Weaving...
Weaving...
Chapter 1.53
Erin falls ill after sitting out in the rain, prompting her patrons to leave the Wandering Inn. Pawn departs for the Hive to protect Erin from Ksmvr, while Selys discovers Toren and argues with Pisces before returning to Liscor.
Erin Solstice suffers the consequences of sitting out in the rain, falling ill with a cold and a sore throat. Unable to properly host in her condition, her regular patrons begin to clear out of the Wandering Inn. Ceria Springwalker and Gerial—who is revealed to be a Level 17 [Warrior]—depart the inn and make their way back to the city of Liscor.
Pawn also makes the difficult decision to leave. Knowing about Ksmvr's dangerous nature, Pawn worries that the Antinium might try to retaliate against Erin. To protect her, Pawn heads back to The Hive, hoping his presence will shield her from Ksmvr's potential wrath.
Later, Selys Shivertail arrives at the inn and is shocked to discover Toren, the undead skeleton. Her visit is further derailed by Pisces, who attempts to sneak into the inn while invisible. Selys quickly realizes he is there, leading to a heated argument between the two. Following their confrontation, both Selys and Pisces leave the Wandering Inn and head back to Liscor, leaving the sick Erin alone to recover.
Throughout the day's events, passing thoughts and conversations touch upon various new concepts, including the low-level spells Numb and Cleanse, magical labor Golems, the secretive Antinium Rite of Anastases, and the ruling King of Minos alongside Prince Khedal.
After sitting out in the rain, Erin Solstice catches a cold and suffers from a sore throat.
Ceria Springwalker and Gerial, who is revealed to be a Level 17 [Warrior], leave the Wandering Inn for Liscor.
A half-Elf mage belonging to the Horns of Hammerad who offers Ryoka a taboo alternative for her leg.
aka Ceria, Springwalker +7
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
The skeletal remains of a person that Erin discovered in an upstairs bedroom of the inn.
aka the skeleton, a pile of bones +18
Pawn decides to leave the inn and return to The Hive to protect Erin from Ksmvr's potential wrath.
Selys Shivertail arrives at the inn, discovers Toren, and gets into a heated confrontation with an invisible Pisces.
Following their argument, both Selys and Pisces depart the Wandering Inn and return to Liscor.
A young woman from Earth who stumbles into a fantasy world and takes refuge in an abandoned inn.
aka Erin, the traveller +64
A sapient reptilian species dominant in regions south of Liscor, generally unfriendly to Humans.
aka lizards, giant lizards +3
A friendly and helpful Drake who works as a receptionist at the Adventurer's Guild in Liscor.
aka the female receptionist, the she-Drake +13
Small green humanoids with red eyes and sharp teeth that chased and slashed at Erin.
aka Goblins, little green things +14
The Minotaur captain of the Horns of Hammerad, who wields a massive battleaxe.
aka the Minotaur, Beriad of the House of Minos +16
A small, child-like Goblin who attacks Erin out of grief and is spared by her.
aka the small Goblin, the ragged Goblin +11
An incredibly famous and powerful half-Gazer adventurer exploring northern Izril.
aka Gazi, the female adventurer +10
A city adjacent to the Floodplains, culturally aligned with Drakes and not friendly to Humans.
aka City of Liscor, the city +8
A Human mage from Wistram Academy, specialized in Elementalist and Illusionary schools, who admits to necromancy.
aka the mage, Mister Mage +35
A low-level spell used to soothe localized pain.
A sapient species possessing Elven traits.
aka Half-Elf, half-Elves
A species of large, sentient insectoid people; one arrives at Erin’s door with a companion.
aka giant insect, Ants +28
A species of which Erin Solstice is a member.
aka Humans, smooth skin +4
A massive, bull-like sapient species.
aka Minotaurs, the Minotaur
“Dd.”
“Wood rot.”
“Don’t—do that!”
“Toren, right?”
“Is your mistress up? I’d like some breakfast, but I can get it myself.”
“What are you—”
“That’s where she sleeps?”
“I’m hungry.”
“I need food.”
“Fine. No waking her. But can you get me something to eat? Or—cook something?”
“Is that…a loaf of bread?”
“Am I supposed to eat this? I need something else, you know.”
“Oh. Hey. The innkeeper’s asleep, so there’s no breakfast. But the skeleton got me some food. Want some?”
“That’s disgusting.”
“You Humans. You eat eggs all the time. What’s the difference between frying them and grabbing them from a nest?”
“A very big difference, thank you.”
“Is that sugar?”
“Goes well with the water if you add enough. Want some?”
“I think I’d prefer normal food, thanks. Where’s the innkeeper?”
“Still asleep, I think. She’s in there.”
“That damn skeleton’s guarding her though, so don’t go in. This is all it gave me to eat.”
“I see.”
“Yup. So this is the only food you’re getting for a while. Want some?”
“Pass.”
“So. Last night.”
“It was quite something, wasn’t it?”
“Something? It was—”
“What was that? Was it a spell?”
“A Skill, I think. Not one I’ve ever heard of. Must be a rare one.”
“But that wasn’t it either. Those songs—”
“Beautiful.”
“It was amazing. But odd as well.”
“Odd?”
“I’ve never heard any of the songs she sang. Not one. And the music that came with it—did it sound like anything you’d ever heard before?”
“Not even in my dreams.”
“They were moving, but that’s not the point, Gerial. It’s another mystery. Where did that music come from? How did that girl—”
“Good morning, Miss Erin.”
“Morning.”
“Is everything alright?”
“I hab a thore throat. And a cold.”
“Oh.”
“I see. My condolences.”
“It must have been sitting out in the rain last night that did it.”
“I bnow.”
“I can do something about the sore throat, but healing potions don’t cure colds. And I wouldn’t recommend you trying one unless you want to roll the dice on it getting better—or turning into a debilitating sickness.”
“Really? You can—”
“Ow, that—hey! My throat is better!”
“Sorry.”
“Think nothing of it.”
“I hate colds.”
“Magic?”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t cure that so easily. I only know [Numb]—the spell I used on your throat—and colds are tricky. Way beyond me. Maybe a [Healer] can cure it? Drink hot soup.”
“What? But it’s a cold.”
“It’s a cold. The most common of illnesses. Which means no one’s figured out how to get rid of it. And before you suggest it—experimenting on sicknesses can create far worse kinds. Or just make them immune to magical healing at all.”
“That can happen? I thought—well, it’s just being sick, isn’t it?”
“Don’t ask me. Apparently, things can develop immunities to magic. Mold, diseases—it’s why you don’t always use [Cleanse] to clean even Wistram Academy. They have Golems with mops.”
“Magic-resistant super-viruses. Just what I need.”
“Looks like breakfast is canceled, Gerial. Unless you all want to risk getting sick before the ruins.”
“No helping it, I suppose.”
“I can make food.”
“Some rest will do you more good than anything else. And you coughing into the food won’t do anyone any good.”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“We’re going into the city. I think Calruz is already gone, but the others are still asleep. Don’t worry about feeding us—they can always go into the city.”
“Calruz is gone? I didn’t hear him moving.”
“I don’t think he slept. He went after the bug—ah, I mean, the one called Pawn.”
“Pawn?”
“You.”
“Adventurer-Captain Calruz. How may I help you?”
“Answer me something, insect. Why did you not fight?”
“I’m sorry?”
“You. Why did you not fight? When you were being tortured by your own kind—why did you not resist? Are all of your kind cowards or do you not have any pride?”
“I had no right to resist. The one who took me—he was the Prognugator. He judges other Antinium. Our lives are his to use.”
“So. You would allow death and dishonor to befall you because of mere rank? The House of Minos respects rank—but even Prince Khedal or our King would expect to be challenged if they spoke or acted madness. Have the Antinium no such sense?”
“The Antinium have no honor. And I am—was a Worker. My life is for the Hive. If my death is required, I will die.”
“All that I should have expected from a slave.”
“Pawn!”
“Erin. Is something wrong?”
“You scared me! I thought you went back into the city—!”
“I was about to. I would not wish to trouble you—”
“No!”
“You can’t go back! Not to that—that evil guy!”
“Ksmvr?”
“Yes!”
“That guy—I’m going to—well, I’d like to—what’s more important is that you stay here. Not in that stupid Hive. I’ll make a bed for you, and you can stay as long as you like. Free of charge.”
“Your offer is most kind. But I belong in my Hive.”
“What?”
“I am missed. I must complete my duties.”
“But Ksmvr—”
“He will not harm me.”
“Bullshit.”
“He will not harm me, Erin. He has determined that I am Individual. He will not question me further. And I will be protected there. Now that it is known I am Individual, I am—important.”
“Important?”
“I still don’t trust that Ksmvr guy. He’s dangerous.”
“He was merely fulfilling his duties. But once the Queen is told, she will summon me. I am sure of it.”
“The Queen? And where was she while he was stabbing you?”
“She is occupied at the moment. It is the Rite of Anastases.”
“The what the what?”
“I do not know. I only heard what was spoken in passing. But it is an important ritual that cannot be interrupted. I…sense that.”
“You—ah, Pawn. Can you tell me something? What do the Antinium want?”
“To work for the Hive and the Queen.”
“I’ve heard that from every Antinium—I mean, what do they want here? The Antinium have made war for two decades. They never leave their Hivelands—except during the last two great wars, and they only settled one Hive in one city in the entire world. The Blighted Kingdom hates them, and no one knows what your people want except to conquer. The Antinium are united as far as I’ve heard. Completely. You’re all loyal to your Queens. So…why did this Ksmvr take you and—and question you?”
“We came ten years back. To make…make something. I do not know. I do not know what. But it was decided. The Queens sent a single Hive to the city. Paid in gold for a place with those not of the Hive. To make something. A new kind of Antinium.”
“And this Rite of…does that relate to it?”
“No. Yes. It is important. I cannot tell you what it is. I was not told. I can only sense that it requires all of my Queen’s attention.”
“But when she’s done with it, she’ll want to see you, is that right?”
“Yes.”
“And you’re important.”
“Yes.”
“I think I get it. Erin, Pawn needs to go back to his Hive. You can’t take an Antinium away from the Hive. If you do—they spare no effort to reclaim their lost. Or if it’s impossible to reclaim them, those Antinium die.”
“They do?”
“That is correct. I would be in jeopardy or place you in danger by remaining.”
“What are you doing?”
“Move aside. I require sustenance.”
“I am your creator. Move aside.”
“Move.”
“What are you—I, Pisces, order you to move aside and let me pass.”
“You!”
“You’re the one who made this—this thing, aren’t you? You evil, wretched—!”
“What was that?”
“It was my creation. A skeleton. It was merely guarding its master, Erin Solstice.”
“You created that thing?”
“Of course. It is a bodyguard for Erin and an able servant.”
“It’s an undead monster. And you—I thought you were just an [Illusionist] scaring poor people. But you’re that [Necromancer] Relc was talking about, aren’t you? Well, you leave Erin alone! She doesn’t need you bothering her!”
“I am a favored customer at her inn. I have every right to be there.”
“You had a bounty on your head until a week ago! You stay away from her or I’ll—I’ll—”
“You’ll do what? Hit me? I’m a mage.”
“And I’m a receptionist at the Adventurer’s Guild. I’ll put a twenty-gold bounty on your head if you so much as raise an undead anywhere within twenty miles of the city.”
“You—you don’t have the authority to do that.”
“Try me. And get out of my way!”
“I am going to the city. With Erin…indisposed, I require sustenance there.”
“Then walk behind me! I don’t want to be anywhere near you!”
“I am entitled to walk wherever I please. If it bothers you so much, you may wait.”
“You flesh-faced jerk—”