Chapter 24-3 [Aurora’s Journal: Aurora]

I’m not sure why I was so nervous when my turn came to pass, but I had no reason to be. Rowan took his time looking at each of my Cards and asking my reasons for adding them to my Deck. Not once did he disparage my choices. In fact, despite saying he’d help me choose which Cards to remove and guide my decisions when it came to replacing them… the man didn’t tell me to remove or add a single Card. Admittedly, I was annoyed by his questions at first—he sounded like he was reading the same script our Academy professors followed.

‘What made you add this Card to your Deck?’

‘How does this Card synergize with the rest of your build?’

Knowing that he was simply doing what he could to help and seeing that Locke was looking at his own Cards as Rowan went through each of mine, I kept myself from rolling my eyes and played his little game. I answered the pair of questions he’d asked for all 32 of the Cards in my Deck without seeing a reason to remove a single one.

I responded to the two very familiar questions in the same way that I answered my former professors. To the first question, I mentioned that the Card was in some way helpful toward achieving my goals or that they made me a more powerful Wielder in general. Nothing different from any other Wielder.

As for the second question, I pointed out the same observation I’d made as a child, the same observation that interested the appraiser when she came to question me before accepting the application my parents submitted to the Academy—All Cards have some form of Synergy with all other Cards. Rowan looked pleasantly surprised, much like the appraiser I’d met back then. I was happy for the small victory and made sure to glance at Locke, who was looking thoughtful—this whole game Rowan was playing was for him, after all.

Then, instead of moving on to our newest Party member or countering my opinions… he did something unexpected. Rowan pointed to the very first Card we’d gone over and asked two more questions.

‘What will this Card do to enhance your chosen roles?’

‘Why would you choose this specific Card over another that has similar Effects?’

I blanked momentarily before looking at the Card he had his finger on. The table remained quiet while I contemplated the roles I was interested in from the list he’d had me write a few minutes before. The Ability in question synergized well with one of those roles but did very little for the others despite its overall effectiveness in my build. For the first time since entering the Academy…

I began to question my choices.

Not able to answer his first question right away, I considered the second and swiftly realized that the two were connected. I slammed my copy of the Card Compendium on the table and flipped through the pages until finding the Ability that had me so worked up. Without reading about the Card itself, I scanned the footnotes and found the short list of Cards that had similar Effects. It didn’t take long to find that a Spell from that list offered nearly the same benefits, however, both choices it provided when reaching Level 5 would greatly enhance my effectiveness in any of the roles I’d chosen. Without hesitation, I moved the Card to the side and picked up the next.

I don’t think I’ll ever forget what happened next. I’d quickly glanced up at the young man who’d provided my revelation… and seen a sickly, pained, and wrinkled elderly man sitting in his place. If it weren’t for the confidence the ancient-looking man exuded, I would have been terrified that he’d collapse on the spot.

The familiar soothing warmth provided by Precognition when I was making the right decision had suddenly flooded my body as I looked into the smiling eyes of the pained old soul across from me. It had taken me a moment to notice the mist that blurred the lines of reality and proved that the sudden vision was the Sacred Effect of my Enhancement. The strange man chuckled weakly, coughed from the effort, and held up two fingers.

‘Is this a Card that will still aid you once you’ve achieved your goals?’

The man’s voice had been strained, as if he’d swallowed pure flame and his throat had been seared. He’d put a finger down and his amused smile shifted slightly… it seemed… sad. I’d started to cry from the sudden feelings of loss and fear that overwhelmed me as I looked at the broken elder. Then… another emotion replaced those as the man put his second finger down.

‘Does this Card represent not just the Wielder, but also the person who you aspire to be a century from now?’

I’d blinked as soon as the mysterious elder had asked his second question and I found myself looking across the table… directly into Rowan’s eyes. They may have been a bright silver instead of the dull grey I’d previously been staring into… still… they were the same. I’d never noticed it before, but after my vision… it had become clear as crystal.

Like looking at an image through a glass, I could see the overwhelming fear and sorrow that fought to consume him. I could see the broken old man being crushed by emotions so powerful that I couldn’t hope to bear them. Much deeper than that, keeping that broken man from crumbling, there was that same spark of hope I’d felt in my vision, a spark from which all of Rowan’s determination, confidence, and amusement originated.

For the first time…

I’d looked at his amused smile and couldn’t find the arrogance I’d thought was there before. His amusement was that of a person who’d experienced true pain… a person who’d seen the worst of what the Tower had to offer and learned to find the joy in every other experience. My outlook on life had changed at that moment.

I’d decided on the person I wanted to be.

With renewed fervor, I’d turned to my Deck and began removing Cards while consulting the Compendium. My 32 Card Deck dwindled to a mere 19 Cards… and I’d never felt better.

What a mess, writing most of this after the fact. Couldn’t they have waited until I was done before moving on to Locke? I’m going to have to use Memory to jot down whatever Locke decided. I can already feel the headache coming on…

The Cards documented below are listed at base value for their Levels and Ranks. All figures are shown without the amplifying Effects of the Origin Card or Enhancements.

Origin

[Card Name: Arcanist's Gift]

[Class: Origin]

[Rank: Origin]

[Level: 2]

[Essence: 0/10,000]

[Description: The Wielder gains an increased connection with the metaphysical]

[Effect 1: Cooldowns for all metaphysical-derived Spells are reduced by 10%]

[Effect 2: The Effects of all metaphysical style Spells are increased by 10%]

Foundations

[Card Name: Strength]

[Class: Foundation]

[Level: 2]

[Essence: 0/10,000]

[Description: Increases the Wielder’s physical might]

[Effect 1: Increase of 50% to the amount of force the Wielder can exert]

[Card Name: Vitality]

[Class: Foundation]

[Level: 3]

[Essence: 0/100,000]

[Description: Increases the Wielder’s ability to recover]

[Effect 1: The Wielder’s stamina is recovered 100% faster]

[Effect 2: The Wielder’s wounds heal 100% faster]

[Card Name: Endurance]

[Class: Foundation]

[Level: 3]

[Essence: 0/100,000]

[Description: Enhances the Wielder’s physical form]

[Effect 1: Increases the Wielder’s physical stamina by 100%]

[Effect 2: Increases the Wielder’s resistance to physical damage by 100%]

[Card Name: Agility]

[Class: Foundation]

[Level: 2]

[Essence: 0/10,000]

[Description: Enhances the Wielder’s physical speed]

[Effect 1: Increases the Wielder’s speed by 50%]

[Effect 2: The Wielder’s actions become 50% more instantaneous]

[Card Name: Dexterity]

[Class: Foundation]

[Level: 2]

[Essence: 0/10,000]

[Description: Enhances the Wielder’s control over their body]

[Effect 1: Increases the Wielder’s reaction speed by 50%]

[Effect 2: Increases the Wielder’s coordination by 50%]

[Effect 3: Increases the Wielder’s flexibility by 50%]

[Card Name: Perception]

[Class: Foundation]

[Level: 3]

[Essence: 0/100,000]

[Description: Enhances the Wielder’s ability to perceive the world around them]

[Effect 1: The sensitivity of each of the Wielder’s five senses increases by 100%]

[Effect 2: The Wielder’s accuracy is increased by 100%]

[Card Name: Intelligence]

[Class: Foundation]

[Level: 4]

[Essence: 0/1,000,000]

[Description: Enhances the mental faculties of the Wielder]

[Effect 1: Increases the Wielder’s comprehension by 150%]

[Effect 2: Increases the speed at which the Wielder can comprehend information by 150%]

[Card Name: Wisdom]

[Class: Foundation]

[Level: 3]

[Essence: 72,495/100,000]

[Description: Enhances the Wielder’s focus and control over their being]

[Effect 1: Increases the Wielder’s focus by 150%]

[Effect 2: Increases the Wielder’s control over their various skills by 150%]

[Card Name: Will]

[Class: Foundation]

[Level: 2]

[Essence: 6,358/10,000]

[Description: Enhances the Wielder’s mental endurance and resistance to numerous magics]

[Effect 1: Increases the Wielder’s resistance to magical illusions and debuffs by 50%]

[Effect 2: Increases the Wielder’s resolve by 50%]

Enhancements

[Card Name: Precognition]

[Class: Enhancement]

[Rank: Sacred]

[Level: 4]

[Essence: 0/1,000,000]

[Description: The Wielder has a sense that steers them in the correct direction to keep them out of harm’s way or lead them to great prosperity. At times, both peril and fortune walk hand in hand]

[Effect 1: The Wielder experiences irritation when there is an opportunity or when danger is imminent. Danger is typically accompanied by an uncomfortable sensation, while opportunity is denoted by a soothing warmth]

[Sacred Effect: When an important decision needs to be made, the Wielder gains deeper insight through a vision. The target of this insight will either lead the Wielder to great danger or to remarkable fortune]

[Card Name: Memory]

[Class: Enhancement]

[Rank: Pure]

[Level: 3]

[Essence: 0/100,000]

[Description: The Wielder has an easier time recalling information]

[Effect 1: All experiences within the previous 3 minutes times the Level of Intelligence can be recalled with perfect accuracy]

[Effect 2: All experiences within the previous 3 hours times the Level of Intelligence can be recalled with near-perfect accuracy, though many minor details may be lost]

[Effect 3: All experiences within the previous 3 days times the Level of Intelligence that the Wielder heavily focused on can be recalled accurately, though there may be small gaps]

[Effect 4: When recalling any experience exceeding the time frame of the prior Effects, the memory is enhanced by 3 times the Level of Intelligence, becoming easier to call to mind but only sharpening that of which the Wielder was aware at the time of the memory, be it consciously or subconsciously]

[Note: The Level of the Wielder’s Wisdom must be equal to the Level of the Wielder’s Intelligence or recalling minute details will cause a mental strain on the Wielder, reducing focus and gradually increasing pressure on the Wielder’s mind]

Spells

[Card Name: Barrier]

[Class: Spell]

[Rank: Pure]

[Level: 2]

[Essence: 0/10,000]

[Description: A translucent barricade of mystical properties that endeavors to protect its Wielder or the Wielder’s target]

[Effect 1: A wall of near-invisible force 2 plus the Level of Intelligence meters in length and height materializes at the target location with a thickness of 2 plus the Level of Wisdom meters. Wall persists until broken or until recalled by the caster]

[Cooldown: 3 minutes]

[Card Name: Examine]

[Class: Spell]

[Rank: Pure]

[Level: 3]

[Essence: 0/100,000]

[Description: Some hidden information is revealed]

[Effect 1: For 3 minutes plus the Level of Wisdom, the Wielder can see information on some items or Relics. The amount of data shown is determined by the Wielder’s Will and Perception versus the Rank of the object]

[Effect 2: For 3 minutes plus the Level of Wisdom, the Wielder can see the information of Plagued Beasts of Fallen and lower Ranks. The amount of data shown is determined by the Wielder’s Will and Perception versus the Will and Level of the Beast]

[Cooldown: 2 hours]

[Card Name: Flash]

[Class: Spell]

[Rank: Pure]

[Level: 2]

[Essence: 0/10,000]

[Description: A blazing pulse of light that chases away darkness and blinds hostiles within its range]

[Effect 1: With the Wielder as a medium, a cylindrical blast of light 2 meters times the Level of Wisdom expands outward unless impeded by a physical obstacle]

[Effect 2: Unlinked individuals caught within the light are temporarily blinded for 2 seconds times the Level of Intelligence minus the Level of the individuals’ Will in seconds]

[Effect 3: All objects within the Radius of Effect 1 remain dimly lit for 2 minutes plus the Level of Intelligence]

[Cooldown: 10 minutes]

[Card Name: Prismatic Prison]

[Class: Spell]

[Rank: Blessed]

[Level: 2]

[Essence: 0/10,000]

[Description: A durable prison of psionic energy]

[Effect 1: A translucent prison appears instantly around one target of the Wielder’s choosing, adjusting size to accommodate its occupant. The larger the occupant, the thinner the walls of the prison]

[Effect 2: The Strength, Vitality, and Endurance of captured occupant is reduced by 20%]

[Cooldown: 15 minutes]

[Note: Should the occupant shatter the prison, the Cooldown is doubled]

[Card Name: Psionic Wave]

[Class: Spell]

[Rank: Blessed]

[Level: 3]

[Essence: 0/100,000]

[Description: A ripple of psionic energy summoned by the Wielder that lifts unsecured objects in the immediate vicinity and hurls them in a target direction]

[Effect 1: Raises all loose, inanimate objects within 3 meters and no heavier than 3 pounds times the Level of Wisdom above the Wielder, then flings them in a chosen direction]

[Cooldown: 3 minutes]

[Card Name: Radiant Burst]

[Class: Spell]

[Rank: Blessed]

[Level: 3]

[Essence: 0/100,000]

[Description: A concentrated explosion of psionic energy that sears through nearly all in its path]

[Effect 1: A sphere of compacted psionic energy forms on the Wielder’s palm or fingertip bursting on command into a thin beam that follows the Wielder’s movement for 3 seconds and extends for 3 meters times the Level of Wisdom]

[Effect 2: When using the palm as a medium, the Wielder can choose to expand the diameter of the beam by 30% at the cost of 30% of the Spell’s range]

[Cooldown: 30 minutes]

[Card Name: Sphere of Silence]

[Class: Spell]

[Rank: Pure]

[Level: 2]

[Essence: 0/10,000]

[Description: A translucent sphere formed of psionic energy that blocks all sound within from leaving and all sound without from entering while simultaneously weakening most forms of scrying]

[Effect 1: The Wielder chooses a target medium, around which a translucent, permeable sphere materializes. The size of the sphere can be controlled by the caster up to a radius of 2 meters times the Level of Intelligence]

[Effect 2: While within the sphere, antagonistic divination Spells are 2% times the Level of Will less likely to locate those within. Spells that do locate those within have their Effects reduced by 2% times the Level of Will]

[Effect 3: While holding the sphere, the Wielder suffers an 8% loss in the effectiveness of their Wisdom per hour held. The sphere can be held until the caster loses focus or until an unlinked entity crosses its border]

[Cooldown: 1 second]

[Note: The Wielder will be unable to cast Sphere of Silence with an effective Wisdom of less than 98%]

Summons

[Card Name: Eel, Electrostatic]

[Class: Summon]

[Rank: Pure]

[Level: 2]

[Essence: 0/10,000]

[Name: Ivy]

[Description: The Wielder Summons an Eel companion. All mental Foundations must be of an equivalent Level or higher than the Level of the Summon]

[Duration: 30 minutes]

[Cooldown: 30 minutes]

[Skill 1: Shock. The Eel releases a charge of stored energy, ending a bolt of electricity toward its target]

[Skill 2: Discharge. The Eel releases a pulse of electricity in a sphere around it. Discharge causes no damage, but all enemies within its range have a chance to become paralyzed. Allies are not affected]

[Note: This Summon's Duration is halved on land and doubled in water]