Nymoria

Nymoria could see the internal battle playing behind the lower levelled player’s eyes; barely visible, but clear in the way their response came slow, with apprehension behind the words carrying no emotion. She didn’t have to think long to realise the issue at hand, her own approach being something that could easily concern an individual who was unfamiliar with the kinder side of the game. Nymoria hadn’t thought of it before approaching - her mind and heart intent on providing nothing but support, company and a measure of brevity from the boredom that the first quests could create. Yet, as she

19/01/2025 Rank 7 Artisan | 968/1,279 EXP Crafting Buffs Aphrodite’s Magnifier [Crafting Tool. Meticulous: +1 CD when crafting in one’s workshop.] Custom Ambition Tool [Crafting Tool. Effect: Gain +1 bonus crafting EXP for each crafting attempt.] Atelier (Extended Workshop) [+2 Crafting EXP per crafting attempt & +1 crafting attempt per day.] ID CD LD Result EXP 1 240270 [9+1] = 10 5 T4 Rare | Sculpture (-1 Material) +8 EX

Tolbana was the same as it had always been; a town that thrived with the lively, the dread filled, and those in between. Nymoria wandered through the silent town, bustling with individuals as they rushed to and fro, heading towards whatever important – or less important, in some cases – activity took their time for the day. She’d spotted numerous lower levelled players moving about, trying to complete some mundane, mind-numbing task or another. Many of them seemed determined to run towards every destination – she’d seen a few pass her at a full sprint, only to sprint back the other direction w

There was an uneasiness developing in the air as her words reached them. No one ever enjoyed hearing that someone was suffering, that they wanted to end it all. Even those who were going through the same thing attempted to avoid it, as if ignoring it would somehow make it all go away. Nymoria knew better. She had been living with her self-loathing for so long, a piece of her that she was sure would never actually go away. I saved you today. She paused again, this time trying to collect herself as a rush of emotions hit her, the realisation of what she had done. She’d accomplished so much

’We’re fine, thanks to you. I guess…I guess we were a bit out of our depths here.’ The boy looked down, clearly embarrassed. Nymoria felt a sudden pang of sympathy for the child, knowing that they were likely upset about their inability to face the creature, and relying upon another player – a solo player, of all things – to save them. She’d been preparing to scold them, to imbue in them the realisation that they could have been killed, but as she looked at each of them she realised they were likely already aware of the danger they had faced, and their luck at walking away from it. ’We t

The laughter echoed within her, mocking her words. It threatened her with images of her inevitable demise; images that she had seen time and again. She’d become indifferent to them, and she realised suddenly that the darkness within her was struggling. Struggling to keep hold over the power it had gained, struggling to control her. You’re the weak one. She thought the words, and felt the recoil from the darkness within her as if it was alive, as if it was something more than just her subconscious. It was losing its hold on her, and she could feel its desperation as it tried anything to regain

She wanted nothing more than to leave the thing, to let it escape into the sands and disappear. To give it a chance to learn mercy, the ability to choose non-violence over anything else. Her rapier had dipped slightly as she’d considered the inaction, but the creature had taken it as a sign of weakness. Nymoria saw the movement as the thing suddenly leapt forward, jaws opened wide in an attempt to try and consume her in a single blow. She almost remained frozen, moving only at the last moment. Side stepping, she brought the rapier up and slashed across the thing’s side, tearing it apart until

The opening came as the shark made a sudden flip onto its back, bringing itself up and around in a motion that was likely meant to be a strong tail-whip designed to fling Nymoria into the distance. It had, however, opened a portion of its back for her to strike at if she was fast enough. Nymoria found herself more than up to the task, her rapier stabbing into, and then tearing along the spine of the creature before leaving the flesh just before the tail. The shark wreathed in pain in response, its attack all but forgotten as the rapier’s damage coursed through it, the blood trailing from the w

They collided as the pair of them rushed to meet in the centre, the shark’s tail coming around and slamming into Nymoria’s form even as she drove her blade down to meet it. She could feel as the blade lashed through something solid, catching sight of some portion of the tail falling to the ground before exploding into shards. The creature gave an odd wail, before pulling back and attempting to reconcile whatever she had done. The impact of the tail had shaken her, although the damage it had done was minimal at best. Nymoria knew that it was strong – but her endurance, her training and her

The shark had remained back, keeping its distance as if sizing up the new threat that faced it. Nymoria had chosen not to press her own attack yet, allowing the peaceful moment to last as long as it could, ensuring that the two players were able to retrieve their companion and pull back from the fight. She doubted they would stay too far away, but so long as they were out of the danger zone with the shark, she knew it would be enough. The thing had circled around her slightly, moving as if to try and intercept their retreat, but Nymoria had changed her own stance, intercepting the thing a

They dove straight into the fight, their teamwork a clear indication of their inexperience and lack of understanding of their own roles, as well as their companions’. Nymoria watched from a safe distance, hidden slightly behind a pillar that jutted out of the ground. The shark had quickly taken the offensive against them, forcing the group to rally around their armoured companion in the hopes of finding protection against the abuse that the shark was dealing out at them. The cloaked individual had attempted to step out from behind the shelter, finding themselves tossed into the sand brutally b

She’d eyed the party heading towards the event, figuring that they were probably also hunting the creature. The thought of it gave her pause, before she decided the least she could do was to follow them; there was always the chance that they were simply passing it by, or realised that it was beyond the capabilities. The group was only three strong, and as much as Nymoria wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt, they looked inexperienced and – if she were being entirely honest – out of their depths. She could see an individual in heavy plate armour, stumbling over the sand as they tried to

The desert stretched on before her in every direction. Nymoria had been walking for well over an hour after she had left behind the small area that she’d come across Percipee. A small part of her had been sad at their departure, feeling as if she’d lost something precious that she’d only just gained. It had dawned on her, only after he had left, just how vital those simple points of connection with others had become; how desperate she’d become for anything reaching towards a relationship with others. It had also struck her, hard, as she realised her own self-destructive behaviour, and how she

17/01/2025 Rank 7 Artisan | 908/1,279 EXP Crafting Buffs Aphrodite’s Magnifier [Crafting Tool. Meticulous: +1 CD when crafting in one’s workshop.] Custom Ambition Tool [Crafting Tool. Effect: Gain +1 bonus crafting EXP for each crafting attempt.] Atelier (Extended Workshop) [+2 Crafting EXP per crafting attempt & +1 crafting attempt per day.] ID CD LD Result EXP 1 240223 [8+1] = 9 18 T4 Rare | Trinket (-1 Material) +8 EXP

They talked for a while, sharing small stories about the accomplishments they’d achieved, big and small, within the game. Nymoria found herself relaxing in the comfort of the man’s company – she’d learnt his name later in the conversation, each realising that they hadn’t introduced themselves quite suddenly. She’d found herself enjoying their conversation fully, and as it slowly began to wind down, she found herself desiring more. She knew it had to come to an end, sooner or later, but as it became clear that the time to move on was approaching, she desperately searched for something else to s

Nymoria remained still as he fell quiet, some measure of a connection resonating within her mind. A hopelessness that she’d felt, not too long ago herself. She could see the defeat in his very form, the way his shoulders drooped downwards, the lack of confidence in his face and eyes. It was a stark reminder that she wasn’t the only one feeling alone, lost, unwanted. There are others. Others who have nothing to live for…not in this world. They’re the reason we were fighting…because they can’t. Not yet. I forgot that… She shook her head, clearing the thoughts before bringing her hands up into mo

’Hello!’ She’d strolled upon the other player entirely by accident, his appearance taking her entirely by surprise and causing her to reach for her weapon before she even realised what she was doing. His body had tensed, even as he’d greeted her – his eyes suddenly wary, and the smile seemingly a façade for something more hidden beneath. Hello. You scared me. Nymoria saw the confusion in his eyes for a second as the words echoed in his mind, the system automatically translating her sign into understandable words for the player. Her words, however, seemed to calm him slightly as the smil

The sand shifted beneath her feet, the wind whipped at the shawl around her neck and lower face, and the sand stung at her eyes. Nymoria quickly remembered why this floor had been among her least favourite to visit. How people choose to live in this is beyond me. It’s a bit better in the town, but it’s still a desert. Sand everywhere. She could feel herself growling in her mind, distracted from self-loathing only by the environmental-loathing that she was quickly becoming engaged with. Musei had entirely disappeared into the backpack, hiding from the brunt of the storm in the comfort of his sm

The teleporter pad had been busier than Nymoria had expected, although she was thankful she didn’t come across anyone that she recognised. Eyes held downward, she’d rushed forwards and activated the pad, disappearing in a flash of light before arriving on the fifth floor. Stepping quickly off the pad, she’d been assailed by the hot, dry air as she moved into the bazaar and quickly disappeared among shopper and keepers. Sliding between forms, she moved towards the far side of the bazaar and the path that would lead down towards the desert; she had no business in the town, and no desire to remai

Here. Fifth floor. Sand Shark. Field Boss. She flipped the small box of details around, letting Musei glance at it before continuing her own reading of the item in question. She barely remembered the fifth floor, knowing only that it was a desert land covered in sand, extremely warm, and unwelcoming to those who weren’t prepared for the dryness of it all. Still, she’d been to far worse places when she thought back about it all, and although it was far from her favourite environment, Nymoria had nothing better lined up to take on at the moment. Could be something. Musei’s wrinkled nose se

It wasn’t positive, but the thought pushing her forwards surprised her nonetheless. She could tell, deep within herself, it was setting her up for failure. Looking to crush that final speck of hopefulness that she felt. That final happy thought that she could do something. It was enough to cause her to pause; to consider the outcome. An hour passed as she stared at the garden, weighing her options, trying to figure out what she should do, whether she should take a risk. She felt stuck in a moment of paused time, as if there was no escape. As if this was her hell, her final place of existence.

She’d made it all the way to the front communal room; an area that contained a low sitting table and cushions for relaxation and hosting small groups of guests. It had gone largely unused, entirely so for its original purpose. Nymoria had, on occasion, let Musei race around the room freely in order to get him some exercise, although the weasel was anything but energetic at the moment. She’d settled into a cushion, placing her hands on the table and folding them gently as she stared out the opening into the yard beyond. Her thoughts had slowed immensely as she stared into the garden that had be

She’d sat on the bed for hours, her eyes staring at the door unseen before her. Nymoria’s mind raced in circles as she tried to force herself to do something, anything, only for it to return to the dullness and depressive state that she had endured since arriving home. She knew her food supplies had been dwindling, Musei had tried for a while to prompt her into motion before also giving up, and there were any number of other issues that she needed to overcome if she were to continue to strive on. That’s the issue though. Why bother, if there’s no point in striving on? The words were bit

The world didn’t need her. It had made that abundantly clear to Nymoria over the years. Whether it was the real world, the one that they had left behind in order to escape into the virtual recreation, or that newfound prison that they had considered an escape to begin with. Either place had clearly informed her that there was no need for her presence, no reason for her to continue being apart of it. There’s nothing for me in either place. Why bother? She’d found the invitation earlier, during a period where she had been less than functional in comparison to her normal mindset. It hadn’t r

16/01/2025 Rank 7 Artisan | 846/1,279 EXP Crafting Buffs Aphrodite’s Magnifier [Crafting Tool. Meticulous: +1 CD when crafting in one’s workshop.] Custom Ambition Tool [Crafting Tool. Effect: Gain +1 bonus crafting EXP for each crafting attempt.] Atelier (Extended Workshop) [+2 Crafting EXP per crafting attempt & +1 crafting attempt per day.] ID CD LD Result EXP 1 240209 [8+1] = 9 5 T4 Rare | Trinket (-1 Material) +8 EXP