by Kyle Johnson
“I need to talk to my friends for a moment,” Aranos told the Parmassae. “After that, can I ask you some questions?”
“I will answer to the best of my ability, Lord Evenshade,” the spirit bowed. “Know, though, that we of the Parmassae do have limits to what information we can readily provide. We are here to assist others in their searches for knowledge, not to instruct them in our own interpretations of what we have learned.”
“That should be fine,” Aranos nodded, turning away from the librarian and heading over to Hector. When he drew near, he touched the man on the arm. Instantly, the Warrior’s voice came to his ears. “…sort of magically resistant Warrior Class,” he was saying. “Something that specializes in fighting Wizards and the like.” At Aranos’ touch, he jumped slightly and turned quickly to look at the Sorcerer, relaxing when he saw who it was.
“I already told Martina where we are,” the bearded man assured Aranos. “She’ll tell me when she’s close, then you can let her in, right?”
“Yeah, but I’d have to unseal to door to do that, and I think that might be a bad idea. I mean, I don’t think Zoridos is going to take us Redeeming this place lying down, do you? I’d be shocked if there wasn’t a horde of undead outside the door, waiting for us already.”
“Yeah, that seems likely,” Hector sighed, scratching his beard. “We trapped here, then?”
“The Parmassae – I guess they’re basically librarians, and that’s easier to say – they say that they can shift the exit portal to just about any place in the city. It might be smarter to have Martina go back to our spot in the escape tunnel and pick her up from there.” He glanced at Silma, whose silent grumbling came readily to his ears. “Besides, Silma’s getting anxious. The quiet here bothers her. I’m planning on letting her roam around for a bit and scout out the area. It’ll make her feel better.”
“I kinda like it, myself. It’s peaceful.” The Warrior looked around with a smile. “The librarian, here, tells me that they’ve got an entire section devoted to Advanced Classes. I’ll bet that’s where all of these spirit-things have been going. Everybody wants to get an Advanced Class, and they all want a good one.”
“I don’t blame them,” Aranos laughed. “Can you pass that message on to Martina? Let me know when she’s ready to come here, and I’ll go pick her up.”
“Wilco,” the man grinned. “Now, back to my Class. What kind of choices do I have?”
“Based on your status, I have chosen four Classes that might suit you,” the spirit replied. “Please examine them at your leisure.”
“Will I be able to get the Class just from reading about it?” Hector asked curiously.
“Once you have studied the Class sufficiently to understand it, it will appear as one of the offerings the gods grant you for an Advanced Class.”
“You might want to focus on Classes that are at least Rare,” Aranos offered. “Usually, the rarer an Advanced Class is, the more powerful it is. Maybe also look at ones that you don’t qualify for but are only missing because of a Skill or Ability or two. You can probably find information on that Skill or Ability here and get it through studying and practicing for a day or two.”
“What he said,” Hector told the Parmassae, which bowed and floated off. “You might want to pass that on to the others, as well.”
Aranos released the Warrior and followed the man’s advice, going to each of the players and telling them what he knew about Advanced Classes. “You can get one now, but if there’s a rarer one that you’re pretty close to, you might want to try to get that one, instead,” he advised each of them.
“Do I even want to know how rare your Class is?” McBane asked him when he talked to the Rogue. “Or will it just make me feel bad?”
“Exceptionally rare,” Aranos admitted. “I mean that literally; the Class has a rarity of Exceptional. I had to have a high Wisdom and Intelligence, plus an Adept ranking in two Skills and Student in the other. I also had to have a specific Perk and Title that aren’t that easy to get.”
McBane sighed. “You think we’ll get Perks and Titles for finishing off this lich-thing?”
“Probably, yeah. Maybe not the Title that I got for clearing Haerobel – that was a World’s First, and you know those give better rewards – but you’ll probably get something.”
“Then I might wait until we finish this,” McBane said grimly. “I mean, what I’m being offered is decent – better than I would have gotten back in Stoneleague, to be sure – but there’s nothing Rare like you’re talking about.”
Aranos nodded. “I did the same thing, to be honest; waiting, that is. As it turns out, only something like 14% of people get offered a Rare Class, though, and only like 6% can get an Exotic Class. I was hoping for Legendary, but less than 1% of people will get one of those, so I stuck with Exceptional.”
“You poor thing,” McBane grinned. “How will you ever get by?”
“Yeah, I know, I was being greedy. In any case, I’m sure whatever you decide will be fine. You can overcome a lot of Class shortfalls with training, Skills, and working out new Abilities, after all.”
When he spoke to Meridian, though, the woman had a request for him. “Okay, I’ve got the chance to take this really, cool Advanced Class. Thing is, I need a better spirit if I’m gonna do it.”
“You’ve got a Life Sprite now, right?” Aranos asked. “I’m not sure what one of those is, but I think I heard that they’re fairly rare. Usually that means powerful, doesn’t it?”
“Oh, I love Sparky,” Meridian assured him. “That’s what I call him. He’s super cute, and he’s made me a great healer. The thing is, if I’m gonna take a better Class – I kinda need him to be Evolved, like you and Martina are.”
Aranos frowned. “I don’t know if I can do that,” he admitted. “I mean, I suppose it’s possible…”
“Geltheriel told me about the time you accidentally Evolved that kerruk. You just pumped it full of mana, and it Evolved, right? What if you did the same thing, but with life mana?”
“It might work,” Aranos admitted. “It also might kill Sparky. That’s actually probably more likely.” He frowned. “Let me look into it; I have spirit mana, too, and one of its functions is supposed to be calling creatures from other worlds. Maybe I can find a normal Evolution of Sparky and create a Spell that will bump him down that road.”
“I appreciate it,” Meridian smiled at him. “I know you’re already working on something for Hector, and you’ve got Geltheriel’s Quest to complete, so thanks for taking the time to help me out.”
“No problem,” Aranos shrugged. “We’re a team, after all.”
Aranos returned to the Parmassae, who stood silently waiting for him. “Do you have a request for me?” the spirit asked politely as the Sorcerer approached.
“I’ve got a few, actually, if that’s okay. First, you know where the escape tunnel out of the city is? There’s a room there, with a fountain – it’s the room closest to where the tunnel exits north of the city. Can you set the portal exit to that room?”
The librarian bowed its head for a moment before raising it back to face Aranos. “I cannot, I am afraid,” it replied. “There is a barrier of some sort protecting that room. I can place the exit into the escape tunnel immediately before or after the room, though, if that is satisfactory.”
“Oh, that barrier’s probably my doing, sorry. I warded the space to keep the undead from wandering into it. Can you set it in the passage leading from the room into the city? And if you do, will it stay there if we leave here, or will we have to re-enter through the Library?”
The Parmassae was silent for several moments as Aranos assumed it communicated with others of its kind. “I can set the exit to lead to where you wish, Lord Evenshade. Normally, your second request would not be possible – after all, tying the exit to one location in such a manner robs others from using it as they wish – however, an exception can be made in this case. As it seems that you and your party are the only beings
in Antas who can make use of the Library, there should be no conflict. Would you like me to do so now?”
“In a minute, if you don’t mind. I have a couple of things I’d like you to find for me. First, I’d like some information on using Enhanced mana aspects, specifically mind or spatial. Second, anything you’ve got about advanced Runecrafting or Enchanting. Finally, I need the most detailed map you have of Antas.” He glanced at Meridian. “Oh, and I guess I need information about life-based spirits.”
“We have many works on Enhanced aspects for you to peruse, Lord Evenshade. Would you prefer Spells or Lore on the subject?”
“Lore first,” Aranos said firmly. “Although I might get to Spells later.”
“Of course. We also have both treatises and Skill Books regarding Runecrafting and Enchanting. May I ask your Skill level in those currently?”
“Umm – Expert 1, I guess,” he hedged. “I’ve got the High Enchanting Skill, actually; it uses Runecrafting and Enchantment in tandem…”
“Would you prefer works on High Enchanting, rather than the separate Skills of Runecrafting and Enchantment?” the spirit interrupted. “Our body of Lore on the subject is smaller, but it does exist.”
“Oh, yeah, then that would be preferable.”
“I will return soon with your desired materials,” the Parmassae bowed once more. “Please, seat yourself and I will bring what you desire to your table.”
Aranos glanced around and saw that most of the party were already seated at tables, while Geltheriel and Saphielle were each being led to a different doorway leading off the main chamber. I wonder if those are training rooms, Aranos thought silently. Maybe I can use one to work on my Enhanced mana a bit.
He sat down at the table Phil had taken, noting that the big Spellsword was poring eagerly over several old, brittle scrolls. “Anything interesting?” Aranos asked.
“It’s all about the old order of Paladins,” Phil breathed excitedly. “Who they were, how they lived – even the specific vows they took to join the order. Look – this talks about tests they had to undergo to prove their bravery, faith, and purity of heart!”
“You might have trouble with that last bit,” Aranos chuckled.
“Yeah, probably,” Phil nodded. “Still, if I could pass tests like this and swear a vow to the Light, I think I could be a Paladin!”
The big man sighed. “Now, if I could only figure out a way to bring this information back to Stoneleague.” He caught Aranos’ questioning glance and explained. “That’s the Quest Apollon gave us – he’s the Patriarch of the Sunlord back in Stoneleague. Here, I’ll show you.” A notification appeared in Aranos’ vision, and he quickly pulled it up:
Quest: Fallen Font of Knowledge
Patriarch Apollon has asked you to join Aranos the Liberator in his Quest to free the Fallen City of Antas and the Library contained within.
Objective: Join the party of Aranos the Liberator and help him free the city of Antas.
Difficulty: A
Reward: 10,000 XP, Global fame, improved reputation in human lands
Optional Objective: Bring Apollon information about the Feast of Virnal or the gods’ silence
Reward: Increased reputation with the Church of the Sun, XP based on the value of returned lore
Optional Objective: Bring Apollon lore, relics, or iconography of the Pantheon of Light
Reward: Increased reputation with the Church of the Sun, XP based on the value of returned items.
Failure Conditions: Fail to join Aranos the Liberator’s party to free Antas; fail to liberate the Fallen City; betray Aranos the Liberator in his Quest.
Failure Penalties: Global infamy, decreased reputation in human lands, decreased reputation with the Church of the Sun
Aranos read through the Quest slowly. “Well, why not just take snapshots of what you need and write it out yourself? The Quest says you have to bring back information and lore; it doesn’t say you have to bring the original works.”
Phil blinked. “Hey, good catch! Yeah, we could do that. If all four of us worked on it together, it wouldn’t be too hard to write that out. It would take maybe a couple of days, max.”
“You might want to ask about the Scribing Skill,” Aranos suggested. “It gives you a bonus to writing speed and lets you copy rarer or more complex materials. I don’t know what would happen if you tried to copy something beyond your Scribing Skill, but I’m guessing it would turn out illegible or something.”
Phil nodded. “That seems right,” he sighed. “The game doesn’t make it easy, does it?”
“Not even a little,” Aranos chuckled. He glanced around at the others; he and Phil were in a zone of silence, and the rest of the party was engrossed in their own work. “So, got an update on the Cleansing Quest.”
“Oh? I take it they wouldn’t just open the Vault for you, then.”
“Nope.” Aranos went on to quickly explain what they needed to do. “I’ve got a plan for it, but – I don’t want to completely share it.”
“Why not?” Phil asked, his face totally neutral.
Aranos sighed. “Have you had any bad dreams in the game the last week?” he asked. “Specifically, any nightmares where someone was demanding answers from you – answers about me?”
Phil looked startled. “Yeah, a few times, I think,” he said slowly. “I can’t really remember; you know how it is with dreams. I have this vague recollection that someone was trying to torture me for information, but that’s all.”
“I think – I think that was Lily, Phil. She’s got an Ability called Dream Haunting that lets her invade your dreams and kind of take them over. I think she’s been pumping all of you for information. Well, probably not Geltheriel or Silma, but everyone else.”
“Wait, what?” Phil said loudly, half-rising from the table. “She can get into our dreams? Dude some of those – are kind of private…” He shook his head. “That’s not right!”
“The AIs can always see into your head, Phil,” Aranos pointed out. “That’s literally the entire point of us being here, isn’t it? For them to learn how we think and map our brains better.”
“Yeah, but Lily’s not an AI,” Phil hissed. “She’s a…” The man broke off and looked cautiously at Aranos.
“A condemned convict, yeah,” Aranos nodded. “I figured it out. Pretty sure I know 90% of the story at this point. It doesn’t matter; what matters is that anything I tell anyone could get back to Lily. Geltheriel’s immune – that’s part of being Oathbound; she can’t be forced to do anything against my interests – and Silma probably is, too, both from her Bond to me and from being non-human. Anyone else, though, might give stuff away.”
Phil looked troubled. “You can’t just hide stuff from the party, though. That’ll make everyone suspicious of everyone else.”
Aranos sighed. “Yeah, I’ve gotta figure something out. Maybe a ward that keeps Lily out of your dreams.” He frowned. “I suppose I could also teach everyone the Fortification Skill, but I’d need a way to try and get into your minds to do that, so I’ll need to work on a mind mana Spell either way. Might as well try both, right?”
Phil looked thoughtful, then nodded. “I think you should tell everyone this,” he said quietly. “Let them know what’s going on. Maybe by knowing, we’ll be able to resist better in our dreams. Even if we can’t, though, we need to know why you’re not telling us everything and that you’re working to make it so you can again.”
“Okay,” Aranos nodded. “I’ll tell everyone when we’re back at the camp tonight.” He placed his hands on the table to stand as he saw his Parmassae returning to the room with a stack of books and scrolls. “Until then, good luck Paladin-ing, and let me know if you need anything.”
“Always, buddy,” Phil smiled wanly, his gaze troubled as it returned to the scrolls set on the table. Aranos understood; Phil had just been told that his dreams were no longer his own and might not even be safe. Every player expected horrible things to happen to their bodies i
n-game – that was part and parcel of fully immersive experiences – but their minds were a different thing entirely. Aranos remembered how pissed he’d been the first time the AIs had messed with his thoughts; Phil probably was almost as angry and maybe feeling a bit more violated.
The information the Parmassae had brought Aranos was interesting-looking, but the Sorcerer had other things to do than study. “Am I right in guessing that the side rooms are meant for training?” he asked the librarian as he took the stack of materials from the spirit. For a moment, he wondered how the seemingly incorporeal creature had carried the rather heavy books, but he dismissed the thought at once. It didn’t really matter, after all; what was important is that they could, so Aranos didn’t have to go traipsing through those corridors again in search of the works he needed.
“Indeed, they are, and two are set up for Wizard training. Would you like the use of one?”
“If you don’t mind. Also, could you go ahead and place the exit where we discussed?”
“Of course, Lord Evenshade,” the spirit bowed. It faced the entrance, and the crystal bubble there swirled and shifted, turning into a glass tunnel. Through the tunnel, Aranos could see the familiar image of the passageway leading from their camp into the aboveground city.
Silma, can you go scout the outside of the Library, and maybe make sure our camp is still secure? He sent the silent image to the fenrin, who instantly rose and padded noiselessly but swiftly to the tunnel.
It’s about time, she grumbled as she slipped into the crystal-lined passage. This is the worst place we’ve been so far, pack leader. The giant wolf exited the tunnel, and the crystal dome swirled back into place behind her.
Can you still hear me, Silma? It suddenly occurred to Aranos that he didn’t even know if his communication with the fenrin would work through whatever wards the Library had to have in place. Silma?
I hear you just fine, pack leader. I’m just enjoying the sounds out here. That silence was – it was unnerving. I couldn’t take it much longer, sorry.
