[SD:DD] That's How The Spell Works - Chapter 3

With the threat of a bunch of desert critters being active and the dead walking, Gem had expected the guild to be active, hopping, bursting at the seams with opportunists looking for a quick buck. After all, what better time to find rare monsters, explore new areas, and generally get a lot of adventuring done.

Though they also reserved the slight chance that the guild would be mostly empty. People having had the chance to pick up quests and get to it. Nope.

There was a normal amount of people, given their experience with guilds so far. And instead of chaos, there was actually a shocking amount of order.

Then Gem’s eyes snapped to an odd balcony the group hadn’t noticed at first. It was built off of the guild master’s suite. Though it isn’t the odd architecture that had drawn Gem’s attention. Rather, it is the person standing there.

A human that looked like an artist’s rendition of perfection. Toned like an athlete and too symmetrical, they stood with feet exactly their shoulder’s width apart, arms crossed in front of their torso. Lawbound.

“Huh”, Gem shrugs, “That explains why the guild here is so ordered. Let’s get in line!”

Emrys raises an eyebrow, “Nothing more to say? I’d figure being a little chaos gremlin would mean more of a reaction.”

Gem laughs, “Oh, I’m sure that’s the general response, but let me ask. If those locked into chaos always reacted the same way to those locked into Order, would you consider that chaotic or ordered?”

Emrys, “Ah. Good point.”

Gem shrugs, “Besides, if I was going to have a problem with order? I’d already have had problems with Samuel.”

Samuel frowns, “I don’t think I’ve ever done anything to denote a specific leaning?”

Gem laughs, “We’re perfectly split as far as I can tell.”

June is frowning now, “We’re all level nine and signs of being aligned don’t show up this early unless you’re an exemplar of the alignment. Which only you seem to be and you’re already locked.”

Gem shrugs, “Eh, I’ve got a feel for it. Anyway, let’s go see what quests we can pick up or whatever it is you want to do here. I’ve seen enough as it is. With the Lawbound in charge? There isn’t going to be any change in normal operations.”

Samuel, “I don’t see why there should have been a change. It isn’t like there is a pressing threat or anything.”

Gem points at him and raises an eyebrow, “See?”

June, “Moving on, there should be some quests available to handle displaced monsters and I figure we’d do alright at it.”

Gem, “Why not a quest to find out more about the undead thing?”

June shrugs, “Whoever disturbed the tomb will be back to life soon unless it was an entire team of locals who were all on their last life. While I’m sure the guild would pay for any information we get, that puts a tight time limit on things.”

Emrys frowns, “I guess death is a little cheap, even for the locals.”

Samuel, “It is possible that information doesn’t get out all that quickly. If there is one thing undead like to do, it’s make more of themselves from the fallen. I suspect the system wouldn’t be too quick in respawning those who caused this whole situation.”

The three talk back and forth on the matter as it is an interesting topic. After all, the classic non-player character with a full backstory would tend to either not be killable or once dead, stayed dead. Having what we’re basically people that followed similar rules to the players was honestly new. Admittedly, previous games couldn’t have such realistic characters running around.

Gem took this time to actually go over to the quest board and look around.

Gem wanders back to the group, “Uh, guys, just checked and got some confirmation. It was travellers who messed it all up as the rumors said. Don’t know why we got into the whole local thing to begin with.

“Also, they’ve already respawned. Too bad they don’t know where the tomb is. Being new to the area, they had gotten lost and stumbled upon it. Anyway, how do you feel about fighting some lizards with a lion’s mane of flower petals?”

Emrys, “What?”

Gem nods, “Yeah, the travellers has gotten lost and then thought it was a good idea to crack open a tomb. Clearly, they weren’t thinking of the ramifications of such an act.”

Emrys, “No, about the lizard. What’s up with that?”

Gem shrugs, “Why would I know? It was just a quest to clear out some Floral Baskers that had taken over an oasis in-between here and a small settlement. There was a doodle of the critter, but the description was basically what I just said.”

The others couldn’t really say much about that and sure, they could research the critter. However, Gem convinced them to take the quest “sight unseen”, as it were. It was actually under-leveled for their group and would be a safer way to get used to what might be found in the desert. After all, if the creature possessed any unique and dangerous abilities, they would have been noted on the quest as Gem had seen with a few others on the board.

First, though, Gem insisted they pick up a couple utility spells. And Samuel’s insistence that he’s not a caster is rebuffed. “So what? I’m not asking you to pick up a combat spell. Utility! Even if you have to cast it in the ritual format, well, you’re a lawful sort so it should fit you just fine.”

June sighs, “If you’re looking for all of us to grab a utility spell, they probably will be rituals, even yours.”

Gem doesn’t really have a comeback for that and so, while not fully in agreement, the group heads out to sell off some loot so they can afford the expense. A task that Samuel eagerly takes over as he haggles away, trying to get every last gp he can. This ends up quite successful, earning the group 365 gp and 23 ap, so about 2665 in total. Which, yeah, would be enough to buy maybe one spell like what they’re looking for.

Gem sighs, “I guess rituals it is.”

The group exits the leather worker that Samuel had finally settled on to sell to. Around them are other similar businesses and connected industries. Which is enough for Samuel to start them moving in a direction. After all, while regular paper is alright for a true skill book, you need something tougher like vellum to contain magical knowledge that isn’t meant to be one use.

And soon they find themselves in front of a shop. The sign simply says magical oddities and wonders. Which likely would have had the group continue on. However, the rest of the storefront drew them in.

Shrunken skulls with intricate runework. An entire hide with crystals laid out in a strange pattern, through which sparks of blood blue energy zips. A compass with a small crystal shard for a needle. Though most importantly, an entire fourth of the display, if spread out, is taken up by a collection of slim pamphlets that June recognizes as ritual spell guides.

Samuel shakes his head, “We need to monetize your research! How much have you looked into the game to know all this random stuff?”

June shrugs at that as they enter the shop and directs them to the back left corner where more of those pamphlets are. Though the set up does give the group pause. Obviously, this isn’t like a magazine rack as you can’t just let people read them. However, it does look shockingly like a display you’d find irl to lock up high theft items.

The back left side of the store is entirely taken up by tall metal cases with large glass windows. Inside of which are the various pamphlets, illuminated seemingly by a light strip. Though whatever is putting out the light has been hidden behind the upper lip of the display on each row.

Over behind the counter, the group has so far ignored, a bored looking human coughs to get their attention. “Hello. Welcome to ‘Magical Oddities and Wonders’. My dad is currently out so if you have any complicated questions you’ll have to wait for him to get back.” 

You can practically feel the disinterest oozing from each word. The name of the shop itself repeated with such false cheer, the group cringes. It sounds like a muted, “nails on chalkboard experience”, but only because the chalkboard has been scratched so much, there are actual grooves carved into it by now and the fingers cover enough to dampen the sounds. This lad does not want to be here.

Gem ignores that all and takes over guiding the party. “Anyway! I’ve been looking into this a bit since we had time on the way over. I think we should grab a utility spell of each major element to cover the most ground.

“So obviously I’m picking up air and Mr. Order gets earth. Besides that, I’m going to say that Emrys can grab fire while June, you’re getting water. How’s that sound?”

Emrys, “I don’t mind and I get why I’m fire. After all, illusions and what not. Light and heat sort of just go with it. But what spells are we looking for? I assume you have picked out some to start with?”

Gem smiles and nods, “Of course! Starting from where I ended, June will be grabbing likely the most Mana intensive spell, some form of water creation. And specifically creation! Not water drawing or summoning.”

June and Emrys nod, but Samuel, who has been browsing the shelves during this, frowns and speaks up. “Why? Going by the prices, that might be the most expensive ritual here, while the other two versions are about the cheapest. If anything, couldn’t we hold off until we aren’t in a desert to buy it?”

Gem raises an eyebrow and puts their hands on their hips, looking down on Samuel. Which is odd since normally Samuel is taller than Gem. “Well for one, this wouldn’t be cheaper elsewhere. Of utility spells, water creation is always expensive. If anything, the prices here are a bit cheaper than we would get elsewhere because they make so many of them.

“Two, we need it exactly Because we’re in a desert. Duh.

“And finally the third reason, the other two don’t do what we want, at least not in full. Summoned water won’t quench your thirst and water draw depends on their being water on the environment to draw upon. Though I guess if you really want to spend our money, a spell that both creates and draws would be more Mana efficient.”

Samuel steps back, “Ah, fair enough.” Then he shoots a glare at the lad behind the counter who is quietly laughing.

Gem ignores this and continues, “The fire ritual will be the cheapest. We want specifically the campfire spark. It’s a spell that can light a fire, but also be channeled to provide light and heat if need be.”

June nods, “It is quite useful. Not only if you’re somewhere too wet or windy, but also in a constrained space. While not a rule for all magical fires, that one specifically doesn’t burn anything so you don’t have to be worried about suffocating.”

Gem gives her a thumbs up, “Exactly! Anyway, for earth we’re going to want to pick up some form of ‘Compact Earth’. Simple enough, it takes dirt, sand, mud, or what have you and compacts it. This squeezes out water and solidifies the soil. Extra helpful in places with a lot of sand as you can make a solid surface to work on.

“Lastly, would be whatever we get for air. I uh, yeah, there are a lot of options and I couldn’t decide.” Gem looks down and kicks at the floor.

June laughs, “Fair enough, I can help you narrow it down. Or more specifically, I know what you should get. The ‘Sweet Air’ spell.”

Gem frowns, “Why that one? I admit, being able to counter foul smells is nice, but not at the top of my list.”

June smiles, “Ah, but that’s the trick. The spell creates an area of air around that smells nice and fresh, right? Well, what kind of air smells fresh? Of course it would be fresh air!

“Going back to the fire spell and how it works in confined spaces? Well, Sweet Air is an alternative solution. Sure, it costs more when used that way, but even with an actual fire burning it not only keeps the area smoke free, the air stays fresh and breathable.

“Though don’t look down on the smoke free aspect. Those in the know value it for that aspect alone. Just set up the spell over your campfire and suddenly there’s no smoke to alert others to your position.”

With her sales pitch finished, the group turns to the lad behind the counter who had gotten quite agitated.

He glares as June, “Where in all the heavens and hells did you hear that it provided fresh air? I’ve never heard of such a thing and my father certainly hasn’t!”

June, “That’s just how the spell works? It keeps the air fresh and smelling how you like it. Though don’t look down on the second effect. It’s useful for species who get nervous when separated from others of their kind.”

The lad face palms, “I’m not looking down on that effect. That is basically the ‘hidden’ feature we use to sell it to every herdkin who doesn’t already know about the effect. How do you know about the fresh air effect? Or rather, as far as I know, that is assumed to just be a similar sort of effect that doesn’t change the air and most certainly doesn’t remove poison!”

June shrugs, “Well, you have to provide more Mana to the spell.”

Gem frowns, “Uh, June, I didn’t see anything about that effect online. That’s why I didn’t even have Sweet Air on my list. Sure, I found a few mentions of stuff like smoke removal, but not poison.”

Emrys snaps his fingers, “I got it! Though we probably want to hold off until we’re in a more private setting. All I ask, are you certain the spell does that?”

June frowns before it seems she realizes something. “Uh, ah, hmm. Okay, umm, yeah I can. That’s how the spell works. You just need to channel mana into it instead of simply casting the effect.”

The lad behind the counter looks between the two. ‘Are they crazy? Sweet Air isn’t a channeling spell. Or, I guess I’ve never seen anyone try or use it that way?’ He sighs, “A sale is a sale. Have you decided on what you’re buying? Do note the sign.” And he points at a little paper slip that the group hadn’t paid attention to so far.

[

No Haggling on Ritual Spell Pamphlets

The marked prices are FINAL!

]

Other Travellers Did It This Time - Chapter 2

That's Neat, Moving On - Chapter 4