Homestead Survival

<06 September 2024, GRAND MESA OF SUMMER, A+>
[Theo and Julia]
The first thing that Theo and Julia did was each of them picked up their Skill Crystal and used them. Theo added the Message skill, and Julia added the Table of Names skill to her skill set. They had been intrigued by the brief description it gave in the points shop. It simply stated, "A skill that facilitates agreements and diplomacy, and records agreements with the System."

Unfortunately the Identify skill had not worked as they hoped when they tried to Identify the Skill it had instead Identified the Skill Crystal. So now that the Skill was available for Julia to understand, she told Theo what it did in detail.

"Alright, let's see, it's an A-minus rank skill." Julia said, focusing on the new Skill, "Once per day, perform an hour-long ritual to summon forth the Table of Names. The Table can seat up to twelve people and applies the following effects: Revealing Presence, Symbolic Tokens, Recorded Agreements, and Balance of Status. Revealing Presence shows the name, affiliation, and active titles of all who sit at the Table. Symbolic Tokens creates a small token reflecting their allegiance or declared purpose. Recorded Agreements declared and accepted by all seated parties is logged by the System. And lastly, the Balance of Status means participants are considered equals in the eyes of the System. Power disparities are softened for the purpose of negotiation."

"That is even better than we could have hoped," Theo said.

"I know," Julia said, sounding slightly confused.

"What? You sound like you have questions?" Theo asked.

"Well, the Message was nine hundred points. And it seems far less effective than this Skill. But this Skill is only three hundred points more." Julia said.

"Hmm, that is strange. Why are they priced the way that they are, and does that mean that Message is better than we thought?" Theo said.

Suddenly, Ordus cleared his throat, "I have a thought, maybe it has to do with the area of effect. The Message may seem simpler, but the ability to send a vocal message to anyone within the System is not what I would call a simple task. While Table of Names is arguably more powerful, it only affects twelve people seated at the Table, so the total energy required to maintain the effects is maybe less for the System to maintain, so even though it has more effects."

Theo and Julia both shrugged. Theo spoke. "I mean, in all honesty, you have had more experience with the System than either of us, so that is more believable than anything I can come up with."

"It does make a certain amount of sense, though," Julia said, thinking. She shook her head after a moment. "Well, regardless, let's keep going. Next is this."

She placed a hand on the black pyramid-shaped Crystal. Theo stepped up next to her. They both placed their hands on the crystal and read the Message that appeared.

Theo looked at Julia, and they nodded to each other, then focused on the idea of activating the Perk. They both got the same string of messages.

> Private Message: Bloodline Perk Activation Initiated
> Private Message: Perk: Longsettled Root Activated
> Private Message: Emplacing Genetic Markers and Mana Keys

A massive rush of power flowed out of the pyramid and into Theo and Julia, who were frozen for a few minutes.

> Private Message: Process Complete. One slot remains available to Bloodline.

"That was..." Julia said, searching for the right word.

"Intense?" Theo asked.

Julia shrugged and nodded at the same time, "Ehh, yes."

Theo looked through the data that was available to him and found a new title in his list. "Oh, interesting."

He showed the Title to Julia.

Julia looked at it, then looked at her own list. "Mine is the same, only says Julia instead of Theo in the name."

"I guess that just leaves the items," Theo said, looking at the items still on the ground. He scooped up all three boxes and started heading to the Plinth. "Might as well check with Hestia about the teleportation thing."

They all made their way over to the Plinth, Ordus having stepped forward to take the boxes from Theo and carry them over. After setting the boxes down, Ordus had nodded to them and gone to check on the others as the rhythmic tapping of hammer on metal had gone silent.

Theo and Julia stepped up to the Core and placed their hands on it.

"Hello, Theo. Hello Julia. How was your dungeon run?" Hestia asked.

"It was good!" Julia said excitedly, "We did well. Or at least as well as we thought we could.'

"If the waves are the same as the last time, I think that we prepare next time and take the offer for the final bonanza he offered.' Theo said.

"I agree," Julia said, then shook her head, "either way, we did get something for you, Hestia, or at least we think that it is for you."

Theo pulled the Teleport Link out and touched it to the Core. Hestia was silent for a moment, "Interesting, this is something that I can not directly interface with, at least right now. I am currently able to send you to the Mirror Deep Retreat by piggybacking off of the incredibly powerful teleportation array that Laurel has there. I do not have the needed establishment to use this yet; the Skill allows access, but does not provide the ability to actually teleport people. This is old..."

"What do you mean?" Julia asked.

"Everything has a... feeling to it. Especially things that are made by the System. This is System-made, but it feels like it is made by an ancient version of the System. I would not be surprised if I needed something special to interface with this. You should ask someone about this, maybe Laurel." Hestia said thoughtfully. "I am sorry that I am not able to tell you more."

"It's no problem." Theo said, He quickly checked the boxes until he found the Deepwell Array. "What about this one?"

Theo touched it to the Core, and a thrum of power instantly connected them. "This I can use. It actually automatically connected to me. You should go and place that onto the Deepwell. This will be a great addition to the manor once it is complete, and if we end up dealing with Dwarves."

"Well that is good to know.' Julia said, "Thank you Hestia."

Theo and Julia stepped away. Theo looked around. "Well, now what?"

"Let's check on Kreldar and everyone else." Julia said, "Then it's bath time."

Theo nodded, "Agreed."

They walked towards where Kreldar had set up the portable forge.