[F 21 - PP - Shield & Raidou] <<Nature's Treasure>> Keys to Success

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

Opening Chest - ID# 154275 results: Loot: 11+7=18

[16-20] = 3,150 Col, 8 T3 materials, 1 perfect T3 armor/shield, 2 rare T3 consumables

Total Loot:

Materials: 141
Col: 33,850
Perfect Armors: [149739b] [149966a] [150171a] [151548a] [154275a]
Perfect Weapons: [149739a] [150171b] [151555a] [151555b]
Rare Weapons: [149481a] [150606a] [151181a]
Perfect Consumables: [149739c] [149739d] [150171c] [150171d] [151555c]
Rare Consumables: [149481b] [149481c] [149966b] [149966c] [150003a] [150003b] [150194a] [150194b] [150606b] [150606c] [151181b] [151181c] [151548b] [151548c] [154275b] [154275c]

Keys Used: 11
Multipurpose Used [Y]

Kneeling beside his most recent find, Shield pulled out the most recent key ring from which he had been pulling keys and chose one that seemed to suit the style of lock. Holding out the key, it vanished and the lid cracked open with a grinding screech. The loot readout came into view and Shield nodded approvingly. "Excellent! More gear. This is exactly why we're out here. No guarantee that any one of these will be spectacular, but like anything in here, it's a numbers game. Throw enough math at the wall, and eventually something will stick that you're looking for."

He collected his finds and dismissed the window, standing up to his full height as the chest behind him shattered. "Back to the grind!"  he said, recovering his fishing pole. "However, I'm sure with the amount of loot I've found so far, we can probably wrap things up sooner rather than later. It's going to be a lot of work going through all of this."

Edited October 27, 2020 by Shield

[Raidou 1]

A simple notion but one he shared quite readily, for it was no different then alchemy. Not every potion turned out as expected, they must be culled and recycled and a quick change to one that would prove better. It appeared that this box had more than its share of value to Shield, the nomad was convinced from a glance alone as his response is stolen by a screaming line. A red scaled beast of an animal removed from the waters in a parade of showering moisture, Raidou hefts it ashore and eyeballs the simple notion. His line had no bait so why would these things continue to aim for the reel? It was peculiar and worth more research, he did not count himself an effective fisherman but to even he this seemed odd and unsuited to how things should function. "I suppose overburdening oneself before it is necessary is probably ideal."

ID# 154276 results: Craft: 10

3*T3 Materials Obtained

Total T3 Materials: 74

Edited October 10, 2020 by Raidou

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

Searching for Chest - ID# 154277 results: Loot: 2+13=15 [Chest found]

Total Loot:

Materials: 125
Col: 31,750
Perfect Armors: [149739b] [150171a] [151548a] [154275a]
Perfect Weapons: [149739a] [150171b] [151555a] [151555b]
Rare Weapons: [149481a]
Perfect Consumables: [149739c] [149739d] [150171c] [150171d]
Rare Consumables: [149481b] [149481c] [175127a] [175127b] [150003a] [150003b] [150194a] [150194b] [175130a] [175130b] [151181b] [151181c] [154275b] [154275c]

Keys Used: 11
Multipurpose Used [Y]

It had been some time since Shield had last taken account of the cavern itself. He took a moment to stretch, eager to walk rather than fish for a short time. He set down his rod, pacing over to the nearest wall, and rested his hand against the stone and began to patrol, first one way and then back the other. The walls were smooth, formed from the steady drip of sediment filled seeping water. He made his way past the piles of scree he had examined before, past a cluster of stalagmites, and around a bend in the wall to a small outcropping of stone. As he drew near this point, his earring lit once more, indicating the presence of something hidden nearby.

Peeking around the edge of the outcropping, he could see in the shadows a familiar rounded lid. He had found what he was looking for. He smiled to himself and jogged around the corner, eager to claim his prize. "Perseverence! It's what's gonna get this done!" He fished out his keyrings and began to select his next one to use.

Edited October 27, 2020 by Shield

[Raidou 1]

As if fate was finally smiling upon them albeit, after a huge delay, Raidou looks on as Shield nets himself another aged box littered with goods long forgotten. The rattling of keys assaults his senses while his partner seeks out that which fits it.  His line starts to wiggle and reel slightly, to which he grabs it and the weight on the line was...small. With one quick dug and draw of the clear cable rips clean a pathetic sized minnow in red scale. usable but meaty it was not, perhaps worth a single meal to those careful enough to prepare it. "What a waste of time and bait." Raidou commented but then recalled he had not used any bait. What was with these fish, clinging to the glass so aggressively? Each capture simply affirmed these things weird attraction to the reflection in these waters, perhaps due to the fact that such objects were not commonly present?

ID# 154278 results: Craft: 5

1*T3 Materials Obtained

Total T3 Materials: 75

Edited October 15, 2020 by Raidou

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 154280 results: Craft: 11 [4 Materials found]

Total Loot:

Materials: 129
Col: 31,750
Perfect Armors: [149739b] [150171a] [151548a] [154275a]
Perfect Weapons: [149739a] [150171b] [151555a] [151555b]
Rare Weapons: [149481a]
Perfect Consumables: [149739c] [149739d] [150171c] [150171d]
Rare Consumables: [149481b] [149481c] [175127a] [175127b] [150003a] [150003b] [150194a] [150194b] [175130a] [175130b] [151181b] [151181c] [154275b] [154275c]

Keys Used: 11
Multipurpose Used [Y]

Over his shoulder, Shield heard the whirring of a line. He turned around, expecting to see Raidou about to pull something in, but instead, he saw his own discarded pole vibrating on the shore as its line fed out. He was across the cavern floor and back to the edge of the water in a flash. His boots fell fast and heavy on the stone and then squeaked to a halt as he came to a sudden stop by his pole. Picking it up, he reeled and pulled, fighting back from a losing battle to slowly turn the tides. "How in the hell! I didn't even cast with it!"

So much of the spool had been used that it took him a solid minute to bring in his catch. The fish fought hard, until finally it was dragged ashore. Before giving in and succumbing to the air, the fish gave an almighty glub and water and a small crab holding a bare hook squelched out of its mouth and onto the stone shore. Shield rolled his eyes. "Well, I guess that maybe explains it. Jeez, what are the odds!" He rolled his eyes and moved his pole further from the bank before jogging back over to the chest.

Edited October 27, 2020 by Shield

[Raidou 1]

A dormant stare into the water to most would seem tranquil but Raidou was actually zoning out and biding his focus. This place was simply breaking all the rules of reality with every line he removed from the lake. He could not begin to fathom who coded this charade, it did not seem to reflect any sense of sanity and he could feel his ability to build a method to the madness unwind. "I have absolutely no idea what is happening, and it's irritating." Raidou responds loosely and honestly. It was something that could not be picked apart and studied, not something he can seek insights into or percievably get better at. He was beginning to get the sense that no matter what was done or how much he changed it would remain the same odds. With this newfound insight, his world was cracking at the seams with each pull of his line.

ID# 154279 results: Craft: 3

Total T3 Materials: 75

Edited October 16, 2020 by Raidou

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

Opening Chest - ID# 154281 results: Loot: 15+7=22

[21-23] = 4,200 Col, (10) materials, (2) perfect weapon, perfect consumable

Total Loot:

Materials: 139
Col: 35,950
Perfect Armors: [149739b] [150171a] [151548a] [154275a]
Perfect Weapons: [149739a] [150171b] [151555a] [151555b] [154281a] [154281b]
Rare Weapons: [149481a]
Perfect Consumables: [149739c] [149739d] [150171c] [150171d]
Rare Consumables: [149481b] [149481c] [175127a] [175127b] [150003a] [150003b] [150194a] [150194b] [175130a] [175130b] [151181b] [151181c] [154275b] [154275c]

Keys Used: 12
Multipurpose Used [Y]

With his wits back about him once again and his keys back in hand, Shield went through his mini ritual of opening the chest. He knelt beside it, holding out the key he had chosen and watched as it dematerialized, vanishing in its glittery dust and melting into the air with a tinkle. The lid now opened and ajar, he examined the contents that were displayed by list before him.

"You know, this isn't half bad," he said, nodding his approval. "There are a few weapons here that have yet to be identified, but if they're any good, I might just be able to put them to use myself. You know, it's been a very long time since I've carried an enhanced weapon of any sort," he said, musing about his gear. "I have a tier 3 axe crafted for myself, but with my gear and build, there's never been an occasion to dust it off. Now, with the big fight coming up and some unusual loot making its way into my possession... it might just be time to mix that up again."  He claimed the loot and shut the lid, making his way back over to the water. 

Edited October 27, 2020 by Shield

[Raidou 1]

Shield spoke but it was as if drawn through a wave, muffled and distorted at first. "Yeah..." he spoke before shaking his head to clear the clutter. "Seems to be alright, but I am afraid there is no skill to glean from this and no sharpening of a skill. You're just at mercy to the tides." He'd fiddle with his lenses glaring at the lake, and with it a slight trickle of seething hatred seemed to escape his pores. "It's always best to strive forward toward some goal" spoken as he looks to Shield "Ah yes the meeting, I wish you all the best, I will do my best to support you from where I can. As regards to weapons, I share the sentiment. When things become dire it's nothing more than a small shield. It's hard to justify anything beyond what is more efficient which mainly means just waiting for an enemy to strike."

ID# 154282 results: Craft: 6

1*T3 Materials Obtained

Total T3 Materials: 76

Edited October 16, 2020 by Raidou

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 154283 results: Craft: 11 [4 materials found]

Total Loot:

Materials: 143
Col: 35,950
Perfect Armors: [149739b] [150171a] [151548a] [154275a]
Perfect Weapons: [149739a] [150171b] [151555a] [151555b] [154281a] [154281b]
Rare Weapons: [149481a]
Perfect Consumables: [149739c] [149739d] [150171c] [150171d]
Rare Consumables: [149481b] [149481c] [175127a] [175127b] [150003a] [150003b] [150194a] [150194b] [175130a] [175130b] [151181b] [151181c] [154275b] [154275c]

Keys Used: 12
Multipurpose Used [Y]

"I wouldn't normally deviate from that," he said, tilting his head as he lined up for a cast. "But if there's a way to min-max healing as a survival strat, then it's got to include both the offensive and defensive variety of Vampiric. Hard not to spread yourself too thin, but I think it can be done. With the right luck and a lot of gear hunting." He sighed, taking a windup step and hurling his line out as far as he could. "I have equipment with a single slot each. Nothing that does a good job of stacking up bonuses though. I'm working on that part."

There came a loud clack in the air. Shield assumed that he had set his hook on too high of a trajectory and hit a stalactite, which was confirmed as his line stopped feeding out and came back to the water much closer than anticipated. Something else had heard the noise, because not a moment after it had hit the water, something splashed at the surface and began to take the slack out of the line. Shield reeled hard, eventually landing yet another extra large fish, the cuts of which he added to his ever mounting stash.

Edited October 27, 2020 by Shield

[Raidou 1]

He recalled upon Shield's analysis earlier, his weapon its hunger being coined as vampiric offensive. It offered him respite and power against that which opposed him, keeping him stable against the odds. But another defensive one existed? That was food for thought and with his line still idle in the water, Raidou placed his left hand to his chin. It was clear he had much more to learn, and Shield had much more to teach. Secrets unveiled on a roughened dark floor, the swordsman could not help but lap them up as they were offered. "Interesting still..." he comments vaguely at the notion. "I thought my course was clear, and that I've nearly plateaued in my growth. But with that insight perhaps there is still a method to bolster even further beyond. It seems your quite the tutor." Raidou spoke humbly to the merchant with a floundering monster at his side.

ID# 154284 results: Craft: 1

Total T3 Materials: 76

Edited October 16, 2020 by Raidou

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 154285 results: Craft: 7 [2 Materials found]

Total Loot:

Materials: 145
Col: 35,950
Perfect Armors: [149739b] [150171a] [151548a] [154275a]
Perfect Weapons: [149739a] [150171b] [151555a] [151555b] [154281a] [154281b]
Rare Weapons: [149481a]
Perfect Consumables: [149739c] [149739d] [150171c] [150171d]
Rare Consumables: [149481b] [149481c] [175127a] [175127b] [150003a] [150003b] [150194a] [150194b] [175130a] [175130b] [151181b] [151181c] [154275b] [154275c]

Keys Used: 12
Multipurpose Used [Y]

"Tutor?" Shield wondered aloud. He was clearly running at the mouth more than was typical, though he was deep in his analytical mind. He shouldn't be too surprised to have it pointed out. "I was mostly thinking out loud. Processing. I think programmers refer to it as 'rubber ducking.' You process your problems better and see the flaws more easily when you say them out loud rather than just hearing them in your head. They use it to help find bugs in their code that their eyes alone can't find." He stood back up after having stowed the cuts of his last catch before lining up another cast.

This one did not sail as far as some of this others, but it did not collide with the ceiling and stop. Neither however did it sink far enough into the water before getting a bite. "Didn't quite make the bottom that time. Pity, that." He reeled once more, and with every wind of the winch wound him closer to the limit of his patience for this particular fishing trip. He made a mental note that one more chest would satisfy his need to hunt, and as he beached his catch, he silently made up his mind that it was his goal to do so.

Edited October 27, 2020 by Shield

[Raidou 1]

Removing his hand from his chin as the line pulled taught, he'd heave against the wire and pull it deep toward shore. Floundering at his side was an adequate sized animal, gasping and angered by its removal from the waters. A sudden jerk knocks it clean in a humane end. Who knew how frequently he'd be fish punching when he left this morning. "I appreciate the scope even if it is not directed at me. I would not pretend to understand the method, but perhaps it's worth attempting on my own." he speaks as he pulls the consumed bottle and tackle from the gullet of the beast with an audible *thunk*. Tossing it like a stone back to the center of the waters, it appeared that it was nothing more than a game of casting as often as possible. The reel screams as the device sinks, the line vanishing beneath the waves until it halts dead. Rock bottom...

ID# 154286 results: Craft: 10

3*T3 Materials Obtained

Total T3 Materials: 79

Edited October 16, 2020 by Raidou

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 154287 results: Craft: 6 [1 Material found]

Total Loot:

Materials: 146
Col: 35,950
Perfect Armors: [149739b] [150171a] [151548a] [154275a]
Perfect Weapons: [149739a] [150171b] [151555a] [151555b] [154281a] [154281b]
Rare Weapons: [149481a]
Perfect Consumables: [149739c] [149739d] [150171c] [150171d]
Rare Consumables: [149481b] [149481c] [175127a] [175127b] [150003a] [150003b] [150194a] [150194b] [175130a] [175130b] [151181b] [151181c] [154275b] [154275c]

Keys Used: 12
Multipurpose Used [Y]

"When we get out of here, you just see for yourself," Shield said with a why smile. "A lot of programmers have a little rubber duck on their desk, and I bet you they've had as many conversations with them as they have with their actual coworkers." He finished winding up his line and cast out into the dark again. This time, the line hit the water and began to sink. It was enough distance down that Shield thought he would be in the clear to start dragging the lake bottom for chests when he felt a little tug. He sighed, for not only did chests not tug back without a human tugging on them, but it was indeed a little tug.

Hauling his line all the way back in, he discovered a single little crustacean on the end of the hook, holding on for dear life as if the hook owed him money. "Shame, shame," he sighed, picking the creature off and tossing it aside, watching it disintegrate as it was stored in his items with the rest of his fishy loot. "In the mean time, I feel like players need to be able to collaborate with one another more. The lines can be so... negative. Constant bickering. I know I'm a part of it at times, but I try to bring a cool head to it at least."

Edited October 27, 2020 by Shield

[Raidou 1]

Typically all of his introspection came solely to paper, if something wasn't adding up it would be documented out in numerous sheets of white. A dump of all of his thoughts allowed sorting, which may in turn been precisely this 'rubber duck' conversation with only a single party. He'd hesitate for he assumed that programming and chemistry were so similar, but he had no duck. "I think he wants what you've got." Raidou joked as the crab exploded, either his mind was starting to twist, or there was some dormant sense of humor that was so unkempt he had not realized its existence. "It's a war, and you won't see the cardinal fighting amongst itself. The ideal of simplicity and soldiers may be farfetched, but it's what needs to transpire should we hope for success." his demeanor just as flat as it normally took, that semblance of comedy dying as quickly as it arose.

ID# 154288 results: Craft: 1

Total T3 Materials: 79

Edited October 16, 2020 by Raidou

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 154289 results: Craft: 3 [Nothin']

Total Loot:

Materials: 146
Col: 35,950
Perfect Armors: [149739b] [150171a] [151548a] [154275a]
Perfect Weapons: [149739a] [150171b] [151555a] [151555b] [154281a] [154281b]
Rare Weapons: [149481a]
Perfect Consumables: [149739c] [149739d] [150171c] [150171d]
Rare Consumables: [149481b] [149481c] [175127a] [175127b] [150003a] [150003b] [150194a] [150194b] [175130a] [175130b] [151181b] [151181c] [154275b] [154275c]

Keys Used: 12
Multipurpose Used [Y]

"That is quite the point to make there," Shield said, pausing as he finished winding in the last few feet of his line in preparation for his next cast. "No, Cardinal doesn't exactly fight itself, at least not naturally." He turned some thoughts over in his mind, trying to recall any exceptions or examples that might challenge that idea. "There are specific examples of Cardinal 'fighting' itself for the sake of stories. The treants and elves, for example, or how an NPC might accompany players on difficult quests as extra muscle, but those are programmed examples that are accounted for in Cardinal's meta-narrative." He hesitated, pausing his intended path of reeling and casting monotonously as he pondered.

"There are specific examples though that come to mind," he said, trying his best to dredge up the events of prior floors. "The Dark Elf Council, the floor boss of the twenty third floor," he said, processing the events to distill a few counterexamples. "They did argue with one another. See, some players did some counter-intuitive things that likely fell outside of the expected course of events. As a result, they lost cohesion, at least in word. They sometimes acted against one another's intents. Cardinal is a large, complex machine, and within it it has actual designed personalities that can clash. In some scenarios, it's not impossible that this could be exploited."

Edited October 27, 2020 by Shield

[Raidou 1]

His companion was not wrong, there were certain narratives where it was scripted for enemies to face off against once another or offer an assisting NPC to aid them. It was an interesting premise if beside programming if they could teach a system controlled entity to face off against the tyrant that was using them and exploiting them for its benefit to no end. "Interesting premise, if one could assume that such a conflict could be controlled." he mutters softly as he removes his line to the small vibration of another tiny barely usable minnow wiggling on the edge of the bottle like a suction cup. Plucking it off and tossing it into the pile of corpses of its kin to slowly expire without air, he was starting to grow tired of paying these things a mercy and ending them swiftly. An overhand toss returns the bottle to the water, he would not give in or give up until time required it.

ID# 154290 results: Craft: 5

1*T3 Materials Obtained

Total T3 Materials: 80

Edited October 19, 2020 by Raidou

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 154291 results: Craft: 2 [Nothin']

Total Loot:

Materials: 146
Col: 35,950
Perfect Armors: [149739b] [150171a] [151548a] [154275a]
Perfect Weapons: [149739a] [150171b] [151555a] [151555b] [154281a] [154281b]
Rare Weapons: [149481a]
Perfect Consumables: [149739c] [149739d] [150171c] [150171d]
Rare Consumables: [149481b] [149481c] [175127a] [175127b] [150003a] [150003b] [150194a] [150194b] [175130a] [175130b] [151181b] [151181c] [154275b] [154275c]

Keys Used: 12
Multipurpose Used [Y]

"Controlling it is perhaps a little ambitious," he said, sighing as he worked through the memories in his mind. "In order for the anomalies to arise as they did in that fateful fight, it took very extreme circumstances. Players turning on other players. At least one instance of players attacking one another. It was bedlam," he said, his tone heavy and his features set and grim. That was a difficult memory for him. It was the fallout from that fight that began to unravel his faith in a few members of the front lines. The tanks, once tentatively united, split into factions, fracturing the lines. It was that which had led to him leaving the front lines for a while.

As he remembered those dark days, his line remained forgotten in his hands, held loosely in his grip. His thoughts turned to memories he was not proud of, huddling up in his cabin in the mountains of the eleventh floor, ignoring shop requests, ignoring messages and new quests. It was so unlike him that he almost preferred to think of that person as someone else. In the end though, he had to admit to himself that it wasn't. It was him. That was a part of him that he couldn't deny existed.

I can't let that part of me gain ground again. The stakes are too high...

Edited October 27, 2020 by Shield

[Raidou 1]

Still deep in thought over the state of the board in play, the pieces still were beside any form of tactics it appeared. But had saw change was the fact that now they were aware of the incohesion. "I could see that being a bit optimistic yes." which brought about an oddity, for Shield recalled something he'd only feared may transpire. "So traitors among the lines decided that in the hardest and most lethal fights they will ever face to act against their fellow man? Bewilderment indeed, but the fact you still stand here means that there was success despite the odds stacked against those remaining loyal." he chose to cling to that optimism despite a nagging feeling against it, the silver cable linking him to the water jostled just a tad bit before a rip frees another medium sized grey scaled fish. Pulling it off with another form of suction broken, the line was returned all the same.

ID# 154292 results: Craft: 7

2*T3 Materials Obtained

Total T3 Materials: 82

Edited October 20, 2020 by Raidou

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

 ID# 154293 results: Craft: 10 [3 Materials found]

Total Loot:

Materials: 149
Col: 35,950
Perfect Armors: [149739b] [150171a] [151548a] [154275a]
Perfect Weapons: [149739a] [150171b] [151555a] [151555b] [154281a] [154281b]
Rare Weapons: [149481a]
Perfect Consumables: [149739c] [149739d] [150171c] [150171d]
Rare Consumables: [149481b] [149481c] [175127a] [175127b] [150003a] [150003b] [150194a] [150194b] [175130a] [175130b] [151181b] [151181c] [154275b] [154275c]

Keys Used: 12
Multipurpose Used [Y]

"Unfortunately, like many things in life, the divide in that fight wasn't so black and white," he said with a sigh. "There were three groups. The largest stuck to the general plan, focusing on the floor bosses and not getting drawn into outside conflicts. The second," he began, trying to search for the words to sum up a position he did not agree with. "They saw the human qualities in the bosses and instead tried to reason with them. Humanize them, even."

He sent his line into the water, and as he let the hook sink, he continued. "The third saw the second's behavior as traitorous and antagonized them, some to the point of making stun attacks against them to keep them from interfering." His line let out a whine, and he sighed, reeling in the strong fish to add it to his collection. "So who there is the traitor? The pacifists who tried to bring about a peaceful resolution, or the violent offenders who acted for what they believed to be the greater good of the lines at the expense of their fellow players?"

Edited October 27, 2020 by Shield

[Raidou 1]

A sentiment hardly shared but easy to use to condemn. "A loss of life of only but one is a pity and not acceptable. But I would not extend that branch to the manifestations of a puppeteer. Clearly, the decision would be more difficult for some." Raidou recalled Kasumi and her inability to act on mobs given she personifies them as living creatures. "But a reflection is only that, not what is tangible and real. To them maybe, but those who chose to side with the things they entered that room to fight are a traitor plain and simple. By taking a side with that which you were intending to face despite what mask they decide to wear, instead of the allies you walked in with is nothing short of heresy. On the same front, those that attempted interception instead of facing forward and keeping an eye on those that wished to seek out another motive were also traitors. All voices must be heard and understood, a decision reached as a group instead of as an individual. The largest was the only that was not at fault."

ID# 154294 results: Craft: 1

Total T3 Materials: 82

Edited October 20, 2020 by Raidou