Buckstrap 0 Posted October 20, 2017 #1 Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 As soon as he had created an avatar and logged in, Sato's ears were filled with a deafening ringing noise. It disoriented him, and he stumbled. He was standing in the square of the Town of Beginnings, and Akihiko Kayaba appeared and gave his infamous speech. Sato didn't understand, or at least at first he didn't. He, like many others, opened the game menu in his HUD and closed it a few times, hoping this was all some joke. It didn't take long for the gravity of the situation to dawn on him, though. 'Please don't let her have logged in,' he pleaded to himself. His thoughts immediately turned towards his younger sister, and it was in those first few moments that he realized they hadn't exchanged avatar names nor even talked about what they might name themselves. He couldn't add her or send her a message to see if she was trapped in there with him. He started walking through the square, calling out her name as loud as he could, pushing his way through the chaos that enveloped the Town. That's how he spent his first week in SAO, calling out for his sister, unaware if she even made it into the game before they were locked inside. On that seventh night, as it grew late and dark, he came to a conclusion. There could be only three possibilities; firstly, she made it into the game and was now dead. He could barely form the though before growing sick to his stomach and panic gripping his chest tightly. Secondly, she made it into the game, and was already working towards fighting her way out. Or thirdly, she never made it into the game at all. He so severely hoped that was the case. He figured after a week, though, if she had made it into the game, she wouldn't be in the starting area. So he made up his mind, it was time to begin his own painful adventure. Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Buckstrap 0 Posted October 20, 2017 Author #2 Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 Spending a week searching the Town of Beginnings had it's pros and cons. Sure, Sato had fallen behind many of the more advanced players, but he also learned where important places, quests, and whatnot were. It was late, but many NPC's were available day or night, and he knew the perfect place to start. Sato stood up from the place in the square he had been squatting, eating bread and having a drink of water, and took off at a brisk pace. His leather boots pat pat patting against the stone street, he made his way through the winding alleyways and streets that made up the Town of Beginnings. He passed other groups of players as he went, some gathered in celebration to commemorate the defeat of a powerful foe, some gathered in mourning to remember a friend they had lost, not just in the game, but in the real world as well. And some he passed were gathered just so they weren't alone. He was shy, and not great in social situations, but he admired and envied their kinship. He lifted his hand and brushed a few stray hairs out of his eyes as he continued to run. He rounded on his goal quickly, and he stopped for a breath as the squat building came into view. After a few moments, he walked up to the door and shoved it open. Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Buckstrap 0 Posted October 20, 2017 Author #3 Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 "Oh, hello! Come in, young man!" Zackariah called. He was an older gentleman, with a wrinkled and leathery but kind face. Before him sat all manner of glass instrument, beakers, vials, tubes, etc. Several burners were running and a few of the instruments were filled with oddly colored liquids bubbling and smoking. The room smelled sickly-sweet and Sato wasn't sure he liked it. "Come out of the chill, boy. What do you go by?" "Sat-- Er, Buckstrap. Call me Buckstrap," Sato said. He nudged the raised edge of a floor board with the toe of his boot. He was still getting used to the NPCs; on one hand, he felt foolish for talking to a program, but on the other hand, they tended to seem very real, and it gave him a little anxiety. "Well, Buckstrap, I could do with some help, if you have a moment." Zackariah waved him nearer one of the bubbling concoctions. It was a dull grey color, unique among the other bright colors boiling here and there. "I seem to have mucked up the recipe for this potion. I think I need a little more Moonshroom, and I was wondering if you could grab some for me. Then, I'll walk you through making a potion." The old man smiled at Sato through gapped teeth, and a notification window opened in his HUD. Quote You are starting <<The First Few Lessons are Free>> Accept Decline Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Buckstrap 0 Posted October 20, 2017 Author #4 Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 (edited) Sato quickly accepted the quest, and turned towards the old man again. "Where can I find these Moonshrooms?" he asked. "In the moonlight, of course!" Zackariah responded, then returned to his work. With a sigh, Sato turned heel and headed back out into the night air. He set off at a jogging pace, passing again small groups of players. By this time, though, there were fewer of them, and those he did pass seemed to be slightly high leveled. 'They at least look a little rougher,' he thought to himself. He avoided them as best he could; he had been a scrappy kid in school, but he didn't quite have a handle on the game's combat system yet, and he wasn't looking for trouble. He even saw a group of guards scouring the street like they were looking for something or someone. He hadn't seen that yet, and he didn't care for the look of it, so he gave them a wide berth as he made his way to the main entrance. He reached the gate with little time wasted and, for the first time, really looked out into this new world. 'How can something so cruel be so beautiful?' He stared out at the stars shining over the thick, tall grass of the field, the forest area lurking in the distance. He figured the forest would be the best place to find mushrooms. Spoiler Quest Objectives Materials collected 0/5 Edited October 21, 2017 by Buckstrap Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Buckstrap 0 Posted October 21, 2017 Author #5 Report Share Posted October 21, 2017 (edited) Spoiler Dice Roll ID# 89678 Loot: 10 And with that, Sato headed towards the forest area. He did his best to cautiously skirt around the mobs between himself and his destination, having to change course several times to avoid crossing paths with a boar or a wolf. He was hoping to find at least one Moonshroom between the city gate and the shadowy wooded area, but he didn't see anything of note. 'Maybe I should have asked what they look like,' he thought to himself. 'Or maybe I'm not looking in the moonlight enough.' He snorted at his own little joke. To be honest, he had no idea what he was looking for, but he was sure he'd find it. Sato took the first few steps into the woods. It was much darker in here, with most of the moonlight being cut out by the canopy. Where it did peak through, though, it went from canopy to floor in shining beams. That seemed promising to him, so he shrugged and set about looking for the Moonshrooms. Spoiler Quest Objectives Materials collected 0/5 Edited October 21, 2017 by Buckstrap Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Buckstrap 0 Posted October 21, 2017 Author #6 Report Share Posted October 21, 2017 (edited) Spoiler Dice Roll ID# 89684 Loot: 17 Materials found! It took a few minutes for his eyes to adjust, but when they did, Sato set about searching for the elusive fungi. He made sure to stay aware of his surroundings, he didn't want to get lost, after all. He also kept his eyes peeled for patrolling mobs. He had a gut feeling that those on the wood may be more aggressive or even more powerful than those in the field. After fruitlessly searching among the dark brush for a few minutes, Sato's attention was brought back to the bright moonbeams. 'Maybe these have something to do with it,' he posited, standing before one of the shafts of light he ran his hand back and forth through it. He took a moment to look around and noticed one of the moonbeams was shining on a fallen log. He walked over to it and squatted, wrapping ais arms around the end of the lumber. Though it was half rotten, it was a very large log and it took him a few moments of considerable effort to move it at all. Once he had, there, underneath where the log had sat, was a small white mushroom. It glowed with a soft blue aura, and when he picked it up, a small window appeared in his HUD that said 1x Moonshroom obtained. Spoiler Quest Objectives Materials collected 1/5 Edited October 21, 2017 by Buckstrap Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Buckstrap 0 Posted October 21, 2017 Author #7 Report Share Posted October 21, 2017 (edited) Spoiler Dice Roll ID# 89687 Loot: 3 Sato gave a celebratory fist pump, excited about his first success. He immediately began to scour the area around the log, going to far as the move the log again, to try and see if perhaps the Moonshrooms appeared in clumps. As he soon came to understand, they did not. Once he had thoroughly searched the area near the log, he began to head towards the next moonbeam. About halfway between where he had found the Moonshroom and the moonbeam he was heading towards, Sato spotted another log. He again crouched down and wrapped his arms around the log, but when he had lifted in only a couple of inches, he heard something that sent shivers up his spine. Hisssssss. Sato dropped the log and jumped back. He brandished his spear in front of his as a large snake slithered it's way out from beneath the rotting wood. It was as thick as his leg, and fifteen feet long. The two squared off, ready to fight. Spoiler Buckstrap Level: 1HP: 20/20 En: 2/2 DMG: 3MIT: 9 Skills: One-handed Assault Spear R1 Equipment: Weapon: [Uncommon] Worn Hunting Spear (1 DMG) Armor: [Uncommon] Battered Iron Breastplate (Heavy) (1 MIT) -------------------------------------------- Vicious Snake HP: 15/15 DMG: 8 Spoiler Quest Objectives Materials collected 1/5 Edited October 22, 2017 by Buckstrap Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Buckstrap 0 Posted October 22, 2017 Author #8 Report Share Posted October 22, 2017 (edited) Spoiler Dice Roll ID# 89706 Battle: 1 MOB: 3 Sato lunged with his spear, but the snake slid to the side as he passed. That's when it made a lunge of it's own at his neck, fangs bared and dripping poison. Sato intercepted the bite with his spear arm, and the snake's mouth closed around his armor, but it did not penetrate. 'I have got to be more careful,' he thought to himself, the snake still had a hold on his arm, and the two had locked eyes. It released him and whipped it's tail threateningly as it slid into a more favorable position and recoiled, ready to strike again. Sato steadied himself and readied his spear again, he slid his dominant foot in an arc behind him and readjusted his footing, mimicking the snake. He did find the position comfortable though, and it felt as though he could strike easier than before. 'I never thought I'd be learning to fight from a snake.' He grunted and shifted, ready to receive the next attack. Spoiler Buckstrap Level: 1HP: 20/20 En: 0/2 ( -2 for missed attack) DMG: 3MIT: 9 Skills: One-handed Assault Spear R1 Equipment: Weapon: [Uncommon] Worn Hunting Spear (1 DMG) Armor: [Uncommon] Battered Iron Breastplate (Heavy) (1 MIT) -------------------------------------------- Vicious Snake HP: 15/15 DMG: 8 Spoiler Quest Objectives Materials collected 1/5 Edited October 22, 2017 by Buckstrap Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Buckstrap 0 Posted October 22, 2017 Author #9 Report Share Posted October 22, 2017 (edited) Spoiler ID# 89709 Battle: 2 MOB: 10 Sato lunged once more, and the snake once again deftly dodged the blow. It seemed for a moment like he had over stepped, and he did his best to correct his stance in order to turn on the snake again. However, Sato over-corrected and he teetered off balance for a few moments before a powerful blow to the back knocked him clear off of his feet and planted his face in the dirt. He could hear the air whoosh out of him as the snake bodily landed on top of him. 'Damn it,' he thought as he felt the serpent strike at his back. His armor held for a moment before the snake's fangs found purchase, a gasp escaping has mouth as they bit into him. He shook his enemy off, but the sensation of the attack cause him to pause a moment on his hands and knees before he could stand. Spoiler Buckstrap Level: 1HP: 19/20 ( - 1 for Vicious Snake Attack) ( 8 [DMG] + 2 [CRIT] = 10 [RAW] - 9 [MIT] = 1) En: - 1 /2 ( + 1 for recharge, - 2 for missed attack) DMG: 3MIT: 9 Skills: One-handed Assault Spear R1 Equipment: Weapon: [Uncommon] Worn Hunting Spear (1 DMG) Armor: [Uncommon] Battered Iron Breastplate (Heavy) (1 MIT) -------------------------------------------- Vicious Snake HP: 15/15 DMG: 8 Spoiler Quest Objectives Materials collected 1/5 Edited October 23, 2017 by Buckstrap Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Buckstrap 0 Posted October 23, 2017 Author #10 Report Share Posted October 23, 2017 (edited) Spoiler Dice Roll ID# 89826 MOB: 4 Sato looked up and from his position on the forest floor just as the snake coiled to strike again, he waited to stand, anticipating the next attack. When his enemy lunged forward, he kicked back with his foot, doing no real damage but knocking the it's head aside and saving himself another wound. He picked himself up off of the group and shook the dusk off before pushing the hair out of his eyes. He brandished his spear again, whirling on the mob, his anger rising and his muscles tense. It slithered back and forth and then around him, in a circle - it's darkly colored scales glinting in the pale moonlight - , before choosing a favorable spot to attack from. Sato waited patiently for the next attack, feinting his own strikes but not following through on any of them. He was frustrated, but he felt like rushing this fight could end his life, and he wasn't particularly keen on dying. Spoiler Buckstrap Level: 1HP: 19/20 ( - 1 for Vicious Snake Attack) ( 8 [DMG] + 2 [CRIT] = 10 [RAW] - 9 [MIT] = 1) En: 0/2 ( + 1 for recharge) DMG: 3MIT: 9 Skills: One-handed Assault Spear R1 Equipment: Weapon: [Uncommon] Worn Hunting Spear (1 DMG) Armor: [Uncommon] Battered Iron Breastplate (Heavy) (1 MIT) -------------------------------------------- Vicious Snake HP: 15/15 DMG: 8 Spoiler Quest Objectives Materials collected 1/5 Edited October 23, 2017 by Buckstrap Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Buckstrap 0 Posted October 23, 2017 Author #11 Report Share Posted October 23, 2017 (edited) Spoiler Dice Roll ID# 89827 Battle: 4 MOB: 1 Sato and the snake eyed each other, each feinting and hesitating and neither making any sort of move. Several grueling, tense moments passed this way before both burst into action. Sato made a few quick steps towards his enemy, jabbing several times with the spear as he went. The serpent weaved back and forth, lunging in between each spear jab. Neither player nor monster found their mark, and they both seemed to suffer for it. But the snake wasn't real and didn't feel fatigue, but Sato did. And he was starting to sweat. He reached up and wiped perspiration from his brow. While he did, he focused his attention on the enemy, which turned out to be a mistake. His foot must have gotten caught a root or something, because he tumbled to the ground again, kicking up a cloud of dust when he fell. He quickly rolled onto his back to better defend against the inevitable onslaught. Spoiler Buckstrap Level: 1HP: 19/20 En: -1/2 ( + 1 for recharge, - 2 for missed attack) DMG: 3MIT: 9 Skills: One-handed Assault Spear R1 Equipment: Weapon: [Uncommon] Worn Hunting Spear (1 DMG) Armor: [Uncommon] Battered Iron Breastplate (Heavy) (1 MIT) -------------------------------------------- Vicious Snake HP: 15/15 DMG: 8 Spoiler Quest Objectives Materials collected 1/5 Edited October 23, 2017 by Buckstrap Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
Buckstrap 0 Posted October 23, 2017 Author #12 Report Share Posted October 23, 2017 (edited) Spoiler Dice Roll ID# 89829 MOB: 3 Dice roll Spoiler Buckstrap Level: 1HP: 19/20 En: 0/2 ( + 1 for recharge) DMG: 3MIT: 9 Skills: One-handed Assault Spear R1 Equipment: Weapon: [Uncommon] Worn Hunting Spear (1 DMG) Armor: [Uncommon] Battered Iron Breastplate (Heavy) (1 MIT) -------------------------------------------- Vicious Snake HP: 15/15 DMG: 8 Spoiler Quest Objectives Materials collected 1/5 Edited October 27, 2017 by Buckstrap Quote Report Link to post Share on other sites
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