This is a daily reminder: You have 4 unallocated stat points
I wake up screaming. My soul burns again. No one is here to hug me. I just suffer until it is over. A new soul etch notification. Don't etch major boons into yourself. If I only had the option to say no. I look through the notifications till I find it.
You have gained the skill [Sense Emotion] Basic 1
Sense Emotion - now your an empath, your first daughter's gift to you
Basic - have a general sense of surface emotions of others
Gain 1 exp
Reading my ears, my ass. She noticed everything because I'm nervous about everything. I miss her laugh.
I take a breath and go to find a rabbit. I'll eat this one, I need two hands if I want to braid my hair.
-----
“Yes miss, can I help you.”
He is very annoyed that I'm here. Disgust? I might need to give this sense to my other attention. His annoyance is growing.
“How much is it to send an item to Yetna?”
“Depends on the size, miss.”
I show the man a small braid of dirty blonde hair. He picks it up and is a tad perplexed by the heft.
“Two small silver, miss.”
I nod, “Please send it to [Countess] Magdeline in Yetna, she runs a clinic at the adventurer guild.”
“Any message?”
I think on that, “Jam was taken by believers of Gadvak, they have kept Titters, Stomps, and Preys.”
I pay the man and leave.
-----
“Looking for work?”
The adventurer approached me while I was looking over the board. Squinting at it as hard as I could. Only a clover request, but over doing that draws attention. No iron rabbit requests either.
“Depends on the work.”
“We could use a porter, will be heading down into the dungeon today.”
The group he came from are all near my fake level. It will be a good opportunity. Even if they fuck me over. I nod to the man.
“Alright how bout you go get the cart and meet us at the west gate, if we fill the cart we'll pay you three small silvers.”
Enough to live in the capital for a day. Three times as expensive as Yetna.
“My apologies but I only just became an adventurer and spent my last coin this morning.”
I use illusion magic to lie. Detect falsehood can't tell when an illusion says something. One way or the other. I always turn my head as if I'm ashamed. The man quirks an eyebrow but gives me a small silver. At least if they stiff me in pay, I won't be out a small silver as well.
“Is there a specific size of cart I should get?”
“Smart of you to ask, spread your arms out. If the cart is wider than that it won't fit.”
I nod and run out to get the cart. I ran back to ask where I could rent one.
-----
“Whats the name of the dungeon?”
A different man from the one who hired me answers.
“Gadvak.”
The fuck, are those religious assholes worshipinng a dungeon? The man said the god spoke to their bishop. I don't know nearly enough. I keep pulling the cart.
They don't give me an exp share ring. Looking more likely I won't be paid. A free look at the Gadvak dungeon is fine though. It has goblins as its first monsters. The party moves past them. I don't cry when they chop down a few to get through. The goblins all smell the same. They have only one emotion at that. Rage. They aren't real.
Past the goblins is a pasture. It has large ox like creatures.
13 Axens
I mean I guess their horns look like axes. Why not scythens, system?
“Now little miss let us drag the axens onto the cart. We just need you to guard it from any roving goblins.”
He says that as their two forwards finish their first axens.
“Apologies, but you will be more efficient if I do a proper porter job.”
I walk by the man as he gives me a bemused look. A look that says children always have to fall flat on their face before they listen. I lift the axen onto my shoulder and walk it back to the cart, its back legs dragged against the ground. Once it's in the cart, I grab the cart's handles ready to proceed.
“Do you still wish for me to wait here?”
He shrugs and waves me forward. The cart only took six more.
-----
“Here kid, your three small silvers.”
I'm pleasantly surprised.
“Thank you.”
“Do you think you can be available in three days?”
“I'll tell you in three days.”
He laughs at that and claps me on the shoulder. He rubs his hand when it's his hand that gives and not my shoulder. I give him a small smile.
Another contribution point.
-----
“Hello mage, what can I assist you with.”
32 Croman Alchemist, Apprentice Mage
“I was hoping you could tell me where I could get a container, preferably a water skin that prevents spoiling.”
“Depends on what you plan to store in it.”
Do I just go out and say it, I shrug, “Blood.”
“Thats not descriptive enough, certain blood requires certain containers.”
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
“Rabbit, axens, or goblin.”
“A strange collection but this one will do.”
It's not a water skin.
“How much?”
“You seem disappointed.”
“I can only work with what's available, disappointment doesn't matter.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “Why would you want it as a water skin?”
“Convience.”
Strangely, she doesn't believe me when I say the truth.
“If you give me a day, I can have a bloodskin prepared. Five large silver.”
“And the container?”
“Also five large silver.”
I place two death trillium petals on her counter. The alchemist is shocked.
“I'll give you a third tomorrow for the skin, I'll take the container now.”
“Wait, how did you manage to get this?”
An illusion lies for me, “My cover spell coming along. I was able to make it there and back before I ran out of mana.”
It's [Mental Magic 2] basic for the cover spell. My loathing of the magic prevents my progress. I leave the shop. I clutch my chest before I make it too far.
You have gained the skill [Arcane Mana Core] Basic 1
Arcane Mana Core - try not to break it this time
Basic - like seriously
Gain 1 exp
I’ll make sure to be careful. I hook my permanent one to my new one. I head to the next shop.
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26 Gnome Smith, Merchant
“Name Gritnae, lass, what sort of iron does a mage need?”
Do all gnomes have nae at the end of their names? Or am I doomed to keep running into Briknae's extended family?
“I'm actually here to inquire about getting an anvil, hammer and a grinder?”
“Have interest in the forge, lass? I ain't looking for apprentices.”
“Which is why I ask for the tools and not the instructions.”
He laughs, it sounds like chirps.
“Perhaps I can make an exception, you seem spirited.”
“The tools?”
He gives up, “A small gold for the set.”
Pricey, but I'll have to make do.
“I should be able to bring that sum in two days.”
He is looking at me unimpressed.
“Then I'll start crafting it in two days.”
Figures, but I wouldn't want to take an adventurer word on it either.
-----
As I am walking to the gate I notice a demonstration of how to make thread using a strange bobbing tool. The children around the man are bored but I watch intently. Not as good as a spinning wheel but it's not like I have a residence to store one.
“Would you like to try it, miss?”
I shrug and give it a go. I smile as the thread spins and is made.
“Are you selling these?”
“You can have this one for a small silver.”
I smile and flip him the coin. I head out to the cold forest.
-----
A rabbit died to make a spool of thread wound around a stick. Half its blood was in my new container, the other half in me. I gathered some more clover and death trillium. I can only hope no one disturbs my little spot in the forest.
-----
This is a daily reminder: You have 4 unallocated stat points
“That's three small slivers and seven large copper. One commendation point.”
I nod and head to the board. I have to squint at every request. I miss my glasses. Kill yetna bear, five large silver. Tempting but ridiculous. I stand out way too much dragging such a beast back. Juvenile Hydra fangs. If I don't have to drag it back it sounds possible.
“Why is the hydra one an open request?”
“Ah, we don't hand hold here, thought I told ya that. Plenty of rough types come through looking for a quick job, the guild makes plenty off those that survive.”
I bet, thirty percent on a large gold bounty.
“And those that don't?”
“Public service on reducing the rough types.”
“Where can they be found?”
“Eh, you don't look to be the rough type.”
I shrug.
“Ah well, second floor of the dungeon got hydras.”
“The request asks for juveniles.”
“So it does, huh. Why I guess a natural one can be found pass the east gate in the swamp. Wouldn't suggest it though.” I give a questioning look, “It's down right sticky.”
-----
“Girl, come in, come in. You still have your final petal, yes?”
I give the alchemist a look. She huffs and pulls out the bloodskin. I smile and place the third petal.
“A pity you only acquired one flower's worth.”
“No, the real pity is there is no request for more at the adventurer guild.”
“Bah, I hardly even get any clover from them.”
I shrug and leave.
-----
I sit outside a tavern, my back against the wall. No interest in buying food, but I can hear the conversation from here.
“Heard that monastery burn down, people be sayin’ the Pimar been striking back.”
“Good on ‘em, bloody religious bastard be killing partly infused Pimar raving about how they are preventing another comin’.”
“Another comin’ of wat.”
“The fuck if I know, I stop listenin’ befor’ there crazy infected me.”
I'm not responsible for the actions of lunatics. I'm not. I just have to believe it.
-----
32 Pimar Tailor, Merchant
My first Pimar. The tail, ears, eyes and teeth are totally different from my own. Oddly enough their ears resemble what I think of tigers more than mine do. That and they are all fur. His was an orange with black stripes. I say that he was a tigerlike except the stripes were on his front, ending at his back instead of the other way around. No white fur either.
“Hail, are you looking to purchase some clothing?”
I smile, “I could use a new robe and hat to cover my ears that are in my size.”
I release the illusion over my body. I have to hope he has no sympathy for the followers of Gadvak.
“I know those robes, child, why do you clothe yourself in the attire of murderers?”
Well not going betray me, might murder me going by his emotions.
“The previous owner wasn't going to need them when he went off to burn.”
He looks at my ears, studying them.
“You are not of my kin.”
“I am not.”
He squints at me, “Five small silvers.”
I smile, “Could you make sure to use this thread throughout the new robe.”
He grabs the stick that holds my fire iron thread.
“It's warm.”
“The nights are getting colder.”
“Wait here, you shouldn't be about without your new attire.”
“How long?”
“Till the evening.”
“Only if you let me watch you work.”
He has me remove the robes, shocked that I was naked underneath. He puts some under garments out for me to wear.
“I can't afford more.”
“I can't afford to lose sleep over letting a child run around in only a robe.”
“How much, and your name, sir?”
“Did you not hear what I said?”
“I simply wish to know my debt to you so that I can repay you when I can afford it.”
He looks at me annoyed. “Three small silver for the two sets, Dravid.”
“She who Mourns.”
I left the tailor in a much better robe and hat. Warmer too. He kept the old robe, said it could be used as toiletries. I found that fitting. I headed back to the forest.
-----
This is a daily reminder: You have 4 unallocated stat points
“That's three small slivers and seven large copper. One commendation point.”
I head to the board again. Squinting again. The clover is still there, now there is death trillium, two small gold for six petals, five contribution. I smile. I return to the disinterested receptionist.
“I have the death trillium.”
“Do ya now, let's see ‘em.”
I place the petals on the counter.
“Huh, guess you do. You seem to be only doing the alchemist requests.”
“I don't have a weapon yet.”
“We do have donations from retired and dead adventurers.”
I look over at the barrel of mostly useless iron.
“I'm fine for now.”
“Got enough for new robes but can't be bothered to equip yourself.”
“Well the death trillium should help with that.”
“Suppose so, one small gold, eight large silver and five contribution.”
Less contribution than Yetna, no wonder she never gets her requests completed.
-----
I flip the small gold to Gritnae.
“Didn't expect to see ye’ again.”
“More the pity, you could have started on my request.”
“Ah, it ain't nothing to make an anvil and hamma, I'll see ye’ in the evenin’.”
-----
“It's eight large silver a week for this shed, comes with a cover trinket so you don't disturb the neighbors. You don't look to have any craftsman titles, you sure you want to be setting up shop.”
I smile and give the landlord his eight silver for the week.
“Word of advice child, if you plan on selling, you best register with both the merchant and whatever crafter guild you aim for.”
“Thank you, I'll keep it in mind.”
The shed was near a guard station. I'll have to hope it's enough to deter thieves.
-----
“Didn't expect you back in only a day.”
“Being a busy adventurer pays.”
I give him three small silver, my debt absolved.
“How much for attendant work clothes?”
“Three small silver.”
I give him the last of my small silver. And another spool of my fire thread.
“Could you tell me where you are getting this thread?”
“‘Fraid not, I would prefer your discretion in this.”
He just nods, I never give him more than what was needed for my commissions.
“Should be ready by this evening.”
I thank him and leave.
-----
I activate the cover trinket. My anvil is ready. Three braids sit on it. I heat them with my fire magic, when they soften enough I start the shaping. The mental constructs shatter on the first strike. Annoyed, I make them twice as solid. They still shatter. Four times as solid do not. I form a blade slightly longer than a shortsword. I pull the heat from the blade. I then wrap the hilt in more of my threads. The ability to adjust the coarseness of my threads helps. The grinder sharpens the blade. I look over my work, even though I imbued it an iron color, it still reflects a golden sheen. I shrug.
I take more of my braids and start making black threads. By the end of the night, I have a sheath made for my sword. It's floppy but the sword sliding in stiffens it fine. Sitting back a headache blossoms from the over use of parallel mind.
You have gained [Parallel Mind] Competent 1
Competent - share a second sense between your minds
*synergry* share all Major boon senses
Gain 4 exp
Damn, I was letting my other attention be the empath. Hmm my vision is shit and I have two of them anyways. Smelling then, I shrug and lay down to sleep.
-----
This is a daily reminder: You have 4 unallocated stat points
“So would you like you to be our porter again.”
“Sure. I spent all my money again but as you can see I am better equipped."
“Aye, I can see that. We'll be heading to the second level this time. You alright with an overnight?”
I nod and he flips me the rental fee and we head to the dungeon once more.
