[PP-F1]Jerry's 1st Quest (The First Lesson)

[Jerry Rose 0]

It is a calm day on the first floor as per usual. Jerry is walking around the village as he usually does. For a person who is trapped in a situation like this, he is surprisingly cool headed. As he is walking along the streets, he is humming to himself a tune that he is quite familiar. It is that of a somewhat old pop song that he hears everywhere. As he turns a corner on the street, he is stopped by a voice that seems to be coming from a place of urgency. "You there! Stop, please!". Jerry turns around to see a man with a mustache, and monocle running towards him. He lets the man approach to see what's going on. Afterwards, the man begins speaking to him once more "Pardon me, but I am in need of some assistance, and you appear quite capable.". Jerry glances at the man, a little confused. "Me? Capable? Hmm. I suppose. What is it you need?" I decide to listen to what he has to say as he heaves a quick sigh, adjusting the monocle over his right eye. "My name is Dorian, and I am the mayor of this town. As part of those mayoral duties, I issued a small loan to a member of the community a few months ago. Well, the time to collect had come around and I-" Flustered, Dorian systematically runs his fingers over his perfect mustache. "You see, I've forgotten who it was I loaned the money to. Terribly embarrassing, I know, but I am a very busy man, and I cannot keep track of everything that happens. I'm sure you understand." With a wave of his hand, Dorian continues, "Should you be willing to track down the loan recipient for me, and collect the col, I would be eternally grateful. Just, maybe don't let anyone else know I forgot who the loan went to?"  

After some time to think about it, Jerry decides to take him up on his little mission. Perhaps this can be his initial step into proving his solidarity with tasks. "Alright then. I will do it. And as for my mouth?" He makes a zipper motion over his mouth to show that his lips are sealed about not telling anybody about where the loan went. Upon hearing, and seeing this, Dorian nods. "Excellent, I knew I could count on you! You might start with Zackariah, the alchemist. He's often doing projects for the town, so it may have been him that borrowed the money" 

With that, Jerry decides to head off to Zackarish. The only problem? Jerry cannot find him. He begins to search around the town for where he is, unaware that he may bump into more than just Zackarish

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari stepped out onto the street of the Town of Beginnings, leaving the shop behind. It had been so long since she had last visited this area, but Onóra had sworn there was a café worth visiting – at least once. And so, Nari had been dragged along, appeasing the woman’s desire to introduce her. She had to admit though, the café hadn’t been all bad.

As she stepped out of the café, she heard a familiar voice – one that had many memories attached to it, and not all of them about the quest it was attached to. Spotting the unfortunate soul who was doomed to deal with the mayor’s request, Nari gave Onóra a slight smile, before leading the two over towards the new player.

“Hey there, I hear you just got wrangled in to the mayor’s quest. Looking for… Zachariah, right? Did you need some help?” Nari carried a slight, welcome smile on her face, her long hair let loose to fall around her head. She wasn’t wearing her typical armour, instead dressed only in a purple dress, with her spear leaned against her left shoulder. Beside her, the blonde haired woman smiled at the player, keeping quiet for the moment. “I’m Nari by the way, and this is Onóra.”

Upon mention of her name, the blonde gave a slight wave, before speaking. “It’s nice to meet another new player!”

Nari eyed the boy – he seemed to be younger than she was, and definitely less experienced, but he seemed confident enough, from what she could see. Far different from how she’d been during those beginning times.

Nari's Statblock

Spoiler

Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 6 | HP: 720/720 | EN: 84/84 | DMG: 8 | MIT: 147 | ACC: 3 | REC: 8 | EVA: 0 | LD: 0 | STH: -5 | THORNS [72 DMG]

Tier 4

Laurel Wreath (Earn Col equivalent to 15% of player’s EXP earned in thread). 

Equipped Items

Länn Síonnäch Gheímhrídh [Tier 4; Polearm [One-handed Assault Spear]; Demonic] Standing at nearly 120 cm in length from tip to tip, this short spear contains a metallic-appearing shaft of shifting dark and light violet, twirling in a mesmerising pattern. The blade - connected by a metal collar of a blackness similar to a void - glints with an ice blue colouring, a shift of light violet visible in the surface at the right angle. Twin wrapped lengths of cord - a combination of ice blue and dark violet - hang from the metal collar, intertwining in a mesmerising pattern when in movement. Both sides of the blade, just above the collar, contain a curled white fox, the dark black eyes staring outwards.

| Enhancement: Paralyze [2 Slots] | Effect: Natural critical attack rolls of 9-10 (1 slot) or natural successful attack rolls of 8-10 (2 slots) remove the enemy’s action on their next turn. Paralyzed opponents lose any evasion properties.
| Enhancement: Accuracy [2 Slots] | Effect: Gain +(1 per slot) to the BD when attacking. Cannot be used to cause a critical hit.

Dark Fox's Reckoning [Tier 4; Heavy/Plate Armour] Forged to be shapely, this piece appears thinner than most pieces of heavy armour - leaving what appear to be openings towards the neckline, and the sides of the torso. Smaller shoulders leave limited protection towards the neck, but allow for greater movement. Coloured a dark violet, the edges of the piece outlined in a shifting soft silver, orange and red colour. Upon the chest's centre stands a white fox, slightly cured with fangs barred, black eyes staring out as if at the individual in front of the piece. 

| Enhancement: Recovery [1 Slot] | Effect: Before your post action, make a separate CD roll. On a natural CD7+, regain (1 per slot * Tier) additional energy. This CD roll may also apply to activating the effects of Vamp-Def.

| Enhancement: Heavy Momentum [1 Slot] | Effect: After an unsuccessful attack, gain +(1 per slot * Tier) base damage until your next successful attack, at which point this bonus is removed. Another unsuccessful attack will reactivate this enhancement. Must be using the Heavy Armor Skill for this enhancement to take effect. [For Area of Effect attacks: This effect only activates if you miss all enemies targeted by the attack.]

| Enhancement: Taunt [1 Slot] | Effect: +1 Hate generated from Howl, Focused Howl, and successful attacks.

Dark Fox's Retribution [Tier 4; Celtic Shield] Similar to a wall shield, this piece stands nearly 137cm tall, and nearly 76 cm wide - easily covering the form of a shorter individual. Tapered on the sides, the shield seems to bend inwards slightly on its edges, a perfect opening for an outwardly weapon to be levelled through. The top and bottom edges slightly bend inwards, giving the impression of a less than straight appearance. Coloured in a dark violet, with edges of dark forest green, a white fox, slightly cured with fangs barred is emblazoned on its centre, appearing as if ready to strike. 

| Enhancement: Recovery [1 Slot] | Effect: Before your post action, make a separate CD roll. On a natural CD7+, regain (1 per slot * Tier) additional energy. This CD roll may also apply to activating the effects of Vamp-Def.

| Enhancement: Thorns [2 Slots] | Effect: Successful non-critical attacks against you deal (9 * Tier) unmitigated damage to the attacking enemy. Only activates on damage dealing, melee attacks.

 

Battle-Ready Inventory

Teleport Crystal {3}
Arrowhead Brooch | Tier 1 Perfect Trinket | Accuracy III
Music Box | Tier 1 Perfect Trinket | LD III
Starter Healing Potions {5} | Heals 50 HP
Super-Duper Anti Snake Sauce (Salve) | Antidote 2
Pure Unadulterated Rage (Meals) | Mitigation 3

 

Inventory

T1 Uncommon Health Potions {5} | Heals 5% of Maximum HP
T1 Uncommon Damage Potion {1} | +1 DMG for an entire thread
T1 Uncommon Overhealth Potion {1} | Adds 5% of Maximum HP to users Maximum HP for a thread
T1 Rare Health Potions {1} | Heals 10% of Maximum HP
T1 Monkey Agility {2} | Evasion 1

 

Combat Skills

Battle Healing
Rank 2
Passive
Effect: While in combat, recover 1% per rank of your maximum HP (rounded down) at the beginning of your turn.

 

Weapon Skills

Polearm
Rank 5
Passive
Effect: +7 DMG

[Rank 5 Weapon Addon] Stamina
Passive
Effect: Reduces EN of all attacks by 2.

[Rank 5 Weapon Addon] Precision
Passive
Effect: Gain +1 ACC.

[Rank 5 Weapon Addon] <<Weapon Type>> Focus
Passive
Effect: Decreases minor critical threshold by 1. Also reduces DoT thresholds by 1. Players cannot use Focus and Ferocity at the same time for the same Weapon Type.

[Rank 5 Shift] TECH Specialist
Passive
Effect: For TECH Sword Arts, +4 to multipliers, +3 to EN cost. No other Shifts may be taken.

 

Sword Arts

[x12] ST-I (12 EN) | A single-target sword art.
[x15] ST-II (15 EN) | A powerful single-target sword art. Only available for use when ST-I was used and successfully struck an enemy the previous turn or if ST-II had been used and had missed the previous turn.
[x20] ST-B (20 EN) | A devastating single-target sword art. Can only be used if the sword art used the previous turn is not ST-B and had rolled a natural CD9+. When performing an AoE attack, use only the first roll.
[x11] AOE-I (11 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once.
[x14] AOE-II (14 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE | A powerful sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. Only available for use when AOE-I was used and successfully struck an enemy the previous turn or if AOE-II had been used and had missed the previous turn.
[x16] TECH-A (16 EN) | STUN | A single-target sword art that stuns an enemy.
[x16] TECH-B (15 EN) | DELAY | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, applies [Delay] on the enemy. [Delay] is a status condition that reduces the enemy’s ACC by 1 for one turn.
[x16] TECH-C (15 EN) | COUNTER | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, places [Counter] around the player. [Counter] reduces the final damage taken by its user by 25% (rounded down) for one turn.
[x16] TECH-D (15 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. 
[x12] TECH-F (11 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE STUN | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. All struck targets are stunned for one turn.
[x3] RAW-A (10 EN) | THORNS | A single-target sword art that utilizes the [Thorns] of the individual against the enemy. Other types of enhancements that apply damage upon contact with the individual are also considered in improving the damage of this sword art (eg. Immolation Potion, Flame/Frost Aura, etc). Outgoing damage is considered mitigatable.  Must have a weapon equipped to activate this sword art.

 

Armour Skills

Heavy Armor
Rank 5
Passive
Effect: MIT + 35. You can only benefit from one armour skill at a time (the respective armour type must be equipped). Your evasion is capped at 1 enhancement slot and you take -1 to Stealth Rating per rank.

[Rank 5 Heavy Armor Addon] Iron Skin
Effect: Gain +15 Mitigation and +15 * Tier HP
 

Extra Skills

Parry
Active: Post action
Energy cost: 9 EN
Cooldown: 3 Turns
Effect: Apply the energy cost upon proc, not activation. Reduces the final damage of the next successful attack against you by 50% (rounded down) and negates stun/paralysis effects of that attack. If hit by multiple attacks, only apply parry to the first attack against you. Parry lasts for three turns. Cooldown starts when the player activates the Skill. If the player is hit when using Parry, the cooldown is reset to 3 turns.

[Parry Mod] Vengeful Riposte
Passive
Cooldown: 4 Turns
Effect: A successful Parry also returns 50% (rounded down) of the raw damage that would be dealt to you back to your opponent. The reflected damage can be mitigated by the opponent.
 

Block [Requires two Extra Skill slots]
Passive
Effect: Requires an equipped shield. User’s evasion cannot be greater than 0 (can still be negative). Grants additional mitigation:
Rank 5: 25 MIT
Combat Mastery

 

Combat Mastery: Mitigation
[Expert] -> Rank 3
Passive
Effect: Gain +6*Tier Mitigation per rank. Ranks of this Skill apply to Mitigation enhancement caps.

 

Estate Buffs 

Bedroom
Effect: -1 energy cost for the first two expenditures of each combat

Storage Closet
Effect: +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot

Image Reference 

Spoiler

Nari:

 

Onóra:

Spoiler

Word Count: 267

 

Edited March 2, 2022 by Nari-Lanreth

[Jerry Rose 0]

Jerry wanders for a bit. Just then, he notices 1. No. 2 people heading towards him. He keeps his guard up, though not drawing his weapon. They may be dangerous. The women that approach him seem to be a bit older than he is. He looks at the both of them as the purple cladded girl, Nari, begins to talk to him. When he hears that she also knows of the request, and of Zachariah, it throws him for a loop. "Were you eavesdropping on me?" is the only statement he feels he could make out loud. He has so many questions for the both of them. "How do you know of the quest?" "You had to do it as well?". and "Who are you both?" pop into his mind, though are never uttered aloud to them. Due to his cautiousness, he keeps a bit of distance from them to start

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari cocks her head at the cautiousness of the individual – well deserved in this game, but definitely denoting someone who is new. She smiles slightly, trying to place an appeasing look on her face. Her eyes dart towards Onóra, and she slides slightly in between her friend and this individual, trying to casual place herself as a shield.

“Eavesdropping? No. But the mayor isn’t as quiet as many would hope, and I’ve been through the quest before – most of us have, actually. We all recognize the words fairly easily, and know what it means.” Another half smile as she eyes up the man, trying to get a gauge on him. “You know there’s no danger in a safe zone, right? No one can hurt you without dueling, and very few people in this area would even consider it.”

“Plus, if you’re looking for safety, Nari’s close to being a front liner herself – she’s powerful enough that she’s facing monsters several floors up, already.” Onóra’s voice carries a tone of respect, and something else, and as the words are spoken Nari flushes slightly in embarrassment.

“Anyways, yeah, if you wanted some help, I could accompany you to Zachariah’s place, at the very least. You have to go out into the field too – which means being outside the safe zone. We could accompany you, to ensure you’re okay, or you can head out alone if you want. There’s nothing superbly dangerous out there…aside from the wolves, maybe.” Nari paused as she glanced at Onóra, before add, “Either way, if you want some company, I don’t mind coming along. It wasn’t too long ago I was doing this quest myself, with some…”

Her words seem to drift off as she remembers her time originally doing the quest. A soft nudge from Onóra, and Nari seems to come back to reality, smiling at the man and waiting for an answer.

Spoiler

Word Count: 316

 

[Jerry Rose 0]

He listens to her speak, and notices her slight confusion at his slight defensiveness. Perhaps she isn't used to his reaction? Upon hearing that PvP is disabled here, he checks his menu to see if what she is saying is true. He sees it there. "Pvp Disabled" He breathes a sigh of relief. He had heard that meant "Player Vs Player", and this gives him some comfort. "I see. I apologize for the....." Then it comes over him. Did she just say that a lot of people have heard the mayor say this? That couldn't be the case. Is the mayor that forgettable with his loan, or.....

He then smacks his head. It clicked in him "He's an NPC, isn't he? I am actually quite new to games myself..... I still have a single spot left to check, so I do not think I need your help with locations..... As a matter of fact, I do not wish for any help of yours whatsoever. I apologize if that sounds rude, but I say it for..... Personal reasons. However, if you wish to come along, I would not mind a conversation. I have not had anybody to talk to in these recent years"

 

(Word Count: 202)

 

Jerry Rose | Lv. 1 | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | ACC: 1 | DMG: 1 | EVA: 0 | LD: 0 | MIT: 11

Light Armor Rank 1 (5 MIT)

Passive Effect: Gain Mitigation based on your rank in Light Armor. You can only benefit from one armor skill at a time (the respective armor type must be equipped). Your mitigation is capped at 2 enhancement slots.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Taken aback by the bluntness, Nari glances towards Onóra, before responding to the individual. “Sure, I guess we can tag along…for conversation. You said this was your first game?”

A side glance towards Onóra again, something passing between the two of them, wordlessly. Nari’s eyes suddenly slide up and down the player, taking in his appearance and seeming to try and figure something out about him.

“As to helping… well, not much I can do aside from basically keeping you company – the quest itself can only be completed once. Cardinal won’t stop me from tagging along, but other than making sure you don’t die…not much that I can really do.” Another pause as she considers the individual, before adding a question. “So, do you have any experience with MMOs or RPGs? I only ask because if not, there’s some basic pointers that may help you. Especially in this game.”

An expression of pain and sadness comes to her mind as she remembers everything this game has taken. From her, and from others she knows, having met along the way. Cardinal truly was cruel, in its efficiency. Another slight touch at her elbow from Onóra brings her back to reality, and she glances towards the man again, falling in beside him as he begins walking.

Spoiler

Word Count: 214

 

[Jerry Rose 0]

He looks at Nari as she falls in beside him. He responds to her questions, and statements. "That is correct. I originally came here for the sake of curiosity, not knowing that something like this would happen....." I then hear the name "Cardinal", and look at the 2 girls. "Cardinal? So there is a bird running this place?" He chuckles a bit from his own joke. Doesn't hurt to try to get somebody to laugh a bit when they feel stressed. "Hm? Experience? Well, I have been here for a while, and have gotten used to the basics. I assume the number marked HP is my health, and if it hits 0..... Well, I do not think that will happen if I remain cautious, and play safe, and smart. There is also....." He proceeds to give a basic summary of the stats, basically getting the fundamentals, and basics down pat. After explaining this, he begins to slowly walk to that single place he has yet to visit. Fortunately, it is indeed the direction to the lab like he thinks. It will still take a while to get there though, leaving plenty of time for chit-chat

(Word Count: 195)

Edited March 3, 2022 by Jerry Rose

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari half listened to the description of the different stats. The man was clearly new to games, understanding the fundamentals for sure, but he seemed less familiar with the more advanced aspects. Nari smiled towards Onóra, taking pleasure in the innocence of it all.

“Yeah that’s the basics of it all. The big thing is knowing your limits. Have you started specializing in a weapon yet?” Nari shifted the spear on her shoulder, while Onóra tapped the rapier on her hip. “Oh, and if you’re thinking about every making your way into combat, start thinking about what sort of role you want to take; tank, dps, support.”

She paused, placing a hand on the side of her face in thought. “Oh, and I guess if you’re looking into it you might as well start thinking about profession as well… there’s a lot of those, but I think cook is popular lately…”

Spoiler

Word Count: 151

 

[Jerry Rose 0]

"That is quite a few simple thing to answer. To start, I have already selected which kind of weapon to specialize in." He draws out his single handed straight sword to show her. " I have plans on using my right hand to fight with a sword since this game is called "Sword Art Online, and I will use my left hand to potentially get a shield, or some other defensive equipment. As well, you ask whether I would be a dps, tank, or support guy. Since tank is defense, I would assume dps is high offense..... I will probably say that since I am going at this alone, I will most likely be balanced so I can be a jack of all trades. Those are the simplest, and best answers I could give for your questions." He puts his sword away, and thinks about cooking. "The profession I select will be based on what of dps, tank, or support I am lacking the most"

(Word Count: 164)

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nodding a little bit, Nari gives a knowing glance to Onóra. The two seem to smile for a second be Nari begins speaking again.

“All valid points…what I would say to think about is whether you plan on being offensive or defensive as a base. If you’re planning on going it alone – which, by the way, will only get you a few floors up here, beyond that you need friends. Even the monsters on floor four worth fighting are too much for me alone – balance is good. But just remember, for ever bit you put into offence, or defence, or support, you’ll lose an edge in one of the others.” Waving a hand at herself, she’ll continue. “I focus on tanking, with a subset of condition support – which means that my focus is taking hits, and giving a little back. I’m designed to take a beating, and either set the creature up for other players, using things like paralyse or debuffing their stats, or by giving damage in return for what I take.”

A quick pause before she continues her explanation. “Which allows me to do a lot, but doesn’t allow me to take on the larger floor bosses, or even midlevel bosses, by myself. I still need help, just as a high dps player needs help to take the damage while they give it out. This game is… efficient, in ensuring that you won’t survive long alone. Even if you don’t like to be near others, it will force you to, in order to survive.”

Nodding to the building they had stopped before, Nari will smile. “For now, go talk to Zachariah. Oh, and… be patient, he can be… ah, you’ll find out.”

Spoiler

Word Count: 284

 

[Jerry Rose 0]

"I see..... Then I suppose I shall not ever go anywhere beyond Floor 3 then. My plan was being all rounded so I could take moderate hits, deal moderate damage. and heal up, plus potentially deal stat debuffs in the future, whenever I need to. That way, I play all possible roles that a team would have, by myself. But still, for some reason, I kind of doubt Floor 3 will be my ceiling like you say it was for you." He half-glares at the girl, a bit of a troubled, but upset, look is seen in his hazel eyes. The look in his eye also resembles that of doubt, and frustration. "Look. As much as you are trying to scare me, it will not work. I will go as far as I can, and as I wish to go, alright? These words of "You need to have friends to survive" Are entirely untrue." While he sounds like he is being arrogant, he is actually speaking in a way that could possibly be seen as smart if the next part of this goes well for him

 

(Word Count: 186)

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari shifts her gaze to the man, eyeing him up in earnest for the first time. He reminded her of… well, that didn’t matter now. She knew the folly of such actions, and she knew that sometimes one had to learn.

Shrugging in response, she’ll keep her tone even and controlled. “I don’t want to scare you. Cardinal will do that soon enough. I just… don’t want to see your name added to the already long list of players lost. Consider it humanly concern, not fear inspired interest. Too many have been lost already because they assumed they had to go it alone…”

The words bring a soft touch on her elbow from Onóra, and Nari smiles over at the other woman.

“What Nari is trying to imply is that this game isn’t just a game. You can grow and get strong, but Cardinal is an AI. It will adjust, to find your weak points. And while being all rounded is great on some games… in an mmorpg like this, it won’t get you far. That’s why teams are so important.”

Onóra’s words are filled with a sense of caring, her tone speaking to simply wanting to show the truth of something, and her smile shows that she has no ill intent. Beside her, Nari nods, visibly agreeing with the words.

“If you truly want to go alone, no one will stop you. Many of us solo certain areas. Which is more than possible out in the fields, in most areas. But you’ll never survive something like a boss fight – mid level or floor boss – or a dungeon, by yourself. Which means you’re limiting yourself only to the basics you can find out in the field or make yourself. It leaves a lot of strong gear, or helpful skills inaccessible.”

Spoiler

Word Count: 300

 

[Jerry Rose 0]

"Hm? And who said that I had to climb the floors? Other people are likely going to do that already. All I said was that I would go as far as I wish to go. It could mean Floor 100. It could be Floor 2. Besides, just a single person needs to beat the game for all of us to get out, correct? And well, this place is quite relaxing. For me, it would be foolery to go out into the higher floors as I am right now, but I also cannot team up with others, for that would also lead to death for me. I know you do not know me, but what you are recommending me to do is to make myself get a game over if you understand what I am saying"  He sounds totally serious, like there is something deep within him he doesn't want to say out loud right now. He feels like everybody would laugh at him if he told them, so he keeps his mouth shut on the topic, though it is clear he is hiding something

 

(Word Count: 184)

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari nodded at the man’s words. There was truth behind them, and yet, she felt there was something else hidden there as well.

“True. There is nothing forcing you to join the front lines by any means – and as you say, you could stop at floor two and wait for the game to be cleared.” She paused for a second before continuing, making sure there was an understandable break between the lines of thought. “But no one player is going to clear this game. That much we know. It will require a group effort, which means everyone who can, should be pushing to the front. Maybe that’s you, maybe it’s not.”

Her face suddenly darkened as she continued speaking. “But just remember, as enjoyable as Sword Art Online can be, every day in here is a day lost in the real world. Sure, we may enjoy it in here. Sure, it may become like a new life for us… but this is virtual. If we die in here, we die out there. And vice versa. And medical components can only keep us alive for so long before our bodies give out.”

Spoiler

Word Count: 191

 

[Jerry Rose 0]

"I understand your words, Nari. I can tell that you, and your friend here wish to be free. That you wish to return home to the family, friends, and world that loves you. Your wish is to be free from the plague that is monotony, and entrapment called Sword Art Online..... If that is the case, then I do not want to stop you. I would not try to stop you, or anybody else from returning home. It would be a self game over if I tried. I wish that you, and the others get out of this place alive. I want you all to push the limits of what you could accomplish..... I am quite glad you have a reason to go back home, and to take this journey." He looks at the both of them with a smile, happy to see the look in their eyes. While it looks dark, to Jerry, he sees genuine determination. After he talks, his smile fades, and he turns away from them. "Let's just go into the lab right now....." He goes to push his way through the front door

 

(Word Count: 188)

Edited March 4, 2022 by Jerry Rose

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Settling against the wall of the shop, she waited for Jerry to make his way in and speak with Zachariah, turning her attention to Onóra as the man was out of sight. No words passed between the two of them, but from the look on her friend’s face, Nari knew that they were both thinking the same thing. She heard the quick conversation between the NPC and Jerry, the description of what was required. Nodding as the man returned to the outer world, she’ll continue where they had left off their conversation – if only briefly.

“I’m glad that you understand, some of it at least. And I won’t pry you to understand it fully – but don’t think that all of us have something magical to return to, I would say most of us are here because we tried to escape reality.” A slight glance towards Onóra, before she continues speaking. “Regardless of what you choose to do after today, if you need any help – or simply need someone to talk to, send me a message. I may not respond immediately, but so long as my name doesn’t appear on the monument, I’ll get back to you.”

With a flick she’ll send the friend request across to the other man, before making her way towards the front gates – not waiting to see if he accepted it or not. A few steps behind her, Onóra will pause for a moment, eyeing Jerry up with a warm, emerald gaze. “Don’t take it the wrong way – she thinks she’s here to protect everyone. It’s…what drives her, what keeps her going…for her, life is about clearing the game – because it saves everyone who’s at risk of dying here.”

Without another word, Onóra turns and heads off towards the gates, quickly catching up to Nari, the two of them keeping a slower pace so that Jerry can easily catch them before the hit the border to the exterior.

Spoiler

Word Count: 322

 

[Jerry Rose 0]

As Jerry walks into the shop, he is met with shelves, and shelves of colorful potions in various vials and jars. He begins to take a look at his surroundings, though doesn't touch anything. He looks around for the person he is here for. "Um. Hello? I'm looking for a "Zachariah." for something regarding-" Suddenly, he hears a voice coming from behind the counter. Oh, hello," is what Jerry hears before seeing the man, a little distracted with something. Zachariah is a man with a long, snow-white beard, and looks to be in his younger 60s. At least, from what Jerry sees. Zachariah glances up from a bubbling cup of sweet-smelling purple liquid. "Are you here to order something? I’m sorry, but I am currently swamped with orders, and I’m running out of supplies.” Light comes into the man's dark eyes, a lightbulb going off to signify a brilliant idea. “Would you gather a few materials for me? Flowers, herbs, rare woods, whatever you can find outside the city walls. I promise I’ll help you fill your order as soon as you return. In fact, I would be willing to show you how to do it yourself.”

Come to think of it, being able to learn how to craft potions may be a good skill to have for the future. He looks at the alchemist, and nods, expecting that he is an NPC. Jerry then leaves, and thinks he is alone before turning to see the other 2 waiting for him. He sighs a bit, and catches up to them. "Alright. I am here. Just don't help me with finding materials, and such for the obvious reason I mentioned earlier, okay?"

 

(Word Count: 281)

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari glanced back at the man, nodding at his request. A slight smile on her face as she responded to him. “There’s no need to worry about that – like I said, the quest won’t let me interfere. You’re basically on your own with this…the best I can do is provide you protection if you accident draw something in to fight, or get too close to a mob. Other than that, I’ll be a bit aways, probably doing some foraging of my own.”

She gave the man another once over, realising how new his equipment looked. “You…haven’t been out in the field before, have you? Not to say it’s a bad thing…just…curious.”

She gave Merv a nod as they passed through the gate, a tradition started long before she’d even considered making her way to the front lines. The fields that opened up before them seemed to roll naturally, and once again Nari realised just how beautiful the floors could be – in their own way. In the distance she saw some wolves harassing some other players, and a few boars out roaming. Her quick glance brought comfort as she realised there was no one else in immediately need of help.

Spoiler

Word Count: 199

 

[Jerry Rose 0]

"Very well. If you say so. I am off to go gather some stuff for the quest now. You are free to do as you wish now. It is your choice whether you want to come back with me to the town once I am done, or whether you have something else to attend to. If it is the latter, than I can only say, good luck with your quest to return home." With that, he leaves to a short distance away, being careful as to be quiet as not to alert the frenzy boars, or wolves, especially wolves, for if he runs into even a single wolf, his game could end right there, right then. At least with a single boar, he can potentially get away with at worst, a bit of damage. He quietly begins looking through trees, and bushes to find some materials that the alchemist might need. He searches high, and low, and all around for materials

 

(Word Count: 161)

 

Post Action Roll: Finding Materials

Edited March 7, 2022 by Jerry Rose