7 Herbalists Request
"Finally we're home!" Sai exclaimed as they disembark the transport.
Since they live in the province, they needed to walk for about an hour to get to their respective dwellings. Fortunately, there was a passing tractor and they hitched a ride. Not forgetting his promise to Lavien, Sai hurried his thanks and goodbye to their kind neighbor.
"I'm gonna drop this off Laviens' place, see you in the game, okay!" Sai said turning to Izen.
---
"I'm home!" Sai greeted.
"Wheres big sis? Didn't come back together?" Sais' younger brother; Salli, interrogated.
"Go take a bath, then let's have dinner." commanded his mother.
---
Sai laid on his bed after sending a message to Izen, telling her to contact him in the game as soon as possible. Preparing to dive into the game, linking his personal computer, and phone to the ID card.
When Sai finally finished this setup, he wore the headgear and initiated the startup command.
"Computer Link Start"
[Initializing Program]
[No Diving Rest is Detected]
(referring to the recliner chair used in the department store)
{We recommend that you Lie down on your bed or sit on a chair that supports your head, in a comfortable manner.}
[Link detected]
{Mobile device and Computer Appliance}
[Link success]
{Vitals will be accessible from your computer, and basic messaging functions accessed from your mobile device.}
The white noise along with the light flash that was observed during their first dive in the game was played.
[Synchronization success]
{This will prevent your body from moving while you are in the game.}
What this means is that, other than the voluntary muscles, the headgear will interfere with the brain signals that command the Involuntary muscles to move.
When the light faded, a familiar place greeted his sight, this was inside a tree hollow. A mirror in front of him reflected his avatar, wearing nothing but boxer shorts. He was inside a private space, a place in the game where only the person intended could invade, but this is not to say that he alone is in the building.
"Would you like to play dress-up?"
A Dryad that appeared from out of nowhere, with a shape and face like a human, rose-like head, emerald eyes, stem-like limbs, and leaf-like fingers, on the joints of its body were crystals the size of an egg and emits different colors.
"Do I have a choice, " retorted Sai.
"Oh... Sarcasm... Haha..." laughed the Dryad. Which stunned Sai.
In the field of vision of Sai appeared ten different sets of clothes that can be mixed and match, where any new characters can choose from. Although the garments look stylish all of those are used only in the town of beginnings for respective job classes. In the conventional games, players are equipped with the starter set for specific jobs, but in CELESTIAL players are given the opportunity to customize their first clothing and equipment before they are worked into the game.
"Please fill the empty slots of your equipment, after this head to the next room to acquire your weapon." instructed the Dryad, then disappeared into thin air.
Sai chose a bandana with feathers on one side of the temple and gems hanging on the other, an ordinary shirt, gloves, and shoos with leaf-like cloth and design, and leather trousers and belt that match his shoo. After selecting his garments, Sai proceeded to the other room where he was to obtain a weapon of his liking.
Inside the backroom, the Dryad stood there waiting. Overseeing a shelf full of assorted weapon, from the long sword, bow, dagger to crystal orb and staff. It is lined up ready to choose from.
"These weapons..."
"I choose this one." Sai declared, collecting the oracles Orb before the NPC could begin to explain.
Usually, Druids would take the staff made from the tree of life, which gives them the enhanced ability to transform into half beasts and also gain the weapons special ability to generate 'Life Essence,' even if it only sits on the player's inventory.
'Life Essence' is an item that prevents the death penalty with a hundred percent success rate, and can be used to revive others. But such a convenient item could only be generated once every two hours of playing the game, the generation time would pause ones the player logs out.
[Druid Staff lvl. 0-10
(Two-Handed Weapon)
Attack +100%
Defense +150%
All stat +20
Regeneration Rate +1%/s
Class Restriction: Druid
Skill:
Life Essence (Passive)
-Generate 'Life Essence' every two hours as long as it is in your possession; on hand or inventory.
(0/100)
Transformation (Passive)
-Assist your transformation to it's higher form as long as it is in your possession; on hand or inventory.
-Transformation level +1 (Can be enhanced, Requirements unknown.)
Healing Totem (Active)
-Plant this staff to provide healing to allies within a 5-meter radius. The effect depends on the amount of mana supplied (2.5 MP: 1 HP).
Description:
A gift; made from the branch of the tree of life by the Dryads, to the young Druids.
As long as you keep it close to you, your prayer will be heard by the land.
Note; Bound, Cannot be Destroyed.]
At first, it was also what Sai was aiming for, but when he was researching the forums and games official website, he found something very interesting. The Oracles Orb also generates the 'Life Essence' which everyone thought was an exclusive skill of Druid Staff.
[Vates Orb lvl. 0-10
(Off-Hand Weapon, Sub-Hand Slot)
HP +50%
MP +50%
All stat +15
Success Rate +20%
Class Restriction: Druid
Skill:
Life Essence (Passive)
-Generate 'Life Essence' every hour when equipped, and two hours when stored in the inventory.
(0/100)
Life Blessing (Passive)
- Regenerate 3% of MP and HP per second when equipped, and 1.5% when stored in the inventory.
Life Sacrifice (Active)
-Transfer your own MP or HP to the target. (2.5:1)
Description:
A gift; made from the fruit of the tree of life by the Dryads, to the young Vates (Druid Seers).
As long as you keep it close to you, your prayer will be heard by the land.
Note; Bound, Cannot be Destroyed.]
Most Druid though that the Orb is quite tempting, but the skill needed to wield it is quite high, and most of the starter players that took the Orb would say that 'acquiring the Orb would do more harm than good.' and was forced to recreate their avatar during the early stages just to select the Druid Staff.
The Orb wielders in the early stage of the game would have to depend on parties to assist them on their leveling, because of the lack of attack power and the low defensive capability. Although Vates have the MP and HP advantage, Druids rely on their beast transformation to be able to solo in the initial stages which the Druid staff enhances.
"You have selected: [Hunters Bandana, Wind Guides shirt, Wind Guides Gloves, Hunters Belt, Earthen Breachers, Naiads Boots, and Vates Orb]" enumerated the Dryad.
"Yes!" a beam of light descended on Sai after he confirmed his selection, and in the next moment, he was wearing the equipment that bits his form.
[System:
Based on your equipment selection, you have the rewarded title; 'Natures Friend.']
[Title: Natures Friend
-See the colors of nature, and it will guide the change within you. A title that is given to the young Vates of the Druid Race.
Stats:
+20 Luck
+15% Movement speed.
+20% Mana
*Natures Oura*]
"Wow! To think that I would get a title just for selecting this equipment."
Sai thought that the title he received was the best, unfortunately, he was wrong. Had he selected the Druid staff, he would have received the title 'Guardian of life' the most advantageous stigma for Druids.
[Title: Guardian of life
-Life permeates your being. You embody strength and vigor, a rare talent of the Druids. A title that is given to the young Avaths of the Druid Race.
-With this Title your HP regeneration rate Doubles.
Stats:
STR. +50%
STA. +50%
Transformation:
Great white-werewolf
Direwolf
*Morph*]
After Sai read the system notification, the screen turned blank once more, and when the light faded back in, a different scenery greater him, he was in the middle of a forest where trees stood tall as far as the eye can see. Standing in the middle of a clearing circled by huge rocks like the stone hedge, he saw another Dryad with a question mark above its head and observing that many people approach the NPC, he inadvertently moved towards the solitary existence.
"How may I help you young Vates?" The Dryad asked SayaShin.
"Why do you call me Vates?" he asked unaware.
"I called you a Vates for you are a Vates, What reason must I have to call a Druid a Druid?" the Dryad named Anna retorted.
"Haha... Yes... Apologies but I was hoping I could help you." proceeded SayaShin.
"I am in need of Herbs from a distant land. Will you be willing to help me?" informed Anna.
[Anna the Herbalist is in need of assistance, are you willing to help?
<Yes><No>]
"Yes!"
"I am in need of Wolves Bane, Sunkissed Flowers, and Seeds of Shade you can find them in that garden," Anna said pointing to a henge portal in the east direction.
[You have accepted the Quest: Herbalist's request.
Collect;
Wolves Bane: 0/10
Sunkissed Flowers: 0/10
Seeds of Shade: 0/10
Reward: Wolf Transformation skill book, Search skill book, Random Skill book, EXP. +500, Gold +10.
Penalty: Anna's evaluation -10.]
'What a generous reward' Sai thought this to himself as he's skimmed through the contents of the quest.
"Then I shall head out and fulfill your request," said Sai.
"Your safety is your priority." Warned Anna.
[System: Death means the failure of this quest]
Sai was stunned when this prompt appeared at the base of the quest bar, but he has to finish this quest, or he would not be able to receive the walkthrough of the druid class.
"Party For Anna's Request 1 more"
"Looking For Avaths 2 needed"
These shouts were heard as Sai approaches the entrance, he's curiosity, was peaked, with all the commotion and he promptly approached one of the players that were shouting; LF Anna's Request in need of one more, and asked "Bro! Why do you need a party for Anna's request?"
"You haven't tried it yet? Well, you're in luck. The Quest requires you to kill lvl 10 Wolves to collect seeds of shade, and the collection site for the Sunkissed Flower is at the center of the wolves plain. The only thing we were able to do was to collect wolves bane... Would you like to join us?" said the other Druid.
"How did you find out about this?" - Sai.
"Truth be told two of our friends died doing the quest solo and received Anna's ire requiring them to collect 100 of each item." -Druid stranger.
"Ohh... Yes! I'll join your party, But my weapon is Vates Orb is it alright?" - Sai.
"Let me ask the leader, I'm VerBoss by the way."
"I am SayaShin, But you can call me Saya."
"Okay, Saya...." VerBoss said as he sent a message to their party leader concerning a Vates wanting to join their team.
"Saya may I ask. Why did you choose the Orb, almost everyone knows that without a team to boost you you can't level fast enough."
"Ohh... That... It was the only weapon that lets me wield a single-handed weapon or shield."
In this brief exchange between the two druids, a message came from the leader.
"I see... The leader said if you have high movement speed it should be enough."
"Would 30%MS and 50 DEX. be enough?"
VerBoss sent this info to the leader and received a reply, saying 'Yes! He's should be able to evade fast enough.'
Those stats were not easy to find, especially for Druids who specialize stamina and intelligence in their growth.
"She said you're in! I see now why you were daring enough to take the Orb... Hehe... Oh yeah. FYI our leader is actually a 'Guardian of Life' titleholder."
"Ohh great, then we have a higher chance of survival... Anyway, what weapon do you use, VerBoss?"
"Bow, With a title 'Wind Hunter'..."
[Title: Wind Hunter
-Listen to the whispers of the wind, and it will guide you. A title that is given to the young Eryu of the Druid Race.
Stats:
+20 Dex
+20% Evasion
+15% Movement speed.
*Winds Guidance*]
"Wow, you're a titleholder too?" Sai interrupted.
"Yeah! But it just gives me a boost on evasion and survivability... Actually, I thought I was fortunate enough to have a title, some of us didn't receive one... By the way, do you have a title Sai?"
"Yeah, I have a title called 'Natures Friend,' 15%MS came from the title."
"There they are," VerBoss said waving his hand to a group of three people heading our way.
"So you are the new recruit? I am called AleyaNala, these groups' current leaders. This one on my left is GurinBare, just like me, he is an Avath, And on my right is Shapeless as an Azhil."
[System: Party Invite from AleyaNala
<Accept><Decline>]
"Accept!"
"Alright let's go!"
