NIGHT

NIGHT and Nyanko continued to train their eyes to the eagle that had taken wing, it soaring through the air. Ah, how majestic a beast it was. Maybe where it was going would tell them what else there would be on this floor. As the cat chattered at the bird, his owner slung her arms behind her back, lazily watching the creature. "Yeah," she said. "Me too, Nyanko."

Oh, it was coming back now. Maybe they were already on the right path. It wouldn't hurt to take a quick break to watch it, I guess.

... It's... getting closer...?

...--It's attacking us!!!!

"Duck!" The adventurer screamed, dropping down beside her familiar and picking him up, rolling away from where the eagle was looking to swoop in at. The bird shrilled, diving at where its attackers once were, before turning back upwards, ready to dive once again. NIGHT hissed, pulling her blade out as she got up, releasing her cat from her grasp. "C'mon, Nyanko. Try and tackle that beast, okay?"

Quote

ID: 131450 | BD: 4 (1, +3) | MD: -1 (2, -3)
NIGHT missed!
Eagle missed!

Eagle | HP: 220/220 | DMG: 66

NIGHT | HP: 440/440 | EN: 42/44 (-2) | ACC: 3 | DMG: 12 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 27

The trek to the Profaned Peak wasn't going to be as tough as the trip to Cerberus, she'd hoped. But with the terrain being desolate and unremarkable, no matter where she went or how long it took, it would still be mind-bogglingly exhausting to get through the place. If it hadn't been for her revenge, she would've enjoyed the hospitality of some other floor. Maybe check out Floor 7 for a change...

Huh? Oh. An eagle in the middle of the road. Perfect timing. Nyanko was following along just fine, right? Squatting down a little a ways from the creature, she brought out her snack pack for her kitten. At the sound of crumpling, his ears perked up, and the cat was standing at attention, curious. NIGHT pointed to the bird, nodding with determination. And Nyanko did the same, before running and pouncing-- on where the eagle was. The two watched the bird fly away, wallowing in the utter disappointment of their first hunt.

Quote

ID: 131440 | CD: 5
Familiar Training Successes 0/3.

Quote

To: Bistro

on our way
you wanna give us the spiel about what the mountain's like? makes walking less tedious when i've got smth to do

Quote

To: NIGHT

Sure.

The Profaned Peak was one of those places that info brokers and veteran players alike were well aware of, but it held little to no standing to most to even account for consideration during their travels and discussions. Rumours are that there's a throne at the top of the mountain's plateau, the seat of majesty sitting in the midst of a large lake of lava.

Throne aside, I've heard that there's a crown on it. If it were real, hey, taking it's gotta be free money, right? I'm counting on you to investigate it for real -- and try not to get caught by any powerful monsters, alright? I know you can hold your own, but the whole setup just seems suspicious to begin with.

Hit me up when you're there.

- B.

"Also, if it helps..." NIGHT continued, pulling out a pack of cooked meat, sealed with translucent paper. With a careful hand, she unraveled part of it, while Nyanko curled around his owner's feet before standing up entirely, leaning against her knee. The cat let out a loud meow, entirely interested in the food, and NIGHT snickered, ripping out a small chunk of meat for her familiar. "Yeah, yeah," she commented with a grin, dropping the piece on the ground. "Here you go, enjoy. You'll get more when we get into combat."

The kitten, upon noticing the meat fall onto the floor, rushed to it, sniffing gingerly, before eating it with glee. NIGHT was almost certain he didn't manage to hear what she had said. She laughed anyway, beginning to walk away. "C'mon, we don't got all day," she called out to him, and Nyanko picked up the small chunk in his mouth in response, running alongside her, trying to match her pace.

The bottles faded into light in her hands. Pretty. Maybe Nyanko would be interested in playing with them another day.

"Okay," she spoke aloud, in an attempt to reassure herself. Her kitten perked up from his seat on the ground, coiled up neatly with his tail covering his paws. "We're gonna hunt down those goats today, Nyanko." At the sound of that, he meowed, a face of enthusiasm as he got up on all four paws once again. "I hope you're feeling up to walking today," she added, checking her messages. "Because we're also going to be doing some sight seeing for our friends."

He cocked his head at that, eyes bright with curiosity. "Bistro," she stated, her lips turned up in a smile. "She's looking for information about this floor. Something about landmarks... <The Profaned Peak>?"

That has got to be one of the weirdest names I've seen so far in here...

In the past, it was the cold. In the present, it would be warmth. In the future? That’s for another day for NIGHT to decide. Not only did her rage for the goats drive her here, Nyanko’s strange ire for them also pushed her forward, to hunt on this floor in particular when she could be enjoying the climate of another.

She hadn't exactly told him yet, but today, Nyanko would learn how to fight and hunt beside her.

He seemed big enough to do so, anyway. It was exciting, healthy even, for a cat to learn how to spread his... claws... out to stalk and pounce. When the warrior noticed her familiar awake, she pulled him out the bag and set him onto the warm, rocky floor. "Gimmie a second," she mentioned to him, pulling out a few potions and gulping them down quickly, trying not to think about saving them for another day she might not be able to see.

Quote

NIGHT consumes The Matriarch's Stinger and a Sand Armor Potion. (+1 DMG, +27 MIT)

[9/12/19]

NIGHT had barely managed to scrape by using the last of her materials up before she completed her day's work. The myriad of different results were what she had expected too achieve in the past, but were only now being reflected in her efforts. She wiped her brow, satisfied with the results of her crafting session, before setting the newly created items aside, bracing herself to start clearing out her desk.

"Mrrw?" A chirping came from below her table, before the shadow leapt over onto its surface. Nyanko brushed up against her hand, curious as to know what was happening in their home. The artisan giggled, picking the small creature up and gently soothing them. Clean up can wait.

Quote

ATP Member Bonus: +5 LD on Salvage, +2 XP/Craft
Athena's Lens: +1 CD
Ambition: +1 XP/Craft
Loot Die: +3 LD

ID: 131341 | CD: 4 (3, +1) | LD: 23 (15, +5 +3) | Salvage (Success)
ID: 131342 | CD: 10 (9, +1) | Success! (Rare)
ID: 131343 | CD: 8 (7, +1) | Success! (Uncommon)
ID: 131344 | CD: 9 (8, +1) | Success! (Uncommon)
ID: 131345 | CD: 4 (3, +1) | LD: 24 (16, +5 +3) | Salvage (Success)
ID: 131346 | CD: 13 (12, +1) | Success! (Perfect)

Result: +41 (23, +12 +6) XP, -4 T1 Material, [T1E3] Perfect Crafted Trinket (1), [T1E2] Rare Crafted Trinket (1), [T1E1] Uncommon Crafted Trinket (2)

Skill(s) Being Dropped: Familiar Mastery: Accurate (Rank 2)
Mod(s) Being Dropped: N/A
SP Refunded: 8
Cost: 8,000

NIGHT hands Randal her newly crafted Ladybug Earrings. Good luck with the familiar hunt, make sure you keep it safe! (Because I want it back eventually!)

@Randal

It seemed like the two men were trying to dodge the question, and while the curiosity irked at NIGHT a little, she wasn't too pressed by it, continuing to stroll at her own pace. And while she wasn't too keen on Yukiro's presence at the moment, the thought of him losing out on what was essentially one of the best meals ever was more than a little disappointing.

"Floor 1!" NIGHT replied anyway, trying not to think about what her friend had to do that would be better than all-you-can-eat feasts. "There's this place in the northern wing of town. Shabu-Rai, if I remember correctly. I'll show you guys!"

The troupe eventually reached Urbus, and while NIGHT was desperate on rushing towards the teleporter, she stopped midway and turned to Koga and Noctua. "We wanna tend to that foot first? It only seems right to take a look at it before we enjoy ourselves downstairs."

@Yukiro

Item Name: Eye of Horus Enamel Pin
Profession: Artisan
Rank: 5
Roll ID: 131321
Roll Result: 13 (12, +1)
Item Type: Trinket
Tier: 1
Quality: Perfect
Enhancements: Accuracy, Accuracy, Accuracy
Description: While most enamel pins are golden, this one's has been painted in black. A circular and triangular base have been overlaid on each other, encapsulating the Eye of Horus within. The markings where the Egyptian pattern stands out are laced with gold.
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18303-f01-r5-artisan-the-evening-star-open/?do=findComment&amp;comment=589839

Item Name: Maneki-Neko Figurine
Profession: Artisan
Rank: 5
Roll ID: 131324
Roll Result: 13 (12, +1)
Item Type: Sculpture
Tier: 1
Quality: Perfect
Enhancements: Loot Die, Loot Die, Loot Die
Description: Made out of white ceramic, a smiling white calico beckons in fortune with the wave of its upright paw. In another, it holds a konban coin, perfectly rippled and laden in gold. Some intense calculations have had to been carried out by its crafter to allow the cat's paw to beckon continuously without fail.
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18303-f01-r5-artisan-the-evening-star-open/?do=findComment&amp;comment=589839

Item Name: Ladybug Earrings
Profession: Artisan
Rank: 5
Roll ID: 131325
Roll Result: 12 (11, +1)
Item Type: Jewelry
Tier: 1
Quality: Perfect
Enhancements: Loot Die, Loot Die, Loot Die
Description: Simply miraculous to use. Provides the user with a charge of luck. Rumors have said that earrings like these would provide one with the power to transform into a superhero, though that seems to be the case otherwise with this pair.
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18303-f01-r5-artisan-the-evening-star-open/?do=findComment&amp;comment=589839

[8/12/19]

Okay, perhaps that went a bit too smoothly. Was Athena listening? Maybe she could hear her disappointment from the previous day and decided to send a blessing her way.

NIGHT held up the three crafts in her hand, adjusted and modeled to perfection. It almost felt like luck was getting back at her for not succeeding before. She hadn't seen such fine work from herself in a while, so she immersed herself in it, patting herself on the back for once.

Placing them gently on one side of the table, she took her time to fan away the fading particles from one of her less successful attempts, and set back her extra materials from the day's work on her stock shelves.

Quote

ATP Member Bonus: +5 LD on Salvage, +2 XP/Craft
Ambition: +1 XP/Craft
Athena's Lens: +1 CD

ID: 131321 | CD: 13 (12, +1) | Success! (Perfect)
ID: 131322 | CD: 5 (4, +1) | LD: 8 (3, +5) | Salvage (Fail)
ID: 131323 | CD: 4 (3, +1) | LD: 24 (19, +5) | Salvage (Success)
ID: 131324 | CD: 13 (12, +1) | Success! (Perfect)
ID: 131325 | CD: 12 (11, +1) | Success! (Perfect)
ID: 131326 | CD: 4 (3, +1) | LD: 21 (16, +5) | Salvage (Success)

Result: +48 (30, +12 +6) XP, -4 T1 Material, [T1E3] Perfect Crafted Trinket (3)

The glow from Randal's attacks caught her eye, and she grinned. But before she wanted to say anything, she would rather put this creature out of its misery first. As the bat fluttered to attack NIGHT, she had a window of opportunity to strike at it again, this time slicing their enemy straight down from the head. It reeled, whining from the blow, before it shattered into pieces, leaving the party in relative safety.

"Looks like you got your sword art sorted out after all," she mentioned, shooting Randal a smile. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it after a time." Her thoughts returned to the small child they'd found earlier, and she sheathed her blade, jogging over to Basuke. The kid laid motionless in his hands. "How's she doing? Looking okay?" Upon noticing the girl's wounds, she winced. "Oof... Hope it's nothing too serious..."

NIGHT picked up the fading glow stone from the floor, setting it on the child's chest. "I'm guessing this is her's. C'mon, let's get moving."

Quote

ID: 131307 | BD: 6 (5, +2, -1)
<<Back Rush>> vs Giant Bat.
10 * 5 = 50 DMG
Giant Bat has been defeated!

Giant Bat | HP: 0/50 | DMG: 20

NIGHT | HP: 440/440 | EN: 34/44 (+1, -5) | ACC: 2 | DMG: 10 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 35

"Cat buddy?" NIGHT asked, keeping Basuke in her peripheral vision as she opened up her bag, revealing a small kitten inside. "You mean Nyanko? He's a heavy sleeper." At the mention of his name, his sleepy eyes glowed a bright yellow, somewhat stirring, before he rolled over, continuing to rest. She closed the flap on her bag. "I mean, I'm sure you can get a familiar too, when you want one."

The trio continued walking, their footsteps echoing in the dark. Then flapping noises filled the air once again, and a familiar shrill.

Okay, that means there're definitely bats in this cave. Randal and NIGHT rushed forth. As the former noticed a glow, he stopped to tend to the limp body beside it. Bruised, unconscious, but a little bit of watching, one could definitely tell she was still breathing. Good.

NIGHT pulled her blade as she sprinted past them, trying to swipe at the dark further on ahead. She felt her blade scrape rock, and cursed, setting her blade in front of her once more as the batting of wings got more intense.

Quote

ID: 131304 | BD: 5 (4, +2, -1)
NIGHT missed!

Giant Bat | HP: 50/50 | DMG: 20

NIGHT | HP: 440/440 | EN: 38/44 (+1, -2) | ACC: 2 | DMG: 10 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 35

As Basuke crawled in, he continued forward, offering a word of warning, before stopping. "Right, we can take lead."

"We should stay right and work our way around," Randal advised, and NIGHT nodded, placing her hand on the wall beside her. "Got it," she added, taking a few steps forward.

Then they heard the cry of the child. Randal sprinted forward, giving his party members a glance. The woman nodded, charging forth with her blade drawn.

Was that sound a flapping? What was that...?

As she felt the beating of wings behind her, she shifted her sword, a glowing shimmer in the darkness as she whirled her weapon around, decimating the creature behind her completely. It let out a loud shrill before disintegrating into ashes. NIGHT shivered at the idea that the bat had gotten this close to her. "It's cool!" She called out to the darkness, trying to dissuade herself of her fears. "I got it. Hang on tight, kid, we're on our way!"

Quote

ID: 131303 | BD: 6 (5, +2, -1)
<<Back Rush>> vs Giant Bat.
10 * 5 = 50 DMG
Giant Bat has been defeated!

Giant Bat | HP: 0/50 | DMG: 20

NIGHT | HP: 440/440 | EN: 39/44 (-5) | ACC: 2 | DMG: 10 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 35

NIGHT nodded in return, and continued as Randal offered his help. "Same here," she said. "I can't imagine getting stuck in town for so long. Have you tried asking others for help too?" She placed a hand to her temple. "Surely there can't be that many mean-spirited players out there, right..?"

As they closed in on their destination, it became apparent as to how treacherous the quest might be. A whole cliff face, with multiple entrances. The woman approached one of them, wondering how likely it was to find a child in it.

"None here," she stated, peering into another. "This is tough. How're we supposed to know which one leads in any where?"

After entering and leaving a few more enclaves, she noticed Randal's sights fall onto one of the smaller entrances. "In there...? What, are we supposed to crawl in or something?" Sighing, she got down and shimmied herself through, surprised to see the ceiling raised high enough for people to stand, and deep enough to warrant getting lost in here.

Was that Korean? She looked at Basuke dumbfoundedly. Don't tell me the reason he's been stuck here all this time was because of a language barrier. The boy then added, looking almost pitiful. "Speak Korean?"

Oh my god it is.

"--No," she said quickly, not to get his hopes down, but to establish that fact as soon as possible. "But you speak a bit of English, right? I'm sure we'll be able to get along fine."

The boy sent them a party invite, and she accepted, noting that Randal did too. The man continued to question the woman about their quest location, and while he did, NIGHT looked over to the infamous kid. "So uh," she began, arms folded. "I've heard you've been stuck on Floor 2 a lot, is there any particular reason why...?"

Then she noticed his whiskers, similar to Koga's when they beat up a rock the one time. The woman desperately wanted to say something, ideally supportive, but instead she was lost for words.

NIGHT was beginning to go through the floors to see if she'd had any unfinished businesses, well, quests. Still on the teleportation platform, she was about to head off when she heard the cries of an NPC -- one with a familiar marker above their head.

"Please! A moment of your time! My kid's gone missing in a cave and I need help! It's dangerous in there, I just want them back safely!"

She trotted over, curious as to who the player they had approached was. Were they keen on a party? Oh, Randal was here too. She greeted him with an open palm and a "Yo!" before checking in with the other player.

<Basuke>

Basuke? As in, the one player who's been lounging around Urbus for two years and no one knows why? NIGHT put a hand to her chin as she looked him over discreetly. I mean, she thought, I could take him in a fight.

[7/12/19]

It had been a while since she'd gotten back to crafting, having been on adventures during the down time. Setting down Nyanko from her latest expedition, she changed into her casual clothes with a few finger gestures, before heading over to her desk, placing materials down on the wooden desk.

With Athena's Lens, it was easier to examine her items as she was making them. A tweak here, an adjustment there, but it didn't really seem to make much of a difference. The lens was just a tool, after all. NIGHT huffed as she leaned back in her chair, making peace with the idea that she'd just have to practice a little more before she got back into the flow of things.

Quote

ATP Member Bonus: +5 LD on Salvage, +2 XP/Craft
Ambition: +1 XP/Craft
Athena's Lens: +1 CD

ID: 131293 | CD: 8 (7, +1) | Success! (Uncommon)
ID: 131294 | CD: 4 (3, +1) | LD: 10 (5, +5) | Salvage (Fail)
ID: 131295 | CD: 10 (9, +1) | Success! (Rare)
ID: 131296 | CD: 5 (4, +1) | LD: 25 (20, +5) | Salvage (Success)
ID: 131297 | CD: 9 (8, +1) | Success! (Uncommon)
ID: 131298 | CD: 6 (5, +1) | LD: 17 (12, +5) | Salvage (Success)

Result: +35 (17, +12 +6) XP, -4 T1 Material, [T1E2] Rare Crafted Trinket, [T1E1] Uncommon Crafted Trinket (2)

Thread Summary

Quote

[Total]
+ 3SP
+ 400col
+ <Athena's Lens>

"Even so, I think you've gone above and beyond." With her commendation, NIGHT's cheeks glowed red, with the goddess summoning a tool in her hands through a flash of white light. She lowered it into the human's small hands. "Here," she said, "Take this. It will help you in your future endeavours as an artisan."

It felt like an obligation to take the item, but upon doing so, an indicator on her interface marked a quest completion. "It's a lens," Athena continued, "To help you examine your items further as you make them. We wouldn't want a leakage to happen with things like this, would we?" She laid a hand on the side of NIGHT's table, and the crafter immediately understood, nodding. "Brilliant. And now, for some icing on the cake..."

The goddess summoned the buffet table once again, much to the adventurer's delight. "Here, help yourself. You must be hungry after ordeal. Let's have a feast together."

And so, NIGHT enjoyed a healthy, hearty meal with Athena before heading back home, lens in tow.

The End.

# that's it, that's the table # mad props and credits here	# this is from ikea # i wish i was getting sponsored

"This... would probably be much safer and stable if it was concrete," NIGHT explained, and Athena nodded, looking over the end product. "With a little bit more planning, it would've been a much more efficient product, too."

When the last grain in the hourglass had fallen, a soft bell rang out, the space and the spawned equipment slowly melting away, revealing the familiar stone of Athena's temple. "Now," the goddess said, moving the two tables side by side. "I have to say, you show promise, young artisan."

"T-thank you," the adventurer responded, feeling uncertain. It must've shown on her face, because her tenseness and hesitation made Athena laugh once again, and she beamed back at the woman. "Perhaps if this weren't so much a competition than a gathering of crafters, I'd certainly show a bit more creativity. But alas," the goddess shook her head. "The challenge should be difficult, not impossible."

Step 1: Layer the wooden boards on top of each other. Border this up with some more boards, their sides as smooth as possible, possibly coated with something that resists resin.

Step 2: Using foam ("Curiouser and curiouser..."), build a layered model of the indent she wanted to create against the wooden boards.

Step 3: On each respective layer, mark out the shape of the foam on the wooden boards.

Step 4: Cut the boards along the marks made from Step 3.

Step 5: Layer the wooden boards once again. Stick them together with some glue. Apply sealant by the edges of the carved indentation.

Step 6: Prepare the resin.

Step 7: Pour it in, one layer at a time. Use a blowtorch to put out any air bubbles that may arise. ("I'm almost done. How's yours coming along-- ooh.")

Step 8: Seal the whole block off with the other sealant. ("Here, need a hand?" "Thank you.")

Step 9: Set another smaller block at the bottom of it and glue them together. ("Haha, I bet with some extra planning, you wouldn't need to do this step!").

Step 10: Complete, enjoy your new coffee table!

NIGHT had an idea. But she wasn't sure if she had the time or materials to succeed in her task.

"Oh, and," Athena's voice boomed from a distance. "If you're looking for tools or stations, just snap your fingers. The environment will form it for you."

Well that was convenient.

A snap of her fingers, and a saw and woodworking table appeared. A few more, with some curious noises from Athena, and some resin appeared on the table, along with two different types of sealants. The whole debacle was unfamiliar to her physically, only having watched a couple of videos on the internet about the idea. But she had to have hope.

"You're not planning on setting up in-line with what the store provides, are you?"

"U-uh... Is-is that against the rules?"

A chuckle. "Technically, yes." A tense pause. "But I'm now curious in what you're making, so I'll have to allow it."

The space began compressing, with shelves toppling over backwards to clear out space in the environment. Instead, a tower formed, with wooden planks deposited at the bottom. Another few were added beside it as well, depositing various screws and wooden blocks to follow.

Athena sauntered over, carrying a box in hand. "I already have mine for the occasion, so there's no need for all the obstacles. You may continue." And with that, the goddess began unpacking her box, setting out the materials beside NIGHT.

A what?

NIGHT stood there, rooted in disbelief, looking at Athena dumbfoundedly. The goddess smiled mischievously, summoning an hourglass and flipping it over.

"You have until the last grain of sand falls to the bottom," she stated, setting the hourglass on the floor. "Good luck, artisan."

With that, she floated away, presumably to fetch her own set of materials.

... What???

The woman was too surprised to move, but as she watched the sand fall, she knew she had to do something. Anything.

So she went over to the closest shelf, heaving a large cardboard box towards her from underneath the others. They dropped with a thud and a cloud of dust, but NIGHT had to focus on her task. Unboxing the materials, she found a large stack of light wooden planks, screws, and a blank paper booklet.

Is... was this supposed to be the instructions? The woman flipped through its pages, finding them all empty. I-I mean... she could've just told me to design my own straight up, instead of this cryptic mess...