Ok time for the next chapter, I am planning on exploring this world and what all it can provide. I mean if there is a labyrinth in the kingdom, then a good portion of the goods and services are catering to the adventures and anyone who is exploring the labyrinth.
So on with the story..
The next morning, we scoured the market with yesterday's reward in hand. Which was 10 copper per dead rat, and we killed 9. But Lucy, gave the client a discount, dropping it to 8 copper per rat. Then there was the goblins — 1 silver and 50 copper for each one, and we'd taken down 17 of those and we sold all the sellable weapons or armour of the goblins which wasn't much at 3 but we got a 5 silver thanks to lucy, seriously i don't know what I would do without her.
--
Reward Calculation*
- For the rats:
- 9 rats 8 copper = 72 copper.
- For the goblins:
- 17 goblins (1 silver 50 copper) = 17 silver 850 copper.
-850 coppers or 8 silver's and 50 copper.
Putting everything together we had
29 silver 22 copper*.
Lucy grinned as we counted it out. "That's a lot for us common folk. This much Silver doesn't come to our hands this easily."
Curious, I asked, "Can you break down the currency system for me?"
Lucy smirked and crossed her arms. "It's simple. We deal in *Copper, Silver, Gold, and Platinum*.
1 *Silver* is worth 100 *Copper*.
1 *Gold* is worth 100 *Silver*.
And 1 *Platinum* is 100 *Gold*.
Copper's for common folk, Silver's for decent trade, Gold's for the rich, and Platinum… that's for lords, kings or high class merchants."
"I see"
As we kept walking through the busy streets, I turned to Lucy. "So, if an adventurer wanted to get stronger, what would he buy?"
She gave me a sideways glance, clearly thinking about everything.
Lucy looked around the bustling market, taking her time to answer. "Depends on how you want to get stronger. There are several shops we could check out."
She pointed towards a nearby blacksmith. "First, there's weapons and armor. Better gear will keep you stay alive longer and let you deal more damage."
Then her eyes drifted to another stall filled with potions. "Potions and herbs. Healing potions, stamina potions and resistance potions. things that'll keep you going in a fight. Alchemy is a good thing to look into."
Next, she gestured toward a small building with a sign of books and scrolls. "For anyone using magic or wanting to study spells, scrolls and books are good investments. If you have an talent for magic you might learn a new spell or two that could be useful."
Finally, she gave me a sly smile "And if you're feeling... Rich, there are trainers around. You know, people who can teach you a few things that aren't in the books. But that'll cost you more coins."
I nodded, taking it all in. The choices seemed endless.
"Where do we find trainers" I wanted to start with the trainers. Even in my world, someone who taught you was better that a book. "Are they hard to get?"
Lucy shook her head. "Trainers aren't tricky to find at all. You've got three solid methods if you're serious about getting a trainer. Each has its ups and downs."
1. *Posting on the Guild Request Board*
You post a request on the Guild's board saying you're looking for someone to train you. It's quick and gets the word out fast but you won't know if they are even half as capable as they say."
2. *Merchant Guild Trainer Service*
Next option, and a bit more reliable: The Merchant Guild has a Trainer Services. You sign up, and they assign you a private trainer. If you don't like the one you get, you can swap them out, they are really costly."
3. *Joining a School*
"Last option, and the cheapest: joining a training school. You'll be learning alongside a bunch of other students, in a way its good. I actually learned in a school and I made some connection but it's slower than the other methods and schools are prone to fire risk."
"Really?"
"Yep, they were three fires in one year which I studied"
"How much fires after you left" i asked a smirk on my face.
"They increased there fire safety so none" she told me while looking dead into my eyes.
"..and before" my look of amusement stared into her look of irritation.
Lucy didn't answer and just gave me the cold shoulder.
"Fine, sorry for teasing you. So any other ways"
Lucy tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Aside from trainers, here's what else could help you win battles."
1. *Enchantments*
"If you have gear, you can take it to an enchanter. They'll add magical effects to your weapons or armor. A sword that ignites in flames or a shield that partially reflects spells back at the caster could turn a fight in your favor."
2. *Traps and Tools*
"For trickier situations, tools like caltrops, nets, or even explosive rune stones are handy. You can buy them from specialist merchants who deal with adventurers. They might not always be straightforward combat, but they're good for strategy and weaking a strong monster before fighting it."
3. *Rare Ingredients or Gems*
"if you find rare ingredients or gems they can be used to amplify a potion or an equipment —giving you better abilities like faster healing or higher durablity."
4. *Animal compania*
"some adventures have dogs, cats, birds, wolves and anything thing else. They help in there own way. Like strength, to steal or to spot something"
Lucy shrugged. "Depends on how you want to fight. Some adventures are ambush hunters. They set a trap, they lure there prey with there animal companion. They slowly kill there prey little by little with poisons and traps"
"I see" there were different types of adventures, the more I know, the more I realise i didn't "first thing is to find people who can teach us something new."
"You are asking about the trainers?" Lucy asked me
I nodded at Lucy "Let's check out the Merchant Guild. See what they've got for us."
Lucy started at me before grinning. "I always wanted to go."
I wanted to say something but remembered that lucy was from a poor family they couldn't go and ask for a personal trainer, so she couldn't really have went there.
We made our way to the Merchant Guild. The building stood tall, polished stone pillars marking its entrance, and a constant flow of traders and clients moving in and out. Inside, the atmosphere shifted to one of efficiency and quiet wealth. The air smelled faintly of parchment and ink, and rows of clerks were working behind wide counters, assisting people with all sorts of requests.
Approaching one of the clerks, a sharp-eyed woman with her hair neatly tied back, Lucy leaned in. "We're here for the Trainer Service. Can you give us the details?"
The woman nodded and pulled out a large ledger. "Certainly. The Merchant Guild offers a wide range of specialized trainers, available to adventurers like yourselves. We categorize them by combat style, experience level, and—of course—price range. Let me outline the options for you."
Trainer Categories Available*
1. *Combat Specialists*
Trainers who focus on direct combat, be it melee, ranged, or hand-to-hand.
- *Swordmasters* Experts in blade techniques, whether you're aiming to use a longsword, rapier, or greatsword.
- *Archers and sniper's* For those wanting to improve with bows and crossbows.
- *Martial Artists* Specialize in hand-to-hand combat and body conditioning.
2. *Magic Trainers*
For adventurers looking to harness elemental, arcane, or divine magic.
- *Elementalists* Trainers who specialize in fire, ice, lightning, and earth-based magic.
- *Healers and Clerics* Experts in restoration and protection magic.
- *Illusionists and Mind Magic* Focuses on manipulating the mind and creating powerful illusions.
3. *Hybrid Trainers*
For adventurers who want to master multiple disciplines.
- *Magic Knights* Experts who can teach both swordsmanship and basic magic.
- *Ranger Types* Combining survival skills, archery, and close combat.
4. *Specialty Trainers*
For adventurers with unique goals.
- *Beast Tamers* Learn how to tame and control creatures.
- *Stealth Masters* Perfect for rogues and assassins looking to blend into the shadows and strike silently.
- *Alchemists* For those interested in crafting potions, bombs, and other consumables to aid in battle.
Pricing Structure*
- *Basic Trainers* (Good for beginners)
- 5 silver per session, one-on-one training.
- Skill levels taught: Beginner to Intermediate.
- *Experienced Trainers* (For intermediate adventurers)
- 15 silver per session.
- Skill levels taught: Intermediate to Advanced.
- *Elite Trainers* (Highly specialized and top-tier training)
- 1 gold per session.
- Skill levels taught: Advanced to Master.
Trainer Service Program Features*
- *Trial Sessions* You can request a trial session with any trainer for a discounted rate (half-price). If you're unsatisfied, you can request another trial with a different trainer.
- *Replacement Policy* Not satisfied with the trainer assigned? You can switch to another at no additional cost, though availability may vary depending on demand.
- *Schedule Flexibility* Trainers will work around your adventuring schedule. You can request intensive short-term training or longer, spaced-out sessions.
The clerk smiled. "Does that sound like what you're looking for? We can also provide gear recommendations if you'd like to check out the armory or equipment shops afterward."
I exchanged a look with Lucy. It seemed like we had a lot of choices to make.
"What do you think?" Lucy asked, scanning the list of trainers. "Want to try out one of the combat specialists, or are you feeling something a little more… exotic?"
I leaned over the counter and asked the clerk, "We're looking for something a bit more specific. Someone who specializes in short weapons like daggers, someone skilled in wildshape, and a trainer who uses a whip as a primary weapon. Do you have anyone that fits those specialties?"
The clerk flipped through the ledger with quick precision, her fingers tracing over names and categories. After a moment, she paused, nodding to herself. "We do have trainers in those areas. Let me break it down for you."
Specialist Trainers Available*
1. *Dagger Combat Specialist*
- *Trainer Name* *Soren 'Quickhand' Vale*
- *Expertise* Daggers, short blades, dual-wielding techniques, and precision strikes.
- *Style* Fast, lethal, and efficient. Soren focuses on using daggers for quick, close-quarters combat. His training includes learning vital strike points, using speed over strength, and mastering dual-dagger combat.
- *Additional Skills* Stealth training, throwing daggers, and escape techniques.
- *Price* 8 silver per session.
- *Trial Session* 4 silver.
2. *2. *Wild Shape and Nature Mastery Trainer*
- *Trainer Name or Names* Zan and Zara*
- *Expertise* Druidic wild shape, nature manipulation, and animal combat.
- *Style* Zara trains adventurers in the ancient druidic art of transforming into beasts. There sessions focus on mastering the different forms of animals, each with unique strengths for combat, scouting, or survival and tapping into the force of nature.
- *Additional Skills* Beast instincts, heightened senses, nature control, elemental control and natural regeneration.
- *Price* 10 silver per session.
- *Trial Session* 5 silver.
3. *Whip Master Trainer*
- *Trainer Name* *Rana 'Whipsnake' Sira*
- *Expertise* Whips, chains, and flexible weapons, acrobatics.
- *Style* Rana teaches the art of controlling a whip with precision. Whether it's for disarming opponents, striking from a distance, or even restraining an enemy, she is a master of whip-based combat. Her sessions focus on range control, mastering fluid strikes, and using the whip as a tool for both offense and defense.
- *Additional Skills* Entangling, pulling, and disarming techniques.
- *Price* 10 silver per session.
- *Trial Session* 5 silver.
The clerk placed her finger on the page with a small smile. "These trainers are some of the best we have for what you're looking for. Each offers a trial session at half-price if you want to get a feel for their teaching style before committing."
I glanced at Lucy. We had three solid choices, and each of them seemed skilled in exactly the type of combat we needed to round out our abilities. She raised an eyebrow at me, clearly waiting for my thoughts.
I shrugged. "I'm thinking we try them all. It wouldn't hurt to get a feel for what they offer before we settle on one. What do you say?"
Lucy smirked. "Sounds like a plan. A trial session with each one, then?"
I nodded in agreement.
After confirming with the clerk that we would meet the dagger specialist later in the evening, while the other two were exploring the labyrinth or on a quest. We paid the advance for the other two trainers. A small sum of 2 silver each as a security fee, which would ensure our place with them once they became available. The clerk noted our booking and promised to inform us once their schedules were open.
With that settled, we turned our attention to another matter—exploring all the other options
"Now that the trainers are sorted," I said, "let's see what we can do about enchantments. It'll be good to give our weapons a bit of an edge."
Lucy nodded, leading the way through the market district. The enchantment shops were easy to spot, nestled in an alley of tightly packed stalls. Each shop was lined with shelves of glowing trinkets, runic symbols, and weaponry that shimmered faintly under the magic infused within them.
We stopped in front of one with a sign that read *"Mystic Forge Enchantments"*. A burly man with glowing tattoos stood behind the counter, polishing what looked like a sword made of iron with blue markings. He looked up as we approached and gave a nod.
"Looking for a bit of extra power in your weapons?" the man asked, his voice deep and gravelly.
Lucy smiled. "You could say that. What sort of enchantments do you offer?"
The man motioned to a large, enchanted display case where various weapons glowed with different auras. "Depends on what you're looking for. We've got elemental enchantments, precision boosts, strength amplifiers, and defensive wards. Each one's priced differently based on the type of weapon and the potency of the enchantment you want."
"Can we see a demo. I want to know how much of a difference it will make"
"I have just the one" the black smith goes and pulls out a sword from the bottom of the table and he keeps a long on a stand "many new comers always ask the same question so I got this"
"What is it"
"A sword made sharper by runes." He placed the bladed edge of the sword on the log and let go. The sword went right through.
"Lucy try with your dagger." She looked at me weirdly but still went and tried cutting the log.
"Yep, it's a real hard log"
"I see, thank you for showing us that"
"Sure, so what are you looking for"
"I am sorry but I will have to puch this back a little, we are still looking for our ideal fighting style, but when we do. We will place an order."
He looked a bit disappointed but was ok with it.
I decided to pass on this for the time being, I wanted to talk to raven on this.
"We will come back another time" i turned to lucy. "Let's check out the potion store next"
I wanted to familiarise myself with what ever this world has as quick as possible.
"Sure, i know just the one. He potion store is one the best in the kingdom, well as far I know anyway"
I followed Lucy through the bustling market, trying to keep up as the crowd thickened around us.
"It's getting harder to stay together," I said, struggling to keep her in sight.
"Yeah," she replied, briefly glancing back at me. Then she raised her hand slightly, and it took me a second to realize what she meant.
I slid my hand into hers. Her grip was light, her fingers cool and soft to the touch. It was oddly comforting.
Ok guys that's it for this chapter. The next chapters are going to be about exploring the world and all that it has to offer.
Please do Review, it helps the story a lot.
Current Chapter 12 October 2024
Next Chapter 16 October 2024