[SP:F1] Better Living Through Alchemy <<Earning a Living Quest>>

[Azrael 0]

Azazel lacked a profession. Her original quest to become a tailor did not go well. Half way through the mission, she quit. The woman wasn’t proud of herself, but there was just no way that she could have completed such a terrible quest after it’d taken 24 hours to only get so far. If she had to spend days to complete the quest, she’d have died. Yes, died.  So what was a lady to do? Learn a different profession.

 

After much thought and reasoning Zaz decided that she ought to become an alchemist. Now in her original research she was against this idea, however, once she joined Absolute Pin and found that the guild lacked someone to make them potions and crystals. She knew that she would have to be the one to fill that spot. The bonus to alchemy was that she needed little equipment, and this was a skill she could perform in the field with the right set of tools. So Anna was off to visit the local Alchemist to begin her new profession.

 

Zaz was so glad that she had done all that research before. The alchemist’s shop was a tiny one hidden in the backside of an alley on some random road where it wasn’t easy to find. This was because she sold things that were of a less than light nature.  Zaz opened the door to the shop to find the woman as she did last time, busy forming crystals over an alchemist’s transfiguration circle.

 

 â€œHello again,†Zaz said.

 

“Oh… hello, what can I do for you miss?†The woman said to her.

 

“Well I came to learn about becoming an alchemist.â€

 

“Is that so?â€the woman laughed, “ I’ll teach you… but only if you can name me the three primes.â€

 

“Three primes?†Anna asked herself.

 

She remembered reading that phrase once during college while doing a research paper on this particular subject. She closed her eyes and tried to bring back the memory of her readings. The primes were materials that were supposed to have been the building blocks of everything and they all correlated with the body, spirit, and mind. They were elements from the periodical chart, not the ones most abundant in all things.

 

“Sod…no Salt, Murcury, annnd…. Sulfur! That’s it! The three primes are Salt, Mercury and Sulfur.â€

 

“Very good,†The alchemist said and smiled. “Not many get that right on their first try. I shall teach you to make the most basic and most asked for potion in Aincrad, the health potion. I’ll need you to collect five Calendula flowers and five Achiote. The Calendula, you must gather, while the Achoite, you get from fighting the Flowering Annatto in the woods not too far off from where you’d find the Little Nepent.â€

 

A request screen popped up with the quest details, and Anna clicked on the <<ACCEPT>> button.

 

“Alright then, I’ll be back!†Zaz said to the alchemist.

 

“See you soon!†The woman called back.

[Azrael 0]

16560

LD: 7

 

Azazel walked quite a ways from the town and headed toward the forest. She scanned the horizon looking for any herbs that she might pick, including the much needed Calendula, of course having learned from her original quest, that wasn’t going to be an easy thing.

 

“I’m probably not even near where I need to be.†She sighed as she continued to move down the path that led deeper into the wooded area. The breeze blew the branches high above her head which caused the trees to rustle and the sunlight that shown through the trees to flicker in patterns upon the road below. It was almost peaceful in this part of the map. It was probably because the creators wanted the players to feel at home on the first floor.  Anna closed her eyes and stood there quietly enjoying the sounds around her, the cool breeze that fluttered her long hair, and the rays of sunshine that fell upon her face for a few moments and then went back on the move. She had a lot of territory to cover before she could call it a day.

[Azrael 0]

16585

LD:19 (YEAH!)

 

Zaz only went another twenty or so feet before she found what she was looking for: a Calendula flower. She gathered the flower carefully as to not affect its integrity in any way and was pleased to find the flower was near perfect. The flower was quite lovely. It was bright orange, and maybe a two inches in diameter with many long skinny petals circling its lighter orange eye. Anna twisted the pretty thing between her fingers before adding it to her inventory.

 

“One down!†she said and smiled.

 

 Last time it took her forever to find even one piece of cotton, and here she was finding a flower within minutes of her walking the path. “It won’t stay that easy so don’t get too excited,†she warned herself. The forest around her began to get more densely packed and the light only streamed through the branches in smaller rays than it had before. “I must be getting closer to the flowering things I’m supposed to kill.†She told herself.

 

 

 

Calendula: 1

Achiote: 0

 

Found: +1 Mat (Calendula)

[Azrael 0]

16576

BD: 6 (+1 WS DMG)

MD: 6

 

The woods condensed until little light shown through the trees. There were small streams here and there that gave the area a soft glow about it. It was quite dreamy. As she admired the scene she felt something whip at the back of her thigh. “Oh heck,†she cursed as she turned around to find out what she’d been struck by. It was a plant about three feet tall with a large furry looking something in the center of the very top of its leaves. The name overhead shown as “flowering annatto†and its indicator was red.

 

“So you’re a mean little bastard huh? Well I’ll teach you to strike a lady from behind,†she scolded the plant creature.

 

Swiftly she pulled her rapier from its sheath and lunged at the thing, stabbing it at its center. It made a high pitched screech and Zaz pulled her sword quickly so she could cover her ears to protect them from the sound.  She heard rustling in the woods around her causing Anna to look about.

 

“You better not be calling your friends!†Zaz said hoping that the creature hadn’t done what she thought.

 

 

Azazel:  33/33

Annatto:  15/17

[Azrael 0]

16576

BD: 6 (+1 WS DMG)

MD: 6

 

The woods condensed until little light shown through the trees. There were small streams here and there that gave the area a soft glow about it. It was quite dreamy. As she admired the scene she felt something whip at the back of her thigh. “Oh heck,†she cursed as she turned around to find out what she’d been struck by. It was a plant about three feet tall with a large furry looking something in the center of the very top of its leaves. The name overhead shown as “Flowering Annatto†and its indicator was red.

 

“So you’re a mean little bastard huh? Well I’ll teach you to strike a lady from behind,†she scolded the plant creature.

 

Swiftly she pulled her rapier from its sheath and lunged at the thing, stabbing it at its center. It made a high pitched screech and Zaz pulled her sword quickly so she could cover her ears to protect them from the sound.  She heard rustling in the woods around her causing Anna to look about.

 

“You better not be calling your friends!†Zaz said hoping that the creature hadn’t done what she thought.

 

 

Azazel:  33/33

Annatto:  15/17

[Azrael 0]

16593

BD: 9 (+1 Crit +1 WS DMG)

MD:1

 

 

Sure enough, there a couple similar growls from all around her.  

 

“Oh you dirty little monster!†She hissed.

 

It was exactly as she thought, he was calling his friends, and they would be on their way here soon enough. If Anna didn’t want to get pinned down by mobs, she was going to have to work hard to kill them off as they came. First she needed to deal with the first darn Annatto.

 

She defended against one of its tendrils knocking it out of her way with her rapier, and then lunged at the plant, driving her rapier into its stem again. She slashed her rapier upward and withdrew it quickly. It was a good shot, but she was going to need several more just like this if she didn’t want to be surrounded. It was a race against time, and time was not in her favor. 

 

 

Azazel:  33/33

Annatto:  12/17

[Azrael 0]

16634

BD: 4

MD: 7

 

Anna was too hasty in her actions. She went to attack again, but the Annatto immediately whipped her again with one of its tendrils. The woman hopped back looking for an opening, but the plant was doing a better job of guarding itself after Zaz’s last vicious attack. Again, the sound of growls came, but they were moving closer.

 

“This isn’t good. “ Anna said taking a deep breath. If she couldn’t hit it a few more times before its friends came, then she might certainly die today.

 

Azazel:  32/33

Annatto:  12/17

[Azrael 0]

16640

BD:  10 (+2 crit +1 ws dmg)

MD: 6

 

Anna charged in again. The plant shot out one of its long tendrils at her; it hit her, but did not drive the woman back. She sliced the tendril clean off and then drove her blade straight into the stem again. The Annatto growled again enraged. She was making quick work of it, but it wasn’t enough. Its friends responded to the cry and they were so very close now. Zaz wasn’t ready to quit though, she’d just have to vanquish them all as they came. 

 

 

Azazel:  31/33

Annatto: 8/17

[Azrael 0]

16646

BD : 6 (+1 ws dmg)

MD (Annatto1): 9 (2 damage to Zaz)

 

16647

 MD (Annatto2): 7 (1 damage to Zaz)

 

 

The Annatto was angry. That was probably because it lost a tendril and it had one less weapon to fight her with. She was able to strike the plant again, but not before the Annatto could whip her and a catch her by the waist. The trees rustled behind her and Zaz looked over her shoulder to see another Annatto emerge from the woods.  “Damn it!†She cursed as she struggled to break free from the Annatto that held her. The second one approached and whipped her back.

 

“Son of a bi-† she hissed rather pissed off. “You just wait till I’m free you bastards.†She continued to struggle.

 

 

 

Azazel:  28/33

Annatto1: 6/17

Annatto2: 17/17

[Azrael 0]

16650

BD : 6 (+1 ws dmg)

MD (Annatto1): 10 (3 damage to Zaz)

 

16651

MD (Annatto2): 10 (3 damage to Zaz)

 

 

 

Anna was able to get her sword hand free and she cut at the tendril that held her, but she couldn’t cut completely through. The Annatto squeezed her very hard and she winced from the crushing pressure.  The second Annatto moved closer and whipped Zaz again every bit as violently as she was being crushed. If she were able to feel pain she knew that she’d be in quite a bit of it right now!

 

 

(LOL, WHY DICE?)

 

 

 

Azazel:  22/33

Annatto1: 4/17

Annatto2: 17/17

[Azrael 0]

16653

BD : 5 (miss)

MD (Annatto1): 1 (miss)

 

16654

MD (Annatto1): 3 (miss)

 

Azazel struggled even harder and managed to free herself from the Annatto that kept her in its grasp. She fell to the ground and crawled away from the creatures managing to avoid their whipping tendrils. She took a deep breath and regained her composure. If she kept her head in the game she could kill these two off easily.

 

 

She hoped. 

 

 

 

(LOL, WHY DICE WHY?)

 

 

Azazel:  22/33

Annatto1: 4/17

Annatto2: 17/17

[Azrael 0]

16656

BD : 9 (+1 crit +1 ws)

MD (Annatto1): 5 (miss)

 

16657

MD (Annatto1): 1 (miss)

 

The first Annatto had little hit points left. So she needed to get rid of him first and then fight the second Annatto. She’d not heard any more growls from the area, so these two must have been the only ones around. Anna got up on her feet and rushed the monsters again. They swung their tendrils at her but she managed to avoid being hit. Zaz managed to get herself right in attack range and trust her rapier straight into the middle of the Annatto’s flower. Its hit points dropped more, but it wasn’t dead yet.

 

“One more time,†She said as she jumped back to keep clear of their attack range.

 

 

 

Azazel:  22/33

Annatto1: 1/17

Annatto2: 17/17

[Azrael 0]

16660

BD : 5 (miss)

MD (Annatto1): 6 (+1 Damage to Zaz)

 

16661

MD (Annatto1): 6 (+1 Damage to Zaz)

 

It seemed Azazel didn’t move far back enough because both Annatto were able to strike her with their whipping tendrils. They weren’t as bad as some of their other blows, but Zaz found herself moving further back to avoid being hit further. She eyed both of the creatures carefully waiting for her opportunity to get within attack range. 

 

 

 

Azazel:  20/33

Annatto1: 1/17

Annatto2: 17/17

 

[Azrael 0]

16662

BD : 10(+2 Crit +1 ws dmg)

MD (Annatto1): 9 (+2 Damage to Zaz)

LD: 4 (BOOO DICE)

 

16663

MD (Annatto1): 2 (miss)

 

 

The beasts moved apart, and the healthier Annatto moved toward Anna ready to attack. She dashed directly at the creature and found herself able to dodge the tendril that came flying at her. Zaz landed and found herself closer to the original plant and then took off as fast she could directly at it. The thing managed to whip her hard, but Azazel cut the head of the plant clean off, it shattered into a million tiny crystals and pixilated away.

 

She turned to face her other opponent and pointed her weapon at it.

 

“You’re next.†She said and readied for her attack.

 

 

Azazel:  18/33

Annatto1: 0/17 DEAD (No additional loot found)

Annatto2: 17/17

[Azrael 0]

16664

BD: 8 (+1 dmg ws)

 MD (Annatto  2): 2

 

Azazel saw the first Annatto dropped what she was looking for, but she couldn’t get to it till number two was dead. For now she would have to be careful not to step on the damn thing in the process. The Annatto rattled it tendrils at her, threatening to strike, but Zaz rushed in and cut the monster. Now that the other mob was dead, she was fairly confident that she could survive this fight.

 

 

 

 

Azazel:  18/33

Annatto2: 15/17

[Azrael 0]

16666

BD: 6 (+1 ws dmg)

MD: 3

 

Zaz circled around quickly and slashed the plant again. It unfurled its tendril and let them fly, but their attacks were wide and the woman easily evaded their blows. “That’s right, go down nice and easy!†She tried to persuade the mob, whether or not it would cooperate was a whole other thing.

 

 

 

Azazel:  18/33

Annatto2: 13/17

[Azrael 0]

16669

BD: 4

MD: 1

 

Zaz and the Annatto maneuvered around each other, both striking but each one not leaving themselves open for the other to attack. The Annatto’s tendrils lashed at her but she deflected each swing, and with every opening, Zaz’s sword was turned away from striking. But neither she nor the plant was ready to give up.

 

“You will die today,†Anna told the Annatto. She would live. The Annatto would die. That was just how it had to be.

 

 

 

Azazel:  18/33

Annatto2: 13/17

[Azrael 0]

16670

 

BD:1

MD:8

 

The fighting continued and Anna could just not find an opening. The Annatto however, had the woman backing up with every whip. She lost her footing and that’s when the creature lashed her again. She rolled out of the way and back out into the open so she wouldn’t be driven about so easily. This one was a lot tougher than his friend, but that didn’t matter. She refused to let things end here. Azazel had much work to do. 

 

 

 

Azazel:  17/33

Annatto2: 13/17

[Azrael 0]

16725

BD: 5

MD: 1

 

Battling the second Annatto was proving difficult. Once more they were exchanging blows and nothing was coming of it. It was exhausting, but still it was what she needed to do in order to complete the task at hand. The woman was rather disappointed by how little she’d grown despite her leveling up. Her skills were weak and she needed to do something about it.

 

 

Azazel:  17/33

Annatto2: 13/17

[Azrael 0]

16729

BD: 10 (+2 Crit +1 WS Dmg)

MD: 4

 

There was an opening!

 

The Annatto shot both of its tendrils out too widely and Anna took the opportunity to rush down the center and run her rapier straight through the beast. It rattled violently as crystal shards flew and its life bar sank lower. Pulling her blade from the stem, she hopped back a safe distance yet again waiting for her next opportunity to exploit the monster’s ins.

 

 

Azazel:  17/33

Annatto2: 9/17