Chibi Reaper's vote is the winner.
You reach out in your mind, unsure if your body is even following your motions in the strange nothing-place this choice came to you in. You select first Elementalist, and then the Ice sub option. In the end damage is great, but you would rather be able to slow or freeze enemies entirely. They can't fight back if they can't swing their weapons, right?
Artic power flows through your veins, its uncomfortable and chilly at first, but soon the cold becomes as comforting as warmth once was. You can contemplate that later though, as you allocate your stat points. Already you can feel strength and vitality returning to your body. You only put enough into strength and agility to feel as physically strong and balanced as you did before. Which is admittedly a little below average. You feel healthier than ever as you push constitution to five though, your fatigue from your early morning walk fading away to nothing.
A few points go to Charisma… you've never been to great at talking your way into things, being more likely to apologize afterword than ask permission. Perception gets a few more and you can feel the world coming into focus as never before. You'll be able to discover so many things! The rest goes into your power and will, and you can practically feel the new magical might thrumming through your veins, even as your resolve and will become steel.
You blink as the world comes back into view, finding yourself kneeling in the middle of a circle of frost before the statues of the Goddesses, your hands now holding a crude wooden staff, you can feel a bit of magic in it… but then you get distracted by the explosion of silver panes exploding into view covered in the mystic script.
The first reads simply.
Congatulations on beginning your adventure [Alice]! You have selected [Ice Elementalist] as your starting class. As a Beginner you are Rank E, but you will soon grow in power. Venture forth and conquer your foes!
The mystic script is always a little weird you think, it's almost like it refers to your life as some kind of children's game, but you suppose to the gods it kind of is. Anyway, second window.
You have gained the Following Skills
Ice Magic: E
-Stay Frosty! Your skill is still minimal, but your foes won't care for the frostbite regardless.
--Frost Spray: Mid Range targets up enemies in a ninety degree arc. Low Damage. Slows targets. Small chance of freeze. 3 SP per use
--Chill Aura: Deals a tiny amount of ice damage and slows enemies in melee range with you. 5 SP Lasts for one full [room]
Staves: E
-Its more than a walking stick! With a staff equipped the range and power of your spells is increased…. A little.
Since you have no active skills these have been equipped automatically for you. If you wish to change skills open your [Character Menu]. Remember Skills and Jobs can only be changed in town!
You glance at the stick… no staff in your hand, you guess that explains the next window.
You have been granted starting equipment for your class! Use it well.
[Crude Staff] It's not just a tree branch with the bark stripped off. It's been enchanted as well… sort of. Good enough for a beginner. Value ? ?
[Common Robe] Slightly better than being naked. Slightly. When equipped gives a small bonus to SP. Value ? ?
You glance down at yourself, and indeed you are wearing a kind of ratty robe in blue and and white colors. It's not terrible, but your glad you have normal clothes under it, or you suspect the cloth would be horribly itchy.
The last window just tells you that your stat changes have raised your maximum health and SP. You are pulled from your distraction shortly after by the sound of a man clearing his throat. You blink and scramble to your feet, how long were you kneeling there!
"No more than ten minutes or so, I assure you." Archbishop Grant answers, making you wonder if he can read your thoughts again, "Many are a little disoriented after receiving their first job, think nothing of it."
"Right, I guess I did forget where I was reading through all of those windows." You begin sheepishly, "Is there anything else I need to do? None of the books I checked out said anything about branded rituals."
"Not for the moment." He responds patiently, he holds out his hand though and a number of items shimmer into existence in his palm. Ah, is this the [inventory] system in action? How interesting, "Do take these as well, this is the rest of the novice's stipend, and I suspect you will find it useful."
You fumble a bit, but accept the proffered items. One is simply a small coin pouch you instantly register as containing fifty gilder, does this mean you never need to count money again? Anyway, the others are more interesting.
2 [Potion] Heals twenty five Health on consumption. Value ? ?
1 [Amrita] Restores 15 SP on Consumption. Value ? ?
1 [Escape Orb] Allows a party to leave a dungeon automatically on consumption. Value ? ?
"If you would have an old man's advice, I would suggest that you always have an escape orb with you when adventuring. Without such an item you will only be able to leave a dungeon once you have completed its conditions, and many have died due to entering such places unprepared. I would hate to see a polite young lady such as yourself cut down because you lacked the resources to finish what you began." The Archbishops oddly soothing voice washes over you as you inspect the items, allowing them to vanish one at a time into your inventory.
You nod, that seems sensible… but you might not always heed it, from what you recall of item shops which sell branded items Escape Orbs are EXPENSIVE. "Thanks, Ah, do you have any other advice for a beginner?" You are practically bouncing on the balls of your feet, you want to go out and conquer a dungeon, discover new things and put the thrumming magic in your veins to good use! It would be silly not to at least ask if someone as old as Archbishop Grant has advice though, old branded are usually world wise ones after all.
"Well, I would advise that you remember that only food and rest taken within the bounds of an [Inn] can truly restore you anymore." He smiles, this time a bit sadly, "It is a fact of our existence as blessed ones that normal food and drink simply no longer sustain us. Other than that… do not adventure alone unless you are very sure of what you are doing, even having a single other person to watch your back greatly increases your chance of survival. Lastly know your limits, pushing yourself to reach a difficult goal can be rewarding, but pushing to far will result in death. Most other things I could tell you are lessons best learned in the doing."
You had heard about that, but were never sure if it was true or branded just being aloof. You guess that's why they have their own places to eat, drink and sleep. You… well to be honest you probably do want to pick up a partner at least at first, even if it means splitting the loot. The last… well you don't exactly dismiss his advise, but you know your limits alright, and they are nowhere in sight! Especially with your newly increased will and confidence you doubt you'll be backing down anytime soon. "Thank you Archbishop! Next time I see you, I'll have some rare job crystals to unlock I'm sure!" You nod decisively.
He chuckles, "Perhaps you will, do not forget to seek the blessings of the Gods once you have more gilder, they can be quite a boon when adventuring."
You aren't sure you want to spend money on nebulous blessings when there are so many other things to do, but once you have a mountain of gilder to rest on, why not. You say your goodbyes and leave the temple for now, spending a little time to mess with your character sheet and make it only display your preferred name of Al, since you can change that now. Alice is just so girly, you know? You catch your reflection in a window as you pass though and pause… Huh, the tips of your green hair have turned white, a side effect of your job?
Well you have a few things you could do now….
[] Screw it! You're sure you can handle a dungeon yourself. Leave the city and take on the first one you can find.
[] Go find the Drunken Goblin. You checked around before coming, and it seems to be a low rank [Inn] that caters to new Branded, you can find a partner there.
[]No, You're sure you can convince a higher level branded to take you under their wing! Go to the Dancing Dragon. A Mid rank [Inn] and find someone willing to play tour guide for a newbie.
[] Well you can do one of those things in a bit, you should probably go to an item shop and see what you can buy for fifty gilder, it won't be much you think, but a couple extra healing potions could be nice. Can be selected in addition to the other options.