The Seers tell us this. It is both completely true and utterly false.
All Paths have equal potential is closer to the truth. There are no options that prevent success. There are no Archetypes or Specializations that cannot become powerhouses.
In the end you get from your Path what you put into it, because your Path is a reflection of yourself.
~ * ~
By the time Phelann calmed down Seb and Anya had switched places once more to let him take a better look at his options. He was fairly certain he had made up his mind about which Archetype to select however he was interrupted before he could explain his reasoning.
"I apologize for my outburst," Phelann said. "The first of those Notes is the most common and even it is considered a rare boon. I'm not sure I've heard of anyone getting the third note personally."
"But what do they mean? Why are they so shocking?" Seb asked. Rarity was probably a good thing based on her reaction, but maybe she'd be able to tell them why Valene felt so dangerous.
"I can't tell you much. By the time I could you'll likely be able to figure out what I'm not saying. The first note relates to why I would feel dangerous if Valene hadn't warned me how to treat you. The third note means you felt something from him that was much more, something you wouldn't learn of unless you're a Seer until much later. Seers end up learning certain details early because we have to be able to understand what other Awakened experience when they ask questions," she answered.
"So my recognizing you and Yshe as dangerous ties to something past level 9. And Valene was more dangerous because he's somewhere higher still you can't talk about?" he clarified.
"Yes. And the second note means that there was no planning or intent behind you finding out. Some Awakened families intentionally trigger the first note for the benefits, but it must be truly accidental for the second. And as the third says, you must not be harmed. The difference in Energy State between Valene and you is enough that most demonstrations an Awakened would recognize would usually kill them."
Seb froze and felt Anya tense beside him. "Just how much danger was I in?"
"None?" Phelann answered hesitantly. "Valene wasn't doing anything, you simply noticed something you should not have been capable of. That I shouldn't be capable of."
"And my getting the notes?" Anya asked.
"You were communicating over band when it happened?" At their nods she continued. "You're close and you were sharing awareness in a way. You felt it from him. Delayed recognition is extremely unusual, but it is based on your recognition. Seb knew it was what it was, his notes gave you context."
"Which is, in my opinion, completely ridiculous. I don't know how you managed to do what you did, but I would suggest never letting anyone know you have the third note, even the second might get you attention you won't like."
Seb frowned. "Why would they be a problem?"
"Their benefits. Choose your Archetype, or let Lady Lysanya take your place. You'll be able to see then."
Seb went to move away only to feel Anya's hand on his arm, holding him in place. "I'm not choosing before you have your Archetype. We work together."
He smiled then looked back over the list one last time.
"I'm going to choose Stalker," he explained. " SpellBlade sounds like a version of Monk that uses weapons. Energyst, other than maybe Energy Barrier, would be very vulnerable if actually attacked."
Seb could feel Anya's relief without looking at her. Apparently she'd had some concerns about his choice or vulnerability as well.
I would protect you Seb, but if they got past me.
I know, and I don't want you to feel forced to.
You- she sent, frustration leaking through. It's what I would want to do.
Decision made Seb selected the Archetype and the feed changed, showing new choices.
Energy Signature identified as [ Sebastian Holding Syl ] and existing experiences reviewed.
Specialization options identified. Specialization Advancement Options will be withheld until Specialization is selected.
NOTES 1, 2, 3 recorded
Archetype Stalker Unlike Rogues who focus on their physical techniques to catch their enemies unawares before crippling them, the Stalker recognizes the power of the Energyst. The SpellBlade faces danger head on, you are the danger that appears when the time is right, leaving only energy in your wake.
Specialization Options
- Path of the Stalker Stalkers wait unseen, attacking when the time is right to cause the most harm before retreating to strike again.
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- Path of the Stalking Cloak Scouts, assassins, hidden blades in the night. Stalking Cloaks are nearly impossible to spot.
- Path of the Witchblade Your blade sings their doom. Witchblades dance through battle, nowhere and everywhere at once as they shape the field.
- Path of the Energy Duelist Although Stalkers typically strike from ambush, Energy Duelists specialize in more drawn out duels. They are strongest fighting alone against individuals.
Archetype Advancement Options (Pick 3, must pick 1 Knowledge and 1 Enhancement)
- Special Slightly improved ability to manipulate multiple threads of Energy simultaneously. This option will grow and advance with future Path selections.
- Knowledge Slightly improved awareness of how energy can be used to avoid detection.
- Knowledge Slightly improved understanding of timing and placement in combat.
- Knowledge Slightly improved ability to learn or discover techniques that allow energy to influence opponents.
- Enhancement Slightly improved Husk proprioception.
- Enhancement Techniques meant to hinder opponents are slightly more effective.
- Enhancement Slightly less vulnerable to physical and energy based injuries from opponents who are hindered.
"That benefit. That is why you will draw attention," Phelann said as she pointed to the Special option. "Note 1 will provide the ease of manipulating multiple threads, but Note 2 makes all Notes grow stronger alongside your Path. Without it you get a slight improvement and never anything more."
"There are more notes then?" Seb asked.
"Supposedly. Knowing of them prevents you from gaining them."
"But you know," Anya said.
"Yes, but notes 1 and 3 are only truly possible before your first selection, and note 2 obviously requires note 1," Phelann answered, her tone making it clear she would not clarify further.
Thoughts? he sent to Anya.
Not Duelist. It might be powerful in certain situations but the rest of the time while Diving? Not really.
I don't like the Stalking Cloak either. Puts all the focus on you at all times. And doesn't sound like it would handle being attacked well.
Do I need to remind you who's stronger? Anya sent back teasingly.
Stalker or Witchblade, he answered, not bothering to answer her question. Stalker would still keep focus on you. So Witchblade I guess?
It sounds interesting, Anya admitted.
Figure yours out yet?
Seb could feel Anya hesitate, a clear desire coming across the bond yet nervousness as well.
I want to be myself, to find out who that is. But Mystic might make it harder to protect-
Mystic, he interrupted. If that's what you want then that's what you should pick. Witchblade sounds least vulnerable, we will make it work.
Seb glanced over at Phelann, standing forgotten as they discussed in silence. "If I pick my Specialization but not the Advancement Options I see everything at once? I've decided."
"That is correct," she answered. "Are you sure you don't need to discuss? Stalkers are not the most common of choices and those Specializations even more so."
Seb quickly summarized his reasoning as well as Anya's input. He wasn't actually surprised that a Stalker was less commonly seen, it referenced three other Archetypes and even the SpellBlade had made reference to the Warrior. But he was certain it fit, that their choices were right.
Once more his selection changed the feed, focusing entirely on his Advancement Options.
Energy Signature identified as [ Sebastian Holding Syl - Path of the Witchblade ]
Archetype Advancement Options (Pick 3, must pick 1 Knowledge and 1 Enhancement)
- Special Slightly improved ability to manipulate multiple threads of Energy simultaneously. This option will grow and advance with future Path selections.
- Knowledge Slightly improved awareness of how energy can be used to avoid detection.
- Knowledge Slightly improved understanding of timing and placement in combat.
- Knowledge Slightly improved ability to learn or discover techniques that allow energy to influence opponents.
- Enhancement Slightly improved Husk proprioception.
- Enhancement Techniques meant to hinder opponents are slightly more effective.
- Enhancement Slightly less vulnerable to physical and energy based injuries from opponents who are hindered.
Specialization Advancement Options (Pick 3)
- Special Your bound weapon naturally emits Bladesong. Bladesong range is slightly increased. This option will grow and advance with future Path selections.
- Knowledge Slightly improved ability to learn or discover techniques that can be imbued into weapons.
- Knowledge Slightly improved ability to learn or discover techniques that can be used as crystallized energy.
- Knowledge Slightly improved understanding of Bladesong. - Enhancement Techniques meant to hinder opponents last slightly longer and are slightly harder to resist.
- Enhancement Slightly improved stability of crystallized energy techniques and weapon imbuement.
- Enhancement Hindered opponents are slightly affected by weapon imbuements as long as they are in range of the Bladesong.
Seb had barely finished reading over his options when he heard Phelann groan. Curious he turned to look at her and she was once more staring at his feed with a look of shock.
"Seer?"
"Imbuement, Crystallized Energy, and Bladesong," she answered. "First two I can explain directly, the third is, strange."
"Is that a good thing?" Anya asked.
Did you make a mistake? she sent immediately after, concern radiating from the band.
No, this feels right.
"Bladesong affects an area. Within the area it can affect the battle, for better for allies, for worse for opponents. But it is not easy to use. It requires effort to learn and practice to make useful."
See? he sent. It's a good choice.
"As for imbuement, it is similar to the Energy wrapping Lysanya is capable of, however it is intended as a lasting effect. Crystallized Energy is shaping Energy into a weapon or other object, to use as a tool. At higher levels crystallizing an imbuement technique creates an imbued crystal weapon, at least until it breaks." Phelann sighed as she finished explaining the newest elements that had surprised her.
"So complicated interactions, but all of them useful if I can learn to use them."
"That is one way to look at it, yes. The other is you have set yourself a near impossible task."
Seb looked back over his options, making sure he could remember as much of their specifics as possible before stepping away from the terminal. Turning to Anya he gestured. "As you said, we work together."
I want to think through my choices, and I'm sure you're getting curious about your own special options, he added privately.
Anya nodded before stepping forward. As the feed filled he saw her select the Path of the Mystic the moment it appeared, clearing out her Archetype Advancement Options before he could do more than notice that she had an additional entry the same as him.
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