5.50 - Earth Sorcerer's Core

5.50 - Earth Sorcerer's Core

Unfortunately, Xolsa had adopted a local Broken Tusker tradition. As Theo sat with him and Zarali in the wizards tower, a faint fire crackled in the fireplace. If not for the Coat of Rake, the alchemist would have been uncomfortable. Instead, he sat among those musty tomes with his companions feeling as though he was experiencing a cool summer breeze.

Earth magic is interesting, Xolsa said, rising to pull a few books from his shelves. It might pair well with your personality.

As in, youre stubborn, Zarali interjected.

Xolsa nodded in agreement, returning books and pulling new ones as he went down the line. He returned to the plush sofa, setting the books down and spreading them out over the table. After a moment, he selected one and opened it, flipping through the pages before finding what he was looking for.

Your desire to increase your willpower is a problem, Xolsa said, holding the book out for Zarali to take. He then found another and began flipping through that. But there might be a solution.

Yes, willpower is difficult to train. Most crafting cores give you a bit, but not enough to make a difference.

We can consider exploiting the system with spells and potions, but that might not be enough for you, Xolsa said, shaking his head. I have a better idea.

Theo waited as the pair went back and forth, searching through books to find what they were looking for. Eventually, the wizard nodded to himself and placed several books on the table, open to the pages he wanted.

First, we need to talk about magic. Do you remember when I had you learn Axpashi?

Of course, Theo responded in the language. I love ducks.

Xolsa gave him an annoyed look at first, but smiled. Decent. For a slacker. Most mage-style cores open magic to their users with three distinct modes of casting. Channeling, which means that you form magical arrays in your soul. Chantingthats the one you usemeans that you form the array through words. Somatic gestures allow the caster to make arrays with hand gestures, like this

Xolsa performed a series of rapid hand movements. A magical circle appeared in the air before him, laced with intricate sigils. Theo clapped.

Thank you, Xolsa said with a bow. The system tags all cores that use that form of spell work as mage. Your mage core is based off of that, although I think it was originally a demonmage core before it was altered. There is another mode of casting, though.

Thats where I come in, Zarali said, jabbing her elbow into Xolsas ribs. He grunted, giving her a look. Priest-style cores use faith to cast spells. We request the power from our god, usually through prayer, and the spell is granted by that god. But there is another style of magic.

There is another style of magic that uses your will. Spells are formed through instinct, but theres a problem, Xolsa said.

Theo inspected the book. Whoever had written it distinguished between magery and sorcery, and determined that the second one was almost useless. Compared to a spell cast through an array, one woven with ones willpower was absurdly weak. It was the difference between tossing an exploding fireball, and hurling a flaming dart.

I should hamstring myself to get more willpower? Theo asked, looking up from the book.

Thats the point, isnt it? Xolsa asked. The magic you use will be weaker, but your willpower will expand considerably. Also, sorcery is better at interacting with the natural world. If you want to perform earth magic, that might be the way.

What kind of core am I looking for? Theo asked.

A Earth Sorcerer's Core, Xolsa said. Traders should have them. Theyll sell them for cheap.

Theo drummed his fingers on the cushion of the sofa. This was perfect. Getting a weak, seemingly useless core, worked perfect for his current plan. He would buy the core and evolve it using his new Drogramath ability, turning it into a Drogramath Earth Sorcerers Core. The alchemists base-level willpower was weak compared to Zarali, but with his access to Terogal he could easily put her to shame.

This is perfect, Theo said, rubbing his hands together. You guys are great.

Oh, please go on, Xolsa said, fanning himself.

Theo stayed in the tower for a few hours, talking to Xolsa and Zarali. The way was shaping up to be a relaxing one, even if there were some new items in his administrative screen. The alchemist wrapped up at the tower and headed back to town. Sarisa and Rowan had not traveled through the portal with him, instead waiting on the other side back in town. They just hadnt gone through it enough to build up their tolerances, unlike most of the adventurers in Broken Tusk.

Ziz was looking for you, Sarisa said, jerking her head toward the lab. He dropped off some requests with Salire.

Ah, Theo said, looking around for a moment. His body wanted to go in two directions at once. The harbor and the lab. After shaking away his intrusive thoughts, he angled toward the lab and headed off. Lets see what he needs.

On the first floor of the Newt and Demon, there was no one to be seen. Theo sniffed the air, detecting the scent of something familiar. He had to pause for a few long moments to identify what it was. Salire was running the stills upstairs. The smell was that of churning river water mixed with something more metallic. It was the Living River Water being run through the stills, and one of the least offensive scents produced in essence making. The alchemist headed upstairs, placing his hands on his hips when he saw his apprentice working diligently. The reagent she was working with was forgiving, allowing her to perform all steps of the process alone.

Shes all grown up, Theo said, pretending to wipe a tear from his eye.

Salire turned, revealing the big smile on her face. I knew you would say something like that. Ziz dropped by for some Tunneling Potions. He said you were covering the cost. Is that true?

Yes. Were covering whatever expenses he has with his new projects. I just dont want to burden the town.

Theo pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing. He only did so to hide the smile on his face and stifle his laughs. Once the bickering was over, he left Salire to her work in the lab and made his way to the port. Instead of taking the road to the north, which ran east near Mianas ranch, he walked through the sparsely wooded area behind his lab. Both the greenhouses and the experimental garden plot were doing fine. The Plant Golems saw to that.

Even before they reached the harbor, Theo could see the masts of the massive ships from Bantein and Tarantham. Those built by the elves had a sleek design that seemed as though they couldnt handle the open ocean and would tip over at the slightest breeze. The ships from Bantein had a stockier design, sitting wide and low in the water. They seemed made for war rather than trade. But the moment the alchemist crossed over the wall, he saw the pathetic offering from the Khahari. Their single-masted ship was dwarfed by the two larger ones, looking as though it would have trouble sailing in a lake.

Look at that, Rowan breathed.

The merchants had set up stalls throughout the harbor, flying flags and barking their offerings. Theo wasnt sure how much money they actually made by selling to the alliance, but it must have been worth it. Broken Tuskers were always parting with their money to buy foreign goods. Once the north was clear of the undead, that trade would balloon even further.

Should we bother with the others, Sarisa asked, gesturing to the human and elven merchants. Or should we go find the cheat option?

Theo had no interest in distracting himself with other things, and was certain that his hunch was correct. He approached the Khahari stalls, browsing what they had out. There were a few interesting whole plants that he wanted to buy, but he didnt see a collection of cores. Khahar had mentioned that his little kingdom had coresmiths. He leaned in, inquiring about any cores in Russian. That fact still tickled him.

No cores this trip, the man said, waving him away.

Oh. Are you sure? Hiding it in your pockets, maybe? Theo asked.

No.

Huh, Theo said, turning away from the stalls without buying anything.

Cores? You looking for cores? a human vendor for Bantein asked, beckoning the alchemist over.

Theo glared at the Khahari trader for a moment, earning a shrug in return. Yeah. Do you have any sorcerer cores?

Oh, yeah, the man said, raising a brow. Got plenty of those. But wouldnt you like to buy something more expensive?

Let me see your wares, vendor.

Theo had never seen so many cores. The Bantein vendor had enough cores to choke a dragon, including a lot of stuff the alchemist couldnt have imagined. Sure enough, he had a Earth Sorcerers Core for purchase. Only one silver, and the vendor had twenty in his ships dimensional storage. He inspected the core after purchasing it.

[Earth Sorcerers Core]

Common

Sorcerer Core

Unbound

2 Slots

Level 1 (0%)

A sorcerer core focused on the earth element.

Innate Skills:

[Earth Attunement]

This was the most plain core Theo had ever seen. It wasnt particularly interesting on the surface, was common rarity, and came with one common skill. The alchemist drilled down, inspecting the skill.

[Earth Attunement]

Sorcerer Skill

Common

Allows the user to sense and manipulate materials aligned with the Earth element, which includes dirt, stone, sand, etc.

There was a level of excitement that came from this core and the attached skill. Not because of the raw power they representedthat was minimalbut the potential. He turned away from the grumpy vendor, nodding and thanking him for the core. Theo approached the Khahari vendor, intent on buying some of those plants.