SleepyCaterpilar
Just a Rapariga
Oh, that's true. I was only thinking about the Guards, didn't even consider our friends reaction. Either way, I guess the only thing to do is wait and see how it turns out.
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Re:Birth, A MMO Story
- Thread starter KittyEmpress
- Start date
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- Tags
- anime fantasy vrmmorpg (rpg)
Oh, that's true. I was only thinking about the Guards, didn't even consider our friends reaction. Either way, I guess the only thing to do is wait and see how it turns out.
Quests and Secrets
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Day 3
"Hita-chan, it's time to wake up." You were roused from your sleep by a light shaking of your shoulder. Kitan was looking down at you as he did it, raising a finger to his lips, "The sun's just come up, the guard should be here soon. I'm sorry for waking you." He was whispering softly - and just before you could reply, you could hear the same bell that woke you the day before ringing through the barracks you were in.
Just like before Raji seemed to open the door with just enough time for everyone to sort of bleerily blinky their eyes. Kitan was already fully ready to go, and you were a little more aware than the others... while Fluffy and Dark Blade seemed the messiest of the group, both of them rolling over instead - not reacting until Raji opened his mouth, "Alright, up up. If you're not out of bed in the next minute you're out of here."
You were out within a few seconds, stretching and not shocked out of sleep this time around, "Good morning Raji-sensei." You greeted the old Kirin man with a smile.
"Good morning. I hope you're all ready for a good workout because we're going to be pushing you to your limits today. If we're lucky, this'll be the last day of having to just build your strength up, and I'll finally be able to... well, we'll see if you make it."
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Training was once again individually curated - but this time other guards came by to help, rather than leaving you on your own to push yourselves. You weren't sure if that was a good sign - that you'd proven worth putting even more resources into, or a bad one where you'd proven you needed to be watched. Hyou, the Tiger who had almost arrested Kitan and Fluffy for public disturbance was amongst them, and you and Fluffy exercised under his care today, while Kitan and Lightning Hoof followed Raji, and Satoshi-san and Seto left with Dark Blade to join Kuzu in getting personalized instruction from the eldest of the Guards.
"I'm surprised you two chose to seek instruction in physical combat. I'm sure Abbess Akane could have taught you better in following the path our Great Ancestor blessed you with." Raji hadn't questioned it at all, but Hyou seemed quite pleased, "Too many who receive a connection to her magical side forget that White Tiger forged her legacy with tooth and nail, destroying enemies with her physical strength long before she became the master of all things weapon." He flicked out his claws for a moment, the slender blades extending from his fingers, the metal coating on them making them shine in the light reflecting off the snowy floor. "Being able to fall back on your own strength is a boon few have."
"Oh!... I didn't even think about that!" You admitted it readily - you'd never even gone to the White Tiger Temple thus far, let alone met any priestesses. Now that he said that, it seemed quite obvious to go seek out a mentor of your actual class... but you were glad you chose to come to the Guards instead. It meant all your group could participate and grow together - except for the fact that you kept getting split up. Still, it was something each of you was doing at the same time. "I just thought you and Kuga-san seemed so funny and kind, that I should seek you out."
"And I just followed Hita-hime!" Fluffy added on helpfully in the split seconds afterwards. She was playing with her cat ears again, as you talked to Hyou.
He gave a little laugh, puffing out his chest for a moment, "Well, you weren't wrong about us being great at least. We're all happy to have you here, I can tell you that. And I think you'll find the value in the training soon enough."
"I was wondering though, are we taking you away from important duties?" You weren't super worried when it was just Raji and Kuzu, but now four guards were being pulled to help you guys train. You'd only seen six total thus far, which seemed like not many for a town with at least a couple hundred residents, not counting their servants.
"Oh, no. We don't do much around here besides chase around people's hooligan grandchildren, or lately deal with those Awoken who came in with you." He gave a sigh as he complained about them, shaking his head, "Honestly I've arrested more people in the last three days than I had in the last three years." The disappointment was palpable in the air, "Oh, not that I blame you, of course. Anyways, unlike most places we don't really deal with monsters usually. The borders are blessed by the Four Spirits, so most monsters can't even approach anywhere near town. So we don't have to go fight or anything. It's mostly just walking around and making ourselves feel useful." He stretched as he said that.
"Speaking of which, I think it's time we get to work. I expect the best out of you both! I know you can do it!"
Hyou's workout routine was intense, and he seemed to understand more than Raji how to work your Tiger Beastkin physiology to its limits. He was also loud and encouraging though - much rowdier than Hyou's training where he just provided advice and small encouragements. Hyou just constantly advised you to be spirited, to draw deep, to pull out that power deep in side, and similar pieces of rather useless advice that still helped you feel like he wanted you to succeed.
And by mid afternoon you thought you had. Your body hurt and you didn't particularly enjoy it, but you stuck with it. You weren't going to give up half way. Unlike you, Fluffy seemed perfectly happy throughout the whole workout and didn't even complain as it ended. Instead she just laid on the floor next to you as you collapsed in heaving breaths, smiling as she watched you the whole time you were suffering.
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Hyou, Raji, and Kuzu came together before they came back to meet with you - and everyone seemed to be in similar states. Even Dark Blade had apparently been pushed to work physically it seemed, as he was entirely and completely out of breath, literally collapsing down onto the floor as soon as you were there. Fluffy seemed the least tired of the seven of you, though Kitan stopped breathing hard the second he noticed Fluffy was not openly struggling. There was no real discussion had, as all of you were just too busy catching your breath and laying back in the cool snow. It felt good with how hot your body was.
"I may have been a little too hasty in saying this was your last day doing basic training." Raji came back looking a little disheartened, "I'd hoped for a little more than I suppose was reasonable from you all. This isn't to say I'm disappointed in you." His voice conveyed that disappointment even as he denied it, "I just am too used to my time dealing with the extremely talented, and forgot myself." His words stung but no one had the energy to argue with him. "It's still good progress, I just think we need another day before we move up to sparring."
You have completed hidden quest 'The Guard's Basics, Step 3 of 10'
You have gained +5 to your lowest physical stats. +1str +2 dex +2sta
You have gained the hidden quest 'The Guard's Basics, Step 4 of 10'
The next step of the quest seemed to be more of the same... but the slowly increasing number of stats was nice at least. You'd earned twelve stat points in the three days you'd been training. It was definitely worth sticking it out.
Off-Time Vote: 1d33 29 - F, town troubles and local monsters, wins with 5 votes
"I wonder if it was possible to impress them even," Seto complained a little as you ate your evening meal in peace together, once again provided by your hosts, "Or if the hidden quest chain is programmed to just make sure you can't 'actually' pass the test on this day?"
"Maybe." For once, Lightning agreed with the Dragons she had been sort of ignoring ever since the issue of charity had been pushed, "It wouldn't surprise me if they wanted to make players feel like they'd missed something, to try and make them work harder. Or just to make them feel like they've failed, since they seem like the types to love kicking downwards."
"I mean, this whole quest chain just came from Hita-chan being friendly with a guard, and look where we are now. I wouldn't be surprised if there are more secrets hidden within the questline. And look at the name of the quest - the Guard's Basics. I think it's the same as the first day - they judged us as needing the Basics, not, I don't know, the Guard's Intermediate Training." Kitan shrugged his shoulders as he made that last point, "Maybe we could skip steps in the basics too, if we did good enough."
"Either way we've been doing good!" You insisted on it, as people started to clearly feel low as fomo began to set in over what could have been, "And we're still getting good rewards, whether we're succeeding at hidden optional objectives or not! We can't get down about what might be the case!"
Dark Blade gave a little nod from his position across from you - which had become more regular now. Fluffy to your left, Kitan to your right, and Dark Blade across the table from you with the other two dragons flanking him. "I-I think we're all working as hard as we can. A-aren't we?"
"Of course!"
"Did I look lazy out there to you!?"
"I would never let Hita-Hime down!"
The affirmatives confirmed what he said, and he seemed happy for that.
"If we're working as hard as we can, then we can't be too upset about anything. We'll keep doing out best! Kitan makes a good point though, we found this quest by accident basically. He and Fluffy just got in a fight, and when the Guards were breaking it up, I happened to get recommended to come by and learn. If Hyou-san hadn't said that, I never would have. Who knows how many other quests there are around the town that no one cares to find because they're not being like... plastered onto the board in the center of town?" You were kind of fired up as you thought of it, because talking to people was something you were good at. "I was thinking... why don't we start going around town, and asking about its troubles? Maybe we can find some information or leads for quests."
"I just wanna sleep." Lightning Hoof, predictably, bowed out.
"I-I'm not... I'd rather not talk to strangers." Dark Blade as well stayed back.
"I'd stay here if I didn't have to keep a certain threat in line." Kitan sighed as he stood up at your suggestion.
"I dunno what that that is, but I'd keep Hime safe with or without you!" Fluffy was already trying to help you stand, before you even noticed.
"Getting to know more is a good idea. Maybe we can learn about the monsters around town, so we can be ready to fight them."
"Quest rewards could be another way to keep people from starving."
With most of the group agreeing to go with, you happily said, "Alright, then lets spend some time getting to know what's going on!"
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Hyou's suggestion of seeking out the priestess at the White Tiger Temple gave you a good first place to go at least, as your ragtag group of three different kind of Beastkin walked through the western village. The buildings here were heavily accented in metals, artwork was common on the outside of them and it felt like a rich area. But at the same time there was this odd buzzing sense of threat from all around you, as the older White Tiger beastkin and their human significant others stared at you oddly as you all moved together.
The Temple itself was perhaps exactly what you were expecting, as the small fortress like building stood out against the more well decorated domiciles around it. A large ballista sat at the top of the temple, and its walls were lined with spikes peaking through small holes. And yet the gates inward were quite open, the space within the temple itself resembling instead a classical martial arts training ground. You saw a handful of black named NPCs with Initiate prefixing their names, weapons floating around them as they sparred with each other. They were the first young non-player Beastkin you had ever seen. They paid you no mind as you walked up the stone steps.
At the top stood Abbess Akane - the elder Tiger looked at you with tired eyes. "Ah, another group of the Awoken come to beg for my assistance." She shook her head as she pointed her way back down the stairs and towards the doorway, "Even for those of Tiger's blood, there are no gifts for those unearning of them. Only in victory and success will the temple grant you succor, if that is what you seek." She didn't hesitate to look away, not evening looking at you as she continued, "Perhaps the Kirin shall be soft enough to coddle her children, if you require it."
"We actually came to ask more about how we could help around here." You let the rudeness slide off your back, as you gave Fluffy a little half hug that made her completely forget she was tempted to go beat up the Abbess for being rude to you. You'd dealt with meaner haters for years, "All we were told when we were sent here was that things were getting dangerous, and that some supplies aren't coming on time... but no specifics. I figured this would be a good place to start asking." You kept a small smile on your face as you said it.
"Hmm. Interesting." She didn't look back at you, "You seem to have the respect of your peers, even those not of Tiger's blood, so I can commend you on that much." Her words were still haughty as she said it, there was no real respect given even as you gave it, "Though I am a little disappointed in the cowardice to attempt to study your enemy like some sort of Dragon or Tortoise, rather than having the courage to face the unknown." She motioned down to in front of her, raising a hand as you and the others moved. "Only our young leader is invited to join me." There was malice behind the voice, you were certain of that.
But you moved to sit as directed, "We're all doing our best." You said it gently, with your head still slightly bowed even as you sat in front of the Abbess, "My companions and I have been training hard to try and prepare to aid the town. Hyou-san and some of the other guards have been teaching us. Now we seek teaching in another way. Please."
"I do not know everything that happens in each part of the town." The Abbess says it with the same tired voice as before, but she at least opens her eyes and looks at you, "But I hear all that goes on to those of Tiger's progeny. Chi-chan's grandchildren were recently turned back from leaving the town when a slime youkai destroyed their cart. Those little monsters used to keep to the western pools, only coming out at night and never straying far. Now they are near the roads even during the day. I'd offer a small bounty if you can bring me the proof of their demise, at least. If you could actually find the source of their sudden abundance, even if you cannot remove it yourself, I would reward you well." There's something unspoken as she stares at you with a solid gaze for a looong moment. A gaze that makes you know not to speak. Eventually, only after that unspoken moment does she continue, "And Chi-chan and her husband petitioned for some of my initiates to escort her grandchildren to the edge of the springs. Unfortunately I have been unable to assist as of yet. Perhaps you could seek her out if you wished to offer aid in that."
"What's a slime Youkai?" You asked it curiously, you'd seen a lot of slimes through the years in different games. But who knew how different these ones could be from another game. "Are they very strong?"
"..." She stares at you for a long moment, and then sighs, "Your mentor must have forgotten to teach you the basics. They're amongst the weakest of youkai after all... but Slimes are formed from some of the lesser dark thoughts of humanity. Hunger is the main core of their being, but others factor in as well. When lots of those feelings gather together across our lands, they can create slimes. They're weak creatures for the most part, but most annoying to deal with at the same time. Their forms themselves are destructive - touching them is like touching an open flame. It makes them annoying to handle especially in large groups."
It seemed pretty basic overall - a slime was a slime, whether it was formed from some primal urge to consume or not. "So don't touch them. Got it! Thank you!"
"There is one more issue I can tell you about, before you go. Though I truly doubt it is still anywhere near intact, if they even still possess it at all," She stops you just before you stand up to make your way back to the barracks and sleep. The Exhaustion penalty had just hit you and you were very aware it was getting late, "A relic of our Temple was plundered by ogres years ago. When we went to reclaim it, the survivors claimed it was stolen by harpies before they had even gotten it back. We've had no luck in locating it. If you happen to find it in your adventures as Awoken, we would be eternally thankful."
"Find some harpies, and find a relic. Right. Sounds great!!" You looked back and Kitan was mouthing words to you as you turned around... so you turned back to the Abbess "... uhhh... what do relics look like though?"
"It is a large femur from one of White Tiger's first children. When the Jade Tiger died, his bones became holy artifacts. You should easily be able to recognize it if you see it. It will call to your nature as our Great-Mother's child."
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Gained quest: A bounty on slimes (Repeatable)
Slimes have been a nuisance near the roads of western Asahi. Cull their numbers and the abbess will grant you a small reward.
Slimes killed 0/10
Reward: 30 gold
Gained quest: A Sudden Surge
While slimes had always been an issue around Asahi, their numbers had always been in the dozens - not the seemingly limitless numbers they now possess. Find out why these numbers have grown so much.
Discover the source of the current slime situation
Optional: Destroy the source (Unique)
Reward: 2500 Gold
Optional Reward: ???
Gained quest: The Jade Femur (Unique)
The Jade Tiger was the mystical first born of the White Tiger, said to inherit all of her strength both physical and magical. Many assumed he would become a god himself due to his potency - but before that day could come, he was slain by a cowardly ambush of jealous rivals. His Femur has been stolen from the Asahi Tiger Monastery, recover it.
Recover the Jade Femur (Left) and return it to the Asahi Tiger Monastery
Reward: White Tiger's Boon, +1 Fame, Rare Grade Item Choice
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You weren't likely to finish any of these quests anytime soon, since by the time you were free from training you were almost always suffering from large penalties... but knowing they existed was good at least. More than that, you now knew more about one of the enemies you might face around town. "So don't let it touch you, and don't touch it. Not super complicated." Lightning Hoof shrugged as you relayed the information to her.
"It sounds like they're small enough to be overlooked or stepped on. Which with their numbers could prove dangerous - if we lose our footing in a fight, we're going to be in a bad place." Seto gave his own examination.
"Well, either way I think we'll be alright. By the time we're done training we'll be strong enough to beat any slime! I wont even have to use any of my priest powers!" You flexed your arms, giggling as you did so.
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Day 4
"Up and at 'em!" Raji came in the same as always, loudly announcing his presence just long enough after the bell to scare those who just barely woke up. Except today most people were awake and out of bed before the bell even rung - only Fluffy was still asleep in her bed when Raji came in. "Woah-ho. Finally looking like a somewhat decent military response now! You know back in my day if you were still in bed when I came in, I'd berate you until you cried Fluffy-chan. But instead I'm just going to make everyone work a little extra hard all for you!"
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"I'm so sore." You complained as the training came to an end. You weren't sure how you could possibly feel so sore in a video game, but you certainly did. Every part of you ached and not in the ways you were used to - they weren't from sitting in a VR pod for twelve hours straight, or that crick in the neck from pouring over your desk figuring out what you wanted to play when, or any of the usual streamer pains. They were pains of a jock, of someone who worked out, and it was terrible!
"Oh! I know! I'll give you a nice massage, Hita-hime~!" The second she thought of the idea, Fluffy was more than happy to jump up and rush even closer to you, "It's the least I could do with me getting you in trouble this morning!"
"Don't you dare touch her, you perverted rodent." Kitan glared at her as she tried to reach out to touch you.
"Hita-hime is suffering and my being kind and helping her is being perverted!? So mean! You just want our Hita to suffer!" She played up like she was hurt.
And that's when a white fireball came lobbing towards you both. Fluffy was already standing up. She was ready to move, and she did so - the fireball missed her as she avoided it. You were sitting down, you were in pain and didn't want to move or think you had to. So you instead took the fireball right to the face.
There was a shock of silence as it happened before Fluffy rushed Kitan, floating blade beside her as she tried to chase him down. Except... you weren't in pain, in the least. It felt good, actually - like your neck muscles were less tense. Like everything was less tense. "Fluffy stop!" You called out to her, "Kitan healed me, he didn't hurt me!"
The one thing she could hear even through rage was your voice, so she was quick to rush back over, "OhmygoshIwassoworried!!!" She pushed you to the ground from your seating position as she literally tackled you.
"Tch, of course she wasn't hurt. I couldn't think of Hita-chan as an enemy even if I tried. My fire only hurts my enemies." Kitan seemed proud of his statement.
You sort of gently pushed Fluffy off of you as she tried to check you over for injuries just in case, "Actually, could you try that again? It felt kind of nice."
Experimentation confirmed it as Kitan through fireball after fireball at you, each one relieving a bit of the tension and pain from the heavy workout. It was far from mana efficient - and with Kitan's low mental stats, level, and skill rank even emptying him out didn't remove all the pain from just you. But it made it better. And he was more than happy to help.
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"Alright recruits." Kaji called it out loudly.... causing him to have a wracking coughing fit as he did. But he recovered soon enough. "Tomorrow will be a big day. You'll need some good rest, so I'm not gonna make you run an extra ten laps due to Fluffy's inability to wake up on time. As always, dinner will be here shortly. Enjoy the rest while you can."
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You went to the Eastern village this time. The realm of the Dragons was much less lively than that of the Tigers - where the Tigers were all out and about even in the early evening you walked through their area, the wooden homes of the Dragons were dark, dreary, and not even a window was opened at your passing. The temple looked more traditional to your eyes - a rock garden made up the central courtyard of a building with normal walls instead of fortress height ones lined with weapons for defending it. Many dragons sat within the walls of the garden in silence - some of them reading, others writings, and more just meditating. You might have seen the whole population of Eastern Asahi within those garden walls.
Abbot Shou had none of the rudeness of the Abbess at least, rising to greet you with a small bow, "Welcome, honored Awoken. I am Abbot Shou, head of this temple and liaison between Great-Progenitor Dragon and her progeny. What brings your group to my temple?" His skin was paper thin, and you could literally see the blood flowing under it. His eyes were sunken in to the point of being cast in shadow. And the dark blue scales that dotted his skin gave him the appearance of rotting flesh. "I have little to offer, I regret to say, only the knowledge my Great-Progenitor has gifted me and this place of peace."
You gave a deep bow back to him, far further than he gave you. He was kind and soft but he was still head of a temple and far your elder. You knew to be respectful, "Knowledge is exactly what we were hoping to obtain, honored elder Shou. We are trying to figure out more of what ails the town, its troubles and how they have been affected. That way we can attempt to help it. We were given precious little to work with when we were called to here." The way you described it was definitely soft, even Kitan rolling his eyes as you said 'called to here' about it.
"Ah. Well, I think the most pressing issue facing Asahi is that our honored dead no longer rest peacefully." He looks quite sad as he says that, "Down the mountain path just a ways east is where all who retire to Asahi without family elsewhere are buried. It has been that way for three hundred years. Unfortunately, my predecessors and I underestimated the damage a collection of the divinely-dead would make. It turns out, even as diluted as our divinity is, our power can cause harm in death." He gives a long slow sigh, "Now the veil between living and dead is splintering in the woods around the graveyard. Animals, monsters, and more return to life and walk the woods making more of their kind, and spreading more of the Dead's essence."
"Why'd it get this bad? Couldn't you have stopped it?" You remembered being told Azure Necromancers excelled against the dead, their healing magic even hurting undead. It seemed odd that they couldn't stop it themselves.
"If only I had two... or even three of me." His tired eyes blinked slowly, "I am devoting much of my energy to ensuring none of our dead may be infected by this deathly energy. If the divinely dead could cause havoc, the divinely undead would be much... much worse." He coughs into a hand, and you half expect there to be blood to wipe off when he stops from just how sickly he looks. But there is none. "I cannot even leave the temple for fear that without being here to direct our Great-Progenitor's power we may face something much worse than simple undead. If you would attempt to cleanse the woods of some of the dead, know I would be grateful. I must warn for caution however, young Tiger. The Dead are much hardier than they appear - even should their limbs be removed, even should their head be lopped off, their body may still attack so long as the energies may animate it. Do not lower your guard, even should they appear slow and weak."
"Of course, honored abbot. Thank you for your time."
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You have gained quest: A Bounty on the Dead (Repeatable)
The undead pour forth in the eastern forest around Asahi graveyard, spreading the energy of death throughout and raising unnatural allies. Lessen their numbers to slow the spread.
Undead killed 0/3
Reward: 30 gold
You have gained quest: Mending the Veil (Unique)
The graveyard outside eastern Asahi has seen a breach in the veil between life and death due to the collected residue of divine death-energy within the stories graves. Find a way to mend this rift.
Rift mended 0/1
Reward: ???
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Day 5
You all woke up on time today, and it wasn't even that big of a struggle anymore since you were getting used to going to bed just after sundown. When Raji-san entered he gave a little nod at each person, "Excellent. Today's a big day for you all. It's the day you prove that you've got the guts to continue this training." He crossed his arms nodding his head a few times more. "You're going to show how much you've grown to us today by heading outside the village." There was a pause, "There, you will each fight a single monster and defeat it."
It seemed like an easy task, so none of you felt that worried... until he continued, "You will do this on your own. There will be no healing, no providing support magic, no sharpening of weapons, nothing. It is an individual test." A little more pause, "You will also do this without getting injured in the process. If you are hurt by whatever you choose to face, you will finish that fight, and then face another one without getting hurt. You will try until you succeed, and Kirin will tell me whether you have done so or not."
Multiple fallen faces at that mention. The idea of fighting monsters alone without a numbers advantage was already intimidating... but trying to do so without taking any wounds was even scarier. Would you be capable of that?
"And make sure it's something actually on par with you. Beating up something much weaker than you is not proof of strength."
Gained quest: The Guard's Basics Step 5 of 10
The midterm exam has been declared: You must enter the forest around Asahi and defeat one monster alone, without taking any wounds. There is no partial credit on this examination.
Defeat one monster worth experience points without taking any injuries 0/1
Reward: The Guard's Basics Step 6 of 10 begins. ???
Failure: Do not succeed by sundown. Cancels questline 'The Guard's Basics'
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How do you want to approach the quest?
[x] A. Split up the party so everyone can do the quest on their own, the quickest method if people can succeed.
[x] B. Split up the party into groups of two so that everyone can have someone to support them in case they get hurt.
[x] C. Split up into two groups so that there are many supports for each side, and everyone can face favored opponents.
[x] D. Everyone work together as one large group until everyone finishes, the slowest method.
Where does Hita go to finish her quest?
[x] F. Western Forest. Slimes are apparently plentiful and weak, but they can apparently be tricky opponents who easily cause minor injuries.
[x] G. Eastern Forest. Zombies and undead are slow and might make easy targets to kill. Dark Blade is strong against undead. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead.
[x] H. Northern Forest. ???
[x] I. Southern Forest. ???
"Hita-chan, it's time to wake up." You were roused from your sleep by a light shaking of your shoulder. Kitan was looking down at you as he did it, raising a finger to his lips, "The sun's just come up, the guard should be here soon. I'm sorry for waking you." He was whispering softly - and just before you could reply, you could hear the same bell that woke you the day before ringing through the barracks you were in.
Just like before Raji seemed to open the door with just enough time for everyone to sort of bleerily blinky their eyes. Kitan was already fully ready to go, and you were a little more aware than the others... while Fluffy and Dark Blade seemed the messiest of the group, both of them rolling over instead - not reacting until Raji opened his mouth, "Alright, up up. If you're not out of bed in the next minute you're out of here."
You were out within a few seconds, stretching and not shocked out of sleep this time around, "Good morning Raji-sensei." You greeted the old Kirin man with a smile.
"Good morning. I hope you're all ready for a good workout because we're going to be pushing you to your limits today. If we're lucky, this'll be the last day of having to just build your strength up, and I'll finally be able to... well, we'll see if you make it."
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Training was once again individually curated - but this time other guards came by to help, rather than leaving you on your own to push yourselves. You weren't sure if that was a good sign - that you'd proven worth putting even more resources into, or a bad one where you'd proven you needed to be watched. Hyou, the Tiger who had almost arrested Kitan and Fluffy for public disturbance was amongst them, and you and Fluffy exercised under his care today, while Kitan and Lightning Hoof followed Raji, and Satoshi-san and Seto left with Dark Blade to join Kuzu in getting personalized instruction from the eldest of the Guards.
"I'm surprised you two chose to seek instruction in physical combat. I'm sure Abbess Akane could have taught you better in following the path our Great Ancestor blessed you with." Raji hadn't questioned it at all, but Hyou seemed quite pleased, "Too many who receive a connection to her magical side forget that White Tiger forged her legacy with tooth and nail, destroying enemies with her physical strength long before she became the master of all things weapon." He flicked out his claws for a moment, the slender blades extending from his fingers, the metal coating on them making them shine in the light reflecting off the snowy floor. "Being able to fall back on your own strength is a boon few have."
"Oh!... I didn't even think about that!" You admitted it readily - you'd never even gone to the White Tiger Temple thus far, let alone met any priestesses. Now that he said that, it seemed quite obvious to go seek out a mentor of your actual class... but you were glad you chose to come to the Guards instead. It meant all your group could participate and grow together - except for the fact that you kept getting split up. Still, it was something each of you was doing at the same time. "I just thought you and Kuga-san seemed so funny and kind, that I should seek you out."
"And I just followed Hita-hime!" Fluffy added on helpfully in the split seconds afterwards. She was playing with her cat ears again, as you talked to Hyou.
He gave a little laugh, puffing out his chest for a moment, "Well, you weren't wrong about us being great at least. We're all happy to have you here, I can tell you that. And I think you'll find the value in the training soon enough."
"I was wondering though, are we taking you away from important duties?" You weren't super worried when it was just Raji and Kuzu, but now four guards were being pulled to help you guys train. You'd only seen six total thus far, which seemed like not many for a town with at least a couple hundred residents, not counting their servants.
"Oh, no. We don't do much around here besides chase around people's hooligan grandchildren, or lately deal with those Awoken who came in with you." He gave a sigh as he complained about them, shaking his head, "Honestly I've arrested more people in the last three days than I had in the last three years." The disappointment was palpable in the air, "Oh, not that I blame you, of course. Anyways, unlike most places we don't really deal with monsters usually. The borders are blessed by the Four Spirits, so most monsters can't even approach anywhere near town. So we don't have to go fight or anything. It's mostly just walking around and making ourselves feel useful." He stretched as he said that.
"Speaking of which, I think it's time we get to work. I expect the best out of you both! I know you can do it!"
Hyou's workout routine was intense, and he seemed to understand more than Raji how to work your Tiger Beastkin physiology to its limits. He was also loud and encouraging though - much rowdier than Hyou's training where he just provided advice and small encouragements. Hyou just constantly advised you to be spirited, to draw deep, to pull out that power deep in side, and similar pieces of rather useless advice that still helped you feel like he wanted you to succeed.
And by mid afternoon you thought you had. Your body hurt and you didn't particularly enjoy it, but you stuck with it. You weren't going to give up half way. Unlike you, Fluffy seemed perfectly happy throughout the whole workout and didn't even complain as it ended. Instead she just laid on the floor next to you as you collapsed in heaving breaths, smiling as she watched you the whole time you were suffering.
------------
Hyou, Raji, and Kuzu came together before they came back to meet with you - and everyone seemed to be in similar states. Even Dark Blade had apparently been pushed to work physically it seemed, as he was entirely and completely out of breath, literally collapsing down onto the floor as soon as you were there. Fluffy seemed the least tired of the seven of you, though Kitan stopped breathing hard the second he noticed Fluffy was not openly struggling. There was no real discussion had, as all of you were just too busy catching your breath and laying back in the cool snow. It felt good with how hot your body was.
"I may have been a little too hasty in saying this was your last day doing basic training." Raji came back looking a little disheartened, "I'd hoped for a little more than I suppose was reasonable from you all. This isn't to say I'm disappointed in you." His voice conveyed that disappointment even as he denied it, "I just am too used to my time dealing with the extremely talented, and forgot myself." His words stung but no one had the energy to argue with him. "It's still good progress, I just think we need another day before we move up to sparring."
You have completed hidden quest 'The Guard's Basics, Step 3 of 10'
You have gained +5 to your lowest physical stats. +1str +2 dex +2sta
You have gained the hidden quest 'The Guard's Basics, Step 4 of 10'
The next step of the quest seemed to be more of the same... but the slowly increasing number of stats was nice at least. You'd earned twelve stat points in the three days you'd been training. It was definitely worth sticking it out.
Off-Time Vote: 1d33 29 - F, town troubles and local monsters, wins with 5 votes
"I wonder if it was possible to impress them even," Seto complained a little as you ate your evening meal in peace together, once again provided by your hosts, "Or if the hidden quest chain is programmed to just make sure you can't 'actually' pass the test on this day?"
"Maybe." For once, Lightning agreed with the Dragons she had been sort of ignoring ever since the issue of charity had been pushed, "It wouldn't surprise me if they wanted to make players feel like they'd missed something, to try and make them work harder. Or just to make them feel like they've failed, since they seem like the types to love kicking downwards."
"I mean, this whole quest chain just came from Hita-chan being friendly with a guard, and look where we are now. I wouldn't be surprised if there are more secrets hidden within the questline. And look at the name of the quest - the Guard's Basics. I think it's the same as the first day - they judged us as needing the Basics, not, I don't know, the Guard's Intermediate Training." Kitan shrugged his shoulders as he made that last point, "Maybe we could skip steps in the basics too, if we did good enough."
"Either way we've been doing good!" You insisted on it, as people started to clearly feel low as fomo began to set in over what could have been, "And we're still getting good rewards, whether we're succeeding at hidden optional objectives or not! We can't get down about what might be the case!"
Dark Blade gave a little nod from his position across from you - which had become more regular now. Fluffy to your left, Kitan to your right, and Dark Blade across the table from you with the other two dragons flanking him. "I-I think we're all working as hard as we can. A-aren't we?"
"Of course!"
"Did I look lazy out there to you!?"
"I would never let Hita-Hime down!"
The affirmatives confirmed what he said, and he seemed happy for that.
"If we're working as hard as we can, then we can't be too upset about anything. We'll keep doing out best! Kitan makes a good point though, we found this quest by accident basically. He and Fluffy just got in a fight, and when the Guards were breaking it up, I happened to get recommended to come by and learn. If Hyou-san hadn't said that, I never would have. Who knows how many other quests there are around the town that no one cares to find because they're not being like... plastered onto the board in the center of town?" You were kind of fired up as you thought of it, because talking to people was something you were good at. "I was thinking... why don't we start going around town, and asking about its troubles? Maybe we can find some information or leads for quests."
"I just wanna sleep." Lightning Hoof, predictably, bowed out.
"I-I'm not... I'd rather not talk to strangers." Dark Blade as well stayed back.
"I'd stay here if I didn't have to keep a certain threat in line." Kitan sighed as he stood up at your suggestion.
"I dunno what that that is, but I'd keep Hime safe with or without you!" Fluffy was already trying to help you stand, before you even noticed.
"Getting to know more is a good idea. Maybe we can learn about the monsters around town, so we can be ready to fight them."
"Quest rewards could be another way to keep people from starving."
With most of the group agreeing to go with, you happily said, "Alright, then lets spend some time getting to know what's going on!"
-------------------
Hyou's suggestion of seeking out the priestess at the White Tiger Temple gave you a good first place to go at least, as your ragtag group of three different kind of Beastkin walked through the western village. The buildings here were heavily accented in metals, artwork was common on the outside of them and it felt like a rich area. But at the same time there was this odd buzzing sense of threat from all around you, as the older White Tiger beastkin and their human significant others stared at you oddly as you all moved together.
The Temple itself was perhaps exactly what you were expecting, as the small fortress like building stood out against the more well decorated domiciles around it. A large ballista sat at the top of the temple, and its walls were lined with spikes peaking through small holes. And yet the gates inward were quite open, the space within the temple itself resembling instead a classical martial arts training ground. You saw a handful of black named NPCs with Initiate prefixing their names, weapons floating around them as they sparred with each other. They were the first young non-player Beastkin you had ever seen. They paid you no mind as you walked up the stone steps.
At the top stood Abbess Akane - the elder Tiger looked at you with tired eyes. "Ah, another group of the Awoken come to beg for my assistance." She shook her head as she pointed her way back down the stairs and towards the doorway, "Even for those of Tiger's blood, there are no gifts for those unearning of them. Only in victory and success will the temple grant you succor, if that is what you seek." She didn't hesitate to look away, not evening looking at you as she continued, "Perhaps the Kirin shall be soft enough to coddle her children, if you require it."
"We actually came to ask more about how we could help around here." You let the rudeness slide off your back, as you gave Fluffy a little half hug that made her completely forget she was tempted to go beat up the Abbess for being rude to you. You'd dealt with meaner haters for years, "All we were told when we were sent here was that things were getting dangerous, and that some supplies aren't coming on time... but no specifics. I figured this would be a good place to start asking." You kept a small smile on your face as you said it.
"Hmm. Interesting." She didn't look back at you, "You seem to have the respect of your peers, even those not of Tiger's blood, so I can commend you on that much." Her words were still haughty as she said it, there was no real respect given even as you gave it, "Though I am a little disappointed in the cowardice to attempt to study your enemy like some sort of Dragon or Tortoise, rather than having the courage to face the unknown." She motioned down to in front of her, raising a hand as you and the others moved. "Only our young leader is invited to join me." There was malice behind the voice, you were certain of that.
But you moved to sit as directed, "We're all doing our best." You said it gently, with your head still slightly bowed even as you sat in front of the Abbess, "My companions and I have been training hard to try and prepare to aid the town. Hyou-san and some of the other guards have been teaching us. Now we seek teaching in another way. Please."
"I do not know everything that happens in each part of the town." The Abbess says it with the same tired voice as before, but she at least opens her eyes and looks at you, "But I hear all that goes on to those of Tiger's progeny. Chi-chan's grandchildren were recently turned back from leaving the town when a slime youkai destroyed their cart. Those little monsters used to keep to the western pools, only coming out at night and never straying far. Now they are near the roads even during the day. I'd offer a small bounty if you can bring me the proof of their demise, at least. If you could actually find the source of their sudden abundance, even if you cannot remove it yourself, I would reward you well." There's something unspoken as she stares at you with a solid gaze for a looong moment. A gaze that makes you know not to speak. Eventually, only after that unspoken moment does she continue, "And Chi-chan and her husband petitioned for some of my initiates to escort her grandchildren to the edge of the springs. Unfortunately I have been unable to assist as of yet. Perhaps you could seek her out if you wished to offer aid in that."
"What's a slime Youkai?" You asked it curiously, you'd seen a lot of slimes through the years in different games. But who knew how different these ones could be from another game. "Are they very strong?"
"..." She stares at you for a long moment, and then sighs, "Your mentor must have forgotten to teach you the basics. They're amongst the weakest of youkai after all... but Slimes are formed from some of the lesser dark thoughts of humanity. Hunger is the main core of their being, but others factor in as well. When lots of those feelings gather together across our lands, they can create slimes. They're weak creatures for the most part, but most annoying to deal with at the same time. Their forms themselves are destructive - touching them is like touching an open flame. It makes them annoying to handle especially in large groups."
It seemed pretty basic overall - a slime was a slime, whether it was formed from some primal urge to consume or not. "So don't touch them. Got it! Thank you!"
"There is one more issue I can tell you about, before you go. Though I truly doubt it is still anywhere near intact, if they even still possess it at all," She stops you just before you stand up to make your way back to the barracks and sleep. The Exhaustion penalty had just hit you and you were very aware it was getting late, "A relic of our Temple was plundered by ogres years ago. When we went to reclaim it, the survivors claimed it was stolen by harpies before they had even gotten it back. We've had no luck in locating it. If you happen to find it in your adventures as Awoken, we would be eternally thankful."
"Find some harpies, and find a relic. Right. Sounds great!!" You looked back and Kitan was mouthing words to you as you turned around... so you turned back to the Abbess "... uhhh... what do relics look like though?"
"It is a large femur from one of White Tiger's first children. When the Jade Tiger died, his bones became holy artifacts. You should easily be able to recognize it if you see it. It will call to your nature as our Great-Mother's child."
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Gained quest: A bounty on slimes (Repeatable)
Slimes have been a nuisance near the roads of western Asahi. Cull their numbers and the abbess will grant you a small reward.
Slimes killed 0/10
Reward: 30 gold
Gained quest: A Sudden Surge
While slimes had always been an issue around Asahi, their numbers had always been in the dozens - not the seemingly limitless numbers they now possess. Find out why these numbers have grown so much.
Discover the source of the current slime situation
Optional: Destroy the source (Unique)
Reward: 2500 Gold
Optional Reward: ???
Gained quest: The Jade Femur (Unique)
The Jade Tiger was the mystical first born of the White Tiger, said to inherit all of her strength both physical and magical. Many assumed he would become a god himself due to his potency - but before that day could come, he was slain by a cowardly ambush of jealous rivals. His Femur has been stolen from the Asahi Tiger Monastery, recover it.
Recover the Jade Femur (Left) and return it to the Asahi Tiger Monastery
Reward: White Tiger's Boon, +1 Fame, Rare Grade Item Choice
---------------
You weren't likely to finish any of these quests anytime soon, since by the time you were free from training you were almost always suffering from large penalties... but knowing they existed was good at least. More than that, you now knew more about one of the enemies you might face around town. "So don't let it touch you, and don't touch it. Not super complicated." Lightning Hoof shrugged as you relayed the information to her.
"It sounds like they're small enough to be overlooked or stepped on. Which with their numbers could prove dangerous - if we lose our footing in a fight, we're going to be in a bad place." Seto gave his own examination.
"Well, either way I think we'll be alright. By the time we're done training we'll be strong enough to beat any slime! I wont even have to use any of my priest powers!" You flexed your arms, giggling as you did so.
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Day 4
"Up and at 'em!" Raji came in the same as always, loudly announcing his presence just long enough after the bell to scare those who just barely woke up. Except today most people were awake and out of bed before the bell even rung - only Fluffy was still asleep in her bed when Raji came in. "Woah-ho. Finally looking like a somewhat decent military response now! You know back in my day if you were still in bed when I came in, I'd berate you until you cried Fluffy-chan. But instead I'm just going to make everyone work a little extra hard all for you!"
----------------
"I'm so sore." You complained as the training came to an end. You weren't sure how you could possibly feel so sore in a video game, but you certainly did. Every part of you ached and not in the ways you were used to - they weren't from sitting in a VR pod for twelve hours straight, or that crick in the neck from pouring over your desk figuring out what you wanted to play when, or any of the usual streamer pains. They were pains of a jock, of someone who worked out, and it was terrible!
"Oh! I know! I'll give you a nice massage, Hita-hime~!" The second she thought of the idea, Fluffy was more than happy to jump up and rush even closer to you, "It's the least I could do with me getting you in trouble this morning!"
"Don't you dare touch her, you perverted rodent." Kitan glared at her as she tried to reach out to touch you.
"Hita-hime is suffering and my being kind and helping her is being perverted!? So mean! You just want our Hita to suffer!" She played up like she was hurt.
And that's when a white fireball came lobbing towards you both. Fluffy was already standing up. She was ready to move, and she did so - the fireball missed her as she avoided it. You were sitting down, you were in pain and didn't want to move or think you had to. So you instead took the fireball right to the face.
There was a shock of silence as it happened before Fluffy rushed Kitan, floating blade beside her as she tried to chase him down. Except... you weren't in pain, in the least. It felt good, actually - like your neck muscles were less tense. Like everything was less tense. "Fluffy stop!" You called out to her, "Kitan healed me, he didn't hurt me!"
The one thing she could hear even through rage was your voice, so she was quick to rush back over, "OhmygoshIwassoworried!!!" She pushed you to the ground from your seating position as she literally tackled you.
"Tch, of course she wasn't hurt. I couldn't think of Hita-chan as an enemy even if I tried. My fire only hurts my enemies." Kitan seemed proud of his statement.
You sort of gently pushed Fluffy off of you as she tried to check you over for injuries just in case, "Actually, could you try that again? It felt kind of nice."
Experimentation confirmed it as Kitan through fireball after fireball at you, each one relieving a bit of the tension and pain from the heavy workout. It was far from mana efficient - and with Kitan's low mental stats, level, and skill rank even emptying him out didn't remove all the pain from just you. But it made it better. And he was more than happy to help.
------------------
"Alright recruits." Kaji called it out loudly.... causing him to have a wracking coughing fit as he did. But he recovered soon enough. "Tomorrow will be a big day. You'll need some good rest, so I'm not gonna make you run an extra ten laps due to Fluffy's inability to wake up on time. As always, dinner will be here shortly. Enjoy the rest while you can."
----------------
You went to the Eastern village this time. The realm of the Dragons was much less lively than that of the Tigers - where the Tigers were all out and about even in the early evening you walked through their area, the wooden homes of the Dragons were dark, dreary, and not even a window was opened at your passing. The temple looked more traditional to your eyes - a rock garden made up the central courtyard of a building with normal walls instead of fortress height ones lined with weapons for defending it. Many dragons sat within the walls of the garden in silence - some of them reading, others writings, and more just meditating. You might have seen the whole population of Eastern Asahi within those garden walls.
Abbot Shou had none of the rudeness of the Abbess at least, rising to greet you with a small bow, "Welcome, honored Awoken. I am Abbot Shou, head of this temple and liaison between Great-Progenitor Dragon and her progeny. What brings your group to my temple?" His skin was paper thin, and you could literally see the blood flowing under it. His eyes were sunken in to the point of being cast in shadow. And the dark blue scales that dotted his skin gave him the appearance of rotting flesh. "I have little to offer, I regret to say, only the knowledge my Great-Progenitor has gifted me and this place of peace."
You gave a deep bow back to him, far further than he gave you. He was kind and soft but he was still head of a temple and far your elder. You knew to be respectful, "Knowledge is exactly what we were hoping to obtain, honored elder Shou. We are trying to figure out more of what ails the town, its troubles and how they have been affected. That way we can attempt to help it. We were given precious little to work with when we were called to here." The way you described it was definitely soft, even Kitan rolling his eyes as you said 'called to here' about it.
"Ah. Well, I think the most pressing issue facing Asahi is that our honored dead no longer rest peacefully." He looks quite sad as he says that, "Down the mountain path just a ways east is where all who retire to Asahi without family elsewhere are buried. It has been that way for three hundred years. Unfortunately, my predecessors and I underestimated the damage a collection of the divinely-dead would make. It turns out, even as diluted as our divinity is, our power can cause harm in death." He gives a long slow sigh, "Now the veil between living and dead is splintering in the woods around the graveyard. Animals, monsters, and more return to life and walk the woods making more of their kind, and spreading more of the Dead's essence."
"Why'd it get this bad? Couldn't you have stopped it?" You remembered being told Azure Necromancers excelled against the dead, their healing magic even hurting undead. It seemed odd that they couldn't stop it themselves.
"If only I had two... or even three of me." His tired eyes blinked slowly, "I am devoting much of my energy to ensuring none of our dead may be infected by this deathly energy. If the divinely dead could cause havoc, the divinely undead would be much... much worse." He coughs into a hand, and you half expect there to be blood to wipe off when he stops from just how sickly he looks. But there is none. "I cannot even leave the temple for fear that without being here to direct our Great-Progenitor's power we may face something much worse than simple undead. If you would attempt to cleanse the woods of some of the dead, know I would be grateful. I must warn for caution however, young Tiger. The Dead are much hardier than they appear - even should their limbs be removed, even should their head be lopped off, their body may still attack so long as the energies may animate it. Do not lower your guard, even should they appear slow and weak."
"Of course, honored abbot. Thank you for your time."
-----------
You have gained quest: A Bounty on the Dead (Repeatable)
The undead pour forth in the eastern forest around Asahi graveyard, spreading the energy of death throughout and raising unnatural allies. Lessen their numbers to slow the spread.
Undead killed 0/3
Reward: 30 gold
You have gained quest: Mending the Veil (Unique)
The graveyard outside eastern Asahi has seen a breach in the veil between life and death due to the collected residue of divine death-energy within the stories graves. Find a way to mend this rift.
Rift mended 0/1
Reward: ???
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Day 5
You all woke up on time today, and it wasn't even that big of a struggle anymore since you were getting used to going to bed just after sundown. When Raji-san entered he gave a little nod at each person, "Excellent. Today's a big day for you all. It's the day you prove that you've got the guts to continue this training." He crossed his arms nodding his head a few times more. "You're going to show how much you've grown to us today by heading outside the village." There was a pause, "There, you will each fight a single monster and defeat it."
It seemed like an easy task, so none of you felt that worried... until he continued, "You will do this on your own. There will be no healing, no providing support magic, no sharpening of weapons, nothing. It is an individual test." A little more pause, "You will also do this without getting injured in the process. If you are hurt by whatever you choose to face, you will finish that fight, and then face another one without getting hurt. You will try until you succeed, and Kirin will tell me whether you have done so or not."
Multiple fallen faces at that mention. The idea of fighting monsters alone without a numbers advantage was already intimidating... but trying to do so without taking any wounds was even scarier. Would you be capable of that?
"And make sure it's something actually on par with you. Beating up something much weaker than you is not proof of strength."
Gained quest: The Guard's Basics Step 5 of 10
The midterm exam has been declared: You must enter the forest around Asahi and defeat one monster alone, without taking any wounds. There is no partial credit on this examination.
Defeat one monster worth experience points without taking any injuries 0/1
Reward: The Guard's Basics Step 6 of 10 begins. ???
Failure: Do not succeed by sundown. Cancels questline 'The Guard's Basics'
-------------
How do you want to approach the quest?
[x] A. Split up the party so everyone can do the quest on their own, the quickest method if people can succeed.
[x] B. Split up the party into groups of two so that everyone can have someone to support them in case they get hurt.
[x] C. Split up into two groups so that there are many supports for each side, and everyone can face favored opponents.
[x] D. Everyone work together as one large group until everyone finishes, the slowest method.
Where does Hita go to finish her quest?
[x] F. Western Forest. Slimes are apparently plentiful and weak, but they can apparently be tricky opponents who easily cause minor injuries.
[x] G. Eastern Forest. Zombies and undead are slow and might make easy targets to kill. Dark Blade is strong against undead. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead.
[x] H. Northern Forest. ???
[x] I. Southern Forest. ???
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- Pronouns
- He/They
[x] B. Split up the party into groups of two so that everyone can have someone to support them in case they get hurt
[x] F. Western Forest. Slimes are apparently plentiful and weak, but they can apparently be tricky opponents who easily cause minor injuries.
[x] F. Western Forest. Slimes are apparently plentiful and weak, but they can apparently be tricky opponents who easily cause minor injuries.
ChaosTheVoid
Beyond the Outer Gates
[x] B. Split up the party into groups of two so that everyone can have someone to support them in case they get hurt.
[x] G. Eastern Forest. Zombies and undead are slow and might make easy targets to kill. Dark Blade is strong against undead. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead.
[x] G. Eastern Forest. Zombies and undead are slow and might make easy targets to kill. Dark Blade is strong against undead. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead.
Unguided
And that turkey leg was disgusting too
[x] B. Split up the party into groups of two so that everyone can have someone to support them in case they get hurt.
[x] G. Eastern Forest. Zombies and undead are slow and might make easy targets to kill. Dark Blade is strong against undead. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead.
The undead repeatable has a lower requirement than the slime one, so it might be easier to get it cleared while working on the quest.
[x] G. Eastern Forest. Zombies and undead are slow and might make easy targets to kill. Dark Blade is strong against undead. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead.
The undead repeatable has a lower requirement than the slime one, so it might be easier to get it cleared while working on the quest.
It's not so much a lower requirement as it looks like zombies are much harder to take down than slimes so 3 of them are at least equal to 10 slimes.
The slimes seem to be like the acidic variants considering they're said to burn like fire but at the same time they're the weakest of the youkai family so it'd probably be easy enough to defeat from range.
The undead on the other hand seem to be hp sponges that can also play dead to suddenly speed up when you least expect it so it might be a lot more troublesome for level 1s to take on.
Given we're in the eastern inspired lands there might even be jiangshi around which are actually pretty tough things.
...also two people in our party take extra damage from them...
The slimes seem to be like the acidic variants considering they're said to burn like fire but at the same time they're the weakest of the youkai family so it'd probably be easy enough to defeat from range.
The undead on the other hand seem to be hp sponges that can also play dead to suddenly speed up when you least expect it so it might be a lot more troublesome for level 1s to take on.
Given we're in the eastern inspired lands there might even be jiangshi around which are actually pretty tough things.
...also two people in our party take extra damage from them...
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[x] B. Split up the party into groups of two so that everyone can have someone to support them in case they get hurt.
[x] G. Eastern Forest. Zombies and undead are slow and might make easy targets to kill. Dark Blade is strong against undead. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead.
I think undead match us because we can just autoattack with our call weapon and kite them.
[x] G. Eastern Forest. Zombies and undead are slow and might make easy targets to kill. Dark Blade is strong against undead. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead.
I think undead match us because we can just autoattack with our call weapon and kite them.
SleepyCaterpilar
Just a Rapariga
[x] C. Split up into two groups so that there are many supports for each side, and everyone can face favored opponents.
[x] G. Eastern Forest. Zombies and undead are slow and might make easy targets to kill. Dark Blade is strong against undead. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead.
Thanks Kitty! Zombies should be "on par" with us, bit afraid slimes are too weak to meet our requirements.
Also, many interesting options we can follow once we finish training. The Jade Tiger bone quest is definitely something we should follow, having that boon would be like having a second background bonus, but for now it is wayy out of our league.
The slime quest could be something nice to introduce to the players too afraid to fight. After all, unless there is an even weaker monster in the Southern or Northern Forest, the slime is the easiest to kill and should allow them to get some money to buy food at least.
[x] G. Eastern Forest. Zombies and undead are slow and might make easy targets to kill. Dark Blade is strong against undead. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead.
Thanks Kitty! Zombies should be "on par" with us, bit afraid slimes are too weak to meet our requirements.
Also, many interesting options we can follow once we finish training. The Jade Tiger bone quest is definitely something we should follow, having that boon would be like having a second background bonus, but for now it is wayy out of our league.
The slime quest could be something nice to introduce to the players too afraid to fight. After all, unless there is an even weaker monster in the Southern or Northern Forest, the slime is the easiest to kill and should allow them to get some money to buy food at least.
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[x] B. Split up the party into groups of two so that everyone can have someone to support them in case they get hurt
[x] F. Western Forest. Slimes are apparently plentiful and weak, but they can apparently be tricky opponents who easily cause minor injuries
Slimes are tricky, but seem easy once we get the trick. Also I think they should be vulnerable to our call blade auto attack. We just have to stand there and let our weapon do the work.
We're level 1, so any enemy should be worth xp.
[x] F. Western Forest. Slimes are apparently plentiful and weak, but they can apparently be tricky opponents who easily cause minor injuries
Slimes are tricky, but seem easy once we get the trick. Also I think they should be vulnerable to our call blade auto attack. We just have to stand there and let our weapon do the work.
We're level 1, so any enemy should be worth xp.
[x] C. Split up into two groups so that there are many supports for each side, and everyone can face favored opponents.
[x] G. Eastern Forest. Zombies and undead are slow and might make easy targets to kill. Dark Blade is strong against undead. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead.
I'm not especially worried about something going wrong with the test, but I don't want to do pair's in case someone stumbles into a bigger group of enemies
Undead because I think Dull is more likely to help against them if the bite or use weapons. Getting hit would still be a loss, but given there are hunger and exhaustion penalties I would bet there are wound maluses, and avoiding those would make a second or third attempt a little easier
[x] G. Eastern Forest. Zombies and undead are slow and might make easy targets to kill. Dark Blade is strong against undead. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead.
I'm not especially worried about something going wrong with the test, but I don't want to do pair's in case someone stumbles into a bigger group of enemies
Undead because I think Dull is more likely to help against them if the bite or use weapons. Getting hit would still be a loss, but given there are hunger and exhaustion penalties I would bet there are wound maluses, and avoiding those would make a second or third attempt a little easier
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[x] C. Split up into two groups so that there are many supports for each side, and everyone can face favored opponents.
[x] G. Eastern Forest. Zombies and undead are slow and might make easy targets to kill. Dark Blade is strong against undead. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead.
Two groups because we only have intel on two zones to split up between and only need to slay one enemy each. Plus with more allies we can likely prevent a bad fight from resulting in a PC death and onerous walk back from the respawn point. Given our inexperience we might easily draw aggro from a group or while we're already distracted by an opponent. We might also try fighting as a group to more efficiently farm for level XP, skill XP, gear, and quest completions.
Zombies because they're slower and thus easier to kite for Hita, Fluffy, and Kitan. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead, so I expect they'll fare better against the slimes.
I don't see the rewards for finishing step 4. Which is fine as a style choice, but I'd like to make sure we get the stats as we're in dire need.
[x] G. Eastern Forest. Zombies and undead are slow and might make easy targets to kill. Dark Blade is strong against undead. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead.
Two groups because we only have intel on two zones to split up between and only need to slay one enemy each. Plus with more allies we can likely prevent a bad fight from resulting in a PC death and onerous walk back from the respawn point. Given our inexperience we might easily draw aggro from a group or while we're already distracted by an opponent. We might also try fighting as a group to more efficiently farm for level XP, skill XP, gear, and quest completions.
Zombies because they're slower and thus easier to kite for Hita, Fluffy, and Kitan. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead, so I expect they'll fare better against the slimes.
I don't see the rewards for finishing step 4. Which is fine as a style choice, but I'd like to make sure we get the stats as we're in dire need.
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DangerKitty
shoddy writter
- Location
- lala land
@KittyEmpress you never gave us the reward for step 4 of the guards quest. We got step 3 then just skipped straight to step 5 mechanically.
[x] B. Split up the party into groups of two so that everyone can have someone to support them in case they get hurt
[x] G. Eastern Forest. Zombies and undead are slow and might make easy targets to kill. Dark Blade is strong against undead. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead.
[x] B. Split up the party into groups of two so that everyone can have someone to support them in case they get hurt
[x] G. Eastern Forest. Zombies and undead are slow and might make easy targets to kill. Dark Blade is strong against undead. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead.
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I'm pretty sure they're included in the character sheet, which shows 18 in all physical stats
We started with 14 Str, part 1 and 3 each gave +1 Str, part 2 only had +Dex and Sta, so part 4 gave us at least +2 Str
[X]B. Split up the party into groups of two so that everyone can have someone to support them in case they get hurt.
[X]G. Eastern Forest. Zombies and undead are slow and might make easy targets to kill. Dark Blade is strong against undead. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead.
I'll be honest, I'm equally torn on groups of 2 and groups of 4, so I just flipped a coin and it landed on B.
[X]G. Eastern Forest. Zombies and undead are slow and might make easy targets to kill. Dark Blade is strong against undead. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead.
I'll be honest, I'm equally torn on groups of 2 and groups of 4, so I just flipped a coin and it landed on B.
[x] B. Split up the party into groups of two so that everyone can have someone to support them in case they get hurt
[x] G. Eastern Forest. Zombies and undead are slow and might make easy targets to kill. Dark Blade is strong against undead. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead.
[x] G. Eastern Forest. Zombies and undead are slow and might make easy targets to kill. Dark Blade is strong against undead. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead.
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Brainbow
Jamais vu
[x] B. Split up the party into groups of two so that everyone can have someone to support them in case they get hurt
[x] F. Western Forest. Slimes are apparently plentiful and weak, but they can apparently be tricky opponents who easily cause minor injuries
Call me curious with the unique quest for finding the Slimes' source.
[x] F. Western Forest. Slimes are apparently plentiful and weak, but they can apparently be tricky opponents who easily cause minor injuries
Call me curious with the unique quest for finding the Slimes' source.
[x] C. Split up into two groups so that there are many supports for each side, and everyone can face favored opponents.
[x] G. Eastern Forest. Zombies and undead are slow and might make easy targets to kill. Dark Blade is strong against undead. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead.
[x] G. Eastern Forest. Zombies and undead are slow and might make easy targets to kill. Dark Blade is strong against undead. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead.
[x] C. Split up into two groups so that there are many supports for each side, and everyone can face favored opponents.
[x] G. Eastern Forest. Zombies and undead are slow and might make easy targets to kill. Dark Blade is strong against undead. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead.
[x] G. Eastern Forest. Zombies and undead are slow and might make easy targets to kill. Dark Blade is strong against undead. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead.
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Someone already caught it but step 4 was +2 to each. You're resting at 18/18/18 nowadays.
- Location
- France
[x] C. Split up into two groups so that there are many supports for each side, and everyone can face favored opponents.
[x] G. Eastern Forest. Zombies and undead are slow and might make easy targets to kill. Dark Blade is strong against undead. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead.
[x] G. Eastern Forest. Zombies and undead are slow and might make easy targets to kill. Dark Blade is strong against undead. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead.
- Location
- A beautiful new land, at once alien and familiar.
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[x] C. Split up into two groups so that there are many supports for each side, and everyone can face favored opponents.
[x] G. Eastern Forest. Zombies and undead are slow and might make easy targets to kill. Dark Blade is strong against undead. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead.
[x] G. Eastern Forest. Zombies and undead are slow and might make easy targets to kill. Dark Blade is strong against undead. Seto and Satoshi are weak against undead.