[PP - F01 - PT] Might As Well Start Calling Me 'Sensei' <<The First Lesson>>

[Koga 0]

k o g a the elder wolf Spoiler  notes [PT] All addons taken Stamina | Reduces EN of all attacks by 2 Ferocity | +2 DMG when using the weapon of your choice Precision | Gain +2 ACC Focus | Decreases minor critical threshold by 1. Also reduces DoT thresholds by 1. [PT] ST Specialist | For the following Sword Arts, +3 to multipliers and +2 to EN cost; ST-I, ST-II, ST-B. No other Shifts may be taken. [PT] Additional Sword Arts [x12] TECH-D (12 EN) | SHATTER | A single-target sword art that applies [Shatter] to an enemy for 3 turns. [Shatter] is a debuff that can stack up to a cap of 3. Each stack of [Shatter] removes -20 MIT from an enemy, down to 0, if it has MIT.  Unlock Condition: Complete <<The Monkey King>> [x8] TECH-F (8 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE STUN | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. All struck targets are stunned for one turn. Unlock Condition: Complete <<Breaking the Unbreakable>> Koga | HP: 660/660 | DMG: 23 | MIT: 30 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 2 | BRN: 56 | BLT: 32/20 | FALN: 8 | B.HEALING: 33/66 equipped T4 Demonic Katana <<Tsuki no Hikari>> [Burn // Blight // Cursed // Fallen] T4 Perfect Light Armor <<Shadow Chance Coat>> [Evasion // Evasion // Regen] T1 Perfect Necklace <<White Owl Necklace>> [Accuracy // Accuracy // Accuracy] battle-ready inventory None skills Spoiler | COMBAT Mastery: Damage III | Gain 1 * Tier Damage per rank | 15 SP Battle Healing V | Recover 5% (rounded down) of your maximum HP at the start of your turn | 30 SP Emergency Recovery | When non-fatal damage would leave you with 25% or less of your maximum HP, recover 10% of your maximum HP after the attack resolves. Effect cannot occur more than once per thread.  When activated if the player has lower than 10 energy remaining, simply reduce the player's energy to 0. | 6 SP EN Cost: 10 Energist | Increase Base Energy by 5 * Tier | 8 SP Howl | Gain +2 Hate against up to 4 targets | 10 SP EN Cost: 2 EN Cooldown: 2 Posts Focused Howl | Gain +4 Hate against a single target | 5 SP EN Cost: 4 EN Cooldown: 4 Posts | WEAPON Curved Sword I | +1 DMG when equipped with a Curved Sword | 4 SP Katana V | +7 DMG when equipped with a Katana | 30 SP Stamina | Reduces the energy of all Katana attacks by 2 EN | 4 SP Ferocity | +2 DMG when using Katana Sword Arts | 6 SP | ARMOR Light Armor V | +30 MIT when equipped with Light Armor | 30 SP Meticulous | +1 DMG when equipped with Light Armor | 4 SP Resolve | +1 ACC and +10 * Tier HP when equipped with Light Armor | 6 SP | EXTRAS Familiar Master: Rending | You and your familiar attack in tandem, applying Rend [7*tier unmitigatable damage] to the target that lasts for two turns. | 10SP Cooldown: 5 Posts Survival | Increases Healing effects received from all sources by 10%. Grants immunity to all damage dealing environmental attacks/effects. buffs Spoiler Lv. 5 | Gain additional col equivalent to 10% of EXP earned in that thread. Lv. 10 | +3% EXP Gain. <<Well Rested>> | -1 energy cost for the first three expenditures of each combat. <<Squeaky Clean>> | The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 25% (rounded down). <<Filling>> | Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot. <<Item Stash>> | +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot <<Relaxed>> | Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts. <<Multipurpose>> | Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll.       He hadn't exactly disappeared from the world as he had before, but he hadn't exactly made an effort to stay within it's sight either. A lot had happened after all, only compounding pains he'd only just healed from. He needed time to think. They both did. The past couldn't be changed, their actions had their consequences. But, perhaps, this was for the best.

At least, that's what Koga had been thinking as he lazily wandered through the Town of Beginnings, trying to figure out what to do next. Keep hunting down Dragon Hatchlings? Mmm, not today. He wasn't in the mood for infanticide. Maybe some higher level quests? Okay, who was he kidding, he was a lazy piece of shit.

The man sighed as he stared up at the sky. In truth, he probably should be exploring the new floor with everyone else, but at the moment, it seemed like a matter of no consequence.

@Quip // @Kyra

 

Edited June 24, 2021 by Koga

[Quip 0]

"Keek, ah dinnae pure mind whit he said.  Some auld fogey accosted me while ah wis traivelin thro' toun 'n' shored me a jab. Ah said aye. Aw the info wur yammered.  Bit ah'ament aboot crawling aroond oan mah hauns 'n' knees picking herbs 'n' jobby. Ah will bring ye back something ye kin uise; mibbie git yersel' some blood fae a stane or something, bit ah dinnae pick petals fur a' body!"

The clamor was coming from Zackariah's shop, where a short, stout figure in badly battered plate waved her hands around in an agitated manner.  Two tight blonde braids bounced around on her back while she railed.  If it wasn't for the pitch of her voice, from behind, she could easily have been confused for any other stoic boy-tank.  Stumbling around and stomping out the door, Quip set half the glass in the alchemist's shop rattling, and that was just from the power of her lungs.  Freckle-faced with strong bone structure and arms thick enough to belong on a blacksmith, blue eyes spotted Koga as he stared at the sky.

"Awright, ye! whaur th' hell dae ye gang tae fin' materials aroond 'ere? Dufus in th' shop behind me needs ithers tae bend ower oan his behauf!"

She had the swagger and confidence of a vet married with the gear of a novice, and didn't seem to care what anyone thought about either.  Closing the distance between them, Quip looped an arm around the poor man's elbow and started pulling him towards the gate as if no objections were ever to be fathomed.  Everything about her was coarse and enticing, all at once, including the life-loving twinkle that had only recently rekindled in her eyes.

"Better yit, braw, how come dinnae ye leid th' way?" 

***

Translations:

Spoiler

"Look, I don't really remember what he said.  Some old fogey accosted me while I was walking through town and offered me a job.  I said yes.  Details were yammered.  But I'm not about crawling around on my hands and knees picking herbs and shit.  I'll bring you back something you can use; maybe get yourself some blood from a stone or something, but I don't pick petals for anybody!"

-

"Hey, you!  Where the hell do you go to find materials around here?  Dufus in the shop behind me needs others to bend over on his behalf!"

-

"Better yet, handsome, why don't you lead the way?"

***

Quip | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 6 | MIT: 6 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 0 | BH: 0 | LD: 3 | THORNS: 9

Playtest Notes:
(Tech Specialist (+[x4] for +3 EN , +Stamina, +Ferocity, +Precision, + Focus)

Full Stats:

Spoiler

Quip
Level: 1
Paragon Level: 0
HP: 20/20
EN: 20/20

Stats:
Damage: 6
Mitigation: 6
Thorns: 9
LD: 3

Equipped Gear:
Vanity Curved Sword
T1 Perfect Heavy Armor (MIT 1, THORNS 1)
Wayfinder | T1 Perfect Trinket | LD 3

Skills:
1hCS R1

Active Mods: none
Inactive Mods: none
Active Extra Skills: none
Inactive Extra Skills: none

Battle Ready Inventory:
Starter Healing Potions 9+50 HP]*3

Guild Hall Buffs: 
Lucrative: Reduce LD needed for Salvage by 5 (10+ for Alchemist crystals, 6+ for everything else). +2 EXP per craft. Rank 9 crafters receive +1 crafting attempt per day. Rank 10 crafters receive +2 crafting attempts per day.
Col Deposit: +5% bonus col from last-hit monster kills and +10% bonus col from treasure chests.

Housing Buffs: n/a
Scents of the Wild: n/a
Wedding Ring: n/a

 

Edited June 26, 2021 by Quip

[Kyra 0]

The quest seemed easy enough. As Kyra's lilac eyes danced over the instructions for the fifth time, she chewed absently on the inside of her cheek. No combat, so no obvious threat to her safety. The material gathering appeared safe, though it would require venturing out of the safe zone. Was she ready for that? Was anyone really ready for that?

The woman blew out a small breath, then her lips drew into a thin line. This was the beginner line for a reason. Surely the developers would make sure this introductory quest held no inherent danger. If the unexpected happen, she would adjust, as she always did. Granted, it would likely be safer to venture out with someone else. But who? Was there a party finding program of some sort? Obviously, Kyra had neglected to explore far too many elements of the game during her years in the Starting City.

An explosion of sound drew her from her thoughts, and Kyra glanced over just in time to watch a tornado blast through the door of Zackariah's shop. The heavily accented words, more a thud than a lilt, lit Kyra's face with pleasure. With an uncharacteristic boldness, Kyra approached the blonde. Pausing to flash both the woman and the black haired man a quick, apologetic smile, she turned to the former. "I'm so sorry for the intrusion," she began, "but I felt compelled to ask. Would you happen to be Scottish? My parents went there often for work, and I always accompanied them. I would recognize the accent anywhere."

Spoiler

Kyra | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 2 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0 

Level 1
Stats: Novice 1HSS
Gear: Vanity Sword, (3) Starter Healing Potions (Heals 50 HP)

 

[Koga 0]

Koga's eyes were drawn back down to the earth by the din of raucous shouting. At first, Koga thought he was listening to a foreign language, until he finally managed to identify it as simply English with a heavy Scottish or Irish accent to it. He was never quite certain about which was which.

So focused he was on trying to decipher the words, however, he hardly realized that the loud woman was suddenly approaching him. "Hey, wait a second!" he began to say, lifting his hands in front of him, only to find himself practically being dragged along by the smaller figure, shouting something about him leading the way to something or other.

Koga struggled against the woman's pull to embarrassingly little effect as another blonde haired woman approached them. Koga could only pray she wasn't as...domineering as the first woman. The woman introduced herself and Koga whispered "please help me." Instead of providing salvation, the woman asked about the other's heritage. Oh, the suffering.

@Quip

[Quip 0]

"Yeah! A'm fae th' maist amazing steid oan th' planet! Cannae ferr steid yer accent, though, bonny lassie. Ye keek lik' yin o' thaim bonny russian dancer types, though - a' graceful, 'n' stuff." 

A full head shorter than both of her companions, Quip seemed completely unintimidated by the difference.  She was by far the broadest and most solidly built of the three and grinned like a madwoman as she grasped Kyra's hand and physically dragged the two other players out the main gates.  To anyone watching she must have looked like an over-enthusiastic tween dragging a pair of beleaguered parents through the entry of a brand new theme park or county fair, save that he face was too worn and weathered at the edges to be so young. Her spirit shone through, nonetheless, and the fire behind her brilliant blue eyes had finally been rekindled.

"Come oan, ye lot! A've bin cooped up behind a counter, tending shop, fur wey tae lang. Let's god fin' stuff!!!" 

Rushing forward to the nearest rock, she released her grasp on the others and grabbed a large-ish boulder, hefting it with both hands and tossing it aside like a competitor at some form of Highland games.  All she found were a pair of very embarrassed potato bugs in what might have been a compromising position, but she wasn't really sure.

"Damn!  Neist one!" 

***

Translation:

Spoiler

"Yeah!  I am from the most amazing place on the planet!  Can't quite place your accent, though, pretty lady.  You look like one of them pretty Russian ballerina types, though - all graceful, and stuff."

***

"Come on, you lot!  I've been cooped up behind a counter, tending shop, for way too long.  Let's god find stuff!!!"

***

"Damn!  Next one!"

***

Spoiler

Gathering | ID#196256 | LD: 4+3=7 (fail)

Mats gathered (0/5)

 

Edited June 25, 2021 by Quip

[Kyra 0]

Had the dark-haired boy said something? Kyra would have sworn she saw his lips move, but any sound was lost to the galloping words of the Scotswoman. And while Kyra had spent considerable time in Scotland, there were many words that sailed right over her head. But she's just so charming. Kyra felt her smile widen, and she shook her head. "America, by way of Japan. But I have spent time in Russia, and their ballerinas are stunning, so I appreciate the kind words." I think.

Tossing back her snowy hair, Kyra extended a hand for the customary shake. When her new acquaintance instead used it to drag her along, the older woman gave a quick squeak of surprise. Then she loosed a throaty laugh, and jogged to keep up with the Viking warrior. If she had understood correctly, there was no need to ask about the quest - the blonde had decided they would go together. That was quite alright with her.

As the impossibly strong woman tossed a boulder aside, Kyra gave an impressed hum before scanning the ground at her feet. A hunk of jet-black rock, no larger than her thumb, glimmered from a tuft of grass. Retrieving it, and holding it up in the air, she studied the way it caught the sun. "Got one," she stated, then sent the material to her inventory. Before continuing her search, she turned to their third wheel. "It appears we skipped over the introductions. My name is Kyra. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Spoiler

Gathering | ID#196289 | LD: 11 (success)

Mats gathered (1/5)

 

Edited June 26, 2021 by Kyra

[Koga 0]

The two women conversed as if Koga wasn't even there laughing along merrily while he was still struggling to figure out what the hell was going on. Was he being kidnapped or something?  Who even were these people? As Koga opened his mouth to voice his question, he, once again, found himself being dragged along by the first woman, his feet stumbling and tripping over themselves as the woman moved with impressive speed.

Soon enough the trio were not far outside of the settlement, and the evident Scot finally released her prisoners to go hurl a rock as if she were Mel Gibson in Braveheart. 'Well, don't wanna get on her bad side...' Koga thought to himself as he rubbed and rotated his shoulder, sore from being pulled along, before having his thought interrupted by the other woman. "Koga," the black-clad man replied with a nod before flicking his gaze between the girl who'd introduced herself as Kyra, and the Scotswoman. "You guys are greenies, right?" he asked them with a raised brow, giving his shoulder one more rotation before letting his arm fall back to his side. "First time outside the safezone?" he asked, guessing from the fact that they still had their starting gear. Even if they had travelled out before, it hadn't been for long.

@Quip

[Quip 0]

"What?!  Awready? Luck o' th' Scots, ye hae thare, lassie - forgoat th' Irish!  'N' ye kin ca' me Quip," she added, jabbing her sword into a small opening at the base of a nearby tree, scaring the hell out of a pair of squirrels in the process.  Once the den was clear, she reached in, almost up to her shoulder, and rummaged around blindly.  "Oh, a'm far fae green.  Maeve, Dingo 'n' ah wur daein' real weel oan oor ain, up as heich as th' third, if ah recall, whin hings whin sour."  

A mix of grief and elation flashed across her face as she yanked her arm free, holding a lump of something brown that seemed to satisfy her. 

"Maeve bought it whin she raced aff ahead tae open herself a mimic.  Ah coudnae reach her in time."   Quip sniffed, hard, then mashed her lips into a grimace that seemed intent to shove unbidden tears back down and away.  A quick wipe on her sleeve averted her gaze from the others long enough to quell the pangs.  It had been ages, yet the loss of her younger sibling still stung deep.

"We raced up tae thirteen oan some damned, gowk hush-mush that thare wis some artifact up thare that cuid raise her fae th' deid, if we wur fleet enough.  Bloody glaikit thing tae dae, bit ye dae that fur kin, richt? Quaestor caught win` o' whit we wur up tae 'n' hud th' guid sense tae send Freyd efter us."  She spared a moment to wipe the excess brown onto her armor.  "We wur neck-deep in zombie-folk by th' time thay fun us, 'n' it aye teuk baith thair efforts tae haul us out."    Sliding her sword back into her scabbard with more force than intended, she turned her fierce blue eyes back to Koga.  There was anger in them, but only directed at herself.  "No.  Nae green at a'. Th' systems juist... furgets ye some... If sit dolly tae long." 

Turning back to her search, her chatter faded in and out in the breeze as it rode across the meadow.  "Freyd cut a deal wi' Dingo, mah brother, 'n' ah. We tended tae his shop while he galivanted aboot, 'n' git a steid tae bade. A'm thankful fur it, bit it's aboot time tae pat mah bahookie back intae gear." 

***
Translation:

Spoiler

"What?!  Already?  Luck of the Scottish, you have there, lass - forget the Irish!  And you can call me Quip,"

***

"Oh, I'm far from green.  Maeve, Dingo and I were doing real well on our own, up as high as the third, if I recall, when things when sour."  

***

"Maeve bought it when she raced off ahead to open herself a mimic.  I couldn't reach her in time."

***

"We raced up to thirteen on some damned, fool rumour that there was some artifact up there that could raise her from the dead, if we were fast enough.  Bloody stupid thing to do, but you do that for kin, right?  Quaestor caught wind of what we were up to and had the good sense to send Freyd after us." 

***

"We were neck-deep in zombie-folk by the time they found us, and it still took both their efforts to haul us out." 

***

"No.  Not green at all.  The systems just... forgets you some... if sit idle too long."

***

"Freyd cut a deal with Dingo, my brother, and I.  We tended to his shop while he galivanted about, and got a place to stay.  I'm thankful for it, but it's time to put my ass back into gear."

***

The full tale of Quip and Dingo's original appearance and rescue was told here:

Spoiler

 

***

Spoiler

Gathering | ID#196306 | LD: 9+3=12 (success)

Mats gathered (1/5)

 

Edited June 26, 2021 by Quip

[Kyra 0]

It’s nice to meet you, Koga and Quip.” As she spoke, she looked to each in turn. “I am a greenhorn, yes.” When Kyra smiled, the expression was genuine, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I took my time venturing out here. I found some other things to occupy my time.” 

As a gentle breeze raked through the long grass, Kyra paused to draw in a long breath. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t felt the sun on her face, or the breeze blow, since taking her dive; Starting City had parks. But there was certainly something a little different about experiencing the world outside the walls. Something thrilling. Of course, the edge of excitement dulled as Quip told her story.

”I am so sorry to hear about your Maeve. That must have been so difficult. It sounds like this Freyd made quite an impact on your time here. Finding people like that is incredibly important.”

Spoiler

ID: 196610 LD: 7 FAIL
Mats gathered (1/5)

 

[Koga 0]

Koga listened to solemn story with an expression he figured matched Kyra's. Stories like that were sadly far too common in Aincrad. Every player had one like it. "I'm sorry too," Koga said with a nod to the woman. "It's always rough losing someone you care about." A pointless observation, surely. It was something they pretty much all knew already anyways.

"You know Freyd though?" the man said, trying to move the conversation away from sad subjects. "Probably couldn't have been rescued by anyone better. Good guy." Admittedly, Koga had only met the man a handful of times, but each of them had been interesting encounters. Giant Wasp queens, mysterious forests, falling through a hole between floors. Good times. "What about you Kyra?" Koga then asked, turning towards the older woman, "you come across any interesting characters since you landed your ass in here with the rest of us?" Five years, she had to have at least met someone...hopefully that too wasn't a sad story though...

[Quip 0]

"Freyd's an ah kent that awreedy bahookie , wha wouldn't recognize a feeling if it slapped him o'er th' coupon lik' a drookit fish!"  She guffawed loudly, never missing an opportunity to rag on the man. "Bit, aye, he kin an' a' be a gid sort in his ain wey. Juist dinnae ever tell him ah said so." Shuffling over to a small patch of long grasses, Quip poked about between the blades, but failed to find anything of value or interest.  A rather startled-looking frog was tossed randomly over he shoulder as she delved into the depths of the foliage without success.

"And dinna fash yirsel aboot Maeve, bit ta fur yer concern.  She wis a guid bairn, 'n' died as carefree as she lived."   Quip's lips pursed and eyes closed momentarily until the wave of emotions subsided, doing her best to keep her back to her companions while it passed.  That was simply how it was going to be, until the pain numbed further. 

"What hae ye bin daein' a' this time Kyra?  Crafting?  Fun yersel' a hobby... Or mibbie," Quip's head perked up, a half dozen reeds sticking our of her hair, with the wild look of a feral feline that had just found a patch of catnip in her eyes, "a boyfriend?!"  She grinned from ear-to-ear, that wild, mischievous look flaring back into her sparkling blue eyes.

"You better keep edgy, Koga! Kyra, 'ere, is oan th' prowl!  HAR! HAR! HAR! HAR! HAR!"

***

Translation:

Spoiler

"Freyd's an obvious ass, who wouldn't recognize a feeling if it slapped him across the face like a wet fish! But, yes, he can also be a decent sort in his own way.  Just don't ever tell him I said so."

***

"And don't worry about Maeve, but thank you for your concern.  She was a good kid, and died as carefree as she lived."

***

"What have you been doing all this time Kyra?  Crafting?  Found yourself a hobby... or maybe a boyfriend?!"

***

"You better watch out, Koga! Kyra, here, is on the prowl!"

***

Spoiler

Gathering | ID#196729 | LD: 2+3=5 (failure)

Mats gathered (1/5)

 

Edited June 29, 2021 by Quip

[Kyra 0]

Amusement came into Kyra's eyes, and the faintest blush warmed her cheeks. "No," she assured Quip, waving off the notion with a gentle flick of her wrist. "I assure you, there is no boyfriend involved. No relationships at all, aside from what I've established through my work." The comment, it seemed, was the perfect segue into Koga's initial question. But what was the best way to phrase her answer? More than a few people had let Kyra know that she was "wasting her time," and "aught to get a real job like a blacksmith or alchemist." Something to help the frontlines? Were you to ask her, Kyra would claim her work was among the most important in the game. But of course, no one ever asked her.

"I have a psychology background," she finally began, gaze shifting to scan the ground at her feet. Might as well search for materials while she potentially alienated these new acquaintances. "I have been offering my services to the players in the Town of Beginnings. Many children, and young people, but also adults. The game has been difficult for all of us."

Spoiler

ID: 197112 LD: 2 FAIL
Mats gathered (1/5)

 

[Koga 0]

Koga ducked to avoid catching a slimy critter with his face, looking over his shoulder as it flew by. "You're secret's safe with me," he assured the Quip, brow raised as he watched her do...whatever it was that she was doing. Again, why was he here?

The laughter, however, assured Koga that he needn't worry too much about the details of his predicament. An amused smile played at his lips as he replied. "I'll be sure to be wary around her," he said, glancing over at Kyra with a look that said 'I have no idea what's going on, but I guess I'm okay with that?'

"Therapy?" Koga asked, inquiring further into the woman's profession. To be honest, that wasn't what he had expected to hear but he was glad that that had been her response. Kyra was right, the death-game had taken its toll and then some. People needed someone to help them work through this hell and it's aftermath.

[Quip 0]

Quip's ears perked up.  Her head followed, poking up out of the grass like an overly curious marmot, little tufts of sod and reeds sticking out of her tightly braided hair at odd angles.

"Psychology?  Is that th' yin that hauns oot gear lik' candy, or th' ither yin? Ah kin ne'er remember."  Genuine consternation crossed Quip's face as she struggled to reconcile vague recollections, ending only with a shrug and resumed search.  "I dinnae ken howfur ye'v managed tae git oot o' toun at a'. Hings seemed tae be getting worse, nae better.  Though, ah suppose, thare ur fewer o' us tae treat than thare were."   Her stout shoulders slumped a bit.  "Hrm.  Ah jalouse ah juist answered mah ain question." 

Eager to transition away from troublesome thoughts, Quip turned her gaze back towards Koga, her mischievous twinkle returning in the process.  

"What aboot ye, dark-and-stormy?  Ye keek lik' ye'v bin aroond th' block a few times.  Whit's it pure lik' in th' wilds o' Aincrad?  Did ye catch up wi` ony crakin' dragons?  Did ye slay thaim?!"  Her eyes crackled with a frantic mixture of anticipation and pent up rage, before abruptly dissolving into child-like glee. 

"Ooooo!  Daisies!!!" 

***

Translation:

Spoiler

"Psychology?  Is that the one that hands out drugs like candy, or the other one?  I can never remember." 

***

"I don't know how you've managed to get out of town at all.  Things seemed to be getting worse, not better.  Though, I suppose, there are fewer of us to treat than there were."

***

"Hrm.  I guess I just answered my own question."

***

"What about you, dark-and-stormy?  You look like you've been around the block a few times.  What's it really like in the wilds of Aincrad?  Did you meet any nice dragons?  Did you slay them?  Ooooo!  Daisies!!!"

***

Spoiler

Gathering | ID#197228 | LD: 12+3=15 (success)

Mats gathered (2/5)

 

Edited July 10, 2021 by Quip

[Kyra 0]

If the woman's odd antics weren't amusing enough, her question coaxed a grin from Kyra. Reaching up to shift her long silver hair from her face, she studied Quip for a moment. "Perhaps you're thinking of a psychiatrist," she countered gently. "They have the medical degree, and have a much easier time prescribing medications. Psychologists, on the other hand, deal primarily with the emotional and behavioral aspects of mental health. While we're certainly able to diagnose patients, and make recommendations, it is rare that we will hand out drugs." Did she have to quote Quip directly? No, but she found it difficult to resist.

Shifting, she examined the grass at her feet. While she wasn't about to dig with her partymate's enthusiasm, she could still complete the quest easily enough. Even as she searched, she found her gaze flitting back and forth between the dirt and Koga. Quip's question interested her as well. What was his story?

Spoiler

197507 LD: 13 Fail.
Mats gathered (1/5)

 

[Koga 0]

Koga simply listened as Kyra tried to explain to Quip the difference between psychiatrists and psychologists. To be completely honest, Koga was never certain about which was which either, and he was almost certain he was going to forget before the end of this encounter anyways. Still, he paid attention as well as he could.

Inevitably though, the conversation shifted towards him. At least it was in-regards to things he's killed. "Yeah, I've seen some dragons. Hatchlings only though. There used to be quests where you had to kill the poor guys, but I guess Cardinal decided they didn't like that anymore. Those guys aren't really much of a story though. Uh, let's see..." the man's gaze drifted upwards as he thought about anything else interesting he'd dealt with in his time. "Giant Wasps...Minotaurs...Oh, I actually had a...forging duel? With Hephaestus up on Floor 17. That was pretty cool, plus, now I can say I beat a god at his own game."

[Quip 0]

"You beat Hephaestus at his ain gam? Isnae he th' yin thay ca' th' 'lame' god?  Howfur solid cuid that hae bin? Picking oan unfortunates?!  PITY OAN YE, KOGA!!!" 

The heads of several nearby players poked up from behind hedges and gullies, drawn by the sudden and dramatic cry.  Nothing said had seemed inflammatory, yet the unpredictable woman had flared from casual chatter to embarrassingly loud outrage in less than five seconds.  Her barking accusations set to the local wildlife scampering for cover, her wild eyes daring him to respond in kind.

"First ye'r killing babies, 'n' noo ye'r 'ere tae STEAL MATS from thae brassic unfortunate souls?!  Whit urr ye planning tae dae, juist run thaim through?"   Turning to address the other bewildered players, her arms flailed randomly about, accompanied by her braids.  "GET OOT O' 'ERE, A' O' YE, WHILE YE AYE KIN!!! HE'S GAEN RAVING MAD!"    A quick glance at black-clad Koga and this crazed woman spawned doubts enough that the lot of them turned and wandered off.  A few spared sympathetic looks for Kyra but departed all the same.

Dropping her arms abruptly, Quip dropped the act the moment they were out of sight.  Wandering over to where one of the other players had quit the field, she bent low, grabbed some oddly-shaped bit of something and tossed it in the air, catching it and stuffing it into a pouch with a single twist of her wrist.  Spinning on the spot, a broad, toothy smile spread across her squarish, somehow-elfin face, even as her eyes winked madly at her companions.  

"Psychology!"

***

Translation:

Spoiler

"You beat Hephaestus at his own game?  Isn't he the one they call the 'lame' god?  How hard could that have been?  Picking on unfortunates?!  SHAME ON YOU, KOGA!!!"

***

"First you're killing babies, and now you're here to STEAL MATS from these poor unfortunate souls?!  What are you planning to do, just run them through?"

***

"GET OUT OF HERE, ALL OF YOU, WHILE YOU STILL CAN!!! HE'S GONE RAVING MAD!" 

***

"Psychology!"

***

Spoiler

Gathering | ID#198623 | LD: 13+3=16 (success)

Mats gathered (3/5)

 

Edited September 8, 2021 by Quip