Grand Game 386: Another Choice

Note from Tom: this was a painful chapter (to write, but hopefully not to read :P). It took me a long while to settle in my mind how the ascendant Classes should work, and hopefully I've managed to communicate that clearly. I've introduced a significant number of 'new' mechanics in this chapter, and I worry that it might be too much or that I may have overloaded the reader with too much information (lol, or not enough). Anyway, give it a read, and let me know what you think. _________________________________________________________________________________

“I thought you might ask about that,” Adriel said with a smile. Her amusement didn’t last though. “But before we get to the matter of your ascendant Class, there is something else you must consider.”

“Oh? What’s that?”

“Your blood memories. I’m afraid they will have a bearing on your choice.”

I blinked. “My blood memories? Why?”

The spirit chewed on her lower lip for a moment. “Tell me, Michael, how many blood memories do you have?”

“Uhm... one?”

“And therein lies the problem. It’s also why I suggest you don’t adopt the champion’s path.”

“I don’t—”

“In my day, most players would already have four blood memories at this stage.”

“Four?” I repeated, startled.

She nodded. “Some scions—depending on their House—would have even more than that.” She paused. “Do you know why you are behind in this regard?”

I did unfortunately. “There aren’t any fallen scions around to awaken more of my blood.”

“Correct. With your House in ruins, you are likely the first anointed Wolf scion in centuries. Outside of the Wolf trials you’ve told me about you are unlikely to find other scions. It pains me to say this, Michael, but the chances of you reaching your maximum blood memory capacity are small. And unfortunately, of the three ascendant Classes, the champion’s path is the one most heavily dependent on blood memories. That being the case, assuming a champion’s Class would only cripple you further. You see that, right?”

I sighed. “I do.” Falling silent, I reconsidered the three options before me. Naturally, my interest had first gravitated towards the champion’s path. It was the Class that seemed to hold the most promise, especially given how often I found myself fighting alone.

Still, while I did not doubt the truth of Adriel’s words, I wouldn’t rule out becoming a champion merely because it promised to be difficult. The path was still a possibility to consider and, truthfully, it was the one that appealed to me the most. First, though, I would have to learn more. “Tell me what you know of it, anyway.”

Adriel did not demur again. “The champion Class focuses on boosting the strength of your blood memories and grants you abilities and traits to that effect. Take the power word death that Loskin used on you, for instance. Cast by an ascendant champion that blood memory would have had even more spell stages or would’ve conceivably affected multiple targets.”

I winced. The archlich's blood memory had been powerful enough on its own. What would it have been like in the hands of a champion?

“It’s true that not all champion abilities require blood memories,” Adriel went on. “There are some that stand on their own. However, they are few in number and ignore the strong synergies that exist between the Class and a player’s blood memories. More importantly, though, while Champions are undoubtedly powerful—especially early on—most don’t go on to ascend to Primehood.”

My face scrunched up. “They don’t?”

“No Power fights alone, Michael,” Adriel said softly. “Not if they can help it. If forced into battle, most will fight with a host of Sworn and other followers by their side. As powerful as a champion may become, he or she is still only one. And one cannot stand against hundreds.”

I grunted noncommittally. “By that reasoning, the path of the commander is the strongest.”

“Not necessarily,” Adriel said. “Governors are a force to be reckoned with too, especially when fighting in their own territory. Given the host of buffs and upgrades they can institute in their sectors, a governor in his home base is well nigh unassailable.”

I stroked my chin. By Adriel’s description, a governor was a stationary target, someone easily found and attacked. And fighting a pitched battle—even with the hometown advantage—was never going to be my strong suit. No, I decided. No matter how spectacular the Class, I couldn’t see myself becoming a governor. “Go on,” I said.

“That’s about all I can tell you for certain,” Adriel shrugged. “There are a lot more nuances to each ascendant Class, but what those are vary from House to House.” She paused. “To sum up: champions usually end up serving on a House’s strike force, while commanders become the backbone of its armies and governors, its defenders.”

I frowned. “It sounds as if all three are essential. In fact, if I’m hearing you right, you’re saying the Houses typically employed all three types of Powers simultaneously?” For whatever reason, it had never occurred to me before that any one House would have multiple Powers under its roof, but now, knowing what I did of the ascendant Classes, it seemed obvious that they must have.

“They did,” Adriel confirmed. “In my day, every House would have one or more Powers assuming each ascendant aspect. If you are determined to rebuild House Wolf, you will also need others to do the same for you.” She studied me seriously. “It’s a mammoth endeavor.”

“That is becoming apparent,” I muttered, deflating at the enormity of the task ahead. As usual, Adriel was right. House Wolf needed more scions. Bringing Ceruvax into the fold was a good first step, but as an envoy, he couldn’t evolve further.

I sighed.

More and more, it was becoming apparent, I could not remain a lone wolf, not if I was serious about re-establishing House Wolf. I would have to find other Wolves—young Wolves—and I would have to protect them while they came into their own strength.

And you know what that means, I thought, lips turning down unhappily. Despite the Class’s allure, I could not become a champion. It was time to focus not on my own strength, but that of my allies.

It was time to become a commander.

Inhaling deeply, I faced Adriel again. “Alright, tell me everything you know about the ascendant Classes. I know, I know. Most of it will be applicable to House Death and not Wolf. But tell me, anyway. I’m almost ready to make my decision.”

✵ ✵ ✵

Adriel spoke for nearly an hour, sharing her knowledge freely. For the most part, I listened in silence, only interrupting where necessary. Midway through, tired of her lonely play amongst the rocks, Ghost joined us as well.

While Adriel spoke, I drew pictures on the back of the New Haven map Gamil had given me weeks ago, collating the information. The lich had glanced curiously at the parchment but hadn’t questioned what I was about.

“That’s it,” she said finally. “That’s all I know.”

Nodding absently, I added the finishing touches to the diagram I was drawing before placing it on the ground between us. It did not, of course, include everything Adriel had shared, but it did capture the essence. “Does this look right?”

The spirit peered over the drawing, studying it intently for a long moment. “It does,” she finally pronounced. “Nicely done.”

I inclined my head in acknowledgment, then bent my head to consider the information myself.

One of the first things the drawing made apparent was that the path to Primehood was both shorter and longer than I expected. I had only four more Class evolutions ahead of me, but getting there would require climbing over the bodies of more than a few dead Powers—and I couldn’t see myself facing down a Power any time soon.

The next thing I noticed was that all three ascendant paths employed a player’s blood memories. Adriel assured me, though, that the dependency was strongest in the case of the champion Class. A commander without blood memories was still far from ideal, but it was nowhere near as problematic as in the case of a champion.

But apart from the path-specific benefits, it was the common ones that intrigued me the most—especially the ability to form a faction and claim a sector. Both would significantly ease my future plans, and on their own made the Class evolution worth it.

“Are you ready?” Adriel asked.

I glanced up at her. “I am.”

She waved a hand forward, gesturing for me to proceed. Closing my eyes, I brought up the Game message still hovering for attention.

Do you wish to begin your higher evolution now?

“I do,” I murmured, willing my intention to the Adjudicator.

Commencing higher evolution…

…

…

Analysis of player’s Marks completed. Viable ascendant paths determined.

Congratulations, Michael! You are now ready to begin your ascendancy and assume an epic Class. Unlike ordinary classes, ascendant Classes contain no skills. Instead, the power of your ascendant traits and abilities are determined purely by your ascendant rank and the strength of your Marks.

Three new paths lie before you.

Each focuses on a different aspect of Power and, over time, will evolve further to provide improved benefits. Note, your existing master Class will remain unaffected by your choice.

The first path is that of the were gladiator and will grant you the ascendant trait, champion. As a champion, the power of all your blood memories is doubled. You will also gain 30 attribute points and may choose 1 additional benefit unique to your chosen Class.

The second path is that of the wolf lord and will grant you the ascendant trait, commander. As a commander, you are able to share weaker variants of your blood memories and bloodline traits with those that follow you. You will also gain 20 attribute points and may choose 1 additional benefit unique to your chosen Class.

The third path is that of the den master and will grant you the ascendant trait, governor. As a governor, you gain access to a unique branch of blood memories and abilities that focus on sector-wide buffs and spells.  You will also gain 20 attribute points and may choose 1 additional benefit unique to your chosen Class.

Which ascendant path will you choose for your epic Class?

I opened my eyes, lips pursed. Just as Adriel had warned me, the Adjudicator did not provide any description of the unique benefits each path provided, nor had the Game even listed the benefits I would be able to choose from. I had to pick my epic Class first.

“Well?” Adriel asked impatiently. “What are the Classes on offer?”

“Were gladiator, wolf lord, and den master,” I replied.

She frowned. “I’ve never heard of any of them, sorry.”

Which was not unusual, according to what Adriel had told me. Even amongst the Powers, there were few that could divine the Class of another Power—an extremely high-tiered analyze was required—and as rare as ascendant Classes were, their details were closely-guarded secrets. Even Adriel—a player formerly destined to be a House Death Power—had been kept ignorant of Death’s ascendant Classes.

“Are you sure you don’t want to wait for Ceruvax? He might know something about this that I don’t.”

I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter. I know the path I must take.”

Adriel stayed silent, not protesting my decision. Closing my eyes, I willed my choice.

Higher evolution completed!

You are now a wolf lord! As an ascendant player, you can create a faction, claim a sector, and form Pacts with other players.

Your secret blood trait has been triggered! To conceal your bloodline, your ascendant Class will be hidden in its entirety.

Special Pact gained: follower Pact. Through this Pact, you can bind a player in service to yourself. In exchange for their loyalty, you may transfer a maximum of 3 attribute points to the player at an exchange rate of 1:10, with the follower gaining 10 attributes for every one bestowed. The attribute points are transferred permanently and are not recouped in the event of the follower’s final death.

You have gained the trait: commander. As a commander, you gain additional options for winning the loyalty of a follower. Instead of offering attributes, you may instead awaken weaker copies of your bloodline traits or blood memories in exchange for the player's loyalty. Note, the player must possess wolf blood.

You have gained the epic Class, Wolf Lord.

There are those who command a battle through the strength of arms, or the force of their charisma. This is not the wolf’s way. To be a wolf lord is to master the art of subterfuge and guile. To be a wolf lord is to spurn open combat, and to strike quickly and unseen from the shadows. As a wolf lord, you can mold your followers and Sworn in your image and together stalk the edges of battle, dealing death quietly and anonymously.

You have accomplished the feat: Ascending to New Heights! Requirement: acquire your first ascendant Class. You have been awarded 2 additional lives! Total lives: 4.

You have accomplished the feat: Charging headlong into Power! Requirement: adopt an ascendant Class before becoming an elite. Few in the Game dare to assume the Mark of Power as early as you have. Even fewer survive long enough to assume an epic Class. As reward for your audacious choice, you have been awarded the trait: Bold Blood. This trait grants you 1 additional attribute point each time you level up.

3 new ascendant Class benefits are available.

New benefit: were’s bite. This trait awakens the strains of lycanthropy in your blood. While it does not make you a werewolf, there is a small chance that henceforth your bite will permanently transform another player into one.

New benefit: wolf’s howl. Your howl is a mighty weapon that can wreak havoc across an open battlefield, momentarily confusing, terrifying, and sometimes even charming those who hear it.

New benefit: bloodlust. This trait grants you a permanent bloodlust aura that fortifies the attack and defensive strength of your followers and Sworn whenever they are near you. 

Choose your ascendant Class benefit now.

I rocked back on my heels, dazed by the avalanche of information the Game had thrown at me.

Feats. Abilities. Traits. Lives. Attributes.

I’d gained so much and in so short a space of time that for a second, I didn’t know what to focus on.

“What is it?” Adriel asked tersely.

I looked at her sideways. “You didn’t mention I would gain attributes. Or lives. Or that I would also be able to form Pacts!”

The spirit’s face cleared. “Oh, right. I forgot about all that.” She leaned forward. “But those things aren’t important right now. Tell me about your new Class benefit.”

“I haven’t chosen yet. Just like you said, the Adjudicator has given me options.”

“And?” she asked, gesturing for me to go on. “What are they?

“An ability called wolf’s howl that seems similar to my slaysight but appears more far-reaching. The other two are traits. The first grants me a buff aura.” I paused. “And the second lets me create werewolves.”

Adriel’s jaw dropped open. “Create werewolves? How?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. The Game provided scant details, but I think—”

“Prime,” Ghost interjected urgently.

I glanced in her direction.

“It’s the guardian. He’s coming this way. And he doesn’t look happy.”

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What do you think of this chapter?