Gwydion

Gwydion's imagination was on overdrive. His arm felt that numbness again, so he didn't even bother to get up. He turned his head to watch the wolf, which zoomed over him, smashing into the dirt road. Multiple times. Was its AI broken?

His mind was numb, too. This fight was the longest he'd ever be in, probably. He began to drift as you do in the shower, constructing a power fantasy...

Gwydion soared through the sky on great fiery wings. His blade was wreathed in flame and his armor glowed red. Nothing could harm him, here, not even God himself; he was above the heavens.

His keen eyes picked out the slightest movement below. He plunged down, breaking the sound barrier, and struck the earth with a resounding boom. The wolf looked up, fear in its eyes, and Gwydion struck down the foul beast. Its body burned and shriveled away.

[Wolf] [HP: 4] [DMG: 8]
[Gwydion] [HP: 20 (miss)] [EN: 1 (0 + 1)] [MIT: 17 (8 from Heavy Armor) (9 from Mitigation Enhancement)] [DMG: 2 (1 from Damage Enhancement)]

(93961 - BD 4, MD 1) (I initially forgot I couldn't attack)

Gwydion gave a toothy grin. "Just... if you see a silver flower - four petals, hard feeling stem - avoid it. I suffer from flower PTSD."

And he knew he could trust Nova. Her introduction wasn't whacking him on the head with a sword, after all, and her offer of coffee was an eight on the ten-tiered friendly scale.

"A boost to looting would be useful, but I request the strength giving coffee. Thank you. And I apologize for my initial bearing." He slacked his shoulders and curved his back some, trying for a casual posture, though a voice in his head said he looked stupid.

He heard a voice. Gwydion turned sharply, tense, jumping a bit, but listening to the words he concluded this was another to trust. He knew Nova.

"I'm Gwydion, good man." He bowed for this one, too, making a flourish with his hand.

Then he eyed the area for plants, but found none, unfortunately. "There's nothing about."

(93960 - LD 4)

Gwydion was wary as he walked through the forest. He'd received a message from a local player that proclaimed a search for hidden items. Normally he'd ignore the announcement - and leave area, too - but the wording was sincere, and he needed allies, anyway.

He crept along, careful not to make sound, and saw a girl through the the leaves. She didn't seem at all intimidating or hostile, adorned in fuzzy winter attire. That probably meant she wasn't a thug, but he'd rather be careful than dead. Gwydion sneaked forward for a closer look, but stepped on a twig, causing a resounding crack.

Well, no use hiding now. He stood and strode to the girl, trying to exude an air of power in case she was a bad type.

He gave a short bow, said, "Greetings. I've received your message. I'm Gwydion, the..." He scratched his chin. "The man who's... come here. We're to gather, you wrote? Avoid silver flowers." He cringed.

Gwydion (Level 1) (20 HP) (2 EN)

Equipped Items: Steel Arming Sword, Steel Plate Armor. Battle Ready Items: (5) Healing Potion. Skills: Heavy Armor I.

He swung his blade, looking for a nice, clean blow on the wolf's forehead. It moved, of course, and since Gwydion committed too much force to the attack, he stumbled. He heard the wolf fly over him, then land with impact.

Well, here they were, the lowest of the low, save for those boars. Gwydion was the weakest you could possibly be in this game, and the wolf was both fake and stupid. He felt a kinship with the beast. The winner of this conflict would emerge an improved man/wolf; Gwydion would gain an item or something, and the wolf would have bragging rights with its buddies: "Gois, gois, you won't behleeeve wot I did. I keel'd an ahdvenchur, all by moi'self." His friends, one of them being a giant red dragon, would laugh with a dismissive wave. "Yesh, but did you shlay a whole guild? I tell you, I killed every one of them playersh, frontline, backline, midline, and whatever other linesh they have.

[Wolf] [HP: 4 (miss)] [DMG: 8]
[Gwydion] [HP: 20 (miss)] [EN: 0 (1 + 1 - 2)] [MIT: 17 (8 from Heavy Armor) (9 from Mitigation Enhancement)] [DMG: 2 (1 from Damage Enhancement)]

(93937 - BD 1, MD 2)

The wolf pounced. He placed his palm under the beast, helping it leap over him, then removed the hand. It fell, and Gwydion slashed, leaving a red scar on the wolf's back. It didn't seem to be getting up any time soon.

Gwydion noticed a few boars snorting and drawing near.

"Alright, no, I'm not in the mood for this - c'mere, bud," he said, hefting the wolf and carrying it over his shoulder. He dashed down the road. The boars gave sloth-like chase for a second, then quit, looking like a street gang that just saw a cop.

Gwydion felt claws on his back. "Rude," he said, tossing down the wolf. "That's a coward's tactic. And when I saved your life! I think I'll take it now."

It growled. Attacked. He dodged.

"No comment?"

It swiped, missed.

"Alright."

Gwydion gripped his sword. Two more blows should do it. He hoped to whatever gods might be watching that he wouldn't miss.

[Wolf] [HP: 4 (2 damage)] [DMG: 8]
[Gwydion] [HP: 20 (miss)] [EN: 1 (2 + 1 - 1)] [MIT: 17 (8 from Heavy Armor) (9 from Mitigation Enhancement)] [DMG: 2 (1 from Damage Enhancement)]

(93935 - BD 8, MD 1)

He snapped the stem! Gwydion was utterly inept at anything plant related.

The wolf bolted to the plant's old location as Gwydion jerked back. It didn't attack; it seemed transfixed by the smell. The beast's eyes crossed, and Gwydion swore he saw a canine smile cross its face. Was it some sort of drug for wolves?

It rolled on its back, tongue out like a dog, panting. Gwydion was half tempted to give it a rub. But in an instant it was back up, snarling. Why did the wolf react so strongly this time, but not the others? The smell was more powerful...

He should... do something. Kill the monster, probably. With his luck, the wolf would just continue chasing forever. But it just gave a cute display. How could he kill something so cute?

Gwydion shrugged. It was fake. He raised his blade, but made no stance; this was not an honorable kill, just a play for drops.

[Wolf] [HP: 6] [DMG: 8]
[Gwydion] [HP: 20 (miss)] [EN: 2 (1 + 1)] [MIT: 17 (8 from Heavy Armor) (9 from Mitigation Enhancement)] [DMG: 2 (1 from Damage Enhancement)]

(93934 - LD 10, MD 5)

They continued their Hollywood chase scene. Gwydion jumped over a bewildered boar - it stood in the middle of the street. The wolf had to go around, separating them further. But it still followed! This was a persistent, annoying, stupid beast.

Wait... was that...

A silver glimmer shone further down the road. It was one of the flowers. Gwydion thought old man Zack said they grew in the forest. In fact, he'd seen it himself; they did. So why send him to the forest when the plains, easier, closer, and clearer, hosted them? He'd have to interrogate the alchemist when he picked that flower.

The wolf was already on his heels and did no harm. With that in mind, he stopped abruptly by the plant, and the wolf's bite missed by an inch as it slid past him. He bent down to pick it, and the wolf flew over his head.

[Wolf] [HP: 6] [DMG: 8]
[Gwydion] [HP: 20] [EN: 2 (1 + 1)] [MIT: 17 (8 from Heavy Armor) (9 from Mitigation Enhancement)] [DMG: 2 (1 from Damage Enhancement)]

(93933 - LD 11)

Gwydion turned and ran.

He wasn't a coward. He could literally beat any number of wolves; they didn't damage him. But this battle was so drawn out that it'd take less time to run than to fight. So he dashed, wolf at his tail.

He didn't care for the water this time, bounding through it. The wolf hesitated, giving Gwydion an advantage. He pounded over the hill - by the top, he was breathless - and down the other side, brought to the plains. As before, boars lazed about. He saw the Town of Beginnings in the distance.

The beast pursued. How long would it take before it gave up? Hopefully Sword Art Online wasn't one of those games where monsters had heat seeking vision once combat began. It picked up speed, mouth opening, but Gwydion reached inside and found his own burst of energy, keeping the distance. Boars watched them pass.

[Wolf] [HP: 6] [DMG: 8]
[Gwydion] [HP: 20] [EN: 1 (0 + 1)] [MIT: 17 (8 from Heavy Armor) (9 from Mitigation Enhancement)] [DMG: 2 (1 from Damage Enhancement)]

(93932 - LD 13)

Gwydion wrestled with the wolf. He wrapped his arms around its back and turned over, trying again to pin it. He used his feet to restrain the rear legs and hands the front. And it worked. But... what now? He couldn't attack like this.

He picked it up like a toddler. It struggled in his grip, but he was able to run it to the stream - which was close - and toss it in. The wolf scrambled like a cat when it hit the water, and, enraged, it kicked up a storm of droplets as it leapt at Gwydion, who couldn't evade.

He offered his arm, and the wolf dug in its fangs. Its eyes flickered from Gwydion's aloof face to its teeth embedded in his wrist.

"Done?"

It retreated to shake its fur. The most damaging part of its attack was the water that got on Gwydion. He drew his blade and sliced down, but the creature was watching and shifted its body; he missed.

"... I am."

[Wolf] [HP: 6 (miss)] [DMG: 8]
[Gwydion] [HP: 20 (20 - 0) (8 damage - 17 mitigation)] [EN: 0 (1 + 1 - 2) (miss)] [MIT: 17 (8 from Heavy Armor) (9 from Mitigation Enhancement)] [DMG: 2 (1 from Damage Enhancement)]

(93931 - BD 3, MD 6)

Gwydion sighed. He couldn't bring himself to attack; his arm was asleep. But, looking at the boulder from before, he had an idea.

He backed away, keeping the wolf in sight. It slunk forward. Gwydion heaved himself on the rock again, narrowly avoiding a chomp. Then he walked to the other edge and waited for the thing.

A clawed paw latched onto the lip of the boulder. A snout appeared, then turned down, revealing the wolf's furry, hateful face. It pulled itself on with powerful arms.

Gwydion wasn't sure if this would work. He sheathed his sword and assumed the stance of a sumo wrestler.

The wolf took one step, then another, slowly, then shot at him. Its trick worked, making its attack unanticipated; this time it fell on Gwydion as they crashed to the ground behind the boulder. He cringed. Again, if this was real, it'd... hurt. His back would be broken; he landed on a rock.

[Wolf] [HP: 6] [DMG: 8]
[Gwydion] [HP: 20 (20 - 0) (8 damage - 17 mitigation)] [EN: 1 (0 + 1)] [MIT: 17 (8 from Heavy Armor) (9 from Mitigation Enhancement)] [DMG: 2 (1 from Damage Enhancement)]

(93930 - MD 7)

Gwydion considered the ramifications of mitigation while the wolf attacked. This creature was helpless against him, and the boars in the plains would be even weaker. The wolf's health bar was half empty. The game seemed unbalanced. Perhaps this was intentional - they didn't want to scare off new players with difficult battles right out of the gate. Well, he wasn't complaining.

It squinted with yellow eyes, and had stopped its growling. Was the wolf learning? Did it realize it couldn't do anything?

Curious, Gwydion stood on his toes and held out his arms. He tried to make his figure large as possible. Then he made a deep, guttural growl.

No, he was wrong. The beast barreled towards him. He sidestepped and made an attack, as he did the first time, and though the wolf missed, he did too. His arm suddenly felt heavy; he couldn't lift it to strike again.

[Wolf] [HP: 6 (miss)] [DMG: 8]
[Gwydion] [HP: 20 (miss)] [EN: 0 (1 + 1 - 2) (miss)] [MIT: 17 (8 from Heavy Armor) (9 from Mitigation Enhancement)] [DMG: 2 (1 from Damage Enhancement)]

(93929 - BD 3, MD 2)

Gwydion wasn't having much fun anymore. The lack of danger seeped out any real meaning to this fight. Shouldn't he wish for that, though? This was a death game, and he was wishing for a fair match.

He dodged the wolf's charge, but it rebounded from a tree like a rubber ball; he ducked this, then the agile little beast bit his leg. Wondering if it could do any damage, Gwydion let it bite a few more times, but nothing happened.

So he flung out his arms and stood tall from his ducked stance, flinging the wolf away. Then he pointed with his sword. Might as well do some tests, while it's safe.

Again the creature came. He lunged, piercing it on his sword, then ripping the blade out. So thrusts worked. They weren't very realistic, but this game didn't exactly claim realism; inns had modern amenities, and with high enough armor you didn't take any damage.

[Wolf] [HP: 6 (8 - 2) (2 damage)] [DMG: 8]
[Gwydion] [HP: 20 (10 - 0) (8 + 1 damage - 17 mitigation)] [EN: 1 (1 + 1 - 1) (attack)] [MIT: 17 (8 from Heavy Armor) (9 from Mitigation Enhancement)] [DMG: 2 (1 from Damage Enhancement)]

(93928 - BD 6, MD 9)

They did the dance of one-sided death. Gwydion scoured his surroundings for something cinematic and found a boulder large enough to jump on. He ran for it, and the wolf gave chase; but its delayed reaction gave him a moment to leap onto the rock. He scrambled atop and turned, warding the wolf with his shining brand.

It made a spring for his foot, which Gwydion anticipated; he slashed the wolf on its snout, but in doing so was distracted and didn't move his feet quick enough. Its teeth skewered his foot, but he didn't feel holes, only static. He slid off the rock right on top of the creature, and they landed in a jumbled heap.

Gwydion tried to pin the wolf down, but it writhed out of his grasp. He stood again and brandished his sword.

The wolf's health bar was steadily decreasing. Gwydion sighed; he still had a way to go. He'd need more props.

[Wolf] [HP: 8 (10 - 2) (2 damage)] [DMG: 8]
[Gwydion] [HP: 20 (10 - 0) (8 damage - 17 mitigation)] [EN: 1 (1 + 1 - 1) (attack)] [MIT: 17 (8 from Heavy Armor) (9 from Mitigation Enhancement)] [DMG: 2 (1 from Damage Enhancement)]

(93909 - BD 8, MD 6)

Gwydion just stood. He hefted his sword, striking a pose - hand beckoning, blade held aloft and angled down, feet spread - and he grinned like an idiot. Puffing his chest, he yelled, "Come out, little beast! Your strikes do me no harm!"

He was knocked to the ground, and he ate dirt. There were probably grid-filled gashes on his back. Maybe Gwydion couldn't take damage, but he definitely could taste. He pulled to his feet, set his jaw, locked his stance.

The wolf skidded, kicking up dust. Gwydion advanced. It held its ground, growling, until he neared. Then it leapt for a second strike, but Gwydion battered it aside with his blade, leaving a neon scar. At this point, it was just mindless grinding; but no traditional game would provide this adrenaline or fun of moving the body.

The combatants circled each other. The wolf narrowed its eyes, focused. Gwydion stared menacingly - and perhaps jokingly.

[Wolf] [HP: 10 (12 - 2) (2 damage)] [DMG: 8]
[Gwydion] [HP: 20 (10 - 0) (8 + 2 damage - 17 mitigation)] [EN: 1 (1 + 1 - 1) (attack)] [MIT: 17 (8 from Heavy Armor) (9 from Mitigation Enhancement)] [DMG: 2 (1 from Damage Enhancement)]

(93908 - BD 7, MB 10)

Hey, I'm Gwydion! I've known about this forum for a while. I started with Sycress (LOL:)

I like using my imagination. I can write, draw, and make music, and though the formers are okay while the latter is horrible. (Note: I can't color for my life.) I'm mainly here to improve my writing; SP and Col are good motivators, as are your guildmates! I also love roleplay, of course, and the setting of SAO is super interesting.

Also, I'm hopelessly addicted to symbols and stuff. -'s, ;'s, ,'s, )'s, etc.

The wolf charged, fangs bared, spittle flying from its mouth.

Gwydion dug his feet into the ground. He raised his blade; this was not a human opponent, and wouldn't take the advantage. He fought the urge to flee, instead waiting for his chance to strike.

The beast leapt, and Gwydion stepped to the side, bringing down his blade - but he was too late. Its teeth raked a glowing gash in his side, though he did smite the creature on its back. He clenched his teeth, expecting pain, but none came - only a tingling, as if the cut were asleep.

He swiveled to face the thing, but it was gone from sight. Gwydion frantically looked around, knowing exactly what would happen next. It'd come behind him, and he wouldn't have time to react before it -

Huh. In the top-left corner of his vision, he noticed something.

Gwydion took no damage. He'd half a mind to laugh, to let the thing rip into him. Armor was good.

[Wolf] [HP: 12 (14 - 2) (2 damage)] [DMG: 8]
[Gwydion] [HP: 20 (10 - 0) (8 damage - 17 mitigation)] [EN: 1 (2 - 1) (attack)] [MIT: 17 (8 from Heavy Armor) (9 from Mitigation Enhancement)] [DMG: 2 (1 from Damage Enhancement)]

(93886 - BD 6, MD 8)

The final flower was in the oddest place. Nothing surrounded it; not even grass. It was in a bare patch of dirt with no vegetation around, and even the leaves relented, creating a bright column.

"Don't mess it up, you," he said. "Alright." Gwydion wrung his hands and knelt with finality. He put himself in the zone, meditating for a moment on the concepts of flowers, stems, and wolves. That final idea gave him motivation.

(93879 - LD 2, Fail)

Eyes closed, he accidentally grabbed the stem. The crack resounded. Gwydion cringed.

The scent came again, and a wolf came crashing through the trees.

Gwydion ran. It was on him. His armor wasn't helping, and the wolf blocked the direction of Horunka. He leapt over a log, then ducked under a branch, but the wolf followed with ease. It's the first quest - it can't be that hard! Be brave! Legs weary, he stopped and drew his sword, shouting a battle cry.

Gwydion continued his search. Still a bit flared, he used his sword to cut a path through bushes, though he could've dodged them. But that only got their plant juice on his blade.

The next flower was seen in a small cave. He carefully climbed down its jagged wall, then squat to harvest the thing. Gwydion was sick of this. "Please work."

(93878 - LD 15, Success)

He picked the flower. It came out with some trouble, but blessedly didn't break. He was getting the hang of this.

Gwydion searched the cave for hidden valuables, but it appeared Sword Art Online was not that type of game. The most he found was a shiny rock, which, though pretty, wouldn't enter his inventory. Grumbling to himself about difficulty and time, he crawled out.

Realization! He'd only one flower to go! This was the best day in, what, a day? If he failed next time, he'd... well, he'd continue looking, but thump himself good first. After evading the sharp-fanged beast, of course.

Gwydion felt frustrated. He was continuously bested by flowers. However, taking this chance to practice, he tried calming himself as he continued his quest.

He went to the glistening stream and walked its banks. Soon, he spotted silver; but it was on the other side, and Gwydion didn't much want to wade through the stream, so he looked for another way across.

Further down was a place with scattered rocks, large enough to hop across. He leapt to the first, and his foot almost slipped on the wet stone, but he kept his balance. The next two came easily, so one remained. Breathing in, he crouched, jumped-

He didn't notice the branch. His head was struck by a dull buzz, and he fell into the water with a splash.

So much for that. Gwydion stood and walked ashore, water leaking from his armor. As if to save face, alone, in the wilderness, he did an elegant bow... and plunged his hand through the ground.

(93877 - LD 12, Success)

He narrowly missed the stem. Gwydion tore a clump of dirt with yellow roots sticking out.

Gwydion spent that night at Horunka, as the NPCs called it. There was only one inn, as the 'village' was ten buildings. The bed left a crick in his back and the food had no flavor, but at least he was fed and rested. The next morning he emerged ready for bloom hunting.

The sky had cleared, letting the sun shine again. Beams pierced the canopy to the forest floor, and plants seemed to reach for the light. Petrichor filled the air.

One ray fell on a silver flower, alone in its glory. Gwydion went to harvest it.

(93876 - LD 4, Fail)

And, of course, he forgot to take it from underneath. Pulling right on the stem, it broke, and the poor flower shattered into a million polygons.

This time he was ready. Gwydion immediately dashed away, running straight for the town. He stopped to look back, and saw the wolf standing in the clearing, sniffing with its nose. It gave up after a long hour.

The weather took a turn for the worse. Clouds filled the sky, casting the forest into shadow. Rain sprinkled down in spurts. Gwydion made a mental note to buy a cloak; you wouldn't feel pain, it seemed, but chill was different, and his armor wasn't exactly warm with a single layer as padding.

He'd been searching for an hour, but still no flowers. This quest was extremely boring... and he hated to admit it, but, terrifying. Why would the developers make such a quest the first? If the others were as bad, Sword Art Online would've died the moment it had competition.

Gwydion saw a silver glimmer. He dashed there, trampling a bush on his way. It was one of the flowers, planted inside... an ancient ribcage, half buried. Odd.

(93873 - LD 16, Success)

He retrieved it without incident. Zackaria better show him something useful for this.

The sky darkened and the rain went on as he tromped towards the northern town. He needed to rest.

The wolf searched in a frenzy for Gwydion. Then all grew still as its ears perked, searching for sounds. He stood as a statue, not wanting to fight a creature he wasn't sure he could beat.

The wolf lost interest, bending down and sniffing the place where the plant was. It took a bite of the flower patch and moved on through the forest. Gwydion dared move only once it was hidden.

He searched for another flower, wary. He'd have to be careful; now he knew wolves lurked here, and potentially other creatures.

Gwydion found another silver flower. He reached to its base, digging his fingers in the soil, and pulled...

(93871 - LD 14, Success)

He ripped it from the ground intact. He searched for a pouch on his body, then remembered to drop the flower. The item dematerialized. Gwydion dug the dirt from his nails, washed his hands in the stream, then continued his search, morale raised.

Gwydion crept through the forest, wary of his surroundings. He thought enemies might be stronger here, since it was a separate zone from the plains; which were obviously the intended fields for beginners. That raised the question of why the first quest would send him here.

He froze, hearing... something. A sharp cracking sound, but he wasn't sure from what or where. Did he step on a twig? Anyway, there were no more, so he continued with doubled caution.

It didn't take long to find a flower. It stood with a colorful patch of others, growing next to a fallen, rotting log. He knelt down, pushing aside some brush, and grabbed it low.

(93858 - LD 5, Fail)

Gwydion yanked it, but he let his hand slide up the stem; like a weak, brittle stick, it snapped, and the whole plant broke into blue triangles. A putrid stench filled his nostrils. He cursed.

Fearing poison, he glanced at his status bar, looking for icons, but there were none.

Then he heard a wolf howl. Gwydion ducked behind a bush opposite the cry's direction.

Gwydion basked in the sun. It was just past noon, and the floor was warm. It was ironic that such pleasures might be found in a game where you can die - in reality - to a monster's blade. He considered again the NerveGear, and how this game would surely kill the device. The technology wouldn't be wasted, hopefully.

The road stretched on, flanked by cobblestone walls that degraded the further he went. The plains to either side were totally featureless, save for roaming boars he was careful not to encourage. A gentle breeze ruffled the grass, and a bird flew overhead.

Finally, the leaves of an oak tree poked above a hill. He trudged to the top and was met with a forest spread before him. In the distance was a small town; he noted its presence, in case he needed to flee, but didn't plan on visiting any time soon. And further was a massive tower.

"Silver flower, four petals. Don't break the stem. Right." He delved into the forest.

Gwydion narrowed his eyes. Something was obviously up, but considering that this was a quest for beginners, it wouldn't go catastrophically wrong. "... I will return with that flower," he said.

As he turned to leave, Zackaria said from behind, "Five. Get me five. Maybe then I'll have some left over after. And they're in the forest, to the northwest." He heard the man stand, his joints popping, then retreat on squeaking floorboards.

"Yes," said Gwydion, slightly annoyed. He went outside, happy to be rid of the smells of alchemy - and that brutish alchemist. Tracing his steps, he rode the crowd to the black Monument, then went down the immense main road. The Town of Beginnings was the largest he'd seen, real or virtual, and he had to admit he was intimidated.

Soon Gwydion arrived at the gate. He scanned the plains for other players; there were none, thankfully. He took one step that turned safety to danger, full of anticipation.