Omen: 4, 17

“Will you enchant today?” Sonarot asked.

“Yeah,” Adam replied. “I should really spend more time with the others, though.”

“There is time before and after enchanting.”

“I just don’t want to let it slip just yet.”

“Do you not trust them?”

“It’s not that I don’t trust them,” Adam said, trying to find a clever way of wording it. “Maybe I don’t?”

“Revealing yourself as an Enchanter is dangerous, Adam,” Sonarot.

“So many people already know.”

“Yes.”

“Is it dangerous for me or for others?”

“Yes.”

As breakfast was made, Adam played with Lanarot, holding her close to his chest as he swayed with her. “Don’t forget who your favourite brother is, okay?”

Lanarot babbled in response.

“What do you mean you’ll think about it?” Adam asked, looking down at her. “Are you starting a fight?”

Lanarot looked up at him, before reaching up to his scruffy beard and giggling.

“You’re treading on thin ice, Lanababy,” Adam said, kissing her forehead.

Mana: 18 -> 17

Enchanting Check

D20 + 7 = 10 (3)

Omen: 4, 17 -> 14

17 + 7 = 24

The baby crawled towards the edge of the cave, planting his bottom firmly on the ground as he looked out to the rest of his entourage. Only a dozen remained, but he believed that they’d be found that evening. Yet, as the time passed, he felt it. The thread of Fate which was being plucked.

‘I don’t know whether you hate me or you love me,’ the baby thought. ‘You are a harsh mistress.’

Adam wiped his brow, staring down at the sword. It was long and wide, that of Argon’s style rather than Dargon’s. ‘Is it a gift for someone else?’ Sturdy fittings, a basic design, Adam wondered why this one was picked to be enchanted. ‘It’s pretty unused too.’ Dargon had brought a number of gems to him, almost a thousand gold’s worth.

“How was it?” Jurot asked once he returned.

“I woke up early, so it was alright,” he replied, before joining them. He sighed, leaning back. “You know…” Adam shut up before he let slip his secrets in front of everyone. “I haven’t seen Filliam in a while.”

“He sometimes walks for his thoughts, but remains within his cabin.”

“The Iyr is letting him kick it in a cabin for free?”

“We have told the Iyr what you had asked for,” Jurot said. “They assume it is for the children.”

Adam smiled. “I’m becoming too predictable. Should I threaten the Chief, in case he thinks I’m becoming too nice?”

“Why are you in such a rush to die, Adam?” Jurot asked. “Your sister will miss you.”

Adam narrowed his eyes at Jurot. “Good point. I should threaten Elder Zijin instead.”

“Can you beat him?” Jurot asked.

“Can’t I?”

“Do you wish to find out?”

“No,” Adam replied, honestly. “I like Elder Zijin. He’s nice.”

Jaygak furrowed her brows at him. “Only because you don’t aggravate him. If you did, he’s not so nice.”

“Deservedly so,” Adam replied, throwing her a knowing look.

Jaygak grumbled quietly.

“You’ve already broken the illusion of the Iyrmen for our companions,” Adam, catching Vonda’s eyes. “Sorry about her. Her horns are taking up the place where her brain should be.”

Adam decided against dodging the snowball meant for his face.

Omen: 6, 9

Adam rubbed his beard, before Lanarot reached up to rub it. “Should I shave it off? It’s coming back so quickly, though.”

“It is Nightval,” Sonarot said. “They say that those with Fae blood are weakest during Nightval, and strongest during Dawnval.”

“What are we, plants?” Adam asked. “Or does the S on our chest stand for hope?”

Sonarot raised her brow at him.

“It’s a funnier joke than I’d care to admit,” Adam said, trying to stop his smile. “What do you think, Lanababy? Should I shave?”

Lanarot held onto his chest and beard, standing with the help of his hand. She babbled at him, before squealing with joy.

“I’ll keep it for now, then,” Adam replied. “Am I handsome?”

Lanarot squealed and giggled.

‘Is that a yes?’ Adam wondered.

Omen: 10, 20

Mana: 18 -> 17

Enchanting Check

D20 + 7 = 20 (27)

“Well, damn,” Adam said. “Guess I can finish it today.”

Mana: 17 -> 15

Enchanting Check

D20 + 7 = 20 (27)

[Would you like to spend XP to empower the weapon?]

‘500.’

XP: 3450 -> 2950

Greatsword

You gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls made with this weapon.

Holds three charges.

Expend one charge on hit to deal a critical hit instead, which also deals an additional 5 damage.

Expend one charge to heal 2D6 Health.

Regain all charges at dawn, or when scoring a critical hit without the use of a charge.

[Would you like to name the weapon?]

‘Lucky Gonner,’ Adam thought. “Insane. How did I manage to…” Adam shook his head. “Insane.”

Lucky Gonner

You gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls made with this weapon.

Holds three charges.

Expend one charge on hit to deal a critical hit instead, which also deals an additional 5 damage.

Expend one charge to heal 2D6 Health.

Regain all charges at dawn.

XP Gained: +500

XP: 2950 -> 3450

Great Enchantment Learnt!

XP Gained: +200

XP: 3450 -> 3650

“This blade is powerful,” Dargon said. “Are you sure you wish to sell it for a thousand gold?”

“That was the price we agreed on,” Adam said. “Don’t try to renege on our deal.”

“You shall have your gold, Adam. Thank you.”

“Whose it for anyway?” Adam asked.

“A younger cousin of mine. She will be fighting during Twilight Month for our family.”

“Ah, that,” Adam said. “Good luck to her.”

“She fights well, but I wanted to make sure she would be fine,” he said. “It will also become a foundation for her.”

“Spending a thousand gold on a weapon for your cousin?” Adam asked.

“I do not want to hear that from the likes of you, Adam.”

“Toosh,” Adam replied.

Dargon assumed it was a weird phrase which didn’t mean anything in particular.

“Anyway, I should let you sleep.” He yawned. “Sorry about bothering you so late.”

“I had wished to see the blade when it was done, so it is no matter,” Dargon replied.

Adam crept into the house, where he found that Lanarot was fast asleep, with Sonarot reading by candle light. Adam nodded at her, before miming to her that he was lucky with his enchanting, so continued enchanting.

Though his gestures made no sense, Sonarot understood why he had come late that night, as it was always the same reason.

Jurot was still awake too, staring at he ceiling. He was thinking, which was rare for him. ‘I should have taken a scrap of Red Oak.’

Over the course of the next few days, Adam enchanted another blade.

23.

21.

22.

[Would you like to spend XP to empower the weapon?]

‘Nah.’

Spear

You gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls made with this weapon.

Deals 1D6 piercing + 1D3 lightning damage.

Deals +1D6 lightning damage when used in the rain.

[Would you like to name the weapon?]

‘Storm Spear.’

Storm Spear

You gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls made with this weapon.

Deals 1D6 piercing + 1D3 lightning damage.

Deals +1D6 lightning damage when used in the rain.

XP Gained: +300

XP: 3650 -> 3950

Great Enchantment Learnt!

XP Gained: +200

XP: 3950 -> 4150

‘Pretty good,’ Adam thought. “I only had to use Omen twice too.”

‘I take it back,’ the baby thought, seeing the flaming blade which cut down one of his worshippers. ‘You definitely hate me.’

“Elder Zijin, I’ve got another spear,” Adam said.

“You are working too hard,” Zijin said. “Will we have to drag you back home again?”

“I’m not going to enchant for a bit after this,” Adam assured. “I just wanted to finish these two so I had some more money in my pocket, you know?”

“Such big pockets you have,” Zijin joked. “What does it do?”

“It’s a spear which deals lightning damage,” Adam said. “Basic enchantment, and all that. Oh, and during the rain, it’s more powerful.”

Zijin remained silent. ‘Does he know?’

“So… is it good?” Adam asked, noting the Elder’s silence.

“It is good,” Zijin replied. “I will be sure to auction it well.”

“Alright,” Adam said, nodding his head. “I should get back to my darling sister. I’m glad that I finished before the festival. I’ll take it all off to rest.”

“I will relay to Sonarot your words,” Zijin said.

“What if I’m forced to?” Adam asked.

“Who will force you?”

“You?”

“Then you may enchant.”

“Sounds awfully convenient,” Adam replied. “Trying to take credit of saying I should relax, and then forcing me to work?”

Elder Zijin raised his brow.

“Sorry,” Adam said. “I promised Jurot I’d start a fight with you.”

“Why?”

“To keep you all on your toes,” Adam said. “In case you think I’m actually a nice person.”

“You are as queer as ever.”

“Yeah,” Adam replied. “I am.”