As Ard and I rolled out of town I leaned back on the bench, peering into the back of the wagon. It wasn’t as empty as I first thought, filling the bottom of the wagon were sacks and a small barrel that I assumed were supplies for the couple up in the hills.

“How’d it all go? And were you able to get everything I needed?” I asked trying not to sound too eager.

“Eeeh, not so great. With the ships being damaged or destroyed I doubt this new load will get sold fast as it’s all going to be local. But I was able to get paid for the last load and I did find what you were looking for.” Ard said with a sly grin as he leaned back grabbing what looked to be soft walled leather rucksack which he deposited in my lap.

“I appreciate it Ard, you’ve been a real life saver.” I opened the sack taking a look inside, I couldn’t see anything in the dark confines so I stuck my hand in feeling around the inside of the bag which appeared to be empty. “What gives?”

Letting his sly grin shift into a laugh he pulled something out of a pouch on his belt, tossing it into my lap. Looking down I saw a small inscribed river stone, as I picked it up a notice flashed over my vision.

Do you wish to bind [Adventurers Satchel of Holding] to yourself? This will make the container usable only to you.

I couldn’t help but match his grin as I saw just what he’d gotten me, a bag of holding. Now I was really an adventurer, quickly selecting yes I reached back inside the sack now finding it filled with everything I’d asked for, each time I thought about what I was looking for it seemed to find its way into my hand. Quills, paper, charcoal, bottles of ink and pouches of pigment, it was all there.

“This is great Ard! I hope it didn’t cost too much…actually I did make some gold while you were gone, let me give you something.” I reached into my old ratty harvest sack.

“It’s a gift, if you’re going to be staying out with us you’ll need to be able to carry everything. Couldn’t buy you a pack horse so this is the next big thing. Keep your money, I’ll just have Tai put you to work to pay me back for the goods.” He said with a smile.

Sitting back for the ride I kept playing with the sack, willing things into my hand. On a whim I tried pulling up my inventory, finding myself this time presented with an overview of everything I had in my new rucksack. It seemed a few concessions had been made for players in this hardcore world. The sack would hold safely anything I could fit inside, all while reducing the weight to ten percent it’s total. Now it was time to start building my horde, spotting a section for money on my new UI I dumped my coins inside, quickly seeing them tallied there. Thirteen gold and some change, not bad.

As we rolled down the road, passing into the forest on our way home I passed the time chatting with Ard. The elf had become like an old friend in no time at all, always ready with some hilarious story or simply just comfortable to listen to me ramble on about one thing or another. As we rolled deeper in the woods the conversation changed to more serious topics.

“So I suppose you have some plan or purpose for burning down the old lumber camp, and moving forward? I don’t want to piss off the town and lose out on our livelihoods.” Ard voiced his concerns to me.

“Well first let me ask you something, Magda said they didn’t harvest the trees near the plains because it the territory of some druid, but she thought that was bullshit. Know anything?” I asked

“Ah Cernos the undying, he’s very much real.” Ard said casually. “Though supposedly he’s been asleep for the last century. A druid so powerful he transcended death.”

“You mean like a lich?” I asked

“Exactly! Well except he’s not undead, in fact I suspect he’s more alive than any of us. But same concept, Cerno tied his soul to a tree. Now if his physical body dies, he’s reborn from the tree good as new. The forest used to stretch closer to the bay before the humans arrived, they cleared it out building their town and planting fields. Until they got to close to Cerno’s territory. He blighted their crops and soured their wells leaving them to die till the set appeasing him, agreeing to disturb his forest further. I doubt your friends were find much traction getting the townsfolk to risk chopping down his forest even if he hasn’t been seen in some time.” Ard rambled on happily.

“Perfect, so here is my plan. At first I figured I’d just burn the logging camp and deny the town the supplies needed to fortify themselves and rebuild ships. Chances are the monsters would overrun them or the Legion would come knocking and take what they wanted. I mean I figure the Legion will get what they want one way or another, but if we’re going to make it last here long term we need that port. So my plan is to do the same, but start clearing the valley where I first escaped the cave, build a little village post there of our own. Then when the town is really desperate, sell them what they need for a small fortune, buy us a work force, hire the rest. Fact of the matter is I’ll probably sell to the Legion too, sooner they get out of here, the better. In the end if we avoid getting killed we should end up with everything secured before the year is out.” I laid out my plan as I enjoyed the breeze running through the trees.

“Bold, and it’s going to be a real pain. But I’m excited for the chance to build something more than just rocking chairs. Besides a village means it won’t just be me and Tai anymore. So I’m in.” Ard said matter-of-factly

“I was hoping you were doing to say that.”

We spent the rest of the day riding the wagon road through the forest till we reached the split heading towards the logging camp. The Sun was a few hours out from dipping below the horizon still. Picking through the sacks I gathered a few days’ worth of food from the supplies Ard had purchased in town. Shoving them into my rucksack I swung it over my back as I grabbed my maul and hopped from the wagon.

“Hey, what did I say about going it on your own?” Ard complained as he pulled the wagon to a stop.

“Look, it should be harmless and I figure it’s better if there is no chance anyone sees you burning down the logging camp with me. I’ll hike my way out, get it done and meet you at your place in a day or two, then we can both risk our asses clearing out the valley, sound good?” I asked, swinging the maul up onto my shoulder.

“Fine, but if you don’t show up in a few days I’m sending Tai down after you with instructions to hog tie you and haul you back if need be.” He threatened.

“Sounds good, be safe Ard.”

“You too.”

Watching till the wagon was swallowed up by the forest I head down my own path. The old logging road had started to overgrow, but going was easy enough with only my pack on my back. I could hear the forest coming to life around me at the impending night. By the time I’d reached the logging camp, the sun was setting a deep red hue in the sky filtering through the trees. I surveyed the camp unbothered by the fading light, it laid along a river running down from the mountain. Two barrack like cabins off to the side and a sawmill set to the side comprised most of it, with a few sheds and some old lumber rounding it out. Like all places that you expected to be full of people it had an extra empty feeling to it, like ending up in the halls of a high school long after everyone had gone home.

Deciding to spend the night and instead of running from the burning camp in the middle of the night I made my way to the smaller of the two barracks. Finding the door barred with a large iron padlock I hefted the maul up off my shoulder, flipping it around and taking a step back. A few heavy swings later and the sound of metal on metal echoed off the trees for the last time as the bent lock dropped to the ground. Stepping inside I found myself facing a row of bunks, with a small sitting area at the end near a potbelly stove. Shoving the door closed I grabbed a chair, wedging it in to at least make any entry a loud one. Padding through the dark room made my way to the sitting area, taking my time to build up a fire in the stove I left the small iron door open to chase away the evening chill. Hauling a blanket from my sack I found a comfortable looking chair, hauling it to a corner and settling in for the night as I fished out some food. The thought of sleeping in one of the cots exposed in the middle of the room left my nerves crawling. So I’d suffer a sore back to ease my paranoid mind. As I finished my cold meal I stoked the stove one last time before settling in to get some sleep.

Something woke me before the sun was up, the fire in the stove had died down to embers and I could see moonlight pouring in through the cracks in the wall. Sitting completely still I listened for whatever had woken me, hearing it a moment later a low croaking sound. It sounded rhythmic like someone having a conversation, carefully tucking my blanket back into the rucksack I grabbed my maul from the floor and edged towards the door. Carefully lifting the chair free I set it aside as I cracked the door with a finger peering outside into the moonlit camp.

Outside was a group of humanoid creatures, though their bodies appeared fat and bulbous with powerful legs and skinny arms. They carried with them fishing and spears and nets, one had a nasty looking cudgel in his webbed hands. Frogmen, or this worlds closest analog. They must have seen my light and come up from the river, I watched them as the gestured to the barracks arguing over something. There were six in total, each about half my size. Finally a larger bullfrog looking one croaked a final statement that seemed to settle it as they started to advance on the barracks. I debated storming out to fight them in the open where I could swing my maul fully, but figured that was a good way to get surrounded. Stepping away from the door crack I left it unbarred as I moved behind it grabbing my maul in both hands and holding it at the ready. Slowly the door creaked open, as I saw a set of webbed fingers curl around the edge. Holding my breath as my heart seemed to pound in my chest I waited, my body shaking from nerves. As the first bulbous creature cleared the doorway I sprang into action.

Throwing my weight against the door I slammed it shut as I heard something caught between it and the frame crack followed by a pained screech. The frogman in front of me whipped around faster than expected though the spear in his hands didn’t come fast enough. Bringing my maul down in a short chop I smashed the hammer side it into the top of his big mouthed head. He was left gasping at me like a fish out of water as blood poured down in rivulets between his eyes. Suddenly something slammed into the door behind me sending me stumbling forward over top of the dying frogman. Catching myself I whipped around just in time to feel the sharp agonizing pain as something pierced my side. Looking down I saw a spear sticking into me over my left hip, with a pissed of frogman attached to the end. Bringing my maul up I battered him away, grunting in pain as the spear ripped itself out. As the frogmen poured in through the open door I charged forward, holding my maul between both hands using it to batter them to the side as I broke free to open ground. Spinning on my heel I let my hand slip down the haft of my maul turning it into a heavy blind swing from the side. Feeling resistance for a moment before it thudded into the doorframe I found another of the frogmen nearly split open like a hog. As the rest followed him out I tried to yank my maul free from the wood, only to find it stuck. Quickly letting go I back pedaled to gain ground as the four remaining creatures spread out, on holding a shattered arm to his side but still wielding a cudgel with the other.

They jabbed at me as the slowly closed in, spear points opening new wounds along my body and leaving me with searing pain each time. Each time I moved towards one he backed off as the others stepped in filling me with new holes. Drawing my dagger from my belt I tried to fend them off, losing ground repeatedly. Suddenly a weighted net whipped out, tangling around my knife hand and arm threatening to yank me off balance. I was bigger than your average fish though, dropped the knife I grabbed at the net, yanking it from the frog’s grasp. Swinging it around frantically I managed to catch one of the bastards in the temple with a small iron weight. As he dropped like a stone the others charged me. I felt the small cold leathery bodies slam into, I was bigger and stronger than them but together the dragged me to the ground. Pinning me to the ground as the cudgel wielding one brought his stick up cracking it down on my stomach as I felt all the air driven from my lungs. Rotating slowly he paced towards my head, looming over me as he prepared to bring his weapon down and seal the deal. Struggling against the bodies pinning me down I tried to get myself free. As his club came up over his head I screwed my eyes shut waiting for the end to come. Suddenly I felt a something fall on top of me as the bodies I fought against went limp, leaving me under a stinking pile of frog bodies.

You have leveled, Congratulations! You will be awarded 1 Specialization and 1 attribute point to spend on your current skills and attributes. Traits are non-refundable and must be spent within 48 hours of level-up. Ability points will be awarded with each fourth level.

Wiggling myself around I managed to free my head from under the pile of bodies, only to be faced with end of a short sword and a familiar face.

“We really need to stop meeting like this.” Said Fan as she wiped green blood from her blade.