Theodore Bell

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Teddy & Wolf 2 209793 BD: 7 (Hit) | MD: 3+3=6 (Hit) <Proc THRNS>

Wolf 3 209794 MD: 7+3=10 (Hit) <Proc THRNS>

Wolf 6 209795 MD: 5+3=8 (Hit) <Proc THRNS>

Theodore Bell HP 13/20 (-3 after mit) | EN 20/20 | DMG 4 | MIT 14 | THRN 18

Wolf 1 | 0/50 HP | 12 DMG | 3 Acc

Wolf 2 | 0/50 HP (-4 hammer -18 THRNS) | 12 DMG | 3 Acc

Wolf 3 | 0/50 HP (-18 THRNS)| 12 DMG | 3 Acc

Wolf 4 | 0/50 HP | 12 DMG | 3 Acc

Wolf 5 | 0/50 HP | 12 DMG | 3 Acc

Wolf 6 | 0/50 HP (-18 THRNS) | 12 DMG | 3 Acc

LOOT

It is nice to see that they are accepting of my ideas. Though I hope it doesnt dissuade them either Teddy thought as he looked to his companions. Then something was said that made him laugh. “Whellll Ah tell you what, Ah cant guarantee mah lahfe out of hear, the ol’ doc says Ah need to lower mah cholesterol but Ah tell ya’ Ah just cant seem to convise mahself to let go of those spahsy scrambles. Ah mean really, tellin an old man lahke me to change? How dare he, Ah say! How Dare!” Teddy said in jest as he let out another honking laugh. “No but really none can say how many years Ah have left. I was always hard on mah body growin up. Ah cant help but wonder if all that money was worth the late nights, grewling hours, and strenuous activity. Not to mention that Ah never did let mahself heal if Ah got injured. Like ma always told me. ‘You are only allowed to be sick for 24 hours, 48 if you had surgery, after that you are fine’...” Teddy smiled “There Ah go a’ rambilin’ again.” 

He turned to Syra when the question was asked about Levi and himself. “Whell  Le…. sorry Soren had told me about the game system a while back. Ah got mahself one and got him one as a birthday gift. Ah didn’t know for sure that he had joined up until today though.” He looked to Levi as if to ask for verification of his memory. As he did he stumbled across another crystal, as though it had fallen from the sky. “Whell would you look at that, thats four for me. One more an’ Ah am done.”

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209726 LD:20 (+1 Mat) [4/5 Mats Found]

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word count: 290

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Teddy smiled as he saddled up for the next round of strikes. Three hits and once again the flames that surrounded the old man burst once more into golden fire. The particles raising from them painted the picture of his stories on the wind generated by the constant movement of himself and his adversaries. Though he could not see the tales leave his tongue and becoming a visage in the roaring fire as though the game was reacting to his speech. No instead he thought back to the trials of Kyrial and brought down with force the hammer on one of the savage beasts. He watched as four of the beasts erupted into shards, mixing with the fire. “Whell would you look at that beautiful scene.” He said more or less to himself as the golden phoenix fire melded with the red and blue shards of the enemies that he slayed. For a moment, but no more than a moment he was in awe of the beauty of the spectacle, no thoughts to the fighting, no thoughts to the story. 

“Oh rahght, where was Ah?” He said, shaking his head slightly. “Rahght. So Kyrial began her trip eastward. She found her way to a large sailing ship. She would have commissioned the captain for fare if she was anyone else. But she needed to keep, her leaving, a secret. Not even her family could know. So she slipped on the boat in the wee hours of the mornin’ before the ship left the docks. No one saw her, and for some time she hid in one of the barrels of wine that she had emptied out. But that didn’t last forever. No. And no good story of adventure is complete without the full ensemble. 

Delilian was not like his others. He was the shortest of his village, which to be fair for an elf didnt mean much. Delilian was a quiet kid, young and foolhardy. But when he was with his friends a different side of him came out. Rambunctious and ready to cause trouble, the young boy was ready to capture the world!”

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Teddy & Wolf 1 209716 BD:6 (Hit) | MD:3+3=6 (Hit) <proc thrns>

Wolf 2 209717 MD:1 (Crit Fail)

Wolf 3 209718 MD:6+3=9 (Hit) <proc thrns>

Wolf 4 209719 MD: 6+3=9 (Hit) <proc thrns>

Wolf 5 209719 MD: 3+3=6 (Hit) <proc thrns>

Wolf 6 209719 MD: 2+3=5 (Miss)

Theodore Bell HP 16/20 (-4 after mit) | EN 20/20 | DMG 4 | MIT 14 | THRN 18

Wolf 1 | 0/50 HP (-18 THRNS)| 12 DMG | 3 Acc

Wolf 2 | 14/50 HP | 12 DMG | 3 Acc

Wolf 3 | 14/50 HP (-18 THRNS)| 12 DMG | 3 Acc

Wolf 4 | 0/50 HP (-18 THRNS)| 12 DMG | 3 Acc

Wolf 5 | 0/50 HP (-18 THRNS)| 12 DMG | 3 Acc

Wolf 6 | 14/50 HP | 12 DMG | 3 Acc

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word count: 354

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Teddy stood still for a moment as he attempted to open his menu. Still enough that things would have an easier time hitting him. Before he knew it he was being bombarded once more. The flames flew as the hp of the wolves fell substantially. The flames licked their way to each one by one. Teddy felt the impacts but didn't let that stop him. He was on a quest to find the right item. After a moment, which felt like ages, he opened his Battle Ready Inventory. He had attempted to click on the song crystal, to do some lesser healing. Unfortunately the ol’ man's fingers found a different purchase, they found one of his starter potions. Once it was in his hand, he figured it was just too late so he shrugged and just used it instead. He feel rejuvenated, like he had just had the first cup of coffee on a long shift, as his health bar replenished to full. He smiled and shook his shoulders loose as he prepared for the next round.

Whell, the blahght didnt do much. At least not on the surface, though the slow corruption, if left unchecked and unregulated, could cause one to lose their mind. Or at least that is what the village was always told. Because of this, once you became a certain age, or had enough blahght in ya’ the government would come to take you away. That is what they did to Jost, another beastfolk that got too infected, he was whisked away bah the government. 

The thing that matters is that she was a prodigy, Ombra wanted her to do hanus things, murder? Espionage? Coersion? Nothing was off the table. So long as she did as she was told and left no trace that they existed. Maybe it was the blahght, maybe it was just who she was but she did everything rahght, no remorse, just ruthless killing. She worked like that for some tahme, helped empires rise, watched empires fall. Captured polititians and bent them to the will of Ombra. She quickly grew to the top of the leaderboard, watching as others tried and failed. But then she was removed. Her existence became secret even within the company, she was a rumor. But it was not without reason. There were some happenings in the east that caught the attention of Rumo Benford, the leader of the project she was a part of. And he decided that she was just the gal to take care of them before they got out of hand.

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Teddy <Post Action Healing Potion From Battle Ready Invantory>

Wolf 1 209709 MD:10 (Crit +2)

Wolf 2 209710 MD:3+3=6 (Hit) <Proc Thrns>

Wolf 3 209711 MD:8+3=11 (Hit) <Proc Thrns)

Wolf 4 209712 MD: 3+3=6 (Hit) <Proc Thrns>

Wolf 5 209713 MD:9 (Crit+1)

Wolf 6 209714 MD:5+3=8 (Hit) <Proc Thrns>

Theodore Bell HP 20/20 (-6 after mit) (+50 from Healing Potion) | EN 20/20 | DMG 4 | MIT 14 | THRN 18

Wolf 1 | 14/50 HP | 12 DMG | 3 Acc

Wolf 2 | 14/50 HP (-18 THRNS) | 12 DMG | 3 Acc

Wolf 3 | 32/50 HP (-18 THRNS) | 12 DMG | 3 Acc

Wolf 4 | 14/50 HP (-18 THRNS) | 12 DMG | 3 Acc

Wolf 5 | 14/50 HP | 12 DMG | 3 Acc

Wolf 6 | 14/50 HP (-18 THRNS) | 12 DMG | 3 Acc

- 1 starter healing potion (50HP)

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word count: 427

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Teddy smiled, the hammer still didnt find much purchase but he didnt mind it much as the fires roared to life once more. The feeling was intense, the heat threatening seemed as though it might threaten him as well, but like the fire of an alchemist, the fire avoided him as though by choice he did not burn. The same could not be said for the wolves though. They bounced back from the onslaught but not without dealing some damage. Teddy looked at his health bar when all was said and done and began to worry. I will have to do something to fix that, I think. I might have been a bit over ambitious with this. But that is part of the fun, perhaps in another life I realized I was an adrenaline junky earlier on. It is too bad I am only learning this now. This rush is addictive, and the feeling of the odds stacked against me is only causing me to want to win more.

He began to tell the tale, hoping his voice could be heard over the sound of the combat. “Whell Kyrial was born in a strange land, unlike that of which has been seen in Segria before. The land of the blahght, the land of the plague. Those things born here were of evil, bein’ infused with the blahght itself. The vile icor would get into the food, it would seep inta the water. And as one partook of things there, the blight would take purchase in one's very soul. As a kitten, Kyrial found that she was called to, her parents were well known for their abilities, her father worked as a member of the guard in their small town of Tern. While her mother worked as a healer. Or so she thought. That was the lahe that was told to her from birth. Perhaps she would have believed it if she wasn’t recruited. An entity, an organization, know as Ombra. Some may call them shaddy, or evil, or cruel. Perhaps those people would be rahght, though that was not for Kyrial to decahde. She had one job: Follow Orders. An’ she did her job *very* whell.”

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Teddy and Wolf 1 209702 BD:4 (Miss) | MD: 6+3=9 (Hit) <Proc thrns>

Wolf 2 209703 MD: 2+3=5 (Miss)

Wolf 3 209704 MD: 9 (Crit+1)

Wolf 4 209705 MD: 5+3=8(Hit) <Proc Thrns>

Wolf 5 209705 MD: 3+3=6 (Hit) <Proc Thrns>

Wolf 6 209705 MD: 6+3=9 (Hit) <Proc Thrns>

Theodore Bell HP 9/20 (-5 after mit) | EN 20/20 | DMG 4 | MIT 14 | THRN 18

Wolf 1 | 14/50 HP (-18 THRNS) | 12 DMG | 3 Acc

Wolf 2 | 32/50 HP | 12 DMG | 3 Acc

Wolf 3 | 50/50 HP | 12 DMG | 3 Acc

Wolf 4 | 32/50 HP (-18 THRNS) | 12 DMG | 3 Acc

Wolf 5 | 14/50 HP (-18 THRNS)| 12 DMG | 3 Acc

Wolf 6 | 32/50 HP (-18 THRNS) | 12 DMG | 3 Acc

Boar 1 | 0/30 HP | 12 DMG

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word count: 366

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Teddy smiled at Levi. “Whell, color me impressed. You are doin’ far better then the other day! Perhaps that practice was all ya needed!” 

He continued his walk to the pack. Lets see, looks like 6 of them. I should be able to take them thanks to this fancy shield. I guess we will see. In a fast but firm motion, Teddy slung the kite shield in front of him, and began the charge. He watched as the health bars appeared over the head of the pack. He swung, the hammer racing through the air as though it was that of a blacksmith on iron. Though it found no purchase, not all was lost though. The ol’ man lost the attack for the same reason he was succeeding. As he was hit, he was wreathed in flame, the fiery bird of myth practically peeling off the shield to offer its protection. And, like the phoenix, Teddy still stood.

He turned to Levi. “Hey did ya see that?” He could not hold back the excitement in his face from the scene. He really felt alive. 

The thought crossed his mind, even in the throws of combat. Oh right Levi wanted me to tell him a tale, Lets see…

“Ah think the most badass character Ah have ever played was Kyrial. Did Ah ever tell you bout her? Catfolk woman, the sneaky type. Loved her poisons, Ah tell you she was quite good at what she did… Though Ah guess Ah made her that way, Eh?”

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Wolf 1 & Teddy 209690 BD:3 | MD: 5+3=8 (Hit) <proc thrns>

Wolf 2 209691 MD: 7+3=10 (Hit) <proc thrns>

Wolf 3 209692 MD: 2+3=5 (Miss)

Wolf 4 209693 MD: 9 (Crit+1)

Wolf 5 209694 MD: 7+3=10 (Hit) <proc thrns>

Wolf 6 209695 MD: 10 (Crit+2)

Boar 209701 MD:6 (Hit) <proc thrns>

Theodore Bell HP 14/20 (-6 after mit) | EN 20/20 | DMG 4 | MIT 14 | THRN 18

Wolf 1 | 32/50 HP (-18 THRNS) | 12 DMG | 3 Acc

Wolf 2 | 32/50 HP (-18THRNS)| 12 DMG | 3 Acc

Wolf 3 | 50/50 HP | 12 DMG | 3 Acc

Wolf 4 | 50/50 HP | 12 DMG | 3 Acc

Wolf 5 | 32/50 HP (-18 THRNS)| 12 DMG | 3 Acc

Wolf 6 | 50/50 HP | 12 DMG | 3 Acc

Boar 1 | 0/30 HP (-18 THRNS)| 12 DMG

Loot (Was rolled early due to a misunderstanding. Subsequent loot rolls will be after combat ends):

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word count: 254

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Teddy took a deep breath as he fumbled, opening and then accidentally immediately closing the menus. He could feel himself sweating harder doing this than he did fighting that boar. He finally found it though, after much struggling. He clicked inventory and then, slowly he found his way to the thing he was looking for. He tapped Eleanór a Rún, and hit us. He was surrounded by a wave of sound, a beautiful song overtaking him. He smiled, the tones were pleasant and soft. He didn’t Understand the music necessarily. Which he found strange. Didn't Zenshu say this game was supposed to translate the music? I think this is an old irish song though, Right? My buddy Sean used to hum it while we were working. He smiled as his health bar raised back to full, it was a shame that he was missing out on some of the healing but figured it was worth the risk. 

“Whell, Ah think its about tahme Ah took a risk, eh?” The old man smiled as he approached the pack of wolves. Almost forgetting that he was being attacked by the boar, though it didn't matter to him much anyways. The boar was watching him though, It ran past as he smiled, not hitting him.

Once he heard what Levi wanted he smiled, beaming like the sun. “Ah whell that is a tale. A tale indeed. Ah think Ah mahght have just what y’all is looking for!”

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209700 MD:2 (Miss)

Theodore Bell HP 20/20 (+3 from song) | EN 20/20 | DMG 4 | MIT 14 | THRN 18

Boar 1 | HP: 7/30 | DMG: 12

-(T1)Eleanór a Rún Support Song [HP Recovery] | Perfect | 208990

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word count: 244

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Teddy smiled at the scene in front of him. He could feel the breeze, the warm sun on his skin. His thoughts wandered to how these games operate. He wondered how one could create such realistic things. It was not as though he was actually feeling these things, right? 

It occurred to Teddy that he had no idea what was going on with his body in the real world. Levi was in the game, and Teddy lived alone I wonder if anyone found me. If they took me somewhere safe. Perhaps I should have let Levi put me in that senior living center when he recommended it. But That would be too restrictive. And I am not that old right? Perhaps my thoughts were… or are clouded by the natural need to be more that what I am. They always did say I was ambitious. I wonder if things would have been different if I valued work less and my free time more. Where would I have gone? What would I have seen?

As his thoughts wandered he missed an opportunity to strike the boar. But not all was lost. The old man snapped back to reality as his opponent came around. With a huff the boar shot at him like a cannonball. But that did not last long. The boar made contact with the large shield though the flames did not come. Teddy had no real worries though and in fact was so confident that he kept the shield up to attempt to prevent future attacks as he began to attempt to enter his inventory

He turned to his son. “Aye, Ah think those will suit nicely. Ah should probably top mahself up on the ol’ health. Nah were did Ah put that crystal?”

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209684 BD:2 (Miss) | MD: 9 (Crit+1)

[2]Theodore Bell HP 18/20 (-1 after mit) | EN 20/20 | DMG 4 | MIT 14 | THRN 18

Boar 1 | HP: 7/30 | DMG: 12

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Word Count: 295

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This really was a ride. The feeling of flying through the air. The rush of dopamine on a successful block. It felt as though time itself was bending its will towards them, or maybe it was just the adrenaline. Teddy used the momentum as the boar came rushing past again to throw down the hammer once more. It was unfortunate that he swung too soon. The large hammer hit the ground in front of the boar as it went spinning and tumbling out. A loud cracking noise, as though a statue breaking rang out as the hammer shattered a large rock. Teddy sighed as he prepared for the next attack, hoping this one would be more on target. “Whell, Ah am glad it is doin’ its jhob then. Ah think that it is goin’ to be a bit long with how poor the two of us are doin in this fight. Do ya think there are other things Ah could cause to attack next time? Maybe that pack of wolves over there?”

He smiled at Levi, “Ah am glad one of us is getting the job done, HeHe” He gave that old whistley honking laugh. “Nahw ya got me curious about what you’re gonna request. Ah got a whole bunch, ya know!”

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209660 BD: 3 | MD: 1

[2]Theodore Bell HP 19/20 | EN 19/20 | DMG 4 | MIT 14 | THRN 18

Boar 1 | HP: 7/30 | DMG: 12

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Word Count: 212

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Teddy was happy to listen to the various conversations going on. The fact that he was involved was more than enough to satisfy him. He smiled as he listened to Levi encourage the climbing  followed promptly with Zenshu condoning and warning against it. Come on, he thought She can't do this any more. The least we can do is encourage her and allow her to feel well about being able to do, now, what she couldn't do due to her injuries. I am sure it is a wild feeling gaining back the faculties once lost. expressing interests that she can't in the real world here. Though he wouldn't let that come out of his mouth, wouldn't want to bring the mood down. 

Looking around it seemed that his luck had run dry. No glint hit his eye and no material to be ]seen. “Whell that just wont do!” he said to himself as he turned from his search to see that at lease Syra had found one and progress was, in fact, being made. He gave her a hearty smile, then she asked him quite the interesting question.

“Whell that is a harder question then one mahght think” he said, a thoughtful tone to his voice. “Ah think that it is within everyone to find their own adventure. Ah fahnd adventure in the small things. What will be dropped off at the shop? Who might Ah meet when Ah visit Rita. Perhaps the Undertaker has some story, some crazy weave. But Ah think that The Fates weave the best stories. Things like this. When all is said and done, do you want to be the person that was cowed and frightened or do you want to write your name in history? Worst case scenario you die trying, you see the gates of Valhalla open to you and your name is written into the history books as someone who did their best. But that scenario is just the worst case. Best case scenario? Whell it is up to you to find your best case scenario, isn't it? Ah thing best case scenario, for me, woud be to seize the story, to wrahght a tale worth telling. So should Ah die, should this cruel world take me, should Valhalla call this old soul home…” He looks at Syra with a resolve but none the less tears in his eyes as he thinks about what could be, what will be one day. A day not far from now, when his age catches up to him. “Should Ah go home… Ah will be remembered as the man who did not back down. Who gave his all for his friends, and maybe, just maybe, made others lives better along the way. That is what drives me, what encourages me. Adventure is out there. What stories will you tell?”

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209642 | LD: 6 (No mat) [3/5 Mats found]

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Word Count: 473

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Theodore steadied himself, watching the boar closely. He wondered what it would take to kill this thing. “Ah dont own any weapons that Ah dont sell.” He explained to Levi as he did his best to keep focus. “Ah mean, Ah know hahw ta’ shoot but Ah have never done any physical combat before… or at least not with a hammer. Ah dont think it really matters all that much though. Perhaps everythin’ is fo-” He was swiftly cut off as the boar gained its bearings and leveled an attack against the old man. Ricocheting off the shield and spirling out in a whirlwind of flame. The shield had erupted into flame upon impact. The golden bird spilling off the shield and inflicting harm upon the sorrowful creature. Teddy did not wonder at the pain that ensorceled the creature. Only giving thanks in the abilities granted to him by the shield. He felt the small amount of harm that went through the shield and armor. Likely some kind of minimum of damage that must be present If you are good enough, you should be able to take no damage in theory. He thought to himself as his hammer came down, though now contact was made. The smoke from the fire making it hard to pinpoint exactly where the strike would land. “Whell that was just not fair” Teddy said in a jokish fashion “You fahndin’ anything good?” He asked Levi, in hope that the mats he was finding were of more worth in his mind than those he had found the other day.

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209612 | BD: 2 | MD: 7 (Hit) [12 dmg-14 mit=1 min damage]

[2]Theodore Bell HP 19/20 (-1 after mit) | EN 19/20 | DMG 4 | MIT 14 | THRN 18

Boar 1 | HP: 7/30 (-18 from THRNs)| DMG: 12

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Word Count: 263

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Teddy was happy with how this was going so far, the first strike was well placed and his mind began to wander. The stories of his adventures as a player swarming. He wondered what would make the best story, after all some are better experienced than played.

It wasn't long before time caught up with him though, the boar rushing past in another failed attempt at a strike. Attempting on the fly, still a bit dazed from the deep thought, Teddy swings the hammer down. Attempting to catch the boar in an opening as it rushed by. Though the unfamiliarity with these things was more than he was ready for and with him being a bit more top heavy than he expected, he fell as the hammer swung through the air. There was, for a brief moment, a point where the fear of being unable to stand arose in his mind as he lay there. But then he laughed. "Maybe Ah can get 'em on the next one" he said as he stood back up. Picking the hammer back up as well. 

He looked to Soren as he hung in the tree. "Whell Ah am glad that y'alls quest of searching is treatin' you better than this *heated combat* is treatin' me" Teddy says with a laugh. He had not expected to fall over but he changed his footing, hoping he was in a stronger position than before, and prepared to try again.

_____

209598 | BD: 1 (Critical Fail) | MD: 5 (Fail)

[2]Theodore Bell HP 20/20 | EN 19/20 | DMG 4 | MIT 14 | THRN 18

Boar 1 | HP: 25/30 | DMG: 12

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Word count: 243

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He looked at his son with a smile. “So how do you feel about me spinning you a yarn? I will be as The Fates spin for Odin. Stories of triumph and mystery, of love and hurt, of chaos and law. Ah know you said that you were interested in them when we were walkin’ over here. Is there one in particular you are interested in?” 

Teddy began to look around, as he figured out what he would want to start with. There was a small group of boars nearby that he had considered facing but perhaps that should be once he got the hang of it. He then saw another boar, one that was by itself. He made his way over to it proudly. “This should be fairly easy, rahght? Ah wont have to worry bout it too much if it his me cause of mah armor.” He said looking to Levi for confirmation. Though regardless as to what the boy said he still made his way to it.

Teddy squared his shoulders and placed the shield in front of him as a true warrior. “Ah appreciate it, Ah will let ya’ know!”  

He found a boar and charged it. He could feel the power behind the adrenaline rush of combat. It was no wonder so many people went for a build that would allow for strong combat. He didn’t think much of it though. It was a nice feeling, and being able to use his body like this was something to truly wonder at. He wondered if everyone felt this way.

The hammer flew through like the air like the warriors of old, colliding hard with the target. He watched as the boar huffed and slid back at the impact. “Whell, Ah’ll be damned” He said looking over at Levi, “Did ya see that? It went skiddin’.” 

He laughed as he looked up at his son, who was rooting for him. “Aye, Ah’ll get the bugger next hit!” He looked at the boar with a glint in his eyes. “Pray that it be your last” A thought crossed his mind then as he looked back to Levi. “How did ya get up there anyway?” Then the boar reared up, rushing the old man. Teddy had expected the thorns of his armor to show themselves oncemore but instead the shield alighted. A spinning vortex of flames stemming from the golden bird emblazoned on it. He Watched briefly as in the flames the bird on the shield took flight. As this happened Teddy raised the shield and readied himself. Though the gesture did not matter as the boar went wide. Teddy laughed, “Nah you ain’t gonna take me out if ya can't hit me. Maybe you are the one who needs lessons.” but the battle wasn’t over yet!

_______

209539 | BD:9 (minor crit) 5dmg to boar | MD: 5 (Miss)

[2]Theodore Bell HP 20/20 | EN 19/20 | DMG 4 | MIT 14 | THRN 18

Boar 1 | HP: 25/30 | DMG: 12

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word count: 468

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The old man smiled at his son as he came out and admired his new gear. “Aye Ah am sure that this stuff is hahgh quality. The shopkeep gave it to me for free in exchange for bein’ some advertising’ for ‘em. Wouldn’t want your clients dying with your stuff on, be bad for business. He He” Teddy thought for a moment, “Ah am not sure that if ya are lookin’ for hand wraps that a blacksmith is the rahght way to go… unless this game is different from the knowledge from tabletop gaming, Ah’d say you are probably lookin’ for a tailor or similar.” 

He smiled listening to Levi talk about going into the shop and meeting the guitarist in there. “Yea’ Ah remember rock an’ roll, goodness Ah was just entering high school when…” Teddy paused as he began to think that far back, the box was bulging again. Teddy put the mask on, like he always did, the one that made everyone feel better. The one he lived on, the one that would last until it either stopped being a mask or the things that made his insides swim were long behind him. He hoped, and assumed he realized his mistake fast enough that Levi wouldn’t notice “Ya’ probably dont want to listen to an ol’ man ramble about ‘The good ol’ days’” Teddy made air quotes as he said this and chuckled “Whell Ah look forward to seein’ what you write! Ah think that doin’ some proper combat training would do me some good! Who knows we mahght even find something worthwhile!”

“Nahw, what in tarnation is a meter?” He said giving a suspenseful pause before laughing. “Nah Ah know what a meter is, headin’ that way would be a mahghty fahne idea. They probably have some interesting food we can try an’ Ah reckon bah the tahme we get there it’ll be just about dinner tahme.!” 

Teddy nodded at the notion of paying respects “Aye, it is a crazy notion to think of how far the population of this game has come. They laid their lahves down for us so we could achieve greatness. Best we dont let them down eh?”

The duo made their way to the now all too familiar planes. The memories of the eternal search from the first lessons still fresh. “This place really is beautiful isn’t it?” He said, not really intending on receiving an answer. The world stretched out before them and they had much ground to cover.

Taking the hammer from the belt loop, Teddy gave it a few practice swings. He found a tree and attempted to hit it with his mighty hammer. Though he was repelled with surprising force, a small tag popped up that read ‘Immortal Object’. He laughed, “Whell that just aint fair!” He walked back over to Levi, now he was all warmed up. “Ah guess Ah’ll try and fahnd something to confront. OH rahght ah found somethin’ while out and about that Ah figured Ah’d give a try.” He opened his inventory pulling out a small green crystalline rectangle. He had remembered grabbing this from the shop run by Nari. He fumbled for a moment as he attempted to figure out how the thing worked, but once he did it played a brilliant and beautiful song. He couldn’t understand any of it but that didn't make it any less beautiful in the man’s mind. He could feel the thing washing over him, emboldening him in some way far beyond his reckoning. “Ah think that will serve me quite well… though Ah cant remember quite what it does. Only one way to fahnd out.” He then found a boar roaming the wilds. This should, in theory, be quite easy. He squared his shoulders and took a deep breath. So long as Levi didn’t somehow aggro the thing everything should go rather smoothly.

- used (T1)Sí do Mhaimeo Í Support Song [Monster's Fortune] | Uncommon | 209014

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Word Count: 649

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Teddy listened as intensely as he could to Zenshu, his hand unconsciously reaching to the left breast of his armor, only to find that there was in fact no pocket there, no pen, no notepad. Things started going over his head and fast. He perked up a bit when Zenshu offered to help him make a plan. “Ah would greatly appreciate the help in planning, An’ perhaps Ah could figure out haw to rahght some o’ this down. Ah must say the ol’ noggin aint what it used to be” Teddy said giving a meek smile and tapping his head. “But, nothin’ some repetition wont fix Ah’m sure.”

After the rest, Levi said something that made Teddy’s face light up. “Whell Ah think spendin’ some time doin’ some father-son bondin’ would be a mahgty fahne idea. Though Ah think the lassies as bingo would give me hell if they heard Ah was bondin’ with mah son through killin’ He He” He gave a hearty chuckle as a thought crossed his mind, “Oh, Ah guess it wouldn’t be too unlahke huntin’... Not that Ah ever did that Ah could never bring mahself to kill the cute little deer runnin’ about, runnin’ their errands, mahndin’ their business. Here they just come back rahght? So Ah dont have to feel bad about endin’ their lahves prema-prematurly.” He looked to the group, realizing just how vast his lack of knowledge was. It was a bit embarrassing, but he didnt need the others to know that. I don’t want to worry them none, everyone starts somewhere right? Though it is hard to believe that someone could keep track of all this. 

He looked over at Syra as she finished speaking her piece, he was sure that it was probably a lot to handle coming forward about all that. “Whell Ah think that settin’ down at a dahnner would be a mahghty fahne idea. Ah tell ya’ Ah can spin tales lahke the best… they would probably put ya to sleep though. He He, Ah’d love to hear more about all y’alls stories though, Ah am sure that y’all have some interesting stories to tell.” He gave a glance to Levi, knowing to some extent what all he went through. The memory of being sat down by the social worker. A young girl, never seen hardship in her life… or at least that is what Teddy made of her at the time. 

“Look, I know you two are looking for someone older, but are you sure you want him?” She said, before handing over the mountain of paperwork dealing with Levi’s case. “He has been, brought back many times by families saying he is a handful, and he doesn't have the best reputation in the adoption centers.” 

Teddy looked at the woman with a level of seriousity, disdain and anger that never had a shadow on his face nowadays. “Nahw you listen hera’ If you think AH, let alone Rita, am goin’ turn mah back on Levi, you can walk out that door and send in your superior. Ah have read those documents thoroughly, Ah know who this kid is. Ah know the trouble he has gotten into. So you can kahndly take that opinion of yours and SHOVE IT UP YOUR ASS” The room fell silent, he could feel the rather hard hit from Rita on his thigh for losing his temper like that, it definitely wouldn't be helping their case for adopting a kid. The room settled. 

“Look,” Rita said, “You can help us process this, or you can hear from our lawyer. Ah am sure that your management would love to hear about all the falsifications on our accommodations and livelihoods. An’ Ah am going to make this easy for you. Help us here, and you will never hear from Levi again.”

The soft voice of his wife echoed in his mind as he came out of the brief dissociation. Realizing that he had been staring at his son he gave a small smile and did his best to play it off, turning back to the ground to look for materials. But, needless to say his mind now a flood, the focus he had exhibited was just not as present as he searched. In accordance with, and likely because of this, nothing showed up. He shrugged. Another memory tugged at his mind as well though, the wooden box he kept in the back of his mind bulged again, the things inside begging to get out. The wood rotten and bug eaten, the hinges rusty, the lock tarnished, but it still held. And it would continue to hold. Teddy had always seen himself as bigger than the issues at hand…. Or at least he learned to think that way. Taught himself the skill over many years. He was no carpenter though, no blacksmith, but the box would hold… it had to… he just needed something else to focus on for a while.

________________

209524 | LD: 3 (No mat found) (3/5 Mats)

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Word Count:828

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“OH!” He said with a kind surprise due to the bright idea Levi had come up with “Ah think that would be a mahghty fahne way to make use of the material ya’ found. Ah look forward to the many masterpieces that you come up with. Ah can Imagine you have much to say and what better whay than a poem?”

Teddy gave a beaming smile to Levi. “Ah think that would be mighty fahne. Ahdea!” He was excited to get to spend time with his son. “Ah’ll be here when ya get out!” Teddy sat down on the sidewalk. Watching as the bird watched the city. I wonder what is going on inside that head. I am sure that there is some amount of thought, some amount of sentience in there… or at least there would be in the realm we left. Do they know of the world they reside in? Do they have interest in the giants that, while powerful, are eternally landlocked while they soar above in the skies? Perhaps they look down on us, uncaring and unloving from their perch. Perhaps they are in eternal hunt for the All Father. None can say I suppose. 

It was shortly after this that he realized he would need to put his armor and new equipment on. He waved his hand in front of him confidently… and… nothing. The old man sighed, looking around. There was a younger man jogging past, Teddy waved him down. “Parden me, younin’ do you think you could assist me in somethin’? It appears Ah have forgotten how to open mah inventory again” 

The man stopped, looking at the old man. “Sure I can help you with that, take your right hand and move it straight down!” The man said with a smile that spoke of a mix of helpfulness and pity.

Teddy relented, putting the thoughts about this man aside. He followed the instructions, it still took a few tries but then he got it. “Okay and then I push inventory right?”

“Right, then you click and hold the items you want to equip and put in your battle ready slots”

“Whell, Ah do greatly appreciate you assistance friend!” He said as he equipped the helmless plate mail. The shine of the steel as though it was freshly polished, though right underneath lies the vines that would sew harm to anyone that would seek to cause pain. In the center of the armor was the vibrant green and red rose that was inlaid in the armor as though an insignia or coat of arms. He then equipped the medium Kite Shield, “The Shield of Bell, eh? Ah wonder if he did that on purpose” Teddy said smiling as he observed the shield closely, admiring the craftsmanship, the shape alone was expertly molded, the perfect curves of the outer supports on that gave the impression of a coy power. The mirror finish reminded him almost of the shield of perseus. A mirror fine enough for protection and to see your foe. And in the center, emblazoned in Gold and copper slightly tarnished to give the appearance of fire was the bird of rebirth. The golden phoenix. It was surprisingly a lighter heft than Teddy had expected but he figured it was more due to the game mechanics than anything else. Then he equipped the Hammer of Bahn. The one handed hammer, which he had held in a leather loop on his hip for a sheath, looked like something out of dwarven myths. The delicately folded steel combined with the inlays to make something truly remarkable. 

Levi was still in the shop, so he started thinking back to the stories he could tell. The times of exploits I had in the world that was ruled in not but his mind. It would be good to have some stuff fresh in my mind, like the time my pirate, Yevoldor, found a crystal that ended the world in the seafaring campaign he played in or the time that I ran the hell run style of campaign, that one was alway a good tale. I will have to make sure I am not telling him stories he has heard before. No use in a retelling after all. 

It wasn't long after this that Levi came careening out of the shop. “Don't get yourself in a tizzy nahw, HeHe” Teddy said with a chuckle as his son came rushing out. “Ah wouldn't want you to fahnd yourself on the ground before we even get out to the fields. So what all did you find?” Teddy was smiling at Levi with a sort of pride, he was sure that this day would be just as pleasant as he hoped when he received the first message from Levi.

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Word Count: 797

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Teddy gave a hearty smile and did his best to join in with the yoga. “Yah know, Ah thing that doing something lahke this in the morning mahght could just give me enough regularity to keep sane. What do y’all say? Perhaps we can get a little group together. Ah think ah can still remember some of the stuff Rita used to do, but she had a whole class for it an’ Ah never had time outside of work to trah it out with her. But she did a pretty good job o’ explainin’ everything to me. Perhaps we could get a full group together and do some daily stuff. Ah think you are right about it being a good way to generate a better mindset, an’ am sure many people could use one of those. This places seems to take a lot out of people that could use a bit of lahght in their life.” He gave a smile that gave way to the many wrinkles in his face. His dark blue eyes, almost unseen due to the squint in his eyes.

He listened as Zenshu told him all about all the fancy ways to make yourself better at gathering materials. “Whell, Ah think somethin’ got lost in translation a bit, but Ah am not entirely upset with the current line of info, we can get back to that later. Ah will definitely need to do things that’ll get me better at finding materials. Ah don't think going skills would work as Ah am looking to go prahmarilly frontlines. Ah don't think that sacrificing mah resources on searching would be wahse in that regard. However, Ah would be willin’ to buy something. How does all that work? Ah very much need some things Ah don’t have. Ah know Ah need a shield and a weapon… Ah think ah’ll grab a hammer, give me the flavor text Ah am more or less going for. Though you had said somethin’ about peripherals, the necklaces and sutch. Whereabouts would Ah go fahnd some of those? Ah could really go for a fahne hat to help keep the sun off mah head, an’ if the thing would help with the whole searching for things thing Ah’d say Ah would be a mahghty tickled!” He was happy to listen to what all Zenshu had to say, a thought about asking how it kept someone's voice intact when they were translated crossed his mind, as surely it would be something that would be very hard to do. Though that was a thought that was for another time, and something that would be best to push away for the time. 

“The other thing Ah had meant to ask you about was what Ah could do to be a better tank. Ain’t nothing going to be of true assistance without the ability to draw the ior of one of them rather intensive beasts that so often frequent these lands.” He motions to the boars that the group had been skillfully avoiding with the help of Soren and Zenshu’s knowledge, of which Teddy felt was to somewhat of an extreme degree. It is an amazing thought that someone could be so invested in the topic of games that the parallels to others can be easily found and the systems can be predicted. It is amazing how far such things have come that even the most basic knowledge of these things is all you need to get started. Now if only they could make these this friendly for the old and untrained, if that were possible I think these things would be unstoppable

He looked around as Zenshu meditated, Ah.. that must be nice. I don't think I could do that without falling asleep, and I think that might get rid of the purpose for doing that in the first place. Not that I have ever tried before, though I don't quite like the thought of being alone with my thoughts. I wonder if this system has a way to play some music that would give some good entertainment while you were alone. And besides, it can't be more repetitive than the pop music of today. He looked to Zenshu who was still meditating and then looked to Levi. “Hey do you think… Oh, actually nevermind, it's not important. Did Ah hear you found a material though? What did it look lahke for you? Ah imagine it was rather brilliant to accompany that brilliant mind of yours!” He gave Levi a smile as the part of him who was a father in the core of his being came through. I remember when I was talking to Doug about your escapades and exploits. The things you could accomplish! Poor Doug though, uncared for and unloved his whole life, and the man could eat corn through a picket fence the poor bastard… still he was a good friend and I always enjoyed the discussion, even if they did tend towards the conspiratorial and supernatural “Did ya hear about the Aliens that landed off the coast of Main?” Freya’s grace I can still hear his voice in my head. Is that why so many people are so averse to this game? Because of what they left behind? What a strange thought. I guess I wasn't too tied down before I left. Not but a house and a store to my name. And what's the worst that happens? Everything is set to autopay, including my property taxes. I mean I don't have any alarms or anything so maybe someone breaks in and steals something but If they need it that bad then I guess it is not really a loss. I can hear the voice of my mother telling me that I am too generous and that I should bring back my care. But if I did that, I could help people smile. That is what truly matters in this world. So many people out here are interested in money and status but if you can't help a little kid smile then what is the true point of life? Sometimes all they need is for someone to listen to them, be they kid or adult, and it is sad how few people are willing to speak to be an ear and a voice of reason. But that is what I am here for I guess. 

Teddy looked at Syra as she discussed her experiences and how she was an amputee. “Ah’d say mah heart goes out to you but Ah doubt you want mah pity, Ah am very sure you get enough people looking at you with those eyes of sorrow that are so common in our world. Ah have the benefit of age to disguise my health problems. Ah will say that if you want to help others then perhaps our objectives alahgn. Ah know there is nothing better then seeing the light in someone’s eyes as though they had never seen happiness. Knowing that they have been irrevocably touched bah your lahght is a thought beyond any satisfaction Ah have found in mah long lahfe, Ah can say that for sure. An’ while Ah am sure the circumstances o’ this world is nothing that the mahnd could have planned for, or even previously comprehend, these are the cards we have been dealt. An’ Ah aint folding yet.” Teddy beamed a smile at the young girl, not but joy in his eyes. He did to some extent truly feel sorry for the lady, but he did not allow such things to overshadow the pride he was feeling. The pride in his face at this young girls perseverance, it was that, which should be celebrated. Celebrating the plights of someone had no reason in the face of accomplishments “So, what do ya’ think you will do first with your new chance to make a name and cause waves? Ah, am generally curious what would be best for doing such things in this culture. The people in this place are far an’ removed from the people back home, if Ah do say mahself.” The thought of how to proceed in the strange local was a common one and one he had not cracked yet. 

Though it wasn't long after this that the man figured it was time to take some amount of a break from all this walkin’ around. He sat down, the grass parting beneath the heft of his platemail. It was a wonder that people used to walk around in these things on a regular basis. Surly they would be something only reserved for specific occasions, as the heat was enough to cause some real problems. He laid back in the arms of nature, as discreetly as he could he attempted to open his menu to remove his armor but such things were outside of his abilities at the moment. He quickly stopped trying and laid back, looking up at the sky. How curious it is that there are 100 floors above us. Yet all you see when you look up is a sky that is wholly separate from any other things. It is no floor to another level, it is merely blue skies clouds and a sun. It is almost as if each floor is its own universe. What a troubling notion. 

“What do you think would happen if ya build a big tower up? Do ya think you could reach the next floor that way? Something akin to the tower of babble in the bib-le. Perhaps the developer would strike me down where I stand for such things, they are lahke a deity here rahght. Perhaps not in worship or followers but in power. Lahke they could just kill you if they so choose, and there is nothing Ah could do about it. What a strange thought, something existing with that much control over another. Though perhaps that could be said about the establis-.... Ahh, perhaps the purview of politics is best left in the world it came from, eh?” He gave the party a sympathetic smile as he continued to stare into the sky. Watching the clouds as they pass. 

It truly was a beautiful day. Though, at least on this floor the day was perpetually beautiful isn't it? He rested there, lying in a bed of grass and flowers, if this was a different world he might be worried about crushing the flowers, but here he had no reason to worry. They would simply come back, or so he thought. He looked over and casually picked an easter lily that was growing nearby. He put the white flower in his silvered hair. Look at the friends I have made. I don't think today could get much better than this, perhaps with a tune but I don't think I can just summon a fiddle from the depths of the magical heart of the world. Maybe I should look into that in the future, or perhaps I will be too distracted by the pride of the frontlines to even realize such things would be nice to have. I am no fortune teller afterall…. I should probably go back to focusing on the objective, Huh? Would be a shame if I were to spend all day enjoying the weather and not enjoying the new life I have been given.

Teddy stood up and began to look around. He was glad that everyone else were having good times finding materials as well. It would be a shame if they were stuck here all day regardless as to the weather, the local bistro had a daily question that Teddy was quite invested in answering every day without fail. Not that he ever got the question right, it was always  about things like “How many battle ready slots do you have in your inventory?” or “How long can you run until your stamina runs out?” but none the less he made it his goal to answer those questions anyways. Worst case scenario  he would fail to answer the question and learn a valuable piece of information… then again he never did get on question right, couldn't be a worse case scenario if it was every scenario. 

He looked around, once more on the trail of one of those elusive crystals. “Hey Zenshu or Soren, both of you seem to know quite a bit about all this. How is it that the system determines when and where you find these fancy crystals? Surely there is some sophisticated way that it works, and Ah am sure it’ll go rahght over mah head but Ah am curious and will do mah best to wrap mah head around it!” He said this while looking at the ground so whether or not they would hear him was anyones guess. Still once more he saw a glimmer of something on the ground. A green light shown, the reflection of the sun overpowering the color but once in his hand he watched as the popup came and went telling him he had found another quest item. “Whell would you look at that? Only two left for me, once Ah am done can Ah help mah friends find more to help them along or am Ah just up the creek without a paddle?” He asked looking back to Zenshu, a genuine curiosity in his expression. It would be rather unfortunate if he would have to do not but wait, then again that is what Zenshu was doing wasn’t it. Perhaps a good rest was what he needed, he struggled to think of when the last time he had a full sleep cycle was, though that was more due to old age than the stress of life. Have you ever tried to sleep when your bones are creaking? Its not fun. Even here he could feel the phantom pains of his joints, something now long forgotten in the brilliant new body he had from this place but still present, he may no longer need a cane but by god his body felt as though he did. It was noting that wouldn’t be fixed over time but that would take years more than likely. He wondered if Syra felt phantom pains but realized how rude such a question would be and elected not to ask such a thing. “Looks lahke Ah am three for fahve! Here soon Ah’ll be able to take a seat and truly relax while y’all keep up the search, that is if Ah didn’t jinx mahself here.” Teddy shruggs “Whell who is to know until it happens Ah guess” He smiled at the group and got himself prepared for a further round of searching in these strange lands. “Will these always look this way?” He asked Zenshu holding up a material “They do kahnda bring up some memories Ah would rather not face as it stands, will they all be this way or will Ah get to experience new things? These emeralds are so reminiscent of the real world… Ah am sure you understand what Ah mean.”

__________

209485 | LD: 18 (+1 Mat) (3/5 Mats Found)

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Word Count: 2507

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The day was certainly young. That was the least that could be said. The sun just barely peeking over the horizon, the cool wind of dawn washed over the ol’ man as he sat in the old rocking chair outside his tavern of choice. It was a nice establishment, basic sure, but that is what made things easy for Teddy. He didn't have to worry about opening menus, didn't have to worry about anything other than going to your rooms and taking a load off. The rooms were rather spartan but that didn't bother him any, he never really needed more than a bed, a dresser, and a mirror. Though if that was all he wanted he would have let Levi put him in a home years ago. He chuckles under his breath as he thinks about the strangeness of this place. Something of Hilbert's Paradox of the Grand Hotel, not that he had any intention of solving the paradox… maybe a smarter man with more time could. But that man was not him and the time was not today.

He stood up and stretched, unsure of how much time had passed, and not really worried about it either. Somewhere in the back of his mind he remembered that Levi had asked him to join on a quest, something about getting a job? It didn't make much sense, though few things in the world did anymore. No, his mind was on enjoying this fine day, he looked down at the gray plaid button up and blue jeans he was wearing. It was rather unimpressive, but they didn't have many crazy options in the creation menu… or if they did, Teddy had not noticed, and besides, this was comfortable. He took some time stretching, feeling the non-existent mussels in his limbs pull against his skin as if they really were real. “Ahhhh’ll raght, what does today have in store for this ol’ man? Ah got that thing that Levi wanted me to grab. Ah got mah new shield, which is quahte exciting if Ah do say so mahself, an’ Ah got those fancy crystals that Levi asked me to grab… so now what? Perhaps a walk will refresh mah mind” It wasn't long through the bustling streets of The Town of Beginnings, the NPC shops mostly not even open yet, it was quite early in the morning after all. The normally bustilling city was strangely quite, The Heart of Aincrad He thought, So many people here, from so many walks of life and yet the city is not dissimilar to any other large city. You have everything from the asshole on their way to do nothing, to the elderly on their mid-morning stroll. He I guess I fit in the latter category, eh? I wonder how busy the floor would be with everyone here. Surely it could lead to a true governmental structure. Something out side the walls of those that were pre-established by the developer. Now that I think about it, I would love to meet the guy, talk to him, see what all he has going on inside that head of his. Surely it is something completely forign to me, but the development couldnt be that far from standard engineering. On a different playing field? Sure, but engineering none the less. I wonder if.. The thought was cut off by a blip on his HUD. Daggumit how do I open this again? Teddy swiped at nothing for a while as his frustration grew. Normally his frustration with such things he would keep hidden as to not look incompatent. Right now, however, there was no one around to see him act like a buffoon and get angry about it. So after some struggling he finally got the blasted thing open. 

He hit the reply button as best he could and typed away in a hunt and peck fashion. Something that could be expected of one his age. 

<Levi, 

I am so sorry! I forgot you had asked me to join you one this… however long ago it was… Where was it you wanted to meet me again? It was the performer’s shop right? I will meet you over there shortly, I think I am in relatively the same area as the shop so it should be only a few minutes. 

Sincerely Yours,

Theodor Bell>

He listened to the little sound the game made when a message sent, a little swoosh. It was always fun to listen to. There was so much about this game that sent Teddies head into a tizzy. Sometimes it was the menus, sometimes it was the people. But it was the little things that really made his day. The detail on the brick road, the feel of a sunflowers petals, the little sounds the game made as it did the things it was programmed for. Things like that always made the old man beam from ear to ear.

It didnt take too long for him to reach the performer shop and the walk was a nice one, still not many people were out and about, the silence in this place was so stark in contrast to the day that on occasion Teddy worried his hearing was going out. But then the thought of Oh right, this is a game would cross his mind and his tension would ease. He spotted his son leaning against the performer shop and gave him a hearty wave “Mornin’ son! Are you ready to get this show on the road?” he said with  a large beaming smile “Ah never knew you were into the fahne arts! Ah wish you would have told me, you know your ol’ mand used to play fiddle back in college… Ah those were the years. But enough ahbout the past. You tell me what Ah need to do to help you!” He continued to smile at his son before turning to a crow that landed nearby. He gave a small prayer under his breath and awaited further instructions

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Word Count: 1002

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Teddy entered the winter wonderland. Having not been here before, he was certainly not prepared for the cold. It was more biting than what he was used to back in Texas, still he was on a mission. It wasn't long before he found the store that he learned about from an information board. He entered the store wearing a button up and jeans, nothing fancy. 

The store was something he had not experienced in a long time. An honest to god record store, he took a second to look around before approaching the counter. “Whell hey there missy! Ah got a bit of a shopping list if Ah could have a moment of your time!” He handed over the list, collecting a number of the merchandise. Once the necessary things were in hand, and not without some fighting with the menu, Theodore raises a hand to the shop keep and begins to leave, leaving a tip as he walked out the door. “Ah hope the day finds you whell, and adventure is yours to seize!”

—--

Purchasing:

Eleanór a Rún x3 Support Song [HP Recovery] | Perfect | 208990, 208993, 209020

Sí do Mhaimeo Í Support Song [Monster's Fortune] | Uncommon | 209014

Eleanór a Rún | Support Song [HP Recovery] | Perfect [Masterpiece; Mass] |  208989

Spending - 5 mats (For Purchase) + 500 col (Tip)

"Whell, would you look at that. Well fought and well done, Syra!" He smiled at the group feeling his boiling blood calming down. He took a deep breath before looking around. "Ah think maybe we should stick to gathering the materials for nahw. Wouldn't want to loose anyone so early. He Zenshu, you know more about these things than Ah do. Know of anything Ah can do in the future to make things more lahkly to come mah way?" The thought of taking the hit for others was one of interest. How wonderful would it be if they never had to worry about their health vetting low? And if I get stronger I can protect them better. Blast this game and it's convoluted nature. 

After taking a moment to catch his breath he stretched. Even if it didn't really matter going through the motions were always very refreshing. Another though came to mind as well, "Hey Zenshu, y'all across the pond there have a special mornin' stretch on the TV rahght? What was that called again? Ah think doin' some of those mahght do the soul good!" He gave Zenshu a smile, clearly unaware of any offense that could have been caused by that question. 

He then turned around and kept his search going. Bending over as another shimmer caught his eye. "That's two! Only fahve left, Ah'm getting lucky Ah guess!"

____________________________

209455 | LD: 16 (+1 mat | 2/5 found)

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Word Count: 232

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Teddy was planning on sitting back and watching, not much he could do anyways. And with that new material in his possession things were looking up. Or at least that is what eh though. Then he watched the boar kick, as though in slow motion. He was sure she would be spitting blood if this game had such things Well… that just won't do he though as he jogged the short distance his heavy armor clinking loudly as he ran. In a motion not caused by thinking or muscle memory or anything other than what could only be described as pure adrenaline he pulls a potion from his battle ready inventory. 

He runs between Syra and the boar. The armor, as though in response, grows from the rose embedded on his chest long vines looking less so like a divine warrior as his armor generally look, the bright silvery steel becoming as one might expect a building to look once it is reclaimed by nature. The shine gone, now looking mat and old, but covered in the green vines with large emerald thorns. He shoves his hand out speaking a command phrase,  but alas nothing happened. He wanted to give it more thought but things were moving too quickly to pay much attention to it. He gives a reassuring smile "Try again, Ah'm sure you will hit it next time!"

He then turns to the boar, holding his arms out wide and speaks in a voice of a younger man. Loud and booming, though not without the cadence and tennor of age. "Ah do reckon that this day we win. And bah they power invested in me, bah Valhala, mah home Ah charge the to hit me. Oh Foul Beast. BEGON!" With that he looked ahead, with only one though on his mind, I will be their wall

----------------------

[0] Zenshu | Lv. 5 | HP: 100/100 | EN: 26/28 | DMG: 7 | ACC: 3 | MIT: 13 | Light Momentum [+1 BD]

[0] Syra | Lv.  1 | HP: 20/20 | EN: 4 | DMG:7 | ACC: | MIT: | Light Momentum

[0] Soren | Lv.  1 | HP: 20/20 | EN: 4 | DMG:1 | ACC: | MIT: 6 | 

[0] Theodore | Lv. 1 |HP: 20/20 | EN: 4 | MIT 8 | THRNS 18

Boar | HP: 30/30 | DMG: 8

--- Used 1 healing potion ---

[0] Zenshu | Lv. 5 | HP: 100/100 | EN: 27/28 | DMG: 7 | ACC: 3 | MIT: 13 | Light Momentum [+1 BD]
[0] Syra | Lv.  1 |  HP: 10/20 | EN: 17/20 | DMG: 4 | EVA: 1 | BLD (12 DMG) 
[0] Soren | Lv.  1 | HP: 20/20 | EN: 18/20 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 6 | BLD (12 DMG)
[0] Theodore | Lv. 1 |HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | MIT 8 | THRNS 18

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Word Count: 294

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Teddy had spent some time as he searched for those elusive things. It took some time, whistling a small tune to himself as he searched but furthermore he was thinking about what was said, even if not directed at himself. He looked back at the group, long past the statements of life on this place but felt he should say his peace regardless. "Ah don't mean to reverse the conversation, but Ah can't help but feel that you youngins are lookin at this the wrong way" he grimaced slightly, realizing how forward he was being himself, Well in for a penny he gathered his speach anf thoughts for a moment "Ah don't think that y'all should be thinking of this as a separate reality. Of course in its base it is, but what is reality if not what you are experiencing. Focus not the change y'all experienced or the difference between this and the world we left. This place *is* our real lahfe. Think about it, the difference between this place and our home is vast but we are here not there. This, for us now, *is* reality. A distinction need not be made between the two places. After all, worst case scenario you fall here just as fast or slow as you would there. The circumstances might be different but the ending is the same. And when Valhala calls you, you will be no more unworthy for being here than you would in your life. But it weell call and you weell be accepted regardless. So live not in the worries of this place, not in the fears of what whas left behahnd, but in the joy of the opportunity and adventures now unlocked by this new experience. Adventure *is* out there, so go grasp that bull by the horns with a smahle on your face and show them… show them what it means to be ahlive." The smile that beamed on Teddy's face could put the sun to same, "Or perhaps Ah am just an old man with old thinking. Either could be true" he shrugged turning back to the earth, but only after looking to Levi and with that same smile "Do ya really think they have crosswords here? Ah would reckon those would be mighty strange with the new words that this world has. Makes you wonder…" 

None the less the search for the strange things that would, in theory, help him progress. The earth was no different than the gardening dirt from the old house. It amazed him how realistic it was, how far the world had come. After all he remembered when you had to punch holes in a piece of paper to tell the machines how to work. Now you gave it some numbers and they did the rest. It was a wonderful thing. Now is not the time for reminiscence he thought, searching deeper. A softer man might be afraid of what could be found in the soil, but Teddy was not soft, at least not in his mind. 

 He would stop and watch the fighting as it began, taking the time to take in the scenery a bit more. He enjoyed the visage of the flowers and grassland. Leaning over to pick a lily, which promptly disintegrated into motes of light when plucked. "Awe shucks, can't even get something nahce to put in a vase. It really is a shame" and at that time a spark caught his eye. "Whell would you look at that, sometime when you stop searching what you need finds its way to you, as they say" he bent down and grabbed the Emerald colored gem shard. It gave him pause, he knew that such things were shown to someone based on yourself but this was interesting. A wave of familiarity, remembering and mournful forgiveness washed over him though he did his best to put those away so he could focus on the task and not bring the mood of the group down. Wouldn't want to be a sour-puss after all, mama would have your hide he thought, lightening his mood. Not to mention they are focused on the combat and their own tasks. I doubt they even noticed.

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209436 | LD: 13 (1/5 Mats found for Theodore)

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Word count: 702

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Teddy smiled despite the harshness his son was showing. They never really got close, and for good reason Levi alway did keep everyone at an arms distance. Not to mention he knew how an involved profession can influence your speech, it's a harsh world out there. Still Teddy wished that he had done more with the little youth Levi had in his care, though Rita always had a stronger caring spirit than he did. After she died Teddy did his best to relax, the stresses of work and the intensities of the real world being put aside to make himself a better person. Or perhaps he was just overthinking things, it was common when you lived your life in your head. 

His head perked up a bit at the mention of not knowing much about mmo's "Whell you're in good company Ah can't say Ah'll be all that much help but we can struggle through together. Better than alone!" It had never occurred to him that others might be in his boat like this, so unsure as to what was going on as to make one afraid. Didn't trouble him any, but it wouldn't. His old age allowed him to understand that his time would come, be it here or elsewhere. He had adopted the phrase internally: Embrace Oblivion after Rita died. Though it wasn't in the way of feeling pity for oneself and sulking but instead it was in the vein of, Life will end eventually might as well embrace it and live well while you still have time. 

The question posed, well it gave him pause when Levi said his piece, perhaps a discussion to be had when doing so wouldn't make him feel cornered or called out. He gave a joyful laugh when Zenshu said his though. "Ah say that is a perfectly good reason! If we ever do make it outa here Ah'll have to fly you back to Texas. Ah got a few of y'alls fancy Japanese O-datchies an' Katanas that Ah'm sure would pique your fancy, if not those Ah got some antiques Ah keep on the shelf, they ain't for sale though!" He kept walking smiling as he did, before he realized that it was his turn to say his reason.

"Whelll Ah say mah reason is two fold, for one ah had always been curious about these fancy computer games. As Ah said, Ah quite like the world's weaved bar D&D so the concept of havin' one on demand is a whild notion. But being in mah years Ah never found mahself with the Dexterity to make such things happen properly. When Le…. Uh….. Soren, told me about this fancy Full Dahve stuff Ah decided to try it out. The excitement behahnd being able to walk without the pain o' mah bad hip and use mah hands without the pain o' mah arthritis was truly something to be envious of. Ah say you never truly know what ya have until it's gone as it were." He gave the group a big smile before turning to the surroundings

"Ah say, Zenshu that was a mahghty fahne strike you had there, Ah'll have to teach me sometime if ya would suffer an ol' man as much. Ah can see how ya got into the big leagues with skills lahke that!" He sat and marveled for a bit as the shards of the creature disappeared and vanished as though it had not even take breath in the first place. It was truly a magical feeling and sight.

He looked, as the conversation continued, for the first of the items in question, but nothing seemed to come to life before him like he had expected it too. He went to adjust his glasses finding nothing there, remembering that he didn't need nor have them here. New body would also give him new eyes after all. "Um… Ah can't seem to find what all we are looking for, can ya give me a refresher on what they all look like? Mahbe Ah'm looking for the wrong thing."

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209431 | LD: 4 (No Mat)

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Word Count: 681

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It was a hard for Teddy to wrap his head around not referring to someone by their name. “Doesn't everyone use their real name? It would be rather cumbersome if you had to remember multiple names for someone right? Well I guess I have multiple names, what is a nickname aside from a second name for someone.” He was staring off into space as everyone was accepting the quest. “How strange that these things are so lifelike and yet so robotic.” He snapped himself out of the thoughts, hoping he wasn't too obvious with his zoning out. “Ah think that Ah might do some trinkets if Ah can. Ah feel like it would be as similar to mah work as an antique curator back in the real world. If ya had ever been to Texas you might have seen us. But there Ah go rambling again” It was strange to speak with these youngin’s they didn't have the same propensity for long stories as those he knew. Perhaps it was a cultural thing. “Ah have an interesting question for y’all, what are y’alls goals here? Ah think Ah want to be a tank, like the palahdins in mah ol’ games.” He looked up at the alchemist's shop. It was a quaint hole-in-the-wall kind of place. He wondered how much the place got business. It seemed to be a rather busy part of the business district, though that didn’t mean anything. Teddy had plenty of friends who went out of business even though they did everything right. He listened to the question posed by Zenshu. “Ah… think so?” struggling he opens his inventory “Hahw do Ah equip a weapon? Is it different from armor? Ah don’t see one?” He waved for some help, and sure enough there was no weapon in his inventory. “Well Ah think Ah’ll be fahne. Ah got mah armor which is enough right?” 

Shrugging the concerns of his party members, he walked into the shop approaching the man. “Howdy there partner, Ah was sent here with the mayor with mah companions to collect a bounty of sorts.” upon the response Teddy replied, “This man comes across rather rude. Ah cant say ah would want to do business with them. Ah can’t fathom hahw he gets the business he does. Surely that kahnd of bluntness turns most people off to shopping here. Ah really dont think it is a good way to make his dreams come true… assuming being the worlds best alchemist is his dream. But, that is that then, hahw should we do this collecting materials think rahght? Ya’ say that they look lahke a type of crystal rahght? Are there mines around here that we can get them from? How does all this work Ah don’t think Ah have ever done anything like that before. Ah think Ah’ll have to follow your lead Zenshu.” 

The walk to the edge of the safezone was long, on the trip he looked at his newest friend, Syra. “hahw has the game been treating ya’ so far? This place seems rather like the result of someone’s wildest imagination comin’ to fruition. Ah fahnd it rather strange as it stands. Are all games this way?”

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Word Count: 535

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He followed Zenshu as he took in what the youngin was saying. While Teddy didn't have a full grasp on how the newer technologies worked, some things did make sense. “Whell Ah can only guess hahw Ah must sound through the translators. He He. Ah am sure that is quite the strange sounds. You seem to know a lot about this, did you come from a background of working in tech?”

 Theodore listened to the grievances of Soren as things began to click. He never did mention his son was adopted, the memory of such a thing rarely crossed his mind. In his mind there was no real distinction between the adopted child or one that shared blood. “Whell Ah thought Ah recognized you!” He said with a smile as he put his arm around Soren. “These strange colors and such musta’ got mah mind confused. Its good to see you again Levi! Zenshu, this is mah son! Crazy how these games can run your head around in circles eh?”

The group walked for a while more.  This place was huge, the thought really started dawning on Theodore as he walked. The way the game mimicked the sun, the bright blue sky and the calming feel of the wind was something truly to behold as well. He wondered what more he could learn from Zenshu in that regard. It seemed like the kid knew quite a bit about how this all worked. He made a mental note about asking him more sometime. The walk took longer than he expected, but it was nice. After the nice walk, Zenshu pointed out the man that was apparently the mayor. Theodore began his approach when he was stopped once more. A young girl was approaching them, one far younger than Zenshu and Soren, not to mention himself. She seemed a bit timid about approaching, Theodore found that perfectly understandable given the circumstances but he waited patiently. 

“Whell, howdy there! Ah had not expected to see ya’ so soon! Everyone this is Syra, we had been talkin’ some… yesterday? Ah think that sounds rahght. Syra this is Zenshu and mah son Levi!” Teddy put his hand out to offer a handshake. “Ah find mahself joyful that ya’ found us though. You aren’t too late at all! In fact we were just about to get started. Here let me…. Wait… how do I add someone to the party again?.. Oh there it is…” After a longer period then it should be Teddy sends Syra a party and friend request. “It is a pleasure to have ya’ as a companion!”

After the short discussion, Teddy initiated the conversation with the mayor. “Howdy there Mr. Mayor sir, hahw can we help you today?” Teddy puts a hand out to the man, forgetting that it is an NPC, and getting a smidge disappointed when he realized he wouldn't be getting a return shake. Still, the quest was given, and Teddy was happy to have some amount of directive. “So we will be figurin’ out who owes the money and giving it back to the mayor then? Whell, that sounds easy enough! We gotta start with Zackariah. You know Ah new a Zackariah back in Texas, good ol’ boy, Ah think he got in with the church. Ah could always find him waving people down on the street corner with flyers. He was a fun conversation when he wasn’t too busy. Oh I think Ah am ramblin’ again. Mah apologies, mah mind races with memories but that is bound to happen when you are as old as Ah am.” Teddy gives another honking laugh as he looks to his new group of friends for direction.

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word count: 616

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