[F01 - SP ] <<The First Few Lessons Are Free>>

[Saruki 0]

Saruki needed something to do, he'd heard of an NPC who gave an easy quest... somewhere around the general area he was now in.

I'll just open some doors... that should work... hopefully...

Saruki opened the nearest door, It was the same as all the other doors in the area, being made of the same type of wood and everything.

Once again, I roll a one Saruki thought, comparing his luck to his favorite role-playing game when he found out that he'd opened an unclaimed player house, At least it's empty... He couldn't even imagine how awkward it would have been if some other player-owned the place, but he really needed a quest, so he tried the next door.

It was the door he was needing which was pretty easy to tell from the small alchemist's workshop, and the NPC, an old man sitting at the workstation in the middle of the room. He had a golden exclamation mark over his head, indicating the quest Saruki was about to accept. The NPC, Zackariah, beckoned Saruki over to the workstation.

Edited October 20, 2019 by Saruki

[Saruki 0]

Saruki walked over to Zackariah's workstation, "Is there anything I can help you with?"

The old man responded rather quickly, "Why yes, actually there is," the NPC began, "I am an alchemist, I make potions and other useful supplies, mostly from plants. I hope to aid the warriors of this land with more potions, but I have run out of the materials with which I make them, and I am too old to go and gather them in the field by myself, so if you would be so kind, I ask that you would gather those materials for me."

After waiting for the NPC's somewhat long-winded request to end, Saruki responded with a simple, "I would be happy to help."

Once he knew the specific materials, Saruki made sure the quest was accepted by checking the golden exclamation mark above the NPC's head, which had indeed changed into a question mark, meaning the quest was officially accepted.

[Saruki 0]

The specific Items Saruki had to gather for the quest were rather common. 5 Budding Field Flowers should be easy enough to find, Saruki thought as he left Zechariah's workshop. But he had to dart back in to ask a question.

"What is the quickest way to the center of town from here?"

Saruki was more than a little glad that NPCs could give directions in SAO, as he probably would have taken much longer to find the center of town on foot.

Following the directions he was given by Zackariah, Saruki made his way to the center of town rather quickly. There, he was reminded of the fear he felt when he discovered he was trapped in the game, though he also had to admit that he was glad that he didn't have to clean his room or wash the dishes. He would have to work on that unnecessary optimism.

Saruki did not like reminders that he was trapped in SAO, so he wanted to gain some experience and leave this town as soon as possible, which for him meant he had to do more than a few quests first.

Soon after, Saruki made his way to the nearest NPC shop to grab a bite to eat. The NPCs sold some good bread. Finally he made his way to the exit of town so that he could go and finish the quest.

Edited October 20, 2019 by Saruki

[Saruki 0]

Spoiler

ID# 128020

LD: 13

1 quest material found (1 total)

Saruki found a cluster of Field Flowers right by the gate, 

Nat. 20! All right! he thought, once again comparing his luck to his favorite role-playing game, this won't take too long.

Actually, those particular flowers had very deep roots and surprisingly strong stems, and so they were oddly hard to pick.

The Budding Field Flower was added to his inventory. He found this quite simple, so he picked the next flower.

It turned to glass and shattered, oh right, Saruki recalled, just the buds.

For the next several minutes he searched the Field Flowers for any more buds,  to no avail, maybe this won't be so easy, Saruki thought, maybe I should go fight something, that often leads me to a lucky spot in other games...

After thinking for several more minutes, he decided against fighting. He needed a new spear first, and he needed to complete his current quest, plus, he was getting hungry once again.

Saruki began pacing away from the gate to the city.

Edited November 5, 2019 by Saruki

[Saruki 0]

Spoiler

ID# 128022

LD: 20

2 quest materials found (total 3)

As Saruki paced, he spotted a small cluster of budding plants over by a tree, I need to stop referencing the d20, he thought, If I think too much and don't do anything, it won't end well.

Saruki jogged over to the cluster of budding plants and picked three that looked like Field Flowers, only two of them were what he needed, they were added to his inventory, and the third shattered.

Saruki checked the tabs that showed his recently acquired items. I need five, just two more, then, he calculated, then he looked around, I need to level up eventually, so I may as well fight something, Saruki looked around, not seeing anymore budding plants nearby, he began pacing away from where he'd picked the Budding Field Flowers, he'd fight something if he came across it before he found the quest items, assuming, of course, that what he came across was't too risky to fight at level one. Basically, he'd fight a boar if he came across it before he found the quest items.

Edited November 5, 2019 by Saruki

[Saruki 0]

Spoiler

ID# 128026

LD: 13

1 quest material found (4 total)

Saruki was really getting hungry now, he had to get something to eat as soon as possible... meaning after the quest, of course. As he paced away from the spot where he picked the last few Budding Field Flowers, he tripped.

As he got up, he noticed that he'd happened across another Budding Field Flower it took a moment to get up and a few more to pick the hardy Budding Field Flower 

That was rather easy, He thought, Just one more, He started pacing in a random direction, I hope I can find my way back.

 After a few minutes of searching for another budding flower, Saruki decided to fight a Boar before continuing his search, so off to fight a boar he went.

He began looking for a boar, but he was quickly distracted by a red flower, he picked it, but it shattered, so he resumed his search. Before he found any boars, he spotted a butterfly which he just needed to catch. He chased after the butterfly, trying to catch it before it got away.

Edited November 5, 2019 by Saruki

[Saruki 0]

Spoiler

ID# 128035

LD: 19

obtained 1 vanity item (Glasswing Butterfly)

Spoiler

Glasswing Butterfly

Vanity Item, Consumable

When used, the butterfly is released, nothing more.

 

Saruki chased the butterfly for quite a while, eventually tiring himself out. Unable to chase it much farther, Saruki layed down for a nap.

When he woke up, Saruki found the butterfly he'd been chasing. It was sitting on a flower, drinking nectar. It was an unusual butterfly, small and with almost clear wings, like glass. Saruki crept up on the butterfly very carefully, then captured it with cupped hands, careful not to hurt the butterfly.

Then a system message popped up, Glasswing Butterfly added to inventory! Saruki silently celebrated, he'd done it! He'd caught the butterfly! but it was going to be late, and he should finish the quest quickly before dark. He materialized the Glasswing Butterfly item he'd obtained, and to his relief, the beautiful butterfly had been put into a glass case, it would not fly away. He decided to check the cluster of flowers the butterfly had been sitting on for one more Budding Field Flower, then look around some more on the way back to town, whichever way that was.

Edited November 5, 2019 by Saruki

[Saruki 0]

Spoiler

ID# 128043

LD: 16

1 quest material found (5 total)

As it turned out, the butterfly had landed right next to a bright purple patch of Field Flowers, which still had one Budding Field Flower left. After Identifying the item, it took a second for Saruki to get to the task, and he was somewhat surprised, looking back, that he hadn't been attacked by a boar yet. He knew his luck couldn't last forever, so he hurried. It took him a second, but he picked the budding field flower, which added it's self into his inventory, and hurried his way away from the flower patch.

He had to look around for the path to town, and it took him a while, but he found it. Then it took him more time to identify which way to go. 

Realizing it was nearly dusk, Saruki started at a brisk pace down the path, breaking into a run as he felt time pass- he wanted his sleep, and, more importantly, FOOD! He broke into a full-on sprint when town was in sight...

Running straight into a Boar he hadn't noticed standing in his path...

Edited November 5, 2019 by Saruki

[Saruki 0]

Spoiler

Boar; HP 10 Dmg 3
ID# 128045
LD: 7 MD: 10
Saruki: HP 20/20 (-5) | EN 2/2
Boar: HP 10/10

Saruki stumbled as he attempted to go around the Boar, and it rammed him straight in the face. Though you don't feel "pain" in SAO he could have sworn that stung a little... which was, of course, a trick of the mind. Saruki was knocked back, and he planned his next course of action, which was to run to the town... He wasn't a coward, he just didn't have any combat worthy weapons yet... I should get a better spear, He realized, which was really obvious, but he needed to plan it.

He decided to try his hand at slaying the Boar before running, shouldn't be too hard, their the weakest monster in the game, Saruki thought, Even if all I have are vanity gear and potions. He just hoped no more Boars showed up, that would be very bad... maybe he should run?

Na... He thought to himself, no more Boars will show up... probably.

He hoped.

Edited November 5, 2019 by Saruki

[Saruki 0]

Spoiler

Boar; HP 10 Dmg 3
ID# 128050
BD: 9 MD: 2
Saruki: HP 15/20 | EN 2/2 (-1)
Boar: HP 10/10 (-2)

Saruki managed to get back to his feet just in time to sidestep the boar's second attack, then quickly jabbed the boar in the side with his spear. He noticed the boar's HP bar go down a little bit as he jabbed it, and felt a sense of undue triumph...

Which would have to wait until he'd killed the boar, or ran away, that would work too, Nah, I'll kill this thing... Saruki thought to himself, It's only a boar...

Then Saruki realized he didn't have time for this, he was hungry and it was practically nightfall, he had to get to town soon. The Boar could wait for later, He needed a nap, some food, and a better weapon.

Saruki decided he would make a break for town at the next good opportunity, then go and eat food... Then he would finish his quest. Then he would sleep. Finally, he would get at least an uncommon level spear, weather from an NPC blacksmith or a player.

Edited November 5, 2019 by Saruki

[Saruki 0]

Spoiler

Boar; HP 10 Dmg 3
ID# 128051
LD: 7  MD: 3
Saruki: HP 15/20(-3) | EN 1/2 
Boar: HP 8/10 

Saruki tried to run quickly towards town, but he tripped on an inconvenient Budding Field Flower, Which was really irritating, especially now that he DIDN'T need one. Oh, NOW you show up! I really hate Boars. He thought this just before the boars tusks jabbed him in the side. He should have been much more careful avoiding boars on his way back to town. Then again, it probably wouldn't have helped. He would have been picking mushrooms and run into more boars, or something.

Yeah, he would have run into a boar eventually... why did he have to go for extra materials?

They will be useful when I craft stuff! One part of him scolded, meanwhile the other part of him was screaming, HOW DO I KILL STUFF, THEN!!!!!

He quickly shut down his violent instinct, at least for now, and got to his feet.

Just until I get back to town, he thought, Once I get a better spear, this boar will be DEAD!!!  THEY ALL WILL!!!!!!

He had to once again stop himself and shut down the violent part of his mind... he was just hungry, once he had some food, that part of him would go away.

Edited November 6, 2019 by Saruki

[Saruki 0]

Spoiler

Boar; HP 10 Dmg 3
ID# 128104
LD: 2  MD: 7
Saruki: HP 12/20(-3) | EN 1/2 
Boar: HP 8/10

Through some twisted, weird, unearthly, and most definitely not cursed talent (the same weird skill that allows him to trip UP the stairs) Saruki somehow managed to trip and fall ONCE AGAIN! I hate today... I hate Boars... Saruki was never that clumsy... He needed to get some food as quickly as possible, he wished that boar would just DIE!

Just DIE!!! The violence in his mind manifested itself into Saruki's mind once again, DIE, DIE, DIE, the cause of his violence was primarily hunger, DIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!

DIE, DIE, DIE DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE!

Saruki was thinking uncharacteristically violently now, GO EAT A BOMB, STUPID BOAR!! He didn't feel like shutting that down anymore, but he had to get back to finish the quest, just eat the boar... another part of him thought, Heck, NO! He shut down the violent part of his mind once again, now thoroughly disturbed.

Edited November 6, 2019 by Saruki

[Saruki 0]

Spoiler

Boar; HP 10 Dmg 3
ID# 128107
LD: 4 (+1)  MD: 7
Saruki: HP 9/20(-3) | EN 1/2 
Boar: HP 8/10

Saruki tripped once again. At this point he couldn't even think right. He didn't even feel the boar's tusks pierce his side, it was just one word repeating over and over...

DIE, DIE, DIE DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited November 6, 2019 by Saruki

[Saruki 0]

Spoiler

ID# 128109

LD: 17 (+1)

Saruki got up and just ran. Once he got away from the boar, he had less than half his health.

Spoiler

Saruki: HP 6/20 | EN 2/2 

 He tried climbing a tree, managing to calm himself down to a murderous rage... then he fell asleep. (the two best ways to tell when he's tired or hungry are to check for violence or simpleness, or to check if he's sleeping.)

Oh, GEEZ! I fell asleep! Saruki started, nearly falling out of the tree, and he scolded himself for sleeping. He wasn't feeling nearly as angry as he had before he'd fallen asleep, but he knew he could fall into just such a blind rage rather easily when he was hungry. I should get something to eat... He thought for a moment, No, I should finish the quest first...

Maybe some gathering???? Saruki didn't know what to prioritize, so he just decided it would be easiest to gather some materials... If there were no more boars... I shouldn't risk it... I should go to town... He was too hungry to strategize, which was going to affect his chances of survival if he didn't go get some food.

"Maybe if I eat some mushrooms I'll feel better..." He was starting to mutter aloud... this was getting bad.

Edited November 6, 2019 by Saruki

[Saruki 0]

"Maybe if I eat some mushrooms I'll feel better..." He was starting to mutter aloud... this was getting bad.

Spoiler

ID# 128113

LD: 6 (-1)

Saruki looked around for quite a while, not finding any mushrooms, but luckily, even from his high vantage point in the tree, he did not see any more boars to be careful of... Even so, it was too dark not to be cautious. He slowly climbed down from the tree, then quickly took the path back to the Town of Beginnings to get some food and finish his quest.

It was way too dark to see the town, even when it was "in sight," so it took more time than it should have for him to get to the town.

Saruki decided it was too late to finish the quest that day, and the town's simple grid system layout... such non-confusing layouts absolutely confounded Saruki's complex thinking. He decided to camp out on someone's roof for the night...

And yes, he did that in real life too.

Edited November 6, 2019 by Saruki

[Saruki 0]

Saruki woke up, still on someone's roof, then climbed down and left to go and get some food at a nearby NPC shop. He could have sworn he'd seen a some freakishly tall player sleeping on his favorite bench outside his favorite shop... but that was not important right now, because he had a quest to finish, and e was already late, by his standards.

He took the rooftop route to Zechariah's workshop, he found that it was so much easier when you don't have to worry about the stupidly identical streets in the Town of Beginnings. Only achievable by the rooftop way. When he finally made it to Zechariah's workshop, he materialized the Budding Field Flowers from his inventory and handed them to Zechariah.

"I went through much pains to bring you these," he commented.

"And I thank you for that," Zechariah replied, "but I'm swamped with work, and you seem in need of practice, so would you please make me one Healing Potion?"

[Saruki 0]

Spoiler

ID# 12857

CD: 2

Crafted Vial of Failed Potion (Vanity Item, Consumable, turns hair pink for three hours)

"That's not quite right," Zechariah stated the obvious when Saruki showed him the thick black concoction with green and red swirls, It reminded him of molasses, with colored streamers in it, "Alchemy can be tricky, but I'm sure you'll get it..."

"What did I do wrong?" Saruki asked as he studied the thick black syrupy sludge,  "Was I close, at least?" 

"Not even close in the slightest," Zechariah replied lightheartedly, in a calm voice that was clearly supposed to be comforting, though it was extremely hard to make what he was saying sound positive at all, in any way, "I don't even know where you went wrong... I've never even seen such a thick and black concoction in my entire life, let alone how you made it, but I'm sure you'll get it perfectly right next time."

"Okay," Saruki agreed as he placed the vial of black sludge in his pocket, and Vial of Failed Potion added itself to his inventory as he went back to his work.

Edited November 6, 2019 by Saruki

[Saruki 0]

Spoiler

ID# 128159

CD: 4

Crafted: Healing Potion (good quality)

Zechariah watched carefully as Saruki crafted his second potion, "Remember to add the Budding Field Flower Petals after the Mushroom Roots," Zechariah councilled Saruki as he made his second attempt, Saruki was grateful for the guidance after failing so badly that even Zechariah had nothing good to say about it, "and just a few pinches of the Powdered Boar Tusk should do."

"Thanks for the advice," Saruki responded, as he added the mushroom roots, "I'll do that." He put in one or two too many flower petals, then added two pinches of Boar Tusk, "anything more?"

"I like too add a little bit of Cherry, for flavor," Zechariah replied, so Saruki put some in.

This time, when Saruki showed Zechariah the nice green potion he'd made, Zechariah nodded, "good job, this is a fairly well made potion," He thought for a second after taking the potion, "I think I have one more thing I need help with..."

Edited November 6, 2019 by Saruki

[Saruki 0]

Zechariah beckoned over a little girl NPC, who  Saruki hadn't noticed in the Workshop earlier, "Here," the little girl shoved a package roughly towards Saruki and as soon as he took it she ran off and disappeared somewhere. Zechariah chuckled a little, "I apologize for her rudeness, that's Lily, a student of mine, she's always a little rough on anyone she thinks might be a new student because she wants to be my favorite... Or something..."

"Oh," Saruki responded, he didn't have much else to say, and was grateful that this man was an NPC, primarily because he dreaded similar human interactions.

"I'm a little swamped with my work, so..." Zechariah continued, "if you would bring this package to the local blacksmith, Lyle Tealeaf? I would be very appreciative."

"I'd gladly assist you with this," Saruki agreed, though he silently added a little complaint about how he'd wanted to get a new spear... "I'll get going now."

[Saruki 0]

It took Saruki a few minutes to climb onto Zechariah's roof, but according to the old man's directions, it should be... that way! Saruki headed off in the direction of the rising sun for a while, caught a glimpse of one player dragging a freakishly tall player through the streets, or at least that's what he thought he saw, then he finally realized that he was supposed to go west. Turning west he took the rooftop rout until he found a relatively inconspicuous area to get off the roof and walk to Lyle's workshop.

Saruki wake over to Lyle, who was identifiable by the golden question mark levitating above his head, he was not in the middle of forging something, thank goodness, so Saruki said, "I have a package for you from Zechariah."

"Why thank you," Lyle replied, "I take it you've been helping him out?"

Saruki had a bad feeling that this was the start of another quest, "yes, I have..." He replied.

"I could use some help as well," Lyle stated, "With an unrelated matter of course."