[X] World walk to the other worlds on Metatron's list
-[X] Just scout with your full exploration loadout and bail out at the first sign of trouble
--[X] Once you see a human, hide and world warp back to buy similar clothing to the natives of the new world then continue exploration.
You decide to check out the rest of the diagrams and do some experimenting on the side. You are decked out in the exploration gear and are ready to bolt at any signs of trouble.
Over the next several days you steadily cross each possibility off. You discover that you can do up to four consecutive world walks in relatively quick succession. Doing so leaves you extremely sick for the rest of the day and Metatron warns you of possible long-term health risks. The device grumbles about getting a proper lab to experiment on you. This you pretend not to hear.
Most of the new knotwork diagrams yield nothing apart from an occasional headache. In a couple of cases it results in a new world. These are unpromising and empty, with no apparent sign of civilisation. Apparently empty dimensions like this are decent for resources and not much else according to Metatron.
You cross the last one off and are ready to call it a day when Metatron hits you up. It wants to try the same diagrams except on different worlds. You are unsure if this works and it would add another leg to your journey, increasing complexity.
You try the idea out on that medieval world your ancestors originated from and start from the top of the list. The ones that didn't do anything before still don't. One of the two that worked before send you to a new world, which your device confirms is different. The other gives you a familiar headache – for which painkillers are used.
Metatron suggests there is something inaccessible on the other side like an ice sheet or sea. One of the ones that gave you a headache before actually work this time.
The helpful suggestion opens up a bunch of new combinations, and Metatron tells you it's still thinking up more.
You studiously avoid the one that led to commieland back on your home dimension. Just to be safe.
Metatron notes that some of these dimensions have a different world template, meaning you're not just going to an identical earth. You can't tell yourself, but you take its word for it.
You continue to experiment.
[X] Learn more Linker Core magic theory.
In the frequent downtime between world walks – you only manage a few daily – you learn more magic theory.
More weird, strange maths you've never seen before. You wonder if you could recruit mathematicians but are told they would need sufficiently powerful linker cores. Which apparently no one here has.
The only reason you have one is due to your father. Your linker core abilities would only be rated A by the TSAB, two ranks below him. You should work on improving that.
You learn that using high end spells often need build up. This requires saturating the environment with the residual magic of many lesser spells being cast. So, you can't end a fight by casting one big spell.
You also find out that without a barrier jacket or isolation barrier in place – both of which you can't cast – such high end spells would likely vaporise you. Great.
Ability Improved: Linker Core Magic Theory [Level 7 => 9]
***
You are working your way down the list again when you discover another world.
Only this one appears to have some signs human habitation. Fairly advanced signs to boot. You spend several minutes surveying the scene.
You can see some kind of aircraft very high in the air. There are wooden fences and a rural road far in the distance.
We're in luck, ho ho ho.
You realise to your shock that Metatron is laughing. You have never seen it do that.
It sounds like a demented mall Santa.
I recognise this world from its version of the network. We are back in recognised dimensional space, good work Alice.
Thanks? Where are we?
This world is called Cordamar, it is sparsely populated with limited advanced knowledge. One of the backwater worlds in the hinterland parts of the old empire, it was ignored by the successor states after it fell.
What do we do now?
Cordamar was an Unadministered world last I heard, and it still appears so. There is not much of value here, so you need to travel elsewhere to repair me.
How will I travel? How will I communicate?
You will have to find a dimensional gate on this world or seek passage on a dimensional ship. As for language I believe these people speak a derivative of antebellum Belkan, you should be able to understand each other. You have been practising your Belkan right?
You mumble something.
Right?
Well I got busy and learning magic was more important-
Right?
Okay, you know I haven't! You finally lose your patience and snap back.
Well you'll have to make do, I guess.
And how am I going to pay for this? For anything?
I have an idea.
Well let's hear it, smart guy.
You need to beg for a while and have someone take pity on you. Invent a sob story and some goody two shoes is sure to pick you up.
Your ideas are sometimes really stupid.
Thats just asking to be taken advantage of, in your opinion.
I'm open to taking proposals.
Can't you just steal from money like you did on Earth?
No.
Why not?
Because of advanced technology reasons you wouldn't understand.
Try me.
These people do not have electronic banking.
Hah, that wasn't so difficult.
You are welcome to engage in banditry my dear.
What's your overall plan here? You try to move the conversation to more productive ground.
We need to get off-world. There are caches and secret bank accounts still left over from the last time your father and I were in this part of dimensional space. Then we can focus on more important things.
But they are not here.
Correct.
You sigh.
Your skills in deduction appear to be improving.
You sigh again.
[] Interdimensional adventure
-[] Do that begging thing
-[] Try to hitch a ride somewhere
-[] Keep walking
-[] Write-in
[] Go back home
-[] Learn more of the Belkan language
-[] Learn more Linker Core magic theory.
-[] Visit some of your old friends
-[] Write-in
