[F07 | SP] The Quest was Rigged from the Start | <<Case of Wurms>>

[Acanthus 0]

Link to quest

It had been two weeks since her strange encounter with Edict and the outer limits of Cardinal’s reach. She had not made it through a single night of sleep so far. Shadows clawed her from her sleep, and the voice of the monsters they had fought on the third floor jolted her awake constantly. Tonight, she had been chased by the many-faced monster that had come for Edict. It bounded after her through an endless version of the meadow where Acanthus first encountered Hatred. Every time she turned to fight it, Edict stood between her and the monster. 

Idiot. She kicked over a stack of papers on the floor of her studio as she paced. What a stupid way to go out, killing yourself for a stranger. And then having the *gall* to try and turn it into a confession. I could just *murder* him.

…If the game hadn’t already done it for me. Acanthus deflated.

  Acanthus | Lvl 61 (34/27) | HP: 740/740 | EN: 88/88 | DMG: 23 | MIT:54 | ACC:5 | AA  | EVA:2 | BH:24 | VAMP-D: 41 | REC: 8 | LD:5

 

Spoiler

Equipment and Consumables

Spoiler

All enhancements reflected in the stat block unless otherwise specified.

Equipment
Weapon. botan. AA | ACC 3
Armor. Enduring Thistle VAMP-D | MIT | REC | FIREPROOF
Trinket. Evasive Charm | EVA 3 2 (Light Armor q.q) | REC

Consumables
None Taken.

Abilities (Skills, Shifts, Masteries, Add-ons, and Mods)

Spoiler

Combat Mastery and Shift
Combat Mastery: Damage R3
TECH Shift

Skills

• Battle Healing R3
• Light Armor R5
  • Addon: Precision
  • Addon: Resolve
  • Mod: Meticulous (1/5)
• Searching R4 + 1 (Skylight: Searching)
  • Mod: Night Vision (2/5)
  • Mod: Tracking (3/5)
• Straight Sword R5
  • Addon: Ferocity
  • Addon: Stamina

Extra Skills

• Disguise
• Survival
• Photosynthesize
• Parry
  • Mod: Justified Riposte (4/5)

Inactive Extra Skills

• Hiding R5
• Assault Mode
• Forgotten King's Authority

Addons

• Ferocity
• Precision
• Resolve
• Stamina

Mods

• Justified Riposte
• Meticulous
• Night Vision
• Tracking

Battle Ready Inventory (7 Slots)
Dimensional Backpack + Item Stash

Spoiler

1. Lama Sabachthani | 236687 | Soundtrack | Hypnosis 2 | Lullaby 2 (Instant)
2. Edict's Threnody | 236686 | Soundtrack | Perpetuate (Instant)
3. [Empty]
4. [Empty]
5. [Empty]
6. [Empty]
7. [Empty]

Housing

Spoiler

House Name: Villa of Coruscating Flowers (The Villa)
Location: Floor 24 - Paradise Islands
Description: See above
Plot Size: Estate - PK Accessible
Rooms: Listed below. All rooms are assigned to Acanthus.

• Master Bedroom
  • Well Rested | -1 energy cost for the first three expenditures of each combat.
• Greenhouse
  • Green Thumb | +2 Gathering EXP per Attempt and additional +1 LD & CD to gathering attempts.
• Extended Workshop: Recording Studio (25,000 col)
  • Hard Working | +2 Crafting EXP per crafting attempt and +1 crafting attempt per day.
• Mega Slime Farm
  • Advanced Training | +10% EXP to a thread. Limit one use per month. Must be used on a player's first post in a thread. Cooldown begins counting down when used in a post.
• Living Room:
  • Relaxed | Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
• Attic (Bedroom)
  • Skylight (Searching) | +1 Expertise to declared utility skill (Searching). Cannot boost a skill without ranks, or increase a skill past its maximum rank. Cannot boost a skill the user has not learned yet. Ranks obtained using this buff will make the mods of that rank available for purchase. Mods obtained this way are unusable if this buff is removed until the skill is returned to the appropriate rank by way of SP purchase.
• Basement:
  • Multipurpose | Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll.
• Storage Closet: (10,000 col)
  • Item Stash | +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot
• Master Bathroom: (25,000 col)
  • Squeaky Clean | The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 25% (rounded down)

Crafting and Gathering

Spoiler

Crafting Profession:
 - Performer[2638exp] R5
Gathering Profession:
 - Forager[779exp] R5  

 

 

Edited Thursday at 07:11 PM by Acanthus
Again, doofus didn't put stats when he started the thread. I did get it done before combat at least...

[Acanthus 0]

Acanthus stopped pacing to pick up the stack of papers and calm down Kumaki, who had come running from the other room at the noise. “Sorry, girl.” She reached down to stroke the bear cub’s fur. “Just because I can’t sleep doesn’t mean I need to keep you up.” Kumaki leaned into the pets, nuzzling Acanthus calmly. “I wish I could take things in stride like you, little bear.” Acanthus plopped down and wrapped her arms around Kumaki. Using her as a pillow, Acanthus began to drift off to sleep.

A thundering chime echoed through the villa. Acanthus jumped up, dumping Kumaki off her lap and onto the floor. Without thinking, her right arm extended down to her waist, searching for a sword. You’re in a safe zone—in your own house, no less, she realized as the adrenaline wore off. Besides, something that rings your doorbell probably isn’t looking to kill you. But she pulled Ajisai out of her inventory anyway, just in case.

[Acanthus 0]

The walk to the front door was a journey in and of itself. Acanthus still wasn’t used to the size of the villa. She’d purchased this house because it was the biggest plot of land the game had to offer. And because the rooms offered in-game benefits, it just made sense to have the ability to add as many as the game would allow. What Acanthus hadn’t counted on was that size translating into “real life.” The Villa of Coruscating Flowers (Acanthus already regretted the unwieldy name) sat on about ten acres of land, and the house itself occupied a quarter of that. The villa had a dozen or so slots for rooms with mechanical benefits, but those rooms weren’t the only ones in the house. The downstairs had a robust kitchen with a larder almost twice its size, a dining hall that was set for thirty people, and a guest wing that could comfortably house all of them. The master bedroom and bath was the size of her entire apartment in real life. In short, the place reflected a level of opulence Acanthus was not accustomed to.

[Acanthus 0]

And part of that opulence was the five-minute walk from her bedroom to the front door. I guess this is why rich people have staff to take care of things. She was lucky that Cardinal handled most of the housework. Dishes and cooking were handled with the touch and press of a few buttons, and the fact that food did not spoil meant that Acanthus could simply buy ingredients for months at a time without worrying about it going bad. The Villa also seemed permanently free of dust and cobwebs. The sterile consistency appealed to Acanthus.

That consistency had been shattered by the painfully loud doorbell. She had no idea she had one, let alone that it sounded like standing in front of a train. Surely there was a way to change that setting to something more quiet. She made a mental note to add that to her list of errands, after she handled whatever strange midnight business had turned up at her doorstep.

[Acanthus 0]

The entryway had lit automatically with flickering oil lamps that put out far more light than they should have. Acanthus could make out one vague shape through the frosted glass of the main door. The size and shape of the figure was unremarkable, but the long, bright red hair could only mean—

“Titania!” She opened the door, motioning her friend inside. “What a strange hour to visit.”

“Not as strange as you answering the door. I guess that airhorn of a doorbell woke you up.”

“No, I was already up. Please come in.”

Titania stayed out on the portal, looking around at the massive house. “This place is huge. Way too huge for someone like me. I figured it would be too big for you too. Something more like a two-bedroom house in the city seems more your speed.”

“Titania.”

“I mean, that’s not a bad thing. It’s just, big houses like this are all about appearances and big house parties, and—”

“Titania.”

“...Sorry.” She stopped sheepishly, and stepped inside.

[Acanthus 0]

Acanthus walked Titania to the sitting room near the front of the house. It was her favorite: as the smallest of the three parlors, it had a cozy, comforting vibe that the larger rooms lacked. It was also the closest to the kitchen, and featured a large east-facing window with a gorgeous view of the estate. It reminded her of the times she would drink tea with her mom while they watched the birds against the backdrop of her garden.

Titania flopped into a plush chair while Acanthus busied herself in the tea cabinet. “Green or black?”

“No coffee?”

“I’ll fix you some black, then.” The darkness of the early morning clouded the gorgeous view, but Titania stared out the window silently.

“Milk? Sugar?” Titania shook her head. “Just black, thank you.”

Why was she here? And at such a time? Whatever she needed, it was nothing so urgent that she shouted it as soon as Acanthus opened the door; on the other hand, it was urgent enough that she felt the need to arrive in the dead of night. Or was there something other than urgency at play?

[Acanthus 0]

Acanthus set the china teacup in front of Titania. “No coffee, but give this a try. It’s a leaf that resembles lapsang souchang—very smoky and woody. It’s like drinking a campfire.”

Titania took the teacup in her hand, and sipped without a second glance. Acanthus winced. “The tea is fresh from the kettle. How does that not hurt?”

Titania shrugged. “I like really hot drinks. My colleagues thought I was crazy because I’d always take the coffee hot off the machine and then microwave it. Perfect temperature.” She glanced down at the tea. “This isn’t so bad though. What did you call it again?”

“Well, the game calls it ‘Tomoika tenderleaf,’ but it clearly mimics the flavor profile of lapsang. I think whoever wrote Cardinal was a tea aficionado. I’ve found dozens of different tea leaves and blends in the game, each with real-world analogues. I was thinking about trying to catalogue them all, but I keep finding more. Besides, there’s a player on the first floor running a tea shop that puts my knowledge to shame. I’ll just wait for him to release a guide.”
 

[Acanthus 0]

“I see.” Titania offered no further response. The awkward quiet began to bloom, so Acanthus decided to simply nip it in the bud.

“Titania, you know I’m a direct person. And so I don’t really know how to ask this gracefully. Why on earth are you here so early? Surely you’re not just checking on me.”

“Isn’t that what friends do?”

“I believe so, but messages also suffice. As well as meeting during daylight. Not that I’m unhappy to see you,” Acanthus quickly added. “Like I said, I wasn’t really sleeping well myself.”

“Do you also have awful dreams?”

The abrupt question stunned Acanthus. She finally took in Titania’s form entirely, and she saw the bags that had formed since their quest to Olympus. Titania hadn’t lost weight, but there was something about her that seemed less sure and more haggard. Her demeanor had faded like the colors from an old photograph; still there, with only hints of the past vibrance.
 

[Acanthus 0]

Acanthus decided that if Titania were being upfront, she could as well. “Yes,” Acanthus confirmed. “Consistently for the last two weeks. But even before that, I had night terrors from time to time.”

“Two weeks? Did something happen?”

“I… yes. I don’t want to get into details, but a friend of mine passed away.”

“Oh, that’s it?”

Acanthus blinked. She wasn’t sure she had heard correctly. Titania frowned. “Ah, I’m sorry. I remember you telling me that death in the game was real.”

“And I’m remembering now that you’re deluded in thinking otherwise.” Her response was tinged with bitterness. 

Titania set her cup down gently. “I deserved that. I should be more respectful of your beliefs.”

Acanthus’ blood began to boil. “My *beliefs* are that regardless of your *beliefs* of the game, I’ve lost contact with a friend for who knows how long, all while I’m trapped in this—this excuse for reality.” She stood roughly. “I assumed that you stopped by for something other than making fun of me and my grief, but if that’s not the case, then you’ve overstayed your welcome.”
 

[Acanthus 0]

Titania appeared genuinely remorseful. “Acanthus, again, I’m sorry. I messed up—again.” Acanthus stayed standing, waiting for whatever Titania would say next.

“Could I have one more cup? Let me try one more time.”

With some reluctance, Acanthus walked over to the kettle to refill her cup.

“Thank you.” She took another long sip. “I’m really sorry about your friend.” Acanthus glowered. She didn’t believe her—if anything, she was sorry that she’d upset Acanthus. Probably because she needed something.

And then the request came. “I seem to have a habit of putting my foot in my mouth right before I ask for help. And every time, you bail me out no matter what.”

“We’ll see. What’s the request?”

“There’s a town on Floor Seven. Rig is the name. It’s located right next to some ideal grinding locations. The problem is that it’s not a safe zone.”

“How can a town not be a safe zone?”

[Acanthus 0]

“It’s part of a quest.” Titania opened her journal and flipped the screen around to Acanthus. “There’s a wurm plaguing the town. If you kill it, the town becomes a safe zone for the player.”

“So… you need help killing it?” Titania nodded. “Everyone else in my guild has done the quest. Except for me. Part of advancing in the guild requires that you can use Rig as a safe zone. That way, you have easy access to those grinding areas.”

Acanthus found it odd that she hadn’t heard of these grinding areas before. Surely something like that would be featured in the info broker’s guide. “So why won’t your guildmates help you with this? Especially if they’ve already completed it.”

Titania shifted uncomfortably. “It’s part of progressing in the guild. If you can’t clear the quest, you don’t deserve to advance.”

“But you’re allowed to ask for outside help?”

“No. That’s why I’m trying to clear it before everyone wakes up.”

[Acanthus 0]

Acanthus pondered for a moment. “Titania, it just sounds like they’re bullying you.”

“I know it looks bad, but they’ve been so good to me. The only reason I’ve made it this far in the game is because of the guild. So if it takes a little tough love to push me forward, then I’ll stomach it.” The image of Acanthus’ dad appeared behind Titania, and her heart fell.

I do this because I love you.

Acanthus stood abruptly. Titania, startled, stood as well. “Acanthus?”

“Let me go change. I don’t like this, but I’ll do it.”

“You mean it? You’re not even—no questions or anything?”

Acanthus studied Titania’s bewildered face. Somewhere under those layers of exhaustion, there was a girl that needed someone to support her without question. She saw the same exhaustion in her mother’s eyes the year Acanthus’ grandmother passed away.

“No questions. I will trust you.”

[Acanthus 0]

Under the cover of dark, the two players left the villa. Acanthus broke the silence yet again. “So what is this guild you’re in? This is the second time you’ve mentioned them to me, but I know barely anything about them.”

Titania and Acanthus traveled the wilds of floor 24 on their way to Scalabis. Titania ran her thumb over the throwing knives along her bandolier. “It’s a pretty small guild. We try to stay out of the way for the most part.”

“In that case, how did you stumble into meeting them?”

Titania smiled blankly. “It was just a happy accident, I guess.”

More vague answers. It was odd to hear them coming out of her mouth. “At least give me the name.”

“It’s, uh, ‘Commanding Presence’? I think.”

“You think.” Acanthus repeated flatly. “Titania, are you even in a guild? I’m not sure why you’re being so evasive about this.”

“I’m not being evasive!” Titania shot back defensively. “I hang out with these people because I like them. I don’t really pay attention to the name of the group or a lot of the stuff they do.”

“But these people don’t like you enough to help with a single quest. And they forbid you from getting outside help.”

Titania sighed. “I told you, it’s about helping me grow as a player. It’s a tough love thing.”

“I know plenty about that. And I have to say that tough love can be a poor substitute for the real thing.” Titania shrugged without a response, and the two walked in silence until they arrived at floor seven.
 

[Acanthus 0]

Nimbus was not one of the more popular settlements, despite its proximity to the first floor. The massive stone fortress was a sight to behold, but the landscape around it was exhausting to travel. Most of the collectible materials here served blacksmiths and alchemists—other professions preferred to keep to other floors. When Titania and Acanthus materialized in the plaza, only a handful of NPCs and players were present.

“Great, let’s move.” Titania immediately vanished into the side streets. Acanthus caught her breath as she caught up to her. “You’re very eager to get out of here. You were much more relaxed on floor seventeen.”

Titania’s eyes darted around the town. “I told you, we’re trying to do this quickly. If Nid gets wind of this, they could kick me out for good.” What a shame, Acanthus thought to herself. Why was she so eager to appease these people? “So who is Nid?”

“He’s my guild handler. He’s the one that’s checking to make sure I’m doing the quest.”

[Acanthus 0]

“Guild handler? First of all, you said this guild was small. What kind of small guild has enough people for middle management? Second, are you even hearing yourself? The more you talk about Commanding Presence, the more it worries me.”

“Commanding pre—?… Oh, the guild is a little weird, sure. But it’s not ‘middle management,’ Acanthus. He’s more of a personnel officer. Nid reports directly to the Guild master too.”

“Titania. You just described every middle manager I’ve ever met.”

“Acanthus, we can argue about my guild structure later. We’ve made it to the gates of Nimbus. My searching skill isn’t picking up anything. What about yours?”

Acanthus took a breath and closed her eyes to focus. Searching for players was sometimes a little tricky. Sure, you could use all your normal senses—smell, sight, hearing. But the searching skill was Cardinal’s way to give even the most unobservant a chance. Acanthus imagined using the skill was something like using sonar on a submarine. She felt the pulse emanating from her feet and observed the nearby cityscape.

[Acanthus 0]

“Hmm… There’s not much, but I sense one player awake, about thirty meters southwest. He or she is walking perpendicular to our path out of town. Everyone else is asleep or inside.”

“And it’s just one?” Acanthus nodded. “I’m positive.”

“Good. It’s not Nid then—he’s a coward. He’s always got at least two lackeys in tow.”

“A coward? Lackeys? I thought you liked your guildmates.”

“I didn’t say I hated him. I just said he’s a coward.”

Acanthus couldn’t think of calling a person a coward if she didn’t at least dislike them. But Titania seemed to think of things differently than Acanthus. Giving her the benefit of the doubt, she concluded this was simply one of those times. “So it’s not Nid. Is it anyone else from the guild, maybe?” Part of her hoped it would be. If they ran into a guildmate, then she could see these people for herself. Maybe even ask them some questions that Titania was afraid to answer. 

[Acanthus 0]

“Here we are. Rig.”

The town was barely more than a hamlet. Acanthus was able to see the whole place from the ridge overlooking the settlement. She also didn’t notice any areas that looked suitable for grinding out mobs, but she had decided to let that go. “What next?” Acanthus asked as they walked briskly through the quiet streets of Rig.

“We need to talk to the Mayor to move the quest forward.” Titania moved purposefully towards one of the larger houses. “He’s right here.”

“Titania, it’s the middle of the night. I’m not sure why I didn’t think of it before, but how are we going to talk to the Mayor if he’s asleep in his—”

Acanthus stopped talking as she noticed Titania drop to one knee, pulling some pins and hooks from her inventory. “Lockpicking equipment?!” Acanthus hissed. “Titania, those are for Orange players.”

“You only go Orange if you get caught.” Titania kept her attention focused on the lock as she carefully rotated the tumblers. “The place is a ghost town. We’re fine.”

“Cyrus will catch us when he wakes up to us standing over him in his bedroom, Titania.”

“He doesn’t. It’s alright.”

“He ‘doesn’t’?... So you’ve done this before?” Titania fumbled with the lock for a moment. “‘Canthy, it’s a figure of speech. Stop picking apart my sentences.”

Her response distracted Acanthus. “Since when have you called me ‘Canthy?”

“Since now. Aaaand here it is.” The lock popped open with a loud click, and the door creaked open. Acanthus winced at the sudden noises in the still night. Exchanging glances, the pair slipped into the house.
 

[Acanthus 0]

For someone who awoke to strangers standing over him, Cyrus was surprisingly calm. Still laying in bed, he addressed Titania and Acanthus with annoyance.

“I’m afraid this is outside of my normal hours. If you do not leave, I will be forced to call the watch.”

Titania quickly spoke up. “We’re here about the Sandworm just outside the town. You need help getting rid of it, right?” Titania’s dialogue seemed to placate Cyrus. His script forced him up and out of bed, but his face had reverted to a more neutral expression. “Thank you,” he spoke with a hint of automation. “The great serpent has plagued our town for quite some time. If you could kill it, then my people and their families would be safe once more. That safety would then pass on to you for the rest of your travels here.”

“Thanks. That’ll do it, ‘Canthy.” Titania disappeared from the room. Acanthus looked back to the Mayor. He was already back in bed, asleep. 

Acanthus was now certain she was being whisked into something bigger than she initially dreaded. But she also knew it was too late to let go of the tiger’s tail now.

[Acanthus 0]

“Alright, so here’s the clearing. There’s some good cover on the southwest end, and a couple of rocks to fall back to make it difficult for the Amphis Serpens to strike with its heads.”

“Titania.”

“So stay on your guard for the guy, because—”

“Titania.”

Titania’s rambling slowed to a halt as she realized. “I, um, did a lot of research before the quest.”

“Bullshit.” Acanthus opened her copy of the info broker’s guide. “You think I wouldn’t scan the guide on my way up? There’s nothing in here about those details. You’ve been here before.”

Titania’s face paled. “‘Canthy, I promise I haven’t done this before. Fifth Commandment just has some exclusive info because we run it so much.” Acanthus stamped her feet. “Thirty minutes ago, you couldn’t recall your own guild’s name. You’re getting your story mixed up.” Titania was now white as a ghost. “I… listen, if we get through this, I’ll explain everything.”

“If?!” Acanthus was nearing the end of her patience. “Do you think I’d take a quest if there were even the slightest chance of failure? More importantly, why are you sending us on midnight quests that you think could kill us?”

“It’s not about the quest, it’s—”

The ground shook. The snake was burrowing towards them.

[Acanthus 0]

“You’re lucky the snake arrived when it did. After this, I deserve some explanations.” Acanthus pulled botan free of its confines with a fluid motion, and prepared her sword art before she could see the serpent. Visualize another pulse from your feet. Direct it downwards. She sensed it—a bolt of pure energy rushing towards her from her left side. Shifting her stance, she held position, listening to the hum of botan telling her when to unleash. NIGHT had crafted the sword to never lie.

The serpent erupted from the earth, only to be met with botan in full swing. The creature fell back with a venomous hiss, ready to reengage at the first sign of weakness. She would show none.

The circumstances surrounding the fight were a mystery to Acanthus, but the battle was not. She had fought worse even without consumables, but now she had another weapon that she had worked on tirelessly to perfect. Acanthus worked a crystal free from her belt and willed it to life.

Spoiler

Acanthus | HP: 740/740 | EN: 75/88 | DMG: 23 | MIT:54 | ACC:5 | AA  | EVA:2 | BH:24 | VAMP-D: 41 | REC: 8 | LD:5

Free Action (Item). Lama Sabachthani | Hypnosis 2 | Lullaby 2

Post Action | TECH-C -> Amphis Serpens (-13  (15-2) EN)
239279 | BD 10 | Major Critical! 25 * 16 = 400 - 50 = 350 Damage. [Counter] applied to self.

Monster's Action: Attack -> Acanthus
239279 | MD 6 - 2 - 1 (EVA, includes Shifting Sand) = 3. Miss.

Amphis Serpens | HP: 550/900 | DMG: 125 | MIT: 50 | Hypnosis 2 (1/2) | Lullaby 2 (1/2)

Serpent’s Poison | On MD rolls of 9 or 10, the boss will make two attacks; each will target one of the two players with the highest Hate. The attack poisons them, dealing normal attack damage in addition to inflicting an unmitigated DoT [15 DMG] effect that lasts 2 turns. Against a single player, both attacks will target the player.
Shifting Sand | Due to the shifting sands and movement of the boss, players take a -1 penalty to Accuracy and Evasion.

 

Edited Thursday at 07:30 PM by Acanthus