Tristan Delaney

 

 

• Rolled a 4 on the d20 (loot) dice.

Or....not. I failed on epic proportions, the pickaxe breaking. Oh well, I suppose this is a good sign to stop and go home now.

The air stung against my face as I walked through a flowery field, feeling the chill of the cold. Darn this weather...

Even England had better weather than this. Hopefully it will pick up tomorrow, when I plan on going to that party that was posted about. I should probably buy a guitar for it too, since I can sort of play it.

 

While walking across the field, a boar approached, looking rather angry at me. I wasn't quite sure why, but oh well. I suppose I could do with some experience.

I got into position to fight the boar, readying my spear thrust to come forward. The boar simply looked at me, so I assume its aggression hadn't fully triggered yet. Well, I'm not about to pass up an opportunity.

I twisted my body to bring out the full speed of the spear thrust, lunging at the boar.

 

 

• Rolled a 9 on the d10 (battle) dice.

I hit a critical, severely damaging the beast and dealing 3 damage to them. Their HP decreased to just over a half, which meant it was going well.

Well, I nearly got it, so let's try again! I was beginning to feel thirsty, but that could wait for now. I need to get this done first, with no distractions!

This is weirdly invigorating, for something rather dull. Whether it was just mining or the repetitive nature of it, I found it rather nice to do. Not as good as playing music though I must admit...

Anyway, I swing the pickaxe at the rock, in hope to hit something.

 

 

• Rolled a 20 on the d20 (loot) dice.

Woohoo! Sparks flew, nearly burning my face. I didn't care though, since I managed to get more ore. I was feeling great! Oh well, I guess I can continue some more at this.

Confident I would manage it, I took up the pickaxe and swung again at the rock recklessly. It was probably a stupid idea, but it wasn't like how he did affected the system, right? Regardless, this was another attempt to get the ore. Though I think once I get one more, I'll probably stop. Well, I'll do it until sundown I suppose.

 

 

• Rolled a 13 on the d20 (loot) dice.

I nearly did it, but didn't quite manage, which was disappointing. I didn't fail on an epic proportion and landed in a heap though or break my pickaxe, so it could have been worse for me.

Regardless, it was a failed attempt.

I hope Third Time Lucky happens again, because I did NOT want to be here all day, much as I spoke about that before. I checked for any damage on the pickaxe, then swung at the rock again, hoping to see that it would work this time.

I don't know why I checked for damage, since it never visually displays if it has any.

 

 

• Rolled a 20 on the d20 (loot) dice.

The swing was a success regardless, producing ore for me. Yoohoo! Let's hope that happens the next time too!

I sadly do not own the money for a PC to play the games I would like to play.

However there are plenty amazing PC games my laptop can run. So far my favourite has to be Mount & Blade Warband with the plethora of mods for it, such as Gekokujo, Brytenwalda and Floris.

Still, I was going to keep at this and get my materials damn it! I checked the pickaxe for any damage, but saw none. Oh well, it had to wait then. I listened to the clang of other people working away and decided I would do the same, trying to go to the rhythm.

 

 

• Rolled a 7 on the d20 (loot) dice.

Clearly an attempt to go with the rhythm was a bad idea, as the clash went awry and no ore came out. Damn it. Looks I need to go with my own feelings on this, rather than trying to follow others.

Tristan walked in, having beforehand noticed the sign. He was by no means an introvert, so the party sounded interesting. Then again, he'd love to see a deputy head of a retail store that actually was an introvert. The sales would be terrible, that's for sure.

He walked by, thinking of how he desperately was needing to play some music. Oh how he wanted to....

He hadn't realised just how much he missed, tinkering around with music before he entered SAO.

 

It was while at the party that people ate. Tristan was not so hungry though. Instead, he produced a guitar he bought for 100 Col at the market. There were not many music stores, so he had to make do with this left handed guitar. Which was rather practical, seeing as he was left handed. Its a shame he didnt know many songs though.

There was one song though that popped into his head. He made it when he was in school with a band he was in. He was the singer and cello player, though he was sure he could do the guitar, as it was quite slow and simple. Plus it was one of the few songs that made justice of his vocal range, deep but powerful.

"Well, here goes nothing."

 

He ended up getting in full swing of it, as the nostalgia hit back of times long past. It also helped assure him just what role he wanted. He wanted to become...a performer. Yeah. That'd be nice...

Still, I must persevere and keep going, as I WILL make this. Well, at least I hope so. Because I really don't want to go home with not as much as I wanted or so late that I'll be starving when I get home. Well, time to see what Lady Luck has in store for me when I do this.
I picked up the pickaxe and tried swinging this time from the side, hoping that would better for results.

• Rolled a 3 on the d20 (loot) dice.

Clearly it was a horrible idea, because I ended up failing completely. I sighed loudly at the result. Looks like I really will be here for a while.

I say something like 'at this rate', but I'm probably jinxing myself now and will fail miserably from now on with any attempts to get some ore. Well, I'll just have to see what happens by doing it. I mean, I suppose you could say I only believe in good luck, stupidly optimistic as that was. Optimism makes people hope though. That is when I'm not being cynical. I suppose it depends on my mood with how I judge the world.
 
Putting my feelings aside, I picked up my pickaxe and swung at the rock, the pickaxe hitting the rock and clashing back into me, though without injury.
"Uwaaah!"

• Rolled a 1 on the d20 (loot) dice.

Yup, definitely jinxed myself. typical me. I suppose that's what I get for my optimism.

If I failed this time, I'm sure luck will bounce back at me and I will succeed. And hopefully not break my pickaxe again, as that was a sincere waste of time I would rather not do again. Well, actually I didn't mind, but I had better things to do with my time. Like mining this ore I was wanting.

On that note, I should stop dawdling with my personal monologue and actually mine this wall.

 

I took up the pickaxe and swung at the rock, sparks flying as it clashed with the rock with a crash. Well the pickaxe didn't break, which is a start.

• Rolled a 18 on the d20 (loot) dice.

And I got a gold ore from it, which is even better! Well then, my expectations are certainly high for this then. At this rate, I'll be done with this until I am satisfied before sundown.

Well, this is where the NPC's came in handy. While annoyed I had lost my pickaxe, I shouldn't let this deter me.
I walked to a NPC and spoke to them. "May I have a pickaxe?"
They replied with a grin and handed me one from....somewhere. God knows where NPC's hide all their stuff, being non playable parts of the computer. Benefit of being part of the system I suppose then. Oh well, now is not the time to dwell on that.
 
I walked back to where I was before, looking at the vein that had lost me my pickaxe. This time however, I felt more confident that it would not happen again. I took up the new pickaxe, though it looked exactly like my last, and swung with conviction at the rock wall.

• Rolled a 9 on the d20 (loot) dice.

Well I suppose in a way I was right. The pickaxe did not break, though it didn't net me any ore. Well, looks like I need to give it another go before I manage it then. I have to admit though, this is going rather well considering how long I've spent doing this.

Having recovered, I hoisted the pickaxe off the ground and swung it back to be behind my head. My arms were a bit tired though, so I did not have high hopes for this, I have to admit. Well, better trying than staring at the wall, waiting until my arms drop off from holding this pickaxe.

• Rolled a 3 on the d20 (loot) dice.

Turns out the tiredness was getting to me and my pickaxe broke as I swung down. Great, there goes that.

I was not for some reason feeling confident to this tie round, but decided I had to go at it anyway. This rock wasn't going to mine itself, so someone has to if I am wanting some materials. I began to wonder what I should get for armour. Maybe gauntlets and a chestplate? Hmm, gauntlets with vambrace would be good. Instead of a chest plate though, maybe chain mail or something. I after all need some flexible armour that would let him move easily and twist my body.

• Rolled a 14 on the d20 (loot) dice.

The pendant glowed slightly and I hit gold, a notification appearing for having hit my target. Giving myself a personal mental cheer, I sighed a breath of relief and rested my pickaxe on the floor to lean on. I let myself take a few breaths, since I have been going at it for a while now.
 

Well, sinking into the quagmire of madness had to wait. For now, this wall had to be conquered and give him materials. I need those materials after all.

The pickaxe looked the same as ever, with the same decorative etches on it, as though nothing the system could change its appearance, aside from breaking it.

I picked up the pickaxe over my head and swung down onto the rock wall, sparks flying as the friction of the virtual steel hit the virtual rock, yet felt so real.

• Rolled a 19 on the d20 (loot) dice.

I had struck gold, a notification popping up for a successful gather. I smiled, as this meant I was back on track for farming. Yay for farming.

Getting slightly overconfident, I hurried myself back into position to hit the rock again. Success was addicting it seemed, and I was drunk with it. I wanted to do it more, to get more success, to win. I suppose this that feeling they have when they fight high level bosses with only a sliver of health remaining. Well if I wanted to be one of them, I would need some better equipment, which is exactly why I am here.

• Rolled a 3 on the d20 (loot) dice.

I failed miserably. I got knocked back slightly, like when a sword hits you in a non-PK zone. Regardless, with my previous success, I was undeterred and decided I should keep on hitting this rock 'til I damn well get what I want. This rock was not going to beat me.
And I am talking like I am duelling to a rock. Apparently I have been so lonely, I literally am talking to a wall, in my head that is. Not that that was more self-assuring that I truly was heading towards the downward spiral of madness.

Well, third time lucky...hopefully. I managed it last time so this should be as easy as the one before. In due time, I'll have all the materials I need and this will be a breeze. Then again, I shouldn't jinx myself, or I really will be here all day.

I picked up the pickaxe, put it over my head, then sent the pickaxe crashing down onto the vein in the rock wall. I was beginning to make a fluid movement out of this and get really used to doing this more. Do this enough and I won't have to worry about my material needs.

 

• Rolled a 14 on the d20 (loot) dice.

I felt like I was about to fail, but then my pendant glowed slightly, at least I think it did. Regardless, I lucked out and got another material. Well, third time lucky it is. I could get really used to owning this pendant you know, maybe I should get more luck boosting equipment.

A failure of a first attempt wasn't about to put me off. If the info guidebook was right, I had a 25% chance of managing it, possibly just a bit higher with my pendant equipped, much as the name mocked me. I picked up the pickaxe off the ground and swung again, though this time at a slight angle, hoping it would change how the game registered it. Obviously it didn't, but a man could hope.

• Rolled a 18 on the d20 (loot) dice.

Regardless of what I believed, I literally struck gold. A notification popped up beside me showing I received some gold ore for material.

I flicked my finger, the ring of the menu opening becoming now a staple of the sounds I listened to. It was like the singing of birds or similar, accepted as part of everyday life.

I equipped a pickaxe into my hand, which materialised in front of me and I grabbed with conviction more similar to grabbing a weapon. I suppose all this recent fighting is getting to me and seeping into my normal life.

 

I walked to a particular crack on the rock near the cave entrance where other players and NPC's hammered away. Claiming this crack for myself, I looked over the vein. It appeared to be gold ore again, not that this game seemed to mind what you got for a material half the time, depending on what you were using it for. I hoisted the pickaxe over my head and swung straight towards the vein.

 

• Rolled a 5 on the d20 (loot) dice.

...And failed miserably. Oh well, I had all day, so this didn't matter.

"Well if they're easier than the ones on Floor 2, it should be a breeze. Also, I think I prefer Tristan over newbie, though there may be other nicknames you like."

Tristan stood up, using his spear to hoist himself up. They made rather practical walking sticks, it had to be said. Good for travelling the mountains.
When she spoke the last sentence, he was looking at her eyes while resting on his spear. His eyes softened, along with his smile. "Thank you, I will ensure that I will do my best to protect you also from harm. It would seem only fair to care for each other than to just receive, regardless of any sentimentalities behind it."

(I got bored so switched to 1st person for fun)

I knew there was thing I really needed to get better gear, and that was materials. Lots of it.

Now, most people would tell you the easiest and quickest way to get materials is through farming mobs. Sounds fun right?!

 

Well, I was having one of his slumps. Seeing as I cannot yet play music to channel his frustrations, I had to be content with how I am right now.

"Haahh......"

So, I resolved that a far better decision was to go farm some materials. It was a peaceful way of doing things, with far less effort required. Sure, it'll take me a while and not be efficient in the long run, but it was that or go actually use effort. And right now, I have no effort to give.

 

I made sure my pickaxe was in my inventory, which it was, and set off to a mine. The best place seemed to be the public mine in Floor 1, where fellow not-quite-so-brave people went for ore. Can meet a few NPC's too there too.

The travel there was quiet and I said hello to other players as I passed, in general friendliness.

 

Eventually, I reached the mine. There were some miners there working away, both player and NPC populated. NPC's didn't actually do anything there valuable, they were simply there for decorational purposes or so you didn't feel on your own.

 

"Well, time to get to it."

I still need to interact more with characters before any shipping occurs.

Unless a character has an inexplicable infatuation for people with long red hair.

Mhm, that's a nice idea. Well let's see what the future holds for us in that regard :)

Well I'm a hard yes :)

Tristan looked a bit surprised.

"That's...a lot. I'm not sure whether that's worth doing, seeing as I'll get an instrument after I've done the Performer quest. Do you have other instruments on you? I can play a bit of guitar..."

This was mostly his apathy talking, who saw getting these things for an instrument he may not use a waste of energy.

Tristan raised an eyebrow at the man who jumped down, who couldn't even seem to tell what he was.

"My hair may be red, but my cursor isn't."

He looked at the violin. It was clearly not from the quest reward for being a performer, but his own.

"I can't say I have. I do know some tunes that I can play, but I'll require a cello. I don't think that would be something you happen to have to hand though."

Tristan chuckled. The thought of a walking music store was rather amusing.