[F17 | SP] A Gem Among Jewels | <Challenge of Olympus: Artisan>>

[Nymoria 0]

Quest

 

She’d chosen to focus more on her profession, now that she had settled upon her role in Aincrad. She still wasn’t sure that she’d be able to make it to the frontlines – those areas were filled with the skilled individuals whose entirely role was to break their way out of the game, and back into the real world. A task which, somehow, made Nymoria feel small and vulnerable in comparison, as if she would be nothing more than a mockery or a fallacy trying to join the real fighters.

Instead, she’d decided that the best thing she could do was prepare herself to support them. Training new up and coming members was a big part of it – and one that allowed her to continue to delve into her own skills, and better herself each small step at a time. The words of the Gemini – the hooded figure whom she had encountered on the lower floors – still rang in her mind, and Nymoria knew that one day she might face a challenge like that once more.

This is the first step towards making myself better. And in doing so, I’ll be helping out others as well. It’s a winning situation, no matter how I look at it. She closed the menu, setting the cup of tea she’d been holding as she’d read the quest information again and again, her decision made in earnest. She’d been putting off the quest, in part because of the fact that it lay on a floor she had never even considered visiting before, until she had felt ready.

She’d woken hours ago, but her reluctance had held her in place at the small table within the inn’s tavern area. The waitress had already come around numerous times, refilling Nymoria’s tea every time she passed. But Nymoria knew that she would need to leave soon, otherwise her day would be wasted within the tavern; a fact that would get her nowhere in her current plans.

We’re going up to the seventeenth floor today, Musei. To meet with a goddess. Or at least that is what the quest says. The weasel watched her hands, his tail suddenly waving in excitement at the mention of their departure from the tavern and inn. Nymoria knew that the small creature had begun to become claustrophobic the longer that they had remained, its desire to head back out into the world, to be free of the walls that hid the sun and air away, more than obvious in its agitation. Not that Nymoria was overtly surprised by the behaviour; she’d been feeling an agitation herself the longer she had remained, although she wasn’t sure if it came from a desire to do something, or from Musei’s own behaviours leaking into her.

Alright, alright. Let me just pay for everything and then we can head out. We’ll have to go to the teleporter first, and then find out where this goddess is…it’s going to be a very long day today, Musei. Do we have enough snacks? She asked the last question even as she checked her own stocks, confirming that they were in desperate need of something to eat along the way. Sighing, realising that costs that were always adding up – especially now that she had someone else to feed – she gave a soft smile towards the weasel. We’re making one stop along the way. One. And only for essentials, got that?

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Statblock

Spoiler Notes [Theme] Nymoria | Lv. 23 | P. 0 | HP [440/440] | EN [62/62] | ACC [4] | DMG [14] | MIT [36] | BH [+13] | Bleed [36] | Keen [+2 BD] | Recovery [6] Tier 3 | Tier 3 Equipment Silence [Rapier | Tier 3 | Bleed I | Keen II] Enhancement: Bleed [1 Slot] Enhancement: Keen [2 Slots] Suppression [Light Armour | Tier 3 | Mitigation I | Recovery II] Enhancement: Mitigation [1 Slot]  Enhancement: Recovery [2 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.] [Rank 5 Weapon Addon] Rapier Ferocity [Active: Passive. Effect: +2 DMG when using the weapon of your choice. Players cannot use Focus and Ferocity at the same time for the same Weapon Type.] 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.] [Rank 3 Armour Mod] Meticulous [Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 base Damage.] 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  Concentration [Active: Free Action. Cooldown: 5 turns. Effect: As a free action, gain Absolute Accuracy on your next attack. In the case Absolute Accuracy is already present, increase your Accuracy by 1 instead. Effect lasts until the start of next turn.] Frozen Hide [Active: Free Action. Energy: 5 EN. Cooldown: 4 turns. Effect: As a free action, apply one slot of Frost Aura and one slot of Frost Thorns equal to your tier to yourself until the start of your next turn.] 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==

[Nymoria 0]

Nymoria shook her head as she stepped out from the small café that they’d stopped at, sighing as she put away the bag of goods that they’d procured from within. She clearly needed to teach Musei what the term essentials meant, considering the impact that his dietary desires were having on her wallet. Which was not to say that it was being drained at any significant rate; in fact their recent adventures had ensured that she was more than content with her current stores of col. Far better than she had ever been previously, a testament to the amount of effort she’d been placing into her continued growth and development as a player. It felt nice, she had to admit, not living day to day in the hopes of finding just enough to survive to the end of the day.

Her purchases completed, Nymoria began the slow trek through the Town of Beginning’s side streets towards the teleportation pad. The city had become more and more lively as of late, and she found herself sliding between small groups of people, her presence barely noticed by those around her as she made her way past and through. There was no rush or urgency to her steps, simply a pace that was more determined and more aligned towards a goal than those around her; a sign that didn’t downplay the other players of the city so much as note her own plans.

The teleportation pad itself was busy, and Nymoria found herself once more lining up to use the system that had recently become a central attraction for the people who called the Town of Beginnings home, or who were visiting on a consistent basis. Nymoria still felt a measure of annoyance at the situation; part of her happy that there was a sudden increase in the amount of people who’d become active and outwardly engaged with the world, but another part of her missing the days when she could use the teleporter at any time without having to wait. Once her turn arrived, she was quick to hop up and activate the pad, disappearing in a sliver of blinding light.

[Nymoria 0]

The seventeenth floor was beautiful, in its own way. A busy city of marbled whites, reminiscent of designs she had seen in various historical pieces, met her arrival. Winding streets that led from stall owner to stall owner passed her by as she made her way through the city’s winding corridors towards the fields beyond, wanting nothing more than to stop and browse the various wares of each area. She had, in fact, stopped a few times during her walk to glance over some items that had caught her eye – and yet she’d found herself purchasing nothing, years of living with little income making her hands less likely to pass col to owner.

When she had reached the final steps leading towards the outer wildlands, Nymoria had taken a single glance backwards, an odd feeling pulling at her as she considered staying within the walls for a bit longer. Whether sensibility, or some urgency that suddenly overcame her won out Nymoria couldn’t say, but as her feet continued on the path she had begun she knew that she had made the right choice to focus on the quest, rather than returning to the city to browse more wares and waste her money.

The moment that she had stepped beyond the wall, a voice caught her attention. Surprised by the fact that she had heard it, she spun on the spot and noticed the figure standing off to the side, leaning against the wall and glancing at her with a soft smile upon its face. It spoke once more, and Nymoria noticed that no movement could be seen across its facial features, the voice projecting into her head in an odd way.

Hello, Nymoria. I’m here to guide you to Mount Olympus, where the goddess awaits you. You may call me Angio. Nymoria squinted slightly, wondering if the voice was similar to how other players heard her words, the feeling somewhat alien, even if it wasn’t entirely uncomfortable. Seemingly noticing her concern, the figure spoke again, as if trying to relieve her worries. I’ll not harm you, you don’t need to worry about that. The road to Olympus has been made safe for your journey, to ensure that there are no troubles along the way. If you’ll just follow me.

The figure stepped away from the wall, and for the first time Nymoria noticed that it was only half human, its regular legs replaced by what appeared to be fur covered limbs ending in hooves. Her eyes squinted further, suddenly suspicious of the thing. It wouldn’t be the first time that an odd creature had attempted to lure a player to their doom, and Nymoria found herself rooted to the spot as she considered the situation.

[Nymoria 0]

It was the arrival of the notice that changed her mind; the small pop-up confirmed that she had been drawn into a quest, and a quick glance over the details noted the arrival of a guide which would lead her to the mountain in question. Slowly, her hand seemingly moving of its own volition, she had accepted the quest. It was only once her finger had pushed the button that her muscles seemed to relax, the tension draining from them almost instantly. Biting her lip, she gave a quick bow of her head, her hands moving even as she apologised for her actions.

Apologies for my ill behaviour, I wasn’t sure who you were. I would be happy if you would lead me to the mountain safely. The creature seemed to smile at the movement, taking in the words before shaking its head and replying to her with a casual movement that looked like a silent laugh.

You need not worry, I wouldn’t lead you to anywhere that would harm you. Although being mortal, safety and security are important things to take into consideration. It was wise of you to not follow blindly into something that could’ve been your death and demise. It tipped its head, as if leaning into its compliment. Now, we should be off. It is never good to keep a goddess waiting, and we’ve tallied for far too long. If you wouldn’t mind, we’ll be going this way…

The creature turned and continued down the road, heading in the direction that Nymoria had originally planned on taking. Its pace was determined, and yet it seemed reserved in order to give Nymoria the chance to catch up with it. She moved quickly, stretching her legs to get her alongside the creature before falling into a comfortable walk beside it.

The two moved in silence for a time, but the creature seemed agitated by the lack of communication, and she shortly heard the voice in her mind once more. People usually ask me by now what I am. I’m surprised that you haven’t done so. Nor have you queried into how I can talk to you, without talking or hearing.

A quick glance to the side confirmed that it was staring at her with a mischievous look in its eyes, a look that told Nymoria it was trying to bait her into something. Not that she knew exactly what that was, but the knowledge she had was enough to entice her to choose her response carefully.

You are a guide, here to take me to Olympus. I hear your voice because you speak to me. Her hand movements were simply, and yet overexaggerated in order to show the creature that she was more than capable of playing the mischievous game herself; specifically designed to draw its attention to the fact that she too spoke in a way that was uncommon from the regular form of communicating. It was enough of a movement to draw up the eyebrows of the creature, which pressed Nymoria to continue her thoughts. Is there anything more to know beyond these facts?

[Nymoria 0]

She could see the smile of the creature out of the corner of her eyes, no attempt at hiding its response to her question. Nymoria continued onwards, following a single step behind the creature as the two fell into a form of silence, nothing but their footfalls signifying their continued path together. She doubted that the silence would last forever, the creature seeming to be a relatively talkative sort was already showing signs of agitation at the lack of communication between them. She wasn’t surprised when a few moments later the voice returned within her mind, reaching her once more without a single outwardly sign of having been spoken.

You are an odd one, Nymoria. Most would have riddled me filled with questions by now. Who am I? What am I? Why am I here? What purpose was there in the summoning of one such as yourself to this area? There was a hint of humour, and something else, in the tone of the voice. Yet you remain mute on the subject. As if there is no interest, or perhaps a more…dignified restriction from asking such things. You may. Ask them of course.

She turned her head towards the creature, smiling in a polite manner before letting her hands move in the typical signs, signs which she had been taught since she was young. She’d never considered that her upbringing would be assisting her here, in a place such as this; there was an odd irony to the situation, she had to admit.

It is impolite to question one who has arrived to provide you service and care. Should they choose to indulge the listener, then rapt attention may be given. She ensured to keep her facial expression blank, showing no signs of any emotion as she stared at the creature. She gave only a few seconds pause, just long enough for the original commentary to be comprehended, before adding a final thought to her words. We are taught to be mute on the topic of other’s personal situations.

The creature stopped short suddenly, bending over in laughter that appeared silent to Nymoria, its hands wrapping around its waist as it seemed to be taking in by the wracking that washed over it. She waited patiently, biting the inside of her cheek in order to stop herself from joining in on the laughter, knowing that her stoic stance would only give her the upper hand in the current situation. She wasn’t sure when, but at some point it had become a game to her, seeing if she could out polite the creature in front of her.  

[Nymoria 0]

Moments passed before the creature was able to right itself and look Nymoria in the eyes again, tears streaming down the sides of its face from the laughing fit that had struck it. She waited patiently as it collected itself, her hands clasped before her in a manner that would’ve been considered overtly formal, were it not for their current situation along the side of a roadway leading towards a mountain. Although, I guess it would still be considered formal in a way, wouldn’t it? The location wouldn’t affect the formality of the pose, so to speak. She cocked her head slightly at the thought, pondering it while she awaited any sort of response or word from the creature that was her guide.

I don’t know who taught you your manners, Nymoria, but they are well above anything I would have expected. The goddess will enjoy your company, I think. The continued use of her name brought questions to the forefront of her mind. She’d never informed the NPC – for it was clearly an NPC – and yet it spoke as if it had known her for some time. A fact that was, in a way logical. Cardinal would know her form, her name, even her habits, and as such would be able to instil these into any NPC she came across. And yet, it felt odd considering that this was the first occurrence she had seen to this depth. You seem lost in thought, Nymoria.

She knew that the comment was more of a question, a probe into her mind, than it was a simple statement. Her polite smile didn’t change as she waved towards the mountains, her hands moving in the typical signs as she turned their attention back towards their destination. Shall we continue on our way? I would not want to keep the one who summoned me waiting.

Apparently content with the response, the creature took off again, leading her towards the mountain and her meeting. With each step coming closer, she began to wonder exactly who it was she would be coming to see; what little information she had received from the quest’s dialogue box left her without any insight into which of the gods or goddesses she would be greeted by. She knew that there were assigned gods to each profession, and yet she’d also heard that numerous times over system updates had changed whom was in charge of which.

You’ll have to wait and see once you get there, then. There’s no point in guessing who you would be meeting, seeing as you don’t even know who the gods and goddess even are. She held herself from rolling her eyes at the obvious commentary, instead glancing towards her guide and travelling companion. You could ask. Although that would be considered rude, especially considering you received an invitation. She winced as she remembered that she hadn’t entirely read the piece, barely skimming over it before closing it and accepting the quest; the entire reason that she had arrived on the floor to begin with.

[Nymoria 0]

The slope up the mountain began taxing far quicker than Nymoria would’ve wanted to admit, her legs beginning to burn slightly at the exertion that they were being put through. Her guide, in contrast, appeared to have little challenge with the climb itself, moving as if it were natural for them. Her eyes spied the hooves, and not for the first time she wondered if it weren’t an easy walk for the creature due to its appendages; an advantage that it received due to the pathway it would have had to take on a consistent basis.

Do you need to stop and take a break? I’ve been told that these climbs are more difficult for mortals, compared to my own people. We’re born to the mountains, you see. My and mine kin, that is. Angio waved a hand towards the horizon, as if signifying some homeland beyond and further away that Nymoria should know of, or have heard before. She gave her polite smile in response, but the creature must have seen the confusion behind her eyes this time, because it gave a silent chortle before continuing its explanation. Mine kin are Satyrs, you see. Kin derived from those creatures you would know as…goats. Angio seemed to pause, as if awaiting her response to his sudden declaration. Nymoria was careful to keep any reaction off her face, however. While the information was a surprise, in a way, she knew that he’d been trying to bait her into some sort of emotional response; although she wasn’t sure what purpose there would be in that attempt. Seconds ticked by before Angio spoke again, his expression carrying a miniscule tinge of disappointment at his lack of success. You don’t seem surprised. Perhaps you’re familiar with my kin, more than I had assumed.

Nymoria gave a half shrug, her hands moving in answer to the question, formulating a response that was carefully void of any sort of insult that could be taken by the creature. I am not, however it is interesting to learn the differences in cultures that can be experienced here. Some think that those of us who travel the floors are merely here to cause destruction, but I enjoy learning about those who lived here before our arrival.

It wasn’t necessarily true, but it also wasn’t entirely a lie either. Nymoria had learnt to enjoy learning about the various cultures and peoples that called the floors home; if only because it gave her something to focus on aside from their continued trapping within the world of Aincrad. She couldn’t say for sure whether she would’ve been as interested if they hadn’t been stuck within the game; in fact, she’d never truly taken an interest in other cultures before the game. Maybe that’s a change I can carry back into the real world…if we ever get there?

[Nymoria 0]

The remainder of the climb continued in silence, Nymoria following the Satyr’s steps slowly up the side of the mountain as the minutes ticked away into hours. She hadn’t considered how long the climb would take, but as the lunch hour arrived and she felt herself slowly becoming hungry as the peak came closer and closer to them. She refused, however, to comment on her state, determined instead to suffer through until such time as they were offered a rest from the exertion that they were facing.

As if in response to her growing discomfort, the break came upon her as they arrived at the gates towards what could only be described as a house designed for godly individuals. The white pillars, walls and décor all reminded Nymoria of stories and images she’d seen in various forms of media; all centered around the cleanliness and godly appearance that such a design created.

Her attention, however, was brought to her menu as she called it into life and retrieved a small piece of fruit and nut mixture designed to give her some relief from the hunger she was feeling. A sudden shift caught her attention as Angio stepped forward, however, his voice appearing in her head at the same instant.

Do not worry, there will be meals provided to you soon enough. There was no hint of insult or intended scolding in his voice. In fact, Nymoria sensed a hint of sympathy from it, as if he was realising for the first time that she might’ve been suffering her discomfort in silence. The goddess awaits. Head in, and you will be filled soon enough.

She wanted nothing more than to argue with the Satyr; to consume the small snack that she had called forth into reality before heading into the temple, home, whatever it was meant to be. But from the look on his face, she knew that there would be no arguing. Sighing slightly, she recalled the menu and returned the small snack back into the ether that was her storage system, before turning towards the large front entryway that stood open and welcoming. The opening seemed to both call to her, and yet gave her a feeling of not wanting to pass beyond its open archway.  Steeling herself, the feeling not abating even as she stepped towards it, Nymoria forced her feet into motion in the hopes that whatever awaited on the far side would be as welcoming and humourful as the Satyr had been during her entire journey to the mountain.

[Nymoria 0]

Whatever Nymoria was expecting, the woman standing in the doorway with a smile upon her face and appearance that took away Nymoria’s breath, wasn’t it. Golden hair with a reddish hue, soft hazel eyes and a pale complexion that all seemed far more beautiful than Nymoria could ever have imagined possible, all standing with its hands clasped before it and a glimmer in its eyes that bespoke of someone happy to see her. It was almost too much for Nymoria, and she found herself pulling to a stop just within the entryway, her eyes opening wide and her mouth shifting as if she wanted to say something. Nothing, of course, came out, but the action in itself spoke to her shock and awe at the woman before her.

It was the last thing that Nymoria noticed, the feminine form and essence that was the goddess – for she had no doubt that it was a goddess that stood before her. The aura, the beauty and the very presence of it felt godly to Nymoria. The polite smile that had awaited her suddenly split wide open, whether amused by her reaction, or truly happy to see her Nymoria wasn’t entirely sure. But the effect on her was clear, and she felt her face flush with heat in response suddenly.

It is good to see you, Nymoria. I’ve awaited your arrival for quite some time. The voice formed in her head, similar to how the Satyr’s voice had appeared. This one, however, carried an effeminate tone and caressing feeling behind it, one that Nymoria found to be overtly pleasing to her mind’s ears. A fact which only caused her to flush even more deeply as it continued within her mind. Do not feel the need to shirk away, it is pleasing to know that you are so easily overcome with love.

She wasn’t entirely certain that it was love she was feeling, yet she saw no need to try and correct the goddess. Instead she gave a sharp bow before the woman, before moving her hands in a flurry of motions to introduce herself. It is a pleasure to meet one such as yourself, and an honour to lay my sight upon you. Forgive me, for I am at a disadvantage without your name.

Her signs were overtly formal, the movements those that she had saved for the most prestigious of events in the real world. Somehow, here in the this moment, it barely felt appropriate considering the being in front of her. But when the response came, it was tinged with a sense of humour to its tone, as if she were doing something that brought about laughter.

My name is Aphrodite, goddess of Olympus and one who knows love and connection deeply. Another beaming smile, and suddenly Nymoria found herself relaxing slightly as the goddess’s words continued. You do not need to be so formal with me, Nymoria. You are a guest at my beck and call, and I would not have you treating me as some sort of master. Please, relax. I beg it of you!

[Nymoria 0]

Through some effect of the words, Nymoria found herself relaxing entirely, the tension that had been gathering within her seemingly dispelled in an instant by the words of the goddess. Her smile, still shy and reserved, had lost the tightness that came from the polite attempts at maintaining its exact shape and size, replaced instead by something that felt more natural. She wasn’t sure what had caused the sudden change in her demeanor, but whatever it was she felt more at ease instantly.

There, that’s better. Come, let us head into the gardens where we can talk more peacefully. The goddess held out an arm, as if waving towards their destination, before turning and leading the way. Nymoria was quick to step after her host, partially through a desire to remain at her side, but more through an ingrained need to never leave a host waiting upon them; a measure of respect and appropriate behaviour that had been taught to her since a young age. She realised, even as she stepped after the goddess, that her upbringing had likely provided her a perfect support for everything that was about to occur.

The garden was, unsurprisingly, a work of art in its own way and form. Flowers which could only be called the absolute beauty and envy of all other flora within the world seemed to sprout from perfect dirt, an abundance of beauty that caught the eye. And yet, Nymoria somehow saw through the façade of it all; the fact that beneath the edges of a leaf sat trimmed areas that were neatly cut away, held from regular sight in an attempt to make it appear more perfect than it truly was. Whether it was her own behaviour of looking for the flaws in herself, or some other reason, she quickly picked up on the garden’s false sense of perfection.

Most who come here look upon it with an eye of awe and wonder, amazed at the beauty that is found within and throughout. Most… Aphrodite suddenly turned and looked down upon Nymoria, her taller frame allowing her to stare like a parent to a child. Nymoria felt herself wither slightly before the gaze, her desire to look away beaten only by the realisation that she needed to remain looking to understand the woman’s next commentary. …except you, that is. You see it for what it truly is, somehow. A false beauty designed and upheld through the laborious work of others. That shouldn’t make it any less beautiful, but it does make one wonder – is this not the garden of the gods and goddesses?

[Nymoria 0]

She knew that Aphrodite was awaiting her response, but Nymoria found herself motionless as she considered the question more in depth. An immediate answer had come to her, one which she felt wasn’t justly given the circumstances, and found herself falling into a motionless silence as she pondered the question further. Her eyes hovered over the garden, taking into consideration the entire area, before a thought came to her. Her hands moved of their own volition, and Nymoria wasn’t even entirely aware of the question itself until it had been fully formed and shared.

Why would the gods and goddesses keep a garden of perfection if their entire purpose was to watch it grow into something beyond their own imagination? She paused only long enough to put her next sentence into better formation, before continuing with her idea. Would it not be more godly for the garden to contain flaws, contain portions that need be cut away to allow the more beautiful aspects to grow and flourish? Wouldn’t it be more appropriate for a garden of gods and goddesses that it be imperfect, requiring attention and care…and perhaps a little bit of worship?

Her answer seemed to surprise Aphrodite, as if the goddess hadn’t expected the response she received. The smile upon her face, however, told Nymoria that she hadn’t misspoken when she shared her ideas; the goddess before her, in fact, seemed impressed and pleased with her thoughts.

A very astute synopsis, Nymoria. For what purpose does perfection serve to a group who strives for nothing more than to create anew that which has not yet reached perfection? Aphrodite wandered over to the edge of the garden, placing a hand upon a nearby flower – a tulip, if Nymoria remembered her flora lessons correctly – before continuing. Which is why, I think you’ll be a perfect candidate for my little game. We shall each make a piece from our own hearts, using nothing more than what can be found within this garden, and share it with one another. Should your piece be something I consider beautiful beyond expectations, then…well, there will be a prize for sure!

Nymoria nodded, her polite smile having returned as she suddenly found herself wondering at the purpose of her visit. Was she here only to provide entertainment for the goddess? Or was there something more afoul at play. She wasn’t sure which was the case, but as Aphrodite clasped her hands together with a cheerful smile, Nymoria realised she didn’t necessarily care; the beauty of the goddess in front of her was wiping away any concerns she may have had for her own safety, lulling her into a sense of security that may have been nothing more than a façade.

[Nymoria 0]

Nymoria stood still for a few moments after the voice in her head had fallen silent, uncertain of whether she should be responding, or simply beginning to set about her own creation. Aphrodite seemed content to remain in place, her hand hovering beneath the flower it had been resting near, her eyes and smile still pointed towards the player. The silence stretching between them – something that Nymoria was normally used to, and yet in this moment found somewhat uncomfortable – as each waited for the other to say, or do, something.

Nymoria’s eyes shifted away from the goddess, unable to hold the gaze any longer, and glanced at the nearby brush. She could see a collection of pinks, purples and blues that seemed to hide away behind the other portions of the brush, as if trying to remain out of sight. The petals that she could see held imperfections in their forms, jagged edges where straight lines should be expected, small indents where whole leaves would be. It was a clear image of everything this garden was not, and yet somehow seemed to Nymoria like a perfect representation of what it should be.

A quick glance back at the goddess confirmed that Aphrodite was clearly waiting for something, some sort of acknowledgement or comment from Nymoria, her expression maintaining the pleasant smile that it had been holding for the last little while. Giving a sudden nod, Nymoria signed her response quickly.

I accept your challenge. I only hope that I can create something worthy of a goddess such as yourself. Nymoria paused as she considered her next words carefully, knowing that it could very well come across as either insulting, or playfully engaging, depending on the goddesses’ view of her. I look forward to creating something that is beyond your expectations, and your own skills. Perhaps you’ll learn something from me, as I learn from you?

------
ID227901 | Foraging
ID227902 | Hunting Familiar

Spoiler

Loot Results
ID227901 | LD: 12 | CD: 8 |  Results Failure [+3 EXP; 64/149 EXP]
ID227902 | LD: 16 | CD: 1 |  Results: 1,080 (648+432) col, 2 materials, Rare Consumable {1}, Rare Weapon {1}

Totals
1,080 col
2 materials
Rare Consumable {1} | ID227902
Rare Weapon {1} | ID227902

 

[Nymoria 0]

I look forward to what you have to offer me, at the end of the challenge. Let us begin, then? There was a touch of something that sounded like half-controlled laughter in the goddesses’ voice, and Nymoria found herself thankful that she hadn’t been immediately struck down. A quick nod, and she turned over to the flowers themselves, trying to carefully pluck them from the stems that connected them to the ground. The return of Musei had caused her a sudden shift in weight, however, and she almost smacked him in response before noticing the flowers he carried in his mouth.

She smiled gratefully as she realised that he had beaten her to the motion of collection, having noticed where her attention had been drawn. She eyed the pieces carefully, noticing their flaws and imperfections, before deciding that she wanted to grasp a couple more of them. She did, however, take a moment to thank the weasel, knowing that he would likely become upset if his actions and attempts were ignored.

These are perfect, Musei. A couple more and I think we’ll be good to get started on the actual piece…although I do need some metallic substance for what I’m planning. She figured she would look into that after, fairly certain that she had some stored away in her inventory that would suffice for her plans. The important piece, at the moment, was to collect a few more of the flowers – a pair of blues to go with the pink and purple that Musei had returned with, if she could obtain them.

Her hands moved in careful motion through the garden, trying desperately to disturb the surrounding plants as little as possible. Whomever had cared for the garden itself had done a strong job of doing so, and Nymoria wanted nothing more than to leave it as it was, all while obtaining what she needed for the challenge with the goddess. She wondered if Aphrodite herself would be making a piece to compare to her, or if she would simply want to see what the player would make. Not that it matters. I just need to make something that awes and inspires her…something unique. I can do this!

------
ID227911 | Foraging

Spoiler

Loot Results
ID227901 | LD: 12 | CD: 8 | Failure [+3 EXP; 64/149 EXP]
ID227902 | LD: 16 | CD: 1 | Results: 1,080 (648+432) col, 2 materials, Rare Consumable {1}, Rare Weapon {1}
ID227911 | LD: 15 | CD: 4 | Success [1 material, +8 EXP; 72/149 EXP]

Totals
1,080 col
3 materials
Rare Consumable {1} | ID227902
Rare Weapon {1} | ID227902

 

[Nymoria 0]

Nymoria’s hand latched around one of the blue flower’s stems, carefully grasping it and giving it a soft twist, breaking only the stem where it connected with the ground and freeing the remainder. She slowly pulled it back towards her, cognisant of the various thorny plants and areas that could easily destroy the piece upon her retrieval. She could feel her breath slow to a stop as she wound it free to safety, only releasing once the flower was in the open air and away from the garden itself. She carefully and quickly deposited it into her inventory, before letting her hand relax and calm.

Alright, that’s one…now just for the other one, and then I should be good to go. I think…I just need to be careful getting it. But I think I can do this. She sighed softly to release the built up tension within her. Her hands clenched and unclenched a couple of times as she tried to shake off the building cramps that had come from her slow motions. Once she felt ready, she reached for the next piece, knowing that she needed to be as careful as she was the first time.

------
ID227921 | Foraging

Spoiler

Loot Results
ID227901 | LD: 12 | CD: 8 | Failure [+3 EXP; 64/149 EXP]
ID227902 | LD: 16 | CD: 1 | Results: 1,080 (648+432) col, 2 materials, Rare Consumable {1}, Rare Weapon {1}
ID227911 | LD: 15 | CD: 4 | Success [1 material, +8 EXP; 72/149 EXP]
ID227921 | LD: 7 | CD: 6 | Failure [1 material, +3 EXP; 75/149 EXP]

Totals
1,080 col
3 materials
Rare Consumable {1} | ID227902
Rare Weapon {1} | ID227902

 

[Nymoria 0]

Her hand twitched in response to the burning sensation that was beginning to build in it, the muscles protesting the difficult slow, careful movements that she was forcing them through. The movement was enough to snap the stem, and corresponding flowers at the top into nothing more than shards, leaving Nymoria with an empty hand where the flower had once been.

Sighing heavily, she pulled her hand out of the garden, staring at the spot of her failure as she considered her options now that the piece was gone forever. She glanced at the other flowers, but saw nothing else that stood out to her in its imperfection. Well, at least I managed to get the three of them. That will have to do for now. I should be able to work with those, I think…

Standing up from the area she had been kneeling, Nymoria glanced over towards the goddess, curious to see what the woman was doing while Nymoria had been focused on the plants in front of her. Aphrodite had her back turned to the player, and yet Nymoria could see the soft cutting away of bark from some form of branch, the shavings falling softly to the floor before disappearing in a shower of shards and sparks. She couldn’t place any sort of idea into what the goddess was working on, and quickly found herself losing interest in watching the woman work. There was certainly a methodology and beauty to the process, but without knowing what was being done, Nymoria found herself less engaged – especially when she had her own creation to focus on.

Turning back to her own work, she pulled up her menu and searched through it, frantically looking for the metallic pieces that she normally stored away for her creations. She stopped as her finger hovered over the pieces, wondering if it would be cheating to use something she’d brought along, when the agreement would be to take only what they needed from the garden. Sighing, she closed the menu and turned back to the garden itself, glancing around for anything that would be appropriate for what she had planned.

------
ID228183 | Foraging

Spoiler

Loot Results
ID227901 | LD: 12 | CD: 8 | Failure [+3 EXP; 64/149 EXP]
ID227902 | LD: 16 | CD: 1 | Results: 1,080 (648+432) col, 2 materials, Rare Consumable {1}, Rare Weapon {1}
ID227911 | LD: 15 | CD: 4 | Success [1 material, +8 EXP; 72/149 EXP]
ID227921 | LD: 7 | CD: 6 | Failure [1 material, +3 EXP; 75/149 EXP]
ID228183 | LD: 11 | CD: 6 | Failure [1 material, +3 EXP; 78/149 EXP]

Totals
1,080 col
3 materials
Rare Consumable {1} | ID227902
Rare Weapon {1} | ID227902

 

[Nymoria 0]

This should do, I think. The item in question was little more than a collection of small metal rods used within the garden, clearly containing some form of silver within their core, and yet an imperfect creation considering what Nymoria would have expected to find in the homes of the gods and goddesses. Shrugging away the indecisiveness that struck at her as she plucked the trio of rods from the garden – careful not to disturb the plants that they had once held in place, but long since been abandoned as they outgrew the supports – she moved to a nearby table, extracting her tools from within her inventory as she considered how best to approach her work.

Grasping a pair of pliers and a light hammer, she began to shift the bars into shape, applying strikes that both changed the form, as well as heated the metal slightly; making it more pliable to her adjustments and changes. Slowly, with an exaggerated effort, she began to twist the bar in turn, warping it into a crude rendition of twisting springs. The piece slowly formed beneath her hand, the effort causing a burning sensation in both her shoulders as she continued to hammer and twist away at the piece beneath her. She slowly lost herself to the soft vibration that ran up her arms, born from her efforts; her mind drifting into a nothingness similar to those she felt during periods of meditation and solace.

She wasn’t entirely sure how long she had been working, but when her mind finally reconnected her to the world around her, Nymoria found a small band laying on the work area before her. The trio of rods had been hammered, bent and twisted into a rough creation of a bracelet, the item similar in design to one that she had once worn in the real world; rough in appearance, and yet somehow beautiful through its flaws and imperfections. She hadn’t consciously attempted to recreate the item, and as she stared at it, she couldn’t help but wonder what had brought it into existence to begin with.

Uncertain, with no answers, she knew that there was only one other thing that she could do; complete the item she had been working on and present it to her challenger in the hopes that it would be enough to exceed the goddesses’ expectations and intricacies. Placing the hammer and pliers down, Nymoria pulled up her menu once more and obtained the trio of flowers that she had obtained; the pink, purple and blue laid out in front of her in a soft and careful manner so as not to damage or destroy the items.

[Nymoria 0]

The hammer and pliers were replaced by small tweezers and various knives designed for trimming, reshaping and manipulating the flowers’ petals. Nymoria set to work carefully cutting and pulling away the pieces she required for the item she had in mind, shifting from flower to bracelet with a care and calmness that bespoke of someone determined in their craft. She knew, deep down in her heart, that she was no master artist, no famous individual who could create beauty from nothing. But that didn’t stop her from attempting to use the creation system to its fullest.

Small adjustments to the pieces of petals upon the metallic band pulled her full attention, and by the time Nymoria sat up and away from the item with a small smirk upon her face, she noticed that a shadow had fallen over her. Blinking carefully, she looked up to see the goddesses standing above her, a tiara in her hand crafted from branch and bramble, a beautiful set of inlaid gemstones – likely pulled from the garden’s soil – glittering against the sunlight. Nymoria felt her heart sink as she saw the beauty in the item, the way that it appeared flawless without measure, and reminded her that her piece was little more than a child’s attempt at creating something that would draw the gaze of those from afar.

I was trying to- Her signs were cut short as the goddess placed her own hand upon Nymoria’s moving ones, stopping the motion almost immediately with a firm grip. For a brief second, Nymoria wondered if she had somehow angered the goddess. She hadn’t heard of anyone dying on this quest, and yet she knew that with Cardinal’s oversight anything was possible. The fear clutched at her heart as she blinked, trying to figure out if she would be able to run if things became violent.

I tasked you with creating a piece from the depths of your heart, which I could consider beautiful beyond all expectations. The voice in her head was soft, and Nymoria wondered if she was imagining the sharp edge to it that seemed to cut into her, like a knife slashing across an open palm. She winced slightly in response, her eyes looking down as she attempted to avoid the gaze of the goddess. Her action must have sparked something, because when the voice came again it did so with a softness to it that seemed almost loving in nature and feeling. You have done wonderfully, Nymoria. This piece is imperfect, flawed, filled with inconsistencies and signs of poor craftmanship compared to something a god or goddess could make…and yet it is filled with an essence of your own heart. A part of you that shines through the negative aspects, and radiates around it.

Nymoria found herself breathless as the goddesses words reached her mind, leaving her feeling confused and uncertain. For a few seconds, she wondered if she hadn’t misheard what was said, her mind changing the negative commentary into something that would lighten her heart. It was the when Aphrodite asked her final question, however, that Nymoria knew she was hearing the true words of the goddess.

Would you allow me to keep this, as a memento of your presence? A piece of your heart that remains here, with me?

[Nymoria 0]

Nymoria hesitated as she processed the request that had been placed before her by the goddess. She couldn’t quite come to terms with the fact that she wasn’t imagining it; at least no more than she was imagining the rest of the world around her. Her eyes flitted up to the goddesses’ face, checking for any signs of deceit, humour or anything that would show that the question was meant as a joke.

When she found nothing, aside from a pleasant smile that awaited her response, Nymoria felt herself begin to panic in earnest. She hadn’t expected to create anything that would truly please the goddesses, and she found herself leaping to the belief that she was, somehow, being toyed with. Her mind raced even as her hands moved in response, stating the words that would leave her vulnerable should the goddess have planned something foul.

Yes. I would be happy if you would keep it. To remember me. She felt her face flush, as much from embarrassment at her acceptance, to the fact that she expected the goddess to suddenly laugh and explain how it had all been a joke; that nothing Nymoria made would ever be good enough.

Instead, however, the goddess leaned forward and picked up the bracelet, carefully grasping it in a way that would almost be seen as tender; as one would do to something they considered truly precious. Nymoria’s eyes followed the movement, watching as the bracelet was raised up to the goddesses’ breast, held there as if the piece was a treasure to be held forever, and yet worried that it would be lost in an instant.

I shall give you this, in exchange, for creating such a wonderful piece for me. Aphrodite retrieved what appeared to be a magnifying glass, inlaid with beautiful gemstones that seemed to shine in a hue of purple, pink and blues. Nymoria noticed, a delayed second later, that the shifting colours matched the pattern of the petals that she had placed upon the bracelet. Her eyes widened at the realisation, glancing back at the goddess just as the bracelet was slid onto her arm, comfortably sitting in place. Thank you, Nymoria, I shall treasure this until the days of end come.

[Nymoria 0]

A few more passing compliments were shared between Nymoria and the goddess, before Nymoria was given her leave. The experience had left her confused, paralysed in mind as she tried to understand what had occurred during her time with the goddess. She barely remembered compliments being passed on, as well as words of encouragement designed to inspire her in her chosen craft; words of encouragement that had both burned into her mind, and somehow been forgotten all at the same moment.

The walk from the garden back to the entryway had been nothing more than a blur of motion that her eyes failed to register, and it was only as she was turning to say goodbye in earnest to the goddess that Nymoria realised she had finished the challenge, and the quest itself. Bowing low, she made sure to show her appreciation, her hands moving in the same formal movements that she had begun her experience with as she gave her farewells and thanks.

I am truly inspired, and grateful, for your time and patience today, Aphrodite. I enjoyed our time together, and have learnt to strive for the perfection found within the imperfect. I will take this gift and treasure it, even as I strive to obtain more in my craft. She gave a deep bow as her final sign fell off, the movement bringing her nearer to the ground than she had reached before, a sign of respect meant to be passed on to the other with every ounce of meaning that she could muster.

Come, now, Nymoria. There is no need for you to act like this. We have shared time, gifts and presence. I would have it no other way. And, perhaps, if I am lucky…we may yet meet again. Something in the tone of the voice caused Nymoria’s head to pop up, her eyes glancing towards the face even as she saw the tender gaze staring down at her. The goddess began to turn away, but not before giving Nymoria a knowing wink, before sweeping back into the home of the gods and disappearing from sight.

Confused, uncertain of anything that had happened, Nymoria turned away from the peak of the mountain and glanced back down the trail she had taken to arrive. The satyr was nowhere in sight now, and she knew that she would be making the trek back to civilisation by herself. Somehow, though, the thought didn’t disturb her as much as she thought it might have, before she’d arrived and met with the goddess.

[Nymoria 0]

Musei had, at some point during her return trek down the mountainside, decided to appear from within the depths of her pocket where he had found comfort during the time she had spent working on the bracelet’s final creation. Stretching briefly, he had climbed down from her shoulder and begun rushing alongside her, enjoying the feeling of stretching his legs and walking on his own; his steps rushed in order to keep pace with Nymoria as the two of them continued along the trail.

She watched, for a time, as he dashed into various areas and sniffed, bringing back whatever little trinket of interest he found. Most of it was nothing more than small pieces of forest that held no real interest to Nymoria, but every so often he would return with something of value, a piece that she would tuck away for their later use. She felt, once more, a warm feeling as she realised that training the weasel on his hunting skills had been the right choice; his excitement at the finds bringing joy to her every time he returned.

Somehow the walk down the mountain passed far quicker than the hike up it had. A fact that Nymoria felt was due to more than simply the direction of incline, but rather a means of testing the player’s desire to follow through with the quest. Whatever the reasoning, she quickly found herself once more on the open plains that lay littered with various remnants of war and conflict; reminders of the chaos and horror that filled the history of the floor itself.

Musei, unburdened by the understanding of what was around him, flittered around the fields, searching each and every crevice and piece for anything that would be worthwhile to Nymoria. She watched in both admiration and concern as he moved about, his small body getting into and out of places that she figured she would never be able to reach. It was in this manner that they continued their way back towards the city, the weasel flittering about as Nymoria kept watch over the two of them and the surrounding area, no need for words between them.

------
ID228193 | Foraging
ID228194 | Hunting Familiar

Spoiler

Loot Results
ID227901 | LD: 12 | CD: 8 | Failure [+3 EXP; 64/149 EXP]
ID227902 | LD: 16 | CD: 1 | Results: 1,080 (648+432) col, 2 materials, Rare Consumable {1}, Rare Weapon {1}
ID227911 | LD: 15 | CD: 4 | Success [1 material, +8 EXP; 72/149 EXP]
ID227921 | LD: 7 | CD: 6 | Failure [1 material, +3 EXP; 75/149 EXP]
ID228183 | LD: 11 | CD: 6 | Failure [1 material, +3 EXP; 78/149 EXP]
ID228193 | LD: 9 | CD: 5 | Failure [1 material, +3 EXP; 81/149 EXP]
ID228194 | LD: 4 | CD: 5 | Results: 1,080 (648+432) col, 2 materials

Totals
2,160 col
5 materials
Rare Consumable {1} | ID227902
Rare Weapon {1} | ID227902

 ------

Thread Summary
Word Count: 8,536
EXP: 8,536/10x3x1 = 2,559 [Thread Progression] + 500 [Quest] = 3,059 EXP
Col: 400 [Thread Progression] + 2,160 [Loot] = 2,560 col
5 materials
Rare Consumable {1} | ID227902
Rare Weapon {1} | ID227902
Aphrodite’s Magnifier | Crafting Tool | Meticulous: +1 CD when crafting in one’s workshop.