Chapter 66. Menus
The rest of the evening passed quickly, Naomi whistled up that the gathering crew had finally gone to bed and that she was going down too. As he was saying goodnight the door to the wheelhouse opened and Minnie came in, followed by Percy and Ron. “So I was telling these guys about the menu thing, and they want to know how to see it. What I told them didn’t work so maybe you can figure it.”. Will had been checking the last few days and the boys had showed up about a week ago, checking it now he found something new.
Menu
William Harris
Age 35 (stabilized)
Intelligence 41/50
Strength 50/50 Maximum level.
Vitality 48/50
Stamina 48/50
Affinities for gardening, cultivating, fishing, knitting, swimming, mariner ,
Captain of the heartboat Rose
Minnie Harris
Best dog of all
Age 17
Intelligence 22/25
Strength 24/25
Vitality 24/25
Stamina 24/25
Affinities for fishing, swimming, husbandry, mariner
First Mate of the heartboat Rose
*The tinker skill has been upgraded*
Naomi 0’Malley
Age 18
Intelligence 39/50
Strength 44/50
Vitality 41/50
Stamina 45/50
Affinities for cooking, fishing, gardening, swimming, mariner
Second Mate of the heartboat Rose
Ron Harris
Intelligence 10/25
Strength 5/25
Vitality 5/25
Stamina 5/25
Was once a cat, changing from day to day.
Affinities for needlework, tailoring and homemaker
Third Mate of the heartboat Rose
Percy Harris
Intelligence 10/25
Strength 5/25
Vitality 5/25
Stamina 5/25
Was once a cat, changing from day to day.
Affinities for gardening, husbandry and organization
Third mate of the heartboat Rose
More…
Ah, here we go, he hadn't looked at the more command for a while and things were different.
Menu
William Harris
Age 35, permanently deaged to optimum for this being, optimal age is 35. Old enough to know better but still young enough to do it anyway. You are not immortal but you are very very long lived. A blessing and a curse. Your companions have this gift as well.
Intelligence 41/50. Upon hitting this level in intelligence this being is able to learn more from MENU. This beings reading, comprehension, recall and problem solving abilities are all at a high normal level now. You are still not a genius, you are clever and witty, sometimes you can get a flash of brilliance if you think about it hard enough. Don’t strain yourself.
Strength 50/50. This being is high in strength, due to the physicality of his life. He is able to lift up to 5 x his body weight at this time. The strength of his musculature and skeletal structure are also increased by a factor of 5. You are not super strong but you are close.
Vitality 48/50. This beings vitality is at mid high level now. His life energy, will power and spirit replenish 4.8 x faster than a base normal male of this world.
Stamina 48/50. This beings stamina is now at a much higher than normal level. He uses his energy more efficiently and recovers from strenuous activity 4.8 x faster than a base normal male of this world.
Affinities for gardening, cultivating, fishing, knitting, swimming, mariner. The previous abilities are what this being is innately good at, a predilection to do well at any of the listed abilities. New abilities may show here as learned, but not all may have an affinity.
Captain of the heartboat Rose. There can be only one….and you’re it. You were marked for life, as was your companion that came here with you.
Navigation 3, This being will rarely get lost, he will always find a way through no matter how long it takes. Map reading and map making are second nature, his drawing skills have also improved greatly, but only for maps.
Mechanic 3, This being can fix things that require repair or upgrade. He just knows how a thing works by the job it does. He does require tools.
Mason 1, This being works well with stone, brick and mortar. His creations will usually turn out well and work like intended but won’t be pretty.
Outdoor Chef 2, This being can cook outdoors, using open fires, fire pits, bbq’s. His cooking has greatly improved, especially with cheeseburgers.
Arborist 1, All that branch cutting has made this being better at cutting trees down, if he fells a tree it will probably fall without damaging the area too much.
Labourer 3 , This world is labor oriented, usually with hand tools. Digging, shovelling, raking, carrying, toting, lifting. If it’s done by hand this being is very able.
All the above skills will gain in levels as they are practiced or used consistently.
Stolen novel; please report.
Minnie Harris
This being is unique in this world. Brought along by Will Harris by the power of love as his true companion.
Best dog of all. While this is true, this being is not really a dog anymore.
Age 17. The age of this being was difficult for MENU to sort out. As she is unique there was nothing to go by so she is starting at the age of five, however she is maturing faster than the system realized and has been listed as seventeen now. Those wonderful teen years.
Intelligence 24/25. This beings intelligence shows in her skill at piloting. Her spatial awareness is high as are her predictive skills. As she gains levels her memory and problem solving abilities will increase. Nearing her maximum intelligence has shown in every facet of her life.
Strength 24/25. This beings strength is nearing maximum. Her small stature is not showing her true strength. Her musculoskeletal durability is now at 5 x what a comparable being of this world is. She is able to lift five times the body weight of a comparable being.
Vitality 24/25. This beings vitality is near maximum. Her uniqueness made it difficult for MENU to rate her. She arrived in this world with ‘boundless energy’ and this had been enhanced. Her energy, willpower and spirit regenerate nearly five times as fast as a comparable being of this world.
Stamina 24/25. This beings energy is high, nearing maximum. Her ‘never ending stamina’ of her original form carried over to her form now. No matter what she will not tire, walking , running, swimming. She can go for miles and days if needed.
Affinities for fishing, swimming, husbandry, mariner. This being will be good at catching fish, lucky and good at it. A natural swimmer, tied in with her high vitality and stamina this makes her way beyond gold medal material. Husbandry comes naturally too, able to understand what animals require to thrive, it’s in her blood. A being born to be on the water, good at sea, never seasick.
First Mate of the heartboat Rose. A natural position for her, considering she came to this world with the captain.
Piloting 4. With Minnie at the wheel this boat is under control. Never fear.
Mechanic 3. Able to repair what’s broken. Also she can predict what will work and what won’t and isn’t afraid to say so.
Crab Catcher. If they ever find any she’s the one to grab them.
Shrimper. Very able at catching and eating those slimy delicious things.
Joker. A good sense of humour and the ability to take what she dishes out. Very important.
Arborist. Is good at cutting trees, bushes, …if it grows she can cut it down to size,
Labourer 1. Good at mindless repetitive hard work. Digging, carrying, lifting. But just cause she’s good at it doesn’t mean she likes it. Good luck finding her when it’s time to cut the grass.
Tinker 2. She is able to put bits and pieces together and make them work.
Naomi 0’Malley
Second Mate of the heartboat Rose, a position she has earned by hard work and a need to learn more.
Age 17. She is aging naturally until her optimal age is reached then, as with all her shipmates, she will age no more.
Intelligence 39/50. This being is a perfect example of a normal inhabitant of this world. Her intelligence shows in memory, reading, comprehension, communication, this will increase in the future.
Strength 44/50. This being’s musculoskeletal system has already been enhanced, even in the short period of time. Her strength is now ore than four times that of a comparable peer.
Vitality 41/50. This beings vitality is growing at a fast rate. Tied in with strength and stamina, she is much more capable than she appears.
Stamina 45/50. As with her ship mates she has never ending energy.
Affinities for cooking, fishing, gardening,. She has already gained a higher level of cooking than normal. What she creates is good food. Her fishing skills will increase naturally, perhaps even gaining a level. Already an experienced gardener, if they ever find dirt she can grow stuff.
Management 3. Very good at arranging things, task oriented and can get you to do what she wants. Knows where everything is, mostly.
Cooking 4. A wizard in the kitchen. Food goes in and dinner comes out.
Homemaker 3. Not what it seems. She can make you feel welcome on the boat. Happy to see you and knows what you need even if you don’t.
Arborist 1. She can cut and trim anything that grows. Don’t ask for a haircut.
Labourer 2. A hard worker. She doesn’t mind grinding away at a task. Digging, shovelling, carrying, chopping, cutting, she can do it all.
Ron Harris
Intelligence 9/25. Smart and clever enough to find his way here, to another world. Given the skill to read and write by whoever brought them and changed them. Not quite as smart as his brother but he doesn’t care.
Strength 8/25. A little more than normal person of this world has, so far.
Vitality 6/25. The life force is comparable to a normal being of this world.
Stamina 7/25. Able to get through the day without falling asleep, but is prone to nap attacks if he gets the chance.
Was once a cat and now is not, changing and growing from day to day.
Affinities for needlework, tailoring and homemaker
Third Mate of the heartboat Rose, second mates aide and apprentice.
Percy Harris
Intelligence 10/25. Smart and clever enough to find his way here, to another world. Given the skill to read and write by whoever brought them and changed them.
Strength 7/25. A little more than a normal person of this world has, so far. Not as much as his brother, this irritates him, a lot.
Vitality 5/25. The life force is comparable to a normal being of this world.
Stamina 7/25. He can force himself to stay awake all day and get stuff done, he would rather just snooze in his chair and think.
Was once a cat and now is not, changing and growing from day to day.
Affinities for gardening, husbandry and organization
Third mate of the heartboat Rose, assisting the first mate and captain.
This world is a peaceful one. It can be a dangerous place but there is no fear of constant attack, no need to procure weapons and armour and practice with them. There is no magic in this world, no spells to learn, no magic items. No messages from MENU when you learn a new skill or increase a known one.
This is a world of adventure, exploration, family and loved ones, of long voyages and homecomings. This is home.
Think LESS for the former short MENU.
Holy moly, what a load of info had just been dumped into his brain. He had nearly forgotten how wordy the more command could be and there was even more now. “So what did you try, to get the command to trigger?”, he asked, when everyone was settled in. He had a mug of tea ready, as did Ron, Minnie and Percy had a glass of juice. “I told them to think menu, like write the word on the little window you have in the front of your mind.”, she replied. That’s how I do it, he thought, and Minnie too but it might not work for everyone. “What about repeating the word menu over and over in your mind, maybe out loud too.”, he laughed remembering, “If all else fails we can try the way I learned.”. He could see the strain on their faces, the sparse fur was wrinkled, heads bobbing as each mumbled the word over and over. Percy stopped, jumped up and shook his head, “Not working, Ron did anything show?”. His brother shook his head, not for him either apparently. “How did you learn father?”, Percy asked after a minute. “Well”, Will started with a laugh, “There was this little guy called Elaith, the same one that brought you boys here. He told me about the menu and said to think of nothing but.”. Taking a sip he went on, “He and Minnie were dancing around me, he was singing menu, menu, menu over and over, nearly drove me crazy but then it just popped into my head.”. He continued “Took a minute to settle in but then it was like a blue book in front of my eyes, a see through book.”.
Minnie was nodding at his description. “Same for me, there weren’t any pages at first but now I can turn them by just thinking about it.”. “I’m wondering if this has anything to do with it, I can see everyone’s menu, not just mine.”, Will mentioned, “Let’s all try together, might work.”. They all sat again, Will called his menu, so did Minnie and the two boys. After a few seconds he heard them laugh, “I did it, you too Ronnie?”, Percy asked. His brother nodded, still looking at his. “Well done guys. I’ve kinda gotten out of the habit at looking at mine. Elaith told me there were some worlds where keeping an eye on your progress is all important. Not this one though.”. Ron was whispering to Percy, “I know, I know.”, laughed the little fellow. “What’s up.”, Minnie asked him. “It’s what our thingie showed us, our names. We have two now, our names then another one, Harris.”. “That’s great, shows your part of our family, I’m Minnie Harris, dads called Will Harris.”. The two of them were really excited by this, all the children they had talked to had last names. And now they did too.
Getting this sorted out had only taken a couple of hours. Satisfied with the results the cat boys decided to go to sleep below, Minnie joined them after Will assured her he’d be fine piloting through the night. “Come up in the morning before we drop off and head back, I’ll take a break then.”. “Okay, but whistle down if you need me.”, she said. “Of course, night sweetie, night lads, sleep well.”. He watched them pass through the walkway and get safely below. The wind from the boats passage was too much to keep the windows and door open, so he closed up tight and turned the radiator up a bit. Then he checked the bearing and speed to make sure they were on course, poured a fresh mug of tea and relaxed in the captains chair. Thinking of what Elaith had said, about other worlds full of conflict and magic. Over his life he had played games and read stories based in worlds like that and they sounded like a great place to visit but not stay. Waking up, putting on your armour and go hunting monsters to try to level up one more time. Grinding away to get experience, learning spells, crafting… “Yeah, still sounds awful.”.
The night waned on, sky clearing and the drizzle of rain ending. Making notes in the log every two hours about course, conditions. Spending the rest of his time writing stories for the book shop in Newton, perhaps the one in Laketown as well. The town was smaller, about half the size, but there were more farms, ranches and orchards in the area leading up to the barrier mountains. Newton was having what seemed to be mini Industrial Revolution, lots of expansion, population boom and a voracious appetite for coal and ores. Of course, his railway idea might have driven the council a little harder, caused them to be more driven than they would have been otherwise. As the sun was lighting the horizon the familiar coast of Laketown became clear. The ship was still a few hours from their destination but this route was fairly familiar by now. As the ship came alive, the crew were waking up and coming on deck. Just a couple at first but after a hour or so the rails were lined as the teens enjoyed the mild weather before breakfast. Naomi had brought Will up a tray, and let him know that Wilbur and Grace would stay on for the turnaround. Good news definitely. Will didn’t see any problem with the physical part of the job but there were tips that only experts would know.
Minnie came up and took over the helm, “Quiet night dad?”. Will nodded “Whole bunch a nothing, wind blew and waves waved.”. She was looking over his log and sighing at the lack of pictures, her fingers started moving. Tiny Minnie’s were soon surfing alongside the Rose riding whales, Percy’s and Ron’s fishing off the side of the shore or climbing trees. Laughing Will said goodnight for a while and went below, he checked in on the rest of the crew and then went to his cabin for a couple of hours. A quick wash and a lie down. Waking up to the sound of the steam whistle, “Ah, we’re back.”.
