[PP][F01] My Own Two Feet

[broodboy 0]

The quiet hum of early morning filled the air as Bastion adjusted the fit of his new navy blue kimono, Midnight's Chill, its fabric settling comfortably across his frame. He tied the matching blindfold around his forehead, letting it rest just above his eyes. His fingers brushed across the pouches at his belt, confirming their contents: empty vials for samples, a bundle of clean rags, and a small satchel of basic healing supplies. All of which was outlined in his inventory display. 

He drew a deep breath, his movements methodical and deliberate. The memory of his last foraging expedition—the sudden ambush by those apes—lingered sharply in his mind, a lesson etched into his guarded demeanor. Today would not see such carelessness.

Pausing at the tree line of the Stone Valley’s sprawling forest, Bastion scanned the surroundings. The muted sound of flowing water and rustling leaves painted a serene picture, but he knew better than to trust appearances. With his usual sharp caution, he stepped forward, one eye on his mini-map. Each step into the shadowed woods carried a quiet resolve, his mind focused on the task ahead.

The gathering would be slow, meticulous, and as safe as his vigilance allowed. Bastion had learned one thing above all in this unforgiving world—only the prepared survive. He inspected some red moss growing on the side of a rock but, he found nothing of value in it nor did the Cardinal system at least, not for him.

…

Post Action: 
ID239874 | LD: 1 | CD: 7 | <<Foraging>> | Results: Failure [3+1 = 4/49 EXP]

 

Spoiler

►<<Bastion>> | Lv. 2 | HP: 40/40 | EN: 22/22 | DMG: 4 | MIT:10 | EVA:2 | AMBITION 1

►<<Equipment>>
         Armor |Midnight's Chill ID239873 | MIT 1 | EVA 2
    Trinket | Aura Flare Wisp Jar ID238595 | AMBITION 1

►<<Skills>> 
►<<R1 | Thrown Weaponry>> [Effect: At Rank 1, gain +3 DMG.]
►<<R1 | Cloth Armor>> [Effect: At Rank 1, gain +4 MIT.]
►<<Gathering/Profession Skills>>
   ►<<Foraging>> [R1 | 0/49EXP ]

►<<Sword Arts>>
     Rank 1
    [x4] ST-I (4 EN) | A single-target sword art.
  [x3] AOE-I (1 + [2 * targets] EN) | AOE | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once.
  [x4] TECH-A (5 EN) | STUN | A single-target sword art that stuns an enemy.

►<<Battle Inventory>> [2] Starter Healing Potions

 

Edited January 9 by broodboy

[broodboy 0]

The forest stretched endlessly before Bastion, its towering trees weaving a canopy that filtered the sunlight into fragmented patterns on the ground. As he moved with deliberate caution, his gaze caught a faint, ethereal glow further ahead. Curiosity tugged at him, and he adjusted his blindfold slightly, sharpening his focus. Nestled against the base of a gnarled tree was a cluster of mushrooms, their caps radiating a soft, pulsing light. The glow illuminated the surrounding moss in a faint halo, like a beacon beckoning him closer.

He knelt down a few steps away, inspecting the mushrooms from a distance. He looked at the system message before him,  ‘Glowcaps’, their properties relating to alchemy as the symbol next to their name indicated. Their bioluminescent nature, he assumed,  hinted at potent, possibly volatile, uses in crafting. Bastion edged closer, careful not to disturb the forest floor more than necessary.

A sharp rustle to his right snapped him to attention. He let himself get carless actually enjoying the game for once. ‘How many times will I learn this lesson,’ he thought to himself.  Emerging from the underbrush, a forest boar rooted through the dirt, its tusks scraping against a fallen log. The creature's bristled hide twitched with each movement, and Bastion froze, keeping his breath shallow and silent.

…

ID239875 | LD: 1 | CD: 1 | <<Foraging>> | Results: Failure [3+1 = 8/49 EXP]
 

Edited January 9 by broodboy

[broodboy 0]

Bastion pressed his back against the gnarled trunk of a tree, every muscle tensed. The forest boar continued its search, rooting noisily through the underbrush just a few meters away. Its movements were unpredictable, but Bastion remained perfectly still, even as a bead of sweat threatened to trail down his temple. His feet primed to dart away quickly if need be, but the boar gave no indication of noticing him.

After what felt like an eternity, the creature snorted and ambled deeper into the forest, its presence fading from Bastion’s mini-map. He exhaled quietly, the tension in his shoulders easing as he crouched low and crept in the opposite direction. His eyes flicked between his surroundings and the map, ensuring no other surprises lingered nearby.

Minutes later, the dense foliage gave way to a rocky outcropping. At its base, an unassuming cave mouth yawned, shadows spilling outward. Cautiously, Bastion approached, the faint glow of bioluminescence catching his eye once more. Inside, nestled among damp rocks, were more glowcaps, much more. 'It pays to be bold, unfortunetly,' He thought to himself. Their light painted the cave walls with soft hues, creating an otherworldly scene.

Bastion hesitated at the entrance, his gaze darting between the inviting harvest and the potential dangers within. A calculated risk, he thought, stepping forward.

…

ID239876 | LD: 16 | CD: 7 |<<Foraging>>| Results: Critical Forage! | [+1 Material, +1 Bonus Material] | [16 + 1 = 25/49 EXP]

Spoiler

Loot Total:
ID239876 | LD: 16 | CD: 7 | [2] Material
 

 

Edited January 9 by broodboy

[broodboy 0]

Satisfied with his small haul he was able to acquire the desire for better materials that would aid in raising his future alchemy skill quickly. That meant finding better herbs in higher level areas. He briskly exited the cave making sure to move as fast as he was able while maintaining caution. Not before long he arrived back at the Town of Beginnings and stepped onto the Gate. His hand gestured over the interface selecting the next floor above. 

‘Here we go,’ He anxiously thought to himself. 

Bastion stepped through the shimmering light of the teleportation gate, the air growing noticeably cooler as Aincrad’s second floor materialized around him. The sprawling landscape of table-top mountains stretched into the distance, their sheer faces and verdant peaks blending into the hazy blue of the sky. The terrain was starkly different from the dense forests of the previous floor—a daunting mix of rocky paths and steep inclines that demanded careful navigation.

He adjusted the hem of his navy kimono, Midnight’s Chill, and tightened his belt pouches, ensuring nothing would jostle loose during the climb. His gaze swept the area, taking in the movement of neutral critters that darted between shrubs and the occasional low-level mob wandering the trails. The faint outlines of pickaxe indentations and weathered rope ladders hinted at the labor required to scale the heights, while further off, the silhouette of the Spiral Mountain loomed like a quiet challenge.

Bastion frowned slightly. Too exposed, he thought, his sharp eyes catching the glint of distant movement—other players or perhaps NPCs moving along the trails. His discomfort with the open environment gnawed at him, but he suppressed it. The materials here will be worth it.

With calculated caution, he moved toward a narrow trail at the mountain's base. Each step was deliberate, his weight shifting carefully to avoid loose rocks or unnecessary noise. The sound of wind rustling through sparse vegetation accompanied him, punctuated by the occasional call of distant wildlife.

His mini-map remained open, its glowing grid keeping him aware of his surroundings. Bastion reminded himself of his earlier lesson in vigilance—monsters could ambush from above or hidden crevices. His hand hovered near his inventory menu, ready to summon a healing item if the need arose.

The path grew steeper, forcing Bastion to slow his pace. As he pressed on, the faint smell of herbs and wildflowers mingled with the crisp mountain air. His eyes scanned for anything that might hint at rare alchemical materials—vividly colored plants, strange glows, or even the faint sound of water trickling through a hidden spring.

‘Boldness invites risk,’ he thought, but preparation decides survival.

…

ID240019 | LD: 3 | CD: 2 |<<Foraging>>| Results: Failure! | [3 + 1 = 29/49 EXP] 
 

Edited January 9 by broodboy

[broodboy 0]

The acrid, tangy smell of the moss clung to the air as Bastion crouched near the rocky crevice, carefully scraping the strange, blue-cheese-scented plant into a vial. His fingers moved with mechanical precision, his mind preoccupied with cataloging the material for future use.

And then, the buzzing began.

At first, it was faint, a low vibration that resonated somewhere deep in his chest. He dismissed it, chalking it up to one of the neutral critters flitting about the mountainside. But as the sound grew louder, the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. His mini-map pulsed with a glaring red dot—a massive one, larger than anything he had encountered before.

Bastion froze. His breathing hitched, the vial slipping from his fingers and landing with a dull clink against the rocks. He turned his head toward the sound, his body unwilling to follow. The oppressive buzz was closer now, like a swarm condensed into a singular, menacing force.

It wasn’t just a swarm. It was her.

From the shadows of the towering cliffs, <<The Wasp Queen>> emerged, her enormous, chitinous form gleaming under the midday sun. Four feet of quick, lethal precision hovered effortlessly, her multifaceted eyes locking onto him. Her stinger twitched, ready to unleash a storm of attacks.

For the first time since his arrival in Aincrad, Bastion felt paralyzed—not with calculated hesitation but with raw, unfiltered terror. His mind screamed at him to run, to do something, but his body refused to comply. The mini-map pulsed angrily in the corner of his vision, mocking his inaction.

‘I should’ve bought a teleportation crystal.’ The thought pierced through his panic like a dagger. The memory of seasoned players’ warnings on the community board surged to the forefront of his mind. A lifesaver, they had said.

His legs trembled beneath him as the field boss drew closer, the buzzing loud enough to drown out his own panicked thoughts. Bastion cursed himself, his eagerness to prove himself and find Luke clouding his judgment yet again.

If I survive this, he vowed, teeth gritted and heart hammering, this will be the last time.

With sheer force of will, Bastion tore his gaze from the approaching Queen and frantically began to run in the opposite direction, praying his armor would be enough to evade death.

…

Post Action:
ID240020 | LD: 3 | CD: 6 |<<Foraging>>| Results: Failure! | [3 + 1 = 33/49 EXP]

Spawning in Monster:
<<The Wasp Queen>> HP: 315/315 | MIT: 20 | DMG: 35 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 1
Abilities:
  Royal Stinger | On CD 6+, the Queen’s attacks will ignore 50% of the target’s MIT (rounded up).
  Authority | Every two turns, the Queen’s DMG will increase by 5.
  Weapon Lock | Only Sword Arts of Rank 3 or lower may be used against this boss.
  Tier Lock | For the duration of the fight, all of the participants’ stats that scale with Tier are calculated as though they’re Tier 1. [DMG/MIT/BLEED enhancements etc.]

Edited January 9 by broodboy

[Baldur 0]

"Look out below!" came the confident voice of a man already in flight.

From the top of towering cliffs that the Queen was in flight from, a rippling blue and white haori could be seen as a man seemed to be falling towards Bastion and the bee Queen. Bits of white flame were embroidered into the cloth, but seemed to burn as if alive as it rippled. Just as the man was getting too close to the ground for comfort, he seemed to spin slightly into the air so his head was no longer pointed towards the ground, and then he seemed to explode in light. The arc of his sword art seemed to cut through the scenery of the imaginary world and reveal a night sky, complete with stars and nebula, and flashed forward towards the queen. The system took over his movement, even though there was no ground the man seemed to leap from the face of the cliff and collide with the Field Boss. Sound exploded from the <<The Wasp Queen>> but was almost immediately cut silent. The wings were no longer a torrent of sound as where she stood was suddenly a giant block of ice with the massive wasp body stuck inside. Incapable of moving in any way.

The man rolled on the ground with the momentum, but easily came to his feet with a practiced grace. His hand was empty, the blade he had used for the attack pierced through the monster, holding it to the ground in the giant ice cube.

"You alright?" The man was dressed like a samurai, though obviously a gaijin. At his side was another katana, his hand resting on it as if prepared for the Queen to move once more. The kimono he wore was the color of the sunset, and around his neck hung a jade magatama, and his long dark hair seemed only slightly ruffled considering the cliff he had just jumped from.

"Don't worry, it's not going anywhere. I just wanted to make sure you were unharmed before I finish it off."

---

ID#240208 BD:10 (Crit) DMG 14+2 = 16 x 12 Tech A = 192 DMG + Stun + Freeze + Burn 14/2 rounds - 20 MIT -7 Energy (Well Rested 1/2)
<<The Wasp Queen>> HP: 143/315 | MIT: 20 | DMG: 35 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 1  -1 [Frozen] [Stunned] Burn 14 (0/2)
[4 Hate]<<Baldur>> HP: 950/950 | EN: 110/117 | DMG: 14 | MIT:42 | ACC:8 | AA | KEEN: 1 | F-SPIRIT | EVA:3 | BH:48 | REC: 2 | FLN: 2 | BLI: 8/-5 | BRN: 14 | FRZ: 16 | LD:5

Spoiler

Name: Baldur True Tier: 10 Level: 34 Paragon Level: 65 HP: 950/950 EN: 117/117 Stats: Damage: 14 Mitigation: 42 Accuracy: 8 Evasion: 3 Battle Healing: 48 Loot Die: 5 Stealth Rating: -2 AA KEEN: 1 REC: 2 FLN: 2 BLI: 8/-5 BRN: 14 FRZ: 16 Equipped Gear: Weapon/Armor/Trinket: - Etheral Tether - Zanshin AA/Keen/Freeze/Burn Armor/Trinket: - Jade Magatama - Acc/Acc/Eva/Recovery Shield/Armor/Trinket: - Monstsuki Haori - Mit/Mit/Eva/Recovery Combat Mastery: - Combat Mastery: Damage R3 Combat Shift: - TECH Shift Familiar Skill: - Custom Skill: - Skills: - Battle Healing R5 - Charge - Energist - Extended Weight Limit - Fighting Spirit - Katana R5 - Light Armor R5 - Quick Change - Searching R5 Extra Skills: - Concentration - Meditation - Forgotten King's Authority - Parry Inactive Extra Skills: - Survival Addons: - Ferocity - Precision - Resolve - Reveal - Stamina Mods: - Detect - Emergency Recovery - Meticulous Inactive Mods: Battle Ready Inventory: - Basic Teleport Crystal x7 - Group Heal Crystal x7 - Hypnosis x1 - Medium Vitality Snack x5 - Misperception x1 - Safeguard Potion x2 - Warden's Fury x1 - Zanshin or Muramasa x1 Housing Buffs: - Bedroom: -1 energy cost for the first two expenditures of each combat - Basic Kitchen: Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot. This can exceed normal Cook enhancement caps. Ex: A perfect T2 MIT food gives 35 MIT instead of 30. - Storage Closet: +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot - Dining Room: Turn 2 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Lesser Feast. A Lesser Feast contains 4 portions of the food items sacrificed. Lesser Feasts created this way cannot be used outside of the thread they are created. Limit 1 item created per thread. - Living Room: Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts. - Fishing Pond: +2 Fishing EXP per fishing attempt - Mega Slime Farm: +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. Guild Hall Buffs: Scents of the Wild Totem: Wedding Ring: Crafting Profession: - Appraising[5000exp] R5 Gathering Profession: - Fishing[exp] R1 <<Gungnir's Shard>> Accuracy 2 Consumed [Filled] <<Gungnir's Shard>> Evasion 1 Consumed

 

Edited January 16 by Baldur