"Well, the beginnings of one, at least," Alister said. "Those arrays are impressive though, and the material costs aren't too terrible. Not out here."
"Why" Atar couldn't believe he was about to say this, but it had to be said. "Why aren't you taking the role of Glyphmaster? Your Sigaldry Skill is higher than both of ours." Alister looked up from the Glyphtome, curiosity plain on his face.
"I'm interested, don't get me wrong. But I can't be...everything. No matter how much I might want to be." Felix smiled ruefully. "The Master is not only what sort of bonuses are conveyed to the Stronghold and to the works produced, but they're to handle the day to day and Quests that arise from the process. I've no time, not for these and the rest that are coming my way." He tapped the book again. "Turns out, however, it doesn't stop me from using the rooms. So I'll be coming to bug you plenty."
He clapped his hands. "So! Which one of you is it gonna be?"
"Atar."
The fire mage looked in surprise at Alister. The nobleman turned mage grinned. "Don't look at me like that. You're leagues better at this stuff than I am. You built an untested battle array in the field. So no false modesty."
Atar flushed with pride and affection and a touch of embarrassment. "Well, my Sigaldry Skill is nearing the Adept level. I'm sure some practice in here will truly push it to Temper."
"Good. It is quite beneficial for the Glyphworks if the Master Tiers up. It adds a touch extra when calculating the bonuses the Hall provides." Karys voice was pleased. "An excellent choice, Felix."
"Thanks, Karys. Okay Atar. You ready?" Felix stepped closer to the mage, who felt an instinctive desire to back up.
"Ready for what?"
"Your promotion." Felix reached out and tapped Atar on the forehead.
Of a sudden, Atar's Mind was filled with a flurry of sensations, from the smooth feel of cold stone to the blazing hot vibrations contained within the reservoirs around the Glyphworks. He felt almost one with the chamber, exalted above simple flesh. That faded quickly, however, and Atar suddenly became just Atar again. A notification window popped before his eyes.
Congratulations!
You Have Been Made Master of the Nagast Glyphworks!
Glyphworks, Tier III!
Journeyman Tier Advancement Detected!
The Following Bonuses Now Apply:
3% Increase in Production Speed
-1% Resource Loss
3% Increase in XP Generation By Completing Craft Quests
0.01% Increase in Stronghold Offense and Defense per array added to the Glyphtome
Complete Quests to Advance The Glyphworks!
Advance Yourself To Increase Bonuses!
The Following Quests Are Available:
Compile Your Legacy I
Create 10 new arrays and add them to the Glyphtome for future use.
Reward: Title, XP, Varied
Many Hands Make Light Work I
Recruit more inscriptionists to your Hall. Production Speed will increase by a small amount per new recruit, dependent on their Tier.
0/10 Inscriptionists Recruited
Reward: Title, XP, Increased Production Speed
Gather Resources I
A Glyphworks needs fuel to power its arrays and formations. Secure the following resources to satisfy your Hall's requirements.
Resources: x50 Monster Cores (Tier I and above), x500 lbs of Wood (Tier I and above), x1000 lbs of Stone (Tier I and above)
Reward: New Hall Function, XP
"By all that burns," Atar whispered. "This is...it's amazing."
Felix laughed. "That's what Harn said. You got about the same bonuses he did, too. Good. It seems it's about level across the Tier."
Atar shared the details of what he saw with Alister. If he were being honest, he enjoyed the way the man's eyes popped at all the details.
"You have some Quests too, which is great. I'd say let's get started on those as soon as you can. I'll handle the resources; I have the Henaari scouting out the land around us. My resource list has already started filling in."
"Ah yes. That's...perfect." Atar was a bit dazed. He walked around the central, star-shaped counter and slipped through a gap to reach the Glyphtome. "I have...so many ideas already. Alister! We can formalize the force transfer array we used during the battle!"
"Yes! Of course!" Alister's eyes lit up in excitement and he too hurried over to the counter. "But first, make me one of your Inscriptionists."
As if with a limb he hadn't before possessed, Atar reached out and selected Alister, mentally marking him as a "recruit."
Congratulations!
1/10 Inscriptionists Recruited!
Alister saw something appear in his vision, but he simply swiped it away. "Okay. Time to get to work then."
Atar grinned. "Well past time. Start jotting down the central glyph and I'll start on the radial modifications."
"Of course, Glyphmaster."
"Shut it," Atar laughed.
He never noticed when Felix left them.