Wildfire

Walking back to the old tavern, Echo finds that the feeling of agitation passes rather quickly. So this first part was how to find materials. Cool. So then the next part will be to use them maybe? That would make sense as per other tutorials I guess I don't really know what else they might have me do? Oh…. there is going to be a combat one isn't there? Am I really prepared for that? Echo opens their inventory and looks at the 5 starter potions deposited there by Cardinal. I guess it will have to be enough, besides normally these combat tutorials are not lethal and it's just a teacher run

Echo let out a breath they didn’t know they were holding as their feet touched the cobbled streets of the Town of Beginnings. They watch the ever-deadening streets as they traverse, the masses all returning to their homes as the day turned into night. Shops were closing up, merchants sure they would not have any more sales this day. Echo picked their pace up slightly, a bit worried that Zackariah would be doing similar and they would miss their chance. As they approached the store they were relieved to see that while the alchemist was closing up they had not closed their shop yet. The bel

It was longer than they would have liked but soon they saw the familiar edge of the safe-zone across a field. Echo lets out a sigh of relief as they walk the length of the clearing. “This is it Echo, you either find the last material or you call it here.” They stop and take a seat in the field, absorbing the air as it tends towards the cold of night, a cool breeze taking full advantage of the clearing brushes against their skin. Allowing themself to feel the calmness of their surroundings they look around, and as though the game hears their need a shimmering clover reveals itself.

The hours passed as Echo walked through the forest. It was hours before they realized they might be able to check a map. Feeling silly for the panic earlier they swipe their hand in the air and orient themself. Alright, see it will be okay you just have to take your time and think it through. Echo takes a deep breath and begins on the new path towards the safe-zone. “I hope that this is will get me answers to this quest, could you imagine if this quest had like four parts that will increasingly put me in danger or potentially take a significant portion of time that while being

The thing about panic attacks is that you aren’t in there forever. They come and go, eb and flow, and like they are tend to do, once you ride them out they are over. The same can be said for Echo who, while shaken and unsteady, brings it upon themself to stand. With shaky breaths they turn in the direction they believe the safe zone to be, putting one foot in front of the other. They walk so that they are close to the trees keeping one hand on the closest tree when possible, anything to maintain grounding. As they walk they keep their eyes to the ground, trying to pick up on any kind of shimme

Doing their best to keep track of the deer they continue to walk deeper into the woods. A moment passes over them where they worry about how far into the wild they are, not having been this far from the safe zone in their whole time being in this game. Deep breaths Echo, deep breaths. You have your halberd if something comes for you. You used to be so competent at games, and yeah your life wasn’t in danger back then… Echo grips their chest as it begins to feel tight, their breathing picking up involuntarily, their eyes begin darting around as they slow their pace. The quick movemen

Man this reminds me of when my old man took me hunting for the first time. The cold night air nipping at my skin, the soft crunch of autumn leaves under our boots, mine far too big for my feet had been stuffed with socks to keep in body warmth. The air nipped at us with the tinge of winter, biting playfully at my face that was not quite covered by my scarf. I wasn’t old enough to use a gun yet so my pa gave me binoculars so I had something to do while I was out there. Sometimes I wonder if that was actually a test of patience. The long morning hours watching the sun come up trying to keep move

Making it to the edge of town Echo walks out of the safe-zone and begins to search. Opening the menu they check to make sure that they did in fact take the right skill. And there it was, a lonely rank 1 search skill. It said it was passive so it should activate automatically. Closing the menu Echo took a deep breath and began putting their well trained eyes to work, hoping that they were even in the right spot for those materials to spawn. With single minded intent Echo had Ended up mindlessly walking into the treeline, the chirping of birds and crying of cicadas creating a soft murmur in

Echo stands “Well I will be back as soon as I can” “You best, these potions aren't going to brew themselves” “Y-yeah, yep I'll be right back” Echo begins to walk back out of town, choosing a route that will avoided the mass of people in the town square. Whatever the purpose of the plethora of NPC's Echo didn't want to know the was wasn't long, though the sun was high in the sky at this point. I guess I don't need to get lunch now, not that I think I could eat another bite without it all coming back up. That much cheese would be enough for even the heartiest of people I

Man these questions givers are forceful, maybe it's the programing but I wonder if there isn't some amount of resentment for those of us who stayed behind baked into the Cardinal system… you know I never really stopped to think about. Echo looks around for something to eat the fondue with “Oh here is a spoon you can use” The alchemist says passing a spoon to Echo while working at his crafting station “Just a spoon, huh? Y-yeah that'll be fine” I can't say I have ever eaten fondue with a spoon before… actually I don't know that I have ever had fondue before. It's chees

Echo let's out a breath they didn't know they were holding and makes towards the alchemist. How do they predict your answers? I don't think that mayor would have done a good job of predicting my answer if I had been more firm. Perhaps they have different algorithms depending on what their purpose is? Does that mean they have a more complex algorithm if they don't have a specific assignment? That feels backwards, I guess I wasn't a software engineer for a reason. Echo approaches the alchemist shop, pushing through the crowded streets I wonder why they felt the need to populat

Echo stands, taking a deep breath. This was the day, it had to be. One shaky foot in front of the other, that's all it took. Step after step, into the bustling streets. Their nose was quickly assaulted by the smells of the main street, salted meats, fresh baked bread, sweet pastries being put In windowsills as the artisans began their day. Slowly but surely Echo made their way to the town square. They are stopped dead in their tracks as an NPC approaches Echo looks to them as they speak Once the man stops talking Echo takes a moment to mul over what Has been requested. “Y-yeah I gu

The consistent padding of feet like a metronome begin to slow as Echo finishes their round. It was a good thing too, the sun was climbing into the sky. It was time to get the day started in earnest. Today would be the day, Echo was sure of it. They stood at the town entrance wait… and waiting… and waiting Come on Echo, you can do this. One foot in front of the other. It can't be that bad right? People have taken these steps before. You have taken these steps before. You're just going into town, nothing crazy. Just going into town Echo attempts to calm down their breathing as they sta

With a stretch and a yawn Echo stands. I ought to get my morning jog started, I know it doesn't really do anything but the routine is nice. Echo does their pre-run stretches and begins to run the familiar perimeter of the safe zone, the difference in the amount of activity would be startling to someone unfamiliar with how the NPC's of this game worked. The bustling of the village could be heard from even all the way where Echo jogged. I wonder if they will still go through the effort of making this town seem realistic like this when there is no one on this floor. Then again I

Echo lay basking in the sun as the rays began the slow process of changing the temperature of the land, the warm energy bringing to life the rest of the world and with it the day started in earnest. It is interesting that the developers made this floor so well appointed for extended living, I have heard tell of floors that are significantly less hospitable. Did they realize how many people would be stuck on the first floor unable or unwilling to progress? Perhaps that would explain it though. One would think if their goal was to encourage people to play their game to completion they would