[ While strolling around the bustling district of Milewich, you and Verosala stopped in your tracks, and as you see her setting her eyes on a specific shop, Odin's Blacksmith. Verosala subtly hinted at the blacksmith, as if she had an underlying purpose, and you stepped inside of the shop. The air was clean, unlike the very blacksmiths you remember... Wait, remember? Remember what? ]
[ As you ponder what made you remember such scenes, Verosala, with a quiet grace that always seemed to command attention, approached the burly blacksmith that just came out of the door from the side. ]
"Excuse me," her voice was clear and resonant. "We are here to inquire about a reservation order." She paused, then added with a hint of pride in her tone, "In the name of the Sunblaze Noble Household."
[ As if pronouncing the name of the household she was born in to show off to Velvet. ]
[ As Verosala handled the pleasantries of the order, you, on the other hand, had your thoughts drifting, a familiar haze of contemplation settling over you. The day's events, particularly those concerning the Heart Tree, the mysterious sudden memories, and many more, were still cycling throughout your mind. The ancient yet gnarled branches, the strange ethereal glow it sometimes emitted, and above all the girl who lived within the depths of its trunk. ]
[ The enigmatic figure, her eyes holding a wisdom beyond her apparent years, her words echoing with a cryptic significance, had swept through your very being. That it makes it hard to forget what she said. What did she truly mean when she sang her song? What is she? And what does the Heart Tree mean for me? ]
[ Everything all faded into the background as you replayed each interaction, searching for answers in the fragmented memories. ]
As your thoughts swirled throughout your mind, a low but rusty voice cut through the haze, yanking you back to the present. "The sword is called FireSteed version 10," the blacksmith said, as his voice was ringing with pride. "It was made from a steel that can handle 1500 degrees Celsius of flames, heat, or fire."
[ You blinked, looking around the bustling shop for the source of the voice. Your gaze landed on the blacksmith beside you, who had a formidable figure with soot-stained hands and a nice, enchanting grin. He was gesturing towards the magnificent blade displayed in front of you on a weapon stand. Its polished surface gleamed under the shop's flickering lights almost as if it had a faint inner glow. You realized you were standing directly in front of it. ]
The blacksmith, mistaking your momentary distraction for intense interest, who seems oblivious to your recent mental wanderings. "It has an attack power of 50, and can release a 3-meter fire slash every 3 strikes that can cause a fire damage bonus of 20."
She gestured towards the FireSteel Version 10 and asked, "How do you know how powerful it is?" her voice laced with curiosity, which cut through the lingering thoughts about the Heart Tree.
The blacksmith chuckled, "Ah, that's thanks to my Apparatus Skill," he explained, tapping his temple. "It allows me to discern the properties and power of items, especially those I craft."
"An apparatus skill?" Velvet mused, then asked, "How do you know if you have that skill yourself?"
The blacksmith rubbed his chin, then replied, "Well, there are two ways, lass. You either journey to a temple and have your abilities assessed there, or you simply... discover it yourself through practice and experience." He then shrugged. "You can't exactly pull up a 'character panel' like in those storybooks, at least not without visiting a temple."
"I see, I see," Velvet replied. After that, Verosala and the blacksmith started to chat and then became slowly engrossed in their conversation. As a comfortable murmur of small talk filled the air, your attention began to wander. The concept of an "apparatus skill" still lingered in your mind. Without much thought, you whispered the word towards another item, the word "apparatus."
[ A faint shimmer appeared before you, coalescing into a transparent light green with a red panel of information, seemingly floating in mid-air. It was like nothing you had ever seen before. It was clear, concise, and filled with data. ]
"It worked," you said to yourself in your heart.
[ You felt a surge of excitement followed by a surge of determination course through you. This was an opportunity to learn and to understand the world around you in a new way. You immediately began to scan the blacksmith's shop, your gaze landing on various items, each now revealing its hidden properties through the lens of your new awakened skill. ]
[ With your newly awakened 'Apparatus Skill,' you found yourself in a treasure trove of information. The blacksmith's workshop, which moments ago was just a collection of mundane tools and materials, now hummed with unseen data. You first focus your gaze upon a dagger. ]
The panel pops up:
Name: Shadowshard [Dagger Type]
Description: A cursed dagger that seeps into darkness. Strikes from this blade become harder to see, especially in low light, making the user nearly invisible while attacking from the shadows.
Attack Power: 35
Magic Affinity: +20 (Dark)
Critical Chance: 25% in darkness
Special Effect: Grants invisibility for 5 seconds after backstab
Durability: 60/60
Name: Ataraxia [Spear Type]
Description: Forged from a rare crystal mined from the dreams of meditating monks, Ataraxia calms the mind while heightening reflexes. Its strikes are silent and smooth, bringing death without malice.
Attack Power: 45
Range Bonus: +2 tiles
Focus Regeneration: +5% per turn
Special Effect: Immune to fear, calms nearby allies
Durability: 80/80
Name: Earthsong [Miscellaneous Type]
Description: A magical flute made using a branch of a Heart Tree. Plays melodies that can command wildlife, soothe beasts, or cause the very earth to tremble and split. Used by druids and forest guardians.
Nature Influence: +35
Beast Charm Chance: 60%
Tremor Song Radius: 5m
Cooldown Between Songs: 3 turns
Durability: 40/40
Name: Insanity Bow [Bow and Arrows Type]
Description: Shoots small bullet-like arrows that cause madness. The arrows hum with chaotic energy. One hit may lead a victim to paranoia, another to euphoric laughter, and another still to despair.
Attack Power: 30
Effect Chance: 50% chance to inflict Madness (random behavior) for 1 turn
Ammo Type: Bullet-arrows (25/25 capacity)
Draw Speed: Fast Durability: 50/50
Name: Hope's Stone [Miscellaneous Type]
Description: Used to escape from dangerous situations. Glows with a warm light when in peril. When activated, it teleports the holder to the last safe space they visited.
Escape Use: 1 per dungeon
Teleport Time: Instant
Rune Recharge: Rechargeable at magic springs
Durability: ∞ (Magically Reinforced)
Name: Soul Talisman [Miscellaneous Type]
Description: Etched with runes of binding, this talisman pulls wandering spirits into itself, preventing hauntings or allowing them to be released later for interrogation or ritual.
Spirit Capture Chance: 70%
Storage Capacity: 1 spirit
Release Option: Yes (Can be used in rituals)
Durability: 10 uses
Name: Deluded Visage [Miscellaneous Type]
Description: Creates illusions that make others believe the user. The scroll burns to ash once used. For a short time, anything the user says is taken as truth—facts, lies, dreams, or madness alike.
Duration: 30 seconds of absolute persuasion
Cooldown: One-time use
Effect Radius: Voice-based, 10m range
Durability: 1/1
Name: Reflection, Sphere of Lost Hope [Unknown Weapon]
Description: This obsidian mirror shows not reflections but regrets. Those who gaze too long see their own despair manifest—and in rare cases, the mirror shows a version of the viewer that acts with a will of its own.
Effect: Shows target's deepest regrets
Debuff Chance: 40% despair
Illusion Clone Spawn: 5% chance per minute stared into
Durability: ∞ (Soulbound)
Name: Mystery, Annihilation of Souls [Staff Type]
Description: Whispers echo from this staff. When it strikes or channels magic, there's a chance the soul of the enemy is obliterated, bypassing death and undeath entirely.
Magic Power: +60
Soul Annihilation Chance: 10% on hit
Cooldown Reduction: +10%
Backlash Risk: 5% chance of soul drain to caster
Durability: 70/70
Name: Benediction, Bead of the Lion [Miscellaneous Type]
Description: Necklace from chimera teeth. Increases magical power and grants a lion's courage. The roar of a chimera echoes faintly when spells are cast.
Magic Power Buff: +25%
Courage Aura: Allies resist fear within 10ft
Roar Effect: Emits 1 shockwave per day
Durability: 50/50
Name: Shadowfall [Miscellaneous Type]
Description: A dense veil of darkness envelops an area, obscuring all light. Those caught within see only shadows and shapes, vulnerable to unseen attackers.
Area of Effect: 10x10 ft
Blindness Duration: 2 turns
Cooldown: 3 turns
Mana Cost: Moderate
Uses: Scroll: 1-time use; Spell: reusable
Name: Crucifer [Miscellaneous Type]
Description: Weapon that can pierce vampire hearts. Gleaming with silver-steel alloy, it radiates faint light and causes immense pain to undead. A single strike to the heart is said to burn with divine flame.
Attack Power: 40
Holy Damage: +25 vs Undead
Vampire Piercing: Instantly kills if aimed at heart (DC 18)
Light Radius: Emits 10ft light aura
Durability: 65/65
Name: Necrolight [Staff Type]
Description: A staff imbued with necrotic energy, glowing faintly with ghostfire. It allows the wielder to communicate with the dead or raise temporary undead servants from fallen foes.
Magic Power: +45
Raise Undead: Can summon 2 temporary skeletons
Spirit Communication: Yes
Durability: 60/60
Name: Solarsong [Bow and Arrows Type]
Description: A bow strung with sunlight, created from phoenix feathers and celestial wood. Its arrows ignite in flight and explode in radiant bursts upon impact, devastating undead and shadow-born creatures.
Attack Power: 42
Light Burst Radius: 3 meters
Undead Multiplier: x2 damage
Arrow Burn Chance: 30%
Ammo Type: Solar Arrows (Auto-generates 1 per hour)
Durability: 75/75
Name: Soul Insignia [Miscellaneous Type]
Description: A badge-like charm worn over the heart. Stores the soul of its bearer in the moment of death, allowing resurrection through specific rituals or items within a limited time.
Soul Backup: Activates upon death
Revival Window: 10 minutes post-death
Revival Cost: Consumes magical catalyst
Durability: Single-use
Name: Stormfury Heart [Amulet Type]
Description: A crystal heart that pulses with thunder and wind. Grants the wearer lightning resistance and can unleash a burst of storm energy when struck, knocking enemies back.
Lightning Resist: +40%
Knockback Radius: 3 meters
Charge Time: 5 seconds
Durability: 20 uses
Name: Bloodlord's Satchel [Miscellaneous Type]
Description: A crimson leather bag that absorbs spilled blood. When opened, it grants the user temporary strength and speed boosts by consuming that blood essence.
Blood Capacity: 100 ml
Buff Duration: 60 seconds
Buff Type: +20% Strength and Speed
Cooldown: 5 turns
Durability: 80/80
Name: Clarity, Heart of Lost Voices [Special Type]
Description: A crystal orb that echoes with ancient whispers. Grants insight into forgotten knowledge or suppressed memories, but prolonged use may reveal things the mind isn't ready for.
Memory Reveal Chance: 70%
Mental Stability Risk: 15%
Focus Boost: +10% while held
Durability: 30 uses
Name: Inertia, Slayer of Insanity [Shield Type]
Description: Blocks arrows from the Insanity Bow. A dark iron shield inscribed with runes of stability. When held, it mutes external magical influences on the mind and repels psychic attacks with a resonant hum.
Defense Rating: +55
Magic Resistance: +40 (Mental only)
Special Effect: Immunity to "Insanity" debuffs
Parry Window: +10%
Durability: 90/90
Finally, a bouquet of dark flowers.
Name: Ebony, Memory of Broken Dreams [Special - Floral Item]
Description: A bouquet of flowers for memory retrieval. Each petal reveals a fragment of a memory long forgotten, especially ones suppressed by trauma or magic. Used in rituals or personal healing, but some memories are better left buried.
Memory Access: 1 lost memory per flower (3 per bouquet)
Emotional Feedback Risk: High (roll vs Willpower)
Can Be Used In: Rituals, therapy, prophetic dreams
Durability: 3/3 petals
Ding!
[ A soft chime echoes in your mind as the transparent panel of information began to flicker, then it solidified back wihth a subtle glow. Your apparatus skill has leveled up! A new wave of claruity washed over you, as if the world's hidden properties were now more transparent. You felt sharper in perception, and a greater ability to intricate details of the items around you. ]
[ After inspecting the items in the shop, You pick up the Ebony Flowers and the Hope's Stone, and went back to where Verosala and the Blacksmith is at. ]
Once their conversation was finished you proceeded to ask the Blacksmith, "How much for these?"
"For those two items, it will be 300 kindlers for the Ebony Flowers, and 1500 kindlers for the Hope's Stone. A total of 1800 kindlers." blacksmith replied.
[ You were shocked by the price, but still paid the amount. Happy with your harvest, you both went back to the mansion to rest for the day. ]