Encounters
Page 23
100
Archery
Initiate
Novice
110
1,000
"Wow," he thought, making breakfast once more. "Those are some nice improvements." He had a feeling, given his modern knowledge, he could eventually become a cooking master. While appealing to one side of him, neglecting other skills did not make him feel safe.
Magic seemed to be more rare than he would have guessed in Tropiana. After carefully asking around, he discovered none of the villagers had ever performed magic. Even the previous druid, Bob, had been known to only grudgingly use the one spell they knew he could perform, healing.
Every other night, after working hard, Kano found the need to use his Fix Injury spell. One night, it was a blood blister on his foot. Another time, he twisted his knee. That evening when he slept, he had needed to cast it on his shoulder, due to an overreach with the sword that made it seem like the arm had nearly slipped out of the socket. The injuries piled up but he kept pushing his body after a healing, chuckling about how he had dealt with the snowboarding competitions. Bandages, hot and cold treatments and most important, a pipeline of painkillers that would kill all but the healthiest horse. Life in the village and the replacement of modern medication with magical healing was much, much better. One bonus from using the healing spell so often was that Kano eventually brought it up to Fix Injury II.
Spells and Magical Capabilities
Spell Name
Description
Casting Requirements
Mana Point Cost
Fix Injury II
Heals the target of some amount of health points, either caster or another humanoid, up to twenty health points per cast. Will not work on non-humanoid creatures.
Gestures and focus only, no spoken words or material components.
15
Animal Speak I
Enables caster to communicate with creatures at or below the level of intelligence of a Squirrel and give them commands.
Squirrels must be within 10 yards for beginner level spell, requires spoken words and gestures, no material components.
15
The new spell was his first level two spell and could heal twice as many health points. From reading, this version could also be applied to himself, or another humanoid. The spell specifically said it would not work on non-humanoid physiology.
Lucky for him, while he had been learning new skills with Paul and Steve, Bertha had helped alter Bob's clothing to fit. Even better, with the new attribute points in strength, Kano now was as large as the other man in the shoulder.
The first shipment from the mine had finally made its way to town and would soon be sent off. Exporting the valuable Mananite steel ore would massively improve the local economy, Kano knew. Even though he had a lot of work to do at the White Rabbit, Kano asked Thomas if he could help take the ore to the city when it was sent down the river.
Thomas assured him once they had revenue from the ore, he would hire more people, then those new people might stay at the inn, at least until they had a more permanent place to stay. The plans sounded small to Kano but he nodded all the same, hoping the mayor was right.
Kano was awash in a swirl of thoughts and emotions as he watched the boat float down the Appleway river. It was early in the morning, and he’d skipped breakfast at the inn to visit the riverbank. A part of him was itching to get out and see something new. For a while, he simply watched the boat growing nearer and then docking at the small pier. Then his stomach rumbled and he smiled, excited about the journey ahead.
He stopped watching the river and walked back to the edge of the village. Then he strolled by the more ambitious vendors who had already set up stalls with various fruits, vegetables and various artistic goods. The market area was not too different from back home, Kano smiled to himself, and he could not help saying hi to one of the vendors.
"Ned," Kano said, walking up to the old farmer.
"Good morning, sir, an apple for you today?" Ned was old but still spry, with a neatly trimmed beard and twinkle in his eye as he held out a piece of fruit.
Item
Description:
Gala Apple
Quality:
Average
Attributes:
Tastes delicious, restores 5 energy, 5 health
"If I didn't know better, I'd swear you were trying to take advantage of me," Kano chuckled, pulling out a large copper ducat. "However, I think I'd prefer the grapes, rather than an apple today, Ned."
Item
Description:
Red Seedless Grapes
Quality:
Average
Attributes:
Tastes delicious, restores 5 energy, 5 health
He picked up a clump of grapes and started munching while Ned fished about to give him some smaller copper coins in return.
"Keep it," Kano said, waving to the man as he continued walking toward the river.
"Have a good day, sir," Ned called after him.
Despite having asked the old vendor the first few times to simply call him Kano, the man had insisted on using the honorific. It always brought a smile to his face. Normally Kano would chat with a few other vendors as well, learning about their offerings and getting to know potential suppliers. The old man was the primary apple seller, as well as grape vendor, in the town and had a massive farm outside the village proper. However, Ned didn't make any of the fermented products, Kano did those himself in the back of the inn.
Learning to make alcohol had been a surprisingly simple process. The main thing he'd worried about was contamination, since things were harder to keep clean than he'd expected. The inn had a small copper still that was used to create more potent liquors and Kano grew familiar with the equipment while creating various fermented brews.
The equipment quality was very low, and it reminded him of the reason he'd wanted to explore the city. He thought for certain if he couldn't obtain better tools there, magic or otherwise, he could at least hire some curious types who wanted to change the world. Maybe we can figure out how to recruit knowledgeable people to the village, Kano thought. Only what could we offer them? There isn’t much here.
Approaching the riverbank on a bright morning just after breakfast, he saw Thomas standing there with two unfamiliar men. One was shorter and stocky, at least twice as wide as Kano with shoulders to match. The other man was similar height to Kano and had a less muscular build. They both had short brown hair and weather worn skin.
"Kano, allow me to introduce Randy and Luke, they will be helping you on the way to Boon Peak," Thomas said, pointing to the smaller one when he said Randy, and the taller, leaner man as Luke.
"Good to meet you," Kano said, shaking Randy's hand and then Luke's in turn. "I'm looking forward to this trip."
"Us, too," Randy said, smiling widely. "The ship is just about ready, if you don't mind waiting a moment before we get ready for you to board?"
"No problem," Kano replied, shaking the man's hand and stepping back to watch. The riverboat was unassuming but sturdy looking. While Kano had no personal experience with boats he had always loved the look of a nice watercraft.
Item
Description:
Row Boat
Quality:
Average
Attributes:
Conveyance for people and cargo on the river
He admired the boat for a few more moments before hearing Thomas's not so discreet cough.
"Yes?" He asked, turning back to face the other man.
"Here's the thing," Thomas said, gesturing to the other men, "I've worked with these men for quite a long time." He paused, raising a hand to stroke at his beard. "You, however, seem alright, but..." he let the silence hang for a full moment before continuing. "You did arrive and change things, right?"
Kano nodded, not sure where the other man was going.
"I've got plans for this village, Kano." Thomas paused and let that sink in. "I think you can he
lp. It's been a while since I had any optimism about those plans, you know. Bob was evil. Being rid of him and his ilk has been like waking from a nightmare."
Again, Kano nodded, not sure where the man was going. A mild sensation of guilt arrived and left, when he thought about the men who had arrived specifically to kill him. Thomas still did not know the full story. He knew the village would need to become stronger, but he also knew that Thomas was not very interested in that kind of change. Kano worried if they didn’t build a wall, or setup a militia of some kind, bad things might happen in the future.
However, after the time he’d been living in The Three Rivers, he understood local politics enough to know attempting to brute force decisions was futile. If the village grew, it would protect him better, simply because it would have more things to protect, and more to lose. He waited, curious what else the man would say.
Twenty-Four - Rolling on the River
"You've got the ore," Thomas said, "These two men will help you negotiate the various businesses in the city." The red haired man paused, taking a breath. "The two most important stops you’ll make are the one for the herbs, and then of course, the Mananite ore which should go to the Mage Guild."
The mayor paused, looking anywhere except at Kano. "I know you'll do well," he said, "Just make sure that you balance the needs of the White Rabbit with the village, as a whole." Kano wondered if there was a practical difference between the needs of the village and Thomas. However, Kano kept those thoughts to himself and figured there was no changing the man’s personality, he’d already tried.
He nodded, shaking hands with the mayor. "I'll do that," Kano promised. "This place is already as much home as anywhere I've been."
"A wise man once said, stay strong, the journey's long," Thomas replied, returning his grip with enthusiasm. "Just give me the paperwork for everything when you return and we can figure out who owes who what when you get back." Thomas kept gripping Kano's arm as he suggested this.
"That's a lot of trust," Kano finally said, "I'm doing you a huge favor, going along on this trip, Thomas," Kano said.
“I’m paying you, aren’t I?”
Kano nodded, "How about you skip paying me, instead, let me lead the village defenses."
Thomas frowned. "We don't have any village defenses. I mean, sure, we cut the trees down to create a firebreak and we did move a bit of dirt, but it's more deterrent than defense."
"Exactly," Kano said, "Just let me lead, I'll share the paperwork when I get back after a day or two, once I have time to prepare something. How does that sound?"
"You're not giving me many options," Thomas grumbled, looking at the other two men. "Even with the boat, the trip is going to take several days and I’m not keen on signing contracts after the fact, Kano." He looked up into the blue sky. "I wouldn't be surprised if we had rain soon." The red haired mayor took a breath. "Fine, send me the paperwork, just don't expect me to agree to everything."
Kano looked up, not a cloud was seen in the cerulean expanse above. The air tasted clean, smelled of earth, trees and wild grasses. "Rain?" He shook his head. "Sure, Thomas. I'll deliver."
Thomas shrugged in turn, moving to leave back toward the village. "Rain," he insisted, smiling, "If I'm wrong, you'll have no trouble keeping dry right?" He could hear the other men chuckling softly as he walked off. "Good luck with the trip and we'll see you soon."
Kano watched the man depart and eventually Luke cleared his throat. "Excuse me," he said, interrupting Kano's thoughts. Luke's voice was a higher pitch and more mumbled than Kano expected. "Thomas left a pack with basic supplies, the trip takes a few days there and back, so, unless you need anything special, we should be ready to go soon."
Luke didn’t order him into the boat, but the man did make it clear that everything would be ready for Kano on the trip if he wanted to get a head start on the rain. Kano again looked into the sky, not a cloud, and told Luke he would be back soon. Kano spent as little time as he could in collecting a few pieces of gear from the inn.
The special bag he had found was clearly magical and stored a lot more than such a size sack should have been able to hold. It even weighed the same when empty or full. In addition to his bag, he took the basic sword Paul had sold him, the same as he’d carried into the mine, as well as stuffed an extra change of clothes into the magic bag. While the boat would carry the ore from the mine, Kano carried his own share, stored inside the bag with everything else. A set of tools, made with Paul’s help, also went inside, while he carried his bow and new quiver on his back. Armed, packed and ready to go, Kano left the White Rabbit in Bertha’s capable hands.
Nearly an hour later, the three men were off, floating down the Appleway river. Kano was sitting in the center bench, looking around at the nautical features of the boat. There were three rows of benches and two rows of oars, one in the middle and one closer to the back. The rear had a rudder where one of the other men sat. Kano, confused as to how two of them would be able to maneuver the large craft, looked closer at the oarlocks out of curiosity. The oars were mounted to ornate metal rings and had crossbeams to ensure they would not slip out of place. Clasps on the metal rings were latched tight, to remove the oars, one had to open the latches first. This redundant feature was interesting to Kano as the metal work contained carvings he had not seen before. Using his sense magic capability for the first time, he looked around the boat, wondering if anything was special or enchanted that he could discover.
The strange script on the oarlocks looked familiar to him and he looked closer, suddenly receiving a notification in his display.
Item
Description:
Enchanted oarlocks, 4
Quality:
Average
Attributes:
???
Magic oarlocks? I wonder what those do, Kano thought, interrupted by another notification, which he quickly opened.
Magic Capability
Description
Requirements
Mana Point Cost
Sense Magic
Can sense magic within one foot and relative intensity (low, medium, high).
61 magic score
1
Use Magic
Can learn first level spells as well as use Sense Magic, can also read magic scripts that have basic details about an enchanted item's function.
63 magic score
N/A
That is going to come in handy, Kano thought, reading through the updated description of his Capability. While it doesn’t tell me everything, some knowledge is way better than none.
“How are we going to row back upstream? Is that even possible?” Kano asked Luke, the man seated across from him at the adjacent oar.
“There’s an enchantment on the boat,” Luke replied without missing a pull on the oar, “If you ease up a little you’ll feel the oar pull you back into rhythm to match with mine. We could practically row this ship up a waterfall with the oars on this lady.”
Kano tested the oar by trying to leave it in the air while Luke moved his to carve back into the water. The oar pulled Kano’s hands in unison with Luke’s movement and seemed to weigh nothing, the water friction almost nonexistent as his arms moved around in a smooth circle. The ship started hurtling down the river at speeds that he didn’t think were possible.
Other than the ore, the ship had been loaded with some choice agricultural products. A few herbs the shops sold were targeted to men who needed a little extra to get their ardor up and the Three Rivers village grew the best in all of Tropiana.
Neither man seemed interested in conversation and from what Kano understood, the trip to the city would be a day and a half. If they had traveled by horse, it would have taken at least a week. The village, Kano had learned, was very short on horses so they had planned to purchase some in the city on a future trip. When they did, they would make a return trip, with some of the group riding the horses over land. The one boat the village had, that the three men were now rowi
ng down the river, was nowhere near large enough to transport two horses, much less half a dozen.
Time passed and Kano started to reflect for a moment on his life in the village, his learning and most importantly the progress on his stats. The numbers had been growing steadily, and he thought this trip to the city would be the perfect time to start on the next phase of his plan. Truth be told, since he had arrived and taken over the Inn, he'd had designs on a few key areas of improvement in the village.
First and foremost, he knew, he needed to be on the good side of Thomas. The man seemed ambitious and open to ideas, so long as he got what he wanted. Kano could recall dealing with people like that before. As long as they were the biggest fish in their small pond, they were happy. In this case, Kano was going to increase the size of the pond dramatically. He'd seen how Thomas had treated him after freeing the mine and while the man had not promised to allow Kano to lead village defense, it seemed hopeful.