[SP-F07] A job's a job <<2nd Arabian Night>>

[Freyd 0]

Arabian Nights (Part 2)

Ali was getting nervous.  He'd reached out to the man in hopes that they could do further business together, but the guy gave him the creeps.  It wasn't the dark clothes, or even the spooky red eyes, but the fact that he'd brought his brother back to him after his recent betrayal.  No one in Fortaleza did that sort of thing.  It was just too damned altruistic, and that was freaking him out a bit.  But it also made him feel like, maybe, he could actually trust the guy with a few other jobs.  So he'd reached out, and sent him the quest invite.  Now he waited.  He hated the waiting.  It racked up his bar tab expeditiously.

"What is it?"

The voice came from immediately behind him and caused half of Ali's drink to splatter all over the bartender as his heart leapt up into his throat and tried to launch him into the rafters.

"GAH! Fre... Freyd?!  You nearly killed me!  Stop doing that!"

The charcoal cowl listed to the left, as if evaluating his statement.

"You said you had a job.  I came.  So, what's the job?"

***

Freyd, The Whisper in Shadows | HP:1710/1710 | EN:183/183 | DMG:23 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:171 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | LD:5 | BH:85

Frey Consumes:

Spoiler

Artisan Carrot Cake: Accuracy +2 [175092]
Liquor of Light: Damage +3 [173024]
Smores: Evasion +2 [171539]

Stat Summary:

Spoiler

Name: Freyd, The Whisper in Shadows
Level: 84
HP: 1710/1710
EN: 183/183

Stats:
Damage: 20 (+3)
Mitigation: 79
Evasion: 2 (+2)
Accuracy: 4 (+2)
BH:85
VAMP OFF:171
HLY:6
FLN:6
LD:5

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: Samael's Pride (T3-2HSS, VO 1, HOLY 1, FLN 1)
Armor: Skirmisher's Garb (T3 LA, MIT 2, EVA 1)
Misc: Night Shades (T3-Trinket, ACC 3)

Skills:
2H Straight Sword [Rank 5]
Light Armor [Rank 5]
Searching [Rank 4]
Battle Healing [Rank 5]
Parry [Obtained]
Energist [Obtained]
Charge [Rank 5]
Extended Mod Limit R3 [Obtained]
Hiding [Rank 5]
Martial Arts [Rank 4]
Quick Change [Obtained]

Extra Skills:
Disguise
Familiar Mastery: Fighter 3
Survival
Meditation

Mods:
Precision
Finesse - Rank 3
LA Athletics
Ferocity
LA Sprint and Acrobatics
Night Vision
Vengeful Riposte
Surprise Attack (Assassin)

Battle Ready Inventory:
Teleport Crystals*5
Gungnir Shard: Haniel's Modesty (T3 Perfect HP Rec [Instant]*5
Flash of Rejuvenation (Mass HP Rec [Instant] (+30*Tier HP)*5
Fruit-Infused Tea (T3 HP Recovery)*5
Imugi's Inspiration (T3 Mass HP Recovery)*5
Mega-Duper... Sauce (Antidote 3)*5
Grave Injustice (T3-2HSS, ACC 1, Keen 1, Abs. ACC)*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
Delicious: Turn 3 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Feast. A Feast contains 6 portions of the food items sacrificed.
Relaxed: Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
Skylight (Searching): +1 Rank to the Searching skill.
Angler: +1 material gained when fishing
Advanced Training: +2 SP to a thread. Limit one use per month [0/1]
Multipurpose: Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll
Decor [Potted Tanabata Bamboo Tree]: This buff affects the player and their choice of up to two party members.

Guild Hall Buffs:
Lucrative: Reduce LD needed for Salvage by 5 (10+ for Alchemist crystals, 6+ for everything else). +2 EXP per craft. Rank 9 crafters receive +1 crafting attempt per day. Rank 10 crafters receive +2 crafting attempts per day.
Col Deposit: +5% bonus col from last-hit monster kills and +10% bonus col from treasure chests.

Scents of the Wild:
Kumatetsu Statue: +1 Base Damage for a thread

Wedding Ring: n/a

Link to completed 1st Night:

Spoiler

 

Freyd chooses the honest route.

[Freyd 0]

The Drunken Crane was a nice enough place, with cozy seats and a warm atmosphere reinforced by all the richly stained wood and bird motifs.  The owner was a player martial artist with a penchant for the creatures, but also renown for a particularly sloppy fighting style.  Ali's business face made Freyd think of it as a suitable parallel.  Something always seemed a little fishy about him, which was especially ironic given the desert-themed nature of his native floor.  

"Yeah!  Yes.  I mean... I've heard more rumors.  The same bandits that gave us trouble here had been active up on floor seven.  They've apparently captured, or many cornered, I don't really know, but they've definitely spotted some sort of mythic creature with some seriously fancy loot drops."

"What kind of loot drops?"

"Fancy.  Like, unique buff type stuff, I'm guessing."

"Guessing?"  Freyd made no effort to hide his skepticism.

"Well, it's not like they've killed it yet, but it's definitely field boss material!"  Ali flashed a toothy grin that only made him look less trustworthy.

[Freyd 0]

Turning to leave, Freyd felt Ali's arm clutch his forearm, clinching just a little too desperately.

"Look!  I can pay!  I just need you to go either kill the beast or steal whatever it dropped from the bandits."  He leaned in closer.  "I'm trying to make a name for myself, man!   That means that I need to be able to produce rare goods for people.  We both know that your specialty is fetching this sort of thing.  I'll give you a decent cut, just help me out!"

Freyd had stopped, his cowled face bending down to look at the grasping arm, which released him the instant he did so.  He'd heard Ali's plea.  It wasn't a bad argument, and the NPC had done right by his brother after their last shared fiasco.

"How much?"

The twinkle of greed re-kindled in Ali's dark eyes, his eyebrows practically spinning with excitement.

"Five grand!"

"Ten."

"You're killing me, man!  How about... eight?"

Freyd paused watching the quest window appear next to Ali's head.  A familiar chime signaled his acceptance.

[Freyd 0]

Turning back towards the bar and seating himself next to his new partner, Freyd called for a cup of coffee as well as the details.  They were less than stellar, but better than nothing.  Roughly a half-dozen bandits had cornered the creature in a rocky gorge, triggering a rock fall to block it in.  They belonged to the same gang of thieves that had captured Cassim.  If that was any indication, they weren't going to be particularly impressive fighters.  He knew the section of floor 7 where they were located.  It wasn't far from where the Amphis Serpens spawned - a quest that he had already completed several times.

"So what is the beast I'm hunting?"

"Err... I'm not sure, but they say that it has the head of a lion, with multiple rows of sharp teeth and the tail of a scorpion."

"A chimera?"

"Yeah, sure, let's go with that!"  Ali's unconvincing smile resurfaced.

"Fine.  It's not much, but I can make it work.  Try not to give the same quest to anyone else in the next two hours."  Freyd had no interest in waiting out a respawn timer, but knew that the NPC had little to no control over such things.

[Freyd 0]

"Nimbus."  

Pressing his gloved hand against the portal, Freyd watched as digital reality spun itself silly and then undid the same to reveal a new location.  It used to make him feel queasy, at first, but he'd traveled this way so many times that it had become second nature.  Climbing out of the Liminal Blind was far more cumbersome, by comparison.  The stony city was unchanged, it's eerie lights casting a pallor over the entire settlement.  Something about this place always felt like a death trap, rather than a fortress, and he was glad to leave it behind him.  For a man whose home was an underground bunker, his distaste for the place was unusual.

Exiting by the main gate, he took the northern road and veered off at the earliest opportunity.  If anyone had followed him, they would have to risk revealing themselves.  No one did.  Blind checks were a practical necessity in his line of work, and he still didn't trust Ali not to have concocted all of this as part of some ill-conceived 'get rich quick' scheme.

Spoiler

Freyd activates Hiding

ID #180542 | LD: 9+5=14 (success)

 

[Freyd 0]

"Heh.  He was right.  Who would have thought it possible?"

Freyd marveled at the fact that Ali's information had actually proven itself to be legitimate.  Three masked men, dressed very much like himself, stood a clandestine guard around a recent and likely deliberate rock slide.  The pass ahead was blocked by the sheer size of the fallen boulders, which looked to have been dropped deliberately.  These weren't standard sentries.  All of them had found suitably subtle positions from which they could observe the approaches without being seen themselves.   

"Time to see if all that practice with Raidou has paid off."

A gentle pat to his chest sent a dark shadow scurrying off to the west while he took the nearer miscreants himself.  The first thief fell to a spectacular explosion of light so bright that it momentarily and fatally blinded his companion.  A muffled yelp in the distance confirmed that Persi had defeated her enemy also.

Spoiler

Maintain Stealth (ID # | LD: 9+5=14  - Success)

Freyd activates Charge.

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +6 for hits): 18 EN - (Rested 1st of 2, Finesse 3) = 14 EN

Freyd, The Whisper in Shadows | HP:1710/1710 | EN:169/183 | DMG:23 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:171 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | LD:5 | BH:85

ID #180544 | BD: 10 (Crit +2, Charge +5, Holy +6, Assassinate +5).  Freyd deals (12*41=492-43=449) damage to Thief #1.
ID #180545 | BD: 3+6-1=8 (Hit, Charge +5, Assassinate +5).  Freyd deals (12*33=396-43=353) damage to Thief #2.
ID #180546 | BD: 2+6-1=7 (Hit, Charge +5, Assassinate +5).  Freyd deals (12*33=396-43=353) damage to Thief #3.

Thief #1 | HP: 0/186 | DMG (Base 9*SA) | MIT: 43 | ACC 2 | SAV 2 | BLD (24*2 on MD 8-10) (186-449)
Thief #2 | HP: 0/186 | DMG (Base 9*SA) | MIT: 43 | ACC 2 | SAV 2 | BLD (24*2 on MD 8-10) (186-353)
Thief #3 | HP: 0/186 | DMG (Base 9*SA) | MIT: 43 | ACC 2 | SAV 2 | BLD (24*2 on MD 8-10) (186-353)

Available Sword Arts / Conditions (Thief dice):
Bandits don't have an energy bar but they will use sword arts with every successful hit.

• Infinite - 5*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 1-3]
• Tri Pierce - 3*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 4-8]
• Cross Edge - 8*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 9-10, MD roll 1-5]
• Armor Pierce - 1*(Basic Damage) & Stun / [On a successful hit, CD roll 9-10, MD roll 6-10]
• Shadow Stitch - 6*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 11-12]

 

[Freyd 0]

With the sentries silently dispatched, Freyd spared a moment to scan the surrounding area again and satisfy himself that the had dealt with all the guards.  Finding none, he set himself to climbing the improvised stone rampart and seeking his quarry beyond.  A narrow granite gorge presented itself on the far side, filled with strange flat-topped stone pillars roughly twenty feet high.  Each was ornately decorated with arcane symbols the likes of which Freyd had never seen.  Ali was definitely on to something.  The glyphs meant nothing to him, and were unrecognizable as belonging to any language he knew. 

Talking a few minutes to study them, Freyd found similarities and soon a pattern emerged.  It traced a route through the field of pillars in a particular order, which he elected to follow by jumping from flat-top to flat-top, never touching the canyon floor.  The instant he touched the final pillar, an illusion shimmered below and the area below revealed itself as a sizzling pool of acid.  Moreover, the manticore also appeared atop the first pillar.

"Ali," Freyd cursed, "what the hell have you gotten me into?"

Spoiler

Search for Manticore 

ID #180547 | LD: 11+5=16 (Found!)

 

[Freyd 0]

Choosing to seize the initiative, Freyd races across the pillars, charging his foe and slicing deep into one of its wings, likely denying it flight.  Excellent.  The beast slashed wide with a claw passing over his head.  Its stinger struck forth a split second later, to be barely deflected by a deft parry.  Unfortunately, this left him right in the path of its maw and fiery breath, which it promptly disgorged.  He couldn't roll away without falling into the acid below and had no choice but to endure it.  Checking his avatar's flesh, he found it barely seared or injured, returning a smile to his face.

"Awww... you're just a wittle putty tat, aren't you?  Sometimes, I really appreciate the benefits of having forced myself through the level grind so persistently.  Thank you, me."  Montjoy looked at him, his silhouette trying to convey being unimpressed.  It was a tall order for something without visual features.

Spoiler

Freyd activates Charge.

Galaxy Destroyer (x13): 13 EN (Rested 1st of 2, Finesse 3): 9 EN

ID #180548 | BD: 5+6-1-2=8 (hit, Charge +5).  Freyd deals (13*28=364-50=314) damage to Manticore.

Note: Manticore receives its own roll and will use BD to determine hits and burn procs, for consistency (verified by staff).

ID #180549 | BD: 3+3-4=2 (miss).  Manticore misses Freyd.
ID #180550 | BD: 10 (crit +2).  Manticore breathes fire (42-79=1) damage.  Burn 24/2 applied.

Freyd, The Whisper in Shadows | HP:1709/1710 | EN:169/183 | DMG:23 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:171 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | LD:5 | BH:85 | [24 burn, 0 of 2]

Manticore | HP: 333/647 | DMG: 65 | MIT 50 | ACC 3 | EVA 2 (647-314)

• Double attack: The Manticore attacks twice. Players will use the BD and MD values of their post to determine whether individual attacks hit. Evasion/Accuracy or any kind of Battle dice related action applies to the Monster dice as well. This acts as two distinct normal hits, each being subject to player Mitigation and Damage Reduction. 
• Partial Phase: The Manticore will always deal a minimum of 24 normal damage per hit, regardless of player Mitigation or Damage Reduction. Partial Phase does not apply to Fire Breath.
  Fire Breath: On a natural BD/MD of 8-10, the Manticore will breathe fire, releasing a AoE attack that will affect all players fighting it for 40 normal damage and Tier 2 Burn Damage per post, for the next 2 individual player post. It is possible to simultaneously release 2 Fire Breath attacks if the BD and MD meet the requirements for it. In this case, Burn Damage does not stack but instead refreshes to maximum duration. In the event of two Fire Breath attacks, players will combine the total damage. Mitigation applies to this attack.

 

[Freyd 0]

The telltale hum of Samael's Pride in his hands suggested that it was best to strike swiftly.  The blade knew how to read a battle, and he'd come to trust its instinct, which might have been a mistake, given its name.  Still, it panned out this time.  Searing white light burst forth as the celestial effect lit up the entire chamber, shattering the Manticore's form in the process.  All that remained was a strangely ornate mask of its face - Ali's prize.  It seemed best not to linger for analysis, lest the rest of the room choose to go all 'Indiana Jones' on him and start trying to throw him into the bubbling vat of acid below.  Touching the mask sequestered it to his inventory, and he was gone from the place in the moments that followed.  It turned out to be a fairly straightforward job, after all.  

That very thought was enough to leave Freyd feeling suspicious.  Nothing with this broker was ever so easy.  His eyes kept searching his surroundings, hoping to spot the catch before it caught him.

Spoiler

Freyd recovers 1 HP from BH.

Galaxy Destroyer (x13): 13 EN (Rested 2nd of 2, Finesse 3, Turn Recovery): 8 EN

ID #180703 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Holy +6).  Freyd deals (13*30=390-50=340) damage to Manticore.

Freyd suffers 24 burn damage.

Freyd, The Whisper in Shadows | HP:1686/1710 | EN:161/183 | DMG:23 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:171 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | LD:5 | BH:85 | [24 burn, 1st of 2]

Manticore | HP: 0/647 | DMG: 65 | MIT 50 | ACC 3 | EVA 2 (333-340)

• Double attack: The Manticore attacks twice. Players will use the BD and MD values of their post to determine whether individual attacks hit. Evasion/Accuracy or any kind of Battle dice related action applies to the Monster dice as well. This acts as two distinct normal hits, each being subject to player Mitigation and Damage Reduction. 
• Partial Phase: The Manticore will always deal a minimum of 24 normal damage per hit, regardless of player Mitigation or Damage Reduction. Partial Phase does not apply to Fire Breath.
  Fire Breath: On a natural BD/MD of 8-10, the Manticore will breathe fire, releasing a AoE attack that will affect all players fighting it for 40 normal damage and Tier 2 Burn Damage per post, for the next 2 individual player post. It is possible to simultaneously release 2 Fire Breath attacks if the BD and MD meet the requirements for it. In this case, Burn Damage does not stack but instead refreshes to maximum duration. In the event of two Fire Breath attacks, players will combine the total damage. Mitigation applies to this attack.

 

[Freyd 0]

The other two thieves from the original band had returned to find their partners missing and were only just scratching at their heads to figure things out when Freyd came charging back out of their canyon-cave.  Both men burst into fractal motes before they could voice protest or complaint, Freyd passing through them like the wind through a grassy field, mowing them down with equal disregard.  The last of the Manticore's breath faded from his clothing, leaving blacked contrails behind him as he charged out of its impromptu lair.  All that remained was to return the goods to the quest giver and he could tick another quest off his list.  Few officially remained for him to pursue, and he was already seeking other leads for hidden content, or just general work to fill the time left until the front lines issued their summons.  It wouldn't be much longer, and he'd find himself standing where he could not have possibly imagined, just mere months ago.

Spoiler

Freyd recovers 24 HP from BH.

Freyd activates Charge.

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +4 for hits): 16 EN - (Rested 1st of 2, Finesse 3) = 12 EN

Freyd, The Whisper in Shadows | HP:1686/1710 | EN:149/183 | DMG:23 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:171 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | LD:5 | BH:85 | [24 burn, 2nd of 2]

ID #180704 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Charge +5, Holy +6).  Freyd deals (12*38=456-43=413) damage to Thief #4.
ID #180705 | BD: 7+6-1=12 (Hit, Charge +5, Fallen +6).  Freyd deals (12*37=444-43=401) damage to Thief #5.

Freyd suffers 24 burn damage.

Thief #4 | HP: 0/186 | DMG (Base 9*SA) | MIT: 43 | ACC 2 | SAV 2 | BLD (24*2 on MD 8-10) (186-413)
Thief #5 | HP: 0/186 | DMG (Base 9*SA) | MIT: 43 | ACC 2 | SAV 2 | BLD (24*2 on MD 8-10) (186-401)

Available Sword Arts / Conditions (Thief dice):
Bandits don't have an energy bar but they will use sword arts with every successful hit.

• Infinite - 5*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 1-3]
• Tri Pierce - 3*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 4-8]
• Cross Edge - 8*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 9-10, MD roll 1-5]
• Armor Pierce - 1*(Basic Damage) & Stun / [On a successful hit, CD roll 9-10, MD roll 6-10]
• Shadow Stitch - 6*(Basic Damage) / [On a successful hit, CD roll 11-12]

 

[Freyd 0]

"Here."  The Manticore's mask clattered onto the rough wooden surface of their shared table.  Ali's eyes had lit up as soon as he entered the tavern, but positively glowed when he set them upon the actual goods.  

"Thank you!  Thank you, my friend!  You never disappoint.  Cassim was dead-set against it, but I knew that I could trust you to help us out with this."  His grimy hands were already pawing at the object in a lustful manner that Freyd should have considered inappropriate, save that he didn't actually care about the man's mannerisms.  A wave to the barkeep fostered the appearance of a fresh, steaming cup of coffee to help him close the deal.

"Alright Cassim, I've done my bit.  Where's my payment?"

"Ah, yes... ummm... about that."

Freyd's cup paused just as it was about to reach his lips.  His other hand flexed below the table, ready to summon his blade and spear Ali in a maclunky move that would make Greedo's death pale by comparison.  Red eyes narrowed behind white porcelain, awaiting the next words.

"I... don't actually have the cash, but I can tell you where you can collect it, plus a little bit extra!"  A sheepish smile spread across the man's face, hoping that his excessive aspirations hadn't overreached, again.

Spoiler

Freyd modified Battle-Ready inventory as follows:

Battle Ready Inventory:
Teleport Crystals*5
Gungnir Shard: Haniel's Modesty (T3 Perfect HP Rec [Instant])*5
Flash of Rejuvenation (Mass HP Rec [Instant] (+30*Tier HP)*5
Fruit-Infused Tea (T3 HP Recovery)*5
Imugi's Inspiration (T3 Mass HP Recovery)*5
Mega-Duper... Sauce (Antidote 3)*5
Grave Injustice (T3-2HSS, ACC 1, Keen 1, Abs. ACC)*1
Hypnosis 2 Masterpiece/Instant (1): 170496 
Lullaby 2 Masterpiece/Instant (1): 170110
 

 

[Freyd 0]

"We had a deal, Ali."  The Whispers voice was level and calm, but conveyed an undertone of displeasure.

"I know!  I know!  But, it's not like I'm flush on cash at the moment.  I needed your help, and I'm sure that there's more to be found in the bandit captain's beach house than I could ever have offered you!"

"Beach house?  Here?"  Freyd was skeptical, but he was already facing the prospect of not getting paid and figured that salvaging something was better than walking away empty-handed.

"No, it's, umm... on floor 22, near Coral.  Look, these are the coordinates."  Freyd recognized them instantly.  He had a sub-dungeon map for the same location, and stifled a sigh.

"Ali," he finally took a draught of his espresso and downed the whole thing in one short.  "This had better pan out, or I'll be reconsidering the nature of our business partnership in a way that would decisively disadvantageous to your future."  Pulling a few items out of thin air, from his inventory, Freyd figured that he might as well see if he could salvage something worthwhile from this debacle and buff any rewards in the process.

***

Spoiler

Freyd consumes:

Mousse | Prosperity 3 | 173053
Berry Crumb Bar | LD 3 | 172800
Mini Cheesecake | T3 MIT 3 | 177101
Breakfast Fry | Protein 2 | 172351-2 (+Filled)
Viperion | T3 Tox.Ven. 24 | 155352
Max Level Courage | T3 OH 3 | 

Using Intermediate Dungeon Map 165889 

Energy fully recovered.

Freyd, The Whisper in Shadows | HP:1845/1845 | EN:183/183 | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:184 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TOX.VEN 24 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:92

 

[Freyd 0]

"Seriously?"

Freyd stood, sword in hand, watching a beach volleyball game on the shores of a lake whose crystal clear waters only served to enhance the idyllic nature of the setting.  They had the right look and markings, but it was hard to believe that Ali's pesky gang of thieves had set themselves up here, of all places.  They even had matching bandanas!  Shrugging away the absurdity, Freyd made to go around, only to have the ball deliberately whipped at his head by way of warning.

"Sorry kids, I have business with your boss."

"Like hell you do," spat the nearest mob, a pair of near-opaque sunglasses explaining his aim.  "You ain't getting past us without permission.  The boss don't like to be disturbed while he's on vacation."

"Yeah.  And he's always on vacation these days,"  added one of his teammates, a heavily tattooed thug by the amount of bling he was sporting.  The rest of his crew gathered around him, knuckles cracking and fists pumping. An instant later, the lot of them were sent flying through the air, the sand scouring the smirks off their faces.

Spoiler

Freyd activated Charge.

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +8 hits): 20 EN - (Rested 1st of 2, Finesse 3) = 16 EN

ID #180706 | BD: 2+6-1=7 (hit, Charge +5).  Freyd deals (12*31=372) damage to Beach Bandit #1.
ID #180708 | BD: 6+6-1=11 (hit, Charge +5, Fallen +6).  Freyd deals (12*37=444) damage to Beach Bandit #2.
ID #180707 | BD: 4+6-1=9 (hit, Charge +5).  Freyd deals (12*31=372) damage to Beach Bandit #3.
ID #180709 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Charge +5, Holy +6).  Freyd deals (12*38=456) damage to Beach Bandit #4.  Tox.Ven. applied.

ID #180706 | MD: 1 (miss)
ID #180708 | MD: 8-4=4 (miss)
ID #180707 | MD: 3-4=(-1) (miss)
ID #180709 | MD: 9 (Crit +1).  Beach Bandit #4 deals (265-79=186) damage to Freyd.

Freyd, The Whisper in Shadows | HP:1659/1845 | EN:167/183 | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:184 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TOX.VEN 24 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:92

Beach Bandit #1: HP: 398/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0 (770-372)
Beach Bandit #2: HP: 326/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0 (770-444)
Beach Bandit #3: HP: 398/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0 (770-372)
Beach Bandit #4: HP: 290/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0 | Tox.Ven. 24 (1st/2) (770-456)

 

[Freyd 0]

Freyd was owed payment.  He wasn't going to let a bunch of greased up beach-bums dictate where and how it was to be collected.  They were in the way, and he was genuinely glad to be clearing them out.  The lot of them turned out to be martial artists, tumbling as best they could in the aftermath of his sword art's devastation.  No reprieve was in store.  A spray of sand sent by his boot served as a harbinger of dune as a rippling cascade followed.  it crushed one of them outright.  Two more ended up tangled in the net and were promptly shredded when his next attack severed one of the posts and sent it whirling around like a giant lance-like flail.

The last of them was a bit more daring an agile, managing to spike a ball directly into Freyd's face and knocking his cowl back onto his shoulders.  Wiping a bit of blood dripping from his nose, the Whisper's eyes narrowed.

***

"You can't possibly have five aces, asshole.  And I can see three more up your sleeve!"  

The bar had been quiet that afternoon.  The bar was always quiet, which was why Regi and Dale were on their 968th game of the day.  Their argument had also already lasted for three drinks, when it was finally interrupted by the projectile body of the last volleyball player crashing into them.

Spoiler

Freyd regains 92 HP from BH.

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +8 hits): 20 EN - (Rested 2nd of 2, Finesse 3, Turn Recovery) = 15 EN

ID #180710 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Holy +6).  Freyd deals (12*33=396) damage to Beach Bandit #1. | Tox.Ven. applied.
ID #180711 | BD: 3+6=9 (hit).  Freyd deals (12*26=312) damage to Beach Bandit #2.
ID #180712 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Holy +6).  Freyd deals (12*33=396) damage to Beach Bandit #3. | Tox.Ven. applied.
ID #180713 | BD: 8 (hit, Fallen +6).  Freyd deals (12*32=384) damage to Beach Bandit #4.

Vampiric (Off) procs.  Freyd recovers 184 HP.

ID #180710 | MD: 5-4=1 (miss)
ID #180711 | MD: 9 (Crit +1).  Beach Bandit #2 deals (265-79=186) damage to Freyd.
ID #180712 | MD: 5-4=1 (miss)
ID #180713 | MD: 6-4=2 (miss)

Freyd, The Whisper in Shadows | HP:1659/1845 | EN:152/183 | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:184 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TOX.VEN 24 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:92

Beach Bandit #1: HP: 0/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0 | Tox.Ven. 24 (1st/2) (398-396-24)
Beach Bandit #2: HP: 14/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0 (326-312)
Beach Bandit #3: HP: 0/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0 | Tox.Ven. 24 (1st/2) (398-396-24)
Beach Bandit #4: HP: 0/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0 | Tox.Ven. 24 (2nd/2) (314-384-24)

Beach Bandits #5 & #6 arrive.

Loot Rolls:

ID #180774 (LD: 13+8=21 | CD: 1) - Beach Bandit #1

4851*Col
4*T3 Materials
T3 Perfect Armor/Shield #180774a
T3 Perfect Weapon #180774b

ID #180775 (LD: 16+8=24 | CD: 6) - Beach Bandit #3

8085*Col
T3 Perfect Armor/Shield #180775a
T3 Perfect Weapon #180775b
T3 Perfect Weapon #180775c

ID #180776 (LD: 20+8=28 | CD: 5) - Beach Bandit #4

12127*Col
2*T3 Materials
T3 Perfect Weapon #180776a
T3 Perfect Weapon #180776b
T3 Perfect Weapon #180776c
 

[Freyd 0]

A black shadow burst through the explosion of playing cards, driving his blade through the man's chest and causing his to deflate like a punctured balloon.  The bruising on Freyd's face faded instantly as his sword drank its fill from the fallen, sparing some of its prize to help rejuvenate him.  A swift knee to Regi's face sent him sprawling into the array of bottles and shattered glass that had somehow survived the first impact.  Dale's fate wasn't much better, as a chair hooked by a blade and then launched with the force of a sword art blast itself onto his face, momentarily blinding him and foiling his own intended retort.  

"What the hell is goin' on?!"  cried the dripping thug.

"Damned if I know!" came the reply from his equally dazed companion.

Freyd used the sound of their voices to help navigate amidst the rain of dust, confectionary and little, frilly drink umbrellas.

Spoiler

Freyd regains 92 HP from BH.

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +6 for hits): 18 EN - (Finesse 3, Turn Recovery) = 14 EN

ID #180714 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Holy +6).  Freyd deals (12*33=396) damage to Beach Bandit #2. | Tox.Ven. applied.
ID #180715 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Holy +6).  Freyd deals (12*33=396) damage to Beach Bandit #5. | Tox.Ven. applied.
ID #180716 | BD: 3+6=9 (hit).  Freyd deals (12*26=312) damage to Beach Bandit #6. 

Vampiric (Off) procs.  Freyd recovers 184 HP.

ID #180715 | MD: 1 (miss)
ID #180716 | MD: 8-4=4 (miss)

Freyd, The Whisper in Shadows | HP:1845/1845 | EN:138/183 | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:184 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TOX.VEN 24 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:92

Beach Bandit #2: HP: 0/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0 | Tox.Ven. 24 (1st/2) (14-396-24)
Beach Bandit #5: HP: 350/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0 | Tox.Ven. 24 (1st/2) (770-396-24)
Beach Bandit #6: HP: 458/770/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0 (770-312)

Loot Rolls:

ID #180777 (LD: 4+8=12 | CD: 1) - Beach Bandit #2

6468*Col
2*T3 Materials
T3 Rare Trinket #180777a

[Freyd 0]

Bracing his foot again a collapsed tabletop, Freyd hoofed it forward, sliding directly into one of the addled thieves.  The man barely had time to gasp as the heavy wood smashed him against the wall and a black doom split it in half, him along with it.  Regi's form fractured and spilled to the floor like one of those guessing contest jars full of jelly beans.  

Dale, meanwhile, was busy trying to extricate himself from the minefield of glass caltrops that had manifested around him when the bottles shattered.  Unable to find a safe path, the best he could manage was to launch as many half-intact shards as he could reach while calling for aid.

"Boss!  BOSS!  We got problems!!!"

A hulking figure rounded the corner, cradling a well-love club over his shoulder.  Someone had just interrupted his gold game, and would suffer more than a stroke penalty.

"Who the hell gone and f-ed up my bar?!"

Spoiler

Freyd activates Charge.

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +2 for hits): 14 EN - (Finesse 3, Turn Recovery) = 10 EN

ID #180717 | BD: 10 (Crit +2, Charge +5, Holy +6).  Freyd deals (12*39=468) damage to Beach Bandit #5. 
ID #180718 | BD: 1 (miss).  Freyd misses Beach Bandit #6

Vampiric (Off) procs.  Freyd recovers 184 HP.

ID #180718 | MD: 8-4=4 (miss)

Freyd, The Whisper in Shadows | HP:1845/1845 | EN:126/183 | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:184 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TOX.VEN 24 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:92

Beach Bandit #5: HP: 0/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0 | Tox.Ven. 24 (2nd/2) (350-468-24)
Beach Bandit #6: HP: 458/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0 

Beach Bandit Elite #1 arrives.

Loot Rolls:

ID #180778 (LD: 17+8=25 | CD: 12) - Beach Bandit #5

6468*Col
2*T3 Materials
(22) Intermediate Dungeon Map #180778
 

[Freyd 0]

Targeting the floor with his next swipe, Freyd showered a rain of glass shards upon his foes while simultaneously clearing a path for his advance.  Words were unnecessary and distracting.  Let the mobs rail and give away their intentions.  He needed to bring these thugs down and was glad for it.  The faster they fell, the sooner he could collect his prize and return to his preparations.  Only a few days remained until the front lines were to gather for the raid.  He meant to be among them.  

The new arrival looked more certain and capable than the bums on the beach, by his bearing and demeanor.  Everything else around him had already been tossed or broken, so Freyd grabbed the only option left available to him: Dale.  Righting the mob like a shield, he speared him with his Pride and drove both into the new arrival.  It was both sickening and effective.

Spoiler

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +4 for hits): 16 EN - (Finesse 3, Turn Recovery) = 12 EN

ID #180719 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Holy +6).  Freyd deals (12*33=396) damage to Beach Bandit #6. | Tox.Ven. applied.
ID #180720 | BD: 8+6-1=13 (hit, Fallen +6).   Freyd deals (12*32=384-44=340) damage to Beach Bandit Elite #1.

Vampiric (Off) procs.  Freyd recovers 184 HP.

ID #180719 | MD: 6-4=2 (miss)
ID #180720 | MD: 5-4+1=2 (miss)

Freyd, The Whisper in Shadows | HP:1845/1845 | EN:114/183 | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:184 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TOX.VEN 24 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:92

Beach Bandit #6: HP: 38/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0 | Tox.Ven. 24 (1st/2) (458-396-24)
Beach Bandit Elite #1: HP: 760/1100 | DMG 330 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 (1100-340)

 

[Freyd 0]

Dale shattered the moment they made contact, sandwiched between Freyd and his ill-tempered boss.  Slipping sideways at the last moment, he turned the angle on his swipe and sliced clean through the nearest bamboo posts still barely holding up the bundled grass roof and brought the whole thing down.  Colourful expletives rang out from beneath the rubble, as the grotesquely large thug tore through the remnants and glared violently at him.

"Oh, you think you got what it takes, do ya?"  His chuckle had that 'I'm gonna hurt you so bad' tone to it, reinforced by the sudden arrival of another compatriot from the up the path.  "Check this guy out.  He thinks he can come steal our take.  Let's show him how that's just not gonna work."  New guy rolled his shoulders, cracking a series of bones for effect, while the first douche bag tapped his 3-Wood menacingly against his palm.

Spoiler

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +4 for hits): 16 EN - (Finesse 3, Turn Recovery) = 12 EN

ID #180721 | BD: 7+6=13 (hit, Fallen +6).   Freyd deals (12*32=384) damage to Beach Bandit #6.
ID #180722 | BD: 7+6-1=12 (hit, Fallen +6).   Freyd deals (12*32=384-44=340) damage to Beach Bandit Elite #1.

ID #180722 | MD: 6-4+1=3 (miss)

Freyd, The Whisper in Shadows | HP:1845/1845 | EN:102/183 | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:184 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TOX.VEN 24 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:92

Beach Bandit #6: HP: 0/770 | DMG 264 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 0 | EVA: 0 | Tox.Ven. 24 (2nd/2) (38-384-24)
Beach Bandit Elite #1: HP: 420/1100 | DMG 330 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 (760-340)

Beach Bandit Elite #2 arrives.

Loot Rolls:

ID #180779 (LD: 14+8=22 | CD: 10) - Beach Bandit #6

12127*Col
T3 Perfect Trinket #180779a
 

[Freyd 0]

Both men charged simultaneously, hoping to divide his attention.  Their gambit failed when Freyd slipped downward, into a full split.  Had their aim not already been off, the sight of it would have made them cringe enough to pull their blows.  Instead, it gave him perfect access to strike below their defenses while their attacked sailed harmlessly over his head.  They smashed into each other, the first thug's health bar dipping so low as to be nearly invisible while the other's took a notable dive.  

Springing up, without any apparent signs of pain, Freyd dashed after them and battered their defenses with repeated swings.  The goal was to keep them off balance long enough to take the first down and then focus entirely on the second.  The bluster in their voices had already vanished and terror swept across their faces as they realized that they were both rather desperately outmatched.

Spoiler

Freyd activates Charge.

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +4 for hits): 16 EN - (Finesse 3, Turn Recovery) = 12 EN

ID #180723 | BD: 2+6-1-1=6 (hit, Charge +5, Fallen +6).   Freyd deals (12*37=444-44=400) damage to Beach Bandit Elite #1.
ID #180724 | BD: 8+6-1-1=12 (hit, Charge +5, Fallen +6).   Freyd deals (12*37=384-44=340) damage to Beach Bandit Elite #2.

ID #180723 | MD: 8-4+1=5 (miss)
ID #180724 | MD: 8-4+1=5 (miss)

Freyd, The Whisper in Shadows | HP:1845/1845 | EN:90/183 | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:184 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TOX.VEN 24 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:92

Beach Bandit Elite #1: HP: 20/1100 | DMG 330 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 (420-400)
Beach Bandit Elite #2: HP: 700/1100 | DMG 330 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 (1100-400)

 

[Freyd 0]

An inelegant stab to the chest finished off the first thief captain without much fanfare or ceremony.  The other mob moved with surprising speed for a man of his girth, materializing his own golf club from this air and smashing Freyd in the back of the head before he could react.  Stumbling forward through the cloud of his fractured opponent, he flinched at the impact, but felt little of the pain.  Cardinal took care of that with its pain suppression algorithms.  

A wild slash missed, but achieved his intent and bought him space and time.  Flinging himself to the left and using his momentum, he was back on his feet in an instant.  His opponent looked like a hybrid biker-musclehead, with enough script in his tattoos to fill a bad novella.  By the looks of him, his IQ matched the number of his missing teeth.  This was a brute, pure and simple.  He'd dealt with his kind many times before.

Spoiler

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +4 for hits): 14 EN - (Finesse 3, Turn Recovery) = 10 EN

ID #180725 | BD: 8+6-1=13 (hit, Fallen +6).   Freyd deals (12*32=384-44=340) damage to Beach Bandit Elite #1.
ID #180726 | BD: 1 (miss) to Beach Bandit Elite #2.

ID #180726 | MD: 9 (Crit +1).  Beach Bandit Elite #2 deals (331-79=252) damage to Freyd.

Freyd, The Whisper in Shadows | HP:1593/1845 | EN:80/183 | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:184 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TOX.VEN 24 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:92

Beach Bandit Elite #1: HP: 0/1100 | DMG 330 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 (20-340)
Beach Bandit Elite #2: HP: 700/1100 | DMG 330 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 

Loot Rolls:

ID #180780 (LD: 19+8=27 | CD: 9) - Beach Bandit Elite #1

6930*Col
4*T3 Materials
(22) Intermediate Dungeon Map #180780