Book 3: Chapter 10 - Unforced Errors (RAW)

Cowardice?Is it simply the absence of bravery, or a symptom of a far more human failing? I believe it to be something more.

Along the long path of human history, great men have risen and fallen. Wars have been won and lost, and tales of heroism and cowardice have been woven into our shared heritage.

The shadow of cowardice has lain across the path of those falter in the face of seemingly great adversity. Those who put down their arms when faced with a greater foe, or those with whom fear has gripped them so utterly that they fail to act.

Across most of the civilized, cowardice is considered to be a deep moral failing in the main. Some of Philosophers of Quas believe it is rooted in the self, the absolute need to preserve one’s own current state. This could be one’s economic or social standing, or even one’s life. Oftentimes, such is the will to preserve this state that people will often instinctually override concerns such as morality or ethical concerns.

I believe, that like all human traits, it is a complex thing and more than just a diametric opposition to bravery. It is the failure to overcome insecurities and certain fears.

In my own humble opinion, I put forth to you, that ultimately cowardice is the betrayal of our ideal sense of self, the potential of what we could be.

- The Human Question by Gideon de Salavia 378 AC.

The waters were stilled, my rage quenched. All that was left were the corpses of the simple creatures that had decided to oppose me. All I wanted was a simple drink, but instead, I had to once again fight for my life against pale creatures born from nightmare. It was annoying to say the least.

“Zala!” I called out into the darkness, a hollow echo the only answer.

Where was she? Damn her eyes! I would run her down and kill her if she had betrayed me at such a juncture. I searched around the area, my holy light a torch in the darkness.

Then I found her, or what was left of her, anyways. Among the broken corpses was a shabby and lifeless figure, its head pitifully caved in by my fell hammer. There among my notifications was confirmation of my guilt, ‘You have slain a Human.’ At least her death would not be in vain, her life essence would forever more be, in some way, a part of me. More importantly, my Frenzied Strikes and Endure both improved by one level, and I had gained another point in Strength and Constitution. Perhaps in another level or two I would exceed four hundred Health. It was a most welcome windfall.

The whole thing was a little spoiled by the fact that I had lost my guide. Oh, Zala, even at the end you were an inconvenience. However, I had learned that using Frenzied Strikes when near companions was not perhaps the best of ideas. Whoops-a-daisy. Oh well, you live and you learn.

I searched among her things, adding her important items like supplies and whatnot to my own. Laden now with another bag, I felt like an armored pack mule.

Unsure if relying only on Drain to replenish my internal reserves, I heartily began eating some freshly cracked crab flesh. Its slimy texture had a lot to be desired, but I found it filling, if barely palatable. I ingested as much as I could, sure that this type of meat would quickly spoil. For a fraction of a second, a small part of me imagined what a quick nibble of Zala would taste like. Like pork, if the lurid stories from my world were to be believed.

I took a moment for myself, enjoying the silence, while I waited for my Health and Stamina to creep back up. The eternal question remained, what on earth do I do now? Head in my hands, I indulged in a moment of self-pity.

The smallest hint of a breeze threaded its way through my hair as I looked up at the purple threaded veins that ran through the rock of the ceiling. My sweat slick hair cooled quickly, and I took a moment to get up and dunk my face into the water of the lake, holding myself underwater for a few extended seconds.

I shook my head, more to clear my thoughts than to actually get rid of the remaining water. I felt it again, the faint hint of air moving. That was it! I was saved! I had found my way out.

Gathering my things, I held my helm in the crook of my arm, going in the direction where I felt the cool air moving against my skin. I walked at a brisk pace that I could maintain for hours if need be. A quick look back revealed that nature would not be so quick to give up its bounty to simple decay. Naked of fur, and long of tooth, six-legged mammalians descended upon the banquet I had left behind for them, the scavengers of this realm.

Purpose lent speed and determination to my stride, and I barely noticed the creatures that hastily stepped out my path way. They probably smelled the death stench that was upon me. All except one, who thought to test its luck thinking me easy prey.

A giant scorpion analogue stood in my way for a few moments. Like the giant crabs it was a pale white, and possessed thick natural armor. Its mandibles clicked against in each other in warning before it launched itself in attack. On any other day, I would have considered a threat, but so intent was I on the singular goal of getting out of this place, and drunk on my recent victories that I barely gave it half a mind as I dropped my helm and prepared to do battle.

I absorbed a vicious strike from its tail with my new shield, the scorpion’s stinger pumping venom ineffectually into the wood. Then I rushed into the dead space between its claws with Dash, in perfect striking distance toits close its head, and smashed my weapon repeatedly into it, working my way up to its thorax with Frenzied Strikes. After a last sickening crunch as my hammer caved in some chitin, the monster finally gave up the ghost, feeding me with more experience and improving my Critical Hit Mastery Skill.

It would have been a waste of Mana to identify, so I simply sat on the scorpion’s pale corpse as I waited for my Stamina to recover. I could not see them clearly, but I felt more than saw, the presence of other creatures of this subterranean realm approach, before retreating and giving me wide berth. With the little grace given to me, I perused through my Status, confirming the gains and was mildly surprised to see that my new partner, the Entropic Mimic, had lost a few points of Health. I surmised that it most likely had been damaged by the scorpion’s attack, its Health points taking the place of Durability. Of passing note was that it had actually gained in maximum Health, lending me to think that it could also grow in power alongside me. A comforting, if also a little, disquieting thought.

The wind was growing stronger, its voice now a quiet susurration instead of a ghost of a whisper. A new spring to my step, buoyed by new-found hope, I picked up my helm from the stone floor and marched on.

The cavern narrowed into an intersection series of paths, and I hesitated as I waited for the guiding breeze to lead me. The air was still for long moments, the silence broken only by the movements of the local fauna. There was the distance buzzing or the flap of leathery wings, and at the edge of my golden light I heard chattering as creatures called among themselves. At one point I fancied I saw a pair of orbs, golden with my reflected light, looking straight back at me.

Then I felt it, predictably originating from one of the narrow paths leading up. With nothing for it, I went down this path that angled and twisted ever upwards. As I progressed, the walls became laced with more than just the purple mineral veins, but now also sported splotches of a dull glowing green. Closer inspection revealed it to be sort of bioluminescent lichen. Curiosity, that rascal of a friend, egged me on to use Identify on it. With some Mana to spare, I simply thought, why not?

Beron’s Dream (Lichen)

Health 4/4

Curiosity joined avarice in whispering suggestions in my ear, perhaps I could bring some with me to the surface? I reached to touch the strange lichen and felt a small tingle through even the through my gauntlets. Strange, I thought to myself. Noticing no negative change to my Health, I decided to gather some of the specimens, stuffing them into a side pocket of Zala’s bag. At the very least, I would have a source of light aside from my Holy Aura.

I almost began to whistle, sure that my fortunes had finally changed, but stopped myself. It would not to do to attract unwanted attention here. The thought of another encounter with a Zlesh Viper sent a shiver through my spine.