Augment Rune: Defiant - Fireball

The flames of this spell are harder to extinguish by non-magical means.

Augment Rune: Defiant - Mirage Wyrm’s Wings

Wings produced by this spell will be more effective in all weather conditions.

Augment Rune: Defiant - Binding Point

When the physical power of the individual targets exceeds that of the caster, the binding point becomes significantly stronger.

Soul Slot bonus: effect increased when Caster is injured.

Augment Rune: Defiant - Mirage Wyrm Whelp

The Mages companion grows in power when engaged in a conflict with uneven odds that favor any perceived opponents.

Note: This includes the Mage, and any perceived allies in the companion’s immediate vicinity.

“Well, that’s interesting.” Sigrid said after Erin had relayed the options for the first augment she’d gained from qek. “What do you think, Liam?” The big man shrugged.

“Don’t it kinda seem like these favor certain spells? Binding Point is obviously the most powerful.”

“Not necessarily.” Sigrid said. “These sorts of things are often subjective. It depends on the person in question and what they need the spell to accomplish. I expect not all Mages are as combat minded as we are. Depending on circumstances, the wing spell functioning better in certain weather could be the superior choice.”

“Well Erin,” Liam said, turning toward her. “What is it you want your magic to do?”

“Kill monsters.” Erin said.

“So, Binding Point.”

“I have to agree.” Sigrid said. “Though none of your options are terrible. Though the phrasing of the Fireball augment concerns me. It would be unfortunate if you were to start a forest fire that only Mages could put out.”

“I think it only pertains to the flames actually generated by magic. Fires that appear as a natural consequence of something being on fire won’t gain the spell’s benefits… I think.” Erin said.

“Even so,” Sigrid said. “I think if you take that one, you should be careful.”

“Why not the companion spell?” Arthur asked, speaking for the first time since Erin had taken out the Augment and begun looking at her options. “That might’ve been really useful if you end up fighting another army of monsters.”

“The wording of that one makes it difficult,” Sigrid answered. “What is ‘power’, and how much of an increase are we talking about? Is it a flat amount regardless, or does it increase further with every enemy?”

“I expect nothing so useful as that.” Liam said with a chuckle. “Little fella woulda been darn near a god in the battle.”

“Could have diminishing returns.” Erin suggested. “Every enemy over a certain threshold provides an increasingly smaller power up. Useful but not overpowered.”

“But there is too much we don’t understand. Too much information we’re missing.”

[You could always ask.]

Doesn’t mean you’ll answer.

[True enough. In this instance, however, I can tell you that the spell’s effect isn’t cumulative with the number of enemies. It provides a single, though not inconsequential boost to all of your companions’ physical, mental and magical capabilities.]

I definitely feel like there are better options for companion augments.

[As Sigrid said. Better is a matter of need.]

Well, I don’t know what I need Hax to do yet, so it seems shortsighted to start throwing augments at him.

[Well, that sounds well reasoned. If I didn’t live inside your head, I’d ask who you were, and what you did with my Mage.]

Are you saying I’m stupid?

[Not stupid, no. You’d be dead by now if you were stupid. Reckless, Egotistical, Hero complex? Maybe.]

I really would be dead if it wasn’t for Sigrid, though.

[Well then, you’re smart in how you pick your friends.]

Didn’t this start with you giving me a compliment?

[Did it? I don’t remember. Anyway, your friends are probably wondering why you’re just standing there like a lemon.]

I-

“Erin.” Sigrid said, a knowing smile lingering around the woman’s lips. “I appreciate that you’re giving the matter some thought, but don’t hurt yourself.”

“I was talking to Lisa, she-”

“Uh, who?” Liam asked.

“My Liaison.”

“You named it?”

“Her, and yeah, why not?”

“It’s just… a voice. Why would you name it?”

“I’ve often thought that yours seemed chattier than mine,” Sigrid said. “What about you Liam? How often does yours talk?”

“Almost never. It’s like one of them virtual assistants. Pretty much just when I need to interact with the System, I guess.”

“Likewise,” Sigrid said. “Erin. Would you say your Liaison restricts itself to necessary information?”

Erin laughed, a genuine laugh from deep in her belly.

[Rude. I’m helpful.]

We could put a percentage on that.

“She says a lot of stuff.”

“Doesn’t that drive you crazy?” Liam asked.

“Not really,” Erin said with a shrug. “When I first got here, she was the only one I had to talk to, and I probably would’ve died a dozen times over without her. First thing she did was keep from going splat. I don’t mind if she talks a bit.”

“Really?” Liam said, frowning as he leaned back against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. “Mine had almost nothing to say. I almost starved to death. Would’ve if I hadn’t stumbled into Dangole.”

“We can discuss Lisa later,” Sigrid said, leaning forward to rest her elbows on the desk. “After you return. Finding out where all those qek went is the priority.”

“Right,” Erin agreed. “So Binding Point?” She asked the room at large, though her mind was already made up. Liam and Sigrid nodded while Arthur shrugged.

Erin triggered the rune in her hand and went through the now familiar process of absorbing it. In moments, it was over and she plucked another from her inventory.

Augment Rune: Resistance - Fireball: For a brief period of time after casting

Fireball, The Mage becomes highly resistant to damage from heat sources.

Augment Rune: Resistance - Mirage Wyrm’s Wings

Wings formed by this spell are more resistant to damage.

Augment Rune: Resistance - Binding Point

X: Incompatible Rune

Augment Rune: Resistance - Mirage Wyrm Whelp

Mage Companion gains damage resistance in accordance with its current scale color.

Note:

Red: Fire

Blue: Electric

Black: Poison/Acid

White: Water/Ice

Silver: Metal

Once more, Erin relayed the options, and the group puzzled for a while over the lack of an option for Binding Point. The first two options Erin was already familiar with, having seen them before.

“I think I’m going to take the augment for Hax,” she said.

[Didn’t you just say that you wanted to wait?]

He likes this one; I think. I’ve got a feeling about it.

“Well, it wouldn’t be my choice, but who knows? We don’t know how Hax is going to fit into combat yet.” Sigrid said. “But if your minds made up.”

“His is, and I’m going to trust it.” Erin absorbed the rune, and made her selection. This time the process going somewhat differently, she guessed, because she was modifying a spell that had a permanent physical manifestation. The runes that slithered into her skin also wound their way through the air to the small dragon on her shoulder, whose scales shifted through a rainbow of bright colors as he absorbed the magic.

Once complete, she inspected her updated character sheet, and realized it was the first time she’d looked at it since before the battle.

Name: Erin Young

Class: Bronze Mage

Tier 2

Soul: Bronze

Mind: Bronze

Body: Bronze

Spells

Spell Slot (Soul): Binding Point (Bronze: 11%)

Aug 1: Defiant

Aug 2:

Spell Slot (Mind:) Fireball (Bronze: 29%)

Aug 1: Bolstering

Aug 2:

Spell Slot (Body): Mirage Wyrm’s Wings (Bronze: 17%)

Aug 1:

Aug 2:

Spell Slot (Special): Mirage Wyrm Whelp (Bronze: 3%)

Aug 1: Resistance

Aug 2:

Boons:

Liaison

Bronze State

Mirage Mage (Bronze)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

Inventory:

Inventory Item: Bronze Medallion

Equipment:

Torches (5)

Short-Spear (2)

Wood Shield

Combat-Knife (2)

Throwing-Knife (10)

Clothing Items (29, assorted)

Tent (1)

Augment Rune: Resilience

Crafting:

0.5lbs of Iron Chitin

Currency:

Gold Maefars: 5

Silver Maefars: 63

Copper Maefars: 380

Artifacts

Slot 1: All-Purpose Hat (Bronze)

Slot 2: Refilling Vial: Stamina Potion (Bronze)

Slot 3: Empty

Slot 4: Empty

Pleasantly surprised to see her spells progress, she scanned the rest of the sheet over. Since they’d settled into Dangole, she’d figured out how money worked, and bought stuff. One hundred coppers to a silver coin, and ten silvers to a gold. Most things in Dangole cost coppers. A loaf of bread being about five, and a hot meal closer to 20. Silver was used more rarely, weapons, tools and armor. So long as Erin was willing to keep hunting monsters, she could live more than comfortably in Dangole.

“Was that all the ones you had?” Liam asked her.

“No, I’ve got one more, but I’ll have to get to it another time. Kiran will expect us to arrive at the gate any minute.”

“Don’t be afraid to use it in the field if you need to.” Sigrid told her. Erin nodded and with Liam and Arthur departed the office, returning to the street. Outside, several of the men who’d accompanied Arthur from Strath were waiting, and after a brief discussion, Arthur sent most of them off to assist with the rebuilding of the village. Two remained and accompanied the group as they made their way to the gate. Kiran was already waiting and was issuing orders to some of the Monster Hunters when they approached.

“So who’s coming?” Erin asked, moving to stand next to him.

“Just Cheddar. There’s too much work to do. My people are needed everywhere.” Kiran answered. He waved to the tall Monster Hunter, who approached, the spear resting casually on his shoulder.

“I’m glad to see you back on your feet. I heard you fell on your head.” Erin said.

“Mostly it was one shoulder. I had the good fortune of not falling directly to the ground. Smashed through a carriage that had been left below that section of wall. I did crack my skull pretty good, though.” Cheddar wrapped his knuckles against his forehead with a grin. “Everyone always said I was thick headed, but jokes on them ‘cause if I wasn’t I’d be dead.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Kiran said, thumping him on the shoulder. “Enough bragging. Get your gear squared away. We’re leaving five minutes ago.” The good natured man gave the Hunter’s version of a salute before heading off into the guardhouse where Tooms had planned the defense of Dangole. In less than a minute, he’d returned, and the group was underway. They circled the wall until they came to the edge of the widest trail the qek had left in their retreat. Thousands of footprints, all moving in the same direction.

Hax leaped from her shoulder and circled higher into the air above their heads, his skills shifting into a pale blue that made him almost invisible against the sky.

Cheddar planted the butt of his spear against the snowy ground and started in the direction of the footprints.

“Let’s hunt us some monsters.”