[SP/F1] <<Secret Medicine of The Forest>>

[Alec 0]

Alec's and Humphrey's morning stroll eventually brought them to a small unnamed village in the Eastern side if the forest between the forest and the lakes region of the First Floor if Aincrad. As Alec approached he saw that the village was home no more than ten houses. The Town was so small it didn't have any shops to buy merchandise and Alec was pretty sure the occupants were all non player characters. But a fake person in need was still a person in need in Alec's opinion. So with Humphrey at his side he strode into the village looking around for anyone he could find who would be able to help him. After no more than ten steps Alec spotted and old man sitting in a rocking chair on one of the porches of a house in the small village. Alec walked over approaching the seated man. "Excuse me Sir." Alex began as he stepped before the old man seated in the rocking chair.

[Alec 0]

"Excuse me Sir." Alec began when he reached the old man seated in a rocking chair and stood before him. " I have heard that your village is suffering and needs some assistance. I am heat to offer any help I can if you'll tell me what the problem is or direct me to someone who can." The old man's gaze shifted from the distance to focus on Alec and Humphrey. "Well." the old man began. "See there's this sickness that oer took a might many people a thus ere town. An seeins the only thing'll cure is a rare cure found in that thar forest called Nepent's Ovule the Village's a needin a herah to ventuah on in an find us some. The Nepent's Ovule drops from ah real special creat-ah called that Nepent Variant an they won't come outtah hidin till you whoop on some smallah Nepents. So if'n yah have no compunctions on that sorta thing. Walk on inta that that forest an find some and please bring the medicine back that muchah the village needs."

[Alec 0]

Alec nodded to the old man's request and instructions. "I believe my friend Humphrey and I are just the pair you're looking for Sir." Alec responded. "We would be happy to head into the forest and find some medicine for your village. Helping others is what we are here to do and we'd love to start by helping your village and it's people. Isn't that right Humphrey?" Alec asked as he looked over to his friend and companion. Humphrey let out a loud and reverberating growl if ascent and affirmation which brought a smile to Alec's face as he turned back toward the old man seated in his wooden rocking chair. "We'll head into the forest immediately and hurry back as soon as we have the medicine your village needs." With that Alec turned away from the old man and began to leave the village headed for the forest at its edge.

[Alec 0]

Humphrey fell into easy step beside Alec as they strode back out toward the edge of the village and the awaiting forest beyond. Alec eased his Mithril Battle Axe from its loop at his hip as he exited the village and began to venture into the forest at the Village's edge. Alec kept a sharp eye peeled as he and Humphrey worked their way deeper and deeper into the forest. The deeper into the forest they ventured the more shaded and shadowed it became. Alec squinted and strained his eyes as he peered into every Shadow looking for and meter and a half tall plants that resembled the ones he was looking for. So far Alec hadn't seen anything resembling what he'd heard the pair of men in the Inn's common room talking about. "What do you think Humphrey?" Alec asked have you seen anything like what we're looking for?" The bear cub shook its head and let out a low rumbling growl that sounded rather negative.

[Alec 0]

Alec hadn't found any of the creatures he was looking for so wasn't sure how to continue. Perhaps if just started looking around for anything interesting maybe he'd find something he thought to himself. So Alec stood up and began searching the area to see if he could find anything if value. Maybe if he could succeed at finding something of value it would change his luck in finding the creatures he was looking for. Alec began to cautiously and meticulously search the surrounding area for anything of value. He looked under fallen logs and inside some hollowed out stumps he found he even found a small cave a little larger than a badger hole that he crawled into and peered around in.

Spoiler

 

Roll: 113851

LD: 5 (Fail)

 

Alec searched everywhere he could think of in his immediate vicinity but came up empty handed. Either there wasn't anything hidden nearby of value or it was better hidden than his searching ability was able to find. Alec shrugged his shoulders and walked back over to stand next to Humphrey.

[Alec 0]

"So friend. Seems we've had no luck so far. What do you think?" Alec asked as he slowly walked over the stand next to Humphrey looking down at his friend and companion. Humphrey snuffed and let out a low growl in response. Alec had never heard that sound come out of Humphrey before so he had no measure to judge it by or what it meant. So Alec stood and looked around finding no help or suggestions from his closest friend and ally here in the digital world. Alec slumped down onto a tree stump next to Humphrey and rested his forearms on his knees as he sat in the forest not sure where to look next. So far everywhere he had looked turned up nothing and Alec was not sure which way to turn next. Alec took in a deep breath of air that smelled of pine needles, peat moss, and fresh dirt and let the breath out in a long slow sigh. Alec gripped his knees with his hands and flexed his tree trunk like legs and stood up.

[Alec 0]

Alec stood from the tree trunk he was sitting on and looked around the forest he was supposed to be looking for some meter and a half tall plants that we're supposed to be here in this part of the forest. Supposedly there could move to so Alec figured it was just his luck they were sneaking around and hiding from him like some blown up version of hide and go seek. That would seem to fit the profile he was forming in his head. Alec took up his Mithril Battle Axe and began walking deeper into the forest in search of Nepent's. Alec strode along casually simply walking through the forest and making no real attempt at stealth or sneaking. If the Nepents were here he'd find them if they weren't he wouldn't.  Alec continued along and actually began whistling subconsciously to himself. As Alec realized what he was doing the song came to him and caused him to chuckle. Sweet Child of Mine by Guns and Roses. That random things we did and that brought themselves to the fore when we let ourselves go and relax Alex thought to himself.

[Alec 0]

As Alec strode along whistling Sweet Child of Mine he froze in his tracks the note he was whistling cut off abruptly as he head a rustle coming from a grouping of bushes off to his left. He eased himself around till he was facing the bush dead on and slowly inched his way towards the bushes his shield held steadily before him and his Mithril Battle Axe held aloft and ready to swing should a target so present itself to him. As he crept closer and closer he had to remind himself to breath slowly as he kept finding himself holding his breath in anticipation. Just as Alec made it to the bush and reached out his Mithril Axe to move some of the branches aside to get a better look the brush exploded with movement and Alec found himself bull rushed by a pair of plants that came near to his waist and had roots that writhed and wriggled along the ground propelling the large plants incredibly fast along the forest floor. They also possessed vines fir arms that waved and wiggled in the air ending in razor sharp leaves.

[Alec 0]

Spoiler

 

Alec - Lvl: 13 / HP:  260/260 / EN:  26/26 / DMG: 4 / MIT:  40 MIT / ACC: 2 / EVA: 0

Nepent (1) - HP: 7/7 / MIT: 0 / DMG: 3

Nepent (2) - HP: 7/7 / MIT: 0 / DMG: 3

 

As large plants rushed at Aleve he did the only thing he could in the situation. He dropped his rear foot back giving him a sturdier base to receive their charge as he dropped his center if gravity and brought his shield up to just below his eye level and prepared for the two plants rushing towards him to attack. He also hefted his axe and twisted it in his grip to achieve the best grip possible as he hefted the mirror reflective axe over his head and prepared to swing down on the first of the wild plants attacking him.

Spoiler

 

Roll: 113882

BD: 1 + 2 ACC = 3 (Critical Fail)

MD: 10 (Critical + 2) 3 DMG + 2 = 5 DMG - 40 MIT = 1 DMG (Crit Hit - No Thorns)

CD: 2 (Fail - No EN Regenerated)

Roll: 113883

MD: 8 (Success) 3 DMG - 40 MIT = 1 DMG (Thorns Activates 9 Unmitigated DMG)

 

As the Nepents charged in the leading Nepents movements were so quick and fluid that it easily slid past Alec's shield as if like water and reached out a razor leafed Vine and sliced a paper cut thin line across Alec's cheek which dripped out a few red pixels. The second Nepent charged up and ran straight for Alec's shield its vines like arms whipping and thrashing around the edges of Alec's shield also opening a paper cut thin slice on Alec's cheek that leaked a few more red pixels. While the second Nepent was flailing around Alec's shield it began to hum and then SNAP an arc of electricity jumped from Alec's shield and zapped the plant creature causing it to shimmer and the explode in a shower if green pixels. Alec was so shocked by the violence of action perpetrated by the pair of plants that ad he swung his Ace he was knocked off balance by their bull rush that Alec found himself seated on the forest floor flat on his rear end.

Spoiler

 

Alec - Lvl: 13 / HP:  258/260 / EN:  24/26 / DMG: 4 / MIT:  40 MIT / ACC: 2 / EVA: 0

Nepent (1) - HP: 7/7 / MIT: 0 / DMG: 3

Nepent (2) - HP: 0/7 / MIT: 0 / DMG: 3 - DEAD

 

 

Edited April 1, 2019 by Alec

[Alec 0]

Spoiler

 

Alec - Lvl: 13 / HP:  258/260 / EN:  25/26 / DMG: 4 / MIT:  40 MIT / ACC: 2 / EVA: 0

Nepent (1) - HP: 7/7 / MIT: 0 / DMG: 3

Nepent (2) - HP: 0/7 / MIT: 0 / DMG: 3 - DEAD

 

The pair of Nepents burst from the bush Alec crept up to. They were much more aggressive than Alec had first assumed. The lead plant creature had charged straight at him and then slid around his protective shield as if it weren't even there slicing a cut in Alec's cheek. The second had followed in and threw itself directly at Alec and his shield. It had flailed around past his shield and also cut him on the cheek but had also caused his Shield of the Thunderhearts to burst with a charge if static electricity that had caused the second plant creature to explode in a shower of green pixels. Aleve had been so caught off guard that when he had attempted to swing he had list his balance from their frontal assault and ended up sitting flat on his keister in the dirt completely shocked by what had just happened. Alec quickly scurried to his feet and brought his shield back up in front of him and raised his Mithril Axe up over his shoulder readying his swing when the Nepent came at him again.

Spoiler

 

Roll: 113884

BD: 7 + 2 ACC = 9 (Success) 4 DMG

MD: 9 (Critical + 1) 3 DMG - 40 MIT = 1 DMG (Crit Hit - No Thorns)

CD: 6 (Success - 1 EN Regenerated)

 

The plant creature began swinging and whipping its razor sharp leaves at Aleve again as he stood up. The plant creatures vine like arms were everywhere. Alec tried to move his shield up to intercept them but they were too fast and Alec received another slash on the check for being too slow. Aleve swung his Mithril Axe from over his shoulder in a diagonal swipe that caught the Nepent in the side and near cut it in half. Instead opening a large hack that spewed green pixels.

Spoiler

 

Alec - Lvl: 13 / HP:  257/260 / EN:  24/26 / DMG: 4 / MIT:  40 MIT / ACC: 2 / EVA: 0

+ 1 EN Regenerated

Nepent (1) - HP: 3/7 / MIT: 0 / DMG: 3

Nepent (2) - HP: 0/7 / MIT: 0 / DMG: 3 - DEAD

 

 

[Alec 0]

Spoiler

 

Alec - Lvl: 13 / HP:  257/260 / EN:  26/26 / DMG: 4 / MIT:  40 MIT / ACC: 2 / EVA: 0

+ 1 EN Regenerated

Nepent (1) - HP: 3/7 / MIT: 0 / DMG: 3

Nepent (2) - HP: 0/7 / MIT: 0 / DMG: 3 - DEAD

 

The Nepent thrashed and flailed its razor sharp leaves all around Alec ad he twisted and turned trying to intercept their lightning fast movements with his his shield but again a vine got through his defenses and slashed his cheek opening a scalpel sized cut there. Alec found an opening however in the plant creatures attack and swung his axe in St an angle and nearly clove the plant in two. Instead Alec brought his shield back around to defend and lifted his axe back over his shoulder to deliver another strike when the chance presented itself.

Spoiler

 

Roll: 113885

BD: 6 + 2 = 8 (Success) 4 DMG (DEAD)

MD: 8 (Success) 3 DMG - 40 MIT = 1 DMG (Thorns Activates 9 Unmitigated DMG)

CD: 12 (+ 1 EN Regenerated)

 

The plant creature continued to whip Alec with its razor sharp leaves at the end of its lightning fast vine like arms. Alec continued to reposition his shield for maximum defense but the Nepent was too quick and Alec received another thin slice on his cheek for not being quick enough. As the Nepent pushed itself against Alec's shield the Shield of the Thunderhearts began to hum then SNAP static electricity arced off the shield again and struck the plant creature. In response the plant creature began to waver and shake till it exploded in a shower if green pixels that rained down and then disapated into nothing.

Spoiler

 

Alec - Lvl: 13 / HP:  256/260 / EN:  25/26 / DMG: 4 / MIT:  40 MIT / ACC: 2 / EVA: 0

+ 1 EN Regenerated

Nepent (1) - HP: 0/7 / MIT: 0 / DMG: 3 - DEAD

Nepent (2) - HP: 0/7 / MIT: 0 / DMG: 3 - DEAD

 

 

[Alec 0]

The Nepent continued to thrash and whip its razor sharp leaf tipped vine like arms around and against Alec. Alec did his best to maneuver his shield into the way of the plant creatures lightning fast vine arms and razor sharp leaf tips but the plant was just too quick for Alec and he received another slice on his check for not being fast enough. As the Nepent pressed its body against Alec's Shield of the Thunderhearts it began to elicit a hum that built until SNAP a burst of static electricity surged into the Nepent causing it to begin vibrating and shaking until it exploded in a brilliant green shower if pixels that rained down and then disappeared into nothing. Alec took a moment to take a breath and glance over his shoulder at Humphrey who stood poised for action. Alec merely flashed a wry grin at the bear cub and winked at him. The bear cub responded with a loud growl of amusement and say down on its hind quarters.

Spoiler

 

OOC Post 1

Tier * 10 HP Recovered (10 HP)

Alec - Lvl: 13 / HP:  260/260 / EN: 25/26 / DMG: 4 / MIT:  40 / ACC: 2 / EVA: 0

 

 

[Alec 0]

Spoiler

 

Alec - Lvl: 13 / HP:  260/260 / EN: 25/26 / DMG: 4 / MIT:  40 / ACC: 2 / EVA: 0 

Nepent Variant: HP: 15/15 / Mitigation: 5 / Damage: 10 - Nepent Variant ignores armor mitigation on a natural roll of 10

 

As Alec glanced over and shot Humphrey a wry smile he instantly froze. From off to his right behind a different grouping of bushes Alec heard a high pitched screech as the bushes there began shaking violently and from out of them burst another plant creature only this one had the tell tale red flower growing from its head that marked it as the Nepent Variant. Alec instantly went on guard and shifted his body to position his shield between himself and the new threat he faced. The plant creature looked almost identical to the last two except for the flower growing from the top of its head. The Nepent Variant let out another ear piercing screech and began flailing its arms about brandishing the razor sharp leaves growing from the ends of its vine like arms. As the Nepent Variant charged Alec hoisted his axe over his shoulder and swung down as it charged.

 

Spoiler

 

Roll: 113886

BD: 3 + 2 ACC = 5 (Fail)

MD: 9 (Critical + 1) 10 DMG + 1 Crit = 11 DMG - 40 MIT = 1 DMG (Crit Hit - No Thorns)

CD: 5 (Fail / No EN Regenerated)

 

As the plant creature came charging in Alec swung down with his Mithril Axe but did not account for the creatures speed as it dashed in and his swing was moments too late. The creature rushed toward Alec and began thrashing its vine like arms around as it slipped them past Alec's shield and sliced a thin ribbon on his cheek.

Spoiler

 

Alec - Lvl: 13 / HP:  260/260 / EN: 23/26 / DMG: 4 / MIT:  40 / ACC: 2 / EVA: 0 

Nepent Variant: HP: 15/15 / Mitigation: 5 / Damage: 10 - Nepent Variant ignores armor mitigation on a natural roll of 10

 

 

Edited April 1, 2019 by Alec

[Alec 0]

Spoiler

 

Alec - Lvl: 13 / HP:  260/260 / EN: 24/26 / DMG: 4 / MIT:  40 / ACC: 2 / EVA: 0 

Nepent Variant: HP: 15/15 / Mitigation: 5 / Damage: 10 - Nepent Variant ignores armor mitigation on a natural roll of 10

 

As the Nepent Variant closed in with Alec he swung out with his Mithril Battle Axe but the plant creature was too fast and skirted by Alec’s swing causing him to miss. The Nepent Variant then began flailing its vine like arms around and slipped one past Alec’s shield and opened a ribbon thin slash on his cheek. The plant creature stayed close to Alec choosing not to retreat and continued to thrash and flail its vine like arms about with their razor sharp leaves growing from the ends. As the Nepent Variant continued its relentless onslaught Alec thrust his Mithril Battle Axe at the sky and drew on the energy that powered Sword Arts and felt the energy rush through him and into his upraised axe. The Mithril Axe began to quiver and vibrate from the energy flowing into it as its mirror polished axe head began to glow. The vibrations and glow intensified until Alec felt they were near bursting, then he swung his Mithril Battle Axe down in a series of chops and released the energy into Stunning Bash.

 

Spoiler

 

Roll: 113887

BD: 5 + 2 ACC = 7 (Success) 4 DMG * 4 = 16 DMG - 5 MIT = 11 DMG
MD: 6 (Success) 10 DMG - 40 MIT = 1 DMG (Thorns Activates 9 Unmitigated DMG)

CD: 10 (Success / + 1 EN Regenerated)

 

As the Nepent Variant continued to thrash its razor sharp leaves at Alec's face he raised his Mithril Battle Axe on high and summoned the energy to power a Sword Art. When the energy had peaked Alec swung his axe down stuck the Nepent Variant with a fore swing and a back swing connecting with the flat of his blade followed by a fore and back swing that struck the plant creature with the blade of his axe. The attack bit deeply and opened a pair of large chunks from the plant creature. The Nepent Variant shrieked and flailed even more furiously as it pressed against Alec's shield and slipped a vine past Alec's defenses and opened another razor thin cut on his cheek as his shield began to hum before SNAP an arc of static electricity zapped into the plant creature and caused it to began shaking and wavering until it exploded in a brilliant emerald green shower of pixels that rained down before disappearing into nothingness.

Spoiler

 

Alec - Lvl: 13 / HP:  259/260 / EN: 20/26 / DMG: 4 / MIT:  40 / ACC: 2 / EVA: 0 

Nepent Variant: HP: 0/15 / Mitigation: 5 / Damage: 10 - Nepent Variant ignores armor mitigation on a natural roll of 10 - DEAD

Roll: 113888

LD: 18 (Success!! - Nepents Ovule Drops)

 

 

[Alec 0]

The Nepent Variant continued to thrash and flail at Alec’s face with its razor sharp leaves that tipped its vine like arms it managed to slip past Alec’s defenses with its lightning fast movements and sliced another thin cut upon Alec’s cheek again. The cut stung for only a moments before adrenaline and the heat of battle washed the fleeting pain away and Alec forgot the wound was even there. As the plant like creature pressed against Alec’s shield trying to fully get to him his Shield of the Thunderhearts began to build a hum that caused the hair in Alec’s beard to momentarily float before SNAP a charge of static electricity arced from where it had been stored within Alec’s shield into the Nepent Variant. The plant creatures body began to shake and wobble until finally it burst into a brilliant shower of emerald green pixels that floated down out of the air and at last dissipated into nothing.

[Alec 0]

As the Nepent Variant disappeared into nothingness Alec hear a small triumphant chime and looked down to the ground where the Nepent Variant had just been. In its place stood a tiny vial with a banner QUEST ITEM - <<NEPENT’S OVULE>>. Alec smiled a smile to himself as he bent down and picked up the small vial of greenish yellow liquid. As Alec brought it up into the sunlight to inspect it he swirled the bottle in a ray of sunlight and saw the colors dance and twirl within the small glass bottle. Alec placed he small bottle inside his inventory and turned to Humphrey who was still seated on his hind quarters looking a Alec where he stood. “That wasn’t so hard was it?” Alec asked Humphrey as he hefted his axe to rest on his shoulder and flash the bear cub a wide grin.

[Alec 0]

Humphrey watched his friend and companion as he easily dispatched the plant monsters that attacked him. Humphrey had to admit the big man was tough. The mutated plant monsters barely scratched him as they swung and danced around him thrashing their vines almost faster than Humphrey could follow with his eyes. Humphrey was glad that Alec was so tough and hard to hurt and he was glad that Alec’s life was not in real danger but Alec had brought Humphrey along to help heal him and Humphrey didn’t feel like he was really helping the big man if all he did was sit and watch but that must be better than having Alec’s life in danger the bear cub supposed. After the last plant monster exploded Alec reached down and picked up something small that was resting on the ground and turned around to smile at Humphrey.

[Alec 0]

As Alec placed the bottle of Nepent’s Ovule into his inventory and shot Humphrey a winning grin he said “Well pal? I guess we better get this bottle back to the village for all those sick people there.” He looked to Humphrey as he said this and the bear cub responded with a nod of his large head as he stood up and turned toward the edge of the forest and the village beyond. Alec took two long steps and caught up to the bear cub as the pair set an easy steady pace aimed for the edge of the woods and the small unnamed village at its edge. As Alec walked along beside Humphrey he found himself humming absently to himself. The name and artist of the song quickly popped into his head and he gave a wry smile and chuckle as he shook his head at the pleasant thoughts it elicited. It was Kenny Rogers “The Gambler” and Alec had sung that song to his son Danny every time he had laid the boy down to sleep.

[Alec 0]

As Alec and Humphrey walked through the forest together Alec let his humming shift to singing in his deep baritone voice the words flowed smoothly and easily from him as he walked. “You got to know when to hold ‘em. Know when ta fold ‘em. Know when ta walk away. Know when ta run. You never count your money when yer sittin at the table. Their’ll be time enough fer coutin. When the dealins done.” Alec continued to sing the song and let the happy memories of his at the time infant son Danny wash over him in a cascade of loving memories and images. Holding Danny and rocking him in his arms as he sang that same song to him. The small boys eyes drifting closed to the soft low baritone of Alec’s voice as he held and rocked the small child singing. Gwen standing off to the side smiling lovingly at Alec he sang and rocked their child to sleep.

[Alec 0]

The memories that flooded Alec as he walked along with Humphrey singing were bitter sweet. They were some of his fondest memories of his life and always brought joy and happiness and yes even a slight tear to his eye to reminisce and think back on. But they also reminded him of where he was and what his life was now. He was stuck in this Death Game Sword Art Online and he would never see his wife and son again until this damnable game was defeated and he could wake up from this living digital prison he was trapped in. He had a mission get stronger so he could join the Front Lines Assault Team and help them clear this game so he could again one day hold his wife and son in his arms again. The sobering thought brought an end to Alec’s singing and his happy stroll through memory lane. “He had a job to do here and my gods he’d do it!” Alec thought forcefully to himself.