I
It was black.
It was quiet.
It was nothing.
[Rolling Stats]4D6D1 =10 (2, 2, 3, 5)4D6D1 = 12 (1, 3, 4, 5)4D6D1 = 13 (1, 1, 6, 6)4D6D1 = 13 (1, 3, 4, 6)4D6D1 = 13 (2, 3, 5, 5)4D6D1 = 14 (1, 4, 4, 6)
[Stats]10, 12, 13, 13, 13, 14
'I can't believed I died to-,'
A thunderous noise threatened to burst his ear drums until it began to fade, as though going from right beside him to the other side of the void.
Ancestry: HumanBackground: ???Class: ???
[Pick a Class]
'If I need something with these kind of Stats, I should probably go Cleric or-,'
Class: ??? -> Cleric
'...'
Background: ??? -> Hermit (???)
Ancestry: HumanBackground: HermitClass: Cleric
As he noted all the options afforded to him, he considered how similar this System was to him, and with that, he quickly scanned through his options.
Skills: Medicine, Religion, Insight, Persuasion, (+1)Tool: HerbalismWeapons: Simple, MartialArmour: Light, Medium, Heavy, Shields
The noise returned, threatening to deafen him, before slipping away once more into the darkness, the darkness replaced with a cool breeze, and as he opened his eyes, light, and the limitless sky above.
He blinked.
The horn continued to drone in the distance, and through the tree line he spotted the tower, lit aflame, and in the distance he could hear a commotion, of chatter, shifting of metal echoing through the wood, and the whistle and horns which continued to pierce the air.
His eyes fell towards his hands, one clutching a staff.
Gloved.
The chain within his heavy clothing fit snug against his undershirt, and the staff was well built, if boring, formed of a wood he did not recognise, for it was pure white, the dirt not daring to cling to it, while the mace at his side dangled lightly against his belt.
He swallowed.
His heart hammered in his chest.
Whatever thoughts which deigned to accompany him were battered away by the thunderous horn, and with that, he rushed forward, following the sounds of commotion in the distance.
The forest around him shuddered under the assault of people within, the bushes shuddering, branches swaying, and as he burst past a bush, he found almost two dozen people, mostly women, in all manner of assorted armours, from lighter leathers, to light chain, some in scale, and one within chain, she who blew the horn once more, her face red, her breast a shudder from the force of effort, and each carried an equally diverse palate of steel.
"We have heeded the call," a man in scale over leather called, scale as verdant as fields in late spring, carrying a warhammer over his shoulder, planting a longshield beside him, gripping it tight in his hand. He was tall, strong, and a handsome enough fellow, a thick, dark beard along his jaw, his moustache shaved fresh that day, and his dark eyes seemed focused, if a little confused.
"The Undead have risen early this year!" called the red faced woman, who was pretty, with short dark hair, dark eyes, carrying a blade at her side, and a round shield upon her back, clasping the horn, made of murky bone, to her belt.
A murmur followed her words, the kind filled with awe and apprehension, for even the man gripped his warhammer tighter in hand, no longer upon his shoulder, but ready to swing.
"We must deal with them swiftly, or we shall find..." The woman glanced over the man's shoulder, causing him to turn back, and all the men and women, some young teens, others middle aged, each with dark hair, dark eyes, which glistened with curiosity towards the stranger within their midst.
"Is he wish you, Bart?"
"No," Bart admitted.
The woman narrowed her eyes, placing a hand upon the handle of her sword, though she did not make a motion to draw it, for the stranger was outnumbered twenty to one, even if she did not step forward. "Stranger, what brings you..."
The stranger revealed his shield, painted with a symbol of the sun, and his smile radiated a gentle warmth. As he revealed his shield, emblazened with such a symbol, the warriors before him held their fists over their hearts.
"Brother, our apologies," the woman said, suddenly nervous.
"Please," the stranger replied, still smiling warmly as he waves his hand to dismiss her words. "Continue."
"As the... Undead have risen, we should deal with them before they cause issues to our farms, and... so on." The woman paused a moment, narrowing her eyes slightly. "Brother, will you join us to deal with the Undead?"
"It would be my honour," the stranger said, bowing his head.
A murmur followed his words, the kind filled with awe and excitement, for even the man gripped his warhammer tighter in hand, no longer over his heart, but ready to swing.
"Brother, are you able to wield magic?" Bart asked.
Another man beside him leaned in, whispering. "He is a Brother..."
"Mother's Mercy," the stranger replied, holding his hand in front of his face, the side of his hand splitting his face in half. "Indeed, I am able to wield such gifts."
"How reassuring, Brother," Bart replied, as the crowd continued to murmur with delight, each grinning with such delight.
"I shall lead the expedition to send the souls upon their way..." the woman said, almost side eyeing the stranger.
The stranger smiled, and bowed his head gently. 'I am a Cleric now...'
"Brother, may we ask of your name?"
"Isn't it rude to ask another of their name before introducing yourself?"
"A thousand pardons, Brother," the woman said, flushing once more. "I am Kel Anna, of Apple Tree."
"I am Brother... Oda," the stranger replied, wincing at the name. 'Of all the names...'
"Brother Oda, I hope you are willing to stay by my side, for I am the greatest warrior."
Bart spun upon his heel towards the woman, who raised her chin up towards him, and Bart licked his lips, readying a retort, but the fellow beside him tapped him on his arm and shook his head, allowing the woman her respect.
"Mother's Mercy, I shall assist you as best as I am able, Kel Anna," Brother Oda replied, for it seemed they respected his title. 'I'm glad I chose to be a Cleric. It'll be a little easier to study the world around me...'
II
The mood within the air, their steps lighter as they flew through the wood. The groups moved together, the three groups of six, and the group of four, the singular Cleric surrounded by four beautiful women.
"Brother, although I'm not as swift with my steel as Anna, you can leave your back to me!" Jana said, short hair covered by her iron cap, light chain over her shirt, a scarf over her shoulders, the woman carrying a quarterstaff in hand, which she tapped against various trees as she rushed forward.
"Do not worry, Brother," Rita said, a slightly larger woman whose muscles suggested she could tear apart a boar in half, a maul over her back as she barrelled her way through various bushes, threatening to turn them to dust. Her eyes trailed to Jana who laughed upon meeting the woman's gaze.
"I feel reassured with such great warriors around me," Oda replied, smiling politely as he followed the group, glad he had put his 14 into Constitution.
As they burst through the tree line, the wood gave way to open plains, a small army of skeletons, each clamouring in small groups, scattered across the plains.
"Anna," Bart called, motioning his head towards the skeletons, letting out a soft sigh. "What did you have in mind?"
As Anna's eyes scanned towards the skeletons, which seemed to outnumber them at least five to one, she turned towards the smiling fellow. Anna clasped a palm over her fist and bowed her head lightly, with others also mimicking her. "Brother, would you lead a prayer?"
"It would be my honour," Oda said, beaming brightly, holding up his hand to stop her from such respects, and he clasped his hands together, noting the others staring at him, some exchanging glances. However, instead of thinking too deeply of their gazes, he thought of a prayer.
Religion Check (Intelligence)D20 + 2 = 4 (2)Heroic Inspiration: 1 -> 0D20 + 2 = 16 (14)
"Do you think he'll-,"
"Shush!"
"Mother's Mercy," Oda began, his palms clasped together as he prayed. "Mother, please watch over us."
"Mother's Mercy," the others repeated.
"It is only right to send our dead to the gentle embrace of the Mother."
"Mother's Mercy."
"With your love in our hearts, we will approach the Undead."
"Mother's Mercy."
"Mother's Mercy," Oda prayed, and as he finished, he blew ahead of him and scattered the words around, and with a gentle smile, he inhaled deeply, and donned his shield.
The others began to smile wide and as their eyes glistened with resolve, they began to don their shields, unsheathe their weapons, and the gentle murmurings began, for though they were already warm from the running, some stretched out their muscles and began to swing their weapons.
The skeletons, noting the commotion, began to shamble towards the group.
"The Lord of Bones has claimed our people's bodies!" Anna exclaimed, raising her sword high in the air, not the best weapon against skeletons, but it was the weapon which others eyed with such awe, for it was a beautiful blade, seemingly forged of silver, with an etching across the flat of the blade near the guard, that of a pair of wings. "He shall not claim their souls!"
"Oorah!" exclaimed the group, riling themselves up as they raised their weapons. "Oorah! Ooraaah!"
As they roared, the warriors all began to march forward, before breaking into a sprint, and Oda followed after Anna, who led the group in front, and though Jana and Rita hung back near Oda, she did not charge alone.
Battle Order (Dexterity)D20 + 2 = 12 (11)
The scattered skeletons found themselves scattering as steel and wood fell upon them with a solemn fury, the warriors shouting, some laughing, some wailing, all spurred by their will to enforce their mercy upon the Undead.
Anna's steel slashed through skulls as though they were paper, while Bart's warhammer scattered bone dust into the air, his shoulder protecting his mouth and nose from the bone, as the various warriors clashed with the Undead creatures.
"Mother's Mercy, how can we allow you to suffer?" Oda chanted, holding out his hand ahead of him, and as he stared at a particular skeleton, he snapped his fingers, and a rush of warmth flooded from his heart through his body, and out through his fingers. The snap was followed by the gentle ringing of a bell.
Trick: Toll the DeadFailure!
'How unfortunate,' Oda thought, and as he noted the others glancing towards where they heard the bell, they noted the skeleton continued to shamble forward towards them, and engaged with a group. "My apologies, it seems I did not pray hard enough."
"I am glad you have such humour," Jana said, her staff spinning, bursting through a skull, and she leapt away, glancing over her shoulder to check on Oda, before side stepping to stop the path of a distant skeleton from approaching the Brother.
"Do not falter!" Anna exclaimed, noting one group struggling slightly with their skeletons, while another mass approached them, but thankfully most of the groups had managed well, and they swiftly approached to assist.
The warriors, with their steel and wood, struck through the skeletons with practised efficiency. However, as the skirmish continued, Anna paused a moment, having cut down a skeleton with ease, as Rita completely obliterated another, turning it to mist with a single swing of her maul. In the distance, the skeletons shambling ever forward stumbled and dropped, though as they did so, the bones began to shudder and withdraw towards a pile.
"No!" Anna shouted, rushing forward with a sudden swiftness, and Bart and his companions began to follow after. "Quickly!"
"Why did you bring a sword to a skeletal skirmish?" Bart barked.
Anna grimaced.
Jana almost followed, but she glanced over her shoulder towards Oda, and Rita half stepped towards the Brother, only to pause as she saw him raise his hand, curling his pinky and ring finger as he pointed at the distant pile of bones, confusion glistening on the surface of her eyes.
III
"Mother's Mercy, how can we allow such depravity?" Oda chanted, holding out his hand. His heart began to pound heavily as the heat within his heart began to grow, a fire threatening to burst within his chest. The air around him grew warmer. The air caressed his cheeks, his cloak fluttering as he gathered the magic. He closed his eyes for a moment, for it was as though he was embraced by a loving mother. He swallowed. A tear threatened to slip down his cheek. He opened his eyes, the sounds of the skirmish around him waking him from his dream. The light around him seeped into his hand, causing it to glow, and as the heat of magic rushed from his heart to his fingers, his hand glowed a heavenly gold.
A beam of light shot forth from his fingers.
Mana 2 -> 1Spell: Guiding BoltD20 + 4 = 20 (16)Hit!4D6 = 13 (1, 3, 4, 5)13 damage!
'Slightly below average?' Oda thought as he noted the damage, however, the beam burst forth, turning thinner as it reached the mass of bones, and within the blink of an eye, pierced through the wicked bone, and flooded it with light.
"Bart!" Anna exclaimed, turning to face a skeleton, her steel cutting into the creature, cutting through its skull as Jana's shattered another skeleton, and Rita turned another to dust, and another group was swiftly upon them, swaying as they rushed forward, the clattering of bones soon overwhelming the group.
Bart's steps were light, spurred on by the shout, and as he leapt into the air, his warhammer arced over and slammed upon the mass of shifting bones, shards of bone scattering across the air, and as his companions leapt beside him, a rain of dull ivory soon coated them.
"Do not let up!" Bart exclaimed, his voice full of desperation, for the rest had been caught up in a sea of bone and rusty steel, and they could not expect assistance.
Except...
"Mother's Mercy, you should remain asleep," Oda chanted, feeling the warmth within his heart, and as he shifted his hand, he snapped his fingers, and a bell rang within the air, before the mass of bone.
Trick: Toll the Dead1D12 = 10 (10)10 damage!
"It is still within my range," called the reassuring voice of the Brother, a gentle smile upon his lips as he held out his fingers, gathering his strength to snap his fingers once more.
"With the Brother at our side, what do we have to fear, but fear itself?" Jana exclaimed, her laughter echoing through the air, followed swiftly by her staff shattering another skeleton, and the woman before her stumbled backwards, away from the shards, panting for air, reaching for her ribs as she took to a knee. The shadow of Jana remained ahead of her, while another skeleton beside her shattered as Rita barged through another skeleton, giant maul clasped tightly within her hand.
"I must admit, with the Brother, I feel as though I can take on the world," a man said near Bart, wielding a warhammer himself, which found purchase on the pile of shifting bone. "Even if it did form-,"
"Don't!" a woman called beside him, the woman holding a pair of shortstaves within her hands, her face contorted as though she were in pain, though she had yet to feel the cool steel of any of the creatures around them. "I swear to all the Divine, if you bring such nightmares to life, I will break your nose."
"Not the face!" the man replied, dodging to the side, missing shards of bone as their companions continued to wail on the pile.
"Mother's Mercy, please, stay within your slumber," Oda chanted, snapping his fingers, the warmth of the magic rushing through him, and as he did so, he swallowed, the ringing bell causing his heart to skip a beat. 'Am I getting addicted?'
Trick: Toll the Dead1D12 = 10 (8)8 damage!
As they continued their onslaught, it wasn't long before the skeletons were finally dealt with, the various warriors swapping places with their injured companions, and with Oda's eyes snapping across them all every few moments, they may not have understood just how safe they were.
Mana: 1/2
'Thankfully none of them dropped,' Oda thought, having prepared to heal any who may have potentially dropped. Many were injured, but that was better than the alternative, and as the group cheered, Oda's eyes fell to the side.
Victory!XP Gained: +300XP: 0 -> 300
'I gained how much XP?' Oda thought, blinking lightly, and as his eyes scanned the area, he realised they had slain quite a large number of skeletons.
"Brother, we will crush the bodies, would you be willing to pray over them as we do?" Anna asked, and as Oda smiled, bowing his head respectfully, he held out his hands and began a prayer, and the group began crushing all the skeleton to bits and pieces, and once the sickening crunch stopped, Oda finished his prayer.
"Thank you, Brother Oda," Anna said, slapping her heart gently, bowing her head lightly.
"It was my honour."
"Brother Oda," Bart called, holding out a small marble made of bone. "If it wasn't for you, I believe we would have struggled quite harshly against the Undead."
"Mother's Mercy, it was thanks to everyone here that we were able to allow the dead to rest," Oda replied, clasping his palms together in front of him. "I hope you are willing to allow me to impose upon you for a short time as I gather my bearings?"
"Of course, Brother," Anna replied, her brows furrowing slightly, and as she glanced towards Bart, she shrugged her shoulders, and Bart tossed the marble to her, the woman catching it with ease, and as she eyed up the Brother, she paused a moment. "Are you certain you do not wish for the core, Brother?"
"Mother's Mercy, I will not claim an item when I was but one of many, all of whom worked so hard," Oda replied, smiling gently. 'Hopefully I'll be able to ingratiate myself a little with them like this...'
IV
The crisp air caressed his cheeks, the gentle swaying of verdant branches accompanies his thoughts, and as they trekked through the dirt paths, they eventually came across a clear dirt path, leading to a pair of villages on either end, though Anna led them towards one in particular without a second thought.
The village was formed of various circular layers, from the large farms outside, in which many were already beginning to work, then towards a circular wall, then layers of buildings, those which seemed to be forged of mud bricks, though those which seemed more brick than mud, and thicker stone buildings towards the centre, until they approached the central town circle, rather than a town square, in which a large stone stood firmly rooted into the earth, with all manner of painted patterns.
The people here were each tan, dark haired, dark eyed, and they were adorned in similar clothing, of dark grey, though their scarves, outer robes, hats, scarves, and various cloth affects. The patterns on their cloth were in a myriad of colours, though patterned similarly, with plain borders outside of triangular patterns, either singular triangles between the borders, or several. Many, if not all, wore a weapon at their side, mostly lightclubs and daggers, tied by a rope, and even the youth seemed to carry lightclubs at their sides, which some gripped upon seeing the stranger, wearing suspicion on their faces.
As they approached the large stone within, many began to kneel before it, while he paused, eyeing up the stone, which shifted slightly to reveal what appeared to be a murky attempt at a face. As the others knelt, Oda clasped his hands together and bowed his head, for he was uncertain a Brother could kneel before any who was not a Divine.
"Oh, Great Kami, we have dealt with the Undead issue," Anna began, still knelt, her head bowed. "We were greatly assisted by Brother Oda here and his magic."
Oda's eyes trailed to the side, where he noticed the earth in front of Anna shift, forming various patterns, which caused the woman to bow her head.
"As you command," Anna said, and a moment later the face upon the stone disappeared, and she, along with the others, stood, greeting the rest of the figures about, while Anna motioned a hand and led him away.
Anna led him towards one of the buildings within the inner ring, and as his eyes scanned the buildings, he noticed a smith standing outside, a figure within all deep green, covered head to toe, hiding their face, their figure, their form, as well as a younger man who was adorned in what appeared to be almost pure white, his face revealed to the world, but no more. Oda bowed his head to the figures, and was brought to a rectangular building, with its own little garden, which was half fenced over, with greenery above most of the walls to hide it from the world.
"You may stay here for now, Brother," Anna informed, a palm over her fist.
"Mother's Mercy, you are so thoughtful," Oda replied, wondering if he was using the phrase too much, but every time he said it, a warmth entered his heart, so they must endure. "What is the name of this... town?"
"This is Seven Stones, Brother."
"Are there seven stones?"
"The other six villages nearby possess a stone each, but this stone is favoured by our Kami," Anna said.
'I can't believe I picked the name Oda and she's using the term Kami,' Oda thought, bowing his head, smiling towards Anna, before stepping within the home, kicking off his boots, causing his heart to sink. 'I can't believe that I'm LARPing as a-'
Oda killed the feeling within his heart.
He was no longer in his world.
He could no longer think as though he was someone who was from out of this world.
He was Oda.
They called the beings here... Kami?
The place was formed of stone, a door leading out towards the garden to one side, another door leading to a room built under the stairs, which wound above to a separate floor above him, but only partly, for the ceiling was large up until the stairs. A kitchen to one side, various cabinets, a small dining area, as well as a desk to one side.
He placed down his pack on the desk, rifling through it to check his various items, and seeing that it all seemed to be accounted for, from the herbalism kit to the book, he pulled back and considered his situation.
'Whoa.'
He closed his eyes, killing the sensation within his heart again.
'Oh, I should...'
As he stepped out, he noted various townsfolk all going about their business, though many were moving sacks and some were bringing out banners, each a light pink. He smiled awkwardly, and his eyes darted about, though thankfully Jana approached quickly.
"Brother, how may I assist?"
"I intend to pray soon, but I must first complete my ablutions," Oda replied, smiling politely. "Is there a nearby river in which I can bathe?"
"Brother, there is a bath within your cabin you may bathe within."
"Oh?"
The Brother stood within the open doorway of the bathroom, the room built under the stairs, and upon realising the bed was above it, he wondered if this wasn't a terrible idea, but he noted the bath to the left, towards the stairs, and the bath, more of a cube formed of marble, with a wooden door, though a thin layer of marble bathside kept the wood protected.
'Oh...' Oda thought as he reached towards the levers to the side, which poured in cool water from one, warm water from another. He blinked. The romance within his heart slowly died, though his body grew heavy with relief.
His eyes trailed down towards the bar of soap within the corner and as he reached for it, he felt how hard it was, but how it lathered so easily against his hand.
"..."
V
The water was warm.
Tricks: Trick
The water was hot.
As the steam of the water filled the air, the vapours oozing into his lungs, he let out a soft sigh, his thoughts turning to this world.
'A fantasy world...'
The thought continued to invade within his mind. A fantasy world with a similar system that he was used to, though not entirely the same. He considered how many worlds he had built within his mind and if this was similar to any of them, but considering what he had seen, there was too little to go off.
However...
'Why did I have to pick Undead to be the creatures which constantly plague the world?' Oda sighed, reaching up to his eyes, rubbing them lightly.
Tricks: Trick
As the magic ran through him once more, he cleaned the water, and sunk deeper within it.
'I'm no longer on Earth. I have to take the world as it comes. Whatever logic existed on Earth, dies on Earth, like me...'
Oda's laughter filled the room, though quickly died out, though he continued to shake with his chuckles.
'I just really hope it isn't a grimdark world...' He blinked. 'I'll have to trust the goodness in people's heart... or their greed.'
A long sigh filled the air.
He glanced down towards his hands, then along his wrists, to his arms, to his torso, and then below. 'Perfectly average in every way...'
He was barely able to see his own reflection within the water, slightly tan skin, dark hair, dark eyes, and, thankfully, with the lightest of hair all about his body, and a head full of hair.
'I should diet and workout and get absolutely shredded...'
As he lathered the soap against his skin once more, washing himself up, he drained the water and dried himself off using the towel hung to the wall, then, using his magic, he dried the towel, cleaned it, and then...
He stared at his clothing, the singular set crumpled on the ground.
'If only I had-,'
Oda gasped lightly, his stupidity striking him deeply. 'I literally just used Tricks to clean the towel, what am I thinking?'
Tricks: Trick
As he stepped out into the cool air of the town, he found many glancing over towards him, and as he greeted them with a friendly wave and smile, they awkwardly returned a smile, and continued along their way.
"Ah! Brother, we should have brought you clothes!" Jana said, reaching up to her forehead.
"I managed to clean them," Oda assured, unsure if he should reveal how.
Jana blinked, but nodded. "I'll gather you some clothes anyhow, otherwise you'll stick out like a giant in a munn's hole."
'A what?'
Jana brought him a set of clothes, plain grey, as well as various sets of scarves and hats, each patterned with triangles, and he adorned one of each, a hat atop his head, a scarf over his shoulders as some wore.
"Thank you," Oda said, running a hand along the hem of a scarf, his smile bright.
"The Elders are going to-, speak of the demons and they shall appear," Jana said, clasping her hands upon her hips as the three approached, one a figure he had seen previously.
One was a man adorned in scale, carrying a club at his side, and a smile upon his lips, most of which was hidden from the world, adorned in pure white. The other was a figure cloaked in darkness, a deep green, covered head to toe, hiding their face, their figure, their form, though they wore a wooden sickle at their side. The last was a woman with short grey hair, adorned in scale over chain, wearing a pair of blades at her side, one longer than the other, and though she was lightly wrinkles, he could see she was built lean, her muscles evident even under her armour, and she carried herself tall and proud.
"Good day, Brother!" the man in white called, his gloved hands palm to palm as he gently bowed.
"Good day, Brother," Oda replied, mirroring his greeting.
"I am Father Fredwik, of the Seven Stones."
"Oh, excuse me, Father."
"No, no, I can see you are from far away, from another culture," Fredwik assured. "Though, I must say, you speak Imperial quite well."
"Aha, well, yes. I, uh, I am a..." Oda thought about how to explain himself. "I studied by myself. Mostly."
"Oh?" Fredwik's eyebrows bolted upwards in surprise. "I see! You are quite talented for one who has studied by himself, for your magic is no less impressive than mine, so I am told."
"An exaggeration, I assure you, Father, for I lack great talent," Oda replied, chuckling lightly. "Thankfully, I pray, and the Mother is most merciful."
"Mother's Mercy," Fredwik agreed, nodding his head approvingly. "Allow me to introduce you to Darra, our Druid, who provides us with great bounty and wisdom, and Kel Marra, who is our Reeve, and save for perhaps one or two others, is our greatest warrior."
"Mother's Mercy, I am Brother Oda, and I thank you for the warm welcome."
"Mother's Mercy," the pair replied, although the figure in dark green's voice was muffled under layers of clothing.
"Let us go drink tea and allow us to thank you for your assistance," Fredwik said.
Oda smiled, certain he was about to get stabbed, however, upon hearing they had tea, he followed them, entrusting not in them, but tea.
The building was rather large, formed of stone, as many of the central buildings were, and was within sight of the stone in which their Kami seemed to reside. The floor was wood.The furniture was wood. The smell was wood.
The others kicked off their boots when entering. The father wore white socks, as one might have expected, though the older woman wore what appeared to be leather socks, and Oda couldn't help but think her feet must be as though they were walking on top of lava, and prayed for her heart. The other figure seemed to wear sandalboots, although did not allow any part of their skin to enter the world's eyes.
As the Father stepped away towards a cabinet, he prepared himself to be stabbed by the woman ahead of him, although prayed they wood allow him to drink some tea first.
'You can't stab me before I drink tea,' Oda thought. 'I'm pretty sure that's a hate cri-,'
Oda killed the thought.
He was no longer a British man in his earlies thirties, but Oda, a Brother of an unknown place in his...
Age: [2D6+25] = 32
'Oh, come on.'
VI
The steam greeted him before the gentle flavour of berry, though he quickly pulled away, almost scalding his tongue.
"Where are you from, Brother?" Father Fredwik asked, sipping his tea.
"I'm... I'm from far away," Oda replied tentatively, and after letting slip an awkward smile, he took another sip. "A land which no longer exists."
"My apologies, Brother."
Oda continued to smile awkwardly, and though there was a sadness within his eyes, as he thought back to his previous life, his smile turned brighter. "We all have our burdens to bear, and one can consider this a second chance at life, and at my age, it's quite fortunate, I suppose?"
"Regardless, we would like to thank you formally for your assistance."
"I was nearby and thought to lend a hand."
"You even refused the core..."
"There were many others who assisted, and I am grateful for Kel Anna, Jana, and Rita for protecting me during the fray," Oda replied, noting the way they had him within their sights. 'They're probably suspicious that I'm so... like this.'
"We will be sure to reward you, Brother," Father Fredwik assured with a gentle smile, pouring him more tea. "However, for now, please stay and enjoy the festivities, for to turn away someone who is welcome within our humble town upon the first of the year is bad luck. Not that we intend to turn you away any time soon, Brother!"
"Mother's Mercy, I am most grateful," Oda replied with a soft chuckle, and as he sipped the tea once more, he winked towards the Father who seemed roughly his age. "Please inform me when I have outstayed my welcome."
"Ah, Brother Oda..." the Father replied awkwardly.
However, the woman smiled, revealing her perfect teeth, slightly yellowed from time. "I will be sure to do that, Brother Oda."
As they exchanged pleasant laughter, soon they allowed him to leave, having interrogated him only lightly.
'Why did I have to act so suspiciously?' Oda berated himself, stepping out to find the villagers were still labouring about, Jana tying a banner atop the smithy, but as she noticed him, she hopped down and approached, holding up a hand.
"Brother!" Jana called, causing many to glance their way, and seeing the young man greeting her in return, they glanced between one another, keeping an eye upon the stranger. "Did the Elders trouble you too much?"
"No trouble, only tea."
"If they do trouble you, you must inform us," Jana said, tapping her chest with a thumb, a wild smile upon her lips, troubling sparkling within her eyes. "Even if Kel Marra is the Reeve, she cannot oppress you."
"The Kel was welcoming."
"How suspicious," Jana whispered, her brows furrowing slightly. "They must have interrogated you quite a bit, though?"
"They didn't."
"They didn't?"
"I informed them I am from a distant land which no longer exists and little else."
"They didn't ask you more?"
"No."
"Oh..." Jana stared at the Brother, as though he was an enigma she didn't quite understand. "Are you willing to share more of yourself?"
"What shall I begin with?"
"That is a good question..." Jana admitted, wracking her mind, all the while Oda waited patiently, standing before her. "What is your favourite food?"
"My favourite food..." Oda began, and taking a moment, his lips formed a gentle smile. "Pizza."
"Pitza?"
"Pizza, it's something from very far away, though it's hard to describe accurately, for only the taste does it justice. Although I've always been fond of potatoes."
"Potatoes?" Jana replied with far too much enthusiasm. "Which kind? I love the Red Rust the most, though the munn rarely bring them around. I should try to catch them during their visit here."
"I have to admit, I'm not sure which potatoes I like most, for potatoes are potatoes, although now that I think about it, I do have my preferences, but I don't recall the name of the potatoes. What of you? Are potatoes your favourites, or are you a fan of something else?"
"Porridge, for who can speak ill of the humble porridge? The day you are born, you drink milk, certainly, but a child within the Seven Stones, when they are able, eats porridge the first day they can, and every day, even when we travel, we eat our porridge."
"Porridge is a great choice, and the reasoning is the same as mine for enjoying potatoes so much, although porridge is also up there," Oda replied, understanding how hilarious it was that they both answered something so ridiculous, but he supposed he'd be the only one to understand the joke.
"What of your hobbies, Brother?"
"I enjoy walking, reading, writing, drawing, though I'm not so good at those, and playing games."
"Games?"
"I like to..." Oda began, only realising he can't explain what a video game was. "I like to play all kinds of games, especially those which use dice."
Jana tilted her head.
"Oh, not gambling."
"Of course not, Brother..." Jana slowly tilted her head, her brows raised, her lips forming a playful smirk.
"I'll show you later..."
"As you say, Brother" Jana's eyes remained playfully teasing him.
"And what of you, miss Jana?"
"Just Jana is fine, Brother. One day, perhaps soon, I shall earn the title of Kel," Jana replied, flashing a wide grin. "I enjoy walking, so perhaps we can walk together, but I also enjoy training, and I enjoy trading, though I have no ability within it, and I enjoy knitting, which I possess even less ability than none, and, if you speak of the name Jana, you must know that I enjoy causing trouble for Rita, to keep her maul sharp."
Oda tilted his head slightly, but smiled, slowly nodding his head, and as she motioned a hand for him to follow her, she led him through the town. "I did notice you and Rita were both close."
Jana winked, and as she made to speak, she paused, letting out a soft chuckle. "If I speak any more of it, I will have to spend my day fleeing. I have seen your magic, and it is grand, but do you possess skills within the mundane arts?"
"I studied religious texts, although I'm not the most well read in that regard, and I am skilled in mundane medicine."
"Oh?" Jana gasped. "A wonderful skill to possess! Even if one did not possess magic, mundane medicine is hard to study."
"I wouldn't say I'm the best, but I have some ability within it. I would like to say I can read people rather well, and I can speak comfortably with some."
"Also grand skills to possess," Jana said, her tone still light and playful.
"I'm also able to... make potions."
Jana's mouth dropped, and she stopped in place, staring at the Brother. "I should have expected, but it is always good to hear. Do you intend to stay long, Brother? Once you feel guilty at our hospitality, perhaps you can assist with your medical abilities and your herbalism?"
"Mother's Mercy, I can only ask for such fortune to assist."
"Oh, right, Brother..." Jana smiled innocently, as though she wasn't easily extracting information from him, and Oda let slip an innocent smile in return, as though he possessed greater reasons to allow all of this information out. "I was informed you were able to clean your clothing? Do you know of other magics?"
"I do, though only very light magic, a few Tricks outside of my typical domain."
"That's the name of it, isn't it? Tricks?"
"Yes."
"Which other Tricks do you possess, Brother?"
"I am able to provide Guidance, and if your equipment requires minor repairs, I am able to provide Mending."
Jana gasped, her eyes suddenly flashing, and she stepped back. "Brother, please! One moment!"
As Oda watched her scurry away, he glanced to the side, towards a child who furrowed his tiny brows towards the man, a suspicious glare within his eyes.
VII
It wasn't long before the woman returned, carrying something within a scarf, and as she unbundled it, she revealed a spear which had been broken near the tip, the shaft cracked in three.
"Brother, would you be able to fix this?"
Oda accepted the spear before him and as he placed his hand on his shield, he let out a soft prayer, and the warmth within his heart spread outwards, towards his finger tips, and as he squeezed on the broken spear shaft, his magic glowed through his hand and the shaft, and as he lifted his hand, he revealed the spear, with not even a hint of a trace of the damage which once plagued the spear.
Trick: Mending
"Brother! A thousand thanks to you, Brother!" Jana picked up the spear, seeing her reflection in the steel, and as her eyes scanned the wooden shaft, her thumb brushing along the smooth wood, her lips formed an even wider smile. "It was my father's spear. The spear broke... and I kept it though it was awkward to repair."
"I am glad I was able to assist."
"I must inform the Father!" Jana said, fleeing once more.
'Should I have kept it a secret?' Oda thought, trying to form reasons as to why he shouldn't have revealed himself. 'They won't chain me up and force me to fix things, will they?'
Father Fredwik's swift steps brought him out of his thought, and as the Father approached, he reached out to grab Oda's shoulder, lightly, though Oda could feel the tension in the Father's hand. "Brother! You know of Guidance, Mending, and Tricks?"
"I do," Oda replied.
"The Mother grants us with her providence," the Father stated excitedly, pulling his hand away, falling into a prayer. "Are you willing to assist us with your Tricks, Brother?"
"I am more than willing, Father. I am glad to be of use."
"Mother's Mercy, Mother's Mercy, it must be Fate you have arrived to us." The Father's eyes remained sparkling brightly, a wide smile upon his lips, his entire demeanour far more relaxed.
"I am glad to hear it, Father."
"I shall request Carl to begin work on a cabin for you, Brother, but please rest easy in the guesthome."
"I will do so, I assure you." Oda laughed, glad to see the relief on the Father's face, as well as the sheer delight.
"I will speak with Carl, and I will inform the Elders," Father Fredwik said, and with his palms pressed together he gently bowed towards Oda, who returned the gesture, and the Father scurried away quickly.
"I didn't expect the Father to be so full of joy..."
"Father Fredwik was blessed with other Tricks, but he has always wished for something like Mending, especially for the sake of our smith."
"I am glad to be of assistance with my prayers."
"I hear the one Trick that most covet is Tricks," Jana said. "I don't recall why."
"I presume due to its ability to cool and warm water, or, perhaps it's because it can clean?"
"I believe it's both reasons, Brother," Jana said, smiling warmly towards the Brother. Her eyes then flickered slightly as a thought passed through her mind. "I know we are asking much of you, Brother, but would you be willing to assist us when more Undead appear?"
"It would be my honour."
"You are so easy going, aren't you, Brother?"
"I was blessed with a second chance at life, and..." Oda's eyes fell towards the sky. A gentle smile fell across his lips. "Lovely weather we're having, don't you think?"
"I agree..." Jana smiled.
The smell of food began to fill the air as the townsfolk gathered together, many beginning to cook the large stew within the centre of the town, while others began to bake flat bread, a half dozen or so at a time, and others baked different flat bread, three or four at a time, and as the people gathered, someone dragged over various fat rams.
The figure who was adorned in deep greens led a prayer for the townsfolk and as they did, the youth fed something to each ram. The rams each settled onto their stomachs, and within a moment, steel shimmered, turning sanguine, and the youth began to butcher the creatures, and once the prayers were complete, the gentle thrum of the drums began.
'They really just slaughtered the rams just like that...' Oda thought, though his thoughts were quickly taken by Father Fredwik approaching him.
"Brother, come with me," he said, and Oda didn't ask any questions, which he very quickly began to regret as he stood in front of the entire town, behind the dead rams, which were no longer being butchered.
"Another outsider who intends to claim our hospitality as their own," an older man mumbled as Oda passed by.
"Mother's Mercy, I am pleased to introduce the Brother to you all. This is Brother Oda, who assisted Kel Anna and Kel Bart, and the warriors who so bravely sent the Undead to peace."
The applause was almost thunderous, and lasted five seconds before almost immediately dissipating, save for a handful of children who continued to excitedly clap, until their parents hushed them, leaving only one or two troublemakers to continue clapping.
Father Fredwik looked to Oda expectantly.
"Hello there. I am Brother Oda. It was my honour to assist the great warriors of Seven Stones in bringing peace to such restless souls. While I remain, I intend to assist as best as I can. I wish to thank you all for the great hospitality you have shown me so far. Um. Yes. Thank you."
The thunderous applause began once more, and the same fellow who mumbled something about him previously, mumbled something else approvingly.
"No you didn't," the man beside him replied.
"I didn't know he was a Brother."
"How could you not tell?" The man motioned with an entire hand towards Oda.
"My eyes aren't what they used to be."
"Your head isn't what it used to be," the young man said, quickly rolling away from the old man, dodging a hand.
"..."
VIII
The thrum of music filled the air. The drums, the flutes, the clapping, the chanting and wailing, each in a harmonious cacophony.
The townsfolk also began their dances, those within fitted clothes and boots stomped on the hard floor, while those in their loose clothing and flat leather sockshoes almost floated as they danced on the heavy rug, which was larger than any rug Oda had ever seen before.
As they wailed and sung, Oda's thoughts fell to the sounds, which seemed to hold some form of meaning, and though the sounds repeated once or twice, they changed, with one group leading one song, another leading another.
The cool air kept him company, as well as the buttered flatbread, but as the smell of spiced stew filled the air, soon the food emanated out from the large pots. He was one the first to receive his meal, and with polite gratitude, he begun his prayer and began to eat.
It was then a handful of people approached him during his meal, each offering a small portion of their meal, some a small chunk of meat, others a spoonful of broth, others a tiny portion of bread.
"No!" the child cried.
"Ris, you must give the Brother the apple slice."
"No!" the toddler cried, shoving the slice into his mouth, the chubby boy's eyes defiantly glaring towards his mother.
Oda reached up to his mouth to cover his smile and to stifle a laugh, though his eyes began to tear up.
"Forgive me, Brother," the woman said, bowing her head repeatedly.
"No, no, I would rather your child eat the apple slice and to grow up well," Oda assured, and then he formed a shape with his hand, and chanted a prayer. "Mother, please bless this child."
Trick: Guidance
The boy tensed up, leaning towards his mother as he stopped chewing, his eyes growing wide.
"The Mother has blessed you, so make sure you listen to your mother, okay, little Ris?"
The boy slowly nodded his head, and stuck to his mother like glue, the woman smiling awkwardly and thanking him as she quickly escaped.
'I probably shouldn't have cast any magic...'
However, the small army of gift givers continued to approach.
"I hope you do not mind, for it is rare we receive guests, especially a Brother," Jana said, appearing from nowhere in particular as she chewed on her jerky, dried and smoked meat, and chewing a single bite for what felt like an eternity.
"I don't mind at all," Oda said, though he glanced down at his meals. He didn't have the right spell to truly accept all the food, but what could he do? 'What a time to be a germaphobe...'
The vast ocean of porridge threatened to drown him, though thankfully the largely cut fruits and vegetables broke apart the taste.
'The Druid must have used Plant Growrth,' Oda thought. 'The taste isn't too bad either. I wonder how they get their spices.'
"Would you like a drink, Brother?" Jana offered, unlatching her wineskin, pouring herself a greyish blue liquid.
"As long as it isn't alcoholic," Oda replied, causing Jana to latch her wineskin, and instead poured him the white liquid of sour milk. 'I really want to cast more magic, but I should probably hold off, just in case...'
"Do you have any wishes for the year, Brother?"
"I'd like to..." Oda began, taking a moment to word it so it didn't sound too problematic for an outsider to say. "I think I would like to work on my physical health, and, hopefully, by the end of the year, I would like to be able to see my muscles."
"Since you are one who enjoys battle so much, I am sure you will be able to complete such a resolution. I don't know what I'd like, although, perhaps, I would like to step into the realm of an Expert."
"I do not enjoy battle, but considering you do, I am sure you will be able to."
"You... don't?" Jana replied, voice dripping with bewilderment.
"No. What made you think so?"
"You joined us so eagerly, and you even accepted my request to assist us in the future..."
"Though I am not one who enjoys battle, how can I stand still when those around me wish to step out into danger, and with the lost souls requiring freedom, should I not guide them?"
"Sometimes, Brother, you are easy to talk to, and other times, difficult."
"It's fun to keep other people guessing, I suppose," Oda replied, and though his joke was dangerous, he couldn't help but chuckle.
Jana's lips formed a wider smile, and she returned back to sipping her fruitwine lightly, her cheeks forming a gentle flush. "I feel as though we will be the best of friends, Brother."
"You seem too troublesome, so perhaps I should grow closer to Rita?"
Jana's lips formed a tiny circle of surprise, her eyes widening towards him, but she fell into greater laughter.
"I hope Jana isn't bothering you, Brother," Kel Anna called, approaching the pair, her eyes falling to the wineskin, and she gave that kind of look to Jana, the kind of a mother who was at her wit's end.
"If you could, please send Rita to keep me company instead," Oda replied with a sigh.
"What did you do?" Anna almost growled.
Jana's brows raised, her lips forming a circle of surprise once more. "Brother! You have to tell her you're joking, otherwise she'll have me step out to patrol for the entire month!"
"It would do you good, for you'll be able to reach the realm of Expert quickly then."
Jana's mouth continued to form a circle of shock, of betrayal, but she fell into further laughter.
"If you don't leave the Brother alone..." Anna warned, undoing the swordbelt at her side, readying herself to beat the woman.
"I suppose I can endure her company..." Oda mused, peeking towards Jana.
"Did I accidentally slip in fruitwine into the milk?" Jana joked, unlatching her wineskin, raising her arms quickly as Anna raised the sheathed blade.
"Oh, it's fine, Kel Anna, it's fine," Oda said, realising Anna might actually beat Jana if he continued joking around.
"Please inform me if she causes you any trouble, Brother, for though we expect it, she should know her limits."
"What have you done?" Oda asked Jana, who made to speak, but seeing the shadow of the sheathed blade over her, her eyes glistened with guilt.
IX
The food was delightful, in his estimations, though he wondered if perhaps the food was delightful because his new body's tongue was not used to his previous life's foods, and thus the foods here were considered among the greatest.
Purple blanketed the sky, and as he finished the last sip of his milk, he noted the large number of people making their way away, greeting one another as they did, some greeting him before stepping aside.
'I guess it's time for me to head out too,' Oda thought, and as he stood, he found a pair of eyes on him, as the Father approached him, almost gliding, holding a small box.
"What is this, Father?"
"Toothseed," Father Fredwik replied as he handed the box to the Brother, smiling wide. "As you know... Brother... if you chew them over the course of a few minutes, they will coat your teeth to clean them."
"Oh! Thank you, Father!" Oda replied with a wide smile, though upon seeing the Father's smile, his own faltered slightly. Then, the Father raised a hand, and with that left. 'What was that smile?'
As he returned back to the cabin, the cool, lonely air welcomed him. His eyes scanned the room, and he looked down towards the single set of boots.
'It's so weird to be... truly alone...' However, considering how light his chest felt, and how so many had come to him with such curious eyes, and at worst, they revealed the scorn he was so used to, this was much better.
Then, he began to strip down.
'I hope they didn't shut off the water in the night to conserve water or anything like that,' Oda thought, his eyes trailing to the side, towards where he read blocky text.
Oda began to pace in his room, glad he only needed to complete steps, rather than a length, and glad it counted even walking, rather than forcing him to run or jog. He completed a handful of push ups and squats between ever few laps, until he could finally feel the tension within his body.
As his body flushed with heat, sweat pouring down his body, the ache caressing his muscles with a wickedry he despised, he exhaled.
'I've got to be careful. If I'm thirty three, I'm no longer in my prime.' Oda let out another exhale, this time closer towards a sigh. 'I suppose I shouldn't have expected it to be a power fantasy, but still...'
As he completed another few laps around his room, he stopped. A sudden dread filled his heart, and threatened to overwhelm him. However, he tensed, and as he closed his eyes shut tight, he screamed internally, and once he let go of the pent up frustrations, the anxiety which threatened to invade, he looked towards the sky.
'No. It's not like Earth.' Oda's eyes remained glued to the text in front of him, the Quest Received, the and the Quest Reward. 'I have to trust the System. If I do what it asks for, I'll definitely get what I worked for.'
Once he was done, he went to bathe, checking the water to find it still ran, and it was still warm.
'Mother's Mercy! Mother's Mercy! Mother, you are the most merciful!' Oda prayed once more, and as he slipped within the bath, he popped a toothseed into his mouth. He bit into it and then reached for the soap.
"Huuuuaaa!" he cried, closing his eyes shut as the bitterness punched him straight to his jaw, though he continued to chew. "Huuu! Hu! Hua!"
'Is that why he smiled at me?' Oda suddenly thought about how he hated the world once more.
Thankfully, the toothseed's bitterness only lasted a short while, and though he continued to chew it as he soaped himself lightly, he eventually spat it out, and coughed. Once he was done, he dried himself, and donned the clothing the town had provided to him.
Oda knelt beside his bed, clasping his hands together, and he closed his eyes tight. 'Mother, admittedly, I was quite an agnostic guy, and I didn't really believe in all this, but... I promise, I'll do the best I can for you.'
Soon, the darkness greeted him, and as he stared at the ceiling, he considered all he knew of this world so far, and playing the conversations in his mind, he tried to engrave the culture, the rules of the world, and the expectations they had of him, and he had of himself.
He closed his eyes with the assumption insomnia would plague him all night long, as it always had.
The light peeked in through the light curtains which covered the windows, and as he turned to look towards the light, he blinked.
'I slept so well...' Oda considered how this may actually be a power fantasy.
He paced within his room, completed another light routine, and once he was done, he bathed, prayed, and then prepared himself to speak with the townsfolk for the most important question he had for them thus far.
"By any chance, is there a shower nearby?"
"Yes?" Jana replied, staring into his eyes for a moment, and then escorted him back to his bathtub, kicking off her boots as she did, only confirming this place was a power fantasy for him, for though he did clean the room with his magic in the morning, he was glad he didn't need to if he lost his magic. Jana reached for the tap, and then twisted it, revealing the shifting copper tip, which expanded out towards the top, like a flower blooming, and then the woman pulled on the tap to reveal how the wood could stretch and snake about.
Oda's mouth was agape. "Thank you. I'm used to a very different shower system, nothing quite as sophisticated at his."
"You are in Seven Stones now, Brother." Jana's lips formed the proudest smirk, and she winked at the Brother.
'The romance of this fantasy world has broken, but...' Oda couldn't help but feel grateful for the fact he wasn't going to be suffering quite as terribly as he expected within this world. It was then he caught himself thinking that he was an outsider to this world once more. 'I guess that'll be hard to deal with until I assimilate into the world properly...'
X
That morning, with the dawn's rays falling upon the land, those who joined Oda for breakfast already wore dirt upon the hem of their trousers. However, they all joined the Father for morning prayers, and he spoke of the day's expectations, which were as one might have expected. Then came the breakfast, and Jana's words were confirmed, for one third of the meal was porridge, and the other third was made up of fruit, and the last made up of fish that was white in colour, but sprinkled with the grey and red of spices and the green of spices.
"No flatbread this morning?" a townsfolk asked.
"The wheat's being kept," another replied.
"Why?"
The townsfolk side eyed their companion and quickly realisation filled their face, and a smile broadened on their lips.
Once more, a few of the townsfolk approached him, until finally Jana stepped up, and the townsfolk stepped away from her silent glare.
"Sorry, Brother."
"Oh, it's alright. I'm not quite so busy to not greet the kind people around me during breakfast."
"I'll have the Father remind them of how to speak to you appropriately, for if they start asking for blessings, it won't end with just one or two."
"Mother's Mercy," Oda replied, for he wasn't entirely sure how to respond, and as a Brother, he had a free card he could always play. "I hope you are willing to allow me to begin assisting the town with my prayers."
"Brother, you can suffer our hospitality for a while longer," Jana joked, smiling wide towards him.
"I do not like to remain idle while those around me work, so please allow me to clean with my magic, and repair what needs to be repaired with my prayers."
"I will send word out, Brother."
Oda bowed his head in gratitude, and then, now that he had laid the groundwork, he thought to ask. "By any chance, is there a library nearby?"
"A few, though the one that might interest you most is probably the Father's?"
Oda bowed his head, and upon seeing the Father nearby, he decided to ask him then.
"Of course, Brother, you may peruse through the shrine's library freely," Father Fredwik replied with a large smile, a smile that was too large.
"Thank you, Father. Oh, and, may I use my prayers to clean the various pots and pans? It should free up time for those who are typically on duty to clean."
"Brother, you do not need to start so immediately," the Father assured, but eventually relented to the Brother's words, and led him to the pots and pans, watching him as he began to wield his magic.
Tricks: Trick
'I probably should have done this yesterday...'
It was not just Tricks he wielded, for the Brother relied on the Father to allow him to wield his magic to fix what he could with his prayers, from tears in walls of wood or stone, to broken weapons and tools, even the smith's own tools he hadn't gotten around to, though the farmers were the most thankful, for his prayers dealt with any chips too.
As he stood near the fields, with the large mass of farmers before him, he realised that though there were quite a few farmers, there were well over a half who remained within the town.
"How many people live in this town, Father?" Oda asked, for the Father remained beside him, introducing him to the various townsfolk more personally, and with his presence, the townsfolk would feel far more comfortable around the Brother, Oda assumed.
"A little over a thousand, I believe, twelve, or thirteen hundred?"
"How many work the fields," Oda asked, hoping it wasn't a suspicious question, for he was mostly asking to understand how it worked in this world, or at the very least, this land.
"I believe it is roughly one in four, three hundred or so," Father Fredwik replied, reaching up to rub his chin in thought.
'It's usually nine in ten...'
As Oda stepped through towards the other fields, in which the farmers awaited, he noticed a small group in the middle of the fields, which were yet to be worked, and there he spotted the figure in shadowy green, the figure moving and swaying around a small fire.
'Are they...' Oda couldn't help but feel delighted by how free the Druid was with their magic, though he supposed when the town was only about a thousand people large, that made sense, for everyone would know each other.
Although...
'A Cleric and a Druid in a town... I guess if the nearby villages are all about a few hundred, then there should be like... two or three thousand people, two who can cast magic, that's one in a thousand or so, although they probably have a couple more learning, so one in five hundred or so? That's still quite a bit of magic. I wonder how else they use magic...'
As the Father brought him towards a nearby stream, he found a great many figures there, men and women, only then realising that the men and women were of similar heights. It was then he realised he was the tallest figure by about a fist, though he was rather tall in his previous life too.
'Hmm...'
"The Brother will clean the clothing with his prayers and you may return to assist others."
The couple dozen or so people, surrounded by large baskets full of laundry, glanced between one another, and in the distance, he noted the spinning spheres formed of mesh, which allowed the stream to flow through the clothes.
The group stared at the Brother.
"Mother's Mercy, please purify the laundry," he chanted, feeling the warmth of the magic, his hands swaying over the clothing, and as he continued to pray and chant, the warmth of his magic continued, and basked the various baskets with magic, a gentle ripple of light dancing along the surface, include the baskets.
Tricks: Trick
One reached down to smell the clothes, which were not quite as smelly as they had been, and the Brother began to cast his magic once more, to imbue the clothes with a gentle fragrance of lavender.
Tricks: Trick
"That should do it," Oda said, bringing his palms together.
"It doesn't really feel the same," one whispered.
"Be quiet."
"I understand it may feel different but you will no longer be able to feel the difference, so you should focus upon other tasks," Father Fredwik stated firmly.
"As you say, Father..."
"If I may," Oda began, smiling politely. "I understand it is awkward to give my opinion, but perhaps a handful of you should remain to wash certain clothes, for though some people may get used to it over time, but if I was praying and my clothes began to itch, I would feel like I may be disrespecting the Mother by focusing on the itch, or spending my effort on ignoring it during my prayers."
"You are wise, Brother," Father Fredwik replied, his eyes glaring towards those who would often come to him for advice, and yet would disrespect a Brother's prayers so brazenly.
'I's always a good idea to have a few people, so they don't lose the skill,' Oda thought. 'Although, I guess washing clothes doesn't have much skill? Except, what about the people who farm or make the soaps and stuff? If I take their jobs, won't they get mad? I have to be careful not to earn their wrath, even if I think I'm doing good.'