21 Tutorial Pt. 2
Sara closed her spell book with a huff. She definitely needed more spells.
She knew that her graduation ceremony wouldn't be happening until the next morning, so she decided to go ahead and investigate her school to see if she couldn't find something interesting.
Sara walked out of the door to her room, and almost bumped into someone that was on their way in.
"Ah!" The young man, shorter than Sara by a few inches was dressed in similar robes and his white hair was slicked back, though it seemed more due to being unwashed rather than because he'd used some sort of product in it. He stumbled as he dodged the door that Sara had thrown open in her hurry to investigate the world around her.
"Damn it, Serendipitous. Watch where you're going next time." The young man straightened up and knocked into Sara's shoulder as he made his way into the room.
Sara watched him walk by, but felt her anger flare up at his attitude.
Hey! She was the player! This was HER tutorial, who did this little NPC think he was?!
She wanted to teach him a lesson, but wasn't sure if she could…considering she wasn't sure how to use any of her spells or even what exactly they did. The descriptions were pretty vague….
"Oh!" Sara said as she thought of something. She followed the man into the room.
He was huddled by a bed, digging through a chest as she walked in. Hearing her behind him, he turned with a scowl.
"What? Is there something you want?"
Sara hesitated, then spoke. "Yeah, I want to practice my spells…where can I do that at?"
The man narrowed his eyes at her question.
"Are you joking? You know where the sparring rooms are."
As he finished speaking, a notification popped up in front of Sara.
Achievement!
Asking questions about the world around you can give great benefits for your character, though some questions will be seen as unnecessary by those you ask.
Character familiarization increased by 1.
Map use unlocked. Map updated.
Sara stared down at the message as she read its contents. She turned from the man without another word and opened her menu.
There, at the bottom of it, sat a newly lit up tab with the title MAP.
It opened to reveal a small room that was magnified and lit up, with the rest of the map covered in shadows except the part right outside of the room. There, a ways to the north of her current location, sat another lit up area with little icons that Sara couldn't make out.
She looked at the map and looked around her in the hall and decided to head right, as it seemed to be the most direct route toward the sparring rooms.
As she walked, Sara passed by various rooms. The building she was in resembled a tower, though through the windows she found that there was an extension that jutted out, that seemed to connect to another building.
Apparently she was in the residential side of the academy.
Slowly, Sara found stairs that lead downward. As she followed them down, the meager light that was offered by the wall sconces grew dimmer as each placement of the sconces grew further and further apart.
Finally, Sara found herself in a small foyer with a door opposite her. Walking out, she found herself outside of the tower. Looking back, the tower almost seemed to pierce the high earth above. Around her were various buildings made from stone. Some were darker than others, showcasing the different types of earth used in their construction.
There were a huge glowing globes floating above the city itself, giving minimal light, though it was plenty for the Drow eyes of the city's occupants. She approached one of the globes, inspecting it. Beneath it were large inverted domes made to hold the globes when they weren't floating above. As she inspected the light source, another notice appeared in front of her.
Information uncovered!
These globes are used by the residents to differentiate between night and day in this deep earthen city. The students of the Intermediate Classes in the Mage Academy are responsible for activating each globe throughout the city every morning.
Character familiarization increased by 1.
Sara dismissed the notice and continued walking along the road, taking in her surroundings.
There were a few Drow walking along the streets with her, some were huddled together speaking in quiet voices, others were striding forward, intent on their destinations. She saw few children and those that she did see seemed to have been given a task to perform, either by their parents or whatever house they were serving.
As Sara walked, watching those around her, she became very interested in two particular people that were walking as if strolling through a park, there was nothing overly interesting about them, really. No, it was what was following them that interested Sara.
The two were dressed in fine clothing, and their expressions were ones of casual conversations to be had. They wore, prominent on their lapels, the same symbol, either of a family or an organization, Sara wasn't sure. Behind them, was a creature that Sara was unsure of the name.
It was short, green and had pointed ears, it carried on its back many bags and boxes that the two in front of it seemed to have need of.
It seemed to be struggling with its load, as it would occasionally grunt and stumble, but would quickly right itself and continue forward, often shooting frightened glances at the two walking in front of it. As Sara stood watching the strange creature make its way past her, another message appeared in front of her.
Information uncovered!
Some houses, lead by the wealthier families, utilize various races of slaves to help them with their daily lives and various tasks. Most of the time, these races are not seen unless one has reason to encounter guards or the families personal military forces, as these races tend to make up the bulk of their trained military.
Character familiarization increased by 1
Sara read the message, then turned to watch as the three individuals disappeared around a corner. Nobody else seemed interested in the group, but Sara couldn't help but feel uncomfortable watching.
In her modern age, slavery hadn't been utilized for a number of centuries, even their history books only spoke on the matter briefly, as if society itself wanted to erase such barbaric practices from their history.
She continued on, watching those walking by her. Occasionally, if she focused on a particular group long enough, the system would inform her of something that was integral with her race.
Information uncovered!
Most females of the Drow race groomed from a young age to be priestesses of Lolth.
Information uncovered!
Those unaffiliated with major houses are considered "common" and are often treated as such by those above them in rank.
Information uncovered!
Drow eyes can vary minute amounts in coloration, though most are some shade of white.
Sara read the information, some useful, but most seemed to be flavor for the game instead, with much interest. She enjoyed learning more about the game and her character. It was like coming to a whole new world and discovering everything all over again.
As she walked, she didn't realize that she had in fact walked beyond the point she was wanting too, passing up the building she had been headed towards. She forgot the purpose of her trek through Drow society and was instead enjoying her stroll, taking in the new world around her.
As she walked, a terrible scream cut through her reverie.
Sara paused, looking around her to find the source of the scream.
A little ways off, she saw a crowd gathering, as the scream cut through the air once again. It sounded like a child.
Sara hurried over to the crowd. She pushed her way through, trying to see what was going on and found a terrible sight before her.
There, a woman stood, whip in hand, as she lashed out at a child, who seemed barely over the age of five.
Her face was contorted into a malicious smile as she let loose her lashings with full force.
Those around seemed to be either enjoying the show, or finding it dull enough to look once, then walk away unhurriedly.
Sara couldn't stand the sight. Without thinking, she hurried to try to produce one of her spells, targeting the woman.
The spell failed, it seemed, as nothing happened, and a notice popped up in front of Sara, who closed it without reading and rushed forward.
Before anyone knew what had happened, Sara drove her fist into the woman's face, causing her to stumble back, a busted lip dripping blood down her jaw.
"What the hell are you doing!?!" Sara screamed. Before the woman could answer, Sara rushed toward the child, whose breath was unstable. Blood covered the young boy's form as large gashes continued to bleed profusely.
As Sara looked over the child, however, she heard an enraged voice from behind her.
"What house are you from!?"
Sara looked back to see the woman from before staring at her with hate filled eyes. Her blood dribbled from her lip, falling onto the stone road.
Whispers and the sound of light laughing came from around them. Sara ignored it, but the woman's face changed color. It seemed to darken at the cheeks from embarrassment and anger.
Without another word, the woman lifted her whip and struck out at Sara.
