Acanthus

Acanthus felt nearly numb as the frontliners talked shop. They pored over the description, referring to previous boss fights, labyrinths. Acanthus wasn’t even sure what the labyrinths were. She knew each floor had one, but… I’m not supposed to be here. The conversation flowed as each person chimed in, offering suggestions and competent theories. She knew she was a part of the meeting, and she should contribute. A kind player had already waved at her, inviting her over. She was ashamed that she hadn’t responded, opting to melt into her chair instead. She would have to apologize after the m

Familiar Eval: Name: Kumaki Species: Black Bear Cub Description: A small bear cub covered in healed over scars and matted fur. Despite the physical wear, she exhibits a cheerful (if not vacant) personality. As her name implies, she is particularly fond of rolling over.

THREAD SUMMARY Acanthus EXP. [Word Count: 10789/10 = 1078.9] * [True Tier: 2] * [Group Factor: 0.7] + 300 (Quest) = 1809 * 2 = 3618 EXP Col. 400 (no take base money i got so many) = 400 col Familiar unlocked. <<Training your Friend>> Unlocked. | eval NIGHT EXP. [Word Count: 10789/10 = 1078.9] * [True Tier: 15] * [Group Factor: 0.7] = 11319 EXP * 2 = 22638 EXP Col. Laurel Wreath: = 3395 col

"um, are you sure you're going to be alright?" “I am.” Acanthus became strangely intense. “But there is a rush. Every minute I spend here—we spend here—is part of our prison sentence. I’m ready to leave, and I’ll do anything to make that happen.” Acanthus fidgeted with the cloak NIGHT had given her. It felt soft and comfortable as it flowed through her fingers. “If you don’t mind, could I possibly keep this? I’d like to have something that reminds me of you, even when we’re not adventuring together. I promise to take good care of it.” * * * * * They returned to the gyps

She leaned precariously over the side, intently holding the net with both hands. It was a big fish; she’d likely need a firm grip. “Pinball, I…” The words caught in her throat. How was she supposed to ask, Pinball, why did you kill four people? Did they do something to you? Did they deserve it?... Who’s next? “I… have enjoyed doing this quest with you. I’m sorry that I lost confidence back before our fight with Kumatetsu.” She hadn’t spoken about it before, even though she knew he had seen her brief panic. She wasn’t sure why this was bubbling to the surface. She was here to grill Pi

“It is interesting, yes.” Acanthus still didn’t know much about gathering or crafting. It was fascinating that players always seemed to find materials relevant to their profession. Crafting seemed very simplistic: get material, use material for craft. Acanthus used some of the resources in her shop: recording devices, instruments, even staff paper and pens. But those were more about the inspiration to craft than the craft itself. To Acanthus, her desire to practice—and not just craft—stemmed from her desire to compile the plants of Aincrad into a book. It made everything feel more real. Withou

“I’m fine,” said Acanthus stiffly. “I don’t need anything.” She had a kerchief previously. She’d even used it the exact way Rencesvals described, although it was to block out sand, not smells. But she’d lost it—it came loose during the slaughter her fight with the bandits on floor five. Part of her was annoyed that Ren was trying to help out. She was supposed to be the high-level player with everything figured out. Anytime she’d partied up with veterans, they never had any issues with smells, or sand, or enemies. So Acanthus wouldn’t have those problems either. Ren seemed chatty. Most peo

It was frustrating: why was it that recording crystal refreshers could only be found on the first floor? She had enough on her schedule already; having to travel back down to Landon’s shop was just a pain in the— Acanthus came to on the cobblestone, senses pulling back into focus. Rubbing her head gently, she looked over at the other woman. She fought down a sharp retort after gauging the poor girl’s clothes. She appeared new. Even after all this time, fresh, first-level players were appearing from the woodwork. “Pardon me,” she said with an unconvincing air. Acanthus stood and dusted her

Two months of solid blood and slaughter. Two months of harrowing, exhausting mental anguish at every turn. Two months of dark, visceral thoughts that left Acanthus a husk of a human being. Through all of that time, she had never made the face she was making now. Watching Oz root around, invading his own skull for a scrap of mucus, she debated whether she should have ever left Tolbana in the first place. Or accepted a cigarette from him. She stared in morbid fascination as he tilted his head back, watching as knuckle after knuckle vanished. She swore she heard a meaty *schlllup* as his pin

Crafting for 9/26/2024 Ambition food consumed (170461). Extended Workshop. (+4 EXP total from Trinket | Tuning Fork + Hard Working) EXP: 2130/2559

Acanthus nodded. “Finesse,” she repeated back. “And a few stuns.” She didn’t want to try and explain how she had a hard time reconciling the two. In her mind, stunning something was never a particularly pleasant experience for the target. After all, a normal, refined hit wouldn’t do anything other than damage. But a surprising strike? Or something below the belt? That’s how you really kept something (or someone) on the back foot. And she couldn’t imagine a world where those kinds of hits could be described as anything “finessed.” You’re thinking too small, she told herself. You’ve already

The air in the boat had noticeably soured. To Acanthus, the sourness didn’t feel directed at her, nor was her anger targeted at him. It was two people who should have read the quest directions a little closer. As a result, the already miserable quest dragged on. If anything, it was Cardinal’s fault. What kind of system puts a common mob in the same lake as a quest boss? She felt like the butt of one cruel joke after another sometimes. “I didn’t realize you were clinging to the fish’s back,” Acanthus said. “I probably would have been a little more careful had I realized.” Her mouth curved

Crafting for 9/25/2024 Ambition food consumed (170122-1). Extended Workshop. (+4 EXP total from Trinket | Tuning Fork + Hard Working) EXP: 2048/2559

Crafting for 9/23/2024 Ambition food consumed (170122). Extended Workshop. (+4 EXP total from Trinket | Tuning Fork + Hard Working) Crafter's Respite Consumed! (230288-3) Daily Attempts reset. EXP 1974/2559

The fish leapt over the boat in a grand arc. Acanthus, in an equally grand fashion, stood in the boat and stretched Meteor as far up as she could, pointing straight up to the sky. In another life, she might have been gently guiding the great beast out to blue waters, freeing the large fish from captivity. But this was not another life. Her blade connected with the underside of Moretsuna, ripping it open like a wet garbage bag. By the grace of Cardinal, the two were showered in a downpour of blue triangles, rather than fish guts. The boss vaporized, leaving a heavy air of anticipation in i

THREAD SUMMARY Shay | [Word Count: 4923/10 = 492.3] * [True Tier: 4] * [Group Factor: 0.6] + 1000 (Quest)= 2182 * 2 = 4,364 EXP Shay Earns 200 col (page bonus/2) Acanthus | [Word Count: 4923/10 = 492.3] * [True Tier: 3] * [Group Factor: 0.6] + 1000 (Quest) = 1886 * 2 = 3772 EXP Oz | [Word Count: 4923/10 = 492.3] * [True Tier: 2] * [Group Factor: 0.6] + 1000 (Quest) = 1591 * 2 = 3182 EXP Oz Earns 200 col (page bonus/2) All player earn: <<TECH-D>> Unlocked Monkey Agility (Uncommon Consumable [potion]) | A strange potion that boosts the user's Ev

Giving a quick nod to Oz, she turned around to check on Shay. But she had disappeared already—vanished without a trace. Acanthus scanned the area to see where she might have gone, but she had covered her tracks well. Acanthus searched in vain. That’s a shame, she thought glumly. I was really hoping to say goodbye. I guess that’s what I get for being distracted. With any luck, it wouldn’t be the last time she saw Shay. Returning to Oz, she gave him one final nod. “Thanks again for your help today.” She wasn’t sure how much help he had been, but she had learned those weren’t outside th

“It’s no trouble at all.” She couldn’t understand the gleam in his eyes as he talked about all the fascinating minerals and samples. And the way he breathed so easily down here, maybe he was the exact person the designers had in mind for this floor. “I’m grateful for the company. I’m not really in my element here, so to speak.” Another gust of sulfur whooshed into the room, and she fought to keep her hand at her side, rather than on her nose. “Let’s get moving. I met with a player that told me the info broker is on the south side of town today in another tavern.” She preferred not to mention t

Image Inspiration (Artwork by Konstantinos Anninos) Although Scalabis occupies a majority of the main island on the twenty-fourth floor, parts of the island remain wild. Just as Scalabis evokes Roman landscape and architecture, the lands surrounding it are meant to inspire thoughts of the Mediterranean: rolling hills and bright skies so cheerful that even the glum might entertain the thought of settling here, opening a winery, and forgetting their woes. Nestled in these hills is an unkempt villa. Its size and distance from Scalabis rendered it unattractive to many buyers. First, it

Crafting for 9/22/2024 Langue de chat consumed (Ambition). Extended Workshop. (+4 EXP total from Trinket | Tuning Fork | Hard Working) (Bonus column should read "4") Crafter's Respite Consumed (230288-1). Daily attempts reset! EXP: 1836/2559

Link to Quest Acanthus would have killed for an in-game option to turn off smells. All of floor nine had been a nightmare. Sharp, burning odors; the coppery tang of metalworking; and worst of all, the sulfur. The incessant smell of sulfur overwhelmed her wherever she was on the floor. Out of a hundred floors, they can’t all be good. And maybe it was good to some players. Hell, there were (scarce) housing options on this level. But the only kind of person Acanthus could imagine enjoying this atmosphere was some kind lizard without a sense of smell, taste, or sight. Acanthus hung over

Link to Quest Acanthus would have killed for an in-game option to turn off smells. All of floor nine had been a nightmare. Sharp, burning odors; the coppery tang of metalworking; and worst of all, the sulfur. The incessant smell of sulfur overwhelmed her wherever she was on the floor. Out of a hundred floors, they can’t all be good. And maybe it was good to some players. Hell, there were (scarce) housing options on this level. But the only kind of person Acanthus could imagine enjoying this atmosphere was some kind lizard without a sense of smell, taste, or sight. Acanthus hung over

Wisps of smoke curled around the party as Cordelia and Acanthus hacked away at the King. She had almost forgotten about the cigarette she had bummed from him, but the smell was hard to mistake: mildly off-putting, oddly persistent, and memorable. Much like Oz himself. Acanthus sidestepped a flurry of spear strikes easily. Despite the daunting health bar, the boss was turning into nothing more than an oversized, angry pinata. She ran forward, using the green smoke as cover. From the center of the cloud, a faint yellow light flickered, then emerged as Acanthus sprung out, hacking through th

THREAD SUMMARY Freyd Experience [Word Count: 5707/10 = 570.7] * [True Tier: 17] * [Group Factor: 0.6] = 5821 EXP + 10710 (Dungeon) = 16531 * 2 = 33,062 EXP Col: 4959 (Laurel Wreath) + 128,000 (Dungeon) + 78,379 = 211,338 col Materials: (76) Materials (Dungeon) + (6) Materials = 82 materials 1 Mon Morningstar Experience: [Word Count: 5707/10 = 570.7] * [True Tier: 7] * [Group Factor: 0.6] = 2397 EXP + 2310 (Dungeon) = 4707 * 2 = 9,414 EXP Col: 1412 (Laurel Wreath) + 128,000 (Dungeon) + 78,378 = 207,790 col Materials: (76) Materials (Dung

First Morningstar, then Freyd. She recoiled as Oliver crashed into the dark swordsman. A single hit had taken almost half his health. She was certain Oliver would have annihilated her in a single swipe. Thank goodness Morningstar had already bounced back, and was rushing past Acanthus before she could even react. He slammed directly into Oliver’s belly, toppling him onto his back. With one last cry, the baby exploded. As the dust settled, she accepted the dungeon rewards on the menu in front of her. “That was my first dungeon,” she admitted. “Are they all this… chaotic? Not that it was a