Of the two, it was the first one that really made me begin to laugh. It was such a crazy message.
Would you like to begin conquering the Faction Node of ‘The Williams Family’?
While I really like that fact it said the Williams Family there, what I was laughing at was the implication of what it said. I knew Grandpa probably named it that, but the fact that we could conquer it.
Of course I’m not laughing out of happiness, I’m laughing because this is a concept I recognize in not just books Grandpa has written but in others as well. We will not be the only ones to start a faction, no, there will be others. Whether another group here in Lagia starts one or many others across the planet starts one and even outside of this planet.
I am sure they are plenty of other factions out there. There might even be ones encompassing entire planets, galaxies, the universe, multiple universes, who the hell knows.
But just the fact it gives me the option of conquering the node or beginning to conquer the node, I’m almost inclined to do it just to unlock a special cut scene. What would it even start exactly? Does Grandpa get a notification? Or maybe it begins a one on one battle to the death or something. Either way the possibilities are endless and my mind kind of ran away with it for a moment until Grandpa brought me back down to earth.
“Stop being a crazy person and join the faction, other people are waiting.”
That definitely brought me out of my fantasies and made me pay attention to the second message that the node gave.
Request to join the Williams family faction.
I focused on it and selected it then I heard a small ding which I’m assuming is Grandpa accepting my request and then the screen before me changed.
Congratulations. You are now part of The Williams Family Faction. You may access the node from anywhere within Faction territory, barring certain restrictions.
Taking that as my sign to depart, I took my hand off of the node without exploring further and allowed the people who I so shamelessly skipped to then finally access the node. I then quickly walked away to find myself a comfortable spot to explore the node, whilst feeling very thankful it had a wireless feature.
It would’ve ate me up if I had to wait a long time before I could get access.
After finding somewhere to sit, I opened my status because that’s where I expect to find the button to go into the faction and low and behold there it was.
Status
Name: Fred Williams
Born World: Earth (ENWPI70059)
Race: Human
Faction: The Williams Family (Enter Node?)
Age: 17
Grade: F
Level: 50
XP: 17007/-
Mana: 130/130(30)
Stat Points: 0
Traits
Trait 1: Oxygen Efficient Lungs (Rooted)
Trait 2: Soaked Pulse Membrane (Rooted)
Trait 3: Hydro Adapted Muscles (Rooted)
Class
Current Class: Tide Initiate
Class Grade: F
Class Rarity: Rooted
Skills
1. Surging Step
2. Ocean’s Maw (Unbound)
3. Piercing Tide
Attributes
Strength: 34
Dexterity: 20
Vitality: 20
Endurance: 22
Mana: 26
Willpower: 12
Perception: 17
Intelligence: 12
The fact that it just plopped right into a spot where there previously no indication of anything else appearing made me wonder if that meant that there were other things that could eventually show up in my status as well.
Anyway, that type of thinking is for another day, for now lets enter the node.
After clicking it, a beautiful site was open before me. There were so many different things that truly pointed to the fact that this was indeed a faction node and not just the system shop.
Faction Node: The Williams Family
1. Members
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
2. Faction Vault (Restricted)
3. Security (Restricted)
4. Shop
5. Node Upgrade (Restricted)
Well Technically there were only five options to choose from and 3 of them were restricted but out of curiosity and the fact that it was literally one of two options that I could select, I clicked into the shop and if this was anime I’m sure my eyes would have twinkling stars in them right about now.
I half expected it to just be a replica of the System Shop we already had access to, and with it we’d just be getting the small benefit of not having to walk to the shop anymore, but I was pleasantly surprised.
Welcome to the System Shop
Note: All Factions have the benefit of having unbiased access to the System Shop according to their Grade with the exception of Pre-Int Factions which are heavily restricted. This note will not appear again.
Note: The System Shop accessible to this Faction Node is the real System Shop albeit restricted, thus it will require all purchases to be made in System Credits. A conversion from Gold Coins to System Credits will be facilitated by the System while still classified as a Pre-Int World. This note will not appear again.
Categories
1. Knowledge
2. Infrastructure
3. Combat
4. Utilities
5. Medicine
6. Materials
7. Tools
I kind of skimmed through the notes until I saw the last line about it not appearing again, and re read them both. Real System Shop, restricted because of World status, need System Credits, Grade matters. Okay got it.
Then I clicked into the first category, and then the one after that, and the one after that….ah there’s so much to digest.
Knowledge
-
Foundations of Flesh and Mana — How to properly integrate F-grade traits. 20 SC (200 gold)
-
The Gene Codex — Trait fusion into Genes; quality ranks and risks. 30 SC (300 gold)
-
On the Breaking Point — What changes during the leap to E. 25 SC (250 gold)
-
Basic Weapon Handling (Manual) — Grips, guards, and clean strikes. 5 SC (50 gold)
-
Foundation of Martial Movement (Manual) — Stance, balance, footwork flow. 5 SC (50 gold)
-
Mana Control Techniques — Practical drills for directing internal flow. 10 SC (100 gold)
-
Mana Sensing (Manual) — Methods to perceive ambient flow and cores. 10 SC (100 gold)
-
Records of Beast Cores — Grades, saturation, and growth behaviors. 8 SC (80 gold)
-
On the Nature of Nodes — What anchors are and how they claim space. 15 SC (150 gold)
-
Chronicles of Failed Foundations — Case notes on collapse and why. 12 SC (120 gold)
Infrastructure
-
Basic Storage Crate (500 slots) — Locked, shared vault crate linked to the Node. 25 SC (250 gold)
-
Vault Expansion Token (+500 slots) — Permanently enlarges the vault capacity. 15 SC (150 gold)
-
Communication Stone Set (5) — Instant voice between holders within claimed land. 20 SC (200 gold)
-
Territory Beacon (Minor) — Marks boundary lines with faint glyph light. 10 SC (100 gold)
-
Faction Ledger Stone — Auto-logs deposits and withdrawals, tamper-evident. 12 SC (120 gold)
-
Banner Emblem — Floating insignia above headquarters, visible locally. 10 SC (100 gold)
-
Territory Anchor Stone (+50 m) — Modest radius extension; limited stacks. 18 SC (180 gold)
Combat
Gear
-
Tempered Edge Sword — Narrow blade, holds an exceptional working edge. 12 SC (120 gold)
-
Hunter’s Dagger — Slim double-edge for joint and seam work. 8 SC (80 gold)
-
Iron Spear of Balance — Weighted head; steady thrusts, less recoil. 10 SC (100 gold)
-
Reinforced Leather Vest — Layered panels; flexible everyday protection. 12 SC (120 gold)
-
Light Guard Bracers — Fitted forearm plates for safer parries. 10 SC (100 gold)
Blueprints
-
Weighted Spearhead — Offset mass pattern for deeper penetration. 12 SC (120 gold)
-
Tempered Edge Blade — Heat/quenchant timings for durable sharpness. 12 SC (120 gold)
-
Joint-Piercing Knife — Geometry tuned for slipping past plates. 12 SC (120 gold)
-
Reinforced Leather Stitching — Layered seam patterns that resist tearing. 10 SC (100 gold)
Field items
-
Defensive Ward Stone (1-use) — 20-meter dome; about a minute of cover. 18 SC (180 gold)
-
Recall Token (1-use) — Snap-return to the Node; expensive, scarce. 50 SC (500 gold)
-
Territory Alarm Seal — Quiet perimeter trip that pings the Node. 15 SC (150 gold)
-
Weapon Maintenance Kit — Oils, stones, tools to restore full durability. 8 SC (80 gold)
Utilities
-
Identification Lens — Hand lens reads core grade and saturation. 20 SC (200 gold)
-
Minor Storage Pouch — Small fold-space; holds a few items weightless. 25 SC (250 gold)
-
Weightless Satchel — Cancels up to 20 kg of carried weight. 30 SC (300 gold)
-
Message Stone — Record a 30-second note, single playback. 5 SC (50 gold)
-
Portable Light Crystal — Steady white light; recharges daily at Node. 8 SC (80 gold)
-
Ledger Tablet — Hand tablet mirroring current vault inventory. 15 SC (150 gold)
-
Banner Token — Pocket insignia emitter for camps or parties. 10 SC (100 gold)
-
Marking Chalk (5) — Glyph marks glow for a day; low profile. 5 SC (50 gold)
-
Timekeeper’s Dial — Precise time disc for coordination. 10 SC (100 gold)
-
Echo Recorder — One-minute ambient capture; replay on cue. 12 SC (120 gold)
Medicine
-
Hemostasis Patch — Press-seal pad; shuts bleeding quickly. 8 SC (80 gold)
-
Stabilizer Ampoule — Holds fading vitals ~3 minutes; no healing. 15 SC (150 gold)
-
Dermal Bond Foam — Expands to knit shallow cuts and burns. 12 SC (120 gold)
-
Antivenin Bead — Dissolve, blood-touch, then dose; basic venoms. 15 SC (150 gold)
-
Auto-Align Fracture Wrap — Wrap, hum, harden along proper set line. 18 SC (180 gold)
-
Pain Lattice Strip — One-hour pain mute with preserved control. 10 SC (100 gold)
Materials
-
Refined Iron Ingot — Clean, forge-ready bar with even grain. 4 SC (40 gold)
-
Bronzewood Plank — Dense, springy wood with metallic grain. 6 SC (60 gold)
-
Scaled Hide Sheet (swamp drake) — Ridged, tear-resistant panel. 8 SC (80 gold)
-
Chitin Fragment (tunnel crawler) — Hard, glossy shell shard. 6 SC (60 gold)
-
Beastbone Slab (rockback boar) — Heavy bone plate for carvings. 5 SC (50 gold)
-
Horn Plate (plains charger) — Flat, polishable horn slice. 6 SC (60 gold)
-
Claw Fragment (cliff raptor) — Curved talon piece; tough tip. 8 SC (80 gold)
-
Fang Shard (cave mauler) — Jagged tooth shard; dense core. 8 SC (80 gold)
-
Glowstone Pebbles — Dimly luminous chips; grindable. 5 SC (50 gold)
-
Obsidian Shard — Razor glass flake; brittle but sharp. 4 SC (40 gold)
Tools
General tools
-
Ironforge Hammer — Weighted forging head; crisp face. 8 SC (80 gold)
-
Bronzewood Saw — Fine teeth, clean cuts on tough grain. 10 SC (100 gold)
-
Hideworking Awl — Straight punch for thick sheets. 5 SC (50 gold)
-
Bone Chisel — Broad edge for plate carving. 6 SC (60 gold)
-
Horn Shaper File — Serrated file; smooths and curves. 6 SC (60 gold)
-
Stonecut Pick — Small pick for splitting chunks. 8 SC (80 gold)
-
Resonant Needle Set — Long needles for strong thread. 5 SC (50 gold)
-
Clamp Press — Secure hold while shaping or setting. 12 SC (120 gold)
-
Mortar & Pestle (stone) — Grind powders and chips. 6 SC (60 gold)
-
Measuring Calipers — Check thickness and fit precisely. 8 SC (80 gold)
Workshop supplies
-
Glass Tube Set – Heat-tolerant tubes for mixes. 6 SC (60 gold)
-
Clay Crucible – Small melt pot for ore and dusts. 8 SC (80 gold)
-
Measuring Vials (5) – Graduated vials with tight corks. 8 SC (80 gold)
-
Storage Jars (3) – Reinforced ceramic with seals. 5 SC (50 gold)
-
Powder Scoop Kit – Three tiny scoops; clean dosing. 5 SC (50 gold)
-
Stone Grinder Wheel – Hand-crank sharpener/polisher. 10 SC (100 gold)
-
Scale Pan Balance – Counterweighted small balance. 10 SC (100 gold)
Forging tools
-
Anvil Block – Solid anvil with tapered horn. 20 SC (200 gold)
-
Forge Tongs – Long grips; steady under heat. 10 SC (100 gold)
-
Bellows Frame – Compact bellows; even airflow. 15 SC (150 gold)
-
Coal Brick Pack – Hot, slow-burn fuel bricks. 5 SC (50 gold)
-
Quenching Basin – Wide pan for oil or water. 12 SC (120 gold)
-
Mallet Set – Two wooden mallets; gentle shaping. 6 SC (60 gold)
-
Punch & Drift Rods – Rods for holes and expansions. 8 SC (80 gold)
-
Forge Stand – Stable stand for crucibles/ingots. 10 SC (100 gold)
Annoucement
BONUS CHAPTERS ARE BACK!
Paid Subs to Patreon, I will release a bonus chapter on Patreon therefore increasing the backlog.
Either way from Now until Nov 30 is the Bonus Period!
Note: Water Ascendant is for Tier Two and Three