After lunches with Mills, Skree played with Zuka, happy to feel his reassuring presence in his mind. Zuka loved running around on the deck though the sight of a wild animal loose on the ship had made more than a few of the crew members nervous. After they met Zuka in person and realized he was no normal animal, they accepted that it was just one more strange thing aboard the Typhoon thanks to his presence. One afternoon, Skree had an idea. What if the skills available to Zuka via Companion Talent Points weren’t the only way he could learn?
It had taken several hours, but he had finally taught Zuka something new. Though it hadn’t given him a prompt for a new ability, he was happy that his companion could learn new battle tactics. He called it Alpha Strike, at least until he could come up with something better. Skree would deliver a long reaching, overhead strike that would leave him over extended and bent nearly in half at the waist. Once he finished the movement, Zuka would leap over his back and tackle anyone on the other side. He didn’t know how well it would work, but it excited him to try it out.
After his time with Zuka, the big wolf would find a comfy pile of sail cloth or rope and curl up for a nap in the dimming light of evening. Despite usually being bone tired he would find Fenna and spar with her for at least an hour. Occasionally, Mills, Jury or one of the other crew members asked to spar with him. He was just relieved to practice against someone that wasn’t Fenna for a change. She usually trounced him, but he was getting better at dealing with her high speed attacks. One evening, when she repeatedly beat him and his frustration had boiled to the surface, he asked how she could kick his ass so easily every time.
“How are you able to best me without even trying?”
She bristled at his question. “And why do you think you should be able to beat me?”
“I am six levels higher than you. I should have higher attributes and… I don’t know. It seems like I should be able to beat you, at least occasionally!” he said loudly, more frustrated than angry. With his level advantage, he should be able to win more.
“You know, every time I doubt your amnesia story, you ask a question like that, letting me know once again; you really are a sheep in wolf’s clothing.” Her derisive tone irked him greatly.
“Well then, why don’t you explain it?” he asked, the words sounding bitter to his ears.
She crossed her arms with a coy smile. “You need to ask a little nicer than that. I’m a lady, remember?”
He rolled his eyes. “Fine. Please tell me why you are so much better than me.”
“That’s more like it.” She said. “What level is your Great Weapon skill?”
He checked his character sheet, seeing that his skill had ranked up, though that damn training lock was still in place, limiting his skill max to rank 20.
“Twenty, but I have earned rank 28. It’s locked by this training requirement.” He said dejectedly. “How is it I am gaining skill with the weapon, but the skill remains locked?”
She relaxed, sheathing her sword and leaning against a stack of crates. “Well then, it’s simple. I am more skilled than you and have the training to back it.” Her eyes unfocused for a few seconds. “You have the Analyze ability, correct?” He nodded. “Then please, Analyze me.” She said, running her hands suggestively down the front of her chest.
Huffing at her never ending attitude, Skree used Analyze.
Name: Fenna Lis
Class: Level 12 Scout
Profession: Sailor - Captain
HP: 385
Mana: 285
Stamina: 425
Skills (Weapons Only)
Short Sword - Rank 81
Long Sword - Rank 75
Unarmed Combat - Rank 52
Ranged Weapons - Rank 48
Daggers - Rank 26
His jaw nearly hit the floor when he read the displayed skill list.
“Fenna, how in the hell do you have such high skill ranks at level 12?” he asked in amazement.
“Training.” She said. “My father spent most of his life as a sailor and explorer. He traveled extensively through the many free cities and knowing how to protect yourself was of the utmost importance. When he finally put down roots and built Theseldora, he decided that he should train any daughter of his to defend herself as early as possible. For years I worked with the best instructors that money could buy and trained in countless weapons until he felt I was ready to face the world.” She shrugged. “If you have a lot of money and a lot of free time, it’s amazing what you can pick up.”
“But…” he started then trailed off. “If you are so high in the skill ranks, how are you still just level 12?”
She sighed. “Because skills are not dependent on your level. You aren’t as skilled as you think. Honestly, I don’t even know how you’re still alive.”
His eyebrow shot up at her casual mockery. “Because I have fought and bled, without fancy training. I earned every rank.”
She tsked. “I doubt that. Let me ask you something. When you leveled and earned skill points, did you buy ranks in Great Weapons?”
“Well, yeah, obviously.” He said, not understanding why that was important.
“Think of it like this - Every time you swing a sword, you earn a small amount of skill and experience. Swing a sword enough times, get a new rank. You follow?” she asked as if he was a child.
He attached the weapon to his back, the magnetic magic holding it in place. “Again, obviously.”
“So let me ask you this. Have you ever met a lumberjack?”
He shook his head. “Maybe, but you know, amnesia and all that.”
“Right. So here is the deal. If a lumberjack fells a thousand trees with an axe, would you think he is proficient in fighting with said axe?”
“Maybe?” he said hesitantly, knowing she was walking him into a trap.
She shrugged again. “Good answer. He would have the strength and the skill to use an axe, but to fight with an axe? To kill monsters with that axe? Maybe still. But do you think he would stand a chance against a trained axe fighter from the Orc Tribes?”
“Probably not.” He said, seeing where this was heading.
“Just because you can swing a sword and understand which one’s the pointy end doesn’t make you a skilled fighter. That my friend, takes training, rigorous training.” She patted the hilt of her sword. “Training I have. Levels, I don’t.”
“Honestly, I think I am more confused than ever. If I get skill ranks with each level but it doesn’t make me technically better as a fighter why do I even get skill points?” he asked trying to understand this weird system.
“Abilities and bonuses silly. You can use powerful techniques and attacks even though you have never formally received instruction on how to use them, am I right?”
He considered the many abilities he had learned so far. Sunder, Cleave, and at rank 15 he had earned the Shock Trooper perk. He instinctively knew how to use them even though he didn’t know how he knew. “That makes some sense, but why does it stop allowing you to increase after rank 20?”
“Think about our lumberjack. He has never killed a man in cold blood, never had to face down a raging beast and yet, he should have enough skill ranks to decimate almost any foe right?After all, he has achieved 100 skill ranks in axes.” Her face spread into a grin. “That’s why it requires training to go past rank 20. If every lumberjack in the world suddenly mastered Axe fighting by felling trees, I doubt there would be any trees left in all of Raiya.” She said matter-of-factly.
“So if he trained, he would become one of the deadliest fighters in the world?” he asked sarcastically. “Seems like an easy way to earn skill ranks.”
“But once again, our poor lumberjack stops earning skill ranks from fighting defenseless trees. He may reach rank twenty and unlock a few abilities, but without the proper training and skilled opponents, he will never go beyond that point. No matter how many wooden bad guys he slays.”
Skree struggled to wrap his head around the concept. “If yo
u are such a deadly fighter, why aren’t you a higher level?”
She gave an exaggerated whimper, sticking out her bottom lip. “Therein lies the rub. I have the skills to fight, the training to use those skills, but until this year, I had killed nothing, not even livestock. I lived a carefree life of endless instruction but absolutely no danger. When we first met, I was only level 9, and almost all of those levels had come from skill rank bonuses. Technically, you probably have more real world combat experience than I do.” She threw up her hands in mock anger and yelled at the sky. “Oh, why did I have such a comfortable life as a rich lass? I would be so much stronger if only my father would have let me run about in the woods, fighting monsters and killing men.”
“So levels are for increasing attributes, and boosting skills, but increasing a skill rank doesn’t make you inherently better at fighting, only allowing you to learn abilities that require certain ranks.” He intoned, thinking through his words.
She nodded. “Now you’re getting it! So adding it all together, I know how to use these weapons from hours and hours of difficult training, but I have lower stats than you do. Meaning if you and I hit the same target, you would do significantly more base damage than I would, based on your strength and skill ranks. Alternatively, I could use far more combat abilities than you, but I don’t meet the minimum level requirements for most. Hence the conundrum.”
He nodded, finally getting a solid grasp on the mechanics. “So you are skilled, understand how to fight and can use raw talent, but you cannot use many abilities that would allow you to be that much stronger.” He squinted, brows furrowed in concentration. “So a higher level person has more attributes and can use more abilities, but without serious training they won’t unlock those abilities. If you want to be a powerful fighter or wizard, you need to be both a higher level and have trained extensively under a skilled master.”
“And that concludes today’s lesson. No matter how far you push either levels or skill, you will still be weaker than someone who has both. The main benefit of levels is increasing your attributes. You can do all the push-ups you like, but without high attributes from leveling, you could not increase your base attributes beyond a certain point.They call it diminishing returns.” She marched over, holding her palm up. She had a mischievous grin plastered on her face.
He looked at her hand, then back up at her. “What?”
“A teacher deserves payment, don’t you think?” she asked. When she didn’t lower her hand and her expression shifted to annoyance, he realized she was serious.
“Wait, you really want me to pay you for explaining that?”
She glanced to her outstretched hand. “I expect to be paid for everything I do.”
And so it went, each day following the same routine as he settled into life at sea. According to Hawkins, they were less than three days from Theseldora and making good speed. Each day he piloted the ship, increasing his piloting skill rank little by little. Life had become routine, almost boring. He loved sparring with the crew, and he was happy to be moving toward a new destination that held great possibility, but even he craved something a little more exciting than staring at the endless skies.
Chapter 11
He was gazing off into the distance, listening to the gently rolling waves and hiss of the Typhoon as it cut through the water when a shout snapped him out of his daze.
“Ship off the port bow!” Mills called from the crow’s nest. Skree looked into the distant horizon and saw nothing in the direction Mills indicated.
“Colors?” Hawkins shouted.
“Definitely a pirate flag. Can’t quite make out the ship though. Cutting a hard line for an intercept, all sails full up.”
Hawkins looked to Skree, who was twitching nervously at the wheel. “Mister Skree, adjust course, 45 degrees starboard.”
He nodded and spun the wheel to the new course, turning the ship sharply.
They sailed on in silence for a few minutes when Mills called out again, “It’s the Golden Rose Sir. Still flying the pirate colors and it adjusted course again, definitely intending to intercept.”
Hawkins rang the bell, signaling all hands once again. The ship burst to life as the crew sprinted across the deck and took their designated positions. Captain Lis sprinted up to the bridge, checking the port side with her looking glass. She turned back to the deck and addressed the crew. “Ladies and gentlemen, it appears Captain Delavega wishes to take the Typhoon.” The crew roared their disapproval and drew steel, holding their swords above their heads.
“And what do we do to greedy sea dogs who want to take our home?” she yelled.
“Send em to the bottom!” they roared.
“Battle stations!”
The crew ran to their assigned stations and Skree heard a dozen or more unfamiliar thumps.
“What is that banging sound?” he asked Hawkins.
“That is the cannons being locked into their bays. The Typhoon has twenty-six ten-pounders loaded and ready to fire.”
Heart racing with excitement, Skree maintained his course, doing his best to minimize direction changes that would slow the ship. “Hawkins, shouldn’t you take the wheel? Your profession bonuses and skill would give us a better chance of outrunning them.”
Hawkins turned to face him, wearing a slight grin. On a normal person, the expression would have been barely noticeable, but on Hawkins, it was huge and scary. “Who said anything about outrunning them?” he asked.
“I think I would be more useful in combat than piloting the ship. I don’t know how to pilot during ship to ship combat!” He replied, letting his nervousness show. “Can Adelaide take over?” he asked, referring to the night Helmsman. According to Mills, she was nearly as skilled as Hawkins and used to sail in one of the Central Kingdom navies.
“You need the experience. You have become a competent pilot over the last few weeks and this is just another skill you need to learn.” Hawkins said.
“But I…” he wanted to offer a rebuttal but a scathing glare from Hawkins cut him off.
“Mister Skree, are you refusing an order from a superior officer?” he asked with a dangerous anger creeping into his voice.
Skree shut his mouth, grabbed a hold of the wheel with purpose and shouted, “No Sir!”
“Fantastic!” Fenna said with a wild grin. “I have been hoping for a fight.”
Hawkins gave her a frustrated and knowing look. “Why is Captain Delavega attacking the Typhoon Fenna?”
She shot him an exaggerated frown. “And why would you think I have anything to do with it?”
“Because I know you, and I know Delavega. He may be a vain prick, too pretty for his own good, but he wouldn’t attack a fellow pirate ship, especially one from Theseldora.” He said flatly.
“Well,” she said, “Ask him when he gets here.” She jumped onto the railing of the bridge and grabbed hold of some ropes for balance. She drew her sword and pointed toward the Golden Rose. “Mister Skree, adjust our course for an intercept. We have a prize to take!”
He spun the wheel without hesitation, turning the ship to an intercept course. Within minutes they would be within striking range.
“Mister Skree,” Hawkins said getting his attention. “Do not lose speed when crossing the broadside of the Rose. She has strong guns and will tear a hole in the hull with ease. Try to maintain a forty-five degree firing arc toward the aft of the ship. I will call out any corrections needed. The crew manning the guns below decks will do their job and fire the heavy breaching balls. Once we have done enough damage to the hull, the top deck cannons will let loose with grapeshot and chain shot, softening the crew and damaging the sails. When they have slowed enough, we will attempt to board and take the capture point of the ship.”
He did a double-take. “Capture point? You never told me about a capture point!”
“Didn’t think it would be useful. Never expected an attack on the way back to Theseldora. Once the two ships have grappled, each crew will attempt
to board and take the capture point. If they can hold the capture point for two minutes, or disable or kill all enemy crew members, then you win the battle, and take the ship as a prize.” He explained quickly.
“Hawkins, where is the capture point located?” Skree asked nervously.
“You’re standing on it.”
“How do you take the capture point?”
“You must keep the capture point free of the enemy crew or outnumber them two-to-one while in the capture point. You must stay inside the capture point at all costs and repel anyone who enters. Once the ships are together, the helmsman’s primary duty is to keep the bridge and the capture point safe.”
Fenna looked at him with that characteristic grin. “Do not lose my ship or there will be hell to pay.”
He nodded. He closed his eyes and focused his thoughts into a mental shout. “Zuka!” Moments later, his companion rushed from below decks and launched himself up the stairs and onto the bridge.
“Hi Doggy.” Fenna said as the wolf sat next to Skree. Zuka growled his frustration then barked at her. She stuck out her tongue, taunting the wolf. A word from Zuka echoed in Skreemind.
“Eat?”
He chuckled and shook his head. Looking at Fenna he said, “No Zuka, you cannot eat the Captain.” His companion whined loudly, expressing his dissatisfaction.
Fenna laughed loudly. “Don’t worry little Zuka, there will be enough prey for everyone in a few minutes. Keep my ship safe, yeah?” she asked.
Zuka barked his understanding.
“Good boy!” she said happily. She looked over the water at the Golden Rose and shuddered in excitement. “Now, Mister Skree, let’s take that ship.”
Skree received a notification as the ships closed to within a thousand yards of each other.
You have entered Naval Combat - firing arcs now visible. Green areas show the ship’s optimal range for cannon fire, yellow areas show outside of optimal range and Red areas show out of range.
Raiya- Early Game Page 8