After waking up and doing my usual morning routine, I decided to eat some breakfast and figure out my plan for the day. My base was set up, and I had a somewhat stable food source, even if it was a bit disgusting. I thought about starting a small farm, but then pictured some bird or Nigel coming by to ruin it. Since I didn't have any kind of underground bunker to keep it safe, I figured farming would be a bad idea for now. Instead, I decided I'd explore a bit and map out the area. Good thing I took that geography class in college!
I managed to make some paper from these strong leaves I found, sort of like papyrus but thicker. They dried quickly by my fire and didn't crumble, even if they kept a slight brown tint. I also made charcoal out of my firewood, chipping it down into a pencil shape so I could use it to sketch. I started marking down every sand dune, large rock, and even this one weird rock that looked exactly like a Nigel. I mapped all the locations I came across as landmarks—who knows, maybe one day I can sell this map to someone. I remember hearing about wandering traders from that guy who dumped chores on me, so it might be worth something!
As I explored, I came across not one but two massive oases. They weren't ordinary ones either—each had towering walls with different flags flying over them. One flag showed a cave with a sun above it in blue and lime green, and the other was basically a pirate flag but with intense red and black colors. Each oasis also had guards posted around it.
Thinking the oasis with the sun-and-cave emblem looked friendlier, I approached. A real guard (not just a recording this time) stopped me and asked if I had an appointment with their clan leader. I told him I didn't and explained I was new around here, just trying to get a sense of the area.
"Are you a level one noob?" he asked suspiciously.
"No, I'm level six now," I said, trying to sound confident.
"Well, that's not much better, but do you want to join the clan?"
"I'd like to talk to the leader first, if that's alright," I replied.
"First, I need proof you're level six. If you're higher, I'd have to kill you on the spot—can't have you assassinating our leader," he said.
I showed him my stats, and he seemed satisfied. "Alright, come on in."
He led me through the gates, explaining a bit about the place as we walked. "See the other oasis? The one with the red and black flag? They're the Ashen Blades, and we're at war with them. They raid us constantly because they're poor and jealous of what we have here. Their walls aren't even half as strong as ours!"
As we walked, I noticed all the buildings were blue and white, and there was a huge farm in the middle of it all. The people seemed friendly, and they really loved their flag—kids wore it on shirts, and it was everywhere I looked. Eventually, we reached a large tower where I met the clan leader, Thandor Luminarch of the Sunward Order.
Thandor gave me the rundown on their values: stability, peace, and loyalty. He handed me a gift basket filled with what looked like apples (but knowing this world, who knows?). He also mentioned the war with the Ashen Blades and even gave me a shirt with the clan emblem on it. He asked if I'd like to join, but I told him I'd need some time to think about it, then started my journey back home.
As soon as I stepped out, though, I noticed some guys from the Ashen Blades in the distance. Suddenly, an arrow flew past my head at an insane speed, just missing me. More arrows followed, and one even struck my foot as I ran for my life, praying the arrows weren't poisoned. I kept sprinting, barely dodging the rest of the arrows, until they stopped chasing me.
When I checked my stats afterward, I realized I'd somehow leveled up three times. My endurance, strength, and HP had all increased, but with only 6 HP left, I wasn't in the best shape.
.