Rencesvals

The recklessness and danger of their trek only grew as they reached closer to the peak. Much like the acropolis in Athenaia, visible below, the upper portions of Olympus had been stepped and leveled to make room for the broad assortments of temples and other structures that filled every available square inch of space. Some buildings even looked like they were stacked one on top of the other, just to accentuate the effect. From what Ren knew of Greek architecture and iconography, it had been mimicked here, but subtle details changed. You couldn't quite tell whether it was deliberate or if t

Walking among the fog titans was a breathtaking and terrifying experience hardly suitable for the fainthearted. Ren wondered at least once or twice whether some giant appendage was about to come swinging their way to step on or otherwise flatten them with pulverizing power. Mauz, meanwhile, knew where to go and called out warnings about the broken terrain well enough in advance that Ren was able to navigate around the perils. A few would have sent him careening off the mountainside where the final impact would have been no better than running afoul of the gods' guardians. "Not exactly

The foot of Mount Olympus was wreathed in banks of thick fog that fit the common portrayal of its pristine structures as sitting atop the clouds. Shadows of massive shapes could be seen prowling in the mists, some humanoid and others decidedly not. "So how do we get up there?" There was no visible path or trail leading up the mountain's sheer cliffs. It looked, quite appropriately, like some impenetrable fortress looming larger than life over the rest of the mortal realm. "There's a hidden path." Reaching into a brown leather satchel wrapped around his chest, he pulled out a la

"What's your name, anyway? You never told me." They'd already cleared the city walls and were crossing a steep valley on their way towards a range of distant peaks. Everything around here was arid and mountainous. Ren had already spotted a series of marble nodes, as well as a few for copper and tin. Bronze would be readily available at local smithies. "Mauz, and thanks for asking," came the cheerful response. "Most people never bother. They just want to do their quest and get on with whatever else is on their agenda for the day." Pausing, he places a hairy hand on Ren's shoulder

"It's really just through Hera's good graces that these messages get out at all. Plus, blacksmiths still need training, or so we're told." Another kebab was prodded Ren's way as a peace offering. Taken aback by the casual dismissal of a supposed deity, he had to catch up a few steps to claim it and signal his thanks. "We all know that it's cruel and unfair, but no one is crazy enough to stick themselves in the line of fire for Zeus' mockery. Even in jest, that tends to be lethal." "Wasn't Hephaestus' only crime that he was born ugly or something?" The satyr shrugged. "Something

A familiar buff spawned in his interface confirming his status as have the Favour of Olympus. The many faces of Charon controlled passage at the docks. Other guardians must perform a similar function to ward off unwanted visitors from Olympus itself. "No, nothing like that," replied his guide, snacking on some meat-laden skewer he'd picked up as they passed through a street market. Ren wondered how he'd possibly missed it, but decided it was easier to just let it drop. "And it's not really like Hephaestus is going anywhere." Derogatory disdain in his escort's voice riled Ren's hackle

"Are we not heading for the ferryman's dock?" Ren's sense of direction was still as fallible as ever, but he'd overheard some other candidates heading towards another gate upon their arrival in Athenaia. The ones carrying fishing poles had sealed his assumptions. "No, this particular invitation leads to Olympus itself. We must go to Hephaestus as he is not...easily movable." Large groups of toga-wearing individuals were visible lounging in alcoves and covered stoa all along the city's major plazas and connecting boulevards. Ren wondered how accurately this society mirrored its inspir

"Nevertheless, Zeus, the very king of the gods himself, demands your presence and attendance to face the trials of Olympus at once!" Ren nodded even as he was already setting away his tools and materials, swapping out gear in preparation for the journey. The page was still blabbering away when Ren lifted the proffered letter from his fingertips to scan its contents. "Okay, good, blacksmithing as expected. No special requirements, except. What's this about reporting to Hephaestus? It makes sense, but why not just issue the invitation in the forge-god's name?" He knew his mythology

"Which one are you from, then?" Ren grabbed a nearby rag and wiped his face to clear the soot and sweat of a day's work from his face. It was a futile exercise as the cloth was just a dirty as the rest of him, but it certainly smeared everything around for a nice, even consistency. He'd been expecting a letter or some form of visitor for some time. It hadn't quite taken as long for Demeter to get her invites out, but this might also explain why hers looked like incomplete form letters. "From Zeus himself, my lord!" The Satyr was a bit overzealous with his delivery. Given the sheer e

Crafting rolls: R3 Blacksmith (T3 gear max, 4 crafts/day) Ambition Tool (+1 EXP) ID 212994 | CD 11 | T2 Rare Heavy Armor (+6 EXP) ID 212995 | CD 4 | Failure (+2 EXP) ID 212996 | CD 1 | Critical Failure (+2 EXP) ID 212997 | CD 3 | Failure (+2 EXP) Cost: 4 materials

Ren stood, gob smacked by the other fellow's response, but honestly just glad that the chances of his imminent demise appeared to be dropping. Maybe. His mouth took odd shapes, but no words emerged. Instead, golden eyes swiveled to two other approaching players, both veterans judging by the mien of their gear and mannerisms. He was just here to pick rocks and crystals, still wearing the technical equivalent to his newbie pajamas. Interesting times. "Murder?" General confusion was apparent in his features, making it clear that he'd not heard the same news or received the same invites

Name: Durendal (v.II) ID: 212989 Roll: CD12 Item Type: 1H Straight Sword Tier: 2 Quality: Perfect Enhancements: Bleed | Taunt | Para Description: "The binding blade that endures all pain and cuts through stone like water, whether by time or pure force. Its will cannot be denied. Engraved upon the fuller are symbols representing the chivalric virtues on one face, and the tenets of bushido upon the other." Post Link: https://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/39174-f21r3-blacksmith-the-knight-shift-open/?do=findComment&comment=673167 Name: Black Regalia (V.II) ID: 212992 Roll: CD12 Item

"Hello, my little friend. Still here alone are you?" Ren gently nuzzled Nyanku's chin with his finger tip, setting his purring engine into overdrive. "I brought you a little something extra today, though I hope the shop owner doesn't mind. A friend of mine fancies herself a decent cook. She is, actually, but I rarely admit it to her. Turns out that she had a little extra tuna special leftover last night." Summoning the minor meal from his inventory, Ren set the black porcelain bowl on the counter with its miniature fish portion neatly set and decorated at the centre. While the fe

Crafting rolls: R3 Blacksmith (T3 gear max, 4 crafts/day) Ambition Tool (+1 EXP) ID 212990 | CD 9 | T2 Uncommon Heavy Armor (+4 EXP) ID 212991 | CD 4 | Failure (Lose mat, +2 EXP) ID 212992 | CD 12 | T2 Perfect Heavy Armor (+9 EXP) ID 212993 | CD 7 | Salvage (LD 11, keep mat, +3 EXP) Cost: 3 materials

Crafting rolls: R2 Blacksmith (T2 gear max, 3 crafts/day) Ambition Tool (+1 EXP) ID 212987 | CD 11 | T2 Rare 1HSS (+6 EXP) ID 212988 | CD 11 | T2 Rare 1HSS (+6 EXP) ID 212989 | CD 12 | T2 Perfect 1HSS (+9 EXP) Cost: 3 materials Rank 3 Blacksmith reached.

Crafting rolls: R1 Blacksmith (T1 gear max, 2 crafts/day) Ambition Tool (+1 EXP) ID 212985 | CD 10 | T1 Uncommon 1HSS (+4 EXP) ID 212986 | CD 6 | Salvage (LD 3, lose mat, 2 EXP) Cost: 2 materials Rank 2 Blacksmith reached.

Crafting rolls: R1 Blacksmith (T1 gear max, 2 crafts/day) Ambition Tool (+1 EXP) ID 212954 | CD 4 | Failure (lose mat, +2 EXP) ID 212955 | CD 5 | Failure (lose mat, +2 EXP) Cost: 2 materials

Austerlitz cursed when the UI popped up with a message notification. He should have suppressed the interface during such a sensitive mission and had forgotten to do so. Hopefully it hadn't drawn anyone's attention and wouldn't get him killed. Something scraped in the darkness to his left: metal against stone. They had found him. Launching himself from his hiding nook, he caught one of the assailants by the neck, shattering his form instantly. Cries of surprise, anger and anguish came up all around. He was far from alone. Barking dogs signaled that they likely had his scent and that thi

Darkness broken by lanternlight greeted him the moment Ren stepped through the portal to arrive in the streets of Tomoika. Were it not for the steam-powered clocks and ability to verify the time though player UIs, you could easily loose track of yourself in this underdark. A few customers were loitering outside the shop when he arrived, waiting to place orders. A bit of banter and assuaging their patience soon had them all heartily filling their scripts and setting deadlines for delivery. Ren knew he'd be busy, yet looked forward to it. This was what he'd wanted and signed up for. Th

Snapping the reigns to pull away from the Daze and hoping to glean some space to think, it seemed appropriate to solicit some advice. "What do you think, Biscuit? Could there be something there?" The oxen farted long and loud in response, dropping a load on the cobblestone as she went. "I... I'm really not sure how to take that." Assuming that she meant anything more by it than simple relief, Biscuit wasn't saying - not that she could. Maybe that was the point? Make of it what you will. It's all the same shit. "Heh. Yeah. Maybe." Guiding her gradually back to the ce

Verdy's gaze seemed to be gauging his response with hesitation. "I know you, Sakata. You were always a good man, and still are. Don't ever doubt that." Leaning over, Verdy kissed him on the cheek before suddenly jumping off the wagon and vanishing inside. Ren hadn't even had a moment to decently blush. Biscuit snorted at the outcome, glancing back at him with dull cow eyes that seemed far keener than anyone had ever considered possible. "I love you too, Kano," he thought, unable to say it out loud in case she heard him. Even Ren's semi-obliviousness could not ignore the signs

It took a short while longer to navigate the main boulevard to the narrower lane whereupon the familiar and colourful façade of the Happy Daze. Verdy's paint job had been deliberately loud, as if the merely looking at the building was meant to slap you silly. The interior was even more intense, but Ren expected to spare himself that psychedelic experience today. "The Biscuit Express will soon be coming to a stop. Please be sure to close and secure your tray tables and collect all of your belongings prior to disembarking. We thank you for riding with us today and wish you a quiet and d

A jolt as the cart passed through the massive limestone gates to the First City was enough to bring Verdy back to her senses. Recognition of the hanging pennants, along with other familiar sights, smells and sounds soon brought her mind back into focus. "Are we back already? How long was I out?" "Three days," Ren replied, without skipping a beat. Verdy's dozy eyes snapped open with momentary panic until she caught the curl at the edge of his lips. An arm with strength like a limp noodle pressed against his should in some pathetic form of rebuke that did nothing, save provoke hi

Traveling back through the Horunkan woods in silence, both driver and passenger sat content to listen and absorb the lush landscapes and scenery. Birds circled overhead or sang from a subset of pre-recorded chirps while woodland critters migrated in predictable patterns along preset courses within designate bounds. It was a beautiful illusion, but worth the occasional moment to appreciate its finer points. Verdy's head started to loll about once they cleared the tree line. Open air, exertion or fitful sleep was catching up with her. Just because ren had rested soundly, didn't mean she had

"You still haven't quite told me what all of this is for," she added, pointing at the load of stone and ore shifting heavily behind them as they resumed their wagon ride. "It's for weapons, tools and armor. To make effective gear to keep you, our friends and anyone else I can alive out there, and to make a difference." She was giving him that look again, that said she was proud of him in a surprised, motherly way. "When did you grow up?" He knocked his knee into hers, elbows not being close enough to ribs at the moment. "In the aftermath, and when I started seeing how many