Winik

Winik yawned widely, smacking his lips as he leaned against his spear. He rubbed his eyes with the back of his left hand, looking out over the group gathered in the plaza. Blinking dazedly, he couldn't help but notice the figure calling out into the crowd. "You looking for a spot of help, are you?," he called out, standing and stretching out his back.  He strode forward, swinging his spear up and across his back. "I'm always more than willing to help out a friendly face." He swiped his hand through the air, pulling up the menu that every player was now stuck with.  His finger struck air, interfacing with the opaque white menu. Scrolling through his inventory, he equipped his heavy armor and let it materialize in blue pixels around him.  The steel armour caught the light, the white speckles inside shimmering light starlight. 

"Is it just you? Or are you looking for more than just myself to join with you?," he questioned genially. "I do hope I can be of some assistance. The <<Long Live the Queen>> quest, yeah?" He looked at her over his menu, still manipulating the items in his inventory.  The mats and drops that he had managed to gather glared at him with how few there were, blaming him for their lack of company. Sighing to himself, he swiped his hand upward and dismissed the menu to bring his full attention to the figure now in front of him.

@Mutsu

kill(s) Being Dropped: 1H Straight Sword (Rank 1)
Mod(s) Being Dropped: n/a
SP Refunded: 5
Cost: 5000 col

Then that's just perfect. What should I do about my loose threads? I kind of dropped off the face of the earth on everybody..... >////>

I'm perfectly happy with some of my skills I do have. I just wish to change 2 handed assault spear back to shield as it was previously as well as changing my face claim if that isn't an issue.

@Neopolitan

I'd love any and all help converting things over to the new systems. My intentions are to get some help with respeccing Winik without losing his backstory. My wife and I wrote the backstory together, creating the character on here as a reflection of the one in her fanfiction. I'm just looking to change his stats without making things overcomplicated.

Hey all, I've been thinking of coming back but because of my schedule I'm only ever on super late in the evening. The issue is, I want to start over from the beginning but I don't want to lose all the work I put into Winik's backstory. Advice?

Winik sat on a bench, leaning heavily against his knees.  He watched the stream of players coming in and out of Zakariah's shop, his eyes widening as he thought he saw a familiar redhead. "That couldn't be, could it?" he muttered to himself, leaning forward even further and squinting his eyes in an attempt to discern if it was who he thought it was.  But it could't possibly be, or could it?  Ten thousand players had become trapped in this game, why couldn't individuals of this individual's status be one of the many.  People are people, even if they are potentially famous people. He slowly rose from the bench, inching forward as sneakily as he could.  After what felt like forever, Winik felt his back hit up against the wood of the doorway of Zakariah's shop.  He inched his head around the corner, trying to see into the shop while being unseen himself.  'Maybe I should have picked up the Sneak skill,' he thought to himself.

@Xander Rush

Winik looked at her puzzled, there wasn't a swamp on this floor.  "Are you sure you know where you are?  Their isn't a swamp on floor one, unless you're planning on going up floors.  I don't recommend it too much if you're too low leveled.  You don't want to bite off more than you can chew this early on." He tilted his head, trying his best to crack his neck as he quizzically looked at the grandmother in front of him.  Did she get this game to try to be closer to her grandkids?  Or his she just some loony old bat that wanted to vent some age old aggression.  He shrugged his shoulders, answering himself that it didn't really matter. "I'll help you out, if you're needing an escort.  I can't go to a floor that is way above my level, I have safety margins to remember.  People depending on me and all that." 

Winik cupped his chin in contemplation, "Not particularly.  Since I picked up the Cook profession, Boar meat would be great to work with." He shrugged his shoulders, dropping his arms to hang by his side.  "If you get scared, I want you to run, understand? I don't want you to over exert yourself and get hurt." He stopped, bending at the waist and bracing himself on his knees so he could look her in the eyes.  His usual grin had been replaced with quite the stern look.  He couldn't let anything happen to her, since they just met.  She was young, too young to be stuck in a game like this.  If no one was looking after her, he would for the time being.  Innocence is fleeting and she shouldn't have to lose hers just yet.  "Stay behind me during the fight, I'll draw their attention.  If they come for you, make sure you can get out as quickly as possible.  I will do my best to bring their attention back to me."

@Fae

Winik grinned widely at the nervous player, excitement coursing through his veins.  "Are you serious?! You want to join?," the tall player was practically dancing on the spot.  He clapped a hand heavily on Shepherd's shoulder, crossing his other arm across his body to rest his fist against his heart.  "This will make you my brother in arms, you know that right?  I don't like playing the leader role and let everyone else do the work.  I will be there alongside you all, I promise you that." Winik's grin had slipped from his face, his expression growing stern. He took oaths like this seriously, especially in a game like this.  The more people he had standing beside him, the more people he could protect and help. Everyone who stood with him was family, whether they knew that yet or not. "Unfortunately, I haven't even thought of a name yet," he said with a meek look, rubbing the back of his head with one hand. His downcast eyes notices a particularly large rock and he stooped to pick it up. Turning it over revealed the gemstone quality hidden inside. He let it disappear into his inventory as he continues talking to his friend.

@Shepherd

Winik waved her on, gesturing to follow him out into the town.  "I'll keep you safe, kid.  Nothing to worry about." Winik turned his head to grin at her, trying his best to alleviate any tension.  The duo made their way through the town, following the cobblestone streets and down narrow alleys.  NPCs made their way through their programming, voices calling out wares and others walking with their families.  "Strength isn't everything, some find their calling in being a support.  Not saying that's the way you should go, just one of the options.  Then there is something more stealthy, focusing on avoiding the hit instead of taking it.  Might be the best for you, but that's just an idea." He held his hands behind his head, stressing against his fingers to try and pop his neck.  The drink and food settled in his stomach, a feeling of content flooding through his veins.  'Maybe I should learn to brew some drink myself,' he thought to himself, contemplating the idea.

Winik stabbed his spear into the ground, leaning against it heavily. "I didn't have any other plans for the day, so why not?" Winik flashed her a grin, trying his best to ease her mind of any potential danger. "Are you doing the professions quest, Earning a Living?" He remembered back when he did that one, before he established his tavern on Floor 3. His best efforts were given on that quest, but the RNG wasn't happy that day and failed to help him actually find anything.  The only reason he got anywhere with that quest was due to Anemone helping him.  She gave him all the mats she had found so he had something to turn in at the end.  "It took me forever to finish that quest, but when I finally did it was definitely worth it. I've been able to rank up my Cooking skill, and have been doing my best to make the best food in Aincrad."

Winik strolled through the fields, bracing his spear across his shoulders and resting his arms on it.  He cracked his neck from side to side and yawned widely, smacking his lips loudly. "The first floor never changes, does it? Same old mobs and same old loots."  He swung his spear from his shoulder, dragging the tip through the grass around him as he made his way into a copse of trees.  Acting like the small child inside of him, he knocked his spear against the trees as he walked.  Branches and leaves rustled, the noise filling the silence.  That is, what silence you could find with the BGM playing on a permanent loop. Spinning it around his body, he noticed a figure leaning against a tree who sparked his interest.  He made his way over slowly, sticking to the wide open areas as not to distress the individual. "Hello there, what brings you out here?"

Winik took his eyes off of the distance, turning to address his compatriot. "I was solo at the beginning, having just gotten here, but I was later able to find someone I knew from the real world.  Me and her have been together ever since, you know?" He took a deep breath, smiling at the memories as he took a trip down memory lane. It had taken him forever to find Raeze and now she's safe with him. As safe as you can get with a tall man walking around in a suit of armor. They haven't started any of the more dangerous quests yet, taking it easy for now because she was worried.  He was hoping for that to change soon. "I've been trying to get a group of players together, a guild, to take on dungeons and quests together.  No man should have to fiht alone in such a harsh world.  I want a place of mutual benefits, where we could help each other with our professions and gear."

@Shepherd

Winik looked out over the fields, strolling out further with his hands held behind his head with fingers entwined.  "IRL I always wanted to open my own restaurant.  Someplace you can get good food and even better drinks, but my mom owns a general store and without my dad around she can't run the store alone.  So, I'll be stuck working there.  To make up for it, I opened my own tavern on floor 3, picking up the Cook Profession but I'm only Rank 2.  I've made some perfect items, but they're my only successes that could effect the system.  As you craft, you'll see that you'll need to pick up some tools from artisans and maybe some clothing items to help boost your chance with the RNG.  Everything circles back to money and gear, something that many have learned like I did.  So, if you find someone you trust with a guild or a group promise me you'll join them?  You seem like a really good guy, hell I'd love to see you stick around."

@Shepherd

"Vigilon, huh?" Winik lifted his refilled flagon once again and took a long drink.  He had quested with Vigilon once, but he didn't really know the guy.  There had been rumors floating around about a new guild starting but Winik had kept his nose out of business that wasn't his and he was going to keep it that way. "If you trust him, join up with him.  Safety in numbers and all that jazz," Winik replied, waving a hand noncommittally.  He took several long pulls from his flagon before slapping it back down on the bar and pushing back from his stool.  "If the player knows what they're doing, they can make anything taste amazing.  But only if they have mats.  I haven't been able to level my cooking skill due to that simple fact.  Now, I've got to go out to the fields and grind for some mats.  I haven't had the best luck recently, you see."

Winik took the lead, making his way in front of his smaller compatriot. "We were sent by Zakariah the Alchemist to deliver something to you," Winik foraged around in a pouch on his belt, momentarily drawing a heavy silence.  Finally, he was able to extricate the package and handed it off to Lyle Tealeaf.  The gruff blacksmith gave a nod before placing the parcel on a nearby work table. Winik couldn't help but feel frustrated that his curiosity won't be sated by learning what was inside, but that was the nature of quests.  Some led into others and some just didn't leave the player feeling satisfied.  He tried his best to wait patiently for the quest window to pop up so he could finish this one, but nothing was happening.  He shrugged to himself mentally, figuring Raeze was going to have to do something. He settled back against a table, leaning heavily against it as he waited for the petite player.

@Raeze

"Price is solely dependent on what quality you're looking for.  Unfortunately for me I aim to have perfect quality items, perfectionism and all that, which racks of the price.  But it's worth it if it can save your butt one of these days," Winik looked the player in the eye as he spoke, showing trust in the man who's party he was in.  Turning his gaze outward, he peered around him once more.

With a grunt of disappointment, he kicked the toe of his booth into the dirt and swore under his breath.  This was going to be much harder than he was wanting.  RNGesus never smiled upon him without some enhancements, but Winik was saving his consumables for another matter as he had only been able to craft two. "Gear can really put you where you want, as long as you've found a player you can trust.  I recommend making bonds with players early on in their crafting, you never know how they might return the favor later."

@Shepherd

Winik came into the shop, slightly leery of what he might find.  He had heard good things about the artist, but many also held comments about his mannerisms when out in the fields.  His head turned from side to side, taking in the shop.  He noticed the couches and order forms, making a beeline for them as he saw no one.  He had just settled himself into a chair and began filling out the order forms when a feminine voice broke through his thoughts.  He jumped in his seat, toppling the chair and himself backwards.  It took him a moment to extricate himself and straighten everything back up before he answered. "Just looking for custom work, I heard the artist here knows his stuff.  I won't be long, I promise." Settling himself back into the chair, he filled out the rest of the forms and held them out to the lady.  He hoped she didn't notice his slight shaking, but if she did she didn't say anything.

Winik walked into the shop, gladly welcoming the heat. He shook some loose snow from his armor and stamped his feet in attempt to warm himself up. Rubbing his hands together, he made his way deeper into the shop.  Impressed by the displays around him, his head swiveled side to side in attempt to see them all.  He raised his hands, cupping them around his mouth before gently calling out, "Hello? I'm here about some custom work and would like to place an order." 

He settled against the counter of the shop, where he noticed some order forms.  As he awaited an answer, he took to filling out two of them.  When he saw the prices, he let loose a long and low whistle.  Good thing he was a bit wealthier than he seemed, due to the charitable nature of a front liner.  He secretly hoped his order wouldn't be too much of a bother, he didn't want to take up anybody's time.

Winik took a deep, shuddering breath to calm himself down.  He made his way over to the table and gazed down on the mat and the tools lying there.  With a hefty sigh, he dropped the herbs into the mortar and hefted the pestle.  With a combination of crushing and grinding, he reduced the herbs to a fine green powder.  He lifted the mortar and strode to the cauldron.  Tipping in the ingredients, he took up a ladle and stirred the concoction 3 windershins.  The purple liquid turned deep red and he ladled some into a tall necked bottle.  Grinning in triumph, he turned to Raeze and presented his potion. "Took me long enough, don't you think."

"A fine potion indeed, young man.  Now I must ask you to take a package to an associate of mine, the blacksmith Lyle Tealeaf.  For your troubles, you may have a selection of the potions I offer in my shop."

A menu appeared in the air in front of both players, displaying their rewards and another chapter of the quest.  Pressing the circle button, Winik shot Raeze a grin before heading out of the store.

@Raeze

Winik strolled out into the field, dragging the tip of his spear through the grass as he lethargically moved around.  He yawned loudly, stifling it with the back of one hand.  The mobs just roamed around aimlessly, as long as he didn't draw aggro he'd be fine.  'It's been a little while since I've done anything,' he thought to himself. 'The lower floors are clearing out, leaving just the basic quests for every player to get.  Maybe if I see somebody in need of help I'll throw my hat in the ring.  There's nothing wrong with that." He walked along, idly spinning his spear in one hand.  The boars that gave him trouble when he first started aren't too much of a hassle anymore, freeing him up to help others.  This was a pleasant thought, giving him the gumption to actually be of help. In the distance, he could make out a figure but was unsure of any details.

@Martha

"They've all been taken in by those running the church.  They care for them, feed them, and protect them.  If you're alone, they're worth checking out." Winik braced himself against his hand, watching the young player.  She really was young to be here, she needed to find a group to protect her.  Especially if she was wanting to go out and explore the floors.  He didn't want to see her hurt, but he had too much on his plate right now.  "If you're going to go out on your own, you should at least join a guild that could help you.  Even a party of trustworthy players are better than nothing.  There's only so far you can go on your own." Winik yawned widely, taking his flagon in hand and draining it.  He smacked his lips, enjoying the flavor even though there was no alcohol present.  He needed to find some good drinking buddies soon, otherwise he'd be the only one to enjoy the good drinks in this game.

Winik cast his gaze across the field, taking mental notes about the mobs he could spot spawning out in the distance. Boars could be seen in the open fields and if one looked closely enough they would see wolves in the treeline.  Unfortunately, he didn't see anything that could be gathered as a mat. "I decided that I couldn't just stand and take the hits. That's not what I'm about, you see?  So, I heard there were some skills that could be used to heal and buff your teammates.  Since those are out there, I'm going to keep my heavy armor and try to soak up some of the damage, but I'll use enhancements on my weapons to hinder the opponent and give me time to help my team." Winik cupped his hand around his chin and lost himself for a moment in contemplation. "If you're looking into getting some gear, I know a blacksmith with some good prices and decent enough work. If you're interested."

@Shepherd

Winik huffed heavily in frustration.  Slamming the knife back on the tray, he tried switching to a thicker cleaver and reached for what appeared to be a severed frog leg.  He grit his teeth, eyeing the weird meat and he considered how he was going to do this.  He gripped it firmly around where the ankle should be and raised the cleaver high.  He brought it down, severing the joint and leaving him with two large hunks of meat.  He picked them up, strolling to a cauldron where he dripped what could be considered the bone marrow into it.  The cauldron changed to a deep purple and Winik took that as a good sign.  He leaned heavily over it, taking a large face full of rancid smoke as it billowed out just moments later.  He yelled angrily, turning and sending the meat hunks out the door to join the mortar and pestle he had already chucked out earlier.