[F09-PP] The Iron Guardian

[Beat 0]

Spoiler

<<The Iron Guardian>>

This quest takes place on Floor 9

This quest is repeatable for <<Banner of Support>> only

Background Information - Player(s) encounter a broker who claims they will tell them the location of a powerful field boss in return of an item that it drops. The field boss that the broker speaks of lies approximately two days west with a few monsters here and there to fight to actually reach the designated location. The boss is claimed to drop a consumable item that has the power to provide an entire team a healing effect that reaches up to a party of four at a time, so perfect for boss raids.

Quest Objective - Player(s) must head West in order to try and find this boss. They must fight <<Iron Knights>> along the way in order to prepare them for the ultimate boss fight against the <<Iron Guardian>>, or so the broker says anyways. In order to complete the quest however, players must meet a few requirements in order to end the quest. The Broker must be killed one way or another. It is up to the player if they wish to attack them first for the item, then when killed, they become a player killer, OR they can have the broker attack first. This adds a special element of variety to everybody's threads as you can choose how it goes. Either way, the broker needs to be fought as well.

If the player chooses to return the item, then the Broker will think that the player/party is trying to lead him into a trap, where he will be killed and stolen from, in fear, he will then retaliate by attacking the leader of the party first, and then the fight continues normal from there on. The broker MUST have its own roll.

Requirements:

-At least one [1] Page (21 or more posts)

-Players MUST defeat X amount of <<Iron Knights>> (X being 1 per player)

- Player(s) MUST defeat the <<Iron Guardian>>

- Player(s) MUST defeat the Broker

Iron Guardian Information:

<<Iron Guardian>> is a respawning Quest Boss and has the following statistics:

HP: 225

Damage per Attack: 200

Bleed, on a MD of 9 or 10, for 2 turns. Dealing 12 Damage per turn.

Thorns, Deals 12 Damage To Enemy if hit.

 

Iron Knight Information:

<<Iron Knight>> is a respawning Quest Mob and has the following statistics:

HP: 72

Damage per Attack: 120

Bleed, on a MD of 9 or 10, for 2 turns. Dealing 12 Damage per turn.

Thorns, Deals 12 Damage To Enemy if hit.

 

Mysterious Broker Information:

<<Mysterious Broker>> is a respawning Quest Boss and has the following statistics:

HP: 150

Damage per Attack: 200

Paralyze, on a MD of 9 or 10, for 1 turn.

Battle Healing, on a CD of 10 or higher, heals the Mysterious Broker 50 HP.

 

Rewards:

1. Party Leader will be gifted the <<Banner of Support>> -  This item has (3) charges and may only be refilled by asking a merchant to refill it costing 750 Col per charge. This item does not stack and may not be sold for Col, it becomes bound to the player. When used, the Banner of Support heals up to 6 players, including the user, a maximum of 80 HP. Once used, the Banner of Support changes from a red to a gray color and begins to go on it's 5 turns cooldown.

2. 1 Skill Point

Parties of players are advised.

Recommended Level: 30

 

 

(Updated for the September Patch)

Beat stood near the teleporter on floor nine, his fingers dancing across his menus as he organized his battle inventory. The recent patch had changed the way healing crystals worked and so he was re-prioritizing his list. The need for healing items we practically never an issue, but it was foolish to not prepare for the unexpected. Shield was constantly warning Beat about parties that had been jumped by a random field boss and been slaughtered because they had not placed teleportation crystals into their battle ready inventory. As annoying as the old player's constant advice was, Beat heeded it more often than not. 

Guess I'll leave them in there for now. Shield occasionally needs a small heal from time to time. 

He opened his map and looked for Shield's icon, noticing that the fellow Crossreign veteran was almost to the teleporter on his floor. 

Surprised I actually beat him here this time.

 

 

[Shield 0]

Quote

Crafting Consumables in Basic Kitchen:

Perfect T1 LD x 2              [8 T1 Mats]
Perfect T1 Prosperity x 2 [8 T1 Mats]
Perfect T1 Mitigation       [4 T1 mats] +2 slots from Dining Hall
Perfect T1 Protein            [4 T1 Mats]

Buying from Stock:

Golden Keys x 5
T3 Immolation potion x 1

Total:
24 T1 materials
5,900 Col

[~13,100 Col]

Consuming: 1 LD consumable, 1 Prosperity consumable, 1 Mitigation consumable, 1 Immolation potion
Giving to Beat: 1 LD consumable, 1 Prosperity consumable, 1 Protein consumable

 

Quote

Action: Focused Howl [-8 EN]

[H:6] Shield - HP: 1330/1330 | EP: 116/124 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 169 | BH: 66 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 7
[H:0] Beat:

<<Iron Knight>> HP: 0/72 | DMG: 120 | BLD: 12 [9+] | THN: 12 - ID# 94634 results: Craft: 5 [No Recovery] MOB: 5 [+1=6 - Hit! 120-169=1 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]

Shield arrived on the ninth floor, sighing as he joined his partner in crime. It had been a little while since their last venture, but Shield had already seen enough of the twenty first floor since then that he could hardly tell the difference. He wasted no time in transferring over the spoils of that morning's cooking.

"Let's get moving," he said, motioning for Beat to follow him. "This is not a quick quest." 

He did not wait for Beat before he started for the edge of town, knowing that the younger player would have no trouble keeping up. Towards the edge of the safe zone, a familiar looking broker practically leaped out of the shadows.

"Say, young man! You look like the adventuring type!" he crowed, putting an arm around Beat and pulling him to the side of the road.

"I'm going on ahead," Shield grunted back at him. "You should have no problem catching up. Don't get too attached to him, by the way."

As Shield trudged on ahead, he kept an eye over his shoulder until Beat rejoined him. meanwhile, the lava plains loomed ahead of them, the waves of heat obscuring the mountains in the distance.

"The general consensus is that the plains are faster, but the natural walkways between pools of lava are like mazes, and it wastes time," he said, pointing to a boulder off to their right. "More informed sources tell us to go this way."

Stepping up to the stone, he pushed directly into the center of it. The great formation, made of a dark, cratered stone material, gave and rolled easily back and out of the way. Though large, it was made of a porous, light stone, likely volcanic in nature. Beneath the stone's resting spot was a passage that led down and to the west. As the players ventured down, the stone rolled back into place behind them. The journey from their was straight and narrow, with no wavering and no turning. It was a tunnel leading directly the way they needed to go.

"I wish I had known about this when I took this the first time." He came up short. Blocking their passage was a familiar armored figure. "Well, so much for avoiding this fight," he groaned, then taking a deep breath. The stoic foe raised its sword and shield, but was immediately knocked back by the booming voice of Shield's howl. "Let's just get this over with!" As if obliging, the knight sprinted forward, slashed through Shield, and immediately shattered. "Well, at least that was faster than the first time."

Edited January 23, 2018 by Shield

[Beat 0]

Spoiler

Using kitchen to create the following: 

Rare T1 Accuracy Food - 3 T1 Mats

Beat restrained the urge to strike the man as he accosted the young player. He managed to get out of the stranger's grasp, but, much to his dismay, the man did not seem discouraged in the least. At Shield's advice about the plains, the broker coughed and let out a confident laugh. 

"Ahh that route would have cost you extra, but of course I knew about it as well!" The man cleared his throat once again, "I'm sure you're as smart as your friend and will know good information when you hear it." He said, beaming at Beat, who was now smiling. He had a feeling the man was completely full of it, but he had a hard time not being amused by his desperate attempts to sell him something he didn't need. 

"So! What if I told you that there was an item that cou-" "A banner of Command?" "Wha? How do yo-" "Look, my buddy knows the way, he's done this quest before, but if you want to come, you can, just...be quiet alright?" 

Dejected, the NPC folded his arms and turned his nose up, turning around and walking back towards town. Beat, surprised at his success, smiled and caught up with the tank, "Ditched the broker. We don't really need him anyways right?"

 

Edited January 27, 2018 by Beat

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive: [+1 EN]

Action: Focused Howl [-8 EN]

[H:6] Shield - HP: 1370/1370 | EP: 113/128 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 169 | BH: 66 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 7
[H:0] Beat:

<<Iron Guardian>> HP: 225/225 | DMG: 200 | BLD 12 [MD:9+] | THN 12 - ID# 94705 results: Craft: 4 [No Recovery] MOB: 3 [+1=4 - Miss]

Shield dusted himself off and continued down the shortcut tunnel that they had already begun traversing. By the time it emerged in the foot of the mountains, Shield estimated they must have shaved at least a day's walk off of their journey. He so guessed because after walking the better part of a day, they were already at the foot of the familiar castle where the iron guardian himself lay in wait.

He strode in through the front, walking toward the throne room which, just as before, had been upscaled to suit a being twice their heights. There, in the same stone seat, sat the same guardian he had once fought. He took a deep breath and hurdled his voice at the quest boss.

"Good luck, you pile of rusted rivets!" he taunted. "I beat you before by myself, and at a much lower level than I am now."

Not taking kindly to the threat, the great warrior rose to his feet and swung at Shield, missing by a wide margin. His great, two-handed weapong struck a nearby pillar and rang out over the stones.

Edited January 23, 2018 by Shield

[Beat 0]

Spoiler

Action: Imperial Southern Cross +  Charge -13 EP

Concentration CD: 0/5

ID# 94717: BD: 1 + 4 + 1 = 6 = hit [Dmg: 20 x 14 = 280] Concentration Used

[H:6] Shield - HP: 1370/1370 | EP: 113/128 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 169 | BH: 66 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 7
[H:1] Beat - HP: 918/930 |  EP: 77/90 | Dmg: 16 |  Acc: 4 | Eva: 0 | Mit: 18

<<Iron Guardian>> HP: 0/225 | DMG: 200 | BLD 12 [MD:9+] | THN 12

"Right...Iron Guardian..." Beat muttered as the large knight used his sword like a baseball bat, managing to only damage a pillar. The player winced at the ringing the blade made, "Dude, at least hit your target, come on man." 

Beat quickly recovered and brandished his spear, charging forward and filling his weapon with energy. As he approached, his spear seemed to multiply as he executed a series of lightning fast strikes that riddled the Iron Guardian's body with dents and punctures as it seemed to seizure from the onslaught. With one final strike, Beat's spear pierced the guardian's head and it shattered. 

"And done!" Beat said enthusiastically as he awaited the quest completion screen. After a few moments, it was clear that something was wrong, but it didn't seem to be a glitch. He checked his quest log and it still showed the quest as incomplete. 

"What did we miss?" He said, looking at Shield quizzically. 

Edited January 23, 2018 by Beat

[Shield 0]

"Oh, just wait," Shield said, rolling his eyes a little at the thought. "Remember how I said not to get too attached to that broker?"

By the time they had arrived back in the main settlement of the floor, Shield had had plenty of time to catch Beat up on what was going to happen. It wasn't difficult to find the broker. As they arrived outside of the edge of the safe zone, the odd, cloaked figure was bouncing up an down on the balls of his feet.

"Did you find it?" he asked, grabbing Beat hard by the shoulders and practically shaking him.

"Yes, we did," Shield said, deadpan. "Please, go right ahead and take it." He wasn't even looking at the broker at this point.

"Wait, but... you went through all this trouble... and then without a word otherwise, you just... hand it over?" stammered the man, his eyes wide with surprise. He shook his head, clutching his temples in abject confusion. "No... no, it must be a trick. You're tricking me!" Shield was already pulling out his Manticore Mask shield. "I won't be tricked so easily!"

Quote

Passive [+1 EP]

Action: Energize > Beat [Shield: -10 EP, Beat: +8 EP]

ID# 94726 results: Craft: 1 [No Recovery - No Recovery]

[H:0] Shield - HP: 1370/1370 | EP: 104/128 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 169 | BH: 66 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 7
[H:0] Beat - HP: 918/930 |  EP: 85/90 | Dmg: 16 |  Acc: 4 | Eva: 0 | Mit: 18

<<Mysterious Broker>> HP: 150/150 | DMG: 200 | PLZ 1 | BH 50 [CD 10+] - MOB: 3 [+1=4 - Miss]

Lazily, Shield conjured up a ball of energy and sent it to Beat. Meanwhile, the broker lunged, pulling a concealed knife from the folds of his robe. It bounced off of the shield, turning aside like a pipe cleaner against a stone. With that, Shield turned to Beat and gave a nod with his head for him to do his thing.

"It's fine. He's an NPC. I've already killed him once."

Edited January 28, 2018 by Shield

[Beat 0]

Spoiler

Action: Vent Forth + Charge vs Broker -8 EP, +1 EP

[H:0] Shield - HP: 1370/1370 | EP: 113/128 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 169 | BH: 66 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 7
[H:0] Beat - HP: 918/930 |  EP: 70/90 | Dmg: 16 |  Acc: 4 | Eva: 0 | Mit: 18

<<Mysterious Broker>> HP: 0/150 | DMG: 200 | PAR 1 | BH 50 [CD 10+]  - ID# 94758- BD: 6 + 4 = 10 = Hit [DMG: 20 * 11 = 222]

 

 

"oh no...the broker who I've grown so attached to and even trusted...why?" Beat said, matching Shield's deadpan inflection as he poured sword art energy into his spear. He knew that the broker was just an NPC programmed into the quest chain to betray them, but he could help feeling the familiar fire of anger burning in his chest, his eyes narrowing as he walked towards the broker who appeared to be realizing just how outclassed he was.

"O-Okay...now...I know I tried to kill you, but I'm cleeearly no match for you so, let's just talk this out and I'm sure we ca-" "No, no talking, you die now...that's all." Beat said coldly as his spear riddled the body of the broker until his body shattered into the familiar red pixels. 

"See? Just like any other monster...nothing special." He said, turning away and smirking as the quest completion window came up again. 

"Let's go..." he said, walking back towards the settlement, not enjoying his recent change in mood.

Edited January 24, 2018 by Beat

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive [+1 EP] Recovery [+6 EP]

Action: Howl [-10 EP]

[H:6] Shield - HP: 1344/1370 | EP: 101/128 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 214 | BH: 66 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 7[H:0]
Beat - HP: 918/930 |  EP: 78/90 | Dmg: 16 |  Acc: 4 | Eva: 0 | Mit: 18

<Fanged Stalactite 1> HP: 640/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 94765 results: Craft: 7 [Recovery Proc] MOB: 10 [+1+3=14 - Hit! 220+2-214=8 dmg]
<Fanged Stalactite 2> HP: 553/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 94766 results: MOB: 7 [+1+3=11 - Hit! - 220-214=6 dmg - THN - 87 dmg]
<Fanged Stalactite 3> HP: 553/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 94767 results: MOB: 5 [+1+3=9 - Hit! - 220-214= 6 dmg - THN - 87 dmg]
<Fanged Stalactite 4> HP: 553/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 94768 results: MOB: 3 [+1+3=7 - Hit! - 220-214=6 dmg - THN - 87 dmg]

Beat clearly wasn't right in the head yet. At the very least, he wasn't his old self, at least not yet. Whatever Beat had seen during the time of his disappearance while he was held by the dark guild, it was still impacting him.

"To the twenty-first floor then," he said in agreement, leaving the matter alone for the time being. It had been a slow, patient process of pulling information out of Beat, and he didn't want to force it now. "Let's see if we can mess up another dungeon."

As they arrived on floor twenty-one and made their way out of the safe zone, Shield could feel the sensation of eyes on him. He found himself taking longer, fuller breaths, trying to keep his lungs full so that he could howl at a moment's notice.

That moment came only a few minutes later. As they traversed the length of a small cavern, Shield thought he saw something move out of the corner of his eye. When he turned to look, he only saw stalactites and stalagmites growing out of the ceiling and floor of the cave. Then, as he was watching, one of the stalactites opened its eyes. Ropy tentacles with barbs and suckers extended from its sides, lashing out at Shield. He stood his ground, shouting out a challenge to it and the others on either side who also opened their eyes and gaping, fanged mouths.

"Not sneaky enough!" he called out, letting the creatures' limbs lash out at him, bouncing away harmlessly, most covered in scratches and scorches.

Edited January 28, 2018 by Shield

[Beat 0]

Spoiler

Not Joining battle

Consuming the following: 
1 Perfect T1 LD consumable (+3 LD), 1 Perfect T1 Prosperity consumable (+3 Prosp), 1 Perfect T1 Protein consumable (+2 from dining hall (+5 total)), Rare T1 Accuracy Food (+2 ACC)

New Stats: 

[H:6] Shield - HP: 1344/1370 | EP: 124/128 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 169 | BH: 66 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 7[H:0]
Beat - HP: 918/930 |  EP: 70/90 | Dmg: 25 |  Acc: 6 | Eva: 0 | Mit: 18 | LD: 7 | +3 Prosperity

Having been very quiet on the journey there, Beat had been brooding, lost in his own thoughts as they ventured through the cave. 

"No please! I have a daughter in the real world! You can't! "

"Stop This!!!"

*Cackling*

Beat's eyes slammed shut as he forced the memory that was playing in his mind out of focus and eventually back into the recesses of his memory. His focus quickly returned to the present as Shield became aware of something that quickly made its presence known, attempting to slay the sturdy player. 

"Crap! the food!" Beat shouted at himself more than anyone else as he began to scarf down the food items he had made along with what Shield had given him. The thing that impressed him was that for such a generic cooking function, it was actually possible to make passable food. He found his own food benefited from his profession skills, but they improved only the flavor, not the bonuses the food provided. 

"I'll be buffed in a sec!"  He shouted in apology to Shield.

Edited January 30, 2018 by Beat

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive [+1 EP]

Action: Energize > Beat [Shield: -10 EP, Beat: +8 EP]

[H:6] Shield - HP: 1344/1370 | EP: 92/128 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 214 | BH: 66 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 7
[H:0] Beat - HP: 918/930 |  EP: 87/90 | Dmg: 25 |  Acc: 6 | Eva: 0 | Mit: 18 | LD: 7 | +3 Prosperity

<Fanged Stalactite 1> HP: 553/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 -  ID# 94964 results: Craft: 3 [No Recovery] MOB: 2 [+3+1=6 - Hit! 220-214=7 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]
<Fanged Stalactite 2> HP: 446/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 94965 results: MOB: 8 [+3+1=12 - Hit! 220-214=7 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]
<Fanged Stalactite 3> HP: 553/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 94966 results: MOB: 1 [Miss]
<Fanged Stalactite 4> HP: 553/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 94967 results: MOB: 1 [Miss]

"Wake up, Beat!" Shield called out, holding out his sword and charging up a fresh dose of energy. He threw it hard, watching as the light absorbed into his partner's body before turning back to the battlefield.

Along the ceiling, the creatures slid eerily. There was no seam where they met the stone. They merely melded into it. It was as if the ceiling of the cavern were merely a blanket, and they were bulges moving around underneath. Shield braced himself as the circled about above him. Unfortunately, he braced himself a little too well. In the forest of lashing tentacles that ensued, only two managed to find solid purchase. The others bounced harmlessly off of his shield and armor.

"Not too bright, these ones," he growled to himself. "Looks like they rely more on surprise than anything else. Once we know where they are, most of the threat is neutralized."

Edited January 28, 2018 by Shield

[Beat 0]

Spoiler

Passive [+1 EP]

Action: Weeping Moon + Charge -15 EP

[H:6] Shield - HP: 1344/1370 | EP: 92/128 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 214 | BH: 66 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 7
[H:0] Beat - HP: 918/930 |  EP: 73/90 | Dmg: 21 |  Acc: 6 | Eva: 0 | Mit: 18 | LD: 7 | +3 Prosperity

<Fanged Stalactite 1> HP: 328/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 -  ID# 95089: BD: 6 + 6 = 12 = Hit [DMG: 25 x 9 = 225]
<Fanged Stalactite 2> HP: 221/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 95090: BD: 4 + 6 = 10 = Hit [DMG: 25 x 9 = 225]
<Fanged Stalactite 3> HP: 319/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 95091: BD: 9 + 6 = 15 = Crit+1 [DMG: 26 x 9 = 234 + Paralyze and Freeze] 
<Fanged Stalactite 4> HP: 328/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 95092: BD: 4 + 6 = 10 = Hit [DMG: 25 x 9 = 225]

"Pff, no kidding. Their health bars disappear, but it's not quite dark enough for their sneaking to really be effective." Beat said with a confident smirk. So far, their adventures on the twenty first floor had yielded some interesting encounters, but against seasoned gaming veterans like Beat and Shield, it was rare that gimmicky tactics like melding into a wall would prove much of a challenge. 

"Welp, guess I'm up!" He said, infusing his spear with sword art energy and making a pale yellow ring above him. Once the ring was complete, he launched it towards the ceiling with a thrust, sending it crashing into the cave ceiling before expanding and cutting into each of the creatures. One of the creatures had been especially unprepared and crashed to the floor, wreathed in ice and electricity, unable to move at all. 

"Whoops...someone fell down..." Beat said, grinning at the fallen creature. 

Edited January 30, 2018 by Beat

[Shield 0]

 

Quote

Passive [+1 EP] Battle Healing [+68 HP]

Action: Energize > Beat [Shield: -10 EP, Beat: +8 EP]

[H:6] Shield - HP: 1355/1370 | EP: 83/128 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 214 | BH: 68 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 7
[H:0] Beat - HP: 918/930 |  EP: 81/90 | Dmg: 21 |  Acc: 6 | Eva: 0 | Mit: 18 | LD: 7 | +3 Prosperity

<Fanged Stalactite 1> HP: 241/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 95130 results: Craft: 1 [No Recovery] MOB: 5 [+3+1=12 - Hit! 220-214=7 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]
<Fanged Stalactite 2> HP: 134/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 95131 results: MOB: 2 [+3+1=12 - Hit! 220-214=7 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]
<Fanged Stalactite 3> HP: 319/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - [Paralyze/Freeze]
<Fanged Stalactite 4> HP: 241/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 95133 results: MOB: 3 [+3+1=12 - Hit! 220-214=7 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]

Despite the chaos of the area attack, the stony looking creatures continued to assail Shield with their rope-like appendages. They lashed across him like a whip, leaving red, glowing welts that vanished almost as soon as they appeared. Meanwhile, each hit drained the quickly dwindling health that remained. In the midst of if all, Shield focused his energy at the tip of his sword and lazily hurled the collection to his colleague.

"It really is a shame that we have to find dungeons to find a decent challenge," Shield sighed, brushing off the attacks as the mild annoyance that they were. "Not that I have an issue with efficiency, but monotony is dangerous. If you get caught up in it, you can lose focus and make dangerous mistakes. That was not too far from our last dungeon crawl. We managed, but we were not fully prepared for those fights when we first knocked on the door."

Edited January 31, 2018 by Shield

[Beat 0]

Spoiler

Passive [+1 EP] 

Action: Weeping Moon on all targets | -15 EP

[H:6] Shield - HP: 1355/1370 | EP: 83/128 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 214 | BH: 68 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 7
[H:0] Beat - HP: 918/930 |  EP: 67/90 | Dmg: 21 |  Acc: 6 | Eva: 0 | Mit: 18 | LD: 7 | +3 Prosperity

<Fanged Stalactite 1> HP: 34/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID#95451: BD: 10 + 6 = 16 = Crit+2 [DMG: 23 x 9 = 207 + Freeze and Paralyze]
<Fanged Stalactite 2> HP: 0/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID#95451: BD: 2 + 6 = 8 = Hit [DMG: 21 x 9 = 189] 
<Fanged Stalactite 3> HP: 130/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID#95451: BD: 7 + 6 = 16 = Hit [DMG: 21 x 9 = 189]
<Fanged Stalactite 4> HP: 43/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID#95451: BD: 9 + 6 = 16 = Crit+1 [DMG: 22 x 9 = 198 + Freeze and Paralyze]

Loot: 
ID#95451: LD: 16+7 = 23 CD: 5 = 6 T3 Materials + 3840 col

 

"Agreed. I suppose if end game is really dungeon hunting, then so be it." Beat said, shrugging. The concept of the 'grind' was not lost on the younger player, but he had never really felt the effects of the things that often made many players quit playing certain games. He had always judged players that couldn't commit the time to attain their goals and yet felt the need to complain and put down the game.

"Well, monotony has never really bothered me much, the problem is that if you can't handle the grind, you don't get to quit and move on." Beat said, shaking his head. He glared at the creatures before racing towards them and released his pale yellow sword art, cleaving one in two and freezing two others. The remaining creature retreating into the ground hastily. Beat shouldered his spear and admired his handiwork as the two creatures on the ground struggled to move in vain.

Edited February 7, 2018 by Beat

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive [+1 EP] Battle Healing [+68 HP] Recovery [+6 EN]

Action: Energize > Beat [Shield: -10 EP, Beat: +8 EP]

[H:6] Shield - HP: 1364/1370 | EP: 80/128 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 214 | BH: 68 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 7
[H:0] Beat - HP: 918/930 |  EP: 85/90 | Dmg: 21 |  Acc: 6 | Eva: 0 | Mit: 18 | LD: 7 | +3 Prosperity

<Fanged Stalactite 1> HP: 34/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - [Freeze and Paralyze]
<Fanged Stalactite 2> HP: 0/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3
<Fanged Stalactite 3> HP: 43/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 95556 results: Craft: 11 [Recovery proc] MOB: 3 [+3+1=12 - Hit! 220-214=6 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]
<Fanged Stalactite 4> HP: 43/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - [Freeze and Paralyze]

With one monster dead and two of the others immobile, Shield was left in the place that having an effective DPS sometimes left a tank - with very little to do. The remaining active stalactite bent in the middle and leaped into the air, sinking into the ceiling once again. It let out a screeching howl that filled the cave and turned its thick, whipping tentacles on Shield.

Shield, meanwhile, was less than impressed. He tossed an extra bundle of energy to his partner as the monster pelted him with sharp, snapping whip attacks. The welts disappeared before they were even fully distinguishable in the aftermath of the original attacks.

"The power scaling is remarkable," he said, shaking his head as he utterly ignored the monsters. "Between this and the dungeon monsters we fought before, there isn't even a real comparison. Before, I was struggling to keep my health above half. Right now, we're barely trying, and they can barely move to hit me."

Edited February 9, 2018 by Shield

[Beat 0]

Spoiler

Passive [+1 EP] 

Action: Weeping Moon | - 15 EP

[H:6] Shield - HP: 1364/1370 | EP: 80/128 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 214 | BH: 68 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 7
[H:0] Beat - HP: 918/930 |  EP: 71/90 | Dmg: 21 |  Acc: 6 | Eva: 0 | Mit: 18 | LD: 7 | +3 Prosperity

<Fanged Stalactite 1> HP: 34/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 95561: BD: 8 + 6 = 14 = Hit [DMG=21 x 9= 189]
<Fanged Stalactite 2> HP: 0/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3
<Fanged Stalactite 3> HP: 43/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 95563: BD 2 + 6 = 8 =  HIt [DMG=21 x 9= 189]
<Fanged Stalactite 4> HP: 43/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 95565: BD: 9 + 6 = 15= Crit+1 [DMG=22 x 9= 198] I know I hit roll before putting my name in. SOrry about that. :(

Loot: 

ID#95561: CD: 6 + 7 = 13 LD: 7 = 1 Rare T3 Weapon, 1 T1 Mat and 3840 col

ID#95563: CD: 6 + 17 = 23 LD: 6 = 6 T3 Mats and and 3840 col

ID#95565: CD: 6 + 17 = 23 LD: 5 = 6 T3 Mats and and 3840 col

 

Total Loot: 

19 T3 Mats

15,360 col

1x Rare T3 Weapon
 

"No kidding. The funny thing is that the loot these peons drop is the same as the loot dungeon monsters drop. Except for col of course." Beat remarked, casually wading through the battlefield, deciding on the timing for his next and final strike. Each of the creatures' movements had become erratic ever since their health bars had dropped into the red. 

Some sort of self-preservation "instinct" I suppose...

A few moments later, the fanged creatures had rallied enough to brave a final assault on the the party's tank. They each dropped in unison and Beat timed his counterattack perfectly, catching them all in midair as his sword art arced outwards, cleaving them each in half. They screamed in agony for a few moments before detonating into showers of sparks. 

"Hah! More mats!" Beat said mockingly, knowing how annoyed the older player had become of receiving crafting materials he did not need. 

Edited February 9, 2018 by Beat

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+68 HP] Recovery [+6 EN]

Action: Howl [-10 EN]

[H:4] Shield - HP: 1352/1370 | EP: 80/128 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 214 | BH: 68 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 7
[H:0] Beat - HP: 918/930 |  EP: 71/90 | Dmg: 21 |  Acc: 6 | Eva: 0 | Mit: 18 | LD: 7 | +3 Prosperity

<Dire Rock Lobster 1> HP: 553/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 95601 results: Craft: 7 [Recovery Proc] MOB: 6 [+3+1=10 - Hit! 220-214=6 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]
<Dire Rock Lobster 2> HP: 553/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 95602 results: MOB: 4 [+3+1=8 - Hit!220-214=6 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]
<Dire Rock Lobster 3> HP: 553/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 95603 results: MOB: 3 [+3+1=7 - Hit! 220-214=6 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]
<Dire Rock Lobster 4> HP: 640/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 95604 results: MOB: 1 [Miss]

As the last of the stony spikes shattered, there came a rumbling from under their feet. Shield looked at the ground, already taking a deep breath in preparation for what was to come out of the ground below them.

This game does have a bad habit of stringing one fight after another. I suppose that saves us having to look for trouble. I wonder what monstrosities it will send at us next.

As he spoke, eight vice-like claws rent the solid stone ground around them and tossed the fragments into the air. Skittering their way up onto level ground came four heavily armored creatures, complete with fanned tails and segmented bodies. At the tip of their head, blank, beady eyes stared at the players, as long antenna-like protrusions seemed to taste the air in front of where their mouths must have been. Above their heads, monster name tags appeared reading 'Dire Rock Lobsters.'

Although Shield was prepared with a lung full of air, the names caught him off guard and his voice hesitated. All he could manage to howl was, "WHAT!?"

That was all the lobsters needed. They scurried with blinding speed, surrounding the tank and clamping onto his legs with their over-sized, thorny claws. Most of them took damage from their offensive, except for one, who apparently was too distracted and spent the first few moments of the fight staring into space and sucking its own claw.

Edited February 10, 2018 by Shield

[Beat 0]

Spoiler

Passive [+1 EN] 

Action: Weeping Moon + Charge | -15 EP

[H:4] Shield - HP: 1352/1370 | EP: 80/128 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 214 | BH: 68 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 7
[H:0] Beat - HP: 918/930 |  EP: 57/90 | Dmg: 21 |  Acc: 6 | Eva: 0 | Mit: 18 | LD: 7 | +3 Prosperity

<Dire Rock Lobster 1> HP: 310/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 95626: BD: 10 + 6 = Crit + 2 [DMG: 27 x 9 = 243 + Paralyze and Freeze]
<Dire Rock Lobster 2> HP: 319/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 95627: BD: 9 + 6 = Crit + 1 [DMG: 27 x 9 = 234 + Paralyze and Freeze]
<Dire Rock Lobster 3> HP: 328/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 95628: BD: 6 + 6 = Hit [DMG: 27 x 9 = 225]
<Dire Rock Lobster 4> HP: 415/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 95629: BD: 7 + 6 = Hit [DMG: 27 x 9 = 225]

Beat's cheeks puffed out for a moment as he tried to contain the out burst of laughter that finally forced its way out and through the cave, "No way! I love this game!...well, I hate the execution...but THIS is amazing!" he said clutching his stomach, finding the one just standing idle, sucking its claw especially comical. After a few moments, Beat picked up the spear he had dropped from his laughing fit and rushed towards them, still laughing as he charged up his sword art. 

"This is super not fair! How am I supposed to fight these things?!" He yelled and he spun, releasing the familiar lunar themed sword art which expanded and cut into each creature, evoking gurgled yells from each of them as they crashed to the ground, two of them frozen and paralyzed on the spot. 

"Oh my god, my stomach..." Beat said, weeping tears and trying to contain his laughter. Clearly he had needed this more than he could have realized as he knew full well that these creatures, while entertaining, were not this amusing. 

 

Edited February 10, 2018 by Beat

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+68 HP] Recovery [+6 EN]

Action: Energize > Beat [Shield: -10 EP, Beat: +8 EP]

[H:4] Shield - HP: 1358/1370 | EP: 77/128 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 214 | BH: 68 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 7
[H:2/2/1/1] Beat - HP: 918/930 |  EP: 65/90 | Dmg: 21 |  Acc: 6 | Eva: 0 | Mit: 18 | LD: 7 | +3 Prosperity

<Dire Rock Lobster 1> HP: 310/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - [Paralyze and Freeze]
<Dire Rock Lobster 2> HP: 319/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - [Paralyze and Freeze]
<Dire Rock Lobster 3> HP: 241/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 95664 results: Craft: 10 [Recovery Proc] MOB: 5  [+3+1=9 - Hit! 220-214=6 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]
<Dire Rock Lobster 4> HP: 328/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 95665 results: MOB: 3  [+3+1=7 - Hit! 220-214=6 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]

Half of the gathered, googly-eyed crustaceans were already frozen. Shield thought about making a joke about thawing them before dinner, but with Beat already partially incapacitated from laughter, he thought that could wait until later to share with him. For now, he whipped his sword arm across his body, sending Beat more energy now that the focus of the enemies was decidedly on him.

The two unfrozen rock lobsters began chittering to themselves. They zoomed along the ground, making laps around Shield and attempting to take chunks out of his leg with occasional swipes from their claws. Each time they connected, another piece of their health bar disappeared, and they critters chittered more angrily. After a few more loops around their target, one of them actually managed to drop itself below half health. Its health bar turned a bright yellow as it did so.

"It's a shame that all dungeons can't be like this," Shield said aloud. "They would practically defeat themselves."

Edited February 11, 2018 by Shield

[Beat 0]

Spoiler

Passive [+1 EN] 

Action: Weeping Moon |  -15 EP

[H:4] Shield - HP: 1358/1370 | EP: 80/128 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 214 | BH: 68 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 7
[H:2/2/1/1] Beat - HP: 918/930 |  EP: 51/90 | Dmg: 21 |  Acc: 6 | Eva: 0 | Mit: 18 | LD: 7 | +3 Prosperity

<Dire Rock Lobster 1> HP: 121/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 95680: BD: 1 + 6 = 7 = Hit [DMG: 21 x 9 =189]
<Dire Rock Lobster 2> HP: 130/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 95681: BD: 1 + 6 = 7 = Hit [DMG: 21 x 9 =189]
<Dire Rock Lobster 3> HP: 52/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 95682: BD: 4 + 6 = 10 = Hit [DMG: 21 x 9 =189]
<Dire Rock Lobster 4> HP: 139/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 95683: BD: 1 + 6 = 7 = Hit [DMG: 21 x 9 =189]

"Well, I mean...look at them!" Beat said, giggling as he spoke, finally getting some control over his now very triggered laughter response, "If these things could actually fight, they would be nearly as funny. Or maybe it would...hmm." Beat finished, frowning as he considered the idea of the creatures that were scuttling around them being a real threat somehow more amusing and he covered his mouth, stifling another laughing fit.

"Okay, these have to go. I really can't stop laughing." He said, laughing all the while as he charged another Weeping Moon art. He leaped into the middle of them and released the technique, a yellow ring encircling him and spinning as the lobsters ran into it, cutting themselves badly in the process and dropping them all into the red. They each fell onto their backs, wriggling and gurgling as he dealt with the effects of the damage they had taken.

"Almost done."

 

 

Edited February 11, 2018 by Beat

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+68 HP] Recovery [+6 EN]

Action: Energize > Beat [Shield: -10 EP, Beat: +8 EP]

[H:4] Shield - HP: 1356/1370 | EP: 66/128 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 214 | BH: 68 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 7
[H:3/3/2/2] Beat - HP: 918/930 |  EP: 59/90 | Dmg: 21 |  Acc: 6 | Eva: 0 | Mit: 18 | LD: 7 | +3 Prosperity

<Dire Rock Lobster 1> HP: 34/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 95684 results: Craft: 8 [Recovery Proc] MOB: 7 [+3+1=11 - Hit! 220-214=6 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]
<Dire Rock Lobster 2> HP: 130/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 95685 results: MOB: 10 [+3+1=14 - Hit! 220+2-214=8 dmg]
<Dire Rock Lobster 3> HP: 0/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 95686 results: MOB: 6 [+3+1=10 - Hit! 220-214=6 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]
<Dire Rock Lobster 4> HP: 139/640 | DMG: 220 | ACC: 3 - ID# 95687 results: MOB: 1 [Miss]

ID# 95688

LD:5+6=11

CD:12

3,840 Col, 2 T3 Materials, 1 T3 Rare Armor

At this point, the lobsters were too busy panicking to properly fight back. Their patterns had become erratic and rushed so that they occasionally clunked heads and flipped over onto their backs, waving their many legs helplessly in the air until the could manage to flip back over and continue scuttling.

"It's not like they don't damage me," he said, tossing another ball of energy to Beat, aiming for his off-hand this time. "If a player had less defensive capabilities, they could actually be a serious threat. My guess is that they were put in to be either a joke villain for higher level players or else as a means of disarming intermediate players and surprising them with their damage output."

Even as he mentioned their damage, one of them came up behind him and tried to snip his achilles tendon, but even as it did so, the last of its health melted away like butter, and it burst into blue shards of pale light. Two of them had managed to land hits as well, but one had somehow snuck past his thorns, and the other was still not quite dead. The fourth, however was still stuck on its back, now waving its claws as it utterly failed to right itself.

Edited February 11, 2018 by Shield