Unfolding...
Unfolding...
Chapter 1.08
Erin and the young mage who previously tried to scam her have a lengthy discussion about how magic works. The mage explains various magical schools and spells, prompting Erin to compare the world's mechanics to D&D. Before leaving the inn, the mage finally reveals his name to be Pisces.
Following his earlier attempt to scam the Innkeeper, the young Human mage finds himself lingering at the inn. Their ongoing interaction heavily involves an Amentus Fruit, forcing the two to converse despite their previously contentious encounter in the Floodplains of Liscor.
As they talk, the mage begins to explain the fundamental rules of magic in this world, drawing upon his knowledge from Wistram Academy. He breaks down several magical concepts for her:
As Erin listens to this detailed breakdown of classes, spells, and magical theory prevalent across the Drake lands, she realizes how rigidly structured it all is. To make sense of the system, she compares the world's magical mechanics to D&D, applying her knowledge of the real-world tabletop game to her current reality.
The conversation eventually concludes. Before the young mage departs from the inn, he finally drops his anonymity. He formally introduces himself as Pisces, leaving Erin with a name to match the face of her local scammer as he heads back out into the world.
The Innkeeper interacts with the young mage who previously tried to scam her, with an Amentus Fruit playing a central role in their meeting.
A sweet, blue-colored fruit that grows on trees near the inn, serving as a primary food source for Erin and the Goblins.
aka Blue Fruit, Amentus +13
A Human mage from Wistram Academy, specialized in Elementalist and Illusionary schools, who admits to necromancy.
aka the mage, Mister Mage +35
The mage explains the workings of magic and his background at Wistram Academy, detailing concepts like Elementalist, Illusionary, and Necromancy magic.
The mage clarifies that advanced spells like Invisibility and Teleportation are incredibly complex and generally require the power of an Archmage.
Before departing the inn for the Floodplains of Liscor, the young mage officially reveals his name is Pisces.
A high-tier magical ability that relocates a target instantly.
aka [Teleportation], [Teleportation] spell +1
“…Necromancy.”
“Yeah, and they have fragile bones. I’m sure mages are really scary when they’re far away, but wands aren’t good at blocking frying…pots.”
“What else could it be? I’ve played D&D.”
“Am I? Terribly sorry. Let me just, ah…”
“Pisces, practitioner of magic, student of Wistram Academy, specialized in the Elementalist and Illusionary schools of magic with additional competencies in multiple spell schools.”
“Now look here, there’s no need for violence, Miss. I can see that you are no ordinary plebian fool but an extraordinary plebian. Believe me when I say that is a high compliment from a practitioner of the arcane such as I.”
“Take them. You look thin, and maybe if you eat them you’ll stop bothering other people. Thank you for your business. Come by again and I’ll feed you. Try to scare me and I’ll hit you harder next time.”
“You know, I just wanted to see what would happen if I kept on staring at you.”
“So, if I might inquire, what is a delicate flower of effervescence doing in such a locale?”
“Maybe not. But then again, the only two I’ve met were quite polite, paid for their meal, and didn’t try to threaten me when I first met them. Whereas the first Human I met was you.”
“One does what one must to survive.”
“Good for you. Got a hobby?”
“Are you trying to sound impressive or do you actually talk like that?”
“If I say it’s a pan, it’s a pan. The important part is that I’ll hit you with it if you try anything.”
“Highly. The core of the Amentus Fruit causes painful death within hours if eaten. While the outer rind is safe for consumption, the inner seeds are toxic. You are aware of this, right?”
“The locals don’t like Humans that much. Which is a fact anyone in a hundred miles would know. This is the border to the Drake lands to the south. But you…didn’t know that, did you?”
“You would not be so quick to judge if you knew more about the people you’re defending. Especially this city.”
“Ah. Of course. Well, as a practitioner of the mystic arts, I feel it is always wise to be…generous.”
“Fascinating. That has to be a very high-level phenomenon or artifact. Seamless teleportation without any visual cues and even sensation at that range? Not even our Archmages could…fascinating indeed.”
“I, ah, came here to expand my horizons. This part of the continent—well, the local collection of city-states are quite hospitable to those people trying to avoid undue attention. Besides, food is plentiful if one has certain skills.”
“Come back here and I’ll feed you.”
“And anyways, I didn’t see any idiot in robes waving a wand around and shouting ‘abracadabra’. And there aren’t wizards where I—I mean, I’m sure it wasn’t a…I just turned the corner and here I was.”
“One more insult or stupid little invisibility spell and I’ll break something.”
“You’re hungry, aren’t you? Well, eat this.”
“I know what plebian means.”
“I suppose the toxicity would be acceptable if it were just the fruit. Well then.”
“You truly didn’t? Well, well. A traveller who doesn’t know anything about where she is…teleportation spell? Amnesia magic?”
“Stop it. You sound like an idiot.”
“This area is known as the Floodplains of Liscor. It’s because of a lovely natural phenomenon of the geography and—but you aren’t from here, if you don’t know about this area. But I would have guessed as much since you are Human. As far as I can tell.”
“Are you aware that, ah, this fruit is poisonous?”
“It’s common. Well, not common exactly, but it’s the only explanation I can think of. Back in the Academy…it was not an unheard of phenomenon. I suppose you could have also been carried off by one of the local avian species, but they tend to drop their prey and chew their bones.”
“Try that again and I’ll hit you harder.”
“Ah, this is understandable. But may I remind you that traditionally those who practice magic are beings of great power that should not be crossed?”
“And I suppose if I don’t, you hit me with that pot, correct?”
“I suppose one does. Does it make you feel good, stealing from innocent people?”
“How astute. She’s quite intelligent for an [Innkeeper].”
“Ahem. Well, I shall be going. I am—terribly sorry for all that. It was just, ah—a spell which I—desperate times make fools of us all. And clearly, not you. Which is why I shall depart and not trouble you again.”
“Ah, but money is so…mundane. Where would the enjoyment in life be without variety?”
“How rude. My advanced lexicon and diction is merely a result of my education, not a façade that—”
“You struck me? Me? How dare you! I will have you know I am a mage of great power, and I will not be—”
“I am completely, 100% Human, thanks. And why does that make a difference?”
“Some people don’t like being threatened by a giant skeletal monster from hell.”
“Fine. I suppose there’s no use attempting to impress anyone who actually has the rudiments of an education. But my question remains: what’s a young g—woman like you doing out here alone?”
“Floodplains? What are you talking about?”
“It would certainly save time. And you know if you paid for everything, you wouldn’t have to try to scare people to get what you want.”
“They grow that big? No; don’t tell me. I don’t want to know. But you’re right. It was a teleportation spell. Or something. It didn’t feel like a spell, but…”
“This. This is a pan.”
“Some people would take violent offense to being scammed.”
“Um. I am now? I mean, I figured that out earlier. These ones are good. I’ve checked them.”
“And you’re an expert on [Teleportation] spells? I see.”
“Really? You just turned a corner and you were in a completely different place?”
“I, uh, hope this is sufficient, good Mistress. I am of course willing to pay any dues to—to make amends, but I’m slightly low on coin at the moment.”
“Here. Totally non-poisonous food ready to be eaten. Happy?”
“Look, it’s safe. I’ve eaten tons of them. Just eat around the core and you’ll be fine, okay? I figured out how to check for good ones. See?”
“Harshly put, good Mistress. But yes, I would like to make amends. Let us be quits with no further unpleasantness! Or violence. And I am sure this payment is quite acceptable, is it not?”
“Here. Blue juice and some blue fruit. I’ve also got pasta, but I need to warm that up first.”
“Lost? It takes quite some skill to wander this far into the Floodplains. Or are you a local? I very much doubt you are, though.”
“It’s not mine. I just found it and somehow became an [Innkeeper] by cleaning up around here.”
“So. You’re gonna hurt me if I don’t give you food, huh?”
“I see I’ve overstayed my welcome. Well, your meal was quite adequate, good Mistress. Please accept my heartfelt gratitude.”
“Yeah. It’s been fun and games ever since.”
“Fascinating as in ‘I know what spell that was?’”
“Uh huh. And you provide that by threatening people with illusions?”
“How’d you guess? Actually, you’re only half-right, but how’d you guess?”
“No, no. I have no clue what kind of magic would be capable of that, if any. That sounds like a spell which—well, suffice it to say I know of only a few living mages who might even attempt such a feat. But if you were the target, it still makes no sense. Why would anyone waste such a powerful spell on someone as mundane as…as…”
“Indeed. That is quite often the case. However, you seem to have taken to it well. This area is inhospitable to most Humans.”
“It occurs to me that I never asked your name.”
“Shall we just say I accept your word? I wouldn’t dare question your authority on the subject, good Mistress, it’s just that—”
“Thanks, I guess. But if it’s so lousy—and it is, I totally know—why are you here?”
“Like pretending to be a horrible monster?”
“Me? Oh, I’m Erin. Erin Solstice. And you are?”
“I’m not. But I’ll just bet those kinds of spells make a flash of light or a weird sound, right?”
“So. You’re paying me for trying to scare me and steal food?”
“Fair point. Let me just amend my fee.”
“What are you talking about? I’m giving you food. Are you allergic to the color blue or something?”
“Yes, you. I told you why I’m here. What’s a raggedy mage doing scaring people for food?”
“My apologies, good [Innkeeper], for all these misunderstandings. Please accept this recompense for your wasted time.”
“Only on occasion. And I quite understand your irate feelings. However, since I believe all is settled, I shall just…”
“You—you could tell it was an invisibility spell?”
“Do I have the option to refuse?”
“Yes, well. I see you’ve established yourself quite nicely. This is—is quite a lovely establishment you’ve founded. Very quaint.”
“My physical appearance has nothing to do with—”
“In fact, good Mistress, that is in point of reality—”
“Well, if you have no further need of me…I did pay for my misdeeds, after all. Rather handsomely, I might add, given that no harm was actually done except to my person. So I won’t intrude any fu—”
“You’re sweating.”
“Would, ah, this do?”
“Where are you going?”
“Behold my p—”
“I got lost.”
“Ah. Am I supposed to eat this?”
“Just answer the question.”
“I see.”
“My thanks.”
“…Perhaps.”
“Here.”
“…Huh.”
“Yeah. It’s food.”
“Oh come on.”
“Um. Thank you.”
“Hey, stop that!”
“I-I see?”
“Ow!”
“Poisonous?”
“…Want one?”
“Me?”
“Me?”
“What the—”
“Oh really?”
“Ah.”
“What—who dares—?”