Lorelumping...
Lorelumping...
Chapter 1.37
A human merchant arrives in Liscor, highlighting the city's strategic importance for trade across Izril. Meanwhile, Erin and Gazi visit the Adventurer's Guild, where Gazi reveals her identity as a Half-Gazer and a legendary Named-rank adventurer. Deep within the hive, the Antinium Queen names Ksmvr and tasks him with hunting rogue Aberrations.
An Unnamed Human Merchant, introducing himself as Goeln of Goeln's Caravans, arrived in Liscor. He engaged in conversation with a local Unnamed Drake Trader, discussing the perils and geography of moving goods between northern and southern Izril. Their discussion highlighted Liscor's strategic importance as a chokepoint, as well as the immense dangers posed by the High Passes, the Bloodfields, and roaming monsters when traveling to destinations like Pallass or Hectval.
Meanwhile, Erin Solstice and Gazi navigated the streets of Liscor, making their way to the Adventurer's Guild. Gazi's heavily armored and imposing presence drew significant attention from the locals. Once inside the Guild, they approached the front desk where Selys was working. There, Gazi finally removed her helmet, exposing her face and revealing herself to be a Half-Gazer, a rare hybrid species possessing multiple magical eyes.
The unmasking brought Gazi's true identity to light. She was recognized not only as a Named-rank adventurer but as a figure of living legend. Gazi was revealed to be one of "The Seven," an elite cadre of immensely powerful vassals who serve the infamous King of Destruction. Her sudden appearance in a relatively quiet city like Liscor left the Guild stunned.
Elsewhere, deep within the subterranean hive, the Antinium Queen held an audience with one of her Prognugators. During this meeting, the Queen officially bestowed the name Ksmvr upon him. She tasked Ksmvr with managing the Antinium's affairs on the surface and assigned him the critical mission of hunting down dangerous rogue Antinium known as Aberrations.
An unnamed Human merchant named Goeln arrives in Liscor and discusses dangerous trade routes with a local Drake trader.
Erin and Gazi travel through the streets of Liscor to the Adventurer's Guild, drawing attention along the way.
An unnamed Human merchant running goods from the north through Liscor to the Drake cities.
aka the Human
An incredibly famous and powerful half-Gazer adventurer exploring northern Izril.
aka Gazi, the female adventurer +7
A friendly and helpful Drake who works as a receptionist at the Adventurer's Guild in Liscor.
aka the female receptionist, the she-Drake +10
At the Adventurer's Guild, Gazi removes her helmet in front of Selys, revealing she is a Half-Gazer.
Gazi is recognized as a Named-rank adventurer and one of 'The Seven', an elite group serving the King of Destruction.
The Antinium Queen officially names Prognugator Ksmvr and orders him to manage surface affairs and hunt Aberrations.
A guild hall in Liscor where adventurers gather, accept quests, and turn in bounties.
aka the Guild
A System class focused on wilderness survival and scouting.
aka [Ranger]
A dangerous type of spider creature that lives in nests.
aka Shield Spiders, spiders +2
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 +27
An Antinium Prognugator tasked by the Queen with handling surface affairs and hunting down Aberrations.
aka Prognugator
An elite classification for the most powerful and famous adventurers in the world.
A higher rank of Adventuring team.
aka Silver
A local Drake [Trader] who chats with passing merchants.
aka the Drake
A large geographical region, possibly a continent.
aka the north, the south +1
A class focused on running inns, hospitality, and tending to guests and establishments.
aka [Innkeeper], Innkeeper (class) +5
A System class for carrying heavy loads.
aka [Porters]
A class that can be gained by repeated farming actions; anecdote given about someone gaining four Farmer levels by growing many carrots.
aka [Farmer], Farmers
A rare hybrid species possessing multiple magical eyes.
aka Gazer, the half-Gazer
A class for merchants and those involved in commerce.
aka [Traders], [Trader]
The local guarding and policing force of Celum.
aka The Watch, the guard +5
A System class for those who buy and sell goods.
aka [Merchant], [Merchants]
The leader of the Antinium Hive, to whom Klbkch plans to report his findings about the unique human, Erin Solstice.
aka The Queen, Free Queen +6
“What?”
“Not a lot of business in Liscor these days, huh? Is this route even worth it?”
“The Bloodfields run? It's not something I'd do often, but I have a bunch of ore from Esthelm and Invrisil's latest fads. It'll be gold for copper—if the Bloodfields are quiet. I'm bound straight for either Hectval to unload the ore or, if they don't want what I'm selling, Pallass' steelworks.”
“Anyone coming up north?”
“Not much call for trade overland. The only one I could think who'd even make the journey is…the Silver Trader. I heard she might be heading north, because of her family.”
“Oh? Isn't she from one of your [Lord]-type families?”
“Mhm. Well, that's all I need. Can you load them in my wagons?”
“Sure, I'll call some [Laborers] over. Hey! I need eight…”
“Erin! Thank goodness you're okay!”
“…Erin? What's going on?”
“Hi, Selys. Um, I'm here to collect a bounty? That's how it works, right?”
“Bounty…?”
“Oh, of course! You can turn in—you have a bounty?”
“Yep.”
“Is it…Goblin ears?”
“No…I think they're called Shield Spiders. Is that right?”
“Shield Spiders? Erin, that's not a good—you're mistaken. Or is this some kind of joke? You can't be serious.”
“No, really. There's a cart of them outside. I didn't count how many but—”
“Shield Spiders?”
“Uh, yeah.”
“You. Killed them.”
“Yeah.”
“You. Erin Solstice. Killed Shield Spiders.”
“Look, they're right outside. I can go get one if you want.”
“Shield Spiders?”
“They're piled up in a cart. I saw them—over sixteen adults, dead and covered in soot. The Watch is trying to get some Workers to unload them, but there's a huge crowd in the way, and the Workers don't want to do it.”
“How? Did an adventurer do it? It can't have been just you.”
“I totally did it by myself. I burned their entire nest. With wood. And fire.”
“Fine work. I've never seen you around the Guild before. Are you one of the Humans from up north?”
“What? No. I'm not an adventurer. I'm an [Innkeeper].”
“How did you—you know they swarm over anyone that falls into their nest and tear them apart, right?”
“They did that swarming thing—you know, where all of them climb up at once? Wasn't fun.”
“Okay. Okay, I guess—I'll have to inspect them. And then we'll need to weigh the bodies. It'll take all day probably, but if you sign for them, I'll have your bounty waiting later.”
“Do I have to find a place to get rid of them after you're done? Because I really don't want to have to dig a hole, and the nest is far away.”
“No—we'll definitely take them. Do you even know how valuable Shield Spider bodies are? With the right skills, a [Blacksmith] could create shields, armor…”
“Really? So the bounty—”
“Four pieces of silver on average per Shield Spider slain, but we'll pay you more for their bodies. Especially for the bodies.”
“I don't want them. But you might have a tough time getting them down. None of the Workers want to go near them.”
“The Antinium hate spiders. No wonder the Workers are freaking out. I'll have a few [Porters] do the work instead.”
“Erin, how did you kill a nest of Shield Spiders? Even if you burned them, most adventurers would rather run than pick a fight with a Shield Spider if they're not Silver-rank or higher.”
“Really? They're that tough?”
“Incredibly. Steel blades can't even crack their shells.”
“Well, she cut one in half.”
“Oh. Excuse me.”
“U-um. You wouldn't happen to be—I mean, are you…?”
“I am Gazi of Reim.”
“The King of Destruction's vassal.”
“Now that's creepy.”
“Don't be rude!”
“Erin, how do you know her?”
“Gazi?”
“You're calling her by her first name?”
“She has a last name?”
“Pathseeker! And it's Adventurer Pathseeker! That's how you should be addressing her. Or Gazi of Reim. Or…Gazi the Omniscient! That's her nickname!”
“That's confusing. She's got three different titles? That last one's sorta cool, I guess.”
“Erin! She's a really, really important person! I could lose my job if I make her mad!”
“Really?”
“Gazi the Omniscient. That's what they call her in other continents. She's rumored to be over Level 40.”
“Um. Wow…?”
“Erin! How are you not impressed?”
“Well, isn't Relc level thirty-something? That's only a difference of ten levels, right?”
“Erin, she's a famous adventurer! You know; the kind people write down if they make a list of the top one hundred adventurers in the world!”
“Oh.”
“Don't you get it? There might be more powerful adventurers, but few of them have ever visited Liscor. And she knows you. Did she save you from the Shield Spiders?”
“No, she only cut one of them apart. But she lent me money to hire the wagon to bring them into the city.”
“She lent you money!?”
“Yeah, and I'll pay her back, so stop grabbing my shirt, Selys. Look, she just seemed interested in me, but I don't know her that well. But why do you think—”
“Oh Ancestors! She's coming this way!”
“I fear we must part ways for a time, Erin Solstice. I must greet the master of this guild and the local ruling body. But I hope I may visit you at your inn for your promised meal.”
“Sure thing. I'm going back to my inn right away, so you can come over whenever works best.”
“That may be slightly difficult at the moment.”
“Hey! Clear the way!”
“You lot are causing a disturbance! Clear the street I said! Move it!”
“What's going on? What's happening?”
“Oh no. He's picking a fight with the adventurers! That idiot!”
“Ah. A warrior among civilians. A rare sight in peaceful Izril.”
“Hey, you're supposed to be strong, aren't you?”
“Why don't you help him? It's six against one.”
“I do not fight with my fists. If I draw my sword—people die. I would prefer not to.”
“Besides—he is not the one who needs help.”
“He always does this. There's going to be a huge mess because of this, and he's probably hurt a lot of them badly enough for healing potions!”
“I thought—he's just a guardsman, right? How is Relc tossing those adventurer guys like flies?”
“He is over Level 30 in the [Spearmaster] class. That would be enough. The highest level among the adventurers is Level 21—the one he has just knocked unconscious. A [Spearmaster] is not an equal to a mere [Warrior], regardless of levels.”
“If we're just talking about active members of the city guards—then he's the strongest on the continent, by far. Perhaps the world.”
“The world. As in…all of it?”
“Most people of his level, well, they either become adventurers, personal bodyguards, or soldiers. Being a city guard doesn't pay much, but Relc likes it. Probably because it's so easy.”
“But Klbkch—”
“He was a Senior Guardsman too, wasn't he? So weren't Relc and Klb the same level?”
“Klbkch was the fourth highest-level guardsman in the city. In terms of strength, though, he was probably second to Relc. He was the Slayer, but during the war—look, Erin, both had more levels in other classes, which is why they're so tough, understand? But even Klbkch was ten levels behind Relc.”
“Which is a lot, I get it. But how'd Relc get so strong?”
“He was in the army. But he quit to become a guardsman. Thanks to him, we haven't had to worry about monster attacks for a long while. I'm not sure why Relc quit, though. He was famous as a soldier too.”
“Many have reasons to leave war. I, too, was a soldier once. As I am sure many know. But I left my position to become an adventurer. It is only worth being a soldier if one has a cause to fight for, a leader to follow, and a reason not to die.”
“It is hard to understand, I suppose. But I believe your friend Relc enjoys the quieter moments. Anyone can tire of war. Believe me.”
“Even a street-fight against a dozen guys? Have you done that before?”
“Many times. That is quite restful compared to war.”
“Well, I have not lacked for entertainment since travelling to these lands. I will seek lodgings within the city, then. Good day to you, Erin Solstice. We shall meet again.”
“Oh? You're so sure?”
“I foresee it.”
“I can't believe that just happened.”
“I shook her hand. And when she looked at me—it was like she knew my thoughts. The King of Destruction's vassal. Here. No one's going to believe I met her.”
“Amazing.”
“What an incredible experience.”
“We're not dead. I mean—the King of Destruction's asleep. But that was—do you think any of the other Seven are here? The Architect? The Lord of the Skies?”
“No, we'd have heard of it. One is bad enough. Two? I bet the Walled Cities would be escorting them everywhere with an army.”
“Unbelievable.”
“Eh.”
“Eh?”
“I wasn't too blown away by her. She's got that 'mysterious aura' vibe going on, but it's all because of her eye, right? I remember seeing this street magician—David Blaine. You ever see—?”
“You are an amazing Human, Erin. Or an oblivious one. Does nothing faze you?”
“Lots of things.”
“Why are you all so impressed to see her anyways? She said she was a wanderer.”
“Yeah, but to see her so far from her home continent—I suppose she really is done with war.”
“I wonder what she's doing away from…? I mean, Chandrar's still her continent.”
“I hear she goes through continents looking for challenges. But to come this far—is it because of the new ruins?”
“Perhaps, but how'd she get word of them so soon? Unless—do you think she was heading to the north already? Terandria, overland? Maybe join in a war as a [Mercenary]?”
“Doubtful. Adventurers don't like wars, even the former soldiers. It'd take something truly great to get her to go back to being a soldier. And hey—where'd the Human go?”
“Erin!”
“Uh, hi there.”
“Oh—hello! Can we help you, miss?”
“I'm sorry to interrupt. It's just—I haven't seen any Humans in a while.”
“It's a surprise to see anyone but an adventurer or a fellow [Trader] in Liscor. You're a native here?”
“Something like that. I thought I was the only Human around here, but suddenly…here you all are.”
“Ah, well, I'm headed past here, south. On business—Merchant Goeln, a pleasure. Goeln's Caravans. But I had to see these new ruins before I went off.”
“Cervial Dermondy, adventurer. Captain of the Flawless Flights, a Silver-rank team. I'm a [Ranger] by trade, scouting out these new ruins that were just discovered. Pleased to meet you, Miss…?”
“Erin Solstice, um, [Innkeeper]. Mind…mind if I sit?”
“Oh, of course.”
“It's nice to know that there are some Humans living around here. I've been dealing with stubborn Gnolls and haughty Drakes all day.”
“I swear, they've raised prices just because they knew we were coming. No love towards us Humans, and the local Watch has been picking fights with the adventurers all week. To make matters worse, it seems there's a Human [Thief] that came in with one of the caravans.”
“Really?”
“Of course, it could be a local Drake or Gnoll, but of course, we Humans get the blame until the culprit is found. Lousy lizards and their damn suspicions.”
“Hey, do you know anything about that new adventurer? Gazi?”
“She was getting a lot of attention this morning. She's, um, she looks sort of Human, but she's got one big eye in her head and four small ones…”
“A Gazer? Gazi? Do you mean…Gazi the Omniscient?”
“She's a famous adventurer, but that's all I know—”
“Gazi the Omniscient is in Liscor? I thought I saw a Gazer, but I didn't dare believe it was her—dead gods, and I missed her?”
“Adventurer Gazi? I almost missed—did you call her 'Gazi'?”
“Well, yeah—”
“Put some respect on her name! Adventurer Gazi at least—she's a Named-rank adventurer!”
“I, uh…yeah. She's here, and I met her on the road. Long story. Is it—is it bad I invited her to my inn?”
“You have an inn? Here? Really?”
“Yep. Well, it's small, and I just started—it's just a few miles outside the city.”
“Really?”
“If you've got room in your inn, I'd be glad to pay for lodging. It'd be a nice change to see some Human faces rather than all the scales and fur around here. Not to mention the smell! All these non-Humans really don't know how to wash properly, do they?”
“I'd love rooms too; my team's just here for reconnaissance, but if we come back, a good, friendly inn would be lovely.”
“Oh. Um, well…I'd love to have you over. But, ah—the upper floors are still under repairs, I'm afraid.”
“What was the problem? If it's simple repairs, I could introduce you to some skilled craftsmen…”
“No—no need. I'm working on it. It's just that we had a very bad incident with disappearing skeletons. And—I should get back there to make sure more aren't missing.”
“Disappearing skeletons…?”
“Humans in Liscor? They come seeking the ruins, no doubt, to unearth treasures and seek their fortunes. Good. As for Gazi the Omniscient…she is dangerous. But not a threat to the Hives. She may still be a forerunner of what we desire. Post Listeners on her, but do not gainsay her in any way.”
“Yes, my Queen.”
“Such matters are inconvenient, especially at a time like this. Deal with the Council until I have finished. I must not be disturbed at any cost. To complete the project so quickly necessitates all of my attention. Is that clear?”
“Entirely, my Queen. I will handle all of your affairs with those not of the Hive.”
“Good. And investigate the Aberration while you are upon the surface. If he is truly Individual, I would speak to him afterwards. If he is not—”
“I will dispose of any Aberrations I find, my Queen. Worry not.”
“I will place my trust in you. Go, then, my Prognugator.”
“Go. Ensure that Human does not bring about further ruin. Protect the Hive and carry out my will. Go and do this in my name…”
“Ksmvr.”