Terdin
Farmer
Day 12
Woke up with a sense of urgency, or eagerness might be a better word for it. Clint should have finished upgrading my pickaxe. Now I could go to the mine again. But first, taking care of Belle. The rain took care of the watering today.
The weather forecast was unusual, predicting fair weather for tomorrow's egg festival. I'd completely forgot about that, and hadn't expected the weather report to mention it. I had better run around my fishing chests so I could sell some of the fish. One could often buy something unique at festivals and without money I'd have to wait until next year. I was almost to the door when I turned around. I hadn't checked today's luck. Spirits were very happy, which made me breathe easier. It should make it easier to get to the next elevator floor.
Out to check the crops, finding that nothing was ready to harvest. I made sure to bring my sword, and all the spring onions and green algae I had. With the forest bundle and its need for tree seeds in mind, I didn't want to make field snacks. Maybe I could sell off the gold quality parsnip I had. Put it in the bin. Didn't want to sell the others. They were better eaten, or processed into something more profitable. I knew it was possible, had seen it happening. Just had to figure out how to make it possible.
Before going to see Clint, I made a detour to the fishing chest and picked up most of the fish, apart from the eels. Then glanced towards the nearby forest. It was Friday. The traveling merchant should be there, unless the rain kept her away. Few people went out in the rain unless they had to. I had to. There was no way I could spend an entire day indoors in my tiny cottage without going crazy. Nothing to read apart from my diary, nothing on the TV that could help me while away the hours. No computer or videogame console.
I hurried over to Clint and got my pickaxe, and listened to his complaints, then went to the beach to check the tidal pools. Two sea urchins and two pieces of coral. There was also the waving of where I could find seeds, 3 more carrot seeds, and the junimo arms beckoning me to another spot where I got three pieces of clay. Two clams and an oyster completed my haul.
When I sold stuff to Willy to afford a rare seed if there was one, I made sure to sell the cheaper fish first, and stopping when I had just over 1000 G. Willy lectured me to have respect for the waters before he let me go.
I hurried to the wagon. It was there. For whatever reason, the wagon was pulled by a pig, which I hadn't noticed the previous time.
The merchant lit up when she saw me. "Good to see you're one of the few to brave the weather. Here's what I've got this time."
The shop inventory was completely different from last time, most of it. And most of it overpriced. 900 G for a droplet of Sap? It made me wary of buying things from her. What was the same was that she only had either one or five of each, and a rare seed. I grabbed it and paid for it as fast as I could, then ran home.
Tried out my upgraded pickaxe on the boulders on the farm, but it was still too lightweight to do anything. The sea urchins and the corals went into the bin, along with the rest of the fish. Rare seed in the chest, and planted the carrot seeds so they'd get one day's watering for free.
Then a dash through the backwoods, stopping only for a leek.
Linus stood under a large tree, and I went to hear how he fared. This weather couldn't be easy to handle, living in a tent. I told him as much.
"Hello. No, I'm used to it. A warm rain is a pleasant way to get clean."
It was a poignant reminder of something I was missing from my former life. "It's the only kind of shower I've had since coming here," I admitted.
He smiled and nodded sagely, as if realizing we were more alike than he'd first thought. I hoped not. I didn't want to live on the edge of society. I wanted a place in it. I almost went north to the mine when I recalled the need for money tomorrow, and went to the fishing chest. Collected my fish and the green algae, leaving only the trash and the roe.
Despite my original intent to get a lot of mining done, it was late afternoon when I entered the mine.
Floor 11
Was surprised to find the ladder close by. I still went a bit further, to see if I could get copper ore or that remaining slime. Two bugs and one ore node. Two bug meats, a white algae, three pieces of copper ore. The node required just two strikes now, which was an improvement. No blockage this time, but the larger chamber beyond was almost all sandy.
Didn't want to risk facing one of those digging monsters, so I took the ladder down.
Floor 12
Three copper nodes, a couple of bugs. No slimes. A fly buzzed in from somewhere, and it took me a good while to kill it. Three bug meat, and seven pieces of copper ore. One piece of quartz just sitting there.
Then I could resume the search for the stairs. Found that the rocks that had needed two strikes to break before needed just one now, making them as easy as the rest of the rocks. One seemingly ordinary rock gave me both copper ore and a piece of coal. The next rock was the one covering the ladder. Went down just as the atmosphere turned ominous, hoping it wouldn't follow me.
Floor 13
The ominous atmosphere didn't follow me, and I didn't need to search for the ladder down. It was in sight behind a few rocks as soon as I set foot in there. Ate some of the better spring onions before taking on the floor.
Killed four bugs and found another three copper nodes. Four bug meat, another white algae for the wild medicine bundle, and nine pieces of copper ore. An earth crystal required me to break a few rocks to get it, but I did that. Again no slimes despite them having been plentiful the time I went from floor 5 to 10. Also no grubs. What had been up with the floors from 1 to 5? Had I been extremely lucky or unlucky that day? Shaking my head I went to the ladder.
Floor 14
Three bugs, two flies that buzzed in from somewhere, two rock crabs, and five copper ore nodes. Just three pieces of bug meat, but two pieces of white algae. Didn't I have one since earlier, or had I eaten it?
As I searched for the ladder, the lack of slimes was starting to bother me, even if it was nice to get a nice supply of bait material, and bugs were a lot easier to kill without getting injured. Grubs didn't fight back, just tried to get away so they could get into an impermeable coccoon and turn into flies. Flies were as difficult to kill as the slimes, and required more careful timing.
Three pieces of coal and a couple of geodes appeared during my search for the ladder. Noticed I had 5 of those on me now. Where had I found the others? I didn't pay much attention to what the rocks looked like, and was surprised when one rock dropped an amethyst. It hadn't looked that special, just been a bit darker.
Finally I spotted the ladder in a corner behind some other rocks, a piece of quartz sitting next to it, as if that ladder - or something else - wanted to reward me for finding it.
Floor 15
At first I thought to take the elevator back up immediately, but the bug and a couple of copper ore nodes distracted me. Then I figured I might as well see if this floor held a slime for me. No such luck, and it was too late to attempt to go any deeper. I returned to the surface, annoyed that I hadn't been able to complete the trial for joining the Adventurer's Guild, but taking solace in knowing I could start from floor 15 now.
I did have some white algae in the chest. Took it with me, left the remaining spring onions and the green algae. Also made sure to take the minerals that Gunther might find interesting. Quartz, Earth Crystal, Topaz, Amethyst. Geodes might give me a few more. Wouldn't be able to hand them in either today or tomorrow, but if I had them in the farm chest, I wouldn't have to make a long detour to the mine before doing anything about it.
It was just 11 pm. Maybe I'd have time to hand the white algae to the Junimo. Ran towards town and entered the community center without thinking. The tension surrounding the fish tank hit me, making me want to flee. Pushing past it I made it to the first scroll and handed in 5 white algae, sensing a slight increase in tension, but nowhere near as bad as the fish tank scroll that I had to pass again on my way out.
It was midnight before I was able to leave the building. More than enough time to pick a couple of daffodils on my way through the park, and a dandelion at the bus stop. I'd spotted Emily going home from work, but I didn't approach her, not wanting to delay both of our bed times, and not wanting to be seen as a creep.
The fish went into the shipping bin, most of the other stuff in the chest. Took out the watering can in preparation for tomorrow. Went inside and lit the fire before sitting down to write about the day, hoping to dry a bit before going to bed.
Woke up with a sense of urgency, or eagerness might be a better word for it. Clint should have finished upgrading my pickaxe. Now I could go to the mine again. But first, taking care of Belle. The rain took care of the watering today.
The weather forecast was unusual, predicting fair weather for tomorrow's egg festival. I'd completely forgot about that, and hadn't expected the weather report to mention it. I had better run around my fishing chests so I could sell some of the fish. One could often buy something unique at festivals and without money I'd have to wait until next year. I was almost to the door when I turned around. I hadn't checked today's luck. Spirits were very happy, which made me breathe easier. It should make it easier to get to the next elevator floor.
Out to check the crops, finding that nothing was ready to harvest. I made sure to bring my sword, and all the spring onions and green algae I had. With the forest bundle and its need for tree seeds in mind, I didn't want to make field snacks. Maybe I could sell off the gold quality parsnip I had. Put it in the bin. Didn't want to sell the others. They were better eaten, or processed into something more profitable. I knew it was possible, had seen it happening. Just had to figure out how to make it possible.
Before going to see Clint, I made a detour to the fishing chest and picked up most of the fish, apart from the eels. Then glanced towards the nearby forest. It was Friday. The traveling merchant should be there, unless the rain kept her away. Few people went out in the rain unless they had to. I had to. There was no way I could spend an entire day indoors in my tiny cottage without going crazy. Nothing to read apart from my diary, nothing on the TV that could help me while away the hours. No computer or videogame console.
I hurried over to Clint and got my pickaxe, and listened to his complaints, then went to the beach to check the tidal pools. Two sea urchins and two pieces of coral. There was also the waving of where I could find seeds, 3 more carrot seeds, and the junimo arms beckoning me to another spot where I got three pieces of clay. Two clams and an oyster completed my haul.
When I sold stuff to Willy to afford a rare seed if there was one, I made sure to sell the cheaper fish first, and stopping when I had just over 1000 G. Willy lectured me to have respect for the waters before he let me go.
I hurried to the wagon. It was there. For whatever reason, the wagon was pulled by a pig, which I hadn't noticed the previous time.
The merchant lit up when she saw me. "Good to see you're one of the few to brave the weather. Here's what I've got this time."
The shop inventory was completely different from last time, most of it. And most of it overpriced. 900 G for a droplet of Sap? It made me wary of buying things from her. What was the same was that she only had either one or five of each, and a rare seed. I grabbed it and paid for it as fast as I could, then ran home.
Tried out my upgraded pickaxe on the boulders on the farm, but it was still too lightweight to do anything. The sea urchins and the corals went into the bin, along with the rest of the fish. Rare seed in the chest, and planted the carrot seeds so they'd get one day's watering for free.
Then a dash through the backwoods, stopping only for a leek.
Linus stood under a large tree, and I went to hear how he fared. This weather couldn't be easy to handle, living in a tent. I told him as much.
"Hello. No, I'm used to it. A warm rain is a pleasant way to get clean."
It was a poignant reminder of something I was missing from my former life. "It's the only kind of shower I've had since coming here," I admitted.
He smiled and nodded sagely, as if realizing we were more alike than he'd first thought. I hoped not. I didn't want to live on the edge of society. I wanted a place in it. I almost went north to the mine when I recalled the need for money tomorrow, and went to the fishing chest. Collected my fish and the green algae, leaving only the trash and the roe.
Despite my original intent to get a lot of mining done, it was late afternoon when I entered the mine.
Floor 11
Was surprised to find the ladder close by. I still went a bit further, to see if I could get copper ore or that remaining slime. Two bugs and one ore node. Two bug meats, a white algae, three pieces of copper ore. The node required just two strikes now, which was an improvement. No blockage this time, but the larger chamber beyond was almost all sandy.
Didn't want to risk facing one of those digging monsters, so I took the ladder down.
Floor 12
Three copper nodes, a couple of bugs. No slimes. A fly buzzed in from somewhere, and it took me a good while to kill it. Three bug meat, and seven pieces of copper ore. One piece of quartz just sitting there.
Then I could resume the search for the stairs. Found that the rocks that had needed two strikes to break before needed just one now, making them as easy as the rest of the rocks. One seemingly ordinary rock gave me both copper ore and a piece of coal. The next rock was the one covering the ladder. Went down just as the atmosphere turned ominous, hoping it wouldn't follow me.
Floor 13
The ominous atmosphere didn't follow me, and I didn't need to search for the ladder down. It was in sight behind a few rocks as soon as I set foot in there. Ate some of the better spring onions before taking on the floor.
Killed four bugs and found another three copper nodes. Four bug meat, another white algae for the wild medicine bundle, and nine pieces of copper ore. An earth crystal required me to break a few rocks to get it, but I did that. Again no slimes despite them having been plentiful the time I went from floor 5 to 10. Also no grubs. What had been up with the floors from 1 to 5? Had I been extremely lucky or unlucky that day? Shaking my head I went to the ladder.
Floor 14
Three bugs, two flies that buzzed in from somewhere, two rock crabs, and five copper ore nodes. Just three pieces of bug meat, but two pieces of white algae. Didn't I have one since earlier, or had I eaten it?
As I searched for the ladder, the lack of slimes was starting to bother me, even if it was nice to get a nice supply of bait material, and bugs were a lot easier to kill without getting injured. Grubs didn't fight back, just tried to get away so they could get into an impermeable coccoon and turn into flies. Flies were as difficult to kill as the slimes, and required more careful timing.
Three pieces of coal and a couple of geodes appeared during my search for the ladder. Noticed I had 5 of those on me now. Where had I found the others? I didn't pay much attention to what the rocks looked like, and was surprised when one rock dropped an amethyst. It hadn't looked that special, just been a bit darker.
Finally I spotted the ladder in a corner behind some other rocks, a piece of quartz sitting next to it, as if that ladder - or something else - wanted to reward me for finding it.
Floor 15
At first I thought to take the elevator back up immediately, but the bug and a couple of copper ore nodes distracted me. Then I figured I might as well see if this floor held a slime for me. No such luck, and it was too late to attempt to go any deeper. I returned to the surface, annoyed that I hadn't been able to complete the trial for joining the Adventurer's Guild, but taking solace in knowing I could start from floor 15 now.
I did have some white algae in the chest. Took it with me, left the remaining spring onions and the green algae. Also made sure to take the minerals that Gunther might find interesting. Quartz, Earth Crystal, Topaz, Amethyst. Geodes might give me a few more. Wouldn't be able to hand them in either today or tomorrow, but if I had them in the farm chest, I wouldn't have to make a long detour to the mine before doing anything about it.
It was just 11 pm. Maybe I'd have time to hand the white algae to the Junimo. Ran towards town and entered the community center without thinking. The tension surrounding the fish tank hit me, making me want to flee. Pushing past it I made it to the first scroll and handed in 5 white algae, sensing a slight increase in tension, but nowhere near as bad as the fish tank scroll that I had to pass again on my way out.
It was midnight before I was able to leave the building. More than enough time to pick a couple of daffodils on my way through the park, and a dandelion at the bus stop. I'd spotted Emily going home from work, but I didn't approach her, not wanting to delay both of our bed times, and not wanting to be seen as a creep.
The fish went into the shipping bin, most of the other stuff in the chest. Took out the watering can in preparation for tomorrow. Went inside and lit the fire before sitting down to write about the day, hoping to dry a bit before going to bed.