[PP-F19] Hunting Lions, and answers <<Keep calm and Ki-Raon>>

[Hestia 0]

After having defeated the monkey king upon the Eighth floor the duo of Hirru and Hestia had made their way towards the nineteenth floor  and when she arrives her eyes just widen in shock at what she sees what her memory once painted as a beautiful mountain town with animal like totem poles giving a native american vibe to it is now a desolate wasteland. What once was houses and a fine marketing area is just tents and a air of tension as if just making the wrong move could end the lives of all that is around you as recompense for your actions. What happened here? She would mutter out softly in disbelief as she takes one tentative step back towards the teleport gate as she begins to doubt that Ki-Raon is even on this floor anymore a beast that relies upon photosynthesis for its combative abilities would seem unlikely in a place that seems like it was stripped of life so long ago. Slowly she would steady herself and steel herself having to hype herself up and convince herself that after whatever caused that darkness places wouldn't always be improved from once she last left them like floor eight. That now apparently they could've fallen into complete disrepair like this floor is now her right hand clenched into a fist from anger at what feels like an injustice without explanation for this change to what was once a relatively peaceful floor.

@Hirru

Combat info:

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Skills

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Combat Skills

[36 SP] BH rank 5 MOD: emergency (45 HP, 90 emergency)  mod eng cost=10

[10 SP] Fighting Spirit [passive]

[15 SP] Howl+ADDON Focused howl [+4 aoe, +6 single]  [2eng CD:2, 4eng CD:4]

Armor Skills

[36 SP] HA rank5 MOD: iron skin (+15 mit, 60 HP)= 50 mit, 60 HP

Combat Mastery

[13 SP] Mitigation:6*tier mit=72 mit

Familiar skills

[10 SP] Protector familiar: 10% final damage free action CD:3

Extra Skills [tier* total]

[52 SP] First aid [15 eng, post action]= 20% max health of target   (costs 2 slots)
MODS:
Barrier=ENG: 15, CD:3, post action=15% party final damage reduction
Field Medic eng 15, CD:3, post action=heal party 25% max hp
Energize: post action, eng 10  [restore 8 hp] ADDON:hyperactive (post action, eng 5, CD:3)=passive regen of target +3

ACTIVE MODS: Iron skin, rampart, barrier, field medic, emergency

 

Equipment

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<<Lun'Rael's Insignia>> (Unique Vanity Item): A small badge bearing Queen Lun'Rael's seal: a crescent moon with a single twinkle of starlight. The pendant is quite ornate, decorated with a single diamond gemstone.

Item Name: Winter's Dream
Item Tier: 4
Item Type: Trinket
Item Enhancements: Life Mending+2, +1 accuracy
Description: A small snowglobe that can be worn around the neck that gives off a faint sensation of calm like a winter's dream from so long ago.

Name: Aegis
Your Profession: Blacksmith
Your Rank: 8
ID: 98814
Roll: 9
Item Type: Shield
Quality: perfect
Tier: 4
Enhancements: +2 Thorns, +1 Recovery
Description: A shield modeled after the Aegis shield of Athena with jagged bits of metal along it in the form of teeth.

Name: Prometheus' Blessing
Tier: 4
Item Type: Heavy Armor
Quality: Perfect
Enhancements: Flame Aura / Taunt / Heavy Momentum
Description: A constant light aura of flames wraps around the armor like a cape of flames. The armor depicting Prometheus giving humanity their flames of intelligence and creativity.
Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/16227-f17-rank-5-merchant-valkyries-ascension/?do=findComment&amp;comment=572872 

 

Stats:

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Hestia: HP:900/900 EN:102/102  Mit:163[FA:16] Thorns:80[FA:8]  BH:45  emergency:90 when 225 hp or lower  Recovery: +4 eng CD: 7+

Paragon bonus=col equal to 10% exp reward, +3%EXP gain

House bonus= Attic(storage)=+5% bonus col from monster kills and treasure chests,  Master bedroom(-1 energy to first three expendetures in combat)

 

 

[Hirru 0]

Following right behind Hestia, they came to the teleportation gate that still seemed so threatening.  There was a time were Hirru did not like using the teleporter, and actually ran through the old labyrinths that were cleared before.  That had a stop after doing so became a chore in of itself.  It wasn't so bad when he stayed around the fifth floor, but after joining the front lines, he had to teleport in order to stay with the groups.  Coming up to the terminal, the blue hue forming from people coming and going was still present.  Hestia called out the name of the floor, which sounded weird to him.  Who names their village 'Home'?

It became apparant as soon as he opened his eyes to the new floor 19.  He remembered only a little bit of the floor as he was only there for a little bit.  For the fight against <<Tanos, the Unshakable>>.  However, this floor had become a desolate and unfortunate thing.  Everything was ranshackle and broken.  The people/NPCs were downtrodden and worrysome.  Nothing like the small glimpses of green that he remembered from that fight.

Thinking back on that fight, he really wasn't doing much except throwing orders around.  It helped, but Commander Heathcliff was a bigger help.  Whatever happened to him.

"What happened here?  Did the update do this, or was this from after we beat Tanos?  I don't remember."

He said while taking a bite from his field rations, while offering another one and a Immolation potion T3 to Hestia.  You never knew what would be out there, and this Ki'rean will be no push over.

Field Ration used +86 HP | Offered: 1 Field Ration +12% Max HP & 1 Immolation Potion T3 +30 Thorns

@Hestia

Combat Stats

Spoiler

Hirru Lvl 31 (PL 26)
[H:0]<<Hirru>>  HP:806/806 | EN:110/110 | Mit: 107 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1

806 HP (+100 PL / +86)
110 Energy (+10 PL / +20 Energist)
2 Accuracy
1 Evasion
20 Base Damage (23 w/ Ferocity & Impetus) [28 w/ Charge]
107 Mitigation
Paragon Bonus:
Col equal to 10% Exp Gain, +3% Exp Gain

Equipment

Betrayal of the Last Knight ........ // +12 Damage
Spirit of the Jade Dragon .......... // +2 Accuracy, +1 Evasion
Bulwark ............................ // +72 Mitigation
Blades Cloak ....................... // Vanity
Dimensional Backpack ............... // +1 B.R.I Slot

Battle Ready Inventory

<Teleportation Crystal> x1 ......... // Teleport to a town / out of a dungeon [Uses 2 posts: 1 for use, next to teleport]
<Favor of the Golden Dragon> ....... // +3 LD
<Field Rations> x4 ................. // +12% Max HP
<Immolation Potion> x3 ............. // +30 Thorns
<Empty>
<Empty>

Skills

Two Handed Straight Sword .......... // Rank 5: +7 DMG
Heavy Armor ........................ // Rank 5: +35 MIT
Search and Detect .................. // Rank 5: +5 LD | +5 Stealth Detect
Charge ............................. // Rank ?: +5 DMG on successful first strike
Energist ........................... // Rank ?: +20 EN

Extra Skills

Concentration ...................... // Attack rolls of 1 no longer automatically miss. Gain +1 BD. Cannot be used to trigger a critical hit. / 5 turn cooldown
Survival ........................... // Heal 33 HP when out of battle each post / Negate environmental damage
Shatter ............................ // -15 Mit before Dmg Calc | Lasts 3 turns / -5 EN / 2 turn cooldown

Skill Mods

Reveal (Add on)..................... // +2 to Labyrinth searches|Post 15 searchs
Detect ............................. // +1 to Labyrinth searches|+2 Stealth Detect
Impetus ............................ // +1 Dmg
THSS Ferocity ...................... // +2 Dmg to all THSS Sword Arts
THSS Stamina ....................... // -2 EN to all THSS Sword Arts

 

[Hestia 0]

n...no this wasn't like this it was the update that did this. Why though why. She would say in disbelief that slowly turns towards anger at what she can't even be certain herself but the complete disregard for a peaceful life that was led by the former inhabitants to crush it all in black waves and replace it with this is. Abhorrent. She would move to take the rations and the immolation with a certain force grabbing more than taking as her gaze burned with anger while gazing towards the sky trying to figure out the logic if any in turning so many floors into war grounds of race against race family against family. The eery feeling of the floor now looming and becoming a bit more palpable to her at least she would drink the immolation potion and eat the field rations. This place use to be so beautiful from what my memory tells me of when we i was last here with itzal. A mountainous village overlooking the vast plains that made up the floor with supposedly people talking about how animal totems housed great spirits to be revered i think. Now it's nothing like hundreds of years had passed with some great plague having swept through. She would gaze around her heart breaking the most for the children of this place that was now only called Home. The title alone making her wonder if that meant there was no other village within this floor since if this place could be called home that meant there was no other home to return to beside this last remaining vestige of society that clings to survival.

Why go out of their way to do this. Three floors i've been on and they have all been imbroiled within some kind of desolate wasteland of what could be called a war. Floor eight elf vs treant. Floor twenty three the dark elves are still racist against anything besides them with people still believing their queen is alive and fighting. Now floor 19 a barren wasteland where barely enough crops grow to feed these people it looks like. Her voice is filled with nothing but contempt and sorrow.

12% max hp buff, +30 thorns

Modified stat block

Spoiler

Hestia: HP:1008/1008 EN:102/102  Mit:163[FA:16] Thorns:110[FA:8]  BH:45  emergency:90 when 225 hp or lower  Recovery: +4 eng CD: 7+

 

Edited April 27, 2021 by Hestia

[Hirru 0]

"This world is artificial, is it not?"

The hunter would as in a quizzical tone.  Hesitant was beginning to sound like the old him.  Before he found out that everything was a lie, and that everyone here wasn't really suffering.  They were made to be that way by someone, or something.  They could end the main issue, but wouldn't it come back?  Or, was the issue something that the players could not control?  This Kayaba that Baldur spoke of, wasn't he the main creator of this castle?  Could one man be able to do all this?

So many questions that Hirru wanted answered, but hardly any would come to him.  There were none that could give him the answers he wanted, except maybe the man himself.  Though, how would one contact someone like that?  The hunter had looked for many ways to look into the other side, but none really came to fruition leaving the hunter empty.

Looking upon Hestia's face, he figure it was best not to push it.

"Sorry.. Artificial or not, I don't think we can do anything here.  Let's find who we have to talk to.  If I remember Tanos right, there are some creatures on this floor that we don't want to run into, especially if they have all changed into the colossal beings that it was."

Some of the solemn faces looked at them, and Hirru could swear for a moment, that there was truly something there.  He slapped both of his hands to his face to wake himself from getting entranced.  He didn't want to go back to what he was before.  If he was going to find himself, he had to shed this shell called 'Jade Hunter'.

"We should get moving."

@Hestia

 

Edited April 15, 2021 by Hirru

[Hestia 0]

That question is not one she had expected to hear ever really. Everyone had entered this game on day one and have been fighting till now to try and escape seemingly, but maybe people have just forgotten about the real world due to how much time has passed? Of course this game is artificial down to the things we fight, the people who suffer, the things that live here. She says while gazing around the emotion of contempt for Kayaba within her eyes with sympathy for the people around her not leaving her gaze as she would make her way out of this place that is called 'Home' before pausing realizing that they were here for a reason. Gazing around at the town she tries to spot any sign that could give towards a place of importance but every tent is like that of the last leading her to walk up towards one of the npcs deciding to ask for guidance. Excuse me we are warriors looking to help out in some manner is there anybody who we can talk to about such a thing? She would ask towards a adult who looks like they are in their forties the man who is wearing light animal hides that cover him from the head down and even wearing a mask made of wolf pelts in the style of a bandana like manner.

Well Wanderer if you want to throw your lives away like so many others that have decided to leave the sfety of Home. Go talk to the elder while many have heard of the Wandering village destroyer our Elder knows the most though amongst us all. If you truly wish to end your lives early go forth towards him and learn of where your graves shall be. The man says in a dull matter of fact tone of voice before turning back and going back to his work making his way towards the outskirts of the town towards the farm lands.

[Hirru 0]

Hirru was astounded and ashamed by the response given.  He had not heard Hestia this angry before, although there wasn't much to compare to.  He didn't really know much about Hestia, other than her ability to keep everyone alive through tanking and healing capabilities.  From just one quest, he couldn't tell much else about her.  She seemed to want to know more about everyone and everything, at least, that's what he thought.

Laying witness to the npc that would give them some kind of direction, it was apparent that something was amiss.  That information was incomplete.  He never told them who the elder was!  How could they tell who it was.  Everyone either was broken and insignificant, or had weird masks about them.  Looking towards where the man went, the hunter considered just looking around.  The eldest was usually some old man, so stature would be apparent.  Possibly even finding people coming to someone else for help would work too.

"Well, that was much information, at all.  Let's try to find this Elder.  Shouldn't be too hard."

He shrugged before starting to look around using his full <<Search>> skills.  It wouldn't take long before a few npcs would act strangely.  

"Hestia, over here!"

He called out to her when he noticed a few npcs gathered around another.  This one was wearing a mask that resembled a beaked creature with large eyes, called an owl.  Learning all these different animals has proved somewhat helpful.  Apparently, an owl was sign of wisdom in some floor's cultures.  Though, so was the wolf, now that he remembered.  Floor 6 was weird back then.

Walking over to crowd, one could hear the owl masked individual speak.

"Our many ancestors have passed down their tales; from father to son, mother to daughter, old to young.  These tales are the only knowledge that keeps us alive.  The fields are tilled and seeded, so that we may grow our future.  Water them with care, and they will see us prosper.  In these words, we see our truth.  Lest we be brought down to the 'below'."

"That's probably him."

[Hestia 0]

She sighs softly at what she hears and can only assume that many of them are defeatist like their is no hope for this land beyond what little that this town could provide them, but at least from her position she could only see people who are seemingly waiting for the end of even this peace that they have to just crack under the pressure.  Maybe he assumed we would know him when we saw him kinda thing. She suggest with a small shrug not understanding either why the npc had left out where the elder was which was important information if they were to do their task. Though something still comes to her attention as she follows where Hirru would guide her towards. That even if the floor has been devastated and morphed beyond recognition maybe a bit of its former culture remains with these animalistic war paints they have along their bodies as if to resemble the animals and the wisdom or strength or any other attribute the creature could have. Sort of like those totem poles she had seen within the villages before they had been shifted. When arriving towards the location she would look towards the owl masked man and just listen content to hear the stories and wisdom that the npcs would try to extol to the next generation. She can only assume the 'below' he spoke of was just their version of the afterlife that was made for this floor. She would look towards HIrru and nod her head in agreement that this is probably their quest giver as she then turned her gaze towards the elder and decides to speak up cutting him off from what he was saying. Elder we are warriors looking to test our skills. Do you have any tales or guidance for a place we could go to face some strong foes maybe nothing strong like Talos was, but maybe a step or two weaker then him. She says politely towards the man not wanting to be rude towards a npc she will probably listen to for awhile if given any free time to listen and motivation to stand staying within a place that reeks of depression and hopelessness.

[Hirru 0]

Everyone stopped and turned to look at the two warriors.  Decorated in rather shiny armor and weaponry, the people seemed unimpressed.  As if they've seen thousands of us before, and watched every single one fall or never come back.  The elder would beckon the both of them forward, but not before a hush came to all of them.  At the word of 'Tanos', whispers fell here and there.  Most were related to the 'Forbidden Ones' and the 'Forbidden Land'.  The elder would give a quick, but low question.

"Child, how do you know of the Unshakable?  The terror that sends his towering minions to destroy our towns, and breeds abominations to cull our livestock and people.  Why do you speak it's name so callously?"

He shakes his head before signaling for all to disperse from his tent, which was just as moth ridden and tattered as the rest.  The crowd would disperse before the elder would come closer.  He lifted his mask to show a man of seemingly quite old, but Hirru couldn't give a good estimate.  It seemed that this was the oldest man here, but there were probably others just as old.  Looking to Hestia, then to Hirru, the Owl Elder groaned.

"It is sad to see such youth, in their prime, seek glory instead of seeking a peaceful life.  There is not here that would give you what you seek.  Only death, if you continue down your path."

Owl Elder would shake his head as it soon looked towards the outer area of 'Haven'.

"The Forbidden Land, where our forefathers and foremothers called home, was once a verdant paradise.  Some say, it still is.  However, the Forbidden Ones, spawn of the Unshakable, came down from nowhere and destroyed all that lived there.  It is now a holy land, as well as a reminder of the might of the Forbidden Ones."

He looked back to the two.

"A few days ago, a group of youths like you went out into the Forbidden Lands, against our constant warnings."

He closed his eyes in solemn sadness.

"Only one returned, speaking of an abomination the likes of a lion, but with the mane of a flower.  It reminded me of a tale from when I was but a child."

Hirru was slowly starting to fall asleep.

"Now, how did it go again?  ...Ki'raion, my wayward son?  No, no!"

The Owl Elder scratched his head before his eyes widened, like most quest NPC's would before, but this seemed more natural.

"In the fields, where not a colossi cross, a lone lion lay.  It's proud mane fluttering in the light, nearly glistening from its ray.  By Sola's briliance, it thrives.  By Luna's shimmer, it strives.  Let it lie; let it lie."

A window would pop up, which woke Hirru from his near slumber.  It looked like that was the ticket to set up the quest for them.

Quest Start <<Keep Calm and Ki-Raion>>

[Hestia 0]

She would look around getting an idea of what is going on from what she is hearing just from the reaction of the floor boss' name which she could only compare as equal to a god in these people's eyes. Once the villagers have dispersed she would give the elder the answer that he requested from her as she would gaze into his eyes. I have heard stories of people having slain Talos and have embraced such thoughts as truth, and seen the might of these heroes myself as they had gone on to slay further powerful beings. She would tell the old man with the respect that he deserves for his station within this village. She would smile a bit somberly when hearing of what this floor use to be as her mind can only assume this is what the floor use to be now no more then fable and legends that people tell one another. She would remain silent just listening to the old man tell his tale and once he is done she would accept the quest that is given to her that had popped up.

Well sir we seek peace through our own way and that way involves the path of the blade and a fight that seems neverending. We are glad you have told us of this tale and shall take this tale as a lesson for how to beat it since every story has some truth in it at least that is what i always have been told. We will be on our way unless you have more wisdom to give ones like us before we make on our way towards these forbidden lands as you call them. She says with a smile and after waiting for what he would say she would bow afterwards as a sign of respect and make her way away from the tent pausing for a moment to look back towards the old man. By the way what direction is the lion did it say in your story? She called out towards the old man. Once she got her answer and had reached a fair distance out of ear shot she would gaze towards HIrru. The quest seems to have not changed from what he said. The lion is weaker during the night, but stronger during the day. Also, in the quest at least before things changed during the day their was more reward for doing so. I think it was a weapon before, or some kind of consumable that increased health regen? She says the uncertainty in her tone and gaze worn upon her arm.

Edited April 27, 2021 by Hestia

[Hirru 0]

The Owl Elder listened hard at the soft words spoken to him.  It seemed that they may have had some affect on him, as his tense facial features seemed to relax.  That was only for a moment, though.  The mask had been pulled back down now, to remove Hirru's sight upon the man's features.

"I know not these tales you speak of, child.  Though, your words do not meet deaf ears.  The Unshakeable could not have been defeated by the meer likes of man, but it's abominations are another story.  We have many tales of creatures slain, to protect Haven.  However, I can not permit you to enter the forbidden lands, were they lie.  Though, I can not stop you, if you wish to throw your lives away.

The old man turned to grab, what seemed to be a walking Stick, but was instead a sword encased in its scabbard.  Instead of putting it on a belt, the elder was using it a a cane.  He began to walk towards the east..  Around then, Hirru heard what Hestia had to say.

"Sounds like any good reward will come from fighting it in the sunlight, then."

As he began to walk towards the eastern border to Home, the Owl Elder would stop before it and point towards a large stone wall in the distance.

"Over yonder, is the Bastion Wall, that separates our Haven to the Forbidden Lands.  If you would cross the long stone bridge that crosses the Tear, then you will come wall.  Up the stairs to the Bastion Wall Shrine.  If you value all that peace and life you speak of, then you will not venture into its light.  That is your final warning."

As he gave them his final words, the old man stumbled back the way he came.  Hirru scratched his head from all of that.

"So, that's great and all, but where is the Ki'raeon in the Forbidden Lands?"

His question fell on deaf ears.

Edited April 18, 2021 by Hirru

[Hestia 0]

She hides back the initial instinct to try and prove that they weren't throwing away their lives, but in the end it was just a npc saying what it believed due to the games coding along with the fact that her actions would prove much better faith and power then merely talking to the man himself. Gazing at the walking stick she can't help but notice it is a sword scabbard making her wonder if this old man knows these stories as personal anecdotes to some degree. That maybe he once in his life had gone out to try and fight for something but had been humbled by the beasts outside of this town. She herself mentally files that information within her mind for later as she lightly taps on her heavy armor wanting to write down what she has learned from these quests, but not wishing to be rude by ignoring or being dismissive of her partner.

While making her way towards the forbidden wall alongside Hirru the duo of them following the Elder she can't help but spot the emotionless gaze slowly turning to sorrow and pity. Each npc seemingly reacting to some general consensus that she herself can't reach for such a reaction as she just tries to gaze forward to ignore the gazes that seem to track her every step towards their goal of leaving this village. When arriving at the bridge that separates hostile land from the safety she just stares upwards towards where this old man speaks of the shrine nodding her head taking that in. When he leaves she would just turn to Hirru and shrug her shoulders seemingly not even bothered by the lack of response or the vagueness that surround this floor.  All we know is that it's east, and that once we stop seeing the mini Talos we will be nearing its resting place supposedly. That is what i can gather from the story that was told at the very least. Maybe part of the challenge is finding it as well. She offers as a suggestion towards the emerald hunter while making her way towards the bridge to cross it stepping onto the cobble and traversing up the stairs not wanting to take a break till she reached the top to reach the shrine itself.

[Hirru 0]

"Is that what he was talking about?"

He stretched his arms from side to side, ready to actually get some exploring done.  Once they reached the bridge, it seemed quite a bit longer than he would have thought.  The entire gorge or Tear, as the people called it, looked like it was gouged out of the earth by something huge.  Probably Tanos in all of its wrath.  Which really comes into question, who built this bridge and wall?  Was it always here, or did generations of people..  The hunter shook his head.  He was starting to let his thoughts wander again.  Everything wasn't real; everything was created outside of his understanding.  He needed to get over that fact, or else be lost to his mind again.

While walking over the bridge though, the hunter looked over the sides and a sudden shiver went down his spine.  It was as if the infinite void below them was wanting to come back up to him.  His eyes widened by the spectacle while beginning to quicken his step.  He didn't want to be swallowed up again.  In reality, he discovered his fear of heights.

"Hey, Hestia.  You seem like you take in a lot of knowledge from everything around you.  Are you trying to learn more about this place too?"

He tried to strike up conversation to keep his mind off of the great void below them.  It wouldn't take much to distract him, but it was a genuine question he wanted to ask.  She was inquisitive and seemed to seek different methods for each problem he had seen her interact with.

"I've ventured with quite a few people and no one was really interested in the stories and lore around the floors, quests, and what not."

[Hestia 0]

Making their way she would avoid looking down towards the bottomless pit herself not wishing to tempt the fate of seeing how far she could possibly fall towards her doom. Just putting all of her trust within this bridge and its integrity assuming, and hoping beyond everything it'll hold strong despite it's probably ancient age that this floor makes it sound like it had been built from. She gazes further upwards towards the top of the wall and the lack of a railing for the stairs as she winces a bit at the idea of falling from that distance the stories of people jumping from the castle's edge filling her mind. Finding herself very anxious about the possibility of having to climb that without faltering once only finding some solace that the stairs don't get shorter as they ascend. She would cast a glance at Hirru before refocusing upon the path forward being glad for the respite of ignoring the heights they'd have to climb to cross over this entire thing a small sigh escaping herl ips realizing they'll have to asecnd up the stairs, descend the other side and repeat that action if they don't use a teleport crystal to get back.

Yeah i'm trying to learn as much as i can about the floors, the players that have been and are currently still around, the quests and why they are the way they are. The slight differences between floors, or for ones like this why and where in its stories did they diverge if it's possible to figure it out. It's interesting and the stories are ones that are interesting to listen to if not a bit saddening thinking about how these people live in fear, war, worry. Though there are nice places like floor fourth it's like a never ending wonderland. A eternal christmas. She says looking melancholy when speaking about the floors histories that are like thsi one, with a small smile of happiness breaking through when speaking of floor four. After saying that she opens her menu and checks to see if she has a teleport crystal her smile growing bigger when seeing that she does indeed have one to avoid the climb back towards this village after they defeat Ki'Raon.

 

[Hirru 0]

He understood what she meant.  When Hirru didn't understand the world around him, he would walk around and the world would speak for itself.  Everyone and everything seemed to speak to him, in a way.  A story would hold his attention; people were interesting to deal with.  Even mobs had their spots in the whole narrative.  Though, when Hestia talked about the fourth floor..

Everything about the Crimson Blades/Knights of the Blood Oath came back to him:  Lindow's death, Opal's betrayal, Mack's disappearance, Lowenthal's sudden death, the Jade Hunter's betrayal.  Everything started when Mack made his guild on the 4th floor.  Ever since he betrayed everyone on the 23rd floor, he couldn't step foot on the 4th.  It didn't seem right anymore.  Trying to keep his mind off of things, he tried to talk about his own experience.

"I kinda do the same.  I spent a long time filtering through the sands of the 5th floor, just because I got a lead on something great."

He remembered all of the ventures he had out in those sandy dunes.  Taking the survival quest to keep himself from dying from weird environmental damages has been one of his greatest saving graces, especially during his first boss raid.  Even finding the merchant in the desert was a fortunate event for him, even if Hirru doesn't profit off of him, he still can't part with his travelling partner.  He scratched his head showing a sign of embarrassment.

"I was only able to find sub-dungeons and lots of scorpions.."

His face distorted into a discontent.  A whisper came from his lips.  He had forgotten that detail until now.

"..lots of paralysis.."

He shook his head, coming back to reality as they came near the stairs.  They looked to be heavily steep and small.  It seemed like they would have to climb up single file.  He breathed a heavy sigh and started the climb before Hestia.  After some slow climbing up the rather dangerously crafted stairs, they came to the opening to the Bastion Wall Shrine.

@Hestia

[Hestia 0]

She would smile a bit hearing Hirru's response glad that someone else took a interest to this game's story besides herself. She chuckles a bit hearing the last bit that was like a whisper that had come from him. I'm kinda surprised there was paralysis on the fifth floor if it was as bad as you made it out to be if that haunted look on your face is any indication. I have never really seen any paralysis from that floor back when i was doing quests, but i also never really did sub-dungeons either so i guess there was lots of room to explore more of each floor to see if there was any hidden gems amongst them. She says trailing off near the end getting lost in her thoughts for only but a moment as they approach the stairs as she would go silent the entire way up just for the sake of keeping her focus with every step they take upwards. The tank not wanting to lose her footing her familiar flying besides her as she could swear he is giving her a smirk as if to taunt her as she retaliates by sticking her tongue out for only but a moment at her pet and companion.

When they arrive at the top she gazes down the hallway that is there as she moves forward and looks at each small statue a bit disappointed their features are gone, but able to tell that they are similar to golem like beings. She traces a hand along the statues along their faces and making the assumption she is correct since animal like features are not their or had been their psosibly unless these rocks had been smoothed down by someone else. I wonder if this means Talos wasn't the only God like being but there was 15 others out there. Either in hiding, or these are just here to be like stories not real just tales that are long lost or just not told because of fear of Talos himself. The raven haired girl says mostly to herself as she slowly tears herself away from the statues to make her way deeper into the shrine towards the central room, towards the sunlit alter.

[Hirru 0]

Seeing the statues all along this gigantic hallway, the hunter could only think about that kind of foreshadowing this would have made.  Instead of the previous instance of floor 19, what if this was what players first saw of this Forbidden Land?  Would they know that they were going to walk into a land that larger than life creatures would wander and thrive?  Each one of the statues seemed to have some slight differences to each other, but most of it was lost to time, or maybe they never had any to begin with.  Trying to understand all of this made the hunter want to quickly leave and find creatures to fight.  Get his mind off of the lies that these floors entitle.  

"Tanos was a huge pile of mitigation, which was a problem when one forgot to bring Damage potions, which was me.  I hated that I could only make calls and not do anything about it myself.  If there are fifteen more out there like it, then we're going to have the next year full just prepping and dealing with them."

He sighed.  It had been some time since he had went into a raid and stood as the proper strategist against the bosses.  He missed it, and now was only a DPS that was probably forgotten or worse, not trusted anymore.  He needed to talk to Macradon.  He needed to apologize for his discretions, and hopefully set things right.  That would be a long ways away.  Hirru doubted that one of the few people that was closest to him would trust him after that.

Walking up to the open windowed area, one could see the many plains, mountains, and ruins that dotted the landscape.  In the distance, a rather large colossus seemed to roam, it's body partially covered by the mountains around it.

"Alright, so not over there then."

Setting his Search parameters, he would look out as far as his skill could.  There seemed to be quite a few large walking behemoths that dotted the area, but there was a particular scene before him.  Before them, there was an altar that sat at the end of the hallway, before the windowed openings.  He had passed by it before, but there was a sword that lay there.  Not a very sharp sword, so probably nothing of good value, but that could be said for his own sword.  It wasn't apparent before, but the light that passed through the openings seemed to flash upon the sword, but only for a second.  Hirru started to see a pattern come up.  Each time the light touched it, the sword would reflect the light, but not in a normal sense.  It was reflecting it at an odd angles each time.  A couple times, the light even reflected towards the colossus in the mountains.

"Hey, Hestia!  Check this out!"

He said while attempting to grab the sword, but it seemed to be stuck upon the altar itself.  No matter of force that the hunter could manage would make it pry from its rest.  It wasn't even stuck into the altar, just laying atop it, so why was it so hard to pick up?  The thought came to his mind, maybe it isn't meant to move.  He watched as the light shone on it a couple times, but this time, the light kept reflecting in a specific direction.

"South by south-east?  Is this sword a quest marker?  It's guiding us towards the Ki'raeon?"

 

[Hestia 0]

She nods listening to Hirru and once more adding to her mental list of information she has to write down later now having details to add about the floor nineteen floor boss that she hasn't heard any details about from people. Though from the sounds of it their was probably a reason people didn't like talking about it if it did have this humongous mitigation stat. Maybe there will be an event for the rest of these talos that are in hiding. It'd probably give these people something to fight for and hope for if an event could change this floor possibly. Though you might be right that we'd have to hunt them down and eliminate them ourselves which is kinda terrifying since i don't imagine many people would be up for killing a floor boss fifteen times. She says a bit jokingly doing so partly for her own sake to brighten up the dreary atmosphere of this floor and to look towards the future rather than the present if only for a moment to avoid what the floor has become. Gazing out over the floor she can see the distant shapes of what to her seems like slow moving small mountains. Their steps not even able to be heard as she can't help but understand if only for a moment why these people viewed killing Talos as impossible if these are meant to be smaller version of him.

Hearing hirru's call she would see him trying to pull at the sword that is seemingly lodged within the stone. Hearing hirru's idea she focuses upon the way the sword is reflecting and follows the way it does so and sees the direction is the same even after a bit of time where it could have changed at any moment it wanted. Well if we're looking for a flower lion i guess following the sun is not a bad idea. Welp i guess no time like the present i guess we'll have to descend now. She says with a bit of dread in her voice at the thought of doing that as she makes her way past the altar and the sword and towards the stairs that descend into the Forbidden Lands. I wonder if that sword is like Caliburn, or some other sword of myth. A sword that is not meant to be budged till a chosen wielder picks it up. Maybe it's a Talos slaying sword as well if the floor would follow such a cliche idea. The raven haired girl wonders out loud filling some of the silence that would happen on their descent of the stairs her gaze periodically glancing towards the side in the direction of the mini Talos as if expecting them to attempt to siege this main settlement at any possible moment.

[Hirru 0]

He shrugged, as he didn't know about any of those legends and myths from the other side.  They could possibly be in this world, as he had seen some players talk about some weird civilizations and floors that may have been related to something from their side.  It was mostly why Hirru spent all of his time looking from floor to floor.  He wanted to find something, anything, that could spark his memories of the other world.  Unfortunately, nothing ever did.  It was like, something was blocking it all, something inbetween.

"If that sword was, I would love to use it.  Though, I don't want to face Tanos again.  I anything, I would rather get back to the front, and help out, as I used to.  With the update, we may have an upsurge of new blood coming in.  I'm sure you noticed, but your level dropped, didn't it.  I was forced back to level 31, but I feel that I'm just as strong as we were before.  Maybe even more."

He said while pulling his stats up.  His stats back when he was a level 57 were still there, but now he had less skill points.  However, his skills seemed to cost less, so he build had not changed much.  He could get more now, if he wanted.

"If this had happened to everyone, as it should have; then the frontlines are going to be filled with people that have not been in a raid tier battle before.  They probably only worked with one or two people at a time, but suddenly having to work with several teams of six?  Would we have entire teams of new bloods that wouldn't know what to do?  Do we even have the tanks to keep everyone from harm?  Enough food and potions to buff them all?  There are too many 'what if' scenarios now."

He turned to Hestia with a serious face.

"And I don't like that.  I don't like the uncertainty of our future now."

Following the direction that the light had shown, the two of them had seemed to find a large field, covered in flowers.  The brilliant light of the sun shone down on all of them, and in the middle of them all, a giant flower seemed to rise awkwardly among them, but it wasn't as it seemed.  The flower seemed to flutter and move, before the entire thing turned to look at the two of them.  A large lion with the mane of a giant flower, the Ki'raion.

"Hestia!  I'm going in!"

Hirru shouted as he ran in, blade at the ready.  <<Charge>> activated as he burst forward and just barely got to the creature in time, but it was faster than the hunter.  Slipping from his grasp, the lion seemed to snarl at him.

--Combat Start--

@Hestia

[ID: 190150] [BD: 6+2-2-1(Charge)= 5] Miss -10 EN

[H:0]<<Hirru>>  HP:806/806 | EN:100/110 | Mit: 107 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1 
[H:0]<<Hestia>> HP:1008/1008 EN:102/102 | Mit:163[FA:16] Thorns:110[FA:8]  BH:45  emergency:90 when 225 hp or lower  Recovery: +4 eng CD: 7+

Daytime Stats
HP: 1000/1000 | DMG: 200 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2
This boss uses its own BD roll when attacking.

Abilities:

• Tail Swipe | If BD 9-10 and MD 1-5 is rolled simultaneously, <<Ki’Raion>> unleashes a powerful tail swipe that can strike a whole party. Deals 150 AoE damage to all party members as well as normal damage to the player with the most hate.
• Venus Fly Trap | If BD of 9-10 and MD of 6-10 is rolled simultaneously, <<Ki’Raion>> lunges at the player with the most hate and encases them in its floral mane. They experience 150 additional damage and will take 100 additional damage for each following turn that they're trapped. They are freed when at least 200 HP damage has been dealt to "Ki’Raion" or another player achieves greater hate. A trapped player may still attack.
• Photosynthesize | Absorbing the Sun’s energy, every second attack <<Ki’Raion>> makes will be damage boosted by 150. On turns when this damage boost is not active, <<Ki'Raion>> will heal 100 HP. This heal can exceed its typical health maximum.  This ability is only available to <<Ki'Raion>> if fought during the day.

Edited April 28, 2021 by Hirru

[Hestia 0]

As they travel towards the sun lit fields of the floor she listens to Hirru and nods her head a bit thinking on what was said finding herself stunned a bit since she had not really thought about all the new players that would be coming to the frontlines. Though based on the last event she was apart of, the halloween event, she can't help but think of the few people who might be added rather then the possibility of the plenty that could arrive. Only being able to think of a few individuals that she can think of that might be able to come in full force towards the frontlines, and being reminded with such thoughts that she might not know many of the younger in experience players who have come now. When it comes to the frontlines i think we'll survive for the most part when it comes to tanks. However, i'm more scared of the lack of healers that could be around then the lack of tanks since we can improvise and overcome tanks, but we can't improvise healers since that's a skill investment with only one solution besides it with lots of potions. If there are more then we have currently we'll need to possibly invest in the idea that we can't accept everyone during boss fights and hand pick who comes and who stays behind. She says towards Hirru giving her own thoughts on the matter knowing that currently she only knows of herself and Zandra who can heal since Ruby has faded to the darkness of Aincrad.

When arriving at the battlefield she would quickly let out a war cry following up with her armored fist thumping against her chest plate while staring down the Ki'Raon activating focused howl enhancing the noise of fist against metal. She sees the hunter miss his first strike with his new blade as she quickly adjusts her gaze back towards the lion seeing it get ready to strike. A brief moment of distraction when she notices that a cooldown has been used as she is sadly reminded that while others have gotten stronger tanks have gotten weaker at least from her perspective. She hears the Ki'Raon respond to her shout with a roar of its own as its flower mane spreads out as it then charges towards her pouncing at her as she raises her shield upwards to meet the large beast. Her shield digs into the chest of the beast as the weight of the creature slams down making her knees buckle along with feeling the fangs of the Ki'Raon dig into her shoulder as she grits her teeth to keep from shouting from the sensation.

Acton: Focused Howl [CD:0/4] +6 hate

#190151 BD:4+3=7 MD:3(no ability proct) 1st attack  200-163=37dmg  thorns: 110

combat stats

Spoiler

 

[H:1]<<Hirru>>  HP:806/806 | EN:96/110 | Mit: 107 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1 {GD: 4/4}
[H:6]<<Hestia>> HP:931/1008 EN:92/102 | Mit:163[FA:16] Thorns:110[FA:8]  BH:45  emergency:90 when 225 hp or lower  Recovery: +4 eng CD: 7+

Daytime Stats
HP: 990/1000 | DMG: 200 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2
This boss uses its own BD roll when attacking.

Abilities:

• Tail Swipe | If BD 9-10 and MD 1-5 is rolled simultaneously, <<Ki’Raion>> unleashes a powerful tail swipe that can strike a whole party. Deals 150 AoE damage to all party members as well as normal damage to the player with the most hate.
• Venus Fly Trap | If BD of 9-10 and MD of 6-10 is rolled simultaneously, <<Ki’Raion>> lunges at the player with the most hate and encases them in its floral mane. They experience 150 additional damage and will take 100 additional damage for each following turn that they're trapped. They are freed when at least 200 HP damage has been dealt to "Ki’Raion" or another player achieves greater hate. A trapped player may still attack.
• Photosynthesize | Absorbing the Sun’s energy, every second attack <<Ki’Raion>> makes will be damage boosted by 150. On turns when this damage boost is not active, <<Ki'Raion>> will heal 100 HP. This heal can exceed its typical health maximum.  This ability is only available to <<Ki'Raion>> if fought during the day.

 

•  

@Hirru

Edited April 23, 2021 by Hestia

[Hirru 0]

Having missed the first time, the hunter was already aggravated by his foolish actions.  Not only did his failed attempt cost him the damage buff that charge gave, but the skill seemed to be pulling him back from successful hits.  Was this something new, he wondered as he pulled his chipped blade back to his side, readying another sword art.  This was getting trickier as things went on.  Hirru had to plan around all these new skills and features that he had no proper knowledge on.  It was like he was a level 1 player, all over again.  Not seeming to like that he was reverting to what he was, the hunter got angry and went in for another attack.  This one, he figured would hit and activate the <<Shatter>> skill he had just gotten, not too long ago.

Running in for the attack, however, it seemed his anger was getting the best of him.  He swung too early, and the sword art didn't activate as it should have.  All that was hit was the ground, which flourished flower petals into the air from the hit.  He was starting to get disgusted with himself already.  This wasn't what he had in mind when he wanted to help out.

[ID: 190152] [BD: 2+2-2=2] Miss -2 EN

Spoiler

 

[H:0]<<Hirru>>  HP:806/806 | EN:99/110 | Mit: 107 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1 SA CLDWN: {G.D.: 4/4 | }
[H:6]<<Hestia>> HP:931/1008 EN:92/102 | Mit:163[FA:16] Thorns:110[FA:8]  BH:45  emergency:90 when 225 hp or lower  Recovery: +4 eng CD: 7+

Daytime Stats
HP: 990/1000 | DMG: 200 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2
This boss uses its own BD roll when attacking.

Abilities:

• Tail Swipe | If BD 9-10 and MD 1-5 is rolled simultaneously, <<Ki’Raion>> unleashes a powerful tail swipe that can strike a whole party. Deals 150 AoE damage to all party members as well as normal damage to the player with the most hate.
• Venus Fly Trap | If BD of 9-10 and MD of 6-10 is rolled simultaneously, <<Ki’Raion>> lunges at the player with the most hate and encases them in its floral mane. They experience 150 additional damage and will take 100 additional damage for each following turn that they're trapped. They are freed when at least 200 HP damage has been dealt to "Ki’Raion" or another player achieves greater hate. A trapped player may still attack.
• Photosynthesize | Absorbing the Sun’s energy, every second attack <<Ki’Raion>> makes will be damage boosted by 150. On turns when this damage boost is not active, <<Ki'Raion>> will heal 100 HP. This heal can exceed its typical health maximum.  This ability is only available to <<Ki'Raion>> if fought during the day.

 

•  

Edited April 28, 2021 by Hirru