The Archmetamagician: The Weave Collapses Again

This item had no name, and its origin was unknown. The dice was merely a surface manifestation; in essence, it was a kind of transcendent embodiment of rules.

Its basic function was a character sheet. Other abilities would need the symbols on the dice to be lit up before they could be activated.

”How do I activate it?” Anser pressed.

The dice gave no response. It seemed it did not possess intelligence.

”View character sheet.”

The dice trembled slightly, projecting a light screen filled with various data into his mind.

[Name: Anser Holrewen]

[Race: Human — Silverbrow Subspecies (Medium size)]

[Background: None]

[Class: None]

[Level: 0]

[HP: 2/4]

[Armor Class: 11]

[Alignment: Absolute Neutral]

[Faith: None]

— Core Attributes —

[Strength: 11]

[Dexterity: 12]

[Constitution: 11]

[Intelligence: 12]

[Wisdom: 13]

[Charisma: 14]

[Skills: Arcana +1, History +1]

[Languages: Common, Netherese, Illuskan]

[Feats: None]

[Equipment: Crystal spell focus]

— Spells —

[Cantrips: Light, Ray of Frost]

After quickly scanning through the character sheet, Anser understood clearly in his heart. This was a data panel based on DND rules.

”Silver-Brow Subspecies?”

Anser thought for a long while before recalling that this Silver-Brow Subspecies should be a draconic-blood subspecies, originating from the metallic dragon that most liked to mingle in the human world—the Silver Dragon.

One of its more common physical traits was silver streaks or a silvery sheen in the hair, which was why they were called the Silver-Brow people.

The original owner of this body had not been aware of this information. His body also possessed no spell-like abilities at all, likely because the bloodline was ancient and extremely diluted.

This was very common. The world of Toril had many races living together, and some races had reproductive capabilities so strong that they could break species boundaries. Over the long passage of time, who knew how many strange mixed-bloods had been born?

Aside from race, the original owner’s attributes… were truly dragging him down.

In DND settings, commoners have 4 Hit Points, and the six core attributes are around 10.

If a mage’s Intelligence is below 10 points, they will lose their ability to cast spells, and if it’s below 8 points... it’s almost like being mentally impaired. In most cases, a character’s attributes will not fall below 8 points.

The original owner’s attributes were only slightly above average. With an Intelligence of 12 points, trying to become a mage was going to be an immense challenge.

Wizards are a high-intelligence group, and it is extremely difficult to enter their ranks. An ordinary person cannot rely on hard work alone to achieve this.

With a Charisma of 14 points, this was likely due to his racial traits.

Fortunately, the original owner was not entirely lacking. Through hard study, they had mastered two additional languages and had a solid foundation in both Arcana and History.

At this point, the character sheet flickered. Anser gently touched it, and the character edit page popped up. From top to bottom, the sections were Origin (Background, Race), Class, and Attributes.

However, the sections for Origin and Attributes were grayed out.

”Looks like the background, race, and attributes are inherited from the original owner and can’t be changed.” Anser was somewhat disappointed.

He clicked on the Background section, and the character sheet prompted:

[Detected that you have Noble and Sage backgrounds. You may choose one to define your origin. This will increase your attribute values, feats, and proficiency in skills.]

”Huh... a choice between the two isn’t too bad,” Anser thought.

He checked each background option, but the origins seemed a bit far-fetched.

The Noble background was likely based on the surname. Anser himself didn’t hold any title and was definitely common-born.

The Sage background was more plausible, as he had spent many long nights studying books and scrolls, exploring the knowledge of various worlds. He could barely be considered a scholar at best, with an eager mind but lacking the proper skills.

The Noble background would increase Strength, Intelligence, and Charisma, with the feat ”Social Acclimation.” The Sage background would increase Constitution, Intelligence, and Wisdom, with the feat ”Magic Initiate.”

Anser did not rush to make a decision and continued to explore the race section.

[Race: Human]

[Creature Type: Humanoid]

[Size: Medium]

[Traits:]

[Attribute bonuses: Choose two different attributes to increase by 1 each.]

[Skills: You gain proficiency in one chosen skill.]

[Multiclassing: You gain one origin feat of your choice.]

”Two attribute points, one feat, three skills.” Anser’s eyebrows lifted, and his spirits rose.

After taking a class, his background and race could add five points to his attributes and two feats—quite decent.

In the end, he opened the class options, and thirteen icons popped up.

Barbarian (Strength), Fighter (Strength or Dexterity), Paladin (Strength or Charisma)

Cleric (Wisdom), Druid (Wisdom), Monk (Dexterity or Wisdom)

Ranger (Dexterity or Wisdom), Rogue (Dexterity)

Sorcerer (Charisma), Warlock (Charisma), Bard (Charisma)

Wizard (Intelligence), Artificer (Intelligence)

These were all main classes. After taking a class, he could also choose from a large number of subclasses.

Each class had a different primary attribute, and most had spellcasting ability. However, the only ones that could be called full casters were Wizard, Sorcerer, Cleric, Druid, and Bard; at level 17, they could master 9th-level spells.

”Why is there a layer of black-red over these classes, varying in intensity?” Anser frowned slightly, and a bad premonition rose in his heart.

He lightly touched the wizard class, which was red to the point of black, with his thoughts, and two warnings immediately popped up:

[The Weave is in turmoil. Uncontrolled primal magic is surging. Cast with caution!]

[Your character’s innate Intelligence is too low. Choose carefully!]

He had already anticipated the first warning. The word ”in turmoil” seemed fairly accurate. The Weave probably had not completely collapsed, because the distant battlefield was still flickering with the light and shadow of spells.

The second warning was a bit hurtful.

Low Intelligence was a hard flaw. If he could freely allocate attributes like in a game, he could raise his primary attribute to 16 or higher at level 1. Unfortunately, he had no extra attribute points.

In DND, only every four levels could you choose a feat or two attribute points. If your starting attributes were too low, you could only give up precious feats, and your ceiling in power would drop drastically.

”Looks like the Weave has the greatest impact on wizards,” Anser thought.

The Weave’s turbulence might not stump those archmages with extraordinary intellect, but ordinary wizards would be miserable—they could only scrape by on cantrips.

Since Wizard was not an option, he had to switch to another class.

Right now, he needed a class that could help him escape the massive pit at level 1, without considering the future. In DND, multiclassing is unlimited as long as the attribute requirements are met; at worst, he could multiclass into another class at level 2.

”I can only climb up!” He raised his head to look at the cliff face dozens of meters high and the waterfall, a sense of urgency rising in his heart. ”Before this place collapses.”

If he fell into the Underdark, even if the fall did not kill him, he would be overwhelmed by swarming subterranean creatures.

Adventurers have strong physical capabilities, but relying solely on the body was extremely dangerous. It would be better to rely on spells to stay alive, such as Mage Hand, Feather Fall, or Jump.

”Spellcasters take priority. It would be best to treat the injury in my leg as well,” Anser calculated as he looked at his numb right leg.

He first touched the Cleric class, which was shrouded in gray.

[Those without faith cannot become Clerics!]

Anser was helpless. It was obviously too late to develop faith now. Cleric spells came from the deity they believed in, and the consequences of being discovered would be severe.

He looked around and saw that all spellcasting classes were covered in an ominous red glow. Bard and Druid were deeply red, while Warlock and Sorcerer were relatively faint.

Warlocks, also known as hexcasters, borrowed power from a patron—angels, archfey, demons, and the like—through a pact. Just hearing about it made him uneasy, so he set it aside for now.

He clicked on the Sorcerer class, and relevant information immediately popped up:

[A dragon’s blessing, a dryad present at birth, or being struck by lightning under a clear sky can all awaken a sorcerer’s talent.

A gift from a god, exposure to strange magic from other planes, or even a glimpse into the principles of reality can also turn one into a sorcerer…]

[Sorcerers do not study magic. Surging primal power is an innate part of who they are…]

What surprised Anser was that Sorcerers could choose their Sorcerous Origin (subclass) at level 1:

Aberrant Mind, Clockwork Magic, Draconic Bloodline, Wild Magic, Divine Soul, Shadow Magic, Storm Sorcery.

However, five of the seven subclasses were grayed out.