Galilea

Galilea shook her head. From this point on she could feel the quest would only get more bothersome from here. Seeing as how she needed to locate a familiar first, she reckoned now would be the perfect time to use the mochi she had bought a few days ago. Retrieving the little snack from her inventory, she plopped the matcha flavored rice cake in her mouth and swallowed. It wasn't too bad, though a little bittersweet. Drafting the map, she flicked through the monster index available on each of the floors. If she was being honest, she wanted a snake familiar. Finding one would be a lot harder though. Thumbing through the known list of tamable creatures, she stopped on floor one. The catalog mentioned goblin snakes. The picture drew her in as it was larger than your average snake but only in size not so much length.

"This is the one," she gasped.

Flicking the menu away, she headed of for the forest. It seemed they spawned there. If she was lucky, not only would she find it, but she could tame it as well.

{Consumed 1 Super Lucky Matcha Mochi for +3 LD (+6 LD Total)}

And she would take it. Right from under them and with so little as a struggle. It’s be a power move to say the least, but she would need time to get there. And be effective with the time she had. Softened steps sounded behind her. Turning around, Galilea was met with the sight of an older woman. Her garb not of that of a player but rather nomadic in appearance. “What you seek, I have found. For what you need, is around. What you do, is up to you. I offer thy, Familiar Food.” Her hand was outstretched, a menu appearing before Galilea giving her the option to take the food or decline. “This must be her,” she thought. Sitting up, her hand hovered over accept. Hesitant, she glanced over the woman again. “Surely, there’s no harm in partaking,” she reasoned before clicking accept. “You have taken, what was given. What you use is up to you. Return what is left, and they’ll remain loyal to you.” In what seemed like a dream the gypsy was gone. Galilea scratched her head. How was she to return anything if she couldn’t find the gypsy again?

{x100 "Familiar Food" Obtained}

But what she couldn’t beat now, she’d have to join until later. Jacob’s Ladder was an easy choice. Almost to perfect an opportunity if she was being honest. What better way to overthrow the problem than to mask yourself as the solution that they want? Her eyes wandered along the sky. The clouds had silently parted. A nuance she would’ve glossed over at any other time, but this time it stuck out. Perhaps she was more in touch with their reality than she thought. She shrugged, her mind returning to the train of thoughts that were there only moments before. She grinned at the thought of getting leveled and gaining resources from this type of guild. Ones so eager to prove their worth that the true intentions she harbored wouldn’t go noticed until it was far too late. She wanted more. She wanted more than she ever had up until this point.

She had been through a lot the last few days. The amount of training and people meeting she had done was far more than she had ever accomplished before shutting herself in. Her fingers stretched out behind her. Interweaving with the blades of grass as she looked up to the clouds. It wasn’t often she had serene moments like this. The incident had all but ruined that for her. But that was of no matter anymore because it brought clarity. A cruel distinction between in here and out there in the real world. This was their new reality until the floors were cleared. She wouldn’t be victim to the tyranny of the upper floors and guilds any longer. No, she would exact her revenge and take what was hers. More importantly, she would free all the souls that were trapped like hers. This was her resolve against the oh so loved player killers and the front-liners.

Stats:

The rumor of an old gypsy roaming the lower floors had begun to pique her interest. The tale followed the gypsy’s triumphs in taming various monsters and making them into familiars. Galilea had heard a few of the tales and wasn’t sure if she could believe them. That is until, she had met Oikawa and King. The snow leopard cub was proof that familiars were possible, as was obtaining them. But the hardest part would be locating the gypsy to undertake the quest herself. Which brought Galilea to her current predicament. Her brow furrowed. She had already spent the better half of her morning scouring the first floor for her presence. The loose strands of purple dangling from her face, was pushed behind her ears as she pondered where to go next. The grass beneath her felt warm though. She wasn’t necessarily in a rush to lose enjoyment of a rather calming moment.

Name: Necklace of Harmonia
Profession: Artisan
Rank: 6
ID: 145989
Roll: 12
Item Type: Trinket
Quality: Perfect (Tier 1)
Enhancements: +3 Prosperity
Description: A necklace fabled after the one of the Greeks that instead grants the wearer more fortune.

Name: Sviagris
Profession: Artisan
Rank: 6
ID: 145992
Roll: 12
Item Type: Trinket
Quality: Perfect (Tier 1)
Enhancements: +3 Accuracy
Description: A simple ring modeled after the one of Norse mythos that gives an accuracy boost when fighting. 

Name: Ring of Gyges
Profession: Artisan
Rank: 6
ID: 145993
Roll: 12
Item Type: Trinket
Quality: Perfect (Tier 1)
Enhancements: +3 Evasion
Description: A ring based off of the mythical magical artifact that granted its owner the power of invisibility.

Post Link: Here

5/3/2020

Items:

+43 EXP

-5 T1 Materials (2 Salvaged T1 Materials)

Galilea hadn't been to many player-owned shops in Aincrad, but this one was only minutes away from where she was heading. After having learned her lesson from her last quest, she figured now would be a great time stock up on a few buffs for her upcoming quest. Just ahead of her was dark-haired woman. She seemed to be pondering over the menu above. Having made up her mind, she pointed out to some luck boosting food. Galilea was surprised that they were there for the same thing. Letting the woman collect her meals, Galilea approached the counter and pointed to the Matcha Mochi.

"May have two of those please?"

Purchased:

[x2] T2 | Super Lucky Matcha Mochi: +3 LD - 1400 Col

Maybe her luck was changing. Opportunity had a mysterious way of revealing itself. In this case, the cobra faltered in its next lunge. Whether it was miscalculation or dumb luck, the strike fell just short of the battered woman. Leaving it exposed to her blade as she lunged forward and delivered two quick successive blows to its form. The familiar etching of a "v" pulsated where she withdrew her blade. A small reminder that she had in fact hit the creature for once. Hissing, the cobra slithered backwards. This opened Galilea up to more room to maneuver around the snake. At this point she only had one goal. Kill the snake and invest in better gear. No longer can she let her accuracy suffer like this. Especially when there are far stronger monsters out there. Her resolve was set. All that stood before her and that goal, was the snake.

The Cobra Nepent had her backed into a corner. Its fangs on display as it hissed out at her. Slithering from branch to branch, it descended so that it was nearly level with her. Seeing an opportunity, she wiped at the head of the creature. Seeing it coming, the serpent ducked the incoming blade and sent a vine spiraling into her now exposed chest. The blow sent Galilea tumbling back. The wind only slightly knocked from her lungs as she once again struggled to stand up. However, a grin crept along her face. The icon of thorns damage pulsating on her HUD.

"If you continue this snake, you'll kill yourself before you kill me." Which was part of the plan to begin with. Bracing her shield once more, she waited for another opening to strike, if she was lucky, she could get in a hit before it retaliated and sent her flying back again.

Steeling herself, Galilea braced her shield for the incoming thorn-covered vines sent her way. Bashing back the twisting green ropes, Galilea swung out in frustration. The cobra was far nimbler than she and if it wasn't for her shield, she would no doubt be dead already. Her typical strategy was beginning to falter. Usually whether she hit the monsters or not, they often did more damage to themselves by hitting her. Unfortunately, she had managed to deflect enough of the attacks but not trigger her thorns to inflict that reflective damage. This was tiring and the fight had been dragging along quite a bit.

I really need to invest in accuracy. Expediting my future build will be more necessary than I thought, she mused. I need to get this snake to hit me. Or land an attack of my own. This back and forth of missing, is only prolonging the inevitable.

Name: Aladdin's Ring
Profession: Artisan
Rank: 6
ID: 145713
Roll: 12
Item Type: Trinket
Quality: Perfect (Tier 1)
Enhancements: +3 Loot Die
Description: A golden band that grants the wearer more luck when searching for loot.

Post Link: Here

5/2/2020

Items:

+28 EXP

-6 T1 Materials (1 Salvaged T1 Materials)

"Huh?" Galilea turned around at the mention of her name. Truth be told, she had stop listening to the boys as she searched for another boar. Trying to piece together what she had heard, she planted her blade and thought. "Hmm, well actually, I was roped in by all the promises of player leveling and a family. I really only joined because he," she nodded in Oikawa's direction, "approached me with an opportunity to achieve my own goals."

When said aloud, it sounded selfish, but she saw no reason to not tell the truth. Shrugging it off, her eyes scanned the trees before stopping once again. Another grin finding its way to her features as she plucked her sword from the earth and dashed forward. The boar had only shown its snout, but Galilea was upon it in a flash. Leading with her shield, she knocked the boar's attempt at a headbutt aside and dropped her blade down through its tusk. It was instantly depleted into polygons but left behind no tusks.

"Well, now we have to find the rest. I still need two more tusks," she muttered.

@Oikawa

Galilea: 1/3 Boar Tusk(s)

Stepping back, she thought about it. She would have to fight it if this didn't work. And though she had half her energy back, this fight would be drawn out at best.

Side-stepping another whipping vine. Galilea scanned area. To her left was a thicket of shrubs that she could duck into if need be. Back behind her lied the vines that entangled the only actual pathways she was familiar with and now directly ahead of he awaited the cobra itself. She sighed. This quest had become far more bothersome than she had expected.

*Thwack*

Another vine came careening into the side of her shield as she was knocked off balance. Stumbling back, she had to make up her mind. Unfortunately, that meant she also needed to kill the cobra. It didn't seem as if it'd allow her to pass anytime soon. She'd have to go through it. Gripping her blade, Galilea stood and eyed the serpent.

"Well snake, now I have to kill you"

She searched for an exit. The vines the cobra had unleashed had begun to cover the openings between the foliage. She was unsure which way would lead back to the village. The serpent began to stir. She was running out of time to decide. Picking a spot across the way from her, Galilea began to make a break for the tree line. However, her attempt was futile as she heard a rustle of leaves. Turning around, she noticed the serpent was no longer laying on the ground. Turning back around, she quickly found out where it had gone. Hanging from one of the branches the serpent loomed over her again. "For Gods sake," she yelled out. This snake would be her undoing if she didn't break away from it soon. She needed a better escape plan. She skimmed over her options. They were limited if she was being honest. Would she have to fight her way out?

If this fight was any indication, Galilea would need to invest in accuracy. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Going back and forth with the Cobra had not only left her energy nearly emptied but the plant still had half its health bar. There was no way she would be able to find the other Nepents in a timely manner now. The village would just have to hold out a little longer. Bear with me. This was never part of the plan, her thoughts rattled.

There!

An opening had appeared. Rolling forward, she lunged at the Nepent. Cutting a square into the creature, she managed to land a concussive blow to the top of its hood. Reeling back, the snake slithered about before becoming still. Certainly, she hadn't done enough to kill it but perhaps this would give her time to flee. She hated the idea of running away, but she needed to find the item still and without accuracy, quest would only become much harder.

She just couldn't catch a break, however. The cobra wrestled free from the clutches of the trees and canopy above. Freely lowering itself back down to the ground where Galilea stood. It seemed to be mocking her as it swayed back and forth. The antics were nearly effective, but Galilea remained put. Catching a glimpse of the swirling vines that would envelop her the second she took a step. Instead, she raised her shield. The move was a feint, but effective as Cobra lurched forward at her. Angling the shield to her left, she sent the strike careening off and exposing the mass left behind the snake's body. The plant-like body moved just as quick though as it suddenly jerked forward and away from the edge of her blade. Pivoting on her heel, Galilea whipped around to face the creature once more. She was confident she could land her next hit, she just needed to time it better on her next attack.

Gathering herself, Galilea scouted her next target. Since the snake itself remained so high up, Galilea would have to continue to aim for the vines it left hanging within her reach. Spotting a few of them to her left, she darted towards them. Again, the snake saw this attack and promptly removed them from her swords range. Her attacks were just too slow, and her blade was simply too short to effectively pin down an attack while the serpent glided from limb to limb above. "Why don't you come down here and fight like before your overgrown plant? You were so confident in your attacks before! What changed now?" she belted out. She was becoming irritate with herself more than anything. She needed to hit this thing to kill it and at her rate it would be days before that happened. Glancing at its health, she figured another speck of thorns would nearly drop it to half.

However, as seconds passed, the attack seemed like it would never come. The Cobra Nepent seeming very unbothered with attacking and instead waiting for Galilea to strike. She was tempted to give it exactly what it wanted but thought better of it. Her strategy was already set. Though she hated how cowardly it felt to try and kill the snake without taking any actions against it. And just that quick, her pride had gotten the best of he as she lurched forward into an attack. Selecting a few of the hanging vines in her view, she made her way to them and let her blade swing upward. Instinctively, the snake re-arranged the whip-like vines and brought them closer to the snake itself. This sudden movement caused her to miss entirely and expend even more energy and closer to the snake's territory. She didn't care though. Galilea was going to hit this snake at least once if it was the last thing she did.

The two paced back and forth. It would seem that either what she thought, was said out loud, or the Nepent had finally had enough of her thorns. Slithering back into the trees, the snake let its vines hang as a reminder it was always in striking distance of the girl. Galilea was frustrated to say the least. Tch. How? How do I beat this thing without just letting it hit me repeatedly? Her thoughts were occupied as the fight seemed to stand still. Neither party willing to move for fear of being damaged unexpectedly. This would be the ideal scenario for Galilea if she had battle healing as a skill, but she didn't and as such her health would continue to remain where it sat until she either ran away or killed the Nepent. Gritting her teeth, she steeled herself in preparation of another attack from the snake-like plant.

Struggling to keep up, Galilea felt it was unnecessary for the game to toy with her this much. It wasn't often she found herself in situations like these, but somehow, she felt truly undeserving of this twisted fate she found herself a part of. Mathematically, she should have been able to find an opening and land a hit by now. Their natural attack chain gave them a fifty-fifty chance of landing a hit on any given attack. Yet somehow, she had managed to not only miss all her attacks so far, but also found herself so out matched by the speed of the snake that she couldn't land a blow even if she wanted to. Her thoughts were scattered, and her sense were dulling as she once again was met with another slam from the snake. Thorns made another appearance and caused the snake the shriek and slither back. Hmm perhaps this will have to be for now. Keep letting it hit me and let it kill itself against my thorns.

Searching for a solution, Galilea was once again caught off guard by the Nepent's sudden aggression. Slithering down to the ground, the emerald serpent let vines snake around them once gain cornering the purple haired girl. Soloing was going to be the death of her. Her build wasn't meant for long engagements one on one. At least not yet. She didn't have the damage nor the defense to do this long term. She searched the surround area for ways out, but her vision was quickly obscured as the Nepent launched yet another attack. Vines crushed her frame. The whipping snaps taking aim at her health, causing it to drop even closer to her half-way point. But like clockwork, the non-critical attacks had repercussions for the snake. Its health bar dipped lower as Thorns activated again. She sighed. This fight would be much worse if she didn't have Thorns to bridge the gap between herself and the serpent.

The Cobra Nepent sized her up. A flickering tongue hissing and wriggling about as the emerald scales snaked and shimmered from tree to tree. The Nepent knew it had her right where it wanted and would need little to know effort to achieve its goals. Galilea panted. Her breath coming in short uncontrolled bursts as she tried to think her way through the predicament. This was her first fight where she was uncertain if she would win or if her abilities would be enough. She didn't doubt that the snake could feel the fear in her. Its green eyes unwavering as it waited to see what she would do. However, Galilea was frozen from fear and this left the Nepent no choice but to once again make the first move. Even though she saw it, her legs were unwilling to cooperate. Suddenly the full weight of the snake was upon her shield and caused her to go careening back. Though her thorns managed to activate and send some of the damage back, she was losing this fight quickly.

However, she would be completely wrong as she fell into the Nepent's trap. The plant creature had merely allowed her to think she was in control of their fight and took advantage of her lack of knowledge accordingly. Exposing itself for the briefest of seconds, the Nepent sent several vines out from its side into an arc around Galilea. Noticing far too late, Galilea was quickly overwhelmed by the crashing verdant whips that were sent raining down upon her. Collecting herself from the critical blows she had taken, Galilea could only glance up at the creature. With her accuracy so low, she was going to need a miracle to make it out of this bout without dying and she didn't like knowing the Nepent was in near full control of her fate. Clutching her shield, Galilea laced it between her and the Nepent and kept her eyes peeled for its next move.