As the stone began to glow gently in Micky’s palm system notifications appear before his eyes.

Would you like to interface with: (Scholars Guild Database)

Mentally selecting yes Micky dived into the plethora of information. Despite dismissing anything which required a Skill above his novice levels there was still a wide variety of Abilities.

Ability

Prerequisites

Assess Information

Will 10, Wisdom 8, Research (mundane) Novice (25)

Active Ability: 5 SP per minute

Description: Using this Ability gives the user a 25% chance of assessing the reliability of a document. At higher levels this chance increases and gives the user a chance to grasp the writers intent.

Discover Provenance

Will 5, Wisdom 5, Research (magical) Novice (5), Research (mundane) Novice (1)

Active Ability: 12 SP per minute

Description: this Ability gives the user a 10% chance to understand where an object or artifact of up to uncommon rarity has come from and gives limited information about its previous owners. At higher level the chance and the rarity of items affected increase.

Decipher Text

Wisdom 10, Research (any form) Novice 10, Writing (any form) Novice 25

Active Ability: 15 SP per minute

Description: this Ability gives the user a chance to decrypt text that is either written in a script that is unfamiliar to them or written in code. This will allow a basic understanding of the meaning. At higher levels this Ability will grant a deeper understanding of meanings and subtexts.

Duplicate

Will 10, Writing (any form) Novice 20

Passive Ability

Description: Upon gaining this Ability copying speed for any document when the original is present is increased by 25%. At higher levels speed of duplication is increased.

Obfuscate

Wisdom 8, Writing (any form) Novice 25

Active Ability: 25SP per use

Description: this Ability allows the user to subtly modify a document, either to disguise or alter its true meaning. At higher levels it becomes more difficult for individuals to perceive the changes.

Seeker of Truth

Will 10, Wisdom 10, Research (any form) 10

Active Ability: 50 SP per use

Description: this Ability allows the user to gain insight into the direction of an item or person based upon physical, written, or oral evidence. At higher levels this impression can grow to include distance, elevation, and condition of the person or item

Micky leaned back into the cushions of his chair, slowly placing the interface hexagon back onto the table.

“There is rather a lot of information contained within the interface isn’t there?” Asked Alisher.

“Just a bit, yeah” groaned Micky. “Some of them seem really useful as well. I’d love to be able to know if something I’ve read was true or not just by waving a hand over it.”

“ ‘Assess Information’ is one our most popular abilities, particularly when paired with ‘Seeker of Truth’

“I mean yeah, it’s literally instant Indiana Jones - Just Add Water”. Micky’s mind is wide with the possibilities.

“I’m afraid I’m unfamiliar with the reference, something from your ‘verse I presume?” Asked Alisher.

“hah, yeah he’s a fictional archaeologist” Micky admitted, running one hand through his hair.

“Many rather real archaeologists use that combination of Abilities, along with some more class specific ones, to explore the history of Outremer.”

His thoughts captivated by daydreams of exploring lost tombs and unexplored temples, there is a long pause before Micky speaks again. “What about ‘Obfuscate? Doesn’t that seem a little shady?”

“That one is rather an odd duck I will admit” laughs Alisher, “We teach it purely for security purposes, but it has been used for rather more malicious ends in the past. Along with a number of most inventive practical jokes.” Eyes wide to the possibilities Micky reconsiders his Ability acquisitions.

“Of course we don’t encourage such usages” Alisher hurries to add, having seen the gleam in Micky’s eyes.

“No, no, Of course not.”

“Indeed, are you ready to make your decision Micky?”

“yeah I think I am. I’d like to purchase ‘Assess Information, ‘Decipher Text’, and ‘Seeker of Truth’.”

“A fine set of selections, have you considered all the prerequisites?” Asked Alister as he rose to his feet. “I’m afraid we won’t be able to unlock any Ability which you are unable to take.”

“What about the SP cost for Seeker of Truth? I meet the requirements to get it, but I don’t have enough SP to actually use it?”

Nodding reassuringly as he took three slim volumes down from a shelf behind his desk Alisher explained, “As long as you meet the Stat and Skill requirements we can help you get the Ability, however you will not be able to use it until you can pay it’s cost, wether that means increasing the amount of SP available to you or reducing the SP needed to utilize it.”

With a dull slap Alisher placed the three leather bound books in front of Micky. “These are Ability books. Each one contains one of the Abilities you have requested. To use them simply place your left hand on the cover, then follow the system prompts.”

"Ok, I can do that” replied Micky.

“Regrettably I must request payment before hand as the Ability books will be consumed in the process”

“Wait I’m going to destroy these?” Asked Micky, pulling his hand away from the closest book.

“It is not so much that they will be destroyed, more that the magic they are formed from will be absorbed into you as you gain the ability.”

“How are you able to let these go so cheaply if you need to make new books each time? That doesn’t make any sense.”

“A talented scholar can produce dozens of these an hour, and many do so in the process of increasing the levels of the Abilities involved. With higher ranked skills the materials and complexity of the process increase dramatically, which accounts for the higher price point of skills above the novice level” Alisher explained.

Micky reached down to the pouch at his waist, withdrawing 30 silver. “Are you sure this is enough?” He asked as he handed the coins over.

“Indeed, we operate along standard guild rates, however you will find these prices doubled at other guilds and organizations as a scribe or scholar is needed to create the Ability book alongside the person who possesses the skill.”

“Now shall we begin?” Alisher gently continued.

Micky placed his left hand over the slim book closest to him. A line of faint blue grey light rose up from its cover, swirling between his fingers.

Ability book detected: Assess Information.

Would you like to integrate this skill?

Quickly Micky selected yes.

Assessing Prerequisites. . . successful.

Beginning integration.

The glow from the book become more intense, pulsing with increasing frequency until it was shining steadily. All at once the glow disappeared and Micky was left holding his hand over a now bare patch of the table.

“Excellent, when an Ability book is correctly used it will leave nothing behind so I take it things went well Micky?” Asked Alisher.

“Ah yeah, I think so” Micky replied hesitantly, flipping his hand over and examining his fingers. “Is there a way to check?”

“Of course, simple select the abilities section in your Menu, you will find it alongside Skills and Stats”

Leaning back into the chair again Micky opened his Menu and selected the Abilities tab.

Ability

Cost

Asess Information

Novice Rank (1)

Active: 5 SP per minute

Examine

Novice Rank (2)

Active: no cost

“I cannot express how very cool this is” Micky said with a wide grin. “Just like that I’ve learned something new.”

“It is indeed one of the system’s blessings” replied Alisher.

“I can’t help feeling that my abilities are a little bare thought”. As he finished speaking Micky reached his hand over the second Ability book.

“Indeed, but we shall soon remedy that” laughed Alisher.

Five minutes and two Ability books later Micky reopened his Ability tab.

Ability

Cost

Asess Information

Novice Rank (1)

Active: 5 SP per minute

Examine

Novice Rank (2)

Active: no cost

Decipher Text

Novice Rank (1)

Active: 15 SP per minute

Seeker of Truth

Novice Rank (1)

Active: 50 SP per use

Looking at his newly acquired abilities filled Micky with a ridiculous sense of satisfaction.

*Ding* Balance has reached 9

Embracing the Outremer way of life.

Alisher grinned, a sight made slightly frightening by the way his fangs pulled at the corner of his smile, then rose from his desk to shake Micky’s hand again. “It has been a pleasure working with you today. One of the great joys of this position is helping a newcomer onto the scholars path. If you ever decide you wish to embrace it as a class please do come back.” He then reached into his jacket pocket, withdrawing a silver embossed business card. “This is my card, please don’t hesitate to contact me if you need anything.”

“I can’t thank you enough for all your help Alisher, and I’ll definitely keep that in mind. If being a bard doesn’t work out I might just take you up on the class offer.”

Micky turned and walked towards the door, remembering the plan to meet Tanya at the Provisioners Guild. He scanned the crowded plaza and saw the symbol he had been told about, a pair of crossed silver forks.