Soul’s Beast Familiar

  Rarity: Unique

  Pre-requisites: Sojourner, Sagacity: 15, Beastial Class, Level: 18

  Description: First created by an unknown beastial who had failed to forge a beast bond when he was younger. He lamented the fact that even if he later acquired the Beast Bond skill, which is common to beastials, his companion would not have the benefit of leveling with him and thus would always be woefully underpowered when compared to other beast companions.

  This skill allows the user to forge a bond with a beast up to level five. The familiar then gains 75% of the caster's Acuity and Sagacity. The familiar gains 25% of the caster’s Hardiness and Durability regardless of size. The familiar gains a beast class appropriate to its type and the ability to level that class independent of caster’s leveling. Familiar may never exceed caster’s level.

  Mana: 125

  Cast Time: 15 seconds

  Failure results in target becoming enraged with caster.

  This skill is unique in that once activated it does not require an active slot like the common version of Beast Bond does. However, the caster may never utilize this skill again after creating a successful bond.

  Minor Heal Companion

  Rarity: Common

  Pre-requisites: Sojourner, Sagacity: 14, Beastial, Level: 2

  Description: Heals a beast companion for 50 HP. Mana: 12. Cool Down: 15 seconds.

  T’nar’s Speedy Bulwark

  Rarity: Unique

  Pre-requisites: Sojourner, Sagacity: 15, Beastial, Level: 15

  Description: First created by the beastial T’nar who worried greatly about the survivability of his falcon beast companion, Silverbeak. This skill provided a shield for the beast companion that may be utilized both offensively and defensively.

  Beast Companion’s Defense is passively raised by +6. A magical barrier is created around the companion that settles onto the beast like a second skin. The barrier can be set to defensive, offensive, or dual-mode at the time of casting. Defensive absorbs up to 100% of the caster’s max health.

  Offensive causes any creature touching the beast to take damage equal to 50% of the caster’s base attack for primary attack skill/weapon up to once every 4 seconds.

  Dual-Mode adds 50% of both defensive and offensive modes.

  Mana: 75

  Duration: 1 hour

  Range: 100’

  Raking Dive

  Rarity: Uncommon

  Pre-requisites: Sojourner, Beast Form, Path of the Eagle, Level: 9

  Description: Allows for an aerial attack. Base damage added to attack is equal to 1 per 10’ of dive up to a maximum of 10’. Mana: 10.

  It wasn’t lost on Tim that if not for the stat boosts he got from the mask he would not have even qualified for some of the skills, such as Bi’Larel’s Third Eye. Because of how his skill interchange worked, he wouldn’t be able to use any of the newly acquired skills other than Soul’s Beast Familiar, which he had substituted for Shield Adept in his fourth skill slot.

  To be fair, he had chosen the Beast Bond skill, but it had evolved as he learned it into this unique skill. He was glad that the idea of having a companion had been appealing enough that he opted to put it into a spot other than his second slot.

  The last skill that he had learned for the morning was Raking Dive, but it had been in the second slot, and so he had to interchange it with Natural Weapons Master as that would serve him better. But the limitations didn’t allow him to add any individual skill to his active list more than once a day. Which was ultimately fine. He needed time to think about which skills he would use.

  Some of the skills like Bi’Larel’s Third Eye seemed potentially game-changing. The problem was he still wasn’t sure what combat against a similarly leveled monster would be like. So, he wasn’t sure if it would be worth the passive mana cost. That would cut his mana regeneration by 25%.

  The same applied to multi-attack. It sounded cool, but he had not yet fought anything that was much of a challenge. Even the elemental was only a problem because of its damage resistance types. His new sword would help with that, although it might not hurt him to pick up some type of bashing weapon, even if he didn’t have a skill for it. Seeing Travis in action with his huge maul had been impressive.

  Now, he was just running as fast as his sore body would allow. It hurt like heck to learn that many skills in such a short time, especially the unique ones. His excitement kept him going. Today he was hopefully going for his first official dungeon dive… and with a team. Tressa seemed like a bit of a cold fish, but his conversation with Kayla the night before convinced him she was an experienced adventurer, and he thought he could have some fun learning from her.

  When he reached Charles’s office, he was glad to see that he was the first one there. It wouldn’t have done to be late for a meeting like this. He knocked and then was told to enter the room. Inside he found the guild master at his desk looking over some reports. Tim couldn’t see what was on the reports, but it was obviously something concerning to the guild master.

  He still wasn’t sure what protocol required, but he figured he could play the naïve 1st gen card if necessary. So, after standing there for a full minute without being acknowledged by Charles, he coughed. When that still didn’t get his mentor’s attention, he just asked, “Something concerning in those reports?”

  It still took Charles another ten seconds to pull his eyes away from the report, but when he did look up, he stared at Tim as though to ask why he was being interrupted. “Let’s just say that my job comes with many burdens. The general population can’t know everything I do, so I have to bear that weight to allow them to sleep soundly at night. And no don’t ask. If you prove yourself, then I may bring you into some of this, but you have to prove yourself first.”

  The guild master paused for a second before adding, “Actually, you need to get to it quickly because your strength is sorely needed.”

  “So, what is the plan today?”

  “Dungeon diving. I have managed to acquire two teammates for you, but I’m not sure which dungeon to send you into. I know the one I would like to send you to, but I am a bit worried about sending you in there. You aren’t a cohesive team yet, and there will only be three of you.”

  “Tell me something though. Do you still have those potions that Simon gave you for your quest with the Silver Eagles?”

  “All but two. Reggie used one and I failed to collect back from Lacinia. I think she purposely avoided me so she wouldn’t have to give it back,” Tim replied.

  “That much is good. Your healer is very competent, but he is not as effective a healer as a spiritualist or even a naturalist. Sometimes, I think the healer tree is a joke. Of the four healer classes, only one of them truly specializes in healing.”

  “Can I ask why you want us to go into a particular dungeon?”

  “Simple enough. I might as well tell you. This isn’t really a secret, and it is probably going to become more and more common knowledge. All the dungeons in Terra are respawning faster than normal,” Charles said.

  “How many dungeons are there in Terra?”

  Charles grinned. “Ah, so now the questions begin. I guess I should have expected that. I did agree to be your mentor after all. Well, each of the nations has forty dungeons. The dungeons vary in strength. We classify them by rank from E to A, depending upon how challenging they are.”

  “That challenge is about more than just the level of the monsters within. The makeup of those monsters, how well they fight together, the terrain of the dungeon, and many other factors all go into it.”

  Tim nodded along. This was typical gaming stuff, and rather than worrying him, it made him feel more at home. “How quickly do the dungeons normally respawn?”

  “That varies and is another factor in how we rank the dungeons. Typically, an E-ranked dungeon respawns twice a day. D rank respawn once a day, C rank respawn every three days, B rank respawns once a week, and A rank once a month,” Charles answered.

  “And what about now? Also, what happens if a dungeon isn’t cleared? Do the monsters escape or do they build up inside? Oh, and what about S rank? Are there any S-ranked dungeons?” Tim fired off his questions rapid fire. His excitement got the better of him, and he only stopped when he saw the furrowing of his mentor’s brows. It was probably better to ask his questions one at a time.

  “As far as S-ranked dungeons, there is only one that we know of. It is called the Abyss and is located at the center of the Untamed Lands. For now, that is all I will say about it.”

  “If you think you can refrain from asking any questions for a minute or two, I can probably answer the rest of them, but I think that part of your team is here,” Charles said as there was a knock at the door.

  Charles called out for whoever knocked to come in. Outside the door, Tressa was waiting. She walked in after opening the door and right behind her, Kayla slid in. Tim watched Charles for a reaction and only saw surprise on his face. That at least made Tim feel better that Kayla wasn’t a plant but rather an organic connection he had made.

  The guild master said, “Kayla…”

  “Charles…” she replied.

  Tim had to wonder if there was history here between these two, but he didn’t get that vibe. More like an instructor who is disappointed in a former prize student.

  “I thought you were done with the guild,” Charles said.

  “Maybe, but this isn’t about the guild. This is about my new friend. Tim is nothing but fascinating. I’m willing to spend some time helping him train,” she replied.

  “I didn’t get a chance to tell you yet, but I found someone to join my team. Kayla offered to help me out.”

  Charles said, “That is pretty obvious. And it works out because I was only able to find two for you.”

  Tim smiled. He hoped but didn’t know for sure so he asked, “Who is the other person?”

  Behind him, Simon walked into the room, “That would be me, of course.”

  Simon and Kayla nodded at one another. Charles said, “Now that you are all here, I need to finish answering a couple of questions for Tim.”

  Under his breath, Simon muttered, “Of course.”

  Charles just shook his head. “If we can get going. To explain about dungeon mechanics. If a dungeon has fully spawned and hits its respawn timer again it normally starts to increase beyond the normal max by 10-25% each time. When it hits somewhere between 150-200% of normal capacity, monsters will start to spill out of the dungeon and attack the surrounding area.”

  “Over the last three years, the rate that the dungeons respawn and the amount of increase has been rising with some rare fluctuations. Over the last month that has increased even more. The dungeon I want to send you to is a B-ranked dungeon. But it has exceeded two hundred percent and is starting to spit monsters out.”

  “I must be missing something. You seem extremely nervous about this. B rank shouldn’t be that hard with our levels. I mean Kayla is level 17 and Simon is level 16. I don’t know what level Tressa is, but if it is only B rank, then the monsters shouldn’t be that high of a level, right?”

  Charles shook his head. You don’t remember what I said. There are different reasons for dungeons to be given a rank. The dungeon is called the Grinder, and the monsters there are few in number but average level fifteen. They are also relatively strong for their levels.”

  Tressa spoke for the first time. “I’ve been there before. A mistake can result in a quick death. If the healer isn’t on top of everyone’s health or if the tank can’t hold agro it can be over before you know it. The Grinder is responsible for more sojourner deaths than any either of the two A rank dungeons in Terra. Oh, and because you are kind enough not to scan me, I’m a level 15 arcanist.”

  “I’m inclined to agree with Tressa on this one. The Grinder is dangerous enough without it being overfull. And no offense, Simon, but you are only a partial healer. You won’t be able to keep up. Especially if Tim is supposed to be our tank,” Kayla said.

  “If the monsters are strong, then that is all the more reason that we have to do this. And don’t doubt my ability to tank these things. As for healing, I can help with my own healing by using Life Tap.”

  Tressa’s eyebrows went up, but she didn’t say anything. Tim noticed; his perception was so much more refined with the mask on. Charles must have prepared her that Tim’s build wasn’t normal. Hearing about the dungeon made him wish he had chosen to keep his new dodge skill rather than the beast bond skill. But if wishes were wings, then pigs would fly.

  That led to a strategy discussion where they went over each other's abilities. Once Tim realized Kayla had a good assessment skill, he swapped out his own Master Assess skill and replaced it with Greater Stat Hex. With the mask buffing his Acuity, it meant that the spell could drain ten from a single stat. For a mage with a high Acuity, it could be even more potent.

  The discussion went on longer than he liked, but Tim and Charles finally convinced Tressa and Kayla. Simon had stayed silent through most of it. Now, though, they were on their way.

  CHAPTER 35

  INTO THE GRINDER

  While walking to the dungeon, they found the streets of New Rome were pretty busy. The fresh air markets were open, as were the streets. People were hustling about their daily lives. That was except for one street corner. It was crowded with fifty or sixty people who appeared to be protesting. They had a large banner in black with a red rune on it but no words.

  Anyone who got too close to the corner found a leaflet being shoved in their face. The people kept saying blessings of Azmarin to anyone who actually took the paper. In turn, they also spat and cursed at anyone who wouldn’t accept it. It was rather bizarre, and Tim decided he couldn’t worry about that. He needed to keep his mind on the task at hand.

  He was surprised to find that the dungeon was underneath the capital. Suddenly, Charles needed to have someone clear this out. Made sense. Apparently, the guild had lost a lot of diamond-ranked adventurers over the past few years, and the few that there were led teams of gold-ranked adventures to clear the B ranks or were needed to keep the A ranks cleaned out.

  If the guild couldn’t even keep a dungeon under the capital clear, then Caesar might not keep the same relationship with the guild. And he certainly didn’t want to go to war with his own people.

  A trip down through the sewers revealed it was much as he had expected of a medieval-level technology city. Which was to say that it was rank. The entrance to the dungeon was only about a hundred yards from the nearest exit into the city. It would be disastrous if monsters started pouring out in large numbers.

  The dungeon itself surprised Tim, too. He had not expected to find what was essentially a Mayan temple under the city. But there it was. Sewer water ran into a stone channel right in front of it. A cavern had formed around the temple, and over their heads were the streets of New Rome.

  In the cavern, there were various crews that seemed to be mining piles of rocks. Around each group of miners were several city guards. Tim had been trying to keep his questions to himself, but now he felt compelled to ask, “So what are they doing?”

  Simon answered, “Dungeons don’t just grow monsters. The mana that flows through them also causes various precious metals and gems to spontaneously form in the areas around here. The miners do their best to keep the materials cleaned up, but with the increasing development rates, the city has been having trouble getting enough miners to work it.”

  “A paycheck isn’t worth dying for,” Tressa said.

  Kayla chimed in, “Tell that to the four fools who are about to walk into a dungeon overfilled with monsters.”

  They all chuckled, but Tim asked another question, “What kind of precious metals?”

  Simon said, “Last question, then we focus on the task or we leave. Remember, we are only gonna try this as long as you prove it’s safe. But the metals range from silver to mithril and from gold to elementium.”

  Tim so desperately wanted to ask more questions, but part of getting Tressa and Kayla to come here was that he agreed to be focused. Simon talked to one of the guards, and as word spread, everyone mining the rock piles outside the temple stopped. Guards, miners, and those carrying food and water around all stopped and cheered. Apparently, they were very happy to have someone show up to clear the temple.

  They started up the stone stairs in front of the temple, heading for the entryway that was carved to look like a screaming mouth in the smooth white stone. The doorway itself was ten feet wide. Kayla went first and stopped them right before they reached the final stair.

  “Someone has been here.”

  “Are you sure?” Tressa asked, but Simon spoke over her and asked, “How recently?”

  “I’d say it was likely within the last hour, but it could have been earlier this morning. My skill can’t tell me with any more precision than that.”

  Tim wanted to say that he didn’t see any footprints or other signs, but he realized that he didn’t have the skills to compete with an expert assassin. If Kayla said someone had been in here recently, then he needed to believe her. Trust was essential for them to work together.

  It was then that he was struck by the smell. He still wasn’t used to the enhanced sniffer he had, so he rarely actively used it. Now, he made a show of deeply drawing in the air. There was a particular scent. “Wait, I smell something now. Trying to place it. I know I’ve smelt it before, but it is much fainter now.”

  Just as he had trusted Kayla, the others looked at him, trusting that his beastial senses could sense what they couldn’t. Then it dawned on him. He knew what the scent was. “It’s myemar. I’m smelling myemar.”