Bookworming...
Bookworming...
Chapter 1.12
Erin travels to Liscor for supplies but is swindled by a prejudiced Drake merchant and hurt by Relc's comments about humans. On her way home, she is ambushed by Goblins, only to be rescued by a repentant Relc, an act which prompts the Goblin Chieftain to seek revenge.
Erin Solstice makes her first trip into the city of Liscor to buy essential supplies for The Wandering Inn. She finds the city's Drake inhabitants to be largely prejudiced against Humans, getting kicked out of several establishments. In The Market, she is approached by a Gnoll merchant, Krshia, but dismisses her and instead shops at a store run by a Drake named Lism.
Lism is openly hostile towards Erin, refusing to let her touch the goods and insulting her. He proceeds to swindle her, selling her a small amount of low-quality flour, salt, and yeast for nearly all of her money. Dejected, Erin wanders near the city barracks where she overhears Relc talking with other guards. To her dismay, she hears him speak ill of Humans, which deeply wounds her and shatters her perception of their burgeoning friendship.
Heartbroken and nearly penniless, Erin leaves Liscor and begins the long walk back to her inn across the Floodplains. During her journey, she is ambushed by three Goblins, including the Two Older Goblins and The Littlest Goblin, who begin throwing rocks at her. Just as she is about to be overwhelmed, Relc appears and swiftly kills the two larger Goblins, causing The Littlest Goblin to flee.
Relc apologizes sincerely to Erin for his comments, explaining it was just idle talk among guards and that he didn't mean it. They begin to mend their fractured relationship as he escorts her safely back to The Wandering Inn. The emotional and physical trauma of the day causes Erin to level up, reaching Level 6 in her [Innkeeper] class. Meanwhile, The Littlest Goblin returns to the Goblin Cave and reports the deaths. In silent fury, The Chieftain grabs his axes and leaves the cave, heading out onto the plains for vengeance.
While attempting to buy supplies in Liscor, Erin is systematically overcharged by a prejudiced Drake shopkeeper named Lism, who takes almost all of her money for a few basic goods.
Erin overhears Relc speaking poorly about Humans to fellow guards, which deeply hurts her feelings and damages their new friendship.
A young woman from Earth who stumbles into a fantasy world and takes refuge in an abandoned inn.
aka Erin, the traveller +38
A guardsman referenced by a rookie as likely getting punishment duty for breaking windows.
aka Guardsman Relc, Senior Guardsman Relc +6
A city adjacent to the Floodplains, culturally aligned with Drakes and not friendly to Humans.
aka City of Liscor, the city +4
On her way back to the inn, Erin is attacked by three Goblins who ambush her and throw rocks, putting her in serious danger.
Relc arrives and kills the two older Goblins attacking Erin. He then apologizes for his earlier comments, and the two begin to reconcile.
After returning to her inn, the extreme emotional and physical hardship of the day triggers a level-up, bringing Erin to Level 6 in her [Innkeeper] class.
After The Littlest Goblin reports the deaths, the enraged Goblin Chieftain silently takes his axes and departs the Goblin Cave, presumably to seek revenge.
A small female Goblin who shadows the warriors and observes Erin, apparently driven by personal motives.
aka little Goblin, small Goblin +4
A species of tall, bipedal hyena-like humanoids covered in fur.
aka hyena-people, dog-people +8
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 +1
A leadership class common among Goblin tribes, granting authority and advanced capabilities.
aka [Chieftain], The Chieftain +7
A green-scaled Drake guardsman who contributes to the gossip about Erin in the barracks.
aka another green Drake
A Gnoll guardsman in the barracks who confirms the blue-scaled Drake intentionally let Relc embarrass himself in front of Erin.
aka One of the Gnolls
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 +16
A class focused on running inns, hospitality, and tending to guests and establishments.
aka [Innkeeper], Innkeeper (class) +3
A high-level defensive skill possessed by Relc, seemingly an upgrade to [Thick Scales]. It makes his scales extremely durable, preventing him from being easily cut. Relc gained it from his [Sergeant] class.
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 +2
A belligerent Drake shopkeeper in the Liscor market who cheats Erin.
aka The Drake shopkeeper, The Drake +1
A smug, blue-scaled Drake guardsman who gossips with Relc and seems to enjoy watching him get into an awkward situation with Erin.
aka the blue Drake, the other guardsman
A large stall in the market run by the Gnoll, Krshia Silverfang. It sells a variety of items, including food.
aka Silverfang Goods
“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.”
“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?”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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].”
“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!”
“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?”
“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.”
“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.”
“Everything would be so much simpler if she could read. Was that too much to ask?”
“Especially not if they’re Human.”
“Hey! Slither off, you little bastards!”
“But that’s what you think.”
“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 still don’t get it. There’s no scales, nothing firm to grab. What’s the point?”
“…Can I buy a bag?”
“Really? What kind of rotscale sold you—why did you spend that much money?”
“Are you calling me a liar?”
“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.”
“Yeah. He said she was really annoying. And she talked too much.”
“Hey, Miss Human! Wait! I didn’t mean it!”
“I hear they roll around in their own filth.”
“Sausages. Mm. But hey, why didn’t you buy any clothes? I thought all females loved clothes, Drake or Human.”
“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.”
“Don’t touch. You’ll stink it up with your Human smell.”
“Humans. I don’t know why you’re interested in this one. It’s certainly not the smell, to hear Belsc talk.”
“If you’re done grubbing in the dirt, I have more customers to serve.”
“You, Human! If you’re looking for a bargain, shop here!”
“Right at the start. Did you see her expression? Relc’s not gonna have an easy time explaining that.”
“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…”
“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.”
“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.”
“I’ll bet. No wonder you don’t worry about hurting yourself, you smooth-scaled bastard.”
“Anyways, Humans. Haven’t seen one in a long time. Did you see it? So fleshy.”
“I just thought it was the right price, I guess. I didn’t want to argue.”
“Kicked out of three shops. And two homes. And then the Adventurer’s Guild.”
“Well, I could go back to the market and ask around. But—I don’t suppose you caught the name of the store.”
“No touching the food with your filthy hands unless you’re buying!”
“You’ve got no talent for that game. If you didn’t have [Thick Scales], you’d have cut your hand off years ago.”
“Disgusting. Why’s Relc interested in one anyways?”
“Oh come on. Don’t be like that. I just—well, it was just me being careless, alright? Let’s talk. Please?”
“I didn’t have enough money.”
“I can’t read the language here.”
“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.”
“Hello there, Miss Erin. Fancy meeting you here.”
“Lism!”
“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?”
“I need to buy fresher pillows. And blankets. Or laundry detergent. When I have the money for it.”
“Search me. Maybe it’s just Relc. He’s weird.”
“A couple gold coins. Some silver ones.”
“I don’t have all day to play fetch for you, Human. Just tell me what you want to buy first.”
“I just gave you my price. Take it or leave it.”
“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?”
“Serves him right. But did you smell her?”
“Look, I know I was sort of—okay, I was rude, but let’s talk. Hello? Are you listening?”
“Are—are you sure that’s the price? I mean, it sounds like a lot—”
“Yeah. Humans. They don’t wash.”
“Magic. Either that or they’re all bilingual. Or trilingual. Or something.”
“I…could help you find what you want. Krshia’s Silverfang Goods. Do you have anything you want or—?”
“I’m looking for some flour, salt, butter, oil, and sugar. Oh! And yeast. I’ll need yeast too. If you have it.”
“Now, now. Don’t be jealous.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Where? Two?”
“Well, there are signs. I just can't read them.”
“Uh. I can’t read that. Sorry.”
“No, no! I was just saying that—”
“Too bad I never got any dagger skills. I can’t understand how this stupid flipping works.”
“[Iron Scales].”
“Why do you think?”
“Hey! Miss Erin! Wait!”
“So. You bought food, huh? Making lots of pasta tonight?”
“What, really?”
“Thanks for helping. With the Goblins.”
“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.”
“Yeah, you get used to that.”
“So. When did you spot her?”
“Hrmf. Suit yourself.”
“What do you want? Name it and I’ll fetch it for you.”
“Look, I was just asking about the price.”
“How long was she here?”
“Right, right. But, uh, good to see you made it to the city. So how’d you like it?”
“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.”
“Dunno. She must’ve walked in while you were talking.”
“Until later, Miss Erin.”
“What does it look like, Human?”
“But can we negotiate? I mean, how about two gold coins? What’s the price of the flour? If I pay you—”
“Hey Relc. I hear there’s a Human wandering around the city.”
“Um. Erin something. Sol? Solace? It was something like that. Erin Solace? Did he mention anything else about her?”
“Stupid Humans.”
“Oh, bite me.”
“That looks heavy. Here, let me carry it for you.”
“Can I get you anything? What are you looking for?”
“Oh, I’m looking for food. Lots of it.”
“It’s right there on the sign.”
“I know!”
“Disgusting. Let’s go eat some meat.”
“No. I’m fine.”
“Anything else?”
“Okay. I’ll buy it all.”
“That’s her.”
“But I’d like some. Butter, that is.”
“Um. Those sausages. How much do they cost?”
“Here. Your food. Take it.”
“How many?”
“Oh come on. Please?”
“I’m going to sleep.”
“And, uh, I’d like some oil too. Do you have another jar…?”
“Well, if I’ve got enough, I’d like to buy a few of those. And some onions.”
“I can take the bag now.”
“Well, what are you seeking?”
“You sure? I can carry it in—”
“Um. I’m looking for a few things, actually. Uh, do you have any butter?”
“I’m sure.”
“Where?”
“I’m—I’ll just look around if that’s okay.”
“Finally.”
“Ah. Ow.”
“Right. Thanks.”
“Agreed.”
“Oh.”
“Fine.”
“No, I’ll just wander around and—look. Thank you.”
“Sorry. Sorry.”
“Oh. Great.”
“Um. I—”
“Thanks.”
“Sorry.”
“It is.”
“Not sure.”
“Thanks. Good night.”
“Hi. Is this a food shop?”
“Oh, okay.”
“True.”
“It’s fine.”
“Oh, um. I'm just looking.”
“Okay.”
“Ow. Ow!”
“Good, good.”
“Ow.”
“So.”
“So.”