As we sat around the table at the Steel Palette We stared at the 3 items in the center of the table. The first was the skill book Erratic Charge(E), the second was the Ring of Mana Storing(E), and lastly the Fire Ward Charm(E). The quest had given us 700 gold, with 100 of the reward being deducted for the lost coke from what the salamanders burned. It was a fair amount, and we still got a lot of gold out of the arrangement.
The gold had been easy enough to divide. I had been given 200 to buy more herbs, everyone else received 100 each. What was left were the items. Had paid 15 gold per item to have them all appraised, and learned what they could do.
Skillbook:Erratic Charge(E)
20 Energy
You rush forward in a wild way, causing enemies to be unable to predict where you will go, enemies attacking you have a debuff to their accuracy while you gain a buff to your accuracy to hit an enemy you hit out of your charge.
Ring of Mana Storing(E)
0/100
A ring capable of storing mana within itself, the user is able to transfer mana within the ring back to themselves with a bit of focus.
Fire Ward Charm(E)
3 uses remain
A charm said to protect against heat and flames, can negate up to 20 damage of fire damage and grant resistance to fire damage that surpasses this amount.
As we looked at these items we had a few dilemmas, everyone wanted items, after all part of the reason people adventure is to acquire items that do cool things. Selene and Jax were both looking at the skillbook, Liora and Thalia were drooling over the ring, and Kaelen and I were looking at the fire charm. It was for this reason that we were all standing at a stalemate, nobody moving even as breakfast sat half eaten on the table around us.
My eyes glanced to Selene and Kaelen who sat next to me, my fingers lanced in front of my face as I squinted down Jax across from me.
"Ououououou, Bwah bwah bwah"
Will said anxiously in my head as a feeling of building annoyance started to surge. As we all sat in the tense silence, I took my finger and swirled it in my drink, using my skill my drink started to fill up a bit as I took a sip.
The familiar feeling of Aether coalescing and being processed rushed over me as I let out a deep sigh. While a part of me wanted the fire charm for myself, I placed my hand on the charm and slid it over to Kaelen.
"As much as I want it, from a numbers standpoint I know you are more likely to fall unconscious."
Kaelen gave an approving nod as I downed the rest of my drink and prepared for the system notification
You have used skill Liquid Crystal Consolidation(E)
You have used item Liquid crystal Vial(E)
You have ingested liquid Aether, your body is attempting to purify it.
Your body has succeeded, the Aether is purified.
From your effort a skill has been formed: Aether Constitution(E)
I felt a rush of excitement roll trough me as I heard conversations at the table start up, however I was too busy opening my system to see my new skill to notice.
Aiden Hallowcreek
Age: 23
Class: Alchemist - LV.8
XP: 12,061/15,000
HP: 24/24
MP: 69/69
Stats:
Str: 4
Dex: 16
Con: 13
Int: 30
Wis: 18
Cha: 0
Soul Skill:
Alchemy Attunement(D)
Passive
Increases your success rate with alchemical mixtures and allows you to feel minor fluctuations in potion consistency, improving the stability of mixtures.
Skills:
Quick Brew (E)
Passive
you quickly toss together ingredients to make potions with lesser effects on the fly.
Portioners Harvesting Guide (E)
Passive
You have a chance to obtain items used in potions more than others when searching
Liquid Crystal Consolidation (E)
10MP
You channel your mana to gather the liquid crystal in the air into a liquid state and pour it into a vial.
Herbal Extracts (E)
Passive
Gain the ability to create concentrated extracts from herbs, making potions more potent. Potions using these extracts have increased effects, providing stronger support for healing, endurance, or resistance.
Fragmented Will(E)
Passive
Your mind begins to split under pressure to protect itself. While under intense emotional or mental strain, you may subconsciously form a mental fragment — a sliver of your will that acts independently. The fragment may whisper suggestions, make minor decisions in your place, or retain key memories if you are compromised.
Silver Tongue(E)
Passive
Your voice is one that can sooth or lie with ease. You are better at persuading people and can lie more convincingly.
Aetheric Constitution(E)
Passive
Your body has adapted to handle Aether better than most. Your mana can circulate faster due to your reinforced mana veins.
Flaw:
Arcane Allergy(D)
You find that your body seems to dislike magic, causing fits of sneezing and sinus congestion when in close vicinity to magic. Your more susceptible to their effects due to your allergies
Boon:
Spell Shield(C)
25 MP
You find that magic loves you more than most. You are able to enhance this quality to draw magic that would strike an ally to come to you instead.
I read over the skill, a great feeling of excitement rushing through me, however as I read a system screen appeared
Skill fragmented Will(E) has activated and taken control of your neck
My head whipped around as I was now looking to Selene who was looking at me with a silent question on her face. I stared for a moment as I could feel Will facepalm in my head as he said
"She wants to know if it would make more sense to sell Erratic charge."
I nodded and said, trying my best to act like I wasn't just saved by a living train of thought in my head.
"I think its up to you all, if you think the skill is vital, then keep it, otherwise, we can always look for other skill books later."
Selene and Jax nodded as finally now that the standoff at the table was over, everyone could finally eat. We ate for a few more minutes as we ended up agreeing on the plan for today. Selene, Jax and I would head out to get more supplies and stuff. Liora, Thalia, and Kaelen would see about grabbing our stuff from the inn we were staying at and seeing about a quest we can sign up for next. So our first stop of the day is the Apothecary's Apiary.
Stepping up to the shop, it looked to be a simple greenhouse like building, however stepping inside was a shift from the appearance of the exterior. Inside several hive combs covered patches of walls, some made by actual bees that flew around and pollinated the various herbs and flowers that existed around various pots in the shop.
Behind a counter sat a halfblood beastkin woman who seemed to have a set of bee like wings sticking from her back, a second set of arms sat below her normal limbs and a hexagonal yellow sheen covered her eyes.
"Welcome to the Alchemists Apiary, my name is Cynthia, how can I help you?"
"I'm here to restock on herbs."
I said looking at the various shelves. Looking around there were a it of herbs I needed. Borage, Cofrail, Amrans, Alkanet, Milort, and more. A part of me wanted to buy everything they had, but I already took a massive chunk of my savings for this cloak and the recipe for the Revolution core, I couldn't be spending my gold without thought. So I bought Amrans, Borage, Milort, and Alkanet. Around 30 stalks of each.
"Wow, that's a lot, that will be 240 gold."
It hurt to spend this much but at the same time, it was worth it to be prepared. Jax and Selene were still shopping so I stepped outside and pulled my bag from my cloak, and started to organize the herbs within. As I did Will was helpful, counting how many of each I had left.
Ironsplit - 34
Enhances night vision, useful in potions for stealth or visibility.
Fiveleaves - 29
Known for its stimulative properties, often used to boost movement and agility.
Swingvine - 29
A lightweight herb that can reduce weight, suitable for feather-light potions.
Vilerge - 14
A calming herb that can aid with stress, anxiety, and certain poisons.
Cofrail - 17
Healing properties for minor cuts and wounds; essential for basic healing poultices.
Entrist - 8
Causes irritation on contact, useful for minor defensive powders or as a mild poison.
Marmallow - 5
Known to assist with sleep, ideal for sleep-inducing potions.
Belramba - 30
Can soothe fears, used in anti-fear tonics or calming poisons.
Fetrefe - 26
Induces nausea in larger doses but can help with food poisoning or as a purgative in smaller doses.
Shurper - 19
Enhances perception, especially hearing, and is useful in sensory-enhancing potions.
Xosorrel - 19
Strengthens resistance to physical effects, valuable in protective or toughening potions.
Golcorone - 27
Known to steady the nerves, useful for accuracy potions or calming effects.
Fose - 31
Enhances insight, helpful in concoctions requiring mental clarity.
Alleha - 20
Reduces exhaustion, useful in potions for quick recovery.
Amrans - 32
Minor healing properties and can be combined with other herbs to enhance recovery.
Hebbenus Bark - 7
Fire-resistant bark, excellent for protection or fire-resistance potions.
Lessentor - 12
Known for enhancing agility, useful in speed or fleetness potions.
Study Leaves - 15
Known to improve focus, ideal for potions of alertness or clarity.
Lunort - 3
Increases cognitive function, often used in elixirs for intelligence or insight.
Alleha - 5
can get rid of a level of exhaustion, if exhaustion still remains 8 hours after consumption then they experience an energy crash
Borage - 35
when consumed before traveling on foot, it allows the consumer to travel up to 12 hours without feeling noticeable fatigue
Palmath - 1
if given to someone bleeding out this can cause rapid clouting to keep them alive
Vilerge - 1
Helps fight trough fear
Milort - 30
Used to heal poison based injuries
Alkanet - 30
Helps fight trough poisons
As I finished putting everything away I took a moment to sit down and look up at the cloudy sky overhead. Its been almost a week now since I left Hopestone, and I already had been doing so much. It really was an adventure. I heard someone calling my name as I turned to see Kaelen, Liora, and Thalia running our way. I looked theme up and down a bit worried, their faces showed excitement, but as they ran I saw in Kaelens hand was an envelope that was sealed with a wax seal, something only the rich and powerful have. As they ran over I could see the owner of the seal. It was the mark of an official guild document, which means the guild wanted to see us.
"How are we already in trouble, its barely been like 4 days!?"
Will said annoyed, and while I agreed with him, I had no idea what the letter could mean.