บท 268: Stand on Stones
Medresi goes on to explain that there are legends of Heroes using the stones to change their fates. Their favour with the Gods allows them to take another Birthsign that they feel would suit them more.
This was probably how the Dragonborn was able to swap out Standing Stones as if they were a fresh pair of underwear. Still, that left Michael with more questions than answers... Specifically, how did Birthsigns and Standing Stones interact with him and the girls? They weren't born in this land, the constellations had no relation to them... But, did they mean they could pick one for themselves?
As interested as Michael was to try, he wasn't willing to waste this chance on the Ritual Standing Stone. He didn't know all of the Standing Stones' effects or their location. But he distinctly remembered a set of three that he'd use almost constantly in the game. The Warrior, Thief, and Mage Stones were located next to Riverwood.
Each would grant a twenty percent boost towards learning things related to the stone. So, the Warrior Stone would enhance, One-Handed, Two-Handed, Block, Heavy Armour, and for some reason, Smithing.
The Thief Stone would grant bonuses to Archery, Light Armor, Lockpicking, Pickpocket, Sneak, Speech, and Alchemy.
Finally, the Mage Stone, which would grant bonuses to everything related to magic, including Enchanting.
For Michael, it was a no brainer which one he wanted to pick, and if they discovered that they could adopt a Birthsign, he'd have the girls take the Mage Stone as well... All of them used magic, honestly, they were a little too magic heavy, if they ever encounter an opponent who could nullify magic, only Michael would be of any worth.
Still, it would only take a small detour to visit the Guardian Stones.
"Alright, change of plans, we're going to Riverwood before Whiterun... Medresi, we can drop you off if you like, but that's the plan."
"Ugh... I'll get off as you pass Whiterun." the Dark Elf says.
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One day later the group had circling around the base of the Throat of the World and finally reached the North West side of it. It's there that they drop off Medresi, who bids them farewell and offers to meet them in Whiterun if they want. Michael leaves the offer unanswered...
They take the next left turn on the road and head South, past Riverwood and along the road... Eventually reaching a large hill that hid three distinct-looking stones sitting atop a small plateau. Despite Medresi's absence, it's pretty obvious which Stone is what due to the pictures carved into them.
One warrior, One mage, and One Thief.
"Big Bro, what are we doing here?" Illococoo suddenly asks, Tiffania and Charlotte nodding in agreement. They'd follow him wherever, but that didn't mean they didn't want to know what was going on...
Michael crosses his arms, "I wanted to come here to test a theory of mine. You heard Medresi at the Ritual Standing Stone, and I'd bet that you all realised that none of us had Birthsigns... Unless Halkeginia had something similar that I was unaware of?" he questions and they shake their heads.
"Good. Well, since we don't have Birthsigns, I wanted to see if we could pick one for ourselves."
"Will it work?" Charlotte asks simply, staring at the Stones with interest.
Michael shrugs, "Maybe, that's what we're here to test. I didn't have anyone touch the Ritual Stone because, to be frank, it's kinda weak compared to the others." he gestures at the thee Standing Stones before them, "These are called the Guardian Stones, the Warrior, the Thief, and the Mage. Each would boost your learning speed depending on which one you choose. I for one thing we should all take the Mage Stone if this does work."
Tiffania nods as thoughts stream through her mind, "Will it help with my Void Magic? Or Illococoo's erm-, Dragon Language?"
"I mean... It should, probably. Let's see if it works before we start making assumptions... I'll go first." he says, wanting to make sure nothing went wrong. He walks over and takes a breath before gently laying his hand on the Stone and waiting for something to happen...
Nothing happens.
"Hmm... Maybe it needs a nudge...?" he mutters, pushing some magic into it and causing the stone to light up. He pushes more into it, causing the light to glow brighter and brighter, until a beam of light explodes forth from the stone, shooting straight into the sky. And for the barest instance, Michael thought he could see the constellation of The Mage appear.
Seeing that it works, he pats himself over to check for any abnormalities, eventually checking the Book of Heroes to see if a Birthsign had been added to his status. And indeed, it had.
[The Mage] : Enables user to learn all magic-based skills 20% faster.
He lets out a sigh of relief at not having wasted a trip and turns to face the others, accidentally bumping Derflinger's sheath into the side of the Mage Standing Stone, causing it to light up yet again...
"Aaaahoouuuuuoo!?" Derflinger exclaims in what sounded like ecstasy.
"Derflinger!?" Michael starts but pauses at the sword's continued moans...
...
"Yeah, that did not just happen..." he whispers to himself, wondering if this meant that Derflinger had a soul. He shakes his head, chucking Derflinger in his inventory as the thing wouldn't stone moaning before turning to the others.
"So, er... I guess it works. Too well if you ask me, but I think you guys'll be fine." he says, gesturing to the Mage Stone.
The girls nod before each begins channelling magic into it and gaining their own Birthsigns. No one had a reaction quite as severe as Derflinger, but each said they felt 'different' than before. Maria was the last one who hadn't gotten a Birthsign and to be honest, he didn't think she could... She had to be able to channel magic into the stone, something she obviously couldn't do due to her mental state. How Derflinger got around this he hadn't the faintest clue.
He pats Charlotte on the shoulder with a sympathetic smile, "Don't worry, we'll help her. Plus, this'll give her the option to pick whatever Birthsign she wants. I'd wager there's one that boosts someone's vitality, so giving her that would help her body recover from the poison."
Charlotte nods at this, not agreeing or disagreeing, simply hoping things would turn out for the best.
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