Protector Abilities
See Truth – Once per day, the spoken words of your target become visible to you, allowing you to see the truth held within them. Strength and duration of this effect increase with proficiency. Cost – 60 Aura. Modifier – Wisdom. – 9%
Spells
Enhanced Sight – May be cast on self or ally. Improves visual acuity of the recipient in dark or obscured conditions. Cost – 20 Aura. – 32%
Create Trap – Place a magical trap upon an area. Size, type, and trigger of traps is determined by your proficiency. Cost – 40 Aura. – 20%
Elemental Arrow – Your next arrow is imbued with elemental energy and causes additional elemental damage accordingly. Cost – 30 Aura. – 20%
Bolt – Release a Bolt of pure Lightning at your target(s). Cost – 40 Aura. – 20%
Skills
Bow – 33%
Critical Hit – 29%
Blades – 24%
Short Sword – 24%
Dagger – 21%
Critical Hit – 21%
Two-Handed – 21%
Pole Arms – 7%
Spear – 11%
Armor – 23%
Medium Armor – 25%
Perception – 29%
Environmental – 29%
Identify Enemy – 25%
Identify Person – 25%
Combat Dodge – 21%
Subterfuge – 26%
Stealth – 27%
Find Trap – 5%
Disarm Trap – 4%
Set Trap – 10%
Manipulation – 12%
Persuade – 14%
Barter – 14%
Survival – 23%
Tracking – 24%
Identify Creature (Beasts) – 9%
Skinning – 13%
Field Dress – 12%
Alchemy – 12%
Herbalism – 21%
Potion Craft – 12%
Amazingly, in addition to my new weapon skill, I had gained over 5000 XP during the course of the battle. Although my friends and the other natives of my new home did not receive the same XP benefits as I did, I could see how over a series of campaigns, even raw recruits might quickly be molded into a group of seasoned veterans.
I had also managed to improve some of my Abilities, raising Swarm, Hamstring, Blood Price, and Blind. Unfortunately, I did not use Elemental Arrow or my Bolt Spell during the fight. Adding their particular effects seemed unnecessary at the time, and their use would have been obvious. Adhering to the lessons my friends had taught me, I did not want to give away any of my talents if I didn’t have to.
Despite the missed opportunity, I was extremely pleased with everything I had gained from the battle, especially the unexpected boon to my Experience. Satisfied with the progress, I allowed myself to finally relax and drift off to sleep.
4
I rose early the next morning and found Venna and Stel downstairs in the common room. Since we had no plans for the day, I sat down to join them for a leisurely breakfast, and as I crunched on a piece of bacon, a question occurred to me.
“Those things that attacked yesterday,” I inquired, “I heard the soldiers call them ‘beastkin.’ What are they exactly?”
“What they are is rather obvious,” Venna replied with clear distaste. “They are abominations—an unnatural assemblage of aspects taken from beast and sentient forms, driven only to procreate further and wreak havoc upon the lands. They wander across the Realms, destroying everything they can and mating with anything that might produce offspring for them.”
“What is unknown is how they came to be,” Venna continued. “Some claim they sprang from an accursed tribe of orcs, warped by some powerful magic. Others posit that the origin lies in some ancient centaur ritual gone awry. Many other theories exist, none seeming to have any weight over another.”
“In the end, it doesn’t really matter—the beastkin tribes roam the land, increasing both their numbers and unnatural combinations as they procreate indiscriminately with beasts and humanoids alike.”
“The Realms try to eliminate them on sight, as The Citadel did here,” Stel broke in. “But their numbers are great, and no sooner is one tribe destroyed when yet another is discovered.”
I thought about what his statement meant for our intention to venture out into the realms beyond The Citadel.
“We could not hope to stand against a horde like that outside these walls,” I said.
“No, we couldn’t,” Stel replied. “Fortunately, the great fortresses of the Realms patrol the surrounding areas. They have a vested interest in keeping the ways clear for trade and commerce. This does not make the roads in between safe by any measure, but we should have advance notice of any major threats.”
I knew that most Realms maintained strong fortresses along the major trade roads, so patrolling the lands between these fortresses made sense. There were a few lone traders traveling the lands, as well as some ship traffic between the port cities, but it was the various trade caravans that were the lifeblood of commerce between the many Realms and Kingdoms of the continent. Maintaining regular patrols would certainly ensure that the various powers were well aware of any potential dangers long before they could threaten those vital caravans. Reassured, I returned my attention to the plate of crispy bacon.
Khorim and Broda joined us before long, and we took our time finishing our meal together. With no caravan passing through the fortress and the horror of the fight the day before fresh in our minds, there was no way we would be venturing beyond the walls on our own. Stuck in The Citadel waiting for the next outbound caravan, I decided to try my luck at training with my newest weapon. Taking leave of my friends, I left the inn and sought out the garrison’s training grounds.
The fortress’ interior was a chaotic network of organized mayhem. A large contingent of soldiers was busy clearing the walls of the untold number of charred beastkin bodies, while others tirelessly scrubbed at the stones, attempting to remove the black soot from the battlements. Winding my way through the crowds searching for the training grounds, I became hopelessly lost. Fortunately, the soldiers I asked for directions seemed all too willing to offer me their assistance. Soon, I not only found the training grounds but had also gotten a free pass to the tavern that was normally reserved for the soldiers, courtesy of one very enthusiastic corporal.
Entering the training grounds, I hoped to find Drill Master Evans. If he was not there, I wasn’t sure how long the soldiers might tolerate my presence. Fortunately, I was able to spot him right away.
“Not like that, you idiot!” His commanding voice rang across the practice field. “Do that in combat, and you’ll not only get yourself killed, but half your squad as well!”
His abrasive demeanor made me immediately question the wisdom of my plan. If he was this rough on his own soldiers, how willing was he going to be to help an outsider? As I considered just turning around to leave, the Drill Master caught a glimpse of me.
“Now, look here boys, this is the one I told you about,” the Drill Master shouted, gesturing in my direction.
Based on my past experiences in this world, for a moment I thought some off-color remark might follow his introduction. But the Drill Master was not such a crude man as that.
“She wielded a spear for the first time on the wall yesterday, and I swear she put the lot of you to shame.”
I felt my cheeks grow a little warm at the compliment. I didn’t think I had done particularly well, but I was proud to have the Drill Master’s praise.
“What can I do for you today?” The Drill Master asked, stepping over to me.
“I realized the potential of the spear yesterday and thought to train some more if possible.”
“Hrrumph,” the Drill Master huffed. “I’m wasting my time on these sods today anyway. Might as well train an actual professional.”
After leaving orders with his second in command, the Drill Master escorted me over to a separate area where he could instruct me awa
y from the cacophony of the main training grounds. He led me through a series of drills before demonstrating several different ways to either pierce or slice an enemy with the spear’s deadly point and edges.
During the battle, I had only thought to use the spear as a thrusting weapon, jabbing at the enemy with its deadly point. The Drill Master showed me how to use the sharp edges of the diamond-shaped head to rip and slash an opponent as well. Not only while slashing or thrusting forward, but also while drawing it back again. He also instructed me to use the butt-cap as a secondary weapon, bringing it into play whenever the opportunity arose. When we had gone through a number of offensive techniques, the Drill Master switched to defense.
While the spear’s hardened wood could withstand most blows, I learned it was best to try and use the extended metal behind the spearhead to fend off any attacks. Going through a series of maneuvers, I acquired the ability to shorten up my grip and bring metal, rather than wood, to bear while fending off the Drill Master’s mock attacks.
“You’ve done well,” the Drill Master complimented me. “I dare say you’ve picked up more than most of my recruits would in many months of training.”
“I owe it all to my teacher,” I said, returning his praise.
“You do, at that,” he replied with a broad smile.
“Now, if I guess correctly, you’ll be stuck here at least a few days waiting for a caravan heading north,” the Drill Master said as he escorted me out of the training grounds.
“I think I’ve taught you all I can with the spear, but if there’s any other weapon you want to try your hand at, I can probably see you again tomorrow. Just know that after that, I won’t have the time.”
“Thank you, Drill Master, that’s very generous of you,” I answered.
Having an instructor of his caliber offer to train me was an incredible opportunity—one I couldn’t pass up. I would have to think hard about what weapon I wanted to learn the next day.
“The privilege is mine,” he replied. “Too few of my recruits have any real aptitude for weapons training. While they can fight decently, you’ve got a real knack for it. Today’s training reminded me what it was like to have a real student again.”
“I am honored,” I said humbly. “I will give a great deal of consideration to my decision tonight. Do you have any suggestions?”
“I’ve already seen that you know the bow well enough, and by the way you wear them, I’d say the same about your skills with those short swords and daggers,” he answered. “I might suggest the long sword. It would offer some increase in damage, while still allowing you to fight two-handed.”
“I had considered that weapon before, but I prefer to have my blades behind my back, out of the way.”
“I see,” he replied with a look in his eyes that I could not decipher. “I have just the thing. Come back tomorrow, and I will train you once more.”
After thanking him again, I left the training grounds and headed back to the inn. Walking across the courtyard, I noticed the sun hanging low in the late afternoon sky. My time sparring and training with the Drill Master had been so intense that I hadn’t realized just how long I had spent there. Rushing inside the inn, I didn’t see any of my companions, so I took a seat at an empty table and ordered myself some food.
When I had finished eating, I stepped outside and took a seat on the inn’s small porch. I cast Enhanced Sight on myself and then, taking advantage of the many soldiers constantly passing by, began practicing the Identify Person talent. They were probably the only talents I could work on while we were stuck here, and I didn’t want to waste the opportunity.
When the sky darkened, the soldiers slammed the western gates shut and the night watch began. After a while, the steady flow of soldiers passing by slowed to a mere trickle. While my chances to work on Identify Person dwindled, Enhanced Sight began to have greater effect.
The growing shadows, while normally an impediment, revealed their secrets to me willingly. I watched as cats hunted among the darkness, stalking mice and rats in the dwindling light. I could also see, more clearly than I wanted to, a pair of young soldiers sharing an impassioned moment in a location they had thought was well-hidden from prying eyes. I chose to look elsewhere as the couple vigorously continued their romantic liaison. The soldiers of The Citadel risked life and limb protecting these lands, so if they managed to find comfort in each other’s arms during a few spare moments, I was not going to intrude on their privacy.
Eventually, I gave up on training my talents for the night. I had another day of intense exercise ahead of me tomorrow and wanted to get to bed early. Leaving the inn’s porch, I returned to my room and curled up in bed.
As I lay there, I realized that I had forgotten to check my progress for the day. I didn’t expect much from a single day of weapon training and a few hours on the porch, but I had promised myself that I would check at least once a day, lest some unexpected notification pass unseen.
You have reached 20% proficiency in the Pole Arms sub-skill, Spear. Proficiency gains slow after achieving 20% proficiency. Note that combat skills cannot be self-trained beyond 20% proficiency. Any proficiency gains beyond 20% can only be obtained via actual combat, through training with a mentor possessing sufficient mastery, or by certain magical means.
Quest completed — You have completed the optional quest Train with the Master. Gaining the respect of a true Master is no small feat. You have done well to earn that respect and have been rewarded 220 XP. Note, This Quest is non-repeatable.
I had been expecting the first notification, but the second one was a surprise. While the XP reward was relatively small, I still felt a certain sense of pride in the achievement. Closing the notifications window, I opened up my full character sheet.
Dreya Dae
Human Female
Level - 10
32744/34200
Health 190/190 Aura 430/430 Endurance 190/190
Class – Warden – Wardens gain a 10% bonus to skills associated with nature or which have natural effects
Specialization – Protector
Mastery –
STR - 21
CON - 19
DEX - 22
INT - 20
WIS - 16 (+1)
CHA - 25 (+1)
Abilities
Ignore Armor – Your next arrow will ignore a portion of the target’s armor. Cost – 20 Aura. – 25%
Stun – Your next arrow has a chance to stun its target on hit. Cost - 20 Aura. – 23%
Block – You may attempt to use your bow to parry a single melee attack. Cost – 20 Endurance. – 20%
Swarm – Your next arrow duplicates itself in flight. Cost - 20 Endurance and 20 Aura. – 31%
Flurry – Perform three rapid strikes with a bladed weapon. Cost-30 Endurance. – 21%
Parry – Chance for your blades to block next melee attack targeted at you. Cost – 20 Endurance. – 20%
Hamstring – The next arrow fired has a chance to cripple your opponent. Cost – 20 Aura. – 22%
Hilt Bash – Stun your opponent with a successful hilt strike from your bladed weapon. Cost – 30 Endurance. – 20%
Blood Price – Your arrow inflicts a damage-over-time bleed effect. Cost – 30 Aura. – 23%
Blind – Your next arrow has a chance to inflict blindness on a successful hit. Cost – 30 Aura. – 22%
Achilles Strike – Cripple your target with a slash of your bladed weapon. Cost – 30 Endurance. – 20%
Protector Abilities
See Truth – Once per day, the spoken words of your target become visible to you, allowing you to see the truth held within them. Strength and duration of this effect increase with proficiency. Cost – 60 Aura. Modifier – Wisdom. – 9%
Spells
Enhanced Sight – May be cast on self or ally. Improves visual acuity of the recipient in dark or obscured conditions. Cost – 20 Aura. – 33%
Create Trap – Place a magical trap upon an area. Size, type, and trigger o
f traps is determined by your proficiency. Cost – 40 Aura. – 20%
Elemental Arrow -Your next arrow is imbued with elemental energy and causes additional elemental damage accordingly. Cost – 30 Aura. – 20%
Bolt – Release a Bolt of pure Lightning at your target(s). Cost – 40 Aura. – 20%
Skills
Bow – 33%
Critical Hit – 29%
Blades – 24%
Short Sword – 24%
Dagger – 21%
Critical Hit – 21%
Two-Handed – 21%
Pole Arms – 14%
Spear – 23%
Armor – 23%
Medium Armor – 25%
Perception – 29%
Environmental – 29%
Identify Enemy – 25%
Identify Person – 26%
Combat Dodge – 21%
Subterfuge – 26%
Stealth – 27%
Find Trap – 5%
Disarm Trap – 4%
Set Trap – 10%
Manipulation – 12%
Persuade – 14%
Barter – 14%
Survival – 23%
Tracking – 24%
Identify Creature (Beasts) – 9%
Skinning – 13%
Field Dress – 12%
Alchemy – 12%
Herbalism – 21%
Potion Craft – 12%
My gains in Identify Person and Enhanced Sight were minimal, as I had anticipated, but I had expected my Spear skill to have topped out at the 20% proficiency mark. The progress I had made under the tutelage of the Drill Master was incredible. Clearly, he was a Master in more than just name; one who was able to help me advance my skill beyond even the 20% training limitation. Only then did I realize the true value of the additional lesson he had offered me.
Humbled once again by his generosity, I found myself appreciating the time he had spent with me and the praise he had given even more. I knew I was lucky to have even met a Weapon Master, and doubly so to have him offer to train me. It was yet another example of just how much fortune had seemed to smile on me in this world. Despite all the hardships and difficulties, there always seemed to be a ray of light shining down on me through all of it. I wondered if it truly was just a matter of good luck, or if perhaps it was my high Charisma stat that was helping turn people’s attitudes in my favor. Regardless of the reason for my current good fortune, I vowed to put forth my best effort tomorrow and make the Drill Master proud of me yet again.
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