Meditation is the process of training your mind to focus and reprogram your thoughts, this stabilises the body and leads to enhanced physical recovery. At least it is for the average person. For those with magical talent meditation is so much more. It represents the door that must be crossed to pass onto the path of a wielder of the arcane it provides a sense of peace enabling the subconscious mind to come to the forefront and the conscious mind to probe the depths of the body and find enlightenment.

Or so says many mystical tomes, which are steeped in lore and superstition. In reality what those of us who have learnt magic from a more practical perspective realise, is that meditation while very important is merely a method by which to train the mind to ignore physical sensations. This is important because it allows other sense to come to the forefront, key is that from this the brain can finally interpret mana sense. It is the absence of other distractions that frees mage to begin on the path to finding their internal mana source.

Mediation the fundamentals, Archmage Ricard Griffenheart

Jacob wakes up to the stink of the boar having soiled itself in its death, his body sore all over but particularly his chest and ribs, of which he suspects a few are broken. Before moving he gingerly tests his body slowly pushing the boar’s carcass off him, when a blinking in the corner of his vision makes him aware of pending notifications.

***************************************************************************

You have taken damage, health at 50%. Rest is recommended.

Congratulations you have defeated Boar lvl 4. You are awarded 50 class xp.………… No class found xp lost.

Congratulations for defeating your first foe. Your fierce fight has yielded the following results:

You have been awarded 200 race xp!

You have gained the skill Dagger Mastery Novice (1/10)

You have gained the skill Dual Wield Mastery Novice (1/10)

You have gained the skill Sword Mastery Novice (1/10). As your first strength-based skill you have been awarded +1 strength.

***************************************************************************

Realising the darkening sky Jacob knew it would be a bad idea to remain next to the boar’s carcass, especially while injured as it would only attract predators which in his current state could be deadly. With no time to process it he had no choice but to leave it behind as he slowly limped towards his clearing after gathering up his weapons and kit which had ended up strewn around the area.

Just as the sun was dipping behind the horizon and the shadows lengthened Jacob made it back to his base, where he had a quick meal consisting of nuts, before rinsing off with what water remained and then heading to bed in the safety of a nearby tree for a fitful night’s sleep.

Waking up with the rise of the sun Jacob, slowly makes his way down to glade before heading out to check his traps for any game and to refill his water supply, a process which is quickly becoming routine for him. Unfortunately he returns empty handed, and with little else to do and in pain he decides to investigate magic, with little idea of where to start he thinks back to myths on Earth. Remembering that many mystical forces are associated with meditation he decides to start there.

Settling himself in the middle of the glade, he begins with his eyes wide open just taking in the space he resides in. Noting the sight of the trees swaying in the wind, the occasional bird crossing his vision and the noise of the forest. The leaves rustling as if the forest is whispering to him, the call of animals as they go about their day.

He then takes a few deep breaths, in through the nose and out through the mouth gently closing his eyes as he exhales, before allowing his breathing to return to its natural pattern in and out through the nose.

He brings his attention to the physical body, the weight of his feet and legs on the floor, his hand on his legs. Slowly he scans down his body, starting from the crown of his heading noting but not engaging with physical sensations, whether the tightness and pain in chest as his chest gently rises and falls in line with his breath or the throbbing of his hip. Viewing these sensations as if a third party aware of them but unaffected, just being present in the moment he focuses on his breath drawing the air down deep into his stomach.

He spends the next 30 minutes in this state just present in the moment and he emerges more refreshed, at peace and determined despite not feeling his mana. A determination only strengthened by the notification:

***************************************************************************

Congratulations! You have learnt the skill Meditation Novice (1/10). Each level in this skill will boost your regeneration rates by 0.1%.

For learning your first intelligence based skill you have been awarded +1 Intelligence.

***************************************************************************

Meditation now served the dual purpose of helping to speed up his recovery and let him begin on the road to magic, because despite his lack of success Jacob was convinced that this was the correct route to harnessing his mana. He had no rhyme or reason for this conviction other than the deep-rooted sense that he was on the right track.

The next day Jacob decided he felt well enough to return to the site of his fight with the boar and see if there was anything left process. He set off focusing on his senses for any signs of danger, as while he was yet to meet any predators he was sure some must live in this forest. As he neared the sight of his fight, he paused listening for the sounds of any movement. Hearing nothing he approached closer only to find carcass that had been picked mostly clean with a few birds, similar to Earth’s ravens picking the last few bits of meat from the bones.

With little to scavenge Jacob decided to head back after taking a few sharp bones that he could incorporate into his traps. With little else to do Jacob quickly settled into a routine of checking his traps, meditating and filling his water among other daily tasks. Alongside skinning and smoking the odd rabbit that he caught.

His recovery coincided with several skill level ups:

***************************************************************************

Congratulations your skill Meditation Novice has levelled up to level 10 (1). Meditation novice has evolved to Meditation Apprentice 1. Meditation now provides a 1% boost to regen rates plus 0.2% per apprentice level.

For learning your first Apprentice level skill you have been awarded 100 race xp.

For learning your first Apprentice level intelligence skill you are awarded +2 Intelligence.

Congratulations your skill Enhanced Health Regen (weak) has levelled up to level 2 (1).

Congratulations your skill Trapmaking Novice has levelled up to level 3 (1).

Congratulations your skill Forestry Novice has levelled up to level 3 (1).

Congratulations your skill Climbing Novice has levelled up to level 5 (2).

***************************************************************************

Authors note:

Titles: Otherworlder

Name: Jacob Lockerby

Race: Human lvl 4 (750/800)

Class (lvl): n/a (unlocked at race lvl 5)

Second Class* (lvl): n/a/ (unlocked at race lvl 10)

Health: 100% Health Regen: 2.3% per day

Mana Points: 180 Mana Regen: 12% per hr

Stats:

Strength: 13 (12) Dexterity: 14 (13) Perception: 11 Constitution: 13 Agility: 13 (11) Endurance: 14 (13) Intelligence: 18 (15) Control: 8 Magic Power: 18

Skills: Forestry Novice (3/10), Trapmaking (3/10), Fighting Proficiency, Climbing Novice (5/10), Free Running Novice (1/10), Dagger Mastery Novice (1/10), Dual Wield Mastery Novice (1/10), Sword Mastery (1/10), Meditation Apprentice (1/10)

Traits: High Grade Mana Affinity, Enhanced Health Regen Weak (2/10), Enhanced Mana Regen Weak (1/10), Tough Body Weak (1/10)