing into the cave wall. Channel Restoration once again returned him to health, but the mental shock of being hit along with his rising frustrations delayed his rise to his feet. However, with distance, came time and space to think. The area of effect spell Beacon of Restoration was cast at his feet in a vain attempt to regenerate the Breath that would normally take two days to bring back to full. Light Shields snapped into place as Radiant Weapon and Greater Stun effects were woven into one spell. ¡°Lysara, Greater Stun, then everything you¡¯ve got on him,¡± Ori shouted. Lysara complied. As the Troll launched itself at Ori, a fuzzy pulse of static caused the colossus to stumble with a brief grunt. At the same moment, Astral Hands joined his three available Aetheric Hands each carrying a piece of his Array. They blazed with Celestial golden silver, Will of the High Human, his Du?list accolade, and the sharpening enchantments each magnifying the light of Radiant Weapon. The blades sank into flesh with ease, and an appropriate roar erupted from his foe. ¡°Freya, Font and Beacon of Wisdom, now!¡± Ori commanded, even as Lysara blasted the beast with Flux-aligned Channel Lightning. Not to be outdone, Ori called down a similarly empowered Moonbeam woven with Call Lightning. It lanced down from the ceiling like a beam of molten silver coiled by vines of white lightning as if called from the very stone ceiling above. With his foe temporarily restrained by his stunning Radiant Weapon empowered blades, it was the first time he could cast the spell against a more agile, physically imposing target. The spell combination aspected with his Cosmic affinity, consumed every unit of mana Ori had to spare. Light filled the cavern as a reverberating, strobing buzz rumbled the walls. He held the spell, his jaw tight, his focus absolute, channelling it for as long as he could. The High Troll at first shielded himself with his morning star, the enchanted weapon showering with sparks before it glowed, then melted in its hands. The beam of crackling prismatic moonlight sliced off fingers, an arm, before penetrating his chest, the spell destroying skin and muscle almost as fast as the monster could regenerate. With all his tricks working in concert, there was nothing else but his Domain to fall back on. Just before he considered igniting a dream-aspected domain to aid in the creature¡¯s destruction, the beam intensified. Ori¡¯s Cosmic affinity amplified the spell''s effect every second the channelled spell was maintained pushing its destructive potential past a certain threshold that now meant the High Troll''s doom. With Mind over Mind also gaining strength the longer the fight lasted, the advantages continued to stack. No longer able to keep up its regenerative abilities, the Troll roared once more as the beam passed straight through his chest, his groin and calf to lance the ground beneath its feet. Ori held the spell, the weapons of his Array as well as his white-knuckled physical hands for several more seconds as the prismatic spell grew blindingly intense. With a twitch of intent, he drew the beam over the Troll¡¯s neck, severing its head. His Array withdrew from the creature¡¯s body to stab and slice once more, ensuring the smoking ruin of Troll parts was dead. ¡°It¡¯s dead, Ori,¡± Freya said, suddenly appearing in her pixie form. Her presence startled Ori out of his concentration long enough to confirm that, yes, the Troll was indeed dead. ¡°Kox¡¯leugon, Warden of the Nyxul Reaches. That you can face a High Troll in single combat¡¡± ¡°Oh, I had help. I wouldn¡¯t have been able to do it without you two,¡± Ori said. ¡°I don¡¯t know about that,¡± Freya replied. ¡°Freya is right. You would have killed him eventually,¡± Lysara added, her form emerging from the ground, dimmer and less energetic than usual. Ori looked around at his bonded companions, then surveyed the carnage around him. Finally, he checked his Page of Fates.
Curse: Graceless Infernal Deathclock Rank: Divine Description: This curse feeds upon the Grace you accumulate. Notes: You have [hundred and twelve days, fourteen hours] to live. Extend this time by avenging the god you killed. For every slain infernal with a level disparity greater than one, gain an hour of life. Additionally, gain one hour of life for each level the slain infernal is above your own.He grunted at both the Deathclock and the minimal impact the recent killings had made on his Peritia total. He could have added hundreds of thousands, but what use were such small amounts compared to his goal? He shook his head, pushing back the lingering trauma of a shattered leg and broken spine. Then, he stood and moved towards the mesh that still seared one of the four aetheric limbs of Reach of the Progenitor. He crudely broke the complex enchantment using Lesser Echo Print, then kicked the likely evil soul-based artefact off his ghostly arm. Its pale, luminescent misty form bore visible scars from the insidious net. Purify Light, Lesser Dispel and other woven spells did little to heal what Ori suspected were scars on his very soul. Shaking his head at the whole ordeal, Ori sifted through the burnt and dismembered pieces of meat, his initial Chain Lightning leaving plenty of charred corpses. In the end, the Fallen Human¡¯s staff, the chains and mesh, and the High Troll¡¯s morning star entered Ori¡¯s near-overflowing Void Ring Storage.
Curse: Graceless Infernal Deathclock Rank: Divine Description: This curse feeds upon the Grace you accumulate. Notes: You have [seven hundred and eleven days, seventeen hours] to live. Extend this time by avenging the god you killed. For every infernal slain with a level disparity of greater than one, gain an hour of life. Additionally, gain one hour of life for each level the infernal is above your own.Ruenne¡¯del stepped inside and wandered through the still-burning dust drifting upwards to sublimate into non-existence. She saw it all through those big, mysterious eyes, her pretty angular face a fixed mask Ori could spend a lifetime deciphering. He allowed himself to calm his heaving breath, unclench his jaw, and rise from the depths of his numb, robotic fugue. He took in the simple miracle of a real-life fairy wading through the glowing embers of demons as if they were a sea of stars. While Ori could imagine Poppy weaving a sensuous dance through the scattered tables and stools, Ruenne¡¯del¡¯s furtive yet inquisitive steps held their own grace. She stopped, reaching out to one of the last embers, its white light glowing far longer and brighter than the rest. She cupped it in her hands and stared at it in naked wonder. This peek behind her mask of indifference was like seeing the sun for the first time after a storm. Beyond wondering what she found so fascinating, Ori revelled in the simple pride of providing her with a rare moment of joy. There was no greater meaning, no twisting of fate beyond the feelings he normally had whenever she was near. Still, time stopped nevertheless as he decided to freeze this beautiful instant in his memory forever. A poet might have waxed lyrical about the ephemeral nature of this beauty within an ancient prison full of ugly horrors, but Ori was a practical man with practical concerns. ¡°Where¡¯s Freya and Lysara?¡± Ori eventually asked. Questions about her, the Galroga battle, and a million related topics swirled around his mind, but the absence of his familiars was the most pressing. ¡°With the angel. Freya told me to tell you they wanted to help fight the infernal resistance the fae faced above. She said to meet them there unless you got into trouble below,¡± Ruenne¡¯del said, her scratchy, lilting voice seemingly overtaxed by her atypically long string of words. Ori grunted before asking his next question, ¡°So why are you here then?¡± She shrugged before answering. ¡°Wanted to learn more about you.¡± ¡°Oh yeah?¡± Ori caught her gaze. ¡°So this isn¡¯t part of some kind of weird fae ritual or something?¡± "If it were, I¡¯d not be telling you," Ruenne¡¯del said, her expression revealing the smallest of smirks before she walked past him back into the corridor. ¡°Fine, anything specific you needed to know?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°No?¡± Ori asked, catching up to the Leanan S¨ªdhe. ¡°Seers see, not seers listen. Your deeds are more important than your tales.¡± Ori frowned. ¡°And so, if I manage to impress you? What then? What if I just removed my shroud and you divined me?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± ¡°Oh yeah? Why?¡± ¡°Because I¡¯ve just started to appreciate the joy in not being certain. You have granted me that gift while also being the greatest mystery of my life. Let me watch it unravel for a time longer, please,¡± she said with little more than a sideways glance. He sensed an earnest core of appreciation beneath her thin veil of scratchy condescension and passive-aggressive snark. ¡°Alright,¡± Ori said as they arrived back at the branching corridor, the rocky tunnels reminding him of his goal. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we split up? We¡¯ll cover more cells quicker that way.¡± Her eyes glowed white for a moment before she shook her head. ¡°No, it wouldn¡¯t work. Fae politics.¡± She added at the sight of his confusion. ¡°Most would tell I¡¯m of the Seelie Court.¡± ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that help?¡± ¡°Amongst the wilders? No, it wouldn¡¯t,¡± Ruenne¡¯del answered. Ori shook his head, deciding to table the topic for now. He caught his bearings, then jogged deeper into the lungs of the middle reaches, busting open prison doors in a whirlwind of motion. He¡¯d get some of the fae from above to gather the prisoners here later. For now, Ori focused on methodically eliminating the remaining infernal presence, ensuring that this section of the prison was secure. ¡°So, what¡¯s your dad doing? I hope there weren¡¯t too many casualties against the Galroga.¡± Ruenne¡¯del grimaced. ¡°He may have sired me, but please don¡¯t call him my dad.¡± ¡°Yeah, I can understand that sentiment. He¡¯s a bit of an all-knowing dick too.¡± Ori chuckled and was rewarded with a genuine smirk from the pink-haired Leanan S¨ªdhe. ¡°Casualties were¡ high. They spend time resurrecting who they can. They¡¯re tunnelling to the Upper Reaches. He said he¡¯ll meet you there once you¡¯ve evacuated all you can through the gates.¡± ¡°That¡ kinda sucks.¡± Ori sighed, disappointed not to have more help corralling these errant escapees. ¡°I think this is the last one,¡± he said as he opened a door. A fae exploded from the door. The man was tall and muscular and had likely been waiting, aware of their approaching presence. They stared at each other for ten long breaths before he backed away, confused and wary. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± the male Spriggan asked, his furry pink and green skin at odds with his owlish expression. ¡°Prison break,¡± Ori said simply. ¡°Yeah, rightly-o. Pull the other one,¡± it chuckled. Ori didn¡¯t have time for this. Just as he was about to push past the bark-skinned man, Ori stumbled, feeling a wave of distress over the bond to his familiars. Worse, he could feel his Bondweaver trait activate. Wasting no further time, Ori cast Lesser Recall, temporarily overdrawing on his mana. Freya appeared in her sprite form while Lysara was but a tiny blue spark. ¡°What happened?¡± Ori asked Freya as he took in the much-diminished sight of Lysara with concern and dismay. ¡°Warden,¡± Freya said. ¡°Caught us by surprise. With undying spark, I shall be weak for a time,¡± Lysara said, lethargy coating her voice while the Spriggan watched on in fascinated confusion. Meanwhile, Ori sprinted past the door knowing that Karanno and likely many escapees¡¯ lives now hung in the balance. ¡°Tell me more about this Warden,¡± Ori asked as he ran, his sprinting form followed by a pink-haired blur.
Accolade: "Infernal Redeemer" Type: Legendary, Significant, Combat, Evolving, Titled, Ability, Trait Legend: As named by the Library of Fates, "Infernal Redeemer" is a legendary, titled accolade bestowed upon those who have demonstrated the power to not only defeat demons but redeem infernal souls. The Redeemer of Infernals stands apart by showing that even the damned can be saved. This accolade was awarded after the recipient successfully redeemed a powerful infernal''s soul, restoring its original nature upon death. By breaking infernal bonds and purifying corrupted souls, the Redeemer has proven that redemption is possible, even for the most lost. Trait: Infernal Blood Sense: Instinctively sense those with an Infernal pact, wherever they are within your perception - Merged with Vision of the Progenitor Trait: Infernal Redeemer: Infernal beings at your rank or lower an no longer harm you and instinctively know as such. Additionally, increases the potential likelihood of purifying or redeeming living infernal entities by soulcrafting and breaking infernal bonds.He knew it would not be something he could accomplish soon, but if he could break the nature of infernal bonds and servitude¡ He shook his head, his sight returning to reality as his perception caught distant figures watching from the mouth of the cavern. He approached, gaining a clearer appreciation of their expressions. Karanno¡¯s open-mouthed gaze of wonder appalled him the most as dozens of recently freed fae stood behind him. Freya¡¯s prismatic sprite form flew to his shoulder and, after a flash of transformation, sat upon his shoulder in her navy-haired, one-and-a-half-foot-tall pixie form. ¡°We saw everything, but I don¡¯t think any of us understood what happened,¡± Freya began. Just then, Ori caught sight of the pink-haired fairy whose gaze seemed just a fraction larger and more intense. She lingered by the cavern walls and out of direct sight of the fae around her. Ori walked to join her. ¡°Did you just ascend through enlightenment?¡± Karanno muttered. Ori shrugged his shoulders, a reaction that was less about demonstrating a modest nonchalance and more about his bone-deep, psychological exhaustion of having his lungs boiled and Mana stolen by magical fire. He wanted to collapse and rest his head in his hands, but when he saw the eyes of the prisoners he¡¯d recently freed, that missing spark he had sought from each of them was now a fire and knew he couldn''t return this new fire with weakness. ¡®What happened?¡¯ Freya asked silently over their bond. ¡®I was going to ask you. Enlightenment saw my Mana affinity spike to the peak of Integration. Then I didn¡¯t get a choice before I ranked up. I also got a bunch of evolutions for spells, a new spell and ability, and a new accolade.¡¯ Ori sent Freya all the details for each. ¡®You should probably look at those spell evolutions now. Then spend some of your Peritia to make your level match your rank, lest you get more questions,¡¯ Freya advised. ¡®But what about my curse?¡¯ Ori argued meekly. ¡®You should have more time than you need to solve it. If not, there are always more demons to kill across Fate.¡¯ Ori relented with a sigh. ¡®Alright.¡¯ Choosing his Mirror Shield spell, time stopped as Ori entered a mindspace that allowed him to alter the nature of his spell. By changing various conceptual properties, Ori could vastly strengthen or modify the nature of his spell, for example, by turning it into an impervious shield that couldn¡¯t be modified after casting, or into a more flexible armour that coated his skin. With less understanding of the concepts behind a desired effect and increased complexity, the evolution cost would skyrocket from thousands to billions of Peritia. In the end, Ori changed Mirror Shield, a decent upgrade with defences almost on par with the standard Yellow Mage shield, to Prismatic Shield: a cast-and-forget spell that now formed semi-sentient prismatic, hexagonal slabs that were impervious to spell attacks below Sovereign rank. The cost for this was an eye-watering one hundred million Peritia, but for a Core Spell that was a fundamental aspect of his build, it was a no-brainer.
Spell: Prismatic Shield Type: Active, Combat, Protection, Barrier Characteristic Requirements: Will: ¡Ý50, Intelligence: ¡Ý50 Other Requirements: Light or Order affinity, Fate Affinty, Mana Affinity Effects: Creates semi-sentient prismatic, hexagonal slabs that form an impervious barrier against spells below Sovereign rank. Description: Prismatic Shield generates a series of photochromatic, hexagonal slabs that autonomously arrange themselves into a protective barrier around the target. These slabs possess a degree of sentience, allowing them to dynamically respond to incoming attacks, particularly magical ones, and adapt their formation for optimal protection. The barrier is impervious to spells and magical attacks below Sovereign rank, offering a robust defence that significantly enhances the caster¡¯s ability to withstand powerful assaults. Notes: The strength, adaptability, and duration of Prismatic Shield are influenced by the caster¡¯s Intelligence and Will. While the slabs provide a formidable defence against lower-ranked spells, they demonstrate their true power against higher-ranked magical attacks, maintaining integrity and protection under intense arcane pressure.Choosing how to evolve Light Field was another question entirely. It was easy enough to turn it into a mediocre area-of-effect damage spell, but his current mood and general lack of urgent need or desire for mass-slaughtering spells made him hold off on spending Peritia he really couldn¡¯t afford right now. Instead, he turned his mind towards his character sheet and increased his level to forty-eight, spending over two hundred eighty-nine million, one hundred thirty-two thousand Peritia, bringing his total down to where it was before enlightenment. As a result of raising his level, the cost for characteristic points plummeted at a rate much higher than the levelling cost, enabling him to acquire three hundred and seven points for two hundred million Peritia. Bringing his vitality to the rank cap of one hundred, Ori split the rest of the points between his Domain, Polydexterity, Strength, and Intelligence. After gazing at the prospective changes, Ori confirmed when he was satisfied. He had to steady himself against the cavern wall, heedless of the group following and surrounding him as his vision spun and a new round of enlightenment threatened to drive him insane.
| Name: | Ori Suba | |
| Titles: | Titled: Infernal Redeemer (Legendary) **Shrouded** (Minor Soulcraft of the Herald of the Bondweaver) | |
| Accolades: | Titled: Bondweaver (Unique) Titled: Du?list (Unique) Titled: Progenitor (Unique) Titled: Astral Adept (Legendary) Blessing of a Prime Dragon (Legendary) Guest of the Library of Fates (Legendary) Mortal Journeyman White Mage (Legendary) Mortal four-fold unification: Domain (Legendary) Titled: Hl¨¥o¡¯torb¨¥on Undant¨¥on (Legendary) Titled: Infernal Redeemer (Legendary) Mortal two-fold unification: Polydexterity (Very Rare) Mortal High Enchanter (Very Rare) Quintarch (Very Rare) Titled: Summoned Hero (Very Rare) Royal Consort (Rare) Titled: Saviour of Astor (Rare) | |
| Age: | Adult (23 Sols) | |
| Race: | High Human* (variant unknown) | |
| Rank: | Nascent* (Irregular) | |
| Level: | 48 | |
| Peritia: | 717,309,954 /105,329,145 (to next level) /73,310,463 (to next characteristic point) /1,100,000,000 (to next evolution) | |
| Classes and Spell Constellations | White Mage (Journeyman) Wandsmith (High) Du?list (Entity) Bondweaver (Entity) | 2/9/10 2/9/10 2/8/10 2/4/10 |
| Core (4/8) | Channel Lightning, Prismatic Shield, Du?list¡¯s Weave, Echo Forging, Channel Restoration | |
| Inner (/30) | Channel Light, Call Lightning, Chain Lightning, Moonbeam, Prismatic Weapon, Purifying Light, Greater Stun, Mind over Mind, Mind over Motion, Mirror Protection, Beacon of Regeneration, Channel Dispel, Death Ward, Cure Wounds | |
| Outer (/40) | - Dreamwalking - Lesser Smite - Light Field - Lesser Recall - Silvan Whittling - Sina¡¯lithilien - Spectral Voice - Spirit Lathe - Taurna¡¯dieh - Whisper | |
| Skills and Abilities: | Domain Pseudo-Domain (Envelop, Blade) Split Mind Multifocal Casting Summon Arefact (Seraphine¡¯s Beacon, Flencer, Dreamwalkers¡¯ Lesser Aegis, Prototype Array of Du?lism) Summon Familiar (Lysara, Freya) Progenitor (Vision of the Progenitor, Reach of the Progenitor, Aura of the Progenitor) Bondweave (Taurna¡¯diem, Familiar) Aethermancy (Devour Rift, Aether Warp) Boon: One Thousand Tongues of the Greater Succubus: (544 out of 1000 languages remaining) | |
| Characteristics: | Dexterity: | Unified ( |
| Domain: | 311 | |
| Intelligence: | 1,097 | |
| Perception: | Unified () | |
| Polydexterity: | 316 | |
| Presence: | Unified () | |
| Spirit | Unified () | |
| Strength | 64 | |
| Toughness | 30 | |
| Vitality | 148 | |
| Will | Unified () | |
| Wisdom | 800 | |
| Statistics: | Aetheric Capacity: | 2/3 |
| Soul Capacity: | 72/650 (Taurna¡¯diem: 12*2, Familiar: 10*2, Arefact: 7*4) | |
| Mana Capacity: | 1,625 | |
| Mana per second: | 43,907 | |
| Breath Capacity: | 16 | |
| Breath per Hour: | 99 | |
| Grace: | 0 () | |
| Lifeforce Capacity: | 1000 () | |
| Lifeforce per day: | ||
| Domain Radius: | 3,112 yards | |
| Inherent Affinity: |
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| Attained Affinities: (name - rank - comprehension lvl) | - Abyssal - Primordial - Immersion (2nd) - Aether - Primordial - Immersion (2nd) - Astral - Primordial - Immersion (2nd) - Celestial - Primordial - Immersion (2nd) - Fate - Irregular - Threshold (1st) - Freedom - Irregular - Threshold (1st) - Material - Primordial - Immersion (2nd) - Modern Warfare - Irregular - Threshold (1st) - Quintessence - Transcendent - Immersion (2nd) - Void - Primordial - Immersion (2nd) | |
| Traits: | Bondweaver Du?list Infernal Blood Sense Infernal Redeemer Attack as you Defend Invariant Bonds Progenitor Boon: One thousand tongues of the Greater Succubus Boon: Blessing of the Prime Dragon Boon: Minor Blessing of Summer¡¯s Fortune Arch Demon Bane Wandsmith White Mage | |
Affliction: Weal and Woe of the Leanan S¨ªdhe (i) Rank: Primordial Description: This affliction reduces your Lifeforce and Lifeforce Regeneration by 75% while improving Intelligence, Presence and Wisdom by 300%. Notes: Part curse, part blessing, this affliction is an early death sentence for all but the very few who can withstand its effects. To those who can survive the attentions of an Leanan Sidhe, this affliction may become an invaluble boon. The effects of this affliction may intensify over time.
Class Title: Shadow of the Bondweaver Rarity: Unique Rank: Journeyman Requirements: Fortitude (Unified Will and Spirit), Shadow-related affinity Per Level Bonus: +5 Fortitude, +10 Wisdom, +10 Intelligence, +2 Inherent Affinities: Shadows, Darkness Class Traits: While in the presence of The Bondweaver, shadows take on a life of their own, actively shifting to assist the Bondweaver in subtle ways¡ªobscuring vision, dampening sound, or forming defensive constructs. The user¡¯s comprehension of Shadow Affinity develops at twice the normal rate, allowing for rapid mastery of shadow-related abilities, manipulation, and higher-tier spells. Shadows instinctively react to the user''s will, allowing them to extend their influence over larger areas, conceal themselves effortlessly, and meld into darkness seamlessly, even in broad daylight. Description: Shadow of the Bondweaver is more than just a wielder of darkness¡ªthey are an extension of The Bondweaver¡¯s will, a presence within the shadows that bends reality to their needs. This class enhances affinity with, and improves synergy with shadow and darkness magic, allowing the user to shape, command, and weaponise shadows both offensively and defensively. While near The Bondweaver, shadows stir unnaturally, shifting to defend, conceal, or strike with eerie intelligence. As the user deepens their connection to the Bondweaver¡¯s power, their presence in the darkness grows ever more pronounced, blending seamlessly with the void and turning every shadow into an ally. Class Spells: Darkness, Mould Darkness, Living Shadows, Shade¡¯s Grasp,
Class Title: Warlock Rarity: Rare Rank: Journeyman Requirements: Warlock Pact Per Level Bonus: +10 Spirit, +10 Wisdom +10 Presence Class Traits: Increases total mana pool and regeneration based on the strength of the pact and the power of the Pact Master. The Warlock¡¯s abilities scale with devotion and service to the Pact Master, unlocking greater spells and boons upon achieving goals that further the Pact Master¡¯s interests. Upon forming the pact, the Warlock surrenders their soul to their Pact Master. Upon death, instead of passing into the Ethereal Realm or being reborn, the Warlock is claimed by the Pact Master¡ªeither to be reforged into a servant, resurrected at their master¡¯s whim, or consumed for power. Only the Pact Master may determine their final fate. Description: A Warlock is one who has entered into a binding pact with a higher entity¡ªbe it a celestial being, an eldritch horror, an enigmatic force of magic or forgotten god. In exchange for unwavering fealty, service, or a particular oath, Warlocks are granted access to enhanced mana reserves, forbidden knowledge, and unique abilities that align with their Pact Master¡¯s domain. Unlike traditional mages, Warlocks channel power gifted to them rather than cultivate it internally, making them formidable spellcasters with access to magic beyond mortal comprehension. However, this power comes at a price¡ªtheir very soul. Upon death, a Warlock¡¯s essence does not return to the cycle of rebirth or fade into the Ethereal Realm. Instead, it belongs entirely to their Pact Master, who may shape, empower, or consume them as they see fit. Whether this is a path to eternal servitude or ascension into something greater depends entirely on the whims of the one who holds their fate. Class Spells: Channel Shadowfire, Dark Fireball, Summon Shadow Fiend¡°I can¡¯t get over how much of an edgelord you are,¡± Ori said in wonder. He¡¯d be lying if he claimed not to be at least a little jealous of her classes. On top of that, he was impressed that Raven had somehow managed to unify Will and Spirit into Fortitude. Had that been a consequence of recent events? Her Awakening? Or did humans from Earth have a natural propensity towards unified characteristics? Without a larger sample size, Ori could only speculate. He felt her shrug in acceptance. ¡°And the whole¡ ¡®I own your soul¡¯ thing. You sure about that?¡± ¡°Aye. Didn¡¯t much care about my soul before, but now I reckon there are no safer hands than yours.¡± Ori exhaled. ¡°Thanks. Either way, it gives me another way to get you back to us, especially if things go to shit on the other side. You looking forward to going back?¡± ¡°Aye. Looking forward to showing Ma and Da my new legs. It¡¯ll be good to spend time with them¡ªactually do stuff for them instead of the other way around. They really took care of me after the accident. I can¡¯t imagine what they¡¯ve been through since I was kidnapped.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the first thing you¡¯re going to do when you get back?¡± Freya asked. ¡°Pizza. Double pepperoni, double mozzarella¡ªI know a place in New Cross. Then shower, then sleep. You better visit me in my dreams as soon as, aye?¡± ¡°If not tonight, then tomorrow night. As long as we have the bond, we¡¯ll always know each of us is safe,¡± Ori confirmed. The portal opened onto a street less than a hundred yards from the previous one, an hour or two later, the glare of flashing blue lights reflecting off the familiar yellow-brick estates of Peckham Rye. Ori scanned the streets, a sudden, near-overwhelming sensation of longing catching him off guard. ¡°Oi,¡± Raven demanded, her presence cutting through his thoughts as he crystallised her appearance in his mind¡ªolive coloured eyes sharp with mischief, freckled brown skin, a prominent nose, and kiss-swollen lips curved into a knowing smirk that hinted at both her South-Asian heritage and Scottish defiance. Her hair was a wild tangle of black and electric blue, framing her face in chaotic, unruly waves. A silver ring pierced her lower lip, another at the curve of her nose¡ªsmall, rebellious marks that suited the choker and battered leather jacket clinging to her fragile frame. She was all sharp edges and rude confidence, carrying herself like someone who had already lost too much to care what people thought¡ªbut still fought like hell for the few that mattered. And she was his. His Warlock. His link to his old life. And he was profoundly grateful. ¡°Your phone. Gimmie,¡± Raven asked. With five percent battery left, Ori unlocked his phone and handed it over after checking the barrage of missed calls and messages that had flooded through the reopened wormhole in space and time. Raven wasted no time. Snapping a quick selfie of them¡ªOri, Freya perched on his shoulder, and Rue in the background¡ªshe entered her details into his contacts, fired off a message to herself with the photo attached, and smirked at Freya as she handed the device back. ¡°Look after him, yeah?¡± ¡°We will. Be safe,¡± Freya said. As Freya flashed into her sprite form and darted away, Raven curled her arms around Ori¡¯s neck, pulling them together for a final, lingering kiss. Ori¡¯s hands instinctively found her hips, then the small of her back, almost lifting her off her feet as he pressed his need into her, their desire unwinding through every swirl of their tongues. ¡°Fuck,¡± she whispered. ¡°Yeah.¡± Ori¡¯s breathing was heavy. ¡°Best I let you go¡¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± They kissed again. Ori watched as she stepped through the portal. As she had promised, she didn¡¯t look back. As for him, he couldn¡¯t look away. That same ache of separation and longing gripped him just as fiercely as when he had left Harriet and Poppy behind in the final trial. Beyond that, a swirl of conflicting emotions churned inside him¡ªdoubt, self-recrimination¡ªbut also a clarity of purpose. A confirmation of who he truly was. The Bondweaver. He was glad he had restrained himself from killing the traitors. After redeeming their souls, after reliving their tortures and deprivations, he understood¡ªbut he was not a forgiving man. He would not let any of this go. ¡°After I¡¯m done with this, we¡¯ll be on the clock,¡± Ori said, The Wandsmith making his reappearance. ¡°What do you plan to do, Ori?¡± Freya asked. ¡°Remember what I said about antimatter?¡± ¡°That a bucket of the stuff would leave a crater the size of a mountain range and poison the soil for hundreds of days?¡± Ori stared at the charm left behind by Melisandre, still unwilling to move or touch it. Noting the continued absence of the Overseer, he left it be. ¡°Today, I¡¯ll settle for just a cup of the stuff¡ªenough to get rid of this mountain.¡± With that, Ori set to work, dismantling the Gate Room enchantments and re-enchanting the array of heavy sources that had once powered interdimensional travel. 74. Weapon If this had been a story, the hero¡ªarmed with foreknowledge and an intricate battleplan¡ªwould have valiantly marched to the Demon King¡¯s lair for a final confrontation. But Ori had zero interest in following that plotline. The Du?list within him demanded creative solutions for destruction. The Wandsmith insisted on craft, efficiency, and competence. His affinity for Modern Warfare required the optimal use of weapons, which meant taking an entirely different path. The Gate Room was unrecognisable by the time Ori was finished. It had taken the better part of a day, and with Karanno standing sentry, he had remained relatively undisturbed, aside from the distant rumbling of battle. Ori had tested charge and conversion rates, checked storage capacities, double, triple and continued to check until his eyes burned. He had soulbonded a physical safety pin, ensuring detonation would be impossible until he recalled the small chunk of stone via the soul bond. Then, he had soulbonded a fail-deadly detonator¡ªa component within one of the sources that would trigger a catastrophic matter-antimatter reaction if removed. In theory, he could do so via his soul bond, on command¡ hopefully. After implementing every failsafe and engineering workaround he could imagine, he even asked Ruenne¡¯del to attempt a divination on whether his plan would succeed¡ªand when. But when it came to events related directly to him, divination was futile. "Explain it to me like I¡¯m a child¡ªwhy can¡¯t you use your premonitions or foretellings when you¡¯re around me?" Ori asked, gingerly stacking the mana sources that now acted as antimatter penny traps. "It¡¯s not because I¡¯m around you," Ruenne¡¯del replied. "It¡¯s because of you." "Okay?" Ruenne¡¯del hesitated, struggling to explain something that came instinctively to her. Freya, seeing her difficulty, stepped in. "Think of it like this," she said. "When it comes to forming impressions of the future, for most people, it¡¯s like walking across a frozen lake¡ªeasy when the ice is thick enough, when events are certain. But with you? You¡¯re like a dragon. Only the deepest, coldest winters can freeze enough ice to ensure passage. By the time that happens, the prediction is meaningless. And even then, with enough time and incentive, no thickness of ice could bar passage if a dragon truly wanted to dive beneath the waters." Ori frowned for multiple reasons. The idea that he was some lumbering dragon on an ice lake felt so detached from his nascent understanding of ¡®Fate¡¯ that he struggled to rearrange his worldview. Besides, he had met an actual dragon¡ªThraxis¡ªand the idea that dragons couldn¡¯t simply avoid the lake by flying over it, made the analogy silly. "You¡¯re thinking about dragons just flying over lakes, aren¡¯t you?" Freya sassed. Rue smirked¡ªa rare expression from her. "In a way, that¡¯s exactly what you¡¯re doing," Freya continued. "Instead of fighting a battle like a normal person, you plan to blow up the entire mountain. Normally, only ancient creatures who¡¯ve lived for eons can amass the amount of Will needed to leave such an impact on the surface of the lake. But for you? Because you¡¯ve already formed a Domain as a mortal, your Will is increasing at a rate hundreds, maybe thousands of times faster¡ªat a stage where it should barely grow at all." "Fine. But I¡¯m not a dragon," Ori muttered, his High Human pride bristling at the comparison to what he considered creepy, overgrown lizards. "You¡¯re scary, that¡¯s what you are," Karanno chimed in. "If all High Humans are going to be like you, Fate is in for a world of hurt." "Ori, how long?" Ori exhaled, making the final adjustments. "Almost done."
Accolade: "Lesser Terraformer" Type: Legendary, Combat, Enchanting, Evolving, Titled, Trait Legend: Named by the Library of Fates, Lesser Terraformer is a legendary accolade granted to those who have demonstrated the ability to reshape the very landscape of Fate¡ªwhether through magic, technology, or sheer force of will. This accolade was awarded after the recipient successfully annihilated Ghigrerchiax, an infernal prison complex buried deep within a dormant volcano on the edge of Twilight. By leveraging the mana source generators of an interdimensional gate, the Lesser Terraformer triggered a reaction so cataclysmic that an entire mountain imploded into an ashen grave, forcing the premature eruption of a long-dormant volcano. This obliterated all remnants of a multidimensional infernal operation and severed the realm of Twilight from its largest infernal gateway. The seismic and metaphysical shockwaves caused by this act have permanently altered the region¡¯s geology, ley lines, void pathways and mana flow, while removing an infernal stronghold significant to Fate. Trait: Architect of Ruin. The Lesser Terraformer is recognised by entities attuned to destruction, change, or elemental forces. Such beings may acknowledge your capability, seek your guidance¡ªor fear your potential.
Accolade: "High Redeemer" Type: Legendary, Significant, Combat, Evolving, Titled, Trait As named by the Library of Fates, Infernal Redeemer, now re-named High Redeemer is a legendary, titled accolade bestowed upon those who have demonstrated the power to not only defeat demons but redeem infernal souls. The Redeemer of Infernals stands apart by proving that even the damned can be saved. This accolade was first awarded after the recipient successfully redeemed a powerful infernal''s soul, restoring its original nature upon death. By breaking infernal bonds and purifying corrupted souls, the Redeemer has proven that redemption is possible, even for the most lost. Now, this accolade also acknowledges a greater feat¡ªthe complete eradication of a large-scale infernal stronghold, using interdimensional mana sources to collapse the prison complex of Ghigrerchiax in a cataclysmic detonation. This act not only obliterated infernal forces, including a peak Sovereign ranking Lesser Devil, but also erased the physical and metaphysical infrastructure that enabled their atrocities to propagate across multiple realms. The sheer magnitude of this destruction has rewritten the fundamental balance of infernal power on Twilight, and across the Elemental Demiplane, marking the Redeemer as a harbinger of absolute judgment. Traits:
Infernal Blood Sense: Instinctively sense those with an Infernal pact wherever they are within your perception¡ªMerged with Vision of the Progenitor.
Infernal Redeemer: Infernal beings at your rank or lower can no longer harm you and instinctively recognise this. Additionally, this increases the likelihood of purifying or redeeming living infernal entities through soulcrafting and the severance of infernal bonds.
Harbinger of Redemption: Powers and Entities regardless of their affiliation or alignments, now recognise you as an existential threat. Some may seek your destruction, while others may attempt to bargain, demand your presence for mediation, or seek redemption from you directly.
Accolade: "Favoured Hand" Type: Common, Warlock, Evolving Legend: Awarded to those who have proven their worth by fulfilling a significant mission for their patron. A Warlock is only as valuable as the services they provide, and this accolade signifies a successful act of devotion, strategy, or power that has strengthened the bond between Warlock and Patron. Trait: Patron¡¯s Favour The Warlock¡¯s connection to their patron strengthens, slightly enhancing the potency of their spells or abilities. Additionally, they may be more likely to receive boons or knowledge from their patron in the future.¡°So yeah, I¡¯m level ten now with a new shadow-based spell. It¡¯s kinda like a weird healing spell, but instead of actually healing, it just stops the bleeding. Anyway, managed all that before the videos hit the news.¡± She then went on to describe the world¡¯s reaction to the confirmation of demons and angels. The abduction of hundreds of people hadn¡¯t gone unnoticed, and after police interviews and media attention, mobile phone footage began leaking onto the internet. At first, many called the videos hoaxes, AI-generated fakes¡ªbut when more and more interviews surfaced, independently corroborating the same reports, the world started taking things more seriously. Confirmed CCTV footage of people stepping out of an invisible portal in space with the emergency services arriving only added to the veracity of the claims. Survivors describing their harrowing escape from infernal prisons kept bringing up a certain figure¡ª¡®the man who could speak to fairies and angels¡¯--AKA, the Angel Whisperer. It wasn¡¯t until the third day that Raven started having problems. With claims that she could do magic, and was having an affair with the ¡®Angel Whisperer¡¯, the scrutiny became relentless. Things escalated when what should have been confidential medical records leaked, confirming that she had once been a paraplegic¡ªyet was now able to walk. The fact that she had somehow made it home unnoticed only added to her mystique. Until yesterday, Raven had managed to avoid media and police attention, but after a home interview with the police and the break-in, she and her parents had essentially hunkered down, waiting for the madness to blow over. ¡°What questions did the police ask you?¡± Ori wondered. ¡°Mostly about my abduction¡ªif I knew who or what had taken me. I said I didn¡¯t remember¡ªthat I only remembered waking up after you healed me. Hmm¡ what else¡ I think they were mostly focused on the who, how, and what of the mass abduction. They had very little to say about the paranormal side of things. ¡°They did ask for your whereabouts and contact details. I gave them your number and told them you were still on the other side¡ªthat you¡¯d said you wanted to destroy the portal from there. Did you manage that, by the way?¡± In answer, Ori showed her his recent accolades. ¡°Wow, and here I thought my accolade was all that. Yours is all epic and ominous-sounding and shit. It¡¯s mental that you blew up an entire mountain. And that dude you lot were afraid of¡ªyou took him out with it too, didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Yup.¡± ¡°So what next? When can you pick me up?¡± ¡°It might be a while. I need to find these things called Aether Rifts. They¡¯re basically the source of my power¡ªwhy I can turn you into a Warlock. ¡°They¡¯re like tears in space, spewing out wild magic¡ªmagic that¡¯s toxic to life. They warp and corrupt the landscape, turn animals into monsters and monsters into horrors. But I can absorb that magic without harm and close these rifts. The more I close, the more Aether I can convert into mana. But I don¡¯t know how much mana I¡¯ll get or how long it¡¯ll take until I find the first rift.¡± ¡°Wow.¡± Raven blinked. ¡°So, you need to battle monsters and then suck in the magic?¡± ¡°Pretty much.¡± ¡°You sound confident¡ Like you¡¯ve done this before, haven¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Yeah, once. Kind of by accident. But yeah, pretty confident I can handle the last part at least. How did your parents take things? Glad you¡¯re back, I hope?¡± Ori wondered. ¡°Yeah, ecstatic. If it wasn¡¯t for the world going nuts right now, we¡¯d have gone out for dinner and had a party. They still can¡¯t believe I can walk again. They did ask about you¡ªthe so-called Angel Whisperer. I showed them the selfie I took before we left. Their interrogation was worse than the police¡¯s, to be honest. They wanted to know how I was your girlfriend if you didn¡¯t come back. And that¡¯s when¡¡± She trailed off. ¡°When what?¡± Ori pressed. ¡°I told them that I¡¯ll be going back¡ªand that¡¯s what set them off.¡± ¡°Ah. I can imagine they didn¡¯t take that well?¡± ¡°Aye. They¡¯re acting like I¡¯m about to join a cult¡ªlike I¡¯m crazy and need to be committed. For now, I¡¯ve just told them to forget about it¡ªthat it¡¯ll be a while before it happens, if it happens. But yeah, it¡¯s definitely spoiled the mood.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry. If I get powerful enough and get the right class, I should be able to return to Earth and bring people with me¡ªbut that might be some way off though.¡± ¡°It¡¯s cool. It¡¯s me who wants to go anyway. If only I could convince them it¡¯s my idea.¡± They continued exchanging information and sharing their experiences well into the later hours of the dreaming. Raven¡¯s easy-going, expressive nature made the long hours of the night pass in moments¡ªher presence a familiar comfort amid everything Ori had left behind. As the end of the dream approached, Ori found himself reluctant to leave. Her rather chaotic, yet typical bedroom felt like an anchor to a world and culture that now seemed a million miles away¡ªfar removed from anything he was likely to experience for a long time. ¡°So, is there anything you¡¯d want me to do between now and the next dream?¡± Raven asked. ¡°You make it sound like I won¡¯t be popping in here every chance I get.¡± ¡°Aye. Besides, since I¡¯m avoiding uni for now, I figured you could give me something to keep me busy. Being your Warlock and all.¡± ¡°Just keep yourself safe. If you could do that without using any magic, all the better.¡± She groaned. ¡°Aye, I¡¯ll do my best to stay out of trouble. Anything else?¡± Ori hesitated, thinking it over. ¡°Hmmm¡ could you get a bunch of medical textbooks? Like the actual ones student doctors would learn from? And maybe a laptop¡ªstick it all in your ring. Don¡¯t worry if it¡¯s too expensive. If you asked my dad, he¡¯d probably pay for all of it.¡± ¡°My fam is well off¡ªnot loaded, but I don¡¯t think a new laptop and some books will be too much of a bother given a few months.¡± ¡°Yeah, no rush, and no big deal if it¡¯s a hassle.¡± ¡°What else?¡± Raven pressed. ¡°Hmmm¡ just keep an eye on the internet. See what the public and governments are saying¡ªabout me, you, and especially anything about demons, portals, or infernal rituals. And specific keywords, such as Library of Fate, Overseer, High Human, Redeemer, and Bondweaver.¡± ¡°Oh, Why?¡± Raven looked at Ori with more than a hint of curiosity. ¡°Just covering my bases. Want to know how widespread knowledge of the other side is on Earth. Make a note of anything interesting, so you can let me know in the dreaming.¡± He paused, then added, ¡°And please, keep yourself safe. I can imagine having powers and not being able to use them must be a pain.¡± Raven smiled, shaking her head. ¡°Ori, I¡¯m still getting used to walking under my own power. Don¡¯t worry about me. And if you do¡¡± She reached up, pressing a soft kiss to his lips as the dream faded into nothingness. ¡°¡I¡¯ll be here, waiting for you in the next dream.¡± 77. Ike Ori woke to the warmth of a sleeping Ruenne¡¯del curled up beside him, her bare feet stretched towards the fire¡¯s dying embers, her head resting on his stomach. Her soft breaths rose and fell in rhythm with his own, the ghost of warmth from their shared body heat lingering against the morning chill. The fire had long since reduced to embers. Above them, the realm¡¯s equivalent of daylight seeped through the dense forest canopy, casting a pale glow over the snow-dusted earth. Ori let himself wake, taking a few moments to sort through his thoughts, a small smile tugging at his lips as he relived the memories of his dream walks. Poppy had kept her promise¡ªtheir training in Void Dancing had turned into an entirely different kind of dance. Meanwhile, his time with Raven had been something he hadn¡¯t realised he needed¡ªa reminder of home, of normality, even amidst the chaos of his current life. ¡®Freya, I¡¯m up. If you¡¯d like to take a rest.¡¯ Freya buzzed lazily around him, ¡®Wake me when you reach Ike,¡¯ she yawned, before vanishing inside his skull, retreating into the depths of his soulspace. Stretching out his limbs, Ori carefully extracted himself from beneath Ruenne¡¯del before moving to store the rest of the reindeer carcass inside his Void Storage Ring. With Lysara following deep underground and Freya sound asleep, the two of them set off towards the valley. Their walk was quiet¡ªunsurprising, given that Ori¡¯s overwhelming Presence likely still affected the wildlife, making even the smallest creatures keep their distance. When he wasn¡¯t actively controlling his emotions, the subtle effect of his power rippled unconsciously, pushing the natural world away from him. Ruenne¡¯del had taken it upon herself to teach him better control, their conversations drifting between expressions and practical application as they walked. Yet, through their bond, Ori could feel her general mood¡ªcalm, content, never pressing for conversation when it wasn¡¯t needed. He, on the other hand, often found himself lost in thought, drinking in the serene landscape, marvelling at a world that felt so full of limitless possibilities. It wasn¡¯t long before they reached the top of a valley ridge, the forest falling away steeply below them. Nestled in the clearing of a floodplain, a small village lay several miles beneath them, cradled by the twisting bends of a narrow river. A thin column of smoke rose from the only brick-and-mortar building. The village below, which Ori believed was called Ike, felt isolated, seemingly cut off from civilisation. Situated over a hundred miles from Ghigrerchiax, the former infernal prison at the very edge of the realm, it was the closest settlement regardless of the direction of travel. With no visible roads and no signs of industry beyond that solitary wisp of smoke, Ori could only imagine what a lifetime spent here would be like¡ªwhat kind of people chose this existence or had no choice but to live it. Ori took a deep breath before nudging his familiar awake. ¡°Freya, we¡¯re near the village.¡± As she stirred, he turned to the fairy princess at his side. ¡°What do you think, Rue?¡± She smiled. ¡°I don¡¯t understand why you¡¯re so excited.¡± Ori shrugged, hesitant to reveal the true reason. By the time they reached the clearing at the village¡¯s edge, it was lunchtime. The surrounding land, stretching one to two hundred metres around the settlement, was a patchwork of wild grasses and farmland. Horses and cows grazed together, unbothered by each other¡ªor by the new arrivals. As Ori scanned the area, his gaze landed on a young boy, his cloven feet marking him as a satyr. The child darted into a nearby shack, his faint calls of excitement¡ªor alarm¡ªdrifting on the wind, signalling that Ori and Rue had been noticed. ¡°What can I do you for?¡± A craggy voice called out from a distance. A satyr, likely the boy¡¯s father, emerged from behind a fence, gripping an actual pitchfork. His stony glare made it clear that they were not welcome. His furred legs were thick with dust, his broad shoulders wrapped in a coarse, patched wool cloak. Deer-like horns protruded from a greying mop, his expression one of suspicion hardened by years of caution. ¡°Hi, yeah, just passing through. Looking to trade¡ªsome food, a place to stay for the night, and, erm¡ some information.¡± Ori stopped about twenty yards away, noting how more faces appeared and vanished behind shutters, the village retreating inward as if bracing for a storm. The village itself was a scattering of wooden cottages built from rough-hewn logs and stone foundations. The only brick-and-mortar structure stood near the centre, likely an inn or gathering hall. A small river cut beside the settlement, its banks lined with fishing nets and drying racks. The smell of fresh earth, livestock, and woodsmoke hung in the crisp air. ¡°Information? What kind of information?¡± ¡°We¡¯re with the Summons Guild. I believe there have been reports of monsters¡ªor Aether-warped beasts¡ªin the area. We¡¯re here to find out more.¡± The farmer¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°You¡¯ve come from the south?¡± Ori hesitated. Something about the man¡¯s tone put him on edge. ¡°Yeah?¡± ¡°So, you aren¡¯t with them? The flesh traders?¡± ¡°No. You mean the infernals? Fuck no. Any information you have on their whereabouts would be appreciated, too.¡± The farmer grunted, then gestured at Rue. ¡°Does she speak?¡± Rue met his gaze evenly. ¡°I do.¡± ¡°What are the Seelie doing in these parts?¡± ¡°As he said¡ªGuild business.¡± The farmer held her stare for a moment longer, then turned away. ¡°Come, then. I¡¯ll take you to see the hunter.¡±
Spell: Lesser Smite Type: Active, Offensive, Instantaneous Characteristic Requirements: Intelligence ¡Ý 20, Will ¡Ý 20, Presence ¡Ý 20 Other Requirements: Celestial Affinity Effects: Manifest a bolt of radiant energy to strike a single target within medium range. Deals moderate-to-high radiant damage, with increased effectiveness against Infernal or Undead creatures. Description: Lesser Smite is an attack spell commonly associated with Celestials and light-aspected holy warriors¡ªparticularly those who fight against infernal forces. Upon casting, a flash of radiant energy erupts from within the caster¡¯s aura, searing a designated target with blinding light and purifying force. Unlike most ranged spells, Lesser Smite requires no gestures or aiming. Once cast, the target is instantly struck if within range. Its damage is heightened against Infernal, Undead, or corrupted beings¡ªoften bypassing aura resistances to physical damage¡ªand may trigger secondary effects such as temporary blindness or stagger when overcharged. Notes: The strength of Lesser Smite scales with the caster¡¯s Presence and Will. This spell is often available only to those who have demonstrated a commitment to hunting infernal fiends or creatures of the underworld.The first Aether-warped monster lay smouldering at Ori¡¯s feet. Lysara had, as promised, gone out scouting overnight and continued to do so. Even now, she roamed deep beneath the earth, invisible and untouchable to all but the most tenacious creatures on the surface. Ori crouched, an outstretched hand hovering over what had once been a reindeer. Aether had corrupted it, twisting its left foreleg into a grotesque curling horn of keratin. Instead of the usual nexus points of the soul, the mind, solar plexus, and the space below the navel, the beast¡¯s faint, mortal soul had been warped into writhing knots of cancerous flesh across its body, almost certainly leaving the creature in constant agony. As soon as Ori had inspected the once-living creature, his White Mage instincts revolted, almost instinctively ending the beast¡¯s suffering out of disgust and sympathy. He had intended to study it, to perhaps learn how to undo the effects of Aether corruption using his abilities. But this creature was too far gone, trapped in unbearable physical and spiritual pain. Vision of the Progenitor watched as the twisted soul finally unravelled, the creature¡¯s tormented essence dissipating into nothingness. Ori coaxed fine blue filaments of Aether from its remains, drawing them into his Aetheric Heart. It was a mere drop in the ocean compared to the vast amount of Aether already coursing through his veins, but knowing he could absorb Aether from the recently deceased was progress. ¡°What do you intend to do about our tail?¡± Rue asked, glancing over her shoulder towards a distant figure. Ori had sensed Horace earlier when he had been experimenting with a new technique, a method of using his Domain to enhance his scouting abilities. Rather than infusing the region with his affinity and asserting control, Ori had left the Aether undisturbed, instead passively sensing the energies rather than actively manipulating them. Given that his Perception was eight times his Intelligence, even after his bond with Rue, he found that deliberately blurring his focus allowed him to gain a general impression of the area without overwhelming himself. Even so, after only ten seconds of use, Ori felt the creeping effects of severe mental fatigue. As a result, he had resorted to pulsing his Domain in intervals rather than maintaining it continuously. Worse still, due to the sheer scale of his Domain, which now encompassed a cubic volume of one hundred and thirteen cubic kilometres, his resolution was limited. He could only distinguish energy sources that radiated at least the equivalent brightness of a Nascent Rank mana source. Ori sighed. ¡°I was hoping to cut loose. Maybe he¡¯ll back off once he realises we can handle ourselves. Either way, things are about to get a lot more dangerous.¡±
Spell: Moonbeam Type: Active, Offensive, Channelled Characteristic Requirements: Wisdom: ¡Ý75, Intelligence: ¡Ý125, Will: ¡Ý300 Other Requirements: Moonlight affinity Effects: Creates an indirect channelled beam of moonlight that deals damage to a single target with a plus rank effectiveness against physical barriers. Description: Moonbeam channels a concentrated beam of moonlight that targets a single foe. This offensive spell harnesses the serene yet destructive power of moonlight, making it a formidable weapon against hardened foes. While weaker during daylight, this beam¡¯s continuous nature allows the caster to adjust its aim and maintain pressure on the target. This beam is particularly effective against creatures with an Underworld and Abyssal affinity, but weak against magical shields. Notes: This spell''s mana use unconstrained. Damage dealt by Moonbeam scales with channel duration, the caster¡¯s mana regeneration and Will.Feeling Rue¡¯s premonition surge through their link, Ori called out. "Switch!" In an instant, they traded places. The Lesser Aegis of the Dreamwalker snapped into existence, forming an impenetrable disk of dream magic just as Ori¡¯s Prismatic Shield shattered under the unrelenting force of the second Sovereign-rank blast. The forest floor erupted in front of them, sending shards of stone and shattered roots skyward. Whether due to the disturbance or an invisible threshold Ori had unknowingly crossed, more of the Mega-Turtles stirred. The ground trembled beneath each multi-tonne step as they rose, their armoured bodies emerging from the earth like ancient colossi. A web of crisscrossing heat beams slammed against Ori¡¯s artefact, each impact rattling his relatively fragile physical body. Split Mind kept focus while Arcane Hand and Reach of the Progenitor worked in tandem, six spectral hands blinking into existence at will, slicing into exposed flesh, shell or not. Meanwhile, Cosmic and Flux intertwined, feeding Moonbeam¡¯s relentless descent. The slow-moving Aether-Warped titans shimmered under the prismatic radiance before crystalline shells glowed molten, heat searing through flesh and boiling the blood of the creatures beneath. Thin wisps of Peritia whirled in the air as the slaughter began. Ruenne¡¯del moved like a wraith, orbiting Ori in an elegant, deadly dance, her Vorpal greatsword sweeping arcs of impossible momentum. The blade seemed to drag fate behind it, refusing resistance from flesh, bone, or carapace. With a single swing, a Greater-Rank Mega-Turtle split in two, its halves still twitching even as its soul fled its body. As Mind over Mind intensified, the battle slowed in perception. The sheer number of threats, though ever-increasing, seemed more manageable. Ori¡¯s damage surged with each moment, yet Moonbeam continued to drain his reserves, pushing his once near-inexhaustible mana regeneration to its limits. The longer he channelled, the more destructive the spell became, carving through lesser Sovereign-ranked beings like a laser through sheet steel. The forest smouldered. Leaves wilted in the sweltering heat. Flesh crackled and burned. Ori immersed himself in his Du?lism affinity¡ªShield, Spell, Thrust, repeat as Lightning and Moonlight poured from the heavens. The ground quaked as a Mega-Turtle the size of a lorry charged at him. Ruenne¡¯del stepped aside, effortlessly slicing a deep horizontal cut into the Sovereign-ranked creature¡¯s knee. Ori¡¯s Array surged, his spectral blades targeting the eye, throat, exposed airways, and ligaments. And then the towering beam of celestial energy fell, burning away thousands of years of lifeforce with each passing second. Compared to the last Sovereign-ranked wardens Ori had faced, these creatures were sluggish, their attacks predictable. And he was stronger now, his spells denser, his defences hardened. What once might have been impenetrable formations of Aether within their shells now crumbled beneath the sheer density of his magic. Even still, despite their lack of speed or intelligence, quantity was a quality of its own. Seven Sovereign-ranked heat beams slammed into Ori¡¯s Prismatic Shield, the eighth coming from an oblique angle, tearing through a tree as thick as an old oak before smashing into his barrier. Reinforced by Du?list¡¯s trait, Attack as You Defend, Will of the High Human, and Bondweaver, the shield held firm for the full three seconds of the onslaught. But Ori felt the strain; his mana regeneration taxed harder than ever before, struggled under the greedy consumption of Moonbeam. He needed more power. ¡°Freya! Cast Font of Wisdom, now!¡± Ori commanded, instantly, his mana overflowed. Beacon of Seraphine ignited, golden light pulsing through his body as he prepared to overcharge Lesser Smite, dumping almost all of his remaining mana into the spell. The surge was like a pressure valve bursting, energy condensed, reality straining beneath the weight of celestial magic. The tightness in his chest loosened, his reserves renewed in an instant. The overcharged Smite ignited the air like a miniature sun. Despite being hundreds of yards away, through dense foliage and thick underbrush, the spell¡¯s brilliance lit up the forest in stark whites and deep-cut shadows. The blinding radiance left afterimages seared into even Ori¡¯s vision, forcing him to blink rapidly as he struggled to maintain his channelling spell. Despite the relative ease of the battle, Ori was reminded of something unsettling, the sheer Lifeforce each creature possessed. It was like watching health bars, but instead of a number, it was time itself, years of existence, burned away through violence before the fleshly being within, or beyond, could be truly killed. For two relentless minutes, Ori channelled Moonbeam, carving through the Aether-Warped titans as their flesh burned, their lifeforce drained beneath the onslaught. At last, when Moonbeam¡¯s mana cost exceeded his regeneration, Ori relinquished control, allowing the spell to fade. By then, only Greater-ranked and below monsters remained, the Sovereign-ranked threats reduced to scorched husks within the radius of Lysara¡¯s senses. 79. Aethermancy "Do you intend to kill them all?" Ruenne¡¯del asked. "No. So long as we scatter them, anything below Nascent rank shouldn''t pose a problem for the local hunters," Ori replied. "Ori is right," Freya added. "This seems to be a stable species and relatively benign. With their crystal carapaces, they could become a fine, regional source of resources. And whether we wipe them out or not, the natural balance will be disturbed. Still, it¡¯s best not to leave a void, else something more invasive, or worse, might fill it."
Spell: Prismatic Weapon Type: Active, Enhancement, Combat, Characteristic Requirements: Wisdom ¡Ý 50, Intelligence ¡Ý 150, Will ¡Ý 240 Other Requirements: Harmonic Affinity Effects: Imbues melee weapons with a prismatic field that enhances penetration against mana defences, grace, auras, and paracausal barriers. Prismatic Weapon also enhances physical sharpness and armour penetration, increasing damage against both natural and discordant foes. Description: Prismatic Weapon envelops the caster¡¯s weapon in spectral energy aligned to their Harmonic Affinity. With each strike, the weapon emits a focused prismatic pulse that bypasses most magical protections, directly damaging targets through wards, grace fields, and aura-based defences. Simultaneously, the weapon''s physical characteristics are enhanced¡ªbecoming unnaturally sharp, precise, and effective against reinforced or unnatural hides. These dual enhancements make the spell exceptionally dangerous in combat, particularly against discordant entities such as Infernal, Abyssal, or Underworld creatures. Notes: Base duration is ten minutes. The potency of Prismatic Weapon¡¯s paracausal penetration scales with the caster¡¯s wisdom and intelligence. Physical Penetration scales with the caster¡¯s Will. Mana cost scales the size and quality of the weapon enhanced.
Artefact Name: Prototype Array of Du?lism Type: Experimental Multi-Weapon Array Characteristic Requirements: Toughness > 100, Strength > 285, Intelligence > 100 Other Requirements: Du?lism, Harmonic and Abyssal affinity Effects: Grants an 1800% increase to sharpness, toughness, and physical and arcane resistances and range to Breath, Grace, and Intent extensions. Conversely, the range and coherence of harmonic and abyssal spells are increased by 1800%, while aspects of sharpness, toughness, and resistance are added to all spell effects. Description: The Prototype Array of Du?lism is an experimental artefact crafted to explore the concept of Du?lism in multi-wielding combat and spellcraft. The weapons within this array are honed to an extraordinary degree, offering an 1800% increase in sharpness. This allows them to cut through most mundane materials with ease. Their toughness is similarly enhanced, ensuring that the blades remain unbroken and effective under most situations. With an 1800% boost to physical and arcane resistances, the array provides near-impervious protection against conventional and magical attacks. Beyond its physical enhancements, the Prototype Array of Du?lism significantly amplifies the range and coherence of harmonic and abyssal spells. This staggering 1800% increase allows the wielder to cast spells with unprecedented precision. This dual enhancement ensures that the array is not just a set of weapons but a channelling focus for powerful and far-reaching magical effects. Notes: The Prototype Array of Du?lism requires proficiency in both physical and magical combat. The wielder must be skilled in dual-wielding and possess affinities for both harmonic and abyssal magic. The artefact¡¯s complex enchantments are accessible only to enchanters of high rank.A blade from Ori¡¯s Prototype Array of Du?lism gleamed in the twilight, enhanced with Prismatic Weapon and wielded by one of his ghostly hands. It carved cleanly through the carapace of a Nascent-ranked mega-turtle the size of a car. A high-pressure jet of steaming blood hissed from the wound, and Ori was glad he¡¯d kept his distance. ¡°Wow, did you just admit I was right? You feeling alright, Freya?¡± Ori asked, grinning. ¡°Wild luck means you should end up being right by accident more often than you actually are. Don¡¯t let it go to your head, Ori,¡± Freya replied dryly from within his skull. Ori snorted. ¡°Ha!¡± They continued like that for hours, weaving back and forth across the region, hunting down more Aether-Warped creatures. By the time Twilight¡¯s version of daylight crept in, the forest around them lay charred and broken. Smouldering remains were scattered across the undergrowth, and the trees, surprisingly resilient to the beasts¡¯ orange heat-ray attacks, had already begun to regenerate. The sight reminded Ori that mana and Peritia likely affected flora just as much as beasts and animals. He stood surveying the devastation, his thoughts a tangle of awe, grief, and quiet apprehension. Massacring monsters as a way of life wasn¡¯t something Ori had ever truly prepared for, and now, with the smoking ruin laid out before him, he realised just how far he¡¯d come and what such a lifestyle might actually feel like. Coming to terms with that reality and how it aligned with the person he once was and the person he still needed to become would take time. But, as far as first impressions went, he felt¡ oddly fine? Something about being a White Mage seemed to inure him to the gore. Where once he might have dissociated, as he had when fighting demons by the hundreds, now that numbness was replaced by a deeper, long-term awareness of consequence. After long discussions with his bonded and the sobering updates to his accolades following the destruction of Ghigrerchiax, Ori had started viewing his actions through a broader lens. If he was going to treat Twilight as a potential home, then the impact of his presence, on the land, on the people, on fate itself, was something he could no longer afford to ignore. He brought up his character sheet, eyes scanning the growing list of numbers. His Peritia had finally passed the threshold for an attempted racial evolution into Arch Human, though he suspected the hidden requirements remained unmet. In addition to fulfilling the Librarian¡¯s quest to help raise the High Human Matriarch, Ori would also need to provide three more examples of living High Humans to ratify his method. Only then, at least according to the Library of Fates, would High Humanity be officially recognised. After transforming the Seed of Aether gifted to him by Harriet into the Aetheric Heart, forming the foundation of his evolution into a High Human, Ori knew he would need to do something similar using Mana. The complication was that he already possessed a Mana Nexus, and there was no known or documented method for evolving one¡¯s Mana beyond that stage. For full ratification of High Humanity, it seemed likely that Seeds linked to other paracausal energies, Grace, Breath, Quintessence, and potentially even Peritia, would also need to be demonstrated, not just Aether and Mana. That meant finding candidates compatible with methods he could realistically guide or expanding his abilities and affinities to encompass those additional energies. It was just one of several medium-term, high-stakes challenges he would need to overcome in the coming year or two. However, more pressing was the state of his Aether.
| Statistics: | Aetheric Capacity: | 3/3 |
| Soul Bonds (Soul Capacity: 736/650) | Taurna¡¯diem (12): Poppy, Serracent of Luinilthar Harriet, Anoriel Thalionwen Luinilthar Familiar (10): Freya Creisidottir Lysara Leanan S¨ªdhe(250): Ruenne''del Tuatha D¨¦ Danann Warlock (400): Chloe ¡°Raven¡± Kumar Artefacts (7): Prototype Array of Du?lism Seraphine''s Beacon Dreamwalkers'' Lesser Aegis Felsner, Awakened Estoc of the Piercing Void Failsafe Stone Faildeadly Stone |
| Characteristics: | Dexterity: | Unified (3250) |
| Domain: | 331=>358 | |
| Intelligence: | 4388=>4984 | |
| Perception: | Unified (36.2k=>38,9k) | |
| Polydexterity: | 316 | |
| Presence: | Unified (33.0k=>.35.8k) | |
| Spirit | Unified (33.0k.=>35.8k) | |
| Strength | 64=>84 | |
| Toughness | 30=>70 | |
| Vitality | 148=>188 | |
| Will | Unified (66.1K=>71.6k) | |
| Wisdom | 3200>3760 | |
| Statistics: | Aetheric Capacity: | 3=>7 |
| Soul Bonds (Soul Capacity: 1300/650) | Taurna¡¯diem (12): Poppy, Serracent of Luinilthar Harriet, Anoriel Thalionwen Luinilthar Familiar (10): Freya Creisidottir Lysara Leanan S¨ªdhe(250): Ruenne''del Tuatha D¨¦ Danann Warlock (400): Chloe ¡°Raven¡± Kumar Artefacts (7): Prototype Array of Du?lism Seraphine''s Beacon Dreamwalkers'' Lesser Aegis Felsner, Awakened Estoc of the Piercing Void Failsafe Stone Faildeadly Stone | |
| Mana Capacity: | 6492=>16,142 | |
| Mana per second: | 702k=>4.3M | |
| Breath Capacity: | 4=>6 | |
| Breath per Hour: | 6=>11 | |
| Grace: | 0 (470=>509) | |
| Lifeforce Capacity: | 1000 (4973=>11,504) | |
| Lifeforce per day: | 2764=>7689 | |
| Domain Radius: | 3,308=>3,582 yards |