Chapter 306: Choosing a Path

Chapter 306: Choosing a Path

Franklin house was lively tonight. The extended family members could smell a party three towns away and started converging on the house bringing with them alcoholic beverages, musical instruments, and appetites. Local eateries strained to fill large orders on a moment's notice, but the payment was in gold upfront, so no one complained more than any chef normally did.

Ben and his new friends found themselves at the center of a large group of people eager to hear their stories. News of the destruction of the Golden Dome of the Gods and the cleansing of a possessed senior paladin had spread quickly. Several had stories of their own encounters with Sir Eustace, and whether he'd always been possessed or just recently was hotly discussed. Contrary to expectations, no one seemed worried about the building.

Darius Franklin summed up the general feeling, "It was tacky and ugly, and the gods were probably embarrassed by it. Doubly so if it was used to summon demons. Accidents happen when demons are around, doubly so with Franklins there too." They repeated their tale several times during the evening, followed by listening to the other family members' tales.

Several Franklin cousins were shameless about asking how much of a reward they'd earned. It seemed the taboo of asking to see another person's notifications didn't hold if you were family. Ben got no dissent from the others, who were quite frankly astonished by the results of their fight.

The Gods approve of your Perseverance in attaining your goals and the Courage to stand against a Daemon from The Abyss.

The Maid of Orleans grants each of you the Skill:Flaming Blade of the Phoenix.

This skill has a cost of 100 stamina to enflame your weapon with Phoenix Fire for one minute. Flaming weapons will do an additional 50 points of damage to your opponents. If the creature is Undead or a Daemon, add + 5xRAD to the damage.

You are awarded 1000 experience in any skills used in the fight.

You are awarded +1 RAD

You are awarded 25 Core Skill Points.

Aspect of the Phoenix has been added to your core skill options.

This brought a round of applause from the assembled people as Ben shared the announcement with them. There were calls to demonstrate the skill, leading to a singed ceiling. Harmonia put out the small fire. "Take it outside, you lunatics. How often do we have to say 'No flaming weapons in the house' ?"

Ben was curious about the last benefit. "Can one of you check your core skills? Does it give you the option of gaining Aspect of the Phoenix?

Dobie was the first to check and let out a yell. "I have the option to take it! But it will take all 25 points! Is that what gave you the Flame Strike spell?"

"Yes, and a few more. I also have a Lay Hands ability, Flaming Brand, and other spells."

Astrid made a face. "Easy come, easy go. I could have spent days thinking about how to spend those points, but a holy aspect that gives healing and damage spells? Easy decision." Ben watched as the other four decided to spend their points one by one. Each time he saw a small bit of fire grow inside of them.

Many people asked about their plans. Doby declared proudly that he would study at the Academy to become a full-fledged Paladin. "It's what I came here for, and the sword agrees. But when I graduate, I'll be heading back to the North. Someone needs to keep the wolf in check."

Astrid was joining him. "Seems a shame to kill a daemon and a possessed paladin and then not stick around to cause more trouble."

Clarice surprised everyone by saying she was going to continue as a courier. "I proved myself, but now that I have, I don't think it's the correct path. I will finish my training as a Courier and then see where things lead."

"I'm going to the Royal Academy of Mages." Bryce seemed both proud and scared. "Inquisitor Diego is writing me a letter of introduction. He says I need to be someplace where they can handle my gift and help me gain control. He seems to think that burning daemons with Holy Fire is a wonderful thing."

Ben was intrigued by the idea of studying at the Academy and had his invitation in his ring. Maybe in a few years when his contract was up.

As the evening progressed, Harmonia came from upstairs, followed by another of Ben's distant cousins, Fallston. The large man was toting a wooden chest filled with glowing weapons and armor.

Harmonia looked at the five new knights. "Normally, such a feat would be rewarded. I take responsibility for the task since the gods are sulking and forgetting their duties. If these aren't to your liking, let me know, and I'll find something else."

"Sir Doby, you already have a fine cloak and sword; see if this chainmail hauberk fits those broad shoulders. It's dwarven work and very tough." Doby immediately stripped off his old leather chest piece and slid into the shimmering chainmail that covered him from neck to knees with three-quarter sleeves. He choked up and couldn't talk but nodded his thanks. Someone brought a mirror from somewhere, and he barely recognized himself.

Sun-Touched Dwarven Chainmail

+ 20 additional mitigation of normal chainmail.

Self-repairing when exposed to the sun on a bright day.

"Dame Clarice, you have a fighting style like many other Franklins. We like to dodge and weave. I hope this helps." Clarice slid the ring onto her finger; she immediately felt the effects of three extra agility points.

Note: If a rat turns blue, sell it to the Academy before it learns it can breathe lightning.

Drawers and containers proved to hold bits of magitech components, and on a high shelf was a series of notebooks. They detailed simple magitech experiments, sometimes with disastrous results. They were all labeled similarly with the name Damien Franklin and his year attending a college of magic. Ben took them down and stored them in his ring, then looked around the room again, finding several crates of failed experiments with salvageable parts. A thick roll of thick blue leather caught his eye that matched the leather used in the experiment. Ideas were populating in his head.

He wanted to sit down at the workbench and start on a project, but for now, he needed sleep. After checking to ensure none of the rats were turning blue, he closed the laboratory and shut the bookcase. At one point, the wood of one of the cases had warped, producing that tiny crack. He'd see about fixing that so no light emerged. An automatic battery charger is a good thing to keep going. He could think of several uses for them.

It wasn't long until dawn would creep over the horizon. He was almost asleep when a notification brought him upright in bed.

New Heritage options for Tier 3 are available!

The House of Franklin is renowned for many things. Which path will you follow? (This choice may be delayed until a Tier 3 Class is chosen.)

Path of Invention: "For Science!"

+2 INT, +2 DEX, +4 PER

Skill: Storm Resistance, Skill: Explosion Resistance.

Perk: Jerry Rigged

Perk: The Ring is Mine!

Perk: Inventive (A better understanding of the theories of Magitech and Item Crafting. Higher chance to discover new ways to construct items. Less chance of things you make blowing up in your face.)

Path of the Pirate: "It's all about the large chests."

+2 AGI, +2 DEX, +4 CHR.

Skill: Close to the Wind, Skill: Lucky Captain

Focus on daring feats of skill and courage on the high seas and getting paid for it.

Path of the Heretic: "A burning empire keeps you warm at night."

+4 INT, +6 CHR

Skill: Demagogue, Skill: Rouse the Rabble

Focus on finding flaws in the political and economic structure of the Empire and making things better by breaking society.

Path of the Dashing Hero: "Do the right thing, but do it with style!"

+3 STR, +3 CON, +3 WIS, +3 CHR

Skill: Last Stand, Skill: I Haven't begun to fight!

Focus on saving the innocent, righting wrongs, and last-minute rescues.

Path of the Traveler: "Good things are on the path ahead, and the bad you can leave behind."

+5 PER, +3 AGI

Skill: Survivalist, Skill: Hard Traveling Hero

Focus on exploration and meeting new people and new cultures.