He Who Fights with Monsters, #1
He Who Fights with Monsters
by Shirtaloon
Contents
33. Mistrun River
Overview
Rufus’s team escorts Jason down the Mistrun River toward Greenstone, revealing fertile Verdant Fields, river-driven industry, and ancient marvels like the unsupported aqueduct over Sky River Gorge. During meditation, Jason advances Midnight Eyes. To dodge expectations and aristocratic attention, Jason parts ways, walking off across the river to explore the delta alone.
Summary
Traveling from desert into greener lands, Rufus briefs Jason on regional geography and Greenstone’s river-fed prosperity. The group reaches a bustling riverside town, witnessing magic used practically for shipping and construction, and secures barge passage after a night in spartan lodgings.
Downriver, Farrah and the barge’s magic handler explain the craft’s water-attuned stone and propulsion systems. The river’s mist shapes alternating barren banks and lush valleys, including famed Mistrun tea fields. They cross Sky River Gorge atop an ancient green-marble aqueduct with no visible supports, hinting at forgotten builders.
By dawn after a night’s sail, the group meditates on stacked stone. Jason’s Midnight Eyes advances to Iron 1, confirming his growth. Entering the Mistrun Delta’s wetlands, they spot villages, paddies, and lizard herds under the river’s life-giving haze.
Concerned about arriving under Rufus’s reputation and attracting aristocratic trainees, Jason and the team agree he should enter Greenstone independently. Rufus directs him to register at the Adventure Society later. Jason then leaps off, invoking his starlight cloak to stride across the river, departing to explore the delta alone.
Who Appears
- Jason AsanoProtagonist; learns regional context, advances Midnight Eyes to Iron 1, and departs the barge to explore the delta alone.
- Rufus RemoreTeam leader; over-prepared guide, shares history and geography, supports Jason’s plan to avoid attention in Greenstone.
- FarrahMage; explains water-affinity craft and professions, interested in testing Jason’s outworlder ability tracking.
- GaryWarrior; helps crew with strength, jokes about Rufus’s ‘tour guide’ habits, favors pressure but defers to caution.
- DockmasterBusy scheduler who grants downriver passage, emphasizing punctuality amid dockside chaos and fog.
- Barge magic handlerCrew specialist managing propulsion; demonstrates practical rivercraft enchantments to Jason and Farrah.