Rencesvals

When the spots finally cleared, Ren found himself seated at his workbench in the back of The Knight Shift. The forge still simmered, but most of its heat and light had gone dormant and every lantern in the shop was dark. He still wore the work clothes and apron from before Euphyme came knocking on his door. There was no sign of the letter, only a simple tin brooch carefully laid on the table next to his arm. Looking more closely at it, he noticed the small bird concealed within the spiral crook at the back of the horn - a nightingale. "What the f-" Familiar warbling echoed from

His head felt like it had lead weights attached as he slowly lifted it back up to meet the goddess' gaze. "How is this a foraging quest?!" The women before him collectively smiled. "Our goal was to see if you could learn to live in harmony with your world. It is a test whose answer is different for every initiate. Yours depended solely on whether you would rail blindly against the injustices of your circumstances or seek to move beyond them. We are pleased with the results, as you should be." Demeter gestured to one of her daughters, who brought forth a small, unadorned brooch of

Sand filled his boots and every crevice between them and his neck. Everything itched. He'd been toiling on his hands and knees all day and would benefit from a bath himself when this was all over - elsewhere. Slender fingers tenderly traced the lines and ridges of his face, removing the blind and exposing his eyes once more to the harsh glare of the world. Ren hissed and grimaced as it burned his sight, etching lines and spots into his retina that took a minute to adjust and make them fade. "So?" The cold, harsh voice of a demanding goddess. "Where is the work I required to have done

"I don't truly know," came Ren's response. "This is what I hope it means." Murmured marvel and approval surrounded and blanketed him. "I recently had the good fortune of traveling to a place called the Temple of Three where the very nature of the universe was symbolically laid bare. The spirits there spoke, and I was fortunate enough to be stupefied enough to listen. Would that more of use could learn the same lesson." A slender palm gently slid itself upon his back, then another and another. Empathy. Such a dauntingly fragile thing, especially in a world afire with chaos and horro

Hands moved over sand and rock, serving as rakes and grooming tools for the very earth as Ren poured cathartic memories through his fingertips. The voices around him gradually changes their tunes as they watched him work. Hostile taunts and fear gave way to curiosity and admiration in turn. Nymphs are accustomed to the predations of lust brought on by the cursed nature of their overwhelming beauty. Men lost their minds to it, become obsessed and insatiable in their cravings. Too often, it led to the player's downfall or demise. The latter could even offer the greater relief, depending on

"We're not leaving," the surly one threatened. "It's not our problem if you can't pick a plant. Who can't do that, anyway? Sounds like a lame excuse." Euphyme could be heard scolding her in the background. "I understand your hesitation. This isn't exactly my preferred option either." That drew a few laughs. "Maybe under other circumstances. Please. All I ask is the chance to work quietly and in peace. I promise that your baths will be better for it afterwards." Much whispering and heated debate followed, most of which he couldn't follow. All the while, the scents and superna

Working without sight did carry one significant advantage: Ren had no idea how long was left before he was going to die. "Sisters. Sisters! Please. HEY! Hands off. I found him first." No, not ominous at all. "This one doesn't work with plants and need stones and sand to ply his trade." "Uh-huh. Sure he does. If he's that desperate to ply something, why not just let him wander in here with his eyes open? He'd at least get one last good show before he goes." A crowd of sensuous feminine voices giggled all around him. There would be no escape. Harfleur and Valmy would have

"No, there really isn't is there?" Something akin to a plan was forming behind his saucer-like golden eyes. The beach! Running back the way he'd come, Ren was nearly clotheslined by Euphymes as she reached out to stop him. "Your trial isn't over, adventurer, and surely you would not risk the goddess' wrath by attempting to leave before your task is done?" "No, no, not at all, Euphymes, but I do need to get to the beach to ply my trade. Flora and fauna may be her common fare, but my talents are more specialized. I will need to improvise in order to find a solution to your mistres

"A life or death fetch quest?!" Even with all the gaming he'd done, death by flower arrangement seemed absurd. Was there some sort of mini-game pending, where petunias and daisies were provided and he just needed to keep cranking the slot machine arm until three cherries lit up? That didn't even address that problem that this entire quest seemed geared towards herbalists and gardeners. How was a geologist going to practice his trade without marring her golf-green landscapes? This was not how he'd expected today to play out. "Okay, think. How am I possibly going to use my talents to

"Finally, a mortal with some manners. Thank goodness for that. I had to curse the last three hooligans who preferred to mouth off rather than show the respect and deference due to a deity." Ren's gaze flickered for an instant, scanning the surroundings for any signs of de-rezzed players. 'Cursed' didn't have the most wholesome quality in the capricious way she said it. "Now, we creatures of nature pride ourselves on educating those seeking to improve their foraging skills on being more aware of the impact of their craft upon the environment. Your task is to assemble a cornucopia arrangem

"Welcome to the sanctuary of Hesperides, adventurer, and to the trials that must be faced by any who would attend the sheltered realms of the gods!" Reclined on a pastel-coloured chaise lounge, the gaudily dressed up figure of Demeter was so gauche that it was nearly painful to gaze upon her. Someone had clearly been watching the wrong anime when seeking inspiration for this one, Ren thought to himself. Her lines were fine - very fine, she was a fertility goddess after all - but the colour scheme was just wrong with a capital WR. Ren bowed politely, not having the slightest clue what proto

"Euphymes. It's a pleasure. Look, this is all very embarrassing," she said, still fuming under her clingy aquatic bodice. "So I've gleaned, but I've not been put out in any way. Why don't you tell me what this is all about and where I should be next?" A reassuring smile settled her colouring and mood, calming the nymph back down. "Yes, of course. Thank you for your patience and professionalism... UNLIKE SOME PEOPLE!" The last few words were shouted at an azure sky the seemed incapable or unwilling to respond. "Ahem." Pausing to smooth the wrinkles in her silky dress, she

"In time for what, exactly?" Other than some challenge to do with Olympus, and crafter/professions from what he'd fathomed from others' discussions, Ren still wasn't quite sure what was meant to be happening. "Oh my, did Waylah rush through her invitations again? May I see?" She gestured to the note he still held in his hand, albeit now crushed and severely crumpled. The nymph grew flustered when she saw its incomplete state, he pinkish skin deepening to a near-demonic red. "Can't anyone around here DO THEIR JOBS?!" Uncertain how best to proceed, Ren took the cautionary and conciliat

Arriving at the quay, Ren gazed upon the same type of figure he'd seen in the other ferry boats lining the dock. It was identical to the creatures manning the other ships: a tattered grey, hooded cloak with no visible face within, only a pair of mummified skeletal hands grasping a long wooden oar. Each also had a small symbol embroidered on the top of its hood. This one read: #12. "Foraging quest?" Ren asked, leery that he might accidentally board the wrong quest and make an even worse mess of his day. Twelve just nodded. It probably didn't even have a mouth. "Alright then. Let's do

"Ah. Well, good luck then stranger." Ren wasn't sure why the man seemed genuinely friendly yet refused to provide his name. Maybe it was a player killer thing? It would make sense to want to conceal one's identity if half the player base was out to string you up. Before their conversation could progress any further, a gaunt, leathery hand reached over Mr.Nobody's shoulder and yanked him onto the nearest ferry where he disappeared in a puff of sulfurous smoke. Judging by the look on his face, he hadn't quite been ready to go. 'Gilligan', meanwhile, was too busy arguing with the nymph to

"Please ensure that you take a deep breath before boarding onto Charon's ferry. The seas have been a bit temperamental this morning, and we've already had enough vomit to last us a week." Her hair was greener and longer, and eyes closer to purple. Body shape and build were about the same, but this was definitely not the same nymph that had delivered him his message. "Hey, pal. Where does this thing go, anyways?" The PK pirate turned and gave him a wry grin beneath sleep-laden eyes. He looked half int he bottle, despite both of them knowing that was impossible. "That depends on

Fortunately, it wasn't that far from his shop to the portal plaza in Tomoika, and he'd taken enough of a glance at his map to realize that the quest led to the shoreline and not to Olympia itself. Less fortunately, Ren's sense of direction generally sucked and he wound up going the wrong way out of Athenaia. "Wrong way, buddy," called out a random player wandering the streets, having surely noticed the letter still clutched in his hands. "You want to be going south, out the harbour gate, and be mindful. They're a fickle lot at the best of time." Guffawing laughter followed his thank

"Dear form letter recipient, in light of your growing prowess in the art of [insert profession here] you are cordially invited and expected to attend the grand halls of Olympus to participate in the Challenges of the gods. Having opened this letter shall serve as acknowledgement and dutiful RSVP. Kindly make your way to the designated location on floor 17 within the hour let their joy turn to wrath and they decide to smite you. Sincerely, [insert name here.]" Ren was at a loss. Was this some sort of practical joke? It could certainly be, and was well within the broad bounds to which

It's not every day that you find a fine-figured lass on your doorstep desperately asking to speak with you. Ren certainly wasn't used to it. Able to navigate a social scene, he was never considered to be a ladies man. Rambling on about ancient history didn't carry much sex appeal, apparently. Unrequited love from afar was much more his thing, or so he'd led himself to believe after Vindalia. So it came as a considerable surprise when this spry, curvy little thing with starfish in her hair and the skimpiest seaweed imaginable stood dripping wet on the mat at the entrance to The Knight Shif

Crafting rolls: R1 Blacksmith (T1 gear max, 2 crafts/day) Ambition Tool (+1 EXP) ID 212863 | CD 9 | Salvage (LD 3: mat lost) (+3 EXP) ID 212864 | CD 5 | Failure (+2 EXP) Cost: 2 materials

Familiar Name: Vinaya Familiar Description: A brilliant azure phoenix whose colouring ranges from crystalline blue to deep spectral indigo depending on mood and surrounding environment. Ren found this majestic creature in the ruins of the Temple of Three on floor 7 while in search of enlightenment. Taking its name from one of the three statues in the temple, the proud and headstrong creature often guides others towards what they need, if not necessarily what they want. It's also prone to exploding in a fiery, concussive blast whenever it needs to make a point. Despite its majesti

Chansi was waiting for him on the outskirts beyond Nimbus' protective walls and away from the guards' patrols. Ren offered a sincere and thankful smile as he approached her, which she coyly returned. "Is it your real name?" "What does that even mean, Rencesvals?" He was certain never to have given her his name. A distant cry from overhead triggered a familiar memory: stupid-head. Ren sighed and chuckled in the same moment. "I really don't want to put you in the same room with @Illisandra," he said to the bank of fluffy clouds. "But something tells me I'm not going to get to

A call high in the sky drew Ren's attention. It looked like a crane or heron from afar - a slender body dwarfed by massive wingspan and contrail like tail streaking through the air. He recognized it instantly. "Vinaya. So, you're not dead. Phoenix. Right. I really should have known better." Immolation would hardly be a problem for such a creature. Would it truly be a familiar? The legends he had heard and read about described the creature anywhere up to a roc in size and splendor. This one looked to be far smaller, though no less majestic. It remained near for the rest of the

Never quite able to catch it, Ren felt like he was being shadowed on his return journey to Nimbus. It didn't help that he had to change routes a half-dozen times to avoid roving bandits and some crazy Sand-Wurm looking thing. All were decidedly above his pay grade and not worth engaging unnecessarily. The time would come, eventually. For now, he needed to survive, grow and learn. As much as he hated the anime cliche, he truly did need to get stronger. This world had a system and rules. They were different than the ones he knew, but he could learn them and use them to benefit himself and

Ren slept at the Temple of Three that night, sensing that its hallowed ground would keep any external dangers at bay. It was the best night's sleep he'd had since becoming trapped in the floating castle, free of nightmares. His friends were there, as always, but only in moments of carefree joy and the tenderness of friendship that soothed like a mother's embrace. In the morning, the temple had once more faded into its decrepit state. Vinaya's statue was a heap of broken stones and everything around looked dried to a raisin-worthy state. Only one thing had changed: the imprint of a man pre