Ch. 1The Adventurer's Guide

Renato, a former Earth resident hunted because of his body’s cultist past, joined the Adventurers' Guild in Fried City and took a Goblin-hunting quest to earn money. After surviving his first fight and collecting his reward, he saw a mysterious book titled in the writing of his old world appear before him.

  • Renato reached Fried City nearly penniless and joined the Adventurers' Guild after paying the registration fee.
  • Renato chose a quest to hunt Goblins south of the city and asked a swineherd for directions, but received vague information.
  • Renato searched the gullies all day without finding Goblins and angrily headed back toward the village.
  • A group of Goblins charged Renato, and he killed two before the rest fled.
  • Renato returned to the guild and collected ten copper coins for the Goblin ears.
  • A mysterious book appeared before Renato, and he recognized its title, [The Adventurer's Guide], as writing from his world.

Ch. 2Phantom Forest

Renato reviewed his Adventurer's Guide and joined a dangerous expedition to hunt giant spiders in Mute Valley for a generous reward. A mage arrived and quickly assembled a party of ten, setting the terms for the hunt.

  • Renato reviewed his character status and recalled how completing quests had raised his warrior level while his favored-of-Dakoul class remained unchanged.
  • Renato went to Brekka Town's square, where One-Eyed Holly recruited adventurers for a trip into the Phantom Forest to hunt giant spiders.
  • Renato's Adventurer's Guide revealed a quest offering silver coins and 1,000 experience points, persuading him to join despite the danger.
  • A mage offered five silver crowns for each giant spider and twenty for each egg, claiming the materials from eggs.
  • The mage's offer drew enough adventurers to form a party of ten.

Ch. 3Misty Path

Renato joined a veteran party led by a Mage and traveled into the misty interior of the Phantom Forest. After the Mage laid out their route to Mute Valley, the party heard a rumor about a dragon on the Misty Path, while Renato prepared to keep his distance from danger.

  • Renato spoke with Little Finger Joe about the Mage and warned him not to provoke the man.
  • The party left the Phantom Forest's safe zone and entered the gray-white mist.
  • During a rest, the Mage showed the party a map and explained that they would cross the Misty Path, follow Mirror Lake's shore, and reach Mute Valley's entrance.
  • Big Guy Bagg claimed that a dragon had attacked people on the Misty Path, but Little Finger Joe dismissed the story as a mistake by inexperienced peasants.
  • Renato checked his supplies and planned to stay at the rear, throwing darts and prioritizing his survival.

Ch. 4Battle preparations

Renato and the adventuring party reached Mute Valley after a cold, uncomfortable night at Mirror Lake and planned how to fight the giant spiders without damaging their nest’s loot. The Mage refused to join the battle but agreed to lure some spiders out, and the party began preparing for the fight.

  • Renato’s party camped away from Mirror Lake, where the Mage performed a mysterious spell while the exhausted adventurers ate rations and tried to sleep.
  • The party reached Mute Valley and scouted the Spider Nest, then debated how to draw the giant spiders out and fight them safely.
  • Renato asked the Mage to support the operation, but the Mage said he would not take part or provide combat magic.
  • The Mage agreed to lure some giant spiders from the nest in one hour, and the adventurers began taking their positions.

Ch. 5Giant Spider

Renato and the adventurers attacked the Spider Nest, using a Clay Golem to drive out the Giant Spiders and killing the swarm in a brief, brutal battle. One young adventurer died, and the survivors divided his possessions before moving on.

  • The Mage summoned a Clay Golem, which charged into the Spider Nest and drove the Giant Spiders out.
  • Renato fought the spiders, killing them by attacking their softer abdomens and using a sharpened stick to distract one attacking Joe.
  • Bagg rescued Joe from the sticky web while the adventurers finished off the spiders outside the cave.
  • A Giant Spider leapt over the stakes and fatally wounded a young adventurer guarding the entrance.
  • Marcus stayed with the dying adventurer as he passed away, and the survivors divided his possessions, with Renato taking a chipped dagger.

Ch. 6Inside the Spider Nest

Renato and the others entered the Spider Nest, killed a huge Giant Spider, and recovered its eggs for the Mage. After leveling up and choosing the Champion Warrior advancement, Renato learned that the valley’s spiders had unusual magical traits, and the group planned to finish looting the nest by noon the next day.

  • Renato joined Marcus, Bagg, Little Finger, and the others in entering the Spider Nest to claim its eggs.
  • The group found the clay golem’s wreckage and a pile of spider eggs, but a giant spider ambushed and killed the stocky adventurer.
  • Marcus, Renato, Bagg, and Joe worked together to bring down the spider and carried the eggs out of the cave.
  • Renato submitted two spider eggs, gained experience, advanced to Champion Warrior level 4, and acquired the Mind Over Body feat.
  • The Mage paid Renato five gold coins and explained that the valley’s Giant Spiders had developed magical abilities.
  • Renato estimated that the group could finish looting the cave by the next day, and the Mage ordered them to leave no later than noon.

Ch. 7Spoils

Renato scavenged the Giant Spider lair and shared a meal with the adventurers, while Marcus recounted how his uncle had disappeared after taking on debt. The group’s uneasy truce over the spoils remained intact for the night, but Renato expected a more serious confrontation.

  • Renato salvaged spider legs, a carapace, and tendons, but found only a rusted sword and corroded copper coins in the human cocoons.
  • Renato tried roasted Giant Spider meat and soup, and Marcus told him how his uncle had forced him to eat spiders while fleeing a pack before disappearing under a debt.
  • The adventurers split into two groups along Mirror Lake, with Renato, Joe, Bagg, and Marcus keeping their distance from the others.
  • Martha demanded an even share of the gold, and Renato, Marcus, and Joe backed Bagg as both sides drew weapons and threatened each other.
  • The groups watched one another through the night without fighting, while Renato expected the conflict over the spoils to continue.

Ch. 8The adventurers of Brekka Town

Renato and his companions ambushed Martha’s party on the Misty Path, killed them, and divided their gear. Knowing the Phantom Forest grew dangerous when adventurers were weakened and overloaded, the four discarded most of their spoils and continued with lighter packs.

  • Renato agreed with Joe and Bagg that the group should attack Martha’s party before they could set an ambush.
  • Bagg, Marcus, and Joe engaged Martha’s companions while Renato wounded Martha, cut off part of her hand, and killed her as she begged for mercy.
  • Bagg and the others killed the last surviving opponent, and the group gathered the bodies and divided the spoils.
  • Renato traded Joe for a one-handed spiked mace after criticizing the damaged gear Joe offered.
  • Marcus reminded the group of the Phantom Forest’s rules, and the four discarded most of their insect spoils to lighten their loads.

Ch. 9The Beast on the Path

Renato and his companions fought off a pack of wolves on the Misty Path, then faced a massive owlbear that injured Bagg and Renato. The owlbear began showing signs of poison, but it remained dangerous as the group prepared to fight again.

  • Renato and the others drew together and repelled the attacking wolves, then continued along the path with their spoils.
  • A giant owlbear emerged and charged at the group, forcing Renato, Bagg, and Marcus to fight it while Joe fired a crossbow.
  • The owlbear struck Bagg and sent Renato flying, leaving Marcus to hold it off until Renato recovered.
  • Renato charged back in and smashed the owlbear's beak with his spiked mace, while Joe's shout revealed that the beast had been poisoned.
  • The owlbear staggered and foamed at the mouth, then began pacing as Bagg and Marcus readied themselves for its next attack.

Ch. 10The return journey

After surviving an owlbear attack, Renato helped Marcus carry the badly wounded Bagg back to Brekka Town, then visited the Adventurers' Guild magic shop to look for a weapon. He left with an unusual unfinished sword bought from Oliver for five gold coins.

  • Renato and Marcus treated Bagg's wounds and supported him along the trail after Renato threatened Joe to stop him abandoning Bagg.
  • The group reached Brekka Town, where Marcus and Joe took the unconscious Bagg to Eldath's temple for care.
  • Renato visited the magic shop, inspected two enchanted longswords, and declined to buy either because of their prices.
  • Oliver explained that an unfinished sword made from adamantine, mithral, and steel could not be melted down and had lost the metals' distinctive advantages.
  • Renato bargained Oliver down to five gold coins for the sword, and Oliver later realized his Suggestion spell had failed to influence him.

Ch. 11Silent Lady

Renato named his new sword Silent Lady, enjoyed a meal at The Last Cup, and sold off equipment to build up his funds. After checking his Adventurer's Guide and considering his need for more experience, he decided to seek private jobs through Little Finger and One-Eyed Holly.

  • Renato named his newly acquired sword Silent Lady and drank the healing potion Oliver had given him.
  • Renato ate stew, eggs, and bread at The Last Cup, then decided to sell unnecessary belongings.
  • Renato sold several items and counted his money, finding he had ten silver coins and ninety-seven copper coins.
  • Renato reviewed his character panel and considered how his new feats and experience needs would shape his future adventures.
  • Renato resolved to ask Little Finger and One-Eyed Holly about private jobs.

Ch. 12Finding Side Jobs

Renato looked for a safe side job after returning to Brekka Town, but Joe’s horse-racing scheme and Holly’s lack of available work led nowhere. He decided to rest and headed to the pond to practice with his new two-handed sword, the Silent Lady.

  • Joe woke up hungover at the Last Cup, pitched Renato on betting on a horse race with supposed inside information, and Renato refused to join him.
  • Renato asked Joe whether he still had connections for guide work, but he remained doubtful that Joe would follow through on his promise to introduce him to someone.
  • Renato found One-Eyed Holly in the square and turned down a guild job to investigate the Old Ruins District for one silver coin.
  • Renato told Holly that Pockmarked Face had been killed by the Owlbear, and Holly lamented the loss of a guide who brought in recruits.
  • Renato got no promising side jobs from Holly and went to the pond outside town to practice with his new two-handed sword, the Silent Lady.

Ch. 13Divine Water

Renato received a bottle of Eldath’s Divine Water from Elma Springwater after helping a comrade, then studied monsters and Draconic at the Adventurers’ Guild library. He returned to the inn that evening and began reviewing the language he had learned.

  • Renato met Elma Springwater, a cleric of Eldath, who thanked him for helping Bagg and gave him a bottle of Divine Water.
  • Renato accepted the Divine Water after Elma explained that it could heal grave injuries and revive someone near death.
  • Renato went to the Adventurers’ Guild headquarters and finished reading a guide to magical creatures and monsters.
  • Renato chose a book about Draconic and studied its vocabulary and grammar at the library.
  • Renato returned to the inn and wrote down the Draconic words he could recall.

Ch. 14Old Ruins District

Renato took a quest to gather calmflowers in the Old Ruins District, collected a profitable haul, and warned the other adventurers to leave before nightfall. When the novices refused to go without finishing their quests, Renato left with the other five adventurers.

  • Renato upgraded to basilisk-scale armor and accepted a quest to gather calmflowers in the Old Ruins District.
  • Renato searched the ruins alone, collected calmflowers and herbs, and killed three goblins that attacked him.
  • At noon, Renato counted fifty-seven calmflowers and several goblin fangs among his finds.
  • Renato warned the adventurers that traveling back after dark was dangerous, but the novices accused him of wanting to return early for his payment.
  • Renato gave up trying to persuade the novices and left for Brekka Town with the other five adventurers.

Ch. 15Phase Spiders

Renato survived an attack by Phase Spiders on the Misty Path, sold part of a spider corpse for a Bag of Holding, and completed his Calmflower assignment. After hearing Marcus’s advice about caravan work, he decided to save money and eventually move to the city for the winter.

  • Renato recognized three Phase Spiders surrounding his party and killed one when it phased in to attack him.
  • Renato discovered the novice adventurers had fled, then carried the spider’s corpse out of the Misty Path.
  • Renato sold half the Phase Spider to Oliver and acquired a Bag of Holding worth ten gold coins.
  • Renato turned in the required Calmflower at the guild office and completed the assignment, saving his experience points.
  • Renato asked Marcus about private work and heard that caravans might hire guards, but he rejected the idea because scrutiny could expose his identity.
  • Renato resolved to save thirty Silver Crowns that month and move into the city for the winter.

Ch. 16Perly

Renato accepted apprentice mage Perly’s offer to guide her through the Phantom Forest after a quest promised him a thousand experience points. He began preparing her for the trip and led her toward the guild office, leaving their adventure ahead.

  • Perly arrived at Renato’s door with a recommendation from Joe Laurent and asked him to be her guide.
  • Renato questioned Perly about her magic training and adventurer registration, then saw a quest offering him one thousand experience points if he kept her alive and helped her complete a quest.
  • Renato accepted Perly’s silver coin and agreed to guide her, warning her not to pay in advance and telling her to stay close to him.
  • Renato took Perly to buy supplies, lent her a Morningstar, and explained why she needed to prepare for danger rather than rely on her spells.
  • Renato told Perly how to find a sketch map at the guild office and warned her against using magic or starting fights in town.

Ch. 17Wereboars

Renato and Perly gathered Calming Flowers in the Old Ruins District before a pack of Wereboars ambushed adventurers nearby. With Perly supporting him with magic, Renato fought through the attack and defeated the last Wereboar, leaving the reason for the creatures’ presence in the Phantom Forest unexplained.

  • Renato explained the Old Ruins District’s history to Perly and taught her how to identify and gather Calming Flowers.
  • After Perly completed her quest, Wereboars ambushed adventurers near the Misty Path, and Renato moved to help while telling Perly to hide.
  • Renato fought the Wereboars as Perly supported him with Magic Missiles and freezing magic.
  • Renato killed the Wereboars, including a tall one that fought him with a longsword, then turned to meet Perly.

Ch. 18The "dragon" of the Misty Path

After looting the battlefield, Renato and Perly encountered a Quadruped Drake on the Misty Path and fought to survive its attack. Perly was gravely wounded, but Renato saved her with Eldath's Divine Water, and she fell asleep recovering in his arms.

  • Renato taught Perly how to loot the dead, and they collected coins, a usable dagger, armor, and calming flowers before continuing along the Misty Path.
  • Renato spotted an enormous drake and fled into the woods, recognizing it as a Quadruped Drake rather than a true dragon.
  • Renato wounded the drake with the Silent Lady while Perly attacked it with Burning Hands, but the creature struck Perly with its tail and sent Renato crashing into a tree.
  • Renato returned to Perly and found her bleeding heavily from a deep abdominal wound; she begged him to save her.
  • Renato poured Eldath's Divine Water into Perly's mouth, and the liquid stopped her bleeding and healed her wound as she fell asleep.

Ch. 19Preparing to set out

After reporting the dangers on the Misty Path and selling salvaged equipment, Renato prepared to leave for Fried City in search of better commissions. He advised Perly to invest in her own skills but agreed to share a meal with her, then planned to seek work through the city's slum gangs.

  • Renato reported the wereboar tribe in the Old Ruins District and the Quadruped Drake on the Misty Path to the guild, then sold salvaged gear and bought five Healing Potions.
  • Renato told Perly that adventuring was too dangerous and urged her to grow stronger, but she refused to quit and asked him to keep guiding her.
  • Renato shared his stew with Perly at Last Call and planned to avoid the Phantom Forest for a while because the Misty Path was dangerous.
  • Renato packed supplies for Fried City and spent 1,485 experience points to raise Champion Warrior to level 5.
  • Renato decided to look for work and connections through the gangs in Fried City's slums.

Ch. 20Mage apprentice

Renato agreed to take Perly along as his companion on the journey to Fried City, and they returned there by freight wagon. At the Silver Deer Inn, Perly explained how spell preparation worked and demonstrated her Alarm spell, while Renato reminded her that she was still a mage apprentice.

  • Perly caught up with Renato outside Brekka Town and insisted on adventuring with him, so he agreed to share the first job’s reward twenty-eighty.
  • Renato and Perly paid to ride a freight wagon to Fried City, where they discussed Perly’s brief stay in the city and her admiration for Joe Laurent.
  • After entering Fried City, Renato chose the Silver Deer Inn, where he and Perly shared a room.
  • Perly told Renato she knew five first-level spells but could prepare only two at a time, then explained how mages used the Weave and prepared spells.
  • Perly cast Alarm to protect their room’s belongings, and Renato corrected her boast by calling her a mage apprentice.

Ch. 21Red Iron

Renato accepted a quest to investigate Red Iron’s smuggling network and went with Perly to Old Alley Street, where he tracked down the dwarf arms dealer. Kadra Copper admitted he understood Renato’s purpose but said the discussion would have to happen elsewhere and with someone else.

  • Renato reached adventurer rank 3 and chose the quest to investigate Red Iron’s smuggling network.
  • Renato and Perly visited Old Alley Street, where three men from the Iron Fist Gang warned them to stay out of trouble.
  • Renato asked the gang members where he could find weapons for sale, and they directed him to Red Iron.
  • Renato found the dwarf Red Iron selling overpriced pots and pans and asked about his equipment for sale.
  • Red Iron introduced himself as Kadra Copper and told Renato the real discussion could not happen there or with him.

Ch. 22Iron Wheat Tavern

Renato proved his swordsmanship to Malik, the Iron Fist Gang boss, who hired him and Perly to intercept a Wolf Gang smuggling wagon. After accepting the job, Perly worried about the danger and asked Renato to lend her ten silver coins.

  • Kadera introduced Renato and Perly to Malik at the Iron Wheat tavern, where Malik challenged Renato to prove his skill.
  • Renato defeated three of Malik's men and then beat Malik in a wooden-sword bout, earning Malik's respect.
  • Malik hired Renato to intercept a Wolf Gang wagon carrying two crates marked with a Wolf Claw and deliver them to the Adventurers' Guild for twenty gold coins and a magic item.
  • Renato explained to Perly that Malik wanted outsiders to disrupt the Wolf Gang without confronting them directly, and reassured her that the job was safer than the Phantom Forest.
  • Perly agreed to the job and asked Renato to lend her ten silver coins.

Ch. 23Snare

Renato and Perly prepared for a job by learning and planning around Perly’s new Snare spell. Before bed, Perly shared her ambition to become an archmage, and Renato promised he believed in her.

  • Perly emerged from the Grand Library after learning Snare and explained that it could trap and suspend a creature that stepped inside its hidden five-foot radius.
  • Renato and Perly prepared for their planned ambush, and Perly memorized two Snares and one Magic Missile despite Renato’s concern about magical backlash.
  • Perly asked Renato what he would do with the job money, and he admitted he had no clear plans for his future.
  • Perly told Renato she wanted to become an archmage and build her own Mage Tower, then asked whether her ambition was foolish.
  • Renato praised Perly’s courage and told her he believed she would become an archmage, and she quietly wished him good night.

Ch. 24Ambush

Renato and Perly ambushed a wagon carrying weapons, fought and killed its guards, then looted the wreckage. They secured the cargo and equipment, leaving the driver pinned beneath the horse as they prepared to finish stripping the bodies.

  • Renato and Perly trapped the wagon, overturned it, and attacked its two guards.
  • Renato fought the chainmail guard while Perly used spells to support him and hinder the half-elf archer.
  • Renato killed the half-elf with the guard's chopping blade, and Perly froze the other guard to death with Ray of Frost.
  • Renato and Perly removed two crates of weapons and several bundles of vegetables from the wrecked wagon.
  • Renato looted the guards' armor, weapons, and other belongings while Perly took the half-elf's scimitars and leather armor.

Ch. 25Preparing for the rewards

Renato prepared for his meeting with Malik by testing his new armor and planning how to handle the smuggled weapons. That night, Perly reflected on how Renato had repeatedly saved and supported her, and he held her as she cried.

  • Renato and Perly returned to the Silver Deer Inn, where Renato decided to wait until morning before meeting Malik and had Perly prepare Mage Armor, Burning Hands, and Magic Missile.
  • Renato tried on his Chain Shirt and other new armor, practiced his sword techniques, and decided he could move and fight comfortably in the gear.
  • Renato planned to visit the Adventurers' Guild before going to Iron Wheat and to turn over most of the smuggled weapons while keeping the best blades.
  • Renato considered the danger of Malik's territory and planned to warn Perly not to eat anything at Iron Wheat.
  • Perly recalled how Renato had helped and saved her during their adventures, then cried as she asked why he treated her so well; Renato held her in silence.
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