[E3][PP-F21] <<Nature's Treasure>> A Thorny Meeting

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

Fishing:  ID# 140548 results: Craft: 12 + Loot: 16+8=24 [Chest found, 8 Eggs found]

Total Loot

Eggs: 124
Materials: 32
Col: 2,000
Perfect Armors/Shields: [139661a]

"Nobody starts off being something special," Shield replied, giving a little shrug. "You haven't really made a name for yourself. But if you stick with that idea, of tanking and then eventually expanding to have full healing capabilities, then you will be in high demand. Really, you have no idea how under-prepared we are for the fights ahead of us on the front lines."

His line went back out into the waters, and as he dragged it back to shore again, it snagged. It was not unheard of to catch on stones or underwater formations of one form or another, but as he tugged to try to pull himself loose, whatever it was moved with the force. Shield already had a pretty good idea of what to expect as he hauled in his line, and sure enough, on the end was a chest, the outside covered in eggs, embedded like barnacles. With one final pull, he dragged it up onto the shore.

"Don't sell yourself short, Yuki," he added, kneeling down beside his chest.

Edited April 12, 2020 by Shield

[Zajcica 0]

Yuki watched the chest be pulled to shore with Shield's strength and the fishing line. She wondered how the line didn't break from the weight of that thing.

"I guess that makes sense since there are so many damage players in the game." The paladin mumbled to herself. She still didn't feel like anyone important, or like she would even get to that level even with her gaining a mass amount of levels in only about a month. "If I do decide to go through this dungeon with the map I have, would you like to join me on it? I would feel a lot safer with another tank since I'm not really sure what comes with tanking a dungeon like this, or even how hard it could be to accomplish." Not that she didn't feel confident about doing since she would ask Mari to help her in the damage department. It was just best with strength in numbers, right?

 

LD: 14+3=17
Materials found: 2
Eggs Found: 6

Total Materials: 27
Total Eggs: 66

Edited April 13, 2020 by Zajcica

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

Opening Chest: ID# 140550 results: Loot: 18+7=25

[24-25] = 5250 Col, 12 materials, perfect weapon, perfect armor/shield, 2 perfect consumables

Total Loot

Eggs: 124
Materials: 32
Col: 3,000
Perfect Armors/Shields: [139661a] [140550b]
Perfect Weapons: [140550a]

"Exactly," Shield sighed. He took out his ring of keys and proceeded to open the chest. "You can't throw a stone at a boss meeting without hitting three DPS. We don't need all of that. We need synergy. Cohesion. We need balance." The lid popped open and it brought up the typical dialogue box. Shield scrolled through the contents. "This ain't bad," he exclaimed aloud. "Plenty of gear and supplies. I'll send you what I don't need." He collected the contents and drafted a quick transfer.

Inventory Transfer

Shield wishes to send you: 4,250 Col, 12 T3 Materials, Perfect Consumables [140550c] [140550d]   Accept [O]              Decline [X]

 

He closed out of the menu and retrieved his pole, settling down into his seat. "In any case, don't sell yourself short. Dedication and perseverance Are far more important than flashy sword arts. Believe me. We'll be grateful for the help. If you can stick it out long enough to make it." Shield had watched more than a few promising support players peter out and get tired of the front. It was always sad and frustrating. Shield just hoped she was as reliable as she seemed to want to be.

Edited April 13, 2020 by Shield

[Zajcica 0]

Yuki wondered on that for a moment. It was true that she had decided early on that she wanted to be a healer as well as a tank, but if she was determined to be the off tank to a main tank, being able to deal more damage and heal would be most beneficial wouldn't it? 

"I've thought a lot about the kind of build I want and honestly I've had a hard time deciding. At first I wanted to heal, then I decided I wanted to tank and now I'm wondering if I should drop my shield and use a two handed weapon. I could deal more damage at the cost of being tankier and play an off tank role for someone who is much tougher than myself. Do you think that is a worth while move?" The girl spoke her mind. She genuinely didn't know about how to maximize her build's output 

The batch of eggs respawned once more, and she moved them into her inventory.

 

LD: 4+3=7
Materials found: 12
Eggs Found: 3

Total Materials: 39
Total Eggs: 69

Edited April 13, 2020 by Zajcica

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

Fishing: ID# 140666 results: Craft: 5 [1 Material found] Loot: 14+8=22 [8 Eggs found]

Total Loot

Eggs: 132
Materials: 33
Col: 3,000
Perfect Armors/Shields: [139661a] [140550b]
Perfect Weapons: [140550a]

Shield paused, trying to determine how best to answer her. "While there is benefit to having the extra damage, the other side of that coin is that there have been some powerful and unexpected AoE attacks that have put serious dents in a party without a tank being able to have any say so." He recalled the demon fight and the battle against the great two-headed turtle, one of which had quasi killed over a dozen players and the other had sent the entire front line fleeing for their lives - Shield included. "What I will say is that we had a DPS healer on the front lines at one point. She... isn't with us anymore."

Feeling the tug of a weaker fish, Shield began to reel in. "Ruby was reckless... made herself too squishy. You always have to remember that if you get hurt and have to TP to survive that your team has now lost their healer. You must hold the ability to heal and the ability to survive in equal regard, because both have lost life as the consequence. A party's life is also the life of their healer. If the healer is gone, they will only be able to survive so long." A little fish plopped out on the shore. Shield caught it as it flopped on the ground and removed the hook, storing it with the other egg-laden fish he had so far caught.

Edited April 12, 2020 by Shield

[Zajcica 0]

The paladin felt the weight of his words. Perhaps if she had enough points by her end game, she could invest in using multiple fighting tactics. That being said, sticking with her shield was probably for the best right now. It ensured that she would stay alive.

"W-Wakatta..." This experience with shield was really an emotional roller coaster. At first it was nice to meet a new face, then he pressured her to actually get violent towards another person, and now her heart was heavy with the fear of being too weak for the front line. Was she really capable of dealing with the pressure of being a tank on the front most level of the game?  The doubt and fear was going to start eating at her again if she didn't change the topic, but she didn't know what to say after that. She sat there quietly, collecting her eggs for her hoard.

LD: 20+3=23
Materials found: 2
Eggs Found: 2

Total Materials: 41
Total Eggs: 71

Edited April 13, 2020 by Zajcica

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

FishingID# 140674 results: Craft: 5 [1 Material found] Loot: 18+8=26 [8 Eggs found]

Total Loot

Eggs: 140
Materials: 34
Col: 3,000
Perfect Armors/Shields: [139661a] [140550b]
Perfect Weapons: [140550a]

"You shouldn't let yourself be discouraged," Shield said, his eyes glancing briefly back at Yuki before returning to the lake in front of him. "You are thinking critically about your build and you are asking good questions." His pole creaked slightly as it bowed towards the water. Shield reeled against it, again, bringing in a minuscule fish that was somehow overburdened with eggs. "The front lines are frightening," he said, being as frank as he knew how to be. "But, with enough time and practice, you get used to being afraid and learn to keep thinking and keep acting. In order to get there, you have to put yourself into it."

Once his catch was secured and stored away, he turned to face Yuki properly. "People use the words 'brave' and 'fearless' to mean the same thing. To me, they are very different. If you are fearless, it means just that. You're not afraid. If you're brave, it means you are afraid, but that you are facing your fears." He had been using his line for some time now and decided it was worth taking the time to inspect it, checking for knots or spots that were weakening. "The front lines are dangerous," he said plainly. "There is risk in being there. Therefore, being afraid isn't unwarranted. It's not cowardly to be afraid. It's smart. But if you're brave, you can recognize the fear for what it is and clear your head enough to think and find a way out. You've already shown me today that you can be brave - that you can act when threatened. That is what we need more than anything."

Edited April 12, 2020 by Shield

[Zajcica 0]

All of that made sense to her. She didn't doubt there were people that could handle that pressure, but still didn't think she could be brave without being impulsive. The only reason she had hit Shield was cause her pressured that reaction from her, even if it wasn't the reaction he was looking for. In fact, he seemed to enjoy that response from her. The paladin had her knees to her chest as she spoke.

"I'm terrified." She admitted. " The only thing that out-weighs my fear of dying is the chances to see my families faces again. I wake up every single day to wonder if something will kill me and end it already... But up until now, I have been smart enough, or maybe just lucky enough, to stay alive."

Her facade was breaking again. She expected Shield to scold her again, and she definitely didn't need to punch him again. That wouldn't help her mood at all, it didn't really help the first time.

@Shield

LD: 7+3=10
Materials found: 0
Eggs Found: 2

Total Materials: 29
Total Eggs: 73

Edited April 13, 2020 by Zajcica

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

Fishing: ID# 140682 results: Craft: 4 [0 Materials found] Loot: 7+8=15 [6 Eggs found]

Total Loot

Eggs: 146
Materials: 34
Col: 3,000
Perfect Armors/Shields: [139661a] [140550b]
Perfect Weapons: [140550a]

"Maybe it was luck," Shield said, using the word she had invoked. "However... luck tends to favor the well prepared." He raised his hand and pointed to his temple. "That is why this is the most important weapon you wield. Perhaps at the start, being smart meant staying out of the big fights. However, we've learned a lot about the game. Player death on the front lines is rare." He stood up, pacing a little closer to the edge of the water. "Most players who die do so at the hands of other players, usually over personal disputes. Those who do die on the lines do so by not thinking their build through."

He pulled in his line, only to discover that it picked up a few eggs without a fish attached to them. Bending down, he took them and stored them with the others. "I think we can rule out either of those situations being likely. Which puts you in the third category - players who are well prepared and still die despite planning ahead." Shield knelt down beside Yuki. "To this day, I have never seen that happen. I have been on the lines for a while. If you step into a fight, properly leveled, with a good tank, and with a teleportation crystal... it would take something the front lines has never seen before to take you out before you can escape or drop it to zero first."

Edited April 12, 2020 by Shield

[Zajcica 0]

The girl flinched a bit as she Shield started to kneel down, but she calmed herself when she realized he wasn't going to push her again. She sat there and contemplated his words. The soaked into her thoughts with ease.

 "I think...I think I'll survive." She didn't sound 100% certain on that, but she tried to make it seem as real as possible. "I don't think that really helps me live though. Knowing that one mistake at any moment could be my ultimate demise is still shaking me to the core. What would my family tell me to do in this situation? Mom would encourage me with a meal and tell me everything is alright while dad would promise to help me as much as possible... Aki... Aki would listen to me. Let me vent and just let me be angry and upset until it was all gone. Ugh, that's not helping." She stamped her knee with a balled up fist in a small frustration fit.

LD: 19+3=22
Materials found: 2
Eggs Found: 3

Total Materials: 43
Total Eggs: 76

Edited April 13, 2020 by Zajcica

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

Fishing: ID# 140694 results: Craft: 12 + Loot: 14+8=22 [Chest found, 8 Eggs found]

Total Loot

Eggs: 154
Materials: 34
Col: 3,000
Perfect Armors/Shields: [139661a] [140550b]
Perfect Weapons: [140550a]

"One mistake at any moment?" Shield scoffed, not mockingly, but merely surprised by that notion. "Yeah, maybe if your one mistake is to piss off Death Adder. Something tells me though that you're not going to be getting into any personal squabbles with notorious PKers any time soon. Though you did mention Mari earlier." Shield's stony features wrinkled slightly with concern. "I don't know her personally... or really anything about her other than how many times her name appears on the Monument of Life. If you trust her, I suppose that's your business. I just don't know what to think on the matter."

Shield wound up and cast out into the water, slowly reeling in his line until it snagged. He pulled, and again he felt a familiar heft. "Oh boy... more of this." Shield heaved against his pole, slowly dragging the hefty object out of the water to sit dripping on the shore. With a sigh, he left his arms go slack and went to unhook his line from the chest. "As much as I generally appreciate these, I wish they actually had eggs in them."

Edited April 12, 2020 by Shield

[Zajcica 0]

Yuki's ears perked at the name of one of her friends, Mari. It was true that Mari had an orange cursor and had done some awful things, but she always had the bed intent for Yuki possible.

"I wont lie, Mari isn't necessarily a saint or anything but she is a much better person than she used to be. If you meet her, please don't reserve judgement to her cursor color. She's just trying to improve herself and makeup for past mistakes. She was the first player I really talked with in Aincrad and she helped me level a lot in the early stages of my leveling." Yuki explained. She truly saw redeem-ability in Mari. "I hope she feel as though she atoned for the lives she's taken. Though it's tough to carry that burden. I wonder if she'll ever tell me about the situation one day. Yuki scooped up her eggs and moved them to her inventory yet again.

LD: 17+3=20
Materials found: 2
Eggs Found: 5

Total Materials: 45
Total Eggs: 81

 

Edited April 13, 2020 by Zajcica

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

Opening Chest: ID# 140707 results:  Loot: 1+7=8

• [1-3] = A <<Mimic>>
• [4-7] = 1200 Col, 2 materials, 2 uncommon consumables
• [8-11] = 1800 Col, 3 materials, 2 rare consumables
• [12-15] = 2400 Col, 5 materials, rare weapon, 2 rare consumables
• [16-20] = 3600 Col, 8 materials, perfect armor/shield, 2 rare consumables
• [21-23] = 4800 Col, 10 materials, 2 perfect weapon, perfect consumable
• [24-25] = 6000 Col, 12 materials, perfect weapon, perfect armor/shield, 2 perfect consumables

Total Loot

Eggs: 154
Materials: 34
Col: 4,000
Perfect Armors/Shields: [139661a] [140550b]
Perfect Weapons: [140550a]

 "I have known players with orange cursors," Shield answered, unfazed by the topic. "Cursors alone are not damning. The fact that she is helping lower leveled players level is good, but again, that alone is no guarantee of anything." He took out his ring of keys and selected one, holding it out to the chest. "The only way to know for sure is to meet her and see what there is to see." The lid of the chest popped open a few inches, and the readout displayed before him. His expression turned sour. "While that last chest was about the best a player could hope for, this is about the worst. Oh well." He made a transfer transaction and sent most of the contents over to Yuki.

Inventory Transfer

Shield wishes to send you: 800 Col, 3 T3 Materials, Rare Consumables [140707a] [140707b] Accept [O]              Decline [X]

 

With the chest emptied, it shattered, and he stood back up onto his feet and walked back over to his fishing spot. "In any case, my point is that as long as you do your research and pick your fights, it will be very rare that you'll end up in situations that will have a serious likelihood of killing you, and even if you do end up there, you would need to ignore a lot of warning signs and take a lot of hits for it to happen. Trust me. If you stick to safe zones and to areas you're properly leveld to handle, you'll be fine."

Edited April 12, 2020 by Shield

[Zajcica 0]

Yuki sighed as Shield passed her the items contained in the trade. She pushed the accept button and looked back down at her feet where the eggs were spawning, moving the ones that had spawned into her inventory. She was still feeling the frustration and weight of everything that happened here. At this point she just wanted to return home and sleep it all off, she was tired and just wanted to rest the feelings away.

"Thank you for all your help, Shield. You opened my eyes to a lot of things that I think I need to brew on. Go home and sleep to think on it all." She said staring at her toes. She did look up to the other tank to see him continue his fishing, he gave her a quick glance when she looked up at her. Her head snapped back shyly to her feet, though, as soon as they made eye contact.

She looked above her head a moment later to see if the orange cursor was still there - It was. She would be walking home it seemed. "Looks like I'll be walking home when we're done.

 

LD: 16+3=19
Materials found: 5
Eggs Found: 3

Total Materials: 50
Total Eggs: 84

Edited April 13, 2020 by Zajcica

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

Fishing:ID# 140778 results: Craft: 2 [Nothing]

Total Loot

Eggs: 154
Materials: 34
Col: 4,000
Perfect Armors/Shields: [139661a] [140550b]
Perfect Weapons: [140550a]

"I can offer you safe escort back to Tomoika," he offered, tossing his line back out into the water. "I assume once you make it to a safe zone with a teleportation plaza that you can safely get to your home?" Shield watched his line for a short while before sighing. "It looks like the watering hole is close to dead as is. I'll give it a few more casts, but unless something amazing happens, I'm thinking it's about that time as well." He continued the steady process of casting out and reeling back in. 

"I don't hold my words on as gospel, and neither should you," Shield said, glancing over at her again. "All I can tell you is my personal truth, and if all it did was give you a new perspective to look from, then that is something at least." Shield hoped beyond this that he had lit a fire under her to push towards the front lines, or at least tipped over the first domino that would lead to more action, but it was impossible to say. She was afraid, and fear can do a lot to hold a person back even when death isn't on the line.

I really hope this Mari is the person that Yuki thinks her to be, or at least not something as sinister as others think her to be.

Edited April 12, 2020 by Shield

[Zajcica 0]

Yuki nodded and looked back up to her still orange crystal.

"Well, my cursor is still orange by the time we get the safe zone, the guards could attack me. If that happens, I might have to wait it out, or make my way up the stairs like Mari does. The girl said scooping up he next batch of eggs that spawned at her feet, she watched him fish carefully since there wasn't too much to talk about at this point. So much to think about. All their conversations flooded her head. No matter what Shield thought of her, she still didn't feel like she was mentally ready to anywhere near the front line. As she was thinking earlier, she would need to practice more and door lower level quests to level up and get stronger. Once she did that, she could be more reliable to others and level up even faster.

She'll work on that, then start thinking about front line levels.

LD: 18+3=21
Materials found: 2
Eggs Found: 5

Total Materials: 52
Total Eggs: 89

Edited April 13, 2020 by Zajcica

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

Fishing:ID# 140789 results: Craft: 1 [Nothing]

Total Loot

Eggs: 154
Materials: 34
Col: 4,000
Perfect Armors/Shields: [139661a] [140550b]
Perfect Weapons: [140550a]

"It would probably be shorter and safer to wait by the safe zone," Shield said. "We can wait it out a while longer and then head back. That way, it should turn back while we're on the way." Shield continued to cast his line out, dragging it slowly and patiently back in. Each time, it came back empty. He had fished the lake out before, but usually not so quickly. He suspected that the influx of other players had something to do with it.

I'm sure once the event ends, I'll be able to fish in peace, though it's also very likely that more players will know about this spot... I may want to start scouting around for new areas that are free of mob spawns...

Shield waited out the clock, continuing to cast, each time hoping something would have respawned. So far, there was no luck. It got to be that he wasn't even paying attention to what his hands were doing anymore. He had been casting and fishing so much over the last few days that it was all down to muscle memory.

I wonder if I'm going to start having dreams about fishing... It's never been that bad before, but then again, I've never spent this much time doing nothing but fishing...

Edited April 12, 2020 by Shield

[Zajcica 0]

Yuki watched a bit intently, waiting for something to bite his line. The anticipation of the bite died down when Shield wasn't getting any luck.

"I guess that should be our sign to move on then? Looks like you've fished this area completely dry." Yuki mentioned looking down in to the cool and calm water. "We've been here probably for about 2 hours at this point. It's way too easy to lose track of time in the game. It kind of annoying to be honest.

Yuki collected the batch of eggs that spawned at her feet and stood up to stretch. She was a bit stiff after sitting around on the hard ground for hours. It would be nice to head home and get some well needed sleep. Sitting under a kotatsu would be amazing with a nice bento lunch and a cup miso. Just anything to relax her nerves and clear her mind.

LD: 15+3=18
Materials found: 2
Eggs Found: 5

Total Materials: 54
Total Eggs: 94

Edited April 13, 2020 by Zajcica

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

Fishing: ID# 140805 results: Craft: 8 [2 Materials found] Loot: 15+8=23 [8 Eggs found]

Total Loot

Eggs: 162
Materials: 36
Col: 4,000
Perfect Armors/Shields: [139661a] [140550b]
Perfect Weapons: [140550a]

"Yeah, I suppose so," Shield said, bending down to pack up his tackle box. He paused, looking up at the water and narrowing his eyes. Slowly, he straightened up and cupped his hand beside his mouth. "Right! I guess I'll go home now!" he shouted towards the lake, very audibly and distinctly. Quickly, he tossed out his line one last time. Before the hook even hit the water, a fish leaped up and grabbed it midair. Shield instinctively yanked on the pole and sent the fish flying back towards shore before it could gain any traction in the water. The fish landed on the shore with a wet slap, flopped around for a few seconds, and fell still.

Shield, still in stunned disbelief gaped at the oddity for a moment before crouching down beside the fish and gesturing with the whole motion of both arms, pointing towards his final catch with his open hands. 

"...WHAT!?"

Shaking his head in disbelief, he finished packing up and turned for the exit. "Come on, Yuki, we're going," he said, still offended by his favorite fishing spot trying to cheat him out of his last catch by seemingly intentionally withholding from him.

Smart-ass lake...

It was not a short hike back to town, but by the time they arrived, he had forgotten about the treachery of the underground lake - mostly. "Well, it looks like we're here a few minuted ahead of schedule. I'll wait it out with you. Just use this time to reflect on how useful teleportation crystals are, hm?" he said, giving Yuki a sly little grin as he recalled their earlier conversation on the topic. "Just remember... be safe... be informed... Don't put yourself in any positions where you can be surprised. You remember your weapons?"

Edited April 12, 2020 by Shield

[Zajcica 0]

His attitude towards the lake actually made Yuki giggle a bit behind her hand. The fish flopped around until finally gave into the new air. She really needed the laugh right now and was glad that he provided it for her, even if he didn't mean to.

As they walked, Shield asked her some questions. She nodded at the mention of the Teleportation Crystal, then spoke up when he asked her what her real weapons were. 

"This," She bumped the breastplate on her chest and gave him a smile. Then she conked herself on the head, "And this." Just as Yuki knocked herself in the head, the orange crystal she had gained hued back into a pretty green color. Now letting her enter the safe zone, wll, safely. 

"Don't worry, I promise both you and promised Mari that I would improve myself and be come stronger. It'll take a lot of time, but I'll be ready for the front lines some day." The girl offered him a smile and a thumbs up as the two of them entered the safe area.

LD: 7+3=10
Materials found: 0
Eggs Found: 5

Total Materials: 52
Total Eggs: 99

Spoiler

Quest Rewards

SP: 4 
Col: 1200; 600 for each player

Yuki: 

Total loot

Eggs: 98
Materials: 54
Col: 7575
Rare T3Consumables: [139333a] [139333b]
Rare T3 Consumables [139661b] [139661c]
Perfect T3 Consumables [140550c] [140550d]
Rare T3 Consumables [140707a] [140707b]

Shield:

Total Loot

Eggs: 162
Materials: 36
Col: 4,000
Perfect Armors/Shields: [139661a] [140550b]
Perfect Weapons: [140550a]

 

Edited April 13, 2020 by Arabelle
-1 chocolate egg to Zajcica's total | see post #40.