Unraveling...
Unraveling...
Chapter 1.41
Erin discovers The Wandering Inn has been ransacked and travels to Liscor to buy weapons. Finding real weapons too expensive, she buys acid jars for defense, and Pisces animates a Level 1 Skeleton Warrior to guard the inn.
Erin Solstice returned to The Wandering Inn to find that a thief had broken in and ransacked her belongings. Realizing her vulnerability, she decided she needed proper weapons and security to protect herself and her business.
She traveled to Liscor and visited the Adventurer's Guild, where she encountered Selys and a yellow-scaled Drake adventurer named Ylss, who loudly complained about the Guild's low payout rates for monster parts. Seeking armament, Erin went to a weapon shop run by a burly Gnoll Shopkeeper. She inquired about purchasing a sword or a high-quality crossbow from Noelictus but quickly discovered that real weapons were entirely outside her budget. Needing an affordable defensive alternative, Erin purchased acid jars—makeshift grenades filled with harvested Acid Fly juice.
Meanwhile, Rags navigated her own survival challenges as she dealt with her Goblin tribe and the Chieftain.
Back at The Wandering Inn, Erin discussed her security problem with Pisces. The Necromancer offered an unorthodox solution by animating a skeleton to serve as a permanent guard. Surprisingly, upon its creation, the undead minion immediately gained a class and became an Unnamed, Level 1 Skeleton Warrior. Pisces assigned the skeleton to protect Erin, providing The Wandering Inn with a tireless new defender.
Erin Solstice returns to her inn to discover that a thief has broken in and ransacked her belongings.
Seeking protection, Erin visits a Gnoll Shopkeeper in Liscor but finds swords and crossbows too expensive. Instead, she settles for purchasing acid jars.
Jars filled with harvested Acid Fly juice used as makeshift grenades.
aka jar of Acid Fly juice, glass jar +1
A young woman from Earth who stumbles into a fantasy world and takes refuge in an abandoned inn.as
aka Erin, the traveller +64
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
Pisces provides Erin with security by animating a skeleton to guard the inn. Upon its creation, the skeleton surprisingly gains a class and levels up into a Level 1 Skeleton Warrior.
A small, child-like Goblin who attacks Erin out of grief and is spared by her.
aka Ragged Goblin, Littlest Goblin +16
A spell that renders the caster unseen.
aka Invisibility spell, Invisibility Spell +2
A species of which Erin Solstice is a member.
aka Humans, smooth skin +4
A sapient reptilian species dominant in regions south of Liscor, generally unfriendly to Humans.
aka lizards, giant lizards +3
A species of tall, bipedal hyena-like humanoids covered in fur.
aka hyena-people, dog-people +8
A leadership class common among Goblin tribes, granting authority and advanced capabilities.
aka [Chieftain], The Chieftain +8
A burly Gnoll who runs a weapon shop in Liscor.
aka burly Gnoll, Gnoll shopkeeper +1
A friendly and helpful Drake who works as a receptionist at the Adventurer's Guild in Liscor.
aka the female receptionist, the she-Drake +14
A yellow-scaled senior Drake adventurer who complains about the Guild's payout rates.
aka senior Drake adventurer
A class held by merchants who run stalls or stores.
aka [Shopkeeper], [Shopkeepers]
A receptionist is a class responsible for greeting visitors and providing information, exemplified by Selys at the Adventurer's Guild.
aka The female receptionist, The receptionist +3
A Human mage from Wistram Academy, specialized in Elementalist and Illusionary schools, who admits to necromancy.
aka the mage, Mister Mage +35
Small green humanoids with red eyes and sharp teeth that chased and slashed at Erin.
aka Goblins, little green things +16
A skill that grants a minor increase in physical strength.
aka [Skill – Lesser Strength obtained!], [Lesser Strength]
A city adjacent to the Floodplains, culturally aligned with Drakes and not friendly to Humans.
aka City of Liscor, the city +8
A newly discovered ancient dungeon near Liscor.
aka ancient dungeon, the Ruins +13
An organization that records and combats monstrous threats.
aka Guild, Adventurer's Guilds +3
“Skeleton repairs. That’s how they get you every time.”
“For you, two gold coins and three silver.”
“I guess—well, yeah, anyone in armor wouldn’t be killed by a few arrows. But crossbows and longbows can pierce that stuff, right? But longbows—”
“Why didn’t you hide it better? Or put it under lock and key?”
“Suit yourself. Here’s a good shop the adventurers talk about.”
“But they didn’t even steal anything important. Some food and a few coins—”
“That’s expensive. But it is good craftsmanship.”
“Okay, how about a shield? A, uh, buckler? Is that what they’re called?”
“Well, I guess I could return these things.”
“Erin, you really couldn’t. I had to take [Soldier] training—every Liscorian citizen has to be at least Level 1 for the army. Plus, my grandmother and my uncle gave me lessons. You’re good in a fight, but no soldier.”
“This is a terrible idea, you’ll see.”
“You know what this is, right?”
“That’s a joke, right, Selys?”
“Erin, are you going already?”
“Fine steel. You will not find better in the city.”
“Dangerous stuff. And I don’t want it. But what if I gave you some smaller jars? You could sort of throw this stuff at people, right? Not on Shield Spiders, though. It doesn’t really work on them. But other things—yeah. What do you think?”
“So let me get this straight. You don’t mind monsters attacking you, but the instant someone steals from your inn, you want protection?”
“It’s too small. Look, you need a larger shield if you really want to equip yourself. Which I still don’t recommend, by the way. And even if you have both, you’re not a trained warrior, Erin. I could beat you, and I don’t even practice.”
“Affordable, competent protection that needs neither sleep nor sustenance. I would say it is you who should be tendering your gratitude to me, Erin.”
“That’s because Human adventurers go out and fight monsters instead of their city Watch. If you want to negotiate prices, go slay a Shield Spider nest yourself. Erin here—”
“I’m looking for a weapon.”
“Is it not what you’ve been seeking?”
“You don’t want the sword?”
“Carry this. And follow me.”
“A bribe? For who? Who’d use something as small as—wait. You’re not thinking of—Erin! No!”
“And why is it here?”
“One gold coin and three silver coins!”
“They’ll stab you in the back when you’re asleep!”
“You’re lucky I don’t throw acid on your face.”
“The Guild won’t listen, and the council won’t either. But I’ve been talking to the Human adventurers, and they say their guilds pay them far better than ours does.”
“It is a competent warrior that will fight for you. And I do believe that is what you need, unless I am completely in error.”
“Stay there. And don’t steal the sword or I’ll flatten you, got it?”
“I get it. Small arms and small bows, right? Size does matter. Too bad you don’t have any crossbows.”
“Whatever you wish. It will obey any command you give it, but, ah, its capacity for thought is quite limited at the moment. That may improve with time. I have made several improvements over the traditional undead animation spells—”
“You could have gotten a far better deal selling the spiders’ bodies elsewhere. Probably half again as much, especially if you went right to the right merchants. The Guild charges far too much for its service.”
“They are pricier than a cheap bow, Miss Solstice, due to how they are made. Especially good ones from the House of Minos or Noelictus. For what you have, an ordinary crossbow is possibly out of reach, let alone an enchanted one.”
“You know buying a sword won’t immediately give you any classes? You need weeks—months of practice before you’ll learn any Skills. And I wouldn’t try swinging it around by yourself Erin, I really wouldn’t.”
“Why not? They’re cheap, I know them personally, and they live around my inn.”
“No, it’s a great idea. You’ll see. And I could beat you in a fight, Selys. No offense.”
“Look. It’s really simple, okay? I’ll give you these weapons and feed you guys as much as you want. In return, you guard my inn. Keep thieves and monsters away. It’s not a bad deal, right?”
“Swords are expensive, Miss Solstice. And I am—regrettably—short on funding at the moment. Surely you could afford to equip your new bodyguard yourself?”
“And this wouldn’t happen to be a body belonging to anyone in Liscor, would it? But no—it’s a Human skeleton. Except—”
“But they are good for amateurs. I do not stock them, but Drake cities make use of them. We Gnolls—less so.”
“Deal. But like I said, these aren’t for me. They’re a gift. Or maybe a bribe.”
“To protect you, of course. And to pay off my considerable tab.”
“Of course. I attuned it to you already. This skeleton will obey all commands and faithfully guard you and your possessions. Give it a command and see.”
“We do not sell many bucklers. I will sell both for four gold coins, Erin Solstice, so long as you promise not to use either without first being instructed.”
“Fighting in a huge mob just doesn’t seem that smart is all I’m saying. But what if you all had bows or something?”
“I’ve got an idea that’ll help us both out. And I’ll give you the sword and buckler, okay? I’ll put it on your tab.”
“The Guild pays a good rate for monster parts! If you’ve got a problem, Ylss, take it up with the guild master—or the council.”
“For a friend of Krshia, I will do my best to oblige you, yes? Do you fight with any weapon besides your hands, Erin Solstice?”
“I have heard your repeated complaints about inadequate protection. And when I noticed the, ah, state your inn was in this morning—”
“Hey, you didn’t rob a bunch of graves for this, did you, Pisces? Because if you did—hello?”
“That was most unkind to a faithful patron, good Mistress.”
“It is a skeleton. An undead, animated skeleton to be precise.”
“They haven’t done it so far. Besides, these are the good ones. Well, sort of good. I already feed them.”
“Please, Erin. I am only acting in your best interests—and mine. Consider this undead warrior.”
“For eight silver coins a day per adventurer? And that’s for the lowest-level ones, right? No thank you.”
“I’ll sell you these acid jars, and you can pay me, okay?”
“If it’s some kind of warrior, shouldn’t it at least have a sword?”
“The spell will not wear out. The body might in the course of normal combat though, it is true. I would be happy to repair any damage done for a nominal fee—”
“Okay, fine. You’ve given me a pet skeleton. What does it do, exactly? Besides fight and scare me to death, that is?”
“Well—you could be tactical about it, couldn’t you? What if I got you a bow and arrow? That might be better than running around in a huge mob like you guys do.”
“Sure, sure. I’ll just spend it on important stuff. Like—fancy dust rags! Or alcohol! Or…a dress?”
“See this? This entire floor. Clean it. Clean the floor, the walls, and the windows. Don’t stop until you’re finished!”
“I made it so it would only obey you. Call it off or I’ll have to dismantle it.”
“I’m not too sure a dagger would help against most of the monsters I see wandering around my inn.”
“I don’t have a lock. Or a key!”
“I assumed my explanation would quell any questions you had.”
“Don’t attack him. Unless I tell you to. Understand?”
“And this is supposed to pay off your tab? All the gold you owe me?”
“I suppose a full repayment of my debts and some credit towards the future would not be too much to ask?”
“I know what I’m doing, Selys. Anyways, it’s not for myself. How much for both?”
“So it’s a special undead skeleton monster. Wonderful. And what happens if it breaks or goes nuts?”
“Why? Is it because there aren’t enough of you?”
“Not I. The culprit had already departed when I arrived.”
“I can’t shoot arrows well. I’d like a crossbow. Would anyone sell them for…”
“It’s for me? What, does it obey orders?”
“You don’t have to buy a weapon, you know. I keep telling you our adventurers will guard your inn.”
“Why did you think this was a good idea, Pisces?”
“Okay, let’s say I accept this. Won’t the Watch get mad?”
“Just don’t spend it all in one place, okay, Erin?”
“Scrub harder there. No—don’t move the rag like that. A smooth, circular motion. Like this. See?”
“How about a weapon? You could probably afford a good one with that much money.”
“We can buy a vault or an enchanted lock and key if you want. I know a good shop—”
“Um. No. No…in fact, I’ve never held anything larger than a knife.”
“We have many weapons for beginners and self-defense, yes? Daggers, clubs…these weapons would be best.”
“…How about a crossbow? Do you have one of those?”
“Do you have any good short swords? Is that a shortsword? It looks short.”
“Life is tough, huh?”
“Okay, you want the sword. But you don’t want to guard.”
“I said, come in.”
“Erin, those fire once. Ever tried reloading them? Not exactly fast—”
“Want to stop by the training grounds on the way to your inn?”
“You’re the [Necromancer], you do it.”
“Oh, not strong enough? Really?”
“No. I want a weapon.”
“No? Why not? Come on, it’s a great deal!”
“Jerk. What the hell is that?”
“I’m not stupid.”
“Go over there.”
“Call it off.”
“Give me that.”
“Erin Human. Greetings.”
“Don’t stop! Keep going!”
“Well, the price of an advanced reanimation spell such as this is traditionally worth—”
“I don’t like it.”
“All of it. Clean it. Understand?”
“—And clean up. See? Just like that.”
“Oh, yeah! Did you do that?”
“Money~!”
“Go over there!”
“What. Is. That?”
“Okay, no crossbow then.”
“Why is—why did—”
“Come in.”
“Follow me.”
“Clean this.”
“Good.”
“It might.”
“How much?”
“Hold it!”
“Pisces!”
“I said—”
“Yes!”
“Hey, stop!”
“No! You take this—”
“Hi there.”
“No, but—”