As the shade of night comes, Kol fights his urge to fall asleep, even after a tiring day with his classmates.
In his bed, he lay awake with his system open.
[Name: Kol (family name unknown)]
[HP: 7+(1)] [Blue EN: 10+(1)]
[STR: 9]
[DEX: 9]
[CON: 13]
[CHA: 12]
[WIS: 18]
[INT: 18]
[ABILITY] -PERMANENT BODY-
[Weakness Awareness]
[Blue Energy Accumulation]
[Health Development]
[Guidance]
[Blessed]
His eyes widen at the change.
A person's strength is measured by the amount of HP or energy they have. More HP means you're sturdier and less likely to die anytime soon and more Energy means more and stronger spells can be cast. These things can reach a maximum, capping at the 50s or so. It can still be increased through artificial means such as potions, spells, and artifacts.
'With this, I can get stronger faster.' Kol thought to himself in excitement.
'I hope you're doing as well as I am Nicole.'
The morning comes and Kol readies himself for the day. He wore a duplicate of his shirt from yesterday, a loose white shirt made out of potato sack cloth, wearing shorts made of the same fabric that goes down just below his knee. There isn't funding from the church to give orphans better clothing. Though it didn't bother Kol before it did bother him when he met Nicole, but there was nothing he could do to change his fashion. The first piece of clothing that he got was actually from Ross when he gave out robes for the three of them.
Tying his long hair to a bun, he wraps his potato bag tied by a string around his shoulder with his spell book inside. Making his way downstairs, he greets Bea good morning.
"No class today, Kol?" Bea asked, tending to the baby.
"No. My classmates and I are going to Lindow today."
"Do you have money?"
"No need. We'll just be accompanying our friend."
'Is she, my friend?' Kol thought.
"Nonsense. This is for you." Bea grabs Kol's hand and drops 4 silvered leaves.
The balanced world dedicates its entire life to the order and chaos tree. The tree's leaves hands millions of miles above the flat world simulating daytime and nighttime as the leaves glow from bright gold-yellow in the morning to dark blue at night. Because of this, the world conforms to 1 type of currency. Which is copper, silver, and gold melted into a mold that looks like a leaf.
"Bea, no. I can't take this."
"Kol. Don't worry about it, go and have fun." Bea smiles.
Kol hesitated a second but nodded and went on his way. Kol wasn't a big spender, though he received a few coppers from the library for cataloging their books, he did not know what he could spend It on. In the end, he would just buy food or snacks for the other kids. He thought of doing the same now if not, then he would just return the money to Bea.
Kol finds his way down David's neighborhood. David drew a crude map of Fallholt, with arrows indicating where to pass or what to look out for. Eventually, Kol found what looked to be the correct house. It was a small house, and though it wasn't as run-down or dilapidated as the orphanage, there were still signs of it being unkempt. Cobwebs on the protruding ceiling, dusty window covers, the plants beside the house though alive but barely.
The cold wind catches Kol's face. The faint crack of thunder from the distance alerts him. Though the sky remained clear, Kol concluded a storm was on its way.
Another faint crack of thunder from a distance, at the same time David's front door swings open.
David's face was red, a smile across his face covering an unknown feeling. His eyes looked swollen, and faint purple mark on the left side of his lips.
"David, are you ok?" Kol asked visibly concerned for his friend.
"Yeah, it's nothing." His laugh felt fake to Kol. "let's go. wouldn't want to keep her waiting."
(Perception D20 + 1D4 roll) – 6
Muffled voices from inside the house diverted Kol's attention. They seem to be arguing. A man's voice was the only one he could discern, and then the sound of something fragile like glass shattering could be heard.
'His father perhaps?' Kol thought.
"let's go," David demanded, pulling Kol's hand.
Kol's concern for his friend drowned in the confusion of events presented to Kol. Though he was concerned, Kol knew David would just dodge any question Kol would ask. Left with no other choice since this was the first time encountered such a problem, Kol decided to remain silent and follow David to the meeting area.
The area where June asked the boys to wait for her is on the edge of the town. An archway with the words 'Welcome to Fallholt' is found indicating the boundary of the town. A dozen single-horse carriages with their coachman on top line the road. People could walk from Lindow to Fallholt, but it would take an hour and the uphill walk would normally deter most people. The carriages are meant to carry people between towns on predetermined paths. To go from Lindow to Oakhart a person must ride to Fallholt first, then take another carriage from Fallholt to Oakhart.
Each carriage can carry a maximum of 4 people not counting the coachman. If all of the carriages are out the people would normally wait in line for the next one to come. This is a very good business to get into if not for the lack of procuring a horse Kol would often entertain the idea of making this his livelihood.
"You're late," June says waiting by an empty carriage.
"let's go, otherwise luie will leave us."
"Oh, no miss I can wait. Though Agui here might not agree." An elderly man spoke atop the carriage caressing the brown horse it was attached to. "let's go. Agui doesn't like the rain."
"You rented a carriage for us?" David asked.
"I didn't want to walk." June clarified. "Obviously."
"Obviously." The two boys repeated.