How to start off this mess in words? Dunno, but here’s some filler words until I can think of a good, depression-free intro.
*ERROR 404: Depression-free blog post intro not found in brain*
Well damn. Thought good and hard too, but I just can’t think of anything. Might as well get this started since I feel these are enough filler words. For those not in the know, a ‘Rift’ is an event that’s been happening longer since I’ve been away from Wurm. Powerful enemies come from this central beam, requiring a group to take out. There are three waves, each lasting about 20 or so minutes (depending on the strength of the group).
Loot is automatically awarded to all participants after enough rift hearts have been burned in the altar (at the end of the 3rd wave). The loot varies, but everyone gets two things that can be used to make runes for people.
How I got involved in this, was the day before yesterday (the day after seeing Saint in Xan). The red beam of doom is active again to my NW. The last time, I still had buildings that needed to be built. This time, I was finishing up with paving a new road wrapping around my deed (to serve as a bypass route for locals and visitors).
I decided to ask what gear I need and stuff like that, and… I really wish I didn’t. I was told to bring “a ton” of cotton as I would likely need it. Plus one asked if I had steel armor, when my highest is plate.
Began to have second thoughts; felt I’m not ready for this (especially as local Kchat continued on). “the timid stay home” | “you can do it Dragonhead” | “youll be fine”…. someone please shoot me for this embarrassment. Just end it. I don’t deserve to be called a ‘dragon’. 😛
A true Dragon Warrior would jump at the chance to prove themself. A true Dragon Warrior would have no fear of death (in a video game)…so why do I call myself one?
Childish side: “Oh man, dragons are so cool! I wanna be like one! FIGHT like one!! :D”
Common sense: “…Just no. You’re a coward. You’re scared of dying in a video game.”
Damnit, did I go into one of my moods again? Sorry. I eventually decided to to it. And yesterday, would be the day. By the way, it’s also Wurm Winter, which makes navigation tricky (as roads mask with the ground as everything’s white). Yet Wurm Winter also allows snowball collection (which Larders need to keep their interiors from not decaying as fast).
Oh yeah. Forgot to state when I logged in, I killed two fog spiders (solo’d). They aren’t as hard as I thought, but do they poison you a lot. Luckily I can LT the poison away with a few kills here and there. I also killed (with assist by a guard tower) a champ black bear. One of the locals even made a rug for me (for free) out of the fur I got from it.
Decided to head out about 8:40pm, to give me a few hours to get to the rift site. I tried to store cotton in a small barrel, and I can only get 5kg in it. I thought “yep, that’s it. I’m not doing this. I told them I have low Body Strength.” I felt there was just no way I would be able to carry ‘a ton’ of cotton, plus plate gear, and still be able to move quickly (if the horse dies on me while riding it).
Tried to composite, by dropping everything non-essential at home (to get as much speed as possible). This also including dropping my flint and steel (didn’t realize it until I was at the site and Sol was going down).
Started going there, as expected, I got lost a lot not knowing where the roads are. Somehow I was able to get on the main roads and made my way around Deadnoob Bay to the rift site.
Upon arriving, I saw a few tents. Thought.. this is it. I’m doing this. Let’s set up camp.. and pray I never have to use it. There were a few people here, clearing trees. I asked if this was the spot, and one said yes, then to “grab your hatchet and start clearing trees”.. ‘ah fuck’ I thought, having to tell them that I left all my tools at home. The person then asks me if I wanna barrow his saw to make planks.
I feel like “..why are we doing this? Aren’t we supposed to be getting set up for the Rift?” This is ‘setting up’, actually. Clearing trees, and making planks for a safehouse. I didn’t want any part of this, because…you know, I hate work? 😛
However, I was put to work anyway. Decided to just go with it, feeling that hey..I’m actually contributing to this thing. I then realized I also didn’t bring any form of device to fill my water bar back up (called a water skin). Yay.. more embarrassment!
The person said that a ‘measured jug’ is better than a water skin, as it holds 10kg. I’ll have to pass on that (until I ever get my Body Strength to 30). It’ll just weigh me down.
More people started to join the site as time went on, with some in kchat asking for the continents to the Rift. I got bored after making 150 planks, wondering if we had enough to complete the safehouse already. The person to build the house asked if I could help..left my hammer back home too! :/
Finally the building was completed as the rest joined. While they’re chatting like “ehh, Rift? There’s no Rift here. Let’s talk like it’s a normal evening!” while I’m trying not to chicken out. I had to ask them a few questions, such as how the fight goes and if we go after specific targets. See, I’m still using what I’ve learned in WoW. And just like WoW, I felt I was ‘the weakest link’ with my Plate gear barely at 70QL(with some pieces dropping into the 60’s). Yet they told me to just not solo any mobs (just like dealing with a troll pretty much, and getting guards on it). And as for going after specific mobs, the answer was no.
Finally, the time hit for the Rift to start, yet it didn’t start until about 11:17pm. The ground changed, turning almost everything to dirt (and placing these strange trees). Soon the mobs showed up. I expected to see a fuckton of mobs around the beam. Instead they were spread out, having to be pulled by a few people over to the group to be killed. I tried my best to assist, and got a few final blow kills. Yet most of the time, it was me running to the safehouse with mobs chasing me. I kept hoping the others would assist in pulling them off me.. but again, this isn’t WoW. There’s no Mages that can throw a fireball at a mob to pull it off me (or a pet that will help tank it so I can get away).
The mobs themselves, look like a race of dog people. It reminded me of that one-time event that happened in WoW where those tall constructs were attacking the lands of Azeroth. They had a slight Egyptian look to them, and to me looked out of place of what this Rift should be. I expected to see really scary-looking monsters of doom (like the Burning Legion).
Waves 2 and 3 had Ogres in them. Really tall guys that make a troll the strength of a wolf (and they cause a damage I’ve never seen.. internal organ damage that cannot be healed without Life Transfer). Nasty shit.
Finally, the Rift is done! Good thing too, as I really had to use the bathroom. When I came back, I noticed the rift was gone (and the talking pretty much stopped). All I could feel was shame. Shame of how this entire thing started, and shame of expecting people to give a fuck it’s my first time. All of them acted like “this is trivial.”
So yeah. First Rift. I survived.. yet my pride is now on life support in the hospital.
“Oh FUCK! No! I don’t want to die!” kept getting in the way instead of continuing the fight (unlike a true Dragon Warrior). I personally felt it was a bad run, because I had to constantly run away like a pussy instead of helping everyone. I even got criticized of this (in a way).
As for the loot I got (that popped up in my inventory), I got a shoulderpad, a Syril lump (that’s only .25kg.. LAME). Rift wood, and a Rift crystal (which can be turned into runes..with the right skill). Hopefully I can sell most of this crap. And as for ever coming back? Let’s say I have not decided. I have to…’rethink’ my life first. 😛
If I do decide to come back, I will come more prepared. Bring my hatchet/hammer/saw/steel & flint, and water skin with me. Then I can properly help with the setup stage of the Rift (and not feel like a n00b).