Chapter 24 - Advantages, Missions, and States

(CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE COMPLETED INSCRIBE RUNES)

(FOR BECOMING A REAL MAGE, IN EXEMPLARY TIME, YOU ARE AWARDED 15 LIFE POINTS)

(FOR COMPLETING 200 HOURS OF CHALLENGING MANIPULATION TASKS, YOU ARE AWARDED 1 LEVEL OF HIGH MANUAL DEXTERITY)

Joseph was amazed. He had hoped for an award, but this was way more than he was expecting. He needed to see the list of options again. Wow! Fifteen points was a lot!

(AVAILABLE ADVANTAGES)

AMBIDEXTERITY (5 POINTS) – NO PENALTY FOR USING THE OFF HAND

ANIMAL EMPATHY (5 POINTS) - +1 TO ANALYZE A LIVING ANIMAL

CHARISMA (5 POINTS) - +1 TO IMPRESS AND LEAD OTHERS (MAY BE BOUGHT MULTIPLE TIMES)

COMBAT REFLEXES (15 POINTS) - +1 TO ALL ACTIVE DEFENSES, +1 TO FAST DRAW A WEAPON, +2 AGAINST FEAR, +6 TO AWAKEN, YOU WILL NEVER 'FREEZE' IN A SURPRISE SITUATION, +1 AGAINST SURPRISE ATTACKS OR +2 IF YOU ARE THE LEADER OF A GROUP

EMPATHY SENSITIVITY (5 POINTS) - +1 TO ANALYZE A SENTIENT SUBJECT FOR TRUTHFULNESS

ENHANCED BLOCK (5 POINTS) - +1 TO BLOCK

ENHANCED DODGE (15 POINTS) - +1 TO DODGE

ENHANCED PARRY (10 POINTS) - +1 TO PARRY

FEARLESSNESS (2 POINTS/LEVEL) - +1 VERSUS INSTANCES OF FEAR AND INTIMIDATION

FIT (5 POINTS) – REGAIN FATIGUE LOST TO EXERTION TWICE AS FAST

FLEXIBLE (5 POINTS) - +3 ON SKILLS THAT REQUIRE MORE FLEXIBILITY

HIGH PAIN THRESHOLD (10 POINTS) - +3 TO RESIST PAIN, NEVER SUFFER SHOCK ASSOCIATED WITH PAIN

INTUITIVE MATH (5 POINTS) – ALL MATH CAN BE DONE INSTANTLY

KNOW DIRECTION (5 POINTS) – YOU ALWAYS KNOW WHICH WAY IS NORTH

KNOW TIME (2 POINTS) – ALWAYS KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS

LIGHTENING CALCULATOR (2 POINTS) – SIMPLE MATH CAN BE DONE INSTANTLY

NIGHT VISION (1 POINT/LEVEL) – ADAPT RAPIDLY TO DARKNESS (MAX 9 LEVELS)

PERFECT BALANCE (15 POINTS) – YOU ALWAYS KEEP YOUR BALANCE, +6 ON SLICK SURFACES, +4 DURING COMBAT

PLANT EMPATHY (5 POINTS) – DETERMINE GENERAL HEALTH AND DETERMINE NATURAL OR SUPERNATURAL ORIGIN OF PLANTS, +1 RELATIONS WITH SENTIENT PLANTS

REDUCED CONSUMPTION (2 POINTS/LEVEL) – FIRST LEVEL REDUCES CONSUMPTION NEEDS TO 2 MEALS A DAY, SECOND LEVEL REDUCES NEEDS TO 1 MEAL A DAY

RESIST ALL POISONS (15) – RESIST ALL POISONS

UNFAZEABLE (15 POINTS) – NOTHING SURPRISES YOU

VERSATILE (5 POINTS) - +1 CREATIVITY

VOICE (10 POINTS) – YOUR VOICE IS PLEASING TO HEAR +2 TO ALL WHO HEAR IT

Joseph couldn't make up his mind, there were several options he wanted to jump on, but now that he had fifteen points, new things had shown up. He decided to wait and think on it for a little while before choosing.

(FOR BECOMING A REAL MAGE, AND NO LONGER NEEDING YOUR HAND HELD TO CAST MAGIC, YOU HAVE BEEN REWARDED WITH ACCESS TO THE OPTIONAL MISSION BOARD)

(OPTIONAL MISSIONS:)

LANGUAGES (15 POINTS) – GAIN A BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF ALL LANGUAGES

-HEAR 10 DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

*THIS DOES NOT GIVE THE ABILITY TO SPEAK THE LANGUAGES, ONLY UNDERSTAND THEM

KNOW DIRECTION (5 POINTS) – YOU ALWAYS KNOW WHICH WAY IS NORTH

-SEE A MAP

-WITNESS A SUNSET

-WITNESS A SUNRISE

-MAKE A SUNDIAL

KNOW TIME (2 POINTS) – ALWAYS KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS

-STUDY THE STARS OVER THE PERIOD OF A WEEK

*STARS MUST BE VISIBLE OVER THE ENTIRE WEEK

-MAKE A SUNDIAL OR WATERCLOCK

-SUCCESSFULLY CREATE AN HOURGLASS THAT LASTS AN HOUR

ACUTE HEARING (2 POINTS/LEVEL) - +1 TO HEARING

*ONLY 5 LEVELS ALLOWED

-LISTEN TO EACH OF THE FOLLOWING:

1)FLUTTER OF A BUTTERFLY'S WINGS

2)THE BREATHING OF A SLEEPING CHILD

3)THE MOVEMENT OF FABRIC RUBBING

4)WATER BEING POURED INTO A CUP

ACUTE TASTE/SMELL (2 POINTS/LEVEL) - +1 TO TASTE/SMELL

*ONLY 5 LEVELS ALLOWED

-TASTE AND SMELL ONE OF EACH:

1)SWEET

2)SOUR

3)BITTER

4)SALTY

5)SAVORY

ACUTE TOUCH (2 POINTS/LEVEL) - +1 TO TOUCH

*ONLY 5 LEVELS ALLOWED

-FEEL EACH OF THE FOLLOWING:

1)SOMETHING MOVING AWAY FROM YOU

2)SOMETHING MOVING TOWARDS YOU

3)SOMETHING HOT

4)SOMETHING COLD

5)SOMETHING FLUFFY

6)SOMETHING GRAINY

7)SOMETHING SMOOTH

8)SOMETHING CREAMY

*ALL MUST BE FELT WITHIN THE SAME HOUR

ACUTE VISION (2 POINT/LEVEL) - +1 VISION

*ONLY 5 LEVELS ALLOWED

-CONSUME 2 EYEBALLS OF A CREATURE WITH BETTER EYESIGHT THEN YOU

*EACH CONSECUTIVE CONSUMPTION MUST BE OF A DIFFERENT CREATURE

AMBIDEXTERITY (5 POINTS) – NO PENALTY FOR USING THE OFF HAND

*PREREQUISITES: DEXTERITY-15, STRENGTH-13

-PRACTICE AN ACTIVITY WITH EACH HAND FOR A TOTAL OF 100 HOURS – 50 HOURS PER HAND

ANIMAL EMPATHY (5 POINTS) - +1 TO ANALYZE A LIVING ANIMAL

*PREREQUISITES: INTELLIGENCE-14, PERCEPTION-14

-ACQUIRE AND CARE FOR AN ANIMAL FOR 6 MONTHS

*YOU MUST BE THE SOLE CARETAKER FOR ENTIRE DURATION

CHARISMA (5 POINTS) - +1 TO IMPRESS AND LEAD OTHERS (MAY BE BOUGHT MULTIPLE TIMES)

-BE HONEST FOR 7 CONSECUTIVE DAYS

-GAIN THE TRUST OF 5 PEOPLE WHO DO NOT ALREADY TRUST YOU

EMPATHY SENSITIVITY (5 POINTS) - +1 TO ANALYZE A SENTIENT SUBJECT FOR TRUTHFULNESS

-LISTEN TO 5 PEOPLE'S STORIES

-SEE AN EVENT FROM 5 OTHER PEOPLE'S PERSPECTIVE

*EVENT MUST BE DIFFERENT FOR EACH PERSON

*YOU MUST NOT BE INVOLVED IN ANY OF THE STORIES OR EVENTS

ENHANCED BLOCK (5 POINTS) - +1 TO BLOCK

-BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE WHEN SOMEONE IS GOING TO HIT YOU

-50 HOURS OF PRACTICE

-SUCCESSFULLY BLOCK 100 HITS

ENHANCED PARRY (10 POINTS) - +1 TO PARRY

-LEARN TO USE THE FLAT OF THE BLADE TO PARRY

-50 HOURS OF PRACTICE

-SUCCESSFULLY PARRY 100 BLOWS

FEARLESSNESS (2 POINTS/LEVEL) - +1 VERSUS INSTANCES OF FEAR AND INTIMIDATION

*ONLY 5 LEVELS ALLOWED

-OVERCOME A RECOGNIZED FEAR

FIT (5 POINTS) – REGAIN FATIGUE LOST TO EXERTION TWICE AS FAST

-COMPLETE 200 HOURS OF EXERCISE

*ANY FORM OF EXERCISE IS ALLOWED

FLEXIBLE (5 POINTS) - +3 ON SKILLS THAT REQUIRE MORE FLEXIBILITY

-COMPLETE 100 HOURS OF DANCING

-COMPLETE 100 HOURS OF SWORDFIGHTING

-OR-

-CATCH 10 DIFFERENT WILD CATS

HIGH MANUAL DEXTERITY (5 POINTS/LEVEL) - +1 TO DEXTEROUS TASKS

-COMPLETE 100 HOURS OF CHALLENGING MANIPULATION TASKS

*DUE TO COMPLETING 1 LEVEL BEFORE ACCESS TO MISSION GRANTED, ALL SUBSEQUENT LEVEL REQUIREMENTS ARE CUT IN HALF

LIGHTENING CALCULATOR (2 POINTS) – SIMPLE MATH CAN BE DONE INSTANTLY

-COMPLETE 100 HOURS OF COMPLEX MATH PROBLEMS

NIGHT VISION (1 POINT/LEVEL) – ADAPT RAPIDLY TO DARKNESS (MAX 9 LEVELS)

-CATCH A WILD OWL

PLANT EMPATHY (5 POINTS) – DETERMINE GENERAL HEALTH AND DETERMINE NATURAL OR SUPERNATURAL ORIGIN OF PLANTS, +1 RELATIONS WITH SENTIENT PLANTS

-SUCCESSFULLY GROW AND CARE FOR A PLANT THROUGHOUT ITS ENTIRE LIFE CYCLE

RAPID HEALING (5 POINTS) – HEAL ALL INJURIES TWICE AS FAST

-CATCH 20 DIFFERENT LIZARDS AND CONSUME THEIR TAILS

VERSATILE (5 POINTS) - +1 CREATIVITY

-COME UP WITH AN ORIGINAL SPELL

What was this? Joseph's eyes went big as he looked over the missions. Some of them he would be able to do, without intentionally trying, but others were simple enough, he could probably pull them off without too much effort. Again, he chose not to act on anything immediately. This would take careful consideration.

(STATUS)

NAME: Joseph Aurum

AGE: 7

(PRIMARY STATS)

STRENGTH: 8

DEXTERITY: 9

INTELLIGENCE: 13

HEALTH: 11

(SECONDARY STATS)

HIT POINTS: 9

WILLPOWER: 18

PERCEPTION: 11

FATIGUE: 14

(ADVANTAGES)

PATRON – Father, constantly around, provides all equipment

PITIABLE – People pity you, and want you to feel better. Expect head pats.

ATTRACTIVE - +1 reaction due to natural good looks

STATUS - +1 reaction due to being an elite merchant's son

PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY – Remember everything in your past, yes everything

MAGERY (1) – +1 per level to magical skills and stronger magic allowed

(DISADVANTAGES)

DEAD BROKE – No money owned personally

SOCIAL STIGMA – Minor

(SKILLS)

ACCOUNTING

ADMINISTRATION

ECONOMICS

FINANCE

MARKET ANALYSIS

APPLIED MATH

MERCHANT

BIOLOGY

CHEMISTRY

DIAGNOSIS

FIRST AID

GEOLOGY

PHARMACY SYNTHETIC

PHYSICIAN

DIPLOMACY

FAST TALK

PROPAGANDA

SURGERY

(MAGIC)

FOOD

TEST FOOD

DECAY

PURIFY FOOD

FIRE

MANA EXTERNALIZATION

MANA REGULAR

No one would understand that he was now a real mage, because he cast a spell three weeks ago. He knew that if he could keep up the twelve to thirteen hours of study a day, it would only take him about twenty days to complete all of his basics. Would the system give him another reward? He didn't want to ask, in case it decided not to.

Once he had all of the basics down, he could focus on learning runes and their modifications.

At the very next meal, Joseph cast TEST FOOD, just because he could.

"Are you casting a spell?" asked his father, hesitating to take his first bite.

"Yes, I finally finished all the practice I needed to be able to cast TEST FOOD, so I intend to cast it at every meal."

"Normally I would thing that unnecessary, but in light of recent events, I believe I will allow it."

Stella thought it was funny, and it was so good to hear her laugh, I made the runes especially pretty. She was entranced.

"Father," Joseph said, between bites, "Do you think it would be alright if I started learning some other skills?"

"Perhaps, what kind?"

"Kingly ones?"

His dad chuckled. "I have a fair number of slaves that are sold into the royal household for one reason or another. I don't think it will be hard to find a tutor for you. Though, if you are wishing to learn such things, perhaps it wouldn't be bad for you to stay with your mother for the next six months."

"Why do you say that?"

"Well, I have been getting reports that there are more bandits on the roads, and the general populace is starting to become more unstable. I'm worried that war is drawing closer, faster than I anticipated."

"I won't lie, I love the idea of spending half the year with mom, but wouldn't it be too dangerous?"

"What do you mean?"

"You surely know how much she likes to brag. I know she gives you a hard time when you're there about what you do, but she's always going on to anyone who would listen about how prosperous you are. If she knew I was capable of magic, and actively practicing court etiquette, everyone will know immediately."

"You're right, of course. I should have thought of that. I have such a soft spot for your mom, I'd almost wager she's my one weakness. In that case, when we reach Town 6, I will get you a carriage that is upgraded to the same specs as mine."

Every town we stopped at, leading up to Town 6, William's contacts were worried that the countries were gearing up for war. That meant Joseph didn't have much time left to get better. All he could do was study harder. So much pressure on a young mage!