Chapter 218 Check in and Preparations

As soon as Isaiah made the offer, his Status appeared and Astrid read it over.

She glanced through the display, quickly realizing that she had basically no idea what any of the Skills could do, except for the equipment Skill. Seeing his level growth, she could see that her own growth was 11 points per level higher. Then, she was struck by the fact that, counting his two Adamantium tier Skills and three Mithril together, they had the same amount of higher tier Skills.

“Now, to ensure that you understand what it is that we can offer to each other,” Isaiah continued as the Wanderers read over his Status, “I can explain my Skills in general. Thorn Blossom is my main Skill, and allows me to create and manipulate different types of plants, primarily those with vines and thorns. I can also create a shield of sorts for allies with it, so unless there will be anything else that stands in the way of that, I will make sure to grant you all some thornies to protect you. 

“Ley Connection is a boosting Skill that, the longer I spend in an area, makes my other Skills stronger and less mana-intensive. Thornbound Warrior is a sort of transformation Skill that transfers my Magical Potency to my physical attributes. Forest’s Blessing boosts all my Skills and is the source of the bulk of my bonus attributes. Verdant Eruption and Explosive Vitality are the only other ones that will have any direct impact on the fight we have coming, because my Presence Skills are more supportive for building a perimeter long-term while Profound Understanding and Mana Profundity are passives. Then, the equipment Skill just came as a bonus with my Class.

“So. Verdant Eruption is a spell, almost. I can use mana to cause a plant or an area’s plants to become more violent, stronger, and so on. I can use it on plants I created with Thorn Blossom or those that’re already there. Then, Explosive Vitality is a burst Skill, which mostly helps when I’m fighting while using Thornbound Warrior.

“None of my equipment will offer anything noteworthy, just being protective and giving attributes.

“Any questions? Keep in mind, we only have a minute or two before we need to get moving.”

“We can ask them on the way,” Astrid cut in, glancing at the others. “We’ll make plans on how to approach once we’re moving. With your Alacrity, you won’t be the slowest among us, which means we can make it to Purcell in about an hour’s sprinting.”

Then, without further conversation, she shared her Status as well as the effects of any piece of her equipment that was more than exactly what it appeared to be.

Mithril tier: Echo stone hammer: Power +100, Alacrity +30, Fortitude +70, Magical Potency +30, Self-Mastery +40, Acumen +25.

Mithril tier: Self-repair gambeson with shimmerbug regeneration organ batting. 10% increase to natural recovery rate and any healing effects. Provides: Fortitude + 25, Self-Mastery +10.

Steel tier: Deep manasteel and Mithril alloy greaves: enchanted for self-repair. If mana is channeled through them, will grant a temporary 50% boost to Alacrity. Provides: +35 to Power, +45 to Alacrity, +30 to Fortitude.

Steel tier: Draconic Icitanium helm: enchanted for self-repair, enhanced vision, and mana condensation. Mana can be provided to the helm to release a facsimile of a dragon’s breath in a cone. Provides: +40 to Power, +25 to Alacrity, +65 to Fortitude, +25 to Magical Potency, +55 to Self-Mastery, +30 to Acumen.

Steel tier: Dungeon Silver and Mithril alloy shield: can extend to cover more. Power +25, Alacrity +15, Fortitude +70, Magical Potency +15, Self-Mastery +45, Acumen +15

She quickly broke down her general capabilities to Isaiah, making sure to include her helmet’s ability to let out a frost breath, her shield’s ability to double in size, and her greaves’ Alacrity boost. Then, she turned her attention to Felix and Muti to do the same.

Mithril tier: Midnight Mithril and cave basilisk leather armor: Highly resistant to all effects except shadow. The metal armor pieces are enchanted with the leather to work in tandem, naturally hiding the wearer in all shadow. Provides: +70 to Power, +85 to Alacrity, +65 to Fortitude, +45 to Magical Potency, +45 to Self-Mastery, +55 to Acumen.

Attached rope darts provide: +45 to Power, +55 to Alacrity, +20 to Fortitude, +40 to Magical Potency.

Steel tier: Shadow Panther boots: Produce and deepen shadow. Enhance recovery in shadow. Strengthen sneak attacks. Provides: Power +40, Alacrity +70, Fortitude +35, Magical Potency +30, Self-Mastery +20, Acumen +35.”

Steel tier: Draconic Midnight Mithril helm: made of Midnight Mithril and shaped like a dragon’s head. Enchanted to allow sound to pass through the helm to maintain awareness. Mana of any attribute can be supplied to the helm, which will be condensed and expelled from the helm in a cone. Provides: +30 to Power, +25 to Alacrity, +55 to Fortitude, +55 to Magical Potency, +55 to Self-Mastery, +20 to Acumen.

Mithril tier: Mithril Mole Gauntlets. Made from sections of a Mithril Mole’s carapace. Is heavily warded against all elements. Can be provided with mana to generate a protective or damaging aura to something held. Provides: +45 to Power, +25 to Alacrity, +65 to Fortitude, +15 to Magical Potency, +30 to Self-Mastery, +5 to Acumen.

Mithril tier: Draconic Deep Manasteel helm. Made of deep manasteel and shaped like a dragon’s head. Enchanted to be as defensive as possible. Mana of can be supplied to the helm, which will be condensed and expelled from the helm in a limited barrier around the wearer. Provides: +60 Power, +35 Alacrity, +120 Fortitude, +50 Magical Potency, +100 Self-Mastery, +40 Acumen.

Steel tier: Manasteel root boots and greaves: Infused with rare living petrified wood. Can be infused with mana to fuse with the ground underfoot. Provides: +40 to Power, +15 to Alacrity, +50 to Fortitude, +20 to Magical Potency, +20 to Self-Mastery, +10 to Acumen.

Steel tier: Glimmersteel axe: can project a hook if provided with mana to pull targets towards self. +30 Power, +10 Alacrity, +25 Fortitude, +10 Magical Potency, +15 Self-Mastery, +10 Acumen.

Steel tier: Living Wood shield: self-repairing and pulls attacks towards it. Provides: +35 to Power, +85 to Fortitude, +30 to Magical Potency, +40 to Self-Mastery, +15 to Acumen.

Muti preened at the opportunity to show what she could do, while Felix simply expressed what he was capable of and how he would show much more effect fighting against people of his own tier, due to Impenetrable Fortress now being at the Mithril tier. Isaiah’s expression, hidden by the mask, didn’t react as Astrid indicated for the other two men to share their Statuses as well.

Mithril tier: Storm Ram fleece brigandine studded with storm quartz: to be worn under the robe. Fleece naturally absorbs blows, is enchanted for protection. Has segments of boiled irregular frost dragon Boss leather as the engraved surface for the enchantments. With storm quartz, increases potency of all storm-related Skills and spells by 20%. Provides: +20 to Power, +30 to Alacrity, +65 to Fortitude, +65 to Magical Potency, +40 to Self-Mastery, +40 to Acumen.

Steel tier: Lightning pegasus robe: enchanted to strengthen wind, lightning, and storm spells. Strengthens the potency of spells cast by 75% (limited to low Mithril tier). Has two flaps hidden along the back with spines that gain rigidity when provided with mana. When rigid, can serve as additional protection when wrapped around the torso or gliding wings when spread. Provides: +20 to Power, +40 to Alacrity, +40 to Fortitude, +130 to Magical Potency, +60 to Self-Mastery, +50 to Acumen

Steel tier: Spell storage rings and bracelet: can store three spells up to Mithril(?) tier. 

Steel tier: Lightning-struck wooden staff: if provided with mana, will form a storm fitting the location without a spell. +10 Power, +20 Alacrity, +20 Fortitude. +60 Magical Potency, +50 Self-Mastery, +40 Acumen.

Steel tier: self-sorting enchantment archival grimoire. Can be engraved with enchantments and provided with additional mana at the  time of engraving to automatically recall an enchantment when given the command word.

Steel tier->Mithril tier with attachment: Bard's flute: heavily enchanted to suit the needs of a combat-oriented bard. Also strengthens any skills cast through the flute. Provides a 50%->80% boost to all Skills cast through the flute up through Mithril tier. Provides: +55 to Alacrity, +100 to Magical Potency, +40 to Self-Mastery, +40 to Acumen. 

Both men shared their Statuses with smiles, both waiting for the others’ reactions. When they read the other’s Status, each man chuckled. 

“You took something to start giving you bonus attributes?” Skandr asked first.

“Just like you did,” Benedict confirmed. “I kept seeing everyone else’s attributes climb and got a little jealous. What secondary effect does yours have?”

“More focus on strengthening my spells,” Skandr shrugged, looking at the others. “Nothing special, I don’t think.”

Astrid scoffed, looking at her friends’ Statuses. Then, she turned to Isaiah, smiling. “So, that’s what we have to offer. With burst Skills, we can do some damage, at least.”

“You all…” Isaiah trailed off, his eyes flicking between each of the Wanderers. “You all are very impressive. Together, you may be able to face one of the Adamantium tiers, if you are able to put them into a favorable situation. Now, as you said, I have the confidence to bring you along. Let us go, and see if we cannot turn the tide of this battle.”

***

The journey to Purcell, one that the party had made from Kznietch which was some hundred kilometers closer, went quickly. With Benedict’s evolution, Voice of Liberation could increase everyone’s Alacrity by 150% if he focused entirely on speeding everyone up. That, combined with Skandr throwing himself entirely into buffing his own Alacrity with spells, allowed him, the slowest member of the party, to be running with a blinding speed. His Alacrity was effectively about 1,600 with everything together, and the kilometers flew by as the sun continued to rise towards its zenith.

“We’re nearly there,” Isaiah said as their plan started to come to a good conclusion. It was impossible to settle anything, because they had no specifics on what Classes their enemies would have. Even so, general plans on how to act and how to coordinate with Greely and Pauline came together.

“Alright,” Astrid nodded. “Everyone, pup whatever potions you’ve been assigned, because from here on, it’s time to go to battle.”

She followed her own command, pulling a handful of berries out of her spatial pouch and quickly chewing and swallowing as the hills they ran through gave way to a mountain. At the peak, Purcell waited, though she couldn’t see it behind a roiling wall of vines that smashed through attackers. Then, there was no warning before something exploded into existence and smashed into her chest. A shrieking crash reminded her of the caliber of enemy she was fighting, though, more pressing than that was the pain of the arrow that’d pierced her breast.

Muti’s blade flashed as she cut the shaft and Benedict quickly healed her as best as he could.

“Don’t worry about me,” Astrid growled as the agony finally caught up to what’d happened to her. She coughed some blood from her mouth as the regenerating fruit she’d eaten pushed the arrow from her flesh. “Let’s not give them another chance to hit us.”