Campaign: “A New Development”
Episode 9: One Less Orc
March 31, 2025
The orc’s rage betrayed him as Korrin Vale slashed deep into the creature’s ribs, tearing a hole that would’ve dropped most. But this one was resilient—driven by obedience more than instinct. It snarled, and with one last surge of strength, brought its spiked club down with bone-cracking force.
Korrin moved, but not fast enough. The impact struck his leg hard, spinning him sideways.
A moderate injury—painful, but it sharpened his focus. Korrin didn’t back down. He twisted with the momentum, repositioned, and this time struck cleanly. His blade carved through muscle, cutting straight for the artery.
The orc let out a final grunt—then collapsed, face-first, slain.
Silence. Heavy. Still. Then, from beside him, a single word… Enough
The mysterious female guide commanded softly. She hadn’t moved during the fight—arms crossed, expression flat, her voice no louder than a whisper. But it cut through the air like steel.
The goblins froze. Waiting
She tilted her head slightly, not fully. Leave
The goblins hissed, but obeyed without question, slipping back into the shadows between the torches.
Korrin straightened, suppressing a limp. The pain throbbed with every heartbeat, but he’d felt worse. He looked toward her. Still watching. Still unreadable.
You did well
she said. A pause Most don’t.
She moved now, slow and silent, stepping past the orc’s body without so much as a glance.
That was your first trial. There are three.
Raising two fingers Combat
—she gestured to the corpse. Mind
—her fingers curled. And blood
Korrin said nothing. He watched and listened carefully.
She looked to him again, her eyes catching the firelight. You’re not in yet. But you’re close
A beat passed. I’m Szelden
she said, voice flat. No title. No smile. I'm here to guide you
She turned, gesturing to the fork ahead—two paths framed by old archways, the flickering light swallowed by stone.
Choose
The motion of her arms suggested Korrin’s two available options just ahead. One, a room that hinted at puzzles. The other, a corridor bristling with traps.