Choices

You resist your first impulse to choose Stealth and Trap Sense.

They would certainly be a fitting tribute to Pivo's abilities. But you know you'll never reach the level of mastery she displays. Besides, you're not entirely sure she'd appreciate someone intruding into her own specialized field of expertise.

You go through the list of available options a second time.

This time, you find several entries that fit your own abilities much better and would make valuable additions to the party.

You can already imagine Pivo praising you when you put your newly acquired abilities to work for the group. Perhaps even Gerald's opinion of you will improve. As for what Selena thinks of you...

At this particular moment, you couldn't care less.

Eventually, you make your choice.

NEW SKILL ACQUIRED: Engineering

NEW FEAT ACQUIRED: Resourcefulness
When a required resource—such as a tool, material, or ability—is unavailable, you may attempt an alternative solution using whatever resources are at hand. The success and effectiveness of such improvisations are determined by your relevant Skills and Attributes.

Finally, the system awards you 20 Skill Points to distribute. You invest half of them into Engineering, raising it beyond the five base points granted to newly acquired Skills. The remaining ten points go into Melee. You have a feeling you'll be seeing more kobolds before long.

[FINISH]

You look around, satisfied. None of the three pays you the slightest bit of attention. Apparently, they didn't even notice that you leveled up. Their own levels must already be so high that a minor skirmish with a kobold patrol wasn't enough to push any of them across the next XP threshold.

Well, all right then.

You get to your feet and sling your pickaxe over your shoulder.

Gerald has meanwhile gathered the possessions of the fallen kobolds into a single pile.

There isn't much. He's clearly already sorted out anything valuable.

"Want any of this?"

You're now certain there isn't anything remotely valuable in the pile. Otherwise, Selena would have objected immediately.

You wrinkle your nose at the shabby, dirt-covered weapons and pieces of armor. Then you crouch down, pick up a dagger that looks reasonably serviceable, and slide it into your belt.

"Thanks, Gerald."

You don't really believe you need a second weapon. Still, it was a thoughtful gesture from the fighter to offer you something.

The four of you set off again. After the unpleasant experience with the ambush, you're now watching not only for traps but also for any sign of another enemy attack. It makes your progress even slower. But safer. Without further surprises, you reach a fork in the passage.

Pivo raises her small hand.

Everyone freezes.

She points at her ears. Apparently, her keen halfling hearing has detected something that escaped the notice of everyone else.

She moves ahead. Within a few feet, she has become little more than another shadow against the cave wall.

You barely dare to breathe. Your grip tightens around your pickaxe until the handle becomes slick with sweat.

Then Pivo suddenly appears in front of you like a ghost.

"There's a guard post around the corner. I counted five kobold warriors. There are probably more in reserve."

She kneels and uses a sharp stone to sketch the situation on the ground as she speaks.

"They've built a stone barricade across the entire passage. And it gets better: they've mounted a crossbow on top of it."

She looks up.

"The first person who shows themselves is going to get a very nasty bolt through them."

She adds another mark to her crude map.

"And there's a pit trap in the floor about ten feet in front of the barricade. Almost impossible to spot."

She grins at the group.

"But fortunately, you've got me."

Then her expression turns more serious.

"The trap does have one advantage for them, though. It prevents us from simply charging the position."

Gerald ignores her pointed glance.

"I can disable the trap, of course. But they'll inevitably spot me while I'm doing it."

She taps the drawing with one finger.

"So either I need cover from that crossbow..."

She looks around the group.

"...or someone needs to draw its fire."

Gerald nods slowly.

"All right. What's the plan?"