All in Charisma (A LitRPG/Isekai Adventure)

Justin and Lila headed downstairs to the common room, where Eldrin and Kargan were already eating a breakfast of hearty porridge, fresh bread, and slices of cheese.

They quickly ate and went to return their keys.

"Thank you for staying with us," the innkeeper said. "Safe travels."

Leaving the inn behind, the party stepped onto the snow-lined street, the first gray tinges of dawn lighting the eastern sky.

The sky was a clear, pale blue, the air crisp and carrying the scent of pine. The world was quiet, aside from the hammering of an anvil down the street at the town's smithy.

Eldrin broke the silence. "With Windfall just two days away, it might be best to resupply there."

Lila smiled. "You're in an awful hurry to leave."

Justin glanced back at the inn, where Mira was looking through the window. The effect of "fond memories," he supposed.

Eldrin shot Lila an annoyed glance. "I know what you're implying. But with that bat yesterday, I'm not taking chances. Best to keep our lead."

"Of course," she said brightly. "Following your lead, Mr. Ranger."

With a grunt, Eldrin pointed his feet westward and was walking just about as quickly as he could without running. Justin smiled while Lila stifled a laugh. Kargan, oblivious, kept marching.

The road quickly took them out of town and up a steep incline that angled toward the Umbers, which took about an hour to ascend. Then they started through the dense forest, where towering pines stood like silent sentinels. The only sounds were the crunch of snow underfoot and the occasional call of a distant bird.

Eldrin led the way with his usual grace, his Pathfinder's Pace making the trek easier for everyone. While the skill was intended for travel off the road, the depth of the snow was such that they were all stepping more lightly, hardly even sinking into the drifts.

The River Marin stayed to their left, much thinner than it was by Highcliff or even Pinecrest, as the landscape shifted to rugged canyons. The path narrowed, flanked by steep rock walls that echoed their footsteps. The river's gentle murmur accompanied them.

Justin found himself lost in the journey's rhythm, the steady pace and the beauty of the natural world once again taking his breath away. Growing up in Oklahoma, he was used to wide plains, and he had little reason to travel far. He remembered a vacation to the Rockies when he was a kid, but such was his life that he'd been nowhere more exotic than that.

They only passed a few people on the way: a farmer and his mule and cart, a single adventurer wearing fur-lined armor, a longsword, and a shield, who nodded pleasantly, and an older man who had the look of a pilgrim about him, wearing light armor, a cloak, and holding a walking stick.

They reached a fork in the road. The main road continued on into a valley, while a narrower path led further west, snaking up the mountainside of the Umbers.

"Left is faster for experienced travelers," Eldrin said. "Though the climb won't be easy."

"We need to save as much time as we can," Kargan said. "Lead on."

The climb began in earnest as they reached the mountainside. The elevation increased, and the air grew thinner and colder. The snow was thick on the ground, crunching under their boots with each step. Lila edified their steps with her Bardic Inspiration.

Eldrin's expertise was invaluable here, guiding them through the most treacherous parts with ease. They hardly had to pause and catch their breath, Justin realizing he no longer needed to. Apparently, like the real world, it was possible to get stronger and hardier without enhancing one's attributes.

The view of the valley below grew more magnificent with each passing hour. By early evening, they found shelter in a cave by a stream, the water almost thin enough to be stepped across. Eldrin set up a small campfire, its warmth a welcome relief from the chill, while Kargan cast Blood Aegis, the crimson magical barrier shimmering before fading into invisibility. They sat around the fire, eating leftover boar and enjoying the rare moment of peace around a shared fire.

It was then that Shadowflight returned. The dark falcon landed silently beside Eldrin, its keen eyes reflecting the firelight. Eldrin listened intently to the news the bird brought, a dark expression on his face.

"Gareth is heading northeast on the Plainsway," Eldrin said finally. "As expected. We'll keep Shadowflight close by in case there are other spies."

They settled down to sleep, the fire's warmth and the spell's protection providing a sense of security in the cold wilderness. Such were the exertions of the day that Justin was instantly asleep as soon as he closed his eyes.

The next day dawned clear and bright. Over a hasty breakfast, Kargan revealed he had earned enough experience to reach Level 5. He earned a party tactic called Blood Pact, which slightly boosted the passive healing of all party members.

Once they broke camp, Eldrin set a brisk pace, pushing them to cover as much ground as possible. The path continued to wind upward, the terrain becoming rougher and more challenging. Justin's legs ached with the effort, but he kept moving, knowing the pain would only strengthen him.

By late morning, they reached a ridgeline, and Windfall came into view in the far distance. Even from afar, Justin could tell the city was quite large. Built into the mountainside, the city was carved from pure stone, its formidable walls glistening in the sunlight. Such were the sheer sides of the terrain it occupied that Justin could see the strategic importance of the city, a thriving waypoint between two countries, and likely the only sizable pass in Northern Aranthia. There were multiple tiers, and it seemed the city occupied each side of the pass, stone towers rising high into the air, covered with snow.

The sight filled Justin with a renewed sense of purpose. They were getting closer.

Lila came to stand beside him. "You're seeing my country for the first time. That's Daeloria on the left, Aranthia on the right."

Justin saw that the terrain to the west of the mountains, Lila's home country, was far rougher and less forested, while on the right, the pine forests were thick, at least where there weren't farms or pastureland.

"Feeling nostalgic?" Justin asked.

She shrugged. "Well, I've never been this far north. Where I'm from, the Sapphire Coast, the climate is far more agreeable."

They descended in elevation, passing through narrow mountain valleys and coming across quaint mountain villages. Justin took in the sights with a mix of awe and curiosity. The villagers watched them pass with a mix of suspicion and interest, their lives seemingly untouched by the turmoil that plagued the world beyond their snowy enclave.

As evening approached, the formidable walls of Windfall loomed ahead. The city was imposing, a fortress of stone standing resolute against the encroaching darkness. Intricate Gothic carvings were etched into the walls, while stone gargoyles stood vigil on crenellations. Guards dressed in black, fur-lined coats, with a griffin emblazoned on their chests, patrolled the walls bearing halberds and crossbows. Snow fell once again, the flakes swirling in the wind and adding to the sense of urgency.

"People built this?" Justin asked in awe.

"Only some of it," Eldrin said. "Windfall is an ancient city, but it has been continuously occupied to various extents over the centuries. It was first built in the time of the Ilvari elves, but even then, it was only a small waypost. After the elves abandoned it, the dwarves occupied it, creating most of the grander buildings you can see today, vastly increasing its scope. Like modern-day Aranthia, it served as its border, with orcish lands to the west, now occupied by Daeloria."

"There are no orcish countries left today?" Justin asked.

"Not in Serenthel," Eldrin answered.

"Man," Justin said. "The orcs have the short end of the stick, huh?"

Kargan grunted. "Some of it was self-inflicted, but when the Shadow Empire came to power, the orcs fled to the mountains to hide. And there they have remained, mostly."

"Interesting," Justin said.

He wanted to ask if they could stay longer. He could really get lost in a city like this.

"I know a decent inn here," Eldrin said. "It will make the perfect stop until the next leg of the journey."

Justin and the rest followed Eldrin through the bustling streets. For the first time, Justin noticed the city's remarkable diversity. The population wasn't solely human—at least one in five was an orc, and even among the humans, there was a striking variety of skin tones and cultures. Aranthia, from what Justin had seen so far, was predominantly fair-skinned, but the size and influence of Windfall had clearly drawn people from all corners of the world.

With a start, Justin realized he hadn't encountered many people with darker skin since arriving on Eyrth. There had been a couple in the taverns of Highcliff, but here in Windfall, he saw many, dressed in vibrant, richly colored clothing, with the air of successful merchants.

For the first time, he realized that this was his first proper city, cosmopolitan and easily over a hundred thousand people, if not more. Stalls selling exotic spices filled the air with tantalizing scents. Merchants peddled wares from distant lands: gleaming dragon-scale armor, intricate clockwork devices, and shimmering crystals that pulsed with inner light. A blacksmith hammered away at a sword, sparks flying in the crisp night air, while a street performer juggled flames to the delight of a gathered crowd.

Eldrin led them past an apothecary with a window display of dried herbs and glowing potions, and a bakery that exuded the warm, inviting aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries. There was a magical emporium that seemed to offer self-stirring cauldrons and quills that wrote on their own. The scene was a blend of the familiar and the fantastical, each corner revealing something new and intriguing.

At last, Eldrin turned down a staircase that led into some sort of tunnel. To Justin's utter surprise, a wide underground avenue was filled with even more shops and narrow alleys, all lit with magical lamps. The subterranean city had a distinct atmosphere, more shadowy and secretive. They passed by a shop selling dark cloaks and hooded garments, another offering lock-picking tools and dubious trinkets. Another potions shop offered a variety of brews in murky bottles.

"What is this place?" Justin asked.

"It's the Undermarket. A city all on its own. And probably the safest place for us to stay."

"Looks sketchy," Lila said, observing a few beggars asking passersby for money.

"It's only for one night," the Ranger said.

After a few minutes of wandering through seemingly random alleys and staircases, they came to a narrow door, no different from any other. When Eldrin knocked, it unlocked on its own, revealing a surprisingly well-appointed space within. The interior was cozy, with plush chairs arranged around a roaring fireplace. A sturdy wooden table occupied the center of the room, laden with food and drink. Soft, ambient lighting from enchanted lanterns cast a warm glow.

The stone counter was manned by an orc with a broad frame and a tusked grin, his green skin weathered and marked by scars that spoke of a warrior's past. His eyes, sharp and alert, sparkled with recognition as he looked up.

"Ah, my favorite Ranger! What brings Eldrin Thornwood to the Mountain's Embrace?"

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

"I wasn't sure you'd remember me, Gorn," Eldrin said.

"I remember almost all my guests," the orc said with a chuckle. "The ones that make an impression, anyway."

"Do you have a suite available?"

"It just so happens I do. It's five silvers a night. Of course, food and drink are included in the price."

Justin's eyes popped at the price, but Eldrin didn't hesitate, laying down six silvers.

"For my discretion, and to bring you news of any potential danger?" Gorn asked, his tone amused. "That's what you said last time."

"You know me too well."

With a grunt, Gorn handed over two keys.

Eldrin leaned on the counter. "On that note, any special news?"

"Not really. Of course, there's the Festival going on. It makes the streets more packed than they would be normally. We've got peddlers from all across Serenthel trying to catch every stray copper they can, and not always by the rule of law. And of course, with the increased traffic comes increased crime. The Watch can hardly keep pace with the thefts and pickpockets."

"Sounds dangerous," Lila said.

Gorn chuckled. "Well, it's nothing too bad. Just got to keep your wits about you, but that's the same for every big city."

Eldrin nodded. "Very good. Please keep me apprised of any new information or…strange guests."

"Of course," Gorn said. "We don't put up with any unsavory types here at The Mountain's Embrace. Your suite comes equipped with its own private bathroom and plumbing. If you need anything at all, simply let me or one of the staff know. It's a pleasure to host you again."

"Thank you," the Ranger said. He turned and nodded to everyone, their signal to go stash their gear.

They headed down a short corridor toward the very end where a heavy wooden door stood, which looked quite secure. Eldrin unlocked it and pushed it open, revealing the suite within. The room was carved directly from the mountain itself, with stone walls and floors that gave it a solid, enduring feel. Despite the ruggedness, the suite was elegantly furnished with plush furniture, creating a harmonious blend of solid edges and comfort.

A dining area occupied one corner, complete with a sturdy wooden table and chairs. The two sizable bedrooms were each equipped with plush beds, soft linens, and ample storage space. The bathroom was a marvel, featuring running water and a large bath basin carved from a single slab of stone, with copper taps for both hot and cold water.

It was easily the nicest inn room Justin had ever stayed in, and wouldn't look out of place in his own world at an upscale resort.

"I have to say, this is impressive," Lila said.

Kargan stashed his stuff. "I think I'll try to introduce myself to the local Mage Guild. It's still not too late, I imagine, and I'd better move since all of you plan to head out tomorrow."

Of course, Justin knew this moment was coming. He just hadn't expected Kargan to leave so soon. "You sure don't want a good night's rest and to head out in the morning? I'm sure you're hungry, too. Why not eat first?"

"I would, but it's best that I make contact as soon as possible. If I can establish some connections, I'll be better off."

Eldrin gave a respectful nod. "Well, if you need a place to stay tonight, you know where to find us. I'll be the first to say, if this doesn't work out, you're more than welcome to continue with our party. Your skills have proven quite formidable."

The orc nodded. "I…appreciate that. There's a decent orc population here, so I think I'll be fine."

"Do you need help finding the guild?" Justin asked.

"I'll be fine on my own," Kargan said. "I appreciate everything. Truly."

"Good luck, Kargan," Lila said sadly.

He gave a firm nod. "My thanks. It was a real adventure. More than I bargained for, but an adventure all the same."

When Kargan closed the door behind him, Justin received a notification.

[Kargan has left the party.]

As the notification faded, Justin felt a strange sense of unease. He trusted the orc's abilities, but the city's vastness and unfamiliarity weighed on him. He hoped Kargan would be safe and that their journey would continue without further complications.

A few minutes later, their food was delivered, a thick stew brimming with chunks of tender beef, root vegetables, and wild mushrooms, all seasoned with aromatic herbs that Justin couldn't quite identify. Alongside it was a loaf of crusty bread, perfect for sopping up the rich broth, and a selection of local cheeses with a distinct sharpness that balanced the meal beautifully.

Despite the delicious spread, the mood was dreary with Kargan's absence. His shields and healing would be missed, and it meant that they would have to tread far more carefully in the future.

Once finished eating, Eldrin addressed them somberly. "In a city like Windfall, most stores will be open late, especially on account of the Festival. It would be safer to do all our shopping tonight rather than tomorrow so that we can get an early start. While I don't believe it's possible for Gareth and his company to reach Windfall until late tomorrow night, at the earliest, it's best to play it safe and leave early tomorrow morning."

"What sort of things do we need to buy?" Justin asked.

"There are no major cities between here and Draegor's Keep. There may be small towns along the way, but nothing like this. This is a prime opportunity to fill out your missing gear, healing potions, and the like with that gold earned from the Vaults. Our travels are certain to take us off the trail. As for food, our packs are enchanted to allow the meat to last as long as we need it, and we should have it all eaten within a couple of weeks."

"Is it too risky to hire a coach?" Justin asked. "Lila mentioned the possibility."

"Very much so," Eldrin said. "It would be the first place Gareth and his retinue would check. We have no option but to go off trail, north of the Northway, for at least a couple of weeks, as previously discussed. It is tempting to rush things, but it's far better to be safe. We'll have to start very early tomorrow, and if it weren't for the need for rest, I'd keep going well into the night."

Justin deferred to Eldrin's expertise. "Makes sense."

Lila was silent, and Justin got the sense she didn't like the idea.

"I can take care of the essentials," Eldrin said. "You two just worry about finding some gear. Look for things that enhance survivability. Lila, perhaps you can find a pair of enchanted knives, for example, to replace those basic throwing knives you have and better armor."

"I suppose I have money to burn these days," she said.

"Don't spend everything, but it would be wise to spend most of what you have. Belmora is the closest city that will have better options. Both of you should also consider warmer clothing, perhaps enchanting your current gear to provide a bit of heat. A headpiece is often overlooked and can provide a significant bonus to any class, so keep an eye out for that. Of course, if you can't find the enchantment you're looking for, you can buy something to your liking and take it to a local enchantry. There should be a dozen of them in a city this size."

"You can do that?" Justin asked.

Eldrin nodded. "Of course. It isn't cheap, depending on the work and the expertise of the Enchanter, but it's a valid option."

"So, how does gear work, anyway?" Justin asked. "Is there a limit to how much I can wear?"

"Yes," Eldrin said. "Until Level 10, you can equip up to six different pieces of enchanted gear—doesn't matter what they are; you just get six slots."

"And after that?"

"It increases with level. Nine slots at Level 10, twelve at Level 20. And as far as I know, it doesn't increase any more after that.

Justin frowned. "Okay…so let's say I found a ring that gave me +5 Charisma. And for argument's sake, let's say I bought six of them. Could I just stack them all and charm a bank into giving me all their money?"

Eldrin chuckled. "You could try. But first off, a bonus that strong isn't exactly common. You'd be lucky to find a ring that powerful—if you did, it'd likely be rated platinum-tier. And second, rings and accessories don't usually boost attributes like that."

"Except for my Amulet of Equilibrium," Justin pointed out. "If it were working properly, that is."

"Right, but that's an exception. Even then, it doesn't give a flat bonus—it adjusts itself based on the highest attribute. That's different from just stacking raw Charisma. More than that, if two different accessories give the same effect, only the strongest one counts while each successive accessory gives 50% less. By the time you get to your sixth ring, it's not worth it anymore."

"Got it," Justin said. "But let's say I still went all in on rings, each with a different effect. I could just wear regular armor, right? Or even normal clothes?"

"You could," Eldrin admitted. "But you'd be making a huge mistake. Enchanted gear isn't just about bonuses—it's also way more durable than mundane armor. It repairs itself, resists damage better, and even adapts to the size of the wearer."

Justin raised an eyebrow. "So what you're saying is that my silver-tier coat is basically as strong as steel?"

"Maybe not quite that strong. A silver-tier steel breastplate will always be stronger than a silver-tier coat, but a silver-tier coat is loads more flexible. But you'll find that your silver-tier coat has a knack for knocking back or redirecting mundane weapons, and even bronze-tier ones. It's not foolproof, but it gives you some measure of defense that a mundane piece of armor wouldn't."

"Makes sense."

"Now flip that logic around. If you're wearing mundane armor and someone attacks you with a bronze-tier sword. That blade will hit harder and be more likely to cut through it. Especially if it has an armor-piercing enchantment."

Justin exhaled. "Damn. So gear tiers actually matter that much?"

"Yes. Enchantments make all the difference, which is why even bronze-tier gear costs a fortune. Even a simple pair of bronze gloves can cost a crown or more, depending on the nature of the enchantment."

Justin remembered his earlier theory that a copper piece was equivalent to about a dollar. That would mean anything that cost a gold crown was about $10,000.

It was easy to see why most people couldn't afford even bronze-tier gear, and why Vaults were highly sought after, even given the stakes.

"All right," Justin said, "so stacking rings is a bad choice."

"Well, not always. Mage classes often stack accessories. But then again, mages tend to hang back and cast spells; in ideal scenarios, they aren't on the front lines taking hits. But even then, they have to be careful, because some weapons have 'Accessory Dispelling' enchantments that can cancel out the effects caused by an opponent's accessories. So if you rely too much on accessories, you're just setting yourself up to get countered. But of course, it depends on the situation."

Justin nodded. "Okay, so armor slots actually serve a purpose."

"That's right," Eldrin said. "Generally speaking, chest pieces boost endurance, while head pieces protect against status effects. Leg pieces help with speed, while gloves improve grip and blocking. It's not always the case, but that's generally how it works."

"What about weapons, though?"

"Weapons are different," Eldrin said. "You can only attune one at a time unless you have a boon that allows you to dual-wield."

"Wait," Justin said, "but you have a bow and a longsword. So you can swap mid-fight? You don't have a dual-wielding boon."

"Well, anyone can switch their weapon attunement mid-fight. But it takes a few seconds to switch. So if Lila had two sets of throwing knives with different enchantments, she wouldn't be able to swap fast enough to use both enchantments back-to-back and stack bonuses. Unless, of course, she picked up a boon that let her do that. She'd have to throw all of one set first, then let the second attunement take hold before throwing the next set."

Justin rubbed his chin. "I think I've got it. So the real key is balance."

"Exactly," Eldrin said. "If you go all in on one thing, you're painting a target on your back. Another thing. You can't wear two chest plates or a helmet over a hat. You can put them on, sure, but you'll only benefit from one enchantment per slot. Accessories are the only things that don't technically have a limit. They're sort of like wild cards."

Justin smirked. "So, no stacking two pairs of gloves."

Eldrin snorted. "Nope. One set of gloves, one set of boots, one chest piece, one helmet, one leg piece, and one arm piece…just like any normal person would wear. That said, armor enchantments are not to be confused with utility enchantments."

"Utility enchantments?" Justin asked. "This is just getting more complicated."

"No, this one is actually pretty simple to understand. Utility enchantments don't confer the bonus directly to your core. They work mostly on the piece of gear itself. For example, Cold Resistance is a utility enchantment. It'll naturally warm a piece of gear for freezing weather. But even someone without a class could put that on and benefit from it."

"My boots have a Dry Stride enchantment," Justin said. "Is that the same thing?"

"Precisely the same thing. Your Ring of Hygiene, however, is specifically attuned to your core. Anything you have to actively use, by definition, is not a utility enchantment. Nor is anything that directly affects your attributes or abilities."

"Got it. Sorry for all the questions. It's just my nature to try to find a loophole."

"Trust me, if there were an easy way to break the system, people would have figured it out centuries ago."

Lila yawned. "Is the info dump over yet?"

"I think so," Justin said. "Unless you want to hear my theory on how to get infinite money using enchanted spoons."

"No, I do not."

"Okay, hear me out. What if you had a spoon enchanted to always refill with soup? You could fill up however many bowls you wanted. Start a food stall. Use the profits to enchant even more spoons."

She rolled her eyes. "We're wasting time. Instead of talking about enchanted clothing, or enchanted spoons for that matter, how about we go out there and buy some gear?"

"Good idea," Eldrin said. "Long story short, be on the lookout for your missing gear slots. But accessories will do in a pinch." Eldrin passed Justin the spare key. "Note where we are before heading out. This place isn't easy to find."

"Got it, Eldrin," Justin said.

"And try not to stay out too late," Eldrin said. He gave a knowing smile. "I know a big city is an exciting place to be, but Gorn is right. It can be dangerous, especially given the festivities. Keep focused on your goal and always watch your back. Any item with an enchantment must be core-bound immediately; otherwise you're just asking to be robbed."

Eldrin saying that only reminded Justin of his Amulet of Equilibrium. It was well-hidden under his clothing, but for now, the item wasn't bound to him. Not yet, anyway. He briefly considered leaving it in the room, but the risk seemed too great.

They left the suite and headed out of the front of the inn, finding themselves back in the Undermarket. They followed Eldrin through the narrow underground alleys, Justin noting the turns required before they came to a set of steps that led to a town square above, one so busy that it had to be the center of the city.

The square was a riot of color and activity, with festival decorations hanging from every available surface. Strings of lanterns crisscrossed the open space, casting a cheerful glow. Stalls and carts were lined up in neat rows, selling everything from food to trinkets to clothing. Performers entertained the crowds with music, juggling, and acrobatics, their laughter and cheers adding to the festivities.

Dominating the square was a magnificent clock tower built on the side of the northern mountain. Its face was illuminated by intricate, glowing Aranthian numbers.

The air was frigid, and thankfully, the snow had stopped falling.

"If you get lost, just find your way back here," Eldrin said. "Try to be back in The Mountain's Embrace before midnight. Off to your right, you'll find Market Street. It should have everything you need."

And with that, the Ranger left Lila and Justin on their own to complete their shopping, weaving through the crowds.

The bustling streets of Windfall were a lively scene to explore, and Justin was looking forward to it. Vendors shouted their wares, colorful banners fluttered in the icy breeze, and the smell of roasted chestnuts filled the air.

Justin took it all in. It was hard not to be excited, to not forget that danger might be around every corner.

"We better get our shopping done fast, Lila," he said. "I really don't want to risk…hey!"

She was already taking off toward a wide staircase, on either side of which were bustling shops. With a sigh, he ran to catch up.