Mari

Mari's gaze shifted down to her hands, her fingers fiddling with each other, using her fingernails to pick out bits of dirt from other fingernails. For all her bravado lately, coming face to face with someone genuine left her... feeling a little awkward. Baldur had always trusted her, same with Macradon. Mac had defended her against Bahr - heck...she was one of the founding leaders of the Ladder initially. So why lately...did it feel like she didn't really belong? "Yeah..." Mari admitted, her voice small. She was unable to rebuke his words. 

"Enough to let you sleep on my couch if you really needed to, at least."

Mari managed a smile, shaking her head as she shifted. Leaning back on her hands so she could instead watch the dappled sunlight through the trees above. "If I ever find myself stuck on this floor, exhausted - I'll be sure to think of your couch." An awkward phrase, but Mari wasn't the best at gentle conversations like this. She was so used to being abrasive. "I'm used to...always being on guard yanno? So it's unexpected."

Mari blinked, listening as he talked about one of their quests together. Flying Blue... Her brows furrowed as she tried to remember. "Honestly, I vaguely remember that but the details...not so much. Hmmmm...." Mari tilted her head, to, then fro - trying to recall more details. But none came to mind.

"Jail? What'd you do to get yourself locked up?"

Ah, and there it was. A question Mari always found herself asking. "There are many people in this world..." Mari began, barely missing a beat - as though she had gone through this spiel countless times before. "Who only see black and white - I was being hunted by some kind of self appointed task force, it was relentless. One of the many reasons-" She placed emphasis on the word. "I left the frontlines. Eventually, they started threatening the people I cared about. I couldn't have that. So...I contacted Raidou. Someone who was pragmatic, whom I couldn't exactly trust - but trust enough to do the right thing. He took me in and acted as my warden. So I was imprisoned, and those I cared about were safe."

Mari sighed as she shifted her arms, letting her back hit the ground with a fwoomp. Her motion causing a flurry of leaves to fly up into the air and settle back down and around her. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. "It was...terrible. All I had was my own thoughts. It was cold. Dank...I never knew if it was day or not night. The constant sound of screams, monster and player alike meant I never really slept. Food came in the form of stale rations once a week." With each sentence her voice grew more and more quiet. Mari never realized how much she had denied herself. How much she had punished herself. "You could....say I imprisoned myself. A part of me felt I deserved it, I hated myself. heh...Baldur called it torture."  And he wasn't wrong. What Mari hadn't admitted to Jomei, was that the length of her stay was entirely her own choice. She could have left any time - but her own self hatred caused her to stay curled up in that dark cell. Without hope, her own personal hell, and yet her own reprise away from a world that hated her.

A long silence filled the space between them before Mari spoke again.

"I guess..I was sick of a world that hated and hunted me, but most of all,  I was just sick of living. But - I'm much better now."

PH

Accidentally posted as me instead of Ceres but will just leave this here for when I need to reply

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

                                                                                                

Mari didn’t trust him, so she opened up her HUD system, one hand still on her pouch. Eyes constantly flicking up to the white haired man to ensure he didn’t take a single step further, he seemed quite happy to just bounce to and fro from his toes to the heels of his feet.

“I ain’t want to hurt you, Mari.” He said with a whistle. “Go on, tell anyone and everyone ol’ Vex is here!” He said with a flourish and a bow, scraping his feet against the snow.

Ugh Mari inwardly cringed at his demeanor, she didn’t like it. Somehow…it reminded her of Tybalt. If Tybalt had his wits about him, and was trying too hard. That was the difference between the two. Tybalt was somehow actually good at his performance, this man…was not.

Mari→ Lancaster: Someone named Vex has been snooping around the forest area. Orange crystal. You know him?
Lancaster → Mari: No. Need trash taken out?
Mari → Lancaster: Hold off for now.

“Ooohh, messaging the boy toy?” Vex asked as he had slung an arm loosely around her shoulder, peering at her HUD. “I’m hurt. I am not trash.

Mari jumped as she ducked underneath him and swept her leg under his - sending the man tumbling to the ground. Mari planted a foot firmly on his chest. “Don’t fucking touch me.” She hissed. 

It may very well have been the first time Mari properly tried exploring the floor. And with good reason. The entire floor was a big sloppy, stinky muddy mess.  "Eargh..." Each footstep landed in wet. Her muddied shoes beyond saving. The woman was using her halberd as a makeshift walking stick, every so often pausing to shove it into the murky marshland beneath her feet to ensure her path wasn't too deep. Despite the woman's best efforts the muddied waters had leaked into her shoots and her feet were wet. Every so often Mari would pause, and quite literally set herself on fire - in an attempt to quell the dampness that permeated her body, but all it did is cause mud to dry up and flake off her skin. I'll be needing a bath from Lancaster tonight.... Mari mused to herself.

Mari initially came here on a random tip-off - an unexplored tavern which had a wealth of alcohol. Useful for her. For Lancaster...for her experiments, and if it had truly been abandoned then it made things even easier for the woman. She still sported her orange crystal after a failed Redemption attempt and Mari needed to stock up on supplies, but didn't much feel like the whole cloak and dagger of concealment, or playing hot potato with the town guards. Then there was the fish people - would their eggs be useful? Would fish person caviar count as cannibalism? Since they were humanoid, but not human? A question Mari wanted to ask someone, anyone - but she doubted she'd see much of anything in the outskirts of this floor.

Trudging further along, Mari could hear a buzzing above, she glanced up to see an airship. Not entirely unusual- but it's presence on this floor wasn't expected. Then, she heard the shouting. With little better to do she followed the sound of it to an abandoned house.

Mari tilted her head, her orange hair which had began to grow longer spilled over her bare freckled shoulders. Mari guessed the woman might have been here for....some reason. She was looking for something but clearly didn't know what. At least Mari had a direction. She wasn't hostile either - strong arms hauling a bed clear over the two womans heads to come crashing down in the yard outside.

"Sup?"

"Yo. Not sure what you're looking for..." Mari began as she rounded the side of the house, nose wrinkling at the smell of fetid rot coming from the broken wooden planks. Mari stepped over a part of the house that had been ripped apart, assuming so by the rampaging woman. Mari hadn't intended on looting this house - she was simply drawn by the verdant screams of the boisterous woman. "But is that really the best method?" Mari kicked at a plank of discarded wood, it slid across the floor hitting a pile of stone debris. A thought flashed in Mari's mind as she looked up at the woman and offered her a wry grin.

"Is what you're looking for....fireproof?"

An offer, as enigmatic as it was - was made to the other woman.

@Celeste

<<Assist System Engaged: Jibae>>
Level: 25
Paragon: 0
Tier: 3
True Tier: 15

Final EXP reward: +145%

Mega Slime Farm: +10% Final EXP reward
Mari | HP: 545/545 | EN: 83/83 | DMG: 18 | MIT:121 | ACC:4 | AA  | FL.AURA: 6 | BH:30 | BRN: 42 | ENV-O: 24 | PARA-V | LD:5     

The screaming continued and Mari had to pause down a hallway that intersected - branching two different ways in front of her. Right...some of these dungeons did this. Made you get lost. Mari pulled out a single piece of chalk and marked the way she had come with an arrow, pointing toward the exit. She had only been through here once before, and whilst she did have it mapped out, the woman wasn't the best at reading said maps. The cries sounded more and more human, but that's just the thing about this game - what sounded human may not be, it could be an NPC- an event that would trigger if one wandered too far into the depths of the floor. Or perhaps Mari had found herself deep into the catacombs of one of the Coffins hidden rooms - she knew they took people to this floor - to do what with, she did not question. Did not need nor want to know.

STOP HUNTING ME! IT WAS NOT EVEN MY FAULT!

Another intersection - and Mari's head whipped to the left; where the sound had clearly come from, Mari continued - once again marking which way she had come. Finally she came upon the cause for the screaming. So it wasn't an event after all. A tall woman with red hair and wild eyes was screaming at the top of her lungs. She looked worse for wear, battle worn and bruised. She was about a floor below - it looked like she had fallen down a pitfall trap. "Uh..." Mari knealt down at the edge of the hole, one hand dangling loosely between her crouched legs - the other hefted her weapon over her shoulder.

"You good down there? Need help?" 

Was this the strange reading Raidou was talking about? That didn't make sense. A player wouldn't have made any cause for concern. Was it...how she got here?

"How'd you get down there?" Mari asked.  



@Azhoda

Crafts 14/09/2025
Link here

253311, Perfect TTierless Dessert, (CD:12, LD: 10) = Perfect Tierless Dessert 253311 | Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III

253313, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:8, LD: 1) + 253314, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:7, LD: 20) + 253314-1, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:7, LD: 20) + 253314-2, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:7, LD: 20)= Perfect Tierless Dessert 253334| Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III

253318, Perfect TTierless Dessert, (CD:12, LD: 15) Perfect Tierless Dessert 253318 | Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III
253318-1, Perfect TTierless Dessert, (CD:12, LD: 15) Perfect Tierless Dessert 253318-1| Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III

Fusing with previously eval'd items:
253310, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:10, LD: 8) + 252868, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:10, LD: 9) Perfect Tierless Dessert 253333 | Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III

253317, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:6, LD: 11)+ 252869-1, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:9, LD: 15) + 252943, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:6, LD: 16)  + 252943-1, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:6, LD: 16) = Perfect Tierless Dessert 253335 | Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III



-----

RESPITE Crafts 14/09/2025
Link here
253319, Perfect TTierless Dessert, (CD:12, LD: 1) = Perfect Tierless Dessert 253319 | Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III

253324, Perfect TTierless Dessert, (CD:12, LD: 8) = Perfect Tierless Dessert 253324 | Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III

253326, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:9, LD: 17) + 253326-1, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:9, LD: 17)= Perfect Tierless Dessert 253329 | Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III

253328, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:9, LD: 4)+ 253321, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:11, LD: 5)= Perfect Tierless Dessert 253330 | Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III 


Fusing with previously eval'd items
253320, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:6, LD: 8) + 252839-1, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:9, LD: 19) + 252839-2, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:9, LD: 19)    + 253187-1, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:6, LD: 18)  = Perfect Tierless Dessert 253332 | Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III
                        
253323, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:11, LD: 10) + 253188, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:11, LD: 7) Perfect Tierless Dessert 253331 | Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III

Using: Custom Ambition Tool | Chefs Knife | 251570
Rank 7 - High Mentor  Cook: | Enchancements   668/1279 --> 732/1279
Rank 9 Alchemist - 10 Crafts Available!

RESPITE CRAFTING: 14/09/2025
Perfect Tierless dessert 252435 | Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III
Perfect T4 Potion 251768 | 'Work Juice' | Crafters Respite

Experience Gained: 64
Materials Used: 8 

253319, Perfect TTierless Dessert, (CD:12, LD: 1) = Perfect Tierless Dessert 253319 | Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III

253324, Perfect TTierless Dessert, (CD:12, LD: 8) = Perfect Tierless Dessert 253324 | Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III

253326, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:9, LD: 17) + 253326-1, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:9, LD: 17)= Perfect Tierless Dessert 253329 | Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III

253328, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:9, LD: 4)+ 253321, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:11, LD: 5)= Perfect Tierless Dessert 253330 | Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III 


Fusing with previously eval'd items
253320, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:6, LD: 8) + 252839-1, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:9, LD: 19) + 252839-2, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:9, LD: 19)    + 253187-1, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:6, LD: 18)  = Perfect Tierless Dessert 253332 | Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III
                        
253323, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:11, LD: 10) + 253188, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:11, LD: 7) Perfect Tierless Dessert 253331 | Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III
                        

Using: Custom Ambition Tool | Chefs Knife | 251570
Rank 6 - Mentor Cook: | Enchancements  612/639--> 668/639 RANK UP!
Rank 7 - High Mentor  Cook: | Enchancements   668/1279 --> 668/1279
Rank 9 Alchemist - 10 Crafts Available!

CRAFTING: 14/09/2025
Perfect Tierless dessert 252435 | Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III

Experience Gained: 56
Materials Used: 8

253311, Perfect TTierless Dessert, (CD:12, LD: 10) = Perfect Tierless Dessert 253311 | Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III

253313, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:8, LD: 1) + 253314, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:7, LD: 20) + 253314-1, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:7, LD: 20) + 253314-2, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:7, LD: 20)= Perfect Tierless Dessert 253334| Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III

253318, Perfect TTierless Dessert, (CD:12, LD: 15) Perfect Tierless Dessert 253318 | Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III
253318-1, Perfect TTierless Dessert, (CD:12, LD: 15) Perfect Tierless Dessert 253318-1| Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III

Fusing with previously eval'd items:
253310, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:10, LD: 8) + 252868, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:10, LD: 9) Perfect Tierless Dessert 253333 | Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III

253317, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:6, LD: 11)+ 252869-1, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:9, LD: 15) + 252943, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:6, LD: 16)  + 252943-1, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:6, LD: 16) = Perfect Tierless Dessert 253335 | Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III

Raidou responded in the way she'd expected him to - prompt and with all the information, written with a dry precision. Of course he was already here. Why would Mari think otherwise? The raid party had barely cleared the floor a day ago and he was already here, no doubt he had probably already mapped out half the place. Mari snorted in amusement. Guess he didn't need her help after all. Mari opened up her menu, he was one of the few people she'd bother replying to in excess. She owed a lot to the man after all. He knew her at her worst, and she knew some of his most important secrets

Quote

Mari --> @Raidou:
I'm by the door between floors- I camped out after the floor raid before coming up here. It'll take me a bit to get there but I can attempt to map out what is around me. I see an outpost looking place nearby, I'll head there.

An offer she would make to very few. Information was valuable, especially when it came to newer floors. Mari recalled how much work she put into the 10th floor, only to be rebuked, and hunted for mapping out the entire place. Mari still held information that she doubted any other had. As though she were the villian... for trying to lead the raid. She stopped bothering after that. One of the many reasons Mari didn't want to bother with the frontlines anymore. Mari's face soured. Even now, she was hesitant to continue forward. Especially seeing how the entire floor was edible. Mari loathed to see what kind of floor boss that would spawn. 

As she was typing and sending off the message, her foot stamped in something wet. "Ugh..." Mari looked down, her foot had fallen right into a ...a ....Mari lifted her leg, hopping a few times as she pulled off her boot. "The fuck is this?" She dropped her boot to the floor and knelt down to inspect it. Cream. It was buttercream that had been shaped into what looked like a bush. "You have got to be kidding me." Another message opened up again to her husband.

Mari --> Lancaster: Mi Amore, the bushes are made of cream, I fell in one. Not pleasant. Beaches of biscotti, is insane. Your flames would melt - imagine a whip made of strand of melted sugar? painful. No?
Lancaster --> Mari: Are you....covered in cream?

Mari snorted, laughing. She wouldn't call herself covered but..

Mari --> Lancaster: Yes. I'm an awful mess.

Mari closed her messenger, then pulled a flask of water out of her inventory to wash her foot off. She had to switch out to sandals, not trusting the 'water' on this floor enough to wash off her regular boots in it. Mari began to head toward the outpost she saw on the horizon, feet crunching down on chocolate roads. Mari paused as it came into view, using her <<Disguise>> skill to mask her orange cursor - and for an extra safe measure she threw a mask on over her face. As the woman stepped into the town she noticed it was a single building. A towering junk shack - with sheets of crystalized sugar - fondant, and who else knew what kind of foods. Cerulean eyes shifted to one of the passerbys - an NPC. Beastkin? Furries? Another flick of her hand to open up her messenger.

Mari --> Corvo: So the 30th floor. Good for furries.

She closed it again. How odd...this single trip she had used her messenger far more than she had the last month. 

"Hey." Mari grabbed a passing anthromorphic wolf-like creatures arm. "Whats this place called?" 

The creature stared at her for a few moments before clearing its throat, Mari assumed it was smiling, although it was hard to tell amidst all that fur. "This be the Galleyrig. Home of the best craftsmen in all of the isles!" 

Galleyrig. Single building - home to crafting beastkin. Mari made a mental note of it as she looked around, her hand still clasped around the NPCs arm. He seemed to be trying to squirm free. "Aight, and how do I get up there?" Mari asked as she pointed to the highest point of the jumbled together shack. The creature blinked, looked at her then at the highest point of the building. "Oh! Normally we don't have that -"

"Please?" Mari insisted, in a commanding tone. It wasn't exactly a threat- but it was also intended to be one, as she squeezed his arm.

"W-We can make an exception!" He quickly said, and with that confirmation Mari finally let go, following him up crusty bread stairs - with walls made of some kind of biscuit. They reached the top, and a billowing flag fluttered. Rails made of candy cane. "Thanks." Mari said as she pulled out her HUD - already typing up notes for the area, and with a notebook, drafting out a basic map of the terrain.

"Swiftclaw." Said the beastkin. "Call on me if you need miss...?" He'd pause awaiting Mari to introduce herself.

Mari paused, she could introduce herself as near anything to this tribe. A floor of creatures who didn't know her, nor her past. To them, all they saw was an orange clad person. "Gingersnap." Mari replied with amusement. 
 

Crafts 13/09/2025
Post Link

253165, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:7, LD: 8) + 253170, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:6, LD: 10) + 253172, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:5, LD: 9) + 253174, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:7, LD: 8) Perfect Tierless Potion | Healies | HP RECOVERY III | 253175 

253166, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:10, LD: 8) + 253167, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:9, LD: 3) Perfect Tierless Potion | Healies | HP RECOVERY III | 253176

253168, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:11, LD: 1) + 253171-2, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:11, LD: 19) Perfect T4 Potion | Guard | Mit III | 253177


253171, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:11, LD: 19) + 253171-1, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:11, LD: 19) Perfect T4 Potion | Guard | Mit III | 253178


253173, Perfect TTierless Dessert, (CD:12, LD: 19) Perfect T4 Potion | Guard | Mit III | 253173
253173-1, Perfect TTierless Dessert, (CD:12, LD: 19) Perfect T4 Potion | Guard | Mit III | 253173-1
253173-2, Perfect TTierless Dessert, (CD:12, LD: 19) Perfect T4 Potion | Guard | Mit III | 253713-2

---
Respite Crafts 13/09/2025
Post Link

253179, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:6, LD: 19) + 253179-1, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:6, LD: 19) + 253179-2, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:6, LD: 19) + 253183, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:7, LD: 19) = Perfect Tierless Potion | 'Work Juice' | 253189

253180, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:10, LD: 1) + 253181, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:9, LD: 9) Perfect Tierless Potion | 'Work Juice' | 253190


253183-1, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:7, LD: 19) + 253183-2, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:7, LD: 19) + 253184, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:5, LD: 8) + 253187, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:6, LD: 18) Perfect Tierless Potion | 'Work Juice' | 253191

253185, Perfect TTierless Dessert, (CD:12, LD: 15)= Perfect Tierless Potion | 'Work Juice' | 253185
253185-1, Perfect TTierless Dessert, (CD:12, LD: 15) = Perfect Tierless Potion | 'Work Juice' | 253185-1

Eval'd for Fusion
253187-1, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:6, LD: 18)
253187-2, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:6, LD: 18)
253188, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:11, LD: 7)

Using: Custom Ambition Tool | Bunsen Burner | Obtained here -extended workshop active
Rank 8 - Provisional Master Alchemist:   Alchemist | Enchancements  2494/2559 -->2573 /2559 RANK UP!
[2560-5119 EXP] Rank 9 - Master Alchemist | Enchancements  2559/5119-->2559/5119

CRAFTING: 13/09/2024  
Perfect Tierless dessert 252432 | Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III
Perfect T4 Potion 251766 | 'Work Juice' | Crafters Respite

Experience Gained: 79
Materials Used: 9

253179, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:6, LD: 19) + 253179-1, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:6, LD: 19) + 253179-2, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:6, LD: 19) + 253183, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:7, LD: 19) = Perfect Tierless Potion | 'Work Juice' | 253189

253180, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:10, LD: 1) + 253181, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:9, LD: 9) Perfect Tierless Potion | 'Work Juice' | 253190


253183-1, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:7, LD: 19) + 253183-2, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:7, LD: 19) + 253184, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:5, LD: 8) + 253187, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:6, LD: 18) Perfect Tierless Potion | 'Work Juice' | 253191

253185, Perfect TTierless Dessert, (CD:12, LD: 15)= Perfect Tierless Potion | 'Work Juice' | 253185
253185-1, Perfect TTierless Dessert, (CD:12, LD: 15) = Perfect Tierless Potion | 'Work Juice' | 253185-1

Eval'd for Fusion
253187-1, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:6, LD: 18)
253187-2, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:6, LD: 18)
253188, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:11, LD: 7)
                           

Using: Custom Ambition Tool | Bunsen Burner | Obtained here -extended workshop active
Rank 8 - Provisional Master Alchemist:   Alchemist | Enchancements  2413/2559 -->2494 /2559

CRAFTING: 13/09/2024  
Perfect Tierless dessert 252432 | Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III
 

Experience gained: 81
Materials Used: 10

253165, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:7, LD: 8) + 253170, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:6, LD: 10) + 253172, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:5, LD: 9) + 253174, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:7, LD: 8) Perfect Tierless Potion | Healies | HP RECOVERY III | 253175 

253166, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:10, LD: 8) + 253167, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:9, LD: 3) Perfect Tierless Potion | Healies | HP RECOVERY III | 253176

253168, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:11, LD: 1) + 253171-2, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:11, LD: 19) Perfect T4 Potion | Guard | Mit III | 253177


253171, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:11, LD: 19) + 253171-1, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:11, LD: 19) Perfect T4 Potion | Guard | Mit III | 253178


253173, Perfect TTierless Dessert, (CD:12, LD: 19) Perfect T4 Potion | Guard | Mit III | 253173
253173-1, Perfect TTierless Dessert, (CD:12, LD: 19) Perfect T4 Potion | Guard | Mit III | 253173-1
253173-2, Perfect TTierless Dessert, (CD:12, LD: 19) Perfect T4 Potion | Guard | Mit III | 253713-2

                        

 Exiting from the floor below Mari winced, eyes burning from the sudden sunlight that pelted her face. She groaned as she turned her back on it and shut the door behind her - grumbling as she rubbed dancing spots away from her eyes. Mari fumbled around her inventory till she pulled out a pair of sunglasses then with a heavy sigh, repeated the process, pushing the door to the next floor open once again. Before her was a sprawl of glistening sandy beaches and soft salty waves that lapped at her feet. 

The sun, whilst its brightness wasn't exactly welcomed - the warmth was - especially after the murkey cold and dreary darkness of the floor below. It wasn't the first time Aincrad would do such a thing; the stark difference between the frozen tundra of the 4th floor, and the heated desert of the 5th... but there was something slightly odd about this floor. Mari's nose wrinkled, as she waited for her eyes to adjust she kicked at the sand, it landed in the sea and the sea....fizzed?

Mari tilted her head. Was it dangerous? No - it was washing over her boots earlier and there was no indication of any form of burning. Mari leaned down and dipped a finger into the water and swirled it around. It...honestly felt like soda.  Mari pulled out her finger and shoved it in her mouth. It was. It was...carbonated soda water. That was weird. Mari shifted her gaze up to the clouds. They....didn't quite look like clouds.

"No fucking way..." Mari said as she opened up her HUD to send a message to her husband.

Mari --> Lancaster:  So...Floor 30. I think its all made of candy and food.

She closed her HUD then ran a hand through the 'sand' Mari had been dabbling quite a bit into baking and she could tell straight away...it was akin to biscuit crumbs, ground up so finely that it mimic'd the look and almost the texture of sand. Again, Mari would eat a little bit of it to confirm her suspicions.

Was...this entire floor edible? Another series of messages went out; first one to a friend she hadn't really gotten a chance to catch up with, and the second - with the most well informed broker she knew.

Mari --> @Macradon Floor 30. Is. Food. 

Mari --> Raidou: Stepping foot into Floor 30. Place seems to be made of food. Carbonated water ocean. Sand made of biscuits. Cloud of...I think cotton candy or marshmallow? too far away to tell.

The woman stood and dusted off her hands. Unsure of what to make of this entire floor, it seemed almost too much like a paradise. She didn't trust it.

<<Assist System Engaged: Eruda>>
Level: 35
Paragon: 79
Tier: 4
True Tier: 14

Final EXP reward: +10%

Mari | HP: 1060/1060 | EN: 138/138 | DMG: 21 | MIT:143 | ACC:4 | AA  | FL.AURA: 8 | BH:58 | BRN: 56 | ENV-O: 32 | PARA-V | LD:5                                                                                                                            

Who knows how long the unconscious woman had been there like that, alone - pelted by a rain that slowly began to relent. Having dealt its icy blows - the storm satiated. Hours, maybe. Enough time for her health to tick back to full. Enough time for the sun to set to night. Enough time for another to find her. Mari barely heard the footsteps approach, the squelch of heavy boot in mud as his feet sunk deep into the earth. Mari groaned - hardly conscious as she heard his voice, reiterating that she had lost. Mari lifted a tired hand in an attempt to wave him away. Much like a child who wanted to sleep in would to a parent. It fell to the earth with a splat. Mari wasn't going to cry about it, if anything, Mari felt oddly at peace with the whole ordeal. "Oscar..." Mari mumbled. She was surprised to see him here. Well, hear him. Granted she had messaged him to let him know she may have to high tail it to his store - but when Mari used her crystal, shouting the Town of Beginnings - she was thrown here. Face first into the muck and grime of countless sinners before her. 

It took a great deal of effort to push herself away from the mud, rolling onto her back. Rain still speckled lightly against her face, trickles of dirt and grime washing away. At least the weather was slowly easing up. "M'tired." she muttered as she lifted an arm to sit over her forehead in a weak attempt to shield her face from the rain. More words were thrown at her. Not spat, but spoken with a still bluntness. Almost the kind of chastising a teacher would give their student. "Cry?" She asked, weariness dragging her voice low. "No." Cerulean eyes shifted over to meet his own. There was a heavy set weariness behind them, but she didn't feel defeated. Annoyed? Maybe.  "I'm just ...tired..." She hadn't allowed herself to rest, to sleep. Always fighting, always pushing forward. Bringing others up like Corvo and Reytac so they could handle the frontlines. Reigning in the fiery fury of her husband. Lurking around the Laughing Coffin to ensure they kept away from what was most precious to her. Amassing col, and materials. Not only for herself but for her guild. It was all so much. 

"I'm worth far more than the mud." Mari finally said after several long minutes of silence. She believed it too. In the past, she'd never say such things. Mari groaned as she sat up, almost slipping in the mud, she had to readjust herself. Falling forward and balancing her weight on the palms of her hands. Mari blinked away the blurriness that continued to ebb at the corner of her vision. "The old me woulda gotten mad." Mari said as she lifted her head up to meet Oscars steeled gaze. "The old me would have let myself die back there. Thinking it a sound and just fate. But...the old me died in that prison. Now...."

Now....

"The colour of the crystal that floats above my head doesn't define me. You can't take that away, nor can Redemptions wrath. The only who can - is me. So..." Mari attempted to push herself to her feet, her legs buckled beneath her - and the woman collapsed back into the mud. "Fuck" She'd say under her breath, before trying a second, then a third. Finally - Mari managed to do just that, barely pulling her body to a standing position. One, then two steps forward and Mari was leaning on Oscars shoulder for support. His words may have been cold, or cruel to some. But Mari understood the intention behind them, and appreciated his candor.

"What brings you here? I had told you I'd escape to your store but..." Her gaze shifted back to the entrance of the cemetery. "I didn't expect to be thrown here." Mari's eyes shifted to shadows unseen beyond her vision. Was it Freyd's watchdogs? Did Oscar have his own network keeping an eye on her? Or did he simply know to come here after waiting to hear from her all day.

"Boy do we have a lot to..." There was a pause in her speech as she faltered slightly, the world spinning. Her grip tightened on his shoulder for support. "T-To catch up on." Mari managed as she gave his shoulder a few gentle pats. So much to tell him, to update him on. Although....Mari began to wonder how much he already knew. Mari managed to offer him a small smile to reassure him but it faded just as quickly as it came. Mari was tired. Redemption, in the literal sense of the quest was out of her reach. But realistically....Mari had redeemed herself a long time ago.

Mari had one hand firmly planted on her hip, the other - on her satchel of tricks. She had only met this man once before - and he was with a purple haired woman who called herself Emilia. Although her real name was Khione. This was not a coincidence.  Running into Reytac - the footprints - “You were following me.” Mari said tersely as her hand dipped into her satchel. 

“Explain.” This didn’t bode well, at least not for Vex. He seemed to always be attached at Khiones hip. Mari remembered the name now. The interaction. How pissed Khione had been at Vex for him revealing her screen name.

“I’m totally wanting to search for a malamute!” Vex replied as he placed his hand over his eyes, glancing around. “I want one big enough to ride!”

Mari kept her hand on her pouch. She didn’t trust it. She didn’t trust him. Mari knew very little of him, aside from the fact he was dancing like a complete and utter fool at the Crab Boil, and that he had followed Khione like a lost puppy.

“Aight. Say I believe you.” Mari said. “Why this particular area of the forest?” She needed to alert Lancaster that people were sniffing around the house - but couldn’t do it with the man right in front of her.

<<ASSIST SYSTEM ENGAGED ASSISTING KHIONE>>
+10% FINAL EXP REWARD
Level: 1            
Paragon: 0            
Tier: 1
True Tier: 14

Mari | HP: 35/35 | EN: 25/25 | DMG: 15 | MIT:97 | ACC:4 | AA  | FL.AURA: 2 | BH:2 | BRN: 14 | ENV-O: 8 | PARA-V | LD:5                                                                                                                            

Crafting for 12/09/2025
POST LINK

252929, Uncommon TTierless Potion, (CD:7, LD: 14) + 252929-1, Uncommon TTierless Potion, (CD:7, LD: 14) + 252931, Uncommon TTierless Potion, (CD:8, LD: 3) + 252933, Uncommon TTierless Potion, (CD:7, LD: 9)= Perfect Tierless Potion | 'Work Juice' | 252939

252930, Rare TTierless Potion, (CD:9, LD: 5) + 252934, Rare TTierless Potion, (CD:9, LD: 10) = Perfect Tierless Potion | 'Work Juice' | 252940

252932, Perfect TTierless Potion, (CD:12, LD: 7)=Perfect Tierless Potion | 'Work Juice' | 252932


252935, Uncommon TTierless Potion, (CD:7, LD: 1) + 252936, Uncommon TTierless Potion, (CD:7, LD: 6) + 252937, Uncommon TTierless Potion, (CD:5, LD: 14) + 252937-1, Uncommon TTierless Potion, (CD:5, LD: 14) =  =Perfect Tierless Potion | 'Work Juice' | 252941


Fusing with previously eval'd items;
252938, Rare TTierless Potion, (CD:9, LD: 9)+ 252579, Rare TTierless Potion, (CD:11, LD: 6) Perfect Tierless Potion | 'Work Juice' | 252942


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

Crafting Respite for 12/09/2025
Post Link

252946, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:11, LD: 13) + 252946-1, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:11, LD: 13) = Perfect Tierless Dessert 252953 | Apple Danish | Loot Die III

252948, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:7, LD: 18) + 252948-1, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:7, LD: 18) + 252948-2, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:7, LD: 18) + 252949, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:7, LD: 4) = Perfect Tierless Dessert 252954 | Apple Danish | Loot Die III

252951, Perfect TTierless Dessert, (CD:12, LD: 17) Perfect Tierless Dessert | Apple Danish | Loot Die III
252951-1, Perfect TTierless Dessert, (CD:12, LD: 17) Perfect Tierless Dessert: 252951-1 | Apple Danish | Loot Die III

252944, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:11, LD: 1)=Rare Tierless Dessert  | Strawberry Shortcake Slice | Vitality II


Eval'd for fusion:
252943, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:6, LD: 16) 
252943-1, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:6, LD: 16) 

Using: Custom Ambition Tool | Chefs Knife | 251570
Rank 6 - Mentor Cook: | Enchancements  561/639--> 612/639
Rank 8 Alchemist - 9 Crafts Available!

CRAFTING: 12/09/2025
Perfect Tierless dessert 252434 | Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III
Perfect T4 Potion 251679 | 'Work Juice' | Crafters Respite

Experience Gained: 51
Materials Used: 6

252946, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:11, LD: 13) + 252946-1, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:11, LD: 13) = Perfect Tierless Dessert 252953 | Apple Danish | Loot Die III

252948, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:7, LD: 18) + 252948-1, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:7, LD: 18) + 252948-2, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:7, LD: 18) + 252949, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:7, LD: 4) = Perfect Tierless Dessert 252954 | Apple Danish | Loot Die III

252951, Perfect TTierless Dessert, (CD:12, LD: 17) Perfect Tierless Dessert | Apple Danish | Loot Die III
252951-1, Perfect TTierless Dessert, (CD:12, LD: 17) Perfect Tierless Dessert: 252951-1 | Apple Danish | Loot Die III

252944, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:11, LD: 1)=Rare Tierless Dessert  | Strawberry Shortcake Slice | Vitality II


Eval'd for fusion:
252943, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:6, LD: 16) 
252943-1, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:6, LD: 16) 
 

Using: Custom Ambition Tool | Bunsen Burner | Obtained here -extended workshop active
Rank 8 - Provisional Master Alchemist:   Alchemist | Enchancements  2332/2559 -->2413 /2559

CRAFTING: 12/09/2024  
Perfect Tierless dessert 252434 | Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III

Experience Gained: 81
Materials Used: 10

252929, Uncommon TTierless Potion, (CD:7, LD: 14) + 252929-1, Uncommon TTierless Potion, (CD:7, LD: 14) + 252931, Uncommon TTierless Potion, (CD:8, LD: 3) + 252933, Uncommon TTierless Potion, (CD:7, LD: 9)= Perfect Tierless Potion | 'Work Juice' | 252939

252930, Rare TTierless Potion, (CD:9, LD: 5) + 252934, Rare TTierless Potion, (CD:9, LD: 10) = Perfect Tierless Potion | 'Work Juice' | 252940

252932, Perfect TTierless Potion, (CD:12, LD: 7)=Perfect Tierless Potion | 'Work Juice' | 252932


252935, Uncommon TTierless Potion, (CD:7, LD: 1) + 252936, Uncommon TTierless Potion, (CD:7, LD: 6) + 252937, Uncommon TTierless Potion, (CD:5, LD: 14) + 252937-1, Uncommon TTierless Potion, (CD:5, LD: 14) =  =Perfect Tierless Potion | 'Work Juice' | 252941


Fusing with previously eval'd items;
252938, Rare TTierless Potion, (CD:9, LD: 9)+ 252579, Rare TTierless Potion, (CD:11, LD: 6) Perfect Tierless Potion | 'Work Juice' | 252942
                     

Thread Rewards

Mari | [Word Count: 10465/5 = 2093] * [True Tier: 14] * [Group Factor: 1] = 29302 EXP, Laurel Wreath: 4395 col, +1 Mon
+1 Guild token
440,000 Col
132 Materials

Reytac | [Word Count: 10465/5 = 2093] * [True Tier: 1] * [Group Factor: 1] = 2093 EXP . +1 Mon, +1 Guild Token , Materials 1 , 

Perfect Trinket T1 [8] 252271 , 252272 ,252273 ,252274, 252275, 252276, 252277, 252278

Perfect armour T2 [8] : 252353 ,252354 ,252355, 252356,252365, 252366, 252367, 252368 

Perfect Weapon T2[8]:[252737] , [252738] , [252739], [252740], [252741] , [252742] , [252743] , [252744]

Perfect weapon T2 (12): [252846]. [252847] , [252848], [252849] [252850] , [252851] , [252852] , [252853]  [252928] [252929] [252930] [ 252931] 25234, 252350, 252351 ,252352

So he wasn't aware if anyone was following him. Mari doubted he was being followed. It was either for her - or it was something else entirely. But something didn't quite settle right within her, and Mari was one to trust her gut feeling. Mari pushed herself up from her knees and wiped her hand on her tattered scarf. "Honestly, by the sound of it, it might just be coincidence." Mari wasn't convinced of that, but there was little worth in questioning him further, the man had no idea who told him to come to her store , nor did he have inclination of being followed.  The two continued through the snowy terrain till the walls of Snowfrost came into view - another pack of wolves jumped in front of them - but Mari once again, made very short work of them, with nothing more than a flick of a wrist and blade through digital flesh.

It was the last of the wolf packs, it seemed. They didn't follow this close to the main settlement. So Reytac was safe for now, and he was far enough away from her home for Mari to not need to worry about him finding out where she lived. It wasn't entirely a secret - but the less who knew her homes exact location...the better. "Honestly, yeh - working up skills like that is a pain - but, at some point you can become strong enough to gain a custom skill. She gave a small wave of her halberd. "This, for instance - is a skill from a friend. I grabbed it so I could build up a fortune big enough to be able to idle away. And to I guess..." She gestured with the end of the handle toward Reytac - it'd do no good for her to wave an actual blade under his nose. "Help out people like you from time to time. Who knows, yer dedicate yourself to gathering enough - and you may happen upon a custom skill that showers you in materials, shards, and scales. Just like this one showers me in col." They were at Snowfrosts doorstep now-

The guards saw Mari and raised their swords -pointing them at her, ready to charge and fight if she took another step closer. She was used to this, so Mari barely registered it happening. "Then again.." With a flash her weapon had been stowed away. "We may just become enemies one day - but for now. You're simply a guild member. Welcome to Jacobs Ladder, Rey."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Post Action | [x15] AOE-I (11 - 2 [Stamina] + 2 [Shift] + (2 * 4 Targets = 8) = 19 EN+1 Well Rested= -19 EN)
ID: 252928| 4+ 5 = 9 | Hit vs. Ice Wolf Dealing 390 Damage
ID: 252929| 9+ 5 = 14 | Hit vs. Ice Wolf Dealing 390 Damage
ID: 252930 | 4+ 5 = 9 | Hit vs. Ice Wolf Dealing 390 Damage
ID: 252931 | 1+ 5 =6 | Hit vs. Ice Wolf Dealing 390 Damage

Ice Wolf #45-48 | 0/372 HP | DAM: 124
Ice Wolf #45-48 | 0/372 HP | DAM: 124
Ice Wolf #45-48 | 0/372 HP | DAM: 124
Ice Wolf #45-48 | 0/372 HP | DAM: 124

Squabble up In effect!
40,000 Col
12 materials
Perfect Trinket T2 (4): [252928] [252929] [252930] [ 252931]
     -Trinkets passed to Reytac

EN+4
Mari | HP: 680/680 | EN: 55/100  55-19=36 EN | DMG: 26 | MIT:163 | ACC:4 +1AA| AA  | FL.AURA: 8 | BH:37 | BRN: 56 | ENV-O: 32 | PARA-V | LD:5 

MARI TOTAL LOOT:
+1 Mon
+1 Guild token
440,000 Col
132 Materials

Using: Custom Ambition Tool | Chefs Knife | 251570
Rank 6 - Mentor Cook: | Enchancements  526/639--> 561/639
Rank 8 Alchemist - 9 Crafts Available!

CRAFTING: 11/09/2025
Perfect Tierless dessert 252235 | Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III
Perfect T4 Potion 251678 | 'Work Juice' | Crafters Respite

Experience Gained: 35 EXP
Materials Used: 8

Eval'd for Fusion:

252868, Rare TTierless Dessert, (CD:10, LD: 9)
252869, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:9, LD: 15)
252869-1, Uncommon TTierless Dessert, (CD:9, LD: 15)
 

Using: Custom Ambition Tool | Bunsen Burner | Obtained here -extended workshop active
Rank 8 - Provisional Master Alchemist:   Alchemist | Enchancements  2255/2559 --> 2332/2559

CRAFTING: 11/09/2024  
Perfect Tierless dessert 252235 | Cheesecake Brownie | Ambition III

Experience Gained: 77 EXP
Materials Used: 8

"252854, Uncommon TTierless Potion, (CD:5, LD: 5) + 252855, Uncommon TTierless Potion, (CD:6, LD: 11) + 252856, Uncommon TTierless Potion, (CD:7, LD: 15) + 252856-1, Uncommon TTierless Potion, (CD:7, LD: 15) = Perfect Tierless Potion | 'Work Juice' | 252864
252860, Perfect TTierless Potion, (CD:12, LD: 19)= Perfect Tierless Potion | 'Work Juice' | 252860
252860-1, Perfect TTierless Potion, (CD:12, LD: 19)= Perfect Tierless Potion | 'Work Juice' | 252860-1
252860-2, Perfect TTierless Potion, (CD:12, LD: 19) Perfect Tierless Potion | 'Work Juice' | 252860-2
252861, Perfect TTierless Potion, (CD:12, LD: 6) Perfect Tierless Potion | 'Work Juice' | 252861
252862, Rare TTierless Potion, (CD:10, LD: 20) + 252862-1, Rare TTierless Potion, (CD:10, LD: 20) = Perfect Tierless Potion | 'Work Juice' | 252865

Eval'd for fusion
252862-2, Rare TTierless Potion, (CD:10, LD: 20)
                          

"I've been filling the guilds bank with coin and materials where I can." Mari began, "But I"m just one person. I can't do it all. Honestly...I got better things to be spending money on." She said, a little frustrated as she ran her hand through her hair. The guild was barely hanging on - Mari was doing her best to help where she could - but she had to keep reminding herself to take steps back. To focus on herself. She had a life now, a better one. A husband, with refined and expensive tastes - and she wanted to actually enjoy herself. No more denying herself anything and everything. "Lets see...Macradon, a good man - if I were you I'd offer him some kind of peeps - or strawberries when greeting him. Trust." Mari furrowed her brow when she watched him fail to collect another group of herbs. "You won't get anywhere like that. I'll make a note to make something to help. You can pick it up another day. It takes a while for me to get around." 

Mari slashed at another pack of wolves, all but one went up in flames - the final wolf went to snap at her face and Mari simply held her hand up, her fist clenching over its maw - the poor canine howled in pain as it tried to writhe out of her grip before its face exploded in a plume of fire - ending its life. Mari sighed as she brushed the ash off her shoulders, then wiped her face with her tattered scarf. Oh how the tables had turned. Normally it was Lancaster who would come home covered in ash and soot, now it was her. Mayhaps she should make a trip to the higher floors, and burn a bottle of whiskey, to round it off. If only it wouldn't take her the better part of an entire day to do so. 

"Rey-" Mari began - leaning down beside one of the footprints. She pointed at it so he could see what she was referring to. "To your knowledge were you followed? Do ya think it might have something to do with whoever sent you to me? Like, are you being watched?"

It wasn't said in an accusatory manner, Mari was curious - and slightly paranoid. She doubted the Coffin had sent him, he was far too green - even so, to her knowledge she still had the 'do not touch her' status from their current leader.

"I always need to be mindful of things like this, so don't take it to heart when I act the way I do. Normally, I'd leave you here, but I don't trust that we're alone. I'll take you as far as I can."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Post Action | [x15] AOE-I (11 - 2 [Stamina] + 2 [Shift] + (2 * 4 Targets = 8) = 19 EN+1 Well Rested= -19 EN)
ID: 252850 | 10 + 5 = 15 | Hit vs. Ice Wolf Dealing 390 Damage
ID: 252851 | 6+ 5 = 11 | Hit vs. Ice Wolf Dealing 390 Damage
ID: 252852 | 6+ 5 = 11 | Hit vs. Ice Wolf Dealing 390 Damage
ID: 252853 | 9+ 5 =14 | Hit vs. Ice Wolf Dealing 390 Damage

Ice Wolf #41-44 | 0/372 HP | DAM: 124
Ice Wolf #41-44 | 0/372 HP | DAM: 124
Ice Wolf #41-44 | 0/372 HP | DAM: 124
Ice Wolf #41-44 | 0/372 HP | DAM: 124

Squabble up In effect!
40,000 Col
12 materials
Perfect Trinket T2 (4): [252850] , [252851] , [252852] , [252853]
     -Trinkets passed to Reytac

EN+4
Mari | HP: 680/680 | EN: 70/100  70-19=51 EN | DMG: 26 | MIT:163 | ACC:4 +1AA| AA  | FL.AURA: 8 | BH:37 | BRN: 56 | ENV-O: 32 | PARA-V | LD:5 

MARI TOTAL LOOT:
+1 Mon
400,000 Col
120 Materials