by K. T. Hanna
There was a pause before Somnia responded. I get your point, but normal would have left your entire raid for dead in this last battle. Normal is just perspective.
Murmur couldn’t argue with that. Her abilities definitely provided an extra layer of confidence when it came to battling unusual opponents. She turned her attention back toward her spells, glad of the distraction.
You have reached level fifty. Currently this is the maximum level you can reach.
You have unlocked the next level of your hybrid abilities. Please allow for time to acclimatize to these new skills, as they will affect the underlying foundation of your magic.
Murmur grinned. Now they were really getting into it.
Druidic Hybrid Abilities
Earth Shielding Forte
Cast: Initiated Passive
Type: Reinforcement
Duration: Active once initiated until death of the caster
Effect: on top of Earth Shielding, when the Psionicist casts this expanded version, it will extend directly to ground their entire group. This will increase their natural defenses by 15% for the duration. This ability is best used in conjunction with a main tank group and can also be beneficial for healers in order to mitigate damage.
Reinforce Others
Cast: Active
Type: Buff
Duration: 60 with a 2-minute cooldown
Effect: this is a defensive buff which can be cast on a singular target, thus enabling them to take more damage by upping their innate armor class level. The amount of armor depends on the level of and type of class being cast on. Best used on tanks, as agility is negatively affected when cast on nearly all ranged damage classes.
Rockslide
Cast: Instant, as long as the caster is focused on the exact epicenter
Type: Damage
Duration: depending on the magnitude of the rockslide cast, which follows the will of the caster, a rockslide can last from anywhere as short as two seconds up to twelve seconds.
Effect: summons a landslide of rocks from a high point of land to crush the targets chosen by the caster.
Caution: can only be used around or close to rock formations. Do not use where rocks cannot naturally occur; you will not like what you summon.
Murmur raised an eyebrow at the last comment. It seems you’ve got your sense of humor back when divvying out abilities. She spoke the words into her head, waiting for an answer.
It took a few seconds, and Murmur didn’t think that she was going to get a response but suddenly there was a chuckle from the back of her head. Well, I do enjoy my own sense of humor.
Sometimes, Murmur wondered just how much of an AI Somnia was, and just how much of the world was contained within her.
The notifications were done with, which was fine in Murmur’s book. If she could have, she would’ve dived into her chest and swam in the scrolls in there. Instead, she pulled out the first one and opened it.
Level Fifty Spells
Command
Cast: Passive
Type: Buff [this buff replaces altruism, but only on the caster]
Duration: Always Active
Effect: This buff enhances your enchanter abilities. It increases your awareness of the world of Somnia, and permanently raises your faction with species you are friendly with to the level of ally. This effect cannot be undone by any debuff.
Warning: the only way this buff can be negated is through the actions of the Psionicist. Treat others as you would be treated. You have been warned.
Murmur didn’t quite know what to make of the warning. Most of the time she did that didn’t she? She swallowed past the lump in her throat as if it was trying to tell her something. Perhaps it was trying to make a point. But she didn’t understand. What was so bad about wanting to take care of the people you loved? She’d definitely appreciate her loved ones taking care of her.
Mana Tide (Max Upgrade - Level 50)
Cast: Group
Type: Buff
Duration: 60 minutes
Effect: This will cause you to regenerate mana faster in combat. Mana will increase by an additional 12 per 5 seconds.
Fervor (Max Upgrade - Level 50)
Cast: Group
Type: Buff
Duration: 60 minutes
Effect: This is an attack speed buff, but it also increases agility by the caster’s level plus 20. Cannot be cast on the same target as Berserker. You should know this already. It feels like it’s getting repetitive.
Berserker (Max Upgrade - Level 50)
Cast: Choice of Single or Group—must be mind-activated. What? You’re an enchanter, deal with it.
Type: Buff
Duration: 60 minutes
Effect: This buff adds strength of the amount equal to the level of the caster plus 20. However, it also reduces agility by half the caster’s level. Best used for classes or pets who will not need agility stacked. Cannot be cast on the same target as Fervor. This will override Fervor. It’s wise to direct it to single cast or your DPS classes will be angry at you. Unless you thrive on conflict, then fire away.
Haste (Max Upgrade - Level 50)
Cast: Group
Type: Melee Buff
Duration: 45 minutes
Effect: When cast on an ally, this buff will allow their melee speed to increase by 50%.
Signet (Max Upgrade - Level 50)
Cast: Group or Single - we’ve been over these options.
Type: Buff
Duration: 45 minutes
Effect: This buff will increase the intelligence, wisdom, and agility of all group members by an amount equal to the caster’s level plus 10. Signet will not stack with Fervor and can be overridden by casting the latter, should melee need their own boost.
Murmur frowned at the ability listing, even though they made sense. At first, she’d had an overwhelming sense of disappointment because they were upgrades. But they weren’t just upgrades, they were increases and had transformed into group buffs. This was going to save her so much time, especially if she organized the groups in a way so as to utilize her buffs to the max.
There was only one remaining thing to do. She reached cautiously for her Sinuous scrolls. It seemed the system, or perhaps it was just Somnia, had given up on her choosing any of the other options to follow.
She read the scroll, then she reread the scroll. Consternation flooded her, unsure of what it was she was seeing. Her Sinuous abilities were supposed to make up the offensive arm of her class. Mind infestation, manipulation, instilling next level horrors into a person’s psyche. That was what she’d signed up for, but apparently manipulating her abilities to do the things she needed at any given moment had somehow also given her a type of healing ability. That was a nice dose of irony.
Advanced Mana Healing
Cast: Instant - 5-minute recast
Type: Replenishing
Duration: 8 seconds. This ability requires that both the caster and the receiver remain motionless for 8 seconds.
Effect: This ability allows the Psionicist to completely heal a singular target’s mana pool and restore it to full. This effect will only occur if both parties to the spell are able to remain immobile for the duration of the transfer. The Enchanter does not pull from their own mana pool; instead they will convert the hit points of their opponents into mana energy in order to replenish the mana of their target.
Warning: Do not execute this ability unless you are 99.9% positive that both you and the recipient are able to maintain immobility for 8 seconds. To break the transfer mid-cast could potentially be catastrophic and cause damage to rain down on the entire raid or group.
Murmur liked the sound of the spell, but at the same time while eight seconds might not feel like much in the grand scheme of things, in the middle of a raid the chance of her or a healer
being able to stand still for the entire amount of time was relatively slim. She wondered if there was a way for her to reduce the eight second duration.
Now you’re just being greedy. The things I bend for you.
Really? So, you’re cheating for me? I don’t think you should be doing that. Murmur wasn’t sure what Somnia meant by that, and she wasn’t entirely certain she wanted to know. The world was bending things to her will? That sounded more like a god that an AI.
Sometimes I wonder if you are too perceptive. Other times I wonder when your thought process will catch up to where we all are.
Murmur scowled. No need to be prickly. And she cut off the contact. She was proud of being able to do that, considering the headsets connected her to the world which was indeed all of Somnia. Technically, she could only do that because of the abilities she received to shield her thoughts as an enchanter.
Create Your Own Abilities
Effect: This is not a spell as such, but a confirmation of the innate ability you have demonstrated over the last few levels. Since you are able to morph spells, skills, and abilities you already possess into more advanced versions of themselves if the situation warrants it, let’s make it official.
Requirements: Your guild and or allies must find themselves in such a position that is untenable. Through the use of your willpower and the evolution of your skills, you may be able to find an out-of-the-box solution.
Warning: Be aware that this is not the solution to all of your problems, nor is it the way to be victorious in every situation. This is not a crutch, and using it as such would be foolhardy.
There were no more scrolls in the box and only a few little knickknacks that she would pass on to the guild bank. Murmur wasn’t entirely sure how to feel about her last ability.
She checked over her stats, slightly in awe of the difference hitting level fifty made.
Her set, complete with the circlet, now added a significant boost.
INT +45
CHA +65
MA +50
Set Bonus:
Mana +200
Hit Points +200
Hitting level fifty had also adjusted her armor’s statistics. The set even reflected the level cap.
CON 25
STR 25
AGI 25
WIS 25
INT 60
CHA 90
HP 200
MANA 250
MA 75
Not to mention her Staff added twenty to every single stat now too. Adding in all the raid buffs as well made her seem slightly overpowered.
CON 22 (97)
STR 10 (67)
AGI 20 (125)
WIS 12 (117)
INT 94 (279)
CHA 115 (360)
HP 1087 (1507)
MANA 1587(2057)
MA 250 (395)
All she knew was they had to defeat another two dungeons before they got out of this mess, and if she had to her force her own hand and evolve her skills to make sure they won, then that was just what she’d have to do.
Somnia Online
Continent of Tarishna - Vahrir Fortress, Dungeon Version 22.248, Triggered by Murmur of Fable.
Early Day Twenty-Seven
Jirald didn’t understand how Fable had managed to get away with their strange version of raiding. He’d seen them raid before and knew they didn’t usually solve puzzles or leave creatures alive long enough to give them quests. But something had changed in the way they played this particular game, and he needed to find out what that was.
He eyed the guild leader of Spiral, noting how the large tank was barely containing his personal disapproval. The way the man moved, so stilted and held in check. The perfect person to talk to.
Jirald sidled over to the man, pondering exactly what to say. Karn sat close to him, her appearance pale from the resurrection as she rummaged through her own personal loot chest. Risk was keeping his own council, and the scowl on his face spoke volumes to the rogue.
“Not enjoying the raid?” Jirald was suddenly there, speaking in the man’s ear.
Risk started as Jirald allowed the shadows around him to dissipate. It was so much more fun to startle other people. Murmur wasn’t any fun; she sensed him and often stunned him right in place. Not being able to move made him angry. She really didn’t need to be making him angrier.
“No. It’s not the raid. I’m not enjoying these tactics. Yet at the same time, I can see the tangible reward in employing them.” His words were clipped with barely concealed irritation, and Jirald allowed himself a small smile.
“I wouldn’t even call these tactics.” He egged the man on, pushing ever so slightly to encourage Risk to vent.
“Right? It’s like they’re guessing, getting it right, reaping rewards, and running circles around us. It’s fucking disgusting.” The same sentiment showed in his face and the way he held himself. He was embarrassed by approaching the encounters the way Fable did, upset that he couldn’t use his own personal play style to a better effect than Fable used theirs.
Jirald knew exactly how the man felt, and he knew how to milk it. “Perhaps you could suggest other ways to approach these fights?”
Risk raised an eyebrow and laughed bitterly. “Perhaps, but Murmur is hard-headed, and so far, she hasn’t been wrong. I’m not sure how I would get anything done.”
“Murmur is juggling three guilds right now, and you’re the leader of one of them. Simply appeal to her accommodating allies’ side. If she’s as enthused about having player allies as she is about having NPCs, I feel as if she might surprise you.” Jirald kept his voice as smooth and convincing as he could.
Risk took a long and hard look at Jirald. “You might have a point,” he admitted grudgingly. “Not that I’d say that in public. Still though, I’m sure she can be reasoned with.”
“Murmur isn’t always in charge. Just pick your moment. As a fellow guild leader, she’ll afford you a lot more respect than she gives to one of us lowly raiders.”
The scowl returned to Risk’s face, and he nodded once before turning away and walking back to his own people.
Jirald didn’t beg to differ, nor did he try to influence the Spiral guild leader any more than he already had. He watched him walk away, knowing that he’d planted a seed in the mind of one of Murmur’s supposed allies. If he had his way, he’d rip everything from her, and then take her down when she was reduced to nothing.
Summer residence
Home of Laria, David, and Wren
Summer Condo
Real World – Day Twenty-Seven
Murmur’s ability to exit the game with a thought rather than go through the entire log out process made her transition so smooth she briefly wondered if she was still in her capsule.
All she had to do was close her eyes, command the headset to disengage from the game world, and she was back in her room. Even the sensations of the world around her as she opened her eyes to look at the ceiling resonated with the Somnia she’d just left. It didn’t take her long to process the way her sensory nets felt in this world and realize her parents were home.
She took a moment to let that sink in. Her parents were home, and all she’d had to do was feel for it. How could Somnia leak into this world, and why did the abilities from the game work here? Logic clashed with undeniable fact, causing a light stress headache.
Wren sighed and pushed herself off the bed, glancing down at Harlow with a small smile. Her friend was already starting to come out of the connection. Those headsets might not be as fast as Wren’s, but they were close and hadn’t caused any comas. So that was a win. She grinned as she watched the redheaded girl blink as she removed her headset.
“I’m going to head downstairs.” Sure, she’d have liked to wait for Harlow, but they were on a time crunch, and if she stayed on the bed she might ne
ver get the chance to grab food. Harlow would follow her once she’d oriented herself.
The house was quiet, and Wren tiptoed lightly, trying to sneak up on her dad. It didn’t take her long to realize that her mother was upstairs sleeping soundly, which explained the calmness she felt emanating from her. Wren loved her mother, but calm wasn’t one of the words she’d use to describe Laria.
Her father held his pointer finger up to his lips, signaling for her to remain quiet. Leaning in for a hug, she relished the feeling and warmth, marveling at how well the game seemed to mimic intimacy through touch as well.
“Your mother’s upstairs sleeping for the first time in I don’t know how long. I refuse to wake her, and if you wake her up, you can feel my wrath too.” Her father’s eyes twinkled. She knew he wouldn’t get horribly angry, but he’d probably pull that very disappointed crap on her, and even though she knew it was a trap, it always affected her.
She rolled her eyes dramatically and pulled open the fridge to grab out an energy drink for Harlow who she could feel was about to make a way downstairs. She knew these things, just like she did in the game.
Closing her eyes, she concentrated on everything outside of herself. She was able to detect her father sitting there and his general overall emotional state. He was worried and trying hard not to show it. She wondered, briefly, if she could influence a state of being outside of Somnia. Gently she extended a calmness toward her father, soothing him and trying to take away his worry.
Even with such a slight hint she could already feel that his emotions changing. For a moment she felt panic and immediately stopped her overture of peacefulness, allowing her father to return to his previous state of worry. It was all she could do to not to show her complete and utter shock on her face. Being able to manipulate portions of the mind, of someone else’s mind, while in the actual world shouldn’t be possible. Then again, she shouldn’t be able to physically track people out of her immediate sight either.
