The Rune of Ephemeral Knowledge pulsed with a soft, inviting light upon its stone pedestal, a promise of accelerated growth. But Kael, guided by an instinct honed by years of solitary survival and the subtle nudges of his 'Keen Mind', knew that knowledge often came in layers. This hidden study, with its ancient, dressed-stone walls and intricate carvings, felt like a repository of secrets far older than the System that now governed his life.
He held the Sylphwing Quill aloft. Its gentle vibrations seemed to intensify as he approached certain sections of the wall, guiding his attention. The carvings were incredibly fine, a tapestry of flowing lines, geometric shapes, and stylized representations of natural forms – spiraling roots, celestial bodies, and strange, ethereal figures that bore a disturbing resemblance to the Silent Watchers he had glimpsed in the outer cavern.
His high INT (23) and WIS (20) allowed him to perceive patterns and subtle nuances within the etchings that a less keen eye would have missed. He traced the lines with his fingers, feeling the cool, ancient stone. Some carvings depicted constellations he didn't recognize, arranged around a central, massive tree-like structure – perhaps representing the colossal root in the Watchers' chamber. Other sections seemed to illustrate energy flows, lines of power converging on specific points or symbols.
One particular panel, to which the Sylphwing Quill vibrated with particular intensity, depicted several hooded figures – unmistakably the Silent Watchers – gathered around a pool, from which a great tree or root ascended. They appeared to be channeling energy into the root, or perhaps drawing sustenance from it. Below them, smaller, cruder figures were shown offering up what looked like small, glowing objects – or perhaps their own life force – towards the pool. The desiccated spearman and the Effigy of the Silent Watcher flashed in Kael's mind. This was a depiction of the Watchers' nature, their role as consumers or conduits of vital energy.
Another section seemed to detail the creation or attunement of objects similar to his Attunement Shard. There were diagrams of crystals, flowing energies, and complex geometric patterns that made his head ache trying to fully comprehend them. He couldn't decipher the exact meaning, but the implication was clear: these were items of significant power, keys to interacting with the energies of this place.
[System Notification: Due to prolonged study of ancient arcane carvings and successful partial decipherment of their meaning (aided by high INT/WIS and 'Keen Mind'), you have gained a new Lore Skill.]
[New Skill Unlocked: Ancient Lore (Whisperwood Vestiges) (Rank F). Effect: Grants a basic understanding of symbols, entities, and energies related to the pre-System era ruins found in the Whisperwood region. Improves chances of deciphering related texts or identifying artifacts. Increases intuitive understanding of local magical phenomena.]
[XP Gained: 50 / 400 for Level 5.]
[Current XP: 325 / 400 for Level 5.]
A new Lore skill! And 50 XP just for studying the walls. This chamber was indeed a treasure trove. The 'Ancient Lore' skill immediately provided a subtle shift in his perception of the carvings. While he still couldn't read the script, the symbols felt less alien, their general intent – warding, channeling, depicting, recording – becoming clearer.
He spent what felt like hours in the small chamber, absorbing as much as he could. He learned that this place was likely a node of power, a place where the veil between worlds or energies was thin, hence the Watchers' presence. The carvings hinted at a long-lost civilization that understood and perhaps even manipulated these energies before the System's advent.
Finally, he knew he couldn't delay consuming the rune any longer. The 24-hour duration meant he needed to maximize every moment. He stood before the pedestal, the crystalline Rune of Ephemeral Knowledge pulsing with its soft, silvery light.
"System, I wish to attune to and consume the rune."
[System Confirmation: Attuning to 'Rune of Ephemeral Knowledge (Lesser)'. Process initiated... Attunement complete. Consuming artifact...]
Kael picked up the rune. It felt cool and smooth in his palm, thrumming with a gentle power. As the System confirmed consumption, the crystal in his hand seemed to dissolve into motes of silvery light that flowed up his arm and into his body, a warm, tingling sensation spreading through his very being.
For a moment, his mind reeled. It wasn't painful, but it was intense – a sudden, overwhelming flood of… potential. It was as if every pathway for knowledge, every channel for experience, had been thrown wide open. His senses sharpened even further, colors seemed more vibrant, the subtle energies of the chamber almost visible.
[System Notification: 'Rune of Ephemeral Knowledge (Lesser)' consumed. Effect activated: +100% XP Gain from all sources for the next 24 Standard Hours. Timer initiated. Warning: Monitor mental fatigue. Rest if disorientation occurs.]
The timer was running. Twenty-four hours.
Kael's mind, already working at high speed from his INT and 'Keen Mind', kicked into overdrive. He needed a plan.
Hunting: Target the highest-level creatures he could safely and efficiently kill. The Cave Bear had yielded 350 base XP; with the rune, that would be 700. He needed to find more.Crafting: Complex crafting projects also yielded significant XP. Tanning the Heavy Deer Hide from the adult buck was next on his list. Perhaps he could attempt to craft something with the Direhorn Wolf horns?Exploration & Discovery: New locations, new resources, deciphering more lore – these also gave XP. But exploration was risky and time-consuming. He needed to balance it with guaranteed XP from hunting and crafting.
His immediate priority was to get out of this ancient complex and back to the surface where he could hunt. The Watchers' cavern was too dangerous to traverse casually. He would have to be extremely careful on his way out.
With a final look around the ancient study, a place that had already gifted him so much, Kael turned and headed back into the narrow passage, the promise of accelerated growth a fire in his belly. The next 24 hours would be the most intense period of his new life