• I’ve seen the lack of adventuring destroy more souls than a Hydra ever will. For every adventurer who has been defeated by a Hydra in combat, thousands have been defeated by their own minds and refuse to face the Hydra at all.

• The shallow caves you can see into from the outside don’t contain anything worthwhile. They’re too easy: anything they once held is long gone. You’re looking for a deep, dark, ominous cavern: something that scares you.

• Invest your gold in well-forged weapons. Keep your sword sharp, your torches ready, and your armor well-maintained. Take care of your tools, learn how to use them, and they’ll serve you well.

• Some attacks will hit. Others will miss. You can’t predict which will be which in advance. You have to commit to every attack with the same intention: to strike the enemy. That is the essence of battle. You cannot change it.

• Knowing it’s going to be difficult makes it easier to keep going.

• The moment you prove you’re capable of slaying a Hydra, everyone will have thoughts about who you are, what you’re capable of, and how you should do your job. You’ll hear an endless stream of commentary and advice from people who have never picked up a sword with intent. Only take advice from people who have faced the beast.