Item - Armored Plating
Requirements: Level 7
Rarity: Uncommon
Quality: Fine
Defense: 8
Durability: 85/85
Weight: 8.0 lbs.
Slot: Chest
Traits: A chest piece made from the armored plating of a grand boar. This hide is as tough as steel. Grants the following bonus:
• Increases the wearer’s Strength by 1.
Roll for item: Need/Greed
“Damn that’s nice. That should work great for you, Rag,” Atlas said.
He selected Greed and waited. The message didn’t take long as everyone made their selections.
Ragnarok won the Need roll for Armored Plating!
Ragnarok immediately equipped his new chest piece. The plating indeed looked almost like steel, albeit with the coloring of leather. He could see the small lines in the material like you usually saw in worn leather, but the piece itself was rigid and strong.
You gained 200 experience for killing a target in The Wild Hunt.
You gained 110 experience for killing the boss’ companions.
Party Chat
Atlas: Hellrazer is down. We are headed for Black Widow. How are you guys doing with Swiftfoot?
JonahBrotherWannabe: We are still trying to catch it. It’s a damn overgrown rabbit, and it moves way too fast to hit.
Quelin: We had some boars like that to fight. Atlas trapped them with vines for us. Any of you have any type of snaring spell?
JamminGirl: I can slow it with one of my abilities but I have to get close to hit him.
Ragnarok: Have PrettyPrincess get in front of it and force it toward you. That should give you your opening.
JamminGirl: Let’s do it.
“Hopefully they can figure it out. We need to go find the ugly spider,” Atlas said in a resigned tone.
“Ew, spiders. And I thought snakes were bad enough. You sure it’s a spider?” Gemma asked.
“Uh, Black Widow…” Ragnarok said slowly.
“Yeah good point,” Gemma whined.
“Let’s get going.” Quelin called, and they all turned to head farther southwest toward the marked zone.
Chapter 12
Finale
The group looted the nearby creatures, and Atlas took the chance to use some skins he’d collected to make a reinforced jerkin. The added defense would be useful if enemies kept attacking him. The group continued on their way and headed for the area where Black Widow should be.
They were nearly to their hunting zone when Atlas spotted a dead tree on the side of the path.
“Hey, can we stop for a minute?”
The group slowed their pace and looked around.
“Something up Atlas?” Quelin asked.
“Actually, a couple things. I want to make sure I top off all of our health before we get into the zone. That gives me time to regen mana before we get in another fight. Another reason is that tree over there,” he said as he pointed at the dead tree.
“I understand the health thing and that’s a good idea but what’s a dead tree have to do with anything?” Ragnarok asked.
“Need to make me a new staff. The one I have is weak and does minor damage. I can harvest the wood I need from the dead tree to make a new one. Won’t take me long,” Atlas assured them and began casting his Nourish spell on them all.
“Thought you were a leatherworker?” Gemma asked.
“I am, he answered in between spells. I also took the time to learn woodworking. I wanted to be able to create the key items I needed. It already came in handy once after some asshats ganked me in the forest.”
“Damn, I was hoping the plague of player killers wouldn’t be that bad here, but I guess your situation proves otherwise. Either way. It’s a good idea to have multiple professions.” Quelin agreed.
Atlas finished healing everyone and then whipped out his hatchet. The dead tree fell to pieces in no time, and he held eight raw pieces of wood. His knife took the place of his hatchet and eight Rough Wood Logs took the place of the raw pieces. He held two of the lengths of wood and activated his Create Sturdy Wood Staff ability.
The small knife flipped along the length in long motions. Wood smoothed into a solid shaft before his body switched to the second length of wood. This piece divided into three pieces and he carved them down to thin sheathes. These three pieces slipped onto the original staff body and he used small wedges of the carved wood to attach them to the haft. One piece sat in the center of the staff to reinforce his grip and the other two capped both ends, making them larger and heavier.
Item - Sturdy Wood Staff
Requirements: Level 5
Rarity: Common
Quality: Fair
Attack: 4
Defense: 3
Durability: 75/75
Weight: 7.5 lbss
Slot: 2H Weapon
Traits: A staff made of basic wood and reinforced in the middle and the ends. It can attack or defend.
Well, four damage is definitely better than two. He took his old staff and tossed it into the woods. It wouldn’t be worth enough money to bother carrying it around.
“While we are taking a break, would you mind making me one of those chest pieces?” Gemmalin asked, “I have hides I’ve collected.”
“Sure. You not get a profession?” Atlas asked as she handed over a stack of nine hides. The armor itself only cost eight, but he’d need the ninth to make enough sinew for it.
“I did, but I went with Jewelcrafting. So far it hasn’t been very useful. I’ve been able to make some basic wood pendants and rings, but nothing that is worth much. It was enough to get me the entry fee I needed, but that’s about it.”
“I’m sure that will pay off in the long run. Professions like that tend to work better toward higher levels.” Atlas reassured her as he worked on her armor.
“That’s what I was hoping for. I appreciate your help though.”
“Not a problem. We all need to be at our best to finish this first.”
Atlas handed over the chest piece and she equipped it immediately. She stuffed her old one in her bag and slung her bow back over her shoulder.
“Anyone else need anything while we
