The floating entity of fire with blackish charcoal at it's base, emanates a constant halo of heat, leaving Farllette satisfied with the creature she evoked.
Yet, it's a stark reminder of my current situation, unable to afford laxness with my studies, practices, and overall training.
Not only because of the pending participation in the Coliseum on this upcoming weekend.
But to avoid being caught unprepared and unprotected by the natives of Loutharn, and other worlds, or Enclosed Amalgams, as they have knowledge and experience that far surpasses my understanding, while i'm still figuring out were am i standing at, not really grasping a quarter of the basics customs and prowesses.
The Summons of the three Maidens scout the area ahead, flying in distinct directions, locating several rustic settlements near a primitive road.
{The warmth in the environment must enable the local residents to live without caring about the stormy snowfalls happening on the pole}.
{Nevertheless. I still find unsettling the absence of wild life in our traject. The same applies to the Enclosed Amalgams, as if an invisible barrier prevented the appearance of either of those two variables}.
Tribes live scattered in the mountains to the east, and a walled town surrounded by white pastures is relatively close to us, around 80 kilometers away.
My three companions exchange a knowing smile, unanimously choosing the Town as our destination.
Upon reaching the walled gate, we are not stopped by the aposted guards. They merely mock us for wanting «Easy money», warning us to avoid causing troubles, not joining any kind of disturbances within the settlement.
Yet, they comment a series of simple instructions to reach a certain location. The Guild of Delvers.
As the name suggests, it's an institution that welcomes those who are willing to venture into the dangerous maws of an Enclosed Amalgam. Which leaves me confused for a moment. Because there were no visible Enclosed Amalgams in our entire journey.
This limitation is owed to the necessity of a Delver's Badge to interact with any Enclosed Amalgam that sprouts in Trok'Gayian.
However, according to my lovely Fiancée, the best usage, are the variability of the Badge, allowing us to improve the Tier of our Subclasses, without needing to return to a site like this one.
Our turn finally arrives, and the attendant in the baroque reception gives to each of us a small wooden plaque, closer to a dog tag, rather than a real badge. But that is secondary, the surface deforms itself to reveal our names, along one Subclass, and a Rank.
•
[ Ines Iscandaris ]
[ Summoner ]
[ Rank ] [ C ]
•
[ Farllette Falloneer ]
[ Controller ]
[ Rank ] [ C ]
•
[ Seinnissia Sunderzen ]
[ Tactician ]
[ Rank ] [ C ]
•
[ Vurckair Vecturion ]
[ Dispenser ]
[ Rank ] [ C ]
•
Near, i see a tabloid with the criteria for each Rank.
[ Rank A ] [ +111 Stats ]
[ Rank B ] [ 55 to 110 Stats ]
[ Rank C ] [ 27 to 54 Stats ]
[ Rank D ] [ 13 to 26 Stats ]
[ Rank E ] [ 6 to 12 Stats ]
[ Rank F ] [ 0 to 5 Stats ]
"Excuse me, Sir. Before you depart. What is a «Dispenser»?".
"Is a kind of Alchemical healer". I reply to the attendant, who seems to have the duty of record every Subclass she comes across in the Guild.
"You prepare concoctions and potions, Sir?".
"Ointments, is more accurate. But brewing occasionally something more spicy, like sauces, or suppositories, is doable too".
I hold my laugh, though the lady doesn't seem to understand what i said, nor cares about questioning me further, focusing on write the data i share with her.
Our group goes out, and Seinnissia places the badge right above her prominent cleavage, her dark brown bodysuit absorbing the wooden plaque, just like Ines and Farllette does too.
Following their trend, i replicate the action, my burgundy bodysuit disintegrating the Delver's Badge, causing the apparition of a faint glimmer before my eyes, allowing me to see a large amount of windows, doors, holes and other types of entrances scattered all over the Town.
The place is infested with plenty of Enclosed Amalgams, shimmering with specific auras resembling the Stats. Though the Delvers are abundant too, crossing the portals to achieve greatness. Or that is the expression they showcase.
{Are those letters?}.
Above everyone's heads, appear their Ranks, regardless of their statuses as Delvers.
{It has to be related to the «Instinctual Analysis» Gift, working in tandem with the Badge. There must exist many types of synergies like this one. Perhaps «Cutlass» is more powerful if a sword or blade channels the Emts of the energetic slash}.
Focusing on a particular floating letter, i realize these «Ranks» tend to be emptied, the outline barely visible, with an ethereal color filling a part of the bottom.
{More than their current Ranks. I think is their potential}.
This discovery doesn't apply to anyone in my group, meaning Otherworlders possess another archetype of development.
"Let's enter an Enclosed Amalgam with a lot of Spirituality!". Farllette suggest excitedly.
"No". Promptly negates Seinnissia. "My Fiancé must not contact Spirituality. If we are going to remain together, we should prioritize what strengthens the four of us. Ordinance and Vitality would be ideal".
"I don't like Ordinance. It makes me feel clumsy and slow". Retorts the Elven Amazon, receiving a fast explanation from Seinnissia.
"That's precisely why you require to increase your Ordinance. Musculature and Vitality alone, are meaningless without the pertinent density and evolution of your body".
Farllette shifts her gaze from my Fiancée, to Ines, who nonchalantly commands her three Summons to fly over the area, searching for a suitable Enclosed Amalgam.
{The Barking Bitch must had made this same comment to the Elven Amazon. Is good to know the two are competitive, stubborn and authoritative, yet fierce and dutiful… , Like Seinnissia. Oh, Boy!. This is going to be a highlight, or a real headache…}.
We follow Ines's Summons to the outskirts of the walled town, where an unnatural trapdoor is located among plenty of other holes, and half made constructions in the white grass.
{This is so concerning. Could it be that my original world is plagued with Enclosed Amalgams too?, and we simply are not aware of them…}.
"Five Minions and we go out?". Comments Farllette. But Seinnissia disagrees. "Four. It's better if we secure a place to stay before the sun sets".
"Three then". States Ines, obtaining distinct glares from the ladies. Farllette is basically offended. While Seinnissia attempts to analyze the implication.
"Vuir and You employed the Relativistic Portal to the same destination. Do you need to sleep?".
"No, Sunderzen. Vurckair and I, got Zeniths, it is wise that we don't overdo it. Though we are exceeding ourselves already"…