Cover Art by Jason Pedersen

Well, others have had a chance to do a 7 tip list, so I guess it’s my turn.  Not really sure what I can talk about though since I’m still figuring stuff out on my own.  Everyone else has had experience with adventuring or at least traveling.  I know I’ve gone through a lot, but they have too.  Guess I still feel like an amateur among veterans, but at least I’m still alive.  Maybe that’s what I can talk about and see where it goes. I have learned a few things about adventuring.

1. Confidence in the field can keep you alive.  It can also get you into trouble.  People are less likely to pick a fight if they think you’re stronger than you are.  At the very least, they’ll underestimate you.  I’ve been told that I had too much confidence when I started, so I try to be more humble these days.  Not sure how well I’m doing because winning a fight still feels pretty good.
2. Mouthing off is a double-edge sword, especially during combat.  It takes practice to talk and fight at the same time.  Even if you’ve done it for years, you need to shut up when things start getting really dicey.  That doesn’t mean you can’t throw out an insult or some type of barb.  Warriors get pretty heated when a fight draws on for more than a few blows.  Many don’t get phased by insults, but others do.  It’s easier when you go against an enemy that isn’t trained or you know personally.
3. Speaking of angering people, try not to do it too much to your allies.  That is unless you can cast magic, sword fight, steal, heal, track, cook, sew, and do everything else a person could possibly need on an adventure.  Even Dariana can’t do all of that and she’s been around for centuries.  This is easier to follow when you’re working with friends that trust and respect you.  The point is that you live longer when you’re not alone.
4. Find a mentor and actually listen.  I speak this from experience of doing the opposite for a while. Drove my grandfather and Selenia crazy when they were trying to teach me how to survive.  The lessons still stuck, but it’s much easier to do when you’re working with them.  Not to mention they’re happier when you come back and don’t start making plans to repair stuff after your visit.  In Selenia’s defense, trouble does have a habit of following me to her doorstep.
5. Gear maintenance is very important.  Keep your blades sharp, your waterskins full, food edible, and armor intact.  I don’t really use armor, but you get the point.  Last thing you want is to be on the road and have something break.  This doesn’t only go for weapons.  Cheap rope can dry out, fray, and snap when you really need it, so always check the more mundane supplies before you leave a town.
6. Never scoff at any job because adventuring doesn’t pay very well.  Honestly, I don’t know where people got the idea that every monster has money on them.  Most of them don’t even have pockets and it isn’t like they swallow gold coins in the morning.  You can loot ruins or be a hunter of some kind, but heroic adventures for the good of the world don’t have a salary.  I know I probably shouldn’t talk since I’m a champion and every temple has a treasure vault.  Not really sure what to do about that.  Seems pointless to have more than I can carry without weighing myself down.
7. This might not seem like a good way to survive, but it’s very important to have fun.  If you don’t enjoy the adventure then you might get sloppy.  This doesn’t mean run in wild and put fun above all else.  All I’m saying is that you have to enjoy what you do and that goes double for adventuring, which can take a toll on your body, mind, and soul.  Honestly, if I stopped having fun and had to keep going down this path then I’d probably go insane.