This item has no name, nor an origin; the dice are merely a facade, its essence being a transcendent manifestation of certain rules.
Its basic function is a Character Card, and other abilities require lighting up the symbols on the dice to activate.
'How do I activate them?' Anser pressed.
The dice gave no response, appearing to lack Intelligence.
'View Character Card.'
The dice trembled slightly, projecting a Light screen filled with various data into his mind.
[Name: Anser Holleyven]
"Race": Human - silver forehead subspecies (Medium size)
"Background": None
"Class": None
"Level": 0
"HP": 2/4
"Armor Class": 11
"Alignment": true neutral
"Deity": None
——Core Attributes——
[Strength: 11]
[dexterity: 12]
[constitution: 11]
[Intelligence: 12]
[Wisdom: 13]
[charisma: 14]
"Skills": Arcana +1, History +1
"Languages": Common, Netherese, Illuskan
"Feat": None
"Equipment": Crystal Focus
——Spells——
"Cantrip": Light, Ray of Frost
After a quick scan of the Character Card, Anser understood; this was a data panel based on DND rules.
'silver forehead subspecies?'
Anser thought for a long time before remembering that this silver forehead subspecies should be a dragon blood subspecies, originating from the Metallic Dragon that most enjoys mingling in the human world—the Silver Dragon.
One of the more Common physical traits is silver streaks or a sheen in the hair, which is why they are called the Silver-Browed race.
The original owner of this body was unaware of this information, and the body possessed no Spell-like Ability, likely because the bloodline was ancient and thin.
This was very Common; the world of Toril had numerous races living together, and some races had reproductive capabilities strong enough to break species boundaries. Over the long ages, countless strange hybrids had been born.
Besides the race, the original owner's attributes... were truly pathetic!
In DND settings, a commoner's HP is 4, and the six main attributes are around 10.
A Mage with Intelligence lower than 10 will lose their Spellcasting ability, and below 8... is almost equivalent to being mentally disabled. In most cases, character attributes will not fall below 8.
The original owner's attributes were only slightly better than an average person's; wanting to become a Mage with 12 Intelligence would be exceptionally difficult.
Mages are a high-IQ group, and the difficulty of entering the profession is extremely high; ordinary people find it hard to qualify through hard study alone.
The 14 points in charisma should be related to his race.
Fortunately, the original owner wasn't entirely useless; through diligent study, he had mastered two additional languages and had some foundation in Arcana and History.
At this moment, the Character Card flickered. Anser touched it lightly, and a character editing page popped up, showing Origin (Background, Race), Class, and Attributes from top to bottom.
However, Origin and Attributes were both grayed out.
'It seems Background, Race, and Attributes are all inherited from the original owner and cannot be changed.' Anser was somewhat disappointed.
He "clicked" on the Background column, and the Character Card popped up a prompt:
"Detected that you have Noble and Sage backgrounds. You may choose one as your character's origin. This will grant you increases in attribute values, Feats, and skill proficiencies."
'Oh... a choice between two is fine too.'
He checked them one by one and found the background sources to be somewhat far-fetched.
Noble likely came from his surname; Anser himself didn't hold any title, being a commoner through and through.
Sage was more plausible; after all, he had spent so many long days and nights studying books and scrolls, reading about the sights of the multiverse, making him barely half a scholar. His soul yearned for more, but alas, he was a poor student.
Noble increases Strength, Intelligence, and charisma, with the Feat 'Skilled'. Sage increases constitution, Intelligence, and Wisdom, with the Feat 'Magic Initiate'.
Anser didn't rush to choose, continuing to check the Race.
"Race": Human
"Creature Type": Humanoid
"Size": Medium
"Traits":
Attribute Score Bonus: Choose two different attributes to increase by 1 each.
Skill: You gain proficiency in one skill of your choice.
Versatile: You gain one Origin Feat of your choice.
'Two attribute points, one Feat, and three skills.' Anser's eyebrows twitched, his heart surging with excitement.
Upon entering a profession, Background and Race could give him five attribute points and two Feats, which was quite good.
Finally, he clicked the Class option, 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), Pact Master (charisma), Bard (charisma)
Mage (Intelligence), Artificer (Intelligence)
These were all primary classes, and after entering one, he could also choose from a vast number of subclasses.
Each class had different primary attributes, and most had Spellcasting abilities, but those who could be called full Spellcasters were only Mages, Sorcerers, Clerics, Druids, and Bards; they could master 9th-level Spells at level 17.
'Why are these classes covered in varying layers of dark red?' Anser frowned slightly, having an ominous premonition.
He used his intent to lightly touch the blood-red Mage class, and two warnings immediately popped up:
"The Weave is in disorder, uncontrolled primordial magic is rioting, please cast Spells with caution!"
"The character's innate Intelligence level is too low, please choose carefully!"
He had expected the first one; the word 'disorder' should be quite accurate. The Weave probably hadn't completely collapsed, as the distant battlefield still flickered with the Light and shadows of Spells.
The second one was a bit hurtful.
Low Intelligence was a major flaw. If he could freely distribute attributes like in a game, he could pump his primary attribute to over 16 at level 1, but unfortunately, he had no extra attribute points.
In DND, one can only choose a Feat or two attribute points every four levels. If the starting attributes are too low, one has to give up valuable Feats, and the ceiling of one's Strength will be greatly reduced.
'It seems The Weave's turmoil has the greatest impact on Mages.' Anser thought to himself.
The turmoil of The Weave wouldn't stump those Mages with transcendent IQs, but ordinary Mages would be miserable, only able to scrape by with Cantrips.
Since Mage wasn't an option, he would switch to another class.
He now needed a level 1 class that could help him escape this giant pit, without needing to consider the future. In DND, one can multiclass indefinitely as long as attributes meet the requirements; at worst, he could multiclass into something else at level 2.
'I can only climb up!' He looked up at the cliff walls and waterfalls dozens of meters high, a sense of urgency rising in his heart, 'Before this place collapses.'
If he fell into the Underdark, even if he didn't die from the fall, he would be overwhelmed by the swarming underground creatures.
Professionals have strong Athletics, but relying solely on the body was extremely dangerous; it was best to use Spells for survival, like Mage Hand, Feather Fall, Jump, and the like.
"Spellcaster first, and it would be best to treat the injury on my leg too." Anser calculated, looking at his numb right leg.
He first touched the grayed-out Cleric class:
"The faithless cannot become Clerics!"
Anser was helpless; it was certainly too late to start believing now. A Cleric's Spells come from the deity they worship, and the consequences of being discovered as a fraud were severe.
He checked around; the Spellcasting classes were all covered in an ominous red Light. Bard and Druid were intensely red, while Pact Master and Sorcerer were relatively faint.
Pact Masters, also known as Warlocks, borrow power from a patron (Angels, Archfey, Fiends, etc.) through a contract. It sounded unsettling, so he set it aside for now.
Clicking on the Sorcerer class, the relevant information immediately popped up:
"The gift of a dragon, a dryad present at an infant's birth, or being struck by lightning under a clear sky can all activate a Sorcerer's talent.
The gift of a deity, exposure to the strange magic of other planes, or a glimpse into the principles of reality can also make a Sorcerer a Sorcerer..."
"Sorcerers do not study magic; the churning primordial magic is an innate part of them..."
To Anser's surprise, a Sorcerer could choose a [Sorcerous Origin] (subclass) at level one:
Aberrant Mind, Clockwork Soul, Draconic Bloodline, Wild Magic, Divine Soul, Shadow Magic, Storm Sorcery.
But of the seven subclasses, five were actually grayed out!