The Wonderful LitRPG Wizard of Oz (LitRPG Classics Book 1) Page 4

  “I thought I had beaten the Wicked Witch then, and with a natural armor class of eighteen was levelling fast against her minions; I was just four kills away from level five; but I little knew how cruel my enemy could be. She thought of a new way to kill my love for the beautiful Munchkin youth, and made my axe slip again, so that it cut right through my body, splitting me into two halves. Once more the Tinkerer came to my help and made me a body of tin, fastening my tin arms and legs and head to it, by means of joints, so that I could move around as well as ever. But, alas! After my second Raise Dead, I found I had lost all my love for the Munchkin boy, and did not care to marry him. The moment I told him so, I was met with a divine message from the Goddess of Light that I had broken my Code of Conduct as a Paladin. My class features were all stripped away from me and I could no longer advance as a Paladin.

  “I therefore decided to progress as an ordinary Warrior. And since my body had a natural armor class of twenty-five, I felt very proud of it and it did not matter now if my axe slipped, for it could not cut me. There was only one danger—that my joints would rust; but I kept an oil-can in my cottage and took care to oil myself whenever I needed it. However, there came a day when I forgot to do this, and, being caught in a rainstorm, before I thought of the danger my joints had rusted, and I was left to stand in the woods until you came to help me. It was a terrible thing to undergo, but during the year I stood there I had time to think that the greatest loss I had known was the loss of my Paladin class. While I was leveling fast as a Paladin, I was the happiest woman on earth; but no one can stay a Paladin who has broken the Code of Conduct, and so I am resolved to ask Oz to arrange an Atonement. If he does, I will go back to the Munchkin youth and marry him.”

  Both Dorothy and the Scarecrow had been greatly interested in the story of the Tin Woman, and now they knew why she was so anxious to get an Atonement. But she had not addressed the question of Intelligence versus Constitution.

  “Why, isn’t that obvious?” replied the Tin Warrior when asked to do so by Scarecrow (who had been worried his poor Intelligence had meant he had missed the point). “Paladins are divine casters. We need Wisdom not Intelligence for our spells. But above all, we are front line tanks and if I combine my unusually powerful natural armor with a big enough pool of hit points, we have an exploit that will allow my party to take out the most challenging of bosses.”

  “All the same,” said the Scarecrow, “I shall ask for Intelligence instead of Constitution; for a Bard with a zero Intelligence is no use to anyone, most of all, himself.”

  “If I can have both Atonement and a stat increase, I shall take Constitution,” returned the Tin Woman; “for tanking is the best thing in the world.”

  Dorothy did not say anything, for it seemed clear enough that your class determined your preferred attribute. She decided if she could only get back to Kansas and Aunt Em, it did not matter so much whether the Scarecrow had no Intelligence and the Tin Woman no progression as a Paladin, or each got what he or she wanted.

  What worried her most was that the bread was nearly gone, and another meal for herself and Toto would empty the basket. To be sure, neither the Tin Woman nor the Scarecrow ever ate anything, but she did not have the Endure without Sustenance condition, and could not live unless she was fed.

  Chapter VI

  The Cowardly Lioness

  All this time Dorothy and her companions had been walking through the thick woods. The road was still paved with yellow brick, but these were much covered by dried branches and dead leaves from the trees, and the walking was not at all good.

  There were few birds in this part of the forest, for birds love the open country where there is plenty of sunshine. But now and then there came a deep growl from some wild animal hidden among the trees. These sounds made the little girl’s heart beat fast, for she did not know what made them; but Toto knew, and he walked close to Dorothy’s side, and did not even bark in return.

  “How long will it be,” the child asked of the Tin Woman, “before we are out of the forest?”

  “I cannot tell,” was the answer, “for I have never been to the Emerald City. But my father went there once, when I was a girl, and he said it was a long journey through a dangerous country, although nearer to the city where Oz dwells the country is beautiful. But I am not afraid so long as I have my oil-can, and nothing can hurt the Scarecrow. While you bear upon your forehead the Protection from Evil of the Good Witch’s kiss, that will give you at least plus two on saves as well as immunity from the physical attacks of summoned evil creatures.”

  “But Toto!” said the girl anxiously. “What will protect him?”

  “We must protect him ourselves if he is in danger,” replied the Tin Woman.

  Just as she spoke there came from the forest a terrible roar, and the next moment a great Lioness bounded into the road. With one blow of her paw she sent the Scarecrow spinning over and over to the edge of the road, and then she struck at the Tin Woman with her sharp claws. But, to the Lioness’s surprise, she could make no impression on the tin, although the Tin Woman fell over in the road and lay still.

  Little Toto, now that he had an enemy to face, ran barking toward the Lioness, and the great beast had opened her mouth to bite the dog, when Dorothy, fearing Toto would be killed in one hit, and heedless of drawing aggro, cast Magic Missile and threw it directly into the Lioness’s nose, while crying out:

  “Don’t you dare to bite Toto! You ought to be ashamed of yourself, a big beast like you, to bite a poor little dog!”

  “I didn’t bite him,” said the Lioness, as she rubbed her nose with her paw where Dorothy had hit it for an impressive 25 damage.

  “No, but you tried to,” Dorothy retorted. “You are nothing but a big coward.”

  “I know it,” said the Lioness, hanging her head in shame. “I’ve always known it. But how can I help it?”

  “I don’t know, I’m sure. To think of your striking a stuffed man, like the poor Scarecrow!”

  “Is he stuffed?” asked the Lioness in surprise, as she watched Dorothy pick up the Scarecrow and set him upon his feet, while she patted him into shape again.

  “Of course he’s stuffed,” replied Dorothy, who was still angry.

  “That’s why he went over so easily,” remarked the Lioness. “It astonished me to see him whirl around so. Is the other one stuffed also?”

  “No,” said Dorothy, “she’s made of tin.” And she helped the Tin Woman up again.

  “That’s why she nearly blunted my claws,” said the Lioness. “When they scratched against the tin it made a cold shiver run down my back. I think it grants her a Damage Shield of at least twenty against sharp weapons.

  “What is that little animal you are so tender of?”

  “He is my familiar, Toto,” answered Dorothy.

  “Is he made of tin, or stuffed?” asked the Lioness.

  “Neither. He’s a—a—a meat dog,” said the girl.

  “Oh! He’s a curious animal and seems remarkably small, now that I look at him. No one would think of biting such a little thing, except a coward like me,” continued the Lioness sadly.

  “What makes you a coward?” asked Dorothy, looking at the great beast in wonder, for she was as big as a small horse.

  “It’s a Curse from the Wicked Witch of the East,” replied the Lioness. “I am a level seven Barbarian and ought to be able to Rage. All the other animals in the forest naturally expect me to Rage, for the Lioness is everywhere thought to be the Queen of Beasts. But I’ve been stripped of that ability. Instead, I learned that if I roared very loudly every living thing was frightened and got out of my way. Whenever I’ve met a man I’ve been awfully scared; but I just roared at him, and he has always run away as fast as he could go. If the elephants and the tigers and the bears had ever tried to fight me, I should have run myself—I’m such a coward without Rage; but just as soon as they hear me roar they all try to get away from me, and of course I let them go.”

  “But
that isn’t right. The Queen of Beasts shouldn’t be a coward,” said the Scarecrow.

  “I know it,” returned the Lioness, wiping a tear from her eye with the tip of her tail. “It is my great sorrow, and makes my life very unhappy. But whenever there is danger and I cannot Rage in order to face it, my heart begins to beat fast.”

  “But you can still level up in Barbarian?” asked the Tin Woman.

  “It may be,” said the Lioness. “I cannot tell, since I dare not fight meaningful opponents anymore.”

  “If you can,” continued the Tin Woman, “you ought to be glad, for there is nothing better than levelling. For my part, I cannot continue with my Paladin class; and as a simple Warrior I’m only level two.”

  “Perhaps,” said the Lioness thoughtfully, “if I could regain my Rage powers, I could finally reach level eight.”

  “Have you much Intelligence?” asked the Scarecrow.

  “I suppose nine is quite good for a Barbarian,” replied the Lioness.

  “I am going to the Great Oz to ask him to give me some,” remarked the Scarecrow, “for my head is stuffed with straw after the same Witch Cursed me and Polymorphed me.”

  “And I am going to ask him to Atone me,” said the Tin Woman.

  “And I am going to ask him to Teleport Toto and me back to Kansas,” added Dorothy.

  “Do you think Oz could give me back my Rage powers?” asked the Cowardly Barbarian Lioness.

  “Just as easily as he could give me Intelligence,” said the Scarecrow Bard.

  “Or give me back my class,” said the Tin Warrior.

  “Or TP me back to Kansas,” said Dorothy the Sorceress.

  “Then, if you don’t mind, I’ll go with you,” said the Lioness, “for my life is simply unbearable without being able to Rage.”

  “You will be very welcome,” answered Dorothy, “for you will help to keep away the other wild beasts. It seems to me they must be more cowardly than you are if they allow you to scare them so easily.”

  “They really are,” said the Lioness, “but that doesn’t make me any braver, and as long as I know myself to be unable to Rage I shall be unhappy.”

  So once more Dorothy issued a group invite and the little company set off upon the journey, the Lioness walking with stately strides at Dorothy’s side. Toto did not approve of this new comrade at first, for he could not forget how nearly he had been crushed between the Lioness’s great jaws. But after a time he became more at ease, and presently Toto and the Cowardly Lioness had grown to be good friends.

  During the rest of that day there was no other adventure, which was slightly disappointing to Dorothy, who now she had a tank in the party was keen to test the effect of Haste. She looked hopefully at every distant rustle in the undergrowth of the forest, but there came no opportunity for a battle.

  Once, indeed, the Tin Woman stepped upon a beetle that was crawling along the road, and killed the poor little thing. This made the Tin Woman very unhappy, for she was always careful not to hurt any living creature unless it gave her XP or loot; and as she walked along she wept several tears of sorrow and regret. These tears ran slowly down her face and over the hinges of her jaw, and there they rusted. When Dorothy presently asked her a question the Tin Woman could not open her mouth, for her jaws were tightly rusted together. She became greatly frightened at this and made many motions to Dorothy to relieve her, but Dorothy could not understand. The Lioness was also puzzled to know what was wrong. But the Scarecrow seized the oil-can from Dorothy’s basket and oiled the Tin Woman’s jaws, so that after a few moments she could talk as well as before.

  “This will serve me a lesson,” said she, “to look where I step. For if I should kill another bug or beetle I should surely cry again, and crying rusts my jaws so that I cannot speak.”

  Thereafter she walked very carefully, with her eyes on the road, and when she saw a tiny ant toiling by she would step over it, so as not to harm it. The Tin Woman knew very well she had lost her Paladin status, and therefore she took great care never to be cruel or unkind to anything.

  “You people,” she said, “have your good alignments”—Scarecrow and Dorothy exchanged an uneasy glance—“to guide you, and need never worry unduly about your actions: you just need to be yourself; but ever since losing my Paladin class, I no longer have the Code of Conduct to guide me, and so I must be extra careful to be good. When Oz gives that to me, of course, I needn’t mind so much and could probably come up with justifications for killing any mob, especially if there was experience or loot to gain.”

  Smiling approvingly, Scarecrow linked arms and the four newly found friends skipped along merrily, singing songs about levelling up, loot and magic items.

  Chapter VII

  The Journey to the Great Oz

  The party were obliged to camp out that night under a large tree in the forest, for there were no houses near. The tree made a good, thick covering to protect them from the dew, and the Tin Woman chopped a great pile of wood with her axe and Dorothy built a splendid fire that warmed her and made her feel less lonely. She and Toto ate the last of their bread, and now she did not know what they would do for breakfast.

  “If you wish,” said the Lioness, “I will go into the forest and kill a deer for you. You can roast it by the fire, since your tastes are so peculiar that you prefer cooked food, and then you will have a very good breakfast.”

  “Don’t! Please don’t,” begged the Tin Woman. “I should certainly weep if you killed a poor deer without sharing the XP from the kill, and then my jaws would rust again.”

  But the Lioness went away into the forest and found her own supper, and no one ever knew what it was, for she didn’t mention it. And the Scarecrow found a tree full of nuts and filled Dorothy’s basket with them, so that she would not be hungry for a long time. She thought this was very kind and thoughtful of the Scarecrow, but she laughed heartily at the awkward way in which the poor creature picked up the nuts. His padded hands were so clumsy and the nuts were so small that he dropped almost as many as he put in the basket. But the Scarecrow did not mind how long it took him to fill the basket, for it enabled him to keep away from the fire, as he feared a spark might get into his straw and burn him up. So he kept a good distance away from the flames, and only came near to cover Dorothy with dry leaves when she lay down to sleep. These kept her very snug and warm, and she slept soundly until morning.

  When it was daylight, the girl bathed her face in a little rippling brook, and soon after they all started toward the Emerald City.

  This was to be an eventful day for the travelers. They had hardly been walking an hour when they saw before them a great ditch that crossed the road and divided the forest as far as they could see on either side. It was a very wide ditch, and when they crept up to the edge and looked into it they could see it was also very deep, and there were many big, jagged rocks at the bottom. The sides were so steep that none of them could climb down, and for a moment it seemed that their journey must end.

  “What shall we do?” asked Dorothy despairingly.

  “I haven’t the faintest idea,” said the Tin Woman, and the Lioness shook her long face and looked thoughtful.

  But the Scarecrow said, “We cannot fly, that is certain until Dorothy can scribe the Fly spell into her spellbook. Neither can we climb down into this great ditch. Therefore, if we cannot jump over it, we must stop where we are.”

  “I think I could jump over it,” said the Cowardly Lioness, after measuring the distance carefully in her mind. “My Acrobatics is eighteen and it doesn’t matter that I cannot Rage.”

  “Then we are all right,” answered the Scarecrow, “for you can carry us all over on your back, one at a time.”

  “I can cast Haste,” offered Dorothy, “it doesn’t improve Acrobatics but perhaps base movement comes into play here too, in which case it will help a lot.”

  “Well, I’ll try it,” said the Lioness. “Who will go first?”

  “I will,” declared the Scarecr
ow, “for, if you found that you could not jump over the gulf, Dorothy would be killed, or the Tin Woman badly dented on the rocks below. But if I am on your back it will not matter so much, for the fall would not hurt me at all.”

  “I am terribly afraid of falling, myself,” said the Cowardly Lioness, “but I suppose there is nothing to do but try it. So get on my back and we will make the attempt.”

  The Scarecrow sat upon the Lioness’s back, and after Dorothy had cast Haste the big beast walked to the edge of the gulf and crouched down.

  “Why don’t you run and jump?” asked the Scarecrow.

  “Because that isn’t the way we Lionesses do these things,” she replied. Then giving a great spring, she shot through the air and landed safely on the other side. They were all greatly pleased to see how easily she did it, and after the Scarecrow had got down from her back the Lioness sprang across the ditch again.

  Dorothy thought she would go next; so she took Toto in her arms and climbed on the Lioness’s back, holding tightly to her soft ruff with one hand. The next moment it seemed as if she were flying through the air; and then, before she had time to think about it, she was safe on the other side. The Lioness went back a third time and got the Tin Woman, and then they all sat down for a few moments to give the beast a chance to rest, for her great leaps had made her breath short, and she panted like a big dog that had been running too long.