Morningstar

Converting this thread to an SP due to the length of time between posts and because I don't think that Reyna will ever come back. Quest requirements have already been fulfilled. Shouldn't be any issues.

Their long walk ended with the gates of Urbus. Koko did her best to lead them back to her home, and to avoid ruining the fun for her, they avoided telling her they knew the way.

Koko ran to her mother the second she spotted her. "I'm sorry, Mama!" She wailed, her tiny arms wrapping around Choshi's waist as she buried her face into her shirt. "I-I won't get into trouble again, I-I promise!"

Choshi's face slowly morphed from surprise to pure joy before she hugged her child back. "It's okay, sweetie. I know you didn't mean for it to happen," she murmured, coaxing her child as she ran her hand down Koko's hair soothingly. She looked up at the Star and Reyna and gave them a thankful smile. "Thank you... I cannot even explain how grateful I am to you. I am forever in your debt, both me and Koko are." The mother chuckled, tugging on the cheeks of her daughter before she reached into her dress, pulling out a pouch. "I know it's not much, but please, take it," she said, handing the players the pouch. "It's some money I scraped together... and a little something extra." She looked down at Koko and sighed. "Again, thank you for saving her. I have no idea what I would do if Koko was harmed... and speaking of Koko, what do we say?" 

Koko lifted her face from her mother's clothes and gave the player a toothy grin. "Thank you for saving me!" The girl blurted.

The pair waved goodbye to Koko and her mother, and Star promised to visit sometime.

Kent scooped up the list in the midst of Morningstar's study. He paid for both of their drinks and stood from the bar, adjusting his jacket. "It was good to meet you, Morningstar. I'm sure I'll see you around."

His departure was abrupt and ominous. Star was left to simmer with all that had been said. His mind raced to connect dots, but there simply weren't enough to pin together. Twelve names. Was the number significant or was it merely the current tally of the missing?

Morningstar had once intended to investigate the disappearances himself. He recalled mentioning it to Vigilon, knowing that Krysta worked in the city, but never followed through. Keeping cities safe was a guard's job, after all.

But who would step up when the guards were failing?

Raising his glass to the bartender in a silent toast, he decided to call it for the night. He left a tip alongside Kent's suspiciously generous payment and left for his room at the nearby inn.

He stepped out into the cold evening air and found himself uncomfortable with the silence that washed along the street. The rambunctiousness of the bar faded away behind him, replaced by dark side streets and dim lamps. He pulled his coat tighter around himself and wandered off into the night.

In the shadows, something hungered.

He absorbed Foyle's words, plotting out his next steps in his head. In the worst case scenario, he had one teleportation crystal. He could zap himself off Floor 28 right then and there, if he wanted to. Foyle seemed the type to come prepared. Morningstar imagined that he had considered doing the same. But so many questions remained unanswered. He whipped open his map once more.

"I'd like to continue investigating, I think. Not in Glyndebourne, though. It's not safe for me here. I'll find a way outside of the city and see how far the Magistrate's influence extends," Star decided. He pinched their location on the map and dragged it away from the city. On the northward end of the floor was a vast forest. "Here," he zoomed in, hoping that Foyle could see what he was referring to. "I'll start here, in the Fire Forest, and work my way around the floor."

No matter the time of day, Morningstar expected patrols. In the dark, at least they stood a chance. "We'll leave tonight."

He shut his eyes and listened to his breath, following in the old man's footsteps and resting as much as he could. Outside, the streets were quiet. The guards that had come so close to catching him were gone for now. They could bide their time in peace, in the safety of the shop owned by the city's latest victim.

With a metallic clunk, Nari was over the fissure. Star reached out a hand to help her up. "Smooth. Like a gazelle," he joked.

Their reunion was interrupted by the unfortunate soul that rounded the corner. A fifth Skyrat Raider. It was the duo's lucky day—they had been given the opportunity to take down another nuisance of a pirate. Eager to make things quick, Morningstar pressed forwards. He swiped across the Raider's chest, the stun from his Sword Art taking effect immediately. The pirate fell to the ground like a rock that, for some reason, had eyes and ears.

"He's all yours," Morningstar said, stepping over him and peeking around the corner he had come from. The hallway snaked a bit further before coming to an end. On the far wall was a ladder. "Looks like there's a way up to the next floor over here," he called to Nari.

Ty's eyes sparkled with something other than fear. It was genuine intrigue. "Yeah," he agreed. "We'll start you off with something smaller than a five-headed dragon. I think the next part of the quest has you kill a boar. You should manage, but I'll be here if it gets to be too much."

Speak of the devil. Trotting up the hill, seething with fury, came a large, round boar. It charged, kicking up dirt and dust in its wake. With a click, Morningstar let loose his blade. It screeched as it exited its scabbard, and glowed with an empowered sword art.

Star stood between the mob and Ty, forcing it to go through him before it could reach her. It lunged, but before it could ram him, he swung down. In one clean cut, he destroyed the boar. Blue pixelated remains trailed upwards, dispersing in the sky. Star looked around, confirming that no others were on their way. The coast was clear.

Looting Boar:

ID: 223701 LD: 3+6=9 CD: 2

1,980 col ((396*3)+(396*2))
2 materials
T4 Uncommon Consumable 223701

15 minutes ago, Oscar said:

  Hide contents

Name: Focused Dog
Profession/Rank: Rank 10 Cook
ID/Roll:
223687-0, 223687-1 | CD: 9+1, LD: 12
223689-0, 223689-1 | CD: 6+1, LD: 13
223693-0, 223693-1, 223693-2, 223693-3 | CD: 7+1, LD: 19
Item Type: Meal
Tier: N/A
Quality: Rare
Enhancements:  2 ACC
Description:  This dog was treated with the finest of focus-enhancing dr-, I mean FDA-approved substances
Link: https://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/17990-f01grandmaster-cook/?do=findComment&comment=682439&_rid=8792

Name: Evasive Dog
Profession/Rank: Rank 10 Cook
ID/Roll:
223694-0, 223694-1, 223694-2 | CD: 8+1, LD: 16
223697-0, 223697-1, 223697-2 | CD: 7+1, LD: 18
223698-0, 223698-1, 223698-2, 223698-3 | CD: 9+1, LD: 20
Item Type: Meal
Tier: N/A
Quality: Rare
Enhancements:  2 EVA
Description:  How does this hot dog make you harder to hit? We have no idea.
Link: https://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/17990-f01grandmaster-cook/?do=findComment&comment=682439&_rid=8792

Name: Performance-Enhancing Dog
Profession/Rank: Rank 10 Cook
ID/Roll:
223691 | CD: 12, LD: 9
223692 | CD: 11+1, LD: 5
223695-0, 223695-1 | CD: 12, LD: 10
Item Type: Meal
Tier: N/A
Quality: Perfect
Enhancements:  2 Protein, 1 ACC
Description:  *slaps roof of hot dog* This bad boy can fit so many steroids in it.
Link: https://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/17990-f01grandmaster-cook/?do=findComment&comment=682439&_rid=8792

 

Approved

"Hmm..."

He felt like he had no good answer to give Typhoon. He wasn't sure that supports used any different weapons than DPS or tank players. To his knowledge, it was a difference in skills. "You'd have to ask him. Whatever you need, though, I'm sure he'll have it."

Morningstar didn't recognize the name Sunburst. It wasn't a name he had seen amongst the frontliners. If she hadn't seen their name on the Monument, then it at least meant that they were okay. "All sorts of things," he told her. "An undead king, a giant five-headed dragon, an overgrown moose. A big rock," he added sheepishly. "Things that would have been perfectly okay with squishing me like that bug I tossed."

"But, I'm still kicking."

He didn't mean to scare her away from the frontlines. There was no sugarcoating it, though—it was a deadly place and not for the unprepared. It was best she knew what she was getting into before she chose the path he had.

The road was long, and she had plenty of time to decide. For now, they would pick flowers.

10 minutes ago, Faerie said:

Reevaluation for New Weapon updates:

Old:

  Hide contents

Verdant Watcher: [Pole-arm; T1 Perfect] A wicked scythe ornately decorated with insect wings and wrapped roots and vines that bind the steel blade to its unusual verdant haft.  A smaller reversed reaping claw is attached at the base.
Enhancement: Damage [3 Slots] | Effect: Gain +(1 * tier per slot) damage to the base weapon damage
Weapon ID: 214263

New:

  Hide contents

Verdant Watcher: [Projectile Weapon; T1 Perfect] An ornate longbow wrapped with vines and roots.
Enhancement: Damage [3 Slots] | Effect: Gain +(1 * tier per slot) damage to the base weapon damage
Weapon ID: 214263

 

Approved

He nodded, stopping by a pair of small boulders. They could sit a while and refresh themselves and get back to the search when they were reenergized. He tossed Etherial a pouch of water and a protein bar. "Sorry. Out of peanut butter. Hope you like mint chocolate."

A swig of cold water was exactly what Star needed. He never realized how thirsty he was until he stopped to drink. He multitasked, keeping his torch raised while struggling to unwrap his snack. Once he'd finally gotten it, he sighed. It wasn't a flavor he particularly liked.

The air was crisp on his skin. His eyes trailed the edge of the light, and he squinted, as if hoping to glimpse what might have been on the other side. No luck. It was too dark in the woods that night. Not even the moon or stars could break through the thick canopy. He reckoned it was a sign that they were close.

He spoke between bites. "Are you aiming for the frontlines, Etherial?"

"I'd wondered where you found those words of power. Never thought to ask."

He placed the unreadable book back on the shelf, neatly fitting it in with the rest. "I'd like the company. I'm not interrupting any fascinating reads?" He jested, peeking out around the corner. Corridors formed by bookshelves stretched out as far as Star could see. Tables in the center row sat unused and looked rather dusty, much like the books NIGHT had piled up. Maybe he was being harsh, but the library didn't appear to get much use.

"So," he turned back to the girl, "Librarians? Staff? Anyone? I haven't seen a single person since I walked in. Do we just wander around until we find someone?"

His broker had neglected to mention how haunting the place was. It was quiet, but not the way a library was meant to be. He didn't find it relaxing or welcoming. He found it creepy, like at any moment a ghost or ghoul would sneak up from around the corner and-

"Hello, and welcome to the Grand Library of Ronbaru," an old voice croaked.

"Jesus fu-"

1 minute ago, Sam said:

Refunding is for New Weapon Switch

Skill(s) Being Dropped: Axe Skill (Rank 1-5)
Mod(s)/Addon(s)/Shift(s) Being Dropped: Ferocity, Stamina, Precision
SP Incurred Towards Limit: Doesn't count toward Limit
SP Refunded: 30 SP
Cost: No Cost

Approved

20 minutes ago, Wulfrin said:

Fusing 2 Rare T1 Straight Swords [219824] and [219826] -> 1 Perfect T1 Straight Sword

New Item Result:
Accruer | Fusion ID: [223653] | T1 Perfect Straight Sword
Enhancements: DMG III
Desc. A longsword with a black blade. Adorned on the hilt is a little triangle shaped indent with a simple looking grey handle. Average weight with good reach. Stamped into the leather just below the cross guard is a phoenix with it's wings splayed out in flight, the signature of Sentinel Armaments.

Materials paid to banker in the crafting process.
Post link: 

 

looks good here. approved

Cigarette smoke plumed through the dimly lit room, invasive as it infected the air. A hot breeze crept in through an open door and a black cat slumbered outside on the deck. The rhythmic ticking of a clock forbade silence and yet, not a soul at the table found themselves distracted. Through opaque sunglasses, East scanned his hand. His frown was telling; he held nothing of value. To his right, South puffed on a long pipe. He was older than the rest, and far more experienced. He played a careful game, making few mistakes. When he did lose, he did so calmly, and always showed respect to his opponents.

West was the opposite. He was money-hungry, and he liked to win. Many had suspected him of cheating, but there was nothing to prove their accusations. Besides, they didn't have the courage to stand up to him if he was. He was brash and aggressive, but never violent during a game. It was outside, after all was said and done, that you had to watch your back.

Morningstar was North. He looked over his hand once, and then a second time for good measure. It was good, but not quite winning. Two triplets and two pairs were promising. Noticing that the rest were out of play, he didn't hesitate to discard his 8 Dot tile. The game moved on to East's turn. East let go of an honor tile—a White Dragon. It was useless to Morningstar. South called Pon, a complete triplet. West laughed and drew his next tile. His discard was unremarkable. 

The rotation completed, and it was Morningstar's turn once more. The 5 Dot he drew made a pair. It was a step in the right direction. They went around the table again and again until eventually, West made a call of his own.

"Riichi," he said with a sly smirk.

It was the equivalent of match point. East seemed more surprised than anyone. He was the weakest of the four, particularly at reading the table. Morningstar joked that it was the shades, but really it was his lack of time in the game. He had game sense. The others were simply better. Ruffling his blonde hair, Morningstar took a quick peek at his tiles. It would be his final hand, he knew. West had one tile left to draw and he was confident in his luck.

But Morningstar liked puzzles. He had watched as carefully as South and knew exactly which tile West was waiting for. Unfortunately for the latter, the very tile was in the swordsman's hand. Returning a smirk, Morningstar discarded his outlying Red Dragon and pulled the tile that would complete his hand: the final North Wind.

"Tsumo," Morningstar announced.

The final set was his. With the leading number of points, he had won the game.

Mahjong combined luck with skill. It was the perfect hunting ground for a man who grew up around similar games. Strategy and a moldable expression were two skills that he was thankful to have picked up. A monsoon of col flooded into his inventory. It was everything that the four of them agreed to stake, and it added up to a hefty sum. A bell chimed as he stood from the table. A message from Freyd.

"Ugzeke found at coordinates attached... Hm."

He stole up his longsword and slung it over his shoulder. "No time for another, I'm afraid. I don't want to see you following me, Keita," he warned West. He continued, gesturing to East. "You can scare this guy, but don't try it with me."

"Cheers," Morningstar smiled, kneeling down to pet the black cat on his way out.

In a rush, he made it to Floor Twenty-three. He was the first to arrive, assuming that others were coming at all. Freyd had waited, and watched over Ugzeke from a distance. "You're a patient one. Hope I'm not late."

| MORNINGSTAR  | Lv. 58 >> P. 25, Lv. 33  | Status: [ slime king huntin' ]  Notes: mega slime farm +10% exp

Hide contents Morningstar | HP: 874/874 | EN: 114/114 | DMG: 28 | MIT: 20 | EVA: 6 | ACC: 6 | BH: 39 | LD: 5 (6) | REC: 4 | FLN: 16 | AA | PAR VEN equipped Dying Sun FLN II, AA, PAR VEN Red Longcoat EVA II, REC I Sapphire ACC III, EVA I battle-ready inventory Magdalyn's Cuckoo Teleport Crystal x5 Dewdrop Salve | HP III Popcorn x10 | VIT II skills   Hide contents mod count: 4/5 2HSS | RANK 5/5 precision, stamina, ferocity shift: tech CLOTH ARMOR | RANK 5/5 athletics, nimble COMBAT MASTERY: DMG | RANK 3/3 SEARCHING | RANK 4/5 (5) night vision, detect, tracking, reveal BATTLE HEALING | RANK 5/5 ENERGIST CHARGE extra SURVIVAL FORGOTTEN KING'S AUTHORITY LADY LUCK DISGUISE data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== buffs   Hide contents statue # | # consumables Imperial Quarter Blend | DMG III Gungnir's Shard: Crème Brûlée Tray | ACC II Big Bertha Braciole | +2 EN per turn Breakfast Fry | PROTEIN II CUPCAKES, INFINITE CUPCAKES | OH III Deep Guilty Greasy Burger | MIT III Bottomless Tea Wares | EVA II paragon Lv. 5 | Gain additional col equivalent to 15% of EXP earned in that thread. Lv. 10 | +1 LD to looting. data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== sword arts   Hide contents en cost matches multiplier unless stated otherwise. shift underlined. ST | x12 -> x15 | x20 AOE | x11 -> x14 TECH-A | x16 | STUN | 13EN TECH-B | x16 | DELAY TECH-D | x16 | SHATTER TECH-F | x12 | AOE STUN TECH-G | x16 | BURN data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== misc/housing buffs   Hide contents Dimensional Backpack | +2 Battle-Ready Inventory Slots. Well Rested | -1 energy cost for the first three expenditures of each combat. Squeaky Clean | The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 25% (rounded down). Filling | Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot. This can exceed normal Cook enhancement caps. Ex: A perfect T2 MIT food gives 35 MIT instead of 30. Tasty | Turn 2 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Lesser Feast. A Lesser Feast contains 4 portions of the food items sacrificed. Lesser Feasts created this way cannot be used outside of the thread they are created. Limit 1 item created per thread. Relaxed | Increases out-of-combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts. Multipurpose | Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll. Skylight (Searching) | +1 Expertise to declared utility skill.  fishing # data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==   data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==

Morningstar raised a brow. "You don't have a weapon? Seriously?" He didn't mean to sound so judgmental, and so he continued. "We can change that. I know a guy on Floor Twenty-two. His name's Wulfrin and he's a blacksmith. He owns a shop called Sentinel Armaments. Mention my name and I'm sure he'll hook you up with a weapon, and maybe some armor too. If that's what you like."

"And there are staffs. And ranged-weapons too, actually. You've got room to experiment," he smiled.

He lifted what he thought was a rock. It was revealed to be a giant beetle. He jumped, kicking it like a football. It crashed into the ground and dematerialized. "There's no shame in being scared. Hell, if I were to show you some of the things I've seen up there," he pointed to the sky, "I don't think I could make you leave Tolbana again."

"One step at a time," he muttered, gathering up another material for their collection. "Take a quest. Kill some mobs. Eventually, you realize that you're just as scary as they are."

He wondered what he would have done in her position. He spent some time hiding out in safe zones early on. He had no one waiting for him, though. It wasn't until he met others that he eventually started playing the game as it was intended—or at least, how he thought it was intended. "What's your friend's name?"

He dropped the two halves of string into Henry's jar and sealed it tight, placing it on the counter where Foyle had found it. He dropped to the floor, leaned against a large wooden cabinet, and sighed. It wasn't relief, nor was it sadness. It was exhaustion. Mentally and physically, Morningstar was drained. He listened and waited for the guards to pass them by. He could feel their heavy stomps through the floor boards as they raided Henry's shop.

"Too close is right."

Guards catching on to them was the last thing they needed. They were safe, for now, from the horrors of Glyndebourne. They had room to breathe; to rest; to think. He stared at the glass container. The string did not stir from within. Had he truly killed it? Or was it biding its time, waiting for another chance to strike? Either way, while it remained in the jar, they appeared to be safe.

Morningstar was glad for Foyle's timely arrival. He was a lone criminal, hunted in an unfamiliar place. An unexpected guest was exactly what he needed. He whipped open his map, widening the view so that he could see all of the nearby streets and alleyways. He pinched it with his fingers, dragging the position to the spot where he and Freyd parted ways. "If I went this way... then he could have taken one of these two streets..." Morningstar muttered to himself. "But he used Disguise, I think. So... with that," he frowned, "he could have gone anywhere."

Leadless, he shut the map. There was no way for him to tell where Freyd had gone. His eyes traveled back to the jar.

"What do we do with it?"

Zackariah laughed. "Oh, yes, of course. I will have a reward prepared for you!"

Off they went, leaving Zackariah and his alchemy shop behind. The old man seemed different from the last time they had met, but Morningstar could not place his finger on why that was. Maybe he'd had his hair cut or something.

"He's nice—nicer than Dorian, anyway. A little bit forgetful, I've noticed. I don't think he knows who I am."

Morningstar shifted through his menus, coming to his inventory. A few taps and his sword materialized at his waist. The boars were weak but frankly, so was Ty. It was worth being careful. He could watch out while she scavenged for materials.

"Zack mentioned flowers and herbs and such, but you can really bring back any sort of material you find. Give him a rock and he'll accept it, no questions asked," Morningstar joked.

He led Ty back through town, passing Dorian once again (and this time fully ignoring his calls for help). From Tolbana's front gate, you could see rolling fields, blue skies, and the odd boar. It was simple, and rather lovely. "You've been outside before, yeah? Must have caught a carriage or something to get here from the Town of Beginnings?"

"Sure, let's do your place. I don't think I've been yet," Morningstar smiled, curious to see the spot they had picked out. If he remembered correctly, they were looking on Floor Twenty-two. Or was it Floor 11? He guessed he'd find out soon enough.

Ciela caught him off guard with the sudden gift. The envelope was beautifully made. He wondered if she had crafted it herself. "What!? You're getting married!?" Morningstar was visibly shocked by the news. He probably should have seen it coming. 

"Congrats! And thank you! I'd love to come," Morningstar took the invitation graciously and hid it away in his inventory, too afraid to lose it in the forest or damage the pretty envelope. A trillion and one questions raced through his mind. When was the big day? It would probably say on the invitation. What should he get them? Did they have a registry? Was that even a thing here?

He settled with a statement. "I'm happy for y'all."

Quest | Previous Thread

Floor Eight's forests were deep, dark, and full of danger. They arrived at night. In Morningstar's hand was a torch, small and light enough to wield alongside his sword. In a radius around the party, it lit their surroundings. It was plenty for them to see what was ahead. Etherial lacked Night Vision, and so Morningstar opted for an archaic light source instead.

A day had passed since they had met in the Town of Beginnings. The girl agreed to accompany Morningstar on his quest in spite of the peril it put her in. He saw it as bravery. Perhaps it was foolishness.

Kumatetsu was a fierce, vicious beast. It shared the appearance of a bear; however, it's sized doubled the few that Morningstar had fought and it's strength was inconceivable. Their fight would be violent, and Morningstar could not promise her safety.

Still, he was glad to have company on the strenuous journey. Brokers could tell him everything about Kumatetsu except for its coordinates. They would all repeat the same piece of advice: "Bring some water. It's going to be a long walk."

How right they were. "You okay back there?" Morningstar asked, turning. He was a short distance ahead of Etherial, so he kept a careful eye on her. They had been walking for some time and both were becoming fatigued. "We can take a break whenever you need. It's not getting any darker."

| MORNINGSTAR  | Lv. 58 >> P. 25, Lv. 33  | Status: [ bear hunting ]  Notes:  //

Hide contents Morningstar | HP: 760/760 | EN: 114/114 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 80 | EVA: 6 | ACC: 4 | BH: 41 | LD: 5 (6) | REC: 4 | FLN: 16 | AA | PAR VEN equipped Dying Sun FLN II, AA, PAR VEN Red Longcoat EVA II, REC I Sapphire ACC III, EVA I battle-ready inventory Magdalyn's Cuckoo Teleport Crystal x2 Dewdrop Salve | HP III skills   Hide contents mod count: 4/5 2HSS | RANK 5/5 precision, stamina, ferocity shift: tech CLOTH ARMOR | RANK 5/5 athletics, nimble COMBAT MASTERY: DMG | RANK 3/3 SEARCHING | RANK 4/5 (5) night vision, detect, tracking, reveal BATTLE HEALING | RANK 5/5 ENERGIST CHARGE extra SURVIVAL FORGOTTEN KING'S AUTHORITY LADY LUCK DISGUISE data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== buffs   Hide contents statue # | # consumables Imperial Quarter Blend | DMG III Mortal Instants | MIT III Smores | EVA II paragon Lv. 5 | Gain additional col equivalent to 15% of EXP earned in that thread. Lv. 10 | +1 LD to looting. data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== sword arts   Hide contents en cost matches multiplier unless stated otherwise. shift underlined. ST | x12 -> x15 | x20 AOE | x11 -> x14 TECH-A | x16 | STUN | 13EN TECH-B | x16 | DELAY TECH-D | x16 | SHATTER TECH-F | x12 | AOE STUN data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== misc/housing buffs   Hide contents Dimensional Backpack | +2 Battle-Ready Inventory Slots. Well Rested | -1 energy cost for the first three expenditures of each combat. Squeaky Clean | The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 25% (rounded down). Filling | Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot. This can exceed normal Cook enhancement caps. Ex: A perfect T2 MIT food gives 35 MIT instead of 30. Tasty | Turn 2 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Lesser Feast. A Lesser Feast contains 4 portions of the food items sacrificed. Lesser Feasts created this way cannot be used outside of the thread they are created. Limit 1 item created per thread. Relaxed | Increases out-of-combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts. Multipurpose | Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll. Skylight (Searching) | +1 Expertise to declared utility skill.  fishing # data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==   data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==

Glad that she had chosen to accept the quest (and ultimately a bit surprised), he led her to Zackariah's shop. He had taken the route many times before, and knew it rather well. "Now, I'll warn you. This is the first of 3 'lessons,' I guess you could say. There's a bit of work to do before you can find Dorian's money. It's fun though. Probably," Morningstar shrugged.

He tapped twice on the wooden door before pushing it open. The inside was just as he remembered it. A variety of different scents, coming from herbs and flowers, filled the room. They were strong, but not unpleasant. The old alchemist poked his head from around the corner of a doorway. He had been in the back room, where Morningstar had once crafted a potion. 

“Oh, hello," came Zackariah. He had a long, snow-white beard and straight, neat hair. His robe was dull and blue, with short sleeves and a bag for holding vials draped over his shoulder. "Are you here to order something? I’m sorry, but I am currently swamped with orders, and I’m running out of supplies.”

He never remembered Morningstar, no matter how often he stopped by. It was the old man's age, he imagined. Light came into the man's dark eyes, a lightbulb going off to signify a brilliant idea. “Would you gather a few materials for me? Flowers, herbs, rare woods, whatever you can find outside the city walls. I promise I’ll help you fill your order as soon as you return. In fact, I would be willing to show you how to do it yourself.”

Zackariah snuck away for a moment, returning quickly with bubbling cauldron full of fondue. Morningstar didn't remember this part of the quest. Maybe he was getting old too. "Here—take this. For good luck," Zackariah winked at Typhoon.

Paragon Level 25 - (1) Gleaming Scale, (1) Demonic Shard, Free Skill Respec

Current EXP: 158,032

"If you've got any bright ideas, I'm all ears right now!"

Between the screaming raider and the groaning of the ship, Morningstar was barely able to process what Nari had shouted. He looked at the hole left behind in the floor and wall up ahead. It was jumpable, for him anyway. He wondered if it would be more difficult to Nari, considering her armor was much heavier. Outside, he noticed a cylindrical object toppling from above. His eyes lit up.

"Escape pods! Somewhere higher up!" He yelled back, hoping to break through the excessive noise. With a firm kick, he knocked the Skyrat Raider through the hole and watched until he dropped out of sight. After a nervous breath and a few steps back, he leaped the gap and crossed over to the other side of the hallway. He turned and looked back at Nari. "Can you make it over!?"

"I don't mean to be nosey," Kent chuckled. The man took a long sip from his mug, giving Morningstar the opportunity to look him over. He was not a player, and this surprised the swordsman. By the way he talked, dressed, and acted, Morningstar would never have guessed that he was an NPC. Lately, they appeared indistinguishable to him. He could have a conversation with an NPC and it would feel as though he were talking to a real life human. Sometimes, he thought it better.

"Or, maybe I do," Kent said, setting the mug down. "Taft's not the safe place it once was, you know? What, with the missing people and all..."

They held eye contact for a moment before Morningstar looked back at his drink. "I've heard about the missing people. Real tough situation."

"Yeah, real tough. It's like they disappear into thin air, right in the middle of town. Always happens at night, and there're never any witnesses. Strange, don't you think?"

"It is."

"And?"

"And what?" Star's eyes narrowed.

"What do you think's going on around here?"

Morningstar shrugged. "Like I said, I'm not from around here."

"That's exactly why I'd like to hear your perspective. Locals are quick to come to conclusions. So, what do you think?"

A sip of his drink would excuse the delay in his response long enough for Morningstar to think of how to approach the question. The NPC was prodding uncomfortably, as if suspicious of Morningstar. It made sense; he was a stranger in a place where strangers were uncommon. Who wouldn't be curious? He threw back the last of the disgusting substance in his glass and humored Kent's question. "I've heard rumors of a killer. But it's like you said—there are no witnesses. Nobody's seen the supposed killer. In a place like this, it's more likely people just skipped town," Morningstar offered. The serial killer theory didn't hold up due to the safe zone; he avoided mentioning that, unsure of how much the NPCs knew of the game's mechanics.

On the other hand, he had seen first hand what had happened in Glyndebourne. Despite the barriers in place, he had cut down the possessed tailor, Henry. It taught him that nothing was impossible.

"Yeah. Yeah, maybe they left. Could be held up in some other town, enjoying the weather. But, you know, I looked around," Kent pulled a sheet of once-folded paper from his pocket, "and I couldn't find any of them." He unfolded it, revealing a list of names. There were twelve of them, listed in a column. Morningstar recognized none. He couldn't tell whether they were players or NPCs, but maybe that didn't matter. They had vanished, all the same.

"Tanks and supports are the real carries. Us DPS players would die without y'all."

Morningstar watched as Nari lit the man ablaze, following suit with an attack of his own. With no room for a long swing, he jabbed at the pirate, who was in no position to counterattack or parry. Before he could get close, however, the aircraft shook violently. Morningstar was pulled off balance. He clung to a pipe on the wall, shimmying across to a spot close enough to reach the Skyrat Raider. 

The raider flailed and screamed, his health bar ticking slowly as if the game was torturing him. The flames jumped, touching a small group of cannisters filled with a substance unbeknownst to the players. They exploded, ripping open the side of the airship directly behind the Skyrat.

Morningstar swore. The blast rotated the ship enough to knock Morningstar down. As he slid to the opposite end of the narrow hall, he dropped his sword. It clanked against metal as it fell out of reach.

From above, more explosions were audible. They were running out of time.

"Well, hopefully not forever. But yeah, that makes sense to me."

Dorian looked unamused at Ty's questions. Morningstar wasn't sure that anyone had confronted him so directly about his poor accounting skills. "Well..." Dorian stumbled on his words, "I have a few ideas. You might start with Zackariah, the alchemist. He's often doing projects for the town, so it may have been him that borrowed the money."

Morningstar tapped his finger, practicing patience while Dorian exhausted his dialogue. He didn't want to spoil who the real money borrower was, and it wasn't because he thought Ty would be interested in the mystery. He simply didn't want to frustrate her with the fact that Zackariah was not their guy. He was just another cog in the quest's wheel. It wouldn't all be a bust, though. Alchemy was an important part of the game, and Morningstar recalled how helpful it was for him to test out different professions before locking in on one.

It taught him that he didn't particularly like any of the others. An appraisers work was quiet, and customers were rare (especially in his neck of the woods). It was the perfect scenario for someone who needed to get a way from the busyness of every day life in Aincrad.

But maybe, he thought, things will be different for her.

"So, what do you say?" Morningstar asked. "Should we check out Zackariah's shop?"

He was just an NPC. He was just one of thousands of NPCs. And yet, he had saved Morningstar's life.

Morningstar cursed, scanning the room for the red thread. He caught a glimpse of it tunneling under a shelf, before it popped out again somewhere else entirely. Foyle moved proactively, getting in its way and flicking it back to Morningstar. A furious swing crashed down upon the table where the string lay, both severing it and smashing the wooden table beneath it to bits. In the same fashion as the jacket it came from, the string did not vanish. Curiously, it laid in the rubble, unmoving. Morningstar knelt down, poking at it as if he thought it was playing dead. It seemed, however, that it was dead.

If it were even alive to begin with, he thought.

With two fingers, he plucked up one piece of the string and eyed it closely. Now, it really did appear to be nothing more than a bit of string. He held out the other half for Foyle to take a look at. It was beyond anything that Morningstar had seen; perhaps the old man had more insight.

"It's crazy to think that this little piece of thread caused all this. Terrifying, really. As far as we know, it has this whole floor under its control. Whatever "it" is."