Beastborne
Page 37
But he was solid and sturdy, unlike anything he ever experienced before. Perhaps not as “thicc” as Mira liked her men, but he was okay with that.
The chair Hal was sitting in creaked a little under the newly added weight. That was an interesting side-effect. One that he wasn’t sure whether or not he liked.
Every point of VIT increased his weight by about five pounds. Hal was nearly double the average healthy weight for his size.
Each added pound came in the form of a denser body. Back on Earth, if he weighed nearly 300 pounds he would have trouble fitting through his door. Thankfully, VIT didn’t work that way on Aldim.
The image of large rotund tanks did bring a smile to his face though.
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After seeing - and feeling - the gains of increasing his VIT, Hal could understand Thirty-seven’s desire to be a tank. With sufficiently high VIT, wounds that would have instantly killed Hal early on would feel like a mosquito bite.
However, he was aware that he couldn’t keep increasing his VIT forever. He would eventually have to turn back to his three main stats of INT, MND, and CHR.
They were going into increasingly more dangerous territory, with the Shiverglades awaiting them on the other side of the Barrier Mountains. While he might not hold people back as much as he used to, he still needed to improve himself.
And while he wouldn’t be passing out from a stiff breeze anytime soon, if he wasn’t able to do much with his vaunted Beast Magic, what was the point of it? Even after increasing Beastborne to Level 19, his Burden Points had not increased.
Which meant he was effectively capped at the number of spells he could set each day. That would be his next priority. After they set up in the Shiverglades, he would delve deeper into Beast Magic. There had to be something there. Besal had hinted at as much.
Hal turned his attention back to his latest long-term project, the [Shard of Density]. It was a palm-sized ossified metal lattice around a large [Empyreal Shardite] crystal of high quality he had Crag McDervish craft for him.
Considering the copper-bearded dwarf always appeared to be in a sour mood, Hal thought the man would turn him down. Or at least charge him an unsurmountable fee.
As it happened, the dwarf was more than happy to work with the material and offered to do it for free. Something Hal more than welcomed. There wasn’t a soul alive that could probably take advantage of that wily dwarf and Hal was under no illusions that he could or had managed that singular feat.
While Hal instructed Mira in the art of Bonecrafting, Hal was working on making what essentially amounted to a mana battery. Something that could hold, store - and in this case condense - mana for later retrieval.
His original idea of constantly making higher and higher quality bone weapons in order to inject more mana took a backseat to this project. Several iterations went into making the [Shard of Density] and he still wasn’t done with it. Nor would he be for quite some time.
[Bonecrafting | Stage III Imbuement]
Item: Shard of Density
Rarity: Fabled
Bonus Points: 18/18
Enchantments 0/2
MP Storage: 0/200
Durability: 450/450
Details:
Empyreal Shardite Core II
Mana Saturated Bone
Enchantments:
Mana Condenser II
[Empyreal Shardite] is a known conduit of mana and magical effects. Infusing the crystalline substance into the bone matrix creates a new element. One of crystal-and-bone. In the spaces between the hollowed cells of marrow, crystalline channels have grown.
These channels can not only accept mana to empower but can also condense that mana at a rate of 2 to 1, due to the refined nature of [Empyreal Shardite]. This mana can be extracted for use later. The unfortunate side effect is the item’s weight increases dramatically.
Tier II Effects: +15% Mana Condensing
Ossified Metal
By combining metal and bone, you have created a new element. Ossified metal has the strength of hardened steel but the lightness of bone. Applying this enchantment increases Damage, Durability, Lowers Weight, and makes the item exceptionally conductive. Conductive elemental effects are improved.
A side-effect of using Ossified Metal was that it increased the effectiveness of the mana condensing effects. There was a lot of synergy and additional mechanics at play that Hal didn’t quite understand yet.
By combining both enchantments he was able to dramatically improve the MP storage capability of the [Shard of Density].
Before Hal could try any other enchantment combinations, Mira startled him by sitting down at the table beside him. Her wet hair was hanging loosely about her shoulders. The sides had grown out, ruining the faux hawk effect she had when they first met.
Her violet eyes glanced across the bones. “Man this is so cool,” she muttered under her breath.
“I’m glad you like it.”
“I mean, think about it, Hal.” She picked up a carved piece of bone shaped like a speartip. “I’m going to take an animal’s bones to stab another animal. If that isn’t metal as all heck, I don’t know what is!”
When they first struck up the agreement, Hal was a bit nervous about the whole affair. Mostly because he felt more than a little weirded out that somebody else would be essentially handling his bones.
It felt weirdly personal.
Luckily, Mira was more than happy to use her own supply. One that the woman had in large amounts. Hal didn’t bother to ask where she got them and she didn’t ask if she could use Hal’s bones.
Unlike Hal, Mira had to use tools to shape the bone. It seemed Hal’s bone shaping abilities from his aberration attunements allowed him to excel at Bonecrafting where Mira was struggling.
Despite her difficulties, she was shaping up to be a competent crafter. Watching her, Hal understood where she was going wrong and how to properly shave or cut away at the bone to get the shape she desired.
It was surreal having knowledge he knew he never worked for. It was just… there. As soon as he saw how Mira was holding the tools, he wrapped his hands around hers and instructed her in their proper use.
And that was in spite of Hal never touching those items in his life, much less using them with any degree of skill.
Teaching another person Bonecrafting had an interesting effect. Hal gained several levels of Bonecrafting largely from tutoring Mira.
Your Bonecrafting has risen to Level 5.
…
Your Bonecrafting has risen to Level 8.
+1.1% Crafting speed (+8.8%).
+1.2% MP efficiency (+9.6%).
+10% CP generation (+10%).
What time he had to himself, or when she was busy working on her items was spent with his various iterations of the [Shard of Density]. He still didn’t have enough skill to make it work right, but the more he tinkered with it the closer he came.
They passed the time in relative silence together, punctuated mostly by a colorful stream of swearing from Mira that would make a dwarf’s hairy cheeks blush.
“Why can’t I just do this and it takes however many hours it takes?” Mira asked after a few hours. “When you explained the whole CP thing, I figured I’d be able to auto-pilot this.”
Hal shrugged. “I’m far from a master, but what I’ve found is that CP only comes into play when you’re following a prescribed recipe. If you know how to do it, or have a series of steps instructing you, all it takes is your time and effort to complete it.
“By making something new and different, you’re doing an entirely different thing. The same is true when you’re altering a recipe I’ve found. Creating variations takes a lot longer but once you have a recipe, then it’s usually a simple reflection of your current CP.”
“I feel like you’re pulling that from your bum,” Mira said, looking up at him with a sour expression. “But after already asking Ashera, your explanation makes sense.”
“If you already asked Ash
era, why did you bother asking me?”
Mira rolled her wrist and went back to work. “Oh, you know how it is. Ashera’s so dry sometimes. I just sorta… tune in and out. So combined, the two of you made a decent explanation.”
Hal rolled his eyes and went back to work.
Removing the shard of [Brilliance] had the intended effect of removing the Ossified Metal enchantment and summarily dropping the stored MP by 50 points.
He placed in a [Glittersilk Cocoon] in its stead. The metallic latticework that encased the shifting blue-to-yellow [Empyreal Shardite] vanished. In its place was a much smaller [Shard of Density].
Instead of being the size of his fist, it was about the size of a casino token. The threads of the cocoon turned blacker than anything he’d ever seen. If not for holding it in the palm of his hand, it would seem like a pit of emptiness.
From within the threads came the gentle glittering light of the stars. They ranged from familiar blue-white pinpricks of brilliance to the hue of [Empyreal Shardite], shifting from yellow to blue and back again.
And it was impossibly light. A gentle breeze could blow it out of his hand. But what truly surprised him was the prompt that showed up.
[Bonecrafting | Stage III Imbuement]
Enchantment Discovered: Starsilk
Taking [Glittersilk’s] naturally magical nature to the next level, it has combined with the ossified material to create [Starsilk]. Not just an enchantment, [Starsilk] is itself a new type of item. Hard as steel but soft and light as silk. With the addition of [Empyreal Shardite], the [Starsilk’s] natural mana conductivity is greatly enhanced.
Improvement Statistics
Durability: A
Defense: A
Special: S
Recipe Unlocked: Starsilk.
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“What’re you grinning at?” Mira asked him.
Hal was looking at the new stats of his [Shard of Density] and was quite pleased.
That he could now create [Starsilk] was an even greater achievement. Though he didn’t think he had enough ingredients to try making anything big enough to be made into armor. He shoved the thoughts aside, realizing that he was getting ahead of himself and turned back to the [Shard of Destiny].
[Bonecrafting | Stage III Imbuement]
Item: Shard of Density
Rarity: Fabled
Bonus Points: 18/18
Enchantments 0/2
MP Storage: 0/320
Durability: 600/600
Details:
Empyreal Shardite Core II
Mana Saturated Bone
Enchantments:
Mana Condenser II
[Empyreal Shardite] is a known conduit of mana and magical effects. Infusing the crystalline substance into the bone matrix creates a new element. One of crystal-and-bone. In the spaces between the hollowed cells of marrow, crystalline channels have grown.
These channels can not only accept mana to empower but can also condense that mana at a rate of 2 to 1, due to the refined nature of [Empyreal Shardite]. This mana can be extracted for use later. The unfortunate side effect is the item’s weight increases dramatically.
Tier II Effects: +15% Mana Condensing
Starsilk
Taking [Glittersilk’s] naturally magical nature to the next level, it has combined with the ossified material to create [Starsilk]. Not just an enchantment, [Starsilk] is itself a new type of item. Hard as steel but soft and light as silk. With the addition of [Empyreal Shardite], the [Starsilk’s] natural mana conductivity is greatly enhanced.
The increase was staggering. That was practically his entire MP that could be held within the small black cocoon of glittering stars.
“I might have just found the holy grail of materials, but I’m going to need a lot more Glittersilk. After we get things settled in the Shiverglades, how do you feel about joining me on an expedition to the Glitterwood?”
Mira’s wide grin took in both her pointed ears. “You had me at expedition.”
“That really doesn’t seem wise,” Elora was saying as she sat beside Lurklox on the driver’s bench.
Hal, sitting on the other side of the diminutive koblin shook his head. “What did you expect me to say?”
They were discussing Hal’s offer to Luda to come train and spar with himself and Mira every night. News that the Wildsmaster didn’t take too well.
“How about, ‘no’?”
“Is it my place to act like her father?”
“It is your place to act as a teacher?” Elora shot back.
Luda and her attendants were spending the day with the dwarves in the supply wagon. One of her disciples was a skilled Carpenter and was lending a hand to some creation or other that the dwarves had cooked up. Ever the curious one, Luda had insisted on coming along to view the process.
Seeing this as a sign away from her more dangerous pursuits and desires, they wholeheartedly agreed. Leaving Hal’s wagon emptier than it had been in a long while.
Of course, as soon as Hal told them his intention of including Luda in his nightly sparring sessions with Mira, Elora had made her criticisms known. Loudly, and frequently.
Hal shrugged. “Nobody else is going to do it.”
For once, that seemed to shut Elora up. She opened her mouth to retort and then shut it with an audible click.
“Pssshkoh, Lurklox does not understand. Why playfight bad? Make fast quickthink. Expand braincase!”
“She is just a child,” Elora countered.
Lurklox nodded her masked head, her floppy green ears bobbing with the motion. “When smallkobby the bestest clocktick to be doing the playfight. Elora furrowbrow too much. Hal-Savior is only handlending, never truehurt Luda.”
As usual, Hal only understood about every other word but he thought Lurklox was agreeing with him. “Listen, I don’t have many skills she can learn from me anyway. It’s not like I can teach her Beast Magic, or how to be a Beastborne.”
“That’s also a terrible idea,” Mira put in, sticking her head in from the cabin of the wagon.
When they turned to her she actually blushed for the first time that Hal had seen in a long while. Mira cleared her throat and made her voice into a sickly sweet parody of itself. “Oh I mean, you’re just so unique Hal. How ever could any of your very close friends stand by and allow you to share your unique gift that isn’t terrifying or potential murderous at all!
“Especially not with a young girl already beset by emotional trauma and weak willpower. Surely nothing will go wrong there! Tee hee! There, that better?”
“Yes, thank you,” Hal said dryly.
“Besides,” Elora said, “You can’t instruct somebody until you’re Level twenty-five,” Elora said off-handedly.
“Wait, what?”
She tsk’d and shook her head. “Once you’re Level twenty-five in a single Class you can become a trainer. Guiding people through those Class requirements and helping them on their way to attaining it for themselves. Usually, people set up schools for rare and powerful Classes and then charge a hefty sum for the tutelage.
“Most of them are scams but some are quite real. With Rinbast in control, there’s a very short list of available schools and an even shorter list of who is allowed to teach it regardless of their Level.”
“She’s right, mostly at least,” Mira said as she crawled through to the driver’s seat and sat between Lurklox and Hal, forcing him to sit on the far edge of the bench. “Mmm, cozy.”
Hal shook his head and leaned back against the wagon’s wall, watching the green hillsides roll out ahead of them for miles. As they turned toward the east, keeping the silvery ribbon that laced through the hilly countryside on their right, Hal wondered how he could facilitate that.
“Any Class?” Hal asked.
“As far as I know.”
“What about Professions like Alchemy and the like?”
“I think they have the same requirement too,” Elora said, though she sounded unsure. “Most people are able to
discover the main Professions pretty quickly and with a little effort. Playing around cutting on wood usually is enough for people to discover Carpentry even if they never heard of it before. While the Profession, is usually unlocked at Carpentry Level 10.”
“But Hal was able to teach me Bonecrafting pretty quickly,” Mira said, nudging Hal with her elbow. “Of course, I had to give up my very precious time in exchange. My love life is surely going to suffer now.”
“That’s probably a different case then,” Elora said, folding her arms over her chest and lowering her head so her hood fell the rest of the way over her blonde hair. “Wake me when we get closer.”
Taking the dismissal for what it was, Hal patted Lurklox affectionately on the shoulder and looked to Mira. “If you’re staying out here, I need you to move aside so I can get into the wagon.”
Mira looked at Elora, then Hal. With a shrug, she opened the door and slipped back inside. Hal followed and once inside, went about making himself a cup of mint tea.
“I can’t believe she did the hood thing,” Mira said, already lounging on her bunk with one leg dangling over the edge.
“You get used to it.”
“But I was looking at the stupid grass! I missed it! It’s just so dang cool. I mean, does she even realize how cool she is, or is that like… part of the coolness factor?”
“What are you talking about, Mira?” Noth asked, sitting at the table with Ashera sorting out dried herbs.
Ashera was quizzing her on their properties.
Mira twisted around and sat up on her bunk in one smooth motion, turning to face the rest of the wagon. Angram was out on a karak with a few of the Rangers, watching their flanks and making sure to keep an eye out for some dragon a few dwarfs swore they saw the other night.