Theft of Decks 4, CH 34

“I thought, once I finally became a leader, I could help end corruption. Especially in a place as insular as Liberty, where you only have to take into account the demands of a single people. Except, even here, a thousand hands pull in a thousand different directions. How can this be changed? How can people improve?” Whoo boy. Those aren’t red flags. They’re city-sized red banners. Even knowing where this led to, my stomach’s clenching up. (Book 1, Page 7.)

“I feel amazing!” Liam groaned and stretched. “You’d never think we’ve slept on the damn floor again.”

They were back in the hideout. After leaving the palace, Chase activated Circle of Darkness, and, along with the guidance of Kith’s shadows (and a whole lot of over-tired nonsense about how much Kith missed the shades) they’d walked straight home and collapsed. Now, at least six hours later, they were alone, slowly waking and trying to come to terms with the new world.

“What’s happening today, then? We’ve killed a God! How do you top that?” Kith flung himself down on a chair, cursing as it almost tipped to deposit him on the floor.

“You don’t!” Cilia said drily from where she was sipping a cup of water at the table. “We are not topping anything. Ever. This is it. We’ve officially peaked, and I am more than happy with it. I am going to find a place to become a hermit for at least a decade or two!”

“Not before we have helped Liberty transitioning into a peaceful society that is not at the beck and call of a murderous madman!” Sera scolded with a smile.

A series of groans arose in response, along with Liam’s whiny, “Do we have to, mom?”

“I think you’re forgetting a few tiny details.” Chase said, smiling. He held up a burlap sack and extracted a softly glowing set of cards for all to see. “I mean, we’re not building a Wellspring yet, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t celebrate.”

Liam slowly got up and walked closer to the set of cards lighting up the small living room. “Celebrating by gaining Tier four cards?” He snorted. “That even beats cake. Nothing beats cake!”

“Are you all ready for this?” Chase asked and leapt to his feet. “I am going to absorb this shiny little tidbit, and we will be the first people in living history to have absorbed decks from all five factions.”

“Wait!” Cilia said. She opened a small journal and set up quill and ink. “Now, I’m ready! I want all the sordid details.”

Chase, chuckling, took a deep breath, and concentrated.

[You have located a Deck of Liberty. As the holder of a Deck of Darkness, you have the option to accept cards from it or bond with the deck, absorbing it. Which do you choose?]

Absorb. Finally. They had come such a long way for this, traversed what felt like the entirety of Ordei; been backstabbed - literally and figuratively - done the backstabbing themselves, robbed, cheated, lied, and impersonated others. Now, they were finally getting what they’d earned.

The deck seemed to fall into Chase’s body, a sea of star settling on him, simultaneously hitting him with the impact of a butterfly’s touch and a mental tidal wave, threatening to overwhelm him with sensations.

[You have bonded with a Deck of Liberty. From now on, through you, anybody may share in the gifts of Liberty. In addition, any Wellspring you create will be strengthened, carrying attributes and granting bonuses born of Dark, Light, the Elements, Fury, and Liberty.]

He sighed in relief. It had worked. Even though he knew it would, deep inside, he’d been waiting for something to arrive and ruin the moment. Wait-!

[You have continued working to restore the balance. Absorbing additional decks from other aspects and adding them to the wielders of the Deck of Darkness further tips the scale in the right direction. As a reward, the first ten card wielders of Darkness are granted an additional bonus to their Title based on their class.

You have received +2 to Agility per Tier from the rogue class.

From the secondary Deck absorbed, Light, you have received a boost to your health. Detrimental effects to your attributes and mentality last only half as long, and you are much less likely to fall ill.

From the third Deck added, Elemental, you have received a bonus of +1 to all attributes.

From the fourth Deck added, Fury, you have received the power of the soil. Whenever you are in the vicinity of soil blessed with the strength of a Wellspring with which you are aspected, you will gain an additional temporary +5 boost to all attributes.

From the final Deck added, Liberty, and by gathering the entire range of aspects, you have received the freedom of a better range of choices. For the purpose of determining the rarity of a card, the Potential of any wielder granted cards from your decks will be calculated at a fifty percent increase.]

Chase sank to his knees.

“Chase! What’s the matter?”

A golden light fell over him, along with a weird, tinkling sensation, as Sera hit him with the healing wave of Warmth of the Circle. He blinked and stared off into the distance. “I am ascending. Becoming light. Evolving into the next Savior.”

Kith rolled his eyes. “Okay, forget it. He’s just being an ass.”

“Not just!” Chase protested. “Seriously. This is insane!” He went on to explain the new change.

“Hold on. Let me just get this straight.” Liam said. “You’re telling me, that even somebody like me, who’s never spent a single point in Potential, is going to have a seventeen in Potential, which is likely to nearly always net me Uncommon cards or better?”

“No.” Chase laughed. “You’re forgetting the Fury bonus. Whenever we’re near a Wellspring, it’ll always be a Wellspring we’re aspected with from here on out! That means twenty-two.”

“Between twenty-one and twenty-four, depending on whether the Fury bonus is calculated first or last, and whether it is rounded down or up.” Sera adjusted.

“What about me?” Chase asked softly. “I’m at… thirty-four. What would that have me at?”

“Fifty-six.” She whispered. “At least.”

“I… don’t even know what that means in practice.” Chase rubbed his face.

“It means that when you’re choosing your new Tier five card, you’re pretty much guaranteed only Rares and better. Possibly Epic and better.”

“That’s ridiculous. Utterly, utterly ridiculous!” Chase muttered.

“Speaking of ridiculous.” Kith smirked. “You haven’t even offered any of us any cards. Even though there’s something…” He trailed off. “Fury drain my veins.”

“Now what?” Cilia asked.

“I was so tired yesterday, I didn’t notice. I was the one who killed the Savior.” Kith said.

“Yeah? Oh. Oooh! Tell us!” He whispered. “How many Steps did you gain?”

“Five!” His hand reached up to grasp the lock of hair that had started going gray. The hand shook slightly.

“Tier five!” Chase flung himself over and hugged the stunned man. “You made it! You absolute nutcase!” He laughed uproariously. “Nearly Tier six, even! If instructor Brookwatch was right-“

“She is. She was the best instructor ever, outside of Master Benneth.” Cilia said with finality.

Ignoring her, Chase pressed on. “Then this means that you’ve just gained at least another fifty years to live! And now, with everything that’s happened, we’ll be strong enough to face down whatever we need to without that ridiculous heart card of yours.”

“I… It’s not ridiculous.” Kith sounded entirely out of it.

“I don’t care what it is.” Chase barked. “All I care about is that now, we have forever to tease you about going grey this young!”

With a sound somewhere between a sob and a laughter, Kith shook his head. “You would, wouldn’t you?” He cleared his throat and turned to Cilia, furiously wiping at his eyes. “Cil. Let’s talk about something else, please! How do we choose this time around? What’s the strategy?”

Cilia ignored his attempt at distraction. She got up from her chair, walked over and hugged Kith. Then she beamed a smile at all of them that was so unlike her, she seemed an entirely different person. “I don’t know. I also don’t care. This is the best day of my life.”

Kith clung onto her and started sobbing.

Deciding that he’d best save Kith from the onslaught of emotions, Chase asked. “Ah. So, you agree that my idea of killing a god was excellent, and you were wrong to doubt me, Cil?”

From over Kith’s shoulder, she glared. “That is not what happened!” Cilia said.

“Well, from here on out, that’s how I’m telling the story, and you can’t stop me.” Chase waited for a moment. “And there’s the frown back. Now I know you again.”

Sera slapped his shoulder. “Moron.” She beamed at Kith. “I am truly grateful you made it, Kith. As for your obvious diversion – might I come with a suggestion?”

He croaked. “Please! Save me, princess! All this talking about emotions is making me feel, and I don’t like it.”

She rolled her eyes. “Honestly, at this point, we have what we need for any fight that might come our way. I suggest that, whatever we choose today, we choose with an eye for the future!” She pointed at Cilia. “That might mean choosing a card that helps you being more comfortable when crafting, or even learning new techniques, if that’s even possible.” She tapped her own breastbone. “It could also be like my own Home Defender card, where we get to improve the attributes of wherever we call home. Choices that aid us wherever we decide to settle down.” Smiling, she shrugged. “I truly believe, at this point, we should simply go with whichever route feels more comfortable to us. We have all the time we need ahead of us we, and we have the luxury of being able to focus on whatever we want.”

“Do whatever you want…” Liam cracked his knuckles. “I doubt I can actually mess that up!”

“Want to go first?” Chase asked.

Liam beamed. “You know what? Sure. I’m up for it.”

Chase leaned forward and tapped the big guy on the bicep.

Immediately, Liam faded into a world of his own. He grunted, smiled, and even gave a long, low chuckle. Eventually, he clenched his fists tightly, as shudders rippled through him. Then he opened his eyes and smiled.

[End to Strife

Rare, Liberty fighter

Tier Four

Passive, permanent

A good fighter knows that he can’t win all fights. A great fighter is one who ensures that he only needs to fight when he wants to. When wielded, this card grants the fighter a mile-wide aura which works as a deterrent against otherwise naturally hostile wildlife and Guardians. The strength and efficacy of the aura is based on the combination of his Strength and Toughness.

“All those fangs, and such nasty claws. Yet, still, you didn’t have the wisdom to turn around when you had the choice.” The Penitent reflects over his life.]

“I love it.” Kith said. “Picture using that on those Carved Plains? You’d have had half of them running right the other way. Maybe even that stupid behemoth would’ve thought twice before trying to eat us.”

“It didn’t really seem the type to think even once.” Cilia drawled. “I still agree. This is wonderful. And it’s permanent, meaning, when we find a place to settle down, you can wield it and forget all about it. It will still work to protect our home, even when you’re asleep.”

“Only one other detail.” Liam said. “I hit my twenty-fourth Step, too. Right on the cusp of Tier five. Judging from Chase there, it’ll probably be a while before I reach it, though.”

Sera went next. She was, as usual, more stoic as she selected. Once she was done, however, she relaxed into a satisfied sigh. “Now, I truly cannot wait to find a place to settle down.”

[Free from the Sickness

Rare, Liberty healer

Tier four

Passive, permanent

Most healers live their lives moving from one sickness to the next, dedicating most of their time and energy to fighting smaller battles. Wielding this card, the healer is able to safeguard their energy for the true life-and-death situations. Within a radius of five hundred feet of the healer, any smaller ills will automatically be reduced or outright cured, depending on the severity and the period of time spent within the area.

“Ah, yes. You pay to live here. But think of it. Guaranteed health. Is that not worth the price?”]

“Huh.” Liam scratched his head. “Is that… good? It seems kind of weak!”

Sera shook her head fondly. “I sometimes forget, that none of you really know the life of a healer. How about this? Back in Cemano, this card would likely have saved me about half to two thirds of my work every single day.”

“I think she’d be able to cure hangovers too.” Chase whispered.

“Really?” Liam gawked. “Okay. I take it back. That’s wonderful!”

She ignored them both. “Picture this. With the wording of the card, as long as I actually move about our home, I would be able to cure any smaller ills before they turn into anything serious. Curing a cough before it turns into pneumonia. Catching an infection that, left untreated, could have cost somebody a toe, or at least a fever. The vast majority of illnesses do not start out severe.”

“Oh. In that case… well done?” Liam grinned.

“Thank you. That was all from me. Now. Chase. We are definitely saving you for last. A Tier four card with over fifty Potential… that is something to savor. Cilia?”

Cilia smiled and reached out a hand across the table toward Chase. Mere seconds later, she sighed and leaned back in the chair with a blissful smile.

“This isn’t like yours. It isn’t going to change anything large-scale. But I love it.”

[Personal Resonance: Leather

Uncommon, Liberty crafter

Tier Four

Passive, Permanent

Only one Personal Resonance card can ever be chosen. It offers you a choice of generic materials. From here on, you will find that this material is able to absorb and hold thirty percent more magic, allowing you to create more powerful items across the board.

The effect of the card will remain active, regardless whether you switch to another Tier four card.

“Supposedly, this creation should be impossible. But they don’t know me. And they don’t know how much I love winning bets.” Master Crafter Hermionous on his defining masterpiece.]

Cilia smiled softly. “That should help me overcome some of the difficult limits when crafting. More and more, I have found that the issue isn’t having the mental or physical fortitude to craft what I want. Rather, it’s that the materials are unable to bear as much power as I would prefer to put into it.”

Liam smiled. “So, your normal droplets will be thirty percent more powerful.”

“Liam. Anything I craft from here on will be thirty percent more powerful, as long as I have the fortitude to keep going.”

“Which she does.” Sera added. “Also, she is mistaken. This is very much going to change something large-scale.” With a fond smile at Cilia she added. “Wherever we settle down, we all know you are not just going to craft for us. Think of it, Cilia. You have the rest of your life to craft, learn and improve. The difference that your creations will be able to make in a new-founded settlement is immense. Better protective gear. Your droplets. Items to boost attributes, to shield, to improve anything!”

“Anything?” Cilia smirked.

Sera coughed. “That may have gotten away from me a bit at the end.”

“Still, I appreciate the sentiment.” Cilia said. “And you’re likely right. It’s not like we’ve ever stayed in one place long enough to get settled. But the idea of building a place from nothing, with strong, crafted items to improve all manner of things? I can’t say I dislike it. Also, if I ever hit Tier five, this is going to be my choice for upgrading. I can only imagine that the percentage will increase!”

From the fire in her eyes, her not disliking the idea was a hefty understatement.

Kith chuckled. “I, for one, look forward to having my very own personal craftswoman. You can make leather underpants, right?”

“I can. I’m not sure if I can craft something that can make its contents shrink, though. Let’s call it a test.”

“On second thought, I’m a huge fan of cotton.” Kith snorted, then waved off the laughter. “Speaking of tests, it would appear that I’m next?”

“Normally, I would say something about how this would test my patience.” Cilia frowned, but couldn’t maintain the negative façade. “But I’m in an excellent mood right now. Do your worst, Kith!”

He laughed, the sound slightly unhinged. “I am about to gain six cards. Five of them will be Tier five, and my Potential is at twenty-six even before any boosts. I’m not sure we all appreciate just how bad my worst could be!”

Chase got up and walked over to him. “Brother. You are the worst.” He paused, smiling at the shorter Furyborn. His hand shot out and clasped Kith’s. “But you’re also the best. You’ve kept it a secret just how much you’ve sacrificed to keep us all safe over the years. Even if you choose all six cards simply to summon nubile personal servants to fawn over you and feed you grapes, I say you’ve earned it.”

“Oh, come on.” Kith said hoarsely. “Now you’re basically guilting me into to picking something unselfish.”

“Is it working?” Chase beamed.

Kith rolled his eyes and sat down again, getting comfortable with his back against the wall. His eyes flung wide open. “I forgot. I have five free points. I could throw them all into Potential if I wanted. That would give me… tons of Potential! What do I do?”

Name: Kith

Title: Dark/Light/Elemental/Fury/Liberty summoner

Step: 29 (Tier 5)

Strength: 19 (+1 Tier bonus) (+5) = 25

Agility: 24 (+1 Tier bonus) (+5) = 30

Toughness: 19 (+1 Tier bonus) (+5) = 25

Mental Power: 24 (+1 Tier bonus) (+5) = 30

Potential: 11 (+15 Tier bonus) (+5) = 31

Points available: 5

Sera nodded, with a no-nonsense attitude. “That depends entirely on what you want. Throwing everything into Potential net you seven or eight additional points when it comes to calculating the Rarity of your new cards. That could mean increasing the rarity of your offered cards by one across the board – possibly a bit less. However, that is a gamble. Whether that is what you want, or you would rather improve some of your other attributes? People rarely get a chance like this.”

Kith gritted his teeth, looking around for support. Eventually, he sighed. “No. I’ll leave the gambling to Chase this time around. I haven’t spoken about this much, but the more summons I get, the harder they are to control properly. Five summons are no problem. But with Twice the Fun, I can end with dozens of summoned creatures, with different physiques and minds. It’s… taxing. I am going to do what Cilia talked about all that time ago, and increase my Mental Power so I can keep up. That said? I’m ready.” He closed his eyes.

“Anybody want tea?” Liam said. “This could take a while.”

It did take a while. At least twenty minutes later, they watched as Kith’s head repeatedly hit the wall behind him. The uncontrolled spasming stopped after about ten seconds, leaving Kith panting like he’d just run a sprint.

“Wow. That was special. Strongest one yet.” He shivered.

“Carrrds.” Liam groaned. “Now!”

“Okay, okay.” Kith cleared his throat. “First was the Tier five upgrade. I went with Twice the Fun for obvious reasons. It’s at Legendary now. And it was entirely the right choice!”

[… Twice the Fun

Legendary, Elemental summoner

Tier two

Passive, permanent

Sometimes, you crave something new and interesting. Sometimes, the best choice is simply more of what you already have. This card, when chosen, will double the number of summoned creatures for every card outside of Tier two.

“You think my summoned squirrels underwhelming? Wait ’till I show you… more squirrels!”]

“That is so ridiculous!” Sera burst out. “Well done, Kith.”

“Thanks Princess.” He laughed. “It’ll put my improved Mental Power to the test. I’d have been quite fine with it working on four cards, but legendary just makes a difference, it seems.”

Chase snorted. “Sticky Fingers agrees with you! Now. Go on – tell us what else you got.”

[Burst of Disruption

Rare, Liberty summoner

Tier four

Active, instant

This card summons an intangible spirit that, once summoned, will slowly seek out and meld with any nearby hostile with an active card effect. Once melded, the card will unravel the energy in said effect into an explosion, with its power dependent on the effect cancelled, and continue to the next target. The spirit will keep searching for targets until its power has been spent.

Medium cooldown.

“Proper planning prevents poor- aargh!“ A cleric blows up.]

“That’s ridiculous and I love it!” Liam laughed.

“Could be truly powerful.” Sera nodded.

“Mmm-hm.” Cilia agreed. “The fact that it’s moving slowly is a weakness. Even though it’s intangible, magic can likely slay it before it impacts. Even so? Wonderful card. Weakening, disrupting and damaging in one!”

“Next!” Chase burst, as he slapped the table. “Show us those sexy Tier five cards already!”

Rolling his eyes, Kith moved on.

[Light of Day, Day of Darkness

Rare, Light/Dark summoner

Tier Five

Passive, long duration

This card summons a dozen sturdy humanoid beings of magic. The beings themselves are unremarkable. Yet, when summoned, they create a vast field between them in which magic is created. At night, they bring light. In the day, they bring darkness. Never again will this summoner be left to the vagaries of nature.

Medium cooldown

“Night divide day, day erase night. Light of day, day of darkness.” The Green Carnation brings beauty.]

Liam whistled. “Damn. Never let it be said that Tier five cards aren’t powerful. That can turn a battlefield totally on its head. Drown an army in darkness during the day. Or blind them with light at night, making them easier to hit in an ambush.”

“The applications outside of battle should also be immense.” Sera frowned. “With a long duration and just medium cooldowns in between, you could have people working on important projects all throughout the night, with just short breaks.”

“Or you could get a good night’s sleep, even if your blinds are broken and there’s a crowd with torches right outside your window.” Chase nodded. “What? It could happen.”

“Ignore him, please.” Sera said. “That is what I do.”

Kith smiled. “You don’t have to tell me. Now, the next one might be the weakest of my choices. I am so looking forward to seeing what it does, though.”

[Internal Spark

Epic, Elemental summoner

Tier Five

Permanent, passive

Summoned creatures are, by and large, only as effective as their summoner. Even the most powerful summoned beings will be diminished in effectiveness if their summoner is slow to give them the right commands. This card will aid with that, imbuing every creature summoned by this wielder with an inner fire, granting them limited mental faculties and independence. They will still follow every command, but will be able to understand more detailed commands.

The effect of the card will remain active, regardless whether you switch to another Tier five card.

“Creations, they call you. Pfah. My children. That is what you are. Now be seated, and listen, my dears.”]

“Get it over with, please.” Kith droned. “Everything about how my summons can finally act like somebody’s intelligent around here. Get it out of your system, so we can move on.”

“We were planning nothing of the sort!” Liam protested.

“Definitely not!” Chase added.

“They might, but I would not.” Sera said earnestly.

“I mean.” Chase mused after a few seconds. “If the card text explicitly talks about our summoner being slow…” He trailed off, failing to hide even the slightest of his enjoyment.

“Any. One. Of you. Mocks Kith for this choice, and I’m giving you defective droplets next time.” Cilia scolded. “This is the perfect choice. Having even slightly autonomous summons will grant you an insane edge over everybody else. The fact that it’s always active, even when you don’t have it equipped is insane!”

“Right?” Kith burst out eagerly. “I can give them more general commands, have them act for themselves. It’ll allow me to focus less on the details, and more on the over-all plan, so I can fight better for myself.” He paused before adding. “Of course, them earning more personality means I will have to come up with names for all of them.”

They groaned as one.

“This one, for instance, I call the Slayer!”

[Chariot of the Land

Epic, Fury Summoner

Tier Five

Active, very long duration

The land provides. That is a well-known fact for any Furyborn. With this card, the land even provides transportation. When activated, it summons a grand chariot, drawn by four powerful summoned steeds, to do the summoner’s bidding.

Long cooldown.

“An army lives on its stomach – but it marches on its feet. Those poor plebeians.” Summoner General Otensis knows his worth.]

“Kith!” Cilia sputtered. “That has got to be the most luxurious, lazy choice you have ever made.”

Kith smirked. “So, what you’re saying is that you still prefer to walk?”

“I-“

“I love it!” Chase interrupted. “That’s going to make everything so much easier – not to mention efficient! We’ll be able to outrun almost everything, cut down on travel time. Pits. If it says ‘grand’ chariot, we might even be able to sleep on it. There’s no way any chasing Lightborn can catch us now!”

Liam groaned. “The Slayer. A sleigh. I get it now. You’re the worst!”

They burst into laughter.

Kith wiped his eyes. “Aah. I needed that.” He blinked. “So, who’s been keeping count?”

“One more. Have you been saving the best for last?” Cilia asked.

He nodded, suddenly doubtful. “I… think so?” Shrugging, he looked at the floor. “You know I’m not the best at this large picture stuff. It feels powerful, though.”

[Monument of Pride

Rare, Liberty summoner

Tier Five

Permanent, passive

Few people reach the heights where they can see beyond their own horizons to consider the plights of their brethren. Yet, those who do are revered and praised above all else. This card, when activated, crystalizes into a permanent, large statue, exuding a powerful aura. The aura will increase the rarity of all new cards for all friendly summoners, except the wielder, within a five-mile radius by one.

The effect of the card will remain active, regardless whether you switch to another Tier five card. However, if the statue is razed, the card will remain permanently inactive.

“First among equals, you call me? Look at this monument and think again.”]

Cilia sat at the table, unmoving. Tears slowly started to well up in her eyes. “Kith. I am so gods-damned proud of you!”

“Erm. Really? I wasn’t sure, cause it’s permanent, and it won’t help any of us-”

“Kith, shut up, while I’m praising you.” She scolded. “We are building a home. Not just a temporary settlement like Soil, or a village that can conveniently be moved like Cemano. A home. Like Earth’s Ward, but with the potential for so much more. This single card not only raises the efficiency of all summoners already there – once its existence gets out, it’s going to help ensure that people will want to move there. You, Kith, singlehandedly just made sure that all summoners will want to become part of our town.”

Kith looked on, open-mouthed.

Cilia didn’t waver, though. She continued. “In fact, I believe that, whatever else happens, the most important choice you can possibly make, when you inevitably reach Tiers six and seven, will be increasing the rarity of this card. Imagine if it increases the rarity to two. You could have a home filled with wielders of legendary cards.”

Kith scratched his neck. “Oh, I figured we could have that anyway. I mean, I’d want to use my Twice the Fun card on this one when I summon the statue. Two statues would be better than one, right? Hey, if I got two statues increasing two ranks each, would that give anybody earning cards instant Legendary cards? That’d be a sight!”

Cilia looked like she was having an apoplectic fit. Her eyes blinked incessantly, and the corners of her mouth twitched uncontrollably.

Sera came to her rescue. “Listen, Kith. I very much doubt that is how they will work. However, if it is, I am sure they will erect additional statues to celebrate your statues. Only, it will be a while before we will be in a position to activate it – so, maybe we should move on?”

“Be glad to.” Kith said. “Time to focus on somebody else for a change.” He winked at Chase. “No pressure.”

“Yeah. None at all. Appreciate it.” He cracked his neck. “Okay. Let’s see what Liberty has to offer a man with above fifty in Potential.”

The full-body stutter was harder than anything he’d ever tried before, like he imagined being constantly inside an active lightning storm, but at full power. Chase found himself looking up at Sera whose eyes were wide open in shock. He gave a rattling laugh. “Whoa. Okay. New rule. Nobody picks new cards mid-combat. That could go really wrong.”

“Are you okay?” She asked. “That looked like a seizure of some kind.”

“Felt like it too.” He smirked. “I have a hypothesis.”

“Oh no. Is it contagious? Can Sera cure it?” Liam asked. Then he grinned. “Just kidding. You deserve that for trying to talk clever like Sera. It sounds fake when you do it!”

“Ignoring Liam now.” Chase glowered at him. “I think that it’s not just the Tier, but also the rarity of your card that affects how bad the sensation is.”

“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” Cilia asked.

Chase nodded eagerly. “I was offered two Rares, two Epics… and one Legendary.”

[Stealing is Giving, Too

Legendary, Liberty rogue

Tier Four

Passive/active, Extremely long duration

Rogues are often reviled – for rather good reasons, too. However, there are those among the class who operate in the morally gray areas, doing good as well as bad. This card adheres to that principle, taking and giving at the same time.

When activated, the wielder gets to borrow an attribute point of their choice from a friendly person in short range. He can continually maintain one borrow for each point to his Potential. Once the duration runs out, the point is automatically returned. However, there is a small chance that the attribute of the borrower in question is improved permanently by +1 upon return.

“So, it’s in my own interest that you steal from me? Get out of here, woman!”]

Cilia rubbed her forehead. “Let me see if I understood this right. You can ‘borrow’ fifty-plus attribute points, at all times, from the same number of people near you.”

“Only thirty-nine. The added fifty percent to Potential is for new cards alone.” Sera said.

“That’s how I understood it too, yeah.” Chase nodded at Sera.

“Only thirty-nine points.” Cilia’s lip twitched. “The same as four normal non-wielders combined! And you can keep getting new boosts from persons at any point, when one of these runs out.”

“Yup. I think.”

“And when they do run out, the person you’re using it on has a chance to receive a permanent increase to their attribute?” Cilia continued.

“A ‘small’ chance, which translates to…Sera?” Chase asked.

“Likely five to ten percent.” Sera responded.

Cilia leaned back in her chair and rubbed her eyes. “Okay. We need to find Nordon.” Ignoring the reactions from the others, she continued. “With this, and Kith’s monument card, we’re going to see the largest influx of inhabitants any settlement in the history of Ordei has ever seen. Free attributes! Everybody’s going to want to join us!”

Sera nodded somberly. “I believe you may be right. However, I am unsure as to what that has to do with Nordon.”

Cilia snickered. “Oh, I just felt the overwhelming need to get myself very, very drunk.”