Evan broke the pendant's function into three primary layers, each serving a specific purpose:
Directional Guidance Runes: These would work to direct the flow of smoke or ash from his Spheres of Ash. Subtle taps on the pendant or focused thoughts could trigger the runes, guiding the smoke in specific directions.
Amplification Runes: Designed to enhance the density and persistence of the smoke, these runes would make the ash linger longer, increasing its effectiveness in combat.
Activation Runes: A central set of runes on the back of the pendant, tied to his nucleus, would serve as the core activation point. By channeling energy into these runes, he could activate specific functions of the pendant without needing to rely on external gestures.
The pendant itself would be divided into quadrants, with each quadrant housing a specific set of runes. The back of the pendant would hold the activation runes, connected by thin grooves to the runes on the front, creating a seamless network.
Satisfied with the concept, Evan turned his attention to the materials. The wood needed to be both sturdy and responsive to runic inscription, and it had to be light enough to wear comfortably. He decided to use a piece of enchanted oak—a material known for its durability and affinity with magic. The camp's supply area occasionally carried such wood, and he could trade some contribution coins for a small block.
He also noted that the cord for the necklace should be strong but unassuming. A simple leather cord would suffice, easily overlooked by anyone who saw him.
The next day, Evan set out to gather the materials. He traded 10 contribution coins for a palm-sized block of enchanted oak at the supply station, along with a basic set of carving tools. The merchant, an older apprentice, raised an eyebrow at his purchase but said nothing as Evan pocketed the items and returned to his tent.
Once inside, Evan began the meticulous process of shaping the pendant. He carved the block into a thin, circular shape, smoothing the edges until it felt comfortable in his hand. The enchanted oak had a faint, natural glow, a testament to its magical properties, and its surface was ideal for intricate rune work.
For the next two days, Evan worked tirelessly, inscribing the pendant with the runes he had designed. Each mark required precision and care; even the smallest mistake could disrupt the pendant's function or, worse, render it unstable. He used simulate to test each configuration before carving it, ensuring that every rune fit seamlessly into the overall network.
The directional runes were the most complex, requiring delicate connections to the activation runes on the back. Evan took his time, etching thin grooves to channel energy between the layers. The amplification runes, by contrast, were simpler, designed to reinforce the smoke's properties without altering its flow.
Finally, on the third evening, the pendant was complete. Evan held it up to the light, admiring his handiwork. The runes glowed faintly, a sign that the enchantments were stable and ready to be activated. He looped the leather cord through the pendant and slipped it over his head, tucking it beneath his shirt.
The pendant rested against his chest, its weight barely noticeable. He closed his eyes and activated simulate, focusing on the runes. The network pulsed faintly, responding to his thoughts. A small smile crossed his lips. It was working.
The next step was testing. Evan stepped out of his tent and made his way to a secluded clearing near the southern boundary. Once there, he activated his Spheres of Ash and funneled the output through the pendant. The directional runes responded immediately, guiding the smoke in a controlled spiral. With a simple mental command, he redirected the ash, sending it forward in a narrow stream.
"It's perfect," Evan murmured, watching as the smoke moved precisely where he wanted it.
----
He spent the next hour experimenting with different settings, testing the limits of the pendant's capabilities. But as he worked, a new idea took shape. What if the pendant didn't just guide and amplify his magic? What if its runes could be modified to synergize directly with the Ember Engine, enhancing the smoke's density by leveraging the engine's specific proportions of subproducts?
Evan's nucleus pulsed faintly as he activated simulate, immersing himself in the runic structure of the pendant. Each rune glowed faintly in his mental space, their intricate connections forming the foundation of its functionality. He began mapping how the pendant's directional and amplification runes interacted with the engine's output. The patterns were functional but generic, designed to handle a wide variety of inputs.
Using assimilate, Evan allowed the full scope of the pendant's mechanics to flood his mind. The process was draining, waves of information surging through him as he analyzed every line and curve of the runes. It wasn't just about understanding how they worked—it was about seeing how they could be reshaped to align perfectly with the specific proportions of his Ember Engine.
After hours of meticulous focus, Evan began making adjustments. He altered the pendant's runes to match the engine's output ratios, fine-tuning them to optimize the flow of smoke-producing subproducts. These modifications enhanced the pendant's ability to condense and direct the smoke, increasing its density far beyond its original limits.
However, the changes came with a trade-off: the pendant was now uniquely attuned to the Ember Engine. Its functionality depended entirely on the engine's specific proportions, making it virtually useless to anyone else. What had started as a versatile tool had become a personalized extension of Evan's magic.
Evan paused, studying the modified runes in his mental space. He knew the pendant's transformation made it impossible to sell or trade, but that didn't bother him. This wasn't a tool for anyone else—it was his, crafted to work in harmony with the engine he had spent weeks perfecting.
With the adjustments complete, Evan linked the Ember Engine to the pendant once more. This time, the synergy was seamless. The directional runes guided the smoke with newfound precision, while the amplification runes maximized its density and persistence. The pendant felt less like an accessory and more like a natural extension of his nucleus, enhancing his magic in ways he hadn't imagined before.
Evan let out a breath, a faint smile forming on his lips. The pendant wasn't just more efficient—it was now a reflection of his growth, his ingenuity, and his relentless drive to improve. It wasn't a generic item anymore. It was something entirely his own.
----
Eager to test the results, Evan stepped outside into the cool night air. He activated the pendant, channeling the enhanced smoke subproducts into a Sphere of Ash. The difference was immediate. The sphere formed more slowly than before, but when it did, the smoke was visibly thicker, its swirling particles heavier and more cohesive.
Evan threw the sphere forward, watching as it exploded into a dense cloud. The smoke didn't disperse as quickly as it had before. Instead, it clung to the air, its weight pulling it downward in a way that made it harder to blow away. He activated simulate to analyze the smoke's behavior further, and a grin spread across his face as he noticed something remarkable: the smoke was dense enough to exert force on small objects. Leaves on the ground shifted slightly as the cloud moved, a promising sign.
"This… this could work," Evan murmured.
To push the concept further, Evan channeled more energy into the engine, forming a larger Sphere of Ash. This time, he aimed it at a stack of loose stones nearby. The sphere burst on impact, releasing a concentrated cloud of dense smoke. The force was subtle but noticeable—the stones shifted slightly, some even rolling a few inches from the impact.
Evan's mind raced with possibilities. If he could refine the engine further, the smoke might become dense enough to serve as a physical force, capable of pushing larger objects—or even opponents. He jotted down notes in his notebook, detailing the next steps:
Increase Particle Density: Experiment with further refining the engine's output to make the smoke even heavier.
Test Force Thresholds: Determine how much force the smoke could exert at different densities.
Explore Hybrid Applications: Combine the dense smoke with other elements, such as embers or flames, for a more versatile attack.
The possibilities invigorated Evan. He returned to his tent and activated simulate again, diving back into the engine's structure. The modifications he had made were promising, but there was still room for improvement. He envisioned a version of the Ember Engine that could adapt its output seamlessly, shifting between light, spreading smoke and heavy, forceful ash as needed.
For now, though, he was satisfied with his progress. The pendant and the engine were working in harmony, each enhancing the other in ways he hadn't anticipated. As Evan lay back on his cot, exhaustion tugging at him, a small smile played on his lips.
He wasn't just refining his magic—he was reinventing it. And he couldn't wait to see how far it could take him.