Chapter 2

Faolan woke up to find himself spread eagle in the middle of the woods. He turned his head and saw the mushrooms forming the ring he was laying in. Just as he was told and took it all in.

“Well, talk about being tossed out and not given much information.”

He slowly sat up and crossed his legs. Taking in all that he saw, from the fairy ring, to the trees, and brush.

*Ping* Welcome to Saol na Beatha! I’m your welcoming party and my name is Cernunnos, The Lord of Wild Things! Yes, Bask in awe of having me greet you!

Faolan shook his head wondering if he was imagining this gruff voice that sounded like he was an elementary schooler with the energy he was pouring out.

“Hey don’t ignore me, and act like that!”

Faolan decided to address him, and organized his thoughts. He was confused, and the name Cernunnos sounded familiar to him.

“Excuse me, But isn’t Cernunnos a god of the Celts? I mean no disrespect, but in my old world there was, I think, a god with that name. I’m just confusing myself thinking about that.”

“You are correct, there was an age where we gods all visited your world at different eras and in different locations. This world, Saol na Beatha, is a world that breathes Celtic mythos, in some parts another pantheon dwells, and some place no gods will tread there. I can not reveal all the mysteries, but I will tell you that this world will amaze you. Now before you ask a million questions, let's start getting you ready for your new life.”

Faolan nodded and waited for Cernunnos to continue explaining. He really didn’t want to be stuck in these woods once night time hit. If he remembered anything from some Celtic myths he had read there were some creatures best to avoid.

“In this world everyone has access to a Status, you just need to think of the word. From that you can see your status, your body, mind, and spirit are broken down in nine stats. Those are by group Strength, Endurance, and Vitality make body. Mind is made by Intelligence, Dexterity, and Reason. Finally you have Spirit which contains Nature, Devotion, and Mana. You raise these through training, increase your skill and ability levels, and acquire skills or abilities.”

“What's the difference between a skill and an ability?”

“Abilities are as you may think, something ingrained in you and has a set potential that can help you and may give you a certain aptitude. Your Cat-Sith bloodline is one that gives you access to witchcraft and mana. Skills are things you study and use.”

“So can anyone see my Status?”

“No, well, kinda let me explain. Your Status can only be seen by you. But there are items that can reveal one's Status. For example judgment stones will be used to reveal if one is a criminal when entering a new country. If you go work for the League they give you rank cards that show your stats in real time. Oh, yeah there is no leveling up in a sense whenever you kill something. Everything relies on you and how you develop yourself. This is no game, and you should watch out. After all, anyone can surpass one another if they put in the time. Your point you were given to come here helps make up for not being born in this world. You won't be able to acquire more, so use them with caution. After that you have to learn the hard way.”

Faolan nodded and thought Status to open his.

“I leave you to it, and be forewarned Spirited One. Keep your past secret and I warn you if you reveal it in the wrong place a gilded cage awaits you.”

Faolan looked at the teal mirage like screen in front of his eyes. It was broken down like he said it was and guess the average stats for the nine stats for his race blend was seventeen. It didn’t seem high or low and the only abilities showing were water resistance, Cat-Sith Witchcraft, and shapeshift. Faolan then noticed tabs on the bottom that read Abilities and the other Skills. Thus began his journey of reading everything before he buys.

“GODS! Why are there so many similar things, and why have them all listed.” Faolan moaned after finishing reading everything. He felt like all his day was devoured just from this one thing. But he managed to learn a few things from this. Items, skills, abilities, and some other things had ratings. Those ratings went like this Common < High < Magic < Fairy < Ruler < Mythic, and the difference between the tiers was noticeable. For example, think of great value chef's knives and Japanese sushi knives.

Faolan looked at what he had available point wise to use and saw he had 100 ability points, and 60 skill points. He quickly selected one ability he had noticed before and knew it was worth the 70 point cost.

Able Learner: Ruler : All that you have learned will automatically unlock the corresponding skill or abilities to the level you have an understanding of. This ability will enhance skill and abilities experience gained by 10%.

Faolan looked at his status and grinned at how his skills filled out, and some abilities he didn’t expect.

:Abilities:

Strong Will: Common: Will push through trials thrown one's way. Gives +5 to Endurance, Reason, and Devotion.

Nature Lover: High: A connection to nature around you. +10 Nature, Devotion, and Mana.

Hard Worker: Common: Effort begets fruit. +5 Strength, +8 Endurance, and +4 to vitality.

Practiced Hand: Fairy: Work, study, and even enjoyment have melded together through one's will. +7 to all stats and will enhance practiced skills.

Dobhar Chu Bloodline: Fairy: Blood of the King Otter runs through you. Grants 75% Water resistance.

Cat-Sith Bloodline: Fairy: Grants your heritage access to the witchcraft of your people.

Shapeshift: Magic: grants the ability to change forms related to your bloodlines. Dobhar Chu form, Cat-Sith Form, and Cat form.

:Skills:

Martial Arts: Common: LVL 3, +9 to all stats

Polearm Mastery: Common: LVL 4, +12 Dexterity and Strength

Cooking: Common : LVL 3, +9 Dexterity

Survival: Common: LVL 3, +9 Endurance, Reason, and Nature

Botany: High: LVL 4, +20 Nature and +12 Intelligence

Farming: Common: LVL 4, +12 Strength and Endurance

Flower Arrangement: Common: LVL 4, +12 Reason and Vitality

Arithmetic: High: LVL 3, +15 Intelligence and Reason

Riding: Common: LVL 1, +3 Strength and Nature

Sewing: Common: LVL 1, +3 Dexterity

Witchcraft (Cat-Sith): Fairy: LVL 1, +7 Mana

Lore: High: LVL 2, +10 Devotion and Intelligence

Herbology: Common: LVL 5, +16 to nature

Status:

Name: Faolan

Age:23

Race: Cat-Sith DobharChu Hybrid

Job: Herbalist (Common)

Strength: Base (12) => 48

Endurance: Base (12) => 42

Vitality: Base (16) => 37

Intelligence: Base (18) => 64

Dexterity: Base (19) => 52

Reason: Base (19) => 64

Nature: Base (20) => 77

Devotion: Base (17) => 36

Mana: Base (20) => 36

Faolan looked at the final part of his stats and decided to save the points for later. Then he saw the words, pick your weapon. He quickly looked through the Polearms and then he saw it.

Iron Hazel Half-Pike: Magic: A Six Foot long Half-Pike made from the magic wood of an Iron Hazel tree. Sharp as steel and as durable. Can be used to aid in magic casting. +5 Strength and +10 Mana.

Faolan stared at the half-pike he now held. It was a glistening cream with slight speckling of silver along it. Twirling it and practicing the basic swipe, slash, thrust, and footwork. After a few minutes Faolan had a good grasp over the range and weight of the half-pike.

“Alright, guess it’s time to get to town. Time to get on the road.”

With that in mind he left the Fairy Ring and took his first steps, and all this while humming.