Chapter 1.00
1.00
Erin Solstice fled a Dragon and Goblins in a storm and took refuge in an abandoned hilltop inn. As she cleaned and decided to stay, bracketed messages awarded her the Innkeeper class, Level 1, and two basic skills.
Summary
In a driving storm, Erin Solstice reached a high hill and found an abandoned hilltop inn after fleeing a Dragon and Goblins. Burned and cut from earlier encounters, she entered the dust-choked common room seeking shelter and safety.
Inside, Erin explored the silent, long-unused space while coughing from disturbed dust. She confirmed her injuries—burns on her right arm and cuts on her legs—and noted her growing hunger. Despite the grim state of the building, the intact walls and vantage point made it a promising refuge.
Resolving to make the place livable, Erin began cleaning the common room, sweeping dust and pushing aside debris despite the storm raging outside. She decided to remain in the inn as a base while she figured out the strange world she had entered.
As she worked and considered her situation, bracketed messages appeared, making explicit a system of Classes and Skills. Erin received the Innkeeper class and reached Level 1, gaining the skills Basic Cleaning and Basic Cooking. The chapter closed with her first tangible progress marked by the system and a foothold secured in the abandoned hilltop inn.
Major Events
Flight to hilltop inn
Erin Solstice fled through a storm after encountering a Dragon and Goblins and reached a high hill with an abandoned inn.
Entering the abandoned inn
She entered the long-deserted common room, stirring dust as the storm raged outside and becoming the inn’s first visitor in years.
Assessing wounds and hunger
Erin confirmed burns on her right arm and cuts on her legs while noting how hungry she was.
Deciding to stay and clean
She chose to shelter in the inn, began cleaning the common room, and treated it as a base despite the dust and disuse.
Awarded Innkeeper and skills
Bracketed messages appeared, granting Erin the Innkeeper class at Level 1 along with the skills Basic Cleaning and Basic Cooking.
Major Appearances
A young woman from Earth who stumbles into a fantasy world and takes refuge in an abandoned inn.
aka Erin, the young woman +20
Small inn where Erin is present; currently occupied by her. Noted by the Watch as having been abandoned years ago but Erin is using it; the Drake and Klbkch enter here to investigate.
aka the inn, Abandoned hilltop inn +10
Minor Appearances
World mechanic where thinking races gain levels and classes. Some classes can be gained suddenly by satisfying class requirements without formal apprenticeship (e.g., gaining Farmer levels by growing many carrots). Some creatures (animals, Dragons) cannot level and instead retain natural might.
aka The Skills, leveling system +11
A class focused on running inns, hospitality, and tending to guests and establishments.
aka [Innkeeper], Innkeeper (class)
A foundational Skill that enhances a user’s ability to clean surfaces and spaces efficiently.
An entry-level culinary Skill improving preparation of simple meals.
aka [Basic Cooking]
Referenced
Entities by Type
Quotes
“I just wanted to go to the bathroom.”
“I’m really hungry.”
“What were those things? G—they sort of looked like—Goblins? No way. This has to be a dream, but my arm hurts too bad for it to be a dream.”
“Aha!”
“Darn.”
“This is stupid. There’s nothing up there. Nothing!”
“But a Dragon could be up there.”
“Dustragdustragdustragdustragdustra—”
“Okay, okay.”
“So it’s not scary, but terrifying. Great.”
“Now I’m really, really hungry.”
“No. Darn it. Of course it’s empty.”
“Besides, this would make for a great place to explore from, and it’s got walls. I’m not going to find anything better, I bet. Then I…”
“Dustrag. Dustrag, dustrag, dustrag…”
“Table’s done! That just leaves—um…”
“It’s not fair. Ever since I came to this world, everything’s been going wrong.”
“No good. I guess—”
“It’s definitely not a dream. But how am I burnt? I could have sworn it missed!”
“Drat.”
“Come on. Come on. You can do this.”
“Okay, maybe there is something. I don’t know. There could be—more of those Goblins? But there’s probably not a Dragon, right? Right! Don’t be stupid.”
“Don’t be stupid. How would a Dragon fit up there? But Goblins?”
“Curtains.”
“At least Mom would be happy.”
“…What was that?”
“…And I guess that someone is me.”
“Dustrag, dustrag, dustrag, dustrag, dustrag, dustrag, dustrag, dustrag, dustrag, dustrag, dustrag…”
“Let’s see. Where should I start, then?”
“Well, when you compare it with the tables and chairs…”
“Hello? Is…is anyone…?”
“This place is going to kill me! I’m going to choke to death before the rain stops. Someone should clean it up!”
“Anyone here? Hello? I need—”
“What is this place? An inn? Really?”
“First things first. I should stay here. I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know if this inn is safe—but it’s dusty. It’s got walls. So I explore. Also, I find something to clean all this stuff up with. I don’t want to use my shirt. Seems like a bad move, but I can’t breathe here without…okay. First steps. Pawn to E4. Pawn to C5. Sicilian Defense. Here we go.”