CHAPTER 3: A JOURNEY BEGINS
Morning began with the first cry of the rooster. Still used to getting up early for morning practice, Arcanis had no trouble to rise swiftly. Rakia was already busying herself in the kitchen section of the main room as he entered the main building.
"Awake already, are ye. Must be an earlier riser than I'd expect an aspiring wizard to be. Good for ye." She nodded at him with approval "Mind setting the table? Plates in that cupboard" She asked, pointing at a wooden cupboard, that appeared to have already seen many years - quite likely decades - of faithful service.
Nodding, Arcanis went ahead and did just that. A comfortable silence ensued as he kept helping out until the rest of the household started showing up. Her husband - a burly, bearded man named Thomas, somewhere in his mid-twenties - was the first to arrive, with his younger brothers Marius and Rian following close after. Tim - the last to rise - had actually stayed in the common room, sleeping in a nook Arcanis had first missed.
* * *
"So, sure ye want to head out to Erfurt today?" Rakia asked, after the breakfast had been mostly dealt with.
"Yupp. Looks to be a nice day already, and if I want to go ahead with mastering my craft, I'll probably need to get there. You've got a great place here, don't get me wrong, but I don't see it helping me much on my goals, alas."
"Well, if travel ye must, travel it is!" She stood up and fetched a package from the kitchen counter, holding it out to Arcanis "Here ye go, packed ye something for on the road, should last ye for the day. And don't ye dawdle on the way! Wouldn't want to have to stay out there in the wilderness when ye don't need to!"
"Thank you, Rakia" Arcanis replied and took the package. A stray thought hit him and he remembered the question he had forgotten to ask the day before.
"One more question Rakia, if you don't mind I've found some coin on me - just a single piece of silver - and it reminded me that I have literally no idea what kinds of coins there are, how they are exchanged and what a common thing might be worth." Arcanis asked "Could you tell me what something like a night in an Inn might cost, or a loaf of bread? I would rather not be taken advantage of once I reach Erfurt."
"Of course deary" Rakia smiled at the young traveler, retrieved a small wooden box from a cupboard, and opened it. "We don't have much use for coins here, but we still need to know the basics. The smallest coin is a copper coin." She held out two round copper pieces, one small and one large. "One large copper piece is worth ten small coppers. Ten large coppers make for a small silver piece." she withdrew a small round silver piece from the box to demonstrate. "After that, ten small silvers make for a large one - don't have one of those to show though. After that, ten large silver is one small gold piece. It should continue in the same exchange rate to large gold pieces and then from what I've heard platinum and elektrum. Never seen anything larger than a large silver myself though."
So basically a common base 10 exchange rate with the usual denominations. Wonder what elektrum might be worth.
"A loaf of bread should be about 4 small coppers, a night in a cheap inn probably no more than 2 large ones" Rakia continued. "Of course that also depends on the time of the year, and probably where ye are. Have never left the region, but I figure bread be more expensive where they can't grow wheat."
Arcanis cheerfully nodded to that. "Thanks Rakia, just what I needed to know! Guess I'll see about regional price differences if that traveling thing works out for me. Thank you again for the hospitality! Best be on my way though." With a cheerful wave - and some goodbyes, especially from Tim - Arcanis headed out, onto the road.
It was a grand day with weather perfect for travel. The villagers were heading out to the fields, the animals were stirring, sun already rising and a refreshing breeze blowing. With a spring in his step, he moved out, setting the first steps on a new journey, one promising the peace and rest he so dearly yearned for.
What could possibly go wrong, eh?
* * *
The scream was heart-rending, an eloquent expression of utter agony. It was cut off abruptly. The clanging sound of metal on metal that followed was unmistakable as well.
Combat
That peace thing had barely lasted three hours into his journey. Driven by old instincts, Arcanis rushed towards the noise, staff at the ready. Another scream of agony, this one sounding as if from a child. Finally Arcanis made it around the bend in the road that had been barring his view and he could see the scene unfold before him.
A large wagon was stopped on the street. It appeared to have traveled in the same direction as Arcanis. And it was crowded from all sides by green-skinned, humanoid creatures, each the size of a human child. Crude equipment - cudgels, clubs, rusty daggers - and primitive clothing spoke for some intelligence, but a primitive culture. Goblins, if I had to guess. Some of the creatures were keeping their distance, equipped with slings and bows, peppering the defenders with their projectiles.
The defenders looked like a band of five adventurers, young, well equipped and - so far - uninjured. They appeared to have left the wagon at the rear and were fighting their way to the driver's seat. A trail of green bodies marking their progress.
They were however starting to get pinned down by the archers. A first arrow hit its mark - an adventurer in leather armor, dual-wielding two short swords got hit in one arm, but managed to keep her sword.
Nobody had noticed Arcanis yet.
His magic forgotten, he charged one of the bow-wielding creatures on the side attacking the adventurers. With a crushing vertical swing he smashed his staff on its head. He felt the *ding* of a system message but ignored it for now. Before the archer could react, he followed up with a sweeping strike against its leg, toppling his surprised foe.
Pushing his advantage he tried to withdraw his dagger from his inventory.
Inventory not accessible during combat.
That distraction gave Arcanis' green opponent time to overcome the moment of surprise and regain its footing. With it still unarmed, Arcanis jumped back and continued his attack with thrusting stabs that kept the creature out of range.
After another few strikes, finally the creature collapsed for good, another system message ignored in the action.
A stone hit him in the left shoulder, spinning him around, the momentum strong enough to make Arcanis lose his footing, tumbling over the ground. It hurt like hell.
HP: 52 / 60
Getting up, Arcanis realized he had drawn the attention of a slinger and another archer. He rushed for a tree to get some cover and barely made it, an arrow missing him by only a few centimeters.
Taking a quick breather, Arcanis peaked around the tree only to see that the slinger had rushed after him and was almost upon him. It was now wielding a nasty-looking dagger that probably had not seen correct maintenance in the last few years. If ever.
He tried the stabbing gambit again, hoping to keep the green menace at bay. It dodged. Moving in with its dagger, it was now Arcanis' time to try and avoid the attack. He managed to turn a direct hit to a glancing blow on the left arm.
HP: 48 / 60
He threw himself to the side to avoid another arrow, surprising his melee attacker as well. This gave him enough space to try another sweeping attack, tumbling his direct opponent. He rose himself and followed up with another smashing strike before the green creature managed to fully get up again.
It snarled and threw something at him. Not expecting this, it worked and the dirt blinded him momentarily - enough for the creature to get a solid stab to the torso in.
HP: 41 / 60
It ducked under the blind sweep Arcanis did with his staff in response, going in for another strike. This time Arcanis saw it coming however, and the creature ran straight into a kick. It was not the most powerful kick, given how his center of balance was disturbed, but it was enough to stop the attack.
Another arrow flew by, missing without forcing Arcanis to dodge.
He tried another stab at his melee attacker, who was still imbalanced from the kick. It connected and probably did some damage, but the creature was strong enough to not be toppled by it. Instead it moved in with the retreating staff and did its own slashing at his right arm, causing another light wound.
HP: 34 / 60
Cursing, Arcanis tried to retreat and create some space to use his staff properly, but the green menace would not let him get away. Another desperate kick was parried by it, just as another stone to the stomach sent Arcanis to the ground.
HP: 26 / 60
His attacker used the opportunity to move in for another stab, now that Arcanis was down.
HP: 18 / 60
The next stab, Arcanis managed to stop by desperately grabbing the creature's arm. A counter-strike with his knee managed to hit his attacker in a sensitive spot, and it semi-collapsed on the spot, just in time to intercept an arrow probably meant for Arcanis. With its head. The lifeless body fell on Arcanis, who swiftly moved it off him while taking its dagger.
Coming back to his feet, he jumped back into cover behind a tree - barely avoiding another arrow as he did so. Getting his immediate bearings, he realized he was engaged by another slinger on top of the previous archer. Same as his previous melee assailant, it too charged the moment he got behind tree cover.
With his staff hard to use with his injuries, he decided to meet the attacker with his newly acquired dagger. Unfortunately, as Arcanis found out the hard way, parrying a dagger's stab is quite difficult. Especially with the difference in size.
HP: 12 / 60
He struck back, his own blade finding some purchase, but he barely managed that before another arrow came in with a glancing strike. The archer would not abide being ignored, it seems.
HP: 7 / 60
Looks like this is it. Dead on the first day is a new one, even for me. He steadied himself for the final blow, but the creature never delivered it.
Instead, the green creature fell over, dead. One of the adventurers he came to assist appeared just behind it, both of her short swords drenched with blood, a cheerful grin on her face.
"You alright? Might want to be more careful about what risks you take on, green as you are."
* * *
Thomas watched the kid as Maria loomed over the boy. Well, thinking of the boy as a child was not really charitable - he looked sixteen-ish, so probably post-Activation. Still, three Goblins should not have been a problem for him. I wonder what has driven him on the street, alone, before even getting some basic stats ...
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Moving to the wagon, Thomas searched through his pack and withdrew his first aid kit before heading over to Maria and the boy. Looking the youngster in the eyes as he approached, Thomas noticed something was odd. This should have been his first fight, he is way too calm and collected for that. For a brush with death. Anyway, time to save him from Maria.
"Hey there, thanks for trying to help with the attack." Pointing at himself, smiling in a relaxed, confident manner "The name's Thomas, the self-appointed leader of our grand band of adventurers." Switching to glaring at their energetic swashbuckler "Maria, why don't you stop trying to intimidate the boy and get cleaned up?"
* * *
Arcanis watched as the sword fighter - Maria - nodded at the large warrior who had a shield strapped to his back, a longsword at his side. He would estimate the fighter at about 1.90 meters, blond hair, chainmail shirt with otherwise metal-reinforced leather gear. Well-muscled build. Would have fit right in with the bands. At least, after adding some grease and letting the smell ripen for some days in the sun.
"Yo boy! We'll need to have a good long chat later on - probably also with your parents - but for now we probably should be doing something about your wounds. Can't have you bleeding out on us after surviving your first Goblin attack, can we?" With a friendly smile he handed over what looked like a first aid kit. "Want to try and dress your wounds yourself or need some help with that?"
"I suppose I can try, at least. Been taught the basics before and I just might get a skill for it." Arcanis answered, smiling back and received the kit from the friendly stranger. "Thanks."
Without further ado, he got started cleaning and dressing his wounds. The first aid kit was basic, about what he had expected. The whole thing was again a painful experience, but he was used to those by now and soldiered on. Probably suspicious for a juvenile to not even comment on the pain. Oh well, too late to stop being so bloody stoic - they would see right through it now.
As he finished the last spot - dressing your own arm wounds was annoying to do, but good practice anyway - he received another system notification. Might as well take a look and check the updates from the fight as well while I'm at it, I suppose...
You have unlocked the skill: Ambush!
Ambush (Level: 1) [Martial]
"Honor is for the dead"
A fair fight is a great thing.
Both participants - if similarly equipped and skilled - have an equal chance at victory.
You should never get into a fair fight.
Strike when they least expect it and drive the point home.
+1 Agility, +1 Dexterity, +10% Damage to unsuspecting targets that are not engaged in combat
Interesting. I wonder how far that skill can be improved at that percentage per level.
You have unlocked the skill: Weapon: Dagger!
Weapon: Dagger (Level: 1) [Martial]
"Pointy. Sharp. Solves problems before they become problems."
Sometimes you just need to get to the point.
Totally not a comment on your conversations with the fair part of the population.
Anyway, while this skill is unlikely to help with your love-life, it does give you the ability to lend some edge to your negotiations.
+1 Dexterity, +1 Constitution, +1% Damage with Daggers
For that bit of stabbing? I suppose levelling is faster during combat ...
You have raised the skill: Weapon: Staff to level 3
+1 Strength, +1 Constitution, +1% Damage with Staves
You have raised the skill: Weapon: Staff to level 4
+1 Strength, +1 Constitution, +1% Damage with Staves
You have raised the skill: Weapon: Staff to level 5
+1 Strength, +1 Constitution, +1% Damage with Staves
You have unlocked the skill: Staff: Sweeping Strike!
Staff: Sweeping Strike (Level: 1) [Martial]
"Only the humble shall pass"
An essential skill for bringing humility to those in the greatest need of mastering it.
This first and simple-most maneuver is designed to help you bring down the high ... but maybe not quite yet mighty.
A sweeping attack that attempts to topple the enemy.
+1 Strength, +1 Constitution, +5% Maneuver strength
So ... maneuvers pulled during combat can become skills? I wonder how exactly that works and what the limits are. Probably something to ask the adventurers.
You have unlocked the skill: Athletics!
Athletics (Level: 1) [General]
"A healthy mind in a healthy body"
It is only by moving that body of yours that you will grow stronger and maybe lose some of that baby fat.
So, off the couch with you, the world won't travel itself on its own.
+1 Agility, +1 Constitution, -1% EP Consumption from exertion
I wonder whether everybody gets the same lines on the skills. With the overall level of snark, somebody must have really hurt the author's feelings.
You have unlocked the skill: Dodge!
Dodge (Level: 1) [Martial]
"The highest art of defense? Being hit where you ain't"
It absolutely isn't running away!
It's just putting some distance between enemy blades and you.
Really.
+1 Agility, +5% Speed for the purpose of evading attacks
You have raised the skill: Dodge to level 2
+1 Agility, +5% Speed for the purpose of evading attacks
Guess I really need to raise this one
You have unlocked the skill: Unarmed Combat!
Unarmed Combat (Level: 1) [Martial]
"An adventurer isn't REALLY an adventurer before their first barroom brawl"
Sometimes, the ability to smash someone in their face without needing weapons comes in real handy.
And sometimes it leads to unfortunate incidents under inebriation.
+1 Strength, +1 Constitution, +1 Agility, +1% Damage when unarmed
Three attribute points? I wonder how the attribute points per skill work out? With a range of one through three per level - so far - I wonder how that is calculated.
You have unlocked the skill: Pain Tolerance!
Pain Tolerance (Level: 1) [Nature]
"Harder!"
This skill is totally not a reflection on your resistance to learning from painful experiences.
But it might add to it.
Sorry.
Effect can be regulated at will, up to the maximum for a given rank.
+1 Constitution, -5% perceived pain
Definitely need that one if I keep getting stuck in battle. Nothing wrong with a few monster hunts after all, so long as I can avoid politics and war.
You have unlocked the skill: First Aid!
First Aid (Level: 1) [Nature]
"The first vow is to Do No Harm. Truly, why would anyone take this Oath?"
Doing harm is generally more fun.
But Hey! Afterwards you might need to fix yourself up long enough to get to an actual medical expert.
Given the way you are, expect this skill to level really fast.
This skill will not restore HP directly, however it stops bleeding and allows natural healing to occur for treated wounds.
+1 Dexterity, Increased Quality of result
Kind of expected more than the starting level here, given the extensive wounds.
Done with the list of changes, Arcanis checked his status once more, for a consolidated view at his gains.
Name: Arcanis
Classes
None
Attributes
Strength: 17
Agility: 15
Dexterity: 14
Constitution: 20
Mana: 11
Power: 12
Derived Attributes
HP: 112 / 165
EP: 135
MP: 120
Skills
Animal Husbandry 1
First Aid 1
Pain Tolerance 1
Athletics 1
Cleaning 1
Dissembling 1
Magic for Dummies 1
Ambush 1
Dodge 2
Unarmed Combat 1
Weapon: Dagger 1
Weapon: Staff 5
Staff: Sweeping Strike 1
Languages
Herani (Mother language)
Spells
Firebolt*
Titles
-
Traits
-
Innate Abilities
Gift of Magic
Magic Researcher
Linguist
Almost tripled my HP, huh? Guess I really was crazy to follow my instincts and charge in.