Morningstar

"Respectfully, four thousand col seems a little bit steep," Morningstar squinted at the blade, using his experience as an appraiser to examine it. The enhancements it carried were by no means bad, but with some luck he could have found his own for three quarters of the price.

"Two slots of static," the merchant crossed his arms, "and a slot of bleed. Hard to come by."

Maybe for you, the blonde thought, refraining from voicing his undesirable opinions. While the jewels were pretty, the sword itself was overvalued and a waste of his money. Gently, he placed it back on the merchant's counter. The player behind the stall frowned, clearly counting on Morningstar's purchase but unwilling to reduce his original price. "Sorry," he shrugged, moving on to the next merchant's booth.

As he turned away, however, he ran into an unexpected barrier. Upon further investigation, he realized it was another person whom he had rudely bumped into. She was pale with silver hair and rather short in comparison to himself. He apologized immediately for his mistake; he had been so caught up in the open-air stores that he had not noticed her enter his path.

[ lv. 51  ->   lv. 33 / p. 18 ] MORNINGSTAR | HP: 720/720 | EN: 110/110 | DMG: 23 | MIT: 20 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 4 | BH: 39 | LD: 8 (9) | BLD: 48 | FB: 40 | REC: 4   Hide contents notes.     Hide contents equipped bleeding giant BLD II, FB II red longcoat EVA II, REC I sapphire ACC III, EVA I battle-ready inventory magdalyn's cuckoo teleport crystal x5 skills.   Hide contents mod count: 3/5 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 BATTLE HEALING | RANK 5/5 ENERGIST CHARGE extra SURVIVAL FORGOTTEN KING'S AUTHORITY LADY LUCK DISGUISE buffs.   Hide contents statue n/a consumables  gelato | LD III paragon Lv. 5 | Gain additional col equivalent to 15% of EXP earned in that thread. Lv. 10 | +1 LD 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 misc.   Hide contents 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.  gathering n/a

22/3/24 unique

Name: Belmont's Chestplate
Your Profession:  Appraiser
Your Rank: Rank 5
Roll ID: 220557, 220558, 220559
Roll Result: 13, 16, 6 (Unique found! BD: 10 CD: 9 LD: 6)
Item Type: Heavy Armor
Tier: T4
Quality: Perfect
Enhancements: Thorns, Mitigation, Bloodclot
Description: The chest armor of a warrior said to have survived a spear to the heart. Red gems are encrusted below the neck, forming a ring.
Link: URL
Acquisition ID: 220318a

23/3/24 unique

Name: White Dwarf
Your Profession:  Appraiser
Your Rank: Rank 5
Roll ID: 220590, 220591, 220592
Roll Result: 18, 2, 16 (Unique found! BD: 10 CD: 10 LD: 18 | BD: 10 CD: 8 LD: 16)
Reroll ID: 220593, 220594, 220595, 220596, 220597 (Unique found! BD: 10 CD: 10 LD: 18)
Reroll Result: 6, 6, 1, 14, 18
Item Type: Straight Sword
Tier: T4
Quality: Perfect
Enhancements: Static, Static, Absolute Accuracy
Description: A short sword of pure white. Etched into the blade are marks resembling bolts of lightning, falling from the tip of the center.
Link: URL
Acquisition ID: 220191b

22/3/24.
 

Morningstar pushed his muscles to work for him, cutting Ulric Drell one last time before his energy levels reached a critical point. No matter how hard he tried, forcing another sword art was impossible. "Sorry but that's all I've got in the tank. Give me like," he paused as if running the numbers in his head, "a minute and a half. Maybe two."

Both numbers were estimates without any mathematical basis. If he was lucky, he would need even less time to recover. Everything was dependent on luck and numbers; at times like this, it frustrated him. He could see Drell's weak spots and he could identify what he needed to do but the system simply would not let him do it.

Not that he was worried. The fight was practically over. The pirate leader's health bar had dropped quite low from the combination of Morningstar's attacks and Nari's barrage of thorns. Every time Drell's blade touched her armor, he was killing himself. That was the strength of a tank, Morningstar thought, standing behind her and allowing her to soak up oncoming damage while he waited for his turn to come again.

All he needed was a sliver of energy.

***

Combat
Morningstar | HP: 828/828 | EN: 3/110 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 80 | EVA: 6 | ACC: 6 | BH: 39 | LD: 8 (9) | REC: 4 | BLD: 48 | FRSTBT: 40 | Pros: 3 | +4 EN | -13 EN
Nari-Lanreth | HP: 1,036/1,081 | EN: 16/106 | ACC: 4| DMG: 12 | MIT: 239 | F.AURA: 16 | B.Healing: 59 | STEALTH: -5 | FRSTBT: 40 DMG; -1 ACC | THORNS: 72 | PARA: 8+| HM: +4 B.DMG | DoT: -36 DMG | IMMOLATION: 40 | +4 EN +59 HP | -2 EN

[3,4]Ulric Drell | HP: 287/2,000 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 75 15 | ACC: 3 2 | EVA: 3 | Frostbite: 40 DMG, -1 ACC (2/2) | Bleed: 48 DMG (2/2) | Shatter: -60 MIT (3/3) | Burn [56 DMG | 2/2]
Poisoned Blade |  On MD 9-10, apply Toxic Venom 30 to the target for 3 turns.  If already active, the effect refreshes.  
Whirling Dervish | On CD 11-12, Ulric Drell’s attack becomes an AoE effect that includes Dockmaster Ryland and all players in the party.
Oddly Resilient | Ulric Drell heals 100 damage at the start of each of his turns, and reduces the duration of Bleed, Blighted, Toxic Venom and Envenomed effects by 1 turn.
Captain’s Nerve | Ulric Drell cannot be disabled.  But, each disabling effect instead reduces his ACC and EVA by 1 until the start of his next turn. This debuff can stack.

ID220524 | CD: 4 | Recovery Failed
ID220525 | BD: 4+6-3=7 | <<Tech-D vs. Ulric Drell>> | Hit: [26x16-35] = 401 damage

Mob's turn
Ulric Drell heals 100 HP from Oddly Resilient
Ulric Drell takes 40 DMG from Frostbite, 48 DMG from Bleed, and 56 DMG from Burn
ID220526 | MD: 6+2=8 | CD: 4 | Hit (Nari-Lanreth): [300-239-16] = 45 damage | Frost Aura: 8 DMG | Thorns: 72 DMG | Immolation: 40 DMG

Nari and Wulfrin pummeled on the Avatar of Avarice until Persi's stun was replaced by another. Desperate to end the fight, Morningstar joined in, occasionally peering up at the mob's shrinking health bar and observing their progress. Wulfrin would survive after all, if things kept up as they were.

Morningstar was glad. Relief washed over him, albeit far too soon. He had seen it before, a statistically weak player entering a dungeon far above their skill level and suffering the consequences. He had been that person once and did not wish to recreate such a traumatic experience after so much time.

The differences between the past and present were experience and numbers. Morningstar had neither in the beginning and it proved to be his undoing. He swiped his blade across the midsection of the Avatar, stacking shatter, and then backed up as the stun began to fade.

He hoped that Freyd's next move would be the party's last.

***

ID: 220524 CD: 6 (Rec Failed)
Morningstar recovers 4 EN

Post Action | Tech-D (x16, 15 EN): 15 EN - (Well Rested 2/3, Stamina): 12 EN
Free Action | None

ID220523 | BD: 7+6=13 (hit) | DMG (16*28)=448-120=328 to Avatar of Avarice

Freyd | HP: 1334/1334 | EN: 117/154 | DMG: 25 | MIT: 80 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 7 | BH: 73 | LD: 9 | PROSP: 3 | HLY: 16 | FLN: 16 | PARA IMMUNE | REC: 8 | TRLBLD
Morningstar | HP: 828/828 | EN: 81/110 | DMG: 28 | MIT: 60 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 6 | BH: 39 | LD: 5 (6) | BLD: 48 | FB: 40 | REC: 4
Wulfrin | HP: 273/273 | EN: 21/44 | DMG 15 | MIT 86 | ACC 5 | REC 1 | LD 3 | Stealth -2 | Stealth Detection +2
Nari-Lanreth | HP [1,081/1,081] | EN [87/106] | ACC [6] | DMG [12] | MIT [239] | F.AURA [16 DMG] B.Healing [+51] | STEALTH [-5] |  FRSTBT [40 DMG | -1 ACC] | THORNS [72] | PARA [8+] | HM [+4 B.DMG] | LD: 5 | IMMOLATION [40] | -13 EN

(2,2,2,3) Avatar of Avarice | HP: 448/2000 | DMG: 360 | MIT: 160 (120) | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3 (0) | SHATTER: -40 MIT (2/3) | F.Stun.Imm (1/3) | Burn [56 DMG | 1/2] | STUNNED | P.Stun.Imm (0/3) | (776-328)

huge junk sale:
tl;dr total col return: 242,000

For Ciela

For Wulfrin

Morningstar's Personal Junk Sales

The ring of a bell pulled Morningstar from his study. He peeked out, his music continuing to play in the background. "Hi, Morningstar is me, correct."

His customer, a girl with hair like Willow's, claimed to know Wulfrin. He listened to her inquiry, smiling when he realized that he could help. "You've come to the right place. Let's take a look at the armor..."

All it took was a few taps and the armor was destroyed and replaced with a small sum of col. "I won't take a cut of this, it's too little. I'd feel bad about taking twenty col. Enjoy!"

***

For Ciela

For Wulfrin

Morningstar's Personal Junk Sales

With Death done and dusted, Morningstar moved on to the next target. He left his new horse's side in a flash of blinding gold, streaking across the battlefield. He kicked off into the air and flew sword first into Conquest's rider. It dug into the horseman's chest armor, the force of the attack pushing him from his horse's back. Pestilence hit the ground with a metal thud, incapacitated by Morningstar's stun.

The blonde had tripped on the horse's saddle and fell close by their unmoving foe. He sat up, only slightly dazed, and used his sword to leverage himself back to his feet. Katoka's warning of the poison-coated arrows would no longer be a nuisance to the party. Courteously, he left the kill for her, considering she had done all of the heavy lifting. He was a lot of things, but a thief of kills would not make the list.

"I'm jealous of his bow," Morningstar admitted. "I like bows."

***

The Freyd and Persi special kept the final boss at bay, allowing the rest of the party to collect themselves and regroup for the end of the dungeon. Things had gone smoothly for them thus far. Wulfrin was still alive and swinging, and the boss was en route to Stun Lock City. They were experiencing the best-case scenario.

Morningstar followed up on the initial setup with a mitigation shattering sword art. A golden glow overtook his blade, trailing off the back of it as it reached for the body of Avarice's Avatar. The gash he left was too shallow to cause irrecoverable damage but enough to whittle down its health bar.

Freyd's damage continued to impress Morningstar, whether from troll's blood, a crystal of divine light, or his base fallen stat. The numbers were always massive, doubling, tripling, or even quadrupling Morningstar's own. Every punch or kick the martial artist threw was a feat, something that other DPS players could only dream of.

And dream, Morningstar would.

***

The flames that erupted from Nari's spear took hold of Drell's jacket. He patted it out quickly with his free hand. The jacket's colour masked the singe marks but not his weeping health bar, touched by the burn ailment. Morningstar used the pirate's distracted state as an opportunity, taking advantage of the flames by swooping in from a blind spot.

Metal touched virtual flesh and the cut that followed drew crimson pixels rather than real blood. He swiped Drell's side cleanly, right below his ribcage. He was quick to scoot back, evading the bite of Drell's deadly sharp blade.

"I've only got a few more in me," Morningstar admitted, "and that's if we're lucky. Hopefully that's all we need."

He could not recall another time he had been pushed to the edge of his energy supply, even with the surplus of difficult quest bosses he had defeated. It was less the strength of Ulric Drell but the sheer numbers of the ordeal. Fight after fight, without breaks, and without consumables took a toll, not only on him but on Nari as well.

***

Combat
Morningstar | HP: 828/828 | EN: 12/110 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 80 | EVA: 6 | ACC: 6 | BH: 39 | LD: 8 (9) | REC: 4 | BLD: 48 | FRSTBT: 40 | Pros: 3 | +8 EN | -13 EN
Nari-Lanreth | HP: 1,081/1,081 | EN: 14/106 | ACC: 4| DMG: 12 | MIT: 239 | F.AURA: 16 | B.Healing: 59 | STEALTH: -5 | FRSTBT: 40 DMG; -1 ACC | THORNS: 72 | PARA: 8+| HM: +4 B.DMG | DoT: -36 DMG | IMMOLATION: 40 | +4 EN | -13 EN

[2,4]Ulric Drell | HP: 852/2,000 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 75 35 | ACC: 3 2 | EVA: 3 | Frostbite: 40 DMG, -1 ACC (1/2) | Bleed: 48 DMG (1/2) | Shatter: -40 MIT (2/3) | Burn [56 DMG | 1/2]
Poisoned Blade |  On MD 9-10, apply Toxic Venom 30 to the target for 3 turns.  If already active, the effect refreshes.  
Whirling Dervish | On CD 11-12, Ulric Drell’s attack becomes an AoE effect that includes Dockmaster Ryland and all players in the party.
Oddly Resilient | Ulric Drell heals 100 damage at the start of each of his turns, and reduces the duration of Bleed, Blighted, Toxic Venom and Envenomed effects by 1 turn.
Captain’s Nerve | Ulric Drell cannot be disabled.  But, each disabling effect instead reduces his ACC and EVA by 1 until the start of his next turn. This debuff can stack.

ID220375 | CD: 10 | Recovery successful! +8 EN
ID220376 | BD: 8+6-3=11 | <<Tech-D vs. Ulric Drell>> | Hit: [26x16-35] = 381 damage | Frosbite: 40 DMG, -1 ACC | Bleed: 48 DMG

Mob's turn
Ulric Drell heals 100 HP from Oddly Resilient
Ulric Drell takes 40 DMG from Frostbite & 48 DMG from Bleed
ID220382 | MD: 8+2=10 | CD: 7 | Hit (Nari-Lanreth): [300-239-16] = 45 damage | Frost Aura: 8 DMG | Thorns: 72 DMG | Immolation: 40 DMG

Morningstar stumbled back into Freyd's shop a while later, after all of the pointy objects (and more) had been appraised. Most of the lot was tossed aside, worthless to him; however, a few gems had been dug up. The uniques that he did not have use for were converted to mystic essence, the one material that all appraisers dreamed of. "A handful of it," as Freyd had put it, was to be offered as payment for the collection of items that Morningstar had been loaned.

"Hello," the blonde called into Freyd Edges. The main lobby was clear of people, but the sign said open so he figured it was alright to come in. "I come bearing gifts. Well, payment, really."

***

Morningstar gives 6x Mystic Essence to Freyd:

[219722b] [219203] [219106] [219486] [219442] [219545]

mystic essence woooo. converting everything inside of this spoiler.

+6 Mystic essence:
219722b
219203
219106
219486
219442
219545

3.18.2024

junk sales:

Consumables:

Rare [ 4 ] | 219477a, 219544a, 219548a, 219999a
Perfect [ 13 ] | 219427a, 219427b, 219460a, 219460b, 219462, 219482a, 219523a, 219523b, 219525a, 219529c, 219529d, 219546a, 219546b

Revenue: 15,150 col (used to reduce id costs, no need to send funds to my account)

unique appraisals, all paid for:

Name: Cold Locket
Your Profession:  Appraiser
Your Rank: Rank 5
Roll ID: 220357, 220359, 220360
Roll Result: 3, 19, 16 (Unique found! BD: 10 CD: 11)
Item Type: Trinket
Tier: T4
Quality:  Perfect
Enhancements: Antifreeze, Evasion II
Description: A frozen locket pillaged from the remains of a forgotten city. Whispers of the dead can be heard from within.
Link: URL
Acquisition ID: 219486

Name: Lion's Pin
Your Profession:  Appraiser
Your Rank: Rank 5
Roll ID: 220361, 220362, 220363
Roll Result: 7, 13, 12 (Unique found! BD: 10 CD: 10)
Item Type: Trinket
Tier: T4
Quality: Perfect
Enhancements: Recovery, Prosperity, Bloodclot
Description: A small pin shaped like the head of a lion. It is finely painted and made from silver.
Link: URL
Acquisition ID: 219442

Name: Lucky Monocle
Your Profession:  Appraiser
Your Rank: Rank 5
Roll ID: 220373, 220374
Roll Result: 10, 5 (Unique found! BD: 10 CD: 11)
Item Type: Trinket
Tier: T4
Quality: Rare
Enhancements: Bloodclot, Quality
Description: A golden monocle worn only by the finest of gentlemen.
Link: URL
Acquisition ID: 219545

3.18.2024

Thread Closing

Morningstar receives:

2,057 EXP (Word Count [5,877/10*5*0.7])
38,448 col (1 page [400] + Loot [37,740] + 15% P5 Reward [308])
1 Demonic Shard
1 Gleaming Scale
Random Dungeon Map 220215
T4 Perfect Weapon 220191a
T4 Perfect Weapon 220191b
T4 Perfect Armor/Shield 220191c
T4 Perfect Armor/Shield 220201c
T4 Perfect Armor/Shield 220201d
T4 Perfect Armor/Shield 220206c
T4 Perfect Armor/Shield 220206d
T4 Perfect Armor/Shield 220211a
T4 Perfect Armor/Shield 220224a
T4 Perfect Armor/Shield 220318a
T4 Perfect Armor/Shield 220334a
T4 Rare Trinket 220334
T4 Rare Trinket 220340
T4 Perfect Trinket 220224b
T4 Perfect Trinket 220318b
T4 Perfect Consumable 220201a
T4 Perfect Consumable 220201b
T4 Perfect Consumable 220206a
T4 Perfect Consumable 220206b
T4 Perfect Consumable 220211b
T4 Perfect Consumable 220211c
T4 Perfect Consumable 220334b
T4 Perfect Consumable 220334c

Kingsley receives:

1,122 EXP (Word Count [5,877/10*2*0.7] + Quest [300])
38 Materials (Loot [5] + Gift from Morningstar [33])
Blueberry Tea | Antidote I (Will submit for evaluation after thread approval).
Standard <<Alchemist>> Shop

The Town of Beginnings came into view, marking the end of their journey.

"See you around, Waxton Kingsley, founder of Kingsley Slate Company," Morningstar smiled as he waved goodbye to the old man, setting off for home, ready for a long slumber.

"Goodnight to you, Mr. Star. I'm sure we'll meet again soon. We have lots of business to do together!" The old man laughed as he walked away, his short frame disappearing into the crowd of players that filled the primary street. 

Morningstar teleported back to his beach house on Raitoborou Bay, where Willow waited for him. He regaled her on every bit of his day, and his odd encounter with the old adventuring soon-to-be alchemist, Waxton Kingsley.

Meanwhile, Kingsley returned to Evangeline's shop, all of the necessary potion making ingredients prepared (or, at least, what he thought were the necessary ingredients). He pushed open the tall wooden door and waltzed right in.

***

The bear rushed forth with a booming roar and yet Morningstar stood firm, his stance unwavering despite the looming threat before him. His heartbeat was steady as he timed the bear's approach.

With a swift motion, Morningstar raised his sword, the icy blue metal catching sunlight. He braced himself as the bear came into range.

Things seemed to slow down as the bear closed the distance between them, its massive form hurtling toward Morningstar with unstoppable force. In that fleeting moment, the world around him faded away, leaving only him and his opponent.

A single swipe of Morningstar's blade was all it took to fell the bear. His bleed and frostbite status effects activated in an instant, crippling the beast. It shattered like mobs always did when they were defeated.

"I think I'll donate these materials to your shop, once you've opened up. I don't have as much of a use for them, being an appraiser. They're kind of like my currency, since I use all of my col at work."

***

With a final, decisive blow, he struck true, his sword piercing the beast's heart with a resounding thud. As the bear slumped to the ground, defeated and lifeless, Morningstar stood victorious, his chest heaving with exertion and his eyes ablaze with triumph.

Turning to Kingsley, Morningstar shrugged. "Piece o' cake," he chuckled.

Kingsley nodded, his expression a mixture of awe and gratitude. "Thank you, Mr. Star," he said, his voice cheerful. "I would have expected nothing less from a master such as yourself."

"You flatter me," Morningstar rolled his eyes, following behind the old man. "You don't have everything that you're looking for, do you? Are you sure we should head back so soon?"

"We'll find more materials along the way, I'm sure. And if we don't, maybe I'll just borrow some of yours."

"No way. That's illegal or something. You've got to hunt for your own materials or the quest won't accept them."

"Darn computers."

***

Before the bear could even swat at Kingsley, Morningstar swooped in. Fluidly, he interposed himself between Kingsley and the hungry beast, his sword gleaming gold.

Kingsley was unsurprised by Morningstar's sudden appearance. He held his employees at a high standard and would expect nothing less from the man but to defend him at the last second. He grinned without a word.

With a fierce roar, the bear lunged forward, its massive claws slashing through the air. With quick reflexes, Morningstar deftly parried the bear's attack, his sword flashing in a blur of gold and green as he switched between sword arts. Each blow he delivered whittled away at the bear's defenses, which had the unintended effect of enraging it even more so. It's large health bar was overwhelming just to look at; but, Morningstar continued to strike nonetheless.

Sensing an opening, Morningstar pressed his advantage, driving the bear back with a relentless barrage of attacks.

***

The hinges creaked in protest as the lid swung open, revealing a treasure trove of golden coins gleaming softly in the dim light filtering through the trees. Among the riches lay a demonic shard, an item quite valuable to Morningstar. The items flowed into his inventory and the col into his virtual wallet. Then, he moved on to look for his new comrade.

The old man had wandered off without the blonde, despite their agreement. He was a handful, almost like an ancient toddler with a wicked arm. He wondered if Kingsley had played baseball in his youth because his leg still stung from the last smack.

Picking up the pace, he trotted along the winding forest path, keeping a look out for the wise, tea-loving old man. He called out a few times with no response. It was his fault, really, for trusting that Kingsley would stay put while he looted.

***

A glimmer poked out from behind the leaves of the tree line. It was metallic and small. Morningstar called out to Kingsley, asking him to wait up for a moment (which the old man promptly ignored). He took a closer look and discovered a treasure chest. It was his lucky day, considering he had purchased a golden key from a general merchant only days prior. Unlocking the wooden crate would be simple.

Meanwhile, Waxton Kingsley had gone off on his own, far up ahead where Morningstar could no longer see him. "Where'd that slow kid run off to," the old man muttered to himself. All of their walking had made him tired, hungry, and parched. He filed an idea in his brain for later; the blonde bodyguard would absolutely be buying him dinner after all was said and done. He would have something expensive and a cold drink. Kids had to look after their elders, after all.

***

"I miss my family too," Morningstar said, although he refrained from admitting that he thought of them less and less as the days rolled by. There was shame and sadness that followed that thought, and he was not open to sharing it. 

"It would be nice if we could keep a piece of them with us, wouldn't it?"

"There's a quest for that, actually. Floor Twenty-Two, Forest of Memories. Gives you an item that lets you look at your memories of the real world," Morningstar explained. "I guess Kayaba thought we would see it as generous but I imagine that for some, it looks like a cruel joke."

"Yes. They'll give us the memories but not the real thing. Thank you for sharing this with me. I'll be sure to look into the quest myself."

Morningstar smiled but said nothing in return, noticing another wolf peeking out from behind the greenery. They met briefly in combat, where the swordsman bested the beast.

***

3.17.2024

As soon as they stepped foot in the forest they were greeted by a growling wolf. It sprinted towards them, shockingly alone. Normally, Morningstar encountered them in packs. He stayed on guard, wondering if more were lurking in the shadows of the trees, and kept a close distance from Kingsley.

He swung wide, catching the wolf on its side as it lunged at him. The weight of Bleeding Giant knocked it off balance, throwing it into the bushes and destroying its virtual form.

Loot spilled into the blonde's inventory, but nothing of much worth was found.

"Anything around here?" he asked Kingsley, who was scraping the bark off of a tree. 

The old man was looking at the wood, eyes squinted. He was deep in thought, as if considering whether he could do anything with the material, but eventually shook his head and tossed it aside. "I don't think so."

***

"Here's to many more exciting discoveries," Kingsley heartily rose his insect container, a grin wide across his face.

Morningstar was half-interested in seeing what the old fellow would come up with in Evangeline's shop. Not that he was any more curious about what his potions would taste like, of course. Poisonous berries and rhinoceros beetle juice did not stimulate his senses.

"I have to say," Kingsley looked up at the blonde, "I've gathered from my grandchildren that you're quite the celebrity. Does walking around in the open like this not get you into trouble?"

Morningstar shrugged, unsure of what to say. "I don't get recognized much anymore. I did a little bit, at the start. Slowly, I think people just forget, which has worked out nicely for me. Or maybe they just stopped caring about things like that when they realized there was no getting out."

"Mm. No getting out, indeed. I'll admit, I didn't think I'd live this long in here. I thought my heart would give out or something of that sort. I'm an old man—I'm not even sure how old these days! Always forgetting the little things," Kingsley's smile looked almost sad.

***