Chapter 4: My Sanctuary

"In the world of undignified chaos, everybody needs a place where we find solace, a place where we can be what we want to be. There must be a place where we can bare all without risk, a place where we can pour out our hearts without breaking them. When we find that place, in any given time, space or dimension of reality or fantasy; we declare that place to be our Sanctuary. This is My World, this is where I want to be, This is My Sanctuary!"

Chapter 4: My Sanctuary

Many players are asking me. 

Why am I one of the most sought after mercenary Priest of Prontera? Why do many Players and dungeon raid Parties wait in line to ask me to help them ?

Many people would laugh at players who ever ask those questions.

Many months ago, when I was just starting to play Ragnarok Online, many people had already started to noticed me. They would usually flock towards the direction of many novices and find me surrounded by so many players that are patiently waiting for their turn. Why?

Let me tell you My Story.

When I arrived at Prontera, I was a total noob. I know nothing much about the game or the many things I need to consider to be good at playing in this new world. It took me almost thirty deaths and respawns to realize that there are many like me who are struggling to survive this game. Some are being ridiculed by seasoned players and almost left to die.

I felt like they were just like me. My heart was broken while looking at those new player who knew nothing and oftentimes die in the dungeons and lose every single items they gained from countless hours of struggling with the monsters. They reflected how weak I was in the real world and I sympathized with those players. That's when I vowed to do something about it. I searched diligently and studied in great detail the process on how to become a healer. I found out that I need to be a level 10 Novice to be an Acolyte.

Then I went from one website to the other, from the official website, to fan groups to know everything about being a healer. I fought wisely and leveled up patiently until I became Level 10, then I went to the Church at Prontera, then I talked to Father Mareusis. Then I selected the quest to talk to Father Rubalkabara as he is just nearby. 

I cautiously traveled northeast of Prontera to St. Capitulina Abbey and there I found Father Rubalkabara. I hurried back to Father Mareusis to finish my quest and become an acolyte!

As soon as I became an acolyte, I stood in front of Prontera just right outside and shouted .

"Free Healing for novices!! Free Healing for novices!!"

And soon, the line of novices waiting to be healed to full health grew.

"Why are you doing this? This will not make you strong nor rich? Why are you doing this?"

Many people would ask. Little did they know that there is a tremendous benefit of healing other players for priests and acolytes. For one, Priests and acolytes gain experience in healing other players, thus, priests and acolytes gain level ups without fighting. Two, They may have drained their manna in healing other players, it will be naturally replenished in time and regained after cooldown time. Third, as we level up without fighting monsters, we get more points for our Intelligence, Vitality and Luck . Although that stat build will be making us less in strength, agility and dexterity, it really doesn't make any difference at all. Because we are just healing people, what do we need those combat stats?

We don't need sword skills, we don't need armor, and we don't need to fight. In the safety of the city, we could level up unlike other types of players!

So, they never realized that as the line of novices, dying from all over the map grew, I never needed to go anywhere, or fight anything to level up. However, when my Manna was depleted one time and I told the players, they gladly gave me Manna potions just so I could heal them! I stocked up on potions even without buying anything!

Some players would even use the trading process to dump excess items on me to free up their inventory spaces. Many of those items are either unusable for me because of my current level or some items that were job specific such as swords, shields, daggers, bows, arrows, and armor. Then I gladly donated them to the novices who died because of lack of proper weapons and armor. They were ecstatic! Many novices would exclaim and thank me profusely!

This scenario caught the attention of many high level players and game moderators! They were so amazed at the positive effect of my very helpful "hospital" infront of Prontera! They saw that many seasoned players began to be more considerate and helpful to the novides and the beginners.

They gave me a special player badge and "donated" several precious items to me! Someone gave me a Robe, another player gave me a rosary. One of the former novices that I healed came back and gave me Sohee shoes! 

Many players would ask me to give them buffs. Some asked me to bless them. While many would drop by just to make some donations! Players would often joke about asking the game moderators to ask the game developers to make a tent for me as a charity foundation hospital!

Hey! I'm not an NPC!

But why am I doing this? You may ask, well, It started when I felt the longing to become stronger than who I am in real life. It is only through the virtual world of Online Gaming that I can be stronger than my physical body. As I looked at my skin and bones physique in a full length mirror, I felt pity towards myself!

I want to feel, at the very least, that there is a world where I can be what I want to be. A world where I will not be limited by my height, my weight or body dimensions. A place I could call my Sanctuary! 

Therefore, when I entered the world of Ragnarok online, I used my name and the year of my birth as my user name not just to simplify communication but to signify my rebirth in this Universe of Online Gaming! This is my chance! This is My World!

Benjamin1999. A name that many players would seek. A simple acolyte wearing a simple robe. I'm making my mark on this virtual world. In this place, I'm not a weakling! In this place, I can heal! In this place, I can help many people! This is my Sanctuary!

It became a well known byword that an acolyte is standing at the left side of the Gate of Prontera and if they need any help, I may be able to help them. From referral, to items, to buffing, to zenys, I may offer some help. Some players would even refer newcomers to go and look for Benjamin1999 at the left side of the Gate of Prontera to ask for some weapons and armor. Moderators would drop by every now and then to thank me for helping other players and make some more donations.

When I reached Level 41, somebody recommended that I should become a priest. I searched for the process on the wiki and went on to take the quest. I asked for the players to patiently wait for me as I went to take the quest to change from an Acolyte to a Priest.

I talked to Father Thomas back at the Sanctuary, went on to take the training and the tests. Luckily, I somehow passed them all, went to Sister Cecil to sign an oath and back to Father Thomas to finally become a Priest. 

When the players saw that I had now become a Priest, somebody donated a Holy Robe, another gave me a Monk hat, a high level player gave me a pair of Verit shoes, a moderator gave me a Spiritual Ring and a Holy Cross! I was overwhelmed with gratitude at the response of the players who waited for me to return to my favorite spot at the Gate.

Now I can Heal much faster and even heal or bless high level players! Many players became happier with what happened because they knew that somebody will be there to help them up the moment they died and respawned at Prontera. It was like a fiesta for about an hour! Many more players visited my spot and the place had now become an unregistered trading spot!

But One day, a player suggested that I go with them to the dungeons and help them by being the Full Support member of their raiding party. 

"Benjamin1999. You are now a level 75 priest. Would you go with us to the dungeon as our healer? We will pay you in real money if you have paypal! Come with us, please?"

"Really? Why? I think I'm too weak to fight. I could be your weak link that would zap your party's ability to fight. I'm sure I'll be more of a liability than an asset to your group."

"No. That's nonsense! We realized that if we can guard you behind the mages and the archers, you can surely heal our knights, assassins, and crusaders before any of us suffer any significant damage. Furthermore, you can bless us with sanctuary and other buffs, and that will make all of us virtually invincible against the monsters! 

"Wow! That was genius! Who's the mastermind of that plan? It's Just so logically sound and simple, but I never ever thought of that!"

"Well, what do you say?"

"I would be a fool to say no to that! That plan is totally awesome! Let's Go!" 

"Hurrah!!!!!"