[SP-F1] Learnin' the Ropes

[Ronin 0]

The swordsman headed deeper into the cave this time.  This quest was producing quite well as far as materials went and he needed to keep it going.  As far as he knew, there was no limit to the amount of materials he could acquire or carry, so he would keep gathering as many as he could get his hands on.  The only trouble of course, was mining for the ore in order to gain the materials he needed.   Once he got his hands on a few, he would head back down to his little shanty shop and try his hand at crafting a few more items today.  He was getting off to a good start!

Edited March 29, 2016 by Ronin

[Ronin 0]

As he ventured deeper, the air grew thicker and the humidity greater.  It became almost impossible to see and he stood for several moments trying to allow his eyes to adjust.  They did the best they could and he crept along while trying not to fall face first down any bottomless pits.  He knew one wrong step could spell your death in this world and he was just getting started.  He didn't want to go falling into any pits just yet, since there was still so much to explore and so much to do.  He was having a blast thus far in this virtual world and he couldn't wait to see what was next.

[Ronin 0]

Deeper and deeper still, Ronin traveled into the depths of the cave.  His eyes were beyond adjusting now and the lighting was absent altogether.  He sighed and drug his hand along the stone wall, moving slowly and carefully as he went.  After some time of edging along, his eyes began to pick up on some sort of orange hued glow up ahead.  He wondered at first, if it was just his mind playing tricks on him, but as he continued, the light grew more and more apparent.  He smirked slightly as he came around a corner and spotted the glow of a torch up ahead.  "Well well... what have we here..."

[Ronin 0]

As he neared the torch, he peeked past it, noticing there was another one even farther down the corridor, mounted on the wall just as this one was.  He paused and examined the torch for a moment, wondering if he ought to pick it up and take it with him.  Seeing that the next torch wasn't too far down, he decided against it and proceeded empty handed.  For now, he would continue to move slowly and methodically and do his best to avoid wandering aimlessly over any pitfalls.  He took a deep breath and pressed onward, wondering what awaited him down here.

[Ronin 0]

Reaching the next torch, Ronin paused again and moved his hand to his head.  His gloved fingers ran through his hair and he scratched at his scalp a few times, trying to figure out exactly where he was heading.  What was this cave system leading to?  Was there some giant boss down here waiting to devour his face?  He certainly hoped not, but he wouldn't put it past this place.  This game was already fully of surprises and he needed to keep on his toes.  If he didn't expect the unexpected, he would surely become another casualty of this cruel death game.

[Ronin 0]

As he moved along, Ronin kept his eyes out for anything else of value he might come across.  The torch light was dim and wavering, but he strained his eyes in the darkness trying to spot anything he could use.  He wasn't sure if there was anything like that in this cave, but the world was full of surprises.  If this was anything like any other video game he had ever played, then valuable or useful items could be found anywhere and so far, he had done a pretty decent job of gathering and mining materials and loot.

ID# 54005 results:

Loot: 19 = +1 Material

Edited March 29, 2016 by Ronin

[Ronin 0]

"Hell Yeah!" he cheered, crouching briefly and picking up a piece of mined ore off the ground.  What were the chances?  Apparently pretty good, considering he had only just started looking for valuable items.  Hell, maybe he would be fortunate enough to come across some hidden treasure chest stashed way down here in this cave.  He pursed is lips in thought and stashed the ore away into his inventory before proceeding onward.  It was awesome being in a game world and not actually having to carry all your items and gear on your person.  Ah, the delights of the imagination...

[Ronin 0]

Shaking his mind back into some sort of focus, Ronin turned his attention toward the next torch light's glow he could see down the corridor.  The cave was deeper and longer than he could've imagined and something told him he was only scraping the tip of the iceberg.  He sighed and continued onward, hoping this would lead to something.  When he reached the next torch, he found that the path forked and there were now two ways to choose from.  He rubbed his chin in thought, before deciding to go with the left path.  "Hopefully this leads me somewhere interesting..." he grumbled.

[Ronin 0]

Heading down the left path, Ronin's eyes suddenly widened as he heard something scurrying up ahead.  It was a scratching, clawing, shifting sound and he paused, holding his breath and listening closely.  "hmmm," he wondered, peering through the darkness.  This path he had chosen as much darker than the one before and he wondered if perhaps he had made the wrong choice in coming this way.  As he continued to wait and listen, the clawing sound began to grow louder, as if whatever this thing was in the dark, was coming closer...

[Ronin 0]

"The [censored] is that...?" he wondered, straining to see whatever it was that was crawling toward him through the dark passage.  He lifted his gloved hand, his fingers wrapping around the handle of his blade.  He crouched slightly, preparing himself for an attack that might come, unsure of what to expect.  He grit his teeth, anticipating an appearance of some foul creature and engaging the muscles in his arm in the event he had to draw his weapon and strike.  This was no time to act passive or mess around.  His paranoia wouldn't allow him to anyway.  He would be ready, for whatever this was.

[Ronin 0]

Suddenly, a giant rat like creature came springing forth from the darkness.  Its massive chomping teeth lashed at Ronin, showering his face in some disgusting smelling saliva.  He stepped back, tearing his blade into the open and preparing to defend himself.  However, an attack never really came from the creature.  As Ronin looked closer, he saw that the rat had collapsed right in front of him and was breathing rather shallowly.  He crouched, keeping his guard up and looked closer, wondering what was up.  "Is this thing... sick?"

[Ronin 0]

CAVE RAT

HP: 10

DMG: 3

MIT: 3

Deeper down the passage, a much larger, much more ferocious creature had picked up on Ronin's scent.  The stranger who was wandering aimlessly and without much hope through these caves, was about to be in for a rude awakening.  The cave rat was hungry and was going to feast on Ronin's bones.  It began slinking its way down the passage, sniffing at the air and swishing its tail back and forth as it moved along.  It wouldn't be long now, before it caught up to the intruder and showed him the error of coming here.

[Ronin 0]

Ronin Stats

HP: 20 | DMG: 2 | ACC: 1 | MIT: 18

The swordsman sniffed at the air, wondering what that foul smell was.  Well, obviously it had something to do with this sick rat laying at his feet now.  He wondered if there were more like it, or perhaps even bigger ones deeper in the cave?  He cringed at the thought but held his weapon at the ready, knowing he couldn't be too cautious.  He was paranoid yes, but for good reason.  Everything in this place wanted to kill him and he had to fight to survive.  Thankfully, he had met with a blacksmith on the fourth floor recently and received a tremendous upgrade in his defense.  "Time to test this out..." he said, before rushing ahead down the passage.

[Ronin 0]

CAVE RAT

HP: 10

DMG: 3

MIT: 3

The cave rat continued onward, sniffing and snarling as it walked.  Its massive claws dug into the rocky floor of the cave passage as it moved.  The rocks had been smoothed over time from all the passing of the rats, traversing back and forth from the depths of the cave to the areas near the mouth of the cave.  They didn't often venture outside of the cave, preferring the darkness.  Sometimes, travelers would enter and unsuspectingly venture down into the depths, where the larger more vicious and hostile rats were waiting, to claim them for food!  This rat was no exception and he smelled a new meal just up ahead.

 

Edited March 30, 2016 by Ronin

[Ronin 0]

Ronin:

HP: 19/20 | DMG: 2 | ACC: 1 | MIT: 18

Cave Rat

HP: 8/10 | DMG: 3 | MIT: 3

The swordsman continued deeper and deeper into the cave, the air growing heavier with each step and his lungs straining to keep up.  While this was surely all in his head, he was still having trouble realizing that in game, there was really no such thing as running out of breath or inner strain with such matters.  It was so intense that the brain could still trick him into thinking so, even in this virtual world.  It was surely credit to the creators and he couldn't wait to see what else this world was capable of doing.  "What... the hell... is that..." he said suddenly, spotting the massive rat coming into view ahead.  He didn't waste anytime with this one, charging forth and attacking.

ID# 54127 results:

Battle: 5+1 = 6

MOB: 7

Edited March 30, 2016 by Ronin

[Ronin 0]

Their attacks landed simultaneously on one another and sent each other skidding back from the force.  Ronin smirked, lowering his chin slightly and narrowing his gaze on the giant rat.  It was massive and insane looking.  He had never seen anything like it and it was exciting.  Up til now, he had only fought against the wild boars out on the grassy plains.  This was a new encounter and he couldn't wait to see how he would fair against it.  The armor he got from Mack was definitely helping so far, he had hardly felt the rat's attack!  Ronin raced forward and swung again!

ID# 54130 results:

Battle: 9+1 = 10 = crit +2 dmg

MOB: 1

Ronin:

HP: 19/20 | DMG: 2 | ACC: 1 | MIT: 18

Cave Rat

HP: 4/10 | DMG: 3 | MIT: 3

Edited March 30, 2016 by Ronin

[Ronin 0]

This time, Ronin's blade sliced deep into the massive rat's hide, causing the creature to writhe up in agony and screech at him.  It swung its claws at him, trying desperately to swipe him in defense.  Ronin ducked and dodged, moving out of the way of the incoming attacks and driving hard to push the rat backward down the passage.  He was winning this fight and this armor, though heavy, was proving to be invaluable.  He seethed and pressed onward, knowing he could keep this up and finish this rat off soon.  He swung his arms hard, going for another attack.

ID# 54131 results:

Battle: 2+1= 3

MOB: 6

Ronin:

HP: 18/20 | DMG: 2 | ACC: 1 | MIT: 18

Cave Rat

HP: 4/10 | DMG: 3 | MIT: 3

Edited March 30, 2016 by Ronin

[Ronin 0]

This time, it was the rat's attack that landed and Ronin's that missed.  He growled as the rodent's oversized teeth sunk into his hand and he snarled.  The swordsman kicked off the ground, springing backward and lunging away from the beast.  This thing was a monster and he needed to bring it down!  "Damnit! Die already!" he barked, hoping to get past this thing and venture further down into the cave system.  He reared back, before lunging forth and driving his blade forth in a piercing fashion toward the overgrown rat.

ID# 54285 results:

Battle: 6+1= 7

MOB: 10

Ronin:

HP: 17/20 | DMG: 2 | ACC: 1 | MIT: 18

Cave Rat

HP: 2/10 | DMG: 3 | MIT: 3

Edited March 30, 2016 by Ronin

[Ronin 0]

The rat took a hit from Ronin's blade, but it wasn't the killing blow the swordsman had been hoping for.  He snarled and spit at the rodent, trying to distract it.  It was no use, the creature lunged forth and raked at his face with its massive sharp claws.  Thankfully all that traveling across the stone floor had dulled the otherwise razor sharp nails and it saved Ronin from having his eyes clawed out right then and there.  "Agh, fucker..." he cursed, slinking back and lifting a hand to his bloodied face.  This creature was going to pay.

ID# 54286 results:

Battle: 1+1= 2

MOB: 3

Ronin:

HP: 17/20 | DMG: 2 | ACC: 1 | MIT: 18

Cave Rat

HP: 2/10 | DMG: 3 | MIT: 3

Edited March 30, 2016 by Ronin

[Ronin 0]

The swordsman sighed.  Both he and the rat missed on this exchange as he lunged forth and faltered with his slashing attempt.  The rat too seemed a little weak, fatigued from the damage it had taken already.  The creature growled and gave Ronin a look, wondering if the swordsman was going to continue to fight.  This was all or nothing now for the creature.  It had been mortally wounded and there was no going back and healing this time.  It would give this one last chance and give it every last bit it had.  It came charging toward Ronin, teeth opening wide for one last bite!

ID# 54287 results:

Battle: 8+1= 9

Craft: 4

Loot: 11

MOB: 8

Ronin:

HP: 16/20 | DMG: 2 | ACC: 1 | MIT: 18

Cave Rat

HP: 1/10 | DMG: 3 | MIT: 3

Edited March 30, 2016 by Ronin