“Yes!”

Connor knew that his orders were specifically to not pause, stop, or grind out any experience on his way to steal the Ring of Tantor, but as he looked out at the bustling Union City crowd, the capitol city of the First Realm, it was hard for him to curb his enthusiasm.

After a brief and gruff goodbye to the captain and the crew of the Merry Piper, he walked down the gangplank onto the top of the city wall. He shuffled onto a large metal-railed lift that sat on the inside of the city battlements and held onto the rail tightly as the contraption rattled and swung rather violently as it was lowered on giant rotary chains before thumping to the floor below. The doors opened, and Connor spilled out along with everyone else, glad to be on solid ground.

He found himself on a main thoroughfare that was far busier than Skybridge Outpost, and filled with more color, noise, races, and creeds.

Countless people shouting out their wares—everything from magical amusements to enchanted weapons, fresh food, armor, or clothes. The air was heavy with the scent of herbs, grilled meat, and strange smoke. It was giddying being here, and Connor quickly pushed his way through the crowd until he found a quieter street corner.

“Level 2, huh? It took me long enough!” Connor said to himself as he surveyed his options. If he was playing this as a regular contract, he probably would have accepted that Ranger-Marshal’s quest straight off, as well as spent the first couple of days hunting packs of goblins in the Black Birch Forest.

Yeah, I’d probably be up to Level 4 or 5 by now! He sighed, shaking his head at the state of it.

As it was, the 300 Experience points he’d earned from fighting the Goblin Bandits and helping to save the Merry Piper was enough to achieve Level 2. More importantly, he had Attribute and Skill increases to assign, so he recalled the level increase message he’d received on the airship.

Congratulations! You have advanced to Level 2. You have been awarded two attribute points and one skill level advancement to be allocated as you choose.

Allocate attribute and skill increases now? Yes / No

Connor selected Yes and was presented with another message.

Select two attributes to increase. You may not increase the same attribute twice.

Agility: 12 Charisma: 5 Intelligence: 10 Stamina: 9 Strength: 9 Wisdom: 8

Connor looked up, across the sea of heads and bustling voices to the copper and slate rooftops of the city. In the distance there was a white, peaked tower, with what appeared to be a bird statue atop it, wings spread wide.

Aviatrix Tower, he knew. That was where he had to get to, and it shouldn’t even take him too long, either.

But what would be most useful for helping him get inside?

It was a no-brainer, really. Strength had to increase, for sure. He didn’t want to get into an accidental fight with someone, only to find out (just as he had against the goblins) that he was getting his damage reduced because of his low Strength!

Immediate plus one, thank you very much!

Connor increased his Strength attribute.

Strength: 10

No damage modifiers at this level. Allows for the use of larger single-handed weapons as well as medium sized bows.

And then there was the way that halfling had been pretty crappy with him, not to mention that freaky elvish cleric. The thought of her weird voice and staring eyes still creeped him out a bit. Connor shivered and pulled his attention back to the task at hand. Both could have seriously messed up his mission, all because of him having such a low charisma.

“I guess I better do something about that,” he groaned and selected Charisma as the second attribute to increase.

Charisma: 6

Below the human norm of 8, you will be 20% less effective in all social situations. Leadership and morale-building are impossible.

“Yay for me,” Connor groaned, then looked at his skills.

Skills

Combat Ax: Novice Level Sneak: Basic Level

His ax skill had apparently increased from Basic level to Novice all on its own, thanks to his level advancement and his battle with the goblins. He selected Combat Ax and attempted to increase levels again.

Combat Ax:

The ability to use an ax to defend and attack. Advancing levels in this skill provides combat bonuses and unlocks special abilities. Minimum Strength and Agility attributes must be met to advance levels. Damage done using this skill is subject to a Strength modifier; minus 10% damage per Strength level below 10 / plus 5% per Strength level above 10.

Basic Level – No bonuses or modifiers. Novice Level – Attack damage increased by 10%. Chance to block increased by 20%. Learn the ability to use a shield, further increasing block chance by 20% when a shield is being used. Minimum Strength and Agility of 10.

Level advancement not available. Insufficient Strength and Agility.

“Wow, loads of choices there, I see…” he bemoaned his lack of skills. He even wondered for a moment where he got his Sneak from, then remembered his hours spent in the Black Birch Forest, trying to stay out of sight of any monster that might attack him.

“Who says it doesn’t pay to hide from monsters, huh?” Connor sighed and used his level advancement on the only skill available.

Sneak:

The ability to hide oneself from others. Advancing levels in this skill increases the ability to hide and unlocks special abilities. Minimum Agility and Charisma attributes must be met to advance levels.

Basic Level – No bonuses or modifiers. Novice Level – Reduce the chance of being detected while using ability by 50%. Minimum Agility of 10.

Novice level Sneak was already showing great potential for the skill. Connor was sure that future level increases would be even better, allowing him to staying hidden, move silently, or even follow people undetected!

“That doesn’t sound so bad.” Connor nodded, an idea starting to form in his head. It was a shame that it took all the way to Level 5 before you could get a profession, because, from skills he’d already obtained, it was already starting to look like he was going to make a great Thief.

“Connor Half-elf, Master Thief?” he mused to himself. He liked the ring of it, and it did seem to fit with his more usual style of play.

And, he raised his eyes to the distant tower ahead of him. I’m going to need some serious Sneaking skills to get into the place.

***

“Hey, I’ve seen all the heist movies, I know how this goes…” the half-elf was thinking as he slowed his steps, entering the small plaza in which the Aviatrix’s Tower sat. It was an unremarkable space, a mere fork of cobbled streets and stone buildings, at the side of which sat a grassy park entrance to the Tower grounds. There was a simple black iron gate—it was currently open—and high railings. On the other side, there were stands of tall, majestic trees whose leaves were losing the last of their brilliant gold color as the light from the sun faded.

Connor had waited until evening to make his play for the Ring of Tantor, arriving early, just as the sky was turning purple with dusk.

The streets were quieter up there, too, Connor saw, with most of the passers-by appearing to wear either deep crimson red robes or white.

Clerics and priests, Connor thought immediately. The Tower of the Aviatrix appeared to be located in the spiritual quarter of Union City, as there were other grand white stone buildings that declared themselves to be devoted to different deities. Two such that he recognized were Agni, the God of Fire, and Opthalos, the God of the Winds.

“Last Call! Final Tour! Come, find inspiration and wonder! Be awed at the greatest Mage of the First Realm!” a voice, loud but not harsh called out, and Connor looked over to see a middle-aged woman. She had hair that appeared to have once been a deep chestnut but now showed lighter streaks due to age and sun. The woman stood by the open gate to the Aviatrix precinct handing out what looked like sheets of parchment, no doubt full of propaganda.

Connor grinned to himself as a plan was quickly developing in his mind. Do the professional heist thing. Pretend like he was in some slick crime caper: He nodded to himself and stepped forward, raising an interested hand to the acolyte.

“I want to be inspired,” he said, with his best grin.

“Of course, all are welcome to . . . uh . . .” the acolyte turned in his direction to offer him a piece of parchment, before her smile fell flat, and started to curl a little in disgust at the corners.

“Oh,” she said after collecting herself. “We don’t usually get the elf-folk who are interested in the gods. Not even half-elves.”

Freaking Charisma penalty! Connor tried to control his frustration.

“Oh, I am interested. All ears, you could say,” he made to joke, but saw the woman’s eyes flicker to his subtly pointed ears with a grimace, as if being reminded of just how different he really was from her.

Damnit! He cursed inwardly.

“Yes, ah . . .” she muttered, her eyes then taking in Connor’s disheveled shirt, dirty and torn at the cuffs from all the excitement of the last couple of days.

“We’re not a flop house, you know. And this is the very last tour of the day!” Her words came out chilled and stern. “If you’re looking for charity, then try the Sisters of Infinite Mercy, down the street.”

“No, I really am interested in the Aviatrix’s Tower. Honestly!” Connor said quickly, cursing himself for being such a fool as to not steal some better clothes than the ones he had started in. He wondered how bad he smelled, after having spilled blood—his own and goblin—then spent two days on the road.

Then, under her suspicious eyes, Connor realized that he didn’t want to seem too interested, either, and quickly just snatched the parchment from the acolyte’s hand and walked past her.

Better for her to think me ignorant, than to suspect me for a thief! He thought, resolutely not looking back as he marched ahead, down the tree-lined path through the small park, straight to where the eight-sided Tower stood, it’s arched doors open wide to receive him. There was already a scattering of other visitors ahead, so he hurried his steps to fall in behind them, keeping his head low, looking at the parchment flyer as he tried to avoid causing any further commotion.

The Tower of the Aviatrix

Founded at the end of the Age of Discovery, during the Rose Wars between Elf and Man, the Aviatrix Tower was built to cast the most powerful spells that any realm had ever known, and it all began with one man: the Aviatrix.

The Aviatrix was the Father of Aerial Magic (which powered the first airships) who saw his beloved First Realm being overrun by the Elvish Rose Empire. Seeing no way to defeat this bloodthirsty adversary, he used his knowledge of the deep physics of the world, of knowing how to separate matter from its earthly constraints, and worked to separate and dispel the Elvish Realm itself.

The Aviatrix’s sorcery, empowered by Opthalos, the God of Winds, and Agni, the God of Fire, was unstoppable. He succeeded in removing his beloved realm from the horrors of the cosmos, creating the First Realm, safe and sound, as we know it today.

This very tower is where the Aviatrix studied and lived, although the actual location of where he worked the greatest protection that the First Realm has ever seen, is still unknown.

Occasionally, there are those which travel between the worlds. Powerful sorcerers, evil elves, and beings even worse occasionally manage to conjure a portal to this realm, but thanks to the brave sacrifice of the Aviatrix, who died protecting the First Realm, we continue to enjoy ongoing peace and prosperity!

“Wow, no wonder everyone here treats even a half-elf with utter contempt,” Connor muttered, as he heard a rebuking cough from ahead of him. Looking up, he saw that the small group of visitors—human—had stopped inside the tower, where there was a large ground-level area that looked quite a bit like a church or temple.

The floor was a crazy mosaic of black and white marble tiles, stretching out across a large central space. A large set of stone staircases went up, running around the wall to the next level. Rather disconcertingly, there were multiple statues against the walls of this space, and each of them appeared to be of the same man; albeit in different positions.

“Aviatrix the Inventor!” Called out a voice as another white-garbed acolyte stepped forward, signaling the first of the statues of a youngish-looking human in robes, holding up strange tools.

“Celebrating his discovery of aerial magics; he was the first to distil the magic of flight into the Avi Gems!” the acolyte drew forth her hand, to show a brilliant glowing blue gem, the same color that the airships emitted, attached to a golden pendant. She slipped it over her neck, and, with just a gesture of her hands, started to rise into the air before them.

“Aviatrix the Explorer!” she gestured to the next statue as she lowered herself back to the ground. This statue showed the same man, but this time holding a flag in one hand and a telescope in the other, apparently boldly moving forward.

“Before the Great Working that created the Six Realms, the Aviatrix spent years exploring the different Realms and Regions! Much of what we know today is because of his bravery.”

Dear stars, Connor groaned. Was this entire presentation going to be as sickeningly adoring as this? As far as he could see, all this Aviatrix wizard-mage guy had succeeded in locking off the First Realm from everyone else, instead of attempting to parley or negotiate with the elvish Rose Empire! And in the process, every elf and half-elf who remained was treated like they were scum!

The guy sounded insane, Connor thought. He was liking the look of that floating Ari Gem, though, he had to admit. It would sure make it easier to escape this place if he could just fly off through a window to safety.

However, given that the magical gemstone was currently glowing around the acolyte’s neck, he doubted he would be able to obtain it.

Not easily, anyway.

With a grumble, Connor let his feet trail behind the visitor group as the acolyte moved from statue to statue. He surreptitiously took out the map of Mourn Province, and looked at the tiny red-ink sketch of the Aviatrix Tower in the margins. The tower was cross-sectioned, with little boxes for the different levels, and a red star right at the top with an arrow pointing at it. It didn’t take a lot of deductive reasoning to figure out that was where the Ring of Tantor would be.

“All the way up,” Connor grimaced, looking at the crowd of people before him, and watching as they turned slowly to the next statue, and the next…

Leaving the stairs behind them unwatched.

Connor didn’t waste any time in rushing up them, as quietly as he could.