As I finish my sandwich, the Captain comes around the corner of the building and says, “Finished for the day?”

“Yes, I got two more spells to Novice 1 today.”

“Very good, what about your Sword and Dagger skills?”

“I just have Basic 1 in Daggers and have not used a Sword yet.”

“Well then there is no time like the present. Draw your sword.”

I jump up to my feet and draw my sword. I am not going to turn down free training. I almost regret that decision as we begin to spar. The Captain repeatedly has me make slow sure strikes at him. When I don’t follow through to his liking, he hits me with the flat of his sword. After repeating the strikes for an hour, he then has me strike faster several times before continuing slow strokes. He also keeps hitting my legs, feet, and back to make sure I maintain the correct posture and situational awareness. It is well after dark when he lets me stop. Vera is up tonight as it gets dark and with my Dark Vision I have no problem continuing the training. I wonder if the Captain has a similar ability.

“Ok, that is a good start. If you continue practicing your spells tomorrow we can work on your dagger skill in the evening.” He says as he walks off.

I ache all over. Wait a second, I have a spell for that. I cast a Minor Heal on myself. A wave of golden light envelopes me. I sigh in relief. Looking at my new Sword skill I see that in the last two hours I am at Basic 4. I amble back to the Tavern and have a seat by John at the bar. I think I can use a drink and want to ask John about Primary and Secondary classes.

“John, could I have an ale?”

“Sure, that will be one copper.”

“What? I thought food and drink are free the first seven days?”

“Three meals with drinks are free, but anything else will cost you.”

I flip him a copper and, in a minute, he hands me a large mug with foam running down the side. I take a deep gulp and wipe the foam from my lips.

“I should have gotten one of these before.”

John chuckles. “We do have good ale here. So, how was your day?”

“I have been practicing my spell casting before I go back out hunting.”

“That is very smart. Most adventurers will enter the starter area as a group. With you being by yourself you want to make sure you have as many skills and spells as possible to deal with the creatures and situations you will find yourself in.”

“I was thinking the same thing. I did have one thing I intended to ask you yesterday, but it slipped my mind.”

“Sure, what’s the question?”

“What is the difference between a Primary and Secondary class? Can you have multiple classes? How do you find out about classes? Are there teachers?”

“Whoa, definitely more than one question. You can’t get a Primary class until you are level ten. It would be rare to learn a secondary class here in the starter area, but I am guessing you did get one offered?”

I pause for a second. I can’t think of any reason not to tell John. “I got Merchant.”

John’s eyes widen and suddenly he gives a huge belly laugh. “That would explain it.” He says, as he wipes tears from his eyes.

“Explain what?” I ask puzzled by his behavior.

“Burt has been complaining all day that you somehow tricked him and the System into giving you a great deal.”

“I got a good deal, but that was a reward for getting the Merchant class.”

John waves my explanation away saying. “No need to explain. I am guessing you figured out a tenet?”

I nod yes as he continues. “Well this is great. I can string Burt along for a while. Please don’t tell him what happened. There is so little entertainment here and this is just so funny.”

“I guess, but maybe I would forget to tell him if I got another ale.”

John laughs saying. “Ok mighty trader.” And he gets me another ale to replace the one I finished while we were talking.

“Back to the classes, can you give me any more information?”

“Sure, you get one Primary class and one Secondary class, but they can change over time.”

“You mean I can switch them?”

He looks thoughtful as he says. “No, it is more a progression. For example, a Basic class is Warrior, but over time you may acquire the knowledge and prerequisites to become a Defender, which is a Warrior specializing in defense.”

“Interesting, can I switch classes later?”

“You can but it is very hard. You must state you want to switch and the System will generate a quest. During the quest you will not be able to use any of your current class abilities.”

“So, don’t screw up and pick the wrong class.”

“Right, also there are advanced classes you can learn that have a stronger progression path, but they are hard to come by. You need to find a special teacher or some guilds to have access to special classes. Even some royal families have special classes that you can only learn when you join their household.”

“Do people wait to hold out for the class they really want?”

“You can try, but your development will be seriously stunted without picking at least a primary class.”

“Well that gives me a lot to think about.”

“No problem and remember don’t tell Burt.”

I laugh as I climb up the stairs to my room. I was thinking about casting Minor Heal some, but I am beat. I just fall into bed after looking at my stats. I got another 50XP for getting Novice in Shield and Ice Dart.

George Peterson Age: 16 Level: 6 XP to next Level: 1950/2100 Class: None Race: Harrow Titles: Reborn Fame: 140 Str: 16 Melee Damage Modifier: +6 Agi: 13 Range Damage Modifier: +3 Dodge: 3% Con: 11 Health / Stamina: 55 / 55 Health / Stamina Regen: 11% per min End: 26 Pain Threshold: 16% Int: 31 (5) Mana Pool: 225 (70) Wis: 26 (5) Mana Regen Rate: 6.9 per min Cha: 10 Trade Modifier: 0% Per: 28 Favor: 0 Abilities: Night Vision, Shaper (Basic 1, 63%), Ritual Magic (Basic 8, 40%) Skills: Crafting (Basic 3, 0%), Daggers (Basic 1, 50%), Herbalism (Basic 1, 0%), Inspect (Basic 8, 21%), Jeweler (Basic 1, 0%), Lore (Basic 3, 33%), Mana Manipulation (Beginner 4, 28%), Numbness, Reading (Basic 2, 0%), Sense Stone (Basic 3, 0%), Shape Air (Basic 7, 34%), Shape Fire (Basic 1, 0%), Shape Stone (Basic 3, 75%), Shape Water (Basic 6, 23%), Shape Wood (Basic 1, 0%), Skinning (Basic 9, 72%), Spears (Basic 2, 0%), Stealth (Basic 9, 30%), Swords (Basic 4, 33%), Trading (Basic 6, 75%), Unarmed Combat (Basic 1, 0%) Spells: Fire Dart (Novice 1, 25%), Ice Dart (Novice 1, 33%), Ignite (Basic 1, 0%), Light (Basic 1, 0%), Mana Dart (Novice 4, 20%), Mend (Basic 1, 0%), Minor Heal (Basic 9, 0%), Ritual Ward (Novice 6, 80%) Type: Raw Mana Protective Ward, Shield (Novice 1, 33%) Equipment: * Unallocated Status Points: 5