Kai sat at Sam’s workbench all through the night. He was able to get about one stitch before he felt his mana bottoming out. Sam worked on some project that Kai couldn’t quite see but the man never left, nor did Ken who watched everything that Kai did with meticulous attention to detail. Sometime near three in the morning Kai finally finished the first dragonfly rune he created.

Newbie’s Leather Bracer Lvl 3: Leather armor worked by someone just learning to craft. Health +5.

Mana Embroidered Dragonfly 14% (P): Wearer of the armor has a negligible chance of moving more quickly with the wind.

Kai had gone through about 50 basic mana potions to create this. He wanted to cry. This seemed as though it was trash and he had wasted all those potions to not even change the bracer and what it could do. He examined the (P) and discovered it meant poor. Well at least it wasn’t a (T) that stood for trash, he thought. He threw the bracer at Ken. “Seems I’m no good at this.” He climbed off the stool he had been on for the past eight or so hours since Alric left.

Ken passed the bracer to Sam who had stopped whatever he had been doing. Sam inspected the bracer and grunted. “It’s a start.” He threw the bracer back at Kai and said, “Keep it. To remind yourself that all things must have a beginning.” He walked over to a chest under the main bench and removed a breastplate. “If you speak of this, I will kill you.” The weight of Sam’s eyes on Kai and the words caused Kai to step back.

He nodded and took the breastplate from Sam before inspecting it.

Iron Breastplate Lvl ??: End +3, Resistance +2, Health +30. Possesses the attribute Dawn Touched I.

Dawn Touched I: Wearer has regeneration increased by 10 per hour for Health, and 1 per minute for Stamina.

Engraving of Bear 19% (P): When struck, this armor will have a small chance of resisting stunning and knockback effects.

“That Dawn Touched effect is awesome. How could I get something like that?” Kai stared at the breastplate touching the engraving and holding it at different angles to try and see the dawn touch.

Sam snatched the breastplate back. “This was the first full engraving I was able to achieve. Everyone must start somewhere. As for the Dawn Touched its a production thing. Randidly left something here that had a similar effect but from his engraving.”

Sam walked back to the chest he had gotten the breastplate from and rummaged through it. “Ah, here it is.” He pulled out a bracer. Sam walked over to Kai and tossed him the bracer. “Something to strive toward. Although you shouldn’t try to just copy someone else’s process.”

Kai studied the bracer and was amazed.

Leather Bracer Lvl ??: Vit +2, Health +26. Rain Engraved II.

Engraving of Dragonfly 80% ®: The wind seems to move with the wearer, aiding in both offensive and defensive speed. A thin layer of air is wrapped around the wearer, protecting them like an armor. Wearer gains Aspect of Dragonfly III.

Aspect of Dragonfly III: Reaction +7, Agility +10

Rain Engraved II: The Engraver has developed his own basic personal process of Engraving, and benefits begin to accrue within the armor. Mana +15, Focus +3.

“So many stats. This is awesome. What level is this? I need to raise my Equip skill. Because all I see are question marks. Same on that breastplate. Also, do you know how he did this rain engraved thing?” Kai felt the engraving to see if it was a normal engraving or if the Ghosthound had somehow used water on the leather.

Sam chuckled as he watched Kai. “It’s level 25. Ken, why don’t we get some basic equipment for Kai here to help raise that Equip skill level. Fit him with some level twenty to twenty five things. Should boost the skill a bit.” He turned back to Kai as Ken left the room. “As for the Rain Engraved. The Ghosthound has this skill that makes a cloud that rains on him. He did his engraving under that cloud. Not exactly something anyone can copy, not that’d you want to copy that technique. Making your own is always more fun and more productive.”

Kai’s eyes bulged, he makes his own raining cloud? What kind of man is this Ghosthound guy. “How does a person get a skill like that? I mean I’m sure that Weather Witch I’ve heard of could do it, but what about a regular person? What kind of things do you do that you can make a cloud that rains on you?” Kai wasn’t really asking anyone in particular nor did he expect an answer.

A few minutes later Kai still held the bracer when Ken returned with a chest. “The equipment you requested sir.” Ken set the chest down on the floor near the two men.

Sam opened the lid to the chest. “Take what works for you. Ken can identify stuff for you. I’ll take that bracer.” Kai handed back the bracer and stared at the equipment pouring from the chest on the floor. There were several copies of the various outfits.

Kai had no idea where to start. He hesitated and for the first time did something smart. He turned and looked at Ken as Sam had already returned to one of his projects. “What would you recommend?”

Ken stepped forward toward Kai and the chest. “Excellent question sir. If as you stated earlier you wish to be mobile and perhaps go the role of scout I’d suggest a leather set. Later we could upgrade you to chain or scale depending on materials and need.” Ken began to pull a few pieces from the chest. “Nothing too fancy as you’re still new and we don’t want you to be a target, but better than any old slope.” Ken mumbled to himself. “Ah, this should do nicely.” He held up a leather cuirass.

He handed the cuirass to Kai then fished a pair of bracers and a pair of greaves out of the pile. “Yes, an excellent combination. You can pay for them through your embroidery work once it reaches a sufficient level. Do not embroider these as that would be a waste.”

Kai examined each piece as he equipped them.

Leather Bracer Lvl ??: Reaction +2, Stamina +15

Leather Cuirass Lvl ??: End +1, Health +10

Leather Greaves Lvl ??: Agi +2, Stamina +15

“How long is it going to raise this damn equip skill?” Kai wondered aloud.