[PP-F4] Warm Sun & Cold Moon

[Morningstar 0]

After sunrise, preparations for the Warm Sun Solstice began. Brilliant lanterns illuminated the city of Snowfrost, their orange glows softening the harsh winter snow. Tents were raised, as well as merchant and game stalls, and the finishing touches were being added to floats in the center of town. The festival was renowned for its entertainment, particularly the live performances from musicians. Even more exceptional was the food, served by the many cooks that made their livings in Snowfrost. The trilogy of the solstice was a time for celebration—a chance for the community to come together and share the short-lasting warmth that followed.

Morningstar had experienced it once before, although his memory of the event was hazy. It had been at least a year—perhaps even two—since then and so much had happened in the moments between. He passed by unfamiliar faces as he strolled down packed streets. There were still so many players who remained unknown to him, despite the dwindling number of them. He did not know the exact count but expected that with each day, it shrunk.

His favorite café, Blended Blizzard, had opened early in consideration of the festival. It was a small establishment owned by a pair of twin NPCs. Of all the places he had experimented with on the fourth floor, they offered the best mocha. Their peppermint infusion was incomparable. Morningstar was far from being a frequent customer but visited the café on the rare occasion that he found himself in such a cold place.

After knocking the snow off his boots, he pushed open the glass door and made his way inside. It consisted of a single room with six tables and three booths. The temperature was always consistently warm, likely to draw in tourists who were unaccustomed to the severe weather outside. Mick, who prided himself on being seven seconds older than his brother, welcomed Morningstar as one might an old friend.

"I'd wondered if you'd show up today. Here for the solstice, then?" Mick asked.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Morningstar replied. "No Barney today?"

Mick shook his head. "He's out helping with the floats today. Your usual?"

"Please."

He must have been the first customer of the day because the rest of the cozy café was empty. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, intentionally designed to look like icicles despite being made from crystal. Streamers lined the tops of the walls, different shades of red complimenting the cream-coloured paint. He took a seat at the nearest table and awaited his drink.

[ lv. 44  ->   l. 33 / p. 11 ] MORNINGSTAR | HP: 760/760 | EN: 108/108 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 4 | MIT: 122 | EVA: 1 | LD: 6 | AA: 1 | VO: 125 | STK: 40/24 | BH: 25 | Stealth Rating: -5   Hide contents notes.     Hide contents equipped soulcursed blade VO II, AA I, STK I armor of fallen radiance  MIT III sapphire ACC III, EVA I battle-ready inventory n/a skills.   Hide contents mod count: 3/5 2HSS | RANK 5/5 precision, stamina, ferocity shift: tech HEAVY ARMOR | RANK 5/5 impetus, iron skin COMBAT MASTERY: DMG | RANK 3/3 SEARCHING | RANK 5/5 night vision, detect BATTLE HEALING | RANK 3/5 ENERGIST CHARGE extra SURVIVAL FORGOTTEN KING'S AUTHORITY LADY LUCK buffs.   Hide contents statue n/a consumables  n/a paragon Lv. 5 | Gain additional col equivalent to 15% of EXP earned in that thread. Lv. 10 | +1 LD arts.   Hide contents en cost matches multiplier unless stated otherwise. shift underlined. ST | x12 -> x15 | x20 AOE | x11 -> x14 TECH-A | x16 | STUN | 16EN TECH-B | x16 | DELAY | 15EN TECH-D | x16 | SHATTER | 15EN misc.   Hide contents Rested | -1 energy cost for the first two expenditures of each combat. Clean | The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 20% (rounded down). Filling | Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot. This can exceed normal Cook enhancement caps. Ex: A perfect T2 MIT food gives 35 MIT instead of 30. Tasty | Turn 2 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Lesser Feast. A Lesser Feast contains 4 portions of the food items sacrificed. Lesser Feasts created this way cannot be used outside of the thread they are created. Limit 1 item created per thread. Relaxed | Increases out-of-combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts. Basic Training | +5% EXP to a thread. Limit one use per month. Must be used on a player's first post in a thread. Cooldown begins counting down when used in a post. gathering n/a

Edited November 22, 2023 by Morningstar

[Takao 0]

The biting sting of the bitter cold air painted his face as the teleportation effect gradually dissipated. Amidst the fading light, his eyes slowly adjusted to the enchanting wintry landscape of the Fourth Floor, revealing a lively festival coming to life under the gentle illumination of lanterns. A swell of excitement tinged his heart, and his eyes sparkled in anticipation. However, the burgeoning warmth in his chest was abruptly quenched by an unyielding gust of frigid wind.

"What the hell...! This isn't warmer at all!" he huffed, his hands instinctively grasping the collar of his coat, attempting to shield himself from the unforgiving chill. The meager protection offered by his light armor did little to combat the cold, which playfully teased at his sides, already leaving his cheeks with a rosy hue.

Undeterred, Takao briskly made his way through the wintry expanse of Snowfrost, guided solely by a vague recollection of a café's name lingering somewhere in the recesses of his mind. By sheer luck or serendipity, he stumbled upon the establishment: The Blended Blizzard. While unfamiliar with this particular locale, it came as no surprise. His visits to the fourth floor were infrequent, driven solely by necessity, as even the most honed survival skills couldn't fully compensate for his abysmal tolerance of the cold.

Pushing through the inviting glass door, Takao shut it tight behind him, seeking refuge from the biting chill outside. The cozy warmth of the café instantly enveloped him, its familiar aroma, reminiscent of his own shop, providing a temporary reprieve from the frosty exterior. Cozy within the confines of the building, it offered solace, but only if one dared not venture beyond its safety. A swift survey of the single-roomed establishment revealed only a lone player and the NPC shopkeeper. As Takao recalled, the purpose of his visit centered around interacting with a pair of NPCs.

"Hm," he hummed curiously, his attention drawn to the lone player. If they were a resident or a frequent visitor, perhaps they held more knowledge about the floor than he did. With no better lead to pursue, Takao approached the stranger.

"Hi there! Sorry to bother you," Takao greeted with a warm and friendly smile. "I was wondering, do you know of a quest that starts around here? I'm not very familiar with this floor."

❖

	TAKAO | 840 HP | 118 EN 23 DMG | 78 MIT | 4 ACC | 3 EVA
	Reveal hidden contents equipped Inundator Emerald Huntsman's Set Onyx Huntsman's Set battle-ready inventory // skills   Reveal hidden contents R5 Straight Sword R5 Search and Detect R5 Light Armour R5 Battle Healing R3 CM: Damage Charge Extended Mod Limit Energist Extra Skills Concentration Survival Active Mods Ferocity ST Specialist Reveal Detect Meticulous Resolve buffs   Reveal hidden contents
	notes:

[Morningstar 0]

Mick served the man his drink with a smile, placing it on the table in front of him. A menu appeared before Morningstar, prompting him to pay a small fee. They prided themselves on affordable coffee, which the blonde would have appreciated more if col was more difficult to come by. He tipped the café owner generously and took a cautious sip from the uncovered mug. It was the perfect temperature; he hated coffee that was too hot to immediately drink.

They chatted while Morningstar enjoyed his peppermint mocha. Mick told him about the float that had been passed down through his family for generations. It was a tradition that had existed for over a thousand years, the NPC thought, and he and his brother were the lucky pair who would fly it during the current solstice.

As soon as he had finished his drink, the bell above the door jingled. Another customer had entered. Morningstar had not intended to pay the man any mind but came around to it when he was approached.

He knew of a few quests that existed in the area but there was one in particular that could only be accepted during the festival. Admittedly, he had not looked into it much; however, he and Bahr had taken a crack at the first fight some time back.

"I can show you, if you'd like. Morningstar's the name," he announced, "but people call me Star."

[Takao 0]

Takao found himself once again ensnared by the consequences of his lack of preparation. Hastily venturing into the fourth floor, he lacked a clear destination and possessed only a vague notion of where to locate the elusive NPCs he sought. The quest, shrouded in mystery, lacked credible information in Takao's possession. It seemed to be a rare undertaking, intertwined with the festivities that permeated Snowfrost, initiated by eavesdropping on a pair of NPCs at the festival. Beyond this fragmentary knowledge, Takao remained oblivious to the intricacies of the quest—unaware of potential adversaries lying in wait or the expectations tied to its completion. Despite the uncertainty, he retained a nonchalant demeanor, embodying his habitual approach of playing things by ear. So far, it seemed to be working in his favor.

The stranger, aptly named Morningstar or Star, caught him off guard with an unexpected offer. In response, Takao's eyes sparkled with gratitude. "Yeah! Ah man, would you? I'll owe you one, really." He extended his hand for a shake, accompanied by a warm and appreciative smile. "Good to meet you, Star. I'm Takao."

"I should've learned more about it before I left. Looks like I got ahead of myself," he admitted with a nervous chuckle. "Have you already done it? What can you tell me about it? I'm really clueless."

❖

[Morningstar 0]

Morningstar met Takao's hand. "Good to meet you too."

He led the green-haired player back into the frosty city, waving to the shopkeeper as they exited the Blended Blizzard. The atmosphere had yet to change much; setup for the festival continued and snowfall remained light. They passed a few early-risers—people who had come to the floor ahead of schedule, hoping to be first in line for their favorite stands.

"I did it once, yeah.  Only the beginning, though. Can't blame you for not knowing anything, really. I don't think the quest is super well-known," he assured Takao, "I only found it the first time by accident."

He racked his brain for information about the quest, thinking back to his first encounter with it. "There's this spear-wielding soldier out in the wilds—pretty strong fellow. Immune to freezing effects and the like, if I recall correctly. The gist of the quest is that you need to fight him."

"Kind of a weird quest, I think," he admitted. "According to the floor's lore, this solstice is supposed to happen every two-hundred years or so. I swear I'm still under thirty, though, and I did this last year."

After making their way through town, they found themselves at their destination. Two NPCs, one quite a bit smaller than the other, stood next to each other. They spoke as though they were close friends or, at the very least, knew each other well.

"Never seen the guy before. Wore a strange wool and leather cloak with chainmail underneath it. Wore a helmet too. Looked like he got caught in a blizzard, all covered in snow and ice, even looked a bit frostbitten. But what was even more weird were his eyes." 

"How could his eyes be more weird than his condition?" 

"They were wild, almost like he was chasing something. It was like he saw everyone as a threat or something." 

"Well what happened to him?" 

"Ran away after he snuck around the festival a bit. I think he was heading towards Darian's campsite by the lake." 

"Well if he's gonna run into Darian we've got nothing to worry about. That guy's as strong as they come."

Morningstar remembered the pair well enough. Levi, he recalled, was the small white-haired boy. He was a bit useless in a fight but courageous in his own way. He had tagged along with Morningstar and Bahr the last time, using his trusty slingshot to slow down the King's Soldier.

"Those are your guys. They'll give you whatever information they can and, after you talk to them, you should receive a quest prompt. I'd be happy to lend a hand with the fight, if you need," he added.

[Takao 0]

Regrettably, Takao found himself ushered back outside into the unforgiving embrace of the cold. Since his arrival, he had clung to the hope that this quest would unfold within the sheltered indoors, shielding him from the biting chill. Alas, it seemed the game had different plans. Alongside Star, he ventured into the festival still in the process of being set up, the brisk air nipping at exposed skin. As they strolled and conversed, Takao adopted a sidelong posture, partially turned as he spoke.

"I try to avoid this floor at all costs if I can help it. I really don't do so good in this cold. It's like torture..!" he lamented, the cold, though lacking the ability to inflict literal pain in Sword Art Online, proving a formidable adversary. Survival in these icy conditions would be a challenge, one that he couldn't fathom without the protective embrace of the Survival skill.

"...I swear I'm still under thirty, though, and I did this last year," Star remarked, prompting a bark of laughter from Takao in response.

Within the intricate tapestry of Sword Art Online, where NPCs seamlessly mimicked human personalities, there existed moments that starkly reminded players of the underlying RPG mechanics governing their existence. There was no greater clash than that of exclusive lore on a quest that had to be inclusive to all. As they approached a pair of conversing individuals, Takao listened intently, their words weaving a narrative of a mysterious man fleeing the festival toward a nearby lake. Almost instinctively, Takao's suspicions heightened, and Star, seconds later, confirmed the commencement of the quest.

"Sure thing, I'll be right back!" Takao declared before swiftly heading toward the duo, leaving Star to observe the unfolding scenario. The NPC dialogue played out precisely as Takao had anticipated – a delicate balance of vagueness to pique his curiosity and informativeness to set him on the correct path. Placing himself squarely between the two NPCs, Takao startled them momentarily, but their unease subsided as he delved into inquiries about the intricacies of the quest. After a few minutes, Takao returned to Star.

"Looks like I'm all set. Still want to tag along?" Takao inquired, extending a party request to Star. If accepted, they would embark in the direction of Takao's quest marker, positioned just beyond the town's limits.

❖

[Morningstar 0]

Morningstar watched idly as Takao spoke with the two NPCs. He vaguely remembered the dialogue and fit the pieces back together in his head. Something, something, Darian, blah, blah, strongest among us, yada yada.

The green-haired man returned promptly with directions and an invitation to his party. Star, accepting the request, agreed to accompany him on the mission. He hoped that his previous experience would come in handy.

"Yeah, 'course. Let's head out. We might make it back in time for festivities," he said, peeking at the quest marker that had appeared on his map.

They embarked for the the lake after preparing their gear; Morningstar traded his casual wear for a variation of his armor that was more suitable to the winter climate. The steel plating remained, although he was unsure whether or not it was efficient in the snow.

The forest's quiet air was almost predatory. They wandered in, keeping their eyes open for the soldier's camp.

Spoiler

ID: 218685 | LD: 8+6=14
Campsite not found.

 

Edited November 26, 2023 by Morningstar

[Takao 0]

Upon leaving the safety of Snowfrost and facing the untamed wilderness of the fourth floor, Takao swiftly unsheathed his sword, the metallic sound resonating in the crisp air. With a confident yet cautious stance, he held the blade tight in his grasp and at the ready, positioned to the side opposite Star. Although he felt assured that nothing in the floor's wilderness could overpower the two of them, past arrogant errors had taught him the value of vigilance, and he was nothing if not cautious. The journey proved less challenging than his recollection of the floor. Despite the persistent chill that nipped at his ears and fingers, the temperature was sufficiently mild to melt the snow, revealing hints of green grass beneath the receding white fluff. With one hand, he pulled the tufted collar of his jacket closer. While his eyes scanned the surroundings, he casually traced the tip of his sword along the snow's surface. Disliking the eerie silence, Takao decided to break it, initiating some casual conversation to pass the time. "So, the heavy armor—does that mean you're more of a tanky type?" Takao inquired, maintaining his gaze forward. "How's it been working out for you?" ❖ ID 218686 5(Roll) + 5(S&D) + 1(Paragon) = 11 LD SEARCH FAILED

Edited November 27, 2023 by Takao

[Morningstar 0]

Morningstar could not help but notice that, similarly to himself, Takao was a straight sword user. Morningstar's blade was slung over his shoulder and still remained inside its scabbard. 

"I suppose I'm a little tanky," he started, "but the goal is damage. I'm solo, for the most part, so I like the extra cushion."

He shrugged. "I've seen other players run lighter-weight setups for the extra evasion but I've never tried it myself. Might be better."

The campsite was quite a lot further than he remembered; albeit, it had been some time since his last crack at the quest. Maybe his memory of it was not as good as he had originally thought. The howling of wolves, somewhere far off, distracted him. They were not close enough to worry about.

"You seem experienced," Star continued the conversation, glancing at Takao's level, "I don't think I saw you at the last boss fight, though. How come?"

Spoiler

ID: 218687 | LD: 2+6=8
Campsite not found.

 

Edited November 28, 2023 by Morningstar