War Journal Day 22: The 1st Floor Dungeon
I've located the doorway into the first dungeon at last and if I attempt it. It should be a good levelling opportunity although very dangerous at my low level state. But no other player at the moment seems to know of the dungeon entrance or they don't believe they are capable of tackling it. I think I can survive all the monsters but the boss room itself. I'm goanna take the gamble because it'll give me a shot at the dropped items first.
End of entry
Simon awoke to something sharp pecking him. He looked up to see a green feathered eagle about the size of Simon's hand. "Thank you for the wakeup call," said Simon and the bird gave a sharp high pitched cry. "Alright here you go," said Simon and he gave the bird a piece of boar meat. Simon watched as the bird ate the item then grew two more inches taller. The bird then flew up onto Simon's shoulder and the two went off to find the dungeon entrance.
In the middle of a large forest stood the giant tower that made up the first dungeon. Simon walked around it looking for the door after an hour he found it on the edge of a river that went through the forest. Simon refilled his water bottle and looked up at the giant double doors they looked like a set of black statues carved with an intricate design which said that they were important. Simon took one last look at his surroundings before unsheathing his sword and pushing open the doors.
Simon stepped into a hallway with red carpets and tapestries draped over white marble. Simon took a few paces forward before he heard a roar from above him. A sentinel jumped down and landed in front of Simon. The sentinel was a tall white skinned ghoul of a man carrying a red bladed axe. Simon slashed at the sentinel's head but it blocked and knocked Simon back.
Simon stood low in defence while the sentinel ran at Simon going for an overhead downward slash with his axe. Simon jumped to the side in time to hear the axe hit the floor. He jumped back up behind the sentinel and cut the guard in half. A red line appeared in the sentinel and it disintegrated. Simon went over to where the body was and picked up the dropped item. It was a set of five iron tipped arrows. Simon's mind did a back flip at the thought of a bow and arrow. Not only are they one of the rarest weapons in-game but having a ranged weapon would give him a huge advantage against the monsters.
Simon carried on walking down the carpeted hallway meeting sentinels at every corner. When he was finally stood outside the boss door he sat down and had both a health potion and a drink of water. "If all the monsters are sentinels in this dungeon ain't no way I'm going up against the boss," said Simon to himself. He was about to take another drink from his bottle when the bottle disintegrated into blue and green diamonds. An arrow lay on the floor in front of Simon. He stood up unsheathing his sword and looked around.
A sentinel holding a bow and arrow was stood in a window above the boss room door. The sentinel fired again and the arrow lodged itself in Simon's leg. Simon ran towards the door. He then stood by the door and pulled the arrow out of his leg. Using the carvings on the door as hand and leg holds Simon climbed up the door and jumped into the window above. Simon kicked the sentinel to the ground pulled out his sword and sliced the archers head off.
Simon's eagle flew down and landed on the item dropped by the sentinel archer. A wooden longbow with a leaf pattern engraved on it. The eagle picked up the bow and handed it to Simon. He studied the fine bow before stooping down and picking up some arrows that were dropped as well. "Well now I think we're just about done for the day what do you think Aragorn?" Simon asked and the eagle let out a cheerful cry before jumping back on Simon's shoulder.
War Journal Day 48: 'The Blacksmith'
The front lines are finally moving at a faster pace. We've reached the fourth floor a strange place covered mainly in desert. Reptiles and insects are quite common here only yesterday did I meet a scorpion the size of a small horse. Having the woodland bow has made things much easier for me but it's started to lose its touch I'll have to upgrade it or sell it at this rate. In the towns lately where ever I go I here players talking about someone they call the Woodland Ranger but when I ask about this strange player people avoid me. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm this so called Ranger.
End of Entry
Simon walked down the main street of the Canaria town looking for a blacksmith. Canaria being the largest town on the fourth floor. Simon asked around at various inns and found out that the best blacksmith was over on the outskirts near the first oasis. Simon headed their instantly. His green clothing stuck out like a hippy in the army. A monster attacked him at every sand dune but he eventually found the oasis.
The oasis was no more than a small lake with some scattered buildings surrounding it mixed within the trees and other vegetation. Simon went up to the first building that had a sign over the door saying 'Sam's Smithy'. Simon knocked on the door and went inside. Swords, axes, maces and shields lined the walls and tables. At the far end of the room was a wooden counter with an open door behind it. Simon went up to the counter and placed his bow and arrows upon it. Aragorn gave a sharp squawk and flew through the open door.
The bird returned a minute later on the shoulder of a woman dressed in workers garments and a stained apron. "Yes how can I help you?" The woman asked as Aragorn flew back onto Simon's shoulder. "Yes I'm seeing about upgrading my bow as unfortunately it's not keeping up with my demand," said Simon as he pushed back his hood to produce his stubble encased face. "Oh my god it's you," said the woman and Simon raised an eyebrow. "I'm sorry you probably don't remember me but on the second day down on the first floor you gave me and friends some boar meat. It really cheered everyone up…"said the women but she became quiet and went into a daze remembering something. "I take it from the silence that things didn't go to plan," said Simon and the Sam nodded.
"When we reached the second and third dungeons we were helping on the front lines and I'm. I'm the only one left," said Sam and Simon put his arm on her shoulder."Whatever you do don't dwell on the past or it'll affect your future. So let's return to the job at hand my bow," said Simon and Sam nodded.
Sam picked up the bow and gazed at it. She checked the bow stats and she let out a sharp inhale. "What is something wrong with it?" Simon asked and Sam shook her head. Sam then looked at the name of the weapon 'The Woodland Killer'. "I'm afraid to say but you can't upgrade this weapon anymore. Well because it's such a rare item what you have here is the only bow a player is ever going to see until about floor 22," said Sam and Simon sighed. "So you can't help me?" Simon said and Sam shook her head again.
"I didn't say that I just said I couldn't upgrade the bow I didn't say anything about the arrows," said Sam putting the bow down and picking up two of the arrows. "Notice anything about these two?" Sam asked and Simon shook his head. "This arrow is made of a light wood with an iron head while this one however has a heavier wood and a steel head. So what I suggest is we change the arrowheads for serrated heavy tips. But I'll need to get some materials but the materials required are on floor five in the caves," said Sam and Simon sighed pulled out his sword and handed it to Sam. "Can you upgrade that?" Simon asked and Sam checked the stats and the name of the sword 'Sentinel Reaper'. "Where did you get this sword?" Sam asked.
"I got it in the second dungeon after killing a sentinel pike man," said Simon and Sam nodded. She then took the sword into the back and Simon followed. Sam placed the sword on an anvil took out a green metal ore. Sam heated the ore in a furnace then placed it over the sword. Sam took a hammer and flattened the ore over the blade of the sword and it glowed white. When it stopped glowing Sam handed Simon the sword. He spun the sword in one hand and made some lunges at an invisible enemy.
"It's slightly heavier but stronger and not as flexible. Good it won't bounce straight of shields now. So you were saying the materials you need are up on the fifth floor," said Simon putting the sword away. "Yeah but the frontlines have only just found the dungeon," said Sam and Simon just shrugged. "Well let's go give them a hand then," said Simon as he walked out the door.
"Hey wait are you crazy?" Sam shouted as she ran to catch up Simon. Simon stopped at the top of a sand dune and turned around. "Being Crazy is merely a psychological response. I prefer to say that I take risks far beyond that of a normal player," said Simon and he started to walk down the dune. Sam caught up and walked beside him. "So what that makes you better than a normal player?" Sam asked and Simon quickened his pace. "I'm what you would call a beater. I was one of the many beta testers for this game which gives me knowledge on many subjects within the game. Plus how many players have you seen walking around with a bow and arrow?" Simon asked and Sam stopped walking.
"Wait a frontline beater who uses a bow always dressed in green. Are you the Ranger?" Sam asked and Simon stopped and turned around. "Some people call me that but I'm on and off the frontline these days. Guilds are being formed by the front liners and well I don't fit in being a solo player so I help out where I can. Lately I've been helping out others with their hunting techniques they all tried to pay me but I wouldn't accept their money. Look Smithy all games have good points and bad points so I would say if you didn't become crazy in this game then something's wrong. Well you goanna stand their staring or are you coming?" Simon asked turning around and Sam hurried to catch up.