The Systems Challenge

Elmo sighed. His enthusiasm for this endeavor had left him quite a while ago. Although, he had to admit to himself that he really hadn't had much to bgein with. Maybe he would have had more if he'd actually agreed to doing this.

However, he did feel an excitement that he hadn't felt before. Maybe it was the fact that he was doing something with other people or the fact that he was doing something outside of his home, but he felt rather invigorated.

Though, he also hadn't really found his place in the group. He just couldn't help but feel like he was holding them back or something. However, when Jonas informed them about what was in the room ahead of them, Elmo felt like he should do something.

"Would it be alright if I looked?" Elmo asked. "I though maybe that I could use my 'view stats' to see if we can learn anything about these creatures."

"That's actually not a bad idea," Jonas said, after a moment of thought, smiling at Elmo.

Another thing he really didn't like about Jonas is how just the simplest comment like that made his mind go hazy. Almost like his body was betraying him and keeping him from being who he knew he was.

"Okay, we'll be right behind you in case they spot you," Kim replied, "We can't be sure if just looking might put you in harms way."

Elmo moved to the front of the group and peered around the turn in the hall, being as careful as he could to keep whatever there was ahead of them from seeing him. He could feel the sweat trickling down his back, face, and neck. He hadn't realized he was so nervous until he was doing this.

The first creature he saw was one of the lizard-kids. Its back was to him, so he knew it wouldn't see him if he didn't make enough noise to attract its attention. It was maybe ten feet away from him. Far too close for his comfort, but there was no backing out of what he'd suggested to do himself.

"View stats," he whispered, afraid to even make that much noise.

A display apeared in front of him, but this one looked much different from when he viewed his own stats or scanned Stanley's.

Species: Kobold

Danger: Minimal

Level: 1

HP 5

Stamina 5

Str 5

Dex 12

Con 4

Int 15

Wis 10

Vit 4

Endurance 7

Kobold, a weak lizard type monster rumored to be related to dragons. Dangerous in large numbers, but usually found in groups of 4-10. These monsters will typically attack humans, elves, dwarves, halflings, and animals on sight unless they are directed by a Kobold Hero. Kobolds are also known for being crafty and cunning. Do not underestimate their ability to set traps and ambushes. Favored type of weapon are spears.

Elmo closed that window and moved his head a little more around the corner, still hoping to not be seen. Which was fortunate because why that first kobold was looking away is because they were being addressed by a much larger lizard creature. It was talking quietly, or at least Elmo assumed it was. Maybe it was in a dominance thing or other, because he certainly couldn't understand any of the noises it made. The lizard creature was focusing on the kobolds, so while it was facing him, he wasn't seen. At least not yet. Though, Elmo counted 7 kobolds that he could see at the moment.

"View Stats," he whispered again, focusing on the lizard creature.

Another window appeared in front of Elmo and he immediately put his attention on it. Especially since this looked a little more detailed.

Species: Liazardman

Danger: Light to Dangerous

Level: 3

HP 38

Stamina 17

Str 10

Dex 14

Con 15

Int 13

Wis 10

Vit 10

Endurance 17

Devastating Impact 4 stamina

Lizardmen are one of the more dangerous of lizard type enemies. While they may be weak, they can grow very strong by themselves and are not to be taken lightly. However, unlike many other lizard types, these can be reasoned with and might not be as interested in fighting. Lizardmen are especially dangerous in groups. They are capable of using tem tactics and can even learn to use magic. There is no data on the likelihood of the size of their group when encountered. Their favored weapons are clubs, axes, and spears.

Elmo breathed a sigh of relief when he moved back from the corner. He then motioned the group farther back so he could relay what he'd learned.

When they were at least twenty feet from the corner, he said, "Those lizard kids Kim killed earlier are called Kobolds. The lizard creature they were talking with is called a lizardman. While the koboblds might attack, the lizardmen apparently have the potential to be reasoned with. I'm not sure if we can get out of fighting them, but they are the more dangerous of the creatures ahead of us." Elmo paused to take a deep breath. "The one I scanned also had a fighting skill. Devastating Impact. I can't say if it was the strongest of any others that may be around the corner, but I can't say it isn't either."

"Wish I could use your 'View Stats' spell myself," Jonas chuckled. "Would make scouting a little more easier."

Elmo shrugged. He wouldn't mind himself, but at the same time, he figured that having that spell was what was most useful about him. Especially since he wasn't sure what else he could do at the moment.

"How many did you see?" Kim asked.

"I believe there were 8 of the lizard kids, Kobolds, I think Elmo said and maybe 3 of the larger ones, which I guess are Liazardmen," Jonas answered.

"If it comes to fighting, I can help," Elin blurted.

Kim, Jonas, and Elmo looked at her. She certainly looked like she thought she was ready, Elmo remarked to himself.

"Right now I think we'll need you to help by staying out of the fighting," Kim replied. "Your healing skills are what's most valuable about you. Maybe you could fight, but right now we need you to help more with keeping the rest of us alive."

"But-!" Elin started to protest.

"Elin," Jonas interrupted her gently. "Maybe if it was just the kobolds it would be different, but with the lizardmen there as well, we might need to rely on your healing to keep us alize. After all, there's already been one death. Do you want any of us to die?"

Elin shook her head. "No, but-"

"Then trust me on this, okay? We'll have you fight when it's just weaker monsters, but right now we might even be overmatched. However, if you keep us from dying with your magic, then we should be able to at least survive without any of us dying," Jonas finished.

Elin looked like she was about to cry, so Elmo put his arm around her shoulders.

"Elin, try to be patient, okay?" he said. "I don't know why you want to fight, but maybe that's not the role you should focus on in our group."

Elin pulled away from Elmo with a look of outrage on her face.

"Wait, what I mean is that if you act as our healer, you could be more indispensable in our team than if you were just another damage dealer," Elmo said, catching hold of Elin's hand. "With a healer, we can last longer against enemies that are generally too strong for us. A healer is an irreplaceable member of a team."'

Elin paused for a moment in her struggles to get away from Elmo before she turned to look at him.

"You really think so?" she asked, her eyes telling Elmo just how scared and uncertain she was at the moment.

"Of course," Elmo replied. "In any game I've played, enemies frequently try to take out the healer before anyone else, because of how important they are to the group."

"If you're done namby-pambying her, can we get on with it?" Kim asked in a bored tone.

"We're ready," Elmo said, sounding more confident than he actually felt. While he said what he knew about the role of a healer, one thing he didn't say was that typically he'd only played games that allowed time for him to think before each move. In this situation, you might not have that luxury before you have to do something or let them kill you.