Embers of Survival

The sight brought hope to my heart as I withdrew the primitive tinderbox and the bundle of dried grass and tinder. I stacked it neatly in the indent I had discovered and struck the flint against my dagger, creating life-giving sparks that gave further hope. As the fire took form before me, I basked in the warmth. 

The debuff that was causing significant damage (at least at my level) per minute, had ceased. I was now at 12 health points but stable. I tore a bit of fabric from my ragged clothing and added it to the flame. I knew this wouldn't last long, but the feeling was intoxicating, it struck every one of my nerves as the heat absorbed into my body. Checking again I found some animal fat from the rabbits I had slain prior, something I didn't even recall harvesting but was clearly a result of the butchering process that filled my stomach before the untimely ambush of those other players. 

I tossed the fat into the fire and it sizzled, releasing an aroma that made my mouth water, but I knew the heat would be more valuable than a quick snack. The fat sizzled and groaned under the immense heat before eventually melting down and granting me a few more moments of satisfaction. There wasn't much left here, though in time I did find an old log toward the back of the cave, likely used as a seat further in, laid before another concave that indicated others had once used this place for shelter. 

Dragging the log to the fire, I hefted it onto the flame and watched as sparks danced over its surface before finding purchase and taking flame to the fuel. My eyes grew tired once more as the waves of heat struck my face, sending me into a deep slumber that I feared I would not awaken from. As I drifted to sleep, I wondered what was in my future, I finally took time to ponder the meaning of my existence in this world. I had missed so much in my mad dash for glory and loot that maybe there was a deeper underlying meaning to my purpose here. This was not just a game, this was quickly replacing my life. Many more thoughts raced across my mind as I slipped into a dream and my body waited out the storm. 

After overloading the fire pit with everything I could find, regardless of how green and smokey the material was; I found myself drifting off. It was odd, falling asleep in a game, though I had often fallen asleep in front of a screen, so I suppose this wasn't much different. My eyes shut and as quickly as my world faded to black, it lightened again, the morning sun forcing my lids open to inspect the surroundings. 

The fire was no longer crackling, but rather a pile of ashy dull embers, radiating heat, but nothing like they had before. I rose onto my knees and pressed my hands over the dimly lit coals, absorbing what warmth they had left. I wasn't terribly worried about keeping the flame alive, as the storm had clearly ceased and I knew I had a heavy day of adventuring ahead of me. As I rose to my feet a familiar voice boomed.

You are well rested. Enjoy the benefits of 100% experience gain and 50% health regeneration while out of combat. These benefits will last for 6 hours. Best of luck player!

"Oh? Well, that's handy, I better go get killing if I want to take advantage of this buff", I let out a cheer and burst forth from the cave entrance, immediately stumbling over a pile in the snow. 

Tumbling to the powdery earth, snow spilling around me and dancing back to the ground. I brushed myself off and turned to the pile I tripped over. "What on earth?..." I paused as I saw what looked like clothing within the mound. I crawled forward to unearth the pile and noticed a deceased adventurer beneath. After a brief excavation, I revealed the unknown individual who perished to the elements. I searched his body and found a few useful items, but the gear was designed more for a Wizard than myself. Stashing a wand and other trinkets in my pocket, I stood to my feet. 

Again that blasted voice echoed in my head. 

You have acquired the following from CautiousCaster

1. Wand

A finely crafted wand made from an exotic wood and embedded with a magical core. Inside this wand dwells an unknown spell with an unknown quantity of charges.

2. Ancient Grimoire

An old, leather-bound book containing spells, enchantments, and arcane knowledge.

3. Crystal Sphere

A glowing orb used for scrying or enhancing magical focus.

4. Potions

Various colored liquids in small vials, each with different magical effects. You are unable to identify the contents. 

5. Mystic Amulet

A necklace with a gem that enhances magical abilities or provides protection against dark forces.

These items sounded fantastic, but none of them could actually benefit me. I wondered how much I would get for them in town, wherever the town was. I checked my notifications and reread about how a village or city was supposed to be due north from my location and following my in-game compass, decided to head that way. I wasn't sure what I would expect to find there, but the plan was to sell some items and buy a safe place to lodge for a while, as I explored the nearby region. I really picked a sucky place to flee, but it sure beat laying dead like so many others I had come across. Oh well, they could just recreate their characters and I would have time to apologize later. 

My movement was slow thanks to the blizzard last night, but with every heavy step, I knew I was heading in the right direction. I plowed forward and with no enemies around I found further confidence. Soon enough, the forest broke and the snow thinned, revealing a town in the distance. I picked up my movement and trudged on. Now a short sprint from my goal, I broke into a run only to be blocked by several figures positioning themselves before me. 

"Hold up there lad, where do you think you're going this early in the morning?" They questioned, placing hands on their blades and standing ready to fight if I put up any resistance. 

"I…" my voice halted as I tried to assess the situation, "I just wanted to head into town and find a place to rest. My journey, though short, has been full of peril. I've had to kill many enemies to make it this far, though it has only been a day since I arrived in your lands", I put on my best noble voice, hoping to work my way out of this through Charisma before remembering I only had a +1 modifier to speechcraft. I listened as my words spilled from my mouth before feeling the effect ring through my very bones. 

You have failed to convince the bandits. They are now hostile toward you. You may either:

Submit your gear to the bandits and survive the encounter

Or

Combat the bandits and should you succeed, you will be able to loot their bodies and gain experience from their deaths. However, should you fail, please note that…

I dismissed the notification and pulled out my blades. I checked my abilities and noticed that I was able to upgrade a skill. After a quick glance, I found something that might help, something that fit the class I had hoped for, despite never being given a true class. I pressed the button and returned to the task at hand, giving up precious moments and seeing that my enemies were already well on their way to attack me. 

Summoning my power, I selected "Stealth" and vanished before them. They came to a crashing halt around where I once stood, questioning whether or not I had ever existed. The leader scratched his head for a moment and exchanged a few wordless gestures to his allies before I appeared behind him and drove my dagger home, deep into his spine, so hard that it pierced through his leather breastplate and dripped lifeforce down his body. Quickly pulling the blade out I sent another one through the back of his neck and he collapsed. The others, only stunned for a moment, launched into an attack, surrounding me from all sides and slinging their blades with reckless abandon. 

A quick dip, dive, dash, and dodge to the side, I tumbled around one minion and my blade struck true, killing him in a single strike and filling my body with health. "Clearly a crit" I muttered to myself before diving to the side to avoid another strike. I slashed again and again at the enemies who dropped along the battlefield, before finally rising to my feet, my bloodlust sated for the moment and staring down the final opponent.

"So how do you want to do this?" I asked, as no sooner than I spoke, he rushed in a dash toward the town, shouting as he ran. 

"Attack, attack, we are under attack!", his tone was terrified and for a moment I truly believed that the town was under siege before realizing he was talking about me. 

"Filthy bandits", I thought to myself before taking aim and releasing my blade in the direction of my adversary. The dagger flashed through the air before making an impact in the back of the bandit, sending him sprawling to the ground in a puddle of snowy blood. I wandered over to the bodies and looted them, gaining some gold, but no items that surpassed what I had gained in the center of the pile yesterday. Honestly, none of it was really worthwhile for me to take, but gear was gear, so I shoved it all into my bracelet and stumbled on toward the town.