On being lowered slowly to the deck, she was immediately aware of someone giggling and she felt even more embarrassed than she had been a moment ago.
"Welcome, Amres, Armes, and Taylor of House Hebert," said a woman's voice.
Taylor immediately took in the appearance of several very attractive and exotic-looking women and felt a certain degree of being extremely overshadowed by the locals. Dark skin, some in dark gray and some in a dark blue and a couple that were a sort of deep purple in shade. Pointy eared like every other elf she'd met so far (which until then had been a number she could count on a single hand) but that was where the similarities ended.
Every single one of them was now looking towards her too.
"All right you lot, even if you haven't seen a human before, this isn't a carnival day." One of these darker elves started yelling. "Topaz. Stop eyeing Armes and get back to the engine. Alisandre, keep an eye out. If that other ship turns out to be friend or foe I want to know sooner than later. Satchekell, Freja, those sails aren't going to adjust themselves. Desibeth, get our guests stowed away."
The woman coming forward caused a momentary fluttering in her heart. Tall, powerful looking, wearing armor and armed. Confident, and with a magnificent mane of thick white hair.
"As Captain Dyanah spoke, so I am Desibeth. Welcome aboard the Darkness Rising. Please stay out of the way of the crew as we make way."
Taylor took in the momentary stare as the dark elf studied her face for a moment.
"Remarkable," said Desibeth. "I believe I've met your local version."
"She has an Analogue?" asked Amres.
"What's an 'Analogue'?" asked Armes.
Taylor silently thanked Armes for saving her the question.
"An Analogue is..." Armes voice trailed off as he considered. "Consider it sort of an echo or reflection of an individual. Like in a stage drama where one person plays several distinct roles just changing costumes and makeup? No, more like a reflection in a magical mirror that shows a different view. Her world has this Taylor who is visiting here. So our world has a Taylor?"
"Taylah Heber, an amazon wizard who works as a research aide in the Library at Emeraldis," explained Desibeth. "The crew of the Red River introduced me to her as a resource for information. The resemblance is uncanny."
"There's a local... me?" asked Taylor.
"I think so," said Desibeth. "I'm afraid if you want a better explanation than your friend here gave, multiversal theory is not something I've studied."
"Not everyone has one," noted Amres. "I'm pretty sure that no matter how talented I am, or how brutish my brother is, neither of us have Analogues."
"They're quite rare," said Desibeth, "it's only been something found out about during the Sixth Age."
"I only know about it myself due to one of Emperor Mannin's stories," admitted Amres.
"The 'Clockwork Potato'?" asked Desibeth, gesturing towards a doorway.
"That's the one," agreed Amres, leading the way.
"A 'clockwork potato'?" asked Taylor, wondering what the heck that was about and trying to distract herself from seeing Armes go over to a doorway and start doing pull-ups.
"A story of friendship, betrayal, body doubles, dwarven asteroid bases, automated pickling vats, Amazon training camps, perverted wizards, and some very poor decisions," explained Amres.
Deciding that a "story of friendship and betrayal" was a bit too close to personal experiences, Taylor dropped the inquiry. Besides, they were going through the door and into the interior of the ship.
A pulsing vibration she could primarily feel from her feet picked up the pace slightly.
"We met before didn't we?" asked Desibeth. "The 'Rock at the Dock'?"
"That's the place," agreed Amres. "We do have one thing we need to get started on with Taylor here. She hasn't chosen a class yet."
"Well, that's potentially dangerous," agreed Desibeth.
"I'm not entirely clear what a 'class' means," said Taylor. "I take it from context you're not talking 'upper class' or 'middle class' sort of thing. Or class as in a school's class."
Amres directed her to a bench in the corridor. "Class is a profession, a specific set of skills and abilities. 'Farmer' for example can be anything from a grower of plants, a tender of domesticated animals, a woodsman who tends areas of natural growth, or even landed gentry to some extent."
"Wait," said Taylor, holding up a hand. "So when everyone introduces themselves, that's what that means? Adell being a healer, you being a wizard, Armes being a 'monk', and so on?"
"Exactly, it's part of polite introductions," said Amres. "Though if I'm with other wizards it's normal to go with specialties or some indication of your standing in that class. I'd introduce myself as a Transmuter or as a Journeymage depending on the circumstance. And Adell is a Cleric, Healer is her specialty within that."
Taylor was silent for a few minutes as she went over that, then wanted the obvious question asked. "And if I don't choose one, this 'class system' will automatically choose one?"
"Yes," said Amres, looking her over. "No offense, but I'd suggest against paladin, fighter, farmer, or fisher. You don't seem the sort to charge in and get things done."
"Is there a book I could read?" asked Taylor.
Amres nodded, slung off his backpack, and quickly produced a very thick book. Which turned out to have pictures and was probably written for someone a good deal younger than her considering the simplicity of the text.
Taylor spent several hours going through the book, trying to ignore the feeling that someone was reading over her shoulder and excited about something.
She checked though. Several times.
* Dyanah *
The hammership was fairly new, but using an old design from the Age of Spelljammers. Or Fifth Age if you preferred. Sixth Age was the Godswar, of course.
Desibeth came up out of the hold, spotted her, and made her way over.
"They're settled?" Dyanah asked.
"The Traveler is reading up on classes, one of those primer books for children that the wizard brought for that purpose," answered Desibeth.
"Good," said Dyanah. "Did you notice she's got some sort of Rider?"
"Yes," replied Desibeth. "Not a fiend or ghost, I think. Something else had a presence and was watching."
"Warlock patron maybe?" asked Dyanah.
"Maybe, or one of the gods," said Desibeth, "while it didn't feel like that sort of thing it might just be one of the minor gods like Harbinger."
Dyanah looked out over the prow of her ship, letting the wind blow over her. She was just a bit leery of having someone with a Destiny on board, just that there was a Prophecy involved made that evident, but there were bills to be paid.
"Anything from your magic?" asked Desibeth.
"Nothing," said Dyanah. "Just the usual odds of pirates, skysharks, or inclement weather."
"Well, the Twins are capable in a fight if it comes to that," mused Desibeth. "Odds the girl goes 'warlock'?"
"No bets." Dyanah considered the clouds they were currently skimming over. "Amres is a Transmuter wizard, correct? Pass word to him to have direct combat spells ready. Make sure that special ammunition is all stowed away and locked down but where we can get it out fast."
"Topaz reported that there's a vibration in the left pitch stabilizer that concerns her," said Desibeth.
"She can tear it out and rebuild it when we get to the docks in Emeraldis," said Dyanah. "Maybe that will keep her from waking up on a different ship."
"Ah, there's our honored..." Desibeth's voice trailed off and she readied her sword. "That is not the girl they brought aboard."
"No," agreed Dyanah after a few moments. "Body language is completely different. Stride is different."
"Divine Sense," breathed Desibeth, using one of her abilities as a paladin. "I'm not picking up any evil. No fiends, no undead, no celestial. Outsider I think." She drew her longsword and got in-between her Captain and the not-Taylor.
"Considering some of the things that fall into that category, I don't find that reassuring. You! Stop right there and declare yourself!"
The girl stopped and something changed in the air.
"Celestial," announced Desibeth.
Everything froze suddenly. Dyanah looked around and noted that time had apparently stopped.
"No. It's just that we're sped up enormously," said Not-Taylor. "Actually stopping time is entirely too problematic. Do you not recognize me, Dyanah of Underwarren?"
"You are not Eilistraee, who I serve, nor are you Etragar, who grants my magic," answered Dyanah, making a guess. "Hoshime, goddess of battle-skill and protection."
"It's a cross-coverage arrangement, the Nine Above all have arrangements off-plane," said the Not-Taylor. "For the sake of Taylor and to appease her Rider, she needs to visit the Mu."
Dyanah paused. "Why didn't you just send a vision or something? That's how your husband does things."
Not-Taylor shrugged. "I'm a goddess of combat who remembers being human. I tend to be a bit more direct."
"Right," said Dyanah, her voice managing to convey a good deal of skepticism despite facing a goddess.
"Well, that and you can explain this," said Hoshime, raising two fingers to press against Taylor's left shoulder. "A blessing. When she returns home, she'll need every advantage she can get."
"If she's First Age, will a blessing from the Seventh protect her at all?" asked Dyanah. "That is before magic was a thing."
"That is one of the reasons she needs to visit the Mu," answered Hoshime as she left Taylor's body.
Time resumed its normal flow and Dyanah caught the human before she could fall to the deck.
* Taylor *
She dreamed.
She was in the sort of tavern that looked perfectly suited for medieval times. She could also see herself. Several of herself. Each dressed differently, each having slightly different postures as they read different books at different tables.
A woman in armor walked past her, glancing at her and then away at the various Taylors. "There are several paths before you, child. The time where you must choose is closing fast."
"I don't understand," stated the her-Taylor.
"The class system was part of an attempt to stabilize a pocket universe," said the woman. "It was never intended to be permanent, but there were a lot of things that were intended that never went to plan."
"Such as?" asked Taylor, thinking of her school and those administrators.
"The Nine Major Gods of this land intended to die in heroic sacrifice, they never intended to become stabilizing forces of reality with their identities largely subsumed to become almost caricatures of the persons they were," said the woman. "They intended to plug a hole in reality. Well, except for Toltiir, but he's something entirely else."
"The gods of this land are real?" asked Taylor.
"Quite," said the woman. She gestured at the crowded tavern. "These are all paths you can take here. Classes that you qualify for."
"I was reading about those," said Taylor.
"Yours is a world beset by threats," said the woman. "You can start your journey on that path before you return. You must, however, start your hero journey."
"I can be a hero like Alexandria?" asked Taylor.
"No," said the woman, looking Taylor in the eye. "Choosing a class means choosing things you are good at and things you are not good at. There are no cheats, each requires work and practice to grow into your potential."
"I will go home though?" asked Taylor, which was quite a relief but also something to dread. It meant returning to home, but it also meant returning to those problems.
"Stop going off on tangents. There are many paths available to you, and you must choose soon or the choice will be taken from you," said the woman, her voice going stern. "Yes. You will return home with next to no time lost on that end."
"So, a Narnia kind of thing," said Taylor, grasping the concept. "Why do I look so much..."
"There are cosmetic spells and potions that if you apply, can make a difference in how you develop later in life," said the woman. "If you so choose. Back to the classes available to you."
"Seriously? I could look like THAT?" asked Taylor, pointing to one of the hers at a table.
"Yes. Everyone you meet in this world has a class, each class will give you different abilities," said the woman, sounding a bit exasperated. "Some, like Farmer or Crafter, have a multitude of specialties but aren't really focused on heroic abilities."
"What class is THAT?" asked Taylor, pointing at the her she had pointed out earlier.
"Bard. Minstrel and skald and entertainer and spellcaster. Called by some the 'jack of all adventuring trades' because there is no single thing they are best at - though that is not entirely true."
"What about that one?"
"Artificer. A wizard of sorts whose focus is making magical tools."
"Sort of a Tinker then?" asked Taylor.
"There are similarities. Next to her is Barbarian, a warrior whose rage empowers them. Going along in that order - Cleric, servant of the gods who wields divine power in their name. Druid, which can shapeshift to animal forms while having nature oriented spellcasting. Fighter, a warrior who goes armored into battle. Monk, a martial artist whose weapon is their own body. Paladin, a warrior-knight whose faith and oath grants them power. Ranger, the huntsman who prefers attacking from distance. Rogue, who specializes in stealth and striking from shadows. Sorcerer, who pulls magic from within to affect changes without. Warlock, whose pact with a being of power grants them abilities. Wizard, the arcane caster whose studies grants them their magical might. Blood Hunter, who uses their own tainted blood to empower themselves in battle."
"No Dancer?" asked Taylor.
"Some Clerics and some Bards dance as part of their rituals or their spellcasting. Why?"
"Just a weird thought, and the idea of dancing around attacks in battle sounds appealing for some reason."
The woman sighed and muttered something about teenagers before adding something in a more normal voice. "That would be Monk or Rogue mostly."
"Oh, and 'Paladin' is the one wearing that armor?" asked Taylor.
"Yes. That last one in the back is Psionicist."
"She's looking at us. Is she supposed to do that?" asked Taylor.
The woman shrugged. "Psionicist is one of those disciplines which are slightly more aware of things than others."
"I see," said Taylor.
"You'd be a non-standard application of class since you're going home and the magic here is along the lines of a computer program that is being run on reality's engines." The woman shrugged slightly. "Adjustments will be made. There are also further choices down the path you choose, to further refine the abilities. Artificer, for example, branches off to Alchemist, Armorer, Artillerist, Battle Smith, and Engineer."
"Well, I..."
"Oh, and you'll have a week at most to make the decision. The tattoo is magical, by the way, denoting a blessing upon you from one of the gods. It'll cloud your presence to those who seek you harm as far as divination effects are concerned."
"Wait. 'Tattoo'?"
"That's all the time we have, Taylor Hebert, and this is the last time we talk."
"Wait. I have so many questions! Why-"
"If Toltiir speaks to you, be very careful of your words and make no bargains or oaths. He's a god of mischief for a reason."
* Emeraldis, Capitol City of the Kingdom of Shadar *
The smell of herbs?
Taylor stirred herself, knowing that she had been unconscious again and trying to figure out where she was.
"Kkkkk-thk-thruk?"
Taylor blinked her eyes open, quickly determining she was in a healer room similar to the awakening from her first little trip. "I'm feeling a bit groggy actually."
Taylor sat up and screamed.
"Kthk-krik!"
"I scared you! You scared me!" insisted Taylor. Though, actually, now that she was looking up close at one of the mantis people they had a certain completely-nonhuman but not entirely repellant aesthetic to them. "You're a thrii-kreyn?"
"Thri-kreen," answered the Thri-kreen. "B'Dorn. Kaaash-thk-vz."
"B'Dorn the Sun-Souled?" asked Taylor. "What's that mean?"
B'dorn held up a tru-hand and formed a glowing sphere in it.
"Oh," said Taylor, thinking that actually looked kind of cool. "Why was I unconscious? Last thing I remembered was reading that book on the Class System."
"Vzz-vrr-klk-klk-vzz. Klk-kalik."
Taylor stared at the mantis for a few moments before laughing at the joke, with the mantis giving a sort of chuckle noise shortly after. "Yeah, I suppose they do at that. Not that I couldn't have used some help at a few points in my life."
"Krk-kik-vss-kalik," said B'Dorn.
"What's a 'Mew'?" asked Taylor.
Then she saw herself enter the room and stare at herself and that question was at least momentarily tabled.
* Character Data *
* B'Dorn *
B'Dorn, thri-kreen, Monk (Sun Soul) 4, hp: 27
AC:16, MV:40, Initiative: +3
Str:10, Dex:16, Con:13, Int:10, Wis:16, Cha:11
Feat: Telekinetic (mage hand, telekinetic shove Str 13)
Unarmed Strike 1d4+3, shortsword 1d6+3
Radiant Sun Bolt 1d4+3, 30ft range
Proficiencies: Acrobatics, Athletics, Nature, Perception.
SA: change carapace color to give advantage on Stealth checks. Deflect Missiles.
A thri-kreen of the Rusted Wastes who walks the path of the Monk. His fondness for "Dad Jokes" and sweet beverages is tolerated due to his competence as a contract navigator and helmsman on various airships.
* Dyanah *
Dyanah, drow elf, Cleric (Twilight) 4, hp: 23
AC:15, MV:30, Initiative: +2
Str:10, Dex:15, Con:11, Int:12, Wis:15, Cha:13
Moon-touched longsword +2 1d8, light crossbow 1d8+2
Proficiencies: Insight, Medicine, Perception, Performance, Religion
Spells: Augury, Command, Cure Wounds, Guiding Bolt, Moonbeam, See Invisibility, Sleep, Spiritual Weapon
A cleric of Eilistraee whose spells are granted by Etragar due to a cross-coverage arrangement between deities. As a local drow she bears the Blessing of the Sun (Borune, reduced penalties for sunlight) with attendant changes in physical appearance. She is still recovering from a failed relationship where her paramour turned out to be a criminal agent. Captain of the hammership Darkness Rising.
* Taylah Hebar *
Taylah Hebar, Amazon (House: Southern Cross), Wizard (Scribes) 4, hp:26
AC:13, MV:30, Initiative: +3
Str:9, Dex:17, Con:15, Int:19, Wis:17, Cha:13
Feat: Telepathy
Proficiencies: Arcana, History, Investigation, Perception
Spells: Dancing Lights, Infestation, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation, Alarm, Comprehend Languages, Detect Magic, Fog Cloud, Identify, Mage Armor, Shield, Alter Self, Hold Person, Levitate
The local analogue of Taylor Hebert, who wears a Periapt of Health and takes every precaution in keeping with her position as a Class Three Researcher in the magical Library of Emeraldis.