Mortambo

Concentrating on the nearly dead kobold, I darted forward again and smashed my fist into his chest sending him stumbling back a few feet. He looked surprised for a moment as he was consumed and disappeared in a shower of blue sparks. One down, just these three to go. No problem. The other three turned on me and I managed to dodge out of the way of two of their spears but one got a good solid slash across the chest. Well I have my new target. It seems like I need to take you out next. I waited for a moment looking for a good opportunity but the kobolds closed the spot in their ranks and formed back up defensively. These monsters were pretty good at making me pay in health for every attack. Luckily I could pay them back in kind. As I darted forward again, I realized I still had a smile on my face.

Combat Results:

Loot Roll for Kobold 3:

The one that just slashed me seemed weakest and he hadn’t quite gotten back in formation, so I darted forward and hit him with a flurry of kicks and finally a punch to the throat sending him stumbling back. Their spears all lashed out again and this time I didn’t do nearly as good a job of dodging after my all-out attack hoping to take him out. Three of them slashed me and I saw my health bar dropping quickly towards red. This is not going well. Why did I want to do this again? I need to turn the tide of this battle in my favor. All of the kobolds were pretty banged up but I wasn’t sure if I would be able to outlast them at this point. This is looking pretty grim but I can make it through. I’ve survived worse. Just take them out one by one and you’ve got this.  

Combat Results:

Preparing my last Sword Art that could affect all of them at once I once again performed a sweeping flash kick to connect all of them together, but this time one of them managed to dance back and block with his spear. As I landed they darted forward again, their spears flashing in the sunlight moving at almost lightning speed, but this time I was ready. I moved into their attack rather than trying to dodge and most of their spears hit against my armor ineffectually. One of the kobolds though, noticed this and managed to reroute his spear in time getting a good hit in and piercing through my armor. Stumbling back, I managed to keep my feet. Now I am low enough on energy I’d have to resort to my single target attacks. I looked over their hit points and chose my target. I need to take one out to even the odds a little.

Combat Results:

I waited a moment to watch how they were arranged before darting forward and performing the same move as before. This time they were more prepared and as I finished my back flip I found myself having to instantly dodge and duck out of the way of their spears. One slammed into my shoulder and another into my side before I could get back out of range. I watched my hit points drop and realized this was going to be a closer fight than I bargained for. Watching theirs drop as well I prepared another strike like my last two. I might just have to use some more of my potions at this rate. I grimaced as that thought crossed my mind but it was exactly why I had them. I’ll just have to find an alchemist to buy some more from. The kobolds had fallen back into their defensive stance and were just waiting for my next attack.

Combat Results:

I waited until the Kobolds stopped for a moment, as it seemed like they were searching for something. I used this opportunity to dash out and perform a back flip to connect a sweeping flash kick with all four of the kobolds arrayed in front me. As my kick connected they all grunted in surprise but faster than I thought possible managed to sweep their spears down at me. Only one connected as I ducked and dodged around them but it was still a solid blow. They all formed up and waited for my next attack rather than rushing me so I knew this wasn’t going to be an easy set of kills. They were used to working together and fighting more defensively. I couldn’t wipe the grin off of my face as I thought of the challenge. What is wrong with me today? Risking my life and all I can do is grin?

Combat Results:

As I crouched there, four large brutish creatures moved past me through the jungle. They were scaled with lizard like snouts…These must be kobolds! I thought to myself as they passed.  Perfect! They seemed on the weaker side for this floor, but I bet would still be a challenge. Watching my health rise a little more I sighed. I guess I’ll have to use some of my potions. I quickly drank two of my potions and watched my health go up over two thirds of its total. That should be good enough. Now, can I take all four at once? I considered my options, how much health I had, and I crept forward a little trying to stay fairly silent to get a better look at my opponents. Luckily they weren’t bothering to be quiet so whatever noise I made went unnoticed. Yes, I can take them all at once. I nodded to myself confidently and leapt into action.

-2 Tier 1 Uncommon Health Potions (+40 HP)

( 149 + 90 = 230, 3/3 Energy Restored)

I was almost blinded by this push to fight again I didn’t see anything else useful for crafting as I stormed through the jungle. What was going on? This wasn’t like me. I was cool, analytical, tactical, and definitely not the type to just smash a creature’s face in. Maybe that’s why. This twin of mine showed me a part of myself I don’t like. I taunted him and played with him like a cat plays with a mouse rather than just finishing him off. I definitely don’t like it. But what will more fighting prove? I don’t know, but I need to do something with this restless energy to burn it off. I punched a tree nearby and It shook, rousting the birds and other inhabitants and sending them flying and making all kinds of noise. Suddenly nearby I heard something moving through the jungle. Stopping to listen more closely, I crouched down behind some bushes.

Gathering Roll:

(139 +10 = 149 HP, 2/3 Energy Refreshed)

As my fist impacted with his face, and the mimic exploded immediately in a shower of blue sparks, I jumped up from the ground and paced around accepting the loot from the battle. I still have too much adrenaline, too much anxiety, I need to rest to get my health back but then I think I should keep hunting. I watched my hit points slowly recover and I started down the trail looking for more things to fight. I quickly came across some mushrooms and other materials and put them in my inventory. The end of that fight…I’m not sure if that was the right decision but it was made. That was the first fight I was confident of not losing but I sure did get hurt. My hit points and energy creeped up a little more. Why do I want to fight more things so badly? I hurried down the trail deeper into the wilds of Floor 6.

Gathering Roll:

(129 + 10 = 139/300 HP, 1/3 Energy Refreshed)

Wandering out a little further, I found a few mushrooms and things growing from one of the stalagmites and picked them up for Neo. Sunetra just kept batting around and playing with the various rocks and things melting through some of them and I just smiled watching them play. Not a care in the world, and I love it. You keep me so grounded in this place. Looking back towards Neo, I continued my thoughts, I’m sure having friends and a group to belong to will help ground me even more. I haven’t met the rest of the guild yet, but I’m sure they are as great as Neo. I mean they’re her guild mates right? I kicked at one of the rocks absently and Sunetra pounced on it immediately and I felt my toes heat up. “Hey, watch it now. Don’t burn me!” They just gave me a blank stare for a full second before pouncing on the next rock.

Gathering Roll:

Name: Shield of the Matador
Your Profession: Blacksmith
Your Rank: 5
ID: 111983
Roll: 7
Item Type:  Shield
Tier: 1
Quality: Uncommon
Enhancements: +1 Taunt
Description: This shield makes your enemies see red, and get angry at you. 
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/17427-f09-blacksmith-shoprank-5-blacksmith-the-skyforge/?do=findComment&comment=567991

Name: Spiked Cookie
Your Profession: Blacksmith
Your Rank: 5
ID: 111981
Roll: 12
Item Type: Shield
Tier: 1
Quality: Perfect
Enhancements: 1 Taunt, 2 Thorns
Description: A round shield that looks like it is a chocolate chips cookie. The chocolate chips extend out from the shield forming brown thorns impaling everyone who is drawn towards it by it's aromatic chocolate smell.
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/17427-f09-blacksmith-shoprank-5-blacksmith-the-skyforge/?do=findComment&comment=567991

As I prepared the forge today, I just grimaced at the heat shimmering around me. I was getting used to it, and the hard work involved, but it still was a chore some days. More shields for Runa, hopefully I can get this order finished soon. As soon as the lava coursed through the forge I began to slam my hammer down into the material to shape them into shields. The first couple of tries just left me with lumps of scrap metal. I tossed them to the side for some other use and continued. The next I managed to salvage and eventually formed into an uncommon shield. The last one though I felt very lucky on and managed to perfectly form the cookie based shield that Runa had ordered. I beamed with pride and hurriedly, before the chocolate chips melted, took it into the store and hung it behind the counter. Sending Runa a quick message that her order was complete I kicked my feet up and relaxed some.

Crafting Attempts (1/24/19):

TOTAL EXP:  243 + 35 = 278/320

Created Items:

As I stood over him, he lashed out with a kick which landed squarely and made me pause for a moment, but as I kept coming towards him the mimic began to look up at me in fear. He scrambled away from me on the ground as I activated <<Delayed Sword>> again and just pummeled him before ending up over him poised for a final strike. My knees pressed down on his shoulders so he couldn’t move, and my hand up ready to strike down like a snake and deliver the final blow the mimic pleaded with me “WAIT, please don’t kill me. I won’t mimic you anymore I promise! That’s not what I do.” I shook my head, my mind made up. “I can’t take that chance. I just joined a guild and I’ve made friends in this world. I won’t put other people who know me at risk.” As my fist came down, the mimic struggled against me but nothing stopped me from finishing him off.

Combat Results:

Loot Roll:

The mimic jumped to his feet, and delivered a harried punch with hardly any power behind it. Shrugging it off, I replied with another savage set of kicks that once again knocked him to the ground. “Stay down this time, there’s no use. This fight is over.” I walked slowly towards the mimic and he was just shaking his head not believing how strong I was. “How is this possible? These fights are usually more evenly matched.” I just chuckled, “I learned a lesson from a Boulder about hard to win fights and how to break through them. You just keep punching them like your fist is already going through the other side.” The mimic blanched a little and just shook his head again. “Well you’ve certainly passed, we can consider the challenge over.” As I came to stand over the mimic looking down at him, I said “Oh is it? As I said, there’s only one outcome to this fight and it is either my death or yours. I can’t let you walk around with my face.”

Combat Results:

“Oh? Getting a little cocky are we? Well I’m not finished yet!” The mimic lashed out with a quick flurry of punches but I managed to almost lazily dodge out of the way. “You’re already getting sloppy. You’re obviously not a perfect copy of me or you’d be doing a lot better.” I activated my Sword Art and slammed two quick kicks into his chest sending him stumbling back and then ending with a massive spinning punch which knocked him on his butt. “See. I don’t know if you’re supposed to be this much weaker but this is a bit too easy. So can we finish up already?” I saw his hit point drop dangerously low and just shook my head. “Especially since I can’t have you running around with my face on it. You might get my friends in danger and that wouldn’t be acceptable. There’s only one outcome to this fight.”

Combat Results:

I went for another strike this time beginning with a spinning low kick as I activated my Sword Art, continuing into two more kicks before delivering a savage punch to his throat again. Staying down for a moment, he spun up to his feet narrowly missing my face with a return kick. Maybe just powering through this like I did with the Boulder will work too. Just keep hitting him until he doesn’t keep moving. That kick was getting sloppy. I watched his hit points drop below half and smiled. He grimaced at me before saying, “What do you think you’re smiling for? We aren’t done yet. Your test is far from over.” “If that’s what you think. I’ve faced harder things than you, and I’ll face harder things yet to come. Let’s finish this already so I can get back to the real quests I need to be doing.”

Combat Results:

For a moment, we stared across the space at each other. How much like me was he? Did he know my moves? Could he predict my tactics? I moved slowly to the right and my mimic followed my movement. I shook my head and decided I couldn’t try and analyze this fight for tactics. This was also like the Boulder from my Martial Arts quest. This Boulder just moves and talks. I darted forward activating my Sword Art again and as my hand slammed into his throat my doppelganger spun into a kick and briefly knocked me down to the ground. Flipping back up to my feet, I got back to a good distance before another strike from my opponent could land. I watched my hit points fall I realized I was taking the worst of these exchanges. This is not going well. I need to find a way to get some advantage here.

Combat Results:

“If you cannot defeat me, you don’t deserve to advance to the front lines. You don’t deserve to be better than the other weaklings that don’t leave the safe zones. Show me your strength and prove to me you deserve to be a part of this fight.” I hesitated for a moment as the doppelganger’s words struck a chord. Did I deserve to be here, fighting and adventuring? Suddenly, it was right in front of me going to strike me with a hard right hook to my face. His fist slammed into my face and I stumbled back a few steps before activating <<Delayed Sword>> quickly delivering a few spinning kicks before my opponent’s neck was laid bare and chopped down hard on his neck before I jumped back putting some space between us. “I see you have some spirit and some knowledge of how to fight. Good, I thought this might be too easy.”

Combat Results:

As I followed this strange figure out of the town, I realized that this could be a trap. Player Killers often would do whatever they could to lure you out of town. As we got to a clearing, I stopped. “This is far enough. I’m not sure I trust you enough to follow you much further from town.” The figure stopped and turned around with a smile on its face. “You don’t trust me? How can you say that to this face?” The figure threw off its hood to reveal my own face smirking back and me. It dropped its cape as well revealing hand-wraps and greaves exactly like my own. “Wait…what is this? Who…what are you?” I took a step back feeling my anxiety rise. “I am a test. If you can’t pass, then you should go back to the Town of Beginnings and recognize that you have failed.”

The walk from Krycim to the Waterfall of the Sage was very uneventful. I whistled merrily as I walked looking forward to the peacefulness I heard the waterfall offered. I’m not sure I need it quite yet, as I wasn’t anxious as usual lately, but it will be good to have as a place I can return to. Arriving, I noticed all of the flat rocks that looked perfect for sitting on and viewing the waterfall although most people seemed to avoid them. I sat down cross legged on the rock and began to take in the beauty of the waterfall. Sunetra, even though they hated water, also jumped down out of my hood and sat next to me. The pounding of the waterfall hitting the rocks, the warmth of the sun hitting my face and the rock underneath me, and the cool mist slowly moving past me began to lull me into a state of relaxation.

Quest Requirements:

Quest Rewards:

Inner Demon Stats:

Combat Stats:

USING A YUI'S GRACE - +1 SP ON THIS THREAD

I had heard through the grape vine that the Info Brokers were saying if you wandered around Krycim long enough a shadowy figure would approach you and if you took the challenge and defeated them in battle an awesome new skill would be unlocked. So I wandered in and out of the shops and things not really interested in buying anything but just waiting for the figure to appear. Suddenly at the head of an alley I saw a strange figure, and they immediately ducked into the alley. But could that be a player? I warily moved to the edge of the alley and looked inside. There was no one else to ambush me, so I walked into the alley and the figure simply stated, “If you would like to challenge me, follow me outside the town limits. There we will fight until you have passed or failed.” The figure then wordlessly moved past me and started towards the edge of town.

Quest Requirements:

Quest Rewards:

<<The Gemini>>'s Stats:

Combat Status:

USING 1 YUI'S GRACE - +1 SP TO THIS THREAD

There's a lot because I haven't been keeping up with it since I've been sick this week. 

Name: Gauntlets of Doom
Your Profession: Blacksmith
Your Rank: 4
ID: 111821
Roll: 11 
Item Type: Heavy Armor
Tier: 1
Quality: Rare
Enhancements: +2 Heavy Momentum
Description: These gauntlets make your strikes carry the weight of inevitable doom. 
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/17427-f09-blacksmith-shoprank-5-blacksmith-the-skyforge/?do=findComment&amp;comment=567848

Name: Energetic Greaves
Your Profession: Blacksmith
Your Rank: 4
ID: 111823
Roll: 7
Item Type: Heavy Armor
Tier: 1
Quality: Uncommon
Enhancements: +1 Recovery
Description: These greaves seem lighter than air and ready to move with you making it a lot more easy to fight. 
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/17427-f09-blacksmith-shoprank-5-blacksmith-the-skyforge/?do=findComment&amp;comment=567848

Name: Breast Plate of the Healer
Your Profession: Blacksmith
Your Rank: 4
ID: 111824
Roll: 8
Item Type: Heavy Armor
Tier: 1
Quality: Uncommon
Enhancements: +1 Regen
Description: This breast plate featuring a golden ankh prominently in the center of the wearer's chest restores life to the one using the armor. 
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/17427-f09-blacksmith-shoprank-5-blacksmith-the-skyforge/?do=findComment&amp;comment=567848

Name: Piercer
Your Profession: Blacksmith
Your Rank: 4
ID: 111825
Roll: 9
Item Type: Heavy Armor
Tier: 1
Quality: Uncommon
Enhancements: +1 Thorns
Description: These spiked pauldrons slice through any enemy attempting to harm the wearer. 
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/17427-f09-blacksmith-shoprank-5-blacksmith-the-skyforge/?do=findComment&amp;comment=567848

Name: Spiked Shield
Your Profession: Blacksmith
Your Rank: 4
ID: 111896
Roll: 11 
Item Type: Heavy Armor
Tier: 1
Quality: Uncommon
Enhancements: +1 Thorns
Description: Wicked spikes curve out of this buckler slashing at anyone who tries to hurt the wielder.
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/17427-f09-blacksmith-shoprank-5-blacksmith-the-skyforge/?do=findComment&amp;comment=567918

Name: Blessed Shield
Your Profession: Blacksmith
Your Rank: 4
ID: 111920
Roll: 7
Item Type: Heavy Armor
Tier: 1
Quality: Uncommon
Enhancements: +1 Regen
Description: This light buckler glows green and washes the wielder in healing energy when they are struck by an enemy
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/17427-f09-blacksmith-shoprank-5-blacksmith-the-skyforge/?do=findComment&amp;comment=567947

Name: Energetic Shield
Your Profession: Blacksmith
Your Rank: 4
ID: 111924
Roll: 8
Item Type: Heavy Armor
Tier: 1
Quality: Uncommon
Enhancements: +1 Recovery
Description: This shield is a plain metal shield slightly concave. On getting hit it vibrates, translating into more energy for its wielder.
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/17427-f09-blacksmith-shoprank-5-blacksmith-the-skyforge/?do=findComment&amp;comment=567947

Name: Aspis of Fear
Your Profession: Blacksmith
Your Rank: 4
ID: 111921
Roll: 10
Item Type: Heavy Armor
Tier: 1
Quality: Rare
Enhancements: +2 Paralyze
Description: This medium size shield has the face of a wickedly grinning maw of a monster on the front and all who see it are paralyzed with fear.
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/17427-f09-blacksmith-shoprank-5-blacksmith-the-skyforge/?do=findComment&amp;comment=567947

Name: Wicked Aspis
Your Profession: Blacksmith
Your Rank: 4
ID: 111922
Roll: 10
Item Type: Rare
Tier: 1
Quality: Uncommon
Enhancements: +2 Thorns
Description: The edges of this shield are honed to deadly edges and any enemy trying to hurt the wielder is likely to get cut badly.
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/17427-f09-blacksmith-shoprank-5-blacksmith-the-skyforge/?do=findComment&amp;comment=567947

Jumping back to my feet, I brushed off the dirt. Neo seems content to rest and try another round of fighting goblins so let’s keep searching. As I headed back out to search for materials I thought for a moment I saw a gleam in the dirt. Dropping to my knees I began to wipe away the dirt. It must be a treasure chest! Yes! Very quickly I realized it was just a small piece of ore that happened to gleam at the perfect angle in Sunetra’s light. It was even completely useless as a material. Tossing it to the side I got back up and began my search in earnest, reminding myself to stay close enough just in case Neo needed help with anything. As I tossed the piece aside, Sunetra meowed and pounced on it melting it completely. Very briefly they glowed green as the ore melted through them and I chuckled.

Looking for Treasure Chest:

@Neopolitan

I need to make more shields today. I’ve got to get that order for Runa before I do anything else. I put on my blacksmith’s apron and grabbed my new hammer and headed out to the open air blacksmith forge to begin preparing it for use. I wheeled some lava up from the depths and began working the materials into some shields for the day. A few I barely salvaged, and I got a couple of useless items but I also created some great to sell in the store. But nothing here is good enough quality to fill the order. Ah well, there’s always tomorrow.

Crafting Attempts(1/23/19):

TOTAL EXP:  205 + 38 = 243/320

Created Items:

Keeping Neo in sight I saw that she was taking a rest and fishing to prepare for another round of fighting. I started heading her way while keeping an eye out for any other materials around, and nearly tripped over a whole bunch of mushrooms. I quickly knelt and added them to my inventory and continued on towards Miss Neo. As I approached, I said “So, I’ve found quite a few materials, have you found everything you needed? Because I can always use more materials, so I don’t mind continuing to look.” Sitting down next to her, I looking almost longingly at her fishing pole. “I really need to pick up Fishing, I had fun on the lake with Ol’ Pete for that quest.” Thinking back to that quest for a moment, I shrugged and gave her a smile, “Anyway, just wanted to check in with you while you weren’t fighting. I’ll get back to my gathering.”

Gathering Roll: 

@Neopolitan

“Yep, just these two.” I pointed over Ptolemy’s shoulder as the final two spawned. “Shouldn’t be a problem though, assuming I can hit them this time.” I darted forward ducking under the first one’s strike to deliver a right hook to its body and, as it began to shimmer and break apart, I spun into a roundhouse kick sending it flying into the second one causing both of them to shatter into a shower of blue sparks. Turning back to my party members I grinned and said “That’s how it’s done. Easy as pie.” Falling back into a fighting stance, I started looking around for the harder spawn. He’s got to be harder than these little minions right? Or maybe I’m just way too high level for this quest. I’m sure any of us can handle it though. I moved slowly towards Kirbs and Ptolemy ready for the thing to attack from nowhere but wanting my party at my back.

Combat Results:

@Kirbs