Book 4, Chapter 59: An Even More Local Specialty I considered my options. I had quite a few [Friend] based Abilities. And I was a diplomat now, so getting a diplomatic Specialization could be the way to go. But at the same time, it really wasn’t me. From way, way back when, my and Caroline’s dream had always been to go cruising. Heck, it was practically my last regret before I… died. Brewing was in my soul, winemaking was in my heart, and the desire to travel and vacation was in my bones. We’d seen London, we’d seen France, we’d seen the world’s largest underpants. They were in Missouri. We’d traveled all over the world, really. And now I had another entire world to explore! The ambassadorial work was more of a hobby. So, now that I was pretty happy with my brewing Specializations, it was getting high time to branch out. Besides, I didn’t have a single Brewing Milestone I was willing to sacrifice at this point. [Long Stride], [Wayfinder], [Paper Pusher], [Tools of the Trade], and [Fetch Friend] were all travel and dimensional based Abilities. I already had a dimensional Specialization, so it would probably be a good place to branch out. “What are you thinking about?” Mirelda asked, coming up alongside me. “The kiddos are all having a fun time jumping in grapes, and it’s getting a bit messy. Especially the beards, and the fur. How do you put a beard net on a beaver, anyways?” I laughed, remembering Sammy’s first time in a maceration tank.”That happens. Romero’s fancy tank prevents hairs and dirt from getting into the must, so don’t worry about it. I’m thinking about doing my next Specialization.” “Oh, really?” Mirelda’s eyebrows rose. “Ah, right, you’re still getting Quests. How many Specializations are you at now?” I pulled at my beard. “Three? This’ll be my fourth.” “So many you’ve lost count? Lucky.” She flumped down on the grass beside me. “I’m not even at my first yet.” She smelled of grapes and tea. She lifted her hair over her ear as she gave me a bright smile. For a moment, the sun framed her like a halo. My throat suddenly felt dry. “Don’t have enough Milestones?” ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡✶𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚✶𝙣𝙚𝙩 “Not enough I’m willing to sacrifice. What’re you going for?” “I’ve got enough for two options. Either something more diplomatic, with a bunch of [Friend] Milestones. Or something more travel based with a bunch of movement and teleportation and dimensional Milestones.” “Travel, definitely.” Mirelda said without a moment’s hesitation. She leaned forward, resting her chin on her knees and giving me a teasing look. “Do you think you’ll be happy giving a portion of your soul to politics?” “I am an ambassador,” I choked. “A beer ambassador!” She tittered. “WIth an emphasis on the beer! I don’t think that a political Specialization is, well, you.” I grinned. “Y’know, I agree with ya.” I tossed the Abilities into my Specialisation notification, but before I could activate it Mirelda held up her hand. “Don’t you want to ask your family about it? Aqua said you made it a big todoo last time.” I shrugged. “I usually do. But that’s because my last Specialization was about brewing, and since we’re brewers, it could impact the entire clan. This time, I’m not doing it to be a better brewer. I’m not doing it to save beer. I’m not doing it to strengthen the clan.” I gestured at the beaven kits bouncing around the maceration tank; their tails could give them quite a bit of air. They ping-ponged into a group of dwarves, and they all fell into the must giggling. “Being in here, seeing the beaven just live life, I feel like doing something for me. I get the feeling this may be my last Specialisation in a while, and I want it to be something I want. And I want to travel.” Specialisation Possible! Please select 5 Milestones to combine into a Specialisation! You have selected [Long Stride], [Tools of the Trade], [Paper Pusher], [Fetch Friend], and [Wayfinder]. Specialisation Gained You have decided to Specialise! Specialisation is an important decision that will guide your future growth. Your selected Milestones will combine to give you powerful new Blessings that will help you down your chosen path. Choose wisely, for what you choose will come to define you. The following four Specialisations are available to you. Yearn’s Dungeon Tender I frowned, and Mirelda asked in concern “What?” “Like I expected, two of these seem pretty basic. But one of the Specialisations is in a different font. That usually means one of the Gods is interfering.” “Oh. Is that good or bad?” Mirelda bit her lower lip. “So… good or bad?” Possible Specialisation: [Yearn’s Dungeon Tender] Combine [Fetch Friend] and [Tools of the Trade] into the Blessing [Fetch Monster]. Combine [Paperpusher] and [Wayfinder] into the Blessing [Yearn’s Dungeonwalk]. The Milestone [Long Stride] is not affected. As [Barck’s Bartender] you haven’t actually spent much time bartending, have you? You opened a new dungeon and were instrumental in the creation of a race of intelligent beaverfolk instead. Isn’t that weird? Shouldn’t you be serving drinks behind the bar? Well, I’m not one to judge, but I think it would be interesting if you focused more on that instead! Increases the chance of developing traveling Milestones and the chance of meeting new monsters. Barck can’t access your Karmic Store, so I’m raiding all your Karma to do this. If you don’t use it you’ll lose it! Tee hee. [Fetch Monster] – You are a friend to many and can call on them as effectively as any tool. A Tamed or Allied monster held within a dimensional space or dungeon is teleported to your side. You may use this Ability to send them back as well. This Ability is usable once per hour. [Yearn’s Dungeonwalk] – You may choose to shunt yourself and up to seven companions into the Nether, where you may safely travel to any Dungeon you have personally visited. This travel occurs fully in the Nether, and no matter how far away, you will reach the chosen dungeon after one hour of travel. This Ability can be used once per day. Safely. Promise. No, but for reals, I swear. This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. I stared at it until Mirelda cleared her throat. “Well?” She asked curiously. “Ummm-pire? Ummm-bilical cord? Ummm-brella?” She gave me a playful shove on the shoulder. “No. I’m not falling for that one. Though at least it’s better than that awful ligma crap that my son used to be obsessed with.” “I don’t know that one,” I admitted with a shrug of my shoulders. “I think… Yearn’s trying to screw with Barck,” I concluded. “Aye… the Specialization is called [Yearn’s Dungeon Tender]. And there’s a buncha digs at Barck in tha description.” “A Godly Specialization? Again?” Mirelda raised an eyebrow then glanced at the beaven. “Wait, don’t the beaven call you that?” “Eh, they call me Dungeon Master. I wonder if that’s where Yearn got the idea from. And I was just thinkin’ how much I like tha name too. It’s definitely better than Barck’s Bartender, or Tha Forefather of Brewing.” “Then shouldn’t you take it?” I chewed my lips. “It sounds kinda dangerous, actually.” “Like, portal through hell dangerous.” “Ooh! Take it! Think of the stories you could write!” “Not a writer, thanks. Says I can bring people with me, too.” “Oooh! Think of the stories I could write! Maybe something in the vein of Orpheus. Or a horror novel where you travel through hell and something comes back with you!” She delivered that last with a palpable hint of menace and I shivered. “Ugh. But seriously, it’s almost exactly what I want, and I think… I think there’s a massive cheat.” “Have you heard of [Tamers]?” “Sure. Standard monster summoner class. Not a very popular Title, they tend to die young.” “This lets me summon ‘An Allied or Tamed monster from within a dimensional space or dungeon’.” It took her a second, but she got it. “Isn’t Cascadia a dimensional space and a dungeon?” “I think I could summon Deathbringer,” I pulled at my beard. “And if I traveled to other dungeons with Val and met other first generation monsters, maybe I could summon more. I could have a dozen boss monsters in my pocket.” Mirelda gave me a horrified look, then a moment later she giggled. “If City Hall considered you a weapon of mass destruction now!” “I know!” I groaned. “But it’s just so cool! Imagine I get into a fight with someone and I’m all like, ‘Pocket Beaver!’” “Deathbringer! I summon you!” “You’ve activated my BEAVER card!” She doubled over laughing. “Ugh, stop! My sides!” “Want to pet my beaver?” She stopped laughing and rolled her eyes. “Nope. You killed it.” “Says the romance writer! Should I quote some of your more tawdry lines? The ones describing the ‘supple lines of his verdant flesh, like corded ivy upon a marble palace’?” “No! Never quote an author their books!” She held her hands over her ears. “La la laaa! I’m not listening!” I reached up and tried to pull her hands away from her ears. “‘The sheer girth of him was only matched by the magnificent breadth of his beard!” “*Ahem*.” We both glanced up from where we were locked in mortal combat to see Deathbringer staring at us. “Are you two busy?” “Nope!” We both declared, separating. “What’s up?” I asked, smoothing out my beard. “The kits are just about done,” he pointed at the maceration tank, where a dozen beady eyes were grinning at us. “And want to know what to do next.” “I’ll go supervise,” Mirelda squeaked, hopping to her feet and adjusting her blouse. “Just give me a moment.” I called after her, then turned to the beaven chief. “Deathbringer, just out of curiosity, would you consider me an ally?” “Certainly! A truer friend of the beaverfolk there will never be! And are you not the master of this dungeon as well?" "So you'd come if I called for help?" "Mais oui? 'Ave you need?” “Just wonderin’,” I replied, quickly looking over my other options. But while they seemed interesting, they didn’t really come close to the sheer power of [Dungeon Tender]. Possible Specialisation: [Group Leader] Combine [Tools of the Trade] and [Paper Pusher] into the Blessing [Party Inventory]. Combine [Long Stride] and [Wayfinder] into the Blessing [Party Wayfinder]. The Milestone [Fetch Friend] is not affected. As a [Bartender] you have focused on family and friends over food and drink. As a [Group Leader] you will be able to serve your friends and companions in a better capacity than you ever have before. Increases the chance of developing leadership Milestones and the chance of finding new allies. [Party Inventory] – You gain access to a 100-metre cubed dimensional inventory that you can put objects in. You and up to five chosen allies can access this inventory as long as they are within 1 kilometer of you. This Ability can be used once per minute. [Party Wayfinder] – You can set a waypoint to any place you have physically been. Setting a waypoint removes any previously set waypoints. You and up to five chosen allies always know the direction and distance to your waypoint. You and your chosen allies’ Agility increase by 4 when you are headed towards your Waypoint. This Ability can be used once per hour. Possible Specialisation: [Barck’s Butler] Combine [Fetch Friend] and [Wayfinder] into the Blessing [Return Home]. Combine [Paper Pusher] and [Long Stride] into the Blessing [Barck’s Library]. The Milestone [Tools of the Trade] is not affected. I skipped down to peek at [Barck’s Library] just in case, but it was just a dimensional library of books that Barck considered interesting. Like [Barck’s Cellar], but for books. I’m not a reader, and I already hated being called [Barck’s Bartender] – it sounded like I was his personal purveyor of drinks. Being called his Butler would cause me literal spiritual pain, no matter WHAT it gave me. I’d just make sure to never, ever mention it to Richter or Mirelda. Possible Specialisation: [Master Bartender] Combine [Fetch Friend] and [Paper Pusher] into the Blessing [Create Blueprint]. Combine [Tools of the Trade] and [Long Stride] into the Blessing [Right Tool for the Job]. The Milestone [Wayfinder] is not affected. As an [Bartender] you raised up an entire generation of drinking enthusiasts. For you, brewing and bartending isn’t as much about the beer, as it is about leaving a legacy. And others see that within you, and flock to call you a [Master]. Increases the chance of developing leadership Milestones and the chance of obtaining new apprentices. [Create Blueprint] – You have stored away so many different recipes and crafting blueprints that you can’t even keep track of them anymore! With this, you don’t even need to worry about it. This Ability creates a permanent Blueprint of something you have crafted in the past. Anyone who reads the Blueprint has their Dexterity and Intelligence increased by 4 while following the instructions. This Ability can be used once per day. [Right Tool for the Job] – Your tools are always the right tool for the job. Anyone who uses your tools finds their work easier and more comfortable to perform. Increases the likelihood that any product made using your tools is made correctly. This Ability is constantly available. [Group Leader] and [Master Bartender] had been about what I was expecting for using such bland Milestones. [Master Bartender] was actually a bit tempting. Especially if [Right Tool for the Job] would help me get around not having [Soft Tools] like Master Romero. But, being a Chosen Catalyst of the Gods did have its perks! Two Godly Specialisations! And one was even worth talking about! “Never thought I’d be a fan of Yearn.” I said, shrugging. “But between the beaven and this? She’s definitely in my good books.” Mirelda nodded. “She is the Goddess of Relationships for a reason. She knows what people like.” “Eh, she's still kinda shifty. The whole thing with Val rubs me the wrong way. This scheme of hers is going to get a lot of people killed.” “She's also the Goddess of Nether, and moderately schizophrenic according to the dogma.” “Ugh. I wish I had another [Deific Revelation].” I threw up my hands. “Y’know what, even if I never use [Yearn's Dungeonwalk], the whole package is just too cool to pass up. By Yearns Yams, I wanna be the very best! Like no dwarf ever was! I choose ta become a Dungeon Master!” I selected the Specialisation with an air of fanfare. “Shhh. Don’t ruin this for me.”