Frank

"Ohhohohohoho, thank you, thank you. These tusks will make many excellent blades later. With my old age, it can be daunting for me to travel out into the wilderness and fight those types of enemies; I greatly and immensely appreciate all you have done for me. Would you like to observe my process to create a weapon? Here, let me show you how it is done." With that, the old man fired up his forge, hotter and hotter he would make it. Once the forge was burning a bright and steady blaze, the old man threw on his blacksmithing apron, grabbed his tongs, and tonged the first tusk placing it deep into the burning blaze. After several moments, he pulled it from the fire where it was burning bright red now, and moving to the anvil quickly, he placed it out and raised his hammer, finally he brought the anvil smashing down, bang, bang, bang, quickly but with deliberate strikes he smashed the tusk into a flat-blade shape.

Making his way back towards the Town of Beginnings, Frank took the time to stop and search for a stream to drink some water from. It was easy to forget to do the little things in this game, and it was easy to forget his basic combat survival skills too. He marked this stream on his map, and would need to remember to return to it at a point in the future. The walk back to the town was a long one, but it gave Frank time to reflect on things, and to prepare his plan for the future. It wouldn't be long until he was moving past these beginner quests and onto the more challenging ones. He steeled his resolve and continued on his way, surely the Town itself was not much farther now; though on his own personal journey, Frank still had miles to travel. Slowly, he put one foot in front of the other.

The warmth of his regen ability emanating from his shield, the weight of his axe in his hand. Frank could feel the moment. This was something he had felt before, in combat, the unstoppable, the unfathomable, unquenchable need to act. He knew what to do now, to step forward and to strike with his might and to fell this angry beast. The soft ground of the plains at his feet provided an excellent pushing-off point for his strike and when he came down with his blade, he came down hard. The ax ripped into his opponent with no mercy, and just like that, another enemy exploded into a digital dust.

Now it was time to check the loot. The reward screen which popped up showed his final Boar Tusk, content to have gathered all three of the items so quickly, he added the final tusk into his inventory and again returned to the Town of Beginnings.

ID 110987 BD 10 CRITICAL! MD 6 DEAD!
Regen (1/2) (+10 HP)
Frank - LV 3 60/60 HP | 6/6 EN | 2 DMG | 2 BLD | 2 EVA | 2 RGN | 1 RCV
Boar - LV 1 0/5 HP | 2/2 EN | 3 DMG

Loot Die Roll Boar 3
ID 110988 LD 16 +1  Boar Tusk Found!

Unnerving, Frank showed the creature he wasn't going to be the first to crack. Circling, with his blade up and ready to strike, Frank stayed alert and ready to any sudden movements. As if reading his mind, the boar suddenly reacted and launched into its own charging attack. The charge felt like it was taking forever, like the world was suspended, like he was never going to arrive, and then suddenly the beast was here, inches from Frank and leaping towards his him at chest level. Frank swung down and hard but his timing was off, the boar knocked him down and into the dirt, and snorted as if it was celebrating. Frank rose, knowing he needed to get back to his feet and that his regen ability would take care of him. His shield Silver Lining, kept him healthy and ready for action, he just needed to wait for the regen ability to fire up, and he was going to be fine.

ID 110986 BD 1 MD 8
Frank - LV 3 57/60 HP | 6/6 EN | 2 DMG | 2 BLD | 2 EVA | 2 RGN | 1 RCV
Boar - LV 1 3/5 HP | 2/2 EN | 3 DMG

The two combatants separated, no doubt wary of each others lethality. Circling, the pair stared each other down, stared each other down, and...stared each other down. They were both tense, waiting on the chance to counter-attack, and so they were both overly cautious also, choosing to not attack one another. It was two minutes, and then five minutes, and it went on like this for what seemed like an eternity but what was in fact a very short amount of time. The wrong attack would lead to an opening for the other, and neither was going to give ground that easily. Instead Frank kept his focus and his eyes on his enemy, and as the creature circled right, Frank moved left. When the creature moved left in response, Frank skillfully side-stepped to the right. Again, neither combatant rushed into a foolish attack, or any type of an attack. Patience was the name of the round.

ID 110985 BD 1 MD 1
Regen (1/2) (+10 HP)
Frank - LV 3 60/60 HP | 6/6 EN | 2 DMG | 2 BLD | 2 EVA | 2 RGN | 1 RCV
Boar - LV 1 3/5 HP | 2/2 EN | 3 DMG

Standing in the field, with his axe by his side Frank was quite a terrifying sight wearing his black tactical armor with a silver shield on his other arm. The color contrast would be down-right terrifying in darkness, but here in the middle of the day, it simple made Frank look as if he was a reaper, a harbinger of death. But maybe that's who Frank really was. Not one to think about these things, Frank turned toward his next creature to kill. It was another wild boar, with tusks which looked sharp and deadly. Good, Frank wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

The creature was now well-aware of Frank, and when Frank started toward it, it didn't hesitate to attack Frank too. The content of wills decided, Frank brought his axe forward and down in a violent arc of death, striking the target, he felt a solid impact. At the same time, the creature left its mark on Frank, ripping into him with sharp fangs.

ID 110984 BD 6 HIT! MD 8 HIT!
Frank - LV 3 57/60 HP | 6/6 EN | 2 DMG | 2 BLD | 2 EVA | 2 RGN | 1 RCV
Boar - LV 1 3/5 HP | 2/2 EN | 3 DMG

His eyes on the creature, Frank prepared for another round of combat. But he already knew, it was over. This creature couldn't stand up to his bleeding status, which was a solid sign for him on these early levels. He had saved and spent his money well, and was now seeing the results. Ahead of him, the boar teetered left, and tottered back to the right, before it finally fell on its haunches and let out a pitiful dying scream. Watching as it did so, Frank observed the creature explode into a burst of light and particles. In front of him popped open a menu. Even simple things like menu's had been something Frank had to learn how to use, but he was familiar with these simple ones now. Hitting the green confirm, he added the boar tusk to his inventory. Sheathing his axe for a moment, he took a deep breath.

No die roll, death by Bleeding
Regen 1/3 (+10)
Frank - LV 3 60/60 HP | 6/6 EN | 2 DMG | 2 BLD | 2 EVA | 2 RGN | 1 RCV
Boar - LV 1 0/5 HP | 2/2 EN | 3 DMG

Loot Die Roll Boar 2.
ID 110983 LD 11 +1 Boar Tusk Material

Frank's eyebrows narrowed. He knew he would have to play this next part very carefully, wounded creatures were always at their most dangerous before dying. With his axe level in front of him, Frank moved in for the strike. Ripping his blade across in a horizontal slashing motion, Frank felt it impact the creature and rip into it's side. This wasn't just a regular attack, this was a critical. He knew it without looking, the feedback of his axe told him. He also knew that Bleeding was at its most dangerous when he could find those critical strikes, as it would invoke its namesake onto the enemy. In response to his blow, the boar began a simple, straight-forward attack at Frank, but it was slow, too slow. Frank had found his combat zen now, and with the focus of his military training at hand, he simply side-stepped the beast easily.

ID 110979 BD 9 CRITICAL! MD 7 - 2 EVA MISS!
Regen 2/3 (+10)
Frank - LV 3 60/60 HP | 6/6 EN | 2 DMG | 2 BLD | 2 EVA | 2 RGN | 1 RCV
Boar - LV 1 2/5 HP | 2/2 EN | 3 DMG

Finally, his fingers collapsed around the hilt of his axe. Pulling it up between him and boar, Frank was able to use it to muscle the creature off of him. Continuing to use it and his shield to provide cover while he rose to a kneeling, and then a standing position, Frank began looking for his next attack opportunity. However the beast wasn't just going to take it lying down, it was still every bit as ferocious and attempted to skirt around the block. Finally, Frank was able to throw the creature off to the side, and then ran backwards to create some space and distance between him and the wild animal. Stepping back, he quickly browsed his surroundings to make sure nothing else was creeping up on him, and was relieved to see that none of the other creatures were in sight. Turning his attention back to his foe, Frank readied himself yet again.

ID 110975 BD 2 MISS! MD 3 MISS!
Regen 2/3 (+10)
Frank - LV 3 60/60 HP | 6/6 EN | 2 DMG | 2 BLD | 2 EVA | 2 RGN | 1 RCV
Boar - LV 1 5/5 HP | 2/2 EN | 3 DMG 

Frank felt his blade but as he went to lift it, the boar stepped on his arm and sent the weapon skidding, farther away, farther out of reach. As the creature continued it's onslaught of Frank, all he could do was try and create space to get away. However the creature was powerful, stocky and full of muscle it would trample Frank each time he moved to get up. Attempting to roll out of the way, only resulted in the creature staying with him and continuing to violently attack and rip into Frank's torso. It was a wild beast, attacking with the mind and deadly violence of a wild beast. Not prepared to give up, Frank prepared himself for his next chance. He knew it would have to be on his next chance to attack, he knew he couldn't stay here. He knew he had to get a hold of his axe.

ID 110974 BD 1 MISS! MD 9 CRITICAL!
Regen 2/3 (+10)
Frank - LV 3 56/60 HP | 6/6 EN | 2 DMG | 2 BLD | 2 EVA | 2 RGN | 1 RCV
Boar - LV 1 5/5 HP | 2/2 EN | 3 DMG 

With the previous creature defeated, Frank set out to find another boar on its own. This task didn't seem nearly as daunting now that he had bloodied his blade. Ahead, chomping on grass was another boar. Frank moved forward to lunge out and attack but the creature heard him! Missing his opportunity the boar took full advantage and came straight at Frank's right side.

As the creature dug into Franks side, he laid there, being attacked by the ravenous beast. His healing would keep him safe, but it didn't take away the pain of the attack. It didn't help that he had been hit so hard on the last attack that when they tumbled to the ground, his axe had fallen from his hand. Now, with fangs and teeth and claws gashing and cutting deep into him, Frank reached feebly off to the side, trying to grab the hilt of his blade whilst being ripped apart. His fingers found only the dirt, and as the dirt he clutched ran through his fingers, the creatures tusks ribbed down into his abdomen, they ripped into the non-protective areas of his light armor, and found their home deep into his skin. It was pain, constant pain.

ID 110973 BD 1 MISS! MD 9 CRITICAL!
Frank - LV 3 56/60 HP | 6/6 EN | 2 DMG | 2 BLD | 2 EVA | 2 RGN | 1 RCV
Boar - LV 1 5/5 HP | 2/2 EN | 3 DMG 

Watching as the creature was now bleeding out, Frank could feel his own regen ability healing his health points again. And yet again, it was enough to restore him to maximum health on his status bar. He had to admit, the price of the shield was paying for itself ten-fold. The warmth it radiated was comforting, reassuring even. Frank knew that as long as he could keep his health up, he was going to be alright. He planned on killing things in this game, and he wasn't going to be satisfied with just a weak boar as his enemy. Deepening his concentration, Frank again leveled his axe into a combat pose. The blades on his axe were sharp and ready to strike. But it was no longer necessary, the boar in front of him had taken too much blood loss, and it's final health points fell to 0. Frank had his first kill.

ID 110972 BD 3 MISS! MD 8 DEAD!
Regen 2/3 (+10)
Frank - LV 3 60/60 HP | 6/6 EN | 2 DMG | 2 BLD | 2 EVA | 2 RGN | 1 RCV
Boar - LV 1 0/5 HP | 2/2 EN | 3 DMG 
Bleeding (1/2)

Loot Die Roll Boar
ID 110982 LD 16 +1 Boar Tusk Material

Once again however, Frank could disregard the hit and rely on his shield to mend his wounds. The boar was strong, but it hadn't done damage that was beyond the reach of Silver Linings regen ability. With the life force energy returning his HP to full, Frank again lifted his battle-axe in his right hand, and stepped towards the creature. Buckling mad it hopped around and snorted, ran around in circles and dug its front paw into the ground, signaling its intent to charge yet again. Frank was ready however, this time he squared up with the beast and ran forward, attacking with his axe high above his head. His shield raised in his left hand, Frank quickly swung both down and to the left, using the momentum to deliver a punishing strike into the boar. However the boar quickly gouged into Frank's left leg, reminding Frank that he would have to be quicker attacking and then creating space. Still it was a solid strike by Frank, and his axe Bleeder lived up to its name and left the creature hemorrhaging blood.

ID 110971 BD 8 HIT! BLEEDING! MD 8 - 2 = 6 HIT!
Regen 2/3 (+10)
Frank - LV 3 57/60 HP | 6/6 EN | 2 DMG | 2 BLD | 2 EVA | 2 RGN | 1 RCV
Boar - LV 1 1/5 HP | 2/2 EN | 3 DMG 

As he had been counting on, Frank felt his Silver Lining Shield remind him that it's not so bad, it's not so baaaad. The Shield emitted a warm energy after he had been struck, and the regen energy boosted his life-bar back up to its full amount quickly. Each point of health ticked back, one at a time, steady and smooth healing. After the energy had returned, Frank turned his attention to attacking the wild beat. However as he stepped forward, Frank felt his foot slide back into the dirt. As his foot slid backward, Frank fell forwards, catching himself with his shield-arm. However he was still in this half-kneeling position when the boar once again attacked Frank. This time it rammed into him with great speed, the force of it sent Frank rolling backwards along the ground. Thump, thump, thump. The strike had rang out as a critical hit, and Frank felt like his bell had been wrung.

ID 110970 BD 1 MD 8 - 2 EVA = 6 HIT!
Regen 2/3 (+10)
Frank - LV 3 57/60 HP | 6/6 EN | 2 DMG | 2 BLD | 2 EVA | 2 RGN | 1 RCV
Boar - LV 1 3/5 HP | 2/2 EN | 3 DMG 

Frank moved to attack again, wanting to strike the beast while he had the upper-hand. He stalked his prey through the grasses, side-stepping as he moved in. As he neared, he could see the rough-skin of the creature, the beadiness of its eyes staring back at Frank, the sharpness of its tusks. Raising his axe up, Frank stepped forward left in front of right and brought his axe crashing down. The creature however, was equally ready and dodged the simple swipe. As it dodged left, the creature then set its feet and let out a large, angry snort.The boar, now fully enraged, attacked Frank without mercy,. In the process of attacking, it scored a critical hit as it ripped its tusks into Franks side. For the first time, Frank watches his health bar drip down several points. However Frank was not worried, he knew his regen skill would kick in and cover the amount of damage done on his next turn.

ID 110968 BD 2 MD 10 CRITICAL!

Frank - LV 3 55/60 HP | 6/6 EN | 2 DMG | 2 BLD | 2 EVA | 2 RGN | 1 RCV
Boar - LV 1 3/5 HP | 2/2 EN | 3 DMG 

Once in the area indicated by the map, Frank carefully sneaked around the outside of perimeter. From the amount of boars he could see, he already made his mind he wasn't going to charge straight into the nest,. Instead he decide he would do his best to find solo targets, lone targets, boars who may be separate from the rest of the herd. It didn't take long. Ahead was a single boar pup by itself, and Frank decided to use this opportunity to strike. Readying his weapon, Frank swung and made a grisly connection. The one handed battle axe ripped into the creature and sent its health bar dropping down several points. Whipping itself around, it attempted to bite into Frank's arm, but Frank had already pulled his weapon back and established a safe distance. He had put a lick in and not gotten hurt, not a bad start for an old man.

ID 110967
BD 6 HIT!
CD 11 RCV!
MD 3 MISS!

Frank - LV 3 60/60 HP | 6/6 EN | 2 DMG | 2 BLD | 2 EVA | 2 RGN | 1 RCV
Boar - LV 1 3/5 HP | 2/2 EN | 3 DMG 

Though he was old, the Blacksmith was of stout physical presence. He had a strength which highlighted his age in a positive light. Moving towards the smithy, he resumed smashing out on one of the items which he had burning over the hot forge. Carefully he struck the iron, and then he would return it to the heat for heating. All the while, he was talking to Frank about what he required.

"The Boar Pup's this year were hard to find, and no hunters have brought any in so I require someone of youth to obtain these tusks for me. Boar Pup's are violent creatures, they will attack you on sight and though not typically lethal, they can wound a man solo. They also tend to move in packs, so you will want to be ready for surprise groups. Here Frank, here is a map which will take you out into the fields and to a nesting ground not far from the Town of Beginnings. Once there, you should be able to find suitable targets."

Frank took the map from the old man, with nothing else to say really, Frank nodded and made his way out of the shop, and outside the walls surrounding the Town of Beginnings.

Yesterday, Frank had delivered a package for an old potion-maker, Zakeriah, and today he was being asked to complete a task for a blacksmith, Lyle Tealeaf. Heading towards the northern part of the city by way of the side-roads and twisting alleyways, Frank did his best to avoid the larger morning crowd. The buildings cast shade in the alleyways, and he preferred the relative silence. Out in the crowds you would have a million things at once, but here Frank had time to listen to himself think as he meticulously ran through his inventory in preparation for what today may bring. Before he knew it, Frank had arrived at the foot-steps of the blacksmiths shoppe, and knocked on the door. Answering, the old man Tealeaf waved Frank inside. "Enter, enter...", he had mumbled to himself more then Frank. Entering, the darkened room, Frank shut the wooden door behind him softly.

3 AM.

"Frank, hurry home. The kids and I miss you."

Snapping awake, Frank, sweaty and amped up, awakes from his dream, or rather his nightmare, and into another living nightmare. He's still trapped in this digital world, a prison in which their is only one way out. After a few moments, Frank turns back to the bed with intentions of trying to sleep, knowing he'll be woken up again during that time. This is the way his life has been since this game began.

6 AM. The sun is beginning to awaken, Frank has it beaten by an hour. Sitting at the foot of his bed, he has been relentless running through his routine of physical training exercises. The endless sit-ups, push-ups, planks, and pull-ups all help to distract his mind. Now finished, he stands up and turns, exiting his room at the inn, and heading out into the just-awakening city.

Frank accepted the gifts gratefully, and gathering the package into his arms, set-off to find the shop home of this Lyle Tealeaf. The sun was beginning to set, soon it would be dusk and the nightfall inside the Town of Beginnings, but for now the sun simply changed the colors of the sky. It was a most relaxing and calming sight, and as Frank walked through the streets he felt he had accomplished much over the course of the day. He had a long way to go, and hadn't even engaged in combat yet inside the game, but Frank was now set, he would work to help clear this game. One quest at a time, one day at a time, he would do his part, carry his load, bear this burden too.

As he made his way up the steps, he knocked on the old, wooden door that led into a large stone building. As another old man answered, Frank informed him of his delivery, taking the package Zeckeriah had given him and giving it to Tealeaf. "Thank you, young man. Say, would you mind coming back tomorrow to help me with something? I have a few tasks I need completed."

Thread Complete
Quest Rewards
+2 Skill Points
+5 Tier One Health Potions of Uncommon Quality (+40HP)
+1 Tier One Damage Potion. (+1 Damage)
+1 Tier One Over-Health Potion (+50 Temp. HP)

After finishing the two manuscripts, Frank more knowledgable of the potions and their uses. As a non-gamer, he freally appreciated the depth of basic use knowledge he now possessed. Previously, he would have been in trouble had he been poisoned, or similar, but now he had the knowledge needed to know that their are antidote potions available.

"Well, you did a wonderful job today Mr. Castle. Now please, I have one more task for you. A simple one, if you don't mind. I require a package to be delivered to a blaksmith friend of mine, Tyle Tealeaf. He's on the North side of town, just on the edge of these cross-streets here. If you would please deliver this package, I would be very grateful. But ah, I can't just send you off empty-handed, please take these Quest Rewards, you've done a most wonderful job! You will always be welcome in my shop, or to study under my tutelage.", said the old man, smiling.

"Oh, hohohohohoho! Look at that my boy, excellent work for your first time! I do say, you may just have the knack needed to become a master potion-crafter! Truly wonderful work! You did fine work, but I have need of this potion, an injured child you see? So I am afraid I must keep this particular potion. Still, this will certainly make that poor child feel much better, again fine work my boy." Why don't you spend some time reviewing more of the books I have on my shelves? It would be best if you took a look at "Beginner Potions and The Purpose of Potions."

Frank, was happy with his ability to produce a potion of strong quality; before this, he hadn't considered how useful the potion-making knowledge might turn out to be. But with the ability to create a variety of poultice and salves, one could help ensure a steady stream of life-mending materials. In a death game, keeping your HP above 0 was the most paramount of concerns, perhaps this would be something he would pursue more in the future.

It wasn't long before the door at the front of the shop creaked open, and entered the old man, returning to his place of work. As Zekeriah entered he looked up at Frank and said aloud, "Good, good, reading is an important tool in the history of any good potion-maker. Why my master, he had book-case ten times the size of that one, a personal Library of Alexandria, if you will. But any good potion-maker knows that books are at most theoretical, the real knowledge of creation potions and baubbles comes from working with ones hands, working with the base materials to create something wonderful. Here, come and let me show you."

Frank rose and joined the old man in the center of the room, it was here Zekeriah explained the process of converting materials into chemicals, showed Frank how to properly use the open-flame burners and gave a run-down on which flask size was best suited to the different purposes. "Come now, come now, you have a great handle on this, and you are a quick study. Why don't you try using this knowledge to craft something yourself? Use those materials you collected. I'm sure you can do it my boy!"

Frank, was a bit surprised at this offer, but he had been paying attention while the old man was teaching, and he did feel like this was something he could try. Stepping up, he lit the burner and prepared the beakers, pouring and mixing, grinding and tearing, Frank attempted to craft a potion.

ID 110962 CD 8 - Success! Rare Quality Healing Potion Crafted!

Walking back through the door which had been a surprise exit out into the world outside the Town of Beginnings, Frank felt good to be surrounded by the walls and stone architecture. This actually unsettled him a bit, preferring the "safe" feeling inside the town compared to the open areas of the world; perhaps he would need to plan to spend time outside the city, even if it was risky and dangerous, to remind shake this feeling of preferring comfort. Once inside, the man Zekeriah was no-one to be found, it appeared he had gone out. With not much else to do, Frank decided to wait inside the small workshop. There were ample stools and chairs to sit on peppered through-out, and Frank chose one in the corner of the room near the bookcase. He had browsed the titles on the books until he came up with, "A Novice's Guide to Potion Creation, Volume I", and then he sat down to read while waiting on Zekeriah's return.

Looking back down at the list, Frank could see that it asked him to retrieve yet another "Fur of the Murphumple". Luckily, he had many to choose from. The peaceful creatures were covered in a slightly pink fur coat, and they really looked like a rodent more then a small dog. Large, buck-teeth, no doubt made for consuming the grasses the herbivore ate on a regular basis, lined the front of the creatures jaw. Their eyes were beady and black, very tiny when you look at the rest of their face as a whole. In contrast, the nose, really more of a snout, was the predominant feature of their face, and it extended away from their eye sockets by a few inches. Reaching down, Frank picked up the creature by its hind legs, as he had done before, and this time once again ran though the menus until the material was added to his inventory. Turning, now having five of the materials, Frank made his way back towards town where he could see Zechariah again.

ID 110949 LD 17 +1 Material