[SP-22] Keeping the Which Down? <<Witch of the West>>

[Freyd 0]

"So the rumors were true."  Gazing at the swirling cloud formation overhead, centred over the semi-broken spire of the witch's tower, Freyd had come to a simple yet inevitable conclusion:  too many monkeys. The Wicked Witch had been left to her own devices while players were busy elsewhere.  Judging by the immense swarm of banana-wielding, winged apes circling her fortress, Evillene had been busy.  The Whisper didn't even know whether SAO actually identified her by name, or if she was merely known by the moniker.  It didn't really matter.  That level of clichéd villainy couldn't be permitted to stew on the guild's doorstep, unchecked.

"Time for you lot to go toil and trouble somewhere else for awhile."

Reaching up and out towards a nearby tree branch, Freyd silently slid a long sliver of pure black nothing from beneath the coniferous branch, a hint of white light flaring around the held end.  Samael's Pride could be drawn from any gloom or shadow, lingering just beneath the surface of all things.  The blade's ceaseless hunger made itself known from the moment it was summoned, already eager to feast.

***

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:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95

Mega Slime Farm activates (+2 SP)

Freyd Consumes:

Spoiler

Crème Brûlée (Snack) | Accuracy 2 | 172199
Smores (Snack) | Evasion 2 | 172792
Viperion (Salve) | Toxic Venom | 155375
Liquor of Light (Potion) | Damage 3 | 177865-1
Breakfast Fry | Protein 2 | 174587 + Filled
Divinity's Wait (Meal)| T3 Mitigation 3 | 177116
Berry Crumb Bars (Snack) | LOOT DIE 3 | 172788-1
Mousse (Snack) | PROSPERITY 3 | 173052
Field Rations +2 - 19/20 - [http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/19871-f13-merchant-freyd-edges-safe-zone/?do=findComment&comment=623998]

Stats:

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
(Toxic Venom 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 [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
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]

The direct approach seemed best, skirting fast and low towards the tower door, daring its defenders to pile on fast enough to make a different.  Freyd made it halfway from the forest's edge before the first sentinel gave out a warning cry that filled the sky with echoes of alarm and the stench of stale fruit in desperate need of a Gatling gun full of breath mints.  By closing most of the distance, he denied them the full advantage of their numbers, hacking and slashing at the mix of fuzzy wings and leathery paws that sought to grab and drag him away into the skies.  Kicking backwards as hard as he could with his legs while fending off the funnel of monkeys, he heard the latch snap and made his was inside.  A few of the simian guards managed to follow, only to be cut down for their trouble.  One lingered after the first wave fell, his courage visibly melting away as the meter of his foe became apparent.

Spoiler

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

ID #184903 | BD: 1 (miss)
ID #184904 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Holy +6) DMG: (33*12=396-20=376) to Flying Monkey #2
ID #184905 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Holy +6) DMG: (33*12=396-20=376) to Flying Monkey #3
ID #184906 | BD: 3+6=9 (hit). DMG: (12*26=312-20=292) to Flying Monkey #4

ID #184903 | MD: 7-4=3 (miss)

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:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95

Flying Monkey #1 | HP:150/150 | DMG 70 (min 35) | MIT 20
Flying Monkey #2 | HP:0/150 | DMG 70 (min 35) | MIT 20 (150-376)
Flying Monkey #3 | HP:0/150 | DMG 70 (min 35) | MIT 20 (150-376)
Flying Monkey #4 | HP:0/150 | DMG 70 (min 35) | MIT 20 (150-292)

 

[Freyd 0]

Grabbing the last monkey by one of its awkward-looking wings, Freyd momentarily marveled at the strange softness of its down-like fuzz, even as he yanked and threw the smaller creature into the far wall.  The impact carried a sickening crunch that was instantly followed by the vacuum suction of a void blade let loose and gutting the creature with a single strike.  

A fierce and angry roar followed from the stair leading to the upper levels as a much larger specimen came crashing down into the vestibule, beating the silvery furr on its chest as it sought to declare its authority.  A swipe of shadow followed, barely the thickness of a beam of light as the Whisper's weapon whirled and beheaded the new arrival with little effort.  He had been the diversion.  From above, the Witch flung her poison laced dagger into the player's back.  

'Urk.'

*thump*

As mighty as any player might be, nothing could save you from the fickle nature of an angry RNG.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN.
Freyd activates Charge.

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +6 for hits): 20 EN - (Rested 1/2; Finesse 3) = 16 EN

ID #184907 | BD: 7+6-1=12 (hit, Charge +5, Fallen +6).  DMG (12*37=444-20=424) to Flying Monkey #1
ID #184908 | BD: 6+6-1=12 (hit, Charge +5, Fallen +6).  DMG (12*37=444-35=409) to Elite Flying Monkey
ID #184909 | BD: 6+6-1=12 (hit, Charge +5, Fallen +6).  DMG (12*37=444-70=374) to The Witch

ID #184909 | BD: 10 (Crit +2).  DMG (102-79=23, min 50).  Poison 16/3 applied.

Freyd is paralyzed for one turn and poisoned (16/3)

Unnatural Swiftness procs.

Freyd | HP:1860/1910 (1910-50=1860) | EN:162/191 (177+1-16) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | [POISONED 16 (0/3)] | PARALYZED

Flying Monkey #1 | HP:150/150 | DMG 70 (min 35) | MIT 20 (150-424)
Elite Flying Monkey | HP:220/220 | DMG 90 (min 45) | MIT 35 (220-409)
The Witch | HP: 324/700 | DMG: 100 (min 50) | MIT 70 (700-374)

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

 

[Freyd 0]

Freyd's cowl twitched as the dagger sank into his back, vanishing even as it delivered its potentially deadly effects.  Evillene leapt down, awkwardly, her legs getting stuck in the folds of her tattered skirt.  What should have been a momentous victory turned out to be more a glimpse of embarrassment as she missed her falling mark and landed loudly nearby.  Fortunately, an inconveniently placed chair muffled her cries of frustration as it crunched and clattered into pieces beneath her weight.  Freyd could do nothing, save teeter over, face-first into an unattended bowl of porridge.

Huh.  Just Right. 

His addled mind wondered when the three bears would return, and whether they'd be tagged yellow or red.

Spoiler

Freyd is paralyzed (1/1)
Freyd regains +1 EN.
Freyd regains 95 HP from BH
Freyd takes 16 damage from Poison (reduced by 20% because of Clean)

ID #184910 | MD: 5 (miss)

Freyd | HP:1897/1910 (1860+95-13) | EN:163/191 (162+1) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 (0) | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | [POISONED 16 (1/3)] | PARALYZED

The Witch | HP: 324/700 | DMG: 100 (min 50) | MIT 70 | EVA 1

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

 

[Freyd 0]

His wits slow to return, Freyd scrambled back to his feet, gradually realizing that he was facing the wrong way.  His opponent, meanwhile, busied herself scrounging up a new weapon, grabbing the first available item in a desperate attempt to regain her initial advantage.  The Whisper turned just in time to receive a face-full of dust-ridden straw.  Sneezing violently, his sword jerked upward and unleashed an art as reflex.  Waving away the small cloudburst, Freyd was still just putting the pieces of the scene back together as the severed broom's end clattered to the floor, revealing a shocked and incredulous boss struggling to determine which was worse: having swatted the player with a cleaning instrument, or having been killed for it.  Her sickly green lips opened to voice protest, but fell apart instead, all of her crumpling into a greenish mound of pixels that fell neatly into a conveniently placed dustpan.  

Freyd sniffed, unceremoniously, realizing what had just happened.

"Erm... eh... whatever works?"

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN.
Freyd regains 95 HP from BH
Freyd takes 16 damage from Poison (reduced by 20% because of Clean)

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

ID #184911 | BD: 8+6-1=13 (hit, Fallen +6) DMG (13*32=416-70=346)

Freyd | HP:1897/1910 (1897+95-13) | EN:155/191 (163+1-9) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 (0) | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | [POISONED 16 (2/3)] 

The Witch | HP: 0/700 | DMG: 100 (min 50) | MIT 70 | EVA 1 (324-346)

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

 

[Freyd 0]

Post #6

Still struggling to figure how his plan had actually succeeded, failed, and recovered quite to quickly, Freyd failed to notice how the number of dark shaped outside the tower hadn't yet scattered or dwindled in scope.  The opposite seemed to be true, their shapes twisting and morphing mid-air as the swarm reached some sort of critical mass.  Monkeys merged to become twisted, demonic versions of themselves, as if the entire area had suddenly been upgraded into a proper boss zone and all the beasts made meaner to suit.  Getting in suddenly seemed easy.  Getting out might prove to be a whole other ball game.

"Maybe be do this the super-sneaky way, hmm?"

Montjoy cocked his head in a patronizing manner, as if he'd suggested that they enter by the same means in the first place.  Pulling his cowl tight to his head and melting silent into the shadows and skulking towards the nearest exit.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN.
Freyd regains 95 HP from BH
Freyd takes 16 damage from Poison (reduced by 20% because of Clean)
Freyd activates Hiding

Stealth Roll: ID #184913 | LD: 2+8=10 (success)

Freyd | HP:1897/1910 (1897+95-13) | EN:156/191 (155+1) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | [POISONED 16 (3/3)] 

Sub-Dungeon Map #167393 activated

 

[Freyd 0]

Post #7

Huge, hulking grey figures punched through the tower walls, ripping open the outer masonry walls with their bare hands as if they were play-dough.  

'This is what happens if you leave a mess to fester for too long,' Freyd scolded himself, mentally.  He couldn't be everywhere, and organizing players to routinely scour content only proved to be more and more difficult as more floors were unlocked and the player base steadily dwindled in number.

Right.  So, we can't really just run away from this, can we?

Montjoy was right.  Freyd's vocal sober second thought had a nagging habit of pointing towards what should be done, and how to do it right.  He was unfuriatingly useful about it.  Having no counter, Freyd burst from the shadows and waded into his enemies.  They could not be allowed to remain, lest the next group of newbies expecting the standard quest opposition run into whatever these nasty things were.

"Time to be the janitor once again."

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN.
Freyd regains 95 HP from BH
Maintain Stealth: ID #184923 | LD: 19+8=27 (success)

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

ID #184924 | BD: 9 (Autohit, Crit +1, Assassin +3, Holy +6).  DMG (12*36=432) to Flying Maxi-Monke #1.  TXV applied.
ID #184925 | BD: 4 (Autohit, Assassin +3). DMG (12*29=348) to Flying Maxi-Monke #2.
ID #184926 | BD: 7 (Autohit, Assassin +3, Fallen +6). DMG (12*35=420) to Flying Maxi-Monke #3.
ID #184927 | BD: 1 (Autohit, Assassin +3). DMG (12*29=348) to Flying Maxi-Monke #4.

ID #184924 | MD: 4-4=0 (miss)
ID #184925 | MD: 1 (miss)
ID #184926 | MD: 8-4=4 (miss)
ID #184927 | MD: 9 (Crit +1).  DMG (265-79=186)

Freyd | HP:1724/1910 (1897+95-186) | EN:141/191 (156+1-16) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95

Flying Maxi-Monke #1 | HP: 314/770 | DMG 264 | [TXV 24 (1/3)] (770-432-24)
Flying Maxi-Monke #2 | HP: 422/770 | DMG 264 (770-348)
Flying Maxi-Monke #3 | HP: 350/770 | DMG 264 (770-420)
Flying Maxi-Monke #4 | HP: 422/770 | DMG 264 (770-348)

 

[Freyd 0]

Post #8

A whirlwind of shadows and pain scoured the invading swarm of simians, tearing into their numbers and cutting them down to size without mercy. There were too many for Freyd to get fancy.  His first strike lopped off a wing, which he caught and promptly threw at the next nearest enemy.    Blinded by the bursting limb, it couldn't dodge the overhead strike that followed right behind it, and was soon cleaved in twain for its trouble.  Slow to recover, the two remaining sentinels converged on Freyd from opposite directions, threatening to strike him simultaneously.  He knew he had to unbalance their plan and charged towards the on his left.  The poor creature's went wide as its courage evaporated, realizing that it had somehow earned his full wrath.  Raising its arms in feeble defence earned it a brutal and fatal slice across its exposed abdomen.  Freyd's motion spun him around the clip the late arrival, which was thrown sideways by the force behind his sword art, into a series of bubbling glassware pertaining to the Witch's incessant experiments.

Spoiler

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

Calamity Disaster (x12 AoE, +8 for hits): 20 EN - (Rested 2/2; Finesse 3) = 16 EN

ID #184928 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Charge +5, Holy +6).  DMG (12*38=456) to Flying Maxi-Monke #1
ID #184929 | BD: 3+6-1=8 (hit, Charge +5).  DMG (12*31=372) to Flying Maxi-Monke #2
ID #184930 | BD: 8+6-1=13 (hit, Charge +5, Fallen +6).  DMG (12*37=444) to Flying Maxi-Monke #3
ID #184931 | BD: 7+6-1=12 (hit, Charge +5, Fallen +6).  DMG (12*37=444) to Flying Maxi-Monke #4

Freyd regains 191 HP from VO

ID #184929 | MD: 2-4=(-2) (miss)

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 (1724+95+191) | EN:126/191 (141+1-16) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95

Flying Maxi-Monke #1 | HP: 0/770 | DMG 264 | [TXV 24 (2/3)] (314-456-24)
Flying Maxi-Monke #2 | HP: 50/770 | DMG 264 (422-372)
Flying Maxi-Monke #3 | HP: 0/770 | DMG 264 (350-444)
Flying Maxi-Monke #4 | HP: 0/770 | DMG 264 (422-444)

Loot Rolls:

Flying Maxi-Monke #1: ID #185108 | LD 12+8=20; CD 3

6468*Col
2*T3 Materials
T3 Perfect Consumable #185108a
T3 Rare Trinket #185108b

Flying Maxi-Monke #3: ID #185109 | LD 5+8=13; CD 9

6468*Col
4*T3 Materials
T3 Rare Armor/Shield #185109a

Flying Maxi-Monke #4: ID #185110 | LD 19+8=27; CD 1

4851*Col
4*T3 Materials
T3 Perfect Consumable #185110a
T3 Perfect Consumable #185110b
T3 Perfect Armor/Shield #185110c
T3 Perfect Armor/Shield #185110d
 

[Freyd 0]

Post #9

The last of the first wave of minions was quickly finished, even as two more entered from the flanks, lured by the clash of battle and all the monkey screeching.  Landing with blades bared, they found nothing but debris and the detritus of fallen comrades strewn about the Witch's laboratory, until two shadows fell from above.  One was Freyd, who promptly plunged his void blade into the backs of the nearest target.  They other flailed ineffectively, falling for Montjoy's distractions.  Tumbling over the first monkey's high strike, Freyd managed to land an equally nasty blow on its comrade, forcing them both to reconsider the wisdom of joining the fray.  Both had counted on finding allies engaged in combat, only to realize that the field had been wiped clean.  Instead, they face the same threat as their former brethren, but with half the numbers.  They pressed against each other, back to back in hopes of gaining some additional protection, yet still fearing the coming onslaught.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN.
Freyd activates Vanish (-6 EN): ID #184932 | LD: 16+8=24 (success)

Maintain Stealth: ID #184933 | LD: 14+8=22 (success)

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

ID #184934 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Assassin +3, Holy +6).  DMG (12*36=432)
ID #184935 | BD: 1 (Autohit, Assassin +3). DMG (12*29=348) to Flying Maxi-Monke #5
ID #184936 | BD: 1 (Autohit, Assassin +3). DMG (12*29=348) to Flying Maxi-Monke #6

ID #184935 | MD: 6-4=2 (miss)
ID #184936 | MD: 2-4=(-2) (miss)

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 | EN:106/191 (126+1-6-15) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | [VANISH 0/3]

Flying Maxi-Monke #2 | HP: 0/770 | DMG 264 (50-432)
Flying Maxi-Monke #5 | HP: 422/770 | DMG 264 (770-348)
Flying Maxi-Monke #6 | HP: 422/770 | DMG 264 (770-348)
 

Loot Rolls:

Flying Maxi-Monke #2: ID #185111 | LD 12+8=20; CD 5

6468*Col
2*T3 Materials
T3 Perfect Armor/Shield 185111a
T3 Perfect Trinket #185111b
 

[Freyd 0]

Post #10

The pool of shadows at their feet rose ominously between the two surviving monkey guards unleashing a load of mongoose wrath in the place neither of them had expected.  Freyd slashed the nearer on while it was distracted and felled it with his blow pressing his advantage to batter the other with relentless attacks and drop its health bar deep into the red.

One of the monkey swarm's leaders had elected to check on the progress of his minions, only to be sorely disappointed by their lack of progress. "Cut him down, you f-"

The bellowed orders fell short of finish as Freyd delivered a vicious flurry of jabs and strikes at the new arrival, falling into a steady rhythm that might be mistaken for frenzy, by those who didn't know what to look for.  The Whisper had long since learned the value of pacing and was simply building to a crescendo as more hapless mobs wandered aimlessly into his kill zone.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN.
Freyd activates Charge

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

ID #184937 | BD: 3+6-1=8 (hit, Charge +5).  DMG (12*31=372) to Flying Maxi-Monke #5
ID #184938 | BD: 7+6-1=12 (hit, Charge +5, Fallen +6). DMG (12*37=444) to Flying Maxi-Monke #6
ID #184939 | BD: 10 (Crit +2, Charge +5, Holy +6). DMG (12*39=468-44=424) to Flying Monke Prince #1.  TXV applied.

ID #184937 | MD: 8-4=4 (miss)
ID #184938 | MD: 2-4=(-2) (miss)
ID #184939 | MD: 9 (Crit +1).  DMG (331-79=252)

Freyd | HP:1658/1910 (1910-252) | EN:92/191 (106+1-15) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | [VANISH 1/3]

Flying Maxi-Monke #5 | HP: 50/770 | DMG 264 (422-372)
Flying Maxi-Monke #6 | HP: 0/770 | DMG 264 (422-444)
Flying Monke Prince #1: HP: 652/1100 | DMG 330 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 | [TXV 24 (1/3)] (1100-424-24)

Loot Rolls:

Flying Maxi-Monke #6: ID #185112 | LD 6+8=14; CD 7

6468*Col
2*T3 Materials
T3 Rare Weapon #185112a
T3 Uncommon Consumable #185112b
 

[Freyd 0]

Post #11

"One player?!  You useless maggots can't even overwhelm one player?"  

The lone minion shrug in feeble self-defense, even as Freyd's blade parted its head from the rest of its body, both bursting into pixel puffs.  Surprise was still pasted on its face in the intervening moment before it disappeared, realizing that its glimpse and dreams of victory were shattering with the rest of its digital anatomy.  The simian lieutenant grabbed a nearby table and swept its across the floor before him to clear space to fight and hoping to knock Freyd back with flying debris.  Instead, the Whisper leapt over top with grace and agility, bringing his weapon down on the mob's pre-occupied arm and prompting escalating outrage.

"Step aside, monkey-man, or you'll end up like all the rest."  Freyd's red eyes glared from beneath his cowl, backing up his threat and giving the mob pause.  It didn't need to see the bodies to understand how long the trail of dead mobs was behind this particular player.

Spoiler

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

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

ID #184940 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Holy +6).  DMG (12*33=396) to Flying Maxi-Monke #5
ID #184941 | BD: 2+6-1=7 (hit).  DMG (12*26=312-44=268) to Flying Monke Prince #1

Freyd regains 191 HP from VO

ID #184941 | MD: 1 (miss)

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 (1658+95+191) | EN:80/191 (92+1-13) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | [VANISH 2/3]

Flying Maxi-Monke #5 | HP: 0/770 | DMG 264 (50-396)
Flying Monke Prince #1: HP: 360/1100 | DMG 330 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 | [TXV 24 (2/3)] (652-268-24)

Loot Rolls:

Flying Maxi-Monke #5: ID #185113 | LD 13+8=21; CD 5

4851*Col
4*T3 Materials
T3 Perfect Armor/Shield #185113a
T3 Perfect Consumable #185113b
T3 Perfect Consumable #185113c
 

[Freyd 0]

Post #12

"Doesn't work that way, flesh-bag.  I've got an army at my back."  A leathery thumb jerked over his shoulder, where another mob like himself had just joined the battle.

Freyd made a show of craning his neck.  When the speaker turned to match the direction, Freyd stabbed him in the neck with a five-foot sliver of nothingness.  The new arrival's eye bulged out momentarily, realizing what it was up against.  Freyd never messed around with the lethality of his attacks in combat, and was more than willing to wield circumstance to intimidate his enemies if it yielded him an advantage.  

Recovering, just as its lost companion's form drifted away into the breeze, the new warrior's eyes flared with rage as it threw itself against Freyd.  The Whisper, calmly sidestepped the thrust of its spear, grabbing the shaft and yanking it forward.  Samael's Pride caught the over-extended foe as it stumbled past, trying to regain its footing.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN.

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

ID #184942 | BD: 6+6-1=11 (hit, Fallen +6).  DMG (12*32=384-44=340) to Flying Monke Prince #1
ID #184943 | BD: 2+6-1=7 (hit).  DMG (12*26=312-44=268) to Flying Monke Prince #2

ID #184943 | MD: 5+1-4=2 (miss)

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 | EN:68/191 (80+1-13) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | [VANISH 3/3]

Flying Monke Prince #1: HP: 0/1100 | DMG 330 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 | [TXV 24 (3/3)] (360-340-24)
Flying Monke Prince #2: HP: 832/1100 | DMG 330 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 (1100-268)

Loot Rolls:

Flying Monke Prince #1: ID #185114 | LD 15+8=23; CD 11

13860*Col
4*T3 Materials
T3 Perfect Consumable #185114a
 

[Freyd 0]

Post #13:

Desperate to regain its footing, the creature flapped its wide wings, forcing Freyd to step back to avoid getting swatted.  But, as soon as it tried to fold the feathered appendages behind it, he rushed forward and plunged his weapon into the mob's chest, flaring with darkness as the seal lifted momentarily, disintegrating a good sized chunk of the creature's torso.  It hissed and gasped, the AI struggling to demonstrate how it was supposed to be able to keep breathing after such a strike.  The truth was: it wasn't, but it really didn't need to either.  

Coiling low to avoid the monkey's riposte, Freyd batted away its spear and slammed the pommel of his sword up into the beast's chin, sending it reeling back towards the opening where it had first landed.  He needed a clear path to get back tot he exit and make his way back to the safety of the woods.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN.
Freyd activates Charge.

Galaxy Destroyer (x13): 13 EN - (Finesse 3) = 10 EN

ID #184944 | BD: 7+6-1-1=11 (hit, Charge +5, Fallen +6).  DMG (13*37=481-44=437) to Flying Monke Prince #2

ID #184944 | MD: 6+1-4=3 (miss)

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 | EN:59/191 (68+1-10) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | [VANISH 3/3]

Flying Monke Prince #2: HP: 395/1100 | DMG 330 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 (832-437)

 

[Freyd 0]

Post #14

"Oh no you don't!  You're mine, meat-sack!"  Interposing itself in the opening seemed a good idea, until Freyd tried to stab his way through.  As imposing as it was, the creatures defenses simply couldn't stand up against the precision of the Whisper's assault.  It held its ground, but at the expense of a rapidly dwindling health bar.

"Look, if you want to stand in my way, that's fine by me.  I'll just as soon go through you as around."  Deflecting a badly-timed thrust, Freyd twisted his grip and drove his black blade deep into a grey-furred thigh.  It was enough to cause his opponent to stumble and fall to its knees, propping itself on the haft of its weapon, but still exposing the escape route he had sought.  As Montjoy had pointed out, this wasn't really about escape anymore.  Freyd's mind's eye twitched.  Was he really going down that rabbit hole?  Had he not already?

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN.

Galaxy Destroyer (x13): 13 EN - (Finesse 3) = 10 EN

ID #184945 | BD: 4+6-1=9 (hit).  DMG (13*26=338-44=294) to Flying Monke Prince #2

ID #184945 | MD: 3+1-4=0 (miss)

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 | EN:50/191 (59+1-10) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 

Flying Monke Prince #2: HP: 101/1100 | DMG 330 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 (395-294)

 

[Freyd 0]

Post #15

A barrage of blows against the mob followed as confirmation.  Freyd was no peacekeeper, nor motivated by any greater sense of harmony.  He had a goal, and it was to make this place safe for the next batch to follow.  Cardinal had set the terms: cull the mobs.  He just had to meet those conditions to achieve it.  Internally, a switch flicked off unlocking a mode of infinite possibilities and disregarded consequences.  He became an instrument - a tool - devoted to singular and bloody purpose.  The first swipe that followed severed the monkey's head in a blinding burst of wrath and light.  

Stepping to the edge of the raw wound in the tower's side, red eyes scanned for the target he sought.  There, in the middle of the swarm.  One far larger than all the rest and wielding a wicked-looking scythe.  Freya would appreciate the choice.  It wouldn't make any difference in the coming battle.  Freyd was resolved.

Vanity Tag: @Freya

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN.

Galaxy Destroyer (x13): 13 EN - (Finesse 3) = 10 EN

ID #184946| BD: 10 (Crit +, Holy +6).  DMG (13*33=429-44=385) to Flying Monke Prince #2

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 | EN:41/191 (50+1-10) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 

Flying Monke Prince #2: HP: 0/1100 | DMG 330 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 (101-385)

Loot Rolls:

Flying Monkey Prince #2: ID #185115 | LD 3+8=11; CD 12

11550*Col
2*T3 Materials
T3 Rare Armor/Shield #185115a
 

[Freyd 0]

Post #16

Freyd stopped to observe the morass of monkeys swirling just below the clouds outside the tower.  It seemed the perfect metaphor for the state of Aincrad.  Even as the players grew their strength, the environment raised the bar to increase the challenge.  Staring at it, Freyd felt his old, cold, calculating self taking root.  In these situations, its efficiency was peerless.  It was also ridiculously dangerous to let it loose, but he was going to have to test his self-control eventually.  Plus, this actually 'felt' right.  It was a most unfamiliar metric, but that was really the point.  Freyd would never move past his concerns over his former self if he never challenged himself on these grounds.  Today was as good a day to find out, as any that might follow.  Circling down the tower's interior stair, he knew he'd have to taunt their leader into coming down to his level.  If he could fight it near the entrance, the other monkeys could be managed.

Spoiler

Resting 1/2

Activate Vengeful Riposte (-5 EN)

Freyd | HP:1910/1910 | EN:37/191 (41+1-5) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | VENGEFUL

 

 

[Freyd 0]

Post #17

Creaking the battered, mostly broken-down door open, Freyd crept out slowly and stealthily.  Luring the right mob would be key, whereas calling down a storm of monkeys might justifiably be considered one of the worst possible deaths to ever appear on the Monument in the starting city.  It took only moments to spot the right one - a giant among the rest of the flock.  What does one call a group of flying monkeys, anyways?  'Tribe' or 'troops' were the traditional terms for their terrestrial counterparts, but this felt like it required something separate and modestly ridiculous.  A murder?  Nah.  That one's for the birds.  How about a straggle?  It had a nice ring to it, but somehow didn't feel quite right.  Maybe it was the anachronistic circus coats that just didn't jive?  A menagerie?  Perfect.  A menagerie of flying monkeys it was.  Smirking in satisfaction, Freyd felt the cold embrace of shadows swallowing his presence.  It was a sign that the mechanics were in play.  He just needed to execute his plan perfectly.  How hard could that be?!

Spoiler

Resting 2/2

Freyd activates Hiding: ID #184947 | LD 5+8=13 (success)

 

[Freyd 0]

 Post #18

Montjoy did his part, manifesting a giant, shadowy 'F-U' on the crumbling masonry over the doorway.  Hardly subtly, but it wasn't meant to be.  It also worked.  Big boss monkey swept down and stood right where Freyd imagined a giant bullseye might have been painted on the ground for this little scheme.  He pounced, making contact and driving his black blade into his enemy's avatar from concealment, and then things literally went sideways; or, at least, he did.  The Monkey King from Floor Eight instantly came to mind as a quintessential example of fights gone wrong.

Freyd barely lifted his blade in time to bear the brunt of the mob's assault, reflecting some of the damage back his way.  It wasn't enough to absorb the full force of the blow and his feet failed to adhere to the flagstone.  So now he was airborne and out of position, before coming into contact with the far face of the tower in the manner of a sudden stop.  

Spoiler

Maintain Stealth: ID # 184948 | LD: 5+8=13 (success)

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

ID #184949 | BD: 2 (Autohit, Assassin +3).  DMG (13*29=377-110=267) to Flying Monke King

ID #184949 | MD: 9 (Crit +1).  DMG (484-79=405/2=203)

Vengeful Riposte DMG (242-110=132) to Flying Monke King

Freyd | HP:1707/1910 (1910-203) | EN:182/191 (191-9) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | VENGEFUL

Flying Monke King: HP: 1251/1650 | DMG 440 | MIT: 110 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 (1650-267-132)

• Critical (MD 9): Deals (484) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (242) DMG to every other player.
• Critical (MD 10): Deals (528) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (264) DMG to every other player.

 

[Freyd 0]

Post #19

Instantly back on his feet and looking to regain lost ground, Freyd rushed across the broken floor and furniture, crashing into the giant ape that had just sent him flying in the first place.  Flying lessons from a flying monkey?  It was a tad on the nose, but he wasn't fooling around.  Dodging the creature's polished steel spear with an acrobatic contortion that looked anatomically impossible, the black blade struck a moment later.  It sounded like a meteor meeting a banshee's wails and the two having horrible, horrible children that pierced ear drums by their very presence.  Samael's Pride bit deep, trailing wisps of angry nothingness as it pierced the creature's mesh, tearing a jagged orange strip from its flank even as Freyd's shoulders shoved the beast back from the doorway.  

"Nearly at half already?  Good.  This can end quickly."

That set him off.  The ape lost his shit, or went shit.  Ape shit.  That.  It basically went berserk and started thrashing at everything it could reach, including him.

Spoiler

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

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

ID #184950 | BD: 7+6-2-1=10 (hit, Charge +5, Fallen +6). DMG (13*37=481-110=371) to Flying Monke King

ID #184950 | MD: 6+2-4=4 (miss) 

Freyd | HP:1802/1910 (1707+95) | EN:174/191 (182+1-9) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | [Parry 1/2] | [Vengeful Riposte 1/3]

Flying Monke King: HP: 880/1650 | DMG 440 | MIT: 110 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 (1251-371)

• Critical (MD 9): Deals (484) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (242) DMG to every other player.
• Critical (MD 10): Deals (528) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (264) DMG to every other player.

 

[Freyd 0]

Post #20

"Dangit.  I hate it when these things have a berserk mode!"

Freyd learned the lesson that his previous opponent had not and gave ground in order to manage its rage.  It wasn't enough to spare him a pummeling, but at least he didn't just stand there, taking it like some squishy, would-be tank.  His role was damage output, and he was poorly suited to any other.  Hood bobbing up and left, weaving left and right, he delivered counterstrikes where and as possible.  The Monkey was trying to put him in the grave with a single blow.  The Whispers tactics were more insidious.  Even as his rejuvenative abilities kicked in, Freyd was whittling his opponent down by attrition.  The math had already been done.  It just needed to be borne to fruition, leading to one inescapable conclusion: dead monkey.

King Kong with wings didn't seem to have figured that out yet, but that was fine.  He'd clue in soon enough.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN
Freyd regains 95 HP from BH

Galaxy Destroyer (x13): 13 EN - (Finesse 3) = 10 EN

ID #184951 | BD: 5+6-2=9 (hit). DMG (13*26=338-110=228) to Flying Monke King

ID #184951 | MD: 8+2-4=6 (hit).  DMG (440-79=361)

Freyd | HP:1509/1910 (1802+95-361) | EN:165/191 (174+1-10) | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:191 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | TXV 24/3 | LD:8 | PROSP 3 | BH:95 | [Parry 2/2] | [Vengeful Riposte 2/3]

Flying Monke King: HP: 652/1650 | DMG 440 | MIT: 110 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 (880-228)

• Critical (MD 9): Deals (484) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (242) DMG to every other player.
• Critical (MD 10): Deals (528) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (264) DMG to every other player.