(Day 157) Aprilis 2nd,12th year of the Dragon, Age of Enlightenment

I woke to the sun peeking through the trees and through my tent flap to settle on my eyes as I lay in my bedroll with the bitter aftertaste of someone that had drunk far too much the night before. I wasn’t drunk, nor did I have a hangover, but it would seem that something I’d drank last night had been strong enough to give both my nanites and constitution a run for their money. I grabbed a waterskin and took a good long drink to get that taste out of my mouth. Nope, it did not help at all. If not for my nanites I was sure I’d have puked. As it was, I just laid back, covered my eyes, and breathed deeply. Once my stomach settled I rolled over and pulled my cloak over my head as I tried to go back to sleep.

That was of course the moment Abi pipped in. “Morning Adam, you up now?”

“Well obviously I’m up, or you wouldn’t be talking to me” I quipped back grumpily.

“Don’t be like that. I’ve been pretty quiet these last couple of weeks.” She said pausing for effect then continued smugly. “Think I have a handle on the disparity between you and everyone else.”

That got my attention. I rolled over onto my back and rubbed my eyes. “What do you mean?” I asked.

“Well, I’ve been reviewing all the skills you’ve been learning, and I think classes are the key here.” When I didn’t respond with a question she continued. “In your universe, everyone has a Character level and skills augment those character levels. Here, there are no character levels. There are class levels or creature levels or monster levels but there are no character levels. Depending on the class level the individuals you run across have specific perks and abilities and here is where it gets interesting. Those classes have prerequisite skills before you can determine your class.

“But you just said there are no Character levels. Children that haven’t picked a class. What are they considered?” I asked.

“Next time you’re near a child in the village that hasn’t chosen a class analyze them. There is no Class listed and their character level is set to zero or a question mark.” She responded.

Seeing that that would be easy enough to check, I got out of bed and went down the stream to where some of the children were washing their hands and faces. Picking one of the younger boys I Analyzed him.

Name: Joshua. Race Wood Elf Child. Class:? Level:0 HP 2

“Okay Abi, I’ll bite. Why is this important to me?” I asked.

“Part of that problem with your old skills is that they don’t meet the requirements to fill in the prerequisites for the skills you needed to pick a class. With all the skills you’ve been relearning you should be able to focus on a class and perhaps take advantage of the class leveling system here. Which will allow you to unlock specialties and even professions. I know you’ve noticed that while the skills offer special attacks and perks as you level them through each category to legendary. They didn’t really offer earth-shattering abilities, techniques, or skills. I think that’s because some skills and abilities are directly tied to specific classes, and you can’t get them unless you have that class.”

I thought about that for a moment then smiled. “I see what you mean. So, if we’re thinking about classes like out of our RPG games back home you think that some of the special abilities that were in the game like quivering palm and the like. Whatever it is, I won’t be able to get it until I have the Monk class specifically?”

“Yep, I’ve been reviewing a lot of the games you played from your memories. That information doesn’t exactly correlate to how things work in the real world here. You won’t be able to figure out how it works until you pick a class. It just seemed to be the logical way things should work here.” She paused for a second then went on. “Which brings us to the other thing you figured out. The underwhelming levels here. I know for a fact that there are creatures from the Labyrinth that would completely destroy everything you’ve run into here. Even that spell yesterday wouldn’t have tickled some of the things that I have a vague recollection of. Because of that, I think you are in a relatively low-level area. Or maybe you just haven’t been lucky enough to notice anything higher level. I’m bringing this up because I want to remind you NOT to get complacent. I’m sure that eventually, you are going to start running into things that are higher level than you were expecting.”

“Good safety tip Abi, and of course, I will try to be careful. Though, you’ve been here the whole time. Have I ever once just attacked someone that didn’t attack me first?” I asked

“Touché “Abi responded. You are of course correct. Though the creatures and people that seem to want to go after you are becoming more frequent.” Abi paused for a moment then asked. “So, what are your plans for today?”

“Well, I was going to go talk to the Elder then return to Apolyn’s Abode to see exactly what earning that other Hearth Crystal is going to do for me. Then I was going to head back down this way and continue on to the city. I think I’m at a point where I’m not going to learn much more here. Besides, if you’re right about the classes I need to get somewhere to get formal training so I can choose which class to pursue. Because the only weapon I can use seems to be my body I think I’m going to try to make Monk my first class. Though I could also see the logic in trying to get a spell caster class. This begs the question, can I learn multiple classes? If yes, what are the limits?”

“I don’t know the answer to any of those questions,” Abi said.

So, for those answers, I was going to need to travel to the city and try to talk to an actual academic. While I was talking mentally to Abi, I walked over to the Elder’s Hut and knocked lightly on the frame of the door.

“Be at peace and enter”

Stepping through the flap I moved to stand before the three elders and bowed my head slightly. “Good morning. I wanted to make sure that you did not need me to remain in the village before I popped back to my home in the mountains.”

“We have nothing planned for you, save helping you with the training you sought, if that is your question” Elder Jasilla responded. “Will you return?” she’d asked.

“I plan to use my ability to return to my Place of Power. Inspect the area and place items I took off Arch-mage last night in my Armory. I do not anticipate being gone more than a day. I should return later tonight or early tomorrow morning. I was thinking about taking a more direct route on my return. Then practicing some of the skills I’ve learned as I make my way back through the forest to the village.”

The elder nodded then said “You do not need our permission to leave of course, and we thank you for taking the time to inform us that you will be gone. Go in peace and know that we look forward to your return”

I nodded, turned, and exited the hut. Next, I tracked down Raz and let him know that I was leaving for the day and should be back no later than tomorrow.

“Sorry to see you go, but you must do what you must do. Besides, I’ve been spending so much time with you. The whippersnappers here have been getting complacent with their other trainers. Time to shake things up. You take your time. I’m going to have some fun today,” he said with a toothy grin.

I smiled then stepped away and walked to the edge of the village. When I was at the edge of the village I activated my Teleport to Place of Power ability and vanished. I reappeared in the entry foyer of Apolyn’s Abode. Checking my prompts, I noticed that the teleport had cost 61 mana. So, the village was approximately 60 miles away. I accessed my interface and decided that I needed to level all of my abilities that had levels just in case I needed them in the future. My Analyze ability would have been really useful yesterday. Then I had a thought, maybe I should wait until I’d used the Hearth’s Crystal for Death’s Crevice.

I Checked my Hearth map and noted that only Eric was in the Abode, sitting in his favorite chair. I stepped to the outside door, opened it, looked outside, and listened. No one was present. I concentrated and activated my new tracking skill. The area lit up with an information overlay which allowed me to discern that no one had been in or near this door for at least a week, maybe longer. It seemed that Adaline was off doing whatever she needed to do. I willed the door closed and then stepped to the middle of the foyer.

I concentrated on calling for the Hearth Crystal of Death’s Crevice into my hand and a Prompt appeared as the crystal came forth.

Congratulations, you have brought Hearth Crystal for the Place of Power, Death’s Crevice to the heart of your Place of Power. New options are now available. The Hearth Crystal for Death’s Crevice contains the following Spheres of Power: Death, level 5. Earth level 3 and Darkness level 3. Please choose from the following options.

Add Sphere of Power to Place of Power

If your Place of Power possesses the Sphere of Power this can be done as a direct transfer. Your Place of Power will gain experience equal to the experience spent for its Sphere towards that Sphere of Power.

If your Place of Power does NOT possess the Sphere of Power. The ley line connection is permanently removed from the sacrificed Place of Power and the Place of Power it is being sacrificed into gains a Sphere of Power equal to one-half the level of the Sphere of Power rounded down. As an example, if you choose to sacrifice the level 5 Sphere of Power Death to Apolyn’s Abode. Apolyn’s Abode will gain the Sphere of Power Death at level 2. If this option is chosen this cannot be undone and Death’s Crevice and Apolyn’s Abode will be irrevocably changed.

Sacrifice Sphere of Power for random Ability from that sphere:

1 Sphere, 1 common Ability.

2 Spheres 1 Advanced Ability.

3 Spheres on Epic ability.

4 Spheres, one Mythic Ability.

5 Spheres, one Legendary Ability

Sacrifice Sphere of Power to earn Settlement Points:

1 Sphere, 100

2 Spheres, 1,000

3 Spheres, 10,000

4 Spheres, 100,000

5 Spheres, 1, 000, 000

Make your Choices

I looked over the choices and knew what choice I’d make. Settlement Points, maybe because I didn’t know what they could do. This Place of Power was definitely not a settlement but maybe I could add or change things? Earning Abilities, that might be good later on if I was somehow able to get all the Sphere of Power and level them to level 5. But I was going to gain abilities as I leveled my Place of Power again anyway so for now that option was off the table for Death and Darkness. In the end, I chose to convert the Earth 3 sphere to 10,000 Settlement Points and to Sacrifice the Level 5 Death, and Level 3 Darkness to pick up those Spheres of Power. That would give the Abode a Sphere of Death at level 2, and the Sphere of Darkness at Level 1. As I did so the Hearth Crystal for Death’s Crevice turned to dust and a prompt appeared.

Congratulations, you have chosen to Sacrifice the Sphere of Power Death level 5 to augment Apolyn’s Abode. Ley Lines adjusted; Death has become an aspect of this Place of Power.

Congratulations you have raised your Sphere of Power Death from level 0 to level 1. Doing so imparts the following benefits.

20% resistance to all Death related damage from any source

20% stronger casting of all Death related spells

20% reduced mana cost for all Death related spells

Passive ability in Place of Power. “Stop Decay,” The normal Decay of Dead things ceases within the boundaries of this Place of Power. Carcasses, plants, and food will not spoil.

Congratulations you have raised your Sphere of Power Death from level 1 to level 2. Doing so imparts the following benefits.

Additional 20%, total 40%, resistance to all Death related damage from any source

Additional 20%, total 40%, stronger casting of all Death related spells

Additional 20%, total 40%, reduced mana cost for all Death related spells

Active Ability, “Know Status,” At a cost of 10 mana, you may touch a creature, monster, or individual and know any status modifiers they have. This is an ability of Death and cannot be hidden or masked. You will know the true status of anyone you touch.

Congratulations, you have chosen to Sacrifice the Sphere of Power Darkness level 3 to augment Apolyn’s Abode. Ley Lines adjusted; Darkness has become an aspect of this Place of Power.

Congratulations you have raised your Sphere of Power Darkness from level 0 to level 1. Doing so imparts the following benefits.

20% resistance to all Darkness related damage from any source

20% stronger casting of all Darkness related spells

20% reduced mana cost for all Darkness related spells

Passive ability, “Call Darkness,” Magical Darkness can be called into will by the Master of the Place of Power anywhere within the Hearth. This Darkness does not affect anyone the Master of the Place of Power doesn’t wish. Treat all creatures affected by the Darkness as if they are blind. Normal resistances Darkness Magic apply.

Congratulations you have chosen to sacrifice the Sphere of Power Earth level 3 to add 10,000 settlement points to Apolyn’s Abode. Check your Place of Power Interface to spend these Settlement Points.

Note: the choices you have made completely destroyed the Hearth’s Crystal to Death’s Crevice and have permanently removed Death and Darkness from that Place of Power. Within the next 100 years, a new Hearth Crystal will form in that Place of Power that will only have access to the Sphere of Power, Earth.

The Black Hearth Crystal in my hand turned to dust and his Place of Power mark flared and was surrounded by two circles of black, then faded into his hand. I opened my interface and raised both of these new Spheres of Power to level 5 for 4,442,000,000 experience because of the x2 conversion rate. I spent the XP to raise Death and Darkness to level 5.

Congratulations you have raised your Sphere of Power Darkness from level 1 to level 2. Doing so imparts the following benefits.

Additional 20%, total 40%, resistance to all Darkness magic-related damage from any source

Additional 20%, total 40%, stronger casting of all Darkness magic-related spells

Additional 20%, total 40%, reduced mana cost for all Darkness magic-related spells

Active Ability “Circle of Darkness,” At a cost of 10 mana, you may cast a 20’ Diameter circle of Darkness up to 30’ away from yourself. Creatures caught in the darkness cannot see.

Congratulations you have raised your Sphere of Power Darkness from level 2 to level 3. Doing so imparts the following benefits.

Additional 20%, total 60%, resistance to all Darkness magic-related damage from any source

Additional 20%, total 60%, stronger casting of all Darkness magic-related spells

Additional 20%, total 60%, reduced mana cost for all Darkness magic-related spells

Active Ability, “Ray of Darkness,” At a cost of 40 mana per use you can create a ray of darkness that will do 10d10 points of damage up to 100 feet away from you. There is no cooldown between uses, though you must hit with the attack.

Congratulations you have raised your Sphere of Power Death from level 2 to level 3. Doing so imparts the following benefits.

Additional 20%, total 60%, resistance to all Death magic-related damage from any source

Additional 20%, total 60%, stronger casting of all Death magic-related spells

Additional 20%, total 60%, reduced mana cost for all Death magic-related spells

Active Ability, “Death’s Touch,” At a cost of 40 mana per use you Touch a target to cause 10d10 points of Death Damage. There is no cooldown between uses, though you must hit with a touch attack.

Congratulations, you have raised your Sphere of Power Darkness from level 3 to level 4. Doing so imparts the following benefits.

Additional 20%, total 80% resistance to all Darkness magic-related damage from any source

Additional 20%, total 80% stronger casting of all Darkness magic-related spells

Additional 20%, total 80% reduced mana cost for all Darkness magic-related spells

Passive Fixed Ability, “I Do Not Fear the Dark,” You can see in any normal or magical darkness normally. Also, you no longer need a light source to see. In complete darkness you can see as if standing on an uncloudy day with the sun at full noon if you wish, there is no mana cost. You may also pass-through Shields based on Darkness Magic as if they do not exist. This benefit does not extend to any of your ranged attacks or abilities. You must personally step through such shields.

Congratulations you have raised your Sphere of Power for Darkness from level 4 to level 5. Doing so imparts the following benefits.

Additional 20%, total 100%, resistance to all Darkness Magic related damage from any source

Additional 20%, total 100%, stronger casting of all Darkness magic-related spells

Additional 10%, total 90%, reduced mana cost for all Darkness magic-related spells

Congratulations, you have raised your Sphere of Power for Death from level 3 to level 4. Doing so imparts the following benefits.

Additional 20%, total 80% resistance to all Death Magic related damage from any source

Additional 20%, total 80% stronger casting of all Death Magic related spells

Additional 20%, total 80% reduced mana cost for all Death Magic related spells

Passive Fixed Ability: “Death Cannot Sway Me,” You are completely immune to any charm or fear-type attacks from the Undead. There is no mana cost. You may also pass-through Shields based on Death Magic as if they do not exist. This benefit does not extend to any of your ranged attacks or abilities. You must personally step through such shields.

Congratulations you have raised your Sphere of Power for Death from level 4 to level 5. Doing so imparts the following benefits.

Additional 20%, total 100%, resistance to all Death Magic related damage from any source

Additional 20%, total 100%, stronger casting of all Death Magic related spells

Additional 10%, total 90%, reduced mana cost for all Death Magic related spells

Congratulations to you, a True Master. Again, you have shown that you are willing to dedicate your time, energy, and resources to empowering your Place of Power. For being the first to ever bring a Place of Power to Level 5 in six Spheres of Power you will be awarded one ability in the spheres of Darkness and Death. Additionally, you will be awarded one Legendary Ability in the Spheres of power Space and Gravity

The Fixed Active Ability “Shadow Step” is granted to you.

You may step into any shadow and enter the dimension of shadow. Your form on the material plane seems to devolve into shadow. You gain Damage resistance 5 and cannot be harmed by anything that is not the equivalent of a +5 Magical Weapon. While using Shadow Step you gain +100% to any stealth check. Additionally, movement can be made in any direction while in the dimension of shadow. It costs 50 stamina to activate Shadow Step, nothing to step back into the material plane if doing so into a shadow. Another 50 stamina if stepping out anywhere you wish.

The Fixed passive Ability, “Death will never find me,” is granted to you.

You can no longer die of natural causes and are effectively immortal. Your body has stopped aging as of now. Though you can still be killed. Additionally, any Spirits conjured by Death Magic cannot target you with any attack. Should you encounter a spirit normally or travel to a realm of spirits you can be affected normally but summoned banshees, ghosts, etc… can no longer harm you. This ability costs no mana and is always in effect, though it can be turned off at will.

The Fixed Active Gravity Ability “Gravity is that Way” is granted to you.

For 5 mana per second simply think of a direction to be down and for all intents and purposes, your body will treat that direction as down. Walking on walls and Standing on Ceilings are nothing to you. This ability can also be utilized to fly through an atmosphere or even space at an acceleration of 32.18 feet/second (1g (1 gravity)). While this ability is active no other source of gravity will affect the user. They may affect weight up to their carrying capacity. Treat any surface struck as falling damage at velocity. When not maintained gravity is works as normal

The Fixed Active Space ability “Pick a Door,” is granted to you.

For 5 mana you may call forth and open a door to one of two locations. Note: Once you enter the door, the entry and exit locations are anchored to the point you opened it from.

First Location: Opens to a small pocket dimension 30’ x 30’ that is at room temperature and has its own air supply. Once the door is closed anyone inside the room is completely safe from anything that was at the location the door was opened. When the door is opened again, it will open to the location that the dimension was entered from. There is no way to change that anchor point from inside.

Second Location: You spend 100 mana and anchor this ability to another door. Distance and dimension are not a factor. Once set, this ability can be used to open a door to the door this is anchored to.

Either location may be chosen when using this ability. For instance, one night you might stay in your pocket dimension. The next night you might use the door to return to your home. R

Note: The door will open to one of the two locations that you chose the first time. The second time a door is called forth it will open to the anchor point of the first use’s location unless you wipe the anchor point. You CANNOT wipe the anchor point while in the pocket dimension.

I looked over his abilities, promised himself I’d investigate them further then went to his settlement tab. It looked like his tower counted as a settlement and I would be able to spend the settlement points to make changes and upgrade it. The first thing I noticed was that it allowed me to change the configuration of his Place of Power. Possibly add more space and even seemed to make the inside bigger than the outside. Also, I could change the name of the Place of Power for 100 settlement points. So, I did. I went through the menus, made my choices, and was rewarded with a glorious ding.

Congratulations, 10,000 settlement points were spent to modify your Place of Power. Listed changes are taking place now.

Apolyn’s Abode name changed to Adamantadine Tower.

Place of Power outer area expanded to 500’x 500’

100’ x 100’ foot Courtyard surrounded by 30’ stone walls.

Outer walls are magically reinforced, Durability 1,000 per square foot.

Double Portcullis entrance from the west where the path leads down the mountain.

60’ x 60’ x 50’ high tower at the center of Courtyard with terrace from 3rd Floor door overlooking South Cliff face.

Entrance to Adamantadine Tower in the Courtyard on the west side of Tower.

It’s bigger on the inside. The Interior of the Adamantadine Tower exists within a pocket dimension. Access is through doors only.

Self-Repair. All structures repair themselves at a rate of 1 durability per minute per square foot.

1st Floor

Small Banquet Hall 100’ x 100’ added

Kitchen Larder expanded. 500’ x 500’

Small Dining Room 20’ x 30’, no change

Small Kitchen 20’ x 20’, no change

Foyer 20’ x 30’, no change

First Floor Library expanded, now 1,000’ by 1,000’ feet. Small Office 30’ x 30’ added

2nd Floor

Guest Bedroom 30’ x 30’ moved to 2nd Floor

Bathroom 20’ x 10’, toilet, washbasin, and bath

3 Guest Bedrooms 30’ x 30’ added to 2nd Floor.

Bathroom 20’ x 10’, toilet, washbasin, and Bath for each.

3rd Floor

Main Bedroom 50’ x 50’ now on 3rd Floor

Bathroom 20’ x 20’, toilet, wash basin and bath

Door To 30’ x 10’ terrace.

Basement Level 1, Library Entry

Treasury expanded to 100’ x 100’ room

Secure Library expanded. 1,000’ x 1,000’

Small Office 30 x 30 added, no changes to main Door

Basement Level 1 Front Spiral Stairway, at back of main stairway.

Heated Pool Room Added 100’ x 100’, self-filtering

20’ x 20’ Hot tub added, self-filtering

Basement Level 2 Front Spiral Stairway

Basic Alchemy Lab 30’ x 30’ Added

Small 20’ x 20’ Supply Room Added

Basic Enchanters 30 x 30 Area Added

Small 20’ x 20’ Supply Room Added

Basement level 3 Front Spiral Stairway–

Magically Soundproof noise from this basement level will not travel upstairs.

Basic Smithy Added 30’ x 30’ Added

Small 20’ x 20’ Supply room added

Armory expanded to 100’ x 100’ foot room, moved to Basement Level 3

Basic Training Room 50’ x 50’ Added

Small 20’ x 20’ Supply Room Added

While I stood in the foyer reading the prompt and making sure everything I’d chosen was there, everything around me shifted, expanded, and fell away. I felt a moment of vertigo then everything settled. I stepped to the first of only two doors that led to the outside. This one and the one to my terrace from my room on the 3rd floor. I willed the door open and saw my Portcullis 40 feet in front of me. Stepping out I inspected the courtyard and sure enough, I was in a 100’ x 100’ box with a 60’ x 60’ box. The Double Portcullis was on the East wall and the entrance to the Tower was on the west wall. Stepping back inside the small Banquet Hall was off to the left, and the small dining area was off to the right with the kitchen and the larder.

The stairway to the 2nd and 3rd levels was along the left wall and a small hallway led to the door to the library just to the right of the stairway. Heading upstairs there were now four guest bedrooms and a second stair further back that led to the 3rd floor.

I checked my interface and made sure that Adaline had permission to all four Guest bedrooms and access to change each of their settings should she bring guests. I also gave her access to the Small Banquet room and the Front Spiral Stairway which led down to the pool and other areas. I quickly made my way up to the 3rd floor, checked my room to make sure nothing had changed and found the door to the Terrace. Willing it open I stepped out and looked down the mountain to the forest below. Somewhere off to the southwest was the village, about 60 miles in a straight line. I’d worry about that tomorrow.

I stepped back inside, willed the door closed, then made my way back down to the Foyer. I walked towards the door to the library and a spiral staircase going down opened up on my left. I walked down the spiral staircase to my new pool and hot tube on level 1. I looked over the room but right now I was just doing a walk-through. I’d come back and check this room out later. Next, I walked down to the 2nd basement level. There were two doors. One led to the alchemist area, and one led to the enchanting area. Each with its own small room for supplies. They were both mostly empty rooms with very few items in them. I would have to figure out what I needed and add it later. The staircase wound down to a third level that contained a smithy whose heat I could feel from the stairway. It seemed as if the Sphere of Power for Fire was going to make it a lot easier to maintain the temperature of the smithy since there wasn’t even anyone working at the smithy yet and it was so hot. I went into my personal interface and reduced the heat. With no one working on the forge, it was pointless to keep it that hot. I also found the Armory and basic combat training rooms.

I headed back upstairs and made my way into the library where Eric looked up then rose and walked over. “Greeting’s master”

“Greetings Eric. Any Changes”

“To Apol” He paused then continued. “To Adamantadine’s Tower” No Master, everything has been quiet since you left. Even Adaline hasn’t stopped by.” Eric said.

“No Problem,” I said. “She has probably been busy. Please return to whatever you were doing. I’m just going to look around for a little bit.”

“Yes Master,” Eric said as he turned and headed back to this chair.

I checked the library, noted that it was much bigger, and then went downstairs to the Treasury and the Secret Library. I added the treasure I’d taken off the Archmage to the Treasury, keeping my standard 10 copper, 10 silver, 2 gold, 1 platinum, and two opals. I moved everything from my Belt of Holding into his Ring of Holding then placed the belt in the treasury as well. I closed both doors and headed back up into the library. The rooms I’d added expanded the place quite nicely and of course, this tower now had my name on it, I had a Place of Power with my name on it! This was so cool. For the rest of the day, I relaxed, soaked in my new pool and hot tub, and just lounged around until it was time to sleep.