The Ruby Magician

Wyn settled at a table by the roaring hearth in the guild hall. It was quieter with less hustle and bustle of the rookie climbers, far different than the rest of the hall. Most of them had likely found their mentors who probably weren’t drunk and lived in garbage, though, so they still had an advantage.

Wyn took a deep breath. He shouldn’t be too critical of Daniel. The man had a history, and Wyn just met him. He made a mental note to be more gracious with the older drunk.

There were several groups still in the hall, nearly all of them dressed like they were going to climb. Obviously not new Climbers, they either sat and laughed at the newcomers or silently talked amongst themselves. Wyn grew antsy, ready to dive into the tower himself. He knew it was a challenge, and felt as physically prepared as he could be, but he also knew there was more to this experience than just pure training.

Daniel could offer that. Information, knowledge, expertise. It would be crucial - necessary, even - to know more about the tower Alistair. Plus, not to mention, he needed more information about being a Ruby Magician. His excitement and anxiety both grew.

Wendy, still delivering food and drink, saw Wyn and came over to him. She was still chipper and pleasant.

“Hello again, dear! Would you like something to eat or drink?”

Wyn heard his stomach rumble. She had oddly perfect timing.

“Gods, yes. A pitcher of water, two cups, and…” Wyn trailed off, and looked around the room. Other tables had various assortments of large platters of food with a variety and amount that would make any noble jealous for an important meal. If that kind of food was commonplace, there was no need to be stingy. “Maybe a platter of bread and fruit, if you don’t mind? My mentor should be coming down soon.”

“Excellent! I’ll place it on his tab.” She trotted off back towards the kitchen, leaving as quickly as she came.

Wyn immediately saw Daniel coming down the stairs. He was dressed in his red robe and hat, though a bit more presentable than before. He appeared to have at least washed and combed his face and beard, and looked more like a mage. His hair was greying as some glimpses of it popped out from under his hat, but it only added to the wisened older man look.

Wyn had a brief glimmer of hope seeing him more cleaned up. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad, after all.

Daniel sat down opposite him at the table. He looked around nervously.

“Alright then,” Wyn started, “let’s get right to it. I know the basics of the classes and party roles. That the tower floors change every day, like a different pathway to the next floor, so no two days are alike. I know there are monsters inside it, and defeating them is necessary to climb the tower.”

Daniel repeatedly tapped his finger on the table. “That’s the basics, yes.”

Wendy, as if on cue, returned with what looked like more food and drinks than she should be able to safely carry. She sat down a large pitcher of water and two cups, and a heaping plate of bread, cheeses, fruit, and assorted meats. She also brought a mug that Wyn immediately smelled was ale. She put it directly in front of Daniel, and he swore she winked at him.

Daniel smiled and grabbed the mug first.

Wyn’s mouth watered seeing the food all laid out before him. He grabbed a handful of cheese and some grapes and began making himself a plate. If this was life as a Climber, he could easily get used to it.

“First, I want to apologize,” Daniel said. “I haven’t taken my role seriously or kindly. I have had a certain… history… of students, you see, and don’t enjoy the prospect of another. No offense.” He held the mug gingerly in his grasp but didn’t drink it.

Wyn nodded, then popped a grape into his mouth.

“But this is a fresh start,” Daniel continued. “A clean slate, if you will. So I will be better.”

“Alright. Thank you.”

Daniel nodded and took a deep breath before pushing the mug away forcefully and grabbing some food for himself.

“Let’s start with classes and roles,” Daniel said. He poured himself some water from the pitcher and made a plate of food while talking. “Your first lesson!”

Wyn munched on a mouthful of food. “But I already know about them.” He didn’t realize how hungry he was, barely stopping to swallow before talking.

“Yes, but you also didn’t know why Ruby Magicians aren’t popular.”

Wyn nodded, reluctantly agreeing, now more amenable with food.

“So, since that’s the case, let me explain further - it won’t hurt to be reminded. Now, parties have specialized roles to diversify, yes. A standard party is one primary healer, one support class, and three to four damage classes.” Daniel paused to swallow his mouth of food. He absentmindedly reached for the mug of ale, decided against it, then grabbed his cup of water instead.

“Optimal diversification would be a mix of ranged and close combatants,” he continued, “as well as spell casters and non spell casters. Not to mention you have the Mappers and Packers.”

“The Mapper helps trace the route taken and the Packer helps collect items and carry equipment.” Wyn wagged a piece of bread while he spoke.

“Yes, but they can have classes as well.” Daniel smirked while taking another sip of water. He plucked a few more grapes from their vines, too.

Wyn stopped before grabbing more food and looked at Daniel closer. “Huh. I didn’t know that.”

“See? There are some things for you to learn still! Yes, they have classes, and usually serve as support. But their reasons for being Mappers or Packers vary wildly, and it’s more of a discussion that your impatience won’t enjoy.”

Wyn chose to ignore the slight. “That’s interesting. So why aren’t Ruby Magicians popular? You still haven’t completely answered that.”

“Ahh, yes.” Daniel sat down his cup. It rang hollow, and he poured more water into it from the pitcher. “So within the specific roles of a party are specialists. Alistair is unforgiving, and you want to be as proficient at that role as possible. Fighters deal damage and endure, Sorcerers deal damage with spells, Diamond Magicians heal and support, Rogues deal damage quickly. That is their focus.” Daniel set his cup down and smiled wide, waiting for emphasis.

“Ruby Magicians are able to do all those things!” He continued, taking his arms out wide in excitement before restraining himself by clearing his throat. “Like we said, flexibility is helpful. However, we aren’t as efficient as someone who specifically is designed to do that task. We can do them all, just not, or ever, as well. When people look for party members they find specialists, not generalists.”

Wyn scrunched his eyebrows together. “So because we can’t heal as well, or protect as well, or deal damage as well, we aren’t as appealing?”

Daniel sighed. “That’s right. If a party wanted ranged spell support, they’d find a Topaz or Garnet Magician or try a Sorcerer. Not a Ruby Magician.”

“Well that’s complete bullshit.” Wyn forcefully stabbed a hunk of sausage with a fork.

Daniel spilled some water from his mouth from Wyn’s sudden cursing. It sloshed into his beard, and he wiped it with a napkin.

Wyn took a deep breath. “I’m sorry to be crass. That’s just hard for me to grasp that a class here is considered useless.”

“I know, Wyn, but you’ll see. Sooner rather than later.” He stared past Wyn, caught in the moment. He cleared his throat after a few silent seconds, refocusing his thoughts. “Yes, well, to continue. About tower Alistair itself. All you need to know, for now, is about the floors themselves.”

“I remember reading about it. Different towers across the world are all different. The tower here, Alistair, has 20 floors, and they are all the same for one day, then change their path the next.” He spoke as though reciting a lecture given when asked by a teacher.

“Sort of.”

“Wait, that’s not true?”

“No, it is. But it’s more complicated. The floors are split in groups of five based on difficulty. Floors one through five are the easiest, and 15 through 20 are the hardest.”

“That makes sense.” Wyn crossed his arms, taking a break from eating. He was finally the getting information he sought, and wanted to be as present as he could.

"Every fourth floor is more difficult, having tougher and more monsters. Those are floor four, nine, and 14. The final floor in each tier is an advancement and recovery floor, no enemies or obstacles. They're popular meeting and relaxing spots. The 20th floor is unique and always changes, but hardly anyone truly knows about it. However, what most new Climbers don't realize is that the very first floor in each tier is easier, making good locations to repeat over and over. As as it's a compatible floor for the group, of course."

“Farming, right? For money, items, weapons, class growth?”

Daniel scrunched his face and scoffed. “Yes, though I hate that term. We aren’t farmers. We are Climbers. We seek things in the tower: glory, treasure, camaraderie. We don’t farm things. Whoever coined that is a fool.”

Wyn couldn’t help but smirk. He remembered reading and hearing about the term, farming, which is what appealed to Climbers so much. Repeating floors over and over again, like a farmer continuously reaps their crop. Slang was popular, and he was exposed to it even in rumors and books in his preparation before coming. Obviously Daniel was exposed to it, too.

“Anyway, to continue,” Daniel said. He also stopped eating, though the platter of food was nearly empty. “Each floor has a sort of final challenge before the next, and each group of floors carries a theme. So if you enter the first floor, and see it’s makeup is a castle, you can expect the next four floors to be climbing further into that castle, gradually more difficult than the last, with the fourth floor in the group being the most difficult challenge.”

“Okay, so there would be difficult monsters at the end of each floor to defeat, with the final one being the hardest?”

“You would think,” Daniel said, smiling again. He eyed the mug of ale and reached for it, though stopped himself, writhing his hands together like he was washing them. He began tearing into the last bread loaf. “The final floor in the group is a surprise. But it isn’t always monsters that present the challenge inside for the other floors. Sometimes it’s a puzzle against the tower itself. It’s actually very clever, though dangerous if you aren’t ready.”

Wyn grabbed the last cut of ham to add to his plate. “That’s good to know. Thank you for the information.”

“That’s why I’m here, after all. To prepare you to not die.”

“I thought it was to help me succeed to climb the tower?”

“To me, your mentor, they are one in the same.” Daniel sloppily finished his loaf and Wyn watched as crumbs fell all over his beard and robe. “Another point of interest with the floors are that the themes change every month. Though that also means they are the same for one month, which is why Climbers come out in larger numbers at the end of the month. Like now.”

“Really? I figured it’d be towards the beginning of the month in order to practice the new season?”

“Some veteran Climbers do that after they took a break, sure. But rookies are informed to come at the end to take time to prepare for the following season. I’m surprised that wasn’t told to you.”

“I didn’t exactly seek the information at a guild, so no, I didn’t know that. But that means whatever theme the first set of floors are now, being the end of the month, they’ll stay that way today and tomorrow, until after the festival. Just the floor’s paths will change each day?”

“Precisely!”

Wyn took one final bite of bread. He was skeptical of how much the platter would fill him but it felt as though it was food made for four instead of two. He relaxed back in his chair, his stomach fuller than he would’ve liked.

“I appreciate you helping me, but I’d like to get right into the tower. Today. I’m ready to explore it already!” Wyn sat back up, forgetting about his stomach. His heart was racing.

Daniel laughed a brief, high pitched chirp. “That’s rich! You just arrived, Wyn. Why would you want to start now? There’s more preparation to do. Most rookies take at least a week before they enter Alistair.”

“There’s no practice quite like the real thing, right? I could find a group willing to take me, or you come with me, and I’ll see for myself. Easy.”

Daniel’s face went as red as his robe and hat. “I won’t be going into Alistair. I’m sorry, Wyn. But if you’re absolutely certain about going today, some veteran Climbers are taking rookies out for their introductory climb this afternoon. It happens before the season change as a safer first experience.”

Wyn’s eyes went wide. “That sounds perfect! You should’ve started with that. What do we need to do next, then?”

“So eager! A lot, actually. You still need to place your mark and learn some important things about your class, your skills, and spells, too.”

Wyn thought of Marcy when he first entered Alestead. She was a veteran though happy and excited to climb the tower. He suddenly had the urge to find her and ask if he could join her party. His cheeks flushed unexpectedly.

“If you want to climb this afternoon, we need to move along. It’s a lot to cover in a few short hours.”

Wyn placed his hands on the table, shooting up. Daniel spilled his drink again and stared at him wide eyed, huffing.

“Then what are we waiting for? I didn’t come here just for a lesson. I came to seek out riches in that tower, and by the gods I’ll find it!”

Daniel laughed while wiping water out of his beard.

“I envy the excitement of youth! I’m reluctant, but I can’t stop you. Let’s head to the training hall, then. We need to place your mark and you need to learn about magic. Meet me in half an hour.” He got up from the table, straightened his hat and placed some coins down on the table. He bowed to Wyn, bidding farewell.

Wyn returned the bow with an added smile. Finally, his luck was starting to turn.

After Daniel walked off, Wendy came over to pick up the tray and dishes. Wyn waited for Daniel to be out of earshot before talking to Wendy. He didn’t want to be rude.

“So you seem to know him. Daniel, I mean.” Wyn looked down and noticed Daniel had left a gold coin and three silver rounds. His breath caught in his throat. Why would he leave such a ridiculously large payment?

Wendy talked while she cleaned up their table. “Of course! I know all of the mentors here. But Daniel is special.”

Wyn perked up, trying to wrench his eyes from the coins. “Why is that?”

“Well, a Ruby Magician isn’t a popular class. He hasn’t trained a new Climber in I don’t know how long.”

“He told me that earlier.”

“After his last Climber,” Wendy continued, “he would just drink and stay in his room. He loathed coming out to meet new Climbers who just got their class. Those who would get Ruby Magician wouldn’t follow through after the last one, even though there weren’t many at all. It’s rare, you know, like a Summoner or Samurai.” Wendy finished cleaning, quickly pocketed the coins and finally wiped the table dry, ready for new patrons.

“I can’t believe they wouldn’t at least try. Who would come all the way here then just given up?”

“I’m not sure. But they usually end up being employed by the guild in some other way, or try their hand at something different. They’re definitely out there, though, shamefully keeping their selected class a secret.”

“What happened to the last Ruby Magician?”

Wendy looked Wyn in the eyes, her mouth contorted in a sad smile. “It’s not my place to say the whole story, but they went in alone after no group would take them. They died inside Alistair, and Daniel blamed himself.”

Wyn felt his stomach drop. “That’s awful. Well, I’ll be sure to be more sensitive about that. And him. Thank you, Wendy.” He decided not to push the subject anymore. If Daniel wanted to talk about it, he’d let him in his own time.

They both heard another table clank their tankards on the table, several in unison, and watched as beer sloshed all over the table and floor. Laughs and guffaws flooded the room.

“I believe I’m needed. Good luck, Wyn! I hope to see you soon!” She smiled her infectious smile once more, then darted off.

Wyn was one step closer to climbing the tower, one step closer to his goal of getting the wealth he and his family needed. He would be a great Red Mage, the best one Daniel had seen, and prove them all wrong.

Father and Arabelle needed him. They needed money, and a lot of it. He vowed he would do whatever he could to make that happen. Sticking with his class seemed to be the quickest way to climbing as long as a group would take him. But he could prove his worth one way or another.

Unfortunately, though, Wyn had no idea how to even get to the training hall.