Alec

After once again forcing himself to travel amidst the crush of bodies moving through the streets if the Town of Beginnings Alec eventually found himself standing before the third grove. Standing there before the grove he scowled, not at the grove.  He found themselves extremely peaceful and refreshing he scowled at the thought of having to leave the grove and re-enter the press of bodies outside. Every time he entered a grove he relaxed and every time he was forced to leave he became more and more agitated at the sheer number of people in the streets. Alec hated large groups of people, by sheer grace of his size he was naturally given a buffer of sorts as most people subconsciously gravitated away from him and his large size which was as Alec preferred. Pushing all other thoughts from his mind he stepped through the wall of brush and tree trunks and entered the grove. As he breached the solitude of the grove he let out a sigh and began to breath calmer and smoother. He basked in the quiet provided by the calm and seclusion of the grove. As Alec passed amongst the trees of the grove his breathing calmed and his pulse dropped on a soothing beat again. He really did enjoy these groves and was starting to realize just how much the Town outside them irritated him. He couldn't stand the press of all the bodies and the sheer numbers of people in the Town. Alec took advantage of the respite offered by the grove and soaked up it's calming energies. Though Alec reattained his inner peace he did not find the Artisan Hannah. He did find a pair of large grey squirrels dashing and chasing each other through the trees tackling and tumbling and generally at play with each other. The sight temporarily washed away the scowl that had affixed itself to his face since being trapped here inside the game. Alec found himself smiling at the squirrels and their carefree play. Alec was reminded again of his situation and how he had gotten here. He was trapped in this Death Game because he'd been a good father. He had found the promo code the buy the Neve Gear and SAO game in a trash can on his garbage route so he bought it for his son Danny as a gift but had refused to let Danny play it on the opening day. He had explained that he wanted to see what it was about before he'd let his son play. As such that is how he found himself here instead if his teenage son. He'd make the same choice every time knowing this would be the outcome. He'd never be able to forgive himself if the rolls had been reversed and Danny were stuck in here.

Alec made his way through the crowds of people thinking back to home and the stockades there and mass of milling bovine bodies they contained. Alec fought down the urge to let out a loud sonorous Mmmmmoooooooo! The urge was almost overwhelming but Alec fought it down and kept the thought contained as a thought and not as an act that would surely earn him glares from the populace. After about a half hour of walking Alec finally made it to the second grove. It looked just as inviting as the first one so as soon as Alec reached the edge of the tree line he burst into it abandoning the mass of moving bodies for the peace, quiet and solitude provided by the grove of trees. As Alec made his way through the trees he found numerous small song birds of various varieties. They hummed and warbled and sang as he past by them on his voyage through the grove in search of Hannah. After about thirty minutes of walking through the grove Alec came back to where he had entered and found nothing else within it's boundaries besides the song birds. With a sigh at having to give up the solitude and re-enter the crowds awaiting outside the grove Alec forced himself to leave the calm of the grove and rejoin the masses of bodies moving from point to point in the streets.

Alec stood on the edge of the grove of trees and looked in. He couldn't see much from outside though. The foliage and canopy wasn't overly thick inside but it was enough to obscure his vision. So Alec plunged through the thin wall of greenery and entered the grove. It was actually very pleasant inside. Overhead canopy cut down the sun beating down and cooled off the temperature. The sun's glare was cut down and muted to a soft shade. Inside the grove Alec walked around enjoying the feeling of solitude he got being encapsulated inside the copse trees away from the hustle and bustle of the busy town. Alec walked around for a half an hour but didn't see another soul. With a shrug Alec abandoned the grove of trees and reentered the city street and the throng of people. As he entered the mass of bodies moving through the streets he missed the grove and it's solitude. Alec mentally reminded himself if the location and vowed to return at a later date. With that Alec checked his map and started off for the second grove of trees.

Alec's map showed six groves of trees within the Town of Beginnings. He had been told yesterday,when he'd completed the second tutorial quest, by Lyle Tealeaf that he needed to take a package which was sitting in Alec's inventory at the moment to say young woman named Hannah who could be found in one of the Town's groves of trees painting. Lyle had told Alec that Hannah was an artist and needed to package he bore to finish a project she was working on. The package Alec bore for Hannah was a gold band that Lyle had informed him was for ring making. So with no other information than that Alec set off through the throng of pedestrians towards the closest of the six groves of trees within the Town of Beginnings. His map showed him that the grove was a mere four blocks away from his Inn. Alec had decided he would visit the groves in a clockwise pattern starting with the one closest to his inn. Alec strode down the road amidst the bustling crowd of people. After only a few minutes found himself standing at the edge of the first if six groves.

Alec placed his large hand on the door knob and turned opening the door and allowing the "light" of early morning to flood in through the opening he had made. His large frame eclipsed much of it though so the room stayed roughly the same. Alec looked outside as was baffled as he was every time he observed the sheer number of "people" walking through the streets of the Town of Beginnings. He had never seen anywhere close to this many people in one place at one time before in his entire life. Alec was from a small town in middle America and had never ventured into any of the larger cities the US had to offer. Alec liked his small town and had no reason to want to go anywhere else. But that wasn't the case now. Alec had been thrust here and was forced to make the best of his bad situation. Alec scowled as he stepped out of the doorway and entered the controlled chaos that was the Town. Alec checked his map HUD as he entered the flow of traffic. His larger than average size granting him a small bubble of freedom amidst the crowd of people moving through the street.

Once the Innkeeper had returned with Alec's plate and mug of coffee Alec set at devouring the food placed in front of him. The food was good even though it wasn't real but the coffee was the real treat. The game designer who had programmed the coffee must have been a real lover of coffee as the "taste" was rich and bold and silky all at the same time. Alec sipped it contentedly. It was one of the only things he really truly enjoyed here. In every other aspect he felt trapped and confined here but the coffee was a freeing experience. It allowed him to think fondly of home and what he was missing while being trapped in here. But as all good things do his coffee eventually ended. He sighed and set the mug down on the table next to his plate and stood up, his chair once again letting out a loud creak and groan as his weight shifted in the act of standing. Alec made heavy foot falls as he stride across the common room to the door that would lead him to the bustling streets of the main city here on the first floor of Aincrad the Town of Beginnings.

Alec stepped into the small cramped hallway outside his tiny cramped room. His shoulders broad enough they almost scrapped on both sides of the hallway at the same time as he made his way towards the cramped stairs that led down to the common room. As Alec began to descend the stairs they creaked and groaned in protest of his massive frame and bulk. He felt he was inside a tiny box of a hallway as he descended the stairs. A tiny creaky cramped box. Alec left out a sigh as he stepped free of the cramped confines of the stairway entering the common room of the Inn where he rented a room. The common room looked as it always did with people whether real or fake Alec wasn't sure. He'd never tried to engage any of them but the Innkeeper/Bartender. The "people" sat in wooden chairs at wooden tables eating breakfast. Alec strode heavily across the room to snack open table and eased himself to one of the wooden chairs set at it. The chair as they all did creaked and groaned in protest as he gently eased his massive frame on to it. Once seated he waved over the Innkeeper and ordered his usual breakfast. Two eggs over easy, side of bacon, two slices of toast and a cup of coffee. Alec sat patiently at his table looking around the room till the Innkeeper came back with his breakfast.

Having inspected his two newest items Alec unequipped them and placed them back in his inventory. He then selected his normal clothing. He equipped his sturdy worn brown boots. He selected and equipped his thick brown pants. And finally he selected his bear skin shoulder wrap. The bears head resting in his shoulder. He glanced at his reflection in the cramped room's small mirror again and saw the stern gruff face that was his scowling back at him. His head bald of any hair as it was in the real world and his thick bushy beard covering his face. Woad paint tattooed on his face and body and dying parts of his beard. With a final scowl at himself and the mirror Alec turned towards the door and took the two strides it took to cross the room to the door that led from his cramped little room to the cramped hallway that led to the cramped stairs that led to the common room. Alec wrapped his large hand around the small metal knob and twisted it pulling the door open and allowing him access to the hall beyond.

The other of the two newest items was a simple yet extremely elegant one handed Battle Axe. It was labeled as Mithril Battle Axe. It had a crescent bladed head like his last Battle Axe but this one had a mirrored sheen to it like it had been thoroughly buffed and polished till it shone like mercury or quicksilver. Axe tested it's weight and balance in his hand. The balance was prefect and it weighed next to nothing. Alec took a couple practice swings with it. The lightness of the axe made it extremely easy to wield and adjust it's trajectory in mid flight. It's edge was also razor sharp and was reported to hold it's edge and never need sharpening. Alec sent a mental thank you to the Blacksmith who had created it for him Macradon. Both items brought a smile to his face "Yes." he thought he'd get a lot of use and enjoyment from these two piece he was sure of that.

As Alec looked over his inventory his gaze stopped and rested on the two newest items to join one was a shield he had bought from another player a Blacksmith named Vigilon it was called Shield of the Thunderhearts the other new item was a one handed Battle Axe he had commissioned from another player also a Blacksmith this one named Macradon. Alec took a moment to equip them both and admire them. The Shield of Thunderhearts was made of a white metal with a cool looking lightning symbol engraved on the front. Alec could feel a pent up vibration emenating from within it, like stored up electricity just itching to be released. It had another engraving, this one on the back that Alec eyed and read "When the tides rise, become the storm!" Alec smiled as he murmured the phrase to himself. He liked that phrase he hadn't known it was there when he'd first bought the shield but it fit and it felt right as he received the phrase again. "Yes. He would become the storm, the storm that swept through this world and cleansed it!" Alec thought resolutely.

Alec's feet rested on the cold hard wood floor as he flexed his tree trunk like legs and raised his massive frame from a sitting position to a standing one. His whole body felt knotted and tight. Alec proceeded to begin his morning regimen of stretches that would loosen and pop his muscles and joints back into place. First he began by reaching his hands towards the ceiling. Alec scowled as his finger tips touched the low ceiling. Then he proceeded to move his arms out to his sides like a giant bird spreading his wings. He felt a deep satisfying pop in his sternum. Next Alec rolled his shoulders forward feeling numerous shifts and grinds and pops there. Finally Alec bent forward at the waist and stretched his hands towards his toes he heard and felt nearly every vertebrae in his spine shift and pop as they each reset themselves to their proper position. His morning routine complete Alec stood upright and opened his inventory. Alec shook his head at the thought of how long it had taken him to figure out how to do even this most dimple of tasks here. "He was a slow learner here. But he was learning and his learning curve was finally picking up speed."

Alec opened his eyes and scowled. "Was it morning already? Argh!" Alec thought bitterly. "Why was it the same every morning?" Alec rolled onto his side and sat up resting his bare feet on the cold hard wood floor. As usual the bed had been too small and cramped like it was every night he went to bed here. His nearly six and a half feet of height and overly broad shoulders make sleeping in this tiny bed and act of contortionism. Every night he jammed himself into this tiny cramped bed and every morning he woke feeling sore and tired and stiff. Like he'd gone ten rounds with a heavy weight boxer instead of getting a restful night of sleep. "Was it the game designers idea of s sick joke or something? To punish him every morning by making him feel like such garbage every time he woke up every morning in this tiny cramped bed, in this tiny cramped room, in the tiny cramped In, in this overly large overly packed city in this damnable game Sword Art Online?" Alec scowled one more time as he prepared to rise and start his day.

14 SP total earned so far.

1,800 Cool added from (Second Lesson...) (700 spent on Shield - Vigilon) (4,000 Col total)

2 Tier 1 Materials added (6 Mats spent on Mithril Axe - Macradon) (6 total)

As the Blacksmith came walking out of his forge carrying the Mithril Battle Axe Alec couldn't help but stop and stare. The weapon was a thing of beauty and the sheer sight of it stole Alec's breath away. After a moment when he remembered to breath again a huge smile crept on to his face as his gaze lifted from the Mithril Battle Axe to the Blacksmith. "You Sir are truly an artist." Alec's deep voice resonated in admiration. "I believe the agreed upon price was 6 Tier 1 Materials. Was it not?" Alec asked as he swiped his inventory to open it. He selected the Tier 1 Materials and a small pile of ore appeared on to counter between them. "Thank you very much." Alec stated offering a handshake to seal the deal.

Alec eyed the Shield of Thunderhearts approvingly. This was exactly the type of shield he needed. It would provide him more protection plus damage an attacker and have a chance of of stunning them too. A large smile crept over Alec's face as he opened up his inventory and selected his Col. 700 seemed like an excellent price to him. This was perfect. "You have yourself a deal Sir." Alec's deep voice booked as he selected 700 if his Col. His Col total dropped and a small pile of coins appeared on the counter between the Blacksmith and himself. Alec offered his hand forward in shake to seal the deal. Alec couldn't wait to get this equip this shield and try it out! He had a feeling that his questing and combat experience was about to change drastically for the better. Today was looking to be a very good day Alec thought with a smile.

Quest Summary:

[PP/F1] <<The Second Lesson is also Free>>

80 posts

4 complete page

Col: 950 (total)

Tier 1 Material (2)

Consumable (Perfect) (1) - Unidentified

Trinket (Rare) (1) - Unidentified

1 Tier one weapon with one(1) slot  (Damage) - Sharpened Battle Axe (Battle Axe One Handed - Damage 1)

Safeguard Potion (usable only during 3rd tutorial quest)

6 SP (2 from quest reward + 4 for complete page)

1800 Col (for one full page of posts)

Alec leisurely made his way back to the Inn where he rented a room. Upon walking in the front door of the common room Alec scanned the interior of the room and say that all was as it should be in the late afternoon to early evening here. He double checked his inventory and say the quest item sitting in there marked for Hannah. Having successfully seen it was safe and sound where it should be Alec closed and walked over to the Innkeeper/Barkeep as it was the same person, this was a small Inn after all and that’s Alec had chosen it. Once he arrived at the bar he asked the Innkeeper for use of the wash room. He had never used it before as things like personal hygiene were not necessary here and Alec viewed things like soaking in a bath when not needed frivolous but today Alec really felt he deserved it. He ordered a bath along with a mug of ale and a glass of whiskey to sip on.

Alec slipped into the hot water of the large tub and felt his muscles relax as the hot water inched up his body. Once totally submerged Alec reached for his glass and began to sip on the dark brown liquid within it had a pleasant burn that ran down his throat and warmed his insides as the hot water from the bath warmed and relaxed his outsides. Today had been a trying one but all in all a successful one. Alec thought back on the days events and smiled as he relaxed in hot soothing water. “Well.” thought Alec. “I guess I’ll see what tomorrow holds when I go in search of Hannah.”

Alec was elated as he opened his inventory again and perused through his newest item acquisitions. The Col was cool you could never really have enough of that. The Tier 1 Materials could always be useful for item creation at vendors shops. He did still need a shield he lamented and the new Battle Axe he got was cool but it wouldn’t help him hit any more often just harder when he did land a shot. The little gem called a Luck Stone might come in handy if he was out looking for Materials and such, Alec wondered to himself if he might be able to unequip and item really quick and equip the Luck Stone after he beat a Mob that dropped loot to get a better drop chance. He’d have to research on the game interface about that one. And finally the Animal Musk vial seemed pretty neat. He had seen numerous Players walking around with various types of Familiars and he had heard that they could be very useful and offered all sorts of advantages. He’d have to look into that and see if that was something he wanted to do. All in all Alec was very pleased with the items he had received. But first and foremost Alec needed a hot bath at the Inn and large mug of ale and maybe even a glass of something stronger to go with it tonight. Alec felt he had earned it.

"Thank you do much." gushed Lyle Tealeaf. "You have saved my project and ensured that I will not be set back and loose all the time and effort I have invested in this project already." Lyle Tealeaf picked up the three Boar Pup Tusks and they disappeared into his inventory. "You are indeed my saviour." Lyle pronounced. Please accept this gift as a token of my appreciation for all that you have done. Lyle opened up a window and on the bench between them appeared a one hand Battle Axe with a sharper than average blade and a set of heavy armor that reinforced but not nearly as much as the Breastplate Alec had in his inventory a potion also appeared on the counter and it's label said it was a Potion of Safeguard (only usable on Tutorial Quest Three. Alec eyed the two items but ended up selecting the sharper than normal Battle Axe. "Thank you very much Mr Tealeaf." Alec responded after chosing his prize. "I'm glad to have been of service to you."

"Wonderful wonderful." replies Lyle. "I have but one more task to ask of you." Lyle announced. "Please take this package to a young artist name Hannah. She can be found within one of the groves of trees here inside the Town of Beginnings." With that Lyle handed Alec a wrapped bundle and bid him ado. Alec took the package and placed it within his inventory and stepped outside the Blacksmith shop.

As Alec stepped into the Blacksmith shop he spotted Lyle Tealeaf sitting behind the counter. "Greetings Mr Tealeaf." Alec said as he stepped in through the front of the shop. "How is your day?"

Lyle Tealeaf responded "Hopefully well as you have returned I should hope you have gathered the three Boar Pup Tusks I require to complete my crafting project I am currently engaged in."

"Indeed I have." replied Alec with a smile. I have secured the Tier one Materials you require so that you may finish your project good sir."

"Oh thank the stars." Lyle Tealeaf exclaimed as a broad grin spread across his face "Thank you so much for your assistance."

Alec walked over and opened up his inventory and selected the Boar Pup Tusks and three of them materialized on the counter between them.

"These are perfect." said Lyle Tealeaf as he picked them up and inspected them.

Alec passed through the Northern Gate of the Town of Beginnings and as he entered the Town he swiped his had in front of him to open his inventory window. Alec then tapped the icons for his Reinforced Heavy Iron Breastplate and his one hand Battle Axe unequipping both items. Alec wasn't fond of walking around inside the Town walls with his armor and weapons equiped. He preferred to walk around in his chosen outfit. His worn heavy leather boots, his brown pants and his Bear pelt wrap that draped over his shoulders. Feeling more comfortable now he entered the throng of people moving up and down the street. Alec checked his map HUD to ensure he was heading in the right direction toward Lyle Tealeaf's Blacksmith shop. Alec navigated the bustling streets till he stood outside the front of the same Blacksmith shop he had entered this morning to receive his quest. Alec took a breath and then stepped into the Blacksmith shop owned and operated by Lyle Tealeaf.

Pocketing his new Col and items in his inventory Alec smiled and turned towards the walls of the Town of Beginnings and the Northern Gate that would lead him inside and to the Blacksmith shop of Lyle Tealeaf and the end of his quest. With a smile and a soft low whistle Alec began to stride towards the Northern Gate at a leisurely pace. He had completed his quest and he was in no serious hurry now to make it in. Alec discovered a lightness in his step that hadn't been there before. He even found himself whistling as he made his way through the plains outside the Northern Gate and wall. The weather really was quite nice. The sun was warm the breeze was cool all in all Alec was forced to admit that it was a pretty perfect day. It didn't take long at all before Alec had arrived at the Northern Gate of the Town of Beginnings.

"Finally Alec had done it. Alec had defeated the Boar Pups and gotten the Boar Pup Tusk quest item drops he'd needed, then finally bested the angry Matriarch Boar mother. Now that Alec had finally bested them all he could return to Lyle Tealeaf at his Blacksmith shop and complete his quest. It had been an epic series of battles for Alec. Someone watching from the outside may have considered it more of a comedy but Alec was proud of himself for finally defeating this challenge. As Alec hung his Battle Axe from the loop on his belt a banner popped up in his field of vision. Alec tapped it to activate it. 

Alec tapped the loot window for the Matriarch Boar and his jaw nearly hit the ground when he saw all the times dropped by the Matriarch Boar. There was a good chunk of gold, 2 Tier 1 Materials, a jar with a liquid in it labeled Animal Musk which said it would aid in training a familiar and a golf ball sized green gem stone labeled a Luck Stone that said it would give a better chance of loot dropping. All in all Alec felt it was a pretty good haul.

After digging yet another patch of dirt from the ground Alec brought his Battle Axe back up into the air. All he had to do was connect one more time to finish the fight but that was seeming to be an impossibility for Alec. Everytime he came close he slammed the blade of his axe into to ground and turned over more soil. "This'll spot had to have the softest finest section in all one hundred levels of Aincrad!" Alec thought to himself amused at the irony of the whole situation. If this was a real axe he was swinging it would need hours on a grinding wheel to resharpen the edges he'd repeatedly buried in the dirt and in the real world dirt was the enemy of a good axe. But this wasn't the real world it was a computer game he and a thousand others were trapped inside of so dirt didn't hurt as the old adage went. Alec sighed as he lifted his axe again and reset his feet again and as the Boar came closer he swung it again.

Alec - Lvl: 3 - HP:19/60 / EN: 1/6 / DMG: 2 / MIT: 18 / ACC: 0 / EVA: 0

Matriarch Boar - 1/30

Roll: 112987

BD: 6 (Success) 2 DMG

MOB: 9 (Critical - Mob dead no attack)

Roll: 112988

LD: 19

CD: 2

Col: 150

Tier 1 Material (2)

Consumable (Perfect) (1) - Animal Musk (Pheromones 3) (+ 3 CD tame familiar <<Feeding your Enemies>>

Trinket (Rare) (1) - Luck Stone (Loot Die 2) (+ 2 to Loot Die Rolls)

Alec's slice took the Boar square on the back as it charged. Alec stepped to the side like a Matador and as the Boar passed Alec dropped his Battle Axe on the back of the Boar. The axe passed right through the Boar and cleaved it in two pieces and it exploded into a shower of red pixels that rained down and twinkled till eventually disappearing completely.