The trailer rattled as it often did when passing over larger bumps, our luggage, the now empty water jugs and more were stirred slightly as those of us in the trailer found ourselves swaying with the rhythm of the trailer so we were still. Jax sat to my left as across from me Sir Braedon and Selene sat. Thalia was sitting on the ballista stand still practicing weaving her strings while Aiden and Liora sat in the front.
Normally Liora likes the ballista post and enjoys hanging out there, but after breakfast this morning she had been acting strange. Nevertheless we were at one of the more boring parts of adventuring. The world is massive after all and traveling takes time. So as we ride there are several things one can do.
You can watch the scenery and try to identify things around you like Selene does. You can practice your skills like Thalia, you can take a nap like Sir Braedon and Jax are doing, you can navigate and take care of Sir Oinks-a-lot like Liora, or you can read a book like I often do. I glanced at my bag where I had grabbed a collection of books before we left, simple fun stories meant to entertain.
It has almost been a month of traveling and yet I still had more books to read, but I had a different goal today. I am one of the core healers of our party, and for that reason I am also in charge of managing everyone's mental state. For this reason I have been collecting notes on everyone. However I need to update it, especially because of the past two days with Jax and Liora acting strangely recently. Reaching into my bag I pulled out my small notebook and read over my notes
Aiden Hallowcreek
Physicality: stable
Mentality: stable
Current hurdles to overcome:
Aiden is developing what seems to be the start of a savior complex. This has arisen due to the fact that he has been a lynchpin in saving several of us, if not all of us in one situation or another. The main ones being
-saved whole party in blood trent fight
-saved Liora and myself in dungeon
-stalled Ymer till we could be saved
It is for this reason I believe is the motivation behind his new obsession with strength which he seeks in the form of martial strength.
Notes:
Aiden seems to have an oddly developed sense of self and mental care, I believe this comes from his fragmented will skill, it may be assisting in management of his mental state. This is both good and bad as it will keep Aiden going in a positive direction, but because it shares his goals, it will push him farther into his Savior complex unless shown a new path.
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Jax Stormcaller
Physicality: stable
Mentality: on edge
Current hurdles to overcome:
Jax seems to possess a childlike attitude towards life that I believe stems from a place of pain. Jax has yet to open up to anyone about this pain. Jax however seems to have been getting more and more tense as of late, I will have to ask him about this later.
Notes:
Jax seems to be adjusting to his role of a team leader better after the incident in the first dungeon. While this was pushed back due to the encounter in the second dungeon, I believe he is not only developing, but even growing from the experience.
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Liora Aeras
Physicality: stable
Mentality: worried
Current hurdles to overcome:
Liora has been on edge and panicky since this morning at breakfast. It is for this reason I believe that she knows something she is refusing to share with us, maybe tonight as I gather firewood I can ask her about it.
Notes:
She is rather confident in herself bordering on narcissism.
As I read I felt the vehicle come to a stop as everyone stretched and began to move. I glanced over to Jax and Liora who both glanced over to Sir Braedon as Aiden turned off the vehicle and we all started on our tasks. Today was my turn to gather firewood. I turned to Liora about to invite her when I felt a tap on my shoulder.
"Can I join you in gathering firewood, I have a question for you."
I turned to Sir Braedon as I nodded.
"Sure, do you want to grab the heavy stuff?"
Sir Braedon nodded as we started for the tree line, but I could feel the hair on my neck raise. We had all gotten to level 10 after the incident of the second dungeon which caused me to get a new skill choice. A choice I was yet to decide. So as we walked deeper and deeper into the woods I opened up my system screen.
Congratulations, you have reached level 10, pick from the skills below
Gavel of God(E)
Sheltering Wings(E)
Angel's Mercy(E)
The 3 skills stood before me once again. I had read them over and over again trying to pick between them before. Gavel of God was a skill that brought down a large spectral hammer on an enemy for damage. Sheltering Wings was a defensive skill that protected oneself and allies. Angel's Mercy was a healing skill that healed for a percentage instead of an amount.
The decision had been driving me mad for a bit, but I silently selected my choice, the screen closing as I started to grab sticks. Behind me Sir Braedon was doing the same.
"A question for you Sir Braedon when you get a chance."
I said feeling my body tense slightly in anticipation.
"Yes, what's is your question?"
Sir Braedon asked silently, his helmet was looking at the ground but I could feel his eyes watching me as if he had eyes on the back of his head.
"Call me a bit paranoid, but the two most observant members of our party seem to be wary of you, so I have to ask, why would they be worried about you?"
Sir Braedon didn't say anything, pausing where he was gathering sticks. I only noticed it as a small bump in his armor as my body moved before my mind could. I jumped backwards, my skill activating as from my back a set of golden lightly transparent feathered wings shot forward, wrapping in front of me as a spear like tendril shot forward from Sir Braedon's shoulder and struck against the wings, feathers cracking and some falling off at where the strike landed.
Sir Braedon stood up slowly as several mouths with large toothy fangs formed on different stretches of the armor as his spear's face opened a mouth that spoke.
"And here I thought I had gotten away with it, what gave me away?"
The tendril retracted as I could hear the others seeing the notification of what just happened and starting to move towards us. I stared at Sir Braedon and shrugged.
"You were too fuckin creepy!"
I yelled as I raised my staff, read to hold him back.
You have used skill Sheltering Wings(E)
Wings spring fourth to defend you and your allies.
Sir Braedon has used skill Flesh make:weapon(E)
Your wings have blocked 22 damage