Inscribing...
Inscribing...
Chapter 1.17
Erin Solstice travels to the market in Liscor to confront Lism, the Drake shopkeeper who overcharged her. Their public argument escalates into a high-stakes wager over a game of chess. Lism reveals his champion will be his nephew Olesm, a high-leveled [Tactician], just as members of the City Watch arrive.
Erin Solstice makes her way into the city of Liscor, heading for the central market. Her goal is to confront the purple-scaled Drake shopkeeper who had previously cheated her by overcharging for basic supplies. After getting directions, she finds his stall, which sells finely carved goods, including an expensive chess set.
Erin immediately and loudly confronts the shopkeeper, whose name is revealed to be Lism. She accuses him of being a jerk and demands her money back. Lism dismisses her claims, stating that their transaction was final and threatens to call The Watch. Their argument attracts a crowd of onlookers, including a concerned Gnoll shopkeeper who quietly tries to warn Erin that Lism is known for being unscrupulous.
To settle the matter and humiliate Erin, Lism proposes a wager: a game of chess. If Erin wins, he will refund her money and give her the expensive chess set from his stall. If she loses, she will owe him ten gold coins. Despite the high stakes and the Gnoll's warnings, Erin confidently accepts the challenge.
Lism then reveals he will not be playing himself. He calls over his nephew, a polite blue-scaled Drake named Olesm, who is revealed to be the highest-leveled [Tactician] in Liscor, a class granting a significant strategic advantage. As the crowd, including a fascinated Antinium sweeper, gathers to watch, Relc and Klbkch of the City Watch arrive, drawn by the commotion over the unfair wager.
Erin travels to the market in Liscor and publicly accuses the shopkeeper, Lism, of ripping her off. Their argument escalates, drawing the attention of other shoppers and merchants.
To settle their dispute, Lism proposes a bet on a game of chess. If Erin wins she gets her money back plus an expensive chess set, but if she loses, she owes him ten gold coins. Erin accepts the wager.
The market that Selys told Erin about, where Erin hopes to find supplies.
aka the market, Liscor Market +1
A belligerent Drake shopkeeper in the Liscor market who cheats Erin.
aka The Drake shopkeeper, The Drake +3
A class that grants its user Skills related to strategy, giving them a significant advantage in games like chess.
aka [Tactician], [Tacticians]
Lism reveals he won't be playing, instead introducing his nephew, Olesm. It is announced that Olesm is a high-level [Tactician], a class that gives him a powerful advantage in strategic games.
Just as the chess match is about to begin, Relc and Klbkch arrive at the scene. They were alerted to the commotion surrounding the unfair wager being placed on a Human.
A city adjacent to the Floodplains, culturally aligned with Drakes and not friendly to Humans.
aka City of Liscor, the city +4
Small flies with fat, glowing green abdomens that burst into corrosive liquid when ruptured.
aka acid fly, glowing green flies +4
An Antinium Senior Guardsman in the city’s watch; arrives at Erin’s door and greets her.
aka Senior Guardsman Klbkch, ant-man +13
An Antinium street sweeper who shows a keen interest in Erin's chess game while working in the market.
A class held by merchants who run stalls or stores.
aka [Shopkeeper], [Shopkeepers]
Local armed watchmen; Klbkch and Relc are members and present at Erin's table examining her injury.
aka the Watch, guards +18
A female Drake shopkeeper who kindly directs Erin to Lism's stall in the market.
A species of which Erin Solstice is a member.
aka Humans, smooth skin +3
A species of large, sentient insectoid people; one arrives at Erin’s door with a companion.
aka giant insect, Ants +19
A class of city guards.
aka Guard, [Guards] +9
A guardsman referenced by a rookie as likely getting punishment duty for breaking windows.
aka Guardsman Relc, Senior Guardsman Relc +5
A kind, tall female Gnoll shopkeeper who shows concern for Erin and tries to warn her about Lism's unfair wager.
aka the super-tall Gnoll woman
A species of tall, bipedal hyena-like humanoids covered in fur.
aka hyena-people, dog-people +8
“Fuck you.”
“Oh hey, it is! It’s just like—I mean, the pieces are different, but it’s chess, it is!”
“Because I’m going to win.”
“A bag of flour, one pot of oil, a small bag of salt, sugar, yeast, four sausages, and two onions.”
“Respect? I have tons of respect. Just for anyone who's not you.”
“Oh, right. It does say that, doesn’t it? Too bad I can’t read. But I do remember you had your prices listed as well, didn’t you?”
“I want my money back. I’ll give you a few silver coins for what I paid, but I’m not leaving here until you give me my money. Now, we can do this the hard way and call a bunch of people over and you can lose all your business for the day, or you can give my money back and I’ll—hey, is that a chess board?”
“It’s a chess board made out of wood. Unless it’s made out of gold—which it’s not—it’s about as expensive as that food you sold me. So I guess you’re selling this for three gold coins, too?”
“I don’t think she gets it. Humans are kinda slow. You explain the [Tactician] bit to her.”
+119 more quotes →“Don’t worry, don’t worry. I’m having a blast. I just think fast about my next move, that’s all.”