Congratulations, Soul Traveler. You have reached Level Ten!

Fireworks burst behind the screen’s announcement. Caleb felt euphoric as he inhaled the electrically-charged air. The sensation filled his lungs until they threatened to burst.

Eventually, the electric tingles and fireworks faded. With a flick of his wrist, he went over to his updated Character Sheet. Several new items jumped out at him, but none more than the change to his Class.

His mind went back to what the goddess Danu had said.

What you decide to do next will change this. Irrevocably.

He let out a whistle before he spoke.

“You weren’t kidding, Danu. Looks like I’m committed to my course of action now.”

Name: Caleb Ledger Level: Ten Class: Wizard / Corsair Alignment: Neutral Individual-Specific Specialty: XP Edge - Enhanced 35% Wizardly Sub-Specialties: Weathermancy, Craft with Iron Corsair Sub-Specialties: Charisma Boost, Dead Reckoning, Piratical Flair Existing Buff / Debuffs: Innate Charisma increased 5%, Abilities Reduced 3% by hunger, fatigue Potential Buff / Debuffs: Corsair abilities shall slowly decrease or be revoked by an individual who does not conduct himself properly or wear appropriate attire for extended periods. Unspent XP 105

Caleb didn’t see any golden number listed after the term ‘Corsair’. So he reached out to touch the word, hoping he’d get some kind of response. He wasn’t disappointed. A new screen popped up, giving him a bit more information about his new classification.

Corsairs are a special sub-category of the buccaneers that make their fortune on the high seas. Like regular pirates, they are known to sack merchant ships, fight naval battles as mercenaries and pillage coastal towns. But they differ in that they operate under an informal, often unwritten contract from a Sea Lord, King, Deity, or Pantheon of Deities.

“I suppose it makes sense,” Caleb said, with a sigh. “I do have a kind of unspoken agreement to represent Danu and Lir’s interests in this world.”

He noted in passing that his XP Edge enhancement had gone up a couple points. The reduction of his General Abilities were going the right way – down – as he caught up on sleep and meals. And his Charisma increase was surely tied into the first of his new Corsair Sub-Specialties: Charisma Boost.

Then he reached the line about Potential Buff / Debuffs.

“The heck?” he exclaimed, as he read the entry once more.

Potential Buff / Debuffs: Corsair abilities shall slowly decrease or be revoked by an individual who does not conduct himself properly or wear appropriate attire for extended periods.

He tapped the line, but no new information appeared. He tried twice more to be sure.

“What the...I might lose my abilities because I’m violating some kind of dress code? One that isn’t even spelled out anywhere?”

Caleb let out a breath before he really got pissed off. His patron gods weren’t particularly helpful or forthcoming with information. But he had to learn to get used to it and muddle through as he had so far. He flicked the screen down to see his new spells.

Under his Weathermancy Spells available through Level Ten, he saw one new line.

Spells available for individuals ranked up through Level Ten:

Squall Burst (16)

In nautical terms, a squall was a sudden, violent gust of wind. A series of fast-moving storms could even be called a Line Squall. He wasn’t sure how much better this would be than his Wind Shift, Minor spell, but he suspected it swapped duration for an increase in power.

Under his Craft with Iron Spells available through Level Ten, there was also an additional line.

Spells available for individuals ranked up through Level Ten:

Change Small Metal Object’s Buoyancy (19)

That one just puzzled him. He supposed that if his crew lost a cannonball overboard, perhaps this would help them retrieve it. Beyond that, he wasn’t sure what could be done with this spell.

But he put it aside for the moment. Instead, he scrolled down below his two existing spell types to focus on the three new abilities granted by his Corsair Class. Not only did they intrigue him, they were already activated without the need for yet more gold.

Corsair Sub-Specialties Through Level Ten:

Charisma Boost: This increases your pre-existing level of Charisma. Charisma is defined as the amount of personal charm or influence a person has that makes others want to follow or obey them.

Lir and Danu’s Helpful Hints:

Please note that Charisma Boost is not a form of Mind Control. Even at maximum strength, this will not work on people who are already ill-disposed towards you. Attempting to use this to deceive or win over an enemy will likely result in violence and/or death. As always, we highly recommend that you avoid dying.

Dead Reckoning: This ability allows you to remotely sense the location of islands, accurately locate inlets and coves, and assists in charting ways through a crowded archipelago.

Lir and Danu’s Helpful Hints:

Please note that this will not allow the user to sense true north or approximate location in relation to any fixed point on a map. We suggest a continued reliance on navigational tools and techniques!

Piratical Flair: This ability gives you an automatic bonus to complete any action taken during combat or in service of a Quest, so long as it is done with a certain level of flair.

Lir and Danu’s Helpful Hints:

This ability shall only be in effect so long as the individual’s Corsair abilities have not been significantly degraded or revoked. See Potential Debuffs for more information.

“Well, all three of these abilities look like they could come in handy,” Caleb remarked. “In fact–”

His voice died in his throat as a new set of feelings rolled through his brain.

The closest he could compare the sensation to was the tingle that ran up a limb that had fallen asleep. That tingle moved outward from inside his skull and down his body, radiating out through his limbs. As if the neurons had started firing all at once, remembering what it was like to feel once again.

He closed his eyes and saw the ocean spread out before him, as if he were seeing it from a great height. Shadowy masses he understood as representing islands wavered at the very edge of his vision. He knew that as soon as he opened his eyes, he’d be able to find his way to them, as sure as a magnet would attract an iron filing.

I’m guessing that’s the Dead Reckoning sense coming into play, he realized.

Finally, as he opened his eyes, Caleb felt a tiny surge inside, as if he’d downed a triple shot of espresso. It straightened his spine, made him feel ever-so-slightly taller. Ready to press his case to be captain.

And that must be the Charisma Boost is doing its thing.

With that, he went over to the former captain’s wardrobe. His wardrobe, now. He found a silver-trimmed blue jacket that was part of the officer’s uniform in the Sea Vipers. It wouldn’t have been his first choice in any other situation, but he slipped it on over his black Myrkur shirt.

Then he threw open the cabin door and strode out into the bright sunshine.

A single screen winked open in his quest window.

New Adventurer's-Level Quest Assume command of a sailing ship, complete with crew. IN PROGRESS.

He moved it aside for now.

The entire crew had assembled on deck, shading themselves as best they could with suspended sheets of spare tarpaulin. A tired but smiling Donal remained at the helm. Tavia and Shaw flanked him on the quarterdeck. Both griffin and unicorn stepped back as Caleb came up to stand next to Donal, looking down over everyone gathered below.

“Sienna has brought your most urgent concerns to my attention,” he began. “She has told me how the Myrkur sacked the Arrenmars and cruelly took all of you from your homes.”

He got a murmur of agreement at that, as well as a few muttered oaths directed at the Myrkur.

“Thanks to my friends,” he continued, nodding towards Tavia and Shaw, “and your help, we’ve escaped the dungeons of Deephold Port. We’ve stolen ourselves a fast and lucky ship. And most importantly, we’ve escaped the clutches of Lord High Captain Delacroix. You can take my word for that. Believe me, I know that we have.”

A ripple of pleased murmurs ran through the crowd at that announcement.

“I’ve been told that you want someone to lead you. Specifically, to find a new home beyond the reach of the Myrkur.” He paused, and the murmurs died down to silence. “I am new to this world, I am new to the conflicts and depredations caused by the followers of Myr. But I do know sailing ships, I know the craft behind running them, and I can lead a crew. So I accept the captaincy of the Spitfire, and shall do all I can to bring us to those new, uncertain shores.”

That got a raucous cheer.

Hurrah for Captain Ledger! Someone shouted, and the crew took up the cry. Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!

Caleb’s screen winked on once more.

Adventurer's-Level Quest Assume command of a sailing ship, complete with crew. COMPLETE. New Adventurer's-Level Quest Set new course for the first time.

“I have selected Sienna as my quartermaster and second-in-command,” he went on, after the cheering died down. “She shall inform you of the rules regarding this ship’s operation, as well as who shall be appointed to certain positions. I have selected Tavia Morningstar and Grimshaw as my first and second mate. Does anyone have any questions for now?”

A hand went up from one of the older women. Caleb nodded in her direction. She cleared her throat and spoke hesitantly.

“Pardon, Captain,” she said. “I’m Evie O’Breen, and Sienna’s appointed me as the ship’s cook. I’ve been searching around in the hold, and I need to ask something urgent.”

Sienna’s been busy, Caleb thought. She’s already selected people to run things. Looks like I was right in picking her to be Quartermaster.

“Go ahead and ask,” he said aloud. “I’m sure I’ll be busy answering many questions as I and everyone else gets familiar with our ship.”

“I’ve done a tally of our stores, and our ship hadn’t been re-provisioned yet. We have a few barrels of flour, grain, dried vegetables, and salt pork. But I don’t think that shall last us more than a few days. And as for the drinking...” Evie stepped aside to show a barrel, which she tipped forward to show that it was completely empty. “All but one of the water barrels look like this. Is there anything we can do about it?”

The pleased murmurs gave way to disturbed whispers. A lack of food was serious enough on its own. But with a single barrel of water split amongst more than forty people, thirst would be a serious problem before the day was out.

Caleb flashed back to the vision he’d had in his cabin. The shadowy shapes of islands had remained far off. If it were more than three days distant, they’d all be in serious trouble. Yet before he could answer, Tavia made her way down to the main deck with a clop of her hooves.

“Lower that barrel over the side,” she instructed. “Bring up some seawater.”

No one objected to the unicorn’s suggestion. Noack brought out a length of rope, securing the barrel and lowering it over the side in a few moments. Several other men and women took hold of the line, hauling the filled container back onto the deck.

Briny seawater sloshed around inside, dribbling over the brim. Tavia moved to stand next to the dripping barrel. She lowered her head, spoke a few Latinate words under her breath, and her horn flashed gold for a second.

“Go ahead,” she said, as she stepped back. “Try the contents now.”

Noack pulled out a cup and dunked it in the barrel. He sniffed the full cup, raised his eyebrows in surprise, and gulped the contents down.

“It’s sweet!” he proclaimed. “It’s fresh as a mountain stream!”

Several other people crowded around with cups, many uttering thanks to Danu and Tavia. Caleb caught the mare’s eye and nodded his approval.

I should have known. Her kind has purification magic. Never thought that a unicorn could be so handy on board a sailing vessel!