Dederick

Then, suddenly, death was no longer approaching. 

Dederick opened his eyes to the welcome sight of a canopy of green shielding him from the harsh rays of sunlight that beamed down from beyond. He blinked, then blinked again before furrowing his brows and trying to make sense of it all. A fish man, boar, and goblin? Who would ever believe that something like that could be a threat? Dederick simply chalked up that it had only been a dream version of himself that allowed himself to become so perturbed by enemies so benign. 

Still, it had been a harrowing experience. He thought for sure that he, and his friends, were dead meat. Still feeling a bit shaky over the whole thing, he reached to his side for his source of comfort - a bowl of soup that was hopefully still warm. But when his fingers met with the bowl, something didn't feel right. His face crossed with fury as he snapped his neck to the side to gaze upon his food, and that's when he saw it. He'd spilled his soup in his sleep.

"MY SOUP!"

Similarly, Dederick had lost the rest of his party in the fray. All attempts to reach the mobs had been met with repulsion from the other players who, despite their unrefined statures, were overwhelmingly strong when put together in such high volumes, and prevented him from approach. He simply wasn't strong enough to make it through.

"Damn it," he muttered as he set his jaw. Was there even a point in continuing now? What was he doing here? He was supposed to be a tank, but he hadn't managed to protect anybody. The most impressive thing he'd accomplished was grandstanding and posturing. What use was that, really, if the rest of his party had chosen to rush past him into the arms of danger instead, anyways?

This was probably the end. For Dederick, Jackpot, everyone. This was where they would all meet their maker. The only thing that Dederick could hope for was that He was as forgiving and understanding as the scriptures had foretold, and that He would invite his children into his arms with the same ease and grace that danger had in the land of the living.

[No action taken.]

I told them to stay behind me... was all Dederick could think as he watched the women who had apparently become part of his party rush past him and toward the bosses. Who were eating maximum level player attacks to the chin as though they were nothing, and coming back from the dead even if they did end up hurt. Dederick had never been a man for video games, but it didn't take an MMO savant to recognize that such an act was pure tomfoolery.

But he had an obligation to back them up.

So, without a word, he rushed forward into the crowd. But the crowd, as it turned out, was either equally as dangerous and terrifying as their shared enemy. He'd never imagined he could feel so squished and stretched while wearing a full suit of plate armor. Or was that due to the rifts in spacetime opening up all around them? It was impossible to tell at this point. Hell's Demons had entered the arena, and Dederick, in his sandwiched state, was powerless to stop them.

[Dederick tries to back up his party, but the crowd gives him a big hug instead.]

Though Dederick usually tried to ignore such things, he couldn't help but notice that Jackpot was more off-kilter than usual. Dederick had always known the man to be very smooth, suave, and confident. Especially around women. Had he lost his zeal, or did he just turn into a blubbering idiot under pressure? It was difficult to tell, and Dederick didn't care enough to get to the bottom of it, anyway.

"Can you guys quiet down? I'm trying to concentrate," spat Dederick over his shoulder. Trying to discern just what the hell Jackpot had gotten them into was making it difficult to focus.

"Concentrate on what? Being a statue? Color be surprised," came Jackpot's sardonic reply.

Dederick wanted to argue, but in the end, knew Jackpot was right. He wasn't contributing anything to this fight, besides putting himself between the Kings and his impromptu party. A part of him wanted to rush into the chaos, but he knew he wouldn't contribute anything of value. His place was here, with his people.

"Maybe you'll come to your senses and thank me for it some day."

[No action taken.]

So this was it, then? Mockeries of gods. Dederick wasn't all that surprised - more so, he was surprised in just how angry it made him. These idols were false, cruel caricatures of true holiness. As Dederick watched his health instantly half, then cap off, he knew they were in for the fight of their lives. But the insult that these creatures carried with them was absolutely unforgivable.

"D-Dederick... I don't know if being here is such a good idea..."

And of course, this fool couldn't handle it.

"Nonsense. We should have expected something like this. The god of this world wouldn't give us an easy way out. It would instead send its false prophets, and make us struggle in futility against them." He lowered his shield. "There's nothing that can be done here but fight with everything we have."

It was then that the slender woman with a verdant mop of hair arrived, accosting the duo after an embarrassing blunder. She seemed to know Jackpot. Which seemed fitting, considering she seemed just as terrified as he was.

"This is, uh, Dederick. He's a tank. Tanky boy." Jackpot announced, introducing Dederick, but neglecting to introduce his green-haired friend. "But I don't think even he can stand up to something like this."

In response, Dederick shifted his position to stand between the pair and the monsters that threatened to snuff them out. He bent at the knees and lowered his center of gravity, holding Tarn Mirror firmly between certain death and their small party. "Probably not, but I can try. Stay behind me."

[No action taken.]

We are the "noobs," was all Dederick could think to himself as Jackpot yammered on about how many low leveled players had shown up to what should have been surmised as a high level event. If there truly was something that could let the denizens of Aincrad out after only having cleared a quarter of the floors, it was likely so terrifying that the majority of the players here would either be forced to scurry away, or perish trying. There was probably a good chance that even the veterans may perish. But as a knight, he had sworn an oath to serve the populace of this floating hell - retreat was not an option.

What really annoyed him, though, was that there was another person there who looked exactly like him. Same hair color, same hair style, same face shape, same eyes, same taste in armor. It was chilling. Had they allowed Geminis to take part in the quest?

"No," Dederick finally responded. "We were screwed the moment you trapped us here."

Dederick sends the Crafter's Respite that @Oscar had been patiently waiting for.

Dederick gives Bahr a spare Crafter's Respite potion because the dice gods are not smiling upon him today.

Name: Crafter's Respite
Your Profession: Alchemist
Your Rank: 5
ID: 135952-1
Roll: CD: 12 | LD: 19
Item Type: Potion
Tier: 1
Quality: Perfect 
Enhancements: Crafter's Respite
Description: "Drink this to double your crafting attempts."
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18400-f01-r5-alchemist-ded-wrath-beyond-orders-closed-until-further-notice/?do=findComment&comment=596940

Name: Crafter's Respite
Your Profession: Alchemist
Your Rank: 5
ID: 135952-2
Roll: CD: 12 | LD: 19
Item Type: Potion
Tier: 1
Quality: Perfect 
Enhancements: Crafter's Respite
Description: "Drink this to double your crafting attempts."
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18400-f01-r5-alchemist-ded-wrath-beyond-orders-closed-until-further-notice/?do=findComment&comment=596940

Name: Crafter's Respite
Your Profession: Alchemist
Your Rank: 5
ID: 135952-3
Roll: CD: 12 | LD: 19
Item Type: Potion
Tier: 1
Quality: Perfect 
Enhancements: Crafter's Respite
Description: "Drink this to double your crafting attempts."
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18400-f01-r5-alchemist-ded-wrath-beyond-orders-closed-until-further-notice/?do=findComment&comment=596940

Crafter's Respite Potion consumed. (+6 crafting attempts)
- 12 T1 Materials
+ 5 T1 Materials salvaged
+ 87 EXP

Crafting

"Awesome job!" Dederick congratulated enthusiastically. "Guess I've gotta catch up now," he mused, looking around for another pack of the tiny vermin. He stepped forward, scrutinized a patch of brush, then swept an oversized leaf aside. Hiding beneath were three more of the very creatures he sought to hunt. "Found you, you little pests."

He charged up a Sword Art. Released it. Heard his sword whistle through the air. Then blinked in confusion. One? He'd only hit one of them? And he hadn't even gotten a Boar Tusk out of it. Bewildered by his utter failure, he hardly even noticed that the remaining two Boar Pups were cowering before him. He craned his neck to the side, toward Joanne, and let loose a disappointed sigh. "That didn't go as well as I'd hoped. Any luck on your end?"

It wasn't any fun to be behind, and falling further and further back the longer this went on. But he did genuinely hold hope that she was having better luck than he was.
 

Dederick gives Bahr a thing because he needs to do a thing.

The Thing:

Name: Potion of Lesser Power
Your Profession: Alchemist
Your Rank: 5
ID: 134595
Roll: CD: 9 | LD: 4
Item Type: Potion
Tier: 1
Quality: Uncommon
Enhancements: DMG 1
Description: "Drink this and become stronger than you once were."
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18400-f01-r5-alchemist-ded-wrath-beyond-orders-closed-until-further-notice/?do=findComment&comment=594921

Name: Potion of Lesser Power
Your Profession: Alchemist
Your Rank: 5
ID: 134599
Roll: CD: 8 | LD: 14
Item Type: Potion
Tier: 1
Quality: Uncommon
Enhancements: DMG 1
Description: "Drink this and become stronger than you once were."
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18400-f01-r5-alchemist-ded-wrath-beyond-orders-closed-until-further-notice/?do=findComment&comment=594921

Name: Potion of Magnificent Power
Your Profession: Alchemist
Your Rank: 5
ID: 134600-1
Roll: CD: 12 | LD: 20
Item Type: Potion
Tier: 1
Quality: Perfect 
Enhancements: DMG 3
Description: "Drink this and become your final form."
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18400-f01-r5-alchemist-ded-wrath-beyond-orders-closed-until-further-notice/?do=findComment&comment=594921

Name: Potion of Magnificent Power
Your Profession: Alchemist
Your Rank: 5
ID: 134600-2
Roll: CD: 12 | LD: 20
Item Type: Potion
Tier: 1
Quality: Perfect 
Enhancements: DMG 3
Description: "Drink this and become your final form."
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18400-f01-r5-alchemist-ded-wrath-beyond-orders-closed-until-further-notice/?do=findComment&comment=594921

Name: Potion of Magnificent Power
Your Profession: Alchemist
Your Rank: 5
ID: 134600-3
Roll: CD: 12 | LD: 20
Item Type: Potion
Tier: 1
Quality: Perfect 
Enhancements: DMG 3
Description: "Drink this and become your final form."
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18400-f01-r5-alchemist-ded-wrath-beyond-orders-closed-until-further-notice/?do=findComment&comment=594921

Name: Potion of Lesser Power
Your Profession: Alchemist
Your Rank: 5
ID: 134601
Roll: CD: 8 | LD: 4
Item Type: Potion
Tier: 1
Quality: Uncommon
Enhancements: DMG 1
Description: "Drink this and become stronger than you once were."
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18400-f01-r5-alchemist-ded-wrath-beyond-orders-closed-until-further-notice/?do=findComment&comment=594921

Name: Potion of Higher Power
Your Profession: Alchemist
Your Rank: 5
ID: 134602
Roll: CD: 11 | LD: 2
Item Type: Potion
Tier: 1
Quality: Rare
Enhancements: DMG 2
Description: "Drink this and tap into a power you never knew you had."
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18400-f01-r5-alchemist-ded-wrath-beyond-orders-closed-until-further-notice/?do=findComment&comment=594921

Name: Potion of Lesser Power
Your Profession: Alchemist
Your Rank: 5
ID: 134604-1
Roll: CD: 8 | LD: 19
Item Type: Potion
Tier: 1
Quality: Uncommon
Enhancements: DMG 1
Description: "Drink this and become stronger than you once were."
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18400-f01-r5-alchemist-ded-wrath-beyond-orders-closed-until-further-notice/?do=findComment&comment=594921

Name: Potion of Lesser Power
Your Profession: Alchemist
Your Rank: 5
ID: 134604-2
Roll: CD: 8 | LD: 19
Item Type: Potion
Tier: 1
Quality: Uncommon
Enhancements: DMG 1
Description: "Drink this and become stronger than you once were."
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18400-f01-r5-alchemist-ded-wrath-beyond-orders-closed-until-further-notice/?do=findComment&comment=594921

Name: Potion of Lesser Power
Your Profession: Alchemist
Your Rank: 5
ID: 134604-3
Roll: CD: 8 | LD: 19
Item Type: Potion
Tier: 1
Quality: Uncommon
Enhancements: DMG 1
Description: "Drink this and become stronger than you once were."
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18400-f01-r5-alchemist-ded-wrath-beyond-orders-closed-until-further-notice/?do=findComment&comment=594921

Crafter's Respite Potion consumed. (+6 crafting attempts)
- 12 T1 Materials
+ 2 T1 Materials salvaged
+ 82 EXP

Stryder's Package:

Crafting:

Dederick took the man's hand appreciatively, giving it a firm shake. "If I'm being honest, it really felt like I would be the one taking the pounding here," he admitted as he bent over to retrieve his fallen equipment. Despite the win, Dederick didn't feel any better about the soup. He'd avenged it, but for what? It still stained the grass between them.

"Hey. Let's go get some new soup. That's really the only appropriate way to amend a situation like this. My treat."

His sword and shield came to a rest on his back before he turned and began meandering back toward the Town of Beginnings. He hoped that Koga would follow, but whether or not he actually did didn't matter in the end. Chicken dumpling soup. It was the only thing that mattered at the moment. Dederick was absolutely famished after a duel like that.

It seemed that the day hadn't been so ruined as he had originally imagined. There would be more soup. Life would go on.

The man's retaliation had been quick, but Dederick's shield was quicker. A metallic hiss sounded out as the Katana bounced harmlessly from its surface, a translucent blue light flashing from its surface and directing itself into Koga's body. As Dederick witnessed the man's health bar dip impossibly close to half, he knew that now was his time to strike. 

But he needed to clever. Quick. Nimble. The same tired approach he had been using would only fail again if he didn't get it right this time. So he tried something else. With his blade coated in amber light, he took two powerful strides forward, bringing his blade down in a diagonal slash toward Koga. But just as it had been when their battle started, it was a feint. He knew that Koga would expect this. 

So he followed it up with a horizontal sweep, which the man again avoided easily. This, too, was a feint. Dederick carried the momentum of the swing and spun rapidly, issuing a harrowing slash that finally found its mark, depleting the man's HP into the yellow. 

WINNER: DEDERICK

With a sigh of relief, Dederick let his sword and shield fall to the ground with a clank and plopped down onto his ass, allowing his arms to fall behind him to support his weary frame. That had been so much more intense than he ever could have imagined. "That... was awesome."
 

Name: Healing Rub Plus
Your Profession: Alchemist
Your Rank: 5
ID: 130916-1
Roll: CD: 12 | LD: 19
Item Type: Salve
Tier: 1
Quality: Perfect 
Enhancements: HP Recovery
Description: "An exceptional ointment crafted from a rare flower. It is tangerine in coloration."
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18400-f01-r4-alchemist-ded-wrath-beyond-orders-closed-until-further-notice/?do=findComment&comment=589338

Name: Healing Rub Plus
Your Profession: Alchemist
Your Rank: 5
ID: 130916-2
Roll: CD: 12 | LD: 19
Item Type: Salve
Tier: 1
Quality: Perfect 
Enhancements: HP Recovery
Description: "An exceptional ointment crafted from a rare flower. It is tangerine in coloration."
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18400-f01-r4-alchemist-ded-wrath-beyond-orders-closed-until-further-notice/?do=findComment&comment=589338

Name: Healing Rub Plus
Your Profession: Alchemist
Your Rank: 5
ID: 130916-3
Roll: CD: 12 | LD: 19
Item Type: Salve
Tier: 1
Quality: Perfect 
Enhancements: HP Recovery
Description: "An exceptional ointment crafted from a rare flower. It is tangerine in coloration."
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18400-f01-r4-alchemist-ded-wrath-beyond-orders-closed-until-further-notice/?do=findComment&comment=589338

Name: Toxic Venom
Your Profession: Alchemist
Your Rank: 5
ID: 130918
Roll: CD: 12 | LD: 15
Item Type: Salve
Tier: 1
Quality: Perfect 
Enhancements: Toxic Venom
Description: "Apply this to your weapon to deal bonus damage on critical hits."
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18400-f01-r4-alchemist-ded-wrath-beyond-orders-closed-until-further-notice/?do=findComment&comment=589338

Name: Potion of Lesser Power
Your Profession: Alchemist
Your Rank: 5
ID: 130920-1
Roll: CD: 12 | LD: 19
Item Type: Salve
Tier: 1
Quality: Perfect 
Enhancements: DMG 1
Description: "Drink this and become stronger than you once were."
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18400-f01-r4-alchemist-ded-wrath-beyond-orders-closed-until-further-notice/?do=findComment&comment=589338

Name: Potion of Lesser Power
Your Profession: Alchemist
Your Rank: 5
ID: 130920-2
Roll: CD: 12 | LD: 19
Item Type: Salve
Tier: 1
Quality: Perfect 
Enhancements: DMG 1
Description: "Drink this and become stronger than you once were."
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18400-f01-r4-alchemist-ded-wrath-beyond-orders-closed-until-further-notice/?do=findComment&comment=589338

Name: Potion of Lesser Power
Your Profession: Alchemist
Your Rank: 5
ID: 130920-3
Roll: CD: 12 | LD: 19
Item Type: Salve
Tier: 1
Quality: Perfect 
Enhancements: DMG 1
Description: "Drink this and become stronger than you once were."
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18400-f01-r4-alchemist-ded-wrath-beyond-orders-closed-until-further-notice/?do=findComment&comment=589338

Finally. He had done it. Perhaps it was the recent increase in rank, but Dederick had really pulled it out today. Four perfect salves and a few damage potions. It was his best day of crafting yet. And he hadn't even broken a sweat doing it. The apprehension that he had felt before was slowly lifting. He composed a message for Gambit.
 

Quote

To: @Gambit

I've finally got your order finished. Come pick it up at your earliest convenience.

- Dederick

With that done, Dederick felt refreshed. Tomorrow he would get started on the next order, and then the order after that.

+ 49 EXP
- 6 T1 Materials
+ 2 T2 Materials salvaged

Gambit's Package:

Crafting:

"That sounds like fun! But I hope you're ready to pay," he teased as another pair of Boar Pups accosted her. Since it seemed as though she would have her hands full, Dederick turned his attention back to the Boar Pup that had struck his breastplate just moments before. It appeared timid - scared, really. But there was a defiant gleam in its eye. Dederick liked that, even though he knew there wasn't a chance it would survive. There was something endearing about it. Perhaps he would pick up a baby boar as a familiar one day?

No, that just seemed foolish.

When it charged him again, he was ready. His shield took the hit this time, and the moment a flash of blue left its reflective surface and surged into the pig, it burst into a cloud of shimmering blue pixels. There was no loot to be found, but slaying another one of the arrogant creatures was satisfying. "Still tied. Wonder if that one you're working on will put you in the lead?"
 

Dederick is thankful to have his shield back. What took so long, anyways?

Dederick clapped as he witnessed Joanne make quick work of the baby boar. "Upgraded your armor a bit, I see!" he mused, recognizing the damage that had been delivered as Thorns. "That's a good call. I can't tell you how many times Thorns has saved my hide. Now, about the rest of those tusks..."

Dederick darted past the bush the first one had emerged from, finding another three hiding just beyond. "Thought so," he mused as he drew his sky-colored sword from its sheath. After a moment, it became imbued with an amber light, and he dashed forward, ripping into the pack with a single swing of his blade in a wide arc. Tow of the Boar Pups crumpled under the weight of the attack, but the third managed to avoid taking any damage and dashed in. 

It bounced pitifully off of Dederick's breastplate with a dull thud, rolling back across the ground. "Wow. They really are harmless, aren't they?" Since it seemed he had ample time to check, he opened his menu and checked the loot from the last two kills, giving Joanne a nod as he dismissed the panel. "Looks like I nabbed one, too."
 

Dederick felt her quiver, and when he looked, she had her eyes slammed shut. It seemed that his comment had bothered her a lot more than he had meant for it to.

"Hey, it's alright," he said, giving her hand a light squeeze. "As long as we're together, nothing bad is going to happen. I've got you." He hoped that his reassurance would help bring her back from whatever edge she had just found herself at the fringe of. 

Luckily, it appeared as though they were nearing the spot. Tree cover now offered them a bit of a buffer between themselves and the clouds looming above. All that there was left to do now was locate the spawn zone of the boars. He looked around, but didn't see any obvious signs.

"Hey, did the quest give you any location data on where exactly to go? It could take us forever to search a forest this big."

When she offered her hand, Dederick graciously accepted it. No longer was he nervous about such a thing, in fact it felt more natural than ever. The companionship they shared seemed closer than usual friends, and he was okay with that. What reason did he have to reject such innocent affection? "Absolutely," he replied with a warm smile, sauntering along with her as she led the way to the northern fields.

Once they got there, it was clear that today was going to be a tad different than the day before. It was slightly overcast, and smelled like rain. None had fallen yet, but Dederick felt as though it was only a matter of time. "Guess we might get some rain today," he mused as he looked up into the murky clouds. "I actually really like the rain, especially on a hot day like today. I just hope our armor doesn't attract lightning." The last bit was delivered with a light laugh and a gentle jab from his elbow. He was joking, of course. Lightning didn't really behave like that in Aincrad.

Unless... it did. In which case it was pretty stupid for them to be out in the field at a time like this. But he didn't really care. As long as he was with Joanne, he felt like everything would be alright.

When Dederick received the message prompt from Joanne, he didn't even bother opening it. There wasn't a shot in hell he was going to repeat his blunder from before. He didn't need to read it, anyways. He knew exactly what she was reaching out to him for.  The continuation of the quest line. 

When he approached the shop, he caught Joanne walking out. "Fancy meeting you here," he mused, shifting beneath his armor. "I take it you wanted to  get started on the rest of the quest line, right? We're still technically in the same party, so I guess I got the quest prompt when you accepted it. And given where you are, I can't really think of any other reason."

There was a slight pause.

"Boar tusks, huh? Sounds easy. Shouldn't take us more than an hour or two, right?" A childish mischief began to play in his eyes. "That means we'll have some time for beef stew after, right?"

Another day, and another failure to put so much as a dent in the pile of orders that were accumulating. Dederick was beginning to become a bit panicked at this point. What would happen if he took on even more orders before he managed to clear what he already had? The thought made him anxious. He slowly stood from his brewing station, approaching the front and creating a sign. "Order closed until further notice." It pained him to put something like this in his shop, but it would be for the best in the end. Or, at least, he hoped it would.

+ 32 EXP
- 5 T1 Materials