[F22 - SP] <<Witch of the West>>

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

Floor 22
<<Witch of the West>>
Recommended Level: 25 | Party Limit: 4
Repeatable: Yes, Only for Item
Credit: @Itzal

Rewards:

Each participant receives:

• 1 Additional SP
• (+1) CD Consumable

Objectives:

• Must defeat 4 Flying Monkeys
• Must defeat 1 Elite Flying Monkey per player
• Must defeat The Witch (unless every participant has already defeated The Witch previously)

Summary:
Deep past the Forest of Memories stands The Castle of the Witch. Rumors have spread around the town about a woman was seen walking around the floor's peaceful meadows and lake's edges, collecting ingredients for her sinister experiments. A few players that have had the misfortune of encountering the woman claim to have heard her spout threats of a terrible curse that she plans to unleash upon the otherwise peaceful floor of Aincrad. On more than one occasion, the main settlement of Coral has seen the shadow of winged beasts raiding their storerooms in the dead of night and stealing supplies and fleeing without a trace before any of the villagers could manage to catch them in the act. The two have said to be connected, and lately the villagers have started asking players if they might be able to find the witch in her castle and put a stop to whatever foul experiments she's running.

Trekking past the edge of the forest, you first see nothing out of the ordinary, but then you hear it. The sounds of wings flapping, and suddenly monkeys surround you. This quest is almost starting to sound like a childhood fairy tale you might have heard of. The monkeys stand in the way of the darkened brick of the castle that awaits you, the sinister glow of black fire flickering from torches affixed to the wall.

Those who have already felled the wicked witch once before will no longer find her brewing potions in the solitude of her castle, but after defeating the winged monkeys that still loyally defend it players will find that the vials they could have sworn were empty before have been mysteriously refilled.

Monster Stats:

 

• <<Flying Monkey>>
  • 150 HP
  • 70 DMG (35 minimum)
  • 20 MIT
     
• <<Elite Flying Monkey>>
  • 220 HP
  • 90 DMG (45 minimum)
  • 35 MIT

• <<The Witch>>
  • 700 HP 
  • 100 DMG (minimum 50)
  • 70 MIT
• Potion of Fireball:  On a natural MD 9 she throws a vial of swirling flames at the player's feet, engulfing them in fire. Deals 120 AoE damage, and applies burn to the target(s) dealing 24 burn damage per turn for 2 turns.
• Poisoned Dagger: On a natural MD 10 she lands a critical hit on the player that has dealt the most damage to her. That player is paralyzed for one turn and poisoned, taking 16 damage per turn for 3 turns.
• Unnatural Swiftness: At 200 HP and below, she drinks a potion to grant her +1 evasion for the rest of the fight.

Requirements:

• At least one [1] Page (20 or more posts)

The twenty-second floor had only been unlocked for a matter of days, but there were already new quests with promising benefits to be had. Some of his sources had directed him towards a quest involving a wicked witch that was designed to aid crafters. At first, Shield dismissed these as old news. After all, the witch's cauldron from the last set of wicked witch quests had since lost most of its potency and become little more than decoration in his kitchen. However, after about the third recommendation, he read the messages with more care.

"A consumable?" he thought aloud, flipping back and forth from one page to another, making sure he had not missed anything. "It's been a while since any such bonuses existed for crafting success. There have been boosts to job experience, but this changes things. It's not even on the same floor as the last one. I need to get out from under my rock."

Shield hustled into the kitchen, rustling up a quick batch of food and picking out some items from his merchant stock before hoofing it over to Taft. 

Quote

Buying from Stock and consuming:

Immolation Potion +2

Crafting and Consuming:

+3 LD item [5 T1 mats]
+3 Prosperity item [5 T1 mats]

Edited March 7, 2018 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Action: Basic Attack on Monkey 4 - Battle: 10 - 2+2-20=1 dmg

[Shield] HP: 1330/1470 | EP: 138/138 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 169 | BH: 73 | THN: 99 | REC: 6 | LD: 7 | PRO: 3 | TNT

<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 51/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT - ID# 97702 results: Craft: 11 [Recovery Proc] MOB: 5 [+1=6 - Hit! 150-169=35 dmg, THN: 99 dmg]
<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 51/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT - ID# 97703 results: MOB: 7 [+1=8 - Hit! 150-169=35 dmg, THN: 99 dmg]
<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 150/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT - ID# 97704 results: MOB: 10  [+1=11 - Hit! 150+2-169=35 dmg]
<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 50/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT - ID# 97705 results: MOB: 5 [+1=6 - Hit! 150-169=35 dmg, THN: 99 dmg]

After downing his meal and a side of Immolation Potion, he arrived in the settlement, wasting no time in finding the teleportation plaza. "Floor Twenty Two!" he called out, and was whisked away to the current cap of Aincrad. He knew part of the way, having already taken a few short trips up to the current floor for quests and scouting, but never had he traveled so far from the entrance.

He found himself in a dark, unfamiliar forest. In the distance, be began to hear a familiar hooting and howling of animals. There was no mistaking the sound of flying monkeys. He had fought too many of them by now. As the winged creatures swooped down out of the darkness, he swiped with his sword. He knew the damage would be insignificant, but with nobody to support, howling and energizing were no longer necessary. With one hit each, Shield saw a dip in his health, but a much greater dip in three of theirs.

Edited March 7, 2018 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+73 HP]

Action: Basic Attack on Monkey 3 - Battle: 10 - 2+2-20=1 dmg

[Shield] HP: 1333/1470 | EP: 138/138 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 169 | BH: 73 | THN: 99 | REC: 6 | LD: 7 | PRO: 3 | TNT

<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 51/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT - ID# 97706 results: Craft: 12 [REC Proc] MOB: 10 [+1=11 - Hit! 150+2-169=35 dmg]
<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 51/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT - ID# 97707 results: MOB: 9 [+1=10 - Hit! 150+1-169=35 dmg]
<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 149/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT - ID# 97708 results: MOB: 4 [+1=5 - Miss]
<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 50/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT - ID# 97709 results: MOB: 1 [Miss]

"Looks like someone got a buff," he said, taunting the monsters as they gamboled about in the air. However, after having taken such heavy damage, they were no longer eager to get close. He took a swipe at the healthiest one, getting a nick in on its leg, but another snuck up behind Shield and clubbed him on the back of the head. The troop rolled in the air in loud fits of primal laughter.

Shield shook his head. "I can already tell this is going to be just as frustrating as before. I may have to find creative ways to goad them into attacking while I can see them."

This, as it turned out to be, was much harder than it originally sounded. As he would face one, it would immediately retreat, while behind him he could hear the swooping sounds of more monkeys trying to gain advantage. "Pests."

Edited March 7, 2018 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+73 HP]

Action: Basic Attack on Monkey 3 - Battle: 9 - 2+1-20=1 dmg

[Shield] HP: 1406/1470 | EP: 137/138 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 169 | BH: 73 | THN: 99 | REC: 6 | LD: 7 | PRO: 3 | TNT

<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 51/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT - ID# 97710 results: MOB: 4 [+1=5 - Miss]
<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 51/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT - ID# 97711 results: MOB: 1 [Miss]
<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 148/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT - ID# 97712 results: MOB: 4 [+1=5 - Miss]
<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 50/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT - ID# 97713 results: MOB: 2 [+1=3 - Miss]

Once again, the healthier of the troop swooped down, dancing in front of him. With the percentage of their health that his thorns dealt them, attacking was pointless, but the things were doing a great job of pissing him off, so there was no real reason to stop. At least not yet.

He swung, cutting off the tip of the thing's tail. The wound glowed red as the creature turned over in midair, rising out of Shield's range. Overhead, he could catch shadows of more monkeys looking for openings. He wheeled around, catching two of them in the act who quickly veered off course and rose back into the sky. A swishing sound of air caught his ear and he turned to the right. Again, another monkey darted to the side and diverted its attack.

"I can't let them keep critting me," he grumbled. "They do enough to actually harm me, but if I try to keep my eye on them, they don't attack."

Edited March 7, 2018 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+73 HP]

Action: Basic Attack on Monkey 3 - Battle: 3 - Miss [-2 EN]

[Shield] HP: 1374/1470 | EP: 138/138 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 169 | BH: 73 | THN: 99 | REC: 6 | LD: 7 | PRO: 3 | TNT

<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 0/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT - ID# 97714 results: Craft: 12 [REC Proc] MOB: 8 [+1=9 - Hit! 150-169=35 dmg, THN: 99 dmg]
<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 51/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT - ID# 97715 results: MOB: 9 [+1=10 - Hit! 150+1-169=35 dmg]
<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 148/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT - ID# 97716 results: MOB: 3 [+1=4 - Miss]
<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 50/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT - ID# 97717 results: MOB: 9 [+1=10 - Hit! 150+1-169=35 dmg]

"I'm just going to have to keep at it," he thought aloud. As he did so, the monkeys whose health was nearly at full stopped in front of him, taunting him by smacking its backside and howling loudly. If he took the bait, another would likely use the opening to attack. He feinted, swiping just over the monkey's head while keeping his eyes darting to either side.

Close by, he saw what he was looking for. Another monkey was lining up for an attack. As it closed in, he watched it out of the corner of his eye, waiting until the last moment to turn to face it. It was too late to pull out of its dive, and it came crashing into Shield's chest, losing the remainder of its health in one swoop. Two more landed hits on him, both without suffering real harm, but Shield had reduced the number of targets.

 

Edited March 7, 2018 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+73 HP]

Action: Basic Attack on Monkey 3 - Battle: 3 - Miss [-2 EN]

[Shield] HP: 1377/1470 | EP: 136/138 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 169 | BH: 73 | THN: 99 | REC: 6 | LD: 7 | PRO: 3 | TNT

<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 0/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT
<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 51/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT - ID# 97718 results: MOB: 9 [+1=10 - Hit! 150+1-169=35 dmg]
<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 49/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT - ID# 97719 results: MOB: 3 [+1=10 - Hit! 150-169=35 dmg, THN: 99 dmg]
<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 50/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT - ID# 97720 results: MOB: 2 [+1 - Miss]

"Your job just got a lot harder," Shield growled, now able to watch one monkey clearly while still tracking the general positions of at least one of the others. "Sow me what you've got!" he challenged, swiping just short of the nearest. It retreated, looping around and doubling back for another attack run. Shield held his focus, compensating for the subtle maneuvers the creature attempted to bypass his defense.

A large portion of the creature's health evaporated off of its bar, and suddenly, there were no healthy monkeys left. "You're going to have to to better than-" another flying foe swooped down and crashed into the top of Shield's head. It surprised him, but it did no more damage than any of the other strikes. It did, however, cause the last of the monkeys to laugh so hard that it flew into a nearby tree. "Laugh it up, fur ball."

Edited March 7, 2018 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+73 HP]

Action: Basic Attack on Monkey 4 - Battle: 4 - Miss [-2 EN]

[Shield] HP: 1380/1470 | EP: 138/138 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 169 | BH: 73 | THN: 99 | REC: 6 | LD: 7 | PRO: 3 | TNT

<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 0/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT
<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 0/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT - ID# 97721 results: Craft: 9 [REC Proc] MOB: 6 [+1=7 - Hit! 150-169=35 dmg, THN: 99 dmg] 
<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 0/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT - ID# 97724 results: MOB: 8 [+1=7 - Hit! 150-169=35 dmg, THN: 99 dmg]
<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 50/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT - ID# 97724 results: MOB: 9 [+1=10 - Hit! 150+1-169=35 dmg]

While the laughing monkey was still recovering, Shield was readying himself for the other two. They took off in opposite directions, careening up into the dark air of the forest and coming at him from opposite sides. He kept his eyes moving, darting back and forth between one and the other. Finally, as they were nearing his range, he thrust out his shield with one hand and swiped with his sword in the other.

Both strikes missed, but only because the monkeys had needed to redirect mid-flight. As they did so, they each crashed into his shoulder, and with howls of dismay, they shattered into shards of pale blue light and were gone. Out of rage, the once laughing monkey darted forward on all fours, striking Shield in the small of the back and darting away again. It had taken another chunk of health, but with only one remaining attacker, his battle healing could take over.

"Game over," he teased.

Edited March 7, 2018 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+73 HP]

Action: Basic Attack on Monkey 4 - Battle: 9 - Hit! 2+1-20=1 [-1 EN]

[Shield] HP: 1453/1470 | EP: 137/138 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 169 | BH: 73 | THN: 99 | REC: 6 | LD: 7 | PRO: 3 | TNT

<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 0/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT
<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 0/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT 
<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 0/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT
<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 49/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT - ID# 97726 results: MOB: 3 [+1=4 - Miss]

The previously mirthful monkey had fallen into brooding anger, sweeping circles around the outside of Shield's range, looking for an opening. Shield allowed him none, turning his body perpetually to follow its flight. It feinted and dodged, trying to find a line of attack, but as it did so, he changed positions and the monkey would flee once again.

"Probably a good idea," he hummed to himself. "Too risky to attack, but unable to flee entirely. Not much else to do but keep testing the waters. Maybe I need to let him in."

Shield let down his arms, keeping his eyes still focused on the last of the monkeys. It bared its teeth, flapping towards him, but halting mid flight and moving back, flailing its limbs angrily through the air. Shield took the initiative, charging in at the thing. He just barely caught its hand, but before he could even watch for the damage, his own health dropped again as a bony foot kicked at his jaw.

Edited March 7, 2018 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+73 HP]

Action: Basic Attack on Monkey 4 - Battle: 6 - Hit! 2-20=1 dmg [-1 EN]

[Shield] HP: 1435/1470 | EP: 137/138 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 169 | BH: 73 | THN: 99 | REC: 6 | LD: 7 | PRO: 3 | TNT

<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 0/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT
<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 0/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT 
<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 0/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT
<<Flying Monkey>> HP: 0/150 | DMG: 70 [35 min] | 20 MIT - ID# 97727 results: MOB: 6 [+1=7 - Hit! 150-169=35 dmg, THN: 99 dmg]

Shield immediately countered, slashing with his sword through the beast's body. It connected, but even with a direct hit, his damage was minuscule. The monkey screamed with rage, bringing both claws down through the air across Shield's face, but before it connected, he shifted his weight, throwing his spined shoulder forward. The monkey's bare hands raked across his thorned puoldrons, and with yet another screech, it too vanished into shards of light.

"Well, that was irritating," Shield said, cleaning out his digital ears in an unsuccessful attempt to end the ringing that the monkeys had left in them. "I really hope I don't have to deal with more of those blasted things."

He shrugged, getting his bearings once again and pressing on. In the distance, though there was not a lot of fog, it was still difficult to pick out shapes through the trees. He almost thought he had seen a tower but could not yet be sure.

Edited March 7, 2018 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+73 HP] Parry [Cooldown: 0/1] Justified Riposte [Cooldown: 0/3]

Action: Parry [Vengeful Riposte] [-5 EN]

[Shield] HP: 1470/1470 | EP: 133/138 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 169 | BH: 73 | THN: 99 | REC: 6 | LD: 7 | PRO: 3 | TNT

<Elite Flying Monkey> HP: 220/220 | DMG: 90 [45 min] | MIT: 35 - ID# 97756 results: MOB: 1 [Miss]

The further he walked, the more sure he was that the thing he was looking at was a tower. There was a spire at the top, and even what looked to be a lit window part way up. As he was trying to make certain of what he was seeing, he stepped out into a clearing, coming face to face with a much larger creature than those he had already faced. It was clearly primate, and it too had wings, but these were much more expansive to compensate for the increased body mass. Its arms were long and lanky, and two long, dull tusk-like teeth extended up out of its mouth nearly up to its nostrils.

Before Shield had time to wind up for an attack, it was already on top of him. He countered the incoming fist, slashing up the length of its arm, but neither the punch nor the blade connected. The primate tumbled, coming up on all fours.

Edited March 7, 2018 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+73 HP] Parry [Cooldown: 1/1] Justified Riposte [Cooldown: 1/3]

Action: Attack Elite Flying Monkey - Battle: 10 - Hit! 2-35=1 dmg [-1 EN]

[Shield] HP: 1425/1470 | EP: 138/138 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 169 | BH: 73 | THN: 99 | REC: 6 | LD: 7 | PRO: 3 | TNT

<Elite Flying Monkey> HP: 219/220 | DMG: 90 [45 min] | MIT: 35 - ID# 97758 results: Craft: 8 [REC Proc] MOB: 10 [+1=11 - Hit! 90+2-169=45 dmg]

Shield wound up for a proper strike, bringing his sword down through the top of its head. The attack connected, but stopped just above the monkey's forehead. Its eyes glared down at him, and with an overly long arm, it wound up once again and punched Shield straight in the face. If not for the Stonewall mod, he would have been thrown backwards. Even with the added stability, he could still feel the blow send shock waves through him.

He dove to the side and rolled, coming up on his feet much as the monkey had done a moment ago, only this time it was Shield who needed the distance. Each of them had made their best attacks, and Shield did not come out on top. He was going to have to find ways to make the monkey's attacks more susceptible to his defenses.

You're on standby, Lilith. Stay sharp.

Edited March 7, 2018 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+73 HP] Parry [Cooldown: Done!] Justified Riposte [Cooldown: 2/3]

Action: Attack Elite Flying Monkey - Battle: 1 - Miss [-2 EN]

[Shield] HP: 1470/1470 | EP: 136/138 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 169 | BH: 73 | THN: 99 | REC: 6 | LD: 7 | PRO: 3 | TNT

<Elite Flying Monkey> HP: 219/220 | DMG: 90 [45 min] | MIT: 35 - ID# 97763 results: MOB: 1 [Miss]

With a snort, the monkey swept its wings through the air and vaulted into the canopy. Its large wingspan could barely clear the nearby branches, but that did not stop it from navigating between them. It moved as freely as a monkey might do while swinging by its arms. Perhaps that has been some of the inspiration for its design. Either way, it dodged in and out between obstacles with seemingly no resistance even from the air.

Turning a sharp corner around a nearby trunk, it swooped down at Shield. Unsure of how to read the attack, Shield abandoned his own attempt to strike to avoid it, diving once again out of the way as a colossal fist slammed into the ground where he had just stood. He could feel the impact through the ground. Even if it was only one enemy, it was still no joke. Had he lesser defenses, he would be in a great deal of danger.

Edited March 7, 2018 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+73 HP] Parry [Cooldown: Done!] Justified Riposte [Cooldown: 3/3]

Action: Attack Elite Flying Monkey - Battle: 1 - [Miss] [-2 EN]

[Shield] HP: 1470/1470 | EP: 135/138 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 169 | BH: 73 | THN: 99 | REC: 6 | LD: 7 | PRO: 3 | TNT

<Elite Flying Monkey> HP: 219/220 | DMG: 90 [45 min] | MIT: 35 - ID# 97766 results: MOB: 3 [+1=4 - Miss]

Still, even if he were not in danger, he still did not like the setting for the fight. He could not gain any decent advantage if such a skillful foe had access to the sky. Once again, it dove down at him, and once again, he sprang out of the way. He closed as much distance between himself and the trees as possible. However, he could not do so as quickly as his airborne foe.

The monkey swooped down in front of him, cutting him off. He swiped with his sword, but the enemy was already practically behind him before he had finished the attack. He tried to jump towards the woods again, but again, he was cut off. He was not eager to let something wail on him when alone on such a high floor, but he was running out of options for how to lose his nimble attacker.

Edited March 7, 2018 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+73 HP] Parry [Cooldown: Done!] Justified Riposte [Cooldown: 0/3]

Action: Parry [Vengeful Riposte] [-5 EN]

[Shield] HP: 1470/1470 | EP: 131/138 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 169 | BH: 73 | THN: 99 | REC: 6 | LD: 7 | PRO: 3 | TNT

<Elite Flying Monkey> HP: 219/220 | DMG: 90 [45 min] | MIT: 35 - ID# 97771 results: MOB: 4 [+1=5 - Miss]

The wind rushed over him as the monkey's powerful wings pushed it skyward again. It rolled over, sweeping to the left as it curved down towards Shield's flank. He put up his sword to parry, but he was not yet properly planted to take the attack. The impact forced him further off-balance, and he stumbled. Still, he realized as he stumbled that he was heading straight for the nearest portion of the woods. He let himself go down, rolling and coming up onto his feet running.

He could hear the monkey just behind him, each beat of its wings registering as a pressure in his ears as it compressed all of the air below it just slightly. The trees drew closer, but he could tell that so was the monkey.

It's okay. Even if it hits me, I've managed to recover back to full. He can't take me down too far. Stay calm. You're by yourself, but you're not at a disadvantage, at least not one that can't be overcome.

Edited March 7, 2018 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+73 HP] Parry [Cooldown: Done!] Justified Riposte [Cooldown: 1/3]

Action: Attack Elite Flying Monkey - Battle: 8 - Hit! 2-35=1 dmg [-1 EN]

[Shield] HP: 1425/1470 | EP: 131/138 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 169 | BH: 73 | THN: 99 | REC: 6 | LD: 7 | PRO: 3 | TNT

<Elite Flying Monkey> HP: 119/220 | DMG: 90 [45 min] | MIT: 35 - ID# 97772 results: MOB: 5 [+1=6 - Hit! 90-169=45 dmg, THN: 99 dmg]

As he made the tree line, he heard the pursuing wings grow distant. The possible angles of attack dropped significantly, and despite being more restricted, he needed far less space than the monkey did to fight at his best. The sounds of wings gave way to a thud and the heavy fall of feet on hard earth. The monkey had been forced out of the sky.

Shield turned to face it now, watching as the hunched creature lumbered toward him. He struck it as soon as it was in range, leaving an  actual gash along it, though not a deep one. Still, it reacted, jumping back and swinging up onto a tree limb. It swung around the trunk and delivered a kick to Shield's back, but he could see the direction it was headed and was ready. He threw his shoulder into the oncoming attack and as a result, the monkey's health finally took a decent downward turn.

Edited March 7, 2018 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+73 HP] Parry [Cooldown: Done!] Justified Riposte [Cooldown: 2/3]

Action: Attack Elite Flying Monkey -  Battle: 8 - Hit! 2-35=1 dmg [-1 EN]

[Shield] HP: 1425/1470 | EP: 137/138 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 169 | BH: 73 | THN: 99 | REC: 6 | LD: 7 | PRO: 3 | TNT

<Elite Flying Monkey> HP: 118/220 | DMG: 90 [45 min] | MIT: 35 - ID# 97805 results: Craft: 10 [REC Proc] MOB: 10 [+1=11 - Hit! 90+2-169=45 dmg]

The monkey did not stay still for long, gripping the nearest tree limb and swinging up and out of reach. Still, even with its primate advantage, Shield could track it through the canopy. He kept moving, making sure that the primate couldn't get too far ahead of him which further limited its potential angles of attack. On occasion, it would drop down and take a swipe at him, but aside from Shield clipping one of its fingers with his sword, this produced very little result.

That is, it didn't until Shield's foot found a stray root. He tumbled and within seconds, the monkey had plopped itself down on his chest. With both of its gnarled hands, it raked at his face. It wouldn't be accurate to call it painful, but there was no way to have something drag over one's eye without it being unpleasant, even without physical pain. He kipped his hips up, locking his ankles around the monkey's neck from behind and throwing it back. He stood back to his feet just as the monkey's tail vanished up into the foliage of the nearest leafy tree.

Edited March 7, 2018 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+73 HP] Parry [Cooldown: Done!] Justified Riposte [Cooldown: 3/3]

Action: Attack Elite Flying Monkey -  Battle: 7 - Hit! 2-35=1 dmg [-1 EN]

[Shield] HP: 1470/1470 | EP: 138/138 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 169 | BH: 73 | THN: 99 | REC: 6 | LD: 7 | PRO: 3 | TNT

<Elite Flying Monkey> HP: 117/220 | DMG: 90 [45 min] | MIT: 35 - ID# 97806 results: Craft: 8 [REC Proc] MOB: 2 [+1=3 - Miss]

Shield's health had already rebounded to full by the time he had gotten his bearings. It once again cemented for him that even in the worst case scenario, this foe could not defeat him. In the end, he could fall asleep and as long as stronger foes did not come along, he would be fine. Still, he had a feeling he needed to get through this fight the old fashioned way in order to advance.

The foliage of the tree where the monkey had hidden rustled, and he saw the large form of the creature dart out into the nearby tree's branches. He readied his sword, watching as the monkey closed its distance to him. He could see some hesitation in the creature though. As he met eyes with it, it froze, unwilling to press its attack. Shield took the opportunity to press back instead, rushing forward and plunging his sword into the monkey's abdomen. It jumped back and galloped on all fours back to the base of the nearest tree.

Edited March 7, 2018 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+73 HP] Parry [Cooldown: 0/1] Justified Riposte [Cooldown: 0/3]

Action: Parry [Vengeful Riposte] [-5 EN]

[Shield] HP: 1425/1470 | EP: 133/138 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 169 | BH: 73 | THN: 99 | REC: 6 | LD: 7 | PRO: 3 | TNT

<Elite Flying Monkey> HP: 8/220 | DMG: 90 [45 min] | MIT: 35 -

ID# 97807 results: Craft: 8 [REC Proc] MOB: 8 [+1=9 - Hit! Parry - 90/2-169=45 dmg, THN: 99 dmg, Riposte: 90/2-35=10 dmg]

The monkey seemed to be running out of ideas. As it rounded the tree, it merely came charging right back at Shield, head lowered to bull rush him. He stepped to the side, taking the first proper counterattack of the fight. As the monkey charged through, Shield used its own momentum against it, dragging his sword through the large, heavy body.

It let out a roar and leaped to the side, landing on its stomach as its health continued to plummet. Finally, just a few points above zero, it halted. Shield frowned. He had hoped that might finish it off, but if it had come so close after only two decent hits, it would not be able to survive a third.

"Lilith, I think you can afford to take a break for a bit," he said, though he got the distinct impression that his little snake familiar was fast asleep and not paying the least amount of attention to the fight.

Edited March 7, 2018 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+73 HP] Parry [Cooldown: 1/1] Justified Riposte [Cooldown: 1/3]

Action: Attack Elite Flying Monkey - Battle: 8 - Hit! 2-35=1 dmg [-1 EN]

[Shield] HP: 1470/1470 | EP: 133/138 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 169 | BH: 73 | THN: 99 | REC: 6 | LD: 7 | PRO: 3 | TNT

<Elite Flying Monkey> HP: 7/220 | DMG: 90 [45 min] | MIT: 35 - ID# 97808 results: MOB: 2 [+1=3 - Miss]

As Shield faced down the nearly dead flying monkey, it hesitated, unsure of how to handle this foe who had continued to best it, even when it had the tactical advantage and was even fully in control of the fight for a moment. Its foot slid back, and Shield wondered for a moment if it was going to run.

Well, if you won't come to fight, then the fight will come to you.

He rushed forward, slashing back and forth with his sword. The monkey did its beast to dodge back out of the way, even swinging a couple of times at Shield, but aside from a moment when Shield clipped its arm, the exchange amounted to very little, Shield remaining completely untouched throughout.

"What's the matter?" he taunted, brandishing his sword. "Did your mistress pick the wrong monkey when she hired you? I can't even deal real damage on my best attack. You should be stomping me."

Edited March 7, 2018 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive [+1 EN] Battle Healing [+73 HP] Parry [Cooldown: Ready] Justified Riposte [Cooldown: 2/3]

Action: Attack Elite Flying Monkey - Battle: 10 - Hit! 2+2-35=1 dmg [-1 EN]

[Shield] HP: 1470/1470 | EP: 138/138 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 169 | BH: 73 | THN: 99 | REC: 6 | LD: 7 | PRO: 3 | TNT

<Elite Flying Monkey> HP: 6/220 | DMG: 90 [45 min] | MIT: 35 - ID# 97809 results: Craft: 9 [REC Proc] MOB: 1 [Miss]

This insinuation did not sit well with the monkey. It bristled, standing up to its full height, but still seemingly unwilling to commit to the attack. Shield took it upon himself again, rushing towards the torn and confused primate. He swung his sword, cutting through the creature's arm. The damage was practically nonexistent, but still, there was so little holding it together at this point that it was enough to sever the limb entirely. Red pixels trailed out of the wound as the rest of the arm vanished in a constellation of glowing light shards.

It went to retreat, but its muscle memory tried to put weight onto a now nonexistent limb, and it buckled, sprawling forward onto the dirt. Shield almost felt bad for it, but there was no need for remorse when dealing with just a series of ones and zeroes. 

"There's not much left," he said aloud. "Let's just make this quick, alright?"

Edited March 7, 2018 by Shield