[F05-SP] <<The Traveler>> You can never go home

[Freyd 0]

Persi and Freyd had returned to the desert wastelands of floor five.  Emerging from the isolated outpost of Fortaleza, they followed the road towards El Perdito.  It was known as a good place to grind and Freyd had wanted to return to this floor while it could still offer meaningful loot.  It didn't take long before they spotted a lone nomad shambling unsteadily towards them.  Freyd had his sword in hand already, but maintained an unassuming posture, on the very rare chance that this wasn't someone hostile.  The figure swayed, then fell over.

Running cautiously to their side, it wasn't until they were mere feet away from each other that Freyd noticed she was covered from head to toe in cloth wrappings.  "A mummy?" he wondered.  That's when the quest icon appeared over the crumpled figured head.  Coincidentally, the winds also picked up blowing sand all around them.  It had been a bright, sunny day, not a moment earlier.

"Please!  I beg you!  My caravan carried precious cargo bound for Fortaleza.  We became mired in a sandstorm.  You must... *cough*... *hack*... you must... *wheeze*... recover it and finish the delivery before nightfall.  My children must have it if they... are... to... surviiighhh..."

Persi stuck her head over Freyd's shoulder, looking over the quest giver, then turning to him for direction.

"Why not," he shrugged.  "It's on my to-do list."

 

Spoiler

CD 1 = Lose 20hp.  Must roll every post.  All out-of combat healing is reduced to zero (quest condition). 

Spoiler

Name: Freyd
Level: 21
HP: 420/420
EN: 42/42

Stats:
Damage: 9
Mitigation: 14
Accuracy: 2
SAVVY:1
HLY:2
KEEN:1
BLD:12

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: Forgiven Disobedience (T1-2HSS, ACC 1, HOLY 1, BLD 1)
Armor: Enduring Guile (T1-LA, MIT 1, SAV 1)
Misc: Justicar's Vambraces (T1-Trinket, ACC 1, KEEN 1)

Skills:
2H Straight Sword [Rank 5]
Light Armor [Rank 1]

Extra Skills:
Disguise
Familiar Mastery: Fighter

Mods:

Battle Ready Inventory:
Starter Healing Potion (50 hp)*3
Teleport Crystals*2
Fish snack (+1 ACC)*1
Divinity's Wait (T1 Mit 3)*1
Liquor of Light (T1 DMG 3)*1

Housing Buffs:
Rested: -1 energy cost for the first two expenditures of each combat
Clean: The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 20% (rounded down)
Hard Working: +2 EXP per crafting attempt and +1 crafting attempt per day
Filling: Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot.
Item Stash: +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot
Relaxed: Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
Col Stash: +5% bonus col from monster kills and treasure chests
Advanced Training: +2 SP to a thread. Limit one use per month [1/1]
Multipurpose: Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll

 

Edited June 26, 2020 by Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

[Freyd 0]

The windspeeds doubled the moment Freyd accepted the quest, blowing scouring sand into their eyes and obstructing their vision further due to the amount of particulate suddenly thrown into the air.  Persi skittered onto Freyd's back for shelter and clung there, expecting to just wait things out.  

"Quests don't work like that," he yelled back to her, his voice partially drowned out by the winds.  "Time to live up to your name, Persistence!"

It was muffled, but Freyd could have sworn that he felt a low growl coming through his back.

They headed north, in the direction indicated by the quest description.  Scouring winds were eventually replaced by oppressive heat.  Freyd considered waiting until the sun set, but he wasn't sure enough of the terrain.  This level was riddled with deep canyons, hills and narrow passes.  The quest designers would likely have put obstacles ahead to make the time limit a real consideration.

Spoiler

CD 1 = Lose 20hp.  Must roll every post.  All out-of combat healing is reduced to zero (quest condition). 

Freyd | HP:420/420 | EN:42/42 | DMG:9 | MIT:14 | ACC:2 | SAVVY:1 | HLY:2 | KEEN:1 | BLD:12

 

Edited June 26, 2020 by Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

[Freyd 0]

By the third hour, Freyd had loosened the front of his cassock and forced Persi to walk on her own.  Despite looking like a shadowy wraith, her fur generated extra heat that he really couldn't stand at the moment.  And this was her native floor!  She should be faring much better than him through any environmental adversity.

Surveying the landscape before them, Freyd finally found the flaw he'd expected.  His surmise had been correct.  The lands before them were broken and littered with deep gorges and high ridges.  So how, exactly, was a caravan supposed to be using this as a road to Fortaleza.  He ground his teeth just thinking about it. 

Poor design!!!  

Not that it really mattered.  The caravan had never been meant to reach its destination.  It was nothing more than the hollow shell of a plot device.  He and Persi found themselves a good vantage point and surveyed the terrain, mapping out their route to make best time.  It had to be navigable in both directions.  Getting lost in the canyons while trying to climb back out had surely cost a few players their quest time limit.

Spoiler

CD 1 = Lose 20hp.  Must roll every post.  All out-of combat healing is reduced to zero (quest condition). 

Freyd | HP:420/420 | EN:42/42 | DMG:9 | MIT:14 | ACC:2 | SAVVY:1 | HLY:2 | KEEN:1 | BLD:12

 

Edited June 26, 2020 by Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

[Freyd 0]

Climbing down into the maze of chasms and canyons proved relatively easy.  Freyd and Persi had spent considerable time in this terrain when they first met.  She navigated it with ease, and he just did the best he could to mimic whatever she did.  It took them most of the morning to find their destination.  The caravan appeared to have consisted of a half-dozen camel-like creatures, weighed down by goods and riders.  There wasn't much left.  The animals were meant to look like they'd been thoroughly picked over.  It couldn't actually happen in SAO, of course, but it was a nice bit of detail after the designers' previous oversights. 

Of greater concern was how the bodies had been scattered.  Two looked like they had been dragged, and the all of them were far too desiccated.  It was much cooler on the canyon floors, where the surrounding walls provided shelter and shade.  Something had sucked their juices out.  It might also explain why the quest giver had bandaged herself so completely.

 

Spoiler

CD 1 = Lose 20hp.  Must roll every post.  All out-of combat healing is reduced to zero (quest condition). 

Freyd | HP:420/420 | EN:42/42 | DMG:9 | MIT:14 | ACC:2 | SAVVY:1 | HLY:2 | KEEN:1 | BLD:12

 

Edited June 27, 2020 by Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

[Freyd 0]

Freyd put the clues together with only the barest second to spare, summoning his sword to hand just in time to spear the gigantic spider in the abdomen as it sought to pounce on him from above.  There came a sickening squelching sound and shrill cry of pain from the would-be predator as its ambush was foiled.  It rolled to the side, drawings itself free of the blade and clearly worse for wear for the attempt.  The wound was significant, and both opponents knew it.

A handful of rocks that had broken free during the spider's dive clattered to the canyon floor around them, forcing to to be weary of additional threats from above.  Several struck the spider, but bounced off its hardened exoskeleton with negligible effect.  Freyd had to be more careful and moves to the opposite wall face.  His footing was more treacherous here, but it gave him some higher ground to offset the spider's natural advantage from its size.

 

Spoiler

CD 1 = Lose 20hp.  Must roll every post.  All out-of combat healing is reduced to zero (quest condition). 

Freyd | HP:420/420 | EN:30/42 (-12) | DMG:9 | MIT:14 | ACC:2 | SAVVY:1 | HLY:2 | KEEN:1 | BLD:12 -> rested, trig KEEN 1, trig SAV 1

Gargantuan Wolf Spider | HP: 93/210 (-117) | DMG: 63

 

Edited June 27, 2020 by Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

[Freyd 0]

Springing forward, the spider attempted to use the wall as a springboard to catch Freyd off guard.  It wasn't paying enough attention, and was itself surprised by a large boulder that it had loosened during its initial assault.  The rock crushed the left side of its body and pinned the arachnid under its massive weight.  Freyd seized on the opportunity and leapt upon it, thrusting his blade deep.  All eight legs clenched, then the beast went still, disappearing a moment later.

Freyd dusted himself off and checked that Persi was alright.  She popped up from behind one of the camel corpses, bouncing around as she often did whenever she'd discovered something interesting.  Sure enough, some of the cargo had survived and was revealed during the battle.  Freyd collected what was required and placed it in storage.  The shadows were growing long, suggesting that that sun was already getting low.  They needed to find shelter.

Spoiler

CD 1 = Lose 20hp.  Must roll every post.  All out-of combat healing is reduced to zero (quest condition). 

Freyd | HP:420/420 | EN:19/42 (-12 +1) | DMG:9 | MIT:14 | ACC:2 | SAVVY:1 | HLY:2 | KEEN:1 | BLD:12 -> rested, spent and re-trig KEEN 1, spent and re-trig SAV 1

Gargantuan Wolf Spider | HP: 0/210 (-117) | DMG: 63

Loot:

1,323 col ([3*hp] + [2*hp] for even LD + [1*hp] for LD roll) +5% for col stash

2x T1 materials (odd CD)

1x T1 Rare Trinket

 

Edited June 27, 2020 by Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

[Freyd 0]

Persi demonstrated her native awareness of the region once again, finding them a comfortably unoccupied cave in which to settle for the night.  Travelling in darkness would be tantamount to suicide.  A single false step could send you plummeting hundreds of feet to your death.  Not an option.  

The night passed uneventfully, but they had to get moving immediately at dawn.  The quest clock was still ticking.  Scanning the layout of the terrain in advance would help, but there seemed to be another sandstorm moving in.  

"Great."

Freyd pulled out the vanity cloak he still carried from his original starting gear and wrapped it around himself, pulling the hood as tight to his face as he could.  This was going to be a slog, no matter what clever tricks he might come up with.  Persi coiled tight to his back, inside the cloak.  They left the relative safety of their cave and worked their way upwards, hand by hand and step by step.

Spoiler

 

CD 1 = Lose 20hp.  Must roll every post.  All out-of combat healing is reduced to zero (quest condition). 

 

Edited June 27, 2020 by Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

[Freyd 0]

The abrasive sand was bad enough, but the rising sun added the blistering heat of a furnace to its persistent scouring.  Freyd was thankful for his good memory.  It took hours, but he managed to climb, crawl, slink and squeeze his way back out of the canyons to the level mesa where Fortaleza could be found.  The sandstorm only worsened, and the heat was overwhelming.  He had to lean forward heavily just to maintain his balance.  Occasional gusts caused him to reel back or tumble forward, struggling to maintain his footing.  

Thunder rumbled in the distance.  Freyd dismissed it as the result of lighting strikes caused by the high friction of the sands.  It was getting closer, and soon he felt the vibrations ringing through the ground beneath his feet.  Something was coming.  Summoning his sword, he was surprised to find it easy to handle despite the high winds.

"Rank has it's privileges, I suppose."  He set his guard, waiting and watching as best he could.

Spoiler

CD 1 = Lose 20hp.  Must roll every post.  All out-of combat healing is reduced to zero (quest condition). 

 

Edited June 27, 2020 by Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

[Freyd 0]

Static lightning followed the crest of a burrowing creature in the ground at his feet.  Freyd barely had time to react as a massive brown worm burst from the rocky ground and nearly swallowed him whole.  The thing was at least ten feet in diameter, and most of it was still concealed underground.  Quick thinking enabled him to land a blow, but it sent him rolling to the side and scrambling to regain his footing in the middle of the storm.  The worm flailed its immense body, using its own bulk and deadweight as a weapon, forcing Freyd to give ground.  In the winds, he couldn't be sure if there was a fissure or crevice right behind him. At least the worm was large enough to still be seen.

Figuring that the point where is emerged from the ground was a known quantity, he moved in closer.  As absurd as it seemed, he was strong enough now to deflect its attacks, though not without feeling the significant force behind them.  Moving onto the loose stone the worm had already burrowed through, he sought to lure it into attacking itself.

 

Spoiler

CD 1 = Lose 20hp.  Must roll every post.  All out-of combat healing is reduced to zero (quest condition). 

Freyd | HP: 369/420 (-51) | EN:30/42 (-12) | DMG:9 | MIT:14 | ACC:2 | SAVVY:1 | HLY:2 | KEEN:1 | BLD:12 -> rested, trig KEEN 1

Sand Worm | HP: 93/210 (-117) | DMG: 63

 

Edited June 27, 2020 by Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

[Freyd 0]

The mindless beast dove towards the point where it sensed his footfall, too stupid to realize that it was about to puncture its own hide.  Freyd rolled deftly to the side at the last minute, hearing the horrid scream of anguish behind him as the worm impaled the buried portions of its body with its beak-like, tooth-ringed maw.  A strong upward slash from his blade was all Freyd needed to finish the thing, causing it to explode in a shower of colourful motes.  Everything stood still for a moment, only to press down upon him doubly hard in the aftermath.  The gusting winds resumed and knocked him flat on his backside while the oppressive heat left him gasping for breath once more.  Cursing himself for getting distracted by the fight, Freyd hauled himself up and did his best to find his bearings - no small feat in these conditions.  Taking his best guess, he pushed forward.

Spoiler

CD 1 = Lose 20hp.  Must roll every post.  All out-of combat healing is reduced to zero (quest condition). 

  Freyd | HP: 369/420 | EN:20/42 (-12 +2) | DMG:9 | MIT:14 | ACC:2 | SAVVY:1 | HLY:2 | KEEN:1 | BLD:12 -> rested, trig REC 1, spent KEEN 1

Sand Worm | HP: 0/210 (-117) | DMG: 63

Loot:

1,543 col ([3*hp] + [2*hp] for even CD + [2*hp] for LD roll) +5% for col stash

2x T1 materials (odd LD)

1x T1 Rare Armor/Shield

 

Edited June 28, 2020 by Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

[Freyd 0]

The sun had become little more than a vague upward blur, indicating the suggested direction of the sky.  Freyd feared that they had been traveling in circles.  Unless a landform appeared within ten feet of them, it was impossible to detect.  Even worse, the battering storm was depositing fine silt like powdered snow all over everything.  His own footsteps vanished two steps after he had taken them, devoured by the ever-present wind.  And the screaming!  The constant howling rage of the skies was starting to drive him mad.  It never abated, varying only between wailing, keening and what he imagined as the well-synchronized cries of a thousand colicky babies who also needed changing. He needed to find something that could serve as a point of reference for navigation.  

I should have thought of that on our way out here!  

He always took it personally when he found himself poorly prepared for a situation.  It didn't matter if it wasn't predictable.  He should simply have known.

Spoiler

CD 1 = Lose 20hp.  Must roll every post.  All out-of combat healing is reduced to zero (quest condition). 

 

Edited June 28, 2020 by Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

[Freyd 0]

Climbing a nearby rise had helped.  Freyd could see no further than before, but he recognized this rock formation as the one where he and Persi had been ambushed by a giant scorpion during their first travels through this wasteland.  A quick search confirmed the position of a treasure nook Persi had discovered.  It was enough to determine the way to Fortaleza, which also wasn't far - a bit of good news at last.

He first became aware of it as he climbed back down from his perch.  Something else was out here with them, but out in the storm.  It was too difficult to see, but he felt it in his gut.  Persi must have also.  She immediately jumped from his back landing softly in the silty sand at his feet.  She trilled in warning about impending danger, but he barely heard it above the screeching of the winds.  Sword drawn, he prepared as best he could for whatever might be upon them.

Spoiler

CD 1 = Lose 20hp.  Must roll every post.  All out-of combat healing is reduced to zero (quest condition). 

 

Edited June 28, 2020 by Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

[Freyd 0]

From the flensing depths of the storm emerged two sinister eyes of pure fire and malice.  The heart of the storm had come - the sirocco.  It was a hybrid elemental made of wind, heat and scouring sand, like a living sandstorm.  No wonder this unnatural storm had persisted so long.  It must have been spawned when he accepted the quest and been hunting them since.  The thing had no obvious physical form, though its presence created a vaguely humanoid void of gigantic stature in the raging chaos before them.  Its eyes flared, momentarily, lighting the entire area ablaze.  Freyd watched as the sky and sand around him turned to fire.   'Hellish' was the only way he could describe it.  Persi hid beneath him, terrified by the presence of this monstrosity.

Gritting his teeth, his eyes narrowed to slivers, Freyd gripped the hilt of his sword so tightly that the heated metal burnt his hands.  It was time.  Channeling all the hidden rage and wrath within, he directed it into the blade which pulsed and glowed whiter and brighter with every beat of his heart.  Sirocco advanced towards him, unheard due to the torrential inferno roiling around them.  Freyd saw it pull back an invisible arm and took his opportunity to strike, driving his blinding holy blade straight into the thing's face.

Spoiler

CD 1 = Lose 20hp.  Must roll every post.  All out-of combat healing is reduced to zero (quest condition). 

Freyd | HP: 300/420 (-20 weather -49)| EN: 30/42 (-12) | DMG:9 | MIT:14 | ACC:2 | SAVVY:1 | HLY:2 | KEEN:1 | BLD:12 -> rested, trig KEEN 1

Sirocco| HP: 29/210 (-169 -12 bleed) | DMG: 63 > bleed 12 next turn

 

Edited June 28, 2020 by Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

[Freyd 0]

Forgiven Disobedience plunged into the storm's hollow, collapsing the hellish blaze and forcing it to condense, giving Sirocco form.  It roared in anger as the winds abated amidst the cries of angels from on high.  Pulpy white blood - that sweet holy ambrosia summoned by the blade's most potent powers - gushed from its fractured body as bits of it then shattered from the sheer power of the attack.  Flaming embers like shrapnel scattered across Freyd's face, arms and chest as the desert spirit smashed him with its ethereal fist, sending him flying back into the rock face he had only just descended.  He spun mid-air and landed against the rock-face in the perfect position, coiling like a spring then launching himself back at the demon before him.  His blade passed straight through the remnants of its shattered form, which disintegrated around him as the skid to a halt in the silty ground on the opposite side.  Sirocco wailed at the injustice of being denied its prize, then froze like a giant, broken, sandy statue.  The desert winds calmed, and the statue gently eroded away like dust in the wind.

They had done it.

Spoiler

CD 1 = Lose 20hp.  Must roll every post.  All out-of combat healing is reduced to zero (quest condition). 

Freyd | HP: 300/420  EN: 18/42 (-12) | DMG:9 | MIT:14 | ACC:2 | SAVVY:1 | HLY:2 | KEEN:1 | BLD:12 -> rested,  used Disguise (recharge in 3), use & re-trig KEEN 1, trig SAV 1

Sirocco| HP: 29/210 (-169 -12 bleed) | DMG: 63 

Loot:

661 col ([3*hp]) +5% for col stash

4x T1 materials (odd LD & CD)

1x T1 Perfect Armor/Shield

1x T1 Perfect Trinket

 

Edited June 28, 2020 by Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

[Freyd 0]

Sirocco was gone, but the oppressive desert heat remained.  Freyd lay flat on his back, banks of silt and sand accumulating on his left side while wisps of the same drift across his chest and off into the wind on his right.  The burning sun shone upon him from above, obscured by his right arm covering his face to prevent him from  going blind by stupidly staring at the great destroyer of retinas.  Persi was sunning herself on his chest.  He wasn't sure how that worked, given that she was basically living shadow.  

"Aren't you guys subterranean and nocturnal?" he asked, not actually expecting a response.

Fortaleza wasn't far, and the worst of the weather had cleared.  It was still overbearingly hot.  It was fortunate that his standard garb was already well-suited to travel on this level, at least by Aincrad's standards.  Heavy armor wearers would cook inside their own shells around here.  That was probably the point.

Spoiler

CD 1 = Lose 20hp.  Must roll every post.  All out-of combat healing is reduced to zero (quest condition). 

Freyd | HP: 300/420  EN: 18/42 | DMG:9 | MIT:14 | ACC:2 | SAVVY:1 | HLY:2 | KEEN:1 | BLD:12

 

Edited June 28, 2020 by Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

[Freyd 0]

Clambering back onto his feet took nearly fifteen minutes.  You didn't sweat in SAO, but exhaustion was still a factor.  His feet felt like someone had filled his boots with rocks while the ambient temperature made it feel like the entire level was permanently baking.  If this was real, he'd likely have died of dehydration by now.  Instead, the whole level was more akin to a test of will; could players drive themselves to survive in this state of constant sensory overload, or learn to cope with it.  He'd fared relatively well, yet still appreciated the struggle and accomplishment.

The outline of Fortaleza's walls, along with the domed concrete roofs of its few dominant buildings could barely be made out in the wavering blur that passed for a horizon.  They had nearly reached their goal.  The very thought of shade and sleep at one of the local inns drove Freyd forward.  Even better, he could teleport back to the Town of Beginnings and just dunk himself in one of the public fountains for a day or three.

Spoiler

CD 1 = Lose 20hp.  Must roll every post.  All out-of combat healing is reduced to zero (quest condition). 

Freyd | HP: 280/420 (-20) | EN: 42/42 | DMG:9 | MIT:14 | ACC:2 | SAVVY:1 | HLY:2 | KEEN:1 | BLD:12

 

Edited June 28, 2020 by Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

[Freyd 0]

"Helllooo?  What have we here?"

The scratchy-sounding voice was barely more than a whisper, and came from behind a cluster of cactii off the side of the road.  The sound suggested a male, as best Freyd could determine.

"Ughhhh.... now what?!"  Freyd was in no mood for the ramblings of another NPC quest giver, and wouldn't be until he'd had a good, long rest.

"So rude!" replied a shadowy form that moved out of the shadows, a wicked-looking curved blade in hand.  It looked to be wearing the remnants of a sun-bleached uniform of some kind - likely armor stolen or scavenged from a prior and unfortunate victim.

"And here I was about to offer ya sumthin' ta drink!"  Slow to realize the actual threat, Freyd summoned and raised his blade just as the figure charged.  They traded blows, each making contact and stumbling to recover.

Spoiler

CD 1 = Lose 20hp.  Must roll every post.  All out-of combat healing is reduced to zero (quest condition). 

Freyd | HP: 231/420 (-49) | EN: 30/42 (-12) | DMG:9 | MIT:14 | ACC:2 | SAVVY:1 | HLY:2 | KEEN:1 | BLD:12 -> rested, trig KEEN 1

Cactus Bandit: HP: 93/210 (-117)| DMG: 63

 

Edited June 28, 2020 by Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

[Freyd 0]

"I'm gonna gut yer face for th-"

The bandit's head suddenly went sailing into the distance, independent of the rest of its body, striking and becoming stuck on one of the taller cactii where it had previously been hiding.  Freyd, looking haggard himself, spoke to it while its better half collapsed into the sand in front of him.

"I don't have the time or patience for any more of this shit.  Get out of my way." 

Freyd thrust the blade into the ground, leaning heavily on it as if it were a crutch.  His legs were starting to give out, and health bar was getting low.  It hadn't quite dipped into yellow territory yet, but surely would if he stayed out here much longer.  The quest timer was also running out.  No more time remained for distractions.  Hobbling as best he could, he crossed the short distance remaining to the dried wooden archway marking the entrance to the town.

Spoiler

CD 1 = Lose 20hp.  Must roll every post.  All out-of combat healing is reduced to zero (quest condition). 

Freyd | HP: 231/420 | EN: 28/42  (-12) | DMG:9 | MIT:14 | ACC:2 | SAVVY:1 | HLY:2 | KEEN:1 | BLD:12 -> rested, spent and re-trig KEEN 1, trig SAV 1

Cactus Bandit: HP: 0/210 (-117)| DMG: 63

1,543 col ([3*hp] + [4*hp] even LD & CD) +5% for col stash

1x T1 Uncommon Consumable

 

Edited June 28, 2020 by Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

[Freyd 0]

It took another twenty minutes to find the quest drop-off point and transfer the items over.  Freyd wasn't even listening to the predictable turn-over blather.  He was too tired to think of anything but lying down and passing out for an indeterminate amount of time.  Persi actually had to help him raise his arm and accept the quest rewards.  At least, he thought it was Persi.  It was cold and slick, so yes, probably Persi.  Hopefully Persi?  He didn't care anymore.

Stumbling to the nearest inn, he ordered the largest, coldest drink imaginable.  That's exactly what it was called: "The Largest, Coldest Drink Imaginable (TM)". 

"Good marketing", he admitted to the barkeep, who happened to be a player and appreciated the sentiment.  Pricey too, which Freyd gladly paid, again admiring the ingenuity and resourcefulness in seizing an opportunity.  Shuffling as best he could to his room, it took quite a while just to haul his failing legs up the stairs.

Spoiler

CD 1 = Lose 20hp.  Must roll every post.  All out-of combat healing is reduced to zero (quest condition). 

Freyd | HP: 231/420 | EN: 28/42  | DMG:9 | MIT:14 | ACC:2 | SAVVY:1 | HLY:2 | KEEN:1 | BLD:12

 

Edited June 28, 2020 by Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

[Freyd 0]

Freyd stumbled and fell face-first onto the rough wooden floor of his room, a threadbare flower-patterned tapestry making a feint and futile effort at softening his landing.  A body-shaped cloud of sand and dust rose into the air upon his impact.  Persi, meanwhile,  decided to take the bed for herself.  If 'Lummox', as she thought of him, clearly wasn't going to use it, she might as well accord herself the benefit.  Even here, the air was stifling.  Freyd watched as his health bar dipped a little more, stopping a single point short of entering the yellow range.  He smiled at that.

"We did it, Persi!  We made it, and kept it in the green"  She was already asleep.

His right arm was outstretched to support his head, while the rest of his body lay sprawled out in a desperate attempt to remain as cool as possible.  With one last, concerted effort of will, he raised his thumb to the ceiling in celebration of victory, and then passed out.

Spoiler

CD 1 = Lose 20hp.  Must roll every post.  All out-of combat healing is reduced to zero (quest condition). 

Freyd | HP: 211/420 (-20) | EN: 28/42  | DMG:9 | MIT:14 | ACC:2 | SAVVY:1 | HLY:2 | KEEN:1 | BLD:12

 

Edited June 28, 2020 by Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows