by Adam Myhr
I brought the club down hard as if trying to beat my opponent into the ground.
You clubbed a small temple elf! 4 Damage
It responded by slashing my arm with its sword.
A small temple elf slashed you! -3 HP
I recoiled from the pain. The elf obviously knew what it was doing. Using my recoil as a backswing, I tried to bat it away just as I’d kicked the imp before. The club came down hard and fast, smacking its side and lifting it off the ground. While it obviously felt the hit, it managed to ride the club up instead of being flung out by it, pushing off and executing a flawless mid-air roll before landing in a crouch.
You bashed a small temple elf! 5 Damage (Knockback - Resisted)
The elf sprang up from its crouch, jumping at me and attempting to drive the point of its sword into my chest. Thankfully the sword scraped along my leather vest, sliding off to the side without penetrating.
A small temple elf stabbed you! -1 HP
I turned with the impact. Bringing the club around I chased the elf to the ground, connecting with the back of its head as it landed next to me. Its head continued forward with a wet snapping sound, pulling the body down with it, but obviously not connected anymore.
You bashed a small temple elf! Critical Hit! (x2) 8 Damage
You defeated a small temple elf! +8 Exp
I dropped the club and grabbed the sword while the elf’s body was still twitching.
Tarnished Steel Short Sword
For those with no pride in their belongings. Normal, Damage 3-6. Exp +1
Searching through the rest of the elf’s belongings, I found a couple of silver pieces and a test tube filled with light purple liquid. A quick sniff revealed it smelled faintly of artificial grape flavoring, just like the health vial from before.
Small Light Purple Vial: Effects ? +3 Exp
+2 Silver
Wait, I’ve found one of these before, why wasn’t it identified. It didn’t label as a health vial on my character sheet, leading me to believe I’d have to rediscover everything, not just my skills.
I went up to the rock and examined it. It was almost as tall as me, making it hard to see the top without partially climbing it. The irregular surface was relatively smooth and very hard. There were no jagged edges or dust on the rock. The rock had been kept very clean for however long it had been here. I sat down on the small bench around the outside perimeter and looked back at the rock, still not seeing what made it special.
The symbols around the edge of the room seemed to show pieces of everyday life for generations of these elves. They didn’t quite go all the way around the room, and the more recent ones seemed to indicate some sort of calamity befalling them, with scenes of violent death rising and serene family gatherings fading. I looked down at the sword in my hand, then at the elf I’d slain. For a moment I felt like an intruder, like I was the bad guy. Shaking it off I got up. This was a simulation. These weren’t real people. If I hadn’t killed it, I would’ve been killed and reappeared somewhere else to be killed by something else.
With no other exit from the room, I went back past the closed-off stairwell and around the corner.
Frank: Average Human
Str:5
Dex:6
Con:5
Int:5
Wis:5
Luck:6
HP:6 (10)
SP:0 (0)
Food:100% (17/50)
Turn:156
Exp:36
Lvl:0
Weapon:
Tarnished Steel Short Sword
Normal, 3-6
Armor:
Tree Folk Basic Outfit
0
Leather Vest
2
Equipment:
2.5 pieces dried venison, Small Light Purple Vial
Silver:2
Skills:
Dodge (1)
Magic:
Thirteen
Ahead of me, there was an arched entrance to a brightly lit room. To my right the hallway continued, ending in a door just past an intersection. I saw shadows of movement ahead and pressed myself against the wall. Remembering how large the ears on these things were, I crept forward, thankful for the wood chips on the floor.
Approaching the room, it became clear this was a dining hall. Through the archway, I could see one end of a long table surrounded by chairs. Occasionally I saw a shadow fall on the floor near the door, but never the elf casting it. As I neared the archway, I heard footsteps pitter-pattering around in the room. I paused and listened intently, trying to discern where in the room my next adversary was. After a couple of turns, I realized there were two in there!
You have noticed the unnoticeable! +1 Wis
I waited until the sound of steps was getting slightly quieter and peered around the corner. There was one on either side of the table. The one closest to me was heading back to a door on the left. The one on the other side of the table was fidgeting in its seat, not in a direct line of sight. I held my breath and let a turn pass, the close elf going into the room on the left. After another turn, the elf came back out. I quickly pulled back from the corner, just in time to hear the footsteps getting closer.
My best option appeared to be attacking while the moving one was at its closest point to me. If I was lucky, it would be close enough for me to jump out and attack. If I was really lucky, it would have its back to me. I shifted my weight and braced the sword. I planned to rush out and stab, letting my momentum help drive the blade into my target.
Two turns later the sound of footsteps paused. I suspected this was when it was at its closest point. The only remaining question, had it turned around yet? As ready as I could be, I jumped out, stabbing forward as I landed.
I felt a yell escape my lips as I landed, thrusting the sword forward as hard as I could. It sank into the body of an elf wearing an apron and carrying a carving knife. I felt the sword driving into its flesh before I saw the surprise on its face.
You stabbed a small temple elf! Sneak Attack! (x2) 12 Damage
The elf drew back in surprise, dropping the knife and grabbing its side. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the other one jump on the table and draw a small hatchet. Ignoring it for now, I pressed the attack in hopes of finishing this one off before it had a chance to join. I slashed down across the elf while altering my lunge to the left, putting it between me and the other one.
You slashed a small temple elf! 4 Damage
You defeated a small temple elf! +7 Exp
The other elf jumped at me from the table, bringing the hatchet down on my shoulder as it landed.
A small temple elf chopped you! -2 HP
I was hurt, and I was facing an angry elf that seemed to know how to fight. What the hell has my life turned into? I made a weak attack, more concerned with stopping it from hitting me again than hitting it.
You slashed a small temple elf! 3 Damage
It recovered from its previous attack, hefting the hatchet back up for another chop at me. Crap! I forgot about that. The hatchet prevented it from attacking me every turn, meaning I should’ve gouged at the thing. I took another cautious swipe, prepping to roll away from a chop.
You slashed a temple elf! 4 Damage
It swiped the ax up at my knee, landing a glancing blow as I responded.
A small temple elf chopped you! -1 HP
Boldened by the knowledge it wouldn’t be able to strike back, I committed to a deep lunge, attempting to drive the sword through it.
You stabbed a small temple elf! 5 Damage
It rolled back with the thrust, still taking a solid hit, but not losing any ground or dropping its weapon. I took another swipe at it, ready to defend the next attack it made.
My swing went wide. It wasn’t enough to throw me off balance, but I missed the mark. The elf responded with a quick blow to my ribcage.
A small temple elf chopped you! -2 HP
The world started to fade at the edges. I wasn’t bleeding, so I f
orced myself to work through it. I had two hits to take this thing out before it would swing at me again. I went for a solid stab on the first hit and a committed slash the second.
You stabbed a small temple elf! 4 Damage
You slashed a small temple elf! 5 Damage
You defeated a small temple elf! + 7 Exp
Congratulations, you have earned a level!
You are now level 1!
HP total increased by 5!
SP total increased by 0!
You have gained 1 skill point!
The world stopped fading, and my HUD showed me safely back up on hit points. I took a couple of turns to search through the corpses in front of me. I knew I didn’t want to go back to the hatchet for a weapon. The knife came up as a kitchen knife item, not a weapon. I found that interesting and wondered at the reasoning behind being unable to use it as a weapon. Outside of that, there were five silver pieces between them and nothing else worth keeping.
I glanced around the room. The fighter elf had scattered its food by jumping on the table, rendering it useless for me. During the fight, I’d dropped below 100% on food. I wanted to find something to bring that back up. If I found enough food, I could heal with it too, instead of relying on the health potion in my inventory. The rest of the room was bare, so I moved on to the doorway in the back.
It was another open archway, smaller though. Through it, I found a kitchen. There was a foul-smelling stew of some kind cooking in a fire pit. Along one wall shelves held dried fruits. I immediately ate my fill, and then more, until I could eat no more.
+4% Food
You have learned the effect of dried peaches. +1 Exp
I added some dried peaches to my collection of food and continued my search. There were more kitchen tools I couldn’t use and what appeared to be a collection of spices. Having never been one to enjoy home-cooked food, I tossed it all aside, giving up on finding anything useful in the kitchen.
Back in the hallway, I approached the next intersection quietly. To the left, I saw a staircase, to the right a short hallway ending with a strange door. Ahead of me the door I’d previously seen still beckoned me. I continued forward, drawn to the end of the hall for some reason. I paused at the door, pressing my ear to it and listening intently.
All I could tell is that something was in there. Figuring it was likely another elf I stood up and readied my sword. I pushed the door open and stepped in, hoping they’d think it was one of their own if only for a turn.
I had no such luck, an elf wielding a hammer flying at me as soon as I stepped in. It stopped just shy of being able to hit me, bringing memories of the glowing hammer slamming into my chest to the surface. I caught myself before going into a panic, but I was shaken. Had I charged in I would’ve run straight into its attack.
The room itself was lined with empty bunks. Many of them appeared to be unused for a long time. A few of the bunks had footlockers at the end. To my right, I saw another elf. This one seemed to be fresh out of bed as if my arrival had woken it. It looked slightly confused, wore no armor, and carried only a small dagger. There wasn’t anything, or anyone, else in the room.
I immediately stabbed forward at the elf in front of me, hoping to make use of its momentum and my motion to score a solid hit. Concurrent to that I stepped to the side slightly, trying to keep my back from being turned to the other elf.
You stabbed a small temple elf! 6 Damage
The hit stopped the elf’s momentum, slicing along its rib cage and leaving an angry red gash. It rolled away from the hit, circling and slamming the hammer into my side.
A small temple elf hammered you! -4 HP
The other elf took a few steps closer, shaking off its tiredness as it came. By my best guess, it’d be at least one more turn before I’d have to deal with it. I responded with a slash back across the front of the elf, catching its arm as I crossed.
You slashed a small temple elf! 4 Damage
The elf in front of me worked to recover from swinging the hammer, stepping back a little while prepping for another swing. The other elf closed the distance with surprising speed, getting close enough to take a swing at me. It connected with my vest but didn’t penetrate.
My goal now included not letting either of them get behind me. I followed the hammer-wielding elf as it backed up, bringing the sword down across the front of it as I went. I also turned slightly again, facing between the two instead of right at either one.
You slashed a small temple elf! 3 Damage
You have earned the skill Short Blades!
You can slice, you can dice! You can hack, you can slash! Sometimes you even hit! +5 Exp, +1 Dex
The hammer slammed into my side again, not as hard this time, but I still noticed it. To the right the other elf stabbed while trying to step behind me, drawing blood from my shoulder.
A small temple elf hammered you! -2 HP
A small temple elf slashed you! -1 HP
The knife-wielding elf circled, making it difficult to keep them both in front of me. I lunged through the hammer-wielding elf, hoping to get on the other side of it while doing damage on the way. I stepped through, but in the process missed the elf, not even scraping on its armor this time. The move put my back to both elves for their turn, but it had them in line as well. I braced for the worst.
Thankfully I was able to turn and face them without having been hit at all. When I turned, I saw the hammer back up behind one elf’s back ready to crush down hard. The other elf had come next to its companion but not managed to do any damage to me. I stabbed at the elf with the hammer, trying to take advantage of the opening given to me.
You stabbed a small temple elf! 5 Damage
The hammer came down, weaker than expected. It glanced off my shoulder while the other elf tried stabbing through my armor again, failing.
A small temple elf hammered you! -1 HP
The elf in front of me looked bad, as if it could barely lift the hammer anymore. I brought a slash down across it, turning to face the other elf at the same time.
You slashed a small temple elf! 4 Damage
You defeated a small temple elf! +9 Exp
The other elf danced in and out, striking at my legs as it went.
A small temple elf stabbed you! -2 HP
I thrust my sword forward, attempting to skewer the elf on the blade. It managed to turn to the side as it was hit. Even still, the sword plunged into its flesh and ripped out, a gush of blood following it.
You stabbed a small temple elf! Critical hit! (x1.5) 9 Damage
The elf fell back, throwing the knife at me as it did. I lunged forward, ducking under the blade and slashing at the elf’s legs.
You slashed a small temple elf! 4 Damage
The elf fell back, tossing another knife at me and getting nowhere close. I moved in for the kill, stabbing down at it.
You stabbed a small temple elf! 6 Damage
You defeated a small temple elf! +5 Exp
I took a moment to survey the room, making sure I was truly alone now. Not seeing any other threats, I searched the bodies of the dead elves. Finding the hammer too much like an ax, I left it behind. The knives were gone. The elf had none, and I couldn't find them in the room anywhere. I did come away with another six silver pieces.
Small Worn Steel Hammer
A sledgehammer fit for a child. It has seen enough use to round the edges, and your face. Slow, Damage 3-5 Exp +1
The bodies dealt with, I turned to the footlockers. The first one I searched had nothing but clothing in it. I opened the second one and felt something smack me in the face!
You have sprung a trap! -2 HP
I sat back, stunned for a moment. I looked back down at the footlocker, seeing nothing different about it than the other one I’d opened already. Shaking my head, I rifled through finding a small tool pouch.
Lock Picks
A tiny push here, a slight turn there. Wait, how do these things work again? +1 Exp
Glancing t
hrough the available pieces, I realized I had no idea how they worked. Technically they were useful though. I moved on to the third and final footlocker, spending time examining it before opening it. I wasn’t sure what made the last one smack me, but I decided to take as few chances as possible with this one. I finally, wedged the sword in it and popped it from the side. Nothing happened so I dove in to see what I could find in this one.
Small Light Brown Vial: Effects ? +3 Exp
I sniffed at the vial. The smell was unfamiliar at first, and then I placed it. It reminded me of the farmhouse garden I’d started at. That reminded me of getting out, and I spent a few turns looking for any sign of books. Coming up with nothing I downed the purple potion and started back to the junction in the hall.
Item identified: Small Health Vial
+10 HP
You have learned the effect of a Small Health Vial. +5 Exp
I went left and crept down the last hallway. Halfway down I started to hear fighting noises. As I got closer to the door, I realized it wasn’t a door at all. The passageway ended with a curtain drawn across an opening.
I paused at the curtain and listened to the fighting. Something felt off about it, so I listened for a couple of turns. I learned there was only one person in there fighting. Confused I carefully pushed the curtain aside, just enough to peek in.
The room on the other side was well-lit and smelly. At first, I wasn’t sure what I was looking at. After another turn, I saw the elf inside, and it became clear. This was a training room, and that elf was working on its skills. It appeared to be boxing, so I figured I had an easy win ahead of me. I slowly entered the room, disturbing the curtain as little as possible while my eyes were locked on the elf training in front of me.
It didn’t seem to notice my entrance. I watched it train, boxing with a bag hanging from the ceiling just as one might in the real world. As I watched I let a turn pass, and suddenly the elf was on top of me!
