Chosen to upgrade
Cost - 2 tp (3 tp remaining)
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Solar Furance - lvl 2 (value 5)
The need for sustenance decreases from 1/4 to 1/5, heat resistance is slightly increased, stamina is slightly increased.
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Shadow kissed - lvl 2 (value 4)
The host becomes even more silent and harder to see when in the dark.
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Chosen to Dice Merge
Min value = 1 / Max value = (4+5)x2 = 18
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Play the drums...
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Roll - 9 (you get a trait worth 9 trait points. Even though you dice merged, the end result is akin to having merged them normally)
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Resulting trait :
Phantom Meridian (Value: 9 Trait Points)
The Host exists at the threshold between revelation and concealment. They require significantly less sustenance than others, a trait born from internal balance and optimization. Yet their true power emerges in concealment—becoming a flickering mirage in daylight and nearly vanishing in darkness, where they move without sound and evade even the keenest observers.
(Effect: Host requires 80% less sustenance but loses this benefit while concealed. Can activate concealment at will, appearing as a shimmering mirage in daylight (perception DC 20), becomes more elusive in blinding light (DC 40), and is nearly undetectable in darkness (DC 60). In complete darkness, moves silently and evades even night vision detection. Passive/Active)
(A.N - You lost the the (small) heat absorbtion and stamina enhancement parts, but the stealth part got boosted a lot)
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Chosen actions : - train more while the poison is still effecting Sal, like a weighted vest for bending. Train in daylight, at night snipe a couple wasps with sand bullets (air bending enhanced), reducing the risk of death before going back in for some sweet trait points-
Let's see how you do.
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Sal was an absolute wreck the next day. Even after twelve hours of sleep, he looked like he'd been dragged through the desert and left to dry.
He groaned, rubbing his face before attempting to stand—only to immediately fall flat on it.
You sighed. "Time waits for no one."
Sal's voice was muffled against the sand. "Yeah? Well, time can go screw itself."
You raised a brow, or you would have if you had any brows.
"Feeling bold today, aren't we?"
He grunted, pushing himself up onto his knees. "Maybe I'm just too dead to care."
"Good." You nodded. "Then train however you can. The poison might slow your attempts now, but that only means they'll be more useful later."
Credit where it's due, Sal didn't argue. He just turned toward the sand and started working. Slowly, spikes began to rise and fall, uneven and sluggish at first. His progress was pitiful, but he kept going.
Hours passed. The sun climbed higher. Sweat beaded on Sal's skin, but he didn't complain even though he knew it was partly your fault that he wasn't heat-resistant anymore. He had already accepted the price.
"The benefits are worth it," you reminded him. "Even if you won't notice them until you have an opponent to test them on."
He nodded, silent as he worked.
Earthbending training roll - req 70 (Rolled 55-5(poison)=50/ fail)
(The next training will have a +10 bonus due to training while encumbered)
By the time night fell, he was standing without issue. The poison's hold had finally faded.
"So," Sal exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "We hit the nest one more time, then go resupply?"
"Indeed." You glanced toward the horizon. "We might get some more benefits from them... Or you might die."
Sal laughed, shaking his head. He thought you were joking.
"As for the Oasis," Sal said, stretching his arm before rolling his shoulders, "I think Misty Palms is our only option. The second closest one is five days away, and my water's spent."
You watched as he started walking toward the distant silhouette of the buzzard wasp nest. "We'll see. Focus on the task ahead."
Sal exhaled through his nose, nodding. He didn't say anything else—just raised a hand and began condensing sandstone boulders with practiced ease. With a flick of his wrist, he sent them hurtling toward the dark shapes of the wasps acting as sentries.
*Crack*
Exoskeletons shattered under the force. The sentries were pulped instantly, their bodies crumpling into the sand below. But the damage was done—the buzzing started anew, rising in a low, angry hum that spread through the night air.
Sal sighed, covering himself lightly in sand. Not as much as before, just enough for a layer of protection. He'd learned his lesson.
"Here we go again..."
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Hp- 31 (40)
Qi - 50 (max)
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Wasps ~ 100