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

[Foyle 0]

Grateful for Nymoria's description, the old man listened attentively while admiring the patience and care in her cadence, where the system filtered out any tone.

"Ah!  I see, now.  It's reminds me much more of the bonzai I care... cared for.  Thank you for putting it this way.  I think, perhaps, I was not appreciating the ways in which this world could mimic our own."  Bending down on one knee near a tiny cluster of fairy foxglove, Foyle tenderly cupped the fledgling plant with his fingers.  Tugging gently to keep it whole, root and shoot came up easily into his hands, greeted by the smile of success achieved without the casual brutality so common to this world.

"Thank you for that, Nymoria."  There was genuine joy on Foyle's face as he spoke, a sense of soulful contentment playing out across wrinkled features denied that sort of epiphany for too long.  

"And I echo Kingsley's sentiment.  You will both make fine additions to the front lines, I'm sure.  You can also count on a future visitor to your tea shop, my friend."

Bursting into a puff of crystal shards reminiscent of dandelion seeds snatched up by the wind, the foxglove transformed into a system prompt signaling another success.

"I will certainly take you up on that offer, Master Hanzoku.  Hopefully without embarrassing myself too badly."  A beaming smile and chuckle waved off his own lack of experience.  That was his whole reason for being here.  Why deny himself a teacher, even one so much the younger?  What did age matter in a world turned upside down?

***

Post action: Gathering

ID 226475 | LD 12+3=15 | 1 material found (2 total)

Attempts (3/3)

Edited August 17 by Foyle

[Nymoria 0]

The cheeks on her face flushed slightly at the collection of compliments she suddenly received, and Nymoria found herself ducking her head into the grasses to avoid the looks of the others while she composed herself. She’d done nothing more than speak earnestly and honestly, hoping that what little she knew would assist them in their first steps. She took only a few seconds before reappearing into sight, her expression still warmed by the embarrassment, and yet her eyes and smile showing a hint of acceptance, and happiness, in response.

Thank you. The sign was simple, slow enough for all to catch without seeming out of place. She took a look at the trio, thinking for a second how rare it was to find such welcoming, nice individuals. It reminded her of the shame that Aincrad had become, since they’d become trapped in the world. So many good people, kept from the real world. At least we get to be together? Her eyes moved idly over an area as she thought, looking for any more of the gemstones that would mark help her crafting.

After some time, she realised that they had finished their search, and were ready to head back. Standing and stretching slightly, she waved towards the city, giving a slight grin as she looked over the other three. Shall we head back to the alchemist’s shop? Then we can head on to the next part of all of this…I think.

------

 ID226476 | LD: 3 | CD: 11 | Results: Failure [3 materials; +3 EXP | 27/49 EXP]

[Kingsley 0]

Gathering up the last of the flowers he could find, Kingsley chimed in. "Yes, I think we shall."

---

The alchemist greeted them excitedly upon their return, eager to see what kinds of goodies they had brought for him. He stroked his beard, looking over at all of the natural ingredients, happy to see that they had understood the assignment.

"Very good. Very good, indeed," the alchemist said, taking their haul to his supply cupboard. He came back holding a metal tray. Upon it were three salves for the party to take. They were gifts from Zackariah, and each had an utterly vague name.

"You wouldn't happen to owe the Mayor any money would you? For an old loan, perhaps? Dorian seems to have forgotten who he had lent to." Kingsley asked, taking one of the vials for himself.

Zackariah laughed at the inquiry. "Leave it to Dorian to forget something so important. No, I'm afraid it wasn't me that borrowed the col. You might try Lyle, the blacksmith. I've seen him talking with the mayor frequently the past month or so, and he's just up the road. I wish you luck!"

---

Post action: Gathering

ID 226642 | LD 20+3=23 | 1 material found (2 total)

Attempts (3/3)

Edited August 16 by Kingsley

[Hanzoku 0]

Hanzoku accepts the gift of the potion with a bemused expression. While it looks utterly unappetizing to consume, he could safely assume that as a master alchemist, Zachariah wouldn't be pawning failed potions off on them.

"Well, thank you for your insight." he instead said politely to the NPC. Outside the store, he just shakes his head, unsurprised. "It's one of those standard tropes - what should be a simple message delivery is never anything but." he says to the others in an amused tone, adding a smile for Nymoria's sake. "Well, let's see what Lyle has to say about this."

 

 

The scent of smoke and hot metal assaulted their senses, heat from the forge washing over them as they trooped into the smithy, spotting the old blacksmith. Pushing 70, he looks to have dried out in the fires of his forge, all muscle and sinew, sporting a long white beard with the occasional missing patch where a spark settled for a moment. He glances up at the group and his face twists with annoyance - or even disgust. "Go away, I'm busy." he says tersely.

"Zachariah, down the road said you've been talking with Dorian, do you have a-" Hanzoku said, only to be cut off as the smith makes a slashing gesture with his hand - holding a heavy blacksmith's hammer. "I don't do anything without payment. Go deal with a few of those pesky boarlets for me, and bring them back whole or else just their tusks. I don’t care which.  They're pretty weak, so even you shouldn't have any trouble.  Do that, then I'll hear you out." 

He glanced over the group with clear contempt, though that look is muted in Nymoria's case. "If you're idiots and don't have weapons, I can loan - loan mind you - one. Otherwise, I have a bag of dosed truffels around here that you can feed to the little monsters that'll knock them out so you can bring them back. Since they're four of you... don't bother coming back until you've got twelve for me me, tusks or boarlets."

Spoiler

Lyle will loan each player the following, which disappear at the end of the thread:

• T1 Perfect [Weapon of Choice] | ACC 2 | DMG 1
• Bag of Tranquilizer Truffles (puts a boarlet to sleep on BD 5+, requires a post action to attempt using)

A post action is required for any player to equip the borrowed weapon, at which time they must also update their combat stats.

Each player must choose to kill and/or sedate three boarlets.  A mix of both approaches is acceptable.  Note that boarlets will become hostile and attack if you attempt to sedate them, generating 2 hate with every attempt as you taunt them with those sweet, sweet num-nums.  Sedated boarlets are not eligible to be looted.  Slain boarlets each drop a set of tusks.

 

<<Boarlet>>

They've killed more players than all of the floor bosses combined. Don't let the cuteness deceive you.

HP: 5/5 | DMG: 3

 

Edited August 17 by Hanzoku

[Foyle 0]

"I've seen too many variations of 'killed by a boar' on the Monument of Life to consider feeding these things."  Struggling a moment to remember the proper interface procedures, Foyle finally figured it out.  The adjustment was minor, but he'd been informed by a reliable source that this would be the best order of battle, when the time came.  "Alright.  We saw them in the fields earlier.  If this is what is required, then let's simply get it done."  No complains and no quarter.  Spoken like a man who'd lived a long life of service filled with drudgery.  No one ever wanted the dirty or tedious tasks, yet they were often the most essential.  Loosening his weapon in his sheathe, a simple nod was offered to the smith before heading back towards the gate.

Driven with a purpose, Foyle kept a surprisingly hearty pace as he strode through the streets, not pausing until they had reached the outer fields once more.  

"Pick your targets and don't take on more than you feel you can handle.  I'm sure that Miss Nymoria will have our backs if anyone gets into trouble."

***

Foyle replaces Laurel Earcuffs with Basalt. 

Updated stats:

Foyle | HP: 140/140 | EN: 32/32 | DMG: 7 | MIT: 12 | ACC: 4 | REC: 1 

Edited August 17 by Foyle

[Nymoria 0]

She followed calmly as the trio made their way back into the town, making a direct path towards the alchemist. She could see the hopes in a few steps as they thought that, perhaps, the quest would be over. She’d come to know better, following the most recent updates that Cardinal had gone through; they still had quite a ways to go if they were to complete the quest today. Not that she’d tell them, yet.

She’d stood off to the side at Zackariah’s, smiling to herself as the alchemist turned them away with gifts that looked questionable at best. A slight change from when she’d taken the quest, but not entirely different; enough so that she could still recognise the basics of it, and the coming twist. A happy skip to her step, she’d made her way back outside once they were done talking, waiting for the others before following them towards Lyle’s smithery. Not that it was her favourite place by any means, but she knew that it was the next stop without even having been listening to the conversation.

I’ll wait out here. Lyle and I don’t…get along, you could say. She settled up against a nearby wall, just outside of the smith itself. From her position she could keep an eye on the trio as they went inside and spoke with the man, without having to become engaged directly; a situation that was more than acceptable to her.

Their quick return allowed Nymoria the chance to confirm their continuation of the quest, before following them into the field. She watched closely as Foyle struggled, if only for a brief moment, with the interface system. A quick change of gear, and then a strong stride led them out towards the wildlands, and their quarry.

The boarlets were easy enough to find, and as they approached Nymoria added onto Foyle’s own commentary, her hands moving in a way that allowed the trio around her to see them. An odd, pinkish-violet glow seemed to cover her hands as she activated her odd, new skill. Just as Foyle said, pick your targets but don’t take on more than you can handle. Keep moving. Dodge.

------

Nymoria | Lv. 16 | P. 0 | HP [320/320] | EN [46/50] | ACC [4] | DMG [12] | EVA: 1 | MIT [34] | BH [+9] | -4 EN
Hanzoku | Lv. 1 | HP: 50/50 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 7 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 3 | REGEN: 2 | THORNS: 1 | LD: 3
Kingsley | HP: 60/60 | EN: 24/24 | DMG: 8 | EVA: 1 | PAR: 1 | ACC: 3 | LD: 3
Foyle | HP: 140/140 | EN: 32/32 | DMG: 7 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 12 | ACC: 4 | REC: 1 

[0,0,0,0] Boarlet 1 | HP: 5/5 | DMG: 3
[0,0,0,0] Boarlet 2 | HP: 5/5 | DMG: 3
[0,0,0,0] Boarlet 3 | HP: 5/5 | DMG: 3

Nymoria uses Elusive | +1 EVA to party.

[Kingsley 0]

Kingsley repeated what advice the others had offered. "Pick your targets wisely," he muttered. His eyes were caught by a pack of three small boarlets that were munching on grass. He whistled, grabbing their attention, and lifted his walking stick.

"Now, let's see... How do I do this again?" He asked, purely rhetorically as he attempted to activate a sword art. He tried numerous positions that all resulted in failure, until finally one felt right. A blue glow overtook the walking stick. "Aha!"

In an arc, he swung at the approaching boarlets, blowing all of them up simultaneously. The boar tusks that Lyle had requested flowed into his inventory. He grinned proudly, wiping the end of his cane, as well as a bit of dust from his coat. His first joint of combat was a success, and he would live to see another day. "Perhaps the frontlines could use me after all!" He jested.

---

3/3 boars killed

Spoiler

Post Action | AOE-I (x7, 13 EN)
Free Action | 

ID226832 | BD: 6+3=9 | DMG: 8*7=56 to Boarlet 1
ID226832 | BD: 8+3=11 | DMG: 8*7=56 to Boarlet 2
ID226832 | BD: 9+3=12 | DMG: 9*7=63 to Boarlet 3

Nymoria | Lv. 16 | P. 0 | HP [320/320] | EN [46/50] | ACC [4] | DMG [12] | EVA: 1 | MIT [34] | BH [+9] | -4 EN
Hanzoku | Lv. 1 | HP: 50/50 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 7 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 3 | REGEN: 2 | THORNS: 1 | LD: 3
Kingsley | HP: 60/60 | EN: 11/24 | DMG: 8 | EVA: 1 | PAR: 1 | ACC: 3 | LD: 3
Foyle | HP: 140/140 | EN: 32/32 | DMG: 7 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 12 | ACC: 4 | REC: 1 

[0,0,1,0] Boarlet 1 | HP: 0/5 | DMG: 3
[0,0,1,0] Boarlet 2 | HP: 0/5 | DMG: 3
[0,0,1,0] Boarlet 3 | HP: 0/5 | DMG: 3

 

[Hanzoku 0]

Seeing the boarlets took Hanzoku back to the first days of the game, and his hand tightened on the hilt of his sword, breath coming raggedly as he stared into their cursed crimson eyes, filled with porcine lust for blood and death. Their oldest member stepped forward as the first to deal with the monsters, and with a simple slash of his cane, wiped them from existence.

As Kingsley returned to the group, Hanzoku mustered his courage. Finding another group of three nearby, he selected one and nearly fell over as he read its level and stats. Five HP. 3 damage. Between his regeneration aura, armor and thorns, he could fight an endless parade of the little pests and never worry a moment.

And one of these little monsters had killed his best friend. Maybe it had a higher level, maybe they shouldn't have faced it so soon. But none of that mattered. All that mattered was the red that filled his world and the rapidly approaching boars.

- - - - -

To the others, Hanzoku stepped forward in a strange trance, steps moving from a walk to a trot to a full out run as a berserk scream burst from his lips. His sword glowed with a sword art as the three boarlets looked up in surprise, which turned into aggression. That aggression didn't do them much good. Hanzoku was a large, fit man, covered in nearly 25 kilograms of steel armor, wielding a spiked shield and a sword that he swung as an afterthought as he quite literally plowed into and through two of the boars, their broken bodies smashed into the air and into the path of his wild cleave. The third managed to avoid the berserk charge and took a moment to consider if this was really how it wanted to spend its last moments as the human spun towards it, roaring his warcry. "Blood for the blood god! Tusks for the asshole blacksmith!"

---

5/6 boars killed

Spoiler

Post Action | AOE-I (x3, 7 EN)
Free Action |

ID226843 | BD: 10 | DMG: 7 + 2 = 9 * 3 = 27 DMG to Boarlet 4
ID226844 | BD: 10 | DMG: 7 + 2 = 9 * 3 = 27 DMG to Boarlet 5
ID226845 | BD: 5 | Miss vs Boarlet 6

Nymoria | Lv. 16 | P. 0 | HP [320/320] | EN [46/50] | ACC [4] | DMG [12] | EVA: 1 | MIT [34] | BH [+9] | -4 EN
Hanzoku | HP: 20/20 | EN: 13/20 | DMG: 7 | MIT:18 | EVA:1 | REGEN: 1 | LD:3 | -7 EN
Kingsley | HP: 60/60 | EN: 11/24 | DMG: 8 | EVA: 1 | PAR: 1 | ACC: 3 | LD: 3
Foyle | HP: 140/140 | EN: 32/32 | DMG: 7 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 12 | ACC: 4 | REC: 1 

[0,2,0,0] Boarlet 4 | HP: -22/5 | DMG: 3
[0,2,0,0] Boarlet 5 | HP: -22/5 | DMG: 3
[0,0,0,0] Boarlet 6 | HP: 5/5 | DMG: 3

 

 

Edited August 17 by Hanzoku

[Foyle 0]

Foyle chuckled to himself as he watched Kingsley soundly beat the first pack of boars, as one might a group of pesky critters testing a vegetable patch.  Hanzoku took his turn next, spraying sprinkles about with raw strength, yet leaving one of the beasts unscathed and reeling from the fray.  A quick salute with his wakizashi saw the old warrior lunge forward with surprising precision and speed, cleaving its head from the rest of its body. 

With surprising elegance and grace, Foyle spun, each stem meticulously placed to continue his impromptu dance and close the distance to other nearby foes.  A downward slash split the next nearest boarlet in twain, sparkling fragments spraying like the waves of a parted sea.  Trailing his back foot in a wide arc leaving the rut of his heel in the soft soil and building a gust of wind-like energy as his sword art unfurled, his final cut also struck true.  Beady red eyes, maliciously innocent in the wake of the torment they caused in those earliest days, were struck from existence in a wide lateral slice.

By the time the last of the fractals hit the ground, he had regained his original stance and footing, sliding the blade back into his sheath as he'd been taught so many years ago.  The tiniest smile of satisfaction, denying any foothold to pride, could be seen on the corners of his tightly pressed and focused guise.  

'I can do this,' he finally admitted to himself.

***

Spoiler

Post Action | R1 AoE-I (x3,  1 EN, +2/hit): 7 EN 
Free Action | None

ID #226872 | BD: 9 (Crit +1).  DMG (3*8=24) vs. Boarlet 6.  Dies.
ID #226873 | BD: 10 (Crit +2).  DMG (3*9=27) vs. Boarlet 7.  Dies.
ID #226874 | BD: 6+4=10 (hit).  DMG (3*7=21) vs. Boarlet 8.  Dies.

Nymoria | HP [320/320] | EN [46/50] | ACC [4] | DMG [12] | EVA: 1 | MIT [34] | BH [+9] 
Hanzoku | HP: 20/20 | EN: 13/20 | DMG: 7 | MIT:18 | EVA:1 | REGEN: 1 | LD:3
Kingsley | HP: 60/60 | EN: 11/24 | DMG: 8 | EVA: 1 | PAR: 1 | ACC: 3 | LD: 3
Foyle | HP: 140/140 | EN: 25/32 (32-7) | DMG: 7 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 12 | ACC: 4 | REC: 1 

[0,0,0,2] Boarlet 6 | HP: 0/5 (5-24) | DMG: 3
[0,0,0,2] Boarlet 7 | HP: 0/5 (5-27) | DMG: 3
[0,0,0,1] Boarlet 8 | HP: 0/5 (5-21) | DMG: 3

Foyle has killed 3/3 boarlets.

Edited August 18 by Foyle

[Hanzoku 0]

Compared to the understated simplicity of Kinsley's casual dismissal of the boars and Foyle's sword dance, Hanzoku felt clumsy and ill-trained, his berserker tactics were effective, but seeing Foyle's precise and meticulous footwork showed a background in fighting skills that he himself sorely lacked. He resolved to find a teacher of the fighting arts once they were done with this quest - every advantage would be needed to survive on the higher floors, and he couldn't rely on the sword arts to carry them.

As the last of the three trainees in need of a boarlet, he calms himself and carefully teases out a boarlet that wanders too far from its small herd, stepping into its aggro radius and out, drawing it step by step away from pulling more of the herd into their battle before setting his stance, shield ready and sword ready as the boar scuffed a dainty trotter before squealing and charging, tusks leading. His longsword glows with a cyan aura as he brings it down, the slash multiplied by three extra blades. "<<Fourfold Strike!">>" he says he unleashes the sword art. However he misses the little target, and the boarlet ducks under his shield and slashes with its tusks against his leg, scratching the armor and possibly leaving a bruise. With an annoyed grunt, Hanzoku drops his heavy spiked shield on top of it, and a sad squelch marks its passing as sparkles spray out from under the heavy metal.

"Right. I'm definitely rusty." he says, then shrugs. "But what works, works."

The American player collects his third set of tusks and looks at the others. "Well, that looks to be it. I'd say we can tell the jerk where to stuff these tusks if he complains that Nymoria didn't commit porcine genocide."

Spoiler

Post Action | R1 ST-I (x4): -4 EN (miss: -1 EN)
Free Action | None

ID #226920 | BD: 4 (miss)

Boarlet 9 | ID#226920 | MD: 6 (hit) | 3 - 18 = 1 DMG.
  | THORNS deals 9 DMG

Nymoria | HP [320/320] | EN [46/50] | ACC [4] | DMG [12] | EVA: 1 | MIT [34] | BH [+9] 
Hanzoku | HP: 19/20 | EN: 12/20 | DMG: 7 | MIT:18 | EVA:1 | REGEN: 1  | THORNS 9 | LD:3
Kingsley | HP: 60/60 | EN: 11/24 | DMG: 8 | EVA: 1 | PAR: 1 | ACC: 3 | LD: 3
Foyle | HP: 140/140 | EN: 25/32 (32-7) | DMG: 7 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 12 | ACC: 4 | REC: 1 

[0,0,0,0] Boarlet 9 | HP: -4/5 | DMG: 3

 

[Nymoria 0]

Nymoria had stepped back and let the three other players focus on the boars while she held her attention towards the fields themselves. Thankfully, for better or for worse, only the small boarlets bothered to approach the players. Whether that was a new safety feature of the game itself, or if it was simply luck that kept them safe, Nymoria couldn’t say for certain. Either way, she was more than happy to relax in the shadows of a nearby tree, keeping an eye on the group without having to do any real measure of work – although she was more than happy to complete another simple pass looking for anything of value.

Once they had confirmed their completion of the boarlets, she pushed herself from where she’d settled, smiling and waving towards the city. Shall we return? The sooner we complete this portion of the quest, the faster we can head off and deal with the fish. That one should be…well, not the hardest thing in existence, but a bit more tricky than these were.

Her hands were a flurry of motion as she spoke in intricacy before turning and making her way back towards the town. She paused only a few times to ensure that the others were following before continuing on her way. She had no doubts that they would soon be complete with the quest as a whole, and a sudden thought occurred to her.

We should add friends. So we can contact one another. She brought up her menu with her left hand, her fingers moving in a flurry as she sent each of the individuals a friend request.

Nymoria has sent you a friend request. Would you like to accept?

Accept

Deny

 

------

 ID226926 | LD: 2 | CD: 6 | Results: Failure [3 materials; +3 EXP | 30/49 EXP]

 

[Foyle 0]

"Hah!"  Foyle cheered at Hanzoku's master stroke, sheer brutality aside it was an innovative solution.  "If messy works and keeps you alive, then that's just what it takes."  Patting him on the back as encouragement, the older man seemed to have found his stride, reservations and hesitation bleeding into the background as he led them back toward Lyle's shop with nonchalant ease.  Nymoria's sudden invitation, likewise barely startled him and was accepted without hesitation.  Since the menu was already open, he took a moment to extend the same courtesy to Kingley and Hanzoku as well.

Their trip back to the smithy took no time at all, the parting riding high on their recent successes and flush with a growing sense of comradery.  With the sun beaming bright overhead and cheerful sounds of nature summer chirping all around, they were able to forget their burdens and enjoy a memory made and shared without Aincrad's traumatic underpinnings dragging them down.

It was on that note that they returned to Lyle's shop, the dour blacksmith glancing askance at them.  Bowing formally, Foyle handed over the gathered tusks, as requested.

"As I imagine you may already suspect, we've been tasked by Mayor Dorian to investigate some missing funds.  Are you aware of any loan-"

"I don't take loans from anyone," interrupted the smith, "especially men the likes of Dorian White. You might try old Pete Larkin. He spends all his time fishing for river monsters or some such nonsense." With a scoff, he adds, "Without a real job, the man could probably use the charity." Lyle turns back to his work.

"Of course.  Thank you for your time."  Not a hint of sarcasm or resentment left the old man's lips.  A lifetime of service had taught him a few valuable lessons on how to deal with characters like Lyle.  Killing them with kindness often proved the most effective.  As the group moved to exit, Foyle deposited the two materials he'd gathered earlier in the day, into the man's predictably empty tip jar.  The foxglove added a particularly lovely touch.

Edited August 18 by Foyle

[Kingsley 0]

"Yer tellin' me Mayor Dorian's taken to sending players to do his dirty work?" Laughed old Pete Larkin.

Kingsley almost scoffed in defense, but realized that it was an apt analysis. They were, essentially, doing the mayor's dirty work, even if it was the basis of the quest. Pete wasn't as burly and gruff as Lyle Tealeaf, but he was definitely a little rough around the edges. He was an old, white-bearded sailor (if his dialect had not given that away), and spent just about all of his time at the docks. The fisherman pointed to his catch for the day: a pile of trash.

"Fine, fine, he’ll get his money, as soon as ye help me finish pulling it out of the drink!”

"Are you asking us to dig through this?" Kingsley clarified.

"Tha's right."

Grumbling, Kingsley got to his knees and began to scavenge through the rubbish, watching out for pokey traps.

---

ID226979 LD: 2+3=5
ID226980 LD: 20+3=23

Chest Discovered!

 

[Hanzoku 0]

Hanzoku looks touched as Nymoria sends him a friends request and clicks the button to accept immediately and without reservation. He likewise exchanges friend requests with Foyle and Kingsley. "I'm glad to have met all of you today. It's been... nice. To go on simple quests like these again." he says with a smile. He lets Foyle take the lead in talking to the blacksmith and snickers as the older swordsman leaves a foxglove in the man's tip jar.

"Well, I hope he just admires that - and doesn't try to throw the leaves in a salad." he says with a smirk as they leave for the docks.

Once there, he joins Kingsley in rooting through the remarkably fragrant pile of seaweed and refuse that Pete had dredged up. He's glad for the protection his suit of armor affords to both legs and hands as he can search through the sharper refuse with casual disregard of the danger (and only a mounting need for a bath) and quickly uncovers a locked treasure chest. "Well now, looks like this pile is coming up aces. How're you doing, Foyle?"

- - - - -

[ID:227059] | LD 14 + 3 = 17 | Treasure chest found!

Edited August 19 by Hanzoku

[Foyle 0]

A clock?  A lefthand bracer with a bite taken out of it, in the pattern of human teeth?  A jar filled with coloured glass from other broken jars? 

"How did Lyle even catch this stuff? I'm not even going near where any of it came from."

Rummaging through the drowned garage sale of derelict doo-dads, Foyle was unconsciously sorting everything he found into 'useless' and 'possibly useful' piles, in a manner that previously drove his wife nuts.  As the local building super, he'd often had to make due with whatever was on hand, and had a whole storage room full of cast-offs hoarded in case they might one day be required. His replacement had laughed at it, pulling out parts for equipment that hadn't even been manufactured in three decades.  The corresponding machinery had also long-since been replaced.  In a way, that room and this task served as a metaphor for his life.

"Ah!  Found something.  This ought to do the trick. What do you know? It seems as though some old things are not just junk after all, right Kingsley?"

***

ID 227061 | LD: 14+3=17 | Treasure chest found

Edited August 19 by Foyle

[Kingsley 0]

A bit disgusted, Kingsley dug through the heap of scraps and junk, eventually digging out a chest of his own. "It seems as though some old things are not just junk after all, right Kingsley?" Came Foyle.

Kingsley clicked open the lock on his chest, opening the lid slowly and dramatically. "They most certainly are not," he grinned, taking a peak at the valuables inside. Coins and weapons had been tucked in the chest, hidden away at the bottom of the water, waiting for somebody to snatch them up. It appeared that he was the lucky fellow who would do such a thing. He had always loved coming across loot, although his taste was more of the natural variety. He liked things he could mix into potions. He showed the group his haul.

"Well, don't be shy," he said to the others. "Let's take a look at what you've found there."

***

ID 227073 | LD: 16
200 col
10 materials
T1 Perfect Weapon 227073a
T1 Perfect Weapon 227073b
T1 Perfect Consumable 227073c

[Foyle 0]

Even the ever-stoic Foyle couldn't keep a grin from his face at Kingley's urging, opening the twin tabs holding shut the rusted metal coffer he'd drudged up amidst Larkin's junk.

"Hah!  This stuff might do nicely after all."  Though he struggled to determine the precise properties of each item, it seemed like a potentially valuable array of goods. Expecting to have to gather each item in turn, the old man reached for them as Nymoria had taught, only to discover that the whole lot had been transferred to his inventory.  It took him another minute to figure out what that meant, and where to find it, but it was all coming along.

"Thank you all for today," he added, pausing to express his heartfelt gratitude to each of his companions.  "It's a great relief to know that we're all undertaking this journey together, and that some people know how all of these gadgets and menus actually work."  Chuckling merrily, he then joined Kingsley in eagerly waiting to see what Hanzoku had found.

***

Post Action: Open Treasure Chest | ID 227187 | LD 17

250 col
12 materials
T1 Perfect Weapon 227187a
T1 Perfect Armor/Shield 227187b
T1 Perfect Consumable 227187c
T1 Perfect Consumable 227187d

Edited August 20 by Foyle

[Hanzoku 0]

Hanzoku rubs his hands together eagerly - opening a treasure chest was always one of the most rewarding experiences in other games, and the overflowing chests the other two had found gave him high hopes. His chest was a scuffed metal trunk with a single latch in the center, measuring about a meter in length and half a meter wide and deep. With a deep breath, he flipped the latch open as the other two crowded close, and pushed the lid open...

Well, it was certainly full, at least. Mostly rotting, stinking clothes ruined by their long immersion in water. After sifting through the top layers, he tips the whole trunk over and starts tossing clothes back into the 'treasure' chest, sifting through the clothes and finding a few col in a pocket there, a material tucked in the folds of a coat here. The pile he assembles at the end is... limited. But he smiles none the less. "They can't all be winners, but what you lose on one chest, you win on another." he says philosophically as he transfers the found items to his inventory.

 

---

Post Action: Open Treasure Chest  | ID 227190 | LD: 5 

75 col
3 materials
T1 unidentified rare consumable 227190a
T1 unidentified rare consumable 227190b 

Edited August 20 by Hanzoku

[Nymoria 0]

Nymoria had held off to the side, watching as the trio worked their way through what appeared to be a pile of collected junk and garbage, searching for chests that would contain some sort of valuables – or at least, that’s what they were told. As each pulled out a variety of items, each somehow more disgusting in a way than the last, she couldn’t help but giggle to herself, wondering if they had been duped into some sort of weird cleanup mission. She was glad that she hadn’t been roped into it, at least.

If you are done playing with the garbage, let’s head back to Dorian and get this done? She signed as the trio of players confirmed the finding of their various goods, small trinkets and collectables that might have had some worth. Not that Nymoria’s eyes could distinguish from goods and garbage at the current moment. Shaking her head once more, she confirmed that the trio were ready, before heading back into the town and the pathways that would lead to Dorian’s regular roaming areas.

The winding route eventually came to a stop as they came across the mayor; the man harassing another player even as the trio approached to confirm the items they had found, and offer them in payment from the fisherman who had taken the original loan from the mayor. Nymoria waited calmly and patiently off to the side, approaching only once it was clear that they had each completed the lessons.

First quest done! Congratulations! She gave a quick, polite smile to each of them, her hands pausing in the air in an obvious sign that she was going to continue and add something else to her commentary. After only a few breaths, she continued, her hands moving in another rhythmic movement. If you ever need help, don’t be scared to call me. I will come and help, if I can. It is always a joy to help others. I’m happy to have met you today. All of you.

She waited to listen to any final goodbyes, before turning towards the centre of town and her original destination. Musei, finally having awoken and realising that the other players were now out of sight, or fading into the distance, slipped from the pocket on her breast up to her left shoulder, the tiny weasel’s face glancing about as it squinted against the sunlight. Nymoria gave only one cautious glance back towards where she had left the trio, knowing that they would likely meet again – and she knew, somehow, that they would be grown and capable far beyond where they were in this moment. Players worthy of the title of frontliners, whether they join it or not…those three will do amazing things, in their own way. I know it.

A slight smile, this one truly genuine, and then she had continued on her way, the mayor and the trio left behind; if only for the moment.

------

Thread Summary
Word Count: 10,580

Nymoria
EXP: 10,580 / 10 x 2 x 0.5 = 1,058 x 2 [New Player Bonus] = 2,116 EXP
3 Materials [Loot]

Hanzoku
EXP: 10,580 / 10 x 1 x 0.5 = 529 [Thread Progression] + 800 [Quest] = 1,359 x 2 [New Player Bonus] = 2,718 EXP
Col: 266 [Thread Progression] + 2,000 [Quest] + 75 [Loot] = 2,341 col
5 Material [Loot]
T1 unidentified rare consumable 227190a
T1 unidentified rare consumable 227190b 
Zackariah’s Special Draught |  A ruddy-colored drink mixture that looks like it definitely came out of an apprentice alchemy class. Tierless Perfect HP Recovery Potion)
Initiate’s Draw | A mundane but reliable bit of gear provided by Lyle Tealeaf for services rendered. T1 Perfect [Weapon of Choice], [Armor of Choice] or [Trinket of Choice] - type and standard enhancements (i.e. no unique enhancements) must be specified in thread closing.
Big Bertha Braciole | A restorative fish entrée that helps restore some spent vigor. (5x) T1 Rare Vitality Consumable (Snack)
 

Kingsley
EXP: 10,580 / 10 x 1 x 0.5 = 529 [Thread Progression] + 800 [Quest] = 1,359 x 2 [New Player Bonus] = 2,718 EXP
Col: 266 [Thread Progression] + 2,000 [Quest] + 200 [Loot] = 2,466 col
12 Material [Loot]
T1 Perfect Weapon 227073a
T1 Perfect Weapon 227073b
T1 Perfect Consumable 227073c
Zackariah’s Special Draught |  A ruddy-colored drink mixture that looks like it definitely came out of an apprentice alchemy class. Tierless Perfect HP Recovery Potion)
Initiate’s Draw | A mundane but reliable bit of gear provided by Lyle Tealeaf for services rendered. T1 Perfect [Weapon of Choice], [Armor of Choice] or [Trinket of Choice] - type and standard enhancements (i.e. no unique enhancements) must be specified in thread closing.
Big Bertha Braciole | A restorative fish entrée that helps restore some spent vigor. (5x) T1 Rare Vitality Consumable (Snack)

Foyle
EXP: 10,580 / 10 x 1 x 0.5 = 529 [Thread Progression] + 800 [Quest] = 1,359 x 2 [New Player Bonus] = 2,718 EXP
Col: 266 [Thread Progression] + 2,000 [Quest] + 250 [Loot] = 2,516 col
14 Material [Loot]
T1 Perfect Weapon 227187a
T1 Perfect Armor/Shield 227187b
T1 Perfect Consumable 227187c
T1 Perfect Consumable 227187d
Zackariah’s Special Draught |  A ruddy-colored drink mixture that looks like it definitely came out of an apprentice alchemy class. Tierless Perfect HP Recovery Potion)
Initiate’s Draw | A mundane but reliable bit of gear provided by Lyle Tealeaf for services rendered. T1 Perfect [Weapon of Choice], [Armor of Choice] or [Trinket of Choice] - type and standard enhancements (i.e. no unique enhancements) must be specified in thread closing.
Big Bertha Braciole | A restorative fish entrée that helps restore some spent vigor. (5x) T1 Rare Vitality Consumable (Snack)