History Literature / TheWanderingInn

* RogueDrone: Typically, "Aberration" Antinium who begin to think of themselves as individuals [[spoiler:GoMadFromTheRevelatio]]. However, the Free Antinium Hive actively tries to [[spoiler:produce sane "Individuals" capable of leveling and critical thinking]]. This starts to become a point of frustration to elder Antinium, since [[spoiler:they can now disobey orders]].

* RPGMechanicsVerse: [[SubvertedTrope Subverted]]. It seems to be the case at first, with people getting higher "Levels" within their "Class" after they perform various tasks. However, it turns out to only superficially resemble the video game mechanics and turns into a nice bit of WorldBuilding with how it ''actually'' works.
** Classes represent passions and jobs, giving you more of the associated Skills as the Class grows with Levels. However, this is dependent on mentality; Erin is a master chess player for one, which could have granted her Levels in [Tactician] like it does Olesm, but it doesn't because Erin considers chess as only a game. Moreover, Levels are gained only when the individual not only learns knowledge and skills related to their Class but also has gone through personal hardship and achievement. As Richard Davenport puts it in the first group chat, "you can't [[LevelGrinding grind]]".

** Skills work more or less like they do in video games, being abilities that each have effects and cooldowns specific to the Skill. However:

* TeamKiller: [[spoiler:Garen Redfang]] is infamous for having done this.

* TheseAreThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow: There is a general level threshold needed to be able to safely know [[spoiler:the names of the dead gods]].
** [[spoiler:Since gods gain power simply by people knowing about them, the Antinium impossed an information lockdown and restricted knowledge of what their true enemy is to Queens, Centenium, and Prognugators.]]

* TrueBreedingHybrid: Half-Elves have this trait so long as the mother is a half-Elf. Half-Giants have some of this, but the giant blood is thinning.

* {{Foil}}:
** Erin and Larracel:
*** 9.21, 9.24 and 9.25 make plenty of comparisons between the two, like being low-profile [Innkeepers], having friends that became famous, and are capable of magic both of the [Mage] and metaphorical wonder kind. In terms of differences, Erin has been in Innworld for little over a year where Larra has years over her; Erin is an Earther and Larra a native; Erin started as an [Innkeeper] where Larra used to be a Named-rank Adventurer [Mage]; The Wandering Inn ironically does not move on its own (unless you count its influence connecting to other places through its Portal Door) while The Adventurer’s Haven does; and the former suffers somewhat from PerpetualPoverty while the latter is rich, if extravagant in financing its many advanced facilities. Finally, their treatment of guests differ: Erin is always willing to make anyone a friend and guest of the Inn however she could, thus her network of friends is always growing, but she’s not afraid of intervening in their life even if they don’t appreciate it (like introducing Pisces as a [Necromancer] first to others); Larra is content to passively indulge the friends she already has, like letting Valeterisa have all the food she wants and not curbing Deniusth‘s fit in [[spoiler:killing Adventurers who stole his loot]]--even her inn is a means to earning money for a paradise just for them by focusing on rich nobles’ pockets.
*** Their respective head employees, Ishkr and Barnethei, are also [[TechnicianVersusPerformer a reflection of their workplaces.]] Though both started out as ordinary [Servers], Barnethei (the Technician) saw his work as work and guests as guests, nothing more, leading to Skills that are [[StrongAndSkilled more effective]] but [[NecessaryDrawback limited in time]]; this is because he [[DudeWheresMyRespect expects a reward]] for his hard work at the end of a task. For Ishkr (the Performer) however, [[AllAPartOfTheJob the job is the reward]], if not his life, so his [[MagikarpPower low-leveled Skills last as long as needed]] to complete his tasks, and some are based off big incidents he lived through and guests he had the honor of serving.
----> '''Ishkr (to Barnethei):''' Your Skills help you work better. ''Mine?'' Mine make me happy.

** Occupying the skilled section (though not necessarily equals) are Klbkch, Shorthilt, Redscar, Thomast Veniral, Raelt Leysars, Deniusth the Duelist of Strings, "Maestro" Linvios Reiscale, [[spoiler:Az'kerash, Greydath of Blades, Ksmvr when he inherits the [Silver Illusion] Sword School, and Teriarch as the simulacra Eldavin[[note]]when Real!Eldavin appeared at 9.30's tournament still holding onto some of the Dragon's memories, he was judged to have skills outmatching nearly every other participant[[/note]].]]
** Turns out there's mastery beyond mastery. [[spoiler:The [Dragonbane Swordlegend] of the Village of the Dead and [Blademistress of Ancients] Zeladona Ischen are those who took another step beyond the aforementioned masters, such that [[ImplausibleFencingPowers they could bend reality itself with just swordsmanship]]; Taletevirion is a special case in that he has no Levels and yet is beseeched, if not begged by ''Zeladona'' to fight as a hint to his skill, but when he does demonstrate it against Tolveilouka in their SwordFight, the onlookers immediately back off and [[FlashStep could barely keep track of their duel]].]]

''The Wandering Inn'' began in July 2016 and updates regularly on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The author put out the first volume on Amazon Kindle. Each successive volume is even bigger than its predecessor; in total the web serial [[{{Doorstopper}} exceeds 6.9 million words]] as of the end of Volume 7.

*** It is not a requirement to say a Skill name out loud to activate it; just thinking it is enough.

** [[{{Muggle}} Levelless]] people, also known as "Rulebreakers", are simply those who do not have Levels and thus exist outside of the Level system. Though they're awfully weak when it comes to a fight, it lets them resist certain Level-based powers such as Auras. [[spoiler:This is important for Ryoka (who rejected Levels) and Nanette (who temporarily put aside her [Witch] Class), who are able to view Nerry's information that would have been filtered by the Grand Design where not even the Levelless Teriarch could remember or perceive anything about the issue of the Sariant Lambs.]]

* LoadsAndLoadsOfRaces: [[InsectoidAliens Antinium]], [[BeastMan Beastkin]], [[OurCentaursAreDifferent Centaurs]], [[OurDemonsAreDifferent Demons]], [[OurDragonsAreDifferent Dragons]], [[DraconicHumanoid Drakes]], [[FishPeople Drowned Folk]], [[AnimatedArmour Dullahans]], [[OurDwarvesAreAllTheSame Dwarves]], [[TheFairFolk Faeries]], [[{{Lilliputians}} Fraerlings]], [[BirdPeople Garuda]], Gnolls, [[OurGoblinsAreDifferent Goblins]], Griffins, Half-Giants, Half-Elves, [[HumansAreAverage Humans]], [[LizardFolk Lizardfolk]], [[OurMinotaursAreDifferent Minotaurs]], [[PuppeteerParasite Selphids]], [[ArtificialHuman String Folk]], and [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Vampires]]. [[spoiler:For the mostly historical races, there's [[OurAngelsAreDifferent Agelum]], [[PlantPerson Dryads]], (sentient) Elementals, [[OurGryphonsAreDifferent Griffins]], [[{{Hobbits}} Halflings]], [[HarpingOnAboutHarpies Harpies]], [[OurDemonsAreDifferent Lucifen]], [[OurMermaidsAreDifferent Merfolk]], [[FaunsAndSatyrs Satyrs]], [[SpiderPeople Spiderfolk]], [[OurTitansAreDifferent Titans]], {{Unicorn}}s, and Wyrms. And that's not getting into the unnamed sci-fi aliens seen in Avalon!]]

* MonsterLord: Some Goblins (widely regarded as the weakest monsters) can "evolve" like this. A high-level Goblin can become a Hobgoblin and/or Chieftain, who can become a Goblin Lord, who can become a continent-ending [[TheDreaded Goblin King]].

* MysticalPlague: Diseases that are magical in nature are not too uncommon, with [[spoiler: Typhenous, "The Plague Mage"]] being a fairly moral practitioner of disease magic.

* BarredFromTheAfterlife: [[spoiler:Most everyone who has died since the gods did lives on as ghosts in the Land of the Dead, since there are no divine afterlives to pass onto anymore. Exceptions seem to include Goblins, Antinium, and anyone evil enough to warrant being sent to {{Hell}}.]]

* BindingAncientTreaty: Most nations have a magically-binding agreement to send a tithe of troops, money, or supplies to Rhir’s ForeverWar. This has been in place in one form or another since the Creler Wars, about 6,000 years ago.

--->[[spoiler:'''Assassin:''' [[RuleOfThree Is it war]], Antinium?]]
--->[[spoiler:'''Xrniavxxel:''' Very well, then. ''[[BluntYes It is war]].'']]

* CallingYourAttacks: Many people call the names of Skills when using them. Many have mastered their Skills to the point where they don't need to. Then there's Erin...

** Also a notable trait of the bombastic Relc, who loves to call out attacks like "Relc Punch" or "Relc Headbutt," despite them not being actual Skills.

* ChainmailBikini: Averted. Adventuring and warfare are both very dangerous professions. Armor covers as much as possible as heavily as possible. New enslaved [Gladiators] are often stuck in this, but will upgrade as soon as possible.

* {{Courier}}:
** True {{Courier}}s are Gold and Named-rank Runners who securely deliver anything anywhere via some combination of SuperSpeed, magic, or just being a OneManArmy that ''cannot'' be stopped.
** "City Runners" are considered a step below Courier, and deliver more mundane packages between cities.
** "Street Runners" are the lowest rung in the Runner's Guild, and deliver things within a city.

* CosmicHorrorReveal: The story starts as a fairly standard LitRPG Fantasy setting focusing on Slice-of-Life. Early on, it's mentioned that the gods of the world are all [[{{Gotterdammerung}} dead]], hence the lack of any [Clerics], and the common swear "[[OhMyGods Dead Gods]]". It turns out that [[spoiler:the gods ''are'' dead. Some of them are very unhappy with this, and are willing to do anything to be restored. By Volume 8, Erin is trapped in the Land of the Dead, pursued by these undead gods, who are eating the helpless souls of most everyone who has ever lived. The [[EldritchAbomination Things]] that even ''they'' fear are crawling their way up from the [[EldritchLocation Last Tide]]. No wonder the Fey and the rest of TheMultiverse has quarantined this universe]].

* {{Cyclops}}: Gazers are an enigmatic, sapient species that have a variety of arrangements of magical eyes, on a mostly humanoid body plan. Most species find them to appear alien ([[spoiler:they may be descended from [[EldritchAbomination Eldrich Abominations]] from beyond the edge of the known world]]), and they are largely isolationist. Gazi, a half-gazer, is the only one ever shown to the reader until Volume 8. She has a large, magic-augmented eye in the middle of their face and smaller, less clairvoyant ones all around the main one, and for most of the story it could easily be assumed that ALL Gazers had only head-centered eyes.

* DoorFu: The Half-Troll Durene uses a door as a shield because regular shields are too small.
** Played with by [[spoiler:The Horns of Hammerad in Albez. Yvlon uses a heavily enchanted door as an impromptu shield. When Ksmvr later suggests using it as one from now on, they all tell him that'd be ridiculous]].

* DungeonBypass: Subverted. Entering a dungeon from an unintended route can bypass dangerous traps, but usually only at the cost of leaving an Adventurer party attacked from multiple sides with no cleared escape route. Disabling, and even selling parts of [[DurableDeathtrap Durable Deathtraps]] is highly recommended, however.

* EvilLaugh: Chapter 1.01C has one. For full effect, make sure your reading device has sound enabled.

* FlatWorld: While celestial bodies seem to be normal, there is a definite end to the world called the Last Tide. Also known as the seam of the world, it's an EldritchLocation that contains "things that should not be".
** [[spoiler:Subverted. The stars are fake, light comes from the sky instead of the sun, it's the same time of day no matter where in the world you are, and the world is round-- there's just a massive hole in it where there used to be two additional continents and the world is so large that no one has yet realized it's possible to sail around the hole.]]

* LoadsAndLoadsOfRaces: [[InsectoidAliens Antinium]], [[BeastMan Beastkin]], [[OurCentaursAreDifferent Centaurs]], [[OurDemonsAreDifferent Demons]], [[OurDragonsAreDifferent Dragons]], [[DraconicHumanoid Drakes]], [[FishPeople Drowned Folk]], [[AnimatedArmour Dullahans]], [[OurDwarvesAreAllTheSame Dwarves]], Faeries, [[{{Lilliputians}} Fraerlings]], [[BirdPeople Garuda]], Gnolls, [[OurGoblinsAreDifferent Goblins]], Griffins, Half-Giants, Half-Elves, Humans, [[LizardFolk Lizardfolk]], [[OurMinotaursAreDifferent Minotaurs]], [[PuppeteerParasite Selphids]], [[ArtificialHuman String Folk]], and [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Vampires]]. [[spoiler:For the mostly historical races, there's Agelum, Dryads, (sentient) Elementals, Griffins, Harpies, Hobbits, Lucifen, Merfolk, Spiderfolk, Unicorns, and Wyrms. And that's not getting into the unnamed sci-fi aliens seen in Avalon!]]

* KillItWithWater: [[spoiler: How the First Antinium War was won; once it was discovered that [[SuperDrowningSkills Antinium can't float]] the allied armies started flooding the battlefields, culminating with drowning an entire Hive.]]
** [[spoiler: Similarly used to great effect against the Face-eater Moths that besiege Liscor in Volume 5; Pisces and the other mages nearby create a massive rain storm that panics the insect swarm, forcing them to flee back to the dungeon.]]
** [[spoiler: Invoked again to defeat Facestealer, who was too dense to swim.]]

* LackOfEmpathy: The Defining trait of the [[spoiler:Lucifen]] in Volume 8, alongside [[spoiler:[[DealWithTheDevil making deals]] and [[ImAHumanitarian eating people]]]]. They get along rather well with their {{Empath}} counterparts, [[spoiler:the Angellum]].

* {{Lilliputians}}: The Fraerlings are a species of human appearance who are about six inches tall.

** The Antinium Listeners can hear for miles, at least out to the edges of the Floodplains.

* LoadsAndLoadsOfRaces: [[InsectoidAliens Antinium]], [[BeastMan Beastkin]], [[OurCentaursAreDifferent Centaurs]], [[OurDemonsAreDifferent Demons]], [[OurDragonsAreDifferent Dragons]], [[DraconicHumanoid Drakes]], [[FishPeople Drowned Folk]], [[AnimatedArmour Dullahans]], [[OurDwarvesAreAllTheSame Dwarves]], [[{{Lilliputians}} Fraerlings]], [[BirdPeople Garuda]], Gnolls, [[OurGoblinsAreDifferent Goblins]], Half-Giants, Half-Elves, Humans, [[LizardFolk Lizardfolk]], [[OurMinotaursAreDifferent Minotaurs]], [[PuppeteerParasite Selphids]], [[ArtificialHuman String Folk]], and [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Vampires]].

** Somehow, magic itself was actually broken in the Innworld at some point. While this lasted for centuries, [[TheMagicComesBack it eventually got better]]. [[spoiler:In 8.81, the likely culprit makes his appearance in the Deadlands who is, according to a Gnoll [Mage], The Mage of Magic's End, [Mage] Level 93.]]

** Occupying the skilled section are Klbkch, Shorthilt, Redscar, Raelt Leysars, Deniusth the Duelist of Strings, "Maestro" Linvios Reiscale, [[spoiler:Az'kerash, Ksmvr when he inherits the [Silver Illusion] Sword School, and Teriarch as the simulacra Eldavin; when Real!Eldavin appeared at 9.30's tournament still holding onto some of the Dragon's memories, he was judged to have skills outmatching nearly every other participant.]]
** Turns out there's mastery beyond mastery. [[spoiler:The [Dragonbane Swordlegend] of the Village of the Dead and [Blademistress] Zeladona Ischen are those who took another step beyond the aforementioned masters, such that [[ImplausibleFencingPowers they could bend reality itself with just swordsmanship]]; Taletevirion is a special case in that he has no Levels and yet is beseeched, if not begged by ''Zeladona'' to fight as a hint to his skill, but when he does demonstrate it against Tolveilouka in their SwordFight, the onlookers immediately back off and [[FlashStep could barely keep track of their duel]].]]

* {{Plaguemaster}}: "The Putrid One" is was an infamous [Necromancer] specialized in this. In Volume 8, it's revealed [[spoiler:he was a half-Elf who destroyed several kingdoms in plague, had multiple crusades fought against him, and had a truly horrific [[BodyHorror true form]]. A simple touch from him was incurable even for a high-level Paladin]].
%%** Typhenous of Griffon Hunt is known as "the Plague Mage".%%And?

*** "Capstone Skills" are often assigned at increments of 10, which tend to become signatures amongst all other Skills.

** [[{{Muggle}} Levelless]] people, also known as "Rulebreakers", are simply those who do not have Levels and thus exist outside of the Level system. Though they're awfully weak when it comes to a fight, it lets them resist certain powers such as auras. [[spoiler:This is important for Ryoka (who rejected Levels) and Nanette (who temporarily put aside her [Witch] Class), who are able to view Nerry's information that would have been filtered by the Grand Design.]]
** [[spoiler:The events of Volume 8 give this system a name, the "Grand Design of Isthekenous", a creation of the gods that replicate the capabilities and feats of those it has ever recorded as Levels and Skills, which are then assigned to people who match it in terms of Class-associating deeds and personal hardship. Volume 9 expands further on the fact that the system has several features such as Quests and Titles that were disabled at first before the Design activated them. The Design also appears to be semi-sentient, constantly debating on the fairness of the Levels and Skills it gives out, and getting annoyed by Mrsha's neglect of her old Classes.]]

** [[spoiler:The events of Volume 8 give this system a name, the "Grand Design of Isthekenous", a creation of the gods that replicate the capabilities and feats of those it has ever recorded as Levels and Skills, which are then assigned to people who match it in terms of Class-associating deeds and personal hardship. Volume 9 expands further on the fact that the system has several features such as <Quests> and The Design also appears to be semi-sentient, constantly debating on the fairness of the Levels and Skills it gives out, and getting annoyed by Mrsha's neglect of her old Classes.]]

* RPGMechanicsVerse: [[SubvertedTrope Subverted]]. It seems to be the case at first, with people getting higher "Levels" within their "Class" after they perform various tasks. However, it turns out to only superficially resemble the video game mechanics and turns into a nice bit of WorldBuilding with how it ''actually'' works. [[spoiler:The events of Volume 8 give this system a name, the "Grand Design of Isthekenous", a creation of the gods that replicate the capabilities and feats of those it has ever recorded as Levels and Skills, which are then assigned to people who match it in terms of Class-associating deeds and personal hardship. The Design also appears to be semi-sentient, constantly debating on the fairness of the Levels and Skills it gives out, and getting annoyed by Mrsha's neglect of her old Classes.]]

* IsekaiBonus: Earthers seem to level faster than Innworld natives. It's unclear whether this is a direct result of what brought them there, or just the Leveling System taking into account their status as FishOutOfWater when determining their efforts. [[spoiler:During parts where it gets to work after its reveal as the Grand Design of Isthekenous, Earthers are revealed to have the <Outsider> tag, which multiplies their deeds and achievements by the value of π. Not even it knows why the rule is there.]]

* MasterSwordsman: Of course a medieval fantasy world would have [Swordsmen]. While there are plenty who use the sword with skill, there are those who are noted to take it further, including Klbkch, Shorthilt, Redscar, Raelt Leysars, [[spoiler:Az'kerash, Ksmvr when he inherits the [Silver Illusion] Sword School, Deniusth, and "Maestro" Linvios Reiscale. The [Dragonbane Swordlegend] of the Village of the Dead and [Blademistress] Zeladona Ischen are people who took another step beyond the aforementioned masters, such that [[ImplausibleFencingPowers they could bend reality itself with just swordsmanship]]; Taletevirion, Tolveilouka Ve’delina Mer (though it's not certain whether he used Skills, he did match Taletevirion in their SwordFight) and Sprigaena are an altogether different level for not being reliant on Skills.]]

* TheArchmage: Traditionally, [Archmage] is a high-level class-progression of [Mage], but in recent times it has simply become a title due to no one being able to achieve the actual Class. There are currently six "official" Archmages associated with Wistram who compete in its ruling council for influence.

---> '''Ishkr (to Barnethei):''' Your Skills help you work better. ''Mine?'' Mine make me happy.

* ManEatingPlant: The Bloodfields as mentioned above.

* {{Foil}}: Erin and Larracel. 9.21, 9.24 and 9.25 make plenty of comparisons to each other, like being low-profile [Innkeepers], having friends that became famous, and capable of magic, both of the [Mage] and metaphorical wonder kind. In terms of differences, Erin has been in Innworld for little over a year where Larra has years over her, Erin is an Earther and Larra a native, Erin started as an [Innkeeper] where Larra used to be a Named-rank Adventurer [Mage], The Wandering Inn ironically does not move on its own (unless you count its influence connecting to other places through its Portal Door) while The Adventurer’s Haven does, and the former suffers somewhat from PerpetualPoverty while the latter is rich, if extravagant in financing its many advanced facilities. Finally, their treatment of guests differ: Erin is always willing to make anyone a friend and guest of the Inn however she could, thus her network of friends is always growing, but she’s not afraid of intervening in their life even if they don’t appreciate it (like introducing Pisces as a [Necromancer] first to others); Larra is content to passively indulge the friends she already has, like letting Valeterisa have all the food she wants and not curbing Deniusth‘s fit in [[spoiler:killing Adventurers who stole his loot]]--even her inn is a means to earning money for a paradise just for them by focusing on rich nobles’ pockets.
** Their respective head employees, Ishkr and Barnethei, are also [[TechnicianVersusPerformer a reflection of their workplaces.]] Though both started out as ordinary [Servers], Barnethei (the Technician) saw his work as work and guests as guests, nothing more, leading to Skills that are [[StrongAndSkilled more effective]] but [[NecessaryDrawback limited in time]]; this is because he [[DudeWheresMyRespect expects a reward]] for his hard work at the end of a task. For Ishkr (the Performer) however, [[AllAPartOfTheJob the job is the reward]], if not his life, so his [[MagikarpPower low-leveled Skills last as long as needed]] to complete his tasks, and some are based off big incidents he lived through and guests he had the honor of serving.
----> '''Ishkr (to Barnethei):''' "Your Skills help you work better. ''Mine?'' Mine make me happy."

* FullFrontalAssault: [[spoiler: Saliss of Lights]] is a Named-Rank Adventurer infamous for being a nudist.

** Later invoked by the Free Hive [[spoiler: as a matter of CombatPragmatism while fighting Belavierr]].

** There may have been a few "wonders" in our world long ago, but the Winter Fey claim there isn't any anymore.

* ManEatingPlant: The Blood Fields as mentioned above

* MedievalStasis: Discussed. Since Classes, and Magic can do everything, why advance?

* NiceToTheWaiter: Lady Magnolia treats her [[BattleButler servants]] very well, refusing to make them form a traditional greeting line in poor weather, and finding jobs for those too injured to complete their former duties. Meanwhile Lord Tyrion's [Majordomo] (whose family has served his for six generations) is terrified of being fired for a minor mistake when we first meet him.

** Krshia gets a moment of this when she's woken up at night by the [[spolier:Raskghar attack on Liscor]].

** Ksmvr and Artur manage to be repeatedly overlooked by [[HiddenInPlainSight staying still and quite while in plain sight]].

* SuspiciouslySpecificDenial: Invoked several times by Antinium due to them being BadLiars. One of the better attempts was Klbkch trying to very carefully choose his words to ''not'' reveal Teriarch's existence, which backfired when Krshia pressured him for a direct denial and Klbkch said nothing instead of tripping the various truth-detecting Skills other people present had.

* TheseAreThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow: There is a general level threshold needed to be able to safely hear [[spoiler:the names of the dead gods]].

* JerkassHasAPoint: Pisces often gives good advice; he's just insufferable about it most of the time.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Ryoka, particularly in the early volumes. Though (usually) well-meaning, her pride, anti-social tendencies, and general mistrust of authority often put her at odds with others. This fades somewhat after she meets Erin and her friends and begins to rely on them, but even then she's rather aloof and prone to keeping to herself.

** [[spoiler: Similarly used to great effect against the Face-Eater Moths that besiege Liscor in Volume 5; Pisces and the other mages nearby create a massive rain storm that panics the insect swarm, forcing them to flee back to the dungeon.]]

* LaughingMad: After seeing Wilen slowly die, something snaps inside of Tom, driving him to insanity. He starts to laugh crazily and changes from the rather unfunny clown to a clown such as one sees in horror movies, making even the demons fear him.
* LazyDragon: Teriarch is quite lazy, preferring to contact his sole human friend, Lady Reinhart, through spells rather than actually visiting her. He does offer to fly to Magnolia's manor when he learns she is in danger (she's actually safe, and makes fun of the very idea he'd get out and do something), but retracts it as soon as he learns she's in no imminent peril.

* TheMedic: The aptly named Geneva was in her third year of med school when she appeared in Baleros, and soon becomes a [Doctor].

* MightyGlacier: Ryoka's Runner friend Garia is one of the slowest City Runners, but her past as a [Farm Hand] means she's strong enough to make heavier deliveries, and take out a Bronze-rank Adventurer in one punch.
* MonsterClown: Thomas becomes one after gaining the conditions [Horrific Laughter] and [Lesser Insanity].

* MonsterRightsMovement: Despite several bad encounters with them, Erin maintains that Goblins are sentient people, and should not be hunted as pests.

* MyBrainIsBig: Played straight with the original Antinium queens on Rhys; the majority of their body mass was brain tissue. In a subversion the current crop merely gorges on food, imitating the mass and volume of their predecessors without much of the brain.

* NonVoyageParty: Klbkch gets one in Mating Rituals 2, even asking if he's being fired. Later inverted when [[spoilers:Klbkch gets a going away party and then delays leaving for another two months.]]

* {{Ninja Maid}}: Lady Magnolia's right hand, Ressa, is the [Head Maid] in charge of training the rest of her overly capable staff and an assassin. When Ryoka mistakes her for a [Ninja], Magnolia laughs and jokes about it.
->'''Magnolia:''' “A [Ninja]! Wouldn’t that be quite amazing to see? If I bought you some dark clothing, would you hang from the ceiling and jump out of the shadows to fill my cup?”
* NonHumanUndead: The undead that populate Liscor’s dungeon are all Drakes. Additionally, crypt horrors are made up of several corpses and Pisces uses bear skeletons to fight where the use of Human, Drake, or Gnoll corpses is outlawed. [[spoiler:Az’ Kerash is creates many types of undead, including Kerash, the draugr of a Gnoll hero.]]

* NotoriousParent: [[spoiler:Wiskeria's estranged mother Belavierr]] has sizable bounties from many major world powers, and a habit of making [[DealWithTheDevil deals]] with desperate people. Becomes a full-on [[spoiler:EvilMatriarch when she kills Califor to give Wiskeria a purpose in life: [[CreateYourOwnHero to stop her]].]]

* OlderThanTheyLook: Although Ceria looks to be in her 20s, she actually is 60. Her half-elven blood means she ages about three times slower—and more gracefully—than humans.
* TheOlderImmortal: Although both are "immortals" and they acknowledge each other as beings of a similar standing, Az'kerash is shown to only be about two centuries old and have only died and been revived ''once'' — by contrast to [[WickedWitch the Witch Belavierr]], who is a bona fide TimeAbyss who had a personal hand in the ''creation'' of one of the sentient races of the setting (the String-People).

** Elves were functionally immortal, undisputed masters of magic, and better than humans in every conceivable way. They're all gone however.
** Half-Elves, the Elves' HalfHumanHybrid descendants, are more skilled and magical than humans, but are the victim of severe FantasticRacism from the significantly larger populations of other species.

* {{Plaguemaster}}: "The Putrid One" is was an infamous [Necromancer] specialized in this. In Volume 8, it's revealed [[spoiler:he was a half-elf who destroyed several kingdoms in plague, had multiple crusades fought against him, and had a truly horrific [[BodyHorror true form]]. A simple touch from him was incurable even for a high-level Paladin]].

* PutOnABus: Ryoka, just before the conclusion of Volume 4, flees Liscor [[spoiler: after her altercations with the Necromancer finally come crashing down on her and start killing people.]] She remains gone as the story moves to Volume 5 [[spoiler: and continues not to appear [[TheBusCameBack until the volume's epilogue.]] ]]
* PreAssKickingOneLiner: "My name is Erin Solstice. This is my inn. And. [[PunctuatedForEmphasis You. Are. Trespassing.]]"
* PreMortemOneLiner: [[spoiler: After the Face-Eater moths are successfully driven off from Liscor, to a straggler moth left crawling in the rain:]]
--> '''Erin:''' Welcome to Liscor [''squishes the moth''].

* PullingThemselvesTogether: Unlike mundane Skeletons, Toren is capable of doing this. Often played for laughs and coupled with a CraniumChase, but this gives him a definite edge in a fight as he just [[ImplacableMan doesn't stay down]].

* AQuestGiverIsYou: [[spoiler: when Erin wakes up at then end of volume 8 she swears to never forget her promise to carry the legacy of the ghost who were consumed by the dead gods into the world of the living. This oath, combined with her actions in the land of the dead unlocks the system's previously unknown quest mechanic for the everyone in the world with an Innkeeper class. Because she unlocked it and learned the secrets of the dead across the ages she is given the ability to post the highest tier quests in the system.]]

* RunOrDie: Ryoka frequently finds herself in this situation.
** Volume 1: [[spoiler:A steady progression up the FoodChainOfEvil that makes up the High Passes.]]
** Volume 4: [[spoiler:The armies of the Necromancer.]]
** Volume 7: [[spoiler:Pretty much the entirety of Izril's Assassin's Guild, and later, TheWildHunt itself.]]

** Chaildion, the [Veteran Strategist] of Pallass has a Skill called [Path to Victory]. This is the same name as Contessa's superpower in the web-serial ''Literature/{{Worm}}''.

* SpoiledBrat: Lyonette is the typical spoiled noble child. [[spoiler: Even after Erin saved her from being frozen to death, or even eaten by monsters, Lyon thinks it's natural and expected for Erin to have done so, as she is a noble, and thus deserving of special treatment. Furthermore, she thinks it's only obvious that she can reside in Erin's inn, eat her food, and demand her assistance with traveling back home. After discovering that Erin actually expects her to work for all these things she thinks are her right, she is scandalized and enraged.]]

* TimeAbyss: A reoccurring theme is just how ''old'' things are. Certain races like Half-Elves, Dwarves, and [[spoiler:Goblins]] are pretty LongLived, but there are beings far, far older. The world itself is old enough that the past 6,000 years since the Creler Wars are considered "modern" history.

* TomTheDarkLord: [[spoiler: Zig-zagged with the Necromancer. His current name is the suitably eldritch-sounding Az'kerash, but it is quickly revealed that his true name was the very normal Perril Chandler… Except that his (few) friends nicknamed Perril "[[MeaningfulName Peril]]".]]

* TrainingFromHell: [[spoiler:[[ExposedToTheElements Walking into blizzards naked]], and being StewedAlive]] are both considered training methods for [Cryomancers], much to Ceria's dismay.

* TrueBreedingHybrid: Half-elves have this trait. Half-giants have some of this, but the giant blood is thinning.

* UnderestimatingBadassery: After being scammed, Erin is challenged to a game of chess against a Level 22 [Tactician] to win her money back. Her friends tell her she is an idiot for taking the bet. It turns out that she is probably the best chess player in the world.

* UnexpectedInheritance: Selys is given [[spoiler:the legendary Heartflame Breastplate]] based off of a technicality in [[spoiler:her uncle]]'s will.
* UnreliableNarrator: The "Antinium Wars" Chapters follow the in-universe history books written by Krsysl Wordsmith. Unfortunately, the fame from his first book [[TookALevelInJerkass corrupted him]]. His book on the second war is a RoseTintedNarrative filled with PurpleProse that the various readers frequently cut away from to give their personal accounts of what ''really'' happened.

* WillfullyWeak: Ryoka chooses not to gain any Classes, Levels or Skills, despite their obvious advantages. Doing this is so counter-intuitive that most characters are shocked when they find out. She does this because she suspects the System imposes some kind of restriction and alteration in those who embrace it.

* YourVampiresSuck: Done with ''goblins'' for once. A tribe of the [=InnWorld=]'s usually nomadic, warlike goblins with their own specific culture settled down into an underground mountain city ruled by an [[LargeAndInCharge obese hobgoblin]], where they mimic human society (having adopted the English tongue and a habit of eating out of plates, for instance). [[Film/TheHobbit Sound familiar?]] When some of the regular goblins visit, they recognize the tribe's power but disdainfully say among themselves that they are "not goblin".

* ZombieApocalypse: Since zombies arise naturally on their own if people remain unburied for too long, this is a constant, low-level possibility. Considering the types of undead that arise become exponentially nastier the more corpses there are, battlefields are a big concern. Because of this, sometimes entire companies are tasked with disposal of the dead between battles.

* ActionGirl: Ryoka [[spoiler:punched a beautiful Silver ranked adventurer in the face and kicked a Minotaur so hard he vomited blood]].

* AgentPeacock: Wall Lord Ilvriss loves fine wine, fashion, and gemstones. He's also a high-level, well-equipped leader who [[spoiler:is leading a force to covertly take on [[TheDreaded The Necromancer]]]].

* BarBrawl: Erin gains the [Bar Fighting] Skill, which is noted to be somewhat unusual for an [Innkeeper].

* BecameTheirOwnAntithesis: [[spoiler:Peril Chandler was the hero of the Kingdom of Silvaria and to Terandria in general, defended Izril from a Naga invasion, and showed the world that Necromancy could be used for good. As Az'Kerash, he destroyed Silvaria and terrorized Terandria, invaded Izril, and is the go-to example for people who claim Necromancy is inheriently evil]].

* BigCreepyCrawlies: Many types exist, including the giant [[GiantSpider Shield]] [[SpiderSwarm Spiders]], Face Eater Moths, Rock Crabs, and the dreaded Crelers.

* BlessedWithSuck: In 8.74DR, [[spoiler:Tyrion Veltras gets [[{{Rejuvenation}} de-aged]] from 47 to 28 years old, restoring his youth, but also returning him, one of the most powerful [Lords] of his age, to the Level, Classes, and Skills he possessed at that time. Veers a bit into CursedWithAwesome though, since he earned some rare Skills and a new Class from it]].
* BlindAndTheBeast: Laken, a blind Earther, to the consternation of the locals, immediately befriends Durene, a half-troll girl, and they [[spoiler:soon enter into a relationship]].

* BreakTheHaughty: [[spoiler: Lyonette faced the very real threat of starvation if she didn't willingly do real work for the first time in her life. She eventually becomes the manager of the Inn, a loving adopted mother to Mrsha, and good friends with Krshia (a victim of her earlier thefts) and Zevara (the Captain of the City Watch that exiled her).]]

* CameBackStrong: In Volume 7 [[spoiler:Klbkch intentionally invokes this trope by having his fellow Centenium Wrymvr severely injure him during a skirmish with a Walled Cities strike team. Desperate to save him, the Queens put aside their differences to pool their knowledge while remaking his body. The end result is sleeker, more agile, and has poisoned mandibles]].

* TheChessmaster: Lady Magnolia Reinhart, a high-level [Lady] of extreme wealth and influence and perhaps the most powerful Human on Izril.
* ChickMagnet: Olesm Swifttail is an unintentional example. So far, he’s got Ceria (their relationship got far but is still ambiguous), Zevara and Embria attracted.

* DraconicHumanoid: The drakes are distantly related to dragons. A few of them, titled Oldbloods, have some draconic abilities, either a breath weapon or wings. In extremely rare cases, one will be born with both.

* DrivingQuestion: A personal one for Wall Lord Ilvriss, directed at Ryoka: [[spoiler: what happened to his lieutenant (and beloved) Periss? Ryoka dodges the question for as long as she can [[IdTellYouButThenIdHaveToKillYou to avoid rousing the Necromancer's ire]], but when the Necromancer's servants decide to kill her anyway, she finally tells him Periss was slain by the Necromancer's forces.]]

* EmotionBomb: Erin's Volume 7 Skill, [[spoiler:[Like Fire, Memory] produces TechnicolorFire from her emotions that has a variety of magical properties, including inducing the emotion in whoever sees it]].

* EvilMentor: [[spoiler:Az'kerash]] serves as this for [[spoiler:Reiss]], and later for [[spoiler:Pisces]] as well.
* ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin: Az'kerash, the most terrible Necromancer in centuries, is usually known only as "The Necromancer". Later chapters reveal his true name to be [[TomTheDarkLord Perril Chandler]].

* FesteringFungus: One of the Four quadrants of Liscor’s Dungeon is infested with this.

* FryingPanOfDoom: Erin's weapons of choice for her [Bar Fighter] Skill.

* GiantEnemyCrab: The rock crabs of the surrounding area are large and aggressive predators that hide in plain sight.

* HappyRain: Liscor's area has incredibly dismal rains in the spring, leading to heavy flooding in the valleys and general annoyance for the population. This trope comes into effect after [[spoiler: the second defense of Liscor, when a magically summoned rain storm drives off the horde of Face-Eater Moths attacking the city, allowing the defenders to celebrate and relax in the rain]].

* HiveCasteSystem: The Antinium have a caste system. The queen of the hive makes them with an explicit purpose in mind, and forms their bodies in a way to make them more efficient in it; a soldier has, for example, a huge muscular body, while a Worker has a small slender one.

* HiveQueen: The gigantic Grand Queen of the Antinium is able to change the memories of the hive mind. [[spoiler:When Klbkch died, his memories were still present in all Antinium, but if the queen had just wished it, no Antinium would have known he had ever existed.]]
* HonestJohnsDealership: Stitchworks Alchemy Shop is known for cheap, lower-quality potions, and the owner, Octavia, always trying to make a quick sale. By Volume 6 she's [[spoiler:gotten her hands on a source of higher-quality ingredients, toned down the aggressive sales pitches, and generally [[TookALevelInKindness Taken a Level in Kindness]]]].

* HorrifyingTheHorror: [[spoiler:After his psychotic break, [[MonsterClown Tom]]]] does this to a group of ''demons'' who'd just slaughtered a town full of civilians and children.

* IAmNotPretty: Durene thinks of herself that way due to her troll heritage.

* HarmfulHealing: Applying {{Healing Potion}}s, or most [Healer] Skills to diseases, bad bone breaks, or places where the flesh ''immediately'' trying to knit itself back together (regardless of what is or isn't in its way) is ''not'' a good idea.

* HiveQueen: The gigantic Grand queen of the Antinium is able to change the memories of the hive mind. [[spoiler:When Klbkch died, his memories were still present in all Antinium, but if the queen had just wished it, no Antinium would have known he had ever existed.]]

* IAmNotPretty: Duren thinks of herself that way due to her troll heritage.

** Volume 1: [[spoiler:A steady progression up the FoodChainOfEvil that makes up the High Passes]]
** Volume 4: [[spoiler:The armies of the Necromancer]]
** Volume 7: [[spoiler:Pretty much the entirety of Izril's Assassin's Guild, and TheWildHunt itself]]

* SamaritanRelationshipStarter: In Volume 7, [[spoiler:Ryoka and Tyrion]] enter into a cycle of gratitude, and perceived debts towards each other after she [[spoiler:helps save his sons from the Assassin's Guild]].

* SpellLevels: Spells are tiered from 0 to a theoretical 9. Tier 0–1 are basically cantrips and usually utility spells or slightly harmful attacks. Tier 3–4 are potent spells like [Fireball], [Ice Lance], or [Invisibility]. The higher the level, the exponentially more difficult it is to learn. Gold level [Mages] can spam lower-tier spells and usually have at least one Tier 5 spell. [[spoiler:Az’kerash is suspected to be able to cast Tier 8 spells…]]

* SpoiledBrat: Lyonette is the typical spoiled noble child.[[spoiler: Even after Erin saved her from being frozen to death, or even eaten by monsters, Lyon thinks it's natural and expected for Erin to have done so, as she is a noble, and thus deserving of special treatment. Furthermore, she thinks it's only obvious that she can reside in Erin's Inn, eat her food, and demand her assistance with traveling back home. After discovering that Erin actually expects her to work for all these things she thinks are her right, she is scandalized and enraged.]]

* SummonEverymanHero:[[spoiler: The people from Earth were teleported here by such a spell. Something apparently went wrong however, as people from Earth were teleported all over the world, and not just at the intended location]].

* VanHelsingHateCrimes: Goblins are universally despised and attacked on sight, despite being a sentient species.

* HiveQueen: The gigantic hive queen of the Antinium is able to change the memories of the hive mind. [[spoiler:When Klbkch died, his memories were still present in all Antinium, but if the queen had just wished it, no Antinium would have known he had ever existed.]]

* IsekaiBonus: Earthers seem to level faster than Innworld natives. It's unclear whether this is a direct result of what brought them there, or just the Leveling System taking into account their status as FishOutOfWater when determining their efforts. [[spoiler:During parts where it gets to work after it's reveal as the Grand Design of Isthekenous, Earthers are revealed to have the <Outsider> tag, which multiplies their deeds and achievements by the value of π. Not even it knows why the rule is there.]]

** Lady Magnolia's seat of power, Invrisil, is known by the epithet "City of Adventurers" for it's high Adventurer population.