Chapter 36 – Upgrades
"I can provide all enchantments for all attributes from lesser to greater. I also have resistances to 25% for all main elements and damage types. Apart from that, I have several specialist enchantments which I can list for you if required, alongside the two you have already stated. The cost and range of success depend on the quality of the items as much as anything else. The higher the quality, the greater the chance of success in applying an enchantment."
"What are the bonuses for each level of enchantment?" SJ didn't want to keep pausing while she reviewed the Legionnarious details that she knew would contain the information.
"It's easier if I show you the list rather than explaining everything." James stood and moved to a bench, collecting a scroll before presenting it to SJ. She unrolled it to see a neatly written table.
|
Enchantment levels |
||||
|
|
Resistances |
Damage |
Armour Class |
Attributes |
|
Minor |
5% |
1-2 |
1-2 |
1 |
|
Lesser |
10% |
3-4 |
3-4 |
2-3 |
|
Normal |
15% |
5-8 |
5-8 |
4-5 |
|
Higher |
20% |
9-12 |
9-12 |
6-7 |
|
Greater |
25% |
13-20 |
13-20 |
8-10 |
"That helps. Thank you."
"Do you know what you wish for?"
"Everything will be greater," SJ said with confidence.
That got a significant look from James and a surprising response. "I haven't even told you the costs for them yet."
"I understand, but if I am going to do this, I may as well ensure that I get the best."
"I see. Well, I just need to understand which enchantments you wish for then."
SJ opened her display and called up her current equipment information, starting with her boots.
She currently had lesser damage, normal armour and greater wisdom enchant. She knew there was no point in replacing the greater wisdom. The resistance was also low, and as yet she hadn't come up against anything that used arcane magic that she was aware of, but considering who the newest target may be, she wasn't confident in ignoring it.
"If I purchased the self-repair enchant for my boots, would it return them to their original status?"
"Yes. All items with the enchant will be renewed."
"There are much better boots out there," Dave said with a subtle warning, considering the coin she was looking to spend.
I'm sure there are, but these boots have been perfect since they were made for me. You'll never understand the way I consider my boots.
"Is it possible to get the transmogrification enchant as well?"
"You're serious, aren't you?" James now looked shocked.
"Deadly," SJ said emphatically.
James rubbed his head, and SJ knew what he was thinking after Dave had told her the approximate costs for the enchants.
"Can I advise that we discuss everything that you require first, and then you can confirm. Also, I need to understand the payment terms you would be seeking. There is a fifty percent advance payment prior to enchanting. It's a substantial sum of coin, and we only offer limited repayment terms."
SJ had a similar conversation when she had purchased her home in District 11. Most beings took out payment plans for expensive items. "I plan to pay in full."
It took several moments for James to process her response. "In full..."
"Yes, in full. I will not be seeking repayment terms. Although I do have further enchantments that I will require in the future, and if the service is as I have been informed, then I will be more than happy to return in the future as well."
James silently nodded as a smile broke out on his face. "I wasn't expecting such an encounter today. Can I get you a real drink while we discuss your needs further?"
SJ looked at the glass of water. "Honey wine, if you have it?"
"One moment," James said as he went to the door before calling to one of the staff in the front of the store to get two bottles of honey wine.
James grabbed a slate and some chalk from the table before returning to sit again. He scribbled 'self-repair' and 'transmogrification' on it. "Anything else?"
"Yes, I would also like lightning resistance."
Again, James scribbled. "I'm guessing these enchants will replace the damage, armour and your current resistance?"
"Correct."
"Okay, what would you like next?"
SJ now looked at her new claws.
Forest Wanderers +16
Level Requirement: Above 25
Quality: Legendary
Damage: 23-32 +16
Enchantment Slots: 4
Special: A Forest's Grasp
While standing still for three seconds, the wearer gains a camouflage effect, significantly reducing the chance of detection.
In forests, dense foliage, or deep natural shadows: The camouflage is near-perfect, granting legendary-grade concealment.
In urban, barren, or other terrains: The effect still functions, providing competent camouflage, but keen eyes may still spot you.
Any deliberate movement breaks this effect. However, upon moving, the wearer is imbued with a Forest's Silence for 10 seconds, muffling footsteps and the sound of fabric against surfaces.
These were four fresh slots to fill, and SJ compared them to her current claws. She currently had lesser magic resistance, lesser damage and normal strength.
I definitely want a strength bonus, as it's currently my lowest attribute, and magic resistance is a must. I think I can ignore the damage addition with the new claws. Leaving me with two further choices. I'm also thinking lightning protection, as I've always had issues with dealing with mage shields.
"Not a bad thought, perhaps see if he has any further skill enchants that you could use with your claws," Dave said.
"Do you have any specific skill options?"
"For which skills?" James asked.
"Anything to do with martial arts or similar."
"No, unfortunately, class skill enchants are very specific and exceedingly expensive. I've only ever heard of a couple of enchanters in the capital holding them. It's the rarity and prior knowledge that are needed to produce the enchants. The more generic ones, such as the self-repair and transmogrification you have requested, are rare as well; you are very lucky that I have the knowledge to craft them due to their cost."
What should I go for then?
"Perhaps just go for damage again. Greater damage will provide a huge boost. Then perhaps armour class, as you are removing the bonus from the boots."
I was going to get a new armour class enchant for the dress. What is warlock magic classed as?
"Good point with what Fas has said about the troll that works for the chief. I would go with arcance magic again. I'm pretty sure it was that which saved you against the shaman as well in Killic."
SJ shuddered at the thought of her experience being struck by the shaman. She had been almost burnt to a crisp and hadn't even considered that her arcane resistance may have helped her survive the attack.
"I'd like greater strength, magic, cold and arcane resistance, please."
"Are you sure you wish for three resistance enchants on one piece?" James asked.
"Why is that a problem?"
"Not always. But it can lead to complications with the explicit variance of resistance needs."
"I see."
"Remember that your belt still has a free slot; you've never had it enchanted, so you can use one there," Dave said.
SJ hadn't even looked at the Earth stone set pieces, considering that she wouldn't upgrade them until she had the crystals, and overlooked the belt's empty slot.
"I'll go with strength, magic resistance, greater armour class and..." SJ thought for a moment. "Greater dexterity."
"Are you sure? Your dexterity is already significant, and with your level bonuses, you may consider another attribute. Perhaps go with charisma, you could always do with the extra charm," Dave chuckled.
I was thinking it would provide both armour class and damage bonuses, but your comments make sense, although I am charming enough already.
"If you say so," Dave muttered.
SJ ignored him as she continued. If there is a problem with resistances. I was going to add greater armour class to my dress anyway, so I may as well switch to arcane resistance, and I will place the magic resistance on my belt.
"Actually, please amend the greater dexterity for charisma, and the magic resistance for arcane resistance."
James scribbled away again, nodding as he did some further calculations.
"What else would you like?"
"For my dress, I would like greater armour class and also constitution, and finally, for my belt, I would like greater magic resistance."
SJ's hit points weren't low, but there was no harm in increasing them.
James finished writing and looked up at her. His eyes were sparkling. She wasn't sure whether it was due to the enchantments she had requested or to the money he would be asking for.
"Probably both," Dave said, reading her thoughts.
"How much will all this cost?" SJ asked.
"Give me a moment," James said as he moved to a bench and pulled out a piece of fresh parchment before he transferred his notes over. There was a knock on the door.
"Enter," James called.
A male human entered, carrying two bottles of honey wine on a tray and two fresh glasses.
"Thanks, Johan."
Johan nodded at SJ before turning to leave again.
"Please help yourself."
SJ picked up one of the bottles and poured herself a glass.
James took several minutes to calculate the costs of everything before he returned to his seat.
"Okay, I have calculated the costs and have provided a breakdown," James said as he handed the parchment to SJ.
SJ took the parchment and read the details. Only just managing to prevent herself from gasping. It didn't stop Dave.
"Holy elf ears," Dave squeaked. "That's enough to field an army!"
SJ read the details again before she looked up at James. "Okay, how do we go about payment? I don't usually carry this much around with me, so I will need to go to the bank to collect it."
"I have a payment coin if that would help?" SJ could see the relief flood his face.
This would be like performing a bank transfer. With the two skill options for her boots and the other nine greater enchants, the cost was substantial. None of the enchants was cheaper than a platinum. The cheapest was the charisma at one platinum, fourteen gold, and the most expensive by far was the transmogrification enchant at eleven platinum. The total came to a whopping twenty-nine platinum and sixty-three gold. SJ could purchase a whole street, if not several, in some of the poorer districts, thrice over for such a huge sum.
"You said you require fifty percent up front, so I need to pay fifteen platinum to commence the upgrades."
"Yes, that is correct." James was almost salivating at the thought of the coin. He may be one of the best enchanters in Asterfal, but SJ doubted he often had any customers who requested anything as she had. SJ had her coin with her; she never travelled to Asterfal without it, and she called it to her hand.
"I've never completed a transfer before. Could you talk me through it, please?"
James called a coin to his hand, then activated it by holding the gem, as SJ did with her own. He then made some swiping movements before he held it in his hand. "Please touch your coin to the side of mine."
SJ held her coin to his. The display in the centre appeared, and a request for fifteen platinum appeared on its surface. "How do I accept the request?"
"Hold the blue and green gems together."
SJ did as James said, and a confirmation message appeared stating that fifteen platinum had been transferred to 'Inspections.'
Well, that was easy.
"How long will the process take?"
James was staring at his coin display. He looked at SJ, his cheeks a little flushed. "I must apologise unreservedly. I honestly didn't believe that you were being serious with the transaction."
SJ smirked. "It's probably not often you get such an order, and one with such enchants."
"You are absolutely right. The last time I sold a transmogrification enchant was seven years ago now. Even self-repairs are seldom sold." He coughed slightly. "I will also offer you a discount due to the volume you have ordered. I will only request ten further platinum."
"I don't want you out of pocket?"
James just smiled. "I won't be."
SJ's eyebrow rose, wondering how much the actual costs were compared to the markup enchanters added to their fees.
"To answer your question, the enchanting process will take approximately four hours."
SJ opened her display; it would be early evening at least before they would be completed.
"We may as well start then."
"Agreed." James stood and walked to the door, calling out that he wasn't to be disturbed under any circumstances, before he returned to his bench and began preparing the enchants.
SJ poured herself another honey wine and sat relaxing, watching James perform his craft. The first item he focused on was her claws. The greater wisdom enchant that Larianco had cast on her boots was the longest process she had witnessed, with the meticulous care she had taken to perform it. James was no different; every step he followed had purpose, although his method was different.
The process wasn't just a case of repeating a spell's words. Each enchant was created by mixing the various components together in precise detail to create the ink for the enchant.
James explained what he was doing as he worked. "Now that I have prepared the ink, I must write the enchantment precisely. Once I have written it, I can cast the enchantment. The success of an enchant can be as much down to the written script as the components and items themselves," he said as he diligently worked. After casting each enchantment, the ink would fade from the parchment, and James discarded the used parchment in a bin. The same piece could never be used twice.
"Can you not have them prepared in advance?" SJ asked as James took a break between enchants, sipping from a bottle of deep blue liquid. A line of sweat had formed on his brow as he wiped it with a handkerchief.
"For the lower enchants, you can get away with writing them in advance," James indicated, pointing to several shelves that hold neatly rolled parchments. "The higher enchants, though, will lose their potency the longer they sit unused, and can eventually fail completely when cast."
"I'm guessing that's a mana potion you're drinking?"
"Yes. It costs mana at all stages of the process, and even with my mana pool, I could never cast them all without topping up."
The text on the parchments was written in magi, a flowing creation of letters and symbols. SJ could read it with her linguistic skill, not that it would ever allow her to cast them, as the script alone wasn't the only magical requirement. Each enchantment cast on an item caused the item to glow momentarily with a pale blue light.
The claws were finished, and James brought them over to SJ.
"Here you are."
SJ took the claws and inspected them.
Forest Wanderers +16
Level Requirement: Above 25
Quality: Legendary
Damage: 23-32 +16
Enchantment Slots: 4
Enchantments:
Charisma +8
Strength +10
Armour Class +17
Arcane Resistance 25%
Special: A Forest's Grasp
While standing still for three seconds, the wearer gains a camouflage effect, significantly reducing the chance of detection.
In forests, dense foliage, or deep natural shadows: The camouflage is near-perfect, granting legendary-grade concealment.
In urban, barren, or other terrains: The effect still functions, providing competent camouflage, but keen eyes may still spot you.
Any deliberate movement breaks this effect. However, upon moving, the wearer is imbued with a Forest's Silence for 10 seconds, muffling footsteps and the sound of fabric against surfaces.
"So far, so good," James smiled enthusiastically.
"Thanks," SJ said, holding the beautifully crafted weapons in her hands before equipping them, replacing her current primary claws, and then unequipping them to her inventory.
Then it was the belt's turn.
Belt of the Earth Stone
Grade: Uncommon
Quality: Flawless
Durability: Excellent
Enchantment Slots: 1
Enchantment: Magic Resistance 25%
Set Bonus: Dexterity +5
Hidden: Alignment Fae (2 of 5)
Then it was time for the boots. These took the longest out of all the items to perform the enchantments, the complexity of the script for the transmogrification, and the self-repair were something to witness. James cursed as he wrote the self-repair enchant, casting the parchment to one side before pulling a fresh piece and starting again. SJ wondered how much coin had just been lost by the failed inscription.
As James began the enchantments, he held one of the leather crystals, and SJ watched as the colour faded as the new enchantment took effect. Once it was completed, the crystal looked just like a stone; there was no sign of its crystalline properties left.
SJ watched as the self-repair enchant took hold. A grin spread on her face as the boots slowly started to perform the very task her dress did so often. The scuffs and wear marks disappeared, returning to their original pristine condition. It was after the transmogrification enchant that SJ laughed in appreciation as she changed the colour and was thrilled to see that the design could also be changed if she wished.
Boots of the Unhindered
Grade: Mythic
Quality: Perfect
Durability: Perfect
Enchantment Slots: 4
Enchantments:
Wisdom +9
Lightning Resistance 25%
Self-repair
Transmogrification
Armour Class: 14
Attributes: Sure Step - terrain doesn't hamper movement
James collapsed into his chair, letting out a groan after finishing the boots, the physical sign of casting the enchants visible on his face. Dark rings had formed around his eyes.
"Are you okay to continue?" SJ asked, a little concerned.
"Yes, I'll be fine in a few minutes. I just need to replenish my mana again. Those two enchants are very draining."
SJ sat patiently waiting before he pushed himself upright again.
"Okay, let's get the final ones done."
Haber's Dress of the Tailor (Level 19)
Grade: Astral
Quality: Perfect
Durability: Infinite
Enchantment Slots: 2
Enchantments:
Constitution +9
Armour Class +17
Armour Class: 27 (17)(10)
Attributes: +4 Charisma
Special Properties:
Self-repair
Transmogrification
Note: Made by the god Haber himself; provides unique skills as levels are gained.
James again sat heavily in the chair, this time not replenishing his mana from potions and allowing himself to settle. He closed his eyes, letting out a satisfactory sigh. "That was exhausting but also thrilling," he said. "I haven't had so much fun in a long time. Performing complex enchants is what drives me after all."
"Everything is amazing. Thank you."
He opened his eyes. "No, thank you, for the business. I hope you are happy with everything?"
"Absolutely. I will also have further enhancements that I require in the future." SJ called her coin to her hand again. "Payment?"
James leaned forward, too drained to even stand again, holding his coin out after adding the additional fee. SJ accepted the transaction.
"Very impressive," Dave said.
What is?
"Your updated stats."
SJ hadn't reviewed her full character sheet yet, so she opened her display.
Legionnaire 25007077
Name: SJ
Age: 27
Race: Fae
Class: Assassin
Alignment: Neutral
⇢Level: 29
Experience: 214540 of 59000
Hit Points: 212 of 212 (236) (55 * 4.29)
Mana Points: 91 (55 * 1.65)
Armour Class: 103 (58)(45)
Damage: 119-128 (23-32) (16)(55)(25)
Attributes:
Strength: 27 (10)(17)
Dexterity: 64 (9)(55)
Intelligence: 36 (6)(30)
Wisdom: 29 (9)(20)
Constitution: 39 (9)
Charisma: 37 (17)(20)
Resistances:
Arcane Resistance 25%
Fire Resistance 15%
Lightning Resistance 25%
Magic Resistance 25%
Poison Resistance 10%
Skills
Racial:
Night Vision – you have improved vision in poor light conditions.
Flight – when in miniature fae form, you can learn to fly. Flying is not available in humanoid form.
Shapeshift – the ability to switch between fae forms.
Linguist - you can understand all sentient beings above a basic level of intellect when they communicate.
Class:
Martial Arts –
Kata Level 10
Unarmed combat - Incapacitation Level 9 / Elimination Level 8
Armed combat - Melee Claws Level 8 / Ranged Darts Level 6
Puncture
Clawed Avenger Level 5
Subterfuge –
Identification Level 10
Advanced Identification Level 5
Charm level 7
Shroud Level 10
Phantom Shroud
Shadow Discipline –
Shadow Step Level 9
Void Grasp Level 6
Profession:
Tailor Skilled Level 19
Perks - Sure Stitch
Profession Specialisation - 0 of 1 available points 1
Symbiosis:
Dragon Sense – your senses, touch, hearing, smell, and sight are heightened.
Precognition – foreknowledge due to increased perception will allow you to evade a killing blow. (24hr cooldown)
Divine lightning – your blood is combined with that of a blue dragon, increasing healing speed while out of combat.
Malware: Waiver (Sandboxed)
Inventory: 87 slots (8 x 10 Bags of Holding) (2) (+5 strength) (10 special)
Relationships:
Guardian - Carlito
Followers - Brian, Charlotte, Terence
Companions - Kibble
The enchants and changes were substantial, especially to her hit point and armour class.
"Your hitpoints are more similar to a warrior than a rogue class now."
I can feel the additional bonus from the enchants. Now let's see what my full set looks like.
SJ concentrated on her boots, which were still undergoing repairs, as she morphed them, adjusting their colour to match her dress. Then, to confirm the whole process, she amended her dress's colour and style back to its original form.
James, even in his exhausted state, stared wide-eyed as the changes took effect. Her jewellery, boots and dress matched perfectly, and she stood as everything adjusted.
"Perfect," SJ said, not being able to keep the grin from her face. Then she equipped her claws and focused on the deep-forest green of the blades, adapting her boots and dress to match. Again, her belt and jewellery from the Earthstone set adjusted.
James nodded with appreciation as SJ again switched the colours of her items and the style of her dress back to the more standard attire of those in the city. "I can see why you wished for your boots to match. I thought you were being wasteful, but being able to adjust everything like that, including your choker and belt, is impressive."
"It's a perk that I can't really be without in my profession."
"You may not have stated it, but it's quite obvious from the adaptations you are making and your weapon."
SJ looked at James flatly. "I'm guessing your secrecy regarding my items and other abilities is covered under our confidentiality clause?"
James gulped as Dave burst out laughing. "That sounded so menacing," he chuckled.
"Yes, absolutely," James stammered slightly, looking a little terrified from her words.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."
James coughed nervously, taking a drink of his honey wine. "No, no, it's alright."
"You've done an amazing job. Thank you."
