Storysurfing...
Storysurfing...
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.
The mage explains the workings of magic and his background at Wistram Academy, detailing concepts like Elementalist, Illusionary, and Necromancy magic.
A Human mage from Wistram Academy, specialized in Elementalist and Illusionary schools, who admits to necromancy.
aka the mage, Mister Mage +35
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
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 species of which Erin Solstice is a member.
aka Humans, smooth skin +4
“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. Blue juice and some blue fruit. I’ve also got pasta, but I need to warm that up first.”
“And I suppose if I don’t, you hit me with that pot, correct?”
“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?”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“You know, I just wanted to see what would happen if I kept on staring at you.”
“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?”
“How’d you guess? Actually, you’re only half-right, but how’d you guess?”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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?”
“I’m not. But I’ll just bet those kinds of spells make a flash of light or a weird sound, right?”
“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.”
“I am completely, 100% Human, thanks. And why does that make a difference?”
“I suppose the toxicity would be acceptable if it were just the fruit. Well then.”
“You would not be so quick to judge if you knew more about the people you’re defending. Especially this city.”
“It occurs to me that I never asked your name.”
“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…”
“Fascinating as in ‘I know what spell that was?’”
“Um. I am now? I mean, I figured that out earlier. These ones are good. I’ve checked them.”
“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?”
“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.”
“You truly didn’t? Well, well. A traveller who doesn’t know anything about where she is…teleportation spell? Amnesia magic?”
“Indeed. That is quite often the case. However, you seem to have taken to it well. This area is inhospitable to most Humans.”
“I suppose one does. Does it make you feel good, stealing from innocent people?”
“Thanks, I guess. But if it’s so lousy—and it is, I totally know—why are you here?”
“Pisces, practitioner of magic, student of Wistram Academy, specialized in the Elementalist and Illusionary schools of magic with additional competencies in multiple spell schools.”
“Me? Oh, I’m Erin. Erin Solstice. And you are?”
“My apologies, good [Innkeeper], for all these misunderstandings. Please accept this recompense for your wasted time.”
“So. You’re gonna hurt me if I don’t give you food, huh?”
“Are you aware that, ah, this fruit is poisonous?”
“I see I’ve overstayed my welcome. Well, your meal was quite adequate, good Mistress. Please accept my heartfelt gratitude.”
“Am I? Terribly sorry. Let me just, ah…”
“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.”
“Some people don’t like being threatened by a giant skeletal monster from hell.”
“Try that again and I’ll hit you harder.”
“One more insult or stupid little invisibility spell and I’ll break something.”
“Some people would take violent offense to being scammed.”
“How astute. She’s quite intelligent for an [Innkeeper].”
“Fair point. Let me just amend my fee.”
“Here. Totally non-poisonous food ready to be eaten. Happy?”
“And you’re an expert on [Teleportation] spells? I see.”
“Really? You just turned a corner and you were in a completely different place?”
“It’s not mine. I just found it and somehow became an [Innkeeper] by cleaning up around here.”
“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.”
“You—you could tell it was an invisibility spell?”
“Are you trying to sound impressive or do you actually talk like 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—”
“Only on occasion. And I quite understand your irate feelings. However, since I believe all is settled, I shall just…”
“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?”
“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.”
“Ah. Of course. Well, as a practitioner of the mystic arts, I feel it is always wise to be…generous.”
“So, if I might inquire, what is a delicate flower of effervescence doing in such a locale?”
“My physical appearance has nothing to do with—”
“Ah, but money is so…mundane. Where would the enjoyment in life be without variety?”
“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.”
“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?”
“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—”
“How rude. My advanced lexicon and diction is merely a result of my education, not a façade that—”
“Shall we just say I accept your word? I wouldn’t dare question your authority on the subject, good Mistress, it’s just that—”
“Yes, you. I told you why I’m here. What’s a raggedy mage doing scaring people for food?”
“Yes, well. I see you’ve established yourself quite nicely. This is—is quite a lovely establishment you’ve founded. Very quaint.”
“I know what plebian means.”
“You’re hungry, aren’t you? Well, eat this.”
“So. You’re paying me for trying to scare me and steal food?”
“What are you talking about? I’m giving you food. Are you allergic to the color blue or something?”
“Yeah. It’s been fun and games ever since.”
“Uh huh. And you provide that by threatening people with illusions?”
“What else could it be? I’ve played D&D.”
“This. This is a pan.”
“Do I have the option to refuse?”
“Floodplains? What are you talking about?”
“Stop it. You sound like an idiot.”
“Like pretending to be a horrible monster?”
“One does what one must to survive.”
“Good for you. Got a hobby?”
“Come back here and I’ll feed you.”
“Would, ah, this do?”
“Ah. Am I supposed to eat this?”
“Where are you going?”
“I got lost.”
“Just answer the question.”
“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…”
“Behold my p—”
“I see.”
“My thanks.”
“…Perhaps.”
“…Necromancy.”
“You’re sweating.”
“Here.”
“…Huh.”
“Yeah. It’s food.”
“Oh come on.”
“Um. Thank you.”
“Hey, stop that!”
“Ow!”
“I-I see?”
“Poisonous?”
“…Want one?”
“Me?”
“Me?”
“What the—”
“Ah.”
“Oh really?”
“What—who dares—?”