Benjamin finally finishes his round of the small library and returns to Marco with a small stack of seven books. “These books with provide additional information and background to the information you’re going to learn from me today.”
Marco, fairly startled at the shift in attitude between the seemingly young boy at the breakfast table and the young man in front of him, talking with poise and confidence. “Before we begin with the information about the System can I ask a couple of questions?” Marco takes the chance to say during a small break in Benjamin’s lecture.
“Yes, of course.” Benjamin nods at Marco.
“How long is an average elf’s lifespan?” Marco askes, starting with a fairly standard question.
“Ah, I forgot you come from a world with humans as the sole species.” Benjamin nods to himself, pulling out a note pad and small wooden pen. “The average lifespan of an elf is one thousand years.”
Marco flinches back in astonishment, not able to comprehend that amount of life. At twenty-eight years old, Marco already felt worn out by life. “That is an incredibly long time!”
The white-haired elf nods, “My mother is in her seventh century, considered later middle-aged and in the height of her power.” Marco shakes his head at the news, not having any idea that the beautiful matriarch was seven hundred years old.
“Thats incredible. Continuing in the same vein of questions, what is the age of maturity for your race?” Marco continues with his questions, now intently curious about the young man. “And how old are you, if that is alright to ask?”
“I was wondering if you were going to ask.” Benjamin chuckles. “The age of maturity is one hundred years old for most elven nations and families. I am thirty years old, very young to be considered a researcher of Systemology but I have put in many hours of study and research.”
Marco gasps lightly, taken aback that the young elf is two years older than him. “I am only twenty-eight years old!” The difference in life expectancy is hard for Marco to comes to terms with. “What is the human lifespan on Omnia? What about the other races? Dwarves? Fairies? Dragons?” The questions pour of him like a tide, brought on by disbelief.
“Friend, please take a deep breath, we have time and I will answer any questions you may have.” Benjamin says, calming Marco down. He listens to the elf, taking a deep breath, calming down slightly, knowing that his questions will get answered by Benjamin.
“Humans have an average lifespan of a hundred years. Dwarves live seven hundred fifty years on average. Fairies are immortal in terms of age, they do not age once they reach their fiftieth year, but they can still fall in combat.” Benjamin takes a deep breath before continuing,
“Dragons are much the same but are incredibly difficult to kill, being born with High Affinity Scores at minimum. Gnomes are the shortest-lived race other than humans at an average of five hundred years.” Benjamin folds one leg over the other in his comfy chair across from Marco, giving the man a chance to absorb the new influx of information.
“One thousand years is so long, even an average lifespan of one hundred years is impressive for humans, longer than on Earth by twenty years.” Marco thinks to himself, having pondered the information for several minutes.
“Of course, humans have the added benefit of gaining age alongside their Affinity Score.” Benjamin begins again. “Low and Medium Affinity Scores remain at one hundred years, at High the lifespan of an average human extends to two hundred and fifty years. Outstanding affinity grants five hundred years and Exceptional brings the average lifespan to one thousand years.”
Marco takes a deep breath, absorbing the new information, taken aback that he now had a lifespan of two hundred and fifty years. Thanking the System and his years covered in salt in the kitchens and bakeries of his youth for his High Affinity with his element.
“Wow, that is much nicer to hear, knowing that I have upwards of two hundred and twenty years left.” Marco says. He flinches when Benjamin yells loudly in the library.
“WHAT?! You have a High Affinity? You’ve been here one full day.” Benjamin shoots upward out of his chair. “Can I ask if you will share your Status Screen with me? It will be extremely beneficial to see a new Traveler’s screen.”
“Yeah, you will have to explain how to share the screen with you though.” Marco agrees, Benjamin tells him he just needs to will the System to share his information and it will appear in the air in front of the recipient.
Marco focuses on sharing his screen and the same one from yesterday appears in the air in front of Benjamin. Marco notices a couple of things have changed.
Status Screen
Name: Marco Vito
Title: None Awarded
Age: 28 Years old
Race: Human
Affinity: Salt (Cursed: [Sole Affinity: Salt])
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Affinity Score: 77% (High)
Perks:
[Traveler Perk: Universal Translation]
All is Fair Under the Sun
Farewell, Traveler.
Benjamin’s jaw slowly drops as he gets to the line about his Curse and falls a little bit further as he confirms what Marco said moments ago, his High Affinity Score. “Incredible, High Affinity as a start, very rare and an auspicious start to your career as an Adventurer if you wish to pursue it.”
“Is it really that special? Didn’t you say your mother possessed at least Outstanding Scores?” Marco askes.
“Yes, it is really extraordinary! A High starting affinity means you have so many years to grow into your magic and with affinity, allowing you to become more proficient with your element.” Benjamin finally returns to his chair, waving away Marco’s Status screen, allowing it fade from view.
“That sounds great. Can you tell me more about Adventurers and the local areas politics?” Marco shifts in his chair, finding a more comfortable position with his legs crossed at the knee.
Benjamin nods and tells him of Adventurers and the local areas landscape.
Adventurers are usually highly capable fighters, sworn by Oath to the Adventurers Guild. A System based group of people, sworn to the same goals of protection, growth, and loot. The Oath to join the Guild was a simple thing, swear to uphold The Sunlit Laws and protect the Sunlit Lands against those that would harm it, help your neighbors and people in need and grow to stand stronger in the Sun.
Adventurers come in all shapes in sizes, graded with metal tags provided at the time of testing, a spar with a Guild member of good standing. The grades are as follows:
Copper – Tin – Bronze – Silver – Gold- Platinum- Orichalcum- Mithril- Adamantium- Titled.
Each of these metal grades corresponds with ten-percent of an Affinity Score. That means they don’t line up perfectly with Affinity Score Brackets. Copper is the metal for 1-10% Affinity and so on with Titled being a special category for those who have broken through 90% Affinity.
The city of Woodholme and the lands surrounding have an interesting landscape with the Cursed Lands of the Lichdoms so close by. The Big Three that Violet mentioned at dinner are the three largest and oldest families of Woodholme; The House of Ivory, The Ebony Family, and The Famili of Radiance. Three powerhouse families that keep the city clean, protected and prosperous. Each taking a turn on the wall lasting four months, one third of the year, following a similar calendar to Earth.
The House of Ivory is known for their powerful Nature Mages, Ebony for their dangerous Dark Warriors, and Radiance for their healing prowess and devotion to the Sun. Violet mentioned that it was their turn on the wall, following House Radiance.
Ivory is known for pushing back the Deadwoods and purifying the lands on the border of the poisoned lands. Radiance uses their term to heal long standing injuries piled up by the constant fighting with the undead that exist in the Deadwoods and beyond.
Ebony pushes back the blight by making deep dives into enemy territory, destroying young Liches before they can become future problems for Woodholme and Eldermyst.
These are obviously not the only families of Woodholme, with many smaller houses filling in the gaps to provide other services that the Big Three cannot. Families of farmers, Transportmages, Families of Ritualists to purify water and keep the streets clean. Everyone is important to the continued survival of Woodholme and keeping the Cursed lands from spreading.
Zooming out from Woodholme, the Kingdom of Eldermyst is a large and constantly expanding Kingdom with a long history of seven hundred years, from king to queen the line of succession based on not only martial prowess but also administrative tasks that keep the Kingdom running smooth.
The newest queen, Queen Sari Elder, ascended the throne twenty-five years ago. Regarded by many to be a puppet leader owned by the Merchants Council. Eldermyst has become increasingly unstable in the last decade, villages burning and being taken from the Sun.
“Thank you for the information, Benjamin. You have helped me understand the place I have ended up in much better.” Marco says to the elf. “If what you say is true about the Adventurer’s Guild, I look forward to taking the test and learning more about what they do.”
“Please feel free to call me Ben, I prefer it over the long form of my name.” Ben says. “Yes, the Guild is an important part of the Kingdom, training mages and warriors of great strength of arm and of character.”
“I think I have had enough of comfy chairs for this morning,” Marco says, realizing that a couple of hours had passed since the delightful breakfast. “I will go walk around the gardens and maybe make my way into town.”
“Before you go, do you know how the currency of Eldermyst work?” Ben askes.
Marco freezes, embarrassed that he forgot something so basic. “I do not, I’m sorry that I occupied our time with talks of politics and adventure without having the basics of life down.”
“It is alright my friend, currency in the Kingdom is actually quite simple. Copper, Silver, and Gold coins, ten coppers to a silver and one hundred silvers to a gold.” Ben explains, “A loaf of bread will cost you, on average, five copper coins. A tankard of good ale will turn you somewhere between seven copper and one silver depending on the quality and quantity.”
“Thank you for the explanations and examples. I will avoid town for now as I don’t have any currency.” Marco says, standing and brushing off his pants lightly, stretching from side to side. “I think I will go tour the gardens a little more and then inquire about work somewhere nearby.”
“Friend, you are guest and ward of House ivory for the time being. It is our duty and privilege to provide you with a stipend, not only because it is city law but also because you helped our beloved cooks with the morning meal.” Ben says, flip his hand over summoning a small flash of hardlight in the shape of hand. The hand zooms away from the landing filled with books and comfort, toward the residential wing, returning a few moments later with a small green coin purse.
“Thank you, I appreciate the stipend and I will do what I can to help around the House.” Marco says, giving Ben a small bow which seems to be the normal sign of respect in Woodholme.
Marco takes his leave form Ben and the small library, headed back down the stairs and out of the front door, pausing slightly to enjoy the feeling of warm sunlight. He finds himself among the hedges and flowers of the garden, drinking in the warmth and smells of the tended space.
Marco wanders the beautiful grounds, enjoying the sounds of nature and finds himself under the canopy of a large tree. A tree so large that it should be visible from beyond the city wall but he didn’t notice it until he was without a couple of feet. Cream colored bark, threaded with sparkling lines of green, deep brown, and various shades of blue. The beautiful mosaic of colors winds up the tree before meeting the large canopy of leaves, in every shade of green, brown, and blue.
Marco gasps in delight at the wonderous sight before him. Seeing a spot on near the trunk that looks perfect for resting, he does so and quickly finds himself elsewhere.
