Scorched Earth

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

A man of few words and fewer thoughts finds himself drifting through a lawless frontier, haunted by the sins of his past and the consequence of his weakness. Lacking the strength to right his wrongs, he ventures north to an inhospitable wasteland where a spirit has offered him a means of finishing what was started - and cutting his ties to the living world.

Information

Status
Hiatus
Year
2023
Author
JohnnyBoyDraws

Tags

LITRPGACTIONFANTASYADVENTUREANTI-HERO LEADTRAGEDYSUPERNATURALMARTIAL ARTSSTRONG LEADMALE LEADHORRORPOST APOCALYPTICLOW FANTASYGRIMDARKDYSTOPIADUNGEON CRAWLER

Royal Road Stats

Rating
4.8/ 5.0
Followers
24
Views
9,685

Chapters(40 total)

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Community Reviews(2)

  • KirbyRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    Everything you're looking for if you want to dive straight into a dungeon and get after that loot, solve puzzles, work in perfect harmony with your team. The descriptions create a diving-experience that brings me back to MMOs as a kid, simple and fantastic in the best way. As an avid MMO gamer, it appeals to me. As a lover of treasure, give me more!
  • profpdduvallRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 4.5
    Story: 4/5
    For someone who’s not usually drawn to LitRPG, Scorched Earth offers a refreshing change of pace. The story immediately hooks with its blend of relatable emotional stakes and a familiar yet immersive world. Davren, an adventurer on the cusp of moving up the ranks, is roped into a journey that tests both his patience and abilities, especially when it comes to babysitting his younger brother. The tension between sibling duty and personal ambition gives the plot a layer of emotional depth that sets it apart from more formulaic dungeon crawlers.
    The RPG mechanics—such as levels, ranking systems, and skill progression—are integrated in a way that feels natural and not overly "gamey." Even as someone who's typically lukewarm toward the genre, you might appreciate the balance here. The stakes are personal and intimate, rather than being solely focused on leveling up or defeating bosses. That said, there are moments where the pacing slows down, and certain dungeon mechanics might feel overly detailed. But for a genre skeptic, this story does a great job of breaking down those barriers.
    Style: 4/5
    The writing style is engaging and clean, without the clunky exposition that often bogs down LitRPGs. Davren’s perspective is sharp, witty, and refreshingly self-aware. The dialogue and inner thoughts lend an air of authenticity to the story, making even the most mundane dungeon-diving moments feel vibrant. The world itself is built through Davren’s slightly jaded lens, which adds a layer of humor and charm to what could otherwise be a standard RPG setting.
    You, as a reader who tends to roll their eyes at "just another LitRPG," might find yourself pleasantly surprised by how lived-in and believable the world feels. The emotional undercurrent of frustration and duty gives the prose an extra layer of relatability. It's not an overly flowery or experimental style, but it’s solid and effective, which works for this kind of narrative.
    Characters: 4.5/5
    Davren is a standout cha