Chapter 10: Rodents of unusual size
The wooden cellar door was simple, but well made and secure. I pried at it from each corner, with no give. Fitting the key into the lock, I hoisted the door open. Lighting the torch from a nearby brazier, I cautiously walked down the steps.
The fire light illuminated much of the surprisingly large, cool space. Barrels sat upright lining one of the walls, and a shelf of seemingly alcoholic beverages sat in the far corner. A damp earthy smell saturated the space, resulting in a few coughs.
There was no visible or audible movement in the cellar, and upon an initial inspection, no holes or gaps in the walls either. On the far right side of the cellar, many of the barrels had large holes in them, at least half a yard in diameter. All of their contents were missing, and the size of the holes was suspicious.
Next, I scanned the bottom of the cellar walls, but found no holes or evidence of a coverup.
As I finished my loop around the small space, I leaned up against one of the bare walls. I yelped as I fell backwards, the wall having offered no resistance. Barely keeping my grip on the torch, I landed painfully on my butt.
Getting up quickly, I inspected the false wall. I was able to freely swipe my hand through the illusion.
Did the pests make this illusion..?
Excluding the possibility of magical illusion creating vermin, It didn’t seem likely, so then why was it here?
If it was Arcis’s, then surely he would know about it, and have already inspected it for vermin.
I walked down the cramped stone hallway only to find a small room with a chest placed against a wall. The left wall was torn up, and had an even more cramped tunnel leading off into darkness. Weary of a trap, I inspected the floor, ceiling, and walls before entering. Sword in one hand, torch in the other, I prodded the lid of the chest with my blade. Nothing happened. Sweat dripping down my temple, I slipped the tip of my sword into the gap between lid and box, and levered the lid upwards. I preemptively took a hop backwards, but it was unnecessary. The lid creaked open, and revealed an empty compartment. Still, nothing happened.
Mildly disappointed, but relaxed, I more freely inspected the small room.
I discovered nothing of note besides the hole in the wall, whose jagged edges and uneven dimensions gave it away as an unintentional addition to the passage.
After debating on whether I should go back and tell Arcis about the illusion and the hole, or continue, I decided upon trying to gather more information. I wanted to come back with something more solid, and possibly even a solution.
Slightly crouched, I navigated the downwards sloped tunnel. After a few minutes of carefully placed steps, the small tunnel opened up into a much more natural looking cave. A large deposit of bright green ore sparkled in the torchlight. The tunnel I was navigating had obviously been dug into the wall of the cave I'd just found, which continued upwards to my left, and downwards to my right. The floor was slick with patches of ice and powdery snow. Dozens of stalagmites and stalactites formed of ice protruded across the floor and ceiling.
All in all, the cave seemed like it would make for an extremely treacherous climb.
Placing each step deliberately, I ascended to find the cave's mouth. I judged that between the cellar steps, and the tunnel heading downwards, I was around twenty yards underground, meaning I should be able to find the cave entrance relatively quickly.
After several minutes of navigating the slippery surface upwards, the cave’s diameter shrinking the whole time, I finally found where the cave met the surface. The entrance was barely large enough for me squeeze though, but I managed to contort myself through the mouth with some effort.
The space outside the cave was unremarkable, the same snowy landscape I had traveled when I entered Eterra. Terris was not visible from my current location, but I imagined it couldn’t be far.
I crawled into the cave once more, heading back down to the cellar tunnel, finding a few more patches of ore along with a new skill.
You have learned the skill Spelunking, Novice: 1!
Description: Cave diving can be dangerous, but also rewarding. Continue your delving into many a dark abyss to grow in skill.
I decided I would tell Arcis about what I had found. Even if it was unlikely vermin had made the tunnel dug into the cave wall, it was very much possible they were using it to pilfer the poor Inkeeps food supply. I froze as I heard a garbled voice echo from further down the cave. An indecipherable reply echoed across the cave walls a few seconds later. I strained my ears, barely making out the sound of something scratching against stone.
I turned from the entrance to the cellar tunnel, blood frozen in my veins, and stepped further down into the cave. Devoting all my focus to making no noise, I almost missed the slight smell of smoke wafting up from where the noise originated. After several minutes, I approached a sharp bend, I could make out the warm glow of fire light painting the far wall of the bend. I carefully set my torch between two rocks so I wouldn’t be given away. The voices had grown louder through my silent descent into the cave. I could now clearly make out the sound of claws scrabbling against the icy stone floor.
I peeked around the bend, but a large spike of ice protrude from the floor, obstructing my view. I used the light from the creature's fire to navigate the slick floor, and huddled against the frozen protrusion.
Peeking around the Stalagmite, I made out four ratlike figures huddling around a small campfire. One held a large skewer with some unknown species of bird impaled on it. The creatures more resemble rats than humans, but stood on their hindlegs, and used their forelegs as hands. They carried crude weapons. I inspected them.
{Ratfolk Soldier}
HP: 24/24
MP: 19/19
Type: Humanoid Monster
Level: 3
Lore: While their exact origin is unknown, it is believed Ratfolk became sentient through a powerful mutation based artifact found in the Abyss. No less intelligent than humans, they fight ferociously, and live in large communities. They are commonly employed as mercenaries due to their lust for wealth.
The next two I inspected were the same as the first with a few variations in health and mana, but the last one was different.
{Ratfolk Ravager}
HP: 34/34
MP: 12/12
Type: Humanoid Monster
Level: 4
Lore: While their exact origin is unknown, it is believed Ratfolk became sentient through a powerful mutation artifact found in the Abyss. Slightly less intelligent than humans, they fight ferociously, and live in large communities. They are commonly employed as mercenaries due to their lust for wealth.
Instead of the crude one handed weapons the other three wielded, the ravager leaned against a massive slab of sharpened metal thrust point first into the ground that, in truth, could not rightfully be called a sword.
As I studied the Ravager, one of the soldiers stood up from the fire, saying something in its high pitched voice over its shoulder as it walked directly towards my stalagmite. I huddled close to the jutting spear of stone, and held perfectly still. The ratfolk walked past where I crouched without noticing me, and continued further up the cave.
You have learned the skill Stealth, Novice: 1!
Description: Become shadowy night, and use your newfound power to gain in wealth and power alike.
My silent exaltation was shattered as the sound of claws against stone halted.
My torch!
Praying the ratfolk assumed it was another of its kind who left it, I didn’t move a muscle.
After another gargled sentence, the ratfolk continued past my torch, and only stopped after another dozen seconds or so. The sound of a liquid pattering against stone keyed me into why the ratfolk had left the campfire.
Seizing my chance, I traced the path the ratfolk had made, carefully placing each step. Only a few steps away from my target, the ratfolk’s flow began to taper off. Placing one hand across its mouth, I slashed the creature's neck with my sword. The creature made a muffled gurgling noise as it fell against me.
You have gained 49 Experience.
Your skill in Stealth has increased to Novice: 2.
I tensed up, but the other creatures still cackled in their scratchy voices by the fire.
A brown bag appeared next to the corpse, and I eagerly looted it.
You have received:
{Copper Coin} x21
{Worn Skinning Knife}x1
As I dragged the corpse back to my stalagmite, a plan formed in my mind. In a few minutes, I figured it was likely another of the Ratfolk would go investigate, and from there I would rinse and repeat until they sent more than one, or were all slain.
After a few minutes of laughing and conversation, they all went silent. Then in a louder voice, one of the unseen ratfolk shouted a single world in a questioning manner.
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I shifted my sword back into position, but to my dismay, two shapes passed me as I crouched unmoving next to their kins corpse.
I quickly came to a decision, and peeked around the stalagmite as the footsteps behind me began to grow quieter. I internally sighed in relief as the ravager was the one that had stayed. A harder fight now, for an easier one versus two later.
I poured mana into one sword, careful to hide its gleam inside my sheath. As I readied myself to cast, I paused, an idea popping into my head. I sheathed my other blade.
Focusing my willpower on holding the raging mana inside the blade, I waited out Blade Manifestations cooldown. As soon as it finished, I tried to pour more mana into my other blade. Both hands shook as mana coursed through my swords, eager to be released.
You have learned the skill Mana Manipulation, Novice: 1!
Description: Through hard work and ingenuity you have pushed ever so slightly at the boundaries of your craft. Continue to experiment and only your imagination - and power- will be your limit.
Grinning, I dashed from my cover, locking eyes on the Ravager who was plucking feathers from the avian shishkebab. Drawing and slashing in one fluid motion I launched two arcs at the startled creature. To my surprise, instead of two arcs of deadly force impacting my target, they flashed, and melded into one sweeping crescent of cutting force.
I dashed behind the projectile, intent on finishing things quickly. The wave slammed into the Ravager, leaving a bloody wound across its hide. As I closed in, only a few seconds after my spell, the Ravager roared with such force that my momentum was halted.
A bloody mist rose from the creature, and I quickly inspected the buff under the Ratfolks health.
Berserk(Buff): Damage dealt increased by 40%, and heal for all damage this increase is responsible for. Additionally, take 5% maximum health true damage per second.
Duration: 10 seconds.
Although my enemies health sat at less than 70%, I was now in a lot more danger. I needed to end things before the Ravagers allies came back, and I could already hear the faint scrabbling of claws on stone.
I feinted an overhead strike, and then danced out of reach of a retaliatory blow. Lunging back from another crushing blow from the Ratfolks cleaver, I nicked the Rats arm as he fought to dislodge his weapon from the cracked stone.
The song thundered in my mind, and I smiled. The ratfolk snarled at me, gnashing its incisors. I put one arm behind my back, my swords tip facing skyward. Channeling mana into my blade, the Ravager had little time to react as I whipped my sword at it from out of view. Sprinting behind the blast again, I was not interrupted by any crowd control effects. My spell impacted his sword, which was held in a diagonal guard. I spun around the creature's clumsy counter, and slashed the back of his hindlegs.
The thing shrieked and collapsed, losing its grip on the cleaver, I looked up just in time to see the two Ratfolk sprinting at me. They paused, taking in their dead leader before charging me.
With no time to finish the Ravager, I glided along the smooth cave floor, around the fire. Flowing around the clumsy thrust of a spear, I started a counterattack, only to abandon it to dodge the slash of the second Soldier.
Fighting the song in the back of my mind pushing me to engage the enemy, I tried to create a plan that would let me overcome their numerical advantage.
I lunged between the two Ratfolk, allowing them to flank me. Both eager to take advantage of my poor positioning, they lunged. I darted to the side, allowing the creatures to impact one another. One rat now sported a spear from one shoulder.
Both Soldiers cursed, one clearly directed at me, the other directed at their ally. Before the spear wielder could pull their spear free, I crouched, and drove both blades up through the ribcage of the former spear wielder.
I barely managed to rip both blades free in time to dodge the injured Ratfolks sword strike. My step back, however, was placed on top of the fallen spear, which rolled under my weight. The sole remaining armed soldier charged my fallen form, thrusting point first at my heart. I twisted at the last second transforming a potentially lethal blow into a merely agonizing one. Gasping, I kicked at the Ratfolks knee, causing a loud snapping noise accompanied by a screaming hiss of pain.
Regaining my feet, I wobbled backwards, chest burning. Each of the remaining Ratfolk Soldiers had a debuff apiece floating below their health. I inspected them.
The spear wielder had a debuff I had seen before.
Severe Bleeding (Debuff): Take 5% maximum health true damage per second until bleeding is cured.
The other had a less fatal debuff.
Hamstrung (Debuff): Movement speed decreased by 50% until injury is healed.
With the remaining Ratfolk either dying or unable to properly fight, I maintained a couple yard gap. As the Ratfolk with Severe Bleeding reached less than a quarter health, it collapsed. The sword wielding rat glared in defiance as I walked over to its partner. After mercy killing the spearman, I turned to the last monster.
“Do you speak eng-.. my language?” I asked.
“Human!” The creature spat, hatred in its eyes.
Unsure of whether it understood me, or just knew Human, I continued.
“Why are you down here, and why have you been stealing from the Innkeep?”
“Hungry.” it replied.
I sighed, unsure of how much information I would be getting from the creature.
“Alright, well you’re coming back with me.” I said
Screaming, the Ratfolk scooped up its fallen sword and lunged straight at my chest.
Prepared, I parried the blow, my other blade sinking into the creature's chest.
I shouldered the impaled creature off my blade, and it fell to the ground.
Blood spilling over its incisors, it glared at me. “You will die, all of you will DIE. Glory to the Frostb-'' It rasped, cackling wetly as it choked on its blood.
Concerned, I panicked for a way to stop its bleeding. That did not seem like the response an honorable warrior gave after losing a battle. It seemed more crazed, like the zeal of a religious fanatic. I’m sure that Arcis- no, the town guard would like some one on one time with the Ratfolk.
Whipping around, I raised both swords, having forgotten the Ravager. I lowered both weapons as I found the creature slumped over, dead. I recalled the Berserk Buff, Seems more like a debuff if you ask me.. 50% of your life gone over 10 seconds?
Without anything to heal off of, the creature had bled to death. Unfortunately, the last Ratfolk had died before I could figure out a method to preserve its life. Looting a few coppers and a hunk of cheese from the Soldiers, I jumped as I noticed a small slightly more ornate bag next to the Ravager. A blue haze surrounded it, a matching neat blue bow tying it closed. I hastily dashed over to open the bag.
You have received:
{Copper Coin} x41
{Cutthroat's Garb}x1
Excited, I examined the item.
{Cutthroat’s Garb}
Rarity: Rare
Slot: Chest
Type: Leather
Armor: 11
Evasion: 31
Traits: +3 Dexterity, Swaying Sea: Gain +8% Evasion if you have not taken damage within the last 5 seconds.
Requirements: Level 5, Leather armor Novice 5
After celebrating such a sizable upgrade, I instinctively equipped the item. Realizing a moment later that I had met the requirements to use the piece, despite it requiring level 5, I quickly checked my gains.
Your skill in One handed Swords has increased to Novice: 6
Your skill in Evasion has increased to Novice: 6.
Your skill in Leather Armor has increased to Novice: 5.
You gained 189 experience.
You have Leveled up to level 5!
You have gained 8 free skill points!
Welcome to level 5, please select one of three abilities.
First, I brought up my ability options.
{Mana Eater Spellshield}(Active)
Description: Form a protective sphere of mana around yourself, negating the next spell that strikes you within 5 seconds. If this ability negates a spell, refund its mana cost, and gain 200% of the negated spells mana.
Type: Spell
Scaling: None
Cooldown: 24 Seconds
Cast time: None
Cost: 45
{Cantankerous Posture}(Active)
Description: Assume an Irascible fighting style, increasing chance to parry, riposte, and counter riposte by 15%. Increases effectiveness of all parry, riposte, counter riposte, and counter attack abilities or spells by 35%. You may only have one Posture active at a time.
Type: Martial
Scaling: None
Cooldown: 8 Seconds between Posture switches
Cast time: None
Cost: None
{Calm Mind}(Passive)
Description: Training and experience allow you to stay calm in the face of catastrophe, granting you bonuses while you remain unshakeable. While active, Calm Mind grants 20% reduced effect of mental attacks, 3% reduced mana cost of abilities, and 5% reduced cast time of spells.
Type: Spell
Scaling: None
While all 3 options were very different from one another in their effect, they were all defensive abilities. The furthest from defensive was definitely Cantankerous Posture, and to me, it also seemed like the most generally useful for me at this very moment. Besides Thomas who had pelted me with fire based spells, almost all enemies had used purely physical attacks up until this point. The exceptions were the Rimefang Grizzly's ice attack, and the Lesser Tundra wolves aura. Being able to not only block, but counter more consistently seems very powerful.
Additionally, already having one passive ability, and not being a pure mage, I ruled out Calm mind. Not having any kind of mana cost, cast time, or downtime, made it a lot better than how I initially judged it, but I was a little wary of the requirements it needed to stay active. If panicking for one second lost me its benefits until I regained control, It was too much of a wild card. Although, I really liked the first part of its effect. If I had Calm mind when I fought Thomas’s group, I might have avoided the first Firebolt due to dwarves' taunt effect wearing off sooner.
This last part made me really consider the spell shield option. Although I hadn’t encountered many enemies with spells or skills that I could spellshield, I was sure that would change very, very soon. In addition, the mana gain part was very tempting, as I was growing very fond of casting Blade Manifestation as often as possible.
I selected Mana Eater Spellshield, and brought up my characters stats to figure out how I would spend my 8 stat points.
{Locke}
Title: None
Level: 5
Class: Swashbuckler
Strength: 16
Constitution: 17
Dexterity: 17 (20)
Intelligence: 18
Wisdom: 14
Charisma: 10
Health: 85
Mana: 90
Armor: 18
Evasion: 200 (256)
Cold Resistance: 4%
Fire Resistance: 0%
Lightning Resistance: 0%
Corruption Resistance: 0%
Holy Resistance: 0%
Noticing my 3 extra points in dexterity from my new piece of gear, I decided to place 3 points into constitution and intelligence each, and 2 in wisdom. I’m really not a very good melee class with my highest natural stat being intelligence, am I..? I thought wryly.
Now I had a decision to make. Should I go further down the cave to find out what was going on, or report back to Arcis? Unable to shove my curiosity down, I retrieved my torch and ventured forth.