I felt an immediate boost, a kind of clarity that I wasn’t aware of before I’d selected the class. I felt as if I could cast an entire fireball spell or run a marathon with ease. The bars that I could summon into my vision to represent my mana and stamina were now blended into a green and blue candy cane. I pulled up my character sheet and winced. Both additional points I received from my Chosen of Chaos ability had gone to WIS, which I suppose was better than not getting the additional points, but that positive spin could’ve been the heightened WIS score talking, so I didn’t trust it. I put the two other points into DEX to try and catch it up with my SPD. After that, I pulled it up to take a more complete look.

Cormac

Half-Elf

->Lvl 10 Catalyst

->XP: 27120

->HP: 229

->MP: 130

Stats:

STR: 16

->DEX: 21

SPD: 22

INT: 16

->WIS: 15

PER: 15

CON: 17

LCK: 9

Known Skills:

Sword (LVL 13)

Club (LVL 6)

Mace (LVL 5)

Axe (LVL 5)

Spear (Lvl 9)

Hammer (LVL 5)

Bow (LVL 5)

Dagger (LVL 14)

Improvised Weapon (LVL 8)

Barehanded (LVL 16)

Stealth (LVL 8)

Feint (LVL 11)

Trapfinding (LVL 4)

Negotiation (LVL 3)

Trapping (LVL 2)

Acrobatics (LVL 8)

Abilities (Racial):

Half Borne of Magic

Abilities (Class):

Anything in a Pinch

For the Right Price

A Job is a Job

Synergy

Eye of the Storm

Abilities (Unique):

Left Hand Free

Borne of Two Worlds

Reduce Magic

Use Regents

Mark of the Chosen: Chaos

Uncontrollable

Spells:

Flash Step 15 mp

Grease 15 mp

Spark >1 mp

Stone Toss 20 mp

Fireball 120 mp

Invisible Steps 15 mp

Puppet (Variable) mp

At this point things were getting seriously unwieldy. The arrows indicating changes were helpful, but if I didn’t check the sheet more regularly then things would get out of control. One thing felt very clear. I desperately wanted to try everything out.

I shook my head clear to find everyone else staring at me. “Ah, was I taking a bit longer to select my new class than I should’ve?”

They all looked surprised and Patience put her hand on my shoulder. “You already chose it? You know there wasn’t a time limit right?”

I looked around. “Did anyone else select theirs?”

They all shook their heads.

Tristus spoke up, “I suppose if you weren’t born with a system like we are, you wouldn’t have the ways to handle these things ingrained into your culture like we do.”

Zev cocked his head. “It’s common sense though, no?”

“Yes, but not all common sense is so common when you’re not from around here,” added Millicent, coming to my defense.

I sighed and looked around at everyone. “Lunch?” I asked.

“You buying?” asked Patience with a smirk.

I laughed, “I think you can all afford to pay for yourselves.”

…

It wasn’t long before we were all sitting in a small outdoor restaurant that Tiberius had recommended. The food was some kind of hearty meat glazed with honey, with sides of sweetened fruit that we washed down with a light and fruity wine. I hadn’t pegged him as someone fond of sweet things, but it made sense considering one of the first conversations I’d had with his cousin was about chocolate.

“I’m rather torn between all three of my options,” said Millicent, wiping a small drop of honey from the corner of her mouth. “Earth Magus is definitely the one that makes the most sense on paper for me. I tend to favor those types of spells in combat, and having them enhanced would be very beneficial, but Rune Witch, and Chemagus would both be incredibly useful outside of combat. Besides which I’ve met a few Earth Magus before… I’d rather like to have something a bit more unique.”

“Rune Witch,” said Zev crunching into a large bone before he slurped out the marrow.

“You’re just suggesting that because it would help you with your own projects.”

“Yes,” he responded, no shame in his tone. I doubted he was even aware of the possibility that shame was expected.

“What did you select Cor?” asked Millicent.

“Catalyst.”

“Huh, never heard of it. Is it a warrior class? Rogue?”

“Warrior, mage, and rogue.”

“All three?” asked Tiberius. “That seems to lack focus.”

“So does my combat style, and it’s worked out anyway so far.”

He smiled. “It is hard to argue with your results.”

“What have you got Tib?”

“Champion, Guardian, Warmaster.”

“Ah, two rogue and mage classes, huh?” I asked jokingly.

“No. All warriors,” he answered in deadpan, prompting a light laugh from Nica.

I looked at him. “You think you can set up another meeting with your friend? The adventurer with all the contacts?”

“Cassius? There’s no need to set an appointment. I’m fairly certain simply showing up at the Goblin’s Lament will be good enough. Maybe buy him a drink.” His face grew serious. “Are you moving forward with your guild?” he asked.

I nodded. “I think, considering the money and the reputation, now is the time to do it. We just need to see who we can get on board.”

He nodded. “Well, you’ve got me with you.”

Nica nodded next to him. “Me as well.”

I smiled, surprised to have Nica’s support.

“What guild?” asked Patience. “Are you starting one for half elves that like trouble?”

“Well, I suppose you could say I’m trying to start one for people that like trouble in general actually.” I realized then that I’d been too busy flirting with Patience to actually discuss it with her. “I’m going to start an adventurer's guild. The way things are run right now… I believe an organization that’s by adventurers for adventurers and is on their side is something that could benefit a lot of people.”

“I like it,” said Millicent. “It’s hard for us, especially when you’re just starting out, and the people who hire adventurers rarely make things easy for them.”

Patience looked concerned. “A guild for adventurers? Doesn’t that kind of defeat the point? Isn’t the whole idea to go out, find quests, and do your own thing?”

“It is for some, yeah, but even those types of adventurers could use some support every once in a while.”

“Besides which,” Tiberius chimed in. “Here in Heracleum it was never an option to adventure that way. We have a bureaucracy in charge of it.”

Patience nodded. “I suppose it’s not unlike how it is in Crofton. Adventurers there are managed by the church.” Her expression became serious, a look I was very unused to. “Those who go around the church tend to have things go very poorly for them.” She frowned for a moment, pensive. “I’m still not sure that having a different organization over it is the best idea.”

“It’s possible it isn’t, but I think it will be and we won’t be sure until we try it.” I responded, I suppose I should’ve guessed I wouldn’t have immediate buy in from everyone, but it still irked me, particularly since it was Patience that was against it.

She shrugged. “Don’t worry, it’s not like I’m going to try and stop you. I just think I’ll be spending my time on other things while you work on that.” She smirked. “I assume you won’t be too busy to have a drink with me every once in a while.”

“I’ll make time if I need to. What’s everyone else planning while Tib and I head to the Goblin’s Lament’?”

“University,” said Zev. “New ideas. Need more information. Can afford texts I require.”

Millicent nodded. “Same for me…though I may spend some time shopping as well.”

“I’ll tag along,” said Patience. “It’ll be a unique experience to buy something instead of stealing for a change.”

“I need to sleep. Meditate on my new class options,” said Nica, a weary expression on her face. The journey seemed to take a bit more out of her than it had the rest of us.

“Tristus?” I asked. “You wouldn’t seem too out of place at an adventurer bar.”

He shook his head. “You’re right, but I’m afraid I have some letters to send to the family. It’s time for them to know that they can return.”

I nodded, touched by the sincerity I was unused to hearing from him.

Tiberius stood and surprised everyone by wrapping Tristus in a hug. “Thank you cousin. While you do that, I will work with Cor to ensure we have even more for our family to be proud of.” He released Tristus and began walking back out of the restaurant.

I gave a light cough to draw his attention. “I actually… haven’t finished eating yet.”