Acanthus

Crafting for 8/23/24 XP: 233/639

Name: Pinball Tango, Entrance Profession: Performer Rank: 3 Roll ID: 227790 Roll Result: CD: 9 + 1 LD: 3 Item Type: Debuff Song Tier: 1 Quality: Rare Enhancements: Hypnosis 2 Post Link: Here Description:

Crafting for 8/22/24 She tried to look calm when she read the order. "Of course. I'll have this done as soon as possible. I'll leave your pickup order by the front counter under your name." Internally, she panicked. That was a lot of songs to churn out. Resolved to make a name for her crafting, she disappeared upstairs to compose. Ambition Active (+1 EXP per craft); Apollo's Metronome (+1 CD) Roll ID CD LD Result Exp 1 Debuff 227787 3 + 1 20 S

Acanthus leaned over the trireme as the wind gently carried it across the waters. She picked awkwardly at some of the barnacles and chaff stuck to the bow. Driven by her desire to avoid the conversation, she pulled a surprisingly large amount of materials into the boat. “C’mon, Acanthus. I know I left a bad impression that first time. I’m just asking for a do-over.” Acanthus gave a small sigh; she pulled herself back into the boat, sitting across from the familiar leather-clad figure. “Hello, Titania. How have you been since Olympus.” Titania beamed. “It’s been great! I’ve met tons of p

Acanthus lost her train of thought. Definitely a he, not a she. The water nymph before her wore something that resembled a tight diving suit that reached his thighs, and was unzipped, revealing a lean, pale blue chest. He leaned casually on a boat tie, surveying the sea with a strange intensity. She pictured him as a lifeguard in an American film. Her footsteps sounded on the wooden dock as she approached, and he perked up. “Hey, you must be one of the newbies, yea? Just finished shipping over the last batch for today’s quest. I think you may be it.” His tight black curls bounced along hi

Floor 17 was the same as she’d left it since the last quest. Given the similarities of floor 17 and 24, much of the atmosphere was the same. To Acanthus, the difference was subtle but important. She would have described the feeling of teleporting to floor 24 as the feeling of your first summer vacation that you really learned to appreciate. But floor 17 was the feeling of returning to school. Not necessarily bad, but the air of obligation that hung over her felt like it muted any potential joy of learning or moving forward. Unlike her first visit, she took no time to sightsee. This was no

With a tired sigh, she rolled over to her side, and swiped open the quest menu. Let’s see what the job for today is. Completed. Swipe. Level too high. Swipe. Needs a full party. Swipe. Challenge of Olympus? It’s showing incomplete, but didn’t I already do that? Viewing the quest, she realized it was similar to the <<Earning a Living>> thread. It was repeatable for different professions. And the reward was a nice boost to her gathering abilities. Might as well. She pressed a few buttons to track the quest, and hoisted herself off the couch with a groan. Job or not, Acanthus was

The more Acanthus adventured, the more normal she felt. When she shut herself in for the first few years, her life was constant numbness punctuated by panic attacks and terrible thoughts. She recalled after her first adventure feeling content, and that contentment felt like finding a long-lost friend, or hearing a song you’d forgotten about. She relished that warm relief that she worried had been lost forever. Now, contentment was a consistent companion. She enjoyed her daily walks around floor 24, and her frequent trips back to Tolbana. Her life had developed a routine again; rather than a ro

With a small flourish, Acanthus put her sword away, and watched Kumatetsu. She saw a few openings as the bear struggled to its feet, but there was no need to strike. She saw the litany of effects Pinball had placed on the bear. She briefly thought about moving in for some grand finisher, but why bother? The bear would be dead whether she expended the effort or not. Acanthus had nothing to gain by striking, and everything to lose by risking an attack. Also, the bear had increased in size and ferocity after Pinball’s strike. She doubted that a single hit would finish her off, but level be damned

"that was... really brave of you. ... and i'm sorry i couldn't help out." Acanthus brushed past the compliment. She was uncomfortable receiving praise, though she quietly appreciated it. She was grateful for the cloak as well. All her preparation, and she hadn’t even packed for bad weather. Acanthus gave NIGHT a quick nod of thanks. “Night, you have nothing to be sorry about. If anything, you warned me that she can be a little… demanding. I’m unsure how other people fared with her, but the quest seems programmed to allow players to move forward, regardless of how the conversation goe

First a rustle, then a whistle. Then with a roar, all hell broke loose. "Strike first. I've got you." This is not the time to doubt. In a flash, Acanthus had freed her sword. Pulling her right foot back, she prepared to dodge when the bear inevitably charged. Let’s try something a little different. As the bear sprinted toward her, she twisted her sword around in her hand. It began to glow a faint honey-yellow. The bear lept toward her with its mouth open wide, ready to crush Acanthus in her armor. This is fine. Trust the sword art to do its job. The bear was so close she could s

Name: Gentle Streams, Calling Home Profession: Performer Rank: 3 Roll ID: 227662 Roll Result: CD: 12 + 1 LD: 13 Item Type: Support Song Tier: 1 Quality: Perfect Enhancements: Familiar Sight Post Link: Here Description: A lyrical piece for solo piano, evocative of a calmly rol

Crafting for 8/21/24 Ambition Active (+1 EXP per craft); Apollo's Metronome (+1 CD) Roll ID CD LD Result Exp 1 227662 12 + 1 13 Perfect 9 2 227663 5 + 1 8 Salvage (Fail) 3 3 227664 5 + 1 19 Salvage (Success) 3 4 227665 5 + 1 8

She listened eagerly as night talked about her experience. About how she had been thrust into the quest after seeking shelter on a rainy day, and subsequently found nyanko. "it took some level of persuasion to get him to stay." Acanthus cocked her head. That sounded like a story in and of itself. "but nyanko did, in the end." As night continued her story, the two crested a hill overlooking a beautiful pond. Flocks of birds came and went, and the entire area was full of the sounds of animal life. On the far end, there was a conspicuously human addition: a wooden covered wagon, with a

Name: Exquisite Entrance Profession: Performer Rank: 2 Roll ID: 227587 Roll Result: CD: 8 + 1 LD: 17 Item Type: Support Song Tier: 1 Quality: Uncommon Masterpiece Enhancements: Mass HP Recovery 1 Post Link: Here Description: A grand, powerful theme of high brassy goodness.

Crafting for 8/20/24 Ambition Active (+1 EXP per craft); Apollo's Metronome (+1 CD) Roll ID CD LD Quality Experience 1 (Support) 227587 8 + 1 8 Uncommon +4 2 (Support) 227588 8 + 1 17 Uncommon Masterpiece +4 Rank up! 163/159 Roll

“Point? Yes, I can take point.” No response. She looked over her shoulder. He had disappeared completely. And she panicked. This was it. This was the moment he had been waiting for. Here she was, out in the wilds, no one would be able to come and save her. His last words echoed in her mind. "I'll be close." SO TRUSTING. TOO TRUSTING, SHE IS. She broke into a cold sweat. No. Go away. SHE REALIZES WHY HE TOOK SO LONG TO TURN. IT WAS NEVER ABOUT WAITING FOR THE OPPORTUNE MOMENT. “Stop,” she whispered to herself. NO, HE JUST WANTED TO PLAY WITH HIS FOOD. She choked back he

Acanthus echoed Freyd’s frustration. She knew he would have to do the brunt of the work, but even still. Why am I so useless?! Half-forming a sword art, she discharged it too early to even release properly. And despite the early swing, the shark lept out of the way as it pounced for Freyd yet again. Her frustrated yell was lost in the chaotic sounds and movements of the fight. The fight needed to finish, and it needed to finish soon. The longer it went on, the more danger they were all in. Freyd had not landed a hit since his initial strike. Not that she blamed him—he was busy narrowly av

She was getting used to the silence they shared as they hiked deeper into the woods. The obligation of small talk waned in her mind; after all, you can only kill so many things with a stranger before you stop being total strangers. And it had become apparent to her that both of them preferred quiet. So the journey settled into comfortable quiet. Unburdened by small talk, Acanthus was left to wonder at the myriad of trees and flowers all around. Every bend in the path brought something new. Small blue-budded flowers draped over distant fir trees. Under her feet were some brilliant red Came

Pinball vanished into a side street, and Acanthus nearly tripped over herself to stand up and follow. She thought it was odd the way he hurried through the alleys. To her, the path felt erratic, almost like he was trying to shake some unknown source. They might have only taken a turn or two in reality, but his speed kept her preoccupied. She was busy just trying to match pace. After winding through Ellesmera’s alleys, the two arrived at the edge of the city. It was odd not to exit through the main gate. Pinball must hate crowds more than me. The next time I pick a spot to meet, I’ll make

Name: Wealth in G minor Profession: Performer Rank: 2 Roll ID: 227045 Roll Result: CD: 9 + 1 LD: 6 Item Type: Support Song Tier: 1 Quality: Uncommon Enhancements: Monster's Favor 1 Post Link: Here Description:

Crafting for 8/19/24 Ambition Active (+1 EXP per craft); Apollo's Metronome (+1 CD) Roll ID CD LD Quality Experience 1 (Support) 227405 9 + 1 6 Uncommon +4 2 (Support) 227406 2 + 1 16 Fail +2 3 (Support) 227407 5 + 1 11 Salvage (Success) +3 4 (Support) 2

Acanthus felt out of place in the ethereal beauty of Ellesmera. The buildings blended with the verdant forest that she swore some of them had been grown rather than built. Even the sounds of the city seemed orchestrated. The gentle hum of the crowd flowed through the streets, peppered by warbling songbirds and bubbling streams. She wasn’t in a video game, she was in some kind of perfectly-curated picture. It’s a shame that there isn’t much housing down here. Although floor 24 is still beautiful. And it will be nice to stay close to my shop. She adjusted her armor uncomfortably. It was a n

Name: Drowsy Waltz Profession: Performer Rank: 2 Roll ID: 226910 Roll Result: CD: 10 + 1 LD: 6 Item Type: Debuff Song Tier: 1 Quality: Rare Enhancements: Hypnosis 2 Post Link: Here Description: An ever so slightly off-rhythm tune that gently sets a person's mind at rest

Crafting for 8/18/2024 Ambition Active (+1 EXP per craft); Apollo's Metronome (+1 CD) Roll ID CD LD Quality Experience 1 (Support) 226907 6 + 1 10 Salvage (Failure) +3 2 (Support) 226908 3 + 1 3 Fail +2 3 (Support) 226909 5 + 1 7 Salvage (Failure) +3 4 (Debuff)