244. Archetypes

  [Realm Boon: ARCHETYPE]

  [Anchored Realm: MANESFERA]

  [Boon Description: Claim one of nine [Archetypes] as your part to play on this great stage we call the afterlife. Gain attribute bonuses by fulfilling your role. Bonuses can be upgraded in three tiers based on conditional thresholds.]

  [Addendum [SFERA]: Good news! [Archetype] has now been fully integrated with SFERA. In addition to the base attribute bonuses, [Archetype]-compliant Wayfarers also receive unique perks associated with SFERA-specific interactions. Now, get out there and enjoy your second life to the fullest!

  Message sent by: SysAdmin]

  ***

  [MANESFERA Realm Boon unlocked: ARCHETYPE]

  [REVOLVER Spell unlocked]

  [Chamber Four: SFERAN ROULETTE]

  [SYSTEM MESSAGE: New player detected. Begin induction.]

  [Welcome, [Serac Edin], to the limitless world of SFERA!]

  Serac Edin’s first introduction to the ‘limitless world of SFERA’ was a blank screen.

  It was far from Serac’s first experience with such abrupt and thorough displacement. But this one felt immediately distinct, if only for the solidity of the screen before her. She thought she could touch it if she only reached out with her hand. Or, more accurately, if she only had a hand to reach out with.

  This must be that separation of body and mind that… that… hang on, where did I hear this was going to happen?

  [Greetings, [Serac Edin]! I’m SysAdmin, and I’ll be walking you through your induction, as well as providing you with all kinds of useful information throughout your journey in SFERA.

  [First things first. Let’s get you sorted into an [Archetype]—a cherished Manesferan institution much, much older than myself or even SFERA for that matter. Just hang tight for a Ksana or two while I learn about your background…]

  The message was purely text, but Serac could readily imagine the voice behind it: chirpy, chatty, and chummy—perhaps excessively so on all counts.

  [Ohhh, you’re a Rakshasa! That’s so cool! We haven’t had someone like you come through in… well, literally forever! Not since the inception of SFERA and its virtual overworld.

  [This is so exciting. Because of your Core Trait of [Realm Boon], you receive full benefits from [Archetype], namely its three-tiered upgrade system tied to Pathsight as well as its SFERA-specific perk. No restrictions, unlike in the case of other outrealmers. Well, there’s still some picking and choosing for you to do, when it comes to—]

  Not to be rude, Mr Admin, but I wish you’d speed things along a bit. Serac put her complaint out into the ether, hardly expecting it to be picked up. But then…

  [… I see you already know a thing or two about the inner workings of SFERA. Must’ve brushed shoulders with some very knowledgeable people on your Path. Lucky you!]

  Lucky indeed.

  Naturally, Serac tried to picture these ‘very knowledgeable people’ who’d taught her all she already knew about Manesfera, and… drew a blank. Hang on, who told me about [Archetype]? About how Yakshas and Mrigas would get a scuffed version of it, but a Rakshasa like me could get the whole deal?

  [In that case, let’s move things right along! Bear with me for another Ksana while I load in your personality profile, just to help us narrow down your selection. Hmm, very interesting! You really are a special case, [Serac Edin]. It says here I should give you the full menu to choose from. Well, here they are: all nine [Archetypes] and their descriptions!]

  As the text box faded, the screen came to life in earnest. The solid blankness made way for a veritable parade of colorful figures and splash effects. It took Serac a second or two to clock that she was looking at pixel-rendered representations of herself, dressed up nine different ways in the fanciest get-ups imaginable.

  The first to take center stage was a warrior in resplendent armor, astride a rearing horse (also armored!) and raising a bejeweled spear into the heavens. This version of Serac wore a fearsome expression, mouth agape mid-roar. She couldn’t quite see ‘herself’ in that countenance, but she did enjoy how her onyx horns poked out of the shining helmet for some extra pizzazz.

  [Designation: CALLIOPE—the Epic]

  [Archetype Description: Rise now, ye downtrodden, and charge ever toward the soaring peak!]

  [Pathsight upgrade: Gain attribute bonuses against entities tagged as [Elite], [Boss], or [Immortal]. Tier I vs [Elite], Tier II vs [Boss], Tier III vs [Immortal].]

  [SFERA perk: Gain [Intimidation] bonus when engaged in [Ethos].]

  In truth, Serac had come prepared with rank-ordered choices already in mind. And wouldn’t you know it, [Calliope—the Epic] happened to be the very top item on her list! She could’ve made her pick right then and there, but curiosity got the better of her. She ‘cycled through’ in her mind, and the selection screen obliged by swinging over to the next item over.

  The second figure was a bespectacled Serac in a scholarly cassock. Very demure, very mindful. In one hand, she held a tome as thick and heavy as any found in the erstwhile Keeper’s study. The other held up a reproachful index finger, clearly mid-telling-someone-off. Again, not very Serac-like, strictly speaking, but she supposed that was the point of ‘playing a role’.

  [Designation: CLIO—the Historic]

  [Archetype Description: The pen is mightier than the sword. Let vast knowledge and sound judgment shield ye from the ignorant horde.]

  [Pathsight upgrade: Gain attribute bonuses after repeating the same action, technique, or spell. Tier I: 9 repetitions, Tier II: 27 repetitions, Tier III: 81 repetitions. The bonuses decay as soon as another action is performed, or after five seconds of inaction.]

  [SFERA perk: Gain earnings bonus from long-term investments.]

  Funnily enough, [Clio—the Historic] was exactly second on Serac’s rank-ordered list. REVOLVER’s 68 Cartridges (to be boosted further by the built-in bonus to [Ambition], thus sequentially enabling the third tier of the upgrade), as well as its relatively fast rate of fire, made for an ideal match. One major drawback was just how boring and one-note her fighting style would become—something she couldn’t quite [Abide] by, despite understanding the powerful upside.

  Next came another ‘softie’ version of Serac. A musician in a breezy-looking robe, thumbing an ornate, U-shaped string instrument: lyre. Serac knew the word from her pre-ascension tutorial, though she again struggled to recall any details about the tutor in question.

  Stolen story; please report.

  [Designation: EUTERPE—the Lyric]

  [Archetype Description: Look to the heavens and sing! May your voice uplift your friends and strike fear into your foes.]

  [Pathsight upgrade: Gain attribute bonuses when fighting in a verified party of at least three. All members of the party must be of the [Euterpe] [Archetype]. Tier I: party of three, Tier II: party of six, Tier III: party of nine or more.]

  [SFERA perk: Increased earnings and decreased costs when dealing with entities tagged as [Vendor].]

  [Euterpe—the Lyric] had been something of a head-scratcher. Serac had a distinct memory of latching onto it as a good fit for the way she fought and traveled, only for someone to explain why it wouldn’t work. In any case, the conditions for meeting those Tier-II and -III thresholds were prohibitively steep, especially for an outrealmer fresh off the proverbial boat.

  The fourth option was the first to throw the protagonist for a loop. This Serac could only be described as a jester, her onyx horns hidden by a ridiculous hat with jangling bells and useless whistles. She even wore a wicked grin with a bit of her tongue sticking out. The abomination couldn’t be less Serac if it tried.

  Somewhere in the recesses of her mind sounded a faint echo of a maniacal cackle. Serac ignored it, safe in the knowledge that its progenitor no longer held any power over her.

  [Designation: THALIA—the Satiric]

  [Archetype Description: Shine a mirror upon the placid masses. Expose them for the frauds they are, each and every one!]

  [Pathsight upgrade: Gain attribute bonuses after not using any Pathsighted spells (active, passive, or channeling) for an extended period of time. Tier I: one day, Tier II: one year, Tier III: one decade.]

  [SFERA perk: Gain [Deception] bonus when engaged in [Logos].]

  [Thalia—the Satiric] was out of the question for Serac. Not only did she hate the visual effect, but the conditions for triggering the attribute bonus were completely incompatible with her kit. She would’ve sworn no one could possibly benefit from this [Archetype], except she had this weird feeling she knew someone who might just make it work.

  The fifth depiction scared Serac more than anything. ‘She’ cut a forlorn figure, dressed in tattered rags, muscles sinewy and well-defined yet scarred in too many places to count. Serac couldn’t see ‘her’ face, hidden as it was behind a rusted iron mask with flat slits for the eyes and mouth. Yet despite this, her gaze simmered with an undeniable intensity.

  [Designation: MELPOMENE—the Tragic]

  [Archetype Description: Fall from grace, only to climb to new heights. Seek truth in suffering, feed and grow upon the pyre of your anguish.]

  [Pathsight upgrade: Gain attribute bonuses as Health falls below certain thresholds. Tier I: 50%, Tier II: 30%, Tier III: 10%.]

  [SFERA perk: Gain [Persuasion] bonus when engaged in [Pathos].]

  [Melpomene] was an [Archetype] that had warranted some consideration. Some, but not much. Truth be told, Serac was getting a little sick of hurting herself to be stronger—a shtick best laid to rest with her Penitent days. Besides, she didn’t like the idea of going around town with the word [Tragic] hanging over her head.

  The sixth iteration was a Rakshasa in dervish form. Quite literally. A dancer in a light summer dress, skirt afloat and awhirl mid-spin. The smiling face, slick with perspiration, shone with vigor and joy. Serac couldn’t quite imagine herself so athletic, but she certainly didn’t mind the look of it.

  [Designation: TERPSICHORE—the Rhythmic]

  [Archetype Description: Dance the night away, let your passion roar! Sparks will surely fly, burning to cinders all that ye would defy.]

  [Pathsight upgrade: Gain attribute bonuses against entities tagged as [Common], according to the number engaged at any one time. Tier I vs five, Tier II vs eight, Tier III vs twelve.]

  [SFERA perk: Gain earnings bonus from short-term investments.]

  As Serac understood it (or as someone had once paraphrased it for her benefit), [Terpsichore—the Rhythmic] was an anti-mob version of [Calliope]. She wouldn’t have minded taking it herself, had her companion not volunteered to do so already. So, she let this one slide and moved on.

  Next came undoubtedly the prettiest version of Serac. She now stood on a balcony to gaze up at the night sky, dressed in a flowing gown that shimmered beneath the moonlight. This was the closest Serac would ever come to looking like Jasper aft’Hanafin from one Realm below. She’d never pick it, of course, but she lingered on the menu, just to enjoy the view.

  [Designation: ERATO—the Romantic]

  [Archetype Description: Distance makes the heart grow fonder. But a lover’s touch sets it ablaze!]

  [Pathsight upgrade: Enter into a romantic [Pact] with one other soul (Anchored or Wayfaring). Gain attribute bonuses for as long as you remain faithful to your [Pacted] partner, according to the depth of your mutual love. Tier I: [Head Over Heels], Tier II: [’Til Dust Do Us Part], Tier III: [The Red Thread of Fate].]

  [SFERA perk: 50% discounts on all purchases tagged as [Gift].]

  [Erato—the Romantic] was certainly the most awww of the [Archetypes]. It would’ve been devastatingly adorable, for example, if Oriole and Caraway had ascended together and sworn a [Pact]. With that said, it also had very little to do with Serac and her Path. Having had her fill of her moonlit self, she moved onto the next item… though not without another niggle of am-I-forgetting-something.

  The eighth and penultimate option was a stark return to the dour and sour. It depicted another warrior, though one in much humbler attire than [Calliope]: leathers, sandals, and an unadorned shortsword. Humble warrior Serac held one arm rigid as she pointed her weapon straight ahead—directly at the observer Serac. A challenge in its simplest, most unambiguous form.

  [Designation: POLYHYMNIA—the Rhetoric]

  [Archetype Description: When words fail, a blade cuts to the core. Never back down, never surrender. Make them all kneel by the right of your might.]

  [Pathsight upgrade: Gain attribute bonuses against Wayfarers, according to the number of unique Wayfarers previously smited. Tier I: three, Tier II: fifteen, Tier III: fifty.]

  [SFERA perk: Gain universal speech check bonuses against Wayfarers, limited to once per unique Wayfarer.]

  [Polyhymnia—the Rhetoric] was another interesting choice, well worth consideration. Serac never actually counted the number of Wayfarers she’d smited on her way to Manesfera, but she’d easily clear Tier I and possibly be within striking distance of Tier II. Yet the prospect of turning fifty different Wayfarers against her felt like something out of a nightmare. Definitely an acquired taste, one she didn’t intend to chase anytime soon.

  Finally, the ninth and wackiest option. There was no other word for it. This Serac was a degenerate gambler—well, at the very least a degenerate something. Greasy hair, satin suit, loose tie, mismatched socks, and hands permanently stuck in pockets, compulsively rolling the loaded dice stowed therein. It made her a little queasy to see ‘herself’ like this, so she hurried through the descriptions.

  [Designation: URANIA—the Cosmic]

  [Archetype Description: Trace the sine wave, carry the one, solve for X, and voila! The universe laid bare, for ye to grasp and move the very stars.]

  [Pathsight upgrade: Gain attribute bonuses according to random D20 rolls tied to every action (and yes, we mean every action). Tier I: 11-15, Tier II: 16-19, Tier III: 20.]

  [SFERA perk: Double the winnings and losses from all activities tagged as [Gamble].]

  Serac thought she’d been ready for it. Yet her imaginary eyebrows rose to the heavens all the same. She recalled someone calling [Urania—the Cosmic] a meme. Well, if she didn’t understand what a ‘meme’ was before, she’d certainly gotten one step closer. Best to stay far, far away.

  She cycled the menu once more to land, conveniently enough, back where she’d intended to be from the beginning. [Calliope] had been her top choice before arriving in Manesfera, and nothing she’d read nor seen since then had changed her mind.

  OK, Mr Admin. This is the one I want. Lock it in.

  [ARCHETYPE confirmed: CALLIOPE—the Epic]

  [ARCHETYPE current status: Inactive]

  [SYSTEM MESSAGE: Excellent choice! As a legend-seeking warrior, you certainly won’t lack for epic challenges during your time in SFERA. Just take care not to lose sight of the reason you’re here.]

  Serac now frowned with her imaginary eyebrows. She’d only just met this SysAdmin fellow, but this last bit still struck her as an odd thing to say. Besides which, she was hit once more by that peculiar (and increasingly annoying) sense of recalling a memory only to forget it in the same instant.

  But she was soon distracted by another dramatic change to the screen. She’d half-expected the horse-riding, spear-brandishing warrior in dazzling armor to be her new persona in physical form. As such, she was disappointed (and rather mortified) to see herself stripped of all the shiny, pretty accoutrements.

  In the end, all that was left was a thin, lean Rakshasa in her smallclothes, standing with a perfectly neutral (yet strangely awkward) posture. Somehow, Serac found this bare-bones version of herself even more embarrassing to look at than the meme-y gambler.

  [Oh, don’t you worry, [Serac Edin]. We’ll pretty you up again in a jiffy, you’ll see. Because it’s now time to customize your avatar!]

  —the Historic], 2. Invest in Nvidia circa late 2022, 3. ???, 4. Buy your way to Devahood.

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