Innu and San sat on top of their home, gazing out over the surf, sipping at gnommish dwarven rum and staring off into the sunset. The breeze coming in off the ocean was pleasant and cool, it was, after all, early spring. Innu and San had discussed the opening of their city to the population at large and it was agreed that all citizens would have free rein to study or work as they chose.
Their city, it still astounded Innu that they now qualified as such, was growing. And growing to meet their needs. They would need protection, and it was best left to those most suited for it. Their first library was open and gradually the heroes of the city knocked and were let in by one of the waiters, who were serving drinks downstairs.
As they arrived at the top deck Innu nodded and greeted each of them cheerfully. They were, in a way, his protectors, and those of his family. He knew it would be best if they had access to improve their skills and equipment.
Once they were all gathered he gave a small speech about what led them to found this city. Their home. But, drinks in hand they were soon ushered along the walk near his home to the academic level, the university gleamed in the late sun, and the first building, impressively finished was in the northwest corner of their walls. The Warfare library was pristine, cabinets standing all at attention, tables and chairs filling the empty spaces in the center of the room. A small sand pit had been cleared and had a few practice dummies in one corner in case students desired to try out techniques firsthand.
"My friends, this library is now open to you if you choose to study here. At absolutely no cost to yourself. It benefits us all that you know your profession well.
But, (he paused for dramatic effect) recent discoveries have provided further opportunities for growth, and power. My wife is heading up the excavation of the ruins below our very feet and recently they have uncovered a primitive arsenal of sorts. It was amazingly adroit and contained flintlocks, muskets, specialty arrows and bolts and even flammable munitions. Quite impressive, all things considered. We believe we can reproduce these items for you should you choose to use them.
Additionally, Mephistopheles has graciously volunteered to demonstrate how to unlock the secrets of souls. According to her, few souls are powerful enough to perform this with, but I believe you will be impressed. Let's walk over to the experimental lab at the academics guild."
The procedure had already been set up and Mephistopheles was already chanting in a low gutteral tone when they all arrived. Her glance flickered up briefly and she nodded at San. The heroes and nobility stood in a semi-circle to one side of her as she drew runes in the air with her hand over the soulstone of the Forest giant that had perished some years before. It's potency was undimmed and as her volume increased the runes she drew above it gradually began to become visible in the air. First as runes of light, then as runes of fire.
The end was so sudden that it took everyone by surprise. There was no crescendo, no peak, just a single final rune that blazed above the soulstone in the air. Mephistopheles took the soulstone in her hands, the rune following above it and in a single fluid motion crushed that which had been previously unbreakable between her hands. Blue streaks of light and mist flowed out of it and she put her head close and inhaled deeply. The light seemed to streak into her being and for a second she was transfigured before them into a being of translucent light.
When the after-image had faded only Mephistopheles remained. Still the same, but very, very different.
It was clear now that a legend had just been born.
((The library is open to all for free and can train skills up to lvl 3. Bluescreen you have a soulstone that you may use in this fashion for either your hero or your minion should you choose to do so.))
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Topic: ☼Choose your own adventure☼ Human Trade center (Read 14412 times)