Warning

Spell Failed

Ralph and Brandy look on in wonder as Lucas tries several more spell formulations which were all failures. Even though Lucas failed, this was not something you saw every day.

“I can’t get it guys, it’s possible I don’t have sufficient affinity. I guess it is also possible I am missing some key process for the spell. I wish I had the spellbook from Io.”

Brandy found her voice first, “Um... Lucas... How are you able to just create spells? I had to buy proper instructions to get my spells. Glad my parents did that before they passed because making spells is something only specialists in the capital typically do.”

“Yeah well, Rose and I are special. I’m going to bet Rose would be way better at making spells than I am if she had a bit of affinity to play with.”

I concur. Based on your attempted spells, I am going to guess you don’t quite have the affinity. All three of those spell instructions should have created some version of a water bolt. Why don’t you try and generate a lightning bolt? Or you could create a formula so that Brandy can learn lightning bolt.

Thinking it over, Lucas said, “We both should learn a lightning spell if we can. Then we can both incapacitate a robot at the start, and then Brandy can heal Ralph. I will go full stealth, and I guess use my rogue class to Backstab the suckers and cut their main whatcha-ma-call it carrying the signals from their brains to their limbs.

Just call it their spine. It’s easier. It’s really their Main CPU Data transfer cable, but Spine is much faster based on the placement on these robots. I really need to move that in my robots...

“Fine,” said Lucas, “I will go full rogue and sever their spines while you guys hold them off.”

With that, Lucas began to create a lightning spell. “Hmmm. I want it to chain to my enemies if possible. And I want it not to jump to allies. Maybe I can add automatic targeting”

“Do you have any idea what he is babbling about?” whispered Ralph to Brandy.

“Not a clue,” she replied. “But if it gets me a new spell, I’m all for it. The basic lightning spell was almost 200 gold when I last looked.”

“I think I’ve got it. As the nanobots rapidly move around each other, they generate electricity. This is stored up and released in a large jolt that aims itself towards my enemies while avoiding my allies. This jolt of electrical energy will jump from enemy to enemy as long as there is energy remaining in the energy jolt, chain jolt!”

Congratulations

Chain Jolt

Beginner 1

45 Mana

Single Target damage for 1.5 x Affinity% DPS for each enemy struck.

If Target becomes unconscious or disabled before energy is expended, jumps to an additional target.

2-second minimum cast Additional cast time adds additional energy and requires additional Mana

45-yard range.

Restrictions: Allies take no Damage.

18 DPH Min

36 DPH Min

Light

Ralph and Brandy looked on in awe as Lucas cast his first chain Jolt.

Now Brandy, do you remember what he said? If you say exactly the same thing, you should be able to pick up his new spell too since it is a Light affinity spell.

Hurrying to comply, Ralph looked on in wonder as Brandy was also able to cast Chain Jolt.

As they both walked towards the group, Ralph spoke up. “That was amazing. Can you create a spell for anything?”

“Anything I know the physical process behind,” replied Lucas.

“Once I make it the first time, I'd guess the system makes it easier for anyone else to get the same spell,” said Lucas as he nodded to Brandy. “These spells should give us a massive edge in the next fight.”

What if you sneak behind the next barrier and unload the jolt from behind them? You are, after all a rogue… even if you don’t want to be one anymore.

Lucas sighed as he said, “Fine. I will go play rogue some more.”

Quickly heading down the hall and around the twists and turns in the tunnel, Lucas relays to the others what he sees over the Comlink. “The tunnel isn’t really much longer. I’ve come to the end of the tunnel. The rest of the bandits are set up not far from they are in a defensive formation. I can get behind them, but there are 8 standing here. Along with one that looks to be in charge. For whatever reason, it’s got a captains hat on.”

Target that one first, Lucas. What a rookie mistake…

“I know, I know. Take out the commander, and they will be less effective,” replies Lucas. “Ralph, head down until you can just see them, Brandy, start charging your chain jolt. Do not cast it yet, just hold it. When I cast mine, you cast your spell. These guys don’t know about this spell yet, so the damage ramp overtime is going to be quite a shock to them.”

Charging his Chain Jolt, Lucas waited at least a minute before targeting the Bandit in the captain’s hat. Releasing the jolt, Lucas shouted out “Chain Jolt!” he heard Brandy shouting “Chain Jolt!” from the other side of the defenses moments later. Much to his horror and surprise, one of the Bandits pulls out a shield and attempts to deflect the Jolt as it was jumping towards it.

“Come on… Come on…” thought Lucas as he dropped into stealth and Dashed into the fray.

Thankfully the jolt is absorbed by the shield rather than reflected. But when the dust settled, there are still four bandits on their feet. The one with the captain's hat is down, but the one with the shield is still standing.

That’s going to be trouble. You could try and heat it up until he drops it…

“I think I’d rather just end him,” interrupted Lucas as his knives slash out towards the shield-bearing bandit. Before Lucas's knives made contact, the Bandit swung the shield around and deflected the knives before his shield continued on and slammed into Lucas. Lucas went flying back, losing a good 30% of his health. Before the Shield bearing Bandit could capitalize on Lucas's misfortune, Brandy cast a heal on Lucas and got him back on his feet.

Activating dash and running around the troublesome Bandit, Lucas decided to take out the other three before working together with Ralph on the last one.

As Lucas ran towards the three attacking Ralph, Brandy made time to cast another Jolt spell. This one connected with the shield-bearing bandit, but without the long cast time, it was not enough to knock him out of the fight.

Lashing out, Lucas struck one of the Bandits as the same Bandit was swinging at Ralph. Lucas missed the neck, but connected with the shoulder, causing the bandit to release it’s weapon mid-swing and clattered against a nearby wall. Ralph’s shield struck the weaponless bandit and knocked it back towards Lucas, where Lucas finished it off with a knife to the spine.

Brandy managed to cast one more jolt before Lucas or Ralph needed more healing. The jolt caught the last two regular bandits, knocking them out.

Brandy, Ralph, and Lucas approach the bandit who has the shield. Obviously, the real head of the bandits.

“Surrender, and you can live,” offered Brandy.

The bandit just stood there, not responding.

“You heard her,” shouted Ralph, “Surrender, and you can live!”

Without warning, the Bandit leapt up, and body checked Lucas into the wall causing massive damage as Lucas was impaled on the nearby spikes of gold and silver. As Lucas's vision fades, he saw Ralph decapitate the Bandit with his Axe.