Dexterity based Fighter was my number one most suggested class choice. Mostly because the training could be done at the guild, it would give me some much needed survivability, and I wouldn't have to read anything in a language I only barely scraped by in. It was the clear choice for most people. The sheer amount of known archetypes or specializations made the class a go to, but did I want to use a dagger or a spear? Maybe stay back with a crossbow? Honestly I wasn't in love with the class. It was very limited to kill the things and not enough utility. Rouge was number two on the list for practically the same reasons except I'd have to learn Anatomy and Physiology via a book. Which was a somewhat daunting task. They don't have the book in Ityean. I asked. That class had more utility, but did focus on stabbing things in the back while they were focused on someone else.

Druid was a pretty strong contender for my attention. As pretty much the most recommended magic class it would utilize my middleing aptitude for magic without forcing me into intense study. I'd have to be trained by the Order of the Silverwood, which did not accept guild credit. The magical utility of the class was seriously tempting. As I had two levels of Commoner, it was strongly suggested that I pick up one of the easier to obtain classes and then focus on a magic based class if that was the way I decided to go.

Next up was Ranger. Which was a decent middle ground. It seemed like a blend with the survivability of the Fighter, utility, although more nature focused, of the Rouge, and at higher levels, the spells of the Druid. The early levels were also trainable at the guild which meant I could use Guild Credit.

The rest of the list really wasn't that interesting. Witch and Shaman were similar to Druid, but required more study and a bond with an entity. I didn't really have the personality type for Barbarian, the devotion for Monk, or desire to spend my life studying for Alchemist, Wizard, or Magus. Slayer was just a more murder-y version of Rouge, Hunter a more stalker version of Ranger, and honestly I didn't really get Inquisitor. The last class offered was Samurai, which came with no description, just the expectation that I would know what that was. I didn't know Samurai was a class. Most of my life's experience with them was to stay far away from those assholes. The one that did speak toward me said I was too young to rape. That scared the shit out of me, though not as bad as when I got older and that damn Orc Targnur told me I was no longer too young to rape.

I shook my head to get the thoughts of that fucker's fetted breath out of my mind. I should be paying more attention to the guy in front of me. Lioran, at least I'm pretty sure that was his name, was a Tel'ani. They looked like Akumajin except their tails were a little longer, their horns a little straight, their skin some hue of purple, and they lacked the Ityean facial features. Most of my experience with the race was admittedly people chained to the ores and forced to row, but they really weren't any different from humans. This particular Tel'ani had a rather dark skin tone and brown hair pulled back into a Rouge knot. He also seemed a little too enthusiastic. I was happy to let him lead until he pulled his sword, the thing was rusted and pitted with only the edge sharpened down to actual steel. Still I figured we were poor and just starting out, but it sure gave a blow to my confidence. As we crept down the dark tunnel I kind of got the idea that I was an idiot.

"Hey?"

Lioran turned, his lips cocked into a half smile and his violet eyes reflecting the torchlight.

"You, take, shield?" I asked, shrugging the wooden shield off my shoulder. I wasn't using it.

"Oh, sure."

Not certain what 'sure' meant, but he seemed to be answering in the positive so I handed it over and we continued.

This is where magic would be useful. A simple light spell and I could hold something other than a damn torch. We moved fairly quietly down the corridor until we came to another intersection. The left passage was smaller and more narrow. Right and straight were the same width. Lioran started straight.

"Hey."

"What's up?" He said, as he turned.

Odd thing to ask while underground. The ceiling was up. The same arched stonework that had been up the whole time. I didn't know how to say what I wanted so I pointed to him and myself then down the straight passage. Then I pointed to the two other options and moved my hands like spiders from each direction to the straight. Damn I hope he got that. Lioran nodded and stuck his head down each path. He pointed two fingers to his eyes and pointed straight, then at my eyes and to the back. Ah, he'd watch the front and I'd watch the back. I guess that would work. We continued.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Note: Change in Structure. Mechanical Combat will happen after Narrative.

Lioran stepped into another intersection when something leapt out at him. He screamed and flailed as the thing like a thin giant hairless rodent pulled its teeth out of Lioran's leg. The Tel'ani's sword arched through the air, skittered against the stones making sparks and completely missed the creature. I tried to step around and stab at the thing's beady black rat-like eyes. I didn't hit. It lashed out at Lioran, but he was on his toes now and moved out of the way. I stepped off to Lioran's other side and dug the dagger into the giant rodent thing. It screeched as dark blood seeped from its wound. Lioran swung and missed again. I don't think he actually knew how to use the thing. Again the rodent went for Lioran and again Lioran jumped out of the way. I stepped further around, trying to get behind the creature while it was solely focused on Lioran. It jerked away as I managed another stab. It looked like it was going to run for just a brief moment, but lunged again for Lioran. I jumped back as Lioran practically jumped into my torch. He swung, the blade flying unnervingly close to my face. It missed again. That seemed to anger Lioran and he brought the sword around for another swing as the creature jumped at him. With an echoing roar, Lioran brought the blade across the thing's head, slicing it from jaw to shriveled ear and burying it deep. Lioran yanked out his sword and stabbed it a couple times just to be sure.

Reach intersection

Goblin Dog stealth. 25

Goblin Dog Bites Lioran. 13. 6 Damage

Lioran Fort save DC 12. 9. Fails

Combat Starts…

Initiative:

Lioran: 19

Injung: 12

Goblin Dog: 12

Lioran swings at Goblin Dog. 6. Miss

Injung Stabs at Goblin Dog. 2. Miss

Goblin Dog Bites Lioran. 9. Miss

Initiative:

Injung: 22

Lioran: 8

Goblin Dog: 3

Injung steps around and Stabs at Goblin Dog. 16. 4-1 damage.

Lioran swings at Goblin Dog. 8. Miss

Goblin Dog Bites Lioran. 7. Miss

Initiative:

Injung: 15

Goblin Dog: 5

Lioran: 4

Injung steps around and Stabs at Goblin Dog. 14. 3-1 damage.

Goblin Dog Moral Save. 17

Goblin Dog Bites Lioran. 9. Miss

Lioran swings at Goblin Dog. 7. Miss

Initiative:

Lioran: 18

Injung: 8

Goblin Dog: 3

Lioran swings at Goblin Dog. 12. Miss

Combat Ends…

"Well fuck!" Lioran swore, kneeling over and breathing heavily. "The hell is that?" He scratched at the wound in his leg and stared down at the blood on his fingers. "I don't suppose you have bandages?"

I had no idea what he was saying. His pained smile told me he was either making light of the situation, or he was a bit unhinged. "You, well?"

"Am I well? I don't know. Hold on."

He started cutting away at his pant leg with the sword, clearly rather dull. I kept an eye out as he wrapped his wound.

"It. Out."

"What?" He asked.

"It. Out. Go." I started heading back toward the entrance hoping he got the message. "It!" I said more forcefully as he started following. He gave me a funny look as he grabbed the thing's leg and started pulling. We made our way out quickly. At the entrance I cut the tail off as that's what we were supposed to do for the rats. This thing was rat-like, but full blown dog sized and nearly hairless. Lioran limped behind me. I pushed him forward to the reception desk.

"Are you okay?" The dark haired receptionist asked Lioran when she saw us.

"Not sure, I think I'm having an allergic reaction. I'm really itchy, but it wasn't a rat, I think."

I didn't understand half of what was being said, but after a few minutes of Lioran gesturing and rambling and the receptionist looking worried and writing some things down, we were pushed off to the infirmary and looked over by the cute acolyte boy. I got a free bath and let go. I spent the rest of the day relaxing, and periodically checking my traps. The creature's corpse disappeared and I was glad we took the tail. Managed two rats in traps today. Glad to get paid.