[F01-PP] Every Journey Begins With A First Step | <<The First Few Lessons>>

[Hanzoku 0]

Hanzoku was making his way through the central square of the Town of Beginnings, heading for the outskirts for another round of trying to collect a Demonic Shard for Giovanna when a voice rang out behind him.

"You there! Stop, please!" The man exclaimed from a distance, approaching rapidly with long, purposeful strides. "Pardon me, but I am in need of some assistance, and you appear quite capable." Having lived in the Town for so long, the new adventurer knew the man by sight, but this is the first time that this NPC has interacted with him - perhaps because he now properly looks like an adventurer? Either way, having caught the scruffy swordsman's attention, the NPC heaves a quick sigh and adjusted 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 moustache. 

"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?"

"I don't suppose I can ask for a loan, Mayor?" Hanzoku said dryly. Given how forgetful the Mayor was, it'd be an easy way to earn a bunch of Col, and it might be months before the next hapless fool adventurer would be tasked to track him down and recover the loan. Sadly, the mayor shook his head, an aggrieved expression on his face.

"I'm afraid I'm overextended at the moment, young sir. It's why this is so important - and why it should be handled discreetly." he said with aristocratic embarrassment.

"Of course. Well, either way, I'll be happy to help, and I'll make sure to keep this matter as confidential as it deserves." Hanzoku said to assure the distressed mayor.

Upon acceptance of the quest, 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."

Mayor Dorian had barely turned away before Hanzoku posted in the general chat channel of his interface, available to all players in the Town of Beginnings.

"LFG to track down Zackariah the Alchemist, Mayor Dorian lost track of his debts... again."

 

Stat Line:

Hanzoku | Lv. 1 | HP: 50/50 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 7 | MIT: 3 | REGEN: 2 | THORNS: 1

Spoiler

Equipped Items:

• Humble Aspirations | T1 Perfect Weapon (SS) | DMG III
• Squire's Ardor | T1 Perfect Heavy Armor | MIT III
• Valorous Spite | T1 Perfect Shield | REGEN II | THORNS I

Battle-Ready Inventory:

• Starter Healing Potion (3/5) | Tier 1 Potion | +60 HP
•  
•  
•  
•  

Consumed Items:

Skills:

• One-Handed Straight Sword | RANK 1/5

Misc. Buffs:

 

Edited August 5 by Hanzoku

[Nymoria 0]

The streets of the Town of Beginnings was as quiet as they always were for Nymoria. Small groups of players and NPCs, littered with individuals pushing through and around them, moved throughout the streets. Nymoria herself was among the individuals weaving through the larger groups, her pace one of determination without destination.

She wasn’t entirely sure what had brought her back here – in fact, she really had no reason to return to the Town of Beginnings, other than sentiment. She’d passed by numerous various sights that had once been welcoming now seemed old and behind her, as if her recent adventures had brought her beyond the town – beyond its warmth and security.

A familiar sight had caught her attention, however, the town’s mayor rushing around accosting various lower levelled players in the desperate hope of finding someone to take on his quest. Nymoria had been one of those players, once. Not long ago, in fact, when she stopped to think about it. It hasn’t been that long at all, really… Shaking aside the wonder at that fact, she stepped towards the most recently approached player, giving a small wave of greeting and a smile.

She’d rested her left hand on the pommel of the sabre at her hip, smiling gently at the other player as she waited for a response. Her eyes seemed to hover slightly below their own eyeline, as if watching their mouth. Dressed in her standard white blouse and silvered chestplate, along with the black leggings she preferred, Nymoria knew that she looked nothing like a seasoned player. In fact, she likely didn’t look too different from the more beginner players that populated the Town of Beginnings – which was true enough. I’m really not that far advanced from where these players are. Yet. She gave a soft shift of her position, a shift of her hair displaying the dark blue device that twinkled with glittered pink stars, comfortably wrapped around her left ear.

Hi there, I see that Dorian managed to catch you. Are you planning on doing his quest? It’s a bit lengthy, but it’s good if you’re just starting out. Although no movement came from her mouth, the sound of an almost monotonous voice would’ve populated within the player’s head, a direct translation from Cardinal for Nymoria’s signed speech. Unless it’s changed, heading out into the wildlands is going to be required, after finding Zackariah. If you wanted, I could come along? I have no other plans for today.

------

 

  

Statblock

Spoiler Notes [Theme] Nymoria | Lv. 16 | P. 0 | HP [320/320] | EN [50/50] | ACC [4] | DMG [12] | MIT [34] | BH [+9]  Tier 2 | Tier 2 Equipment Nymoria's Sabre [Rapier | Tier 1] Enhancement: Damage [2 Slots] Beginner's Chestplate [Light Armour | Tier 1] Enhancement: Mitigation [1 Slots]  Hearing Aid [Trinket | Tier 1] Enhancement: Accuracy [3 Slots] Battle-Ready Inventory Uncommon Health Potion {5} [Potion | Tier 1 | Heals 5% Maximum HP] Spyglass {2} | Reduce Search Posts x5 [Dungeon, Familiar, Field Boss] for one thread bento {2} [Meal | Tierless | Oveerhealth III] Teleport Crystal {1} Honey Cookie {20} [Snack | Tier 1 | Vitality II] Skills Spoiler Utility Skills N/A Combat Skills Battle Healing [Rank: 3. Active: Passive. Effect: While in combat, recover 1% per rank of your maximum HP (rounded down) at the beginning of your turn.] Rapiers [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: +7 DMG] [Rank 5 Weapon Addon] Stamina [Active: Passive. Effect: Reduces EN of all attacks by 2.] [Rank 5 Weapon Addon] Precision [Active: Passive. Effect: +1 ACC.] Armour Skills Light Armour [Rank: 3. Active: 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.] Active Extra Skills Leadership [Rank: 1. Active: Passive. Effect: Gain access to Leadership Arts every rank. In order to use a Leadership Art, it must take up a mod slot. Each Leadership Art takes up a different mod slot. Leadership Arts from different sources do not stack.] [Rank 1 Leadership Art] Elusive [Active: Post Action. Energy: 4 EN Cooldown: 2 turns. Effect: Increase the Evasion of all players in your party by 1 for a single turn.] Inactive Extra Skills  N/A Combat Mastery Damage [Rank: 1. Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 * Tier additional Base Damage per rank. Ranks of this Skill obey Damage enhancement caps.] Familiar Skills Hunting Familiar [Active: Free Action. Cooldown: 5 turns. : Effect: Your familiar has a nose for treasure. Roll LD/CD (without bonuses) as if you had slain a loot-minimum mob.] Estate Buffs N/A data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== Sword Arts Spoiler [x12] ST-I (12 10 EN) | A single-target sword art. [x15] ST-II (15 13EN) | 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 18 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, this CD check applies to only the first roll. [x11] AOE-I (11 9 + [2 * targets] EN) | AOE | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. [x14] AOE-II (14 12 + [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 all intended targets the previous turn. [x12] TECH-A (13 11 EN) | STUN | A single-target sword art that stuns an enemy. [x12] TECH-B (13 11 EN) | DELAY | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, applies [Delay] on the enemy. [Delay] is a debuff that reduces the enemy’s ACC by 1 for one turn. [x8] TECH-F (8 6 + [2 * targets] EN) | AOE STUN | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. All struck targets are stunned for one turn. data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== Estate Buffs Spoiler N/A data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==

[Kingsley 0]

"Now, just stand here and sell tea," Kingsley grinned widely.

"Okay..." Morningstar paused, considering how to best portray his confusion. "But like... how?"

"What do you mean 'how?' They give you money and you give them tea! What's there to do?"

"Well, for starters, how much does each blend even cost? And what happens if I run out?"

"You make some more!"

Morningstar blinked several times, processing the ridiculousness of the statement. "Make some—dude, I'm not an alchemist!"

Kingsley waved his hand dismissively. "Nonsense! I'm sure you'll be fine," he said, waddling away.

"Wait—"

"I'm off! See you next week!"

---

By the time Kingsley had arrived in Tolbana, Dorian had already handed out a dozen quests. Some days, he was popular. Others, the town hated his guts. Kingsley could understand why. He was the mayor, and yet he spent all of his time in the middle of town, shouting at players to find his money for him. Did he not have real work to do? And why did he not keep records of his loans? It wreaked of lousy bookkeeping, and if he was ten years younger, Kingsley would have whipped Tolbana into shape. A city was a business, at the end of the day, and he could have taught Dorian a thing or two about running it.

A pair of players connected ahead of him, one of which had just finished speaking to the mayor. Presumably, they had accepted his quest and were partying up. He approached them slowly, his cane tapping against the stone road. "Good afternoon," he smiled, the last bits of Nymoria's speech poking into his mind. "Would it trouble you if I joined you as well?"

  

| KINGSLEY  | Lv. 3 >> P. 0, Lv. 3  | Status: [ bad back ]  Notes:  //

Hide contents Kingsley | HP: 60/60 | EN: 24/24 | DMG: 8 | PAR: 1 equipped Herding Wolf DMG II, PAR I Basalt ACC III battle-ready inventory skills   Hide contents mod count: 0/5 POLEARMS | RANK 3/5 extra # buffs   Hide contents statue # | # consumables # # paragon # sword arts   Hide contents en cost matches multiplier unless stated otherwise. shift underlined. ST | x8 -> x11 AOE | x7 TECH-A | x8 | STUN | 9EN misc/housing buffs   Hide contents # fishing #

 

[Foyle 0]

Chafing within the confines of his brand new armor, Foyle was still reeling at having just been accosted by some overdressed bureaucrat who'd thought him to be part of the town militia.  Suddenly, and without a whit of sense, he found himself under orders to hunt down a lost payroll and...

Catching the final few words of other players gathered in the square, the older warrior swiftly got the gist of what was happening, to himself along with others.  His suspicions were confirmed an instant later when the quest UI popped up.  Though he hadn't encountered the panels often, someone had been kind enough to explain how to navigate the confounding things.  

"Ahem.  It seems that I've also been tasked with some variation of your mission.  Dorian, wasn't it?  Persistent fellow."  He jostled his chest piece around by tugging at it.  Some of the buckles must not have been set right.  "If you, err... wouldn't mind?  Could I also tag along?  I will gladly lend my sword and talents to assist you in any way I can."  Though the armor was new, its occupant was far from it, at least superficially.  Scruffy white hair and matching beard, combined with steel grey eyes to give him the appearance of a veteran, though one who'd not seen combat in some time, or possibly ever in this universe.  By way of contrast, all of his equipment looked to be fresh off the shelf - one even had the price tag still on it. 

"I'm called Foyle."  A modest bow offered each a far more formal greeting than was really called for, but the man looked like he was about three eras out of step with modern reality. How he ended up stuck in a cutting edge VR game would be anyone's guess.

***

Foyle | HP: 140/140 | EN: 32/32 | DMG: 7 | MIT: 12 | ACC: 1 | LD: 3 | REC: 1 

Spoiler

Foyle
Level: 7
Paragon Level: 0
HP: 140/140
EN: 32/32

Stats:
Damage: 7
Mitigation: 12
Accuracy: 1
Loot Dice: 3
REC: 1

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: Humility | T1 Perfect Weapon (Curved Sword) | DMG III
Armor: Ashigaru's Bond | T1 Perfect Light Armor | MIT II, REC I
Misc: laurel earcuffs. | TIER 1 JEWELRY | LD III

Combat Mastery: - 
Combat Shift: -
Familiar Skill: -
Custom Skill: -

Skills:
Curved Sword R1

Active Mods:

Inactive Mods:

Addons:
Precision

Active Extra Skills:

Inactive Extra Skills:

Battle Ready Inventory:
basalt. | TIER 1 JEWELRY | ACC III x1
Starter Healing Potions (Heals 50 HP) x3

Housing Buffs:

Guild Hall Buffs:

Scents of the Wild:

Wedding Ring:

-: Level 0 | 0XP 

 

Edited August 5 by Foyle

[Hanzoku 0]

Hanzoku initially blinks at the monotone speech from Nymoria, then catches how the girl who approaches him is reading his lips to supplement any assistance the game is offering and makes sure that when he speaks that he keeps his mouth in clear view of her sight line as he puts two and two together.

"Honestly, miss, I'd appreciate that a lot. I'm a lot better equipped now then I was a few years ago, but I have some boar-related trauma lurking for me out there, and it's 50/50 if I freeze up running into one or go berserk and try turning one into pulled pork. Having an experienced player there would do my nerves a lot of good." he says with a quick smile.

The tapping of a cane alerts him to another person approaching, and he turns to see the very definition of a senior citizen. "Ah, another veteran gamer!" Hanzoku says with good humor, comparing the dusting of gray in his hair to the man's white locks (well, what remains of them). "Hey, the more the merrier. We might get into a fight or two apparently, but I think Miss Nymoria can carry us if it comes to that." he says with the good humor of knowing he's still a complete newbie and behind on stats.

As the man joins their group, Hanzoku's nose twitches a little. "Huh. Is that tea I'm smelling?"

edit

Another older man steps forward to join the impromptu party, paradoxically making Hanzoku one of the younger members in the group. "Hi Foyle, name's Hanzoku. Glad to have you with us. That makes us full up for this quest. My first step is to track down an alchemist and shake him down - I mean, ask him politely for the loan. If someone has a different step, we can make sure to get that done as well." 

Edited August 6 by Hanzoku

[Nymoria 0]

No sooner had Nymoria stepped forward and offered her assistance to the player, than two other individuals had appeared; both looking old enough to be her grandparents, if nothing else. She smiled at each of them as rounds of excitement, commentary and a flurry of voices rushed past and beyond her true comprehension. She noticed, and was thankful, for the first player’s careful motions to keep their lips visible – an action that Nymoria didn’t see too often in the real world.

She waited patiently as they determined whether the newcomers would be joining them or not, before introducing herself once more to the entire group. Even as her fingers moved, any who’d been looking at her would’ve noticed an odd voice, monotone and without emotion; speaking as though within their own minds as cardinal translated. Hello, my name is Nymoria. I offered to help…

She paused as she realised she hadn’t obtained the name of the original player that she’d offered help to, her mouth opening slightly and a look of sudden uncertainty in her eyes. A breath later she began signing once more, shaking off the feeling as her fingers began moving again. I’m offering help to everyone who is joining the first lessons quest. It’s not a hard quest, but beasts can be outside the city walls. Better to move in groups.

Once she was certain they were all there, she smiled again and pointed towards an area in the distance, slightly to the east of their current position. Should we head for the alchemist?

------

 

[Kingsley 0]

"Please," Kingsley gestured with his walking stick. "Lead the way."

---

The alchemist, Zackariah, was tall and neatly kempt. He was older than Foyle, but younger than Kingsley, and carried a vast array of alchemical knowledge. The system had selected him as a guide for beginners, and a good choice he had proven to be. Kingsley had encountered him once, but only as a customer. He found the alchemist's skills to be impressive.

The shop smelled of herbs and flowers, which were prominent ingredients in his potions. Cauldrons bubbled audibly in the back, where he did the majority of his work. Shelves lined the walls, recently stocked with fresh batches of elixirs and draughts. Zackariah's mixtures varied in colour and effect, ranging from red healing potions to purple pheromone salves, and everything in between. It was a traditional type of alchemy that Kingsley had avoided entirely. Unversed in true potion making, he stuck to what he knew and founded Kingsley Tea Company, the finest tea shop in Aincrad.

Zackariah worked behind the counter, too distracted to notice the players enter the shop. His beard was long and snow-white, and his robes blue like cornflowers. He scribbled in a large book, and with a great frown on his face, muttered to himself quietly.

"Good afternoon," Kingsley tiny frame was hidden by the counter. "We-"

“Oh, hello," Zackariah interrupted, looking at everyone but the short old man. "Are you here to order something? I’m sorry, but I am currently swamped with orders, and I’m running out of supplies.” Light came into the man's dark eyes, a lightbulb going off to signify a brilliant idea. "Would the three of 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.”

Kingsley cleared his throat, rapping on the counter with the end of his cane.

"Er—the four of you," Zackariah corrected.

[Foyle 0]

Assaulted by the wall of odours and chemical cocktails from the moment they entered Zackariah's lab...err... shop... Foyle struggled just to keep his eyes open.  Whether from the irritants in the air, or the sheer acrid smell of the alchemist's latest concoction, he couldn't be sure.  Having politely bowed and introductions followed, he largely kept quiet and followed the rest, not really sure how to even interact with half the things they were talking about or encountered.  Smiling in a kindly way, he nodded when it seemed appropriate, like he used to do for this granddaughter whenever she 'absolutely needed to show him the latest app' on whatever electronic doo-dad she was clinging to that day.  All of it was beyond him.

Nymoria seemed like a kind soul, especially volunteering to help.  It had taken him a moment to understand what was happening when she spoke.  Fortunately, seniors were actually generally well acquainted with assistive listening and other similar accessibility tools, for obvious reasons, and it hadn't taken long to drawn the mental pencil line connecting those particular dots.

"Thank you, miss.  Your offer is most generous and very welcome.  I've tried to prepare myself better for the wilds," he added, patting his armor, but clearly still uncertain of how it would fare.  "Hopefully, we won't face anything too daunting around here.  But any warnings or advice you can offer would also be appreciated."

Kingsley, meanwhile, reminded him of his barber, with that same wily smile and unnerving twinkle in his eye that promised an entertaining experience and modest risk that he might take off your scalp if you got a little too clever.  A knowing smirk, shared discreetly between the two elders, seemed to cement some unspoken agreement, like a subtle handshake pact to keep the youngsters from dazzling them with too much techno-gobbledygook.  

Desperate to get away from the worst of the fumes, and need to make room for Hanzoku to squeeze into the tiny shop, Foyle made his way towards the back where a far more enticing, sludge-like brew bubbled away surrounded by triangular crackers and rondels of hard crusted bread.  Halfway through stuffing one into his mouth when Zackariah directed everyone's attention strait at him, his cheeks turned sheepishly rosy while he swallowed the incriminating evidence.

"Oh...um.  I'm sorry.  I thought these were free samples.  Do you not do that here?" 

It was a considerable relief to hear their host offer them the opportunity to partake.

***

Drinks the cheese-flavoured  Kool-Aid (+3 LD)

Updated stats: Foyle | HP: 140/140 | EN: 32/32 | DMG: 7 | MIT: 12 | ACC: 1 | LD: 6 | REC: 1 

Edited August 9 by Foyle

[Hanzoku 0]

Hanzoku looked back and forth at the others, then at the alchemist, who was already industriously busy with whatever he had been doing before they came into the shop.

"Actually, we're not here about ordering -"

"Tut tut. Then why are you wasting my time, young man?" the alchemist said, pausing for half a second to frown at Hanzoku. The player paused, considered the other two men in the group, and shrugged at the relatively truthful statement.

"Look, if we find those materials for you, will you have time to answer a few questions for us?" he said bluntly.

"Ah! Yes, yes. And to sweeten the deal - or make it more savory? I have this lovely cheese fondue. It's guaranteed to bring good fortune in your searching!"

"...Cheese fondue of good fortune. Yeah, sure, why not, this game wasn't weird enough anyway."

And so Hanzoku ate his first bite of food in over two years, enjoying the play of savory flavors between the cheese and the bite of bread, which had been brushed with a salted garlic oil and toasted before being cubed for use in the fondue. The warmth that filled him afterwards was more then just a food buff settling in, and his stomach rumbled in response.

"Huh. I'm going to go get something to eat after we're done with this quest."

Hanzoku | Lv. 1 | HP: 50/50 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 7 | MIT: 3 | REGEN: 2 | THORNS: 1 | LD: 3

[Nymoria 0]

They were an odd group, Nymoria had to admit. The overly cheerful and engaging form of Kingsley, the reserved and yet somehow grandfatherly knowing Foyle, and the form of Hanzoku who seemed out of place compared to everything else. Nymoria found herself wondering, just for a second, how she had ended up leading this band of adventurers through one of the oddest quests in Aincrad that she’d yet to come across. Shaking her head, knowing she would likely never find an answer, she instead followed behind the trio as they made their way towards the alchemist’s small shop.

The air was as acrid as ever, and Nymoria found herself wrinkling her nose as she stepped within. Sliding off to the side, so as to give the others the space they needed to engage the NPC, she passed her eyes over everything – noticing, with a wry smile as Foyle took what he assumed to be a sample out of individuals to enjoy, his cheeks turning a rose colour upon being caught and called upon.

I’m not so sure it was a sample. She said, even as she transferred a collection of col to Zackariah, hoping that the payment would appease the normally touchy alchemist. She’d learnt the hard way that he was never appreciative of non-paying guests. I’m just here to oversee, not get involved, Zackariah.

Whether the NPC acknowledged her words or not, Nymoria wouldn’t know. She instead stepped back out into the fresh air, waiting for the others to arrive before waving to the city walls in the distance with her right hand, her left moving in the intricate signs that seemed natural to her. Beyond the wall are the wilds. This quest requires you to find materials for crafting. They look different for everyone. Mine look like crystals, and metal pieces for jewelry. The wilds can be dangerous if you are not careful, but with me along it will be safer. Don’t run into a horde of boars, and we will be fine.

She punctuated her final thoughts with a broad smile, trying to instil the humour that the monotone voice of Cardinal’s translation likely left out. She doubted they would run into anything overtly dangerous, knowing that she was simply along for the ride and to keep watch over the group as they searched for the items they needed. Still, best to stay on guard and keep an eye out…just in case. Foyle at least has armour and a weapon, but none of them look really…combative. Maybe Hanzoku…? She filed the thoughts for later, hoping that they wouldn’t have the chance to figure out who was, and wasn’t ready for combat.

[Kingsley 0]

"Ah, fondue. I love the Swiss," Kingsley said, taking the sample from Zackariah. It was warm to the touch, but he wasn't sure how it would help him collect herbs and flowers and the like. Nymoria warned the group of dangerous boars outside of the protection of Tolbana. The old man wasn't worried. He had saved Morningstar from a bear once. A few wild hogs wouldn't scare him off! He left Zackariah's shop first, calling for the group to follow his lead. "C'mon then! Before my heart gives out!"

Now, if only he could remember where the town's gates were...

North, he thought. Unless it was south... Which way had they come from? He scratched his bearded chin and leaned on his cane. It was north, he was sure of it. But perhaps it was west?

"Which way to the gate?" He finally asked the group, willing to accept defeat.

---

Drink fondue yay! (+3 LD)
Kingsley | HP: 60/60 | EN: 24/24 | DMG: 8 | PAR: 1 | ACC: 3 | LD: 3

[Foyle 0]

"You really didn't have to do that, Miss Nymoria," Foyle added, sheepishly, thanking her for covering his clumsy offense in Zackariah's shop.  "I will gladly repay you the amount provided to the alchemist.  Eating fondue to make finding things easier doesn't quite connect for me, but the man seemed genuine.  Hopefully it won't give us indigestion, or worse."  Patting his chest plate for effect, Foyle beamed her a gentle smile, catching himself too late.  Fortunately, she wasn't likely to be noticing, but it made for a good reminder the be more thoughtful in the future.

Grateful that the other two participants seemed to be facing their own struggles, Foyle set himself about the task of searching for materials... whatever that was supposed to me.

"Are these things labeled somehow?  Should I be looking for fruit, or herbs?"  Someone had said something about stones for mining, recently, or was that yesterday?  Connecting rocks to alchemy... it was possible, he supposed.  But that just led him back to the mysterious fondue.  Stubbing his boot against something prompted a small notice to appear in front of him.  Apparently dandelions were on the list, and stomping them into paste counted as 'collecting.'

***

Post action: Gathering

ID 224888 | LD 18+3=21 | 1 material found 

Attempts (1/3)

Edited August 17 by Foyle

[Hanzoku 0]

Out on the plains, Hanzoku looked around, noting a few of the omnipresent boars rooting and grazing, but overall it was peaceful, and he relaxed a little as the discussion swung to what constituted a material.

"Huh, Miss Nymora is right - for me, they're rocky outcroppings, sparkling trees, odd flowers - like that dandelion you just found, good job there! So I go over to them-" he says, walking over to what looks like a regular rock to the others, and starts miming hitting it with a pickaxe. "And I 'mine' it until the system decides I did enough-"

A few more swings did the trick, and the rock exploded into shards. A chunk of what looked like copper with gems embedded in it thumped on the ground. "And if I'm lucky, I find something awesome." he said with satisfaction, picking up the 'copper ore'. It shimmers and disappears as he clenches his fist, but when he opens his hand, a crystal like Nymoria described sits in the palm of his hand.

"But once something becomes a material, when I summon it back it turns into one of these for me."

- - - - -

Post Action: Gathering

[ID:224891] |  LD 20 + 3 = 23 | 1 material found

Attempt (1/3)

[Nymoria 0]

The group had slowly made their way beyond the gates of the city, the fresh air of the plains and the soft wind that accompanied and brought it passing over Nymoria’s face and skin with a tingling feeling. She’d closed her eyes for a few seconds at the first touch, before turning back to find the group already at work collecting the materials they’d need for the quest itself. Their success, thanks in part to the fondue that they’d purchased, meant that Nymoria would likely have an easy time escorting them – at least on this part of the quest.

Content that they were safe for the moment, she turned towards her own foraging experience, deciding that she could at least make the most out of her presence in the plains. She ensured to keep an eye on the surrounding area, watching as a pair of boars roamed nearby – not so close as to present an immediate threat, but definitely close enough to keep an eye on.

Her gaze turned to each of the other players as her hands continued roaming through the fields, eyes searching as she considered their reason for suddenly accepting and taking on what was considered the beginner’s quest. She knew that many who began this path often ended up heading towards the front, but from the looks of the trio before her, she wasn’t so sure that was all of their destinations.

What is everyone’s goal after this quest? Do you have any plans? She signed the quest a couple of times, noticing when one of the others wasn’t watching, and repeating it once their eyes had turned towards her enough to cause the system to catch them in its weird way of pronouncing her form of speech. She wasn’t sure that her questions were necessarily direct enough, however, and she found herself quickly adding to each of them her own ideas, as if it would give the others something to balance their own answers off. I’m working towards the frontlines, although I’m not sure I want to join them. I might just stay on the lower floors, and provide support. To the frontlines when they’re not fighting a boss, and to new players.

 ------

ID224997 | LD: 14 | CD: 6 | Results: Success! [1 material; +8 EXP | 8/49 EXP]

 

[Kingsley 0]

Kingsley kept close to the group, listening as he searched for materials. He wasn't too surprised that Nymoria's sign language was translated into his head. He had seen stranger things since coming to Aincrad, and would likely see more as time went on. 

He settled down near a patch of daisies, picking them one by one and throwing them into his inventory for later. While he gathered them, he pondered Nymoria's question. "I'm too old for the frontlines," he chuckled. "I own a tea shop up in Glyndebourne and after this, I'll go back to work."

That was assuming Morningstar hadn't burnt it down already. He shuddered at the thought of the young man's tea brewing skills. "It's an honorable cause, though—the frontlines. I come from a military family, so I respect the choice to fight for your people."

He picked up all of the daisies, confident that Zackariah could use them in whatever mixtures he planned on brewing.

---

Post Action: Gathering

[ID:225040] |  LD 20 + 3 = 23 | 1 material found

Attempt (1/3)

[Hanzoku 0]

Hanzoku nods his head in respect to Kingsley. In another game, where combat magic was a thing, the old man might have been able to fight on the front lines. But at his age and condition, forcing him into serious battle was a death sentence. "I always liked tea back in real life. I'll have to visit your shop when we're done here."

"As for me, I'm set on advancing to the front lines, though I'll likely work to support the frontliners for a while once I'm strong enough to manage that. I'm well behind the curve - I was... out of it... for the last two years." the scruffy man said, his expression darkening for a moment. "So... well, I have a lot of catching up to do, and I'm scrambling to get everything sorted and ordered so that I can begin climbing the floors."

He smiles at the others as he considers their goals and ambitions. "Each of us is going to contribute in our own way to getting out of here. Kingsley's teas to strengthen us. Nymoria shepherding new players and boosting front liners. I've always been a tank - it's what I'm good at. Taking hits and dealing them back, keeping a boss on me and not running off to eat the rogue hiding in the back."

He looks up from where he is currently collecting a bundle of herbs that glitter with rainbow patterns in the daylight. "Each set of hands contributing ensures that we all rise." The herbs tremble in his hands and then burst into shards and fade. He sighs ruefully. "With some occasional setbacks."

[ID:225575] | LD 11 + 3 = 14 | Nothing found

Attempt (2/3)

[Foyle 0]

Foyle nods politely at Hanzoku's explanation, vaguely recognizing the approach as something akin to a game with deplorably blocky graphics that made his head spin every time he watched his granddaughter play it.  Slimecraft, or some such thing.  The man's efforts were appreciated.  His mind just couldn't process how one 'mined' weeds and flowers, insisting that a pickaxe somehow had to get involved.  Hanzoku's aspirations to join the front lines were most impressive, if not unexpected.

"My goals are more modest, and frankly less fully formed.  I'm still trying to learn so many of the game's basics that it is honestly embarrassing - though perhaps less than allowing myself to persist in my ignorance."  Trying to kick-'mine' a clump of clovers into materials, Foyle grudgingly gave up after listening to Kingsley's response.

"Did you ever serve, Kingsley?  I'm afraid compulsory service was as far as I ever managed."  His hand drifted to the pommel of his newly acquired weapon, a desire to rekindle the passion and interests in sword play of his youth ignited at hearing the dreams of the others.

"I'm sure that Master Hanzoku and Miss Nymoria will reach exalted ranks far before us, especially with such drive and devotion."  

***

Post action: Gathering

ID 225684 | LD 3+3=6 | No material found 

Attempts (2/3)

Edited August 17 by Foyle

[Nymoria 0]

Nymoria listened as each of them stated their desires, her eyes watching the movement of lips as much as the area around them. She smiled gently at the idea of opening a tea shop, and simply operating it until the end of time came for them. There was something almost comforting in the idea, as if it were a dream to be grasped at, against all odds. Not that she could see herself selling tea for the remainder of her days, but it seemed to fit Kingsley almost perfectly.

Her eyes hovered over the only other player who appeared to have aspirations for the frontlines. A man who seemed determined to provide protection towards others, and one who looked up to the part. Nymoria nodded as he spoke, her hands moving in half-signs as she threw out curtesy responses, before pausing and placing an actual question towards the player. If you’re plan is to be a tank, I think you will be very popular. There aren’t many tanks on the frontlines, last I had heard. At least, that was what I was told by a friend…have you already begun the process of collecting your tank skills? I hear there are a lot of them to pick up.

It was about all she knew regarding the topic, but she was more than happy to at least point him in the correct direction if he hadn’t already considered it. She knew it was superficial at best, but she hoped that her supportive behaviour would, at the very least, encourage him to work hard in his goals.

Her eyes landed upon the final member of the party, seeing the challenges he was having even as he admitted to the loss he was feeling. Not at everything that had been taken from them, but rather at the understanding of the world around him. Grandfatherly, and yet very different from the form and behaviours of Kingsley. Gently, Nymoria reached over and waved a hand towards the flowers and weeds that Foyle had been digging his boot into, her hand moving calmly as she explained a bit more in detail.

There’s no real trick to it. Gathering is all about taking the time to carefully pluck the item from the area you find it in. Like your flowers. Think of how you would pluck a flower in the real world, and try to mimic that here. Grab it by the stem, and carefully pull it away from the roots. Not too hard, so as to shock it. Not too soft, so as to have it crumble beneath your touch. A bit of colour came to her face as her hands moved through the final motion of her words, a realisation of the tone behind them even as they came out from her fingers; a tone which was likely lost in the monotonous voice of Cardinal. A gentle caress will bring them to you long before a harsh beating.

------

 ID225964 | LD: 17 | CD: 7 | Results: Success! [3 materials; +16 EXP | 24/49 EXP]

[Kingsley 0]

"Did you ever serve, Kingsley?" The other elder in the group asked.

"Briefly, yes. I spent time in Malysia, at the end of the conflict in the late 50s. It wasn't what I wanted—I'm a businessman at heart—but I was lucky. A few short years of service and I was free to go home. Proposed to the woman of my dreams the moment I returned," he smiled warmly, looking down at the flowers he had collected. "I wasn't much of a soldier, but I wouldn't have traded it for the world. It played a part in who I am today."

Kingsley directed another hearty grin to Hanzoku and Nymoria. "I look forward to seeing your success on the frontlines. My shop is open to you, always."

Nym's gathering explanation was poetic, and beautiful. She treated it like an art, and in a sense, Kingsley supposed it was. He dug around for more materials, hoping to fatten up his collection.

ID 225965 | LD 2+3=5 | No material found 

Attempts (2/3)

[Hanzoku 0]

Hanzoku nods to Nymoria as she takes the time to give him tips for his hoped for future career and teach Foyle the proper way to gather herbs. "You seem to have a real gift as a teacher, Miss Nymoria." he says with a smile. For himself, he had found an interesting deadfall and a ghostly axe flicked in his grip as he 'chopped' up the tree-shaped material in hopes to collect something permanent from it.

"If you have questions about basic gaming mechanics, feel free to ask me as well, Foyle. A lot of the basics of this game are cribbed from the games that preceded it." he offers the other swordsman.

Unfortunately for Hanzoku, the tree fades away without providing any materials, and he shakes his head. "No luck for me that time. Hopefully Zachariah isn't expecting a full complement of materials from each of us." he says with a shrug as he turns to watch the efforts of the others.

- - - - -

Post Action: Gathering

[ID:225966 |  LD 20 + 3 = 13 | no materials found

Attempt (3/3)

Edited August 13 by Hanzoku