[SP-F3] <<Worn Out Welcome>> Survivability

[Zulee 0]

Now that Zulee was a merchant, had some experience, and a few levels under her belt, Zulee thought it was time to finally dip her toes into the idea of combat. Although, the thought of that wasn't as easy as simply thinking it. Preparing for combat seemed to be an arduous process for most players, though Zulee had a feeling that the major reason for that stemmed from the idea that death was permanent. There was nothing stopping a player from simply walking out into the fields, attempting to fight a boar, and dying at the hands of it. But a true warrior in this game, one who wished to see the light of day in the real world again, prepared. And so Zulee did just that, as she stood in front of the job board once more, agonizing over which quest was the least likely to get her killed in this, or any, situation.

Thread Stats

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Stats

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Total SP: 7
SP Available: 2
SP Spent: 5

Current Level: 3
HP: 60
EP: 6

DMG: 4
EVA: 0
ACC: 0
MIT: 0

Equipment & Inventory

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Col Total: 400
Equipment

Basic Two-Handed Straight Sword
Basic Starter Armor

Battle Ready Inventory

Skills

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Total Slots: 2
Available Slots: 1
Used Slots: 1

Utility and Mobility Skills:
Combat Skills:
Weapon Skills:
► Two-Handed Straight Sword - Rank 1 - Novice

• +1 DMG

Armor Skills:
Mods:

Sword Arts

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Rank 1
Avalanche -1x1 - (1 Energy) - A simple one-hit sword art that cuts downward at a single target.
Blast - 2x1 - AoE - (4 Energy) - A pair of horizontal sweeping strokes that hits multiple targets.
Straight - 1x2 - (2 Energy) - Begins with the player bending their knees before thrusting forward with a singular powerful strike covering the gap between you and your opponent.

[Zulee 0]

As Zulee scanned the board, she found plenty of incredibly dangerous, high reward quests. Those were in abundance, and she knew she couldn't take those on. What she wasn't able to find was any starter quests. Finally, either an NPC or a player who noticed her agonizing over the board said, "It's easier if you open up your menu in front of the notice board and use the sort or search functions." Zulee looked over and blinked, not really processing the fact that, again, this was a virtual world with such functionalities. Zulee nodded, and thanked the kind person, before opening up her menu and doing as she was bid. Sure enough, there was a handful of quests recommended for her level. She glanced through them, believing that at some point, it may be best to do all of them. But for now, she noticed that one of the quests offered an armor reward. Her first thought? Survivability.

[Zulee 0]

Zulee read over the quest details as she walked towards the Teleport Gate. She was still on the first floor, and this quest was on the third, and could only be accepted after talking to a particular NPC. Thankfully, the board provided her with annexed coordinates, and so she was able to make her way easily to where she needed to go. As she made it to the teleport gate and appeared on the Third Floor, she looked around at the new scenery that she became enveloped in. It was medieval in nature, like something out of old Europe, and she rather enjoyed the aesthetic offered by the town. She considered that once her quest was done, she would have to take some time to explore this place, as perhaps it would feel as if she had traveled to a different country. Smiling, she looked back down at her map, and began to make her way to Griswold's shop.

[Zulee 0]

It wasn't long before Zulee had managed to reach the coordinates for the shop. It was a quaint little medieval blacksmith shop, with a hanging sign titled "Griswold" and what appeared to be a man hammering away at an anvil through the window. Checking the coordinates and the quest details, Zulee confirmed that this was the place she needed to be. Without another moment's hesitation, she pushed her way into the small shop, as the man at the anvil looked up with a gruff, but pleasant smile. "Welcome ta Griswold's Blacksmith Shop. 'Ow can I help ye today?" the gruff man greeted her, and Zulee gave a light bow and her own smile in response. "I'd like to get a set of armor. I was told that you would be just the man to see for that. Was my source correct?" she asked him, and the man gave a nod, as a woman stepped out from a back room in the shop to join Griswold.

[Zulee 0]

The woman had a pen and paper in hand, and she nodded to Griswold who said, "This is my wife Hanna. She'll be taking the order and then we'll be givin' you the materials necessary to get the armor crafted then. Let's start with what type of armor ye'd like." Griswold and Hanna both looked to Zulee expectantly, and Zulee nodded again, replying with, "I'd like heavy armor please." Griswold nodded, and Hanna wrote the response down on her pad. "Aye, heavy armor it will be then. How about the special enhancement you'd like for it? Sturdy, pointy, easy to move in?" the man continued to ask, after the initial answer. Zulee rubbed her chin a bit at this, and thought that really, she just needed to be well protected for now. "Sturdy. Can take more damage, is that doable?" Griswold simply nodded again, as Hanna scribbled down the additional notes.

[Zulee 0]

Once finished with the questions, Hanna and Griswold conferred, discussing the notes, as she pointed and the gruff man would whisper in his gravelly voice in agreement or not. It was difficult to make out what they were saying, though Zulee figured that didn't really matter. They would tell her what she needed, and what they were saying was probably just unimportant bickering over what materials would be best and how she could procure them. Either that or it was just acting gibberish, and all of this was scripted. Zulee put her hands behind her back, and simply stood, patiently waiting for the update from the two NPCs on what her quest would entail. Finally, both of them nodded, and Griswold turned to Zulee with a smile. "Alright, girl. Gonna need some Dragon's Bones." Zulee must have betrayed a look of shock at this, as the blacksmith simply laughed. "Don't you worry, you don't have to kill a dragon. Should be an elf around here who has some."

[Zulee 0]

Zulee sighed, and for a moment she had been legitimately afraid that she would have to hunt down a dragon. This quest had come with a lower recommended level, so either it would have been a really weak dragon, or the low level part was talking to Griswold in the first place. She supposed that could have been good NPC and player relationship building, but seemed ultimately a waste of time if the quest would have been far more difficult than it initially seemed. Either that or Kayaba wished to trick players into an easy death, growing the death toll through misadventure. Zulee shook her head, and managed to bring her cool smile back to her lips as she folded her arms across her chest. "Alright, old man. You're on. I'll go get you the Dragon Bone, just point me in the right direction." The old man scowled, "Careful who you call old, girl." But sure enough, the quest window popped up in front of her.

[Zulee 0]

As the window came up in front of her, Zulee was happy to press the accept button, and a map popped up with coordinates as Griswold said, "Ye'll find the elf wandering the prairie, around this spot. Head out of the south gate, and he'll probably be skulking around in the shadows of trees. Once you take him out, you should be able to find the bones on his body. Mind ye, this is only right justice. He stole them you see, and we'll just call this karma." Griswold gave a gruff, dark laugh, before finally waving his hand, "Now off with ye, I got orders ta fill." Zulee was a bit bothered by the man's admission. Revenge for theft. Even if she was just killing a monster thief, it seemed more extreme than she would have wished. No laws meant an eye for an eye, and she would reap the benefits.

Edited November 30, 2016 by Zulee

[Zulee 0]

Zulee turned and walked out of the shop before she could second guess herself any further. Though she was a bit shaken by the realness of the situation, she just had to keep telling herself it was a game. That she would be killing a thief, and a monster at that. But was she capable of actually doing it? As she walked towards the south gate, she pulled out her sword and held it in front of her, feeling its weight. It was a simple blade, basically a slab of metal attached to a hilt and pommel. But it would do the job she needed it to. Though the job it was intended for almost made the blade feel as if it was heavier than it actually was. Was that the weight of the blood she would spill? No matter how fake that blood seemed, the weight seemed just as real.

[Zulee 0]

Before long, Zulee had reached the edge of town and the south gate. Outside of the city she could see rolling plains with wandering mobs and humanoids, and she wondered if any of those humanoids were the Dark Elf she sought. Perhaps, this being a game, all of them were the Dark Elf she sought. Idly, she wondered if the game handled that any special way. If there were special mobs that had to be taken down for credit. Though, as she thought about it, she figured Griswold would have told her the name of the elf if it mattered. Nameless, a thief, and a monster. She just had to keep telling herself these things, until she finally believed that she was just killing a pointless criminal. No trial necessary, only justice. Still, her training stuck in her mind, the burden of proof weighing on her thoughts. But she couldn't dwell on that, so she shook her head and pressed on.

[Zulee 0]

Zulee walked along the plains, her sword still at the ready, watching the humanoids as they skulked around the shadows of the trees, just as Griswold had told her. "Dark Elf" each of their names read, and they were fairly well spread apart. Enough that Zulee felt she could fight one without having to fight any others. First, she had to confirm that these were not actually players, but they had the red crystals over their head, as monsters all appeared to have. Nameless, a thief, a monster, she continued to repeat, as she gripped her blade with both hands, the elf not paying her any mind yet. Zulee took deep breaths, steadying herself for what she was about to do. "Nameless, a thief, a monster," she repeated out loud, and the elf seemed to hear her, looking at her curiously. It was now or never, and so Zulee gave a battle cry and charged.

[Zulee 0]

Zulee ran forth, and brought her sword crashing down towards the Dark Elf, who she figured would be mildly unprepared for combat. The woman found herself to be completely wrong, as the elf sidestepped her blow, leaving only dust and a crack in the ground with her sword lodged heavily into it. The elf growled, and took advantage of this as Zulee attempted to dislodge her sword from the earth, and swiped at the woman's sides and chest. She growled in response to the elf's attacks, and managed to wrench her sword free, to which the elf leapt backwards to avoid any further wrath. Perhaps she had still been too shaken to truly deliver a blow to the creature, or perhaps she had simply underestimated it. As she watched the green of her life bar begin to drain, all she knew was that she couldn't continue to make these types of mistakes.

Combat Results:

Spoiler

ID: 71588
BD: 1
CD: 2
LD: 4
MD: 8

Zulee's Action(s):

• Attempted Strike | Miss: -2 EN

Dark Elf's Action(s):

• Strike | Hit: -9 HP to Zulee

Zulee - 60/60 -> 51/60 HP | 6/6 -> 4/6 EN
Dark Elf - 12/12 HP

Monster Reference Data:
Dark Elf - 12 HP | 9 DMG

 

Edited November 30, 2016 by Zulee

[Zulee 0]

Zulee had a better handle on things this round, as she swung her sword with more control, trying to keep herself from landing in the same position as she had previously. But even with the control of her weapon, the large sword was simply too hefty to keep up with the speedy elf. It ducked and weaved its way through her attacks, and she couldn't get a proper bead on the creature to properly land her blow. Thankfully, despite her own inability to land attacks, the elf was having just as much trouble, as for every strike she made, she dodged one of his, creating a stalemate between the two combatants. But she couldn't keep this up, and it would ultimately get her nowhere. She had to change things up to make headway, as she continued to swing at the beast, hoping to land a blow with absolutely no success.

Combat Results:

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ID: 71589
BD: 5
CD: 8
LD: 12
MD: 2

Zulee's Action(s):

• Energy Regen: +1 EN
• Attempted Strike | Miss: -2 EN

Dark Elf's Action(s):

• Attempted Strike | Miss

Zulee - 51/60 HP | 4/6 -> 3/6 EN
Dark Elf - 12/12 HP

Monster Reference Data:
Dark Elf - 12 HP | 9 DMG

Edited November 30, 2016 by Zulee

[Zulee 0]

Zulee continued to swing and dodge, and still it made no difference. Until she remembered the skills that were the namesake of this game. Sword Arts. She had seen other players using them, and they appeared to be deadly when used properly. Zulee pulled away from the elf, who had just finished attempting another blow of his own, as her sword glowed with a deep amber color, enveloping the blade. And then, as if carried along by an unseen force, Zulee's legs pumped as she charged the elf, and within an instant had lanced through the creature, which seemed utterly shocked by the display. Though, as shocked as it was, it wasted little time, as it gave a screeching roar and leapt on Zulee's back, scratching wildly at her in a frenzy as its health bar dropped dramatically. Zulee let out a cry as she attempted to wrestle the creature off of her, but it firmly gripped her and continued to claw.

Combat Results:

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ID: 71590
BD: 7
CD: 4
LD: 4
MD: 6

Zulee's Action(s):

• Energy Regen: +1 EN
• Attempted Strike | Hit: Sword Art Activated | Straight: 4 x 2 = 8 DMG | -8 HP to Dark Elf | -2 EN

Dark Elf's Action(s):

• Attempted Strike | Hit: -9 HP to Zulee

Zulee - 51/60 -> 42/60 HP | 3/6 -> 2/6 EN
Dark Elf - 12/12 -> 4/12 HP

Monster Reference Data:
Dark Elf - 12 HP | 9 DMG

Edited November 30, 2016 by Zulee

[Zulee 0]

Despite her quick thinking in battle, Zulee found that the knowledge of Sword Arts did her little good when a raging monster had climbed on her back. Furiously the creature clawed, digging deeper and deeper with each strike, and she could only imagine how painful this could be, should the game sensors have allowed for her to feel pain. The thought made her shiver, and the weight of the creature brought Zulee too a knee, as she continued to wrestle with the creature. Though no matter how she twisted and turned, even going so far as to drop her sword to reach back and try to pull it off, it simply would not yield. Zulee cried out, as she watched her HP continue to steadily drop, now in the yellow. This was getting dangerous, and Zulee wondered if she had truly been ready for this. And yet, despite the frenzied creature on her back, she had to finish this. She had to survive.

Combat Results:

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ID: 71591
BD: 4
CD: 7
LD: 17
MD: 10

Zulee's Action(s):

• Energy Regen: +1 EN
• Attempted Strike | Miss: -2 EN

Dark Elf's Action(s):

• Attempted Strike | Critical Hit: -11 HP to Zulee

Zulee - 42/60 -> 31/60 HP | 2/6 -> 1/6 EN
Dark Elf - 4/12 HP

Monster Reference Data:
Dark Elf - 12 HP | 9 DMG

Edited November 30, 2016 by Zulee

[Zulee 0]

No matter which way she turned, almost considering the idea of actually wrestling with the creature, she was not able to get it off. Though she figured if she threw herself onto the ground, the creature would simply grab on tighter, which was the opposite of the desired result. And then she remembered the tree, as she fought her way back to her feet, seeming to throw the creature off a bit that she had managed to find the strength to stand once again. Then, without further hesitation, Zulee managed to send herself backwards as fast as she could, slamming the creature into the tree. It didn't seem to do any actual damage, instead just knocking the wind out of both combatants, but it was enough to get the elf off of her. She huffed as she stumbled forward to get her bearings once again, grabbing her sword from the dirt and spinning to face the creature once again.

Combat Results:

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ID: 71592
BD: 2
CD: 7
LD: 17
MD: 2

Zulee's Action(s):

• Energy Regen: +1 EN
• Attempted Strike | Miss: -2 EN

Dark Elf's Action(s):

• Attempted Strike | Miss

Zulee - 31/60 HP | 1/6 -> 0/6 EN
Dark Elf - 4/12 HP

Monster Reference Data:
Dark Elf - 12 HP | 9 DMG

Edited November 30, 2016 by Zulee

[Zulee 0]

As Zulee spun, she watched as the monster stood dazed against the tree. It would be now or never. Despite the reckless abandon that she had initially shown with this strike, Zulee's sword enveloped in amber once again, as she charged forward and brought the weapon down with a cleaving slice. The elf looked completely horrified, as it was cleanly split in two down the middle, before exploding into the anticipated shower of pixels. The only evidence remaining of her battle was the horizontal cut in the tree where the elf had once stood. Zulee breathed heavily, staring at the cut in the tree for quite some time, before finally coming back to her senses as he adrenaline wore off. A window had popped up and awaited her, stating, "Congratulations! Item gained: Dragon Bones". Zulee wiped her brow and sighed, as she lifted her sword to her back and let it fall into the sheath there.

Combat Results:

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ID: 71593
BD: 9
CD: 1
LD: 7
MD: 6

Zulee's Action(s):

• Energy Regen: +1 EN
• Attempted Strike | Hit: Sword Art Activated | Avalanche: 4x1 = 4 DMG | -4 HP to Dark Elf | -1 EN

Dark Elf's Action(s):

• Dead | No Action

Zulee - 31/60 HP | 0/6 EN
Dark Elf - 4/12 -> 0/12 HP Dead!

Loot: No Loot

Monster Reference Data:
Dark Elf - 12 HP | 9 DMG

Edited November 30, 2016 by Zulee

[Zulee 0]

Zulee hadn't had to venture far from the city to reach her objective, and getting back was little in the way of a difficult task as well. The only thing that got to her was the unease she felt by what had just happened. The dragon bones had dropped, but Zulee had no proof that Griswold had owned them previously. She had no proof that he hadn't as well, making the entire point moot. Still, she felt as if the bones carried a burden. A part of her wanted to abandon and scrap the quest, but at the end of the day, her survivability took precedence over anything else, or so she wanted to at least push herself to believe. Perhaps in the end she was just overthinking things. No matter how she threw it, the creature had been vicious and unyielding. Regardless of thievery, it was clearly a monster.

[Zulee 0]

Before she knew it, her feet had carried her back to the blacksmith's forge, and she found herself standing in front of the grizzled old man once again. "Did ya get me bones back, girl?" Zulee nodded, and a trade window popped up, asking if Zulee wished to give the Dragon Bones to the blacksmith. Zulee hesitated, as the man patiently waited to receive his prize, but finally pressed the button to accept. In a flash, the man had quite a few sturdy looking bones in his hand, large and almost stone like in appearance. "Aye, these will do nicely. Let me get your piece crafted up for ye." Zulee gave a bit of a solemn nod as she watched the blacksmith set the bones down and pick one up, before hammering it. This was when Zulee remembered that this world worked differently, as in a few strikes, the bone morphed into a sturdy looking chestplate.

Edited November 30, 2016 by Zulee

[Zulee 0]

Admittedly, despite her apprehension, Zulee was blown away by the work she had just seen done. Almost as if magic, the item had been made into something entirely new, and something surprisingly elegant. For only the one bone, it appeared as if the blacksmith had taken it and expanded it into a fully wearable chest piece. It appeared to be a thick leather, with a rib cage type covering, which had an air of gruesome dependability like something from the stone ages. The blacksmith looked to the woman admiring his work and said. "Well, ye look right satisfied, and as ye should. Here ya go, girl. Stay safe." And with that the quest completion window popped up and Zulee looked over the rewards, experience, Col, and of course the penultimate suit of dragon bone armor. It was still basic, despite appearances, boasting only uncommon quality and a mitigation bonus, but it was still better than the simple and unprotective armor she currently wore.