Robe of the Fire Rat

Focusing his mind, RJ manifested the [Robe of the Fire Rat] from his [Inventory]. He didn't understand how it worked exactly, all he knew was that the [Inventory] was in his soul or mind or... something. It was a pocket dimension and that's all he could figure out...for now.

A bright red and white robe soon materialized out of thin air in front of them. It had a shine to it like silk and was decorated with images of rats and flames and a large character for fire on the back. It was a little gaudy, but fierce looking.

"Looks like a kimono", Tatterhood commented.

The robe floated there for a few seconds before making its way over to the Workshop's table. An interface describing the robe appeared a moment later.

[Name: Robe of the Fire Rat

Rarity: Three stars

Abilities: Fire Resistance Lvl 1, Armor Lvl 2, Insulation Lvl 1, Disguise, Fire Control lvl 1, Blessing of Kaguya-Hime (1/5)

Possible Upgrade Routes: Runic Magic, Druidic Shamanism, Flame Dao, Demonic Infusion, Celestial Infusion

Description: As the name implies, it's a robe made from the skin of a Fire Rat. The treasure itself was first recorded in the "Tale of the Bamboo cutter", a Japanese folktale from the Heian period.In the story, an old bamboo cutter was searching the forest for good bamboo to chop up and sell until he came across one that was glowing. Cutting it open, he found a baby girl the size of a thumb inside of it. Now he and his wife had no children of their own, so they decided to raise her as their own, naming her Kaguya-Hime. When Kaguya-Hime grew up, her beauty attracted the attention of five nobles who wanted her hand in marriage. Not wanting to marry any of them, she sent the five of them to go and acquire five impossible treasures: the stone begging bowl of the Buddha, a jewel branch from Horai, a fire rat robe, a dragon's neck Jewel and a swallow's cowry shell. Needless to say, none of them succeeded.

Despite this codification of having ties to Japan and China, it's believed that the story of the Fire Rat began in Ancient Greece, when scholars recorded the finding of strange fibers near volcanoes. In reality, those fibers were actually types of asbestos...a known carcinogen].

"Huh...more you know", RJ commented as he read through the description" welp, let's see what these upgrades are".

"That sounds a bit more interesting", Tatterhood said whilst looking over his shoulder. Sharing her sentiments, RJ manipulated the interface to see what these upgrades entailed. As he looked through each upgrade path, a little animation showcasing the end results would play.

[Upgrade Route: Runic Armor

Prerequisites: Norse Rune Magic Knowledge lvl 3 or Rune Enchantment lvl 5, Leatherworker lvl 2

Result: Fire Rat Hide Armor

Description: By making use of Norse craftsmanship with runic knowledge, the robe is made into proper armor and has it's defensive capabilities increased substantially. Unfortunately, the intricate rune work removes the robe's ability to control fire].

A faceless humanoid was shown donning the leather armor, complete with weapons.

"Straightforward", RJ commented.

"Sounds like it would make my ancestors proud", Tatterhood said as she watched the figure rush in like a viking.

[Upgrade Route: Fae Magic

Prerequisites: Spirit Crafting lvl 5 or Fae Magic lvl 3

Result: Fairy's Robe of the Fire Rat

Description: Communing with spirits of nature and beasts, the robe is infused with the spirit of the beast of which it was made from. This allows the wearer to be able to summon the spirit of the Fire Rat or tap into it's power to become one. The robe will lose it's defensive properties however].

The figure wearing the robe summoned a ghostly version of the fire rat, before having the spirit enter himself and turning into a noble looking fire rat-man.

"Huh...sounds kinda like druids from D&D".

"I know some fair folk, they're mildly peeved at their association druids in modern times", Tatterhood mentioned.

"I...nope. Look into that another time", RJ said as he moved down the list.

[Upgrade Route: Flame Dao

Prerequisites: Geomancy-Feng Shui lvl 2, Rune Enchantment lvl 3

Result: Immortal's Robe of the Fire Rat

Description: By understanding imprinting a profound symbol of fire onto the robe, the user will be able to manipulate flames to an even greater degree than normal. Depending on the user's own elemental affinity, the robe can help or hinder the wearer. The robe will be subjected to the rules of Feng Shui].

The figure wearing the robe began to do martial arts exercises, jets of flames following the figure's hands and feet.

"Huh...so I could manipulate flames on top of my apparent ability to control earth now..."RJ mumbled to himself, "if I can manipulate air and water in the future, I'd be the avatar".

"Master of all four elements", Tatterhood added.

[Upgrade Route: Demonic Infusion

Prerequisites: Any Flame of Sin, Diabolic Enchantment lvl 3

Result: Demonic Robe of the Fire Rat

Description: The seven deadly sins are an ancient, universal source of evil power for all sorts of demons, daemons, devils, asuras, fiends, etc. By instilling a flame of sin into the robe, one access this demonic power. The robe may corrupt it's wearer, if they have a weak will, and will be subjected to divine weakness].

"I...I get the feeling I really shouldn't touch this one", RJ stated while watching the animation of a faceless wearer turning into a demonic creature. He thought it was neat, but it was also massively discomforting.

"Looks like fun to me", Tatterhood said with a cheeky smile.

[Upgrade Route: Celestial Route

Prerequisites: Divine Flames, Celestial Enchantment lvl 3

Result: Celestial Fire Rat Robe

Description: It is believed that fire was a gift of the heavens. By infusing the robe with celstial flames, one can use it's might to purify the wicked and heal the wounded. The robe can purify the user, instill certain behaviors and subject them to the laws of heaven].

The figure had initially appears as a rather holy looking figure...and then was shown having a wicked thought and burned up.

"...I have mixed feelings about this one".

"The celestial bureaucracy...I heard of it, it's restrictively free", Tatterhood commented.

"Huh...well either way, I can't do any of these upgrades yet, so I'll worry about it later", RJ stated, "... did you by any chance get a weird feeling that something big happened while we were doing this"?

"Multiple times, yes", Tatterhood answered flatly.

"Oh joy... I'll go invest my skills and we can go look into it", RJ said as he dismissed the screens and stored the robe back into his inventory.

He opened up his skill tree and began to peruse once more.