[NR] What Jason Wants - Chapter 614 (Patreon)

Courtney rolled her eyes, “Well first, you need to practice your calligraphy and learn some about laying out a book. Most don’t get this chance since they’ll have done everything in System space and the creation of the first complete pattern will be recognized on whatever scrap paper they used to write it all down. Or worse, they just spoke it all out and there isn’t even an original.”

Jason, “So there is something special about the first completed copy?”

Courtney, “Remember, this is just below the creation of an artifact. The original copy of the complete pattern will provide a learning speed multiplier to those using it as the most basic benefit. Similar to how most gear is more important for its effects, the same is true for patterns, guides, tutorials, and so on. After all, a well laid out guide is every bit the masterpiece a well-made weapon is.

“The problem is that unlike gear, patterns and such rarely ever have effects because each new copy isn’t that special compared to the very first and people generally won’t know when their work will qualify. If I was to compare making a new copy of a pattern to something, it would be sharpening a blade. Maybe you do better than the person who forged the blade, but you aren’t changing the intrinsic nature of it.

“Can you eventually end up with something that might as well be a new blade? Yes, but at that point, you’re beyond just sharpening it. Most effects you’ll find will be minor boosts to learning certain steps if the person who made the copy fixed the layout in that section or similar. Worse, changing things, even if you consider it an improvement, might be seen as a demerit by the System. At which point you step into the territory of negative effects. Stuff like worse learning rates or even the chance to downgrade the resulting creation.”

Jason, “I assume I also have to be the one to do the work? No outsourcing the creation of my finalized pattern?”

Courtney shrugs, “You could in theory do that. Some have, in fact, there are certain families which actively search for people likely to make such breakthroughs and buy out the person so an heir can be the first to “create” it in NeoRealm.

“Which I will note, does not get you anything besides a title with a small percentage improvement involving the manual. They want the title because there are certain local run groups that require such titles, either to advance in the organization or to join at all. They’re small, especially the second type, but highly prestigious to where even if those within the organization will sneer at them for cheating to get the title, it is worth the social clout outside of them.”

Jason, “Got it, make a marvelous book so it can have nice effects and maybe join an exclusive club or two down the line. Now how about I tell you the kind of things I am looking for so you can give me an idea of how fancy I need to make said book?”

Courtney, “Lay it on me.”

Jason nods, “Well first, I don’t know what it would be called in this area, but something like an obelisk. By which I mean, the smallest form of magical megalith. An anchor for powers only found in ritual form or a regular power applying to a very wide area.”

Courtney raises an eyebrow, “Well, you certainly aren’t thinking small. I don’t know the specific name in this area, but a giant spike of stone carved to have significance isn’t a rare concept. Though thankfully you aren’t asking for a pyramid or anything. While Energy based obelisks aren’t that rare in the scheme of things. The bigger megalithic constructions for Energy tend to be unique pieces of work. After all, they require a large Energy leyline near the surface to work.”

Jason, “Well, an Energy based one would certainly be preferred, I’m looking for how they’re made. Unless that is, only Energy is used to create megaliths? Which seems strange, a large structure can naturally take more than a stick of wood or a ball of crystal.”

Courtney, “Are there big structures that involve Mana and Qi? Certainly, the kingdom here is using some to help stabilize the area. It is just that I think what you mean and what they actually are don’t quite meet in the middle.”

Jason, “Why do you think the Energy megaliths do fit what I mean?”

Courtney, “With how much you are into cultivation, I looked into some of the basic concepts. Now, clearly what you’re working off of and the stories just out there are different, but the foundational stuff at least provides hints.

“So with that in mind, I assume you mean a thing which is in and of itself empowered. You aren’t going to count some noble family slapping up a bunch of enchantments to keep their manor at the perfect temperature. When you ask about an obelisk, you want a chunk of rock that if placed right, naturally draws in power from around it to cause an effect.”

Jason, “Well, yeah. If you have it running off of individual enchantments, the structure will be fighting itself, each looking for its own Mana. Part of why a true obelisk is the most basic kind is the fact it is one giant piece of carved rock. Not just a megalith, but a monolith. Since it is a single gigantic piece of rock, an obelisk is sturdy enough to create outsized effects.

“A manor with a ton of enchantments placed all over? Is the manor actually enchanted, or have they actually just enchanted a specific part of it? I’m going to guess the answer is small pieces are enchanted. Though I would have thought Qi would at least have something?”

Courtney shakes her head, “Nope, Qi actually has a harder time. After all, it can’t leave its container without dissipating into environmental Qi. While I have heard that some places have luck with Qi enforced roads, most items that use Qi are personal scale or rituals.”