[F10-SP] An End to Dawn Beginnings <<DHA:10>>

[Freyd 0]

Post #1

The portal opened into a large, twelve-sided chamber with a high, vaulted ceiling all constructed of an unusually stark white stone.  The inner chamber was surrounded by a colonnade some thirty feet high, beyond which lay a series of niches linked by a common circulation space.  Light flowed into the room through a series of stained glass windows the in ten of the twelve arched niches.  The other two held tall and heavy timber doors reinforced by black steel bands, bolts and heavy pull rings.  The portal through which he had entered aligned with one set of double doors and promptly vanished after his passage.

"Guess there's only one way to go, huh? So be it."  

The first chamber contained an elaborate pedestal at its centre, upon which rested an immense, leathery egg with a rough, slick surface.  The thing was larger than a man, and somehow set to rest ceremoniously in this strange place.  

"What the heck is going on in here?  What does any of this have to do with the DHA chain?  Unless..."

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 | EN:191/191 | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:3 | PROSP 3 | BH:95

Freyd Consumes:

Spoiler

Field Rations +2 (+120HP) (18/20) - http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/19871-f13-merchant-freyd-edges-safe-zone/?do=findComment&comment=623998
Crème Brûlée (Snack) | Accuracy 2 | 171931
Smores (Snack) | Evasion 2 | 172067-1
Liquor of Light (Potion) | Damage 3 | 177849-1
Breakfast Fry | Protein 2 | 174580 + FILLED
Divinity's Wait (Meal)| T3 Mitigation 3 | 170069
Berry Crumb Bars (Snack) | LOOT DIE 3 | 173662
Cinnamon Rounded Stick (Snack) | Prosperity 3 | 149387-1
Viperion (Salve) | Toxic Venom | 155375

Stats Summary:

Spoiler

Freyd
Level: 88
HP: 1790/1790 (+120)
EN: 191/191

Stats:
Damage: 20 (+3+3)
Mitigation: 79 (+45-45)
Evasion: 2 (+2)
Accuracy: 4 (+2)
BH:89 (+6)
VAMP OFF:179 (+12
HLY:6
FLN:6
(TXV: 24/3)
LD:5 (+3)
(PROSPERITY +3)

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 5]
Quick Change [Obtained]

Extra Skills:
Disguise
Familiar Mastery: Fighter 3
Survival
Meditation

Active Mods:
Precision - 2HSS
Finesse - Rank 3
LA Athletics
Ferocity - 2HSS
LA Sprint and Acrobatics
Vanish
Vengeful Riposte
Surprise Attack (Assassin)

Inactive Mods:
Night Vision
Untraceable
Tracking

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:

 

[Freyd 0]

Post #2

Before he could finish the thought, the far doors and those immediately behind him clattered open as it battered by some otherwise unfelt gale.  Wheeling to face an expected, imminent threat, Freyd found only another similar space featuring a slightly different egg, this one white and shedding a constant flow of frosty wisps the spilled across the floor.  A furrowed brow forced him to turn back and face the same image mirrored beyond the other set of doors.

"What the..."

*CRACK*

The giant green egg next to him fractured, beams of emerald light shining outward with growing in intensity as the surface chipped and peeled open like and orange to reveal the monstrous draconic figure inside.  From the edge of his vision he spotted the eggs in the adjacent rooms doing the same .

"Aww crap.  Time to pick a direction, I guess."

Rhaeghal, the green dragon knight, hissed at him as it summoned a wicked-looking silver scimitar to hand.  That was as far as it got before Freyd's blade pierced through the back of its head, its wielder charging wildly through the next few series of chambers, lopping off dragon noggins willy-nilly as he went.

Spoiler

Freyd activates Charge.

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

ID #183480 | BD: 6+6-2-1=9 (hit, Charge +5, Fallen +6).  DMG: (12*37=444-50=394) to Rhaegal the Dragon Knight
ID #183481 | BD: 7+6-2-1=10 (hit, Charge +5, Fallen +6).  DMG: (12*37=444-50=394) to Zylara the Dragon Knight
ID #183482 | BD: 2+6-2-1=5 (miss).  Freyd misses Ghidorah the Dragon Knight.
ID #183483 | BD: 7+6-2-1=10 (hit, Charge +5, Fallen +6).  DMG: (12*37=444-50=394) to Icefyre the Dragon Knight

ID #183482 | MD: 2+2-4=0 (miss).  Ghidorah the Dragon Knight missed Freyd.

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 | EN:177/191 (191-14) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:3 | PROSP 3 | BH:95

Rhaegal the Dragon Knight | HP: 300/300 | MIT 50 | ACC 2 | EVA 2 | DMG: 125 | Bleed: 24 (300-394)
Zylara the Dragon Knight | HP: 300/300 | MIT 50 | ACC 2 | EVA 2 | DMG: 125 | Bleed: 24 (300-394)
Ghidorah the Dragon Knight | HP: 300/300 | MIT 50 | ACC 2 | EVA 2 | DMG: 125 | Bleed: 24
Icefyre the Dragon Knight | HP: 300/300 | MIT 50 | ACC 2 | EVA 2 | DMG: 125 | Bleed: 24 (300-394)

 

[Freyd 0]

Post #3

"This is probably meant to be all epic, and shit, but I have a schedule to keep."  Racing like a madman down the curving corridor-like chambers, Freyd beheaded a few more dragon knights still only just emerging from their shells along the way, daring the rest of them to chase him.  One of them... err.. Ghid... Git... whatever.  It managed to clip him as he passed, looking very proud of itself until Freyd hardly flinched.  In fact, he'd thought he'd snagged his jacket on some fancy metalwork inlaid in the door frame and hardly gave it a second thought until the knight roared a confused and frustrated challenge.

"Sorry, bud!  Catch me next time!  I'm just gonna head straight to the boss room and get this over with, if it's all the same to you."

A second exasperated knight in spine-covered reddish armor that looked passibly like brass or copper was also on his tail.  Both raged at the Whisper for daring to refuse their noble challenge, but, you know: deadlines.

Spoiler

Freyd regains 1 EN.

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

ID #183484 | BD: 1 (miss).  Freyd misses Ghidorah the Dragon Knight
ID #183485 | BD: 5+6-2=9 (hit).  DMG (12*26=312-50=262) to Tabaluga the Dragon Knight
ID #183486 | BD: 4+6-2=8 (hit).  DMG (12*26=312-50=262) to Enywas the Dragon Knight
ID #183487 | BD: 1 (miss).  Freyd misses Draigotch the Dragon Knight

ID #183484 | MD: 10 (Crit +2).  DMG (127-79=48) to Freyd.
ID #183485 | MD: 7+2-4=5 (miss).  Tabaluga the Dragon Knight missed Freyd
ID #183486 | MD: 2+2-4=0 (miss).  Enywas the Dragon Knight missed Freyd
ID #183487 | MD: 3+2-4=1 (miss).  Draigotch the Dragon Knight missed Freyd

Freyd | HP:1862/1910 (1910-48) | EN:166/191 (177+1-12) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:3 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | BLEED 24 (0/2)

Ghidorah the Dragon Knight | HP: 300/300 | MIT 50 | ACC 2 | EVA 2 | DMG: 125 | Bleed: 24
Tabaluga the Dragon Knight | HP: 38/300 | MIT 50 | ACC 2 | EVA 2 | DMG: 125 | Bleed: 24 (300-262)
Enywas the Dragon Knight | HP: 38/300 | MIT 50 | ACC 2 | EVA 2 | DMG: 125 | Bleed: 24 (300-262)
Draigotch the Dragon Knight | HP: 300/300 | MIT 50 | ACC 2 | EVA 2 | DMG: 125 | Bleed: 24

 

[Freyd 0]

Post #4

The wound from Ghidorah's lucky strike kept trying to open up the thin orange line from the original wound, but the injury healed up again right away.  Two more rooms fell by the wayside, all looking very similar.  Two more dead dragon knights along the way, and his original tails still trying to catch him in all that heavy armor.  Freyd also had the distinct impression that he was climbing upwards, like running up the gentlest and most gradual slope in the universe.  Foolishly pausing to smash one of the outside windows confirmed his suspicious, but also allowed his pursuers to catch up.  Both leapt into the air, propelled by a brief buffet of wings and brought their nasty, barbed blades down on the Whispers back.  

Grimacing, Freyd swatted their weapons clear, forcing them back so that he could continue his ascent.  These guys weren't really much of a threat, and would only slow him down if he stopped to fight them one at a time.  

Spoiler

Freyd regains 1 EN.
Freyd regains 95 HP from BH.
Freyd takes 24 Bleed damage.

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +4 for hits): 16 EN - (Finesse 3) = 13 EN

ID #183492 | BD: 1 (miss).  Freyd misses Ghidorah the Dragon Knight
ID #183493 | BD: 2+6-2=6 (hit).  DMG (12*26=312-50=262) to Tabaluga the Dragon Knight
ID #183494 | BD: 5+6-2=9 (hit).  DMG (12*26=312-50=262) to Enywas the Dragon Knight
ID #183495 | BD: 1 (miss).  Freyd misses Draigotch the Dragon Knight

ID #183492 | MD: 9 (Crit +1).  DMG (127-79=48) to Freyd.  Bleed refreshed.
ID #183493 | MD: 7+2-4=5 (miss).  Tabaluga the Dragon Knight missed Freyd
ID #183494 | MD: 4+2-4=0 (miss).  Enywas the Dragon Knight missed Freyd
ID #183495 | MD: 10 (Crit +2).  DMG (127-79=48) to Freyd.  Bleed refreshed.

Freyd | HP:1790/1910 (1862+95-24-48-48) | EN:154/191 (166+1-13) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:3 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | BLEED 24 (1/2)

Ghidorah the Dragon Knight | HP: 300/300 | MIT 50 | ACC 2 | EVA 2 | DMG: 125 | Bleed: 24
Tabaluga the Dragon Knight | HP: 0/300 | MIT 50 | ACC 2 | EVA 2 | DMG: 125 | Bleed: 24 (38-262)
Enywas the Dragon Knight | HP: 0/300 | MIT 50 | ACC 2 | EVA 2 | DMG: 125 | Bleed: 24 (38-262)
Draigotch the Dragon Knight | HP: 300/300 | MIT 50 | ACC 2 | EVA 2 | DMG: 125 | Bleed: 24

 

[Freyd 0]

Post #5

"Heya fellas."

The final pair had managed their time well enough to actually block his way and mount a blockade to his progress, thought they might have regretted it after the first swipe.  Ghidora was lagging.  Who could blame him?  He'd been chasing Freyd nearly since the beginning of their run.  Draigotch, Dagarah and Smaug were less fortunate and had all surrounded the player when he unleashed his sword art.  One of them successfully cut his arm, even as he unleashed his sword art scattering them against the walls and columns of the final room. 

The doors beyond were still closed, suggesting that this was the last stage of the tower's gauntlet.  Cursing accompanied the crumpling of metal plates as Freyd's initial burst broke their encirclement.  

"Come on, big guy," he called to Ghidorah.  "Take a second to catch your breath, so that we can get this over with."  In truth, it would simpler to strike them down if they gathered close, but he could at least make it sound like he was being nice.

Spoiler

Freyd regains 1 EN.
Freyd regains 95 HP from BH.
Freyd takes 24 Bleed damage.

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +6 for hits): 18 EN - (Finesse 3) = 15 EN

ID #183504 | BD: 1 (miss). Freyd misses Ghidorah the Dragon Knight (for the third fucking time!!!)
ID #183505 | BD: 3+6-2=6 (hit).  DMG (12*26=312-50=262) to Draigotch the Dragon Knight
ID #183506 | BD: 3+6-2=6 (hit).  DMG (12*26=312-50=262) to Dagahra the Dragon Knight
ID #183507 | BD: 3+6-2=6 (hit).  DMG (12*26=312-50=262) to Smaug the Dragon Knight

ID #183504 | MD: 2+2-4=5 (miss).  Ghidora the Dragon Knight missed Freyd
ID #183505 | MD: 3+2-4=5 (miss).  Draigotch the Dragon Knight missed Freyd
ID #183506 | MD: 9 (Crit +1).  DMG (127-79=48) to Freyd.  Bleed refreshed.
ID #183507 | MD: 5+2-4=5 (miss).  Smaug the Dragon Knight missed Freyd

Freyd | HP:1813/1910 (1790+95-24-48) | EN:140/191 (154+1-15) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:3 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | BLEED 24 (1/2)

Ghidorah the Dragon Knight | HP: 300/300 | MIT 50 | ACC 2 | EVA 2 | DMG: 125 | Bleed: 24
Draigotch the Dragon Knight | HP: 38/300 | MIT 50 | ACC 2 | EVA 2 | DMG: 125 | Bleed: 24 (300-262)
Dagahra the Dragon Knight | HP: 38/300 | MIT 50 | ACC 2 | EVA 2 | DMG: 125 | Bleed: 24 (300-262)
Smaug the Dragon Knight | HP: 38/300 | MIT 50 | ACC 2 | EVA 2 | DMG: 125 | Bleed: 24 (300-262)

 

[Freyd 0]

Post #6

The other three warrior recovered and pressed in against him before the fourth could catch up.  Ghodorah's knightly form carried a bit more paunch that his original, it seemed, or he was easily winded.  Draigotch tried to be clever and circle around back, only to have Freyd sever the column he sought to conceal himself behind, and him along with it.  Dagarah wheezing gave him away too easily.  He was the water one, and really hadn't translated over to a landed warrior very well.  Freyd gave him a sympathetic smile as he ran him through.  Smaug, the last and fiercest of the dragons, kept himself between Freyd and his goal, clearly intending to make a show of his valor.

"Bravo, sir knight, good for you for taking your sentry duty so seriously."  Red eyes glared at him ferociously, instantly parting with any semblance of respect.  "Now come impale yourself, or something, so I can get what I came for."

Spoiler

Freyd regains 1 EN.
Freyd regains 95 HP from BH.
Freyd takes 24 Bleed damage.

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +4 for hits): 16 EN - (Finesse 3) = 13 EN

ID #183509 | BD: 1 (miss). Freyd misses Ghidorah the Dragon Knight (for the FOURTH fucking time!!!)
ID #183510 | BD: 6+6-2=10 (hit).  DMG (12*32=384-50=334) to Draigotch the Dragon Knight
ID #183511 | BD: 6+6-2=10 (hit).  DMG (12*32=384-50=334) to Dagahra the Dragon Knight
ID #183512 | BD: 1 (miss). Freyd misses Smaug the Dragon Knight

ID #183509 | MD: 10 (Crit +2).  DMG (127-79=48) to Freyd.  Bleed refreshed.
ID #183512 | MD: 4+2-4=2 (miss).  Smaug the Dragon Knight missed Freyd

Freyd | HP:1813/1910 (1790+95-24-48) | EN:140/191 (154+1-15) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:3 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | BLEED 24 (1/2)

Ghidorah the Dragon Knight | HP: 300/300 | MIT 50 | ACC 2 | EVA 2 | DMG: 125 | Bleed: 24
Draigotch the Dragon Knight | HP: 0/300 | MIT 50 | ACC 2 | EVA 2 | DMG: 125 | Bleed: 24 (38-334)
Dagahra the Dragon Knight | HP: 0/300 | MIT 50 | ACC 2 | EVA 2 | DMG: 125 | Bleed: 24 (38-334)
Smaug the Dragon Knight | HP: 38/300 | MIT 50 | ACC 2 | EVA 2 | DMG: 125 | Bleed: 24 

 

[Freyd 0]

Post #7

A bit of luck, mostly bad, dragged the fight out a little while longer.  Freyd's timing was off and his lunge towards Smaug fell short when Ghidorah finally caught up from behind.  Fatty must have put on a bit of speed, or caught a second wind or something, and repeated his strike to the Whisper's arm as he slid past to join his sole remaining kin in their desperate attempt to bar his way.  

Halting his assault for a moment, Freyd leaned against his sword and tried a different tact.

"You guys are really going to make me do this, aren't you."

"Only those who have proven their worth may face the ultimate warrior!"  Ghidorah's taunt was lost amidst his ignoble gasps as he still struggled to catch his breath.

Red eyes boggling beneath his lilting cowl, Freyd pointed at the rooms behind him.  "Did you happen to notice the wake of dead dragons?"

Both knights, their health bars verging on empty, raised their blades defiantly.

Freyd shrugged in response.

"So be it."

Spoiler

Freyd regains 1 EN.
Freyd regains 95 HP from BH.
Freyd takes 24 Bleed damage.

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +2 for hits): 16 EN - (Finesse 3) = 11 EN

ID #183514 | BD: 4+6-2=8 (hit).  DMG (12*26=312-50=262) to Ghidorah the Dragon Knight
ID #183515 | BD: 1 (miss)  Freyd misses Smaug the Dragon Knight

ID #183514 | MD: 10 (Crit +2).  DMG (127-79=48) to Freyd.  Bleed refreshed.
ID #183515 | MD: 4+2-4=2 (miss).  Smaug the Dragon Knight missed Freyd

Freyd | HP:1836/1910 (1813+95-24-48) | EN:117/191 (127+1-11) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:3 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | BLEED 24 (1/2)

Ghidorah the Dragon Knight | HP: 38/300 | MIT 50 | ACC 2 | EVA 2 | DMG: 125 | Bleed: 24 (300-262)
Smaug the Dragon Knight | HP: 38/300 | MIT 50 | ACC 2 | EVA 2 | DMG: 125 | Bleed: 24 

 

[Freyd 0]

Post #8

Shadows flexed and whirled around the Whisper as he dipped his head towards the ground, luring the guardian's attention to the growing pool of darkness at his feet.  Steeling themselves for his assault, neither one of them were prepared for an attack from the rear.  Samael's Pride cut both draconians in half in a single swipe, even as Montjoy looked back up again to reveal an inky nothing beneath the cowl of the figure left before them.  Their efforts were improving, synchronizing in the moment and adapting on the fly for deceitful combat.  Freyd cared nothing for the trappings of nobility in combat.  Kayaba had locked them in a virtual box and laid bare all of their foils and flaws.  Under those circumstances, you did whatever you had to do to win, and to survive.  Playing the game's game was tantamount to suicide.  

A flash and click confirmed that the doors to the final room has been unlocked.  Both leafs parted silently to reveal the final chamber.  

Spoiler

Freyd regains 1 EN.
Freyd regains 95 HP from BH.
Freyd takes 24 Bleed damage.

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +4 for hits): 16 EN - (Finesse 3) = 13 EN

ID #183516 | BD: 7+6-2=8 (hit, Fallen +6).  DMG (12*32=384-50=334) to Ghidorah the Dragon Knight
ID #183517 | BD: 5+6-2=8 (hit).  DMG (12*26=312-50=262) to Smaug the Dragon Knight

Freyd | HP:1886/1910 (1836+95-24) | EN:105/191 (117+1-13) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:3 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | BLEED 24 (1/2)

Ghidorah the Dragon Knight | HP: 0/300 | MIT 50 | ACC 2 | EVA 2 | DMG: 125 | Bleed: 24 (38-334)
Smaug the Dragon Knight | HP: 0/300 | MIT 50 | ACC 2 | EVA 2 | DMG: 125 | Bleed: 24 (38-262)

 

[Freyd 0]

Post #9

The room beyond was appropriately impressive, given the time and effort it had taken to reach this point.  Guard up, Freyd entered the chamber to take it all in.  They were in a castle high up in the mountains, probably on Floor Ten, judging by the terrain visible beyond the outer balconies.  Like the smaller linked rooms he had fought through to reach this apex, the central space was ringed by white stone columns, though these were streaked with colours matching those of the dragon knights that he had just finished defeating.  Orange and pink stained the stone as the sun was setting in the distance, catching long shadows across the space. 

'Plenty here to work with,' Freyd thought silently to himself, instantly seeking out blinds and vantages that might help in the coming fight.  One final egg, platinum in finish, but reflecting a kaleidoscope of colours and patterns by its polished surface, sat idly in the middle to the space.  You could practically imagine a sign hanging from it that read: 'boss inside, do not touch.'

Spoiler

Freyd regains 45 HP from passive healing.
Freyd takes 24 Bleed damage.

Freyd activates Vengeful Riposte (-5 EN)

Freyd | HP:1886/1910 (1886+45-24) | EN:105/191 (117+1-13) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:3 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | BLEED 24 (2/2) | VENGEFUL

Rest 1/2

 

[Freyd 0]

Post #10

So, naturally, Freyd did just that.  Sauntering up to the resting place of the culminating efforts these many quests, he whapped the thing with the flat of his sword, clanking loudly and unceremoniously as he called out the figure inside.

"Hey!  Paladine, or whatever ripped off figure you're gonna turn out to be.  Can you get out here, please?  I have an appointment with some answers, and would really prefer not to be any later than necessary!"

A silver blade pierced the metal egg from within, spearing it to stand just above the Whisper's head, waiting just long enough for dramatic effect to give Freyd the chance to step back as the champion sliced his way out of his own pod.  Emerging in full armor and regalia, the figure of Varalys, the World's End, was impressive.  Standing a full ten feet tall, the remains of his shell molded themselves into his armor as additional reinforcement, as if anointing him with some sort of flashing mantle worthy of a mob boss.

"Oh goody,"  Freyd chuckled and teased beneath his breath.  "Time to make an omelet."

Spoiler

Freyd regains 45 HP from passive healing.
Freyd consumes: Mega-Duper Anti-Everything Sauce (Salve) | Antidote 3 |  [170314] (1/5)

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 (1886+45) | EN:191/191 | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:3 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | DOTE 3/3 | VENGEFUL

Rest 1/2 (EN refreshed)

 

[Freyd 0]

Post #11

By the time Varalys' little iron man dress-up montage was finished, Freyd was gone.

"Face me, worms!  I am the culmination of all trials and the agency of your judgement!  I am the World's End, and the final foe you shall ever meet upon your pointless efforts to breach the secrets and challenges of this metal castle!  You will never-"

"Wait, are you talking about Aincrad, or just this castle, because this looks more like travertine, or maybe dolomite?  I don't know.  I'm guessing that you meant the former, but it really doesn't come out clearly when you say it like that."  Freyd's shadowy form hovered into view from behind one of the columns in the direction of the setting sun, blinding Varalys as he struggled to make him out.

"Insolence!  How very predictable.  I am the culmination of every dragon spirit you have fought on your way here, mortal.  I know your every move, and know you better than you know yourself.  Now, I will... wait.  It's just one of you?!"

Freyd was equally surprised by the question, but stuffed a hand in his pocket while his blade leaned casually across his shoulder.

"Yup.  Sorry to disappoint."

Spoiler

Freyd activates Hiding: ID #183518 | LD:  4+8=12 (success)

 

[Freyd 0]

Post #12

"Seriously?!"  Varalys seemed genuinely dejected.  "It used to take a full party with maxed out kit to reach this point.  Have we really become that obsolete?"

"Err...," Freyd's backlit silhouetted scratched at the back of its cowl.  "I hate to spoil it for you, since you have this whole rollout and the cool armor and everything, but kinda 'yes?'  You're nearly fifteen floors obsolete, man.  I'm really sorry, but this is not going to go well for you."

"Well.  That just... sucks."  The pouty quality and delivery of his words struggled mightily with the size and timbre of his booming voice.  "Nothing for it, then, huh?"

The shadow just shrugged sympathetically, hinting at the inevitability of it all.

In a blur of motion so quick that it defied sight, the greater dragon knight thrust his blade clean through Freyd and the pillar behind him, a wicked, toothy grin splitting his reptilian face, only to fade as he noticed the black blade penetrated his chest from behind.  Montjoy, still standing behind the column, waved.

"Funny thing," came the whisper from behind.  "I learned a few new tricks along the way."

Spoiler

Maintain Stealth: ID #183519 | LD: 14+8=22 (success)

Freyd activates Disguise (+1 EVA)

Galaxy Destroyer (x13): 13 EN - (Rested 1/2; Finesse 3) = 9 EN

ID #183520 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Assassin +3, Holy +6).  DMG: (13*36=468-80=388) to Varalys.  TXV applied.

ID #183520 | MD: 4+5-4-1=4 (miss) (LD 17.  <<Dragon’s Ascent>> procs)

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 | EN:182/191 (191-9) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:3 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | DOTE 3/3 | VENGEFUL | [DISGUISE 0/3]

Varalys the World’s End | HP: 263/650 | ACC 5 | EVA 3 | MIT: 80 | Immune to Paralysis, Bleed, and Thorns | DMG: 260 | TXV 24 (1/3) (650-388+25-24)

<<Dragon’s Judgment>> On a roll of 9-10, a dragon symbol will appear on the character’s chest, applying Freeze against the character. Note that this removes their evasion properties for one turn. 
<<Dragon’s Ascent>> On a LD roll of 15+, this boss will heal 25 HP and raise its attack by 10.
<<Dragon’s Last Roar>> At the moment his HP reaches zero, he will shout in dragons tongue for the castle itself to crumble down with brimstone raining from the sky. The player has to roleplay them escaping the castle which will take 4 posts to do so, on each of those posts they must roll… on CD’s of 1 - 8 they will take 100 unmitigatable damage from the stones that crumble from the sky.

 

[Freyd 0]

Post #13

A gurgling of surprise was all that Varalys could utter as the void blade plunged through his torso was twisted and wrenched free through his side, promptly ending his existence.

"World's End my ass," Freyd spat, his disdain for the mob's false chivalry and allegedly pitiable plight making no attempt at concealment.  And then the castle shuddered.  Then again.  Soon stoned began to fall randomly from their settings, making perfectly clear that the place was coming down.  Pulling out a teleportation crystal, he was about to activate it when a quest prompt came up insisting that a running retreat was required.

"Hnnng.  Fine!"  Veering back down the curving corridor of rooms, Freyd dodged debris and made his way back down as swiftly as his legs would carry him.  No mobs remained to oppose him, for which he was mildly grateful.  Cracks spread across the stone slabs on the walls and floors.  Soon, whole segments of both were falling away, opening gaping holes in the dematerializing construct.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN

Galaxy Destroyer (x13): 13 EN - (Rested 2/2; Finesse 3) = 9 EN

ID #183521 | BD: 3+6-3=6 (hit).  DMG: (13*26=338-80=258) to Varalys

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 | EN:173/191 (182+1-9) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:3 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | DOTE 3/3 | VENGEFUL | [DISGUISE 1/3]

Varalys the World’s End | HP: 0/650 | ACC 5 | EVA 3 | MIT: 80 | Immune to Paralysis, Bleed, and Thorns | DMG: 260  | TXV 24 (2/3) (263-258-24)

<<Dragon’s Judgment>> On a roll of 9-10, a dragon symbol will appear on the character’s chest, applying Freeze against the character. Note that this removes their evasion properties for one turn. 
<<Dragon’s Ascent>> On a LD roll of 15+, this boss will heal 25 HP and raise its attack by 10.
<<Dragon’s Last Roar>> At the moment his HP reaches zero, he will shout in dragons tongue for the castle itself to crumble down with brimstone raining from the sky. The player has to roleplay them escaping the castle which will take 4 posts to do so, on each of those posts they must roll… on CD’s of 1 - 8 they will take 100 unmitigatable damage from the stones that crumble from the sky.

 

[Freyd 0]

Post #14

Varalys' death cries rang through the halls, even as they started to collapse all around him.  Large fragments of marble and underlying masonry rained down, showering Freyd with dust and chunks of shaped stoned that buffeted his health bar more effectively than the dragon knights had done.  The thought brought a slight, smiling grimace to his lips, even as he ran to escape his potential doom.  Shards of rainbow-coloured glass fell all around as the castle's stained windows were among the first victims of its crumbling structural supports.  One of the gilded egg cradled came free of its housing and slid directly into Freyd's path, forcing him to leap over it.  

"Wait... is the floor leaning a little more than it should?"

*SNAP*

The entire floor heaved, then dropped beneath his feet at a critical support gave way.

"Notgoodnotgoodnotgood!!!"  Freyd's feet cleared the last chamber just in time, as the room behind him fell into the abyss, crashing into a few likely important things during its descent.

***

<<Dragon’s Last Roar>> At the moment his HP reaches zero, he will shout in dragons tongue for the castle itself to crumble down with brimstone raining from the sky. The player has to roleplay them escaping the castle which will take 4 posts to do so, on each of those posts they must roll… on CD’s of 1 - 8 they will take 100 unmitigatable damage from the stones that crumble from the sky.

ID #183523 | CD 8 (100 unmit damage dealt) - 1/4

Freyd | HP:1810/1910 (1910-100) | EN:174/191 (173+1) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:3 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | DOTE 3/3 | VENGEFUL | [DISGUISE 2/3]

 

[Freyd 0]

Post #15

Another disturbingly close crack urged Freyd's feet to move faster, even as he stumbled in his haste.  The castle wouldn't last long at this rate, and every chuck of the upper levels that crashed down threatened to block his path in a permanently lethal fashion.

"Why is it that the mobs can be ridiculously easy to beat, but the environmental effects can be orders of magnitude more deadly?!"  Persi's dark form darted along at his side, offering no response.  His familiar's azure eyes were wide and in full possession of its flight reflex, scampering from stone to broken stone as it navigated the growing piles of rubble that blocked their progress. 

"Find us a path, girl.  You always know which way to go!"

Freyd trusted his familiar's instincts with his life.  It had taken a number of painful lessons, a hefty dose of patience, and a good amount of time, but they had eventually found their rhythm.  Both relied upon that silent bond now, as they worked together to make their escape.

***

<<Dragon’s Last Roar>> At the moment his HP reaches zero, he will shout in dragons tongue for the castle itself to crumble down with brimstone raining from the sky. The player has to roleplay them escaping the castle which will take 4 posts to do so, on each of those posts they must roll… on CD’s of 1 - 8 they will take 100 unmitigatable damage from the stones that crumble from the sky.

ID #183524 | CD 4 (100 unmit damage dealt) - 2/4

EN fully recovered.
Freyd regains 45 HP from passive healing.

Freyd | HP:1755/1910 (1810+45-100) | EN:174/191 (173+1) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:3 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | DOTE 3/3 | VENGEFUL | [DISGUISE 3/3]

[Freyd 0]

Post #16

Gravity imposed its will and greater sections of the castle ground against each other, falling debris wiping out entire sections at a time while Freyd and his familiar fled.  Footing was treacherous as floors heaved and sought to toss them aside, overboard from a fortress sinking fast in the wake of any further purpose.  This was the great mystery of the dragon hunter's anthology?  Some whiny big-shot who's best trick was to bring his own lair down around you?  Freyd shook his head in disappointment, even as he raced across fracturing flagstones.  A change in colour and material signaled that they were nearing the original rooms where this ordeal began.  But, then what?  They take the mirror road back up into an also falling castle?  That didn't seem like a very good plan. 

"The quest made this reverse gauntlet a requirement, so there has to be a destination, right?"

Persi was in a full-on sprint, too busy fleeing to waste time answering stupid questions.

***

<<Dragon’s Last Roar>> At the moment his HP reaches zero, he will shout in dragons tongue for the castle itself to crumble down with brimstone raining from the sky. The player has to roleplay them escaping the castle which will take 4 posts to do so, on each of those posts they must roll… on CD’s of 1 - 8 they will take 100 unmitigatable damage from the stones that crumble from the sky.

ID #183525 | CD 2 (100 unmit damage dealt) - 3/4

EN fully recovered.
Freyd regains 45 HP from passive healing.

Freyd | HP:1700/1910 (1755+45-100) | EN:191/191 | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:3 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | DOTE 3/3 | VENGEFUL

[Freyd 0]

Post #17

The finish line was up ahead, along with some good and bad news.  The good news was that the mirrored hall that could originally be seen on the far side of the chamber had been replaced by a set of double doors.  This was also the bad news, as they were closed and glaring angrily with this knockers to indicate that they were likely locked.  Freyd's shoulder impact confirmed that it was so, the heavy hardwood giving not even an inch despite the momentum of an entire tower's flight behind him.  Something had to give, or this was not going to end well.

A slash of his sword in line with the seam between the sides severed the bar, or whatever might have been holding shut and they swung open - part way, at least, and not quite wide enough for even Freyd's scrawny ass to fit through.  But, his attention was already elsewhere as every bit of falling debris hung, frozen mid-fall around him. Even the dust sat still, like paused fog parting in eerie silence as his gloved hand pushed them aside to confirm that they were still 'real'

"Another glitch.  Damn.  And a bad one at that."  Freyd's curse was further justified an instant later with a flash of bluish light.

They were one short of a dozen as a full array of glitches manifested before him, each one's form a twisted version of one of the dragon knights he had just defeated.

"Care to try that again, player?"

***

<<Dragon’s Last Roar>> At the moment his HP reaches zero, he will shout in dragons tongue for the castle itself to crumble down with brimstone raining from the sky. The player has to roleplay them escaping the castle which will take 4 posts to do so, on each of those posts they must roll… on CD’s of 1 - 8 they will take 100 unmitigatable damage from the stones that crumble from the sky.

ID #183526 | CD 11 (no damage dealt) - 4/4

EN fully recovered.
Freyd regains 45 HP from passive healing.

Freyd | HP:1745/1910 (1700+45) | EN:191/191 | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:3 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | DOTE 3/3 | VENGEFUL

[Freyd 0]

[Scene falls into a glitch and gets pulled into the bowels of Floor 22]

The largest one, at the back, carried Valarys' voice, though he knew it to be some other monstrosity.  

He does sell the whole 'World's End' thing a lot better like this.

You'd have to be mad to stay and fight against these kinds of odds.

Yup.  Probably.

Montjoy sighed inside Freyd's head, his shadow performing a full facepalm, knowing full well what was coming next.  

Sure enough, the Whisper held his sword before him in mock salute.  Strangely enough, the first rank of knights did the same as they set themselves to charge.  Freyd beat them to it, unleashing a sword art with thought-defying speed as he rent their formation apart with his opening strike, hacking and slashing with unholy alacrity as he cut them down for a second time - or at least whatever remained of the original mobs now consumed my these abominations.  Those beyond stood, waiting, still bound by Cardinal's rules of engagement.

Huh.  Look at that. This might be possible after all.

Spoiler

[Sub-Dungeon Map #167524 activated]

Freyd regains 95 HP from BH.
Freyd activates Charge.

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +6 from hits): 18 EN - (Rested 1/2; Finesse 3) = 14 EN

ID #185232 | BD: 6+6-1=11 (hit, Charge +5, Fallen +6). DMG (12*37=444) to Glitched Knight #1.
ID #185233 | BD: 2+6-1=7 (hit, Charge +5). DMG (12*31=372) to Glitched Knight #2.
ID #185234 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Charge +5, Holy +6).  DMG (12*38=456) to Glitched Knight #3.
ID #185235 | BD: 1 (miss).  Freyd misses Glitched Knight #4.

Freyd regains 191 HP from VO.

ID #185232 | MD: 4-4=0 (miss)
ID #185233 | MD: 8-4=4 (miss)
ID #185234 | MD: 8-4=4 (miss)
ID #185235 | MD: 5-4=1 (miss)

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 (1745+95+191) | EN:177/191 (191-14) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:3 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | DOTE 3/3 | VENGEFUL

Glitched Knight #1: HP: 326/770 | DMG 264 (770-444)
Glitched Knight #2: HP: 398/770 | DMG 264 (770-372)
Glitched Knight #3: HP: 314/770 | DMG 264 (770-456)
Glitched Knight #4: HP: 770/770 | DMG 264 

 

 

[Freyd 0]

Trading feints and lunging thrusts with the four glowing, armored figures before him, Freyd kept moving to avoid their blows.  An odd realization dawned upon him that he'd honed his skills fighting with multiple enemies at once, and was often least comfortable when facing single foes.  His sweet spot was in the thick of it, surrounded by foes, just like he was right now.  Curling the edge of his lips, Freyd's senses focused keenly on every sound and hint of movement around him.  It had never occurred to him how much of a hunter he was, preferring to thinking himself more of a scout or detective.  In retrospect, that seemed insincere at best, delusional at worst.  Neither state was unfamiliar.

Stop lying to yourself.  It's always been inside you.  Use it.

Turning one of the knight's blade with his own, he redirected it into one of his allies instead.  The glitch-thing's eyes bulged with stunned surprise even as its mesh fell to pieces around it.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN.
Freyd regains 95 HP from BH.

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +6 from hits): 18 EN - (Rested 2/2; Finesse 3) = 14 EN

ID #185237 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Holy +6).  DMG (12*33=396) to Glitched Knight #1.
ID #185238 | BD: 7+6=13 (hit, Fallen +6).  DMG (12*32=384) to Glitched Knight #2.
ID #185239 | BD: 1 (miss)
ID #185240 | BD: 5+6=11 (hit).  DMG (12*26=312) to Glitched Knight #4.

ID #185238 | MD: 6-4=2 (miss)
ID #185239 | MD: 5-4=1 (miss)
ID #185240 | MD: 7-4=3 (miss)

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 | EN:164/191 (177+1-14) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:3 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | DOTE 3/3 | VENGEFUL

Glitched Knight #1: HP: 0/770 | DMG 264 (326-396)
Glitched Knight #2: HP: 14/770 | DMG 264 (398-384)
Glitched Knight #3: HP: 314/770 | DMG 264 
Glitched Knight #4: HP: 458/770 | DMG 264 (770-312)

Loot Rolls:

Loot Glitched Knight #1 | ID #186078 | LD: 7+8=15 | CD: 10

8085*Col
2*T3 Materials
T3 Rare Armor/Shield #186078a
 

Edited March 22, 2021 by Freyd

[Freyd 0]

Slipping behind one of the knights, Freyd's form melded with that of its cloak, reappearing at the outskirts of the battlefield to cries of fatal injury.  His flesh and steel pierced its way out of the target's shadow, crashing through it like a silent shockwave.  The concussive strength of his strike ruptured its mesh completely, causing the stunned mob to explode even as its companions struggled to understand what had happened.    Something tapped the second knight on the helm, causing its addled head to turn.  Montjoy smiled at him and pointed back to the right.  He barely managed to turn back before a black blade bore down upon him, splitting his torso in twain.  The remaining knights fared no better, suffering swift slices and battered egos for their bold advance.

Even as the next two struggled to advance, an inky mass rose up from the floor, slipping under the armor of the nearer mob.  Moments later, his heavy plate sounded like a lawnmower with indigestion as Persi carved him apart inside his own tin.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN.
Freyd activates Vanish (-6 EN): ID #185241 | LD: 10+8=18 (success)

Maintain Stealth: ID #185242 | LD: 8+8=16 (success)

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +8 from hits): 20 EN - (Finesse 3) = 17 EN

ID #185243 | BD: 2 (autohit, Assassin +3).  DMG (12*29=348)
ID #185244 | BD: 2 (autohit, Assassin +3).  DMG (12*29=348)
ID #185245 | BD: 7 (autohit, Assassin +3, Fallen +6).  DMG (12*35=420)
ID #185246 | BD: 2 (autohit, Assassin +3).  DMG (12*29=348)

ID #185245 | MD: 3-4=(-1) (miss)
ID #185246 | MD: 9 (Crit +1).  DMG (265-79=186) to Freyd

Vengeful Riposte DMG (132) to Glitched Knight #5

Freyd | HP:1724/1910 (1910-186) | EN:145/191 (164+1-6-14) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:3 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | DOTE 3/3 | VENGEFUL |[VANISH 0/3]

Glitched Knight #2: HP: 0/770 | DMG 264 (14-348)
Glitched Knight #3: HP: 0/770 | DMG 264 (314-348)
Glitched Knight #4: HP: 38/770 | DMG 264 (458-420)
Glitched Knight #5: HP: 290/770 | DMG 264 (770-348-132)

Loot Rolls:

Loot Glitched Knight #2 | ID #186079 | LD: 20+8=28 | CD: 6

8085*Col
(22) Intermediate Dungeon Map #186079

Loot Glitched Knight #3 | ID #186080 | LD: 9+8=17 | CD: 3

4851*Col
4*T3 Materials
T3 Rare Consumable #186080a
T3 Rare Weapon #186080b
 

Edited March 25, 2021 by Freyd