Plot-twisting...
Plot-twisting...
Chapter 1.11
Desperate for supplies, Erin Solstice travels to the city of Liscor for the first time. After a hostile encounter with a Gnoll adventurer gets her thrown out of the Adventurer's Guild, she meets a recently fired Drake barmaid named Drassi.
Facing a severe food shortage at The Wandering Inn, Erin Solstice resolves to travel to the nearby city of Liscor for supplies. After some hesitation and internal debate about her new role as an [Innkeeper], she sets out on the long walk, observing the alien landscape and wildlife like the Corusdeer along the way.
Upon arriving, Erin is awestruck by the massive walls of Liscor and the bustling city within, populated primarily by Drakes and tall, furry creatures. She makes her way through the multi-leveled city to the Adventurer's Guild, hoping to find help or hire someone to gather supplies.
Inside the rowdy guild hall, Erin tries to speak with a group of adventurers that includes a Drake named Selys. Her attempts are ignored until an aggressive, furry adventurer confronts her. When Erin explains she's an [Innkeeper] from an inn outside the city, he becomes enraged, revealing his species is called Gnoll before accusing her of being a liar or a fool. The Angry Gnoll Adventurer then physically throws her out of the building.
Lying dazed on the street, Erin is helped up by a Drake named Drassi. Drassi explains she was just fired from her [Barmaid] job by her manager, Mister Drells, for gossiping too much. The chapter ends with Erin sitting on the street, overwhelmed by her disastrous first visit to the city.
Driven by a lack of food and supplies at The Wandering Inn, Erin Solstice decides to walk to the city of Liscor for the first time.
During a tense confrontation in the Adventurer's Guild, an aggressive adventurer tells Erin that his hyena-like species is called Gnoll.
A guild hall in Liscor where adventurers gather, accept quests, and turn in bounties.
A sapient reptilian species dominant in regions south of Liscor, generally unfriendly to Humans.
aka Drake, lizards +2
A city adjacent to the Floodplains, culturally aligned with Drakes and not friendly to Humans.
aka City of Liscor, the city +4
An Angry Gnoll Adventurer accuses Erin of lying about her inn and violently ejects her from the Adventurer's Guild.
After being thrown out of the guild, Erin is helped by Drassi, a Drake who was just fired from her [Barmaid] job by Mister Drells.
A species of tall, bipedal hyena-like humanoids covered in fur.
aka hyena-people, dog-people +8
A skill that likely increases a person's carrying capacity.
aka [Broader Shoulders]
An aggressive and prejudiced Gnoll adventurer who confronts and expels Erin from the Adventurer's Guild.
aka the not-werewolf, hairy hyena-guy +5
An organization that deals with magical issues, such as teleportation spells.
A friendly and helpful Drake who works as a receptionist at the Adventurer's Guild in Liscor.
aka the female receptionist, the she-Drake +2
A Drake [Driver] who nearly runs Erin over with her wagon in Liscor.
aka The driver on the wagon, another Drake +3
A high-tier magical ability that relocates a target instantly.
aka [Teleportation], [Teleportation] spell +1
A gossipy, yellow-scaled Drake [Barmaid] in Liscor who gets fired.
aka The barmaid, a Drake with orange scales +1
A species of large, sentient insectoid people; one arrives at Erin’s door with a companion.
aka giant insect, Ants +18
A class focused on running inns, hospitality, and tending to guests and establishments.
aka [Innkeeper], Innkeeper (class) +3
The Drake manager of an establishment in Liscor who fires Drassi.
aka an angry Drake, an angry Drake with black scales
A Drake [Butcher] in Liscor who haggles with the Gnoll hunter over a Corusdeer carcass.
aka the Drake, the [Butcher] +1
A tall Gnoll hunter Erin encounters shortly after entering Liscor.
aka Unnamed Gnoll Hunter, the hyena-dog-person +4
A big, yellow-scaled Drake guard stationed at the eastern gate of Liscor.
aka the guard, the Drake +3
Referenced as a meat-based dish (type of deer) by Klbkch when inquiring about available food; not present in scene.
aka half of one, half a deer +1
Small green humanoids with red eyes and sharp teeth that chased and slashed at Erin.
aka Goblins, little green things +7
“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.”
“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.”
“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—”
“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.”
“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.”
“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?”
“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!”
“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…”
“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.”
“I’m a Gnoll.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“Begone.”
“Even instant ramen would be nice. Is that too much to ask?”
“Am I an innkeeper? Is that what this world is doing to me?”
“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…”
“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.”
“And I need to rob a bank.”
“Great. They’re like cockroaches. Evil, giant, green cockroaches. With teeth. And sharp knives. And red eyes.”
“…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.”
“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?”
“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?”
“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!”
“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?”
“That’s because Humans can’t smell anything.”
“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—”
“I don’t want Humans in here. You don’t belong.”
“Do I look like a Wolf Beastkin?”
“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.”
“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.”
“I’ll grow a huge beer belly and start hauling around kegs of ale. That’s what innkeepers do, right?”
“…Just the lamp.”
“Humans.”
“—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.”
“What? But I can work harder! Come on, Mister Drells…”
“You just gave me a damned Corusdeer. Half of one.”
“—by the tribes and fur knots. All the lice in Izril! All the lice in Izril and—and Raskghar on these stupid paving stones!”
“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.”
“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?”
“Humans.”
“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.”
“Oh, I see! No worries, Miss Human. You’re just in the wrong spot, but I can give you directions if you’d like.”
“Real mages. That is so cool.”
“Um. Hi. Are you—are you a wolf-person?”
“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—”
“You’re in my way. This is for adventurers.”
“Hold on, now. She’s just lost.”
“They lied to me.”
“Oh, no! I’m, um—sorry I didn’t help? Sorry you fell?”
“I don’t have time for this. I’ve got a delivery to run. Sidewalk! Use it!”
“Excuse me—um—what’s this building? I can’t read…”
“Good day, Miss. How can we help you today? Do you have a bounty or request to post? Or are you registering?”
“This is the Adventurer’s Guild. That lot didn’t tip you off?”
“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…?”
“A Human? We haven’t seen one of them in…I wonder if another trade caravan’s getting here?”
“They never mentioned innkeepers in the legend of King Arthur. Or did they?”
“But why does it have to be so far away from anything?”
“You sure it’s not him being…him, Drassi?”
“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.”
“Oh, hush. He’s fine. He’s more Drake than you are. I’m just saying—”
“Are you blind? Stay on the sidewalk! I nearly ran you over!”
“Okay. Okay. I was lost before. I can do this.”
“N—I mean, I’ve never been in one before.”
“No! I mean, I’m just looking around. Nice to meet…I’m just looking for a—a store!”
“Didn’t they have one back in your city?”
“Oh no. I’m, uh, an innkeeper. I guess. Or maybe a wanderer? Actually, I’m just new around here.”
“Sorry! We overheard, yes?”
“Registering? Quest? Oh no, I’m not here for…uh, anything. I just thought this might be a store, so I…”
“R-really? I can’t smell anything.”
“I’m in trouble. Yup, yup. It’s amazing these things lose so much taste after only a few days.”
“Guess I’ve gotta go to the stream. Who knew washing your hands was so much work?”
“Right. A lamp! And a sword.”
“Shoo!”
“Who’d want to eat blue fruits all day? Raise your hand if that sounds like fun.”
“Well, that settles that. I’m off to the city.”
“Thirty minutes. No; probably an hour. Yeah, that sounds about right.”
“Go on in, Human. Anyone can enter the city. The gates close at sundown.”
“Get out of the way, you idiot!”
“Clothing. Food. Toothbrush. Toothpaste. And a lamp.”
“Apologies, Miss. Was I in your way?”
“What kind of store?”
“Ah, hello? We can help you over here.”
“Oops, sorry. Uh, where am I?”
“One side, Human! Stop blocking the way!”
“Yes. And?”
“Is—is there something else you want?”
“The Adventurer’s Guild?”
“Are you a traveller, Miss? Or maybe…an adventurer? Are you here to register?”
“I’m also looking for a place to get some other supplies. I don’t suppose you know where—”
“Right. I’m very sorry about that. Um. Can I help you?”
“Plus, I need to feed my guests.”
“Um. Nice weather, isn’t it?”
“Uh—I—just looking, thanks!”
“Oh, I’m really sorry. What was that you were saying?”
“Unless I go to the city.”
“So, what do I need?”
“What’s essential?”
“Flat grass, flat grass, all I see is flat grass.”
“S-sorry. I just didn’t see—”
“Uh, is this a store?”
“Rubbery.”
“I’ll just be going. Now.”
“The…”
“I’m sorry!”
“Excuse me, Miss. Are you waiting in line for…?”
“There.”
“That’s a big wall.”
“Yes? No?”
“Wow. That’s a big hill.”
“…Hi.”
“Right. Thanks. Uh, have a nice day!”
“Huh?”
“Right. Well. I’m sorry about that.”
“Wow.”
“N-no?”
“Right. Sorry. Sorry about that.”