I have read, I have understood, all the Classes available for me to choose. No longer can I delay the inevitable, a great change in myself, the choice that shall determine my future, and my power.
I have been put under a lot of pressure here, and I found myself pacing, within the ruins of what once was a home. I walked on my four horse feet as I pondered, the sound of my hooves clicking with every step.
Eight options, I narrowed down to four. To make it easier, my indecisive ass otherwise unable to shit out an answer.
[Hoovebearer] [Pony Perpetual] [Thy Blessed Pony] [Hell Baby]
Between those four I shall pick two to remain with me. The combo of Hoovebearer and Pony Perpetual perhaps the safest choice. Enough offense, enough defense, amazing regeneration, the speed to flee out of trouble. A choice that's predictable and low risk. With this combination, I can live for another day, survive the apocalypse.
Although perhaps in speaking of safety, Pony Perpetual plus Thy Blessed Pony, might be an even safer choice. Certainly worthy of consideration. I just think Hoovebearer's potential for singular bursts of speed could be a lifesaver, and sometimes offense can be the best defense, which the prior combination lacks. It also seems like a bit of a waste, to choose classes with such big overlaps.
Now, for another combination, one that really tickles my fancy. Thy Blessed Pony and Hell Baby. Two opposing forces, paired together. Life and death, creation and destruction. Good and evil shall meet, balance achieved between light and darkness. Their powers combined, weaknesses covered, strengths honed and unleashed.
Okay, to be honest. I just really like the aesthetics of this choice. However, that is not all this combination has going for it. Thy Blessed Pony already has most of the bases covered, while Hell baby aids greatly in both the offense and defense. The lack of a good disengage does worry me a little, but for only a bit of a higher risk or two, the potential for growth then becomes unparalleled. I will become a fucking powerhouse in the later levels, or perhaps evolutions.
So the question then is, what is it that I want?
I, Jackal Dolmer, has just been granted access to actual magic, infinite possibilities stretching out beyond my fingertips.
Which of those threads do I wish to grasp?
What vision do I have for the future.
I know it's unprecedented, what has happened. What awaits even the next day or night completely unpredictable.
But did I conquer Ego Death just so I can be mediocre?
Or do I wish for something truly unique, the power to not be swept away by the waves of the Apocalypse but to guide it instead?
...Exactly.
There you go. I have my answer.
For my first class, I choose [Thy Blessed Pony].
[The Class, [Thy Blessed Pony], has been selected.]
I felt the Class settle in, a shift in my magical nature, almost reminiscent of that torturous experience earlier, of my first taste of mana.
But then it was gone, just as soon as it went.
I cocked my horse head, confused, and then I brought up my Status Sheet to even more confused noises.
_____________
Class:
[Thy Blessed Pony]
(1 Slot Available!)
Skills: None
_____________
So the class is there, but where the fuck are my skills!?
[Fill All Available Class Slots to Generate Skills.]
Oh. I see.
I breathed a sigh of relief. The anxiety over having fucked it up gone just like that.
I mean, it's utterly unbelievable for Thy Blessed Pony of all classes to not have a single skill to its name, though I already doubt there is a single class that would literally have zero skills.
That, would be stupid.
Still, I wanted to hold off a tad on the decision and see what Skills Thy Blessed Pony brings to the table, before ultimately committing to my second Class.
Oh well, nothing for it.
[Hell Baby]! Let's light the apocalypse up!
[The Class, [Hell Baby], has been selected.]
Here it comes...
[All available Class Slots have been updated.]
[Subject's magical nature is being updated.]
The System's voice once again warred inside my head as I felt myself being ripped apart into two, before being forcibly mixed together. But it's neither as bad as last time nor am I as woefully unprepared as before.
I say, bring it on!
[In progress...]
[In progress...]
A strange feeling, like I'm itching all over, to my very bones. My very soul, scratched.
And the world is getting smaller... I am getting higher. I looked down at my feet to see parts of it growing darker, while others instead take on a lighter tone.
I am getting bigger, changing visibly, just like I did when I wrecked the entire house.
[Error.]
[Error.]
[The Classes selected have been found to be conflicting on multiple fundamental levels.]
Oh... that sounds bad. Shit.
AAAaAAaAAAaHHhHHHHH!!!
[Fixing Error.]
[Correcting Contradictions.]
This was a terrible fucking idea!
I cursed at myself as I failed to steady my body on my four legs. What's even the point of having 2 more if they fail regardless!? I fell to my belly as I couldn't even grasp my own head to really show I fucking painful it is.
[Contradictions Corrected.]
[Paradoxes Isolated.]
[Errors Fixed.]
Oh thank god. Fuck. That was fucked up.
[Generating Skills...]
There's more!?!? Oh wait, it's a good thing. Hell yeah there's more!
[Skills Generated.]
[Class Selection Complete.]
Whew. Alright it's over. That wasn't so bad.
[Notice: Due to the conflicting nature of your Classes, less compounding skills have been created]
I spoke too soon. I have no idea what compounding skills are, but losing it sounds like a bad thing.
I thought good and evil mixed together would be like... Overpowered. Like a fallen angel. Or a demon lord with a heart of gold. I didn't expect it to be a bad thing. Damn.
But, well, what's done is done. I'll go see what I have.
[Your Level Has Risen to 1!]
_______________
Name: Jackal Dolmer
Level: 1
______________
(Unassigned MANA: 10)
Vitality: 0
Strength: 0
Magic: 0
Agility: 0
Intelligence: 0
_____________
Class:
[Thy Blessed Pony]
[Hell Baby]
Skills:
[Foal Blessing] (Level 1 / Integration 1%)
[Hellborne] (Level 1 / Integration 1%)
[Hellish Fireball] (Level 1 / Integration 1%)
[Trailblazer] (Level 1 / Integration 1%)
[Blessed Heal] (Level 1 / Integration 1%)
[Longstrider] (Level 1 / Integration 1%)
[Horsekick Gambit] (Level 1 / Integration 1%)
_____________
[Foal Blessing] (Level 1 / Integration 1%)
The hope of horsekind. Passively increases all stats by 10%.
_____________
Finally, I have skills. It'd be a damn shame if I turned into a horse and didn't even get magic in exchange for it.
So, this first skill. Foal Blessing. Typical Stat increase, generic but very important. I think.
Well, it would be if my stats weren't all fucking zero.
Yes, yes. I know. I still got points to distribute. Even got a free level. But I also got turned into a horse, so that makes all my complaints valid.
Why is the sky blue? I always thought purple would suit it better.
Next!
_____________
[Hellborne] (Level 1 / Integration 1%)
Born in the extreme environments of hell, you become more resilient against the elements. Your Resilience is increased by 40%.
_____________
Like the earlier skill, this just gives a generic buff. But this time, I don't even know what it buffs exactly!
Also, Level and Integration.
Both of those can wait. I wanna see the rest of my skills. I know I've already grown bigger from getting my Classes, but maybe I can do bigger. I used to be a horsezilla, enough size and power to wreck the entire house. And just to save my ego, that was taken away.
I feel inadequate. Size matters.
_____________
[Hellish Fireball] (Level 1 / Integration 1%)
Hellfire is a terrifying flame that burns through body and soul alike. It clings to its targets like a curse and rips apart their very minds, causing unbearable pain that would make them wish for death.
This skill is not of that flame. Only a mere imitation of it.
Create a fireball that takes on a few of Hellfire's properties, making it harder to extinguish and put out. Causes fear and intimidation on your target that may very slightly lower stats.
_____________
Now this. This is interesting. Not that the previous skills weren't important, etc etc. But this one seems really fun. And it really screams MAGIC!
Like the Hell Baby Class description said, all I did get is a mere imitation of Hellfire. But as I had guessed, it is still better than normal fire. It stays for longer, which superficially means more damage, but a hotter flame can also accomplish that. And faster.
No, the thing to consider here is that being on fucking fire is very distracting and could greatly impair a foe's ability to function. Specially once you consider the slight debuff it gives.
Good skill. Can't wait to try it on an unsuspecting monster that just wants to raise its kids in peace and live happily.
I mean monster that is very bad! And uhh... Evil! And is like, suffering, from its own nature. I'd be doing it a flavor. Favor. Fuck.
_____________
[Trailblazer] (Level 1 / Integration 1%)
Clear out a path for your allies, leaving them a trail to follow. Designated allies standing on your path receives a 10% bonus to their running speed and toughness.
_____________
Ah, the group buff skill I was promised. Does it apply to me too? The class description said something about riders, but taking a quick peak at the names of my other skills, it doesn't seem like I have any other buffs. Was it really just metaphorical then?
If so, then great!
Or wait, why am I happy about the lack of a skill. It'd be better to have it. What am I saying?
_____________
[Blessed Heal] (Level 1 / Integration 1%)
Heal yourself or a designated ally.
_____________
A heal.
Cool.
...
In all seriousness, that is very fucking important. I don't know to what extent it can heal yet, I'm hoping limb restoring stuff, but a heal is invaluable regardless in this economy.
Jokes aside, again, it's true. I don't even want to know how much it would've cost to go to a horse doctor, but more importantly, the world is fucking burning. Where the hell would I even find a horse doctor? They've probably undergone the Monsterization thing already and started fucking each other. I don't know.
_____________
[Longstrider] (Level 1 / Integration 1%)
Doubles your running speed. Skill lasts for as long as you do not stop running. 10 minute cooldown (After the skill is broken).
_____________
Woah. Double. A 100% increase, basically. Possibly more if I had other bonuses, like the 10% agility bonus I am getting. The skill might compound on my existing buffs as well, instead of only working on my base. But I lose it if I ever stop. And it's only targeting my running speed.
Comparing it to Foal Blessing, that skill raises all stats by 10%, meaning a 50% increase in total to 5 different aspects... that are probably more broad. I should check later if the System or whatever this interface is will allow me information on what the stats do in specific.
Still a goddamn amazing skill. It'd be very difficult to catch someone that can run at twice my speed. Unreal.
I am glad that I managed to get a decent disengage, though I could have done better. The effect being lost upon stopping really makes it more of a travel skill than a disengage. But it's still a very workable escape.
_____________
[Horsekick Gambit] (Level 1 / Integration 1%)
Kick an opponent and deliver 1 of 2 effects.
Hellburn: Hellish Fire spreads out upon your kick, dealing damage and causing debuffs. (Hellish Fire is not true Hellfire)
Bright Flash: A bright flash of light that disrupts all of your target's senses. Effect is carried over to nearby designated enemies.
_____________
Okay, this one is basically two skills isn't it? I can kick, and then randomly activate 1 of 2 effects. Effects I'm already liking, although I do hope Hellish Kick doesn't uhh, set my legs on fire. I know I complain about having horse feet and hooves, instead of workable hands, but I don't want to burn them off!
Oh great. Now I'm actually questioning if that could happen, if any of this is safe. Will I suddenly explode, or will I find out that this was all an elaborate dream?
Only one way to find out.
I have read, I have understood, all the Classes available for me to choose. No longer can I delay the inevitable, a great change in myself, the choice that shall determine my future, and my power.
I have been put under a lot of pressure here, and I found myself pacing, within the ruins of what once was a home. I walked on my four horse feet as I pondered, the sound of my hooves clicking with every step.
Eight options, I narrowed down to four. To make it easier, my indecisive ass otherwise unable to shit out an answer.
[Hoovebearer] [Pony Perpetual] [Thy Blessed Pony] [Hell Baby]
Between those four I shall pick two to remain with me. The combo of Hoovebearer and Pony Perpetual perhaps the safest choice. Enough offense, enough defense, amazing regeneration, the speed to flee out of trouble. A choice that's predictable and low risk. With this combination, I can live for another day, survive the apocalypse.
Although perhaps in speaking of safety, Pony Perpetual plus Thy Blessed Pony, might be an even safer choice. Certainly worthy of consideration. I just think Hoovebearer's potential for singular bursts of speed could be a lifesaver, and sometimes offense can be the best defense, which the prior combination lacks. It also seems like a bit of a waste, to choose classes with such big overlaps.
Now, for another combination, one that really tickles my fancy. Thy Blessed Pony and Hell Baby. Two opposing forces, paired together. Life and death, creation and destruction. Good and evil shall meet, balance achieved between light and darkness. Their powers combined, weaknesses covered, strengths honed and unleashed.
Okay, to be honest. I just really like the aesthetics of this choice. However, that is not all this combination has going for it. Thy Blessed Pony already has most of the bases covered, while Hell baby aids greatly in both the offense and defense. The lack of a good disengage does worry me a little, but for only a bit of a higher risk or two, the potential for growth then becomes unparalleled. I will become a fucking powerhouse in the later levels, or perhaps evolutions.
So the question then is, what is it that I want?
I, Jackal Dolmer, has just been granted access to actual magic, infinite possibilities stretching out beyond my fingertips.
Which of those threads do I wish to grasp?
What vision do I have for the future.
I know it's unprecedented, what has happened. What awaits even the next day or night completely unpredictable.
But did I conquer Ego Death just so I can be mediocre?
Or do I wish for something truly unique, the power to not be swept away by the waves of the Apocalypse but to guide it instead?
...Exactly.
There you go. I have my answer.
For my first class, I choose [Thy Blessed Pony].
[The Class, [Thy Blessed Pony], has been selected.]
I felt the Class settle in, a shift in my magical nature, almost reminiscent of that torturous experience earlier, of my first taste of mana.
But then it was gone, just as soon as it went.
I cocked my horse head, confused, and then I brought up my Status Sheet to even more confused noises.
_____________
Class:
[Thy Blessed Pony]
(1 Slot Available!)
Skills: None
_____________
So the class is there, but where the fuck are my skills!?
[Fill All Available Class Slots to Generate Skills.]
Oh. I see.
I breathed a sigh of relief. The anxiety over having fucked it up gone just like that.
I mean, it's utterly unbelievable for Thy Blessed Pony of all classes to not have a single skill to its name, though I already doubt there is a single class that would literally have zero skills.
That, would be stupid.
Still, I wanted to hold off a tad on the decision and see what Skills Thy Blessed Pony brings to the table, before ultimately committing to my second Class.
Oh well, nothing for it.
[Hell Baby]! Let's light the apocalypse up!
[The Class, [Hell Baby], has been selected.]
Here it comes...
[All available Class Slots have been updated.]
[Subject's magical nature is being updated.]
The System's voice once again warred inside my head as I felt myself being ripped apart into two, before being forcibly mixed together. But it's neither as bad as last time nor am I as woefully unprepared as before.
I say, bring it on!
[In progress...]
[In progress...]
A strange feeling, like I'm itching all over, to my very bones. My very soul, scratched.
And the world is getting smaller... I am getting higher. I looked down at my feet to see parts of it growing darker, while others instead take on a lighter tone.
I am getting bigger, changing visibly, just like I did when I wrecked the entire house.
[Error.]
[Error.]
[The Classes selected have been found to be conflicting on multiple fundamental levels.]
Oh... that sounds bad. Shit.
AAAaAAaAAAaHHhHHHHH!!!
[Fixing Error.]
[Correcting Contradictions.]
This was a terrible fucking idea!
I cursed at myself as I failed to steady my body on my four legs. What's even the point of having 2 more if they fail regardless!? I fell to my belly as I couldn't even grasp my own head to really show I fucking painful it is.
[Contradictions Corrected.]
[Paradoxes Isolated.]
[Errors Fixed.]
Oh thank god. Fuck. That was fucked up.
[Generating Skills...]
There's more!?!? Oh wait, it's a good thing. Hell yeah there's more!
[Skills Generated.]
[Class Selection Complete.]
Whew. Alright it's over. That wasn't so bad.
[Notice: Due to the conflicting nature of your Classes, less compounding skills have been created]
I spoke too soon. I have no idea what compounding skills are, but losing it sounds like a bad thing.
I thought good and evil mixed together would be like... Overpowered. Like a fallen angel. Or a demon lord with a heart of gold. I didn't expect it to be a bad thing. Damn.
But, well, what's done is done. I'll go see what I have.
[Your Level Has Risen to 1!]
_______________
Name: Jackal Dolmer
Level: 1
______________
(Unassigned MANA: 10)
Vitality: 0
Strength: 0
Magic: 0
Agility: 0
Intelligence: 0
_____________
Class:
[Thy Blessed Pony]
[Hell Baby]
Skills:
[Foal Blessing] (Level 1 / Integration 1%)
[Hellborne] (Level 1 / Integration 1%)
[Hellish Fireball] (Level 1 / Integration 1%)
[Trailblazer] (Level 1 / Integration 1%)
[Blessed Heal] (Level 1 / Integration 1%)
[Longstrider] (Level 1 / Integration 1%)
[Horsekick Gambit] (Level 1 / Integration 1%)
_____________
[Foal Blessing] (Level 1 / Integration 1%)
The hope of horsekind. Passively increases all stats by 10%.
_____________
Finally, I have skills. It'd be a damn shame if I turned into a horse and didn't even get magic in exchange for it.
So, this first skill. Foal Blessing. Typical Stat increase, generic but very important. I think.
Well, it would be if my stats weren't all fucking zero.
Yes, yes. I know. I still got points to distribute. Even got a free level. But I also got turned into a horse, so that makes all my complaints valid.
Why is the sky blue? I always thought purple would suit it better.
Next!
_____________
[Hellborne] (Level 1 / Integration 1%)
Born in the extreme environments of hell, you become more resilient against the elements. Your Resilience is increased by 40%.
_____________
Like the earlier skill, this just gives a generic buff. But this time, I don't even know what it buffs exactly!
Also, Level and Integration.
Both of those can wait. I wanna see the rest of my skills. I know I've already grown bigger from getting my Classes, but maybe I can do bigger. I used to be a horsezilla, enough size and power to wreck the entire house. And just to save my ego, that was taken away.
I feel inadequate. Size matters.
_____________
[Hellish Fireball] (Level 1 / Integration 1%)
Hellfire is a terrifying flame that burns through body and soul alike. It clings to its targets like a curse and rips apart their very minds, causing unbearable pain that would make them wish for death.
This skill is not of that flame. Only a mere imitation of it.
Create a fireball that takes on a few of Hellfire's properties, making it harder to extinguish and put out. Causes fear and intimidation on your target that may very slightly lower stats.
_____________
Now this. This is interesting. Not that the previous skills weren't important, etc etc. But this one seems really fun. And it really screams MAGIC!
Like the Hell Baby Class description said, all I did get is a mere imitation of Hellfire. But as I had guessed, it is still better than normal fire. It stays for longer, which superficially means more damage, but a hotter flame can also accomplish that. And faster.
No, the thing to consider here is that being on fucking fire is very distracting and could greatly impair a foe's ability to function. Specially once you consider the slight debuff it gives.
Good skill. Can't wait to try it on an unsuspecting monster that just wants to raise its kids in peace and live happily.
I mean monster that is very bad! And uhh... Evil! And is like, suffering, from its own nature. I'd be doing it a flavor. Favor. Fuck.
_____________
[Trailblazer] (Level 1 / Integration 1%)
Clear out a path for your allies, leaving them a trail to follow. Designated allies standing on your path receives a 10% bonus to their running speed and toughness.
_____________
Ah, the group buff skill I was promised. Does it apply to me too? The class description said something about riders, but taking a quick peak at the names of my other skills, it doesn't seem like I have any other buffs. Was it really just metaphorical then?
If so, then great!
Or wait, why am I happy about the lack of a skill. It'd be better to have it. What am I saying?
_____________
[Blessed Heal] (Level 1 / Integration 1%)
Heal yourself or a designated ally.
_____________
A heal.
Cool.
...
In all seriousness, that is very fucking important. I don't know to what extent it can heal yet, I'm hoping limb restoring stuff, but a heal is invaluable regardless in this economy.
Jokes aside, again, it's true. I don't even want to know how much it would've cost to go to a horse doctor, but more importantly, the world is fucking burning. Where the hell would I even find a horse doctor? They've probably undergone the Monsterization thing already and started fucking each other. I don't know.
_____________
[Longstrider] (Level 1 / Integration 1%)
Doubles your running speed. Skill lasts for as long as you do not stop running. 10 minute cooldown (After the skill is broken).
_____________
Woah. Double. A 100% increase, basically. Possibly more if I had other bonuses, like the 10% agility bonus I am getting. The skill might compound on my existing buffs as well, instead of only working on my base. But I lose it if I ever stop. And it's only targeting my running speed.
Comparing it to Foal Blessing, that skill raises all stats by 10%, meaning a 50% increase in total to 5 different aspects... that are probably more broad. I should check later if the System or whatever this interface is will allow me information on what the stats do in specific.
Still a goddamn amazing skill. It'd be very difficult to catch someone that can run at twice my speed. Unreal.
I am glad that I managed to get a decent disengage, though I could have done better. The effect being lost upon stopping really makes it more of a travel skill than a disengage. But it's still a very workable escape.
_____________
[Horsekick Gambit] (Level 1 / Integration 1%)
Kick an opponent and deliver 1 of 2 effects.
Hellburn: Hellish Fire spreads out upon your kick, dealing damage and causing debuffs. (Hellish Fire is not true Hellfire)
Bright Flash: A bright flash of light that disrupts all of your target's senses. Effect is carried over to nearby designated enemies.
_____________
Okay, this one is basically two skills isn't it? I can kick, and then randomly activate 1 of 2 effects. Effects I'm already liking, although I do hope Hellish Kick doesn't uhh, set my legs on fire. I know I complain about having horse feet and hooves, instead of workable hands, but I don't want to burn them off!
Oh great. Now I'm actually questioning if that could happen, if any of this is safe. Will I suddenly explode, or will I find out that this was all an elaborate dream?
Only one way to find out.
