Nexus Magical Books and Oddities is a charming little bookstore nestled in the heart of a bustling city. With its old-world charm and tantalizing mix of books and curiosities, it is a haven for both avid readers and collectors alike. As you step inside Nexus, you are immediately greeted by an enchanting atmosphere. The scent of ancient parchment lingers in the air as shelves upon shelves of books tower over you, each one brimming with secrets waiting to be discovered. The dim lighting and cozy nooks invite you to get lost in the pages of a fantastical tale or lose track of time as you explore the various oddities on display. Nexus is not your average bookstore.
Tassel of Inside Out
Notice Because the Moon and Star patch edits Moon and Star s main questline and the Shattered Legacy quest, Moon and Star and its patch must be installed at the same time Legacy is installed. We, as your friends, your allies, and ones deeply indebted to you, will ensure that you are protected while you make this choice, no matter how long you choose to ponder it.
Nexus is not your average bookstore. It is a treasure trove of magical tomes and artifacts, each one possessing its own unique allure. From spell books filled with incantations and potions to ancient scrolls containing forgotten knowledge, there is something for every curious mind.
Chapter 239-Book 9
To Cameron’s surprise, the pen began to swirl across the pages once again. He watched as the ornate writing scrawled its way onto the paper, the ink glistening as it dried, and the pen fell once again to the crease of the binding as the Quest Log dropped into his hand.
New Quest: The Crossroads
“The Paths are utterly the same. Which is why it's always a surprise when Walkers experience them in so many different ways. For some, the journey is all encompassing in the pursuit of advancement, always looking to how to step onto the next Path before them. For others, the trials and troubles of the journey all but pushes the thought of the Paths out of their mind. But they’re still the thing under your feet, the journey that you walk as you keep going. And the Fifth Path is no different. Not until the end.”
Wait for the knock _
Make your choice _
Experience to be gained: 0
Cameron closed the Quest Log and took out his spellbook, looking down at the front page.
Personal Progression Summary of:
- The Protester
- The Space In between
- The Magician of Skipper Street
- Guardian of Old Show
- Death of Laughter
- The Nightmare that Haunts Us All
- Crowcaller
- Clown Killer
- Tenth Man
Specification: Practical Application
Purpose: Clown Killer
Current Path: Path of the Crossroads, 5/9
Requirements to Progress to next Path:
Defeat Screams X
Defeat The King of Clowns X
Choose whether to continue on the Path of a Walker _
Current Level: 30
Experience till next level: [LOCKED]
Current Quest: The Crossroads
Looking up to the door, Cameron wondered what was stopping him from just walking out of it, and what was so important for waiting for this knock. Shrugging, he looked over the other pages in his spellbook. There was more there than there had been.
Current Spells Learned:
Touch of the Arcane, Unranked
Effect: Able to touch the Arcane
Limitations: Ease of touching the Arcane, as well as how much you are able to draw is directly connected to your Ness.
Reflective Illusion: Rank 3
Effect: Summon illusions of yourself that will appear to cast Arcane spells. Further control in accordance with Ness. Able to directly control one reflective illusion.
Ness Required: 8
Current Limitations: Limit two reflections that last only a brief time. Oddities can occur when controlled illusion is destroyed.
Arcane Senses: Rank 3
Level Requirement: 15
Effect: Ability to see things with greater clarity, as well as make sense of basic Massor. Benefit from Arcane Senses now affects hearing to a minimum degree. Filters out some of the more unpleasant things to be seen and heard, and allows one to move
Ness Required: 6
Current Limitations: The Arcane becomes harder to push Away
Level Requirement: 15
Effect: Translocate yourself
Ness Required: 5
Current Limitations: Four charges. Must translocate within twenty meters of starting point.
Arcane Draw: Rank 3
Level Requirement: 14
Effect: Draw upon the Arcane to fortify yourself. Able to hold more of the Arcane, and store it for much longer.
Ness Required: 8
Current Limitations: The Longer you Hold the Arcane, the more you are drained when it is released.
Arcane Expulsion: Rank 3
Level Requirement: 14
Effect: Release the reserves of the Arcane you have drawn upon. Able to release the stored Reservoir in many bursts.
Ness Required: 7
Current Limitations: After the second expulsion, the third must release the remaining reservoir.
Shimmering Shield: Rank 2
Level Requirement: 10
Effect: Provides a barrier of the Arcane based on the user’s Ness.
Ness Required: 5
Current Limitations: Provides protection from physical attacks, and basic elemental attacks.
Summon Specter: Rank 3
Level Requirement: 18
Effect: Summons entities of the Arcane to do your bidding for a time. Able to project your summoned entities into combat.
Ness Required: 15
Current Limitations: Though able to be projected into the natural plane, specters are prone to depletion. If depleted too far, too often, ranking will deplete.
Memory of the Arcane: Rank 3
Level Requirement: 20
Effect: Allows you to see the aftermath of Arcane destruction or effects. Able to hear the after effects of more complete Arcane aftermath. Able to see the Arcane potential in objects, and project reality into them.
Ness Required: 6
Current Limitations: Limited effect with projection, in accordance with practitioner’s Ness.
Twisted Tempest: Rank 1
Level Requirement: 14
Effect: Summons a twisting nexus of the Arcane from your drawn reservoir
Ness Required: 9
Current Limitations: Short burst only, easily deflected
Violet Squall: Rank 1
Level Requirement: 16
Effect: Summons a nexus of the Arcane above the targeted area that will rain down Arcane missiles
Ness Required: 10
Current Limitations: Long cooldown period and draining, very, very draining.
Send in the Clowns: Rank 9
Level Requirement: 1
Effect: Send in the Clowns
Ness Required: 1
Current Limitations: Limited to the Clowns on Hand
Compounded Insanity: Rank 1
Level Requirement: 25
Effect: Take on a Clown, using its unique skills and perspective in accordance with your Ness
Seating himself on his bed, Cameron turned back to the front of the book, and looked over at his satchel. The bag he had gotten from Hob, that had served as a vehicle for Andi so often, lay open, the contents spilling out slightly.
Current Loadout for: Cameron Carroll
MAIN HAND WEAPON
Weapon: The Protester’s Focus-Epic
Tassel of Stillness
Effect: Call Forth Stasis
Tassel of Reflection
Effect: Call Forth Calico
Tassel of Chance
Effect: Call Forth Gambit
Augmentation Set Bonus [3]: Allows for Greater Affinity with the Clowns
Tassel of Inside Out
Effect: Call Forth the Face
Tassel of Perspective
Effect: Call Forth Patchwork
Tassel of Triune
Effect: Call Forth Godfrey
Augmentation Set Bonus [6]: Allows for Compounded Insanity
Tassel of Order
Effect: Call Forth Fletcher
Tassel of Silence
Effect: Call Forth Screams
Tassel of Shade
Effect: Call Forth The King of Clowns
Augmentation Set Bonus [9]: See the world through the eyes of a crow.
Memory of Reflection
Effect: Able to Manifest the Clowns into the Physical plane for a short time
OFF HAND UTILITY
OHU: Clown Carver-Uncommon
Head: Clown Tassel-Epic
Chest: Clown Motley-Rare
Legs: Clown Pants-Rare
Set Bonus: Increases the control of Compounded Insanity
Requirements: Three Piece [X]
Hands: Clown Grips-Rare
Feet: Clown Shoes-Rare
Cloak: Magician’s Coat-Rare
Set Bonus: Increases the available uses of Compounded Insanity
Requirements: Two Piece [X]
- Signet of the Arsamuloseum, Denotation of the Ability to Look Beyond
- Seal of Saraseum, Mark of Further Ascension
- Unequipped
Set Bonus [2]: Spiral In, Spiral Out.
Neck: Lich’s Phylactery
Effect 1: Will Shield the Wearer from most summonings.
Effect 2: There must be something else…
“There’s something about this that shouldn’t be… some things that go beyond should stay beyond.”
- A Shattered Hourglass
Effect: Alter time, allowing movement throughout a localized space or allowing limited ability to effect change forward or back within parameters affected by Ness.
Cooldown: Resets at Sunrise
Slots Available: 13/20
- Quest Log
- Spellbook
- Journal
- Quite the Clever Pen
- Blood Stained Napkin
- An Account of the Line of Doctrimius (notes)
- Ring in the Silence, Token of the Library in Between-Requirement-Path of the Master
- A Map of Skipper Street
- A Map of Old Show
- A Map of the Fogdown Manor
- A Map of the Misturn Fair
- A Letter from the Lord of Lavender
- An Invitation to A Formal Affair
- Deed of the Misturn Fair
Cameron stood and walked to the satchel. Reaching into it, he took out the Ring in the Silence, holding it up in the golden sunlight streaming through the window. It looked just as the other rings on his hands looked, slightly plain, slightly ornate, bearing the script of the Magicians on the face of the ring. It still buzzed uncomfortably with the energy it held, and Cameron was almost overtaken with the compulsion to put it on. Closing his glowing hand around the ring, he replaced it in the satchel.
There were requirements he still didn’t meet to use it just yet.
So he stood in the room, deep in thought. It looked the same as it had when he had first come to Skipper Street, a familiar, homey feeling. A feeling of sadness swept through him, as he thought about the inescapable fact that he likely wasn’t going to be spending too much time here, in the coming times. There was too much to do.
Three sharp knocks came at his door, causing him to jump. Gathering up his things quickly, Cameron went to the door and opened it. Tam stood there, a smile on her face. “It’s time.” She said in a bright voice, stepping aside so that Cameron could walk out the door.
“You’ll see,” Said the Necromancer as they walked down the stairs. As the dining room came into view, Cameron saw Loron Standing there, Valentine at his right hand, Fleck at his left. Marret leaned against the bar, Andi seated on it and watching the three Walkers.
Tam and Cameron stopped at the foot of the stairs, and she turned to him. “Time for you to make the choice,” She said, giving his hand a small squeeze. Then she began to walk to the bar.
“Shouldn’t you be with them,” Cameron said, pointing at the other three Walkers.
Now Tam gave him a sad smile. “I’m one of the Restless.” She said quietly. “I’m… not really allowed to participate in this kind of thing anymore. It comes with the territory, unfortunately.”
“Come, Cameron.” Loron said, beckoning in forward. “Time enough for that later, but this can’t wait.”
“Can’t wait…” Cameron muttered, watching regretfully as Tam walked to the bar and sat so that she could watch.
Walking towards the three standing there, he gripped his staff in his ravaged hand and the strap of his satchel in the other. His eyes fell on Fleck, and the Ranger gave him a small smile, the scars on her mouth tightening. “Had to come see for myself,” She said. “I was in the silence when day broke. I could hardly believe it.”
“Neither could I, all things being right.” Cameron said. Then his eyes went to Loron. The Soldier stood with his sword bared, tip placed carefully on the wooden floor of the tavern. Valentine stood easily, but there was an excitement about the man that was palpable, even from where Cameron stood.
“Cameron Carroll,” Loron said, his smile deep and genuine. “Magician of the Path of the Crossroads, the time has come to choose.” He took a deep breath. “Now is the final opportunity you will have to walk away. Should you choose it, you may relinquish yourself of all power that you have accumulated, all offices and titles held, and thus recuse of all obligation and purpose tied to the same.” He paused, and whether for dramatic effect or to allow Cameron to absorb the words, both were achieved. “Should you choose to carry on, you shall step onto the Path of the Master.” The Soldier said. “This does not mean that you have mastered all that there is to know of your class, your purpose, or the Magic that you wield. The Path of the Master is not the end; it is the true beginning. Should you choose to carry on as a Magician, you shall be forever bound to your purpose, unable to turn aside. This is the choice that is set before you, the last Crossroad you will come to. It should not be made lightly and–” Loron was cut off by the sound of a great rushing wind.
Cameron turned to the far end of the dining room, and saw a yawning portal beginning to open there. It was utterly black, with deeper shades swirling within, and there was a gentle tug that went along with it. “Ah…” Cameron said, turning back to Loron. “This is… normal, is it?”
“It is not,” Loron said in a guarded voice.
But Valentine stepped forward. “Normal for Spawn Walkers. Sorry, mate, should have given you a bit of warning.”
“That you should have,” Loron snapped. “What is this?”
“His other choice,” Valentine said, looking at Cameron. “His chance to go back.”
The words took a moment to reach Cameron, as he looked at the portal. Then they jolted into place, and he didn’t know if he wanted to run and fling himself into the portal, or flee from it as fast and far as he could. He had been ready before, to tell Loron to get on with it so that he could get along with what he needed to be about. But this… was something else.
Walking forward toward the portal, Cameron got half way to it before he stopped. The tug was growing stronger, the desire to throw himself through becoming stronger. It had been a long time since he had thought about where he had come from, always having his mind forcibly turned to where he was going… and he had long since given up on any hope that there might be a road back.
But here it was.
And all he had to do was step through.
Curiosity sparked through him. The thought that there might be a family that had gone this long without answers squirmed inside him. And the life he had led before… Cameron wondered what it had been.
As the thought crossed his mind, he thought he heard something from the portal, and realized all he had to do was walk closer to hear what was there. If he could get some answers, he could just turn back…
But another realization came to him then, and he realized that the Arcane felt distant, as though it was fading. Looking down at his hand, Cameron saw that it was glowing fainter now, some of the flesh looking as though it had been mended.
“This is another one off, mate.” Valentine said, his voice sounding different. “It won’t come along again.”
Nodding, Cameron balled his hand into a fist.
And turned back.
As he walked across the room, Cameron didn’t have to look back. He knew the portal was closing, and though he didn’t know what the life he had left was, that wasn’t the case for the life he had found.
The skin faded away from his hand again, the glow of the Arcane in his flesh intensifying. By the time he stood again in front of the three Walkers again, his arm was skeletal once more. Raising his eyes, he fixed Loron with a stare. “You were saying?”
Loron blinked, and nodded. “This is not a decision to make lightly. But it is a decision that must be made before you can move on, or otherwise.” The Soldier gestured to the others standing with him. “We serve as your guard in this matter, Cameron Carroll. We, as your friends, your allies, and ones deeply indebted to you, will ensure that you are protected while you make this choice, no matter how long you choose to ponder it. Our act of service to you,” Loron placed a hand over his chest, inclined his head, and fell silent.
Looking between them, the Magician smiled. “Much I think it would be a sight to see, making you all wait here for a time, it’s not necessary, mate.” Raising his chin, Cameron said in a bedrock hard tone, “My choice is made. I made it a long time ago.”
The moment he said the words, something seemed to twist inside him. It was the feeling of something taking hold of him in a way that Cameron had never felt before. The sensation didn’t hurt, so much as it was an absolution and singularity. It washed through him, into every bit of his mind and being, almost like the feeling that had taken place every time he had advanced a level, but much, much stronger. He swayed on the spot, and Loron reached out, steadying him easily. The Soldier looked at him hard, and for a brief moment Cameron saw some of the old doubt flicker across his face. Then Adrian Loron smiled. “Ranger,” He said. “Warlock. Please join me in welcoming this Magician to his Sixth Path. The Path of the Master. He has made his choice.”
Fleck and Valentine clapped Cameron on the shoulders, and shook his glowing hand. But Cameron still felt a bit dazed. It was as though he could see them in a new light, feel some of their power. The strength that Loron gave off gave Cameron the feeling that the man was reliable, set in his ways. Fleck was different, and she felt distant. The mark of a Ranger who was always out in the wilderness, never destined to have friends closer than an arm's reach. Chaos and instability radiated from Valentine, and Cameron immediately felt the urge to be on his guard. But even as he looked at his friend the Warlock, the feeling faded. He could still feel what Valentine was, what was inside him and the potential that he bore. It made everyone else’s ration to him all this time make much more sense, and he wondered then what they had felt whenever he had drawn near.
Slowly he turned to Tam.
Relief flooded through him as she walked towards him. Cameron had feared that the same feeling that radiated even then from the phylactery would have enveloped her, making her more difficult to be around. But as she took his hand and stood on her tip toe to give him a small kiss on the cheek, Cameron smiled.
Because she hadn’t changed at all.
“Hob would be so proud.” Andi said in a high voice, and Cameron looked at her. An enormous tankard of beer was being poured as she eyed Cameron. “Scared utterly shitless. But so, so proud.”
Level Requirement: 18
The bookstore even boasts a collection of rare and first-edition books, making it a paradise for bibliophiles. However, it is not just the books that make Nexus truly special. The store is home to a vast assortment of oddities that is sure to pique your interest. Mysterious trinkets and relics from distant lands adorn the shelves, each with its own supernatural aura. You may stumble upon a crystal ball that holds the secrets of the future or a potion bottle said to grant eternal youth. These curiosities spark the imagination and ignite a sense of wonder in those who encounter them. What sets Nexus apart from other bookstores is the knowledgeable and passionate staff. The booksellers are not just employees but true connoisseurs of the mystical arts. They are always eager to share their expertise and guide customers on their quest for the perfect book or oddity. Their recommendations are as valuable as the treasures they curate, ensuring that every visitor leaves satisfied and enlightened. In the end, Nexus Magical Books and Oddities is not just a place to buy books or acquire oddities. It is a sanctuary for magic and wonder, a refuge from the mundane world. It is a place where imagination can run wild, and the boundaries of reality blur. Whether you seek a new adventure in the pages of a novel or a talisman to protect against evil, Nexus has it all. So step inside and let the magic unfold before your very eyes..
Reviews for "The Magic Within: Harnessing the Power of Nexus Books and Oddities"
- John Doe - 1 star - I have never been more disappointed in a bookstore. The selection at Nexus magical books and oddities was incredibly limited and catered to a very niche audience. The staff appeared more interested in their own conversations than helping customers, and the overall atmosphere was cold and unwelcoming. Save yourself the disappointment and go to a proper bookstore instead.
- Sarah Smith - 2 stars - I had high hopes for Nexus magical books and oddities, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The prices were exorbitant for the quality of the books available. The staff seemed disinterested and unhelpful, making it difficult to find what I was looking for. The store itself felt cluttered and disorganized, making it hard to navigate and find anything of interest. Overall, a disappointing experience.
- Emily Johnson - 2 stars - I found Nexus magical books and oddities to be quite underwhelming. The selection of books was limited, especially if you're not into the fantasy genre. The store was cramped and poorly lit, which made browsing quite uncomfortable. The prices were too high for the quality of the books, and the staff seemed disinterested in assisting customers. I would not recommend this bookstore to anyone looking for a wide range of book options or a pleasant shopping experience.