Chapter 1.10
1.10
Pisces reveals himself to Erin Solstice, only to be ambushed by Relc and Klbkch inside The Wandering Inn. After a destructive magical fight, Erin intervenes to save Pisces from execution by invoking a legal loophole, then promptly kicks him out.
Summary
After feeding Relc and Klbkch, Erin Solstice worried about her rapidly depleting food supply and lack of income. As she contemplated her predicament, a young Human Mage named Pisces revealed himself, admitting he had been hiding upstairs the whole time. He arrogantly attempted to persuade Erin to give him shelter, but she refused and threatened him with a knife when he became menacing.
Suddenly, Relc and Klbkch burst into the inn and tackled Pisces, having known he was there all along. Pisces refused to surrender and fought back with his wand, erecting a [Barrier of Air] and blasting the guardsmen. The ensuing magical battle caused significant damage to the inn, shattering furniture and scorching the walls. Relc, enraged by the resistance, overpowered the young [Mage] and prepared to execute him on the spot.
Seeing the situation escalate, Erin Solstice intervened, physically standing between Relc and Pisces. She declared that she was withdrawing her testimony against Pisces and argued that her inn was technically outside the legal jurisdiction of Liscor, making their arrest attempt illegal. Klbkch, the more law-abiding of the two, conceded her point. He forced the furious Relc to stand down and leave the premises.
After saving Pisces from certain death, Erin asserted her authority as the [Innkeeper]. She immediately ordered the fugitive [Mage] to leave her inn, kicking him out into the wilderness.
Major Events
Pisces Confronts Erin
The fugitive Mage, Pisces, emerges from his hiding spot upstairs and reveals himself to Erin Solstice. He arrogantly demands shelter, but Erin refuses and threatens him.
The Guards' Ambush
Relc and Klbkch suddenly storm into The Wandering Inn and ambush Pisces. They reveal they knew he was hiding and have come to arrest him.
A Destructive Magical Fight Erupts
Pisces resists arrest, fighting back against the two guardsmen with his magic. The confrontation quickly escalates, causing significant damage to the inn's common room.
Erin Stops an Execution
Enraged by the battle, Relc overpowers Pisces and prepares to kill him. Erin Solstice intervenes, standing between the [Guardsman] and the [Mage] to prevent the execution.
Erin Invokes the Inn's Jurisdiction
To save Pisces, Erin withdraws her testimony and argues that her inn is outside Liscor's legal jurisdiction. Klbkch accepts her legal point, forcing a reluctant Relc to release Pisces and leave.
The Fugitive Mage is Evicted
Immediately after the guards depart, Erin asserts her authority as the [Innkeeper] and kicks Pisces out of The Wandering Inn, leaving him to fend for himself.
Major Appearances
A Human mage from Wistram Academy, specialized in Elementalist and Illusionary schools, who admits to necromancy.
aka the young man, the mage +5
A guardsman referenced by a rookie as likely getting punishment duty for breaking windows.
aka Guardsman Relc, Senior Guardsman Relc +6
A young woman from Earth who stumbles into a fantasy world and takes refuge in an abandoned inn.
aka Erin, the young woman +31
An Antinium Senior Guardsman in the city’s watch; arrives at Erin’s door and greets her.
aka Senior Guardsman Klbkch, ant-man +15
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 +13
Minor Appearances
A species of which Erin Solstice is a member.
aka Humans, smooth skin +2
A branch of magic dealing with the dead, considered dangerous and illegal.
aka [Necromancer], [Necromancers] +3
A general class for any individual who practices magic.
aka [Mage], [Mages]
A class focused on running inns, hospitality, and tending to guests and establishments.
aka [Innkeeper], Innkeeper (class) +2
A defensive spell that creates a shimmering, powerful wall of wind.
aka [Barrier of Air]
A martial civic class for members of the city’s guard, denoting training and authority to patrol and enforce law.
aka Guardsman, [Guardswoman] +7
A sapient reptilian species dominant in regions south of Liscor, generally unfriendly to Humans.
aka Drake, lizards
A species of large, sentient insectoid people; one arrives at Erin’s door with a companion.
aka giant insect, Ants +13
Referenced
Entities by Type
Quotes
“Men.”
“Please, please, good Mistress, let’s not be hasty!”
“Right, for how long? Days? Weeks? Months? And I get to feed you, make sure no one finds you, and clean up after you? Again: no. I’m barely getting enough food for myself as it is.”
“—Allow me to apologize. But if I might say a few words—”
“They will have patrols out around the city. They will scour the grasslands for me. Please, if you were to hide me, I would be sure to survive.”
“Are you—what’s—I’m good. Good.”
“Is useless. Surrender.”
“That’s what I think of your spells. I’m a former soldier of the 4th Wing of the Liscorian Army. I’ve killed more [Mages] than you have levels. Now, are you going to die quiet or will I have to pay for painting the walls red with your blood?”
“Hey!”
“No!”
“She is correct. Without her testimony, we cannot submit a report regarding his attempted thefts.”
“I could still arrest him for attacking me. Yeah. I’ll just do that. Who cares about testimony or whatever?”
“Oh yeah? Oh yeah? Well, this is outside your jurisdiction! You said it yourself—you don’t patrol my inn! Therefore, it is my inn, and I deny your city’s authority here!”
“I don’t know how I can thank you, good M—Miss Erin. Please, accept my humblest—”
“Males. They eat and eat and eat. And then I have to clean up the dishes. Typical.”
“Where did you come from? I didn’t hear you come in through the door.”
“Would you turn away an innocent—”
“No. Out.”
“No. Go.”
“That is well. Then, please stand clear. We will be going about our business, and I would not wish you hurt.”
“Surrender?”
“I can be ransomed. Quite highly! My school will pay ten—thirty gold coins in whichever denomination you like for my return.”
“No fighting. Not here. And no killing!”
“Are you stupid? I don’t want anyone killing anyone! You can’t do it! I forbid it! It’s wrong! It’s illegal.”
“But he’s still a [Necromancer]! That’s a crime no matter what he does! And he attacked us!”
“You do that—and I’ll tell all the people who vouched for you that Senior Guardsman Relc arrested someone after a fight he started. You have no proof, no testimony, and I’m pretty sure if you arrest him, that’s illegal. There are laws, and you have to follow them. If this isn’t the first time you’ve done something like this, you could get a permanent citation on your record.”
“Wait—what did she just say? Jurisdic—we don’t do that, do we, Klb? Buddy?”
“Out.”
“Pantry? Pantry is empty. Food? Food is gone. And money—”
“I was, in fact, upstairs the entire time. Under a bed. It was the simplest solution given the intelligence of those two brutish guardsmen.”
“Innocent? You? You’re nothing more than a thug with a magic wand. Remember how we met? You tried to scare me into giving you food. And now you want protection because you’re getting your just desserts? No. No, when I see Relc again, you’d better be long gone from here. And if you don’t leave now, I’ll kick you out myself.”
“Please, please reconsider.”
“Please, I beg of you. Just one night. Just give me sanctuary, and I swear I will be gone upon the morrow. It is my death without your aid. Would you kill me? I ask you as a fellow Human. Please.”
“Klb! Get over here and help! This guy’s slipperier than he looks!”
“I—I give up.”
“Still don’t care. I don’t need money if I can get rid of a stinking fleshbag like you.”
“Stop that! Put the weapons away and get out.”
“In point of fact, my comrade’s actions are not—”
“Prove it.”
“No, I can’t.”
“…I believe I am incorrect. Relc, the Watch has no authority here. This is an independent inn, and the [Innkeeper] is allowed to deny our authority here.”
“What?”
“Money is shiny. But, uh, inedible. And it’s good to have money, but starvation is an issue.”
“Good job, I guess. But they’re still going to find you. You’re a criminal, and you’ve got nowhere to hide.”
“I am a man in desperate straits. You would do well not to underestimate what I am capable of.”
“No.”
“I—”
“[Barrier of Air]!”
“Not likely. I’m gutting you like a fish right here.”
“What? No! No killing! Do you hear me?”
“But he’s—”
“I don’t care! No killing, do you hear me?”
“What?”
“Yes, you can. You have no cause whatsoever to arrest Pisces.”
“What? Then let’s arrest her too!”
“Out.”
“Aren’t there some more blue fruits around here? Here? No…here? Yep. Nice and wrinkled. Lovely.”
“Except here.”
“Antagonizing one of my power is unwise. If you have any sense, you will accede to my request. Or know the consequences.”
“Why should I? Give me one good reason, Pisces.”
“Please, spare my life. If you have any pity in your soul—”
“Stop moving! Hey!”
“Gutting? Hey, that’s—”
“Last words, [Mage]?”
“I don’t care! You don’t kill people just because they practice stupid magic! And you don’t kill people just because you don’t like them! And you don’t kill people because killing people is wrong!”
“Then I’ll arrest him, and he’ll be executed tomorrow. Happy?”
“Prove. It. Can you? Is there a way to check his, uh, class?”
“Klb—help me out here!”
“That would be inadvisable, Relc. We are off-duty, and Miss Solstice has stated her case. Executing a [Mage] of Wistram might also affect the Academy’s relationship with our city. Which the Council and Watch Captain would not be happy about.”
“Males.”
“And I’m out of ingredients.”
“Please, hear me out. Rest assured, I bear you no ill will for reporting my actions to the guard. I fully appreciate the severity of my crimes, however—”
“So, what? If I don’t decide to help you, will you hurt me? Bash my brains in? Or will you just rip my clothes off and try to rape me?”
“If I am caught, they will take me to the city. And there I will be judged and killed. This is a certainty, Mistress Erin.”
“Gotcha!”
“Desist your actions or—”
“Don’t be hasty!”
“I—I—”
“He’s a criminal.”
“I withdraw my testimony.”
“…No. Not without an artifact. Klb, you got an [Appraisal] scroll?”
“I believe Senior Guardsman Relc does have just cause, Miss Erin Solstice. It is true that his personal sworn testimony would be called into question if you were to speak against him. [Detect Truth] spells would settle that matter, but Relc’s history of inappropriate conduct on-and-off-duty does not help his case.”
“You take one step in the city and I’ll—I’ll—you take one step in there and I’ll do something about it. If I so much as see you on my patrol—”
“So I’m in trouble.”
“You want something. What? To stay here? No. Nope. No way in hell.”
“Of course I wouldn’t do that. I’m no barbarian—”
“Relc never said—”
“There you are!”
“You squirming—”
“I assure you, my life is worth far more than you would ever get for me dead. This can all be solved amicably. I will fully cooperate—”
“I have only ever done what I loved. Slay me as well, you thoughtless fools. Just like all of my kind. One day—one of us will follow Az’kerash.”
“No, he’s an idiot. But he didn’t do anything wrong enough to die for. All he did was try to scare me.”
“You what?”
“No.”
“Hey.”
“I assure you, you will never see—”
“So it would appear.”
“I assure you I would be a quite convivial guest. And I wouldn’t ask for much. In fact, you may be interested to know I am proficient in multiple schools of spellcasting. While necromancy is a—passion of mine, I have extensively studied the elementalist, illusory, and enchanting schools of magic. My level is over twenty in the general [Mage] class. Even amongst my fellow students, you would be hard-pressed to find a spellcaster as widely capable as I am. I can aid in a number of functions that would improve your inn. And I have money.”
“Good.”
“He didn’t want to tell you the truth! But he and I both know what happens to [Necromancers]. We—any mage possessing even a single level in the class—are all killed on sight in this part of the world! There’s no mercy for my kind here. The legacy of the Necromancer of Terandria, Az’kerash, lingers. Especially here, where his armies once sieged Liscor.”
“I—I seek no quarrel with you. I am a graduate of Wistram Academy and a practicing mage. You detain me at your peril.”
“Cooperate?”
“Nice last words. But remember—your Necromancer died here. Miles from this very spot. The Tidebreaker was his end.”
“He hit me with lightning!”
“I withdraw it. All of it. I was never attacked yesterday. This mage-guy never visited the inn, and I never saw him until today. So there’s no reason for you to arrest him.”
“Then go. Now.”
“However. As Senior Guardsman Klbkch, I will vouch for my partner to take this Human into custody for unlawful practices which include extortion, theft, and intimidation, which we have every right to suspect, with or without your testimony.”
“Shut up.”
“If I had a knife in my hand, I’d stab you.”
“And you’re telling me all this…why?”
“Now, now. Let’s not be hasty, good Mistress. I was merely saying—”
“Well—well too bad.”
“Please forgive my rudeness. Are you well? We doubled back and lingered, knowing the criminal may have only pretended to flee the area. Are you hurt or in need of assistance?”
“Regardless of your affiliation to any academy, you are still under arrest. Please surrender now or I will be forced to employ lethal force.”
“Ah, but what good innkeeper would deprive herself of such a magnificent guest?”
“In point of fact, I was wondering if I might persuade you to shelter and provide me with my basic necessities while in this moment of dire need. I can provide you with adequate recompense, I assure you—”
“Move and I will stab you.”
“Even if you’re in danger, I’m in danger if I hide you. I’m not doing that. Run away. Just run away now.”
“What?”
“My magic—”
“By that? You think a piddly little [Barrier of Air] spell is going to stop me?”
“Gewil—”
“I can’t believe this. Are you defending him? Because he’s Human? Or do you not want the blood in here? In that case, I’ll take him out back and—”
“Can she?”
“Absolutely.”
“I do not believe I am.”
“Do not mind him. You are within your rights to enforce law within this establishment as you choose. I apologize for the mess on both our behalves.”
“I will cease all magic and go with you quietly if you assure my life. I meant no harm to you or your companion. But we are at an impasse until you do.”
“I know.”
“You punched his brains out! That’s not enough to kill him over!”
“You can’t do that!”
“Are you serious? One word to our Watch Captain and she’ll send a patrol back to capture this idiot! And if we don’t arrest him, you have a [Necromancer] running around! You want us to let him go knowing his class?”
“Oh no. Absolutely not. You’re all wrong, Klbkch.”
“Humans!”