4.2 - Archduke Theo Spencer

4.2 - Archduke Theo Spencer

Ghostly ships pulled into the harbor at the Dreamwalks version of Broken Tusk. Theo sat on the harbors wall, watching as they came and went at his command. Spectral sails caught an imaginary wind, sending ripples across the water and pushing the gosling along. While this was a place for grinding experience, it also served as a point of quiet reflection. Tresk never saw it that way. Off battling with imaginary clones of the Zagmon assassins, she found herself at home amid combat.

Just fighting through it, I suppose, Theo said.

Alex chirped in response.

Theories about the Dreamwalk and Terogal were tossed between the pair and Xolsa regularly. While the Elf was busy training up his new core, he begged Theo to bring him along to the infant realm. That was a literal Bridge the mortal couldnt take. Not without invoking a Tarahek of his own. Even then, Theo suspected a new realm would have been generated. Under the right circumstances. Things crafted for eons by people of immense power. A question lingered in the air. The same question that plagued the alchemist from the moment he arrived in town.

To what end?

But it wouldnt do any good to sulk. Four phantom stills appeared from nowhere, along with beds of growing plants. Theo got to work on the same recipes hed done before, whittling away the time he had in the realm and inspecting his attributes.

Belgar (Theo Spencer)

Drogramath Dronon

Level 19

Alchemist

Core Slots: 4

Stats:

Health: 105

Mana: 160

Stamina: 115

Strength: 20 (+11)

Dexterity: 16 (+8)

Vigor: 20 (+8)

Intelligence: 23 (+9)

Wisdom: 27 (+7)

Points: 0

His current build was truly diverse. The more time he spent looking over the book given to him by the god, the more he realized the importance of the [Wisdom] attribute. It did other things, he was sure about that, but the primary function seemed to be memory. How powerful his will was derived from that attribute, but documentation on the subject seemed scarce. What scholarly cults still existed on the continent seemed unwilling to share what they knew.

Looking forward to his build, Theo knew the most important thing was to find a selection of skills once he hit level 20 in all cores. Leveling was simple enough to understand, once a person got a few levels and paid attention. Attribute points were given at every personal level. Free skill points, points that could be spent on any skill, were given on multiples of five in the personal level. That was a function created by the system to allow a person to catch up with new cores. Core slots appeared on multiples of 10.

Cores gained a domain-specific skill every multiple of 10, often starting with at least one skill inside if the user got them naturally. Shoving a new core in your chest resulted in no free skills. Hitting level 20 meant that Theo would have a free-domain skill to pick, and hed likely use it for his new mage core. Then he needed to select a skill from the endless list for his [Drogramath Alchemy Core], [Drogramath Herbalism Core], and his [Governance Core]. All of them were close enough to hitting the next domain. He was certain he knew the concepts to break through that barrier.

Some cores presented challenges every 10 levels. Things that a person needed to understand about their cores to advance. These were the training wheels of the system, ensuring that no one would get too powerful without understanding how not to blow themselves up. The alchemist doubted the practicality of that, owed to the rumors hed heard. Those who advanced beyond level 30 often found themselves dead. How much of that was due to other people was beyond him.

The [Drogramath Alchemy Core] would get the [Reagent Deconstruction] skill. Theo inspected that one as he worked the stills.

[Reagent Deconstruction]

Alchemy and Herbalism Skill

Rare

Understanding the composition of reagents leads to their deconstruction.

Effect:

Increases the users ability to deconstruct reagents.

+1 Intelligence

Requires: Level 15 [Drogramath Herbalism] and Level 15 [Drogramath Alchemy] cores.

This would give him a massive advantage. Understanding reagents was a crucial skill for any alchemist, but this was something that went beyond that. A step into a greater world of alchemy. A new domain. But he hadnt selected a skill for his herbalism core yet. There were attractive options, but Theo planned on holding off until he understood the deconstruction skill.

The [Governance Core] was another matter entirely. Some options were locked behind invisible requirements. In the skills menu, they appeared as darkened boxes that revealed nothing of their contents. Neither the requirements nor the skill itself. His hope was for something that helped him rule over multiple towns.

Near the end of the night, with Theos cores pushing close to level 20, Tresk dragged the alchemist over to the road where theyd almost died. She ran through scenarios in which they could have won, but the margins were slim. Worse was the fact that they could only have won, according to the simulation, if the alchemist dropped his improvised explosive on everyone. The result was death for all gathered.

I think we got lucky with that one, Tresk said. Talk about a no-win scenario.

There was another way they could have won, but Theo didnt want to mention it. Tresk hadnt trained her newest core up very high, resulting in a weak core that couldnt keep up with such a gap in power. Her new [Parantheir Duelists Core] had a skill to isolate enemies.

Throk has something? Theo asked. The man was always a genius with building stuff.

We have a winner, Alise said. She withdrew sheets of paper from her satchel and laid them on the table. Just as food arrived.

Theo thanked the server, watching as Tresk gobbled her food up, before picking at his own. Each design seemed interesting, but the alchemist couldnt understand what he was looking at. One seemed like a catapult and the other a water cannon. The inner-workings were absurdly detailed, but he got the idea.

The sprayer thing might be a problem, Theo said, jabbing his finger onto the first design. The catapult would work, but whats the point? Just toss the potion.

Whats the issue with the sprayer? Aarok asked.

Potions want to be used as whole-unit mixtures. Although, now that I think about it

Theo fell into thought, leaving everyone at the table hanging. Potions reacted in a standard way. Well, most of them did. There was the essence element, which held the properties, the catalyst which created the reaction, and the base. Enchanted water was the typical base, although regular purified water could be used. A reaction could take place in exact unitsthe amount of units needed for the final productor in mass quantities. Technically, he could perform a mass reaction of [Hallow Ground Potions] in a large container, then attach that to the sprayer.

The issue was, Theo had never tried doing that before. Every time he made a potion, he portioned it out after a mass reaction. Potions that failed to react would create an inert potion, which was useless. But a sprayer mechanism seemed genius. He imagined adventurers running around with large tanks on their backs, spraying a fine mist of [Hallow Ground] like the flamethrowers of Earth.

It might work, Theo said, concluding his thoughts. I need some time to work on this, though. Alise, can you field all the questions that are going to come in. From the other members of the Free City Alliance?

Alise withdrew two communication crystals from her bag and smiled. Theyre already calling. Once youre done here, you need to head to the harbor. Azrug and Gwyn are talking with the Khahari traders. They want your approval.

Alise excused herself from the table, leaving Aarok to stifle a laugh. Theo ran his hand through his hair, tracing the swoop of his horns. A few eager flicks of his tail and he was over it. Having the [Terogal Dreampassage] ability meant that he could retreat and relax any time he wanted. His own personal little break area.

Whats your take on everything? Theo asked.

Me? Im loving it, Aarok said. Been looking forward to this day for a long time.

We all have, Tresk said, dangling a noodle for Alex to swallow.

What fuel does the [Kingdom Core] take? Theo asked.

Dont look at me, Aarok said. I do not know.

Theo accepted the response and busied himself with his meal. Picking through to find chunks of the cheese, he sipped on his tea as the conversation shifted. Aarok and Tresk shared stories about the old days. From when they were kids and the town was little more than a collection of shacks. The Marshling made fun of him for trying to join the Qavelli army, and he made fun of her for trying to be an adventurer.

Yeah, well Im the number one adventurer in town, Tresk said, puffing out her chest. Chief stabber. Hey! Why dont I have a lady title?

Do you want a title? Theo asked.

No. Just seems like you would have given me one by now, Tresk said.

Well, you should check out the dungeons, Tresk, Aarok said. Xolsa has been experimenting on the [River Dungeon]. Hes got some interesting results.

Welp. Guess thats what Im doing today. Your turn to watch the kid, Theo, Tresk said, vanishing from the spot.

Theo set his bag on the ground, clicking his tongue until the gosling jumped inside. He sat there awkwardly for a few moments before he realized Aarok wanted to accompany him to the harbor. Rising from the table he let out a breath.

Its within the walls, Theo said. You dont need to babysit me.

Aarok shrugged. Whatever you say, boss.

But youre still going to follow me?

Yeah.

Tresk?

Yep.

Theo departed from the tavern and made his way east, towards the harbor. He stopped by the ranch and tried to force himself to love the Pozwa and Karatan. It didnt work. Even as they came over with chitters and bleat-like crows, he wasnt sold. Both creatures were horrible and he wouldnt care for them himself. Looking down at Alex in his bag, he realized how much he missed Earth creatures. What few were left when he was there, anyway. But there were still images of them he could have viewed. Genetic replicas stored away.

The harbor was coming along. The single boat that rested in her massive embrace was manned by a few Khahari. Most imposing among them was the cat-person standing on shore, talking heatedly with Azrug and Gwyn. Theo took his time approaching, keeping his eyes on his new shipwright for a while.

Laedria Wavecrest reminded Theo more of a Marshling or Half-Ogre than an Elf. She was hard to work with, only getting to it once she was taunted. But her work spoke for itself. Between her and the new Starbristle industry, she had created a mostly finished boat. It was small, about a quarter the size of the Khahari vessel with a single mast. But the blue fiber used to weave [Starbristle Cloth] was beautiful. It floated in the harbor now, although the Elfs team still worked on it. Leaks seemed common with her version of the pitch, but this was the first one. It was a big deal.

Fancy archduke title over here, Azrug said, jabbing a finger at Theo. Couldve just called yourself Theo Spencer, Master of the Universe.

Thats too long, Theo said.

But you have to admit the absurdity of it, Gwyn said. Been a mayor for a season. Now youre running an alliance of towns.

Theyre small towns, Theo said.

System says were a massive town, Azrug said.

Theo took a moment to study the young Half-Ogre. He could say the same thing about Azrug. Going from not having cores to functioning as their chief merchant in a season. But civilizations werent built in this world over eons. Certainly Qavell had enough hardship gaining a foothold on the continent, but with magic there was nothing to stop the alchemist from expanding as quickly as hed like. Including the trade deal with the Khahari.

So, shall we talk terms? Theo asked, turning to regard the trader.