Chapter 1.12
1.12
Erin Solstice travels to Liscor for supplies, where she is treated with hostility and scammed out of her money by a Drake merchant. On her way back to the inn, she is ambushed by Goblins but is saved by Relc, who kills two of her attackers. The overwhelming day ends with Erin reaching Level 6 and breaking down in tears.
Summary
Erin Solstice makes her first trip into the city of Liscor to buy supplies. She feels overwhelmed and alienated, unable to read the signs and finding herself unwelcome in several establishments. The city's atmosphere, dominated by Drakes and Gnolls, leaves her feeling isolated.
In the marketplace, a friendly Gnoll shopkeeper named Krshia tries to get Erin's attention, but Erin wanders to the stall of a hostile Drake merchant named Lism. Lism treats Erin with open disdain, insulting her and refusing to let her touch the food. He proceeds to scam her, charging an exorbitant price for a small bag of flour, a few vegetables, and some salt, taking nearly all of her money.
Leaving Liscor, a dejected Erin overhears Relc at the Liscor Guard Barracks making disparaging comments about humans to another guard. The remarks wound Erin, and though Relc notices her and tries to apologize, the damage is done. To make amends, he insists on carrying her bag back to the inn.
On the road, they are ambushed by three Goblins: the Littlest Goblin and her Two Older Goblins guardians. As his form of an apology, Relc swiftly kills the two larger Goblins, and the Littlest Goblin flees in terror. The traumatized goblin returns to her Goblin Cave and reports the deaths to the Goblin Chieftain, who grabs his axes and leaves the cave, seemingly for revenge.
Erin finally returns to The Wandering Inn, emotionally and physically exhausted from the day's events. The stress and hardship trigger a level-up, and she reaches Level 6 in her [Innkeeper] class. The chapter closes with Erin crying alone in her empty inn, overwhelmed by her harsh new reality.
Major Events
Erin is Scammed in the Market
While shopping in Liscor, Erin is treated with hostility by a Drake merchant named Lism. He massively overcharges her for a small amount of food, taking nearly all of her money while a Gnoll shopkeeper, Krshia, watches.
Relc Insults Erin
At the Liscor Guard Barracks, Relc makes derogatory comments about humans, unaware that Erin is close enough to hear him. The remarks deeply hurt Erin and create a rift between them.
Goblins Ambush Erin and Relc
On the path back to the inn, Erin and Relc are ambushed by the Littlest Goblin and her Two Older Goblins guardians, who had been lying in wait.
Relc Kills Two Goblins
As a way of 'making it up' to Erin for his earlier insults, Relc instantly kills the two adult Goblins who ambushed them. The Littlest Goblin escapes in terror.
Goblin Chieftain Seeks Revenge
The traumatized Littlest Goblin returns to her cave and informs the Goblin Chieftain of the deaths. Enraged, the chieftain grabs his axes and leaves the cave alone.
Erin Levels Up Amidst Despair
After returning to her inn, the overwhelming and stressful events of the day cause Erin Solstice to gain a level, reaching Level 6 in her [Innkeeper] class.
Major Appearances
A small female Goblin who shadows the warriors and observes Erin, apparently driven by personal motives.
aka little Goblin, small Goblin +4
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
A city adjacent to the Floodplains, culturally aligned with Drakes and not friendly to Humans.
aka City of Liscor, the city +3
Minor Appearances
A tall female Gnoll shopkeeper in the market who runs the stall 'Krshia's Silverfang Goods'. She is direct and attempts to get Erin to shop at her stall.
aka Krshia, The Gnoll shopkeeper +1
A male and female Goblin who 'made' the littlest Goblin, acting as her parents or creators. They bully her but also provide for her. They instigated the stone-throwing attack on Erin to steal her food and were subsequently hunted down and killed by Relc.
aka the two older Goblins, Two Ambushing Goblins
The headquarters for the Liscor City Watch.
aka Watch barracks, Guard's barracks +4
A belligerent Drake shopkeeper in the Liscor market who cheats Erin.
aka The Drake shopkeeper
A Drake guard in the Liscor barracks who converses with Relc.
aka Unnamed Blue Drake Guard, the blue Drake
The hidden cave that serves as the home for the local Goblin tribe near Erin's inn.
aka the tribe's cave
A leadership class common among Goblin tribes, granting authority and advanced capabilities.
aka [Chieftain], The Chieftain +3
A large stall in the market run by the Gnoll, Krshia Silverfang. It sells a variety of items, including food.
aka Silverfang Goods
Referenced
Entities by Type
Quotes
“They’re interesting and entertaining, but they don’t have much inside their fleshy heads. I’d never trust a Human to have my back. Drakes stick together and Humans do their thing in the north, am I right?”
“Typical Humans. Walking in here, stinking up the market, and insulting any non-Humans you find. You should be grateful the Guard doesn’t run you out of the city! First that damn [Necromancer] comes here, and now this smelly one that can’t even read.”
“Where was that Human?”
“Are you calling me a liar?”
“Hey, I’m telling the truth here. Little Miss Human isn’t that bad. You should meet her. But let me tell you, she can also be pretty annoying. Remember that [Necromancer] guy I told you me and Klbkch tracked down? She wouldn’t let us kill him even after he blasted us both with a few spells. Just kept saying that he wasn’t that bad.”
“Two gold coins. Eight silver. That will buy you a bag of flour, oil, butter, four sausages, two onions, and a bag of sugar, salt, and yeast.”
“Got you bastards. You can’t run from Relc! Damn, I thought there were three of you? Whatever. If Erin doesn’t love this—now I need to find some wood. Damn. I should be having dinner!”
“Don’t touch. You’ll stink it up with your Human smell.”
“It was nothing. They’re no threat to me or anyone with a few levels in any warrior class. But don’t worry about those pests. I said I’d make it up to you, didn’t I? I’ll do something about them.”
“Especially not if they’re Human.”
“Right at the start. Did you see her expression? Relc’s not gonna have an easy time explaining that.”
“No touching the food with your filthy hands unless you’re buying!”
“Lism!”
“If you’re done grubbing in the dirt, I have more customers to serve.”
“I really didn’t mean it. It’s just—[Necromancers], y’know? They’re dangerous. And it’s best to kill them on sight. You ever seen a thousand zombies trying to eat anything in sight? Even if they’re low-level, even if they play nice, I could never trust a [Necromancer].”
“Two coppers per ear…nah. Stick. Stick. You’ve gotta put them on sticks and—you know what? She can figure out how she wants to mount them.”
“It was the last skill I got from my [Sergeant] class. I think you get it in [Spearmaster] as well, but I don’t know. Either way, it’s a life-saver.”
“…Can I buy a bag?”
“Still, she’s interesting. Erin, or whatever her name is. She makes a mean plate of pasta, let me tell you. And she’s tougher than she looks—I didn’t think any Human could survive out in the Floodplains that long. She’s funny too.”
“Right, right. Well, if you remembered his face, I could find who sold you all that, but I doubt anyone’d bear witness against him. And there’s not much for me to go on. I mean, he sold you overpriced goods but it was your fault as well. No offense meant, Miss, but how’d you trade a gold coin for a sack or two of flour?”
“A couple gold coins. Some silver ones.”
“Human, I have a business to run and a store to manage! Either pay me my price or be gone. You won’t find a better offer in this market.”
“[Iron Scales].”
“No. If Klbkch can do it, so can I. Anything that damn bug can do I can do better. But hey, what’s this about a Human? Is it that female one I was telling you about?”
“I didn’t have enough money.”
“Look, I’m still really sorry about before. I didn’t mean—well, I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
“But that’s what you think.”
“I just thought it was the right price, I guess. I didn’t want to argue.”
“You, Human! If you're looking for a bargain, shop here!”
“Hey, Miss Human! Wait! I didn’t mean it!”
“Hey! Slither off, you little bastards!”
“Kicked out of three shops. And two homes. And then the Adventurer’s Guild.”
“You’ve got no talent for that game. If you didn’t have [Thick Scales], you’d have cut your hand off years ago.”
“I don’t have all day to play fetch for you, Human. Just tell me what you want to buy first.”
“Really? What kind of rotscale sold you—why did you spend that much money?”
“Oh.”
“I just gave you my price. Take it or leave it.”
“Okay, okay. So they weren’t that dangerous. And I was just doing my job; true. But I am sorry. Really. I said too much back there.”
“Look. I’m very sorry, Miss Erin. Let me carry your bag. It must be quite heavy, and this way we can talk without one of us falling over.”
“Well, there are signs. I just can't read them.”
“Uh. I can’t read that. Sorry.”
“Are—are you sure that’s the price? I mean, it sounds like a lot—”
“It’s not often I get to rescue a damsel in distress. That’s what they call Human females, right? Damsels? Anyways, I saw you were in trouble, so I immediately rushed to help.”
“Okay. I’ll buy it all.”
“That explains everything. What kind of level do you have to be to get that, anyways? No one else has it, so it must be high level.”
“Oh come on. Don’t be like that. I just—well, it was just me being careless, alright? Let’s talk. Please?”
“Thanks for helping. With the Goblins.”
“What does it look like, Human?”
“Humans. I don’t know why you’re interested in this one. It’s certainly not the smell, to hear Belsc talk.”
“So, how’s my favorite Human doing? Good? Bad? Um. I, uh, don’t suppose you heard what I was saying. It was just a joke, really. I didn’t mean…”
“No. I mean, there’s food in here, but that’s only a few silver coins at best. I’m sure you had more than that, right? How much did you spend?”
“Where? Two?”
“I need to buy fresher pillows. And blankets. Or laundry detergent. When I have the money for it.”
“Then stop flipping. It’s annoying, and you keep nearly hitting people. Remember poor Tkrn the day he signed up? He still flinches whenever he sees a dagger.”
“How long was she here?”
“I…could help you find what you want. Krshia’s Silverfang Goods. Do you have anything you want or—?”
“Sorry. Sorry.”
“But can we negotiate? I mean, how about two gold coins? What’s the price of the flour? If I pay you—”
“Magic. Either that or they're all bilingual. Or trilingual. Or something.”
“I’ll bet. No wonder you don’t worry about hurting yourself, you smooth-scaled bastard.”
“Hey! Miss Erin! Wait!”
“Hey Relc. I hear there’s a Human wandering around the city.”
“Where?”
“I’m looking for some flour, salt, butter, oil, and sugar. Oh! And yeast. I’ll need yeast too. If you have it.”
“Stupid Humans.”
“I still don’t get it. There’s no scales, nothing firm to grab. What’s the point?”
“Um. Erin something. Sol? Solace? It was something like that. Erin Solace? Did he mention anything else about her?”
“Yeah, you get used to that.”
“So. When did you spot her?”
“Look, I know I was sort of—okay, I was rude, but let’s talk. Hello? Are you listening?”
“Hello there, Miss Erin. Fancy meeting you here.”
“That looks heavy. Here, let me carry it for you.”
“Sausages. Mm. But hey, why didn’t you buy any clothes? I thought all females loved clothes, Drake or Human.”
“Can I get you anything? What are you looking for?”
“Hrmf. Suit yourself.”
“No. I’m fine.”
“No, I’ll just wander around and—look. Thank you.”
“Oh, I’m looking for food. Lots of it.”
“What do you want? Name it and I’ll fetch it for you.”
“Yeah. He said she was really annoying. And she talked too much.”
“Dunno. She must’ve walked in while you were talking.”
“Disgusting. Why’s Relc interested in one anyways?”
“Look, I was just asking about the price.”
“That’s her.”
“Oh, bite me.”
“Serves him right. But did you smell her?”
“Anyways, Humans. Haven’t seen one in a long time. Did you see it? So fleshy.”
“Oh come on. Please?”
“What, really?”
“No, no! I was just saying that—”
“Here. Your food. Take it.”
“Too bad I never got any dagger skills. I can’t understand how this stupid flipping works.”
“Belsc—the guy on eastern gate duty—he didn’t say much other than that he thought it was a Human female. What was the name of the one you met?”
“Well, what are you seeking?”
“I know!”
“I’m going to sleep.”
“Sorry.”
“Move it, Human.”
“Watch it, fleshbag.”
“Oh, um. I'm just looking.”
“It’s right there on the sign.”
“What you see is what I have.”
“Um. Those sausages. How much do they cost?”
“Ow. Ow!”
“I didn’t say that.”
“I’m—I’ll just look around if that’s okay.”
“Now, now. Don’t be jealous.”
“Thanks.”
“It’s fine.”
“Out of the way, smooth skin.”
“Um. I’m looking for a few things, actually. Uh, do you have any butter?”
“Well, if I’ve got enough, I’d like to buy a few of those. And some onions.”
“Um. I—”
“Yeah. Humans. They don’t wash.”
“So. You bought food, huh? Making lots of pasta tonight?”
“I hear they roll around in their own filth.”
“Search me. Maybe it’s just Relc. He’s weird.”
“Fine.”
“Thanks. Good night.”
“Until later, Miss Erin.”
“And, uh, I’d like some oil too. Do you have another jar…?”
“Anything else?”
“Finally.”
“Right, right. But, uh, good to see you made it to the city. So how’d you like it?”
“I can take the bag now.”
“Hi. Is this a food shop?”
“Oh, okay.”
“But I’d like some. Butter, that is.”
“How many?”
“Why do you think?”
“Ah. Ow.”
“You sure? I can carry it in—”
“Ow.”
“It is.”
“Disgusting. Let’s go eat some meat.”
“I’m sure.”
“Right. Thanks.”
“Okay.”
“So.”
“True.”
“Not sure.”
“So.”
“Oh. Great.”
“Good, good.”
“Agreed.”
“Well, I could go back to the market and ask around. But—I don't suppose you caught the name of the store.”
“I can't read the language here.”