Last Lord of the Fey (Progression Fantasy)

Immediately upon arrival Tristan headed over to the Gnomes who were set up and hard at work over at the crafting stations. They were humming a tune as they worked; peal of hammer and clang of metal, intertwined with the consistent thrum of a spinning wheel that danced delicately under fingertips to weave wonderous textile that shimmered with rainbow hues.

"Gather up for a quick meeting," Tristan said loudly.

It took a few minutes, but the Gnomes gradually gathered together, Dorni at their head. "Lord Tristan. What can we do for you?"

Tristan quickly went over what he had discussed with the Headmaster, ending with, "…I want you to continue to outfit our forces – but split attention between preparing the markets for the coming groups of students, and then working on the militarization of the Fey Realm." He pointed to Dorni, "You're going to work with me on some personal items. And, I need one more Gnome to work on a special list for a friend of mine." He held out the slip of paper from Eloise, and one of the Gnomes snagged it from him with a curt, polite nod.

Dorni grinned and barked out some orders to his fellow Gnomes, assigning them various duties which they took to with gusto and grins. Then he turned to Tristan, "What do you want me to work on?"

Tristan tapped his bracer, "I want more of the rods that I can swap out depending on my need."

Dorni reached up and grabbed the gauntlet, fidgeting with it for a moment before pulling it off. Then, he flipped it over and began fiddling with the latches. "That may not be the best idea for a design. Switching them out is going to require incredible dexterity if mid-combat. What I would rather do is add more chambers. It would increase the bulk of the wrist and forearm, but you could store more spells." He looked up, "Unless you want to…" a mischievous smile slid across his face. "I have an idea!"

Dorni turned and began near-jogging over to one of the smithing stations, with Tristan a few steps behind. "What's the idea?"

Dorni reached the anvil and grabbed a pair of pliers. "I'm going to make your gauntlets loadable. Just like with a crossbow." He began taking the rods out, and then rapidly started disassembling the small plates and bolts holding the entire device together. "Give me all your armor," he said.

Tristan glanced up, looking in the canopy above for any fairy dragons. He spotted two, lounging lazily as they watched the Gnomes work. "Hey, you two. Help me get out of my armor, please."

They quickly flew down, shifted to their Elfanoid forms, and assisted him in removing the armor. Dorni took the pieces and began disassembling them with practiced efficiency. "What I'm going to do," he said, "Is redesign the vambrace so that you can simply remove a clasp, and take off an entire piece of the housing." He pointed to where the gauntlet would meet up with vambrace and couter, "I could easily make it so that you can simply swap out the vambrace by turning it then pulling."

Dorni pulled out a set of metal blocks, and muttered something in Elvish as his fingers danced with a spell gesture Tristan could barely track. A moment later, he was holding two cylinders; one with a small knob protruding from it, the other with a channel that looped back on itself. Sticking the two cylinders together, Dorni twisted slightly and then pulled back down – the tubes locking together. He then pulled the two pieces apart. "In this fashion," he explained, "You could swap out vambrace loaded with different artificed rods without much fuss."

Tristan understood the design, "Like a puzzle with moveable pieces to lock it in place."

"Close enough," Dorni replied with a smile as he looked at the armor now set up on a rack. "I did take the liberty of making a whole bunch of those rods, expecting you would want more." He walked past the armor rack and to a small chest on the ground, lifting it up and placing it in front of Tristan. "Here we have thirty more."

Tristan opened the box and picked up one of the smooth, inscribed with vines, platinum rods. "Excellent. I like your idea. How many rods can fit into one vambrace?"

"No more than three, still, unless you want to risk being unable to wield your weapons as you usually do."

Tristan shook his head, "No, that's fine. Having too many options open at once risks choice paralysis, and in a fight every second counts." He closed and picked up the chest, "I also need more amulets for the belt."

Dorni pointed down to the market area, "Jeweler's shopfront. Take what you need. We have more than sapphire, if you want to bedeck yourself in some other gemstones."

Tristan smiled, "Okay. Thanks. We do have a timeline-"

Dorni waved his concern away with a flex of his hand as he set to work on the armor. "This won't take me more than two days at most. Less if I get some of the other lads on it."

"However you want to tackle the project," Tristan replied as he turned and headed to the market area. Perusing the various shops that were well-stocked, he began grabbing all variety of items – amulets, fine clothing, rings, another ear cuff for an improved communication spell, and more. He also asked around and found the various coinage they had available, taking a thousand of each type so he could spend varying amounts without drawing suspicion for coming off as too rich once he arrived in the Demon Realm. Just an adventurer who is looking to make some powerful connections, he thought as he put the various monies into bags and then into the Pocket Dimension II.

Filling up his Pocket Dimension II with all sorts of items until it was very, very full. Heading up to the top boughs of the Queen's Wood, he headed to the area with the bookshelves and bag-cushion chairs.

A few fairy dragons were lazing about on the top boughs, and with a quick ask from Tristan, one of them flew off to track down The Matriarch to see if she was free. Tristan sat down and began going through his Omnitome, taking notes on a sheet of paper as to what spells he planned on artificing into the various rods, amulets, and more.

The Matriarch came flying over in her fully draconic form, landing with a light, graceful step and walking over to him. Her large, sinuous head leaned down to be next to him. "Lord Tristan."

He paused his scribbling and looked over at her, filling her in on the whole conversation with the Headmaster, and ending with, "…what I'd like your opinion on is how to handle the variety of spells at my disposal." He gestured to his Omnitome, "I have access to a lot on my own, and at the Citadel Eloise and I will have access to essence-weavers of all different masteries. I'm facing a bit of choice paralysis."

The Matriarch lay down and set her head on the cushion next to him, her voice soothing and confident. "I would continue to have a range of spells, first and foremost. You never know when you will not have enough essence for the higher Order spells. To that end, you should have a whole span. You can utilize First through Fourth for your artifice. My instinct would be to keep the planned loaded vambraces with specific combinations. I know you had fire elementalism of First through Third order grouped together."

Tristan reached into the Pocket Dimension II that had remained open since he left the market, and pulled out small rods that he had used a bit of black paint to write the spell name on. "I've got two ignite-focused fire spells in these; Fireball and Inferno Trigger. And then one burst-focused fire spell in Fiery Burst to trigger the effects." He set the three rods on a small table next to the cushions.

"I would advise you have your vambraces marked by spell type, and put rods into them that are matched up with one another. That would help organize what is needed, when it is needed."

"That's what I was leaning toward," Tristan replied with a dour frown. "I needed help with the choice paralysis."

The Matriarch shifted to her elfanoid form and sat on the cushion, pursing her lips. "I still stand by the idea of organizing by spell type in the vambraces. As for the amulets on the belt; that should hold utility focused spells."

I had already planned that out, Tristan thought. You're not helping at all! He didn't say anything, but the frustration of the situation must have been evident on his face, as The Matriarch put a hand on his shoulder and words just tumbled out of his mouth. "I want to be as safe as possible while doing what I need to do, and if I make the wrong choice then I might end up in a really bad situation that could even be deadly."

"You do not have to do this-"

"I have to," Tristan snapped back. Not out of anger, but out of a near-pleading, as that kernel of anger and hatred kindled in his gut. "Mother was assassinated. People important to me have died. Innocent people…it has to be stopped. I can't just sit here in the Fey Realm forever."

The Matriarch had a slight frown on her face, but nodded. "It is noble to risk yourself to save others. I would advise consulting with Zeltana, in this matter."

"I guess there's no harm in that." Tristan spun his crucible both directions, connecting to the Fey Realm. "Zeltana, you listening?"

I have been, she replied with a slight chuckle. See, this is the problem Humans have. And dragonslayers, apparently. Too many choices when it comes to essence-weaving.

"Yeah," Tristan replied as he glanced over at The Matriarch who lifted herself off the cushion and flew off. "I want-"

Listen up; the best fighters are not those who are versatile with every weapon, just as the most powerful essence-weavers are not versatile with every spell. Having broad access is fine – great, even, and being able to use artifice to access spells without actually casting them is phenomenal. But, you are overcomplicating matters. Zeltana sounded like a disappointed parent, and Tristan felt a little crestfallen.

"What would you do in my situation then?" he asked.

Write out all the spells you have stored currently for me.

Tristan began writing out the various spells and what they were stored in:

-----

Armor:

Outer Carapace –

Scales of Our Foe

Padding 1 –

Armor of Ice

Padding 2 –

Near Miss

Padding 3 –

Lucky Instinct

Rod 1 –

Fireball

Rod 2 –

Inferno Trigger

Rod 3 –

Fiery Burst

Rod 4 –

Bolt

Rod 5 –

Split Bolt

Rod 6 –

Chain Bolt

Sword:

Blade –

Elemental Imbuement

Hilt –

Rime Blast

Cross Guard –

Winter's Wrath

Pommel –

Dragon's Doom

Other Items:

Greatbow –

Frost Flurry

Starmetal Maul –

Frost Screen

Expensive Dagger –

Minor Invisibility

Silver Ear-Cuff –

Spoken Message: Half-Realm

Queen's Wood Staff –

Control Ice

Fey Realm Ring –

Interrealm Warp

Cloak of Winterbloom –

Thrice Command

Gloves of the Growth Shaper –

Plant Shaping

Tunic of Coiling Frost –

Hampering Growth

Omnitome –

Endless Knowledge

Citadel Student Pin –

Limited Teleport

Anorox Family Crest –

Disguise Form

Archon's Favor –

Receive Message - Realm

King's Favor –

Break Enchantment

Amulet Belt:

The Belt itself -

Cure Wound

Emerald Amulet -

Pocket Dimension II

Sapphire Amulet -

Minor Barrier

Sapphire Amulet -

Waveclinger's Adaptation

Sapphire Amulet -

Waveclinger's Fins

-----

"I can upgrade the blade of my sword from the basic Second Order Elemental Imbuement spell to the multi version of it; so that I can have multiple elemental spell types active as long as they are not polar opposites."

A lightning and ice sword does sound very neat. Same with flame and lightning. And smoke gives armor penetration? I agree with that upgrade.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Tristan jotted down the planned improvement. "What else?"

Show me the list of spells you noted down.

Tristan flipped through his pages of notes from the Omnitome. Zeltana was silent as he slowly turned each page, re-reading down the lists on his own. There's just so many options, he thought.

Zeltana spoke confidently, Lots of good options. In all honesty, I like your current setup. Your defensive focused spells in the armor's main components are low-essence-intensive, which is ideal for spellweaving. Your sword looks fine. The area that could use improvement are Other Items you have listed out.

"Which ones?"

The dagger. You should upgrade the invisibility to the Fourth Order spell Greater Invisibility. You had that one written down somewhere.

Tristan flipped to the page of notes. "It's just like Minor Invisibility, but it also removes sound."

Yes. A straight, direct upgrade.

Tristan unsheathed his dagger and set it on the table. Flipping open the Omnitome, he went to the spell information for Greater Invisibility. After scribbling down the words, he wrapped the page around the dagger and tied it off with some twine used to tie bundles of paper together. "Okay, that upgrade will be done. Next?"

You're going to upgrade the Silver Ear-Cuff to be a better version of a communication spell, yes?

Tristan nodded and went to touch the ear cuff, but stopped. "This was made as a part of a set to integrate with the others made for my merchant fleet."

Just get another one then.

Tristan grabbed another ear cuff – made of platinum – and flipping through the Omnitome, which, thankfully, was filled with all different spell types thanks to his and Felicity's hard work in the archive, found the spell they would use. "Spoken Message – Realm," he muttered as he wrote down the name and associated information. Then, he tied the paper around the ear cuff. "Next?"

Disguise Form is good, and you mentioned Felicity is working on learning transmutation to make you into a Demonkin temporarily?

"Correct," Tristan replied, feeling pride at Felicity's dedication to his efforts and her support.

Then we leave that; being able to swap your attire and other minor details at-will with relatively low essence cost is going to be valuable. And, I doubt Felicity's spell will last shorter than a full day, so even if she was sent out scouting…yes, it should be fine. We should strip out the Archon's Favor of the spell contained within.

Tristan flipped the Omnitome to Artifice Cleansing, and read through the spell rapidly before setting the small, wavy, black design on the table in front of him. He had to unsocket if from the Anorox Family Crest. "What do we put in instead?" he asked as he quickly performed the Artifice Cleansing spell.

I like the idea of the crest being focused around social-oriented spells, Zeltana said with a slight giggle. Get The Matriarch or someone to put in a divination spell. Something useful.

"Perhaps…" Tristan began flipping through the Omnitome. "There's a Third Order spell here called "Locate". It finds a specific named person, place, or thing, and then shows a path to it."

That would be useful when in a Realm that is not your own, Zeltana replied. Wise choice.

Tristan jotted down the name of the spell and wrapped it around the Archon's Favor. "What next?"

Your items look set. At least as much as I would do. Let's see…your bandolier has how many elixirs?

"I've got three apiece of supreme healing and supreme essence, along with five clearcool."

You will want to stock up on more and place them in your storage dimension.

Tristan nodded and made a note, "Given how quickly the plants grow, and the amounts needed, I can probably stock up to ten total of each type. Except Clearcool – may as well have a Season's supply."

Good. Onto the amulets. I've seen your fighting style, and watched you train. You don't use a shield. Get rid of Minor Barrier on one of the amulets. Tristan stripped out the artificed spell as she advised. Keep the water elementalism spells – you never know what type of terrain you will be in, and those are valuable. Instead I would find something that lets you walk on water.

Tristan flipped through the Omnitome and found exactly what she described. "Tide Walking. Third Order. Allows the user to walk on any liquid or water." Rapidly performing the associated artifice spell, he followed it up with Tide Walking.

You have a broad range of spells thus far, Zeltana noted. Nothing from mind or smoke elementalism, and you could have more fortune. Rejuvenation, you should rely on the elixirs before using the spell stored in the belt. That Cure Wounds is potent, but you don't want to waste your essence on healing when elixirs can do the same thing in a pinch.

"Supreme is the equivalent of a Third Order spell?" Tristan asked, feeling some genuine shock.

Yes and no. Cure Wounds cures moderate and minor injuries. All of them affecting a person. But a supreme healing elixir is like directed healing – it will mend the worst, singular issue. Such as a torn artery, or a stab to the heart. Granted, you need to act fast in those situations.

Tristan nodded, "That makes sense." He flipped to the section on Smoke Elementalism and scowled as he saw a whole bunch of spells that primarily focused on phantasmal weaponry and projectiles that would bypass armor – which my weapon can do with the right Elemental Imbuement – and then smoke constructs. I think I'll pass on those, he thought. "Mind spells," he said softly, "I'm somewhat opposed to."

How come?

"It's stripping a person of their will."

You do the same with enchantment.

"True…" Tristan trailed off. "I suppose it makes sense. Let's see…" flipping open to the section, he felt confused. The section header was there, but the spells were all "Redacted". I never opened the books, he thought. I just pushed them against my Omnitome.

Huh. Well, to be expected of a very dangerous spell type. Perhaps the books you acquired from The Archive at the Citadel were sanitized?

"Maybe, that would make sense if they don't want the information out there." Tristan shook his head, feeling both disappointment, but also relief. "I would rather not have to use spells that could thrall someone to my will."

Being able to enslave a lesser being is a potent tool, but we can accomplish much the same thing with enchantment spells, Zeltana replied.

"I know I'll need Realmwalking," Tristan muttered as he flipped to the section of the Omnitome on that spell type. He quickly found a pair of spells that would serve the purpose he needed them to. "A pair of spells. Both Third Order. Mark the Breach, which sets a location that the associated spell, Otherrealm Retreat, will default to. That second spell will return me from any other Realm to that initial point I used Mark the Breach at, before fading. I'd need to re-use Mark the Breach to replicate the feat."

Well, you will be going from the Citadel's stable rifts that will take you to the capital. And if your Mark the Breach is set for, say, the Citadel's infirmary, then you have a reliable escape mechanism.

"Right. I can re-use Mark the Breach once I return, and then go back through the portal to the Demon Realm's capital." Tristan jotted down the two spell names on paper, and wrapped them around two amethyst amulets. "What else do you think I would need? Eloise is going to set me up with a translation spell."

Hmm. I would mark an amulet for Felicity's spell to shift you into a Demonkin. Better prepared than unprepared. Tristan jotted down a note and wrapped it around an emerald amulet. And then…those rods.

Tristan looked at the chest inside the storage dimension. "Yeah…that's going to be the biggest part." He reached for the chest and opened it up, pulling out the different rods and grouping them into threes. "I should probably keep them grouped by spell type."

You have a trio set for fire elementalism, and a trio for lightning elementalism. If you cannot deal with a foe using those two spell types, or your ice elementalism in the other items – I don't think more versatility will help.

"Earth elementalism could-"

Change the battlefield. You haven't trained for that type of combat. Zeltana's voice took on a serious tone, and she sounded like she was talking down to him as a teacher would to a failing student. You are proficient in fighting on steady ground; not toppling your foe with spells that cause them to stumble so that you may take the advantage. Instead of trying to be fancy with multiple spell types, just use what augments your existing combat style. Lightning and fire elementalism are already complementary – not so much as ice elementalism.

Tristan felt stymied, but saw the wisdom in her words. Her tone shifted slightly, and became less admonishing and more compassionate. Everything is flesh and blood. Or constructs, but regardless, they can all be felled by combat. Do not put overt stock in essence weaving. Stick with what you are good at, spellweaving ice, fire, lightning, and your unique dragonbane spell type into your swordplay.

"In other words you're just telling me not to overcomplicate."

Correct. You need to embrace that you are a Winterbloom. Ice elementalism is your strongest ally. As is that dragonbane, given your dragonslayer bloodline. You have experience with fire and lightning, and they do not impact your combat style in a significant fashion. Plus, they give you different range options. Ice for close range, fire for moderate range, lightning for long range. Don't overcomplicate – you put it perfectly.

"When you were alive," Tristan said as he stood up and stretched, having been hunched over for nearly an hour by that point, "Did you spellweave much?"

Only ice elementalism. Everything else was outside of combat. I trusted the strength of my maul and in my practice, rather than using spells as a crutch.

"I've seen a fire elementalism spell destroy a whole army," Tristan countered. "Twelfth Order, but still it destroyed a whole army."

Yes, I've seen your memories. Time for you to learn something about artifice – you cannot store spells above Fifth Order. Flip through your Omnitome.

Tristan did so and saw that she was correct; it stopped at Investiture of Artifice V. "Why?"

The essence required for Sixth Order spells and higher is simply too much for any item, regardless of craftsmanship, to hold. It can only be contained in an essence crucible, and those are only inside living and breathing creatures – whether Heritage or Species.

Tristan frowned, "Then it just stops there?"

Sadly, yes.

Tristan sighed and nodded, "That is why we don't see essence weavers on the field of battle often. It is so taxing on their essence crucible, and then they are left vulnerable."

Your Archon friend was in a near comatose state for days, she replied. Such is the cost of high Order spells. Stick to your combat prowess, improve until you are a master with your sword, maul, bow, and dagger. Augment that with your spells.

"Then I think we're done with preparations up here," he said as he gathered up the different items. "Now it's off to the Mortal Realm again to meet up with Eloise, and get all of these items artificed…thank you, Zeltana."

You are welcome, she replied. I look forward to you avenging my bloodline, and only wish I could be there to savor the slaughter.

"You can look through the memories when I'm back," Tristan replied. He stopped both-direction spinning his crucible, walked to the edge of the top boughs, and used Wing Glide as he descended to the entry area in front of the Queen's Wood.

Heading over to Dorni, he informed the Gnome about his change of mind in gear. The Gnome looked slightly dejected, but nodded curtly. "Vambraces are off the menu, then. I'll revert the equipment."

"Make sure I have a set of the tools needed to swap out the rods," Tristan said.

"Of course."

Channeling essence into his Fey Realm Ring, Tristan returned to The Mortal Realm, and then used his Citadel Student Pin and the stored teleportation spell to reach Eloise's desk. "I've got the gear. Let's get started."

The two spent several hours going back and forth across the Citadel, visiting various professors and practitioners. By the time night fell and Felicity popped into existence next to Tristan next to their bedroom door, he had fully upgraded all of the spells he had wanted to store, save for Felicity's spell.

She shifted to her Elfanoid form and gave him a hug, "Today's been a blast! I learned a lot."

"How to turn me into a Demonkin?" Tristan asked.

"Not yet," she replied with a frown and foot stamp on the ground. "I have to work my way up. The spell phrase and gestures get really complicated."

"We have time," Tristan replied.

Eloise interrupted, "Let's just go to the professor, together, and get the spell artificed really quickly."

Tristan put a hand on Felicity's shoulder, "Go in the room. I'll be there soon."

She sighed and nodded, "Fine." Opening the door, she entered.

Tristan looked to Eloise, "Let's go and get the spell artificed."

Tristan returned to the room a few minutes later, all his gear and equipment fully artificed following Zeltana's guidance. He found Felicity in the bathroom, sitting in a steaming bath surrounded by bubbles. "Hey," she said softly as she sank back into the suds.

Tristan disrobed and joined her in the massive tub, and Felicity positioned herself so that she was laying in the warm water next to him. "We've got another three weeks," he said softly as he ran a hand through her hair.

She sighed with contentment and dipped her head down to her chin, moving his scratching to another part of her head. "I know," she said in that petulant tone. "I just want to be helpful is all."

"The amulet is only for in case we are separated. I know you love going off and doing your mischief, and you'll probably be doing a lot of sneaking and spying. What if we're separated for more than eight hours? The spell would fade, and I'd be out of luck."

Felicity nodded and sank back into his arms. Using her feet, she manipulated the spicket on the end of the tub and more hot water surged out from the hidden pipe network. "I know," she grumbled. "I just want to be helpful."

He wrapped his arms around her and whispered in her ear. "You are very helpful. That whole Spriggan fight, you dropped liquid fire on them and bought us time to fall back."

She made a satisfied noise, "Yeah…I guess…"

"Plus," Tristan said, "Your storage dimension thing is far bigger than mine."

"Pfff," she giggled. "Yeah, okay, true."

"Just don't discount yourself," Tristan said as he loosened his grip and just enjoyed the warmth of the tub and his love. "You might not be a fighter like me, but you are absolutely helpful."

"Oh, trust me, I know how valuable I am," Felicity replied with confidence. "But I can have my little doubts here and there."

Tristan nodded, "Absolutely. As long as we don't wallow in it. Now, mind if I heat up the water more?"

"It's already hot!" she protested.

Tristan cracked a smile, "Right…sorry, fire dragon blood makes this seem tepid."

She shook her head and got out of the bath, shaking herself dry as the water and soapy suds splashed all over the bathroom. "Go and boil yourself then come to bed."

Tristan nodded as he fiddled with the spicket until the water that came out was billowing with steam, and he finally felt the warmth permeate through him. Sinking deep into the liquid, he tried to relax. To let all of the stress loose and just be at peace.

But his mind raced. I have twenty days to prepare, he thought. I need to spend most of that time in my inner world, training with Zeltana, since I can go all-out in there without worrying about hurting anyone like a sparring partner. I think…I think I'll focus on what Zeltana said about spells. Only focus on memorizing dragonbane, ice, fire, and lightning elementalism.

He sat up in the tub, I should also memorize and practice fortune, enchantment, and rejuvenation. I'd want to have those ones memorized. Reaching down to his now-damp clothes, he rummaged for his belt and activated Pocket Dimension II, grabbing his Omnitome and a pen and jotting down some notes before putting that away. Tomorrow I'll use one of the study halls. Then I can practice in my inner world with Zeltana back in the Fey Realm.

Scrubbing down and drying off, he headed to the bedroom and saw Felicity already under the covers. Putting his gear in the chest at the base of the bed, he wriggled under the covers next to her.