The Deep Roads
After that cheerful little message from the System, I was unceremoniously dumped into… a cave?
Not just any cave. No, the air was damp, thick with decay, and the walls glistened with some kind of foul-smelling ooze. Somewhere in the darkness, a guttural growl echoed, reverberating through the tunnels. A deep, ominous sound.
Yeah. I’d played enough Dragon Age to know exactly where I was.
Ding!
[Mandatory Quest Alert: Escape the Deep Roads!]
“Wait… what?!” My voice bounced off the cavern walls, the echo swallowed almost instantly by the oppressive silence. My head whipped around, taking in my surroundings. Narrow tunnels stretched in both directions, suffocatingly dark, their jagged walls slick with filth. The air itself was thick—tainted. And then there was the shuffling, wet and uneven, coming from the shadows ahead.
Darkspawn.
“Oh, come on, System! I just got here! Can I at least get a tutorial first?”
Apparently not.
A Hurlock emerged first, its hollow, milky eyes fixed on me, a rusted axe clutched in its rotting grip. Right behind it, a Genlock hefted a jagged mace, a sickly grin splitting its corrupted face. Behind them, more figures moved in the darkness. Too many.
“Fuck you, System! I am not getting blighted today!”
I reached into my inventory and yanked out Emberthorn. The moment my fingers closed around the smooth weirwood shaft, the weapon responded—fire roared to life, licking up the length of the staff, the Valyrian steel spearhead glinting in the eerie light.
The first Hurlock charged. I met it halfway.
The cleaver’s jagged edge whistled through the air, aimed right for my ribs. Too close. Too fast. I twisted, Emberthorn barely managing to intercept the strike. Sparks flew as metal met metal, the impact rattling up my arms. The darkspawn snarled, pressing forward with raw, brute strength. My boots skidded against the slick stone floor, the foul-smelling ooze making it treacherous to keep my footing.
Yeah. This wasn’t exactly an ideal battlefield.
I shifted my weight and let the momentum work in my favor—dropping low, I wrenched Emberthorn free and drove its flaming spearhead straight into the darkspawn’s exposed stomach. Flesh sizzled. The creature shrieked, blackened blood splattering across my arm as I twisted the weapon and yanked it free. It collapsed, spasming, before finally falling still.
And yet, the Deep Roads were never kind enough to grant rest.
More movement in the shadows. More milky-white eyes gleaming with hunger. My breathing was ragged, my arms burned with exertion, and the taint in the air made every inhale feel like swallowing rot. I wasn’t sure how long I had been fighting—minutes? Hours? Time blurred in this hellhole. My armor was splattered with gore, my muscles screaming in protest.
But I wasn’t done yet.
Taking a steadying breath, I closed my eyes for a brief moment, willing magic to surge through my veins. A soft golden glow enveloped my body, knitting torn flesh, soothing battered muscles, washing away exhaustion like a cleansing tide. Wounds sealed, bruises faded, and the sharp ache in my ribs dulled to nothing. My lungs expanded fully again.
Good. I was going to need to be at my best.
The moment my eyes snapped open, the darkness ahead shifted once more. This time, it wasn’t just scattered Hurlocks and Genlocks slinking toward me. No. Something bigger was coming.
A deep, guttural growl reverberated through the cavern. The ground trembled beneath my feet. From the tunnel ahead, a hulking silhouette emerged—thicker than the others, its misshapen form clad in twisted, rusted armor. The stench of corruption intensified as it stepped forward, dragging a massive, wickedly barbed greatsword behind it.
An Ogre.
“…Oh, come on.”
This wasn’t just an escape anymore. This was a goddamn gauntlet.
I adjusted my grip on Emberthorn, rolling my shoulders as flames coiled along its length once more. If the System wanted me to fight my way out of the Deep Roads one abomination at a time, then so be it.
But I was not dying here.
With a defiant smirk, I spun Emberthorn in a quick flourish, embers dancing in the stale air.
“Alright, big guy. Let’s dance.”
It charged.
The ground trembled beneath its thunderous footfalls, the sheer weight of the beast turning the cavern into a shaking deathtrap. Every step sent tremors through the stone, dislodging loose debris from the ceiling. It moved with terrifying speed for something so massive, a wall of muscle and corruption barreling straight for me.
No time to think. No time to hesitate.
I threw myself to the side at the last possible second. The Ogre crashed past me, unable to stop its own momentum. When it hit the wall, the impact was cataclysmic—rock shattered, sending jagged shards flying in every direction. Dust and debris filled the air, but I couldn’t afford to be blinded.
Twisting mid-roll, I struck. Emberthorn’s spearhead slashed across its calf, the Valyrian steel carving through thick, corrupted flesh like parchment. The wound was deep, black blood spraying across the stone. The Ogre roared, a sound so guttural and raw that it sent a shiver down my spine. Its balance wavered for a moment—one knee buckling—but it wasn’t down. Not yet.
It turned with a furious bellow, its massive arm swinging in a wild, bone-crushing arc. Too fast.
I barely managed to duck. The sheer force of the attack sent a gust of wind blasting over my head, and I could feel how close it had come—just a few inches higher, and I would’ve been nothing but a smear on the cavern floor.
Not happening.
I retaliated instantly. With a sharp thrust, Emberthorn drove into its exposed side, the Valyrian steel sinking deep. The Ogre let out a deafening roar of pain, but I wasn’t finished.
Fire magic surged through me, flowing from my core straight into my weapon.
Flames erupted inside the Ogre.
Its screech was earsplitting, a raw, unholy wail that echoed through the tunnels as fire consumed it from within. Smoke poured from its wounds, embers crackling as flesh bubbled and seared. It staggered, its wild flailing growing more erratic as it tried to fight against the agony.
But I had no intention of giving it the chance to recover.
I surged forward, dodging its frenzied swings, striking again and again—slashing across its arms, legs, anywhere I could reach. I was relentless, my weapon an extension of my will, each strike feeding the inferno raging through its body.
Then, the opening I needed.
I sprinted toward it, using the Ogre’s own knee as a stepping stone. With a burst of strength, I vaulted upward, Emberthorn raised high.
The moment I reached its shoulders, I drove the flaming spear down—straight through the back of its skull.
The Valyrian steel pierced bone like butter, embedding deep. The Ogre’s body seized, its final roar dying in its throat. For a split second, it stood frozen—then it collapsed with an earth-shaking thud, its corpse still burning.
Silence.
I stumbled back, chest heaving, staring at the smoldering remains of the monstrous creature. My heartbeat pounded in my ears, every muscle in my body burning from exertion.
I took a deep, shaky breath. “Next time, System, how about a puppy instead?”
But the System, as always, had other plans.
I barely had a moment to process my victory before the shadows stirred again. More movement. More inhuman snarls.
Another wave of darkspawn.
“Really?!” I shouted, gripping Emberthorn tighter. “Can’t you guys just let me leave in peace?!”
No answer—just the sound of blades being drawn and guttural growls of hunger.
The battle was brutal. There was no rhythm, no structure—only survival. Emberthorn became a blur of fire and steel, carving through the relentless tide. My magic blazed brighter than ever, flames dancing through the darkness as I weaved between strikes, dodging, countering, burning every abomination that dared get too close.
But they were getting close.
A Hurlock lunged, jagged blade slicing toward my ribs—I twisted, barely avoiding it, but another darkspawn was already on me. I had no footing, no time to react—
Instinct took over.
I drove Emberthorn upward on pure reflex, impaling the leaping Hurlock straight through the jaw. Its momentum carried it forward, the spearhead bursting from the top of its skull.
“Totally meant to do that,” I muttered, yanking my weapon free and stumbling back to my feet.
One by one, the darkspawn fell. And finally—finally—there were no more.
I was covered in blood, my armor scorched and splattered with gore, my body screaming in protest. But I was alive.
The distant glow of daylight beckoned.
Staggering forward, I pushed myself toward that light, each step fueled by sheer determination. My legs felt like lead, but I didn’t stop. Not until I reached the exit.
And then—I was free.
Sunlight hit me like a physical force, so bright it burned my vision. I collapsed onto the solid ground, breathing in air that wasn’t thick with taint and rot. The warmth of the sun seeped into my skin, chasing away the lingering cold of the Deep Roads.
I lay there, staring up at the endless blue sky, letting exhaustion finally crash over me.
“Deep Roads: Zero. Rowan: One,” I murmured, voice hoarse.
I groaned, shutting my eyes as exhaustion crashed over me like a tidal wave.
“Never. Again. Ever.”
Ding!
A notification flashed before me, its cheery chime grating against my last nerve.
[Mandatory Quest Complete! Congratulations on escaping the Deep Roads!]
Objectives:
• Make it to the surface ✅
• Defeat Darkspawn Minions: 200/60 ✅
• Defeat Darkspawn Hurlocks: 150/40 ✅
• Defeat Darkspawn Genlocks: 130/30 ✅
• Defeat Darkspawn Hurlock Alphas: 10/2 ✅
• Defeat Darkspawn Genlock Alphas: 5/1 ✅
Hidden Objectives:
• Defeat an Ogre: 1/1 ✅
• Defeat twice as many required enemies ✅
• Make it to the surface without catching the Blight ✅
• Make it without encountering any enemies ❌
Accumulated XP: 8,800
Rewards:
• 1,000 XP
• 500 gold
• 5 Free Item Coupons
• Perk: Blight Immunity
• Enchanted Nordic Steel Armor Set
• Legendary Crafting Kit
• Level Up x13
Penalties:
• Debuff: “Anti-Thief”
[The Anti-Thief: -25% learning speed to stealth, pickpocketing, and lockpicking. Achievement unlocked from ‘sneaking prowess.’]
I blinked at the notification. Then blinked again.
“…What?”
It took a second to process. Then, the sheer audacity of the System hit me like a warhammer to the skull.
“Aaaaarrrrrgggggg!” I threw my head back with a frustrated scream before flopping onto my back in defeat. “Fuck you, System! I just survived the Deep Roads, fought an Ogre, and this is the thanks I get?”
My brain was still catching up when another realization slammed into me like a second, equally infuriating warhammer.
I shot up so fast my vision swam. “Wait a damn minute. I don’t receive XP in battle?!”
The cliffs echoed my outrage, my voice carrying far into the distance.
“Are you kidding me?!” I gestured wildly at the still-glowing interface. “This whole nightmare could’ve been over in half the time if I’d leveled up while fighting! You mean to tell me I had to grind through like 400 darkspawn and a goddamn Ogre just to get one big payout at the end?! What kind of scuffed progression system is this?!”
Seething, I grabbed a loose rock and hurled it down the mountainside. It bounced uselessly off a ledge before disappearing into the abyss. “Seriously, System? No wonder no one survives the Deep Roads—you’re too busy scamming them out of proper leveling mechanics!”
I swiped aggressively through the air, calling up my loot menu before the sheer audacity of the System could kill me via rage-induced aneurysm.
[Rewards received. New items have been added to your inventory.]
Grumbling, I pulled up the armor set first.
The Enchanted Nordic Steel Armor shimmered within my inventory, its steel plates inlaid with faintly glowing runes. Even at a glance, the craftsmanship was leagues above the mismatched, bloodstained gear I’d been forced to wear in the Deep Roads. Solid. Durable. An actual upgrade.
“…Okay. That’s decent,” I admitted begrudgingly.
Next, I inspected the Legendary Crafting Kit. A quick scan revealed high-grade materials, enchanted tools, and a few schematics for custom weapon modifications. My irritation dimmed slightly.
“Alright, fine. That’s nice,” I muttered. “But it’s still not enough to make me forgive you, System.”
Then I noticed the Perk: Blight Immunity.
I frowned. Opened the details. Re-read them.
My brain stalled.
“…Wait. Blight Immunity? Like, permanently?”
I double-checked, because surely the System wouldn’t actually give me something useful after screwing me over for hours. But no—the perk was exactly what it said. I was completely immune to the Blight. No infection. No horrific transformation into a darkspawn abomination.
My irritation wavered. “…Okay. Fine. Not dying horribly is a decent reward.”
But then my eyes flicked back to the Anti-Thief debuff, and my scowl returned full force.
“-25% stealth, pickpocketing, and lockpicking? Are you kidding me?” I groaned, running a hand down my face. “I swear, if this screws me over later, I’m coming for you, System.”
I sighed, finally dragging myself to my feet. As much as I wanted to keep arguing with an intangible game mechanic, standing around ranting wouldn’t get me anywhere. Stretching out my sore limbs, I took a deep breath of fresh, untainted air.
The nightmare was over. The Deep Roads were behind me. And judging by the loot, I’d come out stronger for it.
Still…
As I started walking, I muttered under my breath, “Next time, I’m sending a formal complaint to whoever designed this damn system.”
I swiped irritably at the air, as if that would somehow erase the System’s bullshit, but the faint glow of the interface hovered stubbornly at the edge of my vision.
With a sigh, I pulled up my Status Menu, scanning through the list of upgrades I’d earned. My muscles ached in places I hadn’t even known existed, but at least now I had something to show for it.
[Status Menu]
Name: Rowan Peredhel
Age: 20
Gender: Female
Race: Half-Human/Half-Elf
Level: 14 (700/1400 XP)
HP: 3102
HP Regen: 505 HP/min
MP: 3444
MP Regen: 439 MP/min
Stats:
• STR: 168
• DEX: 97
• CON: 168
• INT: 146
• WIS: 146
• CHA: 36
• LCK: 35
Stat Points (SP): 65
Perk Points (PP): 4
Perks:, [Human Blood], [Elf Blood], [Darkvision], [Fey Ancestry], [Elf Trance], [Beast Blood], [Mana Monster], [Giantsblood], [Firebreather], [Elite Warrior], [Blight Immunity]
Debuffs: [Anti-Thief]
Skills: Common (Max Level), Elvish (Max Level), Enchanting (Max Level), Warding (Max Level), Alchemy (Max Level), Restoration (Max Level), Smallholding (Max Level), Blacksmithing (Max Level), Woodworking (Max Level), Elder Futhark (Max Level), Ogham (Max Level),Runiform Script (Max Level), Thu’um (Max Level), Khuzdal (Max Level), Staff Mastery (Level 10), Spear Mastery (Level 10), Spartan Kick (Level 3), Flames (Level 5)
Affinities:
Greater Fire Affinity: Fire magic cost reduced by 25%
Currency: 500 Gold
Inventory:, Warded Travel Pack, Sharpfang, Bitterbite, Emberthorn, 5 Free Item Coupons, Enchanted Nordic Steel Armor Set, Legendary Crafting Kit
I quickly scanned my stats. Strength and Constitution: 168 each.
I let out a low whistle. I was practically a walking fortress at this point. My Dexterity wasn’t bad either, but with sheer brute force and a combat style built around overwhelming power, agility wasn’t something I needed to rely on. And my skills? Three new ones added to the list. Not bad at all.
But the real prize was sitting in my inventory. I needed to figure out exactly what I could do with all this loot.
[Free Item Coupon]
Effect: Redeem for one free item from the System Shop.
Note: System Shop is locked until Level 15.
I groaned, swiping at the coupon in frustration. “Locked until Level 15? I’m literally 700 XP away!”
The System, unsurprisingly, did not care.
Shaking my head, I moved on.
[Enchanted Nordic Steel Armor Set]
Enchantments:
• Thermoregulation: Automatically adjusts to keep the wearer comfortable in any environment.
• Auto-Repair: Repairs itself over time while worn.
• Feather Falling: Reduces fall damage and allows for controlled landings.
• Additional enchantments may be applied.
I stared at the glowing description, a slow grin spreading across my face.
This armor was exactly what I needed. Thermoregulation meant I wouldn’t have to worry about freezing in the Frostbacks or boiling in the deserts of the Anderfels. Auto-Repair was going to be a lifesaver—no more scrambling for a blacksmith after every tough fight. And Feather Falling? Oh, I was going to abuse that one. I could already picture it: leaping off high places, landing with the grace of a feather while everyone else shattered their bones like idiots.
This was going to be fun.
Next up…
[Legendary Crafting Kit]
Contents:
• 500 Ram Leather, 300 Deer Hide, 1000 Leather Strips
• 100 Silk, 100 Highever Weave, 50 Lustrous Cotton, 20 Silk Brocade
• 50 Fennec Fur, 100 Bloodstone, 100 Blue Vitriol
• 100 Ebony Ingots, 20 Gold Ingots, 30 Silver Ingots
• 20 Rubies, 30 Emeralds
• 30 Pairs of Knitting Needles, 500 Assorted Skeins
• 50 Sewing Needles, 300 Spools of Thread, 150 Assorted Dyes
I exhaled slowly, my mind already racing with possibilities.
This might be the best thing I’ve gotten yet.
Hidden weapons. Enchanted gear. Armor modifications. Custom outfits.
With materials like this, I could craft more than just weapons—I could weave enchantments into my very clothing, make disguises with utility, or even design gear tailored to specific encounters.
The possibilities were endless.
Ding!
[Mandatory Quest Alert: The Conclave]
Objectives:
• Make it to the Conclave on time. (Countdown: 2:29:12:57:43)
• Become the Herald of Andraste.
Rewards:
• 500 XP
• 250 Gold
• 5 Gacha Tokens
[Optional Quest Alert: Doomsday Prepping]
Objectives:
• Prepare for future events. (Countdown: ???)
Rewards: Based on your preparations.
I frowned.
The first quest was expected. The second one… not so much.
An optional quest with an unknown countdown? That was unsettling.
I’d been thinking about it, and the more I observed, the clearer it became—Thedas was far more dangerous than it was portrayed in the games.
If this was how powerful I was at Level 15, then what did that mean for everyone else?
Cassandra had been a Seeker for decades. Leliana had survived years as an Orlesian bard, not to mention the Fifth Blight. Varric might be more of a writer than a warrior, but he had lived through Kirkwall’s chaos and fought beside a literal Champion.
And then there were the real monsters.
Solas. Corypheus.
Both had been alive for thousands of years.
I didn’t like that the Doomsday Prepping quest had a hidden countdown. That meant something was already in motion.
I needed to prepare. Carefully.