[F08 | SP] Peace Talks | <<Elvish Treaties>>

[Nymoria 0]

Elvish Treaties

Nymoria had awoken to the flashing of her notifications screen, the bright pulsing light enough to pull her from her slumber. She’d blinked a few times before realising that it was notifying her of an updated quest option; a new, viable route that she could take towards one of the quests she had recently completed. It had taken her a while, however, to realise what the quest itself was, and what she had done in the first place in order to obtain the secondary portion of the chain.

Elvish…oh. This is the one where I met the queen, and stood guard. She sighed as she remembered the queen and her commander at arms, the man being far less welcoming than the throne bearer. Nymoria flicked away the quest’s details, deciding that she would deal with it after she’d risen entirely and made herself more ready for the day ahead. As she rose from her bed, Shogan appeared at her side, the wistful eyes and features staring at her with a measure of desire; an expression that Nymoria had recently learnt to understand.

Breakfast? Five of the tails on the creature shook in excitement at Nymoria’s signed word, and she smiled in return as she pushed herself off the furniture and into motion. She’d come to learn that Shogan was a fiend towards early morning foods, the fox seemingly enjoying them the most out of any meal they had in the day. Not that it was any specific food itself that drew in the fox’s focus, but rather the timing of the day itself – as if there was something about the morning meal that was most appealing.

Meeting the queen again will be interesting. I wonder if they’re going to try and press forward with the peace talks. She’d seemed adamant about the fact that they wouldn’t be able to maintain a war of attrition with the Treants…it would be nice to see at least one conflict come to a close, even if it’s only temporary. Nymoria leaned back into the cushion, re-reading the quest details once more. There wasn’t a lot of information available – in fact, what was, led her to believe that she would play some vital role in the talks between the Elves and the Treants. Hopefully I’m not some mediator or judge who’s supposed to make all the vital decisions.

 

Nymoria | Lv. 34 | P. 15 | HP [760/760] | EN [112/112] | ACC [4] | DMG [22] | EVA [4] | Bleed [36] | LD [+6] | SD [+7] | Prosperity [2] | Quality [1]  Spoiler Notes [Theme] Tier 4 | Tier 5 Laurel Wreath (15% EXP in Col) +1 LD to Looting Equipment Kamoku [Dagger | Tier 4] Enhancement: Accuracy [2 Slots] Enhancement: Bleed [1 Slot] Ring of Evasion [Jewellery | Tier 1] Enhancement: Evasion [3 Slots]  Quality Bracelet [Jewellery | Tier 3] Enhancement: Prosperity [2 Slots]  Enhancement: Quality [1 Slot]  Battle-Ready Inventory Dear My Friend {5} [Support Song | Tier 4 | HP Recovery III | Mass] 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.] Searching [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: +1 LD per rank. +1 to Stealth Detection per rank.] [Rank 3 Searching Mod] Detect [Active: Passive. Effect: Grants +2 Stealth Detection. Grants +1 LD when searching for dungeons and labyrinths.]   [Rank 5 Searching Addon] Reveal [Active: Passive. Effect: +2 LD when searching for dungeons and labyrinths. You may also search for a dungeon once every 10 posts (instead of 15). Reduces the personal post cool down when searching for a labyrinth to 3 posts (instead of 5).]   Combat Skills 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 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.] Leadership [Rank: 3. 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  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.] Meditation [Active: Post Action. Energy: 0 EN. Cooldown: 3 turns. Effect: Recover an additional (4xTier) energy.] 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.] 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.]

 

Edited March 7 by Nymoria

[Nymoria 0]

Shrugging off the concern, she decided that the best thing she could do for the moment was simply to finish her breakfast, and then head to the eighth floor and meet with the queen. No better way to figure out what’s going on somewhere, by going to that somewhere and seeing for yourself. The obviousness of it made her laugh a little, and as she shifted silently on her spot, she could see Shogan staring at her – or more specifically, at the bun upon her plate. A quick sign towards the fox, and the bun had disappeared, three wagging tails the only sign of affection and thanks that she received for her sacrifice.

Their breakfast completed, Nymoria had led Shogan away from the house and into the depths of the streets towards the teleporter pad. Small groups of NPCs and players had begun to flock towards the various avenues of business, the day beginning in earnest and bringing out those who had tasks at hand to complete. She shifted around their forms, nodding only towards those who greeted her before carrying onwards. It’s amazing how filled the lower floors still are…though the progress we’ve made hasn’t been…extraordinary, truly.

Nymoria found herself thinking about the progress as she stepped up onto the teleporter platform. They had, if she was being entirely candid, made good progress on the clearing of floors – especially as of late, considering the limited number of fighters that were available. However, as she thought about the hundredth floor itself, she realised with a startling thought how far they still had to go. Seventy-one floors. That’s…we’re going to be at this for years, if not longer… Shaking it aside, she stepped up onto the teleporter pad and activated the system, taking her away and to the eighth floor in a flash.

[Nymoria 0]

The air struck her differently here. Even though the temperate climate, the general atmosphere, and the city itself was similar to her hometown in many ways, Nymoria could feel the difference in the air as soon as she arrived. It wasn’t unwelcoming, nor was it entirely positive; rather something about the city felt like a major event was growing within. Maybe that’s just your perception, knowing that you’re headed to meet the queen about a possible treaty of peace. All of this could simply be…in your…head. She almost laughed at the irony, stopping herself only through sheer will.

The guards at the keep stopped her only briefly, before escorting her forwards and into the chambers where the queen and her retinue awaited Nymoria’s arrival. Her eyes cast across the room quickly, taking in the various faces around her, passing over Commander Arun’s quickly before landed upon the queen’s features and coming to rest.

’It is good to see you again, Adventurer Nymoria. Might I once more thank you for the services you previously rendered the kingdom, and for those you will no doubt provide in the coming days.’ Nymoria bowed slightly, just enough to appear proper before the queen, before righting herself and listening to the remainder of the conversation with half her mind distracted. ’The war with the Treants has carried on too long, both our people’s have suffered, and although I would prefer the war to end peacefully…I am willing to accept any ending short of defeat, should that be plausible. Desperation has taken over our people, and our situation…and that is why we turn to you now.’

Nymoria felt the attention fall upon herself, and an uncomfortable pit grew within her. The touch of Shogan at her feet was the only cementing peace that she found, and she turned her attention back to the conversation only after confirming that the kitsune remained beside her. ’…I leave the decision to you, whether you bring peace to our two peoples, or an end to the Treants. Go forth and seek finality among the woodlands beyond our walls…and good luck to you, friend of the Elfenfolk.’

[Nymoria 0]

Nymoria remained only long enough to confirm that the meeting had adjourned, before making her way back out into the city’s streets and taking a breath. A lot had been said within the room, and although Nymoria had listened and paid attention, she found that only one thing was on her mind now; finding a way to bring the conflict to a resolution of peace that would allow both parties to live together in harmony, or at least tolerance of the other’s presence. A grandeur task, perhaps, but one that I am willing to undertake…I think.

The path away from the city and into the woods was direct, an obvious route that led straight to the destination that she was meant to take. Her feet carried her without falter, and little in the way of hindrance appeared along the route – those few things easy enough to circle around and avoid for the time being, knowing that she would feel better once she had completed the quest and figured out the standing between the two peoples. Only a few hours after arriving on the floor, Nymoria found herself standing just outside the limits of Baobab, the main settlement of the Treants – and her apparent destination. Within she could see the moving forms of Treant and player alike, a few others having attended the location for whatever personal reasons they may have had.

Moments of asking passing Treants, and some other players, eventually led her towards her destination – a larger Treant that was known, from what she’d been told, as Ned. Nothing about his appearance gave away anything that would scream leadership from a glance; a slightly taller frame, an almost thicker core, but an otherwise identical form to the remainder of the Treants that surrounded them. Nymoria eyed the collection of Treants for a few moments before approaching, trying to gauge the general atmosphere and behaviour of the things she was meant to create a parley with.

[Nymoria 0]

I am here to speak about peace with the Elves. Nymoria had stepped forward and signed towards the King Treant once she was confident that there was nothing else to be learnt from watching them, her hands moving in quick motions before she could be stopped in her approach. Her presence caused a collection of the Treants to move, stepping between her and the King and essentially cutting off any chance of further approach as she came to a complete stop some distance from them.

’We Treants must return, to our homelands…you are working with the…Elves…we will not-‘ The creature that had stepped forward seemed to pause in between words, dragging on a sentence that should’ve ended moments before it did; however it was interrupted as another Treant stepped forwards. Something about the thing’s appearance seemed familiar to Nymoria, and she found herself staring at it, trying to connect it in her mind, as it began to speak.

’You…spared…me. You…friend…to…us…Treants…’ If Nymoria had thought that the previous speaker had halted and held the speed of their speech, she found herself silently wishing that it would begin speaking again, if only to end the slow commentary that attempted to spill from the now familiar form before her. She was saved, however, as the form of the King raised a hand and waved the various Treants before her aside, leaving a space for them to speak to one another.

’The human seems to have already proved their worth. But, as my son says, I cannot afford to share the land of my mother. It is we Treants who deserve to tend to our mother, not the Elves. It is because of them that The Great Tree is dying.’ The King of Treants spoke without the hesitation that appeared redundant in those around him, a fact that Nymoria was thankful for. However, as the conversation continued, she began to worry that her talks of peace had already failed, the tone within the words seemingly negative in nature towards the idea of any agreed terms. ’They robbed her of her ability to gather life for the forest when they took the Cypher Rune of Wood a decade ago for their experiments with magic. Now it lies under the Earth in a ruined war camp of the elves. Hrmmmpf.  That gives me an idea...’

[Nymoria 0]

The King seemed to drift off for some time, as if lost in thought. Numerous times, as the silence stretched, Nymoria considered signing towards the King in an attempt to continue the conversation. She was stopped only by the understanding that the Treant needed to be the one to continue their thoughts, the interruption of her own input nothing more than an insult to their communication.

When the King spoke again, there was a change towards their behaviour that Nymoria couldn’t quite place, and yet somehow felt different. ’ Retrieve the Cypher Rune from the camp, and return it to me. Afterwards, you will take it back to the roots of The Great Tree and return it to where it belongs. I will know when it has been done. Do this, and you will prove to me that the Elves care enough about the forest.  If they allow it, we will coexist with them in the land of my mother. Their camp should be just east of here. Find it, find the underground entrance, and make your way down there.’

Nymoria blinked, surprised by the sudden change in their negotiations, as much by the directive she was given. She was careful to make note of everything that was required, but as the words continued to reach her, she found herself wondering if there was ever any actual peace accords to be had, or if she’d simply overestimated her own involvement in the quest. If this brings peace to the lands, what does it matter how much input I have…? With a shrug to herself, and a quick bow to the King, she took her reprieve from the discussion and headed towards her new destination.

[Nymoria 0]

The forest was welcoming after the bustle of the Treant’s small settlement. Nymoria found herself enjoying the peace and reprieve that it offered more than she thought she would have, her feet carrying her into the depths of the woods and away from the chaos. The Treants had proved to be something spectacular in their own way, that was certain, but she found it somewhat intimidating being surrounded by collections of the large, mobile tree folk – towered over moreso than she was used to by the common folk of the world.

You’d think you’d be used to it… She giggled silently to herself at the thought, realising the silliness of the whole situation. There had been numerous reasons that she’d been uncomfortable within the Treant’s area, and as she continued along the forest pathway, she knew that one of those reasons was the pressure of the position she’d been placed in. A courier, communicator and expected resolvent of some long lasting war that had ravaged and torn asunder two peoples; a history that she was now expected to correct. Even knowing it’s nothing more than a pre-written game concept, it’s…still overwhelming, in a way. If I fail, what happens?

A half shrug, and the thought was nothing but history in her mind. She knew that it was beyond her, that she couldn’t stop and think about it all, and the effects she may or may not have upon a digital world – not because she couldn’t care, but because she knew that she would care too much. The most she could do, was her best in the moment. Hoping that was enough was all she had, and all she could offer, and thinking beyond that would only bring her into a depth she wasn’t ready to visit. Maybe in time, but for now, let’s get this done and over with.

[Nymoria 0]

She’d stopped as the bustling of a nearby brush had caught her eye, the leaves and branches shaking as something within attempted to push through the area. Nymoria’s hand had slipped towards her knife in preparation, waiting to see what threats were preparing to ambush her. She was disappointed – or rather relieved, depending on the point of view – when nothing more than a small, badger like creature erupted from the brush and waddled its way into the distance and out of sight.

Well, that was…uneventful. Nymoria sighed and let her hand leave the knife’s hilt only once she was certain that nothing else was planning on making an appearance. Shaking her head in humour at the situation, she pushed onwards and into the further depths of the forest, knowing that there was still more to find. Better it be uneventful, rather than something dangerous. She remembered the teachings she’d learnt as a child, the respect for a boring, regular day in favour of anything overly exciting or adventurous. If only young me could see me now.

The path she’d been following led into what seemed to be an abandoned, run down encampment. One which had been left behind long ago, and had begun to see the return of the woods to its core. Moss, vines, and an assortment of other flora covered what was once likely seating areas, eating spots, or any number of other assortments that humanoid creatures would use for menial tasks. Now, it was little more than a memory of those who had once called it home.

[Nymoria 0]

She moved through the encampment carefully, not wanting to disturb any of the tree roots, or other plants, that had spread across the main walkways. The odd aura hovering over the area, an atmosphere that was anything but welcoming, seemed to press inwards towards Nymoria. Best to disturb as little as possible…now what would a…Cypher Rune…look like? She was at a loss, and although she checked for any obvious markers, no sign of her next step stood out to her. Alright…search the camp. Look for anything that seems…important, or out of place. That’s…a start, I guess.

It wasn’t much of a plan, even by Nymoria’s generous standards, but it was better than standing around doing nothing. A single glance down to confirm that Shogan was still at her feet, Nymoria pressed onwards into the camp, her eyes spying various degrees of destruction, degradation, and general wear to the few structures and signs of life that had once stood in defiance of the forest. A wrinkle touched her nose’s skin as the smells wafted towards her; not entirely unpleasant, and yet with the sickly scent of decay encompassing whatever other scents might have been there.

The system gets too much right, sometimes…but at least it lets the bodies disappear. Nymoria had come to a stop before what was clearly meant to be an area of death and destruction; the ground covered in chaos that had only just begun to disappear beneath new growth. Something in the visual before her set her senses reeling, and yet there was nothing entirely out of the ordinary – simply a feeling that the spot gave off. A feeling that Nymoria knew she wanted to avoid for as long as possible, if she could. Search this area last, then.

Post Action: Trapdoor Search
ID242916 | LD: 17 | Trapdoor Located

Edited March 7 by Nymoria