[PP-F21] Walking Through Whispers

[Ashrah 0]

The twenty first floor glimmered with a crystalline splendor, and the light reflected a vast spectrum of colors. Instead of the natural sunlight found on most floors, Vanguard found himself awash in a violet glow. Magnificent waterfalls crashed on either side of the path as he walked it, and the pools at their base shone a brilliant blue. The stories told that this water was drinkable, and if that was true, this floor had the makings of a relaxing destination.

For now, though, it constituted the Front line, and the quests it kept hidden were yet undiscovered. While he was not among the floor clearing team yet, the Vanguard still wished to contribute in what small way he could. It would serve to enhance his abilities in the long run as well.

The dual nature of this realm did trouble him, however. A vast network of caverns and tunnels, it was easy for players to lose themselves in the labyrinthine and fall victim to powerful mobs. On top of that, players with questionable intentions could lure unsuspecting victims out into an area that they would never escape. Mapping it out would serve to minimize that sort of thing. 

The Cross-Headed Spear rested on his back, and his armor shone an ebon color as he moved through the low light and away from Tomoika. Whatever he might find in the depths, he was ready to face it head on. He paused only briefly when he heard a smattering of voices not far off the beaten path.

@Aereth

[Aereth 1]

Floor 21. There were two reasons why Aereth was on this floor today. First reason: He needed to meet up with one of his information brokers to get some intel on some of his targets that were rumoured to have business on that floor. And second reason: Letting out some frustration on the high levelled mobs on that floor. Because another player interrupted him in his last assassination attempt on the leader of one of the red guilds on his list, said leader managed to escape. 

The brunette just finished the business with the hooded information broker and sent the rest of the Col over to him, before parting ways. For somebody unknowing, Aereth would also look like an information broker with his face mask and deep hood. So at least the business part of his travel to the front lines was done. So now he could focus on getting some anger management done...

@Arc

[Ashrah 0]

He stared blankly at the two hooded players for a moment as they finished their business. It wasn't that he heard anything they said, but on the frontlines, anyone who looked conspicuous most likely was. Vanguard had no reason to question it- what people did in their free time was of no consequence to him.  

Brokers dealt in shadows as much as orange guilds. Because of that, he decided to approach once they we're finished to inquire about some of the newer quests, and the increased difficulty of older, pre-existing ones. The second hooded figure disappeared just before the armored player approached.

"I'm looking to buy some information," he told the man, who he did not recognize as @Aereth- a player he knew, once. Likewise, he would also be unrecognizable. "About the changes that have been happening since the front liners pushed into the twenty first floor. I'll pay well."

[Aereth 1]

As @Arc approached the hooded brunette, Aereth rose an eyebrow and looked at the armored player for some moments. Something in his voice seemed familiar, but due to the heavy armor he was wearing Aereth had no chance to pinpoint who that player was. Dismissing the thoughts for now, Aereth chuckled as he player asked him for some information about current state of the front lines. "It seems like you have stopped the wrong player. I'm no info broker, but that guy-" he said turning around to point at his information broker, but unfortunately had to see that the player was already gone. "Nevermind." He sighed. "Frontlines are currently pretty much stuck at finding the labyrinth entrance and with that the boss room. Quest wise some more quests popped up on the lower floors, but nothing too special." Aereth said in a monotonous tone. "So all that currently can be done here is grinding for some levels..."

[Ashrah 0]

He tilted his head slightly as the other man spoke, and something vaugely familiar crept up on the armored player. There was a time when he knew this player- probably. He might have been wrong. Still, Vanguard did not know him, and that was all that mattered.

"Sorry," he said simply. "You've got the look. Honest mistake."

He was prepared to leave it at that when the player decided to oblige him anyway, and Vanguard folded his arms intently.  "I'm following up some leads about the increased difficulty of certain mobs appearing on lower floors, as they've been linked to the fatalities of weaker players. The brokers might have information that could save lives, and I was going to pay them to make it public."

Since his appearance was distorted by the armor, @Aereth  likely would not notice Vanguard studying his features, despite the distortion of his mask. It appeared neither of them wanted to be known. He would not press the issue.

"Thank you for the information," he added after a moment's pause. "You have been more than helpful."

Edited August 18, 2017 by Arc

[Aereth 1]

Aereth chuckled lightly. He couldn't deny the thing mentioned by the armoured player. "It's no problem." And after hearing that this player wanted to make the lower levelled floors safer for the weaker players, Aereth rose an eyebrow. If the player really told them the truth, then he really was a good guy, naive but still a good guy. "That's an honourable goal you have there, but you should know that information brokers are mostly cowards and a**holes that just care about their own Col balance." He sighed. "No problem at all," Aereth answered, before starting to turn away. After some moments he stopped and asked. "How about you join me for some mob grinding? I need to get some anger management done and could need some company to have my back. We'll split the rewards equally so everybody will have something out of that day."

@Arc