Ranganok

The Discussion kept going on while both of them were searching for materials. The questions she had was quite specific. Mikael took a moment to collect his thoughts before responding to the dark haired lady's question. Not because he did not know the answer, but rather because he needed to formulate an explanation for his reason in a way that it can be properly understood. After this moment of contemplation, Ranganok responds with a more serious attitude:

"Ever since this whole ordeal started I have been mostly only in the Town of Beginnings. I was in this unknown world, not knowing how anything works, and suddenly the danger of dying was real. It would be a lie if I said that it didn't affect me. But going head first and doing what we are told is not quite my style. I am the kind of person who asks questions, sometimes the hardest and most pertinent questions. I wanted answers, but I didn't want to risk my life for them. However, when I saw all those broken people in the town, how they were slowly dying inside, I thought that rather than standing and overthinking I could try to help, even if just a little. During all this time I have helped a few people get over the trauma, and some did a so good job at getting over it that they started becoming active players trying to complete the game. But after all this time, I am not really needed here anymore. The people I could help got over it. Those who are still traumatized, simply grew complacent and do not want to be healed. Their trauma became part of their identity. And that was the time when the realization hit me: I could stand here until the end of time to try to help those people, and it would most likely be for nothing. And every person I have helped, would have been for nothing if we never manage to get out of here. As such I reached the conclusion that the only thing left for me is either to stagnate here and become complacent or move forward and try to help in clearing this game. That is when I I decided to put this armor on. And thanks to the veteran players that keep coming back here, now I am not really going in blind. Perhaps you think of me as a coward, but even if I am a bit scared about the prospect, I cannot let myself fall into complacency....never again."  

At the end of his speech, Ranganok recalls his days when he still had depression and anxiety and how each day was a living hell for him. 

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<<Searching for Materials>>

Searching results: 202904 | LD2

No Material Found

Quest progress: Materials(4/5)

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MIkael was continuing his search, eyes focused on the prize and trying to not let any stone unturned.

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<<Searching for Materials>>

Searching results: 202902 | LD12

Material Found: Herb

Quest progress: Materials(4/5)

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

Once again, Mikael was able to find another material. *Almost done. I only need one more Herb and I will be able to complete the quest. It won't be long.* 

Then the black haired lady turned to Ranganok and asked him how is his progress. However, before he could respond, he is intrerupted with "Wait. While we're at it, tell me something, serf." 

This statement does make Ranganok curious as to what the woman before him wanted. And then the question comes. It was about his getup. 

He smiles and answer without hesitation: "It is nothing like that. It just happens that someone gifted me this rare armor as thanks for helping their friend with therapy, given our predicament. It is quite useful and good to protect myself. And since I didn't have any better armor, this is what I wear. After all, in the beginning of the game, the players wear what they get, not what they want. It's aesthetic is not really to my liking, but it does it's job for now." 

Ranganok has continued to do his job while taking a glance at the black haired lady from time to time. If they would make visual contact, he would just smile at her and unless she asked anything he would just focus back to finding herbs.

The sun was shining, which would be reflected on his armour. The entire scenery was quite pleasant and serene. It was relaxing, no monster in sight, no disturbances, only they and the nature. This can sometimes make you forget that you are stuck in a literal death game. 

While he was searching he also started overthinking. He didn't really get a positive feedback by his bows. It is true that he loved fantasy games and history and probably it is what shaped his mannerism, but it can't make him stop that maybe he is coming as creepy to the lady. Maybe he could try and behave more like a normal person, but Ranganok was never a normal person from the beginning. Well his social skills are not that good, after all he was all alone and on his own most of the time. Depression and Anxiety can make you do that, but thankfully he got rid of them. But he still remained with his bad social skills. 

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<<Searching for Materials>>

Searching results: 202900 | LD6

No Material Found

Quest progress: Materials(3/5)

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As such, Mikael continues searching for plants in order to complete his quest. 

Ranganok was actually surprised that she stood and listened through it all. She actually made the effort to listen, which nowaday can be quite rare. *It seems she is really a good person* thought the man while smiling. *Did she just praised herself by being Patient and Dignified?* This caught Mikael's attention. From this statement, Ranganok drew the conclusion that she could have narcississtic pattern behaviour, but not to the degree where she is completely self-absorbed and selfish. She was quite the unique specimen, this girl. This only increased the man's curiosity. 

But then he returns to her statement on how to speak. He then responds to the lady: "Well....that is not one of my strong points. My specialty is understanding Human emotions and behaviour pattern, but I do have issues in conveying this information and information in general in a way that it doesn't trigger or offend others. I still have much to learn on this part." said the man in a jokingly manner while scratching the back of his head. And then he continues: "But I am grateful that you stood and listened to my rambling" said the man while doing a small bow in show of gratitude. If she is truly narcississtic, this kind of approach might be the best in establishing good relationships. 

When it comes to the party invite she just ignored it. Well it was to be expected. Not everyone is open or trustful or even sociable. Especially inside a death game full of mentally unstable people. 

"Just holler if you find anything." said the woman. As such, Ranganok has decided to let this interaction at this for now and continue his search for materials.

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

<<Searching for Materials>>

Searching results: 202898 | LD12

Material Found: Herb

Quest progress: Materials(3/5)

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

Mikael has found another herb in the tall grass. He harvests it. He already got more than half needed for the quest. This is extremely easy for him given how fast things go. But then again, it is the first tutorial quest, it is supposed to be easy. 

After giving his instructions, the shopkeeper went in the back. He waited for 5 minutes hearing the hammer go. Mikael believed that this was normal and that he was making the items on the go. But then, at the end he heard an explosion which broke him off his tranquility and made him worry. 

On the door, the blacksmith came like something just exploded in their face. Looking a bit worried he asks: "Are you alright?" 

Then the black haired man gave him the items. A white window popped up prompting Ranganok to accept the Items. He looked at them and their stats and he was impressed. They were incredibly high quality. He looks at the mans and says: "Thank you very much! Those items are amazing. How much do I owe you?" The blacksmith responded with no money are needed. Being suprised about his generosity, as he was going back into his forge Ranganok bows down in respect and says: "Thank you very much! I am very grateful!" 

Now, with his new items, Mikael equips them excited and they look incredible. As such, the man gets out of the shop in high spirits, ready to go up in Aincrad. 

The lady turned around towards him and asked him about his name: "What is that, a bastardization of Ragnarok? That world ending event from Norse mythos?" Mikael, unphased by the question, after all he was expecting this much, replies with tranquility: "Ah. Yes you could say that it is inspired from Ragnarok. But it's real meaning is a bit more than that. Ragnarok is the time when the Great Wolf Fenris, which was unjustly imprisoned by fearful Gods, breaks his shackles and destroys the Old Order of the Gods who have wronged him. Ragnarok does not mean the end of the world, but it means the end of the Gods. It is a symbol that even the Gods are not above Justice, or Karma, if you will."  He could not really say that the true origin of the name was from when he was a little child and he could not correctly pronounce Ragnarok and he would keep mispronouncing it Ranganok. It stuck with him and that is how he got the name Ranganok. But in time he did form this view and philosophy around the name, with which he agrees. 

"Partying up's fine. But this isn't a quest you do with others, and neither would it benefit from any amount of efficiency from two people." The little girl would keep squiting and looking suspiciously at Mikael. Then she asks the million dollar question: "What are you, new to this?" Ranganok smiles and he replies kindly:  "While I am not really new to games and gaming in general, I am kinda new to SAO. Since the start of the game and until now, most of the time I was doing therapy with the traumatized players in the Town of Beginnings. I helped them cope with the reality of our situation and to stop having mental breakdowns. I may not seem like it, but I do know a bit of psychology. After all this time, I decided that it was the time for me to do my part in clearing the game. Believe it or not, this is actually my..."

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

<<Searching for Materials>>

Searching results: 202865 | LD20

Material Found: Herb

Quest progress: Materials(2/5)

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

Ranganok's eyes wander off to the side for a bit and he just happens to see another herb to be gathered. He abruptly interrupts what he was saying, he crouches down and takes another herb, which updates his quest log. Then he gets back up, looks at the girl and continues: "...what I was saying is that this is actually my first SAO quest. I am not really familiar with the SAO system yet, which is why I chose to do this tutorial-like questline. But I am confident in my gaming skills. All I lack is the specific knowledge about the game. I see, so in this game, the gathering quest logs do not share in party. But it can still be helpful in case of monsters." 

Mikael slides his finger down, making the UI appear and then sends a party request to the mysterious lady. While doing that he asks: "I am sorry, but I didn't quite get your name." After all this, Ranganok is just waiting for the black haired lady to respond to both the party request and his speech. 

The woman....did not react as Ranganok was hoping. By seeing her squint, Mikael would think that she was suspicious to his behaviour. It was quite a normal reaction which did not give him much in terms of information. But he decided to let it slide and let the girl go in peace to her things. 

After that, he decided to enter the apothecary. The inside is filled with shelves and shelves of colorful potions in various vials and jars. “Oh, hello," comes the distracted greeting from behind the counter. A man with a long, snow-white beard glances up from a bubbling cup of sweet-smelling purple liquid. "Are you here to order something? I’m sorry, but I am currently swamped with orders, and I’m running out of supplies.” Light comes into the man's dark eyes, a lightbulb going off to signify a brilliant idea. “Would you gather a few materials for me? Flowers, herbs, rare woods, whatever you can find outside the city walls. I promise I’ll help you fill your order as soon as you return. In fact, I would be willing to show you how to do it yourself.”

Without him reacting at all, his quest has updated itself. It seems like Mikael will have to do some gathering in order to progress this quest. *If my knowledge is correct and this quest is like a tutorial, then that means this is where I learn how to gather materials. This should prove useful for crafting and upgrading my gear.* After the monologue in his head, he decided to go to the plains outside the town of beginning. After a few minutes of walking, Ranganok stood outside of the city confines. This was no longer a safe zone. It was probably the 2nd or 3rd time he ever got outside the city and this was the first time when he actually intends to do a quest. 

As such, Mikael started to look through the tall grass and around him for anything that can be a material:

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

<<Searching for Materials>>

Searching results: 202861| 11

Material Found: Herb

Quest progress: Materials(1/5)

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

Mikael has managed to find a plant that was looking like an useful herb. After taking it and putting it in inventory, his quest has updated. Only now he looks around a bit more and he finds that the grumpy woman is here also. It was predictable given that they are doing the same quest. Given the circumstances, Mikael approaches her, and asks: "Hi. I am Ranganok. It seem after all that we are doing the same quest. Do you want to party up and help each other to speed up the process? You look like someone who appreciates efficiency. So what do you say?" 

After that he would wait for the black haired girl to answer him. After all, the alternative of just being there without saying anything would make him look like a creep. Mikael might not be the most sociable person or the best at initiating conversations, but at least he is trying to do well by other people. Or at least that is what he keeps telling himself. 

Everything went according to plan. The girl headed off and Ranganok walked after her. He was a bit conscious about the fact that he might look like a stalker but he tried his best to not be one. After all, he wanted to just reach the Alchemist, and this black haired girl seemed like she knew exactly where she was going. After a bit of time, his suspicions were confirmed and they actually reached the apothecary where the next quest target was. 

The girl entered first, and he couldn't get a good look of what happened there, but as he wanted to enter the apothecary himself the girl tried to rush out so they both stopped in front of the door, on each side. Finding himself stuck like this, made Ranganok chuckle a bit, and then he started talking to the girl: "I am sorry about that. I guess you want to leave." and as he goes to the side of the door to allow the other player to leave, he extends his side towards exterior, in the direction the girl would go, and did a small courteous bow, continuing: "After you." One reason why he was doing something like this is that Mikael was curious about how this character would react and would also provide a better insight into what kind of person she is. 

Such an information would also be helpful for him in the future to interact and deal with such persons and even herself. As such, Ranganok now stands near the entrance allowing the lady to move freely through the door and trying to analyze her reactions. 

Ranganok's thoughts were interrupted abruptly after what seemed like a dark haired short lady came between him and the Mayor NPC. "Shove it" , was all she said before focusing on the NPC. Mikael was surprised for a moment, but then he returned back to his normal smiling face thinking *My, my. What a grumpy little girl.* At a first glance, Mikael thought that this person had anti-social behaviour and possibly coming from some trauma or hate towards people. Not really uncommon nowadays. He was a bit interested in hearing her story and analyzing her further, but he cannot just barge into her life without her asking for his help. Judging by her attitude, Ranganok deemed that asking for help as a newcomer will only add to the fire, and possibly perceive it as babysitting. 

As such, after careful consideration, he decided that the best approach here is not to respond as anything could be met with retaliation. Instead, given how she looked a bit more experienced than him in SAO, he would just follow her for now to help him find the alchemist and talk only in a response to her. This could also trigger the young lady, but he can just claim that they are walking in the same direction as they are doing the same quest. 

It was a sunny day, like every other day on the first floor of Aincrad. But today was not an ordinary one. No. It was a very special day for Ranganok, because this was the day when he decided to stop loitering around the Town of Beginnings providing counseling and therapy to traumatized players and start his way up in Aincrad and to work towards clearing the game.  As such, he took on his Rare Plate armor, and a normal-quality scimitar which was sheated and strapped to the left side of his waist. Aside from his shining white armor, his face could be seen, brown eyes and brown laid down hair with bangs covering his forehead. Thanks to what other players have shared in this town, there is an NPC which gives a series of quests pretty much like a tutorial which can help new players greatly. As Ranganok si a cautious man, he decided that this should be his first step and familiarize himself with the game mechanics. 

While strolling through the town square, a voice shouting could be heard: "You there! Stop, please!" A man approaches Ranganok with long, purposeful strides. "Pardon me, but I am in need of some assistance, and you appear quite capable."  Mikael then turns towards the NPC with curious eyes. *Could this be the NPC that starts the quest?* thinks the full plated man. The NPC heaves a quick sigh, adjusting the monocle over his right eye. "My name is Dorian, and I am the mayor of this town. As part of those mayoral duties, I issued a small loan to a member of the community a few months ago. Well, the time to collect had come around and I-" Flustered, Dorian systematically runs his fingers over his perfect mustache. "You see, I've forgotten who it was I loaned the money to. Terribly embarrassing, I know, but I am a very busy man, and I cannot keep track of everything that happens. I'm sure you understand." With a wave of his hand, Dorian continues, "Should you be willing to track down the loan recipient for me, and collect the col, I would be eternally grateful. Just, maybe don't let anyone else know I forgot who the loan went to?"

Looking at the NPC up and down, he can see that the Mayor looks like a very well dressed gentleman. The though of Gentlemen memes and other funny posts from before SAO pops into Ranganok's mind, which makes him let out a slight smile. A pop-up window appears before him asking whenever the full plated man will accept or decline the quest. Of course, Ranganok has pressed on accept. Upon acceptance of the quest, Dorian nods. "Excellent, I knew I could count on you! You might start with Zackariah, the alchemist. He's often doing projects for the town, so it may have been him that borrowed the money." 

After all this, Mikael spends his time to ponder as to where could the alchemist be located in this town...

It was a beautiful day outside. Ranganok has decided it was finally time to gear up and start playing his part in this game. He was strolling through the streets in search of a blacksmith shop. One a quieter alley, a shop took his attention. The Ring and Sword was named. The name sounded nice in Ranganok's mind and the logo of the sword with the tree also looked pleasing. He decided to enter the shop and see what they have. Looking around, he saw a diverse range of weapons and armors, and even jewelry at some counters.  After all he did have some money. Some more experienced playershave given him some col and his plate armour as thanks to doing therapy to their traumatized friends here in the town of beginnings. 

A dark haired mad stood at the counter and called to Ranganok:  “Hey there! In need of weapons? Or maybe some armor? Well you’ve come to the right place. Welcome to the Ring and Sword!” Mikael looks at him, smiles and responds to the dark haired man: "Hello there. Yes actually. I am in need of a weapon and a shield for my adventures. "  He looks again around but nothing really catches his eyes. Afterwards, the tall man, equipped in plate armor, with brown hair and brown eyes, continues: " I am a beginner at this and just started to actually play, so I am not that skilled. I think something that is easy to use would be best, and also if it can keep me alive. For a sword I am looking for a curved sword, that can do as much damage as possible. A scimitar I think it would fit best. As for the shield, I want it to be sturdy and easy to use. But at the same time, one of the more experience players advised me that I get a certain enchantment on it as much as possible. I believe it was called, Thorn. Could you please help me with these two items?"

Ranganok then smiles again, looks at the dark haired man and waits for a response. 

Request:

Item Name: Khamul 
Profession: Blacksmith
Rank: 6
Roll ID: 
Roll Result: 
Item Type: Curved Sword
Tier: 1
Quality: Perfect
Enhancements: 3xDamage
Description: A scimitar sword. It has a black, leathery handle, with a golden circular shaped pommel. It has a golden cross guard which has another rhombus at the center. The blade is white and pure, slightly curved with an obtuse angle denivelation, which then continues to the tip. 

Post Link: 

Item Name: Fallen Templar's Shield
Profession: Blacksmith
Rank: 6
Roll ID: 
Roll Result: 
Item Type: Shield
Tier: 1
Quality: Perfect
Enhancements: 2xThorns, 1xMitigation
Description: A steel shield, pointy at the ends and almost straight on the sides. It has the edges painted red, and the color inside is dark grey. On the shield a straight sword is engraves, surrounded by a wing-like aura.

 
Post Link: 

• Character Name: Ranganok
• Character Description: Mikael Rugen is a spiritual philosopher gamer who started his journey with SAO. After some time spending hepling traumatized players to accept the reality and balance themselves mentally, he decided to become a tank and play his part in escaping this virtual prison.
• Character Journal: 

Profile:


Background:

Virtues

Flaws

Skills:

Sword Arts:

Inventory:

Roleplay Log:

Hey all!

I am back. I originally joined this forum in 2014 and I am quite surprised to find out I still have my account and my character. 

However, from what I see, the forum changed a lot and I have no idea if I have to create a new char, edit the one I have, or simply continue to play like this. I am hoping that you can provide guidance XD. 

~R

Edit: I have been helped in another thread. Thank you!

Hey all!

I am back. I originally joined this forum in 2014 and I am quite surprised to find out I still have my account and my character. 

However, from what I see, the forum changed a lot and I have no idea if I have to create a new char, edit the one I have, or simply continue to play like this. I am hoping that you can provide guidance XD. 

I am glad to return and look forward to rp with all of you. :) 

~R

Ranganok walks into the blacksmith shop in a hurry. He didn't even need to look around as he charged towards the blacksmith, put his hands on a table and started talking hastily "I need a well made, perfectly balanced scimitar that can cut trough the hardest objects and I need it pronto!" That means that the boy is looking for a perfect quality scimitar which gives the user a +3 damage as soon as possible given that he must go to the boss fight anytime soon and he doesn't even have a decent weapon.

Ranganok walks towards the registration area and signs in himself and Celes...even tough he is not the type to play in teams or even tournaments, there was something in the prize that attracted him. The surprise something. After all, he thinks about his survival in this world.

The direwolf boots went smoothly also. -1 mat The boy had an acomplished face after all this.

CD:11(Rare Item achieved)(9+2 from the gloves)

                                                                                                                                                                                     ID:3302

                             

                                                                                                                                                                      Item name: DIrewolf Boots

Item quality: rare

Description: boots that  grants the player the speed of a direwolf

Enhancements: +2 evasion

price: 700 col

Done..another perfect item was done right. -1 mat

CD:12(Perfect item achieved)

 

 

                                                                                                                                               ID:3299                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                                                                                                       Item name: *Insert awesome name here*

Item quality: Perfect

Description: fine tailored shirt which is strongly sewed, meaning it is hard to cut and because it's blackness it creates an optical illusion which confuses teh attacker.

Enhancements: + 1 EVA, + 2 Damage Mitigation

I thought about Shadowmoon shirt as a name. What do you think?

After that, the boy starts working for his next piece...the direwolf boots.

Well, she thought about the answer for a quick second, before responding, "I'll prefer to completely pay in col, unless you run out of materials." As for the colour, she had no personal preference, but she wanted something lightweight, as that could help her with her evasion, but still strong enough to protect her. She settled on the lightest type of armour that he could make, as Rebekah was more of an accurate, quick agile player than a brute force damage dealer.

 

If there is a better name, you have, please go ahead. If I think of something, I'll let you know, I don't really like that name, but she could not think of anything better at this moment.

Ranganok looks at the girl and tries to ask her nice(or at least as nice as he can) while scratching his head "Well I would be nice if you could give me materials...That is why I gave you a discount also, because, to be honest I am running short on them. But I guess col are ok too."

Crozeph entered the shop panting "finally a tailoring shop" he said.Crozeph looked at the price list of custom-made items "I'd like a custom made item" he said. Crozeph pulled out a slip as he always do and placed it at the counter "here's the details"

 

 

Crozeph then looked at his menu "man I'm out of mats" he said. Crozeph then decided to walk out of the shop "I'll check on it every now and then, I need to buy other equipments too" he said.

The boy looks at the specifications and says "Yeah, no problem. By the time you come back it should be done...I think."

Then, Ranganok goes to the workshop and tries to make the lady's gear first.

The boy listens to the new customer and as she handed him a piece of paper he reads it while scratching the back of his head with the other hand while having a blank expression. "Do you want any detail added to your amor? What color, what type of leather you preffer? How do you want it to look? Such an Item would cost 1200 col and you can also pay in materials...each material reduces the cost of the item by 100...so if you want to buy it with materials let's say I will make the armor for 10, not 12 materials." said the boy trying to find more details about the armor. He also liked the girl due to the fact that she went down to business without any useless chit chat c*ap and because the way she does business.(Just as Ranganok does too)

After 13 seconds of waiting, the boy starts to feel strange as he is engulfed in light(like he's evolving) After that, he starts to feel normal again when he noticed...his hair grown to long hair."Huh? what's this? It seems that this potion makes your hair grow." said the boy. Then, the wolf looking surprised at him says "I think it did more that just that. Then when Michael wanted to ask why he tried to cross his hands but something blocked him for doing so. Then with a "Huh?" puts his hands on his chest, feeling two soft ball things. When he looks dow he finds that those are his boobs. Then with an empy face as the eternal void of darkness enlarges his pants in order to look down and with a "what the hell I can't even describe how surprised he is" state he asks "What the hell is this?"

CD: 11(ID:2950)(gained 3 skillpoints and turned into a female)

To be continued...

After that chat, the boy continued to come at the wolf each day to talk and try to learn as much as the AI knew about this world...about aincrad. Unsurprisingly, Alpha knew quite a bit about the floating castle. Then, the day before the boss raid, Ranganok takes out a strange potion and shows it to Alpha. "I got this strange potion but I can't find anyone who knows what it's for. Can you tell me about it? The wolf looks closely at the weird purple potion and then replies "I have no idea what that is. I can't seem to find any data about it either. However...it is not poison...that I can tell you for sure. You should drink it and see what it does." The boy drinks the strange liquid and waits for it to take effect.

Ranganok uses strange brew.

Ranganok stops his scimitar right before it stabs the neck. Then the sword dissapears in a blue light as the boy starts talking "It seems I was right. You truly are different from the other monsters. You are an AI miniboss...a living virtual person.(then gives off a smile) I think it's pretty cool too. It'd be a waste to kill you since you don't work on the normal parameters of this world." "What do you want from me?" asked the wolf. After that, the boy answers "A partner who will watch my back."

The boy goes to the back of his shop where his workshop was and by taking a textile roll he starts sewing, trying to make a coat.

Crafting dice: 11(rare item achieved) (ID: 2935)

 

ID: 2935

Item: <Coat of Midnight>

Quality: <Rare>

Description:
This coat is imbued with the shadows of the night managing to hide the user better against incoming attacks giving the wearer a +2 evasion.

After 5 minutes he gets out of his workshop and shows the coat trought a trade..."Here's your coat. It will cost you 700 col and also to make things better, the next time you come to buy something you will have a 200 col discount."