Chapter 41: Beyond Humanity's Grasp

Notes by Thunder about Xoth:

Metal and Minerals

There are a number of metals that are unique to the world of Xoth. I have spoken to my companions about these special metals and minerals that Xoth hosts that Earth does not. They have provided a list of them below:

Note: Their knowledge is limited compared to a Master Blacksmith or Alchemist, so there may be more metals on Xoth.

Cold Iron

This iron is found in the Fabrica Mountain Range of the Sogen continent. The mountain range is know for being one of the coldest places on Xoth and it is believed that the area's geology and climate is responsible for creating this special ore. It is similar to regular iron but it is more resistant to the Ice element. It is often used to create armour for those traveling in cold environments.

Blue Silver

This metal can be found on any continent but is most common in the Misakeh continent. This silver is naturally endowed with magic which gives it a bluer colour than regular silver. Most smiths will use this material to create weapons, armour and accessories with magical traits.

Magmite

There is a volcano in the Misakeh continent that spews molten metal instead of rock. Collectors usually wait until the metal cools down before gathering it. This metal has a distinct colouration of different shades of red and orange giving the metal a fiery appearance. This metal is extremely durable and is fire resistant. While used for weapons, armour and accessories, the more affluent portion of Xothican society will make furniture out of this material due to its beautiful colours.

Rainbow Steel

This metal is found only in seabeds and is extremely hard to extract, and is famous for its rainbow colouration. This metal is probably formed in a similar manner as opal. This metal is too expensive and weak to use in regular crafting so it is usually used for decoration or jewelry.

Resin

This gemlike material is found in the bodies of Treemen and Mother Trees. While inside their bodies, Resin is in a liquid form, but as soon as it is exposed to air, it quickly hardens into a material that is harder than diamond. Mother Trees carry the most plentiful and purest resin. This mineral is considered the one of the rarest gems on Xoth due to the dangers associated with gathering this material.

Mother Trees live in the center of forests which are usually filled with monsters. If an adventurer happens to get by these monsters, they still must contend with Treemen guards in order to reach a Mother Tree. It is encouraged not to kill a Mother Tree while getting her resin as the death of a Mother Tree results in the death of the forest.

The death of a forest compels its monster inhabitants to leave and find other homes. This usually leads to monster attacks on civilian caravans, villages, towns and, sometimes, cities. Due to this consequence, the death penalty is a widely accepted punishment for those who kill Mother Trees.

Volatium

Pools can be found in Bohalen that are filled with a non-shiny, liquid metal. This metal is not hot and is considered lukewarm to the touch. Another unique quality of this metal is that it constantly moves without any outside force. At this point, no one knows what this metal can be used for as it cannot be formed into any permanent shape.

Orichalcum

A common mid-tier bronze-coloured metal that is considered tougher than steel.

Caelium

Also known as "Kara's Tears", this metal comes from "a fiery rocks from the sky". With this Xothican description it can be safe to assume that this is metal from a meteor. This metal is highly sought after as it is the strongest metal on Xoth after Mithril.

Crystalium

This crystal-like metal is found only in the Duellia Kingdom's lands. They use this metal to cover their strongest warriors in glass-like plates and arming them with weapons of similar quality. Despite its fragile appearance, Crystalium is tougher and lighter than Orichalcum.

Mithril

Mithril is the strongest and most expensive metal on Xoth and it contains more mana than Blue Silver. This magical trait makes the metal glow blue under moon light. Only the most powerful warriors or richest noble have any Mithril weapon or armour.

Excerpts from Thunder's Recommendations Report

->Teach healers about modern day medicine and science

->Have healers teach their healing magic to our doctors

Reason: Despite the technological advances and knowledge of disease, Healing magic surpasses it in every measurable way, eg. If someone breaks a leg, use healing magic to instantly mend it. While magic is able to surpass our abilities to heal, it cannot compare to our ability to understand illness and injury. As I have learned from my companions, a Xothican healer's knowledge of disease and injuries is extremely limited.

In my experiences, healing magic is amplified by the individual's understanding of the illness or injury they are trying to treat. By combining scientific knowledge and healing magic, we could see the end of disease worldwide.

VVVVVV

Cape Canaveral, Florida, United States of America

Tom stood inside a sealed glass room that was surrounded by half a dozen NASA scientists and engineers. The only way inside the room was an airlock. Tom wore a new generation space suit that the scientists designated the Z-2. It was dark grey with a large red T-shaped crest on its chest. The suit reminded Tom of the body armour that bomb squad soldier wore to deactivate bombs. The back of the suit was a hatch which allowed Tom to enter in from the back to put the suit on. Inside the suit, Tom wore a balaclava to disguise his face from the scientists.

"Now to review," the head researcher said through the suit's speaker. "Based on how your ability functions, we believe your Fast Travel ability creates a wormhole to allow you to transport from one location to another. We have also identified that your ability can only transport people or creatures if they are willing. If they are unwilling, you have to touch them. Inanimate objects must also be touched, by either you or a willing, to be transported with you. While we are unsure why this limit exist, it might have something to do with your conscious mind."

"Right," Tom replied over the suit radio.

"Additionally your ability has a weight limit. That weight has been identified as exactly forty tonnes. Any more and your ability will teleport you without the object or people over the weight limit. People are prioritized over the object."

"Yup."

"Today we will see if your ability has a range. Now you did tell us that you tried to travel to Xoth but failed."

"I only got a message that told me that the location was not acceptable."

"If your ability uses a wormhole to teleport you, theoretically speaking, you shouldn't have a range. We may have the reason for your limit. Using a positron emission topography helmet on you has shown us that when you teleport, the parts of your brain responsible for visual memory and processing flare up. We believe that you must have some sort of an idea of where you're going. Even the places you went to on your 'quests' are somewhat familiar to you simply because you have seen pictures of these locations before or you know where the area is located."

"So the reason I can't go to Xoth is because I have never seen anything of the planet?"

"Correct. Which is why we are here." The researcher placed a large picture against the glass. It depicted a white and grey rocky surface and a large crater. "We want you to go here. We designated it as Lunar Site Alpha-One. Take the case next to your feet there and gather rock samples while there. Your suit has enough oxygen for several hours, but you are not expected to stay there for that duration. You are to confirm you can travel to the moon and then gather samples."

"Gotcha."

"Thunder. If this works, I cannot begin to explain how much of an impact this will have on Humanity's future. It would advance Humanity's expansion into space by decades."

"Well, let's first see if I can do this." Tom picked up the case and took in a breath. "Okay... Fast Travel to Lunar Site Alpha-One."

Tom found himself standing on a white surface with stars above him. Unintentionally, he dropped the case to the ground as his jaw dropped. He made it. Tom was on the moon.

Without the lights of the cities or pollution in the air, Tom was able to see the stars completely unobstructed. There were more stars than Tom had ever seen in his life. He stood there in shock at the beauty of the moon and the stars above. In the distance, half of Earth was visible over the moon's horizon. Tom couldn't muster any words to describe what he felt in that moment.

After looking at the area around him for at least ten minutes, Tom's senses finally returned to him. He picked up the case and moved forward to look for moon rocks inside the crater the scientists told him to go to. Tom hopped towards his destination. While Tom was capable of making large jumps on Earth, doing it on the moon felt completely different.

Eventually, Tom made it down the crater edge and reach the bottom. He lost his footing at the bottom and fell forward. He bounced off of the ground a couple times before going into a slide.

"Fuck!" he muttered.

Tom slid forward by a foot before he stopped. He groaned as he pushed himself up while being thankful that there weren't any cameras around. Tom didn't want the history books to remember him for eating shit on the moon.

Upon getting up, Tom went to work. He picked up every appropriate sized rock for the case and gathered some lunar soil samples that he stuffed into the test tubes the researchers provided him.

The work didn't take more than fifteen minutes. Tom sealed the case and looked back up at the stars above. He reached up with his right hand and clenched it like he was trying to grab the stars.

"We reach beyond our grasp, so that one day the stars will know our name." Tom didn't know why those words escaped his lips, only that they felt right to say at the time.

With his mission complete, Tom muttered, "Fast Travel to the pressurized chamber in Cape Canaveral."

Tom reappeared inside the glass room where the researchers stood there in anticipation.

"It worked," Tom declared.

The researchers loudly cheered at the announcement.

"Did you get the samples?" the lead researcher asked.

"From inside the crater, like you asked."

"Good, good... Please head through the airlock."

Tom went through the first doorway and closed it behind him. A device sprayed him with high-pressured air from different direction along with a disinfectant. As soon as the process ended, the researchers opened the last door and Tom walked out. He handed the case over to the scientists who rushed it to another location.

"So what is the big deal with that crater?" Tom asked.

"This crater was selected due to its size and location that is desirable for a moon colony. The crater would help protect the colony from radiation."

"A moon colony?"

"Yes. Now that we have confirmed your ability, it opens up a whole new world for space exploration. A moon colony is only the beginning. We will be able to set up a space port there to decrease the cost of space flight. Eventually, we will be able to colonize Mars."

"As far as fall-back careers go, space explorer is pretty good," Tom mused.

"Now it will take time, but with your ability, we can have several modules ready to set-up in a month along with volunteers who will be stationed there. Can we expect your future cooperation in this endeavour?"

"Of course."

VVVVVV

The silence in the Oval Office broke when the phone rang. President Forest placed his Intel file back down on his desk and picked the phone up.

"Hello."

"Mister President," the voice on the other end greeted. "It's Marcus Rex."

"Marcus. Good to hear from you. How have you been?"

"Doing well, Mister President."

"Is there something I can help you with?"

"There is. Not just for me, but for the other candidates as well."

"Oh?"

"Right now the biggest issue in the election is the current phenomenon," Marcus explained. "Right now the candidates and I are able to give some answers to the questions we are asked by reporters and voters, but we do not have enough information to put together a concrete platform."

"What do you need?"

"An audience with Thunder and his companions for a Q and A with the other candidates. No cameras. No press. Just the candidates and the heroes."

"The candidates? Not just you?"

"I don't think it would look good to the public if I had a private meeting with them. It would look like our party is using Thunder for partisan gain. At the same time, Thunder has said very little public and mostly focused on doing his job. I doubt someone who keeps to themselves like that would like to be used as a political pawn."

Forest was somewhat impressed with Rex's foresight. Initially, Forest had felt disappointment towards Rex due to him having no prior political experience. During the campaign, Rex had used his reputation, charisma and energy to easily win the primaries over his opponents.

Once he had won the Democratic candidacy, Forest took the time to speak with Rex to get an understanding of the man. Forest found that he shared many of Rex's views and that he understood the role that he wanted to fulfill.

"I understand. I can give him a call and see if he can make a meeting."

"That's good to hear. I believe two weeks should be enough time to get the other candidates together for a meeting."

"Best we keep it to this one time thing, though. Thunder and his companions are basically working or training every waking moment of their lives."

"One meeting is all I need."

VVVVVV

Rika's hands twitched as she waited for Mordiggian to show. Her dreams were getting worse and she feared that the Agony would catch her soon. In the corner of her eye, Rika saw the shadows in her room twitch.

"You're here."

The shadows bulged out of the floor to take the form of Mordiggian.

"I am," he announced.

"Look, I did my job," Rika preemptively argued. "I saw Hawke die with my own two eyes. He was turned into a charcoaled corpse. I have no idea how he, not only survived, but left the attack without a scratch."

Mordiggian placed his hand on her head. Rika felt her mind clear up and her exhaustion dissipate.

"You did what I wanted. I will extend your time and the time of your lieutenants."

"I don't understand."

"It is not your place to understand. I have two new missions for your group. Complete both of them and I will free you from the Agony."

"What are they?"

"First, I want you to kill Senator Tyler Scott and Congresswoman Juliana Asker. Again, no witnesses and while using the magic stone I gave you. Do this and I will extend your time."

"And then?"

"Once those two are out of the way, I then want you to finally kill Thunder. You do not need to worry about finding his identity. I will provide that information to you once I have it."

"You want us to kill two more Presidential candidates?" Rika yelled. "Finding the moment to strike Samuel Hawke was hard enough! Two more is next to impossible."

"You don't have an exact time limit," Mordiggian said. "At least... Not by me. When you kill those two politicians, I will return."

Mordiggian melted into the ground and his shadow slipped out from underneath the door of the room.

"Rikkard, you there?"

"I am here, Darma," he said as his invisibility dropped and he returned into view.

"Were you able to follow it?"

"With my Tracking skill, there is no where in the world he can hide once I have marked him. I have learned quite a bit about him. I can now confirm his goal in our world. You are right. You did kill Samuel Hawke. The current Samuel Hawke, isn't Samuel Hawke."

"Excuse me?"

"Mordiggian has other allies. The creature currently posing as Samuel Hawke is called Wendigo."

"Wendigo?"

"Like in Canadian Native American legend. This creature is able to change its form and disguise itself. I've seen it myself. Here's the strange thing. Mordiggian sees this... Wendigo as a being of authority based on their interactions."

"So Mordiggian is trying to take advantage of the American election to install his rule over the country. He's using us to achieve that goal."

"It appears so."

Rika clenched her fist and punched the wall. The attack created a large hole in the wall that connected to the adjacent armoury.

"I knew he had his own goals, but to know that this was his end goal. Damn it!"

"We may have an opportunity to turn the tables on him," Rikkard said.

"How?"

"As I said before, Mordiggian has other allies. I have discovered another. Lucas Draig."

"The CEO of the Draig Corporation?"

"The one and the same. I know he is offering Mordiggian information and resources. Damn capitalist. Probably trying to secure his place in the new world. I think that while we are doing his missions, we should abduct Draig and use him as a bargaining chip to make sure he follows through with his promise to free us."

A sickly smile came across Rika's face. "Rikkard, I want you and Aamir to go after Draig. Bring him to us alive. I'll have everyone else focus on finding the opportunity to eliminate Scott and Asker."

--------------------------------

Character Stats:

Spoiler: Spoiler

Status

NameThomas "Tom" Everett

Level25Experience23854/24890

ClassMagic Blade

RaceHumanAlignmentGood

Currency

Canadian$10,469,148.21

Xoth0 platinum 5 gold 71 silver 30 copper

Title

Clever One, Determined, Giant Slayer, Vaccinated, One Of The First, Sole Survivor, Agent of Kara, Generous Healer, Interpreter, Selfless Lover, Human Anatomy, Survivalist, Lobbyist, Voice of Humanity, UNDF Specialist

Buffs

Agent of Kara2x experience

Bestiary of Xoth+10% damage towards the creatures of Xoth

Human Anatomy+10% damage towards Humans, 50% increase to experience gained for Heal and Purify

Lobbyist+10% increase chance of persuading a politician

Voice of HumanityPositive aura towards anyone (with a moral alignment of neutral or good) you first meet

UNDF SpecialistHave high-ranking authority within the UNDF military

Debuffs

Voice of HumanityPositive aura will irritate individuals with an evil alignment that you first meet

Health1380Health Regeneration/min11.5(3.7x)

Mana1310Mana Regeneration/min14.2(3.5x)

Stamina1320Stamina Regeneration/min10.0

Fame4550Infamy0

Strength138Intelligence131

Wisdom142Perception77

Endurance132Vitality115

Agility100Luck104

Unallocated Points0

Resistances

Physical52%Disease/Toxin95%

Fire52%Plant52%

Ice52%Earth52%

Lightning52%Water52%

Wind52%Spirit52%

Light52%Darkness52%

Skills

IdentifyMaster Level 2PersuasionMaster Level 3

Language ComprehensionMaster Level 10Book LearningMaster Level 10

TeacherBeginner Level 6NonchalantMaster Level 10

Lightning StrikeMaster Level 1Lightning EnchantIntermediate Level 9

Lightning ShieldIntermediate Level 6HealMaster Level 4

PurifyMaster Level 3Melee Weapon SpecialistIntermediate Level 6

DisguiseMaster Level 1PrayerMaster Level 10

Hero's CallMaster Level 10Fast TravelMaster Level 10

Loot CollectorIntermediate Level 4Magical RepairMaster Level 2

TacticianMaster Level 1CookMaster Level 3

Trap MasterIntermediate Level 5UnbreakableIntermediate Level 6

FireballIntermediate Level 7Fire EnchantIntermediate Level 2

Bow SkillBeginner Level 10Surge StrikeIntermediate Level 10

Enhanced BodyIntermediate Level 7Enhanced MindIntermediate Level 7

Chain LightningBeginner Level 6Group HealIntermediate Level 6

Enhanced SpellsIntermediate Level 7Enhanced ResistanceIntermediate Level 8

SM TransferMaster Level 10Computer SkillMaster Level 1

MassageIntermediate Level 9LoverIntermediate Level 9

Mixed Martial ArtistIntermediate Level 7Small Arms SpecialistIntermediate Level 3

Light Weapons SpecialistIntermediate Level 5StealthIntermediate Level 2

LotteryBeginner Level 6Enhanced DodgeIntermediate Level 2

Status

NameReia Zyer

Level24Experience19769/21640

ClassLancer

RaceNagaAlignmentGood

Currency

Canadian$0.00

Xoth0 platinum 5 gold 49 silver 14 copper

Title

Unknown, Giant Slayer, Determined, Life Saver, UNDF Specialist

Buffs

UNDF SpecialistHave high-ranking authority within the UNDF military

Debuffs

--

Health1640Health Regeneration/min10.7(2.0x)

Mana500Mana Regeneration/min4.9

Stamina1100Stamina Regeneration/min11.5

Fame4550Infamy0

Strength164Intelligence50

Wisdom49Perception57

Endurance110Vitality107

Agility115Luck96

Unallocated Points0

Resistances

Physical28%Disease/Toxin100%

Fire30%Plant30%

Ice30%Earth30%

Lightning30%Water30%

Wind30%Spirit30%

Light30%Darkness65%

Skills

IdentifyIntermediate Level 9Weapon RepairIntermediate Level 6

Armour RepairIntermediate Level 3Weapon CraftingBeginner Level 9

Armour CraftingBeginner Level 10Accessory CraftingIntermediate Level 1

Spear SkillMaster Level 1Clothing ReformMaster Level 3

Ice SpikeIntermediate Level 3Wind ShieldIntermediate Level 6

Wind BladeMaster Level 1HealMaster Level 1

Club SkillBeginner Level 6Sword SkillBeginner Level 10

PersuasionIntermediate Level 7Power StrikeIntermediate Level 6

Enhanced ResistanceIntermediate Level 3Group HealIntermediate Level 2

FlurryIntermediate Level 1Spiral ThrustBeginner Level 9

Enhanced DodgeIntermediate Level 4Language ComprehensionMaster Level 10

PurifyIntermediate Level 4Enhanced RegenerationBeginner Level 9

Status

NameSylmae "Syl" Lyvan

Level21Experience10534/11460

ClassArcher

RaceElfAlignmentGood

Currency

Canadian$0.00

Xoth0 platinum 4 gold 29 silver 71 copper

Title

Unknown, Determined, UNDF Specialist

Buffs

UNDF SpecialistHave high-ranking authority within the UNDF military

Debuffs

--

Health550Health Regeneration/min4.4

Mana550Mana Regeneration/min5.0

Stamina1000Stamina Regeneration/min11.9

Fame650Infamy0

Strength55Intelligence55

Wisdom50Perception120

Endurance100Vitality44

Agility119Luck109

Unallocated Points0

Resistances

Physical21%Disease/Toxin100%

Fire21%Plant21%

Ice21%Earth21%

Lightning21%Water21%

Wind21%Spirit21%

Light21%Darkness56%

Skills

IdentifyIntermediate Level 7Language ComprehensionMaster Level 10

Bow SkillIntermediate Level 5Ice SpikeIntermediate Level 3

Ice EnchantIntermediate Level 3Ice ShieldBeginner Level 6

HealIntermediate Level 8SlowMaster Level 1

Group SlowBeginner Level 9PurifyBeginner Level 10

Enhanced DodgeIntermediate Level 1RouletteBeginner Level 5

Enhanced VisionBeginner Level 6Enhanced ResistanceBeginner Level 6

FocusBeginner Level 4

Status

NameTala Mau

Level21Experience10534/11460

ClassElementalist

RaceBeastkin (Feline)AlignmentGood

Currency

Canadian$0.00

Xoth0 platinum 3 gold 12 silver 87 copper

Title

Unknown, Book Enthusiast, Determined, UNDF Specialist

Buffs

UNDF SpecialistHave high-ranking authority within the UNDF military

Debuffs

--

Health450Health Regeneration/min6.0

Mana1750Mana Regeneration/min15.2 (3.0x)

Stamina400Stamina Regeneration/min4.1

Fame650Infamy0

Strength45Intelligence175

Wisdom152Perception54

Endurance40Vitality60

Agility41Luck100

Unallocated Points0

Resistances

Physical15%Disease/Toxin100%

Fire15%Plant15%

Ice15%Earth15%

Lightning15%Water15%

Wind15%Spirit15%

Light15%Darkness50%

Skills

IdentifyIntermediate Level 6Language ComprehensionMaster Level 10

FireballIntermediate Level 8Fire BarrierBeginner Level 6

Fire EnchantIntermediate Level 1Fire ShieldIntermediate Level 4

FlamethrowerBeginner Level 8HealIntermediate Level 10

Group HealIntermediate Level 5PurifyIntermediate Level 5

Ice SpikeBeginner Level 10Wind BladeBeginner Level 6

Lightning StrikeBeginner Level 5Water BlastIntermediate Level 1

Rock ThrowBeginner Level 6EnchantmentIntermediate Level 2

AlchemyBeginner Level 6InvisibleIntermediate Level 4

Bubble ShieldBeginner Level 8DispelIntermediate Level 2

Enhanced SpellsIntermediate Level 2Enhanced MindIntermediate Level 1

RouletteBeginner Level 5Dual CastBeginner Level 5

ParalyzeBeginner Level 3

Status

NameVivian "Vi" Terrabane

Level22Experience12879/13850

ClassBarbarian

RaceDwarfAlignmentGood

Currency

Canadian$0.00

Xoth0 platinum 29 gold 18 silver 93 copper

Title

Unknown, Determined, Giant Slayer, Explorer, Lone Adventurer, UNDF Specialist

Adventurer Guild Rank6

Buffs

UNDF SpecialistHave high-ranking authority within the UNDF military

Debuffs

--

Health1290Health Regeneration/min10.0 (1.7x)

Mana430Mana Regeneration/min3.6

Stamina1060Stamina Regeneration/min5.1

Fame900Infamy0

Strength129Intelligence43

Wisdom36Perception58

Endurance106Vitality100

Agility51Luck78

Unallocated Points0

Resistances

Physical22%Disease/Toxin100%

Fire25%Plant25%

Ice25%Earth25%

Lightning25%Water25%

Wind25%Spirit25%

Light25%Darkness60%

Skills

IdentifyMaster Level 1Language ComprehensionMaster Level 10

Hammer SkillMaster Level 1Rock ThrowIntermediate Level 8

Earth EnchantIntermediate Level 7Earth ShieldIntermediate Level 4

Earth ManipulationIntermediate Level 3HealIntermediate Level 7

PurifyIntermediate Level 1Club SkillBeginner Level 5

Sword SkillBeginner Level 3EruptBeginner Level 6

Power StrikeBeginner Level 9War CryBeginner Level 6

Enhanced ResistanceBeginner Level 8Enhanced RegenerationBeginner Level 7

PersuasionBeginner Level 5