[F01-PP] What makes a person? (Wildfire, Acanthus, Nymoria) <<DHA 1: Diary of the Dragon Huntsman>>

[Wildfire 0]

I would have expected to be even a little bit sore after everything. What a rush though, watching them fight, socks that I really don't feel like I contributed much… Sitting up in the shabby bed with a stretch, Echo opens their menu, looking at their new skills. Two extra skills unlocked at once feels unreal. Granted I guess I don't have much use for assault mode. Tapping to equip <First Aid> and <Purify> they flex their hands allowing the soft white light to pool and fade. It will be nice to use this. I hope that the cost was worth it, probably won’t be doing any solo combat for a while though. Stretching they make their way out to the edge of the town like they often do. On their way they pull down their <<Coveralls>>, tying the upper part around their waist revealing a stained white tunic.  I wonder if I will find anything useful today, with the new skills I should be pretty good at this. Opening their inventory they pull out and begin to eat <<galato.>> Man, whenthey said tasteless, they weren’t kidding, I didn’t even realize that you could create the taste of cardboard in this game. But as far as breakfast goes it will suffice. They begin to search for materials scouting into the woods, their eyes glow softly as <<Night Vision>> activates in the dim morning light. When they come across a scroll picking it up. The scroll was mundane, but the handwriting was well done and calligraphic. They read the inscription. As the quest notification pops up.

 

Spoiler

"It didn't take much time for me to locate my first target. After all, I've been studying dragons since I was a young child. I always knew it was the job I wanted. Now I'll be doing more than I ever imagined. The task I'd set for myself was a grand one indeed. Nevertheless, I've drawn a map of the area to ensure that I don't get lost, and will likely need to draw more in the future. The dragon's lair should be close. I only pray that the creature is sleeping..."

 

Clicking accept they made their way back to town Dragon Hunting, wouldn't mind learning more about it but investigating further alone would be unwise. I should put something up on the board, maybe I'll get lucky and someone will join up. It'd give Hubert some extra business too, not that he especially needs it. Approaching the old inn and tavern, white walls with wood trimming, something to signify ‘Stay here, it's safe’. I remember when this place was almost full, back when we were all stuck on floor 1. Hell every tavern was effectively full. Approaching the old board, Echo was surprised by how empty it was. I hope that isn't an indication of the likelihood of people joining, hopefully there are still people uncommitted or at least looking.  

 

[ Dragon Hunting ]

[ Need some help with a quest ]

[ Willing to split rewards ]

[ Herberts Inn <<F01-Town of Beginnings>> ]

 

With a shake of their head, feeling their hair flow a bit and settle back onto their shoulders. I should probably go ahead and start looking over the scroll. Taking a seat at a booth they put the scroll out on the table, finding it to be intact two items, they separate the map out. Opening their own floor map they begin to cross reference between the two becoming engrossed in it.

---------------

WC: 484

 

Quest:

Spoiler

Floor 1
<<DHA 1: Diary of The Dragon Huntsman>>
Party Limit: 3 | 20+ Posts
Repeatable for standard thread rewards.
 

Quest Rewards:

500 Experience Points

Each player receives:Topaz Gemstone - Not Transferrable

"It's an orange topaz which appears to be half an inch in diameter and seems almost perfectly spherical. This has to be of some importance, but exactly what I'm not entirely sure. Maybe more of these journal entries will reveal the secret."

Unlocks <<DHA 2: The Demon of the Mountains>> quest

Requirements:

Roleplay meeting and speaking with Fuzziel

(Option) Obtain Fuzziel's blessing.

Roleplay searching for the hidden dragon nest.

Defeat Carsar the Egg Snatcher.

Retrieve the topaz dragon hatchlings and egg.

Roleplay reunion and hatching of the topaz dragon.

Summary:

On a random day as you strive to finish a quest, slay a mob, open up a chest, pick an NPC's pockets, perform the fishing skill, or simply just trading with the wandering NPC merchant, you encounter an item drop the likes of which you've never seen before. It appears to be a scroll, at first, with old drawings, maps and runes written into it. After messing around with the 'scroll' for awhile you discover that it isn't a scroll at all, but is actually two separate sheets. The first is a map, while the second appears to be a journal entry with the page number barely visible. While what you assume to be the date is indecipherable, the general text already appears to have been translated.

"It didn't take much time for me to locate my first target. After all, I've been studying dragons since I was a young child. I always knew it was the job I wanted. Now I'll be doing more than I ever imagined. The task I'd set for myself was a grand one indeed. Nevertheless, I've drawn a map of the area to ensure that I don't get lost, and will likely need to draw more in the future. The dragon's lair should be close. I only pray that the creature is sleeping..."
13.

After reading the text, the map makes more sense.  Further inspection makes you suspect that you know where this map may be leading. As you finish reviewing the note and map, a prompt appears before you:

Quest

<<Diary of the Dragon Hunter>>
Accept Quest?

O           X

Upon choosing accept, you are left to locate the dragon's nest. To find the dragon's nest, the player(s) must roleplay searching for the dragon's hidden nest, which requires  an LD roll of 18 or higher, or making 5 posts roleplaying their search.  Five failed LD rolls achieve the same result.  Reaching the dragon's nest, you discover a long dragon with topaz-colored scales curled up in the center of the lair. A few pieces of gold are scattered across the den, but little else other than stone, rubble, cracks and claw marks. The dragon's eyes open as you enter.  It immediately stands up to roar at you, revealing an empty nest with cracked eggs, a dead topaz dragon behind her, and several wicked wounds visible on her underbelly. The dragon makes threatening noises towards you, but does not make the first move. Should the player(s) enquire as to what happened,  she tell them her tale in hopes of gaining their help. She will also reveal where her hatchlings and remaining egg were taken. If the player(s) heal her wounds with healing hands or potions, she will bestow her blessing breath (see below) on everyone, excepting any orange-cursor players. Her wounds will take time to fully be restored, but she will be whole upon the player's return.

Arriving at the specified location, the party catches sight of the missing topaz hatchlings, as well as a dragon egg.  A different topaz dragon rests nearby. The surrounding landscape consists of uneven stone ground, sloping upward in several areas with large stalagmites overhanging steep cliffs and ridges. Many boulders also litter the area. The player can choose to either sneak the hatchlings away (must beat Carsar's detection rating for 2 posts; sneaking to the hatchlings and sneaking back), fighting Carsar head on, or attempting to converse with him and persuade him to give the hatchlings up. If the player(s) fight and slay Carsar, they can roll to find his treasure trove (LD 15+ to succeed) of 5000 col and 15 materials. If the player chooses the stealth option they can still roll to find it, but must make another stealth roll in addition to the LD roll.  Any failed stealth rolls will cause Carsar to attack. The players can roll to find his treasure as many times as needed.

Regardless of which option the player(s) choose, they end up coming across another journal entry from the Dragon Hunter. This one seeming to have different locations written down with 'X' and 'O' marks. Oddly enough, there is also one location on each of the next eight floors in Aincrad...

Dragon Hunter's Journal:

  Reveal hidden contents

NPCs:

 

<<Fuzziel>>
Like others of her species, Fuzziel is capable of human speech. A kind and loving motherly figure, Fuzziel's wrath is quickly defused when dealing with younglings, or kind looking individuals who appear injured. With her hatchlings having been stolen, and having received deep wounds herself, she is desperate enough to accept help from any others willing to offer it. If it is clear the players do not care for good deeds, she will angrily promise them the treasures of the one who stole her children so long as they bring the hatchlings back to her. For humble players with green cursors she will gently breathe on them, giving them her blessing (+1 EVA for this thread. Stacks with normal EVA).

<<Topaz Dragon Hatchlings>>
There are a total of six hatchlings being held by Carsar. They don't dare move without someone there to protect them for fear of Carsar's wrath. One of the hatchlings appears to have received a long scratch along its side, and another walks with a limp. Each of the hatchlings will huddle close to the player(s) for safety the moment they are near, and will hide behind and under rocks if the player(s) confront Carsar, whether via conversation or physical combat.

Enemies:

<<Carsar the Egg Snatcher>>
Carsar will attack any non-dragons on sight versus talking, but he will entertain negotiations if outnumbered (i.e. not a solo thread). Carsar was jealous and hateful towards Fuzziel's mate. He stole her hatchlings, killed her mate to gain dominance over her and stole her treasure for himself. If the player(s) push for a non violent solution he will demand no less than 2500 col as compensation.
In battle, Carsar is relentless and vicious. He attacks with claw, tail and tooth and isn't afraid to use his flight to his advantage. He is intelligent and capable of identifying the greatest threat to him, targeting them first. His strategy more or less focuses on destroying the greatest threat to the least threatening, but depending on what the players do he will change his tactics to gain any form of advantage.

HP: 350/350 | DMG: 65 | MIT: 40
This boss uses its own BD roll when attacking.

Abilities:

Natural Fighter| Carsar can make three attacks in one round; once with his maw, once with his tail, and once with his claws. All deal the same damage.  If fighting against a party of three, each player will be targeted by an individual attack. Against a party of two, each will be targeted once, followed by an AoE attack that targets both. Against a solo party, the player will be targeted by all three attacks.

Aerial Combat | At any time Carsar feels overly threatened (losing more than 100 points of his health in one round) he takes to the skies to increase his mobility. While airborne he has +2 EVA, with a penalty of -1 ACC (-2 ACC at 200 or less HP, and -3 ACC at 100 or less HP). Carsar will land, ending this effect, if he takes 50 damage or less over two rounds. 

Breath Attack | Activates on an BD 9-10.  Carsar has the ability to use a breath attack which emits a large paralytic gas. The attack gains +35 DMG (replacing crit bonus) with this attack and targets all players in the battlefield, inflicting Paralyze on contact. Make separate attack rolls for each additional target beyond the first.  Carsar he can only use this twice in a single battle before he cannot do so anymore.

Stats

Spoiler

 

Lvl 11

HP 220 | EN 40 | 5 DMG | MIT 4 | 3 EVA |1 ACC| 2HP/rnd BH | LD +6 | Chest LD +1

 

Battle Ready:

x3 Crystal of the Blood Dragon Horde:
Item Type: Crystal
Tier: t1
Quality: Perfect
Enhancements: Mass HP recovery 10%

 x1 Zackariah’s Special Draug

x1 Bitter Tea | +2 OH
[TIERLESS RARE POTION] [237535b]
Hard to swallow. It is a popular unscientific belief that things that taste awful are invariably the best for one’s health. It is true, in this scenario. Don’t count on it when you get back.

Equipped:

 Name: Coveralls
Your Profession: Tailor
Your Rank: 10
ID: 237651
Roll: 11
Item Type: Cloth Armor
Tier: 1
Quality: Perfect
Enhancements: EVA III
Description: This blue jumpsuit is reminiscent of a jean mechanics uniform, though it seems more worn then new. It bears olive green patches on the knees and elbows of the garment as well as 13 outward facing star buttons. The cinch mechanism has been replaced with a sturdy leather bet.

Novice’s Halberd | DMG/DMG/ACC
[T1 PERFECT POLEARM] [237370a]
A simple polearm with an iron tip. You found this with your own hands.

Skills:

 Searching

3 Ranks | 14 SP

Passive

Effect: +1 LD per rank. +1 to Stealth Detection per rank.

Description: Increases your perception, making it easier to find treasure, detect hidden creatures, and increases your chance of obtaining better loot from monsters.

Lock Picking
1 Rank | 5 SP
Passive
Effect: +1 LD per rank when picking the locks on chests.
Description: Your sleight of hand improves your chances of successfully unlocking a treasure chest.

Battle Healing
1 Ranks | 4 SP
Passive
Effect: While in combat, recover 1% per rank of your maximum HP (rounded down) at the beginning of your turn.
Description: Passively recover health in battle ( Currently: 10 HP/rnd)

Polearms Skill
1 Rank | 4 SP
Passive
Effect: At Rank 1, gain +3 DMG. At Ranks 2-5, +1 per rank (max of +7 DMG for R5 Weapon Skill). At Rank 5, unlock the ability to specialize in a Combat Shift.

  Cloth Armor
1 Rank | 4 SP
Passive
Effect: Gain Mitigation based on your rank in Cloth armor. You can only benefit from one armor skill at a time (the respective armor type must be equipped). Your mitigation is capped at 1 equipment slots.

    Rank 1: 4 MIT | Rank 2: 8 MIT | Rank 3: 12 MIT | Rank 4: 16 MIT | Rank 5: 20 MIT

Description: You have become proficient in cloth armor, which protects you a little but grants you agility and mobility.

Extra Skill:

First Aid [Requires two Extra Skill slots]
3 Ranks | 4 SP
Active: Post Action
Energy cost: (3 * Rank in skill) EN
Effect: Heal 4% per rank of a target party member’s maximum HP (rounded down). Cannot target the user.
Description: The user’s hands and target player glow a soft white, healing the target for a percentage of their maximum HP.

Skill Mods:

 [Rank 2 First Aid Mod] Purify

Cost: 4 SP

Active: Post Action

Energy cost: 3 EN

Cooldown: 1 Turn

Effect: Remove all status conditions on one target party member. Can target the user.

Description: The user’s hands and target player glow an eerie bright white, removing one status condition from the target.

 [Rank 2 Searching Mod] Night Vision

    Cost: 3 SP
    Passive
    Effect: Ignores any penalties from low light or darkness. Negates the bonus Stealth Rating from low light or darkness.
    Description: Allows the user to see normally in dim or dark areas.

 

Consumed:

Spoiler

gelato. | TIERLESS DESSERT | LD III 
multiple flavors. paper cup. wooden spoon. tasteless.

 

Edited February 5 by Wildfire

[Nymoria 0]

DHA 1: Diary of The Dragon Huntsman
Dragon Hunting. Nymoria could only think of one such quest. An entire line of quests, actually, if she were taking it all into consideration. A quest which many had called lengthy, forlorn and entirely annoying to attempt to complete without any sort of assistance or help along the way. It was one of the few she’d been avoiding, previously, due to a lack of desire to attempt to attempt to accomplish it.

It may be worth giving it a try, however… She’d paused in front of the request board in the hopes of finding anyone who required some assistance with some of the more commonly found quests. Instead, she’d found a single notice that provided her with any sort of call for help. She’d almost passed over it entirely, until the title had rung something within her memory, and she’d gone searching through her menu for the questline. Dragon Hunter’s Anthology. At least this first part of it doesn’t sound so difficult…I wonder if this person has already found the mysterious item that starts it all?

She gave a half shrug, deciding that it would be better for her to simply ask the player in question. She hesitated only long enough for a single moment of self doubt to creep into her mind; a question of if she should be helping the player, considering her lack of knowledge of the quest itself. She pushed it aside and turned towards Herberts Inn, following a collection of guidance and markers along the way to locate the area in question.

The tavern area of the inn – if it could be called that – was spacious and, more importantly, relatively empty considering the time of day. Nymoria glanced around for a moment, trying to see if anyone stood out from the others within the small eatery. Most appeared to be simplistic individuals, barely more than NPCs from their appearance and movements. Two, however, held the appearance of players who might have placed a request to hunt down dragons. One, a shorter individual with a simplistic lithe build and auburn hair seemed focused on some scrollwork, and while Nymoria thought for a single moment that she saw a map among the scrolls, she turned instead to the second individual.

Sitting behind the auburn haired individual was a well armoured knight; a man who would have towered over Nymoria if he’d been standing, with physique that bespoke of someone who had been fighting among the depths of danger for some time. Certain that she had found her requester, she approached the knight and waved to get his attention before signing towards him, her hands moving naturally quick through the motions. Good day, I am here about the dragon hunting request.

’Huh? Dragon Hunting? I didn’t put up a request about dragon hunting.’ Even with her own limitations, Nymoria could tell that the man was speaking overly loud; so much so that she reached up to touch the aid within her ear. ’I’ve no idea what you’re on about, but if you want to go hunt dragons, go find someone else!’

Statblock

Spoiler Notes [Theme] Nymoria | Lv. 33 | P. 2 | HP [680/680] | EN [104/104] | ACC [5] | DMG [22] | EVA [4] | BH [+37] | Bleed [36] | Keen [+1 BD] | LD [+1] Tier 4 | Tier 4 Equipment Repressed [Rapier | Tier 3] Enhancement: Bleed [2 Slots] Enhancement: Keen [1 Slot] Ring of Evasion [Jewelry | Tier 1] Enhancement: Evasion [3 Slots]  Hearing Aid [Trinket | Tier 1] Enhancement: Accuracy [3 Slots] Battle-Ready Inventory Uncommon Health Potion {5} [Potion | Tier 1 | Heals 5% Maximum HP] Honey Cookie {5} [Snack | Tier 1 | Vitality II] bento {1} [Meal | Tierless | Oveerhealth III] Honey Cookie {5} [Snack | Tier 1 | Vitality II] Chocolate Truffles {4} [Dessert | Tier 3 | Vitality II] Dear My Friend {3} [Support Song | Tier 4 | HP Recovery III | Instant] Teleport Crystal {1} Crystal of Support | [3/3 charges] | Heals the user and each party member for (50 * Target's Tier) HP. Requires a Post Action to use.  Skills Spoiler Utility Skills Extended Weight Limit [Active: Passive. Effect: +2 additional Battle-Ready inventory slots.] Combat Skills Battle Healing [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: While in combat, recover 1% per rank of your maximum HP (rounded down) at the beginning of your turn.] Energist [Active: Passive. Effect: Increase base Energy by 5*Tier.] Weapon Skills 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.] [Rank 5 Shift] AOE Specialist [Active: Passive. Effect: For the following Sword Arts, +4 to multipliers and +2 to EN cost; AoE-I, AoE-II. No other Shifts may be taken.] Armour Skills Unhindered [Active: Passive. Effect: +1 Accuracy, +1 Loot Dice, +1 Evasion, +5*Tier HP. Your mitigation is capped at 0 equipment slots.] Active Extra Skills Leadership [Rank: 1. Active: Passive. Effect: Gain access to Leadership Arts every rank. In order to use a Leadership Art, it must take up a mod slot. Each Leadership Art takes up a different mod slot. Leadership Arts from different sources do not stack.] [Rank 1 Leadership Art] Elusive [Active: Post Action. Energy: 4 EN. Cooldown: 2 turns. Effect: Increase the Evasion of all players in your party by 1 for a single turn.] [Rank 2 Leadership Art] Rally [Active: Post Action. Energy: 6 EN. Cooldown: 2 turns. Effect: Increase the Accuracy of all players in your party by 1 for a single turn.] [Rank 3 Leadership Art] Steadfast [Active: Post Action. Energy: 8 EN. Cooldown: 3 turns. Effect: Status Effects that would be applied to the party for the next two turns would instead be applied to the user instead (normal rules for how status effects refresh instead of stacking apply).] Survival [Active: Passive. Effect: Increases Healing effects received from all sources by 10%. Grants immunity to all damage dealing environmental attacks/effects.] 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: 3. 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 Sword Arts Spoiler [x12] ST-I (12 10 EN) | A single-target sword art. [x15] ST-II (15 13 EN) | 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. [x15] AOE-I (13 11 + [2 * targets] EN) | AOE | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. [x18] AOE-II (16 14 + [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. Housing Buffs Spoiler Shizuka [Home] Master Bedroom [-1 energy cost for the first three expenditures of each combat.] Living Room [Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.] Atelier (Extended Workshop) [+2 Crafting EXP per crafting attempt & +1 crafting attempt per day.] Greenhouse [+2 Gathering EXP per Attempt and additional +1 LD & CD to gathering attempts.] Storage Closet [+1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot.] Attic (Storage) [+5% bonus col from monster kills and treasure chests.]

[Wildfire 0]

Okay so I should be generally able to get us to the area to search pretty quick, we might even have some time to do some foraging or otherwise grind a bit on the way, I could use some more materials, that last shopping run cleaned me out… honestly I should probably get on figuring out how professions work but thats for another time. I should have some of those <gelato.> left so if they need a searching boost that should help. I am pretty sure we can find more of these entries as well, maybe even the whole journal if we are lucky. 

With a few button clicks Echo puts some waypoints on their map for places to search.

Honestly it might be farther than it looks, hard to tell. I am not sure I have been  that far out of town yet aside from yesterday but even that was pretty close to the main settlement. So long as I have h-

’Huh? Dragon Hunting? I didn’t put up a request about dragon hunting.’

In a start at the sudden change in the ambient volume of the room, Echo feels their body move involuntarily as they are violently and suddenly brought back into reality and out of their reverie. As they jump, the sudden movement sends the table tumbling out of the booth spilling the scroll and map onto the floor. 

“S-Sorry, sorry!” Echo grips their chest as their heart rate begins to cool back off. 

Take a breath Echo, you're okay, you are in the safe zone, it’s just someone being loud. What was it they were saying? Echo shakes their head attempting to clear it before scrambling out of the booth to set the table backup and collect their things. Looking to where the noise came from they see someone talking to a knight. A brown haired girl, only a touch shorter than Echo. 

Oh she must be here for my post on the request board. She looks just as uncomfortable as I feel with the situation. Why do people have to be so loud, maybe I should have made the meeting place a library.  Taking a deep breath Echo approaches. 

In a meek tone “I’m sorry, did you mention you are here for the dragon hunting request? Th-that was me sorry… Oh wait, your the practitioner of Silent Moments up on floor 3 right? Sorry, my head is kind of all over the place. I’m Ech- right, sorry, I’m Wildfire. If you are up for it, I am looking for some people to help me with this. I have more or less found a path to get to the general area we need to go but once we get there we will have to do an actual search. I am pretty good at finding things myself but I have some consumables that should help.  If you want we can even stop and do some gathering or grinding.I would try to do it myself but I fancy myself a healer so combat isn’t really my stick… or at least not alone. Oh I am rambling aren’t I?.. Sorry I am not used to running something like this, or really dealing with people…”

Calm down, it’s not a race. You will scare people off if you just rant at them like that. Echo takes a seat on the edge of the booth with their legs facing the edge and tries to get their breathing under control. 

------------------

WC: 567

[Acanthus 0]

The player request board always seemed like a hit or miss situation for Acanthus. She’d had great luck finding a steady clientele for her songs, and even picking up odd jobs for other players. As for questing, it tended to work well: she had great success with the last event by putting up a last-minute call for adventurers. But when it didn’t work well, it was a miserable experience. Dozens of times she had to wave off under-leveled players, oblivious to their own abilities. Half of them hoped vainly for someone to carry them through difficult content—one man promised her 10 million yen in the real world once they got out, claiming he was a big business executive for Argus security systems. Even if he was telling the truth, what good would the promise hold? Real money was worthless in a fight for your life. Acanthus had turned the man down and wished him well, but she was too afraid to look for his name on the monument.

So when she saw a player post about the Dragon Hunter’s quest chain, Acanthus nearly declined on the spot. It was a long quest; few had finished, and even fewer could say that it was worth the investment. From a practical perspective, it would be best for her to avoid the quest entirely. She glanced at the name again. Wildfire. Acanthus had quested with them briefly on Floor 9 to kill the bandits. Acanthus was still embarrassed at her own behavior. She hoped Wildfire had already forgotten, but she knew better. Maybe this will be a good way to apologize.

Acanthus found the first floor tavern where Wildfire was located. She approached as the player wrapped up a description to Nymoria. With any luck, she would be polite enough to not talk about what had happened. Acanthus thought it best to pretend like nothing had happened at all. Nodding a brief hello to Nymoria, she addressed the source of the request.

“Wildfire. I saw your request. If you haven’t filled your party, I thought I could offer my services again. Just point me in a direction. Dragon Hunter’s has been on my to-do list for quite some time, so I would appreciate getting to knock it out with familiar faces.”
 

 Acanthus | Lvl 66 (34/32) | Acanthus | HP: 840/840 | EN: 98/98 | DMG: 23 | MIT:95 | ACC:5 | AA  | BRN-IM  | FL.AURA: 8 | BH:46 | HB: 37 | VAMP-D: 46 | REC: 4 | 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. Fractured Heart | Holy Blessing 2 | Flame Aura

Consumables
TEXT

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

Spoiler

Combat Mastery and Shift
Combat Mastery: Damage R3
TECH Shift

Skills

• Battle Healing R5
• 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

• Forgotten King's Authority
• Survival
• Photosynthesize
• Block
  • Mod: Shield Bash (4/5)

Inactive Extra Skills

• Assault Mode
• Disguise

Addons

• Ferocity
• Precision
• Resolve
• Stamina

Mods

• Shield Bash
• Meticulous
• Night Vision
• Tracking

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

Spoiler

1. Lama Sabachthani | 236687 | Consumable - Soundtrack | Hypnosis 2 | Lullaby 2 (Instant)
   Pain deeper than words, engraved by a hand that does not know its own heart.
2. Edict's Threnody | 236686 | Consumable - Soundtrack | Perpetuate (Instant)
   If my suffering will not end, then neither will yours.
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

Performer | Rank 5
Apollo’s Metronome | Crafting Tool | Meticulous: +1 CD when crafting in one’s workshop.

Forager | Rank 5
Demeter's Cornucopia | Gathering Tool | Bountiful: +1 CD to gathering attempts.

 

 

Edited February 10 by Acanthus

[Nymoria 0]

A familiar face had stood from their seated position a few paces over. Stood being a somewhat polite term, as they upended the table that they had been settled at, spilling everything that had been atop it before stumbling to collect it all. Nymoria had moved to assist, but had found the items quickly retrieved before she could obtain any of them herself. She gave a quick smile towards the clearly nervous player, before preparing to step away and look for another in relation to the dragon quest.

Wait…isn’t that…? She waited quietly as the individual before her spoke about the quest that they had posted for, and the details that they had already obtained. Nymoria found herself smiling quickly as she confirmed the individual before her was exactly who she thought it was, the same bumbling, nervous energy about them. Before she could say anything, however, another familiar face appeared at her side and spoke before she could.

Hello, Acanthus. Wildfire. Nymoria gave a partial bow towards each, a small measure of politeness before she continued signing her words to each of them. If you are in need of an escort, and assistance, then I would be more than happy to come along with the both of you.

Nymoria glanced back at Acanthus, saying nothing more and yet eyeing the woman oddly as if she was trying to figure something out. There was no clear indication of what Nymoria was thinking within her expression, and yet her eyes seemed to glitter in amusement just the slightest amount; as if holding back some secret that she knew better than to speak aloud in front of everyone here.

[Wildfire 0]

The moment that they took to calm themself felt as though it was, in actuality, an eternity. Certainly long enough for them to seem rude, or at least that is what their brain told them. Though the moment seemed well spent as another approached. It was shortly after that Echo had caught up with everything that they realized who it was. 

“Oh right, sorry I am horrible with names. It is good to see you two, even better to hear that you two are interested in helping me with this. I can’t imagine how rough it would have been to try and convince two people who didn’t know me to help out.” 

Echo sighs slightly as they think about trying to even talk to people who are more battle hardened. The thought of those kinds brought to mind, Wulfrin who had ‘helped’ them through the bloodstained land quest and masked a slight grimace. 

“I more or less have a path figured out but I am happy to let you both take a look at the scrap I found if you would like. As well as send you the way points.We don’t have a ton of information to go on but I guess that is generally how quests like this go.”
After sending a party invite request Echo makes sure both the scroll and map are visible on the table. 

“I think this is the best way to get there, probably need to back track a bit but that shouldn’t be too much of an issue. I can provide you with some Search enhancing consumables if you would like, they aren’t that good, kind of tastes like cardboard if you soaked it in milk, but they do give a bonus so maybe it’s worth it. Otherwise I am ready to start making our way out there if you are, I will plan on taking the back lines of any combat again, but I can heal you as you need!”

Echo sets two <gelato.> on the table in offering

--------------

WC: 336

Offered

Spoiler

x2  gelato. | TIERLESS DESSERT | LD III 
multiple flavors. paper cup. wooden spoon. tasteless.

 

[Acanthus 0]

Acanthus bowed back. Nymoria's gentle politeness always managed to put her at ease. Everything was looking good so far. If she were part of the party, then they would likely finish everything in record time. Maybe they could even clear one or two more of the quest chain in a single sitting? From what Acanthus recalled, the early quests were fairly simple to clear.

Wildfire seemed scattered as ever, winding through the requirements of the first quest. A map hit the table, and a plan began to form. Wildfire, yet again, offered up consumables to the others. Acanthus smiled faintly as she pulled a gelato out of her own inventory. "It looks like Demian has been making the rounds. I'm glad to see he's still in business. I haven't been able to find him for some time. I was convinced that he had finally hung up his pots and pans and moved on. It would be a shame." Acanthus began to consume the gelato in small bites. "I've actually grown fond of the food." It was a diplomatic way to admit that she still could not stand the food in game. Demian's tasteless cooking was the perfect thing for the quirks her taste buds exhibited here.

Edited yesterday at 12:00 AM by Acanthus

[Nymoria 0]

Nymoria’s eyes lingered upon the gelatinous snack placed upon the table, before deciding to accept the proffered item. She reached out to grasp it, before a moment of clarity struck her and she found herself opening her menu suddenly, her hands flying through various submenus before coming to stop and summoning two items into existence, allowing them to materialise in her hands, before placing them upon the table beside the map.

I had almost forgotten, Wildfire. Your order. It is complete. She hoped that the items were up to the quality and expectations of the other player – somehow it felt odd to complete a transaction before Acanthus, although she was certain it was nothing out of the ordinary. Still, Nymoria was quick to turn away from the transfer of items, and focus upon the maps themselves, and the plan that Wildfire had laid out. She quickly signed her response, before reaching again for the gelatinous snack. Back tracking would be fine. At least, like you said, we could search for some usable items while we are there. Something I am certain we could all use.

She ducked behind the safety of the snack for a few moments, savouring the tastelessness of the item, and wondering how it could be entirely bland, and yet entirely enjoyable at the same moment. She shifted her eyes back and forth across all the items placed before them, before shrugging and signing to each of the other two, ready to lead them out into the wilderness if they so chose to head off. If all preparations are complete, should we go? There is no reason to remain standing here, unless you need something before we leave.

Nymoria waited to see if the others were prepared, before heading towards the entrance of the tavern – and more importantly, the world beyond. She smiled as the fresh air hit her face, before falling into step in the general direction that Wildfire had pointed out, ready to face the quest – and more importantly, to enjoy some time with the two other players.

-

Nymoria provides @Wildfirewith Diligent Observation and Only Satisfaction.

[Wildfire 0]

Echo’s eyes light up as they accept the proffered items.

I wonder if I can find something to clean the lenses with, probably not anything too fancy for it but even a good linen cloth and some strong alcohol would probably do the trick. Maybe I will get lucky and they won’t need cleaning but you can never be too sure of these things.

“Thank you so much! This is perfect! You did a great job!”

Waising no time, Echo removes the halberd from their inventory and equips the two new items. They set the glasses raised above their head slightly, no specific lens chosen, instead just the main magnification lenses in the optical path. Buttoning up the blue jumpsuit so the gold/bronze star buttons were exposed, they roll up the left sleeve to expose the intricate silver arm brace underneath. The vine like structure seeming to creep up their arm of its own accord

“I have to say, it's rather hard to find an open cook. I feel like I was searching all over the <Town of Beginnings> before I found it.” Echo shrugs, “Though maybe I should have expanded my search to the higher floors. I am glad people like it though, maybe it’s just an acquired taste, makes me miss my ma’s cooking though-” 

Echo pauses, realizing that they had brought up their life from the real world. Overwhelmed by the onslaught of anxiety on two fronts, they struggled to keep their breathing in check. On one side their mind flooded with the remembrance of the family that was left back on the other side The thoughts of them struggling to make ends meet, of the sickness that plagued them. On the other side, they contended with the social aspect, it was taboo to talk about the real world to say the least, and fending off the worst case scenarios screaming in their mind was about all they could muster. 

“s-sorry forget I mentioned it” 

It was about all they could get out as they followed the others out of the tavern and through the city.

-----

WC: 350

 

Out of Combat Equipment Switch

Spoiler

Unequipped

Novice’s Halberd | DMG/DMG/ACC
[T1 PERFECT POLEARM] [237370a]
A simple polearm with an iron tip. You found this with your own hands.

Equipped

Item Name: Diligent Observation

Item Tier: Tierless

Item Type: Trinket

Item Rarity:  Perfect

Item Enhancements: Loot Dice [3 Slots]

Craft/Appraisal/Obtainment IDs & Rolls: ID240482

Item Description: This set of fine guilded Jewelers glasses hold a number of lenses each with different levels of magnification or color. While the glasses themselves are of fine make, it makes the wearer look a bit silly as when looking at them from a distance it seems to make their eyes too big for their face.

 

Item Name: Only Satisfaction

Item Tier: Tierless

Item Type: Trinket

Item Rarity:  Perfect

Item Enhancements: Recovery [2 Slots] | Prosperity [1 Slot]

Craft/Appraisal/Obtainment IDs & Rolls: ID240483

Item Description: This silver brace begins attaching to the wearers ring finder and weaves its way up the wearer’s arm ending at the shoulder as though it were an articulated metal sleeve. Evocative of ivy climbing up a structure. In the fine details you can see the veins of leaves carved in various spaces.

New Stats

Spoiler

HP 220 | EN 40 | 3 DMG | MIT 4 | 3 EVA | 2HP/rnd BH | LD +9 | Chest LD +1 | Pros 1 | Recovery [4 EN/CD7+]

 

Edited Thursday at 10:58 PM by Wildfire

[Acanthus 0]

Wildfire appeared embarrassed after mentioning something about their mom’s cooking? Acanthus thought the emotion seemed out of place, but knew better than to press. “If we’re geared up, then I think we are ready to go. You said we need to find a dragon’s nest, correct?” Acanthus opened her guide to peruse what information they had. “Hm. There’s not a lot of information on this quest chain. Seems like it’s not a popular one. That could make things difficult for us.”

While in her inventory, Acanthus began swapping out a few of her items. “Looking at the stats for this part of the quest, it seems like we’re not in any real danger,” she explained. “So I’m going to put on a few different items that might help us find the pages the guide talks about. Is everyone else ready to start looking? Based on your maps, it looks like we should be heading south.”
 

Post Action: Changing Equipment
Resilient Thistle -> empty avarice
Fractured Heart -> worthless ring

[Nymoria 0]

Nymoria waited as the pair switched out their gear, exchanging their more combative setups for something simple. She considered her own position and capabilities, before deciding to remain in her current setup – combative focused, but more than provisional for anything she would need to face, in the current moment. Nodding to herself, she stepped towards the exit of the tavern once Acanthus had spoken in confirmation of their preparation to head out, holding the door open for the other two before passing through herself.

South? South it is. Nymoria smiled before turning towards a more southernly direction, her eyes glazing over the various areas that were laid out before them. She knew they would have a long walk before them, and she figured she’d make the most of it along the way – as she knew the other two would, given their current outfitting. Cocking her head to the side, as much to keep an eye on the area around them as the other two while she communicated, she glanced about and signed all at the same time.

I know very little about this quest. Do we fight a dragon at some point? Or are we simply looking for one? She’d heard little about the dragon hunter’s questline, knowing only what Acanthus had already pointed out – it was extremely unpopular, and thus had little information to spare when it came to what to purchase, or learn. The few players who had completed had compiled some notes, but most of those had proven useless – the insights had been different, and some points of it counter informational to what others had stated. All in all, not very useful for us. Still, Nymoria thought it would be interest to see a drake within the game, and thus she had ended up here. Why did you decide to take this quest, Wildfire?

Post Action: Foraging
ID241443 | LD: [10+1] = 11 | CD: [8+1] = 9 | Result: Failure [+5 EXP | 440/499 EXP]

Edited yesterday at 02:13 PM by Nymoria