Mythologizing...
Mythologizing...
Chapter 1.13
Relc attempts to solve Erin's Goblin problem by delivering two severed heads, which horrifies her. After she buries the bodies, the vengeful Goblin Chieftain marks her for death. Trapped in her inn, Erin's despair turns into a cold resolve to fight as the Chieftain breaks down her door.
The chapter begins with Relc arriving at The Wandering Inn, cheerful and eager to share good news with Erin Solstice. He proudly presents her with a “gift”: the severed heads of a Slain Male Goblin and a Slain Female Goblin, whom he killed to protect her. Erin reacts not with gratitude but with silent, abject horror, causing the confused Relc to retreat.
Deeply traumatized, Erin takes the heads and ventures outside to find the Goblins' decapitated bodies on a nearby hill. Overcome with a sense of responsibility and sorrow, she digs a grave with her bare hands and gives the two Goblins a proper burial. Unbeknownst to her, her actions are being watched from another hill by the Goblin Chieftain.
The Chieftain misinterprets her act as a final desecration and declares vengeance, vowing “blood for blood.” Erin soon realizes she is being hunted as the Goblin Tribe begins to close in on her position. She sprints back to The Wandering Inn, barely making it inside before barricading the door.
Trapped and surrounded, Erin falls into despair, seeing her situation as a 'Checkmate'. However, as she contemplates the finality of the term, her perspective shifts from resignation to defiance. Her fear is replaced by a cold, focused calm as she resolves to fight for her life. The chapter ends as the Goblin Chieftain smashes through the inn's front door, ready for a final confrontation.
Relc arrives at The Wandering Inn and presents Erin Solstice with the severed heads of a Slain Male Goblin and Slain Female Goblin, believing he has solved her problem. Erin reacts with horror, and a confused Relc departs.
Deeply disturbed, Erin Solstice takes the heads, finds the decapitated bodies on a hill, and gives the two Goblins a respectful burial.
A young woman from Earth who stumbles into a fantasy world and takes refuge in an abandoned inn.
aka Erin, the traveller +38
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 chess term Erin uses to conceptualize her impending death, which she then questions, leading her to formulate a plan to survive.
aka check
The Goblin Chieftain witnesses Erin at the gravesite and, misinterpreting her actions, declares a blood vendetta against her. The Goblin Tribe begins to actively hunt her down.
Realizing she is being hunted, Erin flees back to The Wandering Inn, pursued by the Goblin Tribe. She manages to get inside and barricade the door just in time.
Trapped and facing certain death, Erin contemplates the concept of 'Checkmate'. Instead of accepting defeat, her despair hardens into a cold resolve to fight for her survival.
The Goblin Chieftain reaches the inn and smashes through the barricaded door, bringing the fight directly to Erin.
A leadership class common among Goblin tribes, granting authority and advanced capabilities.
aka [Chieftain], The Chieftain +7
A guardsman referenced by a rookie as likely getting punishment duty for breaking windows.
aka Guardsman Relc, Senior Guardsman Relc +6
A male Goblin killed and decapitated by Relc, whose body and head are later given a burial by Erin.
aka one of the bodies, the male Goblin’s body
Small flies with fat, glowing green abdomens that burst into corrosive liquid when ruptured.
aka acid fly, glowing green flies +3
A female Goblin killed and decapitated by Relc, whose body and head are later given a burial by Erin.
aka one of the bodies
A tribe of Goblins living in a hidden cave near The Wandering Inn.
aka the Goblin tribe, Goblin Tribe (The Wandering Inn) +2
Small green humanoids with red eyes and sharp teeth that chased and slashed at Erin.
aka Goblins, little green things +7
“I truly hate this world.”
“I don’t want to kill you.”
“Knight to D4. Pawn to E3.”
“It’s all just a game.”
“Checkmate.”
“I’ll think. I’ll think for once about it.”
“I didn’t kill them.”
“Checkmate.”
“I didn’t kill them, but it doesn’t matter.”
“——!”
“If only it were dying.”
“I can’t do it.”
“——————!”
“Checkmate.”
“Oh Father who art in Heaven…”
“——? ——. ————!”
“——————? ——?”
“Sorry about that, Miss Erin. You see, I was just disposing of the Goblins. Call it me making up for yesterday. But now that they’re gone, the others should leave you alone, especially once I set these up around the inn. Uh, do you have any sticks? I need some sticks or something.”
“Hey Erin, I’ve just taken care of your Goblin problem for you! Took all damn night, but that’s how much I wanted to apologize. See?”
“Good morning, Miss Human! It’s me, your favorite [Guardsman]! And how are you doing this fine morning?”
“Who the hell—oh. It’s you.”