Arn and Elder Dannis sat at his kitchen table the next morning. “I’ve heard great things about your progress Arn. The fat man-child is long gone! I’m looking at someone new!” Arn ruefully smiled. “Thanks. I think. It has been a revelation for me as well. Just for example, I had no idea how hard it is to get dried blood out of your ass.”

Dannis snorted and said, “well if you want to be a ‘Titan of Legend’ and you know, not die stupid, than you have to make sacrifices. You ready for your hunt?”

Arn smiled. “No, not really. I went swimming yesterday, so swimming today sounds boring. Besides, what is there to hunt in the water? You couldn’t possibly be sending me to hunt slarns in the water right?” Dannis huffed, “don’t be dense boy, you’ve got a 16 constitution now, you should be able to hold your breath for 10 minutes and the poison will hardly effect you.” Arn gave it serious thought. “I get that, but I’ve heard three or four of them can strip a cow to bone in under a minute. On land is one thing, but in the water sounds like the forever kind of dying. You’re the one who is always telling me I can’t over estimate my class.”

Dannis frowned. “The slarns will be more than happy to come close to the shore. Scream at em, and start with the stabbing. They aren’t that tough, but the village could really use this. There are a lot of them in the river these days and they cost us a lot of livestock. They are a huge hassle to hunt on land given how fast they can scurry back to the water if they sense danger, but with your Scream you have a huge advantage. If you do need to follow them into the shallow water, your constitution and regeneration should protect you sufficiently from the poison. Here, taste this” Dannis said while handing over a small jar.

“What’s this? I heard slarn is too stringy for humans” Arn asked while dipping his hand in the jar and eating a large gob. Dannis took the jar and calmly noted, “slarn poison. I figured with your class bonus you could pick up the resistance now. You did hear me say 'taste' right? That doesn't mean the same as 'eat the whole flipping jar.'"

Arn stood up in a panic and shouted, "I have to get to the healer!" Dannis paused, suddenly looking concerned, “you DO still have your daily class resurrection, right? You have to tell me if you use that up in some foolishness!” Arn felt silly for panicking and sat back down. "Yeah, I have it but that doesn't mean I want to die."

Elder Dannis relaxed and smiled. "You'll be fine Arn. We don't have time to get the healer anyway; slarn poison is quick. I suppose I should have known better; you've been eating anything not nailed down for years. Remember that time you thought the floor wax was honey..."

Arn lost track of the Elder's droning as an intense burning spread from Arn’s tongue through his face, followed by sweeping numbness. He tried to get up, but his head felt like an iron weight and his legs like noodles. Arn fell on the floor, and the room started to spin. Blackness.

“Arn? Arn! Wake your ass up, time is a wasting. You aren’t dead, so shake it off. Arn!!!” Arn stirred to Dannis’ exhortations and a few slaps. “Daammfff uff .” Arn gave up and went back to resting.

CONGRATULATIONS! Poison Resistance unlocked! Poison Resistance level one reached! You are less susceptible to poison’s effects and will recover more quickly.

After a time, Arn felt in control enough to slowly lever himself up to a seated position. Arn turned and found Elder Dannis casually eating an omelette. “Ah, Arn, done with your nap I see! You owe me 10 silver by the way, that stuff isn’t cheap!”

“Skwew you Ewldwer!” Dannis chuckled, “now, now, its not my fault you acted like a child with a jar of honey is it? Did you get Poison Resistance?” “Yeeahh buh onwy lewell hon.” Dannis chuckled, “Arn do you have any idea how hunters go about gaining Poison Resistance? They take a tiny amount every day, maybe for months.”

Surly, Arn grabbed Dannis’ food and clumsily shoved some in his mouth. Dannis frowned. “I’m not sure you appreciate everything I’m doing for you boy!” Dannis sighed, and after a moment resumed his instructions. “Borrow another dagger from Liara so you have one on each leg. There is a wheelbarrow outside you can use to bring dead slarns back; Elric will give you good silver for them. Now get the Hells out, and I’ll expect an apology when you’re back!” Arn staggered to his feet and headed out; he was in no mood to apologize for being angry about his poisoning.

Arn: Level Three Revenant

Attributes:

Constitution: 16

Dexterity 10

Strength: 14

Intelligence: 10

Will: 10

Charisma: 8

Skills:

Block (5)

Death’s Scream

Dodge (5)

Head Butt (1)

Focus (1)

Pain Resistance (5)

Poison Resistance (1) (+1)

Shield Bash (1)

Swordsmanship (3)

Achievements:

Survivor

Tasty!

Masochist