Bonfire Party
39 Mana Crystals remain.
4 Flame Touched Crystals remain.
You have obtained a Source Crystal.
You Used the Source Crystal!
---Target: Mourningstar---
More magical manifestation than biological creatures, Wisps nonetheless possess physical bodies. Their ability to cast spells from range makes them a foe that should not be underestimated by the novice. Wisps are magically oriented monsters, normally possessing two spells. This Wisp possesses the skills Mana Orb (Rank II), Lesser Force (Rank II), Levitation, Magic Analysis (Rank II), Mana Shape, Mana Slice, Monster Analysis (Rank II), and is developing an unusual number of other skills. This Wisp is
Level 3, with average stats for its species. You have learned this Wisp's name is Mourningstar. This Creature's Source is Unrecognized. ERROR: ENCOUNTERED FOREIGN OBJECT.
As Jason felt the headache coming on, he would also notice something else. The mysterious green Source Crystal suddenly went a dark, cloudy gray. The pressure on his mind seemed to abate...but then one of the Mana Crystals in his inventory pulsed.
Source Crystal recharged.
You Used the Source Crystal!
---Target: Asteria---
Dire Rats are quite large and strong for rodents, with sharp senses. They are predator scavengers, and because their teeth constantly grow they forage and gnaw constantly. Their forepaws are somewhat capable of gripping and manipulating, but they aren’t very skilled. Rats often hunt in packs, composed of family units, but the mothers will often drive off the fathers as they will behave aggressively towards the young. This Dire Rat possesses the skills Beast Sense, Faster, Monster Analysis, and Dextrous, and is developing an unusual number of other skills. This Dire Rat is Level 2, but is rapidly gaining experience. You have learned this Dire Rat's name is Asteria. This Creature's Source is Unrecognized. ERROR: ENCOUNTERED FOREIGN OBJECT.
Source Crystal recharged.
You Used the Source Crystal!
---Target: Mother Rat---
Dire Rats are quite large and strong for rodents, with sharp senses. They are predator scavengers, and because their teeth constantly grow they forage and gnaw constantly. Their forepaws are somewhat capable of gripping and manipulating, but they aren’t very skilled. Rats often hunt in packs, composed of family units, but the mothers will often drive off the fathers as they will behave aggressively towards the young. This Dire Rat possesses the skill Beast Sense, and is developing the skill Poison Resistance. This Dire Rat is Level 6. This Dire Rat is called Mother Rat by others. Its HP and Base Stats have increased over time. Its Potential has increased after maturation.
Source Crystal recharged.
You Used the Source Crystal!
---Target: Hard Rock---
This is a Hard Rock. It is a solid aggregate of mineral substances. If used as a weapon it deals Blunt damage. It has very minor Earth Element properties. It is of Bad Quality.
Source Crystal recharged.
You Used the Source Crystal!
---Target: Flame Touched Mana Crystal---
Mana Crystals that have been exposed to a large amount of elemental Mana associated with Fire. Forcibly breaking this crystal produces a small-scale, fiery blast similar to many low-rank Fire Spells. It is of Low Quality. It has Low Sharpness, and is Brittle, Hard, and Crystalline in structure.
You have no Mana Crystals remaining.
Source Crystal requires a charge before further use.
The splitting pain in Jason's head was so bad that he couldn't even stop his wandering eye before the Source Crystal had used up all of his stash. That probably wouldn't be a big deal, given the loot they had stolen from the goblins, but it seemed this odd system wasn't quite done with the green slime just yet--!
Your experiences have culminated in new skills!
Skill Gain: Material Analysis I!
You may now analyze physical materials to learn their most basic physical characteristics.
Skill Gain: Magic Analysis I!
You may now analyze magical energies or objects to learn their most basic magical characteristics. Less effective on Materials and Monsters unless they are magical in nature.
Skill Gain: Monster Analysis I!
You may now analyze Monsters and other living creatures to learn their most basic characteristics.
LEVEL UP!
Your battles have culminated in new power! You are now Level 4! You gain Skill Points to distribute as you please!
LEVEL UP!
Your experiences have culminated in new power! You are now Level 5! You gain Skill Points to distribute as you please!
Unspent Skill Points:
10
Current Skills:
Physical Damage Resistance I (1.0)
Warcry I (1.5)
Stone Shot II (2.05)
Rock Spire I (1.4)
Tremor Sense II (2.1)
Soil Manipulation (1.0)
Telepathy I (1.5)
Material Analysis I (1.0)
Magic Analysis I (1.0)
Monster Analysis I (1.0)
<UNUSABLE SKILLS>
Faster (0.3)
Wave Shock (0.1)
Swift Swimmer (0.1)
Aqua Sphere (0.7)
Alert (0.1)
Limited Shapeshift (0.8)
Smash (0.4)
Cleave (0.3) <CURRENTLY INCOMPATIBLE>
Blood Drain (0.6)
Taboo (0.3)
Muffle (0.1)
Crafting (0.1)
Mental Resistance (0.7)
Magic Resistance (0.3)
Agriculture (0.2)
Plant Analysis (0.1)
Acid Spit (0.5)
Bounce (0.1)
Charisma (0.75)
Focus (0.7)
Fire Resistance (0.3)
Fortify (0.2)
Sensory Resistance (0.1)
YOUR BODY IS BEGINNING TO CHANGE
You are undergoing Transformation! Based on your life experiences, your ability to survive, and the strength of your will, new paths have appeared! Choose carefully--there is no going back! WARNING. THIS PROCESS WILL LEAVE YOU TEMPORARILY VULNERABLE.
OPTIONS (* Indicates Suitability):
(Adult) Slime (High Variance Chance) - Slimes are amorphous creatures more similar to undeveloped egg yolks, yet they are able to move on their own and digest prey. Their bodies are highly resistant to physical damage and malleable.- Slight increase to all base stats.
- Increase HP.
- Increase Potential.
(Immature) Giant Slime - Giant Slimes have simply grown bigger, and their membranes have increased in strength so as to hold more mass without causing their bodies to split. Their digestive fluids also become stronger, but as a result of these advantages they require more food.- Increase Rank: Physical Damage Resistance.
- Increase HP (Reduced).
- Increase all base defensive stats (Reduced).
- Very Slightly increase non-defensive base stats.
**(Immature) Slime Mage (Low Variance Chance) - Slimes are normally of limited intelligence, but every so often one somehow learns magic. With its poor magic stats its casts are limited in number, but few expect a Slime to have such abilities. Keep studying, slimy student!- Very slightly increase all base stats.
- Slight Increase MP
- Increase Rank: Mana Orb (Reduced)
- Increase Rank: Shield (Reduced)
*(Immature) Block Slime - An elemental variation of a Slime aligned with the Earth. Their bodies become much more rigid, and take on a hard, geometric shape. It becomes much more difficult for them to use any shapeshifting or movement based skills, but their durability is comparable to Giant or Metal Slimes and they sometimes develop Earth based magics.- Increase all base defensive stats.
- Increase Rank: Earth Affinity
- Increase Rank: Stone Shot (Reduced)
Oberon's treatment of Asteria helped boost her HP back to full, but she soon received another System message that she was taking minor damage from the poison--which she didn't really need, considering the spasming cramps and pain that told her the same thing. As of yet, it didn't look like either the rat's focus on her mana, or the pixie's treatment could cure her. For right now, however, it seemed that they would be able to manage the symptoms. His Shield spell would serve to protect her from further damage, but other than that he couldn't quite achieve the result he was going for.
As the dirt settled from the battle, however...
Your practice has increased your skill!
Rank Up: Shield II > Shield III!
MP usage remains the same as Rank II. The Target's defenses are further increased.
LEVEL UP
Your battles and experiences have culminated in new power! You are now Level 4! You gain Skill Points to distribute as you please!
Unspent Skill Points:
10
Current Skills:
Minor Heal I (1.6)
Lesser Flight II (2.15)
Shield III (3.0)
Magic Analysis III (3.25)
Mana Orb I (1.2)
Mana Shape I (1.0)
<UNUSABLE SKILLS>
Meditation (0.3)
Focus (0.5)
Lesser Status Heal (0.4)
Monster Analysis (0.5)
Material Analysis (0.1)
Plant Analysis (0.1)
Mental Resistance (0.2)
Wall (0.1)
Faster (0.2)
Mana Dart (0.3)
Alert (0.1)
Minor Regeneration (0.1)
LEVEL UP!
Your battles have culminated in new power! You are now Level 3! You gain Skill Points to distribute as you please!
Unspent Skill Points:
10
Current Skills:
Beast Sense I (1.8)
Faster I (1.85)
Monster Analysis I (1.7)
Dextrous I (1.05)
<UNUSABLE SKILLS>
Poison Resistance (0.2)
Muffle (0.2)
Use Light Equipment (0.4)
Crafting (0.5)
Charisma (0.7)
Magic Analysis (0.55)
Mana Sense (0.25)
Telepathy (0.15)
Mental Resistance (0.1)
Stronger (0.2)
Soil Manipulation (0.25)
Overwork (0.1)
Minor Cure (0.025)
As Ed eviscerated the Fanged Lizard for the sake of making an impromptu waterskin, he managed to accidentally get some of the stomach's acids on his paws. It didn't burn nearly as much as the lizard's venom tended to, but it certainly wasn't pleasant. Despite this he persevered and dragged it all the way to the pool. Once filled with water, the stomach's tissues didn't exactly seem water-tight. All the digging and pulling and dragging Ed had to do to get the thing in the first place had probably ripped it in some places. However, it held at least a little bit, perhaps a cup's worth, long enough for him to get it back to Asteria as Oberon tended to her.
But he soon felt his strength diminishing more and more rapidly.
You have no Stamina remaining. You are experiencing HP Drain from continued activity. Some Skills may become unusable.
LEVEL UP!
Your battles and struggles have culminated in new power! You are now Level 3! You gain Skill Points to distribute as you please! Total SP increased! (You do not recover SP by leveling up.)
Unspent Skill Points:
5
Current Skills:
Beast Sense I (1.5)
<UNUSABLE SKILLS>
Muffle (0.5)
Material Analysis (0.2)
Magic Analysis (0.6)
Monster Analysis (0.6)
Faster (0.3)
Rabid Fit (1.0) <REQUIREMENT UNMET>
Warcry (0.1)
Alert (0.3)
Dextrous (0.2)
Tremor Sense (0.025)
Mental Resistance (0.7)
Telepathy (0.075)
Mana Shape (0.6)
Focus (0.6)
Shield (0.5)
Mana Shell (0.3)
Stronger (0.6)
Soil Manipulation (0.4)
Overwork (0.4)
Harder (0.2)
Crafting (0.1)
First Aid (0.1)
Asura managed to grab both Dire Rats, but while he finished off the injured one the second managed to tear off his pesudopod with its fangs and escape the Slime's grip. As it tried to regroup, however, Digbie grabbed a handful of stones. Not only did the goblin throw them, but he attempted to use his Soil Manipulation to accelerate them. The spell didn't work properly on non-soils, as the rocks were too large and too hard to count compared to something like dirt or sand--but something about using this particular skill just seemed to "click." The four stones took on a golden glow as they left Digbie's hand, suddenly seeming to accelerate in midair. They punched into the Rat's body like darts, sending blood and a chipped tooth spraying across the wall of the tunnel.
LEVEL UP!
Your battles and experiences have culminated in new power! You are now Level 3! You gain Skill Points to distribute as you please! Base power stats have slightly increased!
Unspent Skill Points:
5
Current Skills:
Physical Damage Resistance I (1.86)
Overwork I (1.0)
Blunt Resistance I (1.05)
Limited Shapeshift II (2.1)
Smash I (1.25)
Pierce Resistance I (1.05)
Magic Resistance I (1.0)
<UNUSABLE SKILLS>
Earth Resist (0.6)
Mental Resistance (0.3)
Monster Analysis (0.2)
Slime Shell (0.3)
Faster (0.6)
Cling (0.4)
Charisma (0.3)
Counter (0.4)
Slime Whip (0.3)
Dextrous (0.1)
Soil Manipulation (0.2)
Stone Shot (0.1)
Slime Coil (0.1)
Your experiences have enabled a new skill!
Skill Gain: Stone Shot I!
You have learned to charge a piece of stone with your energy before hurling it at your opponent. This attack does blunt, piercing, and Earth-elemental magic damage. It consumes less MP than most spells, but requires ammunition.
Goblin Party
"...But where you learn from?" the curious goblin persisted. Yet when Orchid ordered him to go gather materials, he shrugged and wandered off towards the woodpile to argue with other goblins over branches and saplings that might make good spearshafts. Orchid gave the third goblin the Bowhorn with an order to find more, but as he snapped out of his daze he shook his head.
"Dun think I could find no more! I only got this cause Ventures forgot to take it. I dun think I could catch one of them deers by meself!" He shoved it back at Orchid, then headed for the trees. "I knows lots of trees like dat though! I getcha the stretchy stuff!"
When they returned with what Orchid had asked, they didn't seem to have as much as before. In addition to plain, dry wooden sticks and a few crackly strips of bark, however, they did bring back a few things of value. Or at least the first two did. The first goblin handed Orchid another Antidote Fern, and the second one who asked all the questions also gave her...a dried grape? No, it wasn't exactly a dried up grape...it looked like the
eyeball of some creature! And rather than becoming wrinkly or leathery after drying in the sun for who knew how long, it had instead hardened to a texture much like a pebble. It reminded Orchid of child's marbles, particularly the ones called catseyes, but the eye's sclera was a dark black.
With her materials in place, Orchid began teaching her prospective disciples. Oddly enough, while trying to explain it to someone else, the female goblin would find doing so helped her to solidify her own ideas and put her focus on the fundamentals of her newfound crafting abilities.
You are experiencing a Fast Rate of Skill Progression.
You made an item!
Cracked Bark (Bad Quality) + Cracked Bark (Low Quality)
Your Crafting III skill increases the quality of your item. Bad > Low Quality
You have made this item before. Your experience helps increase the quality of your item.
Your crafting method is more effective compared to your raw materials. It helps increase the quality of your item.
Your item quality has been increased. Low Quality > Average
You made Fiber Cord (Average!)
You made an item!
Fiber Cord (Average) + Cane Wood (Low Quality) + Small Stick (Bad Quality)(Multiple) + Stiff Stick (Low Quality)
Your Crafting III skill increases the quality of your item. Low Quality > Average.
You have made this item before. Your experience helps increase the quality of your item.
Your method of crafting is more effective compared to your raw materials. It helps increase the quality of your item.
Your item quality has been increased. Average > Good.
You made a Wicker Shield (Good)!
You made an item!
Sharp Stick (Low Quality) + Sharp Stone (Well Formed Quality) + Fiber Cord (Good)
You have processed these items.
Sharp Stick + Hard Rock = Smoothed Sharp Stick (Low Quality > Average)
Smoothed Sharp Stick + Fire = Smooth Fire Hardened Stick (Average > Good)
Sharp Stone + Hard Rock = Stone Blade (Well Formed > Well Made)
Your Crafting III skill increases the quality of your item. Well Made > Excellent.
Your method of crafting is more effective compared to your raw materials. It helps to increase the quality of your item.
You created: Stone Spear (Excellent)! You feel stronger and faster when equipping this piece of equipment! This weapon can deal Slash or Piercing damage. This weapon can be thrown. It is slightly vulnerable to Fire.
Your constant practice has increased your skill!
Rank Up: Crafting III > Crafting IV!
You can now craft more complex objects with multiple moving parts, though the more parts there are the more difficult maintaining quality becomes. The quality of your created items is slightly increased. Stamina depletion is the same as Rank III. Sub-Stat Enchancements are the same as Rank III.
After handing the three stooges the rest of her cordage, the high quality spear she had just created, and leaving them to their bundle of sticks, Orchid sat down near Crispy and began to cook. The Flame Touched Goblin stoked the flames as he watched her--it looked like his eye had been healed up by this point thanks to a few more Herbs. He seemed to be thinking about something...but if Orchid ever noticed, he would look away and return to sharpening another Stone Knife in his hands.
You made an item!
Blood Snare Vine (Excellent) + Broken Goblin Teeth (Bad Quality) + Tree Sap (Low Quality) + Short Stick (x2) (Low Quality)
Your Crafting IV skill increases the quality of your item. Good > Well Made
The Special Quality of this item makes it more efficient. Special Quality: Blood Drain I
You created: Bloody Garrote (Well Made)! This weapon's damage is increased by Stealth! This weapon has the effect Blood Drain I--if the weapon draws blood, the enemy will suffer very minor damage over time.
As Orchid set off from the fire into the forest looking for that other female, Crispy watched her go. Then he looked over towards the three goblins that were now attempting to imitate her. His gaze then drifted towards Rattleskull, who had now begun whittling the less-sturdy pieces of wood from the rapidly-diminishing pile. The bigger boss simply tapered their handles and smoothed them out, so as to make them easier to hold and give more leverage to their swings. The wood was often too dried, too rotten, or otherwise unable to withstand the more complex bits of crafting like inserting stone blades or making notches. So they were simple wooden clubs, but slightly better, and much easier to produce.
The one broad shouldered goblin now carried a Wooden Spear. Some random goblin Rattleskull had picked out got the Stone Hammer the boss had made. Crispy had two Stone Knives made, along with several torches, and Orchid had shown the other three how to make shields and spears. That left about ten of the goblins out of the group still using their simplified sticks and stones...but the day was beginning to grow late, the sun headed towards the horizon as the sky turned redder by the moment.
Orchid's bitch-hunt didn't take long. She soon came across the other female sitting on a tree limb up above what looked like a game trail, sawing on branches with her one Sharp Stone. It was taking quite a while, as her stone was dulled and the trees were still green with life.
Rain
Rain's recently upgraded Stun Fang seemed to be doing the job much more efficiently--the second goblin went down much the same way as the first. But now more green heads began to poke through the entrance of the cave, and there was much chattering among them.
"What da heck happenin' over dere?!"
"Dey both just fell over!"
"Somethin' must be over there! Boss! Hey Boss! Come see this!"
Two of them kept watch while the third ran off, most likely to get Rattleskull. One of the two lookouts picked up a hefty rock and got ready to throw it at the first thing that moved. For now Rain was hidden behind the bodies, but how would she get away...?
