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Merc Injung a LitRPG
Chapter 0: False Starts

Chapter 0: False Starts

Race Generator…

Human 1 - 30

Ityean* 31 - 55

Tel'ani 56 - 75

Dwarf 76 - 85

Half breed 86 - 90

Elf* 91 - 93

Orc 94 - 96

Tiefling 97 - 99

Tech Mind 100

Rolling… 74

Tel’ani.

Gender Generator…

Male 1 - 48

Female 49 - 98

Other* 99 - 100

Rolling… 3.

Male.

Skin Tone Generator…

1-20. 1 = very Pale. 20 = very Dark.

Rolling… 17

Fairly dark purple

Eye Color Generator…

Red

Gold

Violet

Blue

Black

Green

Honey

Yellow

Rolling… 3

Violet.

Hair Color Generator…

Black

Brown

White

Red

Blonde

Genetically Altered.

Rolling… 1

Black.

Tel’ani: Tel’ani are native to this universe. Similar in diversity to Humans, Tel’ani covered all continents of Terra before the arrival of the other races. Tel’ani tend to be shorter and lighter in stature than human and feature a wide range of mostly purple skin tones. Hair and eye color tend to vary more. All Tel’ani have straight black horns, slightly pointed ears, and a long, sinuous black tail.

Male Telani, Fairly dark purple skin, violet eyes, and black hair.

Rolling Stats…

STR 15

DEX 12

CON 17

INT 11

WIS 17

CHA 15

Applying racial bonus…

STR 15

DEX 14

CON 17

INT 11

WIS 17

CHA 15

AI assisted backstory…

On the island of Aradon, nestled between forested mountains and the cold waters of the dotted sea, there existed a bustling city known as Nadoria. It was a place of stark contrasts, where the wealthy lived in opulent estates while the less fortunate struggled to survive in the shadows of towering spires. In the midst of this social disparity, there was a boy named Rylan.

Rylan was born into one of the city's poorest districts, where his family resided in a dilapidated tenement barely able to keep out the cold and rain. His father, a skilled blacksmith, had been crippled in an accident that left him unable to work. Rylan's mother was a talented seamstress, but her earnings were meager, barely enough to keep food on the table for her husband, Rylan, and his two younger siblings, Ella and Liam.

Despite their hardships, Rylan's parents instilled in him a strong sense of resilience, compassion, and a desire to seek something more in life. Rylan, with his bright eyes and a determined spirit, often found himself wandering through the city streets, dreaming of a different future. He admired the stories of great heroes and daring adventurers, longing for a life outside the confines of poverty.

As he grew older, Rylan's responsibilities increased. He took on odd jobs to help provide for his family, doing whatever he could to alleviate their struggles. However, life's harsh reality continued to weigh heavily on him, making him yearn even more for a way to change his fate.

One day, while exploring the city's outskirts, Rylan encountered a group of adventurers. Clad in rugged armor and boasting battle-worn weapons, they exuded an air of freedom and purpose he had never seen before.

Chapter 0.5: 60% chance of death

I had been nervous approaching the counter. Not only had Ibeen waiting for this day for what seemed like forever, but the receptionist was extraordinarily beautiful. Dark hair and eyes, slim figure with nice breasts. Perfect lips. Her only flaw was being human. I did manage to stammer through my registration, but now I’m nervous for a completely different reason.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Sixty percent. That’s how many of you poor, unprepared, classless, loners don’t come back from the sewers on the first trip. Did you hear me? You have a sixty percent chance of being ripped apart by oversized rats in the dark. I understand you don’t have money for equipment. I understand you don’t have friends to go with. I understand you can’t get training. My advice, don’t go. Wait until some other moron tries to go down alone and go together. You will die. Understood?

I stared at her perfect red lips for far too long before I realized she had finished. Her pretty dark eyes bore into me like ice picks.

“Um yeah. I, I understand.”

“And you’re still going?”

“Yes.”

She thrust a piece of paper at me. Once it was in my hand, she slammed her counter shut, leaving me standing at a close station like an idiot. I looked down at the paper.

Name: Rylan Ralov’s son.

Age: 15

Race: Tel’ani

Guild Rank: Wood

Level: 1

Class: Commoner 1

HP: 9

Stats:

STR 15

DEX 14

CON 17

INT 11

WIS 17

CHA 15

My entire life listed as a set of numbers. It wasn't even all of the numbers, they don’t waste the test components on Wood level members, but I was technically a member now. I flipped it over to read the back.

Quest: Clear out Dire Rats from the city sewers.

Rank: Wood - Copper

Reward: 1 Copper Dek or 2 in Guild Credit per rat tail

The city sewers are always infested with Dire Rats. The Adventurer’s Guild uses this quest as training for its newest members. Kill the Rats and bring their tails in for the reward. Dire Rats are dangerous in large numbers. Be wary of Filth Fever. Don’t Die.

I took a deep breath and looked around the room. There had to be some way to increase my chances of survival. Dying would be a bit inconvenient.

***

Bella turned her back on the shuttered window of her counter and hunched over in her seat. The kid on the other side was doomed. This was the absolute worst part of her job.

“I’m not going to cry. I’m not going to cry.” She chanted the lie like a mantra until a choked sob broke it.

***

The Adventurer's Guild Hall was the largest and richest building I have ever seen the interior of. Technically I've only seen the main hall. Heavy wooden doors open into a spacious room with a high ceiling of exposed beams decorated with the skulls of vanquished monsters and floating magical lights. The large high windows let the sun poor in giving it a warm and inviting atmosphere. The stone floor was chipped and marked and worn smooth in areas of high traffic. Large rugs cover the cold stone in areas with open seats and benches. Two rows of large scarred and well worn wooden tables line the side nearest to the kitchen. The whole place smelled like polished wood and leather, as well as sausage and eggs, and a distinct twinge of sweat and stale beer. At the far end, where I was standing, the wall was lined with counters, most of them shuttered, where the guild staff would handle registrations, quest dispersal, and verifications. The walls here were adorned with maps of the city and surrounding area. A large open board held dozens of parchments detailing local quests. I looked over at the small amount of adventurers eating breakfast and decided that advice was usually free.

The Adventurer was tall, I'd estimate over six foot if he was standing and very muscular. Thick unkempt brown hair and wild green eyes. He chewed slowly as I approached, timing my arrival with a drink.

"What?" He asked, sounding annoyed, but with a bemused smirk at odds with his tone.

"Looking for advice on how to survive the sewers without a class?"

"Ha! You're dead. My advice is get a class, or at least some gear." He picked up his drink again. "My guess is that she told you that you had a sixty percent chance of dying down there right? She's wrong. It's sixty percent for humans. You purple fuckers seem to have a seventy to eighty percent chance of death. Can't for the life of me figure out why." He grinned and took a drink.

"Any other advice?" I wanted to leave. This guy wasn't exactly instilling confidence.

He nodded, fished out a ten sided copper coin, and pushed it onto the table with a snap. "Write a letter to your family and have them hold it for a day. If you live, you can pick it up. If you die, at least they know not to wait for ya."

Well that was fucking morbid, buy he had a point. "Thanks." I said, taking the dek. Free money was free money, even if it was out of pity. I continued down the line bothered by how dismissive these people were. Get a shield. Don't go alone. Wait until another idiot wants to go. All the advice required time or money. I didn't have time or money. I already had the horrible sinking feeling weighing down my gut. Almost done. Then I guess I go die.

"Sit."

I stared at the man for a long moment before the order registered and I complied.

"Have you eaten?"

"No."

Again a Copper dek was placed on the table. The man pointed toward the kitchen. "Get some food."

I did as instructed. I sure as hell wasn't going to complain about free food, especially not sausage and eggs. I hadn't really expected to be eating today at all. The guy was middle aged with streaks of gray peppering his dark brown hair and beard. His hazel eyes held an odd depth to them. He ignored me as I sat and shoveled food into my mouth.

"I've been here for four years." He said, somewhat startling me. "I've seen plenty of desperate kids come in here and walk out that door never to be seen again. I've even seen people ask for advice, but I've never seen anyone continue asking for advice after the first person or two."

"Oh? I'd rather not die and advice is usually free."

The lips on his sun soaked face split and he let out a low rumbling chuckle. "Yeah, you're still screwed. Hurry up and finish eating. We'll see about improving your chances."

“What is this?” I asked. We hadn’t left the guild, just the main room. I was standing in what I could only assume was a store for adventuring gear.

“Basic Gear Store. I recommend taking guild credit at first. You’ll be able to spend it here.” He said, picking up a small wooden shield and handing it to me. The thing was heavier than I expected it to be. “Take that. The sewers are supposedly cramped, so, here.” I found an iron capped club in my free hand. You have a knife?”

“Yes.”

“Good. A couple torches and a fire kit.” He turned to the quartermaster, a heavier set hornless, erm, human that I hadn’t noticed in the dim light of the cluttered room. “Club, light wooden shield, three torches, and a tinderbox.”

“Hmm. Three point sixty three silver.”

I cringed. That was a lot of money.

“Rolland Beck.”

The quartermaster nodded, “Mr. Beckson. Got it.”

The man, Rolland Beckson, clapped a heavy hand on my shoulder and started steering me toward the exit. “You heard him right? Make it four silver, interest and all that. You’ve got a year to pay it back. It won't take you that long.”

Before I knew it, I was pushed out of the guild and onto the streets of Nadoria.

“Three torches, you have enough light for about three hours. Don’t die.”

***

Sewers tend to conjure images of wet, narrow passages while wading through stagnant pools of mortal excrement. This technically wasn’t a sewer. Nadoria didn’t have sewers. The storm drains were built to handle flooding from the storms that periodically hit the region. It was still wet and cramped. There were still stagnant pools and the whole place had a musty, moldy smell to it with a periodic intense whiff of piss. Not horned or hornless piss, but rat piss. Which honestly I think might be worse. Chalk to mark the passages would be a good idea. I figured I could just walk straight for today, but that did leave me vulnerable with all the passages behind me.

Something skittered across the passage to my left. It scared me every damn time, but it was just a rat. My first torch was getting close to the end when I saw the light reflecting in the eyes of something much larger ahead. My heart jumped, sending a jolt of pain through my chest. I set the torch on a dry ledge and steadied my club and shield. I could take a single rat. I’d kill the rat. Bring its tail to the guild for payment. Bring the carcass home for food. I could do this.

Passive Perception is 17.

Rat Number Stealth is 12.

I spun at the sound behind me. “Shit!”

Combat Starts…

Initiative:

Rylan: 9

Rat 2: 9

Rat 1: 6

Rylan swings at Rat 2. Nat 1

Rat 2 bites Rylan. 20. 2 Damage.

Rylan Fort save. 20. Saves

Rat 1 bites Rylan. 15. 1 Damage.

Rylan Fort save. 17. Saves

Initiative:

Rat 1: 22

Rat 2: 17

Rylan: 13

Rat 1 bites Rylan. 12. 3 Damage.

Rylan Fort save. 13. Saves

Rat 2 bites Rylan. 18. 2 Damage.

Rylan Fort save. 22. Saves

Rylan grabs his touch and runs frantically waving his torch behind him.

Rylan runs.

Rat 1 bites Rylan at Disadvantage. 14. 4 Damage.

Combat ends as all PCs are dead…

I swung at the fucker that had tried to creep up on me, but i hadn’t judged its location correctly and missed. The damn thing then thrashed its head and clamped down on my arm. I grit my teeth and tried to throw it off only to have pain shoot through my calf. I looked down to see the other rat on my leg, only to be bit again. Thrashing my arms I managed to dislodge the one on my arm. Ignoring the pain in my leg I grabbed the torch and ran. My heart was pounding in my chest. I couldn’t hear anything beyond the throbbing of blood through my ears. Then I tripped. I watched in utter horror as the torch skipped across the stone ledge and fell into the stagnant pool below. The world was dark. Total blackness that threatened to consume me. Then pain…

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