Gleam in the Depths {F01 - SP - "The Third Lesson, Is Just as Free"}

[Ronnel 0]

Ronnel tossed the package back and forth between his hands as he left Lyle’s shop, It was light and easy to handle. He shrugged once, having already considered checking what it was, but he wasn’t anywhere near rude enough or curious enough to actually open someone else’s package, and Lyle hadn’t told him what it was. He twisted his arm slightly and pushed the small wrapped bundle into his inventory, securing it from being lost. 

“Right - Lyle said this woman lived in a grove. I guess we have a few in town.” Sounded kinda druidic but this game didn’t have any magic implemented for players that he knew. So this was just for an artisan thing of some ilk. But still - even as just an artisan, it supported Ronnel’s thought that this quest line was going to be introducing him to a variety of the professions that were available -first an alchemist, then a blacksmith, now this Hannah. 

 

Ronnel: 

Level: 9 

HP: 180/180 EN: 18/18

DAM: 5

Mit: 26

Acc: 1

 

Gear:

Armor:

Tem Armor: +1 Slot MIT ; +2 Slots Heavy Momentum 

Pup's Greaves: +1 Slot MIT

Weapon:

Varathra: 2 Handed Assault Spear +1 Dam, +1 ACC, +1 Bleed 

[Ronnel 0]

So the first order of business would be to find out where the grove that she lived in was. Lyle hadn’t really given Ronnel any indications as to where that was, so it seemed like he was going to be hunting and searching. At least here in town there wasn’t going to be any threats that he had to avoid while he was on this search. Ronnel let out a soft groan - he really, really needed to figure out the layout of the Town he was spending so much of his time in right now - stumbling around looking for things was getting tiresome.  

At least, he was stumbling around looking until he happened to see an amusingly familiar face. The large, swarthy guard that had helped him find Zackariah’s shop when he was looking for it before was walking down the street ahead of him, one hand resting on the pommel of his sword as the man moved along his route.

[Ronnel 0]

Ronnel held out one arm, flagging down the guard. The NPC paused in his path, turning slightly as he recognized that he was being called for. “Ho there traveler, what ails you?” Ah, it seemed like the AI didn’t log interactions for the guards. That made sense though, it probably cut down on data usage. With an internal shrug the dark-haired man crossed the remaining distance to the guard.

“I’m looking for an artisan - Hannah.” There was a pause, and then the guard nodded. He turned and pointed back down the way Ronnel had come. The spear-user felt his eyebrow twitch.
 

“Hannah’s grove and workshop are down that way, about fifteen minutes of walk. You’ll pass by a couple side streets, but ignore those until you reach a big intersection. Then you’ll turn right and walk for another five minutes or so, and it will be on your left. You can’t miss it.” Ronnel gave the man a bow, then sighed and shook his head as he turned around and started back the way he’d come. 

[Ronnel 0]

Thankfully, with the guard’s directions, it didn’t take Ronnel that much longer to reach a somewhat densely forested area. It was relatively small though, stretching out over the plot four roughly four or five houses. There was a small path leading in, twisting through the trees and out of sight. It seemed like this was the right place. He followed the curving path through the grove, until he reached a clearing inside. There was a small house nestled inside, and a young woman outside, leaning against one of the trees as she sketched something. Her head came up when she noticed Ronnel approaching her.

“Why hello there! Are you in need of something?” She gave him a pleasant smile as her head tilted to one side. Ronnel returned the smile and shook his head as his hands reached towards his inventory.

“Actually no, but from what I know, you need something that I have.” Her head tilted further as her brow furrowed.

[Ronnel 0]

A moment or two passed as Ronnel pulled the small bundle from his inventory. He held it out towards the woman. She blinked and took the package, unwrapping it then and there. Ronnel’s quest tracker ticked over as she pulled a small, gleaming golden object from the canvas wrap. The dark-haired man blinked as Hannah’s face lit up brilliantly.
 

“Oh, excellent, Lyle finished the band!” She rolled it back and forth between her fingers and turned her attention back to the delivery man. “Thank you ever so much for this. I’m working on a little project, and Lyle agreed to help me out by making this.” She held it up, and Ronnel saw that it was a small golden ring. Then her shoulders slumped slightly. “But there’s a problem. I used up the last of my gemstones for a customer the other day, and now I don’t have anything to work with. Oh, bother.” Ronnel just barely suppressed the chuckle that he felt well up as he figured out where this was going.

[Ronnel 0]

“Well that isn’t too much of a problem if you don’t mind waiting.” Hannah’s head came back up as Ronnel spoke. “I can go get you one.” She clapped her hands together, pressing the ring between them as she did.

“Oh, would you? I’d be ever so grateful if you did.” She hummed in thought before nodding. “Yes, please do. Ah - the one I’m needing is kind of specific, is that a problem?” Ronnel shook his head, dark hair swaying back and forth. “Excellent. Alright - A fair ways out into the grasslands, there should be a cave system. In the depths of the cave should be a spot where you can find a small green crystal.” Ronnel’s eyes flicked to his quest tracker - it hadn’t updated yet. There was something more. He turned his eyes back to Hannah and tilted his head to one side.

“Anything else I should be aware of before I head out?” She rubbed her arm and ducked her head slightly. 

“There… may be a giant bat in the caves? Kind of a guardian? I’m sorry I can-”

“Ah, don’t worry about it.” Ronnel waved off her apology. “I can handle a bat, promise.” She sighed in relief.

 

[Ronnel 0]

“Alright so - one small green crystal from the caves. And watch out for the overgrown flying rat that is hanging out down there.” Ronnel gave Hannah a smile. “I can’t promise I’ll be back in a minute with that, but I will be back with one for you.” 

“I really mean it, thank you. I’ll have something to pay you for your efforts when you come back.” Ronnel nodded and let out a soft breath when his quest log updated fully. He bowed to the woman and then slowly made his winding way back out of the grove of trees. Once he was back out on the main road he rolled his shoulders. “Alright. This shouldn’t be a problem. Gem harvesting and a bat - and this time I’ll actually get to attack the bat, not like when I was basically an escort objective for Cordelia.” He gave a weak chuckle and shook his head. Then one foot in front of another, he headed towards the city gates.

[Ronnel 0]

Ronnel stretched out his back as he pulled up his minimap checking for where this cave system he needed to explore was. He was standing just outside the city gates, just off the main path so he wasn't blocking foot traffic as people came and went. It didn't look like it was too far away, easily reachable within a single day's travel. Which made sense, as they were tutorial quests still. 

"Man I cannot wait to be through these and not a total pushover." Ronnel grumbled. Just about everyone he had met outclassed him by several degrees - and he knew there were others out there who were even further beyond that. The only way he was going to change that was if he actually applied himself. He frowned and rubbed his chin a bit. 

For now I suppose I can just work at getting better and out of the basic floor levels. I'll never amount to anything if I can't even get past level ten. The spear-user rolled his shoulders and equipped his spear before heading out from the city wall following his minimap icon towards the caves. 

[Ronnel 0]

Ronnel stared at the mouth of the cave system and just barely supprrssed a groan. This place reminded him of the caves that he and Cordelia had gone into when searching for the lost girl. It wasn't his fondest memory - he had been completely and utterly useless during that quest. His lips drew into a thin, flat line as he pulled Varatha out of his inventory, equipping the red-wrapped spear. 

"Well, let's see what your first outing is like shall we?" He spun the spear end over end, testing the balance in his hands. It was finely crafted, a masterful work, and he looked forward to testing it out against whatever was lurking inside of this cave system. Ronnel strode into the caves the light of day soon disappearing behind him as he trod into the gloomy depths. The sound of his boots clicking on the hard stone beneath his feet echoed along the walls, and he grimaced - he certainly wasn't going to have the element of surprise against anything in here. 

 

 

[Ronnel 0]

The first sign that Ronnel had that he was no longer alone was the faintest soft flutter above his head. It almost sounded like a piece of cloth being blown about on the wind at a distance, just barely perceptible. That was the warning he had - and he reacted, leaping backwards. The source of the sound revealed itself as a large bat swooped down, chittering softly - it hadn't attacked, yet, and Ronnel narrowed his eyes. He tightened his grip on his spear as the bat flew up into the shadows, becoming little more than a dark moving shape against the cave ceiling. 

"Get down here!" The man spat out as he stabbed upwards towards the gloomy shape, trying to catch it with the prongs of his spear. The attack went wide though, missing the creature by a considerable margin. What didn't miss was the bat's retaliation - it shrieked, an awful sound that rattled his brain in his head as he staggered backwards. 

 

 

 

Bat: HP: 50/50 DAM 15

 

Link ID: 133935

BD: 1 (Critical Miss) 

MD: 9 (Bat Mob Crits) 

Dam: 15+1 

16 V 26 MIT = 1 DAM

Ronnel HP: 179/180 EN: 17/18 (-1 basic attack) 

((+2 Dam Heavy Momentum)) 

 

 

Edited January 8, 2020 by Ronnel

[Ronnel 0]

Ronnel righted himself, his head ringing from the bat's shrieking attack, and glared. This thing was not going to beat him just by yelling at him - he'd die of shame first before the Nerve Gear could even fry his brain. A glance at his status and he just barely suppressed a grimace. That would be a death by a hundred paper cuts or something - that shriek had nicked his health but not much else. He switch his gaze to the bat and glared at it as it hung in the air, beating its wings. 

"I'll admit you've got a pair of lungs on ya - but you aren't a banshee, that screaming isn't gonna do me in." He spun Varathra end over end again, the gleaming blades flashing in the faint light - then without warning, stabbed out again, the spear darting forward. This time it met resistance, tearing a furrow in the bat's torso. The bat let out another resounding shriek that made Ronnel's head spin - both a cry of pain, and a retaliation attack as his temples throbbed in pain. 

 

 

Bat: HP: 50/50 DAM 15

 

Link ID: 133936

BD: 5 (+1 ACC, HIT) 

Dam: 7 (5 Base Dam + 2 Heavy Momentum) 

Bat hp: 43/50

MD: 10 (Bat Mob Crits +2) 

Dam: 15+2

17 V 26 MIT = 1 DAM

Ronnel HP: 178/180 EN: 17/18 (-1 basic attack) 

 

  Edited January 8, 2020 by Ronnel

[Ronnel 0]

Ronnel gripped his head for a moment until the fresh wave of pain passed over him. Then he dropped his hand from his head and gripped the end of his spear, his fingers creaking against the red cord that was wrapped around the wooden haft. His red eyes glared at the monster fluttering its wings above him, almost as if it was taunting him. 

"You're just a flying rat, and I am going to enjoy exterminating you." Did he think the bat could understand him? No. Did he care? Also no. This wasn't even the Cave Guardian, just a bat that had gotten in his way! Ronnel shifted his grip, then lashed out, swinging his spear in a sweeping arc. One of the tines caught the bat, slicing into its digital flesh. This time the monster retaliated by swooping down, crashing itself against his armor and knocking the man back a step. Ronnel coughed and rubbed his chest with one hand as the bat flapped back up into the air. 

 

 

 

Bat: HP: 43/50 DAM 15

 

Link ID: 133937

BD: 6(+1 ACC, HIT) 

Dam: 5(5 Base Dam ) 

Bat hp: 38/50

MD: 8 (HIT) 

Dam: 15

15 V 26 MIT = 1 DAM

Ronnel HP: 177/180 EN: 17/18 (-1 basic attack, +1 recovery) 

 

 

 

Edited January 8, 2020 by Ronnel

[Ronnel 0]

"Would you stop hiding at the ceiling in the shadows and get down here you miserable rat?" Ronnel hissed out between his clenched teeth as he glared at the bat. This thing was beginning to get on his nerves with its hit and run tactics - and because he didn't have any source of light, he couldn't even see it super clearly which was beginning to irritate him. But at least he was landing blows - and in a weird way he felt oddly satisfied that it wasn't dead after two connected blows. His fights against the boars had been lackluster - once he could hit them, they were gone. Here, now, it actually felt like a fight.

One that, if he was going off of pure connected blows, he was losing. Ronnel had tried to stab the bat again, but the monster was almost taunting him as it hid up near the stalactites that hung from the ceiling of the cave. His spear blades slid around one, catching and not hitting the bat - which shrieked at him, making him wince in pain again. 

 

 

Bat: HP: 38/50 DAM 15

 

Link ID: 133938

BD: 1(+1 ACC, Miss) 

Bat HP: 38/50

MD: 7 (HIT) 

Dam: 15

15 V 26 MIT = 1 DAM

Ronnel HP: 176/180 EN: 17/18 (-1 basic attack, +1 recovery) 

(+2Dam Heavy Momentum) 

 

  Edited January 8, 2020 by Ronnel

[Ronnel 0]

"Alright you lousy flea-bitten brat of a bat I am going to end you and I am going to relish it. Stop. Screaming. At. Me." Ronnel's ears were throbbing as he growled at the bat, his fingers tight on his spear haft. For its part, the monster didn't seem particularly concerned by his threat. Instead it just flapped its wings again and chittered at him, even its normal sounds grating on his ears right now. 

The dark-haired man's eyes narrowed as he watched the bat. It was going to come in for another attack, or it was at least coming closer - with every beat of its wings, the monster was sinking lower and lower until - there. He brought Varathra's blade low, just over the ground, and triggered what had become his go-to Sword Art. The twin blades of the spear flashed brightly as <Heft> activated, and Ronnel swept the weapon upwards, gouging deeply into the bat. The digital monster let out an ear splitting shriek that made Ronnel stumble as he was locked in the post-Art cool down animation, his head swimming. 

 

 

Bat: HP: 38/50 DAM 15

 

Link ID: 133939

BD: 8(+1 ACC, Hit) 

Dam: 14 ((5Base+2Base Heavy Momentum) x2 <Heft>

Bat HP: 24/50

MD: 9 (Critical HIT) 

Dam: 16

16 V 26 MIT = 1 DAM

Ronnel HP: 175/180 EN: 16/18 (-2 <Heft>, +1 recovery) 

 

 

  Edited January 8, 2020 by Ronnel

[Ronnel 0]

 

Ronnel pulled out of the stagger and glared at the bat that was circling in the air above him. The creature was looking damaged, blood matting its fur as its wings beat in the air. But at this rate he knew that he was going to win the fight, no matter how long it ended up actually taking him - yes, it would be a grind, and it wasn’t going to be a swift grind at that, but it was all but guaranteed at this point. He would have to get absolutely terrible, horrendous luck to lose this fight, and if things started getting that bad off he was just going to book it out of the caverns to recover. This wasn’t the cave guardian, he didn’t need the victory for the quest. But - he wanted it. He wanted to beat this bat.

 

The red-eyed man tightened his grip on his weapon. At least he wasn’t trying to fight this thing with his old spear - this new one was much better suited to him. He swept one foot back, bracing himself as the bat came in again. He struck out, spear digging into the flank of the monster, as it slammed its head against his forehead. 

 Bat: HP:24/50 DAM 15

 

Link ID: 134229

BD: 7(+1 ACC, Hit) 

Dam: 5 (5Base)

Bat HP: 19/50

MD: 9 (Critical HIT) 

Dam: 16

16 V 26 MIT = 1 DAM

Ronnel HP: 174/180 EN: 16/18 (+1 EN, -1EN normal attack)

Edited January 12, 2020 by Ronnel

[Ronnel 0]

 

 

The two attacks clashed against each other, and both of them came off worse from it. Ronnel’s head was throbbing where the monster had struck it, a small red mark forming there from the headbutt. The bat on the other hand, had a new weeping gash on its side, and its body was now clearly flagging as its wings flapped slower, barely keeping it up in the air. Ronnel breathed out slowly, glaring. This was - more enjoyable than the fights against the blasted boar pups had been Here he was actually able to fight and hit the thing. 

“Alright you overgrown rat with wings. You’re going down.” Ronnel and the bat circled each other for a moment, closed in the cave. He started to stab at the bat just as the monster swooped in for another attack - only for Ronnel to trip over a rock as he was moving, and fall to the floor. Both attacks missed by wide margins as he hit the ground. 

 

 

 

Bat: HP:19/50 DAM 15

 

Link ID: 134230 

BD: 1(+1 ACC, Miss) 

 

Bat HP: 19/50

MD: 4 (Miss) 

 

 

Ronnel HP: 174/180 EN: 15/18 (+1 EN, -2EN normal attack)

+2 DAM (Heavy Momentum)

 

Edited January 12, 2020 by Ronnel

[Ronnel 0]

Ronnel scrambled back to his feet and glared. He knew that the fall hadn’t been the bat’s fault - it hadn’t even shrieked - but he still blamed it. “Alright - we’ll have a redo on that one.” The bat almost seemed to nod and backed up, its wings beating in the air as it chittered loudly.   The two of them faced off, and Ronnel glared harder as the bat shrieked. It was a challenge and he was going to accept it gladly. 

“Alright you flying rat come get some!” Ronnel spat out and dropped his spear to the ground. Varathra’s blade began to gleam with bright light as he started the path of following his favored art. The bat pulled back towards the cavern roof - then shot down towards him, chittering angrily. <Heft> triggered as the spear-wielder brought his blade up, ripping into the chest of the bat as it hurtled towards him. The bat was knocked away, hitting against one of the stalagmites as it spun away from the strike. 

 

 

 Bat: HP:19/50 DAM 15

 

Link ID: 134231

BD: 6(+1 ACC, Hit) 

Dam: 14 (5Base+2HeavyMomentum)x2

Bat HP: 5/50

MD: 4 (Miss) 

 

Ronnel HP: 174/180 EN: 14/18 (+1EN Recovery, -2Heft)

 

Edited January 12, 2020 by Ronnel

[Ronnel 0]

Ronnel recentered his spear as his chest heaved. This fight was almost over - he could feel it. The monster was flagging hard, struggling to recover from the hit it just endured. The red-eyed man spun his weapon end over end and gripped the haft tightly. "Come on then - one last dance you airborne rodent!" 

The bat chittered angrily and flared its wings. It started to swoop down, intent on striking the player - but that intent didn't come to pass. Ronnel lashed out, the twin blades of Varathra burying themselves into digital flesh. There was a momentary pause then the bat exploded into a shower of red data as it died. Ronnel stumbled slightly and let out a long breath. 

"Hoo. Right. Ok." He planted the butt of his spear on the ground and leaned on it. "Next stop. Search for the gem, then fight whatever the guardian is. I got this."

 

 Bat: HP: 4/50 DAM 15

 

Link ID: 134232

BD: 6(+1 ACC, Hit) 

Dam: 5 

Bat HP: 5/50

 

 

Ronnel HP: 174/180 EN: 14/18 (+1EN Recovery, -1Heft)

 

Edited January 14, 2020 by Ronnel

[Ronnel 0]

Ronnel groaned and stretched out his back as he shook himself. That fight had - dragged on much longer than he would have liked. He needed to improve if he wanted to be any kind of reliable in this cruel death game they were all trapped in. He glanced down at Varathra, the twin bladed spear gleaming softly in the light of the caverns. His equipment was good enough - the spear had handled well. It was he who was lacking, his skills not up to snuff yet. He clenched his hand and breathed out slowly. 

"Alright. Once I finish this, I work on ranking on my skills. I can't slack just because I was able to kill a couple things. I need to keep improving." His voice echoed in the cave as he nodded to himself. There were a few ways he could see to improve, it was just a matter of actually applying himself to one of them before he would see any progress. 

 

[Ronnel 0]

Ronnel started making his way through the caverns as he pondered. One thing he would need to improve on, was his armor. The greaves he had on were decent enough, but they really didn't hold a candle to the quality that Varathra or the Tem Armor that the merchant Ceres had sold him had. The man ducked under a stalactite, flinching slightly as a cold drop of simulated water fell against the back of his neck. 

Rubbing the spot the water had landed on he pressed onwards, grumbling internally. The problem with trying to purchase armor for now was - there was only so long this armor would be effective. Once he got to a place where he was hunting on the higher levels, he would have to go and repurchase all over again. Or - hunt down monsters or chests, or make things himself. And he already knew he didn't have the skill to be making armor or weapons, not yet. It was another thing he still had to decide - the man paused when he caught a flash of something from the corner of one eye.