The Mechanical Crafter, page 25
part #1 of The Mechanical Crafter Series
I walked through the compound into the lab area and found my gnome handlers, Gnomerad and Tognomey. The two were waiting for me as they had been every day, ready to question me about any new information that I had discovered about my Metalman abilities.
Only, I realized with a start that I didn’t have anything to report. I was close to leveling, and I’d completed several class quests recently, but with everything that had gone on, I hadn’t spent any of the points or unlocked any new abilities.
It didn’t take long to recount what had happened that day. The two gnome researchers had a few questions about the monster that I’d faced on the third level, and while they weren’t happy to hear that I’d almost died, they were excited to hear about my poison immunity and my ability to survive and repair the loss of a limb. They immediately started to discuss how it would be an advantage in The Ultimate Research Warrior Competition. The two didn’t care a whit that Greebo was dying or that he’d confessed to informing Nailspitter about me.
“Didn’t you hear what I said? That’s how Nailspitter found out about me. Greebo told him.”
Gnomerad looked at me with disdain and said, “Of course he did. I told you that goblins stick together. They’re not trustworthy creatures.”
Tognomey was a bit more sympathetic. “I’m sorry that you found out about what the goblin did, but we’d suspected that would happen. I wouldn’t go as far as describing the entire race as untrustworthy, but the Goblin Research Center is known for their espionage tactics.”
I nodded at Tognomey. “Thank you for your words. I’m just sorry I don’t have any new Metalman tech to show off to you. Though . . .” I trailed off as I thought about just how many class quests I’d completed in the last few days. There might be something I could show them. I looked at my character sheet to see just how many class skill points I had and what I could do with them.
Name: Repair
Race: Metalman
Class: Artificer Level 3
XP to Next Level: 97
Weight: 120 lbs.
Carrying Capacity: 121/165 lbs.
Stat point Available: 0
Class point Available: 5
Money: 0
AC: 12
HP: 25/25
Mana: 28/28
Str: 11
Dex: 10
Con: 10
Int: 16
Wis: 10
Cha: 10
Five whole class points? I’d been working so hard on those class quests that I’d lost track of exactly how many I’d racked up. I pulled up a list of the class abilities available to me and reduced it to just the ones that I could afford with what I had.
Fabrication II - Ability to create any medium mundane item in schematic database. Requires Fabrication I. Requires 2 class skill point.
Fabrication III - Ability to create any large mundane item in schematic database. Requires Fabrication II. Requires 3 class skill points.
Mass production I- Ability to create any mundane small item in large quantities instead of individually. Requires Fabrication I. Requires 3 class skill points.
Schematic Modification I - Ability to modify one parameter of an existing schematic, creating a new one. Requires Fabrication IV. Requires 2 class skill points.
Schematic Modification II - Ability to modify two parameters of an existing schematic, creating a new one. Requires Schematic Modification I. Requires 3 class skill points.
Improve Armor I - Can increase armor class through the use of fabrication. Requires Fabrication II. Requires 1 class skill points.
Improve Armor II - Can increase armor class through the use of fabrication. Requires Fabrication II. Requires 2 class skill points.
Integrated Weapons - Allows for weapons created to be integrated into frame. Requires Fabrication I. Requires 1 class skill point.
Integrated Items - Allows for created items to be integrated into frame. Requires Fabrication I. Requires 1 class skill point.
Internal Storage Weight Reduction - Reduce weight of items in internal storage by 10% per total class skill points spent. Requires at least 1 class skill point. Repeatable.
Internal storage Increased Slots - Increase the number of internal storage slots by the total of class skill points spent. Requires at least 1 class skill point. Repeatable.
Improve efficiency when deconstruction - Increase efficiency when using Deconstructing tool by 10% per total class skill points spent. Requires at least 1 class skill point. Repeatable.
Improve efficiency when repairing - Increase efficiency when Repairing by 10% per total class points spent. Requires at least 1 class skill point. Repeatable.
Improve efficiency when crafting - Increase efficiency when using Crafting by 10% per total class skill points spent. Requires at least 1 class skill point. Repeatable.
Improved Scanning - Gives a greater chance for successful scan of higher tier items and gear to be scanned as schema. Increase success chance by 10% per total class skill point spent. Requires at least 1 class skill point. Repeatable.
Infusion - Allows for temporary infusion of magical schema into non-living materials. Requires Magical Spell Scanning. Requires 2 class skill points.
Advanced Infusion - Allows for additional commands to be added to infusion process like timers, or trigger commands. Requires Infusion. Requires 3 class points.
As I looked over the list of options, I pondered which to spend my five class skill points on. All of the improved-efficiency abilities were tempting, especially the weight-reduction one. Since it was repeatable, that meant that anything I put into my internal storage would weigh 50% less if I spent all five points on it. Fabrication III was also tempting, not that I had any 'large' schematics to fabricate, but because it put me closer to getting Fabrication IV. That ability would let me make magical items and was a prerequisite for the Improve Stats ability, which felt like a game-changer.
I thought back to yesterday and how easy it had been for the Mutated Moleikin to cut through my wooden plating and knew that the wooden plating was not going to cut it anymore. At the same time, I’d already purchased Magic Spell Scanning and planned to pick up Infusion so that I’d have some magic to use. I wasn’t sure how Infusion worked, but I thought that it might have meshed with the idea I had earlier.
While I could purchase Improve Armor I and II, if I got both I wouldn’t be able to afford Infusion because of the prerequisites for Improve Armor. No, I didn’t know how either ability worked, but I knew that I’d need both. I applied my class skill points to Fabrication II, Improve Armor I, and Infusion.
After confirming my decision with the OS, multiple lines of text scrolled across my vision with instructions on how to use the new abilities. I ignored the text on Fabrication II since I already knew how to fabricate and the ability just allowed me to make medium size objects instead of just small ones.
Infusion - Allows for temporary infusion of magical schema into non-living materials. The infused spell can then be applied or cast as normal for a period of (Intelligence + Level) minutes. Once the infusion is used it must be reapplied to be used again. All schema requirements must be met before the infusion can be cast. Additional capabilities for infusions can be unlocked with advanced abilities.
The description cleared up how the ability worked on a technical level but not practically. Still, it would allow me to use the magical schema I’d been collecting.
Improve Armor - An artificer can improve the armor rating of a Metalman by replacing or upgrading the outer plating of a Metalman. The use of materials determines the improvement in Armor. Armor improvements require 16 hours to complete.
Hardwood - Increase Armor to 13, max dexterity bonus 6, weight increase 10 lbs.
Iron - Increase Armor to 15, max dexterity bonus 0, weight increase 20 lbs.
Steel - Increase Armor to 18, max dexterity bonus 0, weight increase 15 lbs.
Mithril - Increase Armor to 16, max dexterity bonus 5, weight increase 10 lbs.
Adamantine - Increase Armor to 20, max dexterity bonus 2, weight increase 15 lbs.
Ochrium - Increase Armor to 22, max dexterity bonus 4, weight increase 15 lbs.
From the information provided by the OS, it looked like how I improved my armor was determined by materials I had. Hardwood and Mithril gave smaller increases to Armor but allowed for more maneuverability, so you got to keep more of your dexterity bonus if you had one. I didn't have a dexterity bonus or the materials, so that option was already off the table. Iron shouldn't be hard to collect, and the increase in Armor to 15 was pretty good, but it came with an extra 20 lbs. too. I currently only had an additional 30 pounds of carrying capacity, iron plating that would drop to 10 lbs. I'd seen some steel weapons and armor in some of the fancy shops, but they’d cost gold, not silver, which meant that the material might just be out of my price range for the time being. I could only imagine what Adamantine or Ochrium cost if they were at the high end of the armor upgrades. I could also imagine just how badass I'd look covered with the stuff.
Just as I finished reading the descriptions I heard a cough and realized that Tognomey had said something and asked, “I’m sorry, could you repeat that?”
“I said that we’ll bid you a good day if that is all you have to report to us. I’m sure you have more work to do today.”
He and Gnomerad turned to leave, but I called out to them as an idea sprung to mind. “Wait. I just got two new class abilities, Improve Armor I and Infusion. Would you like to see how the Metalmen upgraded their armor?”
The duo turned almost at once. When I saw the greedy glint in their eyes, I knew I had them. I explained what each ability was but that Improve Armor was a physical upgrade and would require materials on hand for it to work. They were anxious to observe the process of upgrading my armor first hand and were happy to provide the iron I needed. I tried to argue for steel or mithril as a better metal to observe, but they said that they didn’t have the 20 lbs. of either in the lab and that it would take a few days to get approval to spend gold on the steel. So, I accepted the iron.
Part of me preferred to earn my own way in general, but I knew that it would take me a long time to gather the iron I needed for my upgrade. A much bigger part of me knew that they weren't offering the material out of the goodness of their gnomish hearts. It was a research opportunity for them and a chance to upgrade their champion, which also meant that the entire sixteen-hour process could be deducted from my debt to them. I gave the gnomes two thumbs up and agreed to let them observe the process of upgrading my armor. They practically ran to the Institute's storage area to bring in the twenty pounds of iron I'd need to start the upgrade.
The two returned with a hand cart full of old cast iron parts and broken tools and left it at my feet. I deconstructed it all and found it was just enough for the upgrade. Gnomerad and Tognomey observed me carefully, paper and pens in hand to take notes, as I said, "Command: Activate Improve Armor ability."
Please select the armor upgrade class:
Hardwood - Increase armor to 13, max dexterity bonus 6, weight increase 10 lbs.
Iron - Increase armor to 15, max dexterity bonus 0, weight increase 20 lbs.
Steel - Increase armor to 18, max dexterity bonus 0, weight increase 15 lbs.
Mithril - Increase armor to 16, max dexterity bonus 5, weight increase 10 lbs.
Adamantine - Increase armor to 20, max dexterity bonus 2, weight increase 15 lbs.
Ochrium - Increase armor to 22, max dexterity bonus 4, weight increase 15 lbs.
I sighed and wished I had been able to convince the gnomes to give me mithril or adamantine, and said, “Iron."
Warning: Armor improvements require 16 hours to complete. Please choose a safe location to complete the upgrade. Please say ‘Ready’ when you wish to continue.
I hopped onto the lab table and laid back as the two gnomes wrote every action I took on their pads of paper. Then I said, “Ready” and the world around me went black.
Chapter 28 – Dream a little Dream
...Loading Stasis Program
The text scrolled across the darkness, and then the world regained its light. Only, I was no longer in the gnome lab. Instead, I was in an empty whiteness. I stood up and looked around, hoping to see some exit or anything really. But there was nothing: not a ceiling, walls, not even a horizon. Frustrated, I asked, "Where am I?" With no response. I tried to recall how I got here, and then it clicked. The upgrade. There was a message about an upgrade stasis program. I tested out a theory that came to him, "Inquiry: Where am I?"
You are in the Stasis Program.
The text that scrolled across my vision confirmed my suspicion that this was some kind of Metalman program. I didn't know what kind of program it was, but at least I could still communicate with the Metalman operating system.
"Inquiry: What is the Stasis Program?"
To ensure a proper upgrade, your frame has been immobilized, and you have been placed in stasis. Here, you may explore several sub-programs while you wait.
Practice
Skill and Ability Trees
Memories
The information was infuriating. The Metalman race seemed to be hyper-focused on efficiency and productivity. They didn't sleep or eat, thus gaining more time to work. Most of my class abilities had at least some way to become more efficient, but only after completing productive quests. So, it was not a total surprise that they'd have some way to be productive even when their physical bodies were immobilized. It must have driven them crazy thinking of wasting a whole 16 hours doing nothing. I know it did me. I’d already wasted so many hours sitting still while my body repaired itself, and there was a program that would have let me do something else?
I inquired about each of the sub-programs only accessible here and got descriptions of each.
Practice - Do you want to fight against terrible foes without fear of damage? Do you wish to craft the greatest of weapons without wasting materials? Or do you want to sneak through the deadliest of dungeons without dying? In a virtual environment practice any skill or ability you possess.
Skill and Ability Trees - Know your enemy as yourself. The path to power requires planning. See and test out the skills and abilities of any class in the database.
Memories - See the battle you won, the landscape you once visited, or relive an important moment in your frame’s history.
Each of the sub-programs seemed exciting, and I wanted to explore each. "Command: Run Practice Program."
Please select the skill or ability you wish to practice.
Blunt Weapons
Deconstruction
Fabrication
Haggle
Improve Armor
Infusion
Magical Spell Scanning
Repair
Trap Making
Unarmed Fighting
I selected blunt weapons, the first on the list of choices. With a flash of light, a weapons rack appeared with a wide selection of blunt armaments: staffs, cudgels, hammers, clubs, rods, and more. I picked up the staff, a weapon I'd yet to use. It felt real in my hands, and I could see the fine-grained wood. There was an actual weight to the staff, and as I swung it, there was a momentum that had to be adjusted for. I was just getting used to the feel of the weapon when a new notification appeared.
Starting practice in 5....4...3…
Before it really registered what was happening, the countdown ended. With another flash of light, a Mutated Moleikin appeared in all its bulbous glory. The sight of the massive furred monster, with its sharp claws, vertically-splitting face, and writhing mouth tentacles made me freeze for a moment. But the monster had no such issues. It blindly searched for me, and when I stepped back, it heard the sound. Its tentacles instantly shot out and extended to grab me. The recent dismembering experience with the monster was fresh in my mind, and both the staff in my hands and the fact that this was a simulation program was forgotten as I turned to flee. Before I made it far, however, the creature’s slimy, wet, tentacles wrapped around my left leg, and I was pulled off my feet. The staff flew from my hands as I fell, and I clawed at the non-existent ground, trying to find some purchase to halt being dragged into the monster’s maw. I felt the same horrid fear as I had before as I watched the multiple rows of teeth of the Moleikin grind away at first one leg, then the other, and then they ripped and shredded through the rest of me. My last sight was of the mouth devouring its way up my chest, and just as I expected to die, there was a flash of light and I found myself lying in the empty white space again. A new line of text appeared in front of me.
You have died. Would you like to restart the practice scenario?
I laughed in relief. It had all felt so real and happened so quickly. I said ‘no’ to the program and lay there. It took me a moment to process what had happened, but I reasoned that practicing a combat skill required one to combat something. So, the program generated a monster for me to fight. Was it only a coincidence that the program chose the last monster I wasn't able to defeat?
"Inquiry: Why was the Mutated Moleikin chosen as my opponent?"
Scan of recent memory files shows that the Mutated Moleikin was the most recently challenging opponent faced.
No. It wasn't a coincidence. It made sense that the Metalmen would program in a challenge. After all, even the system that distributed XP in the real world rewarded taking on higher-level creatures and penalized fighting lower-level ones.
I went through the list of possible skills and abilities to practice, and each had similar features. Combat skills spawned an opponent that I had to fight. Social skills like Haggle spawned a merchant that I had to convince to lower his price. Trap Making meant that I could use base materials or already scanned schematics for traps and test how to set them or make my own. Unfortunately, I had a limited amount of materials having only ever made a deadfall and a pit trap. I regretted not scanning more types of traps to practice with. The class skills were less exciting--all I did was simply use them--though I did like that I could fabricate any schematic I had learned without the needed resources, even if the items disappeared after being created. Improve Armor let me test what different armor types felt like, and magical spell scanning let me practice different situations where I could capture new spells, including finding magical tomes, spells scrolls, enchantments, or watching spell casters. Scanning spells was especially interesting since the spell casters got angry if they caught me scanning them. But like the fabrication practice, it was designed to improve my ability to use the skill. The infusion ability was the one ability that I found the most interesting. The system let me practice infusing various objects with the spell schema I’d collected.
