Returning back down to the sewers for a good day’s rest, I’ll sleep well after all the accomplishments these last few weeks. I can’t believe that I’ve carved out such a secure, stable base here in this village dungeon where no one questions me because of the large population of forsaken. This skittish, little goblin, fully dressed in one of their uniforms now, looks like any other homeless, aimless forsaken, after all.
And who are the forsaken? Apparently, whenever these strange newcomers arrive here from wherever they’re coming from, the local lords and the guild provide them with free equipment depending on the desires of the individual. For example, someone like the young one gets his iron pot, his lovely cloak, and a set of cheap leathers. However, another might get a big axe, thin metal armor, and a big helmet. The guild also provides a few universal things, such as the “Introduction to the Other World” book.
Why do they do this? Because it’s the guild’s mission to provide newcomers with the best chance at pursuing their unique desires in this so-called new world. The organization exists to explore, develop, and foster Kyklos’ laws to support the survival of its people and the eventual conquering of its biggest threat: Anatoly, the supposedly wicked sorcerer king. Although, I continue to question the legitimacy of this title.
On the other hand, the lords are more directly responsible for protecting the villages, town, and city. Given that, they’re far less motivated to protect individual newcomers than the guild is. That’s why they incentivize by offering “guild points”, which can be traded for the exclusive property and services squirreled away by the guild over the years. Ancient forgotten song books, unique weapons, the privilege to issue quests, or even simple favors.
Despite all this, many of the newcomers simply aren’t fit for this world and its new law. They flee at their first taste of the danger in the wilds. They lack any drive or talent at mixing or the later craftsmanship songs. They simply deplete the resources that were gifted on arrival, and then gloomily wait for some raid or accident to take their lives. They typically never last very long in this harsh world.
Regarding guild points…
I got one point when fetching Garvin’s package from the guild’s office in the town of Tranas. The town lord there oversees this village of Vastra. For some reason, Tranas’ town lord is well known for having a soft spot for the forsaken. No one knows why. However, that led to other towns sponsoring their forsaken to be ported over here for the free handouts offered by Tranas’ lord. It’s caused the population here to explode compared to a place like Figeholm where I hadn’t seen anyone like that at all.
In theory, this charity provides the forsaken a way to carry on without fully embracing Kyklos. It’s mostly accomplished by having someone like Garvin offer them talentless and straightforward odd jobs. Jobs that could easily be performed by someone more gifted with status, but instead get very inefficiently performed by forsaken. The entire situation has led to Tranas’ villages slowly degrading under the collective dead weight of nearly the entire world’s population of hopeless.
The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.
At least, that’s what I’ve gathered from reading books and spying on conversations around the village. Isn’t this great though? It means that I fit right in without even trying! Don’t have to quit being twitchy and nervous above ground when the sun’s up. Don’t have to work on this supposed odor problem, that I still swear is all in their heads. And, best of all…
“There was another one!” a morning vendor exclaims, gossiping with a customer. “Those awful forsaken won’t stop stealing things.”
“Where was it this time?” the interested customer asks.
“There’s this new bowyer and fletcher who moved in last year. He’s been working really hard, but that’s a real struggle of a path when trying to ascend. Still has a long way to go in all his skills.”
“Don’t we all,” the customer interjects, looking sour.
“Ha, certainly. Anyways, someone got into his assigned unit and took all sorts of things while he was out collecting wood from the forest.”
“What did they take?”
“That’s the weirdest part! A few books, a single quiver full of arrows, a pile of blank papers, and an inkwell. He complained that he got complacent. Left his entire savings behind, but not a single coin was touched! Even though it was sitting right out in the open.”
“That’s strange. What kind of forsaken leaves the money?”
“Maybe they finally felt their muse beckoning them to become a hunter?”
“Then why didn’t they take a bow?”
“Good point! The blasted inkwell and paper too. Maybe he’s an aspiring poet instead?”
Fools, it’s because I already have a short bow. Apparently that’s what the stick carried by the pursuer so long ago is. Good quality too!
I’m not sure who that big one pursuer was, but they sure had some good treasure to donate.
The books I snatched from this bowyer’s home provide insights on forestry collection, hunting, and even wood craftsmanship. I’d still rather not work with wood, but I have to admit that this bow’s level of quality is really amazing. Also, assuming I like using this thing, then being able to make arrows would come in handy if I can’t always steal them.
Content with my finds and heading back to the nearest rat hole, I hear a series of loud booms nearby, causing my stomach to drop.
“Child!” the now extraordinarily recognizable voice of the giant shouts. “Child, come here. Ya do more work today.”
Occasionally he manages to catch me, forcing more labor in return for those worthless coins. Usually more sewer work. That technically only means sleeping down in the sewer all day, as I usually would, but still! It’s the principle. He only ever catches me in the mornings. I don’t think he ever works late enough to catch me during my dusk outings.
“Ha, ‘nother package to take. Yer favorite. To the big times, this time.”
My cloaked head quirks to the side and I cross my arms, trying to convey confusion as I’ve witnessed others doing. This has worked in the past to extract further explanation from his vague descriptions.
“Central City! Is not cheap to get there, but package is very important. Only best can take it. That’s ya!”
