(Day 176) Aprilis 21st, 12th year of the Dragon, Age of Enlightenment

I looked at Adaline as I asked, “Well, that was interesting. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, I can’t believe you had the chance to empower your Place of Power by a Divine and didn’t take it.” She said with a wondering look in her gaze.

“Well, if I said I didn’t consider it I’d be lying. The truth of it is if that question had been asked of me just two weeks ago I might have said yes but I think there is this level of expectation from the Goddess I serve that I do not do anything wantonly evil if at all possible. As I was given a choice, choosing to destroy a sentient being's soul utterly would fall into the evil as sin category. I already have two on standby for such a fate if I can figure out how to make it happen. I figured ‘three strikes and you’re out.”

Adaline looked at me with a complete lack of comprehension.

“’Three strikes and you’re out.’ Is a phrase we use for a game called baseball. Without going into the particulars, you get three chances to hit a ball. If you miss three times you’re out and it’s the next player's turn.” I explained.

“Still, that was a lot of power to give up”

“Maybe? Maybe the stuff I asked for will be worth more. The only way we find out is by looking in that Platinum chest.” I said as I pointed at the platinum chest sitting in the middle of my seal.

“I’m ready when you are.” She said.

I reached forward and lifted the chest lid to look into an empty box as a golden Prompt appeared before me.

Adaline and Adamantadine, opening this chest signifies your agreement to accept the following rewards.

“You can see that?” I asked

“Yes, now pay attention,” Adaline responded.

Congratulations Adaline. For withstanding the will of a Divine as he tried to force you to break a vow you are awarded the following.

First, your alignment is changed from Neutral Evil to Neutral

Second, your true form is now considered to be that of an Umbral Dragon or High Elf. Both forms are your true form. There is no change to your dragon form characteristics. Cosmetically your form is that of an Umbral Dragon, creatures that are known to be of neutral and evil alignments. Also, anti-magic spells and areas will no longer force you out of your humanoid form.

Third, you are awarded 15 million experience.

Stay true to your vows and you will continue to be rewarded.

Congratulations Adamantadine. You are awarded the following

Spheres of Power for Life levels 1 – 5.

Spheres of Power for Water levels 1 – 5.

Spheres of Space for Space levels 1 – 5

Three Special Space Bonus Abilities.

One Special Time Bonus ability.

The Artifact: Orb of Knowing

Belt of Infinite Wealth

Adaline and I were both shocked by this. That was a lot, a lot of power. I wonder what it all meant, then more prompts popped up.

Congratulations, you have raised your Sphere of Power for Water from level 0 to level 1. Doing so imparts the following benefits.

20% resistance to all water-related damage from any source

20% stronger casting of all water-related spells

20% reduced mana cost for all water-related spells

Passive Fixed Ability in Place of Power. “Create Water.” The Hearth can create water as desired whether it is near a water source or not.

Congratulations, you have raised your Sphere of Power for Water from level 1 to level 2. Doing so imparts the following benefits.

Additional 20%, total 40%, resistance to all water-related damage from any source

Additional 20%, total 40%, stronger casting of all water-related spells

Additional 20%, total 40%, reduced mana cost for all water-related spells

Active Fixed Ability “Water Breathing.” At a cost of 10 mana per second, you may breathe underwater for 1 hour.

Congratulations, you have raised your Sphere of Power for Water from level 2 to level 3. Doing so imparts the following benefits.

Additional 20%, total 60%, resistance to all water-related damage from any source

Additional 20%, total 60%, stronger casting of all water-related spells

Additional 20%, total 60%, reduced mana cost for all water-related spells

Active Fixed Ability “Summon Small Water Elemental.” At a cost of 40 mana, you may summon a small water Elemental at your location that will follow simple commands and work for you. Duration is 1 hour which can be extended by spending an additional 40 mana per hour. While swimming this elemental can assist the swimmer by increasing their speed to 30 miles per hour. The elemental can also create small pockets of air to allow others to continue breathing underwater.

Congratulations you have raised your Sphere of Power for Water from level 3 to level 4. Doing so imparts the following benefits.

Additional 20%, total 80%, resistance to all water-related damage from any source

Additional 20%, total 80%, stronger casting of all water-related spells

Additional 20%, total 80%, reduced mana cost for all water-related spells

Passive Fixed Ability: “Water Flows By.” You can move through Non-magical water without disturbing it. This has two effects. No matter how strong a current is you will be unaffected while swimming. Your movement does not disturb the water. There is no mana cost, and this ability can be utilized at will. Note: You may also pass-through Shields based on Water Magic as if they do not exist. This benefit does not extend to any of your ranged attacks or abilities. You must personally step through such shields.

Congratulations you have raised your Sphere of Power for Water from level 4 to level 5. Doing so imparts the following benefits.

Additional 20%, total 100%, resistance to all water-related damage from any source

Additional 20%, total 100%, stronger casting of all water-related spells

Additional 10%, total 90%, reduced mana cost for all water-related spells

The Sphere of Water Fixed Passive Ability “Immunity Water” is granted to you.

At no mana cost Water of any form, normal or Magical, cannot harm you. This includes Ice, Gas, and Liquid forms of water.

Congratulations, you have raised your Sphere of Power for Life from level 0 to level 1. Doing so imparts the following benefits.

20% resistance to all life-related damage from any source

20% stronger casting of all life-related spells

20% reduced mana cost for all life-related spells

Passive Fixed Ability in Place of Power. Good Health. Wounds heal twice as fast while in the Hearth.

Congratulations, you have raised your Sphere of Power for Life from level 1 to level 2. Doing so imparts the following benefits.

Additional 20%, total 40%, resistance to all life-related damage from any source

Additional 20%, total 40%, stronger casting of all life-related spells

Additional 20%, total 40%, reduced mana cost for all life-related spells

Active Fixed Ability “Stop Bleeding.” At a cost of 10 mana, any bleeding effects that are 1 hit point per second are closed and stopped. All other wounds reduce their bleeding effect by 1 per second.

Congratulations, you have raised your Sphere of Power for Life from level 2 to level 3. Doing so imparts the following benefits.

Additional 20%, total 60%, resistance to all life-related damage from any source

Additional 20%, total 60%, stronger casting of all life-related spells

Additional 20%, total 60%, reduced mana cost for all life-related spells

Active Fixed Ability “Heal Other” At a cost of 2 to 1, you may heal another up to 20 hit points per use, Maximum 40 mana.

Congratulations you have raised your Sphere of Power for Life from level 3 to level 4. Doing so imparts the following benefits.

Additional 20%, total 80%, resistance to all life-related damage from any source

Additional 20%, total 80%, stronger casting of all life-related spells

Additional 20%, total 80%, reduced mana cost for all life-related spells

Passive Fixed Ability: “Life Sense.” You can sense any Life around you up to a range of one-tenth of your Perception score. This is automatic for any creature that is not shielded from life detection. Invisible and Stealthed creatures are easily detectable. You may also pass-through Shields based on Life Magic as if they do not exist. This benefit does not extend to any of your ranged attacks or abilities. You must personally step through such shields.

Congratulations you have raised your Sphere of Power for Life from level 4 to level 5. Doing so imparts the following benefits.

Additional 20%, total 100%, resistance to all life-related damage from any source

Additional 20%, total 100%, stronger casting of all life-related spells

Additional 10%, total 90%, reduced mana cost for all life-related spells

The Sphere of Life Fixed Passive Ability “Regeneration” is granted to you.

At no mana cost, your “Health Regeneration” is increased by one-tenth of your constitution score per minute.

Congratulations, you have raised your Sphere of Power for Space from level 0 to level 1. Doing so imparts the following benefits.

20% resistance to all space-related damage from any source

20% stronger casting of all space-related spells

20% reduced mana cost for all space-related spells

Passive Fixed Ability in Place of Power. “Personal Storage”. You now have a small 10x10 gride of dimensional storage that reduces weight by 100%. It can be accessed at will. Items placed into or taken out of the space appear or disappear to the hand touching them. Additionally, each level of space at this place of power increases the grid by 100x100 at Power level 2, 1,000x1,000 at level 3, etc...

Congratulations, you have raised your Sphere of Power for Space from level 1 to level 2. Doing so imparts the following benefits.

Additional 20%, total 40%, resistance to all space-related damage from any source

Additional 20%, total 40%, stronger casting of all space-related spells

Additional 20%, total 40%, reduced mana cost for all space-related spells

Active Fixed Ability “Personal Vault”. Your place of Power contains a 100'x100' dimensional vault that is attached to your Place of Power. There is no door to this vault through a portal that can be created into the vault from anywhere within the Place of Power. Additionally, the vault can be closed from the inside and exited anywhere in the Place of Power. The personal vault increases to a 1,000'x1,000' vault at level 3, 10,000' x 10,000' vault at level 4 and 100,000'x100,000' vault at level 5. Finally, while in the Place of Power you may draw any item out of the vault without opening a door to enter the vault, including anyone or anything that has entered the vault.

Congratulations you have to raise your Sphere of Power for Space from level 2 to level 3. Doing so imparts the following benefits.

Additional 20%, total 60%, resistance to all space-related damage from any source

Additional 20%, total 60%, stronger casting of all space-related spells

Additional 20%, total 60%, reduced mana cost for all space-related spells

Active Fixed Ability “Anti Matter.” At a cost of 40 mana per use, a particle of Antimatter can be created 50 to 100 feet away from you. This will cause an explosion that does 100 points of damage out to 10 Feet. 50 points of damage between 10 and 20 feet and 25 points of damage to anything 20 to 30 feet away from the center of the blast. Anything reduced to 0 durability or hit points is disintegrated.

Congratulations you have raised your Sphere of Power for Space from level 3 to level 4. Doing so imparts the following benefits.

Additional 20%, total 80%, resistance to all space-related damage from any source

Additional 20%, total 80%, stronger casting of all space-related spells

Additional 20%, total 80%, reduced mana cost for all space-related spells

Passive Fixed Ability “Space Affinity.” At no mana cost, you are immune to High Pressure, Vacuum, and extremely cold environments. Also, you may pass through Shields based on Space magic as if they do not exist. This benefit does not extend to any of your ranged attacks or abilities. You must personally step through such shields.

Congratulations you have raised your Sphere of Power for Space from level 4 to level 5. Doing so imparts the following benefits.

Additional 20%, total 100%, resistance to all space-related damage from any source

Additional 20%, total 100%, stronger casting of all space-related spells

Additional 10%, total 90%, reduced mana cost for all space-related spells

The Sphere of Space Fixed Ability “Quantum Entity” is granted to you. This power has two effects First, at a cost of 100 may teleport to any location within a Universe you are in that you’ve been to. Second, at a cost of 1,000 mana you may shift between Universes, pocket dimensions, or realms to a known location that you have visited (a Location you have been physically present in, not a place you have just learned about). This power cannot be utilized to randomly travel to unknown places. In either case, this power has a 1-minute cooldown.

In addition to the full Sphere of Space being added to your Place of Power three Special abilities for Space and one for Time have also been granted to you: My House My Rules, Pocket Universe, Dungeon Junction, and I Have Always Been, I Will Always Be.” Explanations follow on the next three prompts.

Congratulations you have been granted the Special Sphere of Space ability “My House My Rules.” Inside the pocket Dimension of your Place of Power Magic and Technology may coexist.

Congratulations you have been granted the Special Sphere of Space ability “Pocket Universe.” Your Place of Power now exists inside its own Pocket Universe.

Warning: This ability has been granted by error. This pocket universe is in the error.

Congratulations you have been granted the Special Sphere of Space ability “Dungeon Junction” The Place of Power’s Seal in the Entryway of the Tower now acts as a Junction to the Dungeon of Magical Elements

Congratulations you have been granted the Special Sphere of Time ability “I have always been, I will always be.” Your existence is now sacrosanct. You are no longer subject to the Grand Father Paradox, nor can you be affected by Time Magic that you do not wish to be affected by.

Congratulations the Artifact, “Orb of Knowing” has been added to your Personal Space inventory.

The Orb of Knowing is an Artifact created during the creation of the multi-verse. It does not do any specific thing though it has knowledge of everything. If asked a question it will give a complete and concise answer to that question. (Note from Michael: Think of this Orb as the ultimate help function for one of your computer programs. Even I do not know everything it does.

This item is Soulbound to you.

Congratulations the Artifact, “Belt of Infinite Wealth” has been added to your Personal Space inventory.

The Belt of Infinite Wealth allows the user to withdraw any type of money or currency as desired, including gemstones. A Divine has granted this item and pays for the currency with their Divinity.

This item is Transuniversal. It can be used in any Universe throughout the Multiverse, including universes with little or no magic

This item is Soul Bound to you.

Note from Michael: Ultimately the cost is paid by Detrik, have fun!

“Someone wasn’t very happy with Detrik,” I said.

“Not at all, but how does that belt punish him?” Adaline asked.

“You see this belt of Wealth. As I pull out wealth the divine that granted it is charged in those ‘divinity points’ I’d wager. Then those divinity points are added to Detrik’s bill. So, this belt is my one way to ensure Detrik is always indebted to us. I’ll bet the Divine that granted it on his behalf is charging a percentage and making more ‘divinity points’ than he or she is spending,” I said thoughtfully as Adaline and I laughed at the same time.

Just then Adaline and I finished reading the prompts the tower started to shake and the seal flared. Both Adaline and I fell unconscious as energies came together that could shape Universes and descended on the tower.