Chapter 1.11
1.11
Running low on food, Erin Solstice travels from her inn to the city of Liscor, shadowed by non-hostile Goblins. Once inside the overwhelming city, she mistakenly enters the Adventurer's Guild. She is immediately confronted and violently thrown out by a hostile Gnoll adventurer.
Summary
At The Wandering Inn, Erin Solstice faces a dwindling and unappetizing food supply. Realizing she needs proper provisions for herself and any potential guests, she resolves to make the journey to the nearby city of Liscor.
Erin sets out on foot, and during her walk, she notices several Goblins following her from a distance. They make no aggressive moves, but their presence adds a layer of tension to her trip. Upon reaching the city, an Unnamed Drake Guard at the gate questions her briefly before allowing her to enter.
Inside Liscor, Erin is immediately overwhelmed. The city is bustling with Drakes and Gnolls, and as a rare Human, she becomes an object of intense curiosity, drawing stares from the inhabitants. Feeling lost and out of place, she looks for a general store but accidentally wanders into the Adventurer's Guild. There, she speaks briefly with the receptionist, Selys.
Before she can understand her mistake, a large, hostile Unnamed Gnoll Adventurer confronts Erin, insulting her and declaring she is too weak to be there. The Gnoll then physically lifts Erin and throws her out of the building onto the street. In a nearby tavern, a Drake [Barmaid] named Drassi gossips about the commotion, only to be immediately fired by her manager, Mister Drells. The chapter ends with Erin, stunned and humiliated on the ground outside the guild.
Major Events
Erin Travels to Liscor for Food
Facing a shortage of palatable food, Erin Solstice decides to leave The Wandering Inn and travel to the city of Liscor for supplies. During her journey, she is followed by several non-hostile Goblins.
Arrival in a City of Drakes and Gnolls
Erin arrives at the gates of Liscor and is permitted entry by an Unnamed Drake Guard. She is immediately overwhelmed by the alien cityscape and the stares she receives as a rare Human.
Violently Ejected from the Adventurer's Guild
Mistaking it for a shop, Erin enters the Adventurer's Guild and meets the receptionist Selys. A hostile Unnamed Gnoll Adventurer confronts Erin, insults her, and physically throws her out of the building.
A Gossiping Barmaid is Fired
In a nearby tavern, a Drake [Barmaid] named Drassi is introduced as she gossips about Erin being thrown from the guild. Her manager, Mister Drells, promptly fires her for her inattentiveness.
Major Appearances
Minor Appearances
A tall Gnoll hunter Erin encounters near the gates of Liscor carrying half a Corusdeer.
aka the furry person, the hyena-dog-person
The Drake manager of an establishment in Liscor who fires Drassi.
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
A species of tall, bipedal hyena-like humanoids covered in fur.
aka hyena-people, dog-people +4
Small green humanoids with red eyes and sharp teeth that chased and slashed at Erin.
aka Goblins, little green things +5
A friendly and helpful Drake who works as a receptionist at the Adventurer's Guild in Liscor.
aka the female receptionist, the she-Drake +1
A guild hall in Liscor where adventurers gather, accept quests, and turn in bounties.
A big, yellow-scaled Drake guard stationed at the eastern gate of Liscor.
aka the guard, the Drake
A sapient reptilian species dominant in regions south of Liscor, generally unfriendly to Humans.
aka Drake, lizards
An aggressive Gnoll adventurer who confronts and expels Erin from the Adventurer's Guild.
aka the angry Gnoll, the hairy hyena-guy +2
A gossipy, yellow-scaled Drake [Barmaid] in Liscor who gets fired.
Referenced
Entities by Type
Quotes
“Rubbery.”
“And I want food. Real food. Not fruit. I want bread! I want pasta! I want pizza and soda and salad and ice cream—actually, forget the ice cream. I need meat. Or fish that doesn’t bite back! I want sushi, cheeseburgers and fries, toast, waffles…cereal…”
“Unless I go to the city.”
“Am I an innkeeper? Is that what this world is doing to me?”
“To go to the city or not, that is the question. Actually, there’s no question. I need to go to the city. I need to go…shopping.”
“But why does it have to be so far away from anything?”
“Thirty minutes. No; probably an hour. Yeah, that sounds about right.”
“And a sword. I need a sword. And a shield? And armor? And, uh, anti-Goblin spray? Oh, and books! Tons of books. Maps, history books…can I read any of that? Well, Relc and Klbkch speak English. So that’s weird too. And I need bandages, a sewing needle, someone to teach me how to sew…”
“Clothing. Food. Toothbrush. Toothpaste. And a lamp.”
“Flat grass, flat grass, all I see is flat grass.”
“Shoo!”
“…Hi.”
“Go on in, Human. Anyone can enter the city. The gates close at sundown.”
“Humans.”
“Oh, no! I’m, um—sorry I didn’t help? Sorry you fell?”
“Tribes and tribulations. Excuse me, Miss. Watch the blood. If that [Guardsman] asks…pretend you never saw me. I’ve got to get this to the [Butchers] before the Acid Flies are all over.”
“You sure it’s not him being…him, Drassi?”
“What? But I can work harder! Come on, Mister Drells…”
“I’m sorry!”
“I’m in trouble. Yup, yup. It’s amazing these things lose so much taste after only a few days.”
“Even instant ramen would be nice. Is that too much to ask?”
“There.”
“I’ll grow a huge beer belly and start hauling around kegs of ale. That’s what innkeepers do, right?”
“Guess I’ve gotta go to the stream. Who knew washing your hands was so much work?”
“Wow. That’s a big hill.”
“So, what do I need?”
“And I need to rob a bank.”
“Right. A lamp! And a sword.”
“Horses eat grass, but I’ll pass, so I’ll go to the city fast. Or I’ll die of starvation! And once I’m there, I’ll eat ten pears and—hey, is that a Goblin?”
“Great. They’re like cockroaches. Evil, giant, green cockroaches. With teeth. And sharp knives. And red eyes.”
“Who’d want to eat blue fruits all day? Raise your hand if that sounds like fun.”
“Plus, I need to feed my guests.”
“It’s far. But I have to go. Maybe? Yes…no. No? Yes. I need food. And I need to feed my guests. It’s my duty as an innkeeper.”
“They never mentioned innkeepers in the legend of King Arthur. Or did they?”
“Well, that settles that. I’m off to the city.”
“They lied to me.”
“Um. Clothing. Right. And soap. And a toothbrush, if they have toothbrushes. And toothpaste…which they probably don’t have. But something. And I need food obviously, more soap, towels, laundry deter—more soap, and a comb.”
“What’s essential?”
“…Just the lamp.”
“Hm.”
“That’s a big wall.”
“…Right. It’s just that I’m new here. And I’m Human. Nice to meet you. My name is Erin. I, uh, know another guy who works with you. Relc? And Klb…Klb…the insect guy? So yeah. They know me. I’m no threat. And, uh, I saw some Goblins running around a while back. They’re not here right now, but I felt you should know.”
“I’ll just be going. Now.”
“Apologies, Miss. Was I in your way?”
“Yes? No?”
“—broke up again. Hawk can’t keep a girlfriend for more than a month, Courier and gold or not. It’s his obsession with vegetables.”
“Drassi! This is the eleventh time this week! I’ve told you again and again, stop gossiping. I don’t care what your class is—enough. You’re friendly, but you’re also fired.”
“Are you blind? Stay on the sidewalk! I nearly ran you over!”
“Sorry? Sorry? When this wheel runs over your foot, no healing potion in the world is going to get it back. Do you think I want that on my conscience?”
“Excuse me, Miss. Are you waiting in line for…?”
“Excuse me—um—what’s this building? I can’t read…”
“What kind of store?”
“Yes. And?”
“Typical. You go for the top half because the antlers are worth money to the [Alchemists]. Nevermind the intestines being good for sausage or all the organs like the liver and—stop growling at me. I know, Shield Spiders. Damn it. Alright…let me check the quality of the meat. Give me a few minutes. And get a bucket of water and wash yourself off. You’re going to attract Acid Flies.”
“What do I do if I get super-lost? Remember that street name. Squiggly line…got it. And if I can’t remember it or find my way back? Amsterdam, chess tournament. Start crying and ask where mom is…No, wait, I’m older now. Uh—uh—”
“Ah, hello? We can help you over here.”
“Oh, I see! No worries, Miss Human. You’re just in the wrong spot, but I can give you directions if you’d like.”
“The Adventurer’s Guild?”
“That’s quite alright. Not everyone needs to use an Adventurer’s Guild. Most never will, hopefully. If you’ve never needed any services, let me give you the basic explanation. Here you can let the Guild know about dangerous monsters in your area, post quests and offer rewards, or if you’re an adventurer yourself, you can go look at assignments or receive your reward.”
“…Miss? Excuse me, Miss?”
“Oh no. I’m, uh, an innkeeper. I guess. Or maybe a wanderer? Actually, I’m just new around here.”
“Well, I can’t leave the desk, but I can give you some directions. No wonder you were lost—you can’t read any of the signs, can you? Your people normally stick to the north; Esthelm’s as far as most get. What brings you out so far? Oh, and what are you looking for?”
“Oh, that’s great. Thank you so much. About how I got here—I don’t know if it was an accident or me—maybe teleportation! But um. Right now I’m just trying to get by. So the market is two streets down and left and right…?”
“Um. Hi. Are you—are you a wolf-person?”
“I’m a Gnoll.”
“Right. Sorry. Sorry about that.”
“R-really? I can’t smell anything.”
“I don’t want Humans in here. You don’t belong.”
“Um. Nice weather, isn’t it?”
“Right. Thanks. Uh, have a nice day!”
“—by the tribes and fur knots. All the lice in Izril! All the lice in Izril and—and Raskghar on these stupid paving stones!”
“Er…apologies, Miss Human. We don’t see many of your kind around here, yes? A [Trader], a traveller? No need to apologize. [Broader Shoulders] means only I can carry a deer back! Half of one, at any rate. If only I had a bag of holding large enough for an entire deer, eh? I wouldn’t make a Human help me lift one of these!”
“The…”
“Oh, hush. He’s fine. He’s more Drake than you are. I’m just saying—”
“Get out of the way, you idiot!”
“A Human? We haven’t seen one of them in…I wonder if another trade caravan’s getting here?”
“I don’t have time for this. I’ve got a delivery to run. Sidewalk! Use it!”
“Humans.”
“No! I mean, I’m just looking around. Nice to meet…I’m just looking for a—a store!”
“You just gave me a damned Corusdeer. Half of one.”
“I dropped it once, okay? It’s not bad, no! And as for cutting it in half—I thought I saw a Shield Spider nest near me. They would have been over the kill—and me—in minutes. The hide’s fine. You can make boots out of what’s here. How much for it all?”
“Okay. Okay. I was lost before. I can do this.”
“Uh, is this a store?”
“Registering? Quest? Oh no, I’m not here for…uh, anything. I just thought this might be a store, so I…”
“This is the Adventurer’s Guild. That lot didn’t tip you off?”
“N—I mean, I’ve never been in one before.”
“Real mages. That is so cool.”
“Are you a traveller, Miss? Or maybe…an adventurer? Are you here to register?”
“I’m Erin. Erin Solstice. And no, I’m not, uh, innkeeping here. I live outside the city. In an inn a ways away. I guess. I just came here, because I needed to go shopping. Badly.”
“Well, if it’s food and general supplies you’re looking for, try the market two streets down from here. To get to it, just take a left as you walk out of here and then turn right, and you’ll be there in no time. They’d also have some clothes there, but I’m not sure if they have any made for Humans. What kind of teleportation spell did that? You mean, people teleportation? Gone wrong? That would be a huge scandal. Anyways, the market will have everything you need.”
“Huh?”
“N-no?”
“You’re in my way. This is for adventurers.”
“I don’t like Humans. They smell. You smell like garbage. Like rancid oil and flames and things that turn my stomach. And Goblins and dust and mold.”
“Right. Well. I’m sorry about that.”
“S-sorry. I just didn’t see—”
“One side, Human! Stop blocking the way!”
“What, the Mage’s Guild? You can’t read, Miss Human? Right, you don’t read Drake script. Are you looking for the Mage’s Guild? Runner’s Guild? Adventurer’s Guild? An inn to stay in? Stables? The Watch, maybe? I’m Drassi.”
“Uh—I—just looking, thanks!”
“Where’s the other half? You didn’t skin it first? You’ve ruined the hide—and there’s dirt on this part! Did you drag it back?”
“That must be city hall or something. And the place with the wand—was that a magic shop…do they teach magic there? Do they sell wands? Wow. Wow. And I just need to find…a regular people shop.”
“Sorry! We overheard, yes?”
“Good day, Miss. How can we help you today? Do you have a bounty or request to post? Or are you registering?”
“Oops, sorry. Uh, where am I?”
“Didn’t they have one back in your city?”
“Wow.”
“Oh, I’m really sorry. What was that you were saying?”
“An [Innkeeper], is it? Are you opening up a business here? Humans almost never move to Liscor. I’m Selys, by the way. I should have said so from the start. My apologies.”
“Um. A teleportation spell got me here? And I need food. Flour, oil, butter, salt…that kind of thing. And I need clothing. Lots of clothing. And toothpaste!”
“I’m also looking for a place to get some other supplies. I don’t suppose you know where—”
“Do I look like a Wolf Beastkin?”
“Right. I’m very sorry about that. Um. Can I help you?”
“Is—is there something else you want?”
“That’s because Humans can’t smell anything.”
“Hold on, now. She’s just lost.”
“Oh. Yeah. Um, I’m really sorry about that. It’s just that I’ve been sort of fending for myself, and I didn’t have a change of clothes so—”
“If you’ve got a bounty—Shield Spiders—I’ll process it now. But this Human was just asking directions. You can’t just kick someone out who—”
“Begone.”
“You. You’re stinking up this place with dirt and filth. I can smell the things you’ve rolled in. You haven’t washed in—dead gods. I’m covered in Shield Spider guts and you smell worse! Take a bath before you come back here.”