I headed to the second level to check out the armory recommended by Khaliss. The Serpent’s Strike had an open air display area out front and judging by the sounds coming from behind a curtain a fully operational forge in the back. That curtain had to be slightly enchanted, as it was only a mild clanking that could be heard. I was browsing through the items, looking for something in my level range, but things seemed different for monsters. If you were playing one of the light races, you would be given a list of attribute requirements at the bottom of an item’s description, with the attributes you were lacking in highlighted in red. Monsters gave you this weird percentage if you weren’t able to use it properly.

Hardened steel great axe

This large axe is made of a superior steel and has been enchanted to increase durability. Though the large size slows down attack speed, it more than makes up for the difference with damage potential.

Cost: 35 g

Damage: 50-60 (30-34)

Durability: 300/300

Requirements 60%

“Excuse me, could you explain this to me please?” I tried flagging down an employee.

“First time shopping here?”

“Here or anywhere as a kobold to be honest.”

“Oh, you must be an adventurer then. Let me get the boss, he’ll want to explain things.” The kobold I was talking to scurried off into the back, and it was a few minutes before one of the widest kobolds I’ve ever seen lumbered through the curtain. His arms were as thick as my thighs, and he had on a scorched leather apron.

As he walked up to me, he stretched out a scar covered hand and said, “Welcome! I’m Dharkiss, forgemaster here at the Serpent’s Strike. Tlaloc said you had some questions? First time shopping as a monster race?”

“Yes sir, I’m an adventurer and one of the first to be able to try the monster races. I was wondering if you could explain the requirements tag, as it is a bit different than what I’m used to.”

“Not a problem. I’m not sure if you’ve noticed it yet, but the gods have decreed that monsters aren’t allowed to see our actual attributes. This is good and bad for us, as we can try and equip almost any piece of equipment. Want to be a mage wielding a battle axe? Go right ahead, but be prepared to face the penalties. The gods made it so that whatever we are lacking the most to be able to wield something will determine the penalties. In increments of 5%, however short you are in that attribute is how much you get penalized on almost everything. A quick example, say this axe here takes ten strength to use, but you only have 6 strength. You would see a red 60% requirements tag, and everything would be set to 60% until you increased your strength. That includes damage, attack speed, accuracy, parry, and critical hit chance for weapons. Armors get penalized to damage reduction, movement speed, dodge, and deflection.”

“Wow, that is some stiff penalties. Does that effect any of the enchantments?”

“No, enchantments are based on level. If you don’t meet the level requirements to use an enchantment, then you will get an insufficient level tag and be unable to equip it.”

“Thanks for the explanations, everything is a lot clearer now. I’ll have to go back and thank Khaliss for recommending this place. You’ve been a great help, now I just need to find some proper equipment for my level.”

“Khaliss sent you this way? That old lizard still knows the best weaponsmith in town. Tell you what kiddo, have you figured out what your profession is going to be?”

“No, I haven’t gotten that far, why?”

“Ever give smithing a try?”

“No, my last incarnation I was a carpenter with a specialty as a bowyer. It went rather well with my ranger class.”

“Bah, you’ll find no archers down here, and precious little wood to carve up as well. Come on with me to the back, we’ll get you squared away and try being a smith. Nothing better than knowing the weapon you are using is one crafted with your own two hands.” As he was talking, he grabbed me by the shoulders and started steering me to the back. I really had no choice in the matter, and soon I was in a sweltering cave with a massive forge in the back. “Ok, we will start simple. A knife sounds good, grab you a small billet of steel. No, that one’s iron. The steel is the stack next to it. Good, good, now take those tongs and place it in the fire. We want it just short of white hot, so we have a few minutes to wait. Go ahead and pick up a hammer, you want one that isn’t too heavy as you will be swinging it a lot. Now, you are going to hammer it, gradually moving towards your tongs. If it starts glowing a dull red, we need to stop and move it into the flame to reheat it. Don’t let it get too cold, you will put stress fractures in it.” Dharkiss kept giving me tips as I worked to forge a knife, but half the time it seemed contradictory.

After a few hours of pounding out metal, he determined I was ready to quench it. I got it near white hot again, and dunked it in a tank of oil of some kind. I shook it a few times, and though that I had it cooled enough. I pulled it out and held it up, and after a few seconds it burst into flame! I quickly dunked it back into the oil again, as Dharkiss kept laughing in the background. “BWAHAHAHAHA! Give it at least two minutes in the quench boy, you can’t rush things like this. Unless you like things exploding into flame right in your face. HAHAHAHA!” I glared at him then took the smoking piece of metal out of the oil. In all honesty, it was ugly.

“Um, I’m no expert but I think I have almost no skill in this.”

“Well, damn boy. I’ve never seen a straight piece of metal end up with that many curves. You’ve got dents all the way down, warps everywhere, and see here? These cracks that are perpendicular to the blade are all stress points that could snap in the middle of battle. I’m sorry, you’ve got next to no skill here and this is destined for the scrap metal bin.”

“It’s ok, it was a long shot. Thanks for the lesson, and sorry for wasting your time.”

“Bah, it wasn’t a waste. Now, what weapons are you looking at using and what’s your class and level?”

“I’m a level 12 Ambusher. So far I’ve used a hammer for a few kills, and Khaliss trained me on the crossbow.”

“Ambusher, eh? Good class. Fairly well rounded, but you need to be sneaky so none of the heavy plate. I can’t help ya for armor, you’ll need to see the tailor for that. How much you got in the budget?”

“I’ve got a few things to buy yet, but I could spend up to perhaps, three platinum? Weapons are probably going to be my biggest expense.”

He whistled, “Wheeeeew, three platinum? Pretty good for a starter budget. Let’s see here, need a Warhammer and a crossbow. Here, check this bow out. How do you like it?”

Blinding crossbow

Made with unknown materials from the Underdark, this bow has been enchanted to cause blindness on those that are struck by its bolts.

Cost: 1 p 30 g

Damage: 35-50

Durability: 150/150

Special: Chance to blind on successful hit +35%

“I love it. Count me in for that, and now I just need a war hammer.”

“Well, check this one out. I’m sure you will find it acceptable.”

Brutal Warhammer of Crushing

This steel Warhammer has been enchanted to not only increase its damage, but also to increase the chance of crushing bone when you hit.

Cost: 1 p 75 g

Damage 90-115

Durability: 500/500

Special 1: Damage increased by 15%

Special 2: Increased chance to crush bone or chitin, reducing effectiveness of affected limb. (Opponent must have a rigid support structure)

“Done!” I handed over the 3 platinum and 5 gold, more than happy with the two weapons. The second special effect of the war hammer wouldn’t be effective against slimes, but those weren’t nearly as prevalent as other types of monsters. “Thanks for everything Dharkiss, but I’ve gotta get a move on. I need a house before the end of the day.” Waving at him, I headed off towards the third tier to build out a house.

The third tier was labyrinthine. There were houses carved into small islands of rock in the middle of several hallways, some were merely caves in the walls, and some even had a small cliff of a roof overhead. After about ten minutes of wandering, I was finally starting to get into the less populated areas when I got that hair on the back of your neck standing up feeling. I figured something or someone was following me, so I took random turns until I found a place where there was a ledge near the ceiling I could hide on. I ran down the alleyway, and quickly climbed to the top of the ledge and followed it back to the mouth of the alley. Activating [Hide in shadows], I patiently waited for whatever was following me.

A rat the size of a medium dog with jet black hair waddled into the alley, snuffling along as it tried to follow my scent trail. I took out my new crossbow, and waited for it to stop and sniff the air again. As it did, I used [Windless trajectory] to take aim, and fired a bolt right into the back of the creature. I couldn’t try and be more accurate as I hadn’t calibrated for my new bow, but getting a shot into the main body was still possible. The body disappeared into motes of light, and I checked my damage log for what had happened.

Ambush successful! Critical Hit! You shoot summoned familiar for 82 damage. Summoned familiar is destroyed.

Damn, someone wants to keep close tabs on me. I don’t know why, but I didn’t like it. I dropped down and collected my bolt, then headed back towards the second level. Having your own house would be the safest, but I had enough spare cash that I could rent an inn room for a while. Inns had less storage space in the actual room, but they also allowed access from any city. Strolling through the second level, I saw a sign that had a possible dragon sleeping on a pile of gold. I walked in thinking it was either a bank or an inn.

“Good afternoon sir! Welcome to the Dragon’s Roost, are you interested in a room?” A mottled brown kobold greeted me as I entered.

“Yes, I would most definitely be interested. What are your prices and what do they include?”

“Well, the cheapest option is the room only, that costs 10 copper a night. We also offer up to two meals per day, both and the room will cost 20 copper. There are also deals for paying per week or per month.”

“What would it cost to have the room and two meals per day for a month?”

“For the month would be 5 silver with the discount.”

“Hmm, only a silver knocked off? I was hoping for a little more. How about this, can I borrow the kitchen from time to time? I’m a cook myself, and wouldn’t mind being able to prepare a few meals every now and then.”

“Only if you let me try your better dishes.”

“Sure! If you really like them, I can try and get enough ingredients and we can sell it as a special. I can show your cook how I prepared it so you won’t be dependent on me.”

“That sounds wonderful Mr. ?”

“Oh how rude of me, sorry. I’m Angus, Angus MacG. Pleasure to meet you.”

“I always enjoy meeting a new customer Mr. Angus. Call me Alnoss.” I shook her hand and gave her the five silver. “Here’s your key, I know how you adventurers are so it is soul-bound and can only be returned to me. Should you fall behind on payment, your key will be disabled until you pay the balance. Fall behind more than a month and your belongings will be confiscated to pay for the key and your balance. Anything left will be forfeit to me for the trouble, understand?”

“Yes ma’am!” I replied with a little salute. “Don’t worry, I plan on being around for a while. Unfortunately, I need a bit of food before I head to my room. What have you got that’s quick?”

“Only a bowl of soup and some bread is ready at the moment.”

“That’s fine.” Practically inhaling the soup and bread she gave me, I hurried upstairs and entered my room. It was rather Spartan, with just a trunk and a bed. I crawled into the bed and logged out for the night.