“Dwagonfly, why ith your haiw pink? Awe you a thelethine too?” Raven asked in the way that only children just over two and a half years - or people who were quite drunk - were able to; with slightly garbled words and without a single care for the other conversations that those around them were currently having.

  The question did cause those gathered for a midday meal to fall silent, amusedly watching Dragonfly freeze with a bite of stir-fry noodles halfway to her mouth. As the late summer day was one of those which embodied the season, Kite’s family - along with their guest and student - had chosen to eat at a stone-tiled patio surrounded by auntie Dove’s garden at the height of its beauty.

  “I’m sorry, dear - what? My hair?”

  “Yeth. Why ith it pink?”

  “Well, no, I am no celestine, dear,” Dragonfly began, indulging the nowadays ever curious little girl.

  “Why not?”

  “Because none of my parents were.”

  “Oh. So I am becauthe mommy ith one?”

  “Yes.”

  “Oh.” Raven said, taking a pause as if to ponder. “But why ith youw haiw pink then?”

  “Because I make it that way with the help of nice and talented alchemists.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I like it pink.”

  “Why?”

  “Because it’s a pretty color.”

  “Why?”

  “Because…” Dragonfly said, looking to the others for help only to find not a shred of mercy in her companions. “Becauuuse it reminds me of the pretty clouds at dawn, and I want to look like them.”

  “Oh…” Raven said once more, pausing, which caused Dragonfly to try and seize back the initiative from the curious child.

  “But your hair is black, and also very pretty.”

  “...Thank you.”

  “Do you know why your hair is black?”

  “Becauthe of mommy.”

  “That is right. Children usually have hair similar to at least one of their parents. Even if parents of different races make things a bit… unpredictable.”

  “Oh…” Raven said, seeming to fall deep into consideration once more. Thinking herself off the hook, Dragonfly had just begun another attempt at eating, which in turn caused noodles to fly in an impressive arc at the child’s next question.

  “Then which colow will youwth and bwothewth childwen have?”

  This did cause a more varied range of reactions among the gathered adults; auntie Crow started rubbing the bridge of her nose while Dove in turn looked at the pair with a look which thoroughly conveyed ‘Oh what an interesting question. What color, indeed? And while we are at it, how many are you planning?’. Sprite was the only one except Dragonfly who showed the courtesy of blushing, while Laevyeth only nodded along as if it was a perfectly innocent question regarding a factual matter.

  And Kite? Well, Kite couldn’t help but slap a hand over his mouth to try - and fail - to hide his grin of pure, unadulterated amusement. Was it a way to try and cover his own inner flushing and flustered mental sputtering? Perhaps. But at the moment, it felt most helpful.

  “What?” Raven eventually asked, bemused at the odd reaction.

  “I believe that the fault here lies with me,” Crow sighed, patting Raven fondly on the head. “This little one has - as you have no doubt noted - discovered that learning about the world is most fun. And learning through questions seems to be her method of choice. The two of you came up during a rather long discussion about where children come from and which people that can have them together.”

  “And you didn’t just say that they were delivered by the great herons in the service of Fertility, like my parents did?” Dragonfly managed to choke out.

  “Oh I did, but the explanation did not survive the ensuing scrutiny.”

  “I, for one, find it an excellent question, Raven dear,” Dove added, joining in the head patting.

  Kite was just about to come to Dragonfly’s rescue when all of the silvers present felt a new aura announce itself at the gates to the compound. And while it was familiar to all except Laevyeth, Kite and Dragonfly both stood bolt upright as they recognized it immediately.

  “He’s here?” they both said at the same time, Dragonfly’s voice carrying a distinct note of relief.

  “Oh, is it- wait… Is that Will?” Dove asked as she seemed to need a few moments to place the feel of the spiritual present. “It is, isn’t it? What a nice surprise!”

  “He’s… He’s here,” Dragonfly soon repeated herself, more a statement than a question as her mind seemed to be working furiously.

  “Shall we go greet him then?” Kite replied, gesturing towards the gates. “I am sure that he will be most eager to-”

  “No!”

  Everyone stopped and looked at Dragonfly, confused.

  “No… -” she continued,”- as in; could we please impose on you to let us have the garden here for a while? This moment… It deserves preparation. Witnesses. The right lighting. Time. Time?! Kite, you go greet Will. Make sure that you keep him outside for at least half an hour.”

  “I-”

  “Half an hour. Please,” Dragonfly begged, excitement radiating from her spirit in waves.

  “I… see. Half an hour, then,” Kite tentatively agreed, sharing bemused looks with the rest of his family. Only Laevyeth, after sharing her own look with Dragonfly, seemed to know exactly what was going on, as she gave her own nod to Kite in support of Dragonfly’s request.

  This left Kite heading towards the compound’s gates alone, catching glimpses of a Dragonfly-conducted flurry of activities behind him before he rounded a corner.

  Will’s aura was like a beacon ahead, and at a closer glance Kite could sense more subcurrents of nervous fidgeting from the man than he had ever done before during their years spent together. Only when he exited through the gates, closing them behind him, did Will’s aura shrink back to its usual collected state as the two friends finally came face to face with one another after two years spent apart.

  “Will!”

  “Kite!”

  At a glance, the elven spearman looked much the same with the exception of some new pieces of equipment. Most prominent among them was his silvery scale armor with swirls of blue, but Kite noticed a few other trinkets and the like which he had not seen before. And while the features of a silver-ranker would look much the same after such a short time, Kite felt that there was a distinct difference to his friend in how he carried himself; as if Will’s perception of his surroundings had grown more refined and focused, which was only further reflected in his aura.

  And to Kite’s surprise, it was the scion who first opened his arms and closed in for a hug.

  “Ah, my friend! How I have missed you!” Will exclaimed as the friends drew apart. “Two years has been too long, even if they have been spent in hard work. My Heavenly Shaft is now even more firm and unyielding, tempered in the lands surrounding the Sea of Storms. I even got to witness the floating islands of the capital!”

  “Changed, yet still the same,” Kite thought with some amusement as he replied. “Will, my friend, it’s wonderful to have you back. From the sound of it, you have a great many stories to tell us. And greetings to you too, Grim. It has been too long,” he added to the bronze-ranker who was unobtrusively waiting a few meters behind his younger charge.”

  “Pathbreaker,” Grim acknowledged with a nod.

  “Please, Grim, Kite will do fine. Iron rank may be many years ago, but we have fought and bled together enough. Let there be no formalities between us.”

  “Very well,” the manservant acknowledged with a shallow bow, as Kite turned back to Will.

  “From you being here, I would assume that you received my message?”

  At the mention of said letter, the anxiousness in Will’s aura returned in force as he clasped Kite’s arm, speaking gravely.

  “So it is true then, my friend? Is there really such a lofty existence here among us?” Will asked, his word carrying a gravitas which Kite would otherwise have associated with speaking of the gods.

  “She is. They-”

  “Then what are we waiting for? Please, allow me to beseech her for permission to stand in her presence!” Will exclaimed, aiming to round Kite and enter the compound only to find himself blocked by a gentle, outstretched arm.

  “They asked for us to give them some time to prepare, so I am to entertain you a bit as we wait,” Kite explained, trying to put as much sympathy as possible into his voice as he felt his friend’s impatience, barely contained.

  “But- destiny, Kite. It’s-”

  “Will, my friend, I do empathize. But you wouldn’t want to start out on the wrong foot here in not respecting Laevyeth’s wishes, no?”

  Will, true to form, reacted as if struck as realization dawned in his eyes.

  “By the heavens, Kite, you’re right. How could I be so dense? Coming before her in such a state… This opportunity might be lost to me before I even knew what happened.”

  “Then why don’t we sit down instead? I can tell you of Laevyeth’s history and unexpected arrival in this world, and you can share some of your adventures.”

  What followed was a study in contrasts, as Kite sat down in his floating, meditative position among the greenery at the side of the gate. Will tried to follow suit, but any attempts at finding a remotely tranquil state of mind quickly slipped through his fingers, especially when Kite told him of Laevyeth’s kidnapping and subsequent rescue.

  “I… I can’t believe it! Those heaven-cursed, egotistical scum!” Will cursed as Kite finished. When more classic meditation failed, the elf had started to make slow spear-katas to get an outlet for his restless energy, but his last outburst had him direct a more forceful thrust towards a nearby tree which only survived the experience due to a quick barrier from Kite.

  “While I agree with your sentiment, I would advise against harming the greenery around here without first consulting auntie Dove,” Kite remarked, reaching out and gently redirecting the tip of Will’s spear in another direction. “But yes, Van Sztramm basically acted as some less scrupulous high-rankers do. We can just praise Fortune that we were in a position to actually make an attempt at rescue due to him simply expecting me to not raise issue with the whole thing.”

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  “And his punishment?”

  “I know not the details, but from what Sir Ilmaril told me, it will be as harsh as it will be lengthy. Given the forbidden artifacts he carried as well as having performed soul-based, violating experiments - no matter how brief - not even execution seemed to be off the table.”

  “Good… Good. To sully such a being with his base ambitions… Poor Laevyeth… I will forever thank the heavens that she escaped and remain willing to be part of this world,” Will said somberly. “Who could have held any other decision against her?”

  The spearman stood in somber silence for a while, gaze distant before he eventually turned to Kite, eyes as serious as Kite had ever seen in his friend.

  “Do… Do you think I even have a chance? This all seems so spectacular. Like something out of a legend. A lost, sentient artifact from beyond the veil, lost and seeking for a worthy warrior which she may walk beside to find her purpose. It feels like destiny, Kite. But… Do I dare dream that it could be mine?”

  Kite took a moment to ponder the question, giving his friend’s earnest feelings the consideration they deserved before he eventually answered.

  “Honestly, my friend? I cannot be certain.”

  Seeing Will almost wilt, Kite quickly continued. “But I do not think that even Laevyeth seems to know what she is looking for, at least not in detail. This ability of hers is foreign to me. Still, she did say that she should resonate with someone pure in mind, spirit and purpose; a noble soul who would stand with conviction against the shadows and falsehoods of the cosmos. And in that, my friend- “ he said, reaching out and clasping Will’s armored shoulder along with the spiritual equivalent of a pat on the back, “- is something I, at least, find resonates with your path and way of being… well… you.”

  As if on cue, the gates behind the two friends then swung open, revealing Dragonfly. She gave Will an excited wave before seeming to remember herself and assuming a more dignified, somber pose.

  “Supplicant… Lady Laevyeth, the Blooming Lance that Pierces Iniquity, will see you now, and know your heart and spirit.”

  While Kite stood dumbstruck by the sudden theatrics, Will instead straightened and gathered himself as if each of Dragonfly’s words were perfectly reasonable and within expectations.

  “Please. Lead me to her.”

  At this, Dragonfly pushed open the gates and led the way down the gravel path into the compound, and Kite could only meet Grim’s eyes and give a small shrug before following, waving for the bronze ranker to join him.

  Their silent procession was accompanied only by the gentle susurrus of the surrounding trees and the crunch of gravel beneath their feet. Turning the corner and stepping onto the tiled path leading up to the patio where the family had previously been in the process of eating their lunch, they now stepped back into a garden transformed.

  What had previously been a beautiful cluster of vibrant flowers covering bushes, vines and other plants surrounding the chairs and table was now a verdant haven. Auntie Dove’s spells of cultivation from her essence powers had surely seen heavy use as the plants now formed something akin to a gazebo of their own. Only a single table and two chairs had been left out, now almost completely overgrown as well, and upon one of the seats the outworlder waited, and Kite had to admit that her long and slender form looked most striking among the blooming splendor.

  As he drew closer, Will eventually seemed to slow to a halt, seeming overwhelmed by the moment as he could not wrench his gaze away from Laevyeth. Following Dragonfly’s lead, Kite left his friend standing alone as he and Grim accompanied her to a nearby veranda where they could watch whatever would come of this moment.

  “Art thou Triumph of Indomitable Will?” Laevyeth asked after a few more seconds of silence.

  “I am.”

  Given his earlier nervousness, Kite was impressed that Will seemed to have collected himself enough to keep his voice steady.

  “And what is thy path and purpose?”

  “My path is that of the spear, purely and solely. In perfecting my arts and my Heavenly Shaft, I would seize the heavens and be known as the next Saint of Spears, immortal in purpose as I stride ever onward.”

  This, Lavyeth seemed to consider for a time, before she continued.

  “Then tell me, Triumph of Indomitable Will, do thou know who I am? What I am?”

  “I… Know only the story, and therefore I will confess that I do not. I know not how you came to be or the purpose which you seek. I know not your heart and cannot see your soul,” Will began, seeming to find his stride as he continued to embrace his true ‘Will-ness’ that had always seemed like an inexhaustible spring, once tapped. “And while I have also been told of the cruelties which you have endured, and the fates which you might still fear, I cannot truly claim to know them either. Even so, I come here to beseech you to touch my spirit and see what you find therein. Because, should you let me, I would like to know all these things. All of these things and more.”

  Will paused, and Kite could feel Dragonfly beside him choke down a squeal of excitement as all of this had apparently been exactly what she had hoped for. Perhaps even surpassed it.

  “Because you, Laevyeth - the Blooming Lance which Pierces Iniquity - seem to be someone worthy of all those things; to rise into the heavens and find what destiny awaits you. And, as my true friend and companion Kite has so often taught me, the path towards the heavens need not be a lonely one as it intertwines with the bonds we forge. Perhaps our destinies would as well.”

  Kite couldn’t help but smile as even the outworlder - so full of archaic eloquence and poise - seemed almost stunned by Will’s most earnest and passionate profession, accompanied by his aura gradually leaking out to envelop the whole compound in its sense of righteous drive and almost naive purity of purpose.

  “Then…” she began, almost seeming breathless even though the need for such a thing had never been part of her existence. “Then come forward, and lay your hand in mine. Let me know thy heart, and may our spirits touch.”

  Will approached reverently, seeming to exercise what control he could over his spirit as he entered the blooming gazebo. One armored gauntlet was smoothly removed before he reached out one hand, stopping for a trembling moment before gently laying it onto Laevyeth’s as she rose to meet him.

  At the moment of contact, it was as if Will’s aura vanished, so rapidly was it retracted as the pair seemed to be in a world of their own, gazes distant as they stood as if in a trance.

  “Oh sweet heavens,” Laevyeth whispered, the Hua-Xian expression having become one of her favorites. “Thou… Thou art…”

  The trembling of leaves in the wind her only accompaniment, Laevyeth finished her sentence.

  “... Perfect.”

  Then both their auras washed outwards, Laevyeth’s more vibrant and projected more forcefully than Kite had ever felt previously. It was as if the outworlder had found something which made her cease shying away from the world, instead opening like the blooming flowers that were symbolized in her name and title. A flash of light had her change, the spear that was her original form materializing in a flash of brilliance reflected through myriad frozen motes.

  “Let me be embraced by thy hands, Triumph of Indomitable Will, resonant wielder of mine,” the spear called, seeming to hang waiting in the air during the brief moment. “Grasp my shaft with all thy might, and let us pierce the heavens. Side by side.”

  With a shout of pure joy, Will acquiesced. He plucked Laevyeth from the air, the two laughing together in unison as he then burst out into the more open space of the garden. The spearhead started singing through the air, trailing glittering motes of snowdust as Will fell into a spear stance, thrusting, whirling and slashing as he started gaining speed and momentum. And as he did, more spears started materializing around him; floating in the air or bursting up from the ground for him to step upon as Will continued his spear dance up into the air. But unlike in the past, where the conjurations had been but glowing replicas of simple weapons, they were now as distinct as they were beautiful. Because they too looked like Laevyeth.

  Be it grand lance or short javelin, each and every one of Will’s spears now showed the blooming carvings and gleaming, long blade of the outworlder, complete with icy veins running through their form. More and more appeared as their dance continued.

  “Thrusts of exalted celerity!”

  “Yes! Let our touch be swift, yet carry our pure intent to those that harbor dark intentions!”

  “Tide of penetrating glory!”

  “Our beings entwined, a grand charge!”

  “Face the defiant phalanx!”

  “Let none reach those that we hold dear!”

  “Spear of the heavens, let your image descend!”

  “May the light of our union bring hope and leave lies shattered in our wake!”

  Reaching the apex of their climb, Will ended up with feet properly planted atop a horizontally floating spear where he balanced with seeming ease as he prepared for a final, mighty thrust towards the heavens.

  “Heavenly shaft: Darkness penetrator!”

  The huge, golden image of his spear - now Laevyeth - appeared, pointing skyward for a moment before shooting up like a piece of the heavens returning to their origin. As the motion was completed, Laevyeth - as if by unspoken agreement - shifted back into her humanoid form.

  The shaft which Will had held became the outworlder’s hand in his as she gently sank down to land atop another of her conjured replicas which remained interspersed through the air above the gardens. Taking Will’s other hand in hers, the two stood there silently, just gazing at each other as their spirits soared.

  “It’s… It’s better than anything I could ever have dreamt of,” Dragonfly sniffled from beside Kite, keeping her tone down to the softest of murmurs as she leaned into him and clutched his arm, unable to take her gaze off the pair as they stood lost in each others’ presences in the late summer skies. “Heavens, this is perfect. Perfect.”

  “I… yes,” he could only agree, as stunned as the others who bore witness to what happened when Laevyeth found someone who so truly resonated with her. “How- how long have you planned this?”

  “Well, we did have parts of it down for a while, but had to improvise some as Will showed up from out of the blue. Laevyeth did splendidly, too! Really poured her heart out. I’m just glad I had the peace of mind to remember to get out the recording crystal,” she murmured, gesturing to the crystal which had been silently floating in the air above her for some time. “Oh, Kite, this is a good day. Such a good day.”

  “Oh indeed it is…” he replied, leaning his head against hers as both sat back to just watch and take in the moment. “Fortune be praised, as blessed serendipity has struck once more.”

  Indomitable March of Glaciers, city lord of Gilded, felt the portal open in the courtyard of his palace up at the First Peak. Grim’s magic was well known to him after many years of service, and Lord Indomitable smiled to himself as he rose from his seat and prepared to go greet his wayward son at his unexpected return. With Grim still being bronze-rank - peak, but still bronze as the funds allocated to supply the manservant with monster cores would only go so far - he would no doubt send Will through first and follow once the-

  Grim’s aura exited the portal, which closed shortly thereafter. Lord Indomitable did not fret, however, as his servant’s aura was calm and collected, even though it had undercurrents of exasperation mixed with awe.

  The bronze-ranker gave a deep bow in greeting as soon as he saw his lord emerge, waiting to be addressed as was Grim’s way.

  “Grim, pray tell; did my son not arrive as intended? Or, perhaps more likely, did he get sidetracked, as he remains prone to?”

  “The latter, Master,” Grim replied, evenly.

  “I should have expected it, I suppose,” Will’s father sighed, shaking his head. “What was it this time?”

  “That, Master, is a question that feels challenging to answer. And one that perhaps should wait until we are in the sanctity of your study,” Grim suggested politely. “Heavens know that it was something most out of the ordinary, even for your son.”

  “Well, consider my interest piqued then. Let us retire and you may give your full report.”

  About half an hour later, Lord Indomitable sat back in his chair as the light of the recording crystal projector flickered and died. He was a man used to taking things slow and steady; to remain in control through patience and equanimity. It was rare, these days, for him to find himself stunned.

  “Mistress Dragonfly was most kind to let me copy the recording she took - with the blessing of the Young master and his new… companion, of course - for me to show you,” Grim finished. “Master, I will admit that I know too little to even begin speculating what this could mean for your son, but would guess that few - if any - have found themselves with a similar opportunity.”

  Lord Indomitable pondered the statement for a while in silence, slowly nodding to himself as he spoke.

  “In this, Grim, you are probably correct. Oh, little Will… To think that your extreme path would lead you to this. The boy will be absolutely insufferable, Grim. I can already imagine it,” he said, feeling a mix of elation and chagrin at the thought. “When you are able, please convey my invitations for my son, this Laevyeth and his other friends to visit us at their convenience. While I can understand that this matter might still require some secrecy, I would like to know everything I can of this entity whose path now seems to have intertwined with my son’s.”

  “Of course, Master. Although I will note that the transport will be a bit more complicated. From what we’ve managed to gather, this Laevyeth does count as a full silver no matter which form she assumes. As such, I cannot carry them both as I currently am.”

  “And knowing my son, he would not agree to be separated from such a… kindred spirit,” Lord Indomitable agreed. “Then they might have to impose upon young Kite and his familiar some more for transport?”

  “Perhaps, Master, but your son did give me something which might soon open up other avenues of potential,” Grim said, retrieving a dimension satchel. “While he did present them as a gift to me personally, I would still ask for your blessing before I use them.”

  As he spoke, the manservant started picking up monster cores which he laid out in a neat square on the table. All of them were of silver rank, and more than the Indomitable family could have afforded in a year without making a true dent in their funds.

  “Well, I see that he remains thoughtful in his own way,” Lord Indomitable noted with a smile. “Of course you have my blessing to rank up, Grim. Your service to our family has been impeccable, and it brings me only joy to see you join me at silver.”

  “Thank you, Master. You are most kind.”

  “Then go about absorbing these at a steady pace. It will give my son a few days to get better acquainted with his new companion. And when you feel that you are ready, please bring young Will home. It seems that we have quite a lot to talk about.”

  Character sheet - Will

  Name: Triumph of Indomitable Will

  Race: Elf

  Racial traits:

  Glorious call - Evolved from spell aptitude.

  Your spells have increased effect. You may use a chant to enhance your special attacks, granting them increased power.

  Warrior of the Kindred - Evolved from Nature affinity.

  Increased chance of awakening special attacks. Special attacks deal more damage and cost less stamina.

  Life affinity - Effects used or received with a positive effect on life have greater effect.

  Magic affinity - Effects with the magic sub-type are enhanced. Boons received with the magic sub-type are enhanced. Increased resistance to same magic sub-type effects.

  Mystic bloodline - Expanded mana pool

  Grace - Enhanced agility

  Rank: - Awakened essence abilities x/20

  Power - Pure: Silver 0 (Note that most “chants” are unnecessary, but Will likes to add his own)

  - Purity of Form and Purpose -

  Special ability. Cost: None Cooldown: None Current rank: Silver 0

  Effect - iron: Gain increased resistance to all wounding, curse and unholy effects. Periodically purge any such effects from yourself.

  Effect - bronze: Any effect resisted or purged gives an instance of [Blessing of Anticipation]

  Effect - silver: Effect now applies to all afflictions, but with less resistance and slower rate of purging for types other than those mentioned in the iron rank effect.

  [Blessing of Anticipation] (Boon, holy, stacking): Consume instances to negate an amount of incoming damage per instance consumed. Additional instances can be accumulated.

  - Darkness Penetrator (Spear) - “Darkness Penetrator!”

  Special attack (Holy). Cost: High mana, moderate stamina Cooldown: 2m Current rank: Silver 0

  Effect - iron: This attack covers a weapon in a spear-like projection of light as it strikes the enemy, dealing very high damage to a single target. This damage is further increased against creatures of the [Unholy] or [Dark] type, or creatures under the effects of boons with those traits.

  Effect - bronze: The attack gains another layer atop the first, carrying an initial burst of disruptive force damage.

  Effect - silver: The attack gains a core in the shape of a tertiary burst of transcendent damage.

  - Unsullied Lancer’s Clarity (Spear) -

  Special ability (perception). Cost: None Cooldown: None Current rank: Silver

  Effect - iron: You are immune to effects that hamper or impair vision. Effects of a higher rank may not be entirely ignored.

  Effect - bronze: Gain the ability to perceive magic.

  Effect - silver: Gain the ability to perceive auras.

  - Divine Spear Consecration (Spear) - “Spear of the heavens, let your image descend!”

  Spell. Cost: High mana/extreme mana Cooldown: 1h Current rank: Silver

  Effect - iron: Bless a spear wielded by you or an ally. For the duration of the effect, dealing damage with the weapon will restore health, stamina and mana in proportion to the damage dealt.

  Effect - bronze: The blessed spear will also inflict an instance of [Radiant echo].

  Effect - silver: May increase the cost to extreme mana to bless all spears within range.

  [Divine echo] (affliction, magic, damage over time, stacking): Inflicts ongoing disruptive force damage. Additional instances have an accumulative effect.

  - Heaven-sent Spear Manifestation (Spear) - “Descend, gift of the heavens”

  Spell. Cost: Moderate mana Cooldown:2 minutes Current rank: Silver

  Effect - iron: Manifest a random spear of your rank. The spear has random enchantments and cannot be used by others, vanishing after an hour.

  Effect - bronze: Manifest two spears.

  Effect - silver: Spears manifest as descending thunderbolts from the heavens, dealing lightning and disruptive force damage in areas around point of impact.

  Speed - Master: Silver 0

  - Spearmaster’s wake -

  Special ability. Cost: None (Low mana) Cooldown: None (5s) Current rank: Silver

  Effect - iron: Spears conjured by your powers remain for a time after use. Gain increased [Speed] and [Recovery] based on the amount of spears nearby.

  Effect - bronze: Proximity to the conjured spears increases the equipment effects of any spears wielded, with increasing boost based on number of spears present.

  Effect - silver: Switch-teleport with any conjured spear within range for a cost of low mana. Effect has a short cooldown.

  - Lancer’s judgment (Spear) - “Lancer’s judgment delivered!”

  Spell (Execute, holy). Cost: High mana Cooldown: 3m Current rank: Silver

  Effect - iron: Animate every unattended spear within range, causing them to converge on a single enemy. Damage dealt increases with the amount of spears animated as well as the target’s level of injury. Conjured spears disappear after the spell is completed.

  Effect - bronze: Spears conjured by your powers deal additional damage when part of this spell

  Effect - silver: Conjured spears detonate after the spell is completed, dealing additional disrupting force damage within a small area.

  - Spearmaster’s flurry (Spear) - “Thrusts of exalted celerity!”

  Special attack. Cost: Low mana, moderate stamina Cooldown: 15s Current rank: Silver

  Effect - iron: Deliver a series of swift jabs. Damage starts out low, but gradually increases with each hit.

  Effect - bronze: Each hit bestows an instance of [Integrity] to the user.

  Effect - silver: Damage is dramatically increased against a foe currently delivering a special attack

  [Integrity] (Heal over time, Mana over time, Stamina over time, Holy, Stacking): Periodically recover a small amount of health, stamina and mana. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.

  - Balance of the Oldest Weapon (Spear) -

  Special attack (Combination). Cost: Moderate stamina Cooldown: 10s Current rank: Silver

  Effect - iron: Make the attack with either the head or the butt of a spear. If channeled through the spear’s head, the attack gain additional reach and deals additional damage. If channeled through the butt of the weapon, the attack inflicts the [Stunned] affliction, its duration depending on the damage dealt.

  Effect - bronze: Making the attack with the head of the spear also inflicts the [Bleeding] affliction while attacks made with the butt gains greatly increased knockback.

  Effect - silver: Making the attack with the head of the spear inflicts additional resonating force damage while attacks with the butt deals additional disruptive force damage.

  [Stunned] (affliction, magic): Briefly be unable to move, use abilities or control already active abilities. Fully reactive abilities and effects can still be triggered. The duration cannot be refreshed by applying [Stunned] again and being affected multiple times in succession has diminishing returns.

  [Bleeding] (affliction, wounding, blood)

  - Myriad Spear Array (Spear) - “The oldest weapon, the purest instrument, wielded by many yet mastered by few. I call upon the might of the phalanx, the purity of the thunderbolt and the means with which to drive darkness before me. By the grace of the skies, we act as one!”

  Spell (Summon, ritual). Cost: Very high mana Cooldown: 6 hours Current rank: Silver

  Effect - iron: Summon three random spear conjurations that can fly at high speeds. Spear conjurations act semi-autonomously, and attack in conjunction with the summoner.

  Effect - bronze: Summon nine additional random spear conjurations

  Effect - silver: Summon twenty-one additional random spear conjurations.

  Spirit - Spear: Silver 0

  - Incarnate Spear -

  Special ability (Conjuration, holy). Cost: High mana Cooldown: None Current rank: Silver

  Effect - iron: Conjure Perfection, the Spear Incarnate. All powers which affect or are channeled through a spear of any kind have their cost reduced and their effects increased.

  Effect - bronze: Perfection and any other spears conjured while this weapon is manifested deals additional disruptive force damage

  Effect - silver: Every attack made with Perfection or any other spear bestows an instance of [Heavenly lancer]

  [Heavenly lancer] (Boon, holy, stacking): After accumulating ten instances of this boon, all stacks are consumed to increase the damage of the next special attack made.

  - Thunderbolt javelins (Spear) -

  Special attack. Cost: Varies Cooldown: 15s Current rank: Silver

  Effect - iron: Conjure and launch magical javelins, with cost depending on amount of javelins conjured. The maximum amount is dependent on the rank of this ability.

  Effect - bronze: Javelins deal additional resonating force damage

  Effect - silver: Enemies hit by the javelins suffer an instance of [Target of the Vajra].

  [Target of the Vajra] (Affliction, magic, stacking): Disruptive force damage dealt against the afflicted is increased. Multiple instances have an accumulative effect.

  - Formation wave (Spear) - “Tide of penetrating glory”

  Spell. Cost: Moderate mana Cooldown: 1m Current rank: Silver

  Effect - iron: Conjure a wave of spears to carry you forward at great speed, dealing damage to anyone caught in your way.

  Effect - bronze: Conjured spears may be launched at enemies at the end of the movement.

  Effect - silver: Enemies hit are inflicted with the [Pinned] affliction

  [Pinned] (Affliction, wounding): Suffer a short but potent reduction to the [Speed] attribute

  - Instant phalanx (Spear) - “Face the defiant phalanx”

  Spell (Conjuration). Cost: Moderate mana Cooldown: 1m Current rank: Silver

  Effect - iron: Conjure a phalanx of stationary spears from any moderately sized solid surface, angled according to your wishes.

  Effect - bronze: Contact with the conjured spears attempts to dispel any effects currently increasing the target’s movement, dealing further damage for each such effect dispelled.

  Effect - silver: Grounded spears may be launched towards opponents at will, retaining all other effects.

  - Mark of the Spear-Saint (Spear) -

  Special ability. Cost: None Cooldown: None Current rank: Silver

  Effect - iron: When damaging an enemy with a spear, the enemy is inflicted with an instance of [Judgment of the Spear].

  Effect - bronze: [Judgment of the Spear] becomes resistant to cleansing effects.

  Effect - silver: Attackers deal reduced damage based on the amount of instances of [Judgment of the Spear] which is currently afflicting them.

  [Judgment of the Spear] (Affliction, holy, stacking): Suffer increased damage from spears. The damage scaling of execute abilities that utilize a spear is increased. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.

  Recovery - Adept: Silver 0

  - Perfected step -

  Special ability. Cost: None Cooldown: None Current rank: Silver

  Effect - iron: Gain significantly increased balance, and may choose to lower the effects of your own weight upon surfaces which you are in contact with.

  Effect - bronze: Add the ability to step on the surface of water (or similar liquid surfaces) as well as run up vertical walls.

  Effect - silver: Greatly increase dashing and leaping speed, as well as your movement speed during any special attacks.

  - Wings of the Spear-maiden (Spear) -

  Special attack. Cost: Low mana, moderate stamina (moderate ongoing mana) Cooldown: 30s Current rank: Silver

  Effect - iron: Manifest wings of glowing spears and make an enhanced leap. You may launch the spears at any point during the leap.

  Effect - bronze: Launched spears seek out intended opponents as long as they are within range.

  Effect - silver: Pay an ongoing mana cost to keep the wings active, granting flight. While active, you may launch a steady stream of spears from the wings as per the previous effects.

  - Icon of versatility (Spear) -

  Special ability (aura). Cost: None Cooldown: None Current rank: Silver

  Effect - iron: Allies within the aura have the range of their non-melee abilities increased, as well as the damage of their melee-abilities.

  Effect - bronze: Allies within the aura gain increased reaction speed.

  Effect - silver: Allies within the aura ignore part of enemy resistances with their attacks.

  - Impeccable Whirling Deflection (Spear) -

  Special ability. Cost: None Cooldown: None Current rank: Silver

  Effect - iron: When wielding a spear, negate actively intercepted attacks as well as any effect they carry. Not all damage from very powerful or higher-ranked attacks will be negated.

  Effect - bronze: May block and negate part of area attacks. This will protect the user from harm, but not their allies.

  Effect - silver: May block and negate attacks and spells without projectiles or other direct mediums. This requires strict timing and judgment, with the same restrictions as the iron-ranked effect.

  - Sacrificial spear (Spear)-

  Special ability. Cost: Spear Cooldown: None (1 minute) Current rank: Silver

  Effect - iron: Sacrifice a nearby, unwielded spear to increase the power of the next special attack or spell. This special attack or spell will ignore rank disparity in resistances and damage reduction.

  Effect - bronze: Upon sacrificing a spear, add the option to instead completely negate an attack. This effect can be used once every minute.

  Effect - silver: Add the option to sacrifice as spear to temporarily boost the [Power] and [Spirit] attributes. This effect can be used once every minute.

  Character sheet - Laevyeth

  Name: Laevyeth

  Race: Outworlder

  Racial traits:

  [Dimensional Errant]

  Language adaptation.

  Immunity to identification and tracking magic.

  Improved concealing effect from withdrawing your aura.

  May receive knowledge from a willing creature through touch.

  [Soul-wrought Armament]

  Greatly increase resilience to damage. When wielded, you gain immunity to most afflictions.

  No need for food, water or similar sustenance while in zones of sufficient magical density. Consume spirit coins to subsist in zones of lower magic.

  Magical healing targeting you has greatly reduced effect. Consume spirit coins or the mana of a wielder to restore yourself.

  [Of Twin Forms]

  Gain the ability to assume a humanoid form of your rank. You may change back to your original form and back at will.

  The humanoid form retains your increased physical resilience, but most other magical abilities pertaining to your original form will be unavailable to you.

  [Bond of the Pure Paragon]

  Your aura senses are vastly enhanced when targeting a creature with which you are in physical contact.

  When in your true form and wielded by a creature whose spirit harmonizes with the nature of your bond, all of your powers are enhanced, gaining additional effects depending on the magic of the wielder. Mismatching wielders will suffer varying levels of discomfort and pain upon touch, increasing with lower levels of harmonization.

  [A Space to call One’s own]

  You have a personal dimensional storage space into which you can store objects you are touching.

  Upon shifting form, you may choose for any eligible items currently on your person to be stored in the space and/or to retrieve and don any items stored.

  Any item which you loot or receive through a similar way will be directly stored within the space if possible.

  ???

  Rank: Silver

  - Iniquity’s Bane -

  Innate. Cost: High mana Cooldown: 10m

  Effect - silver: Release a powerful burst of revealing light which shreds the wicked, dealing high disruptive force damage to nearby foes. The light will attempt to dispel hostile illusions, with additional effectiveness against effects involving darkness, shadows or smoke. Additionally, the light will attempt to cleanse all afflictions of the curse, poison and unholy subtypes from allies within range.

  - Caress of Pure Winter’s Day -

  Innate. Cost: Ongoing moderate mana Cooldown: None

  Effect - silver: Cover yourself in the purest of frost, your touch eating away at the wickeds’ will and capacity to escape your ministrations. While active, each attack deals additional cold damage and inflicts an instance of [Touch of Purest Frost]. The additional cold damage is increased for each stack of [Touch of Purest Frost] currently afflicting the target.

  [Touch of Purest Frost] (affliction, ice, holy, stacking): Each instance of this affliction lowers the target’s [Speed] attribute as well as inflicting ongoing cold damage. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.

  - Bloom of the Pristine Evergarden -

  Innate. Cost: Extreme mana Cooldown: 6h Current rank: Silver

  Effect - silver: Cause flowers and vines of pure life and mana to bloom over the forms of allies within range. Affected allies instantly recover a moderate amount of health, mana and stamina, and gain a high ongoing recovery of all three while the effect persists.

  Additionally, while the effect lasts, spells and special attacks of affected allies which consume stamina or mana will have their effects increased.

  - Thy sole instrument -

  Innate. Cost: None Cooldown: None Current rank: Silver

  Effect - silver: You may take on the effects of your wielder’s conjured weapons, and each addtional applicable weapon conjuration made by your wielder will be replaced with a simulacrum of you. The conjurations still retain their original effects which are further enhanced, and any of your ongoing powers currently in use will also be applied to them. You may choose to take on the mana cost for any weapon conjuration made by your wielder.

  Resonant - Triumph of Indomitable Will: When any of Will’s spear conjurations disappear, their remnants will turn into a seeking bolt of frost, dealing low cold damage and applying a stack of [Touch of Purest Frost]

  ???