Afterword - Book 1 - Chapter 14 (Patreon)

Chapter 14: Adventurer I

(original chapter title: Adventurer I)

Technically the skills and statblock were in Passings, but I thought it worked better to separate them into their own chapter so eyes were fresh (and to split how many comments I had to deal with; rather people see the downsides before they spaz.)

A lot happens in this chapter! Ranthia finally gets to check her skills, gets excited, and runs face-first into a major problem. A solvable problem, but it was still a setback!

[Reflections of Reality] is a skill that has been continually nerfed ever since I created it. ...And it just got nerfed again over the weekend, due to a couple of mistakes I made. I like where the skill landed though.

I don't like OP "I win" builds. It can be fine briefly, but it's hard to make them narratively interesting. Characters need to get outmatched sometimes. My goal has always been "interesting" first and foremost, but "powerful yet flawed" second. I want weaknesses, I need vulnerabilities. Something that allows displays of utter competence yet an intelligent opponent (or bad odds) can still create real peril.

And I'm confident I nailed that with Ranthia, especially as I've rebalanced [Reflections of Reality].

Ranthia's duel with Pupius gives the reader some insight into her limitations, but future events will show more.

Ranthia has achieved the class and skill of her dreams and at last she's a true Adventurer. She has everything she's ever wanted so things are looking up!

...Especially if that blonde is truly interested!