Summon Minor Elemental
Lesser Globe of Darkness
Call of the Loch
Flickering Fingers
Crystalize Blood
Submissive Blessing
Davros read over several of the titles and found most were of the Create variety, but found six he wanted to learn more about. Create Water, Create Fire (redundant for him), Create Wind Gust, Create so on and so forth dominated Blam’s small shelf. He brought up his observation to Blam.
“They are a very basic spell type and are some of the more common spell drops in Dungeons. It’s the reason they are less expensive and I have more than a single copy of each. Many of the local Merchants do too, although they always try to present them as being more rare than they really are.” Davros grunted in affirmation. “They are also a good first spell for a Forged hopeful looking to unlock their Mana.” Davros nodded.
That makes sense. I wonder how hard it was for Valka and Anya to unlock their Mana? I should ask them about it sometime if it isn’t too personal a question.
While he was attracted to all six spells he had set aside, the trade was only for three of them. He would have to carefully consider his needs, as well as taking into account the information Blam had given him about how his Astral Mana would affect any of the unaspected spells. He started with the most interesting spell first.
Flickering Fingers
Type: Channel
Aspect: Fire
Effect: Summon a continuous spray of flames from each finger.
Requirements: Will-4, Focus-3
Not only was it a Fire spell, but it required prerequisite Attributes he now possessed. Instead of firing individual exploding bolts, he would have a spell that he could unleash as a torrent of flame.
I’m definitely taking this one. I need another attack spell and this will work perfectly!
As he looked over the others, he reviewed Blam’s words in his head. Spells that came pre-Aspected would not change, but the unaspected would be automatically cultivated by his Astral Fire Mana.
In that case…
Crystallize Blood
Type: Instant
Aspect: None
Effect: Transmute a small amount of blood into crystal. The created crystal can then be used to store a lesser amount of elemental mana. The Elemental Mana Crystal can then be used at any time as a rechargeable source of Mana.
Mana storage in case one runs low. That could be highly useful.
Submissive Blessing
Type: Instant
Aspect: None
Duration: 5 minutes.
Effect: By submitting a portion of available Mana, temporarily bolster the Primary Attribute of [1] friendly Target. This will likewise increase Target’s Hit Chance. Mana is returned once Blessing is ended.
A way to help my friends, but only one at a time. I can see how boosting Valka’s Force, Igvild’s Speed or Anya’s Will could be very beneficial while tackling the Dungeons.
The next two spells were pre-Aspected and the last was unaspected. They were the three he was least sure about, but didn’t want to rule them out completely just yet.
Lesser Globe of Darkness
Type: Channel
Aspect: Void
Effect: Summon a globe of magical darkness upon a 20X20 area. All creatures within are rendered temporarily blind and lose advantage on attacks.
Call of the Loch
Type: Channel
Aspect: Water
Effect: Create a lesser rain event 1 mile in diameter that also attracts beasts that have an affinity with Water Mana.
Two spells, one for Void and the other for Water. Call of the Loch would have come in handy in Herne’s Grove to round up those Sprites, but if I was the one casting it then it might not have worked anyway. I wonder how effective I would be casting Void magic? Wouldn’t I be rendered blind as well if I were caught in a Lesser Globe of Darkness?
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Summon Minor Elemental
Type: Summon
Aspect: None
Effect: Summon and bind an Elemental Entity. The creature summoned is dependent upon caster’s highest affinity or Elemental Focus type used.
An unaspected spell that summons a creature made of elemental mana. Mine would undoubtedly be a Fire Elemental…unless I used something called an Elemental Focus? I can’t think it would make much sense for me to do that, however? I wonder if Astral Fire would change the summoned elemental in other ways?
Davros wanted this spell too. He envisioned a creature of pure fire tearing through Bleakthorn Holler like an apocalyptic storm. He smiled to think of how Garnak would react to seeing such a doom descend upon him. Davros had a decision to make.
Both the pre-Aspected spells for Water and Void were out, at least for now. Water spells would only be a waste of mana with diminishing returns and while the Void spell was interesting he didn’t yet see how he would incorporate it into his spell rotation. He wanted to stick with what he knew. For now.
Hmm. Let me think about that for a moment. My spell rotation has been Combustion Bolt from afar unless the mob gets too close. Then it’s Wrath Shield for protection and surprise damage to the attacker. Burning Blood I can cast at a distance, but it’s still untested and I’ve been hesitant to try something new when I know Combustion Bolt gets the job done. Cauterize Soul for healing and Corruption handling. Hypnotic Flame for information gathering? Would that spell even work on a monster?
His musings aside, the decision came down to how he ranked the importance of supporting the others, storing extra Mana, or being able to summon help. There were only so many slots he could equip. He fell back on Anya’s words from before.
Your sole purpose is to do as much damage as quickly as possible.
“I’ll trade you the gloves for Flickering Fingers, Crystallize Blood, and Summon Minor Elemental. I also want the carving of that ship.” Anya’s eyes widened as she shot a look at Davros, but he ignored her. Blam bobbed his head up and down eagerly.
“Trade accepted, my new Awakened friend. Take them with my blessing and with my heartfelt desire we shall do business with one another again. This is, after all, a local shop for local Awakened adventurers!” Blam stuck out his hand.
“Umm, sure.” Davros nodded and shook Blam’s hand, which the gnome did enthusiastically. Igvild rolled his eyes.
“Now he admits it’s a shop!” The dwarf muttered.
Igvild was still sniggering as they exited Blam’s strange store. Anya was cradling the ship carving in her hands, which Davros had promptly given to her once he received it from Blam. Davros’ face was burning and he kept his scarf up and hood pulled low. Anya hadn’t breathed a word after he gave it to her, so he wasn’t sure what she was feeling right now.
I hope she likes the gift. I did say that it was only a gift. I don’t expect anything in return.
I want to learn these spells now,” Davros announced aloud. Igvild nodded and Anya also gave a barely perceptible nod of her own head. The three of them turned down a side street and walked until they found a small cafe that served coffee and fresh rolls that were rolled in a spice called cinnamon.
The three sat quietly while Davros absorbed the information from each book until they crumbled to ash in his hands. A remarkable result that Igvild informed him was the way such things worked. When finished, Davros gave a sigh and lowered his scarf to sip his coffee.
“I don’t think I’ll ever tire of learning new things,” Davros said smiling. Igvild snorted.
“Remember ye can only have so many spells Active at a time and that ye want to focus on raising the level ‘o the strongest ones first.”
“You’re talking about spells that are a higher grade than Minor and Lesser? I don’t have any of those yet.” Davros answered.
“Oh? What level is that new Fire spell ye got?”
“Doesn’t everything start out at Level 1? Let me check…Oh!”
TRAIT: Born of Fire recognized. Flickering Fingers auto advances to Burning Arms(Astral)!
Burning Arms(Astral): Summon a continuous jet of Imbolc’s flame from one or both hands for a maximum distance of 40 yards. Ignores 50% of Fire Resistance.
“It upgraded on its own!” Davros stated astonished. He informed them of the changes.
“It’s like ‘ol Blam said. Yer mana be different if yer connected to this so-called Lunar mana and so it stands to reason yer spells would change too!” Igvild informed him with a grin.
Igvild gingerly took a sip of his coffee and made a face. Clearly the drink didn’t agree with the dwarf, but this cafe didn’t serve vodka, much to the dwarf’s disappointment.
“Davros…” Anya said quietly, finally speaking up. Davros swallowed a lump in his throat and regarded her face. She was still holding the ship in her hands.
“First of all, thank you for this.” She held up the ship and looked him in his eyes. “This carving…my father made it.” I looked at her in shock. Even Igvild paused in attempting another sip of coffee to look up at her, an eyebrow raised.
“I’d know his work anywhere,” she sighed. “Wood carving was a hobby of his. He would lean against the railing of his ship and carve little animals or faces or ships like this…” She placed the ship on the table and looked at it, sorrow now written across her features.
Oh no. I’ve upset her with this. Damnit!
“When my father died, he had lots of debts. Everything he had was sold, including his ship. I never knew what happened to all his carvings. I suppose I forgot about them until I saw this on the shelf.”
“I’m sorry Anya,” Davros whispered, uncertain what to say when he saw a tear escape down Anya’s face.
“No, you have nothing to be sorry for!” Anya looked at him, her eyes wide. “I thought I had put that part of my life behind me. I worked hard to get to where I am today and I’m proud of what we have accomplished. Davros, when I first met you…” Anya swallowed and Igvild shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “I pitied you.”
Nobody said anything for a moment. Anya wouldn’t look Davros in the eye and Igvild suddenly found a reason to be more interested in his coffee than he had a minute ago.
“It’s alright,” Davros finally said.
“No, it’s not alright,” Anya said, her voice trembling. “General Torlack, he was upset with the Graf for purchasing you. Said purchasing a freak like you would hurt morale and that Awakened with a Class like yours should be handed over to the Acolytes to throw against the Orcs. I…I’m ashamed to say I agreed with him. I know the Princess Alexandria. We were close friends, once. She is very powerful. Likely as strong as General Torlack. Perhaps stronger! She will likely try to kill you when we lay siege to Bludgard and I fear she will succeed!”
“Oh.” There was an uncomfortable pause, then Anya spoke again barely above a whisper.
“I have come to realize you are more than you seem. You have a good heart, Davros. You have been hurt. You have been abused, but you haven’t let it change who you are. Even becoming an Awakened and despite all that has been done to you!” Anya’s voice rose and Davros leaned back, eyes wide. “If I had even a quarter of your power Davros, I’d return to that Orphanage and burn it to the ground! I’d find the one who put that curse on you and make them suffer! I’d…I’d!” Anya shook her fist while Igvild and Davros both stared at her, mouths agape.
When Anya realized she was standing up and shouting, disturbing the other cafe patrons she quickly sat back down.
“No you wouldn’t, Anya.” Davros said and reached over to gently pat his friend on her arm. “Because you are a good person too.” For a moment Anya stared at Davros then she started to chuckle, then threw back her head in a full throated laugh.
“Yer both an embarrassment to be in public with,” Igvild muttered and subtly tossed the rest of his coffee into a nearby bush.
Davros and Anya both smiled at each other and tipped their coffee cups in each other’s direction.
“What about your other spells?” Anya asked after they had all taken a moment. Davros nodded eagerly and pulled up the notifications.
TRAIT: Born of Fire recognized. Crystallize Blood auto advances to Blood Coal(Astral)!
Blood Coal
Effect: Transmute a small amount of blood into a burning lump of mana coal. This safe to handle coal will emit a steady heat for 1 hour in a 15 yard radius unless drained of stored mana. The Blood Coal can also be used at any time as a rechargeable source of Mana.
TRAIT: Born of Fire recognized. Summon Minor Elemental is now Summon Minor Lunar Fire Elemental!
Summon Minor Lunar Fire Elemental
Effect: Summon a Lunar Fire elemental directly from Imbolc’s Plane of Fire. Creature will fight for you until dismissed or banished when HP is reduced to 0. Lunar Fire Elementals take double damage from Lunar Water Mana and 25% more damage from Elemental Water Mana. Lunar Fire Elementals ignore 50% of Fire Resistance when attacking Targets.
“Well?” Anya asked. Davros smiled.
“I’m ready for whatever dungeon comes our way next.”
