Chapter 397 - Frostguard Oathbound

Chris

Gabriel and Jon both tried to convince me of other courses of action, but I shot them all down. The path forward was clear, and I was prepared to march down it. Yes, I understood that this had the potential to end poorly, but my mind was set and there was no changing it.

Elliot and Hal mostly stayed out of it, either because they agreed or saw there was no convincing me otherwise. I wasn't sure which.

The Healer tending to me finally patched me up enough that I wasn't presently leaking any blood, and I waved him off to go gather my things. My Vitality could handle the rest during my run.

Speaking of my Vitality, I took the chance to open my Status, as I had some Free Points to allocate.

~~
Name: Christopher Zalenski
Race: (D) Human*
Class: (D) Warden of the North(Legendary) – Level 120
Profession: (D) Adept Runesmith(Epic) – Level 102
Affinity: Arctic
Faction: Frostheim (Leader)
Title: Viscount

Strength - 3239
Agility - 1548
Perception - 722
Fortitude - 2748
Endurance - 1641
Vitality - 1125
Intelligence - 607
Wisdom - 969
Acumen - 566

Free Points: 51
~~

The three levels just from this battle were a significant jump. In the span of less than two hours, my stats had increased by over 500 points.

~~
Strength - 3086 -> 3239 (+153)
Agility - 1518 -> 1548         (+30)
Perception - 710 -> 722     (+12)
Fortitude - 2601 -> 2748   (+147)
Endurance - 1566 -> 1641 (+75)
Vitality - 1080 -> 1125        (+45)
Free Points - 0 -> 51           (+51)
~~

I had spent nearly all of my free points so far in Agility, trying to maintain a 2:1 ratio. It didn't help that my Profession was lagging a bit behind. If the two were even, the disparity wouldn't even be that bad. I would only have to throw a bit in Agility here and there to keep it up to snuff.

With my Class running away as it had, it was taking all of my free points just to keep it within reason.

The clunkiness and stiffness were getting better as I grew used to it, but it wasn't something I liked. I was already on the slower end; the added sluggishness didn't help.

My Perception had also fallen behind the 2:1 ratio to Agility, and I was beginning to experience some problems with that as well. It didn't come with the clunky, jerky feeling that strength to agility did, but with moving faster than my eyes could register.

When I swung or reached out too quickly, my body moved faster than I could keep up with.

Additionally, I had run into another problem during my duel with Tasunka. My Perception wasn't enough to keep up anymore. There were times when the man had dodged around with his wind that I completely lost track of him because he was moving so fast.

It wasn't too bad, but it was a problem I hadn't had before.

As much as I wanted to put my free points into Wisdom to reach the one thousand point threshold, I had issues that needed ironing out first. My only solace was that my Profession would even things out. I just had to get back to leveling it first.

I hadn't done much with it lately, other than touch-ups and minor repairs. Even the formation I set up to help my Bloodline evolution was only Tier 1 Runes, and not all that difficult.

I wasn't too upset about not reaching one thousand in Wisdom, as there would be more levels coming. Based on how much essence I just received, I was in for more than expected.

Speed will help me more than perception right now.

I threw all of my free points into Agility to bring it to 1599, and turned my attention to the list of skills available to me. With this being the first choice of my new Class, it allowed me to see what was in store for my future selections.

~~
Winter's Banner(Legendary) – You and those you lead fight with Winter on your side and under its banner. Bolster your forces with its might and make them as enduring and unrelenting as winter itself. Level of empowerment depends on Rank and Level of those under your banner.

Northern Winds(Epic) – The Northern Winds are what usher in Winter's arrival and push out the last vestiges of Autumn. Call on them to aid you in subverting the seasons to your will, bringing Winter to you, wherever or whenever you may be. Aids you in subverting the natural season and environment, turning wherever you walk into Winter. This skill empowers any environmental skill that spreads Winter's Domain.

Frostguard Oathbound(Legendary) – Allies sworn to you by frost will not fear your cold. Skills, abilities, or powers generated or sourced from you cannot harm those bound to you. In addition, those bound will share in your resistance and empowerment against the cold.

Sundering Hammer(Legendary) – Rain down blows that don't just shatter, but tear asunder. Enhance your blows with Runes of Violence and energy made to tear things apart. For maximum enhancement, all three energies need to be used: Spirit, Mana, and Stamina. (Upgrade to Shattering Hammer).

Field of Snow(Epic) – Using either naturally fallen snow or magically conjured, turn what was regular snow into a debilitating mass of white. Clings and weighs down all who move through it, slowing and tiring everyone who it freezes.

Winter's Chosen(Epic) – Use your deep connection with the element of frost to enhance yourself in all ways. The more Cold-aligned energy is in an area, the larger the enhancement becomes. All stats grow in strength to a maximum of 45%, Mana regeneration is increased, and Cold-aligned skills are more effective while their costs are reduced. (Upgrade to Glacial Presence).
~~

There were a few more options listed, but those were the best based on what I could see. They were exactly what I was looking for when I took this Class. [Frostguard Oathbound] would make it so I could fight in a group without worrying about hindering my allies. [Winter's Banner] would provide an army-wide boost to all members in the Orders.

Based on the way [Frostguard Oathbound] was worded, it seemed like those bound to me would see a boost depending on [Glacial Presence]. Because of that, its upgrade [Winter's Chosen] would only improve that further.

It would also boost my own skills further. Right now, [Glacial Presence] was already maxing out how much of an empowerment it could give. With my evolution and upgraded bones, I didn't have to worry about going too far as I had in the past.

Plus, my Copper Refinement would push my body even further, and I would be able to handle even further boosts. Soon, I may even be able to receive Support Skills cast on me, as long as they were Cold-aligned.

I didn't even want to think about tacking on a fire-based boosting skill on top of everything else I had.

[Field of Snow] seemed like the perfect way to weaponize my skills further while fighting large amounts of enemies, and mixed with [Frostguard Oathbound], I wouldn't have to worry about affecting my side at all.

[Sundering Hammer] was the only one I was on the fence about. It looked like a strong upgrade for [Shattering Hammer], but I wasn't sure I needed it. I'd already upgraded the skill once, and I felt like I could do it again without having to use a Skill choice on it.

[Northern Winds] also felt like it was not as essential as the rest. It wouldn't do anything I couldn't already do, but it would synergize perfectly with [Tundra's Descent]. During battles outside of an arctic environment, [Tundra's Descent] was what most of my mana was spent on. If [Northern Winds] could help that and make it easier on the skill, I wouldn't have to spend as much mana on it and use it elsewhere.

If these are my options now, I can't wait to see what the rest of them will be like.

I almost wished there was only one obvious one, because that would make my choice so much easier. Right off the bat, [Frostguard] jumped out at me because not only would it make friendly fire impossible, but it would also empower members of the Order, based on how I was interpreting it.

Bound to me in frost was the same language as [Frostbound Hammer], but I felt the Oathbound part in the skill's name was the bigger clue. All of the Order had sworn an Oath to me to protect and defend my lands, and I assumed that would count as being 'bound' to me.

If not, I would have to find out what the difference was, but I was going forward with the assumption that everyone in the Orders currently applied.

But I was about to charge into battle without the Orders by my side, and I would be alone for weeks until they showed up. Was [Frostguard Oathbound] the right skill for right this moment? Would taking it at 140 make more sense so I could take a better one now?

[Field of Snow] sounded like the best skill for the situation. While Zuri had massive numbers at her back, there was no way they were all that strong. We had trouble getting all the Order members into the dungeon, and she had a lot more people than we did.

The amount of essence her people could bring in couldn't be all that high, which either led to low-grade Classes at a high level or higher-grade Classes at a lower level. Both ways were weaker than the average Order member. A bunch of enemies on the weaker side was what [Field of Snow] seemed made for.

But do I need it to beat them?

Could I do it already without the skill? I wasn't sure. I believed I was, but fifty thousand was a lot. I'd only killed a few thousand Orcs during the test. Now I was going to fight a dozen times that many.

The only one I could comfortably rule out right now was [Winter's Banner]. It was a good skill and the perfect Leadership skill I had been looking for, but it didn't fit the current situation.

Of the other five, the next I was comfortable dismissing was [Sundering Hammer]. More single-target damage wasn't what I needed right now. [Northern Winds] was in the same boat. It was already Winter, and I didn't need to subvert anything.

That left [Frostguard], [Winter's Chosen], and [Field of Snow]. One would make the Orders stronger, one would make me stronger, and one would make my enemies weaker.

It is not my strength I worry about. Neither is it the enemies I will face. My worry is for those I am leaving behind.

That was all I needed. I chose [Frostguard Oathbound] and felt the skill settle into my Spirit.

Right away, I felt the skill making changes. Connections were forming, and I could feel an ethereal link connecting me to everyone who had sworn an Oath to me. It was similar to the link between me and my hammer, but less personal and not as deeply rooted.

My hammer had been with me for years and was something I had wielded in many battles. My connection to the weapon was deep. The ones to the Order members would take a while until they reached that point.

Surprised cries rang out as people noticed the boost they just received. The skill shared my empowerment skills, and with [Glacial Presence] maxed out, that meant everyone was receiving a decent-sized boost.

Asking the nearest person let me know it was a 10% boost to their stats. I was disappointed they didn't get the full 33%, but it made sense that the shared efficiency wasn't perfect.

If I picked up [Winter's Chosen], it would be close to 20%, depending on how it all shook out. I didn't know if bond strength played a role, the number of bonds, if the grade of the skill did anything, or if it was just a straight percentage.

10% was enough, though.

A 10% boost to the thousand I was leaving behind made it feel better that I was leaving them.

Now I just need to hit 140 so I can pick another one.