[SP-23] For Whom the Bell Trolls

[Freyd 0]

"So you survived too, you big, lumbering brute.  Why am I not surprised?"  Staring at the immense troll as it stumbled through a wide ravine full of broken trees and crushed rocks, Freyd assumed that the creature must travel through here regularly.  Here was another boss who had wandered from his pre-raid spawning grounds in the depths of floor twenty-one to the moody-if-pastoral woodlands of Ydalin on floor twenty-three.  He'd heard about these so-called 'field bosses' cropping up all over the castle.  If they had somehow been upgraded, he would need to find out and warn the rest of the guild.  Ugzeke hit like a mountainside, when he connected, but had always been unfocused to the point of oblivious; perfect qualities for a test subject.  Below, the troll busied himself by rooting around his left nostril with a finger the size of an airport wind sock. 

Freyd almost felt bad for what was about to happen.  Almost.

***

Freyd | HP: 900/900 | EN: 124/124 | DMG: 27 | MIT: 111 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 6 | BH: 49 | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3 | | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | TXV: 24/3 | V.O.: 99

Freyd consumes:

Crème Brûlée (Snack) | Accuracy 2 [172786-2]
Liquor of Light (Potion) | Damage 3 [178038-1]
Smores (Snack) | Evasion 2 [172794] + Filled
Divinity's Wait (Meal)| T3 Mitigation 3 [177235]
Viperion (Salve) | Toxic Venom [178348]

Berry Crumb Bars (Snack) | LOOT DIE 3 [175336]
Mousse (Snack) | PROSPERITY 3 [173053]

Stat breakdown:

Spoiler

Freyd,
Level: 31
Paragon Level: 60
HP: 900/900
EN: 124/124

Stats:
Damage: 24 (+3)
Mitigation: 66 (+45)
Evasion: 1 (+2+1) 
Accuracy: 4 (+2)
Battle Healing: 45 (+4 from Survival)
Loot Dice: 5 (+3)
(Prosperity 3)
FLN: 8
HLY: 8
{TXV 24/3)
V.O.: 90 (+9 from Survival)

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: Samael's Pride (T4-WH, VO 1, HOLY 1, FLN 1)
Armor: Skirmisher's Garb (T3 LA, MIT 2, EVA 1)
Misc: Night Shades (T3-Trinket, ACC 3)

Skills:
War Hammer R5
Light Armor R5
Searching R5
Battle Healing R5
Charge
Energist
Extended Weight Limit
Shades of the Gemini (Custom)

Active Mods:
Large Pockets
Ferocity
Stamina
Meticulous
Resolve

Inactive Mods:

Active Extra Skills:
Disguise
Survival
Meditation
Forgotten King’s Authority
Brawler

Inactive Extra Skills:

Battle Ready Inventory:Teleport Crystals: Gungnir: T3 Perfect HP Rec [Instant]: Mass HP Rec [Instant] (+30*Tier HP): Antidote 3:

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: +10% Exp 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:

 

Edited April 15, 2021 by Freyd

[Freyd 0]

Leaping from his vantage point with his void-like weapon wielded overhead, he slammed it onto the side of the giant troll's head.  A giant, meaty hand slowly move up in his wake, swatting at the point of impact as if it was no more than an insect bite, yet the drop in the mob's health bar told otherwise.  Ugzeke never was particularly bright.  Quite the opposite, in fact.  Sliding down the ramp of flesh provided by the mob's back, Freyd tumbled and rolled back onto his feet.  It was essential to maintain momentum and speed.  This boss was slow, but you didn't want to get nicked by accident or neglect, or the system would make you pay for it.  Sparing an upward glance, Freyd confirmed that the boss was still oblivious and simply wandering along his pre-programmed path.  He'd keep doing so, until he suddenly didn't.  That was the dangerous part.

Spoiler

Free Action | Shades of the Gemini (CD 0/2) +1 Antidote
Post Action | Odin's Wrath (CD 0/4) (x18 AoE, 16 EN +2/hit): 18 EN - (Rested 1/2, Stamina) = 15 EN.  Charge (CD 0/3) (-8 EN)

ID #188545 | BD: 2+6+1-1=8 (hit, Charge +5).  DMG (18*32=576-160=416)

ID #188545 | MD: 5+2-5=2 (miss).  CD:11 (act normally)

Freyd | HP: 900/900 | EN: 101/124 (124-15-8) | DMG: 27 | MIT: 66 | EVA: 4 (+1) | ACC: 6 | BH: 45 | DOTE: 1 | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3 | | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | TXV: 24/3 | V.O.: 90

Ugzeke | HP: 2684/3100 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 160 | ACC: 2 | EVA: -1 (3100-416)

• <<Oblivious>>: Every turn, unless <<Ugzeke>> rolls CD 5+, he will remain oblivious to the enemy party and refuse to attack. This skill is disabled once <<Ugzeke>> becomes <<In Pain>>.
• <<In Pain>>: Once <<Ugzeke’s>> health reaches 1200, he will become enraged as his skin turns red and he notices the party fully. His ACC is reduced to 1, but his EVA is increased to 2.
• <<Smash>>: On an MD 9-10, his attack will hit the entire party for 225 DMG, lowering everyone’s ACC by 1 for two turns.

 

 

Edited April 20, 2021 by Freyd

[Freyd 0]

Persi and Montjoy split off from his form, each heading in a separate direction.  Confusion was Ugzeke's greatest weakness and could be brought to tangible advantage with the proper plan in place.  

Darting with the literal speed of shadows, Freyd's two vestiges setup their scam with serendipity.  Montjoy took his place on a column in the troll's path, where he couldn't be missed and waved in an agitated manner to get Ugzeke's attention.  Even this dumb, lumbering troll couldn't miss it.  Once snared, Freyd's shadow gestured eagerly to the troll's right.  It seemed odd to think of the twenty-foot tall creatures eyes as 'beady', yet twin orbs, each the size of a bowling ball, struggled to comprehend the concept of looking 'that way.'

When he finally turned, all he got was a face-full of Persi's gnashing teeth and claws leaping at him, and a nasty strike on the backside from Freyd.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN
Shades of the Gemini (CD 1/2)
Odin's Wrath (CD 1/4)
Charge (CD 1/3)

Free Action | Grappling Familiar (CD 0/5)
Post Action | Fling (CD 0/3) (x16, 12 EN): 12 EN - (Rested 2/2, Stamina) = 9 EN

ID #188546 | BD: 10 (Crit +2, Holy +8).  DMG (16*37=592-160=432).  TXV applied.  Stunned.

Ugzeke is stunned and cannot act.

Freyd | HP: 900/900 | EN: 93/124 (101+1-9) | DMG: 27 | MIT: 111 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 6 | BH: 49 | DOTE: 1 | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3 | | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | TXV: 24/3 | V.O.: 99

Ugzeke | HP: 2228/3100 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 160 | ACC: 2 | EVA: -1 | [TXV 24 (1/3)] (2684-432-24)

• <<Oblivious>>: Every turn, unless <<Ugzeke>> rolls CD 5+, he will remain oblivious to the enemy party and refuse to attack. This skill is disabled once <<Ugzeke>> becomes <<In Pain>>.
• <<In Pain>>: Once <<Ugzeke’s>> health reaches 1200, he will become enraged as his skin turns red and he notices the party fully. His ACC is reduced to 1, but his EVA is increased to 2.
• <<Smash>>: On an MD 9-10, his attack will hit the entire party for 225 DMG, lowering everyone’s ACC by 1 for two turns.

 

Edited April 20, 2021 by Freyd

[Freyd 0]

Bouncing back and forth between Ugzeke and the canyon walls, Freyd looked to be running a course of Parcour.  Cascading bursts of light barraged the trolls' senses, overloading them and leaving him dazed, even as his gargantuan hands reached up to try and pluck at the sparkles in his vision.

"PREETEE!"  

Freyd just kept arcing back and forth, inflicting more and more blows like a lethal pinball in search of that elusive bonus combo that would light up the entire machine.  Ugzeke's health plummeted with every consecutive strike, and to his great satisfaction.  Things were actually going well, for a change, even as the left side of his interfacing menu gradually cluttered with a series of new and annoying cooldowns.  How was that a good idea?!

Racing along the face of one of the adjacent canyon walls, Freyd skid to a stop and lined up his next run, ready to bring the pain.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN
Shades of the Gemini (CD 2/2)
Odin's Wrath (CD 2/4)
Charge (CD 2/3)
Grappling Familiar (CD 1/5)
Fling (CD 1/3)

Free Action | None
Post Action | Wallbreaker (x15 AoE, 14 EN +2/hit): 16 EN - (Stamina) = 14 EN

ID #188547 | BD: 10 (Crit +2, Holy +8).  DMG (15*37=555-160=395).  TXV refreshed.

ID #188547 | CD: 2 (Ugzeke is <<Oblivious>>)

Freyd | HP: 900/900 | EN: 67/124 (80+1-14) | DMG: 27 | MIT: 111 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 6 | BH: 49 | DOTE: 1 | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3 | | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | TXV: 24/3 | V.O.: 99

Ugzeke | HP: 1809/3100 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 160 | ACC: 2 | EVA: -1 | [TXV 24 (1/3)] (2228-395-24)

• <<Oblivious>>: Every turn, unless <<Ugzeke>> rolls CD 5+, he will remain oblivious to the enemy party and refuse to attack. This skill is disabled once <<Ugzeke>> becomes <<In Pain>>.
• <<In Pain>>: Once <<Ugzeke’s>> health reaches 1200, he will become enraged as his skin turns red and he notices the party fully. His ACC is reduced to 1, but his EVA is increased to 2.
• <<Smash>>: On an MD 9-10, his attack will hit the entire party for 225 DMG, lowering everyone’s ACC by 1 for two turns.

 

Edited April 24, 2021 by Freyd

[Freyd 0]

Montjoy was still occupying Ugzeke as Freyd's next blow took out his knees from behind, causing the titan to topple backward amidst a cry of surprised.  He actually seemed to notice that one, even as his shoulder cut a new cleft in the cliff side that sought to buffer his fall.  The troll's other limb grasped blindly for purchase even as Freyd slipped beneath it and out of reach on the far side.  Montjoy just waved, looking thoroughly amused with both himself and the situation at hand.

"GAAAAH!  WHY PESKY THINGS BOTHER ZUG-ICKY!!!"

A momentary pang caught Freyd's conscience.  The mob did have a point.  It wasn't really hurting anyone or anything, at least at this very moment.  Then he remembered past encounters between them and some of the massive blows the troll had dealt in its fury.  Sympathy evaporated at the memory of the hate in the thing's eyes as it sought to stomp the life out of anything that approached it.  

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN
Odin's Wrath (CD 3/4)
Charge (CD 3/3)
Grappling Familiar (CD 2/5)
Fling (CD 2/3)
Wallbreaker (CD 1/3)

Free Action | Shades of the Gemini (CD 0/2) +1 Antidote
Post Action | Ripple (CD 0/2) (x14, 12 EN): 12 EN - (Stamina) = 10 EN

ID #188549 | BD: 4+6+1=11 (hit).  DMG (14*27=378-160=218)

ID #188549 | MD: 3+2-5=0 (miss) | CD: 6 (Acts normally)

Freyd | HP: 900/900 | EN: 58/124 (67+1-10) | DMG: 27 | MIT: 111 | EVA: 4 (+1) | ACC: 6 | BH: 49 | DOTE: 2 | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3 | | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | TXV: 24/3 | V.O.: 99

Ugzeke | HP: 1567/3100 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 160 | ACC: 2 | EVA: -1 | [TXV 24 (2/3)] (1809-218-24)

• <<Oblivious>>: Every turn, unless <<Ugzeke>> rolls CD 5+, he will remain oblivious to the enemy party and refuse to attack. This skill is disabled once <<Ugzeke>> becomes <<In Pain>>.
• <<In Pain>>: Once <<Ugzeke’s>> health reaches 1200, he will become enraged as his skin turns red and he notices the party fully. His ACC is reduced to 1, but his EVA is increased to 2.
• <<Smash>>: On an MD 9-10, his attack will hit the entire party for 225 DMG, lowering everyone’s ACC by 1 for two turns.

 

Edited April 24, 2021 by Freyd

[Freyd 0]

Unable to spot its assailants, the giant troll just took to performing a flailing tantrum as it thrashed about with every limb, utterly destroying the landscape and very nearly bringing down the entire cavern in the process.  Freyd just took it as an opportunity to rest and catch his breath, watching the giant child-like monster unleash its wrath upon the stones.  At least, until a stalactite fell loose and beaned him between the eyes.  The thrashing stopped momentarily, as Ugzeke struggled to comprehend what had just occurred, and then turned into a sniffle that quickly grew into full-fledged sobbing.  Within a minute, the troll's misery had turned back to rage and he was back to smashing everything in sight.

Freyd and Montjoy sat next to each other on a nearby ledge, making bets on duration while placidly watching it happen, and waiting until he was ready to be smote again.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN
Odin's Wrath (CD 4/4)
Grappling Familiar (CD 3/5)
Fling (CD 3/3)
Wallbreaker (CD 2/3)
Shades of the Gemini (CD 1/2) 
Ripple (CD 1/2)

Free Action | None
Post Action | Meditation (CD 0/3) +16 EN

ID #188550 | MD: 6+2-4=4 (miss) | CD: 8 (Acts normally)

Freyd | HP: 900/900 | EN: 75/124 (58+1+16) | DMG: 27 | MIT: 111 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 6 | BH: 49 | DOTE: 2 | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3 | | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | TXV: 24/3 | V.O.: 99

Ugzeke | HP: 1543/3100 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 160 | ACC: 2 | EVA: -1 | [TXV 24 (3/3)] (1567-24)

• <<Oblivious>>: Every turn, unless <<Ugzeke>> rolls CD 5+, he will remain oblivious to the enemy party and refuse to attack. This skill is disabled once <<Ugzeke>> becomes <<In Pain>>.
• <<In Pain>>: Once <<Ugzeke’s>> health reaches 1200, he will become enraged as his skin turns red and he notices the party fully. His ACC is reduced to 1, but his EVA is increased to 2.
• <<Smash>>: On an MD 9-10, his attack will hit the entire party for 225 DMG, lowering everyone’s ACC by 1 for two turns.

 

Edited April 24, 2021 by Freyd

[Freyd 0]

The moment came before long, Ugzeke having no ability to focus on anything for long, not even its own frustrations.  Its dull, black eyes returned to the path before it, as if trying to process whether it should return to its endless wanderings or if something had been going on that should have continued to capture its attention.  The answer came in the form of a person, sailing through the air directly towards its face.  But, it looked so much like just another shadow flitting about the darkness that dominates the caverns of floor twenty-one that it only realized the danger once Freyd had already whacked it across the face with his staff, snapping the troll's head sharply to the left.  His attempted counterstrike only succeeded in punching himself in the same place that had only just been injured.

Freyd had already receded into shadow, watching with satisfaction as Ugzeke's health bar dropped steadily into the yellow range.  He just needed to keep the pressure on.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN
Grappling Familiar (CD 4/5)
Wallbreaker (CD 3/3)
Shades of the Gemini (CD 2/2) 
Ripple (CD 2/2)
Meditation (CD 1/3)

Free Action | None
Post Action | Odin's Wrath (CD 0/4) (x18 AoE, 16 EN +2/hit): 18 EN - (Stamina) = 16 EN.  Charge (CD 0/3) (-8 EN)

ID #188551 | BD: 4+6+1-1=10 (hit, Charge +5).  DMG (18*32=576-160=416)

ID #188551 | MD: 1 (miss) | CD: 9 (Acts normally)

Freyd | HP: 900/900 | EN: 51/124 (75+1-16-8) | DMG: 27 | MIT: 111 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 6 | BH: 49 | DOTE: 2 | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3 | | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | TXV: 24/3 | V.O.: 99

Ugzeke | HP: 1127/3100 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 160 | ACC: (1) | EVA: (2) (1543-416).  <<In Pain>> is now active.

• <<Oblivious>>: Every turn, unless <<Ugzeke>> rolls CD 5+, he will remain oblivious to the enemy party and refuse to attack. This skill is disabled once <<Ugzeke>> becomes <<In Pain>>.
• <<In Pain>>: Once <<Ugzeke’s>> health reaches 1200, he will become enraged as his skin turns red and he notices the party fully. His ACC is reduced to 1, but his EVA is increased to 2.
• <<Smash>>: On an MD 9-10, his attack will hit the entire party for 225 DMG, lowering everyone’s ACC by 1 for two turns.

 

Edited April 24, 2021 by Freyd

[Freyd 0]

Picking up mitt-fulls of broken and shattered stone from his earlier tantrum, Ugzeke flung them with every ounce of strength in the nasty shadow's wake.  

Not a bad strategy, actually, given that it basically amounts to avalanche-sized shrapnel.

Imagine if you could actually harness that kind of power and use it as a sword art.  It would be such a potent AoE attack...

Despite their ongoing internal dialogue, Freyd had already dodged to the east and continued his assault with a devastating series of blows that pushed Ugzeke's health down into the red range.  A smashed fingernail here, a shattered kneecap there, combined with a few badly bruised foot bones were more than enough to keep the lumbering brute off balance.  Adding a burst of holy wrath directly onto the solar plexus was a bonus, but always welcome if it helped bring the mob down faster.  Despite the considerable beating he had already taken, the troll resiliently refused to fall.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN
Grappling Familiar (CD 5/5)
Meditation (CD 2/3)
Odin's Wrath (CD 1/4)
Charge (CD 1/3)

Free Action | Shades of the Gemini (CD 0/2) +1 Antidote (3/3)
Post Action | Fling (CD 0/3)(x16, 12 EN): 12 EN - (Stamina) = 10 EN. 

ID #188552 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Holy +8).  DMG (16*36=576-160=416).  TXV applied.

ID #188552 | MD: 5+1-5=1 (miss)

Freyd | HP: 900/900 | EN: 42/124 (51+1-10) | DMG: 27 | MIT: 111 | EVA: 4 (+1) | ACC: 6 | BH: 49 | DOTE: 3 | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3 | | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | TXV: 24/3 | V.O.: 99

Ugzeke | HP: 687/3100 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 160 | ACC: (1) | EVA: (2) | [TXV 24 (1/3)] (1127-416-24).  

• <<Oblivious>>: Every turn, unless <<Ugzeke>> rolls CD 5+, he will remain oblivious to the enemy party and refuse to attack. This skill is disabled once <<Ugzeke>> becomes <<In Pain>>.
• <<In Pain>>: Once <<Ugzeke’s>> health reaches 1200, he will become enraged as his skin turns red and he notices the party fully. His ACC is reduced to 1, but his EVA is increased to 2.
• <<Smash>>: On an MD 9-10, his attack will hit the entire party for 225 DMG, lowering everyone’s ACC by 1 for two turns.

 

Edited April 24, 2021 by Freyd

[Freyd 0]

Ugzeke was definitely slowing, which was saying something considering his already lumbering pace.  Another smashed kneecap brought him down to his knees, in addition to leaving a badly fractured orange web of mesh on the troll's right knee.  Freyd could sense the inevitability of the mob's defeat, but had to concede that Ugzeke would never give up.  It was one of the traits that he secretly admired about SAO's mobs: they were unflinchingly fearless, even in the face of defeat.  Hardly a matter of character, their programming simply didn't allow for the impact of fear in the same way as a player.  They didn't truly fear death.

How many times as this troll been in this position before?  As a philosophical train of thought, it did little to distract Freyd from his latest kata, driving the mob back step by step, deeper into the dark.  His will would endure, but the system was already straining against his rapidly dwindling energy pool.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN
Meditation (CD 3/3)
Odin's Wrath (CD 2/4)
Charge (CD 2/3)
Shades of the Gemini (CD 1/2)
Fling (CD 1/3)

Free Action | None
Post Action | Ripple (CD 0/2) (x14, 12 EN): 12 EN - (Stamina) = 10 EN. 

ID #188554 | BD: 7+6-2=11 (hit, Fallen +8).  DMG (14*35=490-160=330)

ID #188554 | MD: 3+1-4=0 (miss)

Freyd | HP: 900/900 | EN: 33/124 (42+1-10) | DMG: 27 | MIT: 111 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 6 | BH: 49 | DOTE: 3 | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3 | | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | TXV: 24/3 | V.O.: 99

Ugzeke | HP: 330/3100 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 160 | ACC: (1) | EVA: (2) | [TXV 24 (1/3)] (687-330-24)

• <<Oblivious>>: Every turn, unless <<Ugzeke>> rolls CD 5+, he will remain oblivious to the enemy party and refuse to attack. This skill is disabled once <<Ugzeke>> becomes <<In Pain>>.
• <<In Pain>>: Once <<Ugzeke’s>> health reaches 1200, he will become enraged as his skin turns red and he notices the party fully. His ACC is reduced to 1, but his EVA is increased to 2.
• <<Smash>>: On an MD 9-10, his attack will hit the entire party for 225 DMG, lowering everyone’s ACC by 1 for two turns.

 

Edited April 24, 2021 by Freyd

[Freyd 0]

Time to finish it.

"I couldn't agree more."

"YOU MEAN TINY THINGY!!!"

"Dude, you have no idea."

Swinging the butt end of this staff upward into the trolls jaw caused its entire head to explode in a burst of holy light, combined with the final break of Ugzeke's battered body.  The bulk of him sat there for a moment, headless, while twinkling motes fell from his disintegrating neck.  Nothing remained above.  Amazingly, one of the mob's massive hands lifted, as if attempting to palm its face, only to discorporate even as it fished for its own missing noggin.  The rest of him collapsed inward a moment later, glowing brightly in the darkness before vanishing into nothingness.

Freyd bent down, grasping a small vial labeled 'Troll's Blood' and eying it curiously.  

"This wasn't here in the aftermath of our last battle, big guy.  Are you offering new gifts for your defeat?"  A quick examination of the item description told him everything he needed to know, and had already set his mind to turning on the possibilities.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN
Odin's Wrath (CD 3/4)
Charge (CD 3/3)
Shades of the Gemini (CD 2/2)
Fling (CD 2/3)
Ripple (CD 1/2)

Free Action | None
Post Action | Wallbreaker (CD 0/3) (x15 AoE, 14 EN +2/hit): 16 EN - (Stamina) = 14 EN. 

ID #188555 | BD: 10 (Crit +2, Holy +8).  DMG (15*37=555-160=395)

Freyd | HP: 900/900 | EN: 20/124 (33+1-14) | DMG: 27 | MIT: 111 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 6 | BH: 49 | DOTE: 3 | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3 | | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | TXV: 24/3 | V.O.: 99

Ugzeke | HP: 0/3100 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 160 | ACC: (1) | EVA: (2) | [TXV 24 (2/3)] (330-395)

• <<Oblivious>>: Every turn, unless <<Ugzeke>> rolls CD 5+, he will remain oblivious to the enemy party and refuse to attack. This skill is disabled once <<Ugzeke>> becomes <<In Pain>>.
• <<In Pain>>: Once <<Ugzeke’s>> health reaches 1200, he will become enraged as his skin turns red and he notices the party fully. His ACC is reduced to 1, but his EVA is increased to 2.
• <<Smash>>: On an MD 9-10, his attack will hit the entire party for 225 DMG, lowering everyone’s ACC by 1 for two turns.

Loot Ugzeke: ID #188556 | LD: 19+8=27 | CD: 11

F23 Dungeon Map [188556]
4 materials (+4 LD/CD odd)
19530 col (HP[3100]*6, +5% Col Deposit)

Edited April 24, 2021 by Freyd

[Freyd 0]

So much had changed, and brought with it the most dangerous of things to Aincrad: uncertainty.  Players had grown complacent in their stagnation.  They had lingered too long, waiting for the next floor to be unlocked.  When it didn't happen, they became accustomed to a false norm and lost the edge that had kept them moving upward.  Now, the toll would be paid.  It hadn't gone unnoticed to Freyd that he could have been walking into his own doom with this little stunt.  The game balance had definitely shifted, and each player's individual power was diminished by it.  Each would now have to be more reliant upon their brethren.  And yet, some still insisted on preying on other players.  That was the sort of idiotic madness that was going to get everyone in here killed.  Maybe Setsuna had a point?  Culling the rotten elements had merit.  Macradon had certainly done so.  Both their names appeared frequently on the Monument of Life as proof.

Vanity Tag: @Setsuna

Spoiler

Rest 1/2

Odin's Wrath (CD 4/4)
Fling (CD 3/3)
Ripple (CD 2/2)
Wallbreaker (CD 1/3)

 

Edited April 24, 2021 by Freyd

[Freyd 0]

As much as he felt like they would someday be judged for the way they comported themselves in this digital hell, Freyd struggled to care for consequences in a world to which he had little desire to return.  What if they did?  At best, he'd be just another nameless face in a crowd.  Did PKers wander down the same dark road, giving up their humanity for fleeting thrills and short term gain?  How many did so out of fear for their own safety, or simply due to desperation?

Should he sympathize, and take the higher road, as Raidou would have them do?  From what little he'd learned of the man, he had his own dark past with a long list of fallen to account for. 

"It must constantly eat at him to have to forsake their potential."

Montjoy just looked at him. from the canyon wall.

"Yeah.  I saw the names on the wall.  It didn't take much to figure it out."

Spoiler

Rest 2/2
Wallbreaker (CD 2/3)

 

Edited April 24, 2021 by Freyd

[Freyd 0]

"Over here!  The lights came from this direction."

The voices were low, and signaled the arrival of a new threat even before four armored dark elf soldiers rounded the nearest bend in the canyon path that Ugzeke favoured.  Trills in the distance confirmed the presence of additional parties.  They were out in force, but not aware of his presence.  Freyd meant to keep it that way.  He'd encountered a full army of dark elves marshalling on Twenty-One in advance of the Sundered Spire's attack on Coral and the Lake of Reflections.  He'd heard nothing of the faction's survival in the aftermath of the events surrounding Shadow's fall, and they were unlikely to share information without calling in reinforcements.  He'd have to reduce their numbers first.  Then, perhaps, it might be possible to site down and have a more civilized chat. 

Launching himself into the unsuspecting squad, the first elf fell before even making a sound.

Spoiler

Wallbreaker (CD 3/3)

Free Action | Shades of the Gemini (CD 0/2)
Post Action | Odin's Wrath (CD 0/4) (x18 AoE, 16 EN +2/hit): 24 EN - (Rested 1/2, Stamina) = 21 EN.  Charge (CD 0/3) (-8 EN)

ID #188563 | BD: 3+6-1=8 (hit, Charge +5).  DMG (18*32=576)
ID #188564 | BD: 2+6-1=7 (hit, Charge +5).  DMG (18*32=576)
ID #188565 | BD: 4+6-1=9 (hit, Charge +5).  DMG (18*32=576)
ID #188566 | BD: 6+6-1=11 (hit, Charge +5, Fallen +8).  DMG (18*40=720)

ID #188563 | MD: 3-4=(-1) (miss)
ID #188564 | MD: 3-4=(-1) (miss)
ID #188565 | MD: 10 (Crit +2).  DMG (188-111=77)

Freyd | HP: 823/900 (900-77) | EN: 95/124 (124-21-8) | DMG: 27 | MIT: 111 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 6 | BH: 49 | DOTE: 3 | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3 | | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | TXV: 24/3 | V.O.: 99

Dark Elf #1 | HP: 44/620 | DMG: 186 (620-576)
Dark Elf #2 | HP: 44/620 | DMG: 186 (620-576)
Dark Elf #3 | HP: 44/620 | DMG: 186 (620-576)
Dark Elf #4 | HP: 0/620 | DMG: 186 (620-720)

Loot Dark Elf #4: ID #188567 | LD: 9+8=17 | CD: 8

T3 Rare Consumable [188567a]
T3 Rare Armor/Shield [188567b] 
+2 materials (+2 LD odd)
5208 col (HP[620]*8, incl +2 CD even+5% Col Deposit)

Edited April 24, 2021 by Freyd

[Freyd 0]

The remaining trio struggles to arm themselves even as their eyes winced at the brightness of their comrade's death-splosion.  Cries of alarm fell silent as, one by one, each of them fell in turn.  

Scrambling to higher ground, Freyd watched as more patrols came into view from the north and west.  Why were there so many?  Were they looking for something, or someone?  Were they actually looking for him?  

Unlikely.  Their weapons were sheathed.  They didn't think anything or anyone was out here.

Foolish.

Agreed.  They paid the price.

Whatever the reason for their presence, something seething inside Freyd longed for release.  It wasn't like him to be emotional or impulsive in this way, and yet the drive remained.  Perhaps it was time to view the mobs as what he truly needed them to be: a means to an end.  Other players had long since accepted this, and it was hardly as if his hands were clean.  

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN
Freyd regains 49 HP from BH
Shades of the Gemini (CD 1/2)
Odin's Wrath (CD 1/4)
Charge (CD 1/3)

Free Action | none
Post Action | Sweep (CD 0/2) (x5 AoE, 5 EN +2/hit): 11 EN - (Rested 2/2, Stamina) = 8 EN.  

ID #188568 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Holy +8).  DMG (5*36=180).  V.O. triggers.
ID #188569 | BD: 8 (hit, Fallen +8).  DMG (5*35=175)
ID #188570 | BD: 2 (hit). DMG (5*27=135)

Freyd | HP: 900/900 (823+49+99) | EN: 88/124 (95+1-8) | DMG: 27 | MIT: 111 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 6 | BH: 49 | DOTE: 3 | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3 | | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | TXV: 24/3 | V.O.: 99

Dark Elf #1 | HP: 0/620 | DMG: 186 (44-180)
Dark Elf #2 | HP: 0/620 | DMG: 186 (44-175)
Dark Elf #3 | HP: 0/620 | DMG: 186 (44-135)

Loot Dark Elf #1: ID #188573 | LD: 12+8=20 | CD: 8

T3 Perfect Armor/Shield [188573a]
T3 Perfect Trinket [188573b]
6510 col (HP[620]*10, incl +4 CD even+5% Col Deposit)

Loot Dark Elf #2: ID #188574 | LD: 10+8=18 | CD: 8

T3 Rare Consumable [188574a]
T3 Rare Armor/Shield [188574b]
6510 col (HP[620]*10, incl +4 CD even+5% Col Deposit)

Loot Dark Elf #3: ID #188575 | LD: 13+8=21 | CD: 2

T3 Perfect Armor/Shield [188575a]
T3 Perfect Weapon[188575b]
+2 materials (+2 LD odd)
5208 col (HP[620]*8, incl +2 CD even+5% Col Deposit)

Edited April 24, 2021 by Freyd

[Freyd 0]

Pouncing upon another patrol, his staff spinning and thrusting wildly like a maddened top, Freyd watched their battered forms scatter in every direction.  These reacted far more quickly and were wise enough to be better prepared.  Were they veterans, or simply just luckier than their previous kin?  Samael's Pride swelled with energy as it pelted his foes, instantly dropping their health bars to critical levels.  Two managed to keep their wits about them and land blows against the Whisper even as the raced between their ranks. He noticed, but it was not enough to cause serious concern.  

Snaring one of the warriors beneath his shoulder, Freyd spun and flung him against his companions, parrying other attempts to strike at him even as he pressed his advance.  All the elves could see, even with their keen vision, was a shadow with red eyes decimating their numbers.  One scrambled to reach for a whistle hanging around his neck, but his hands shook too much for a proper grip.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN
Shades of the Gemini (CD 2/2)
Odin's Wrath (CD 2/4)
Charge (CD 2/3)
Sweep (CD 1/2)

Free Action | none
Post Action | Wallbreaker (CD 0/3) (x15 AoE, 14 EN +2/hit): 20 EN - (Rested 1/2, Stamina) = 17 EN.  

ID #188574 | BD: 10 (Crit +2, Holy +8).  DMG (15*37=555) TXV applied.
ID #188575 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Holy +8).  DMG (15*36=540) TXV applied.
ID #188576 | BD: 6+6=12 (hit, Holy +8).  DMG (15*35=525)
ID #188577 | BD: 1 (miss)

ID #188574 | MD: 10 (Crit +2) DMG (188-111=77)
ID #188575 | MD: 5-4=1 (miss)
ID #188576 | MD: 3-4=(-1) (miss)
ID #188577 | MD: 10 (Crit +2) DMG (188-111=77)

Freyd | HP: 746/900 (900-77-77) | EN: 88/124 (88+1-17) | DMG: 27 | MIT: 111 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 6 | BH: 49 | DOTE: 3 | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3 | | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | TXV: 24/3 | V.O.: 99

Dark Elf #5 | HP: 41/620 | DMG: 186 | TXV 24 (1/3) (620-555-24)
Dark Elf #6 | HP: 56/620 | DMG: 186 | TXV 24 (1/3) (620-540-24)
Dark Elf #7 | HP: 95/620 | DMG: 186 (620-525)
Dark Elf #8 | HP: 620/620 | DMG: 186

 

Edited April 24, 2021 by Freyd

[Freyd 0]

Wreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

The whistle would attract more.

Hooking his staff against the throat of the nearest elf, Freyd pushed him off balance from beyond his sword's reach, impaling him on a particularly jagged stalagmite, instantly turning him to dust.  Pivoting his grip to transfer momentum, force and killing intent, the opposite end of his weapon thrust forward.  It caught a second elf in the gut, folding him in half as the screeching void unleashed devoured his entire abdomen, leaving the rest of him to collapse into fractal motes a moment later.  A wide, single-handed sweep knocked a third into the rocky canyon wall with such force that the stone cracked even as another burst of light briefly banished the darkness.  

A clink of metal and sudden silence followed as the whistle fell to the floor, its wielder overcome by terror.

Maybe they can be afraid after all? 

The elf dropped his weapon and ran.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN
Freyd regains +49 HP from BH
Odin's Wrath (CD 3/4)
Charge (CD 3/3)
Sweep (CD 2/2)
Wallbreaker (CD 1/3)

Free Action | none
Post Action | Double or Nothing (CD 0/3) (x13 AoE, 11 EN +2/hit): 19 EN - (Rested 2/2, Stamina) = 16 EN.  

ID #188579 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Holy +8).  DMG (13*36=468).  V.O.  triggers
ID #188580 | BD: 7+6=13 (hit, Fallen +8).  DMG (13*35=455)
ID #188581 | BD: 3+6=9 (hit) DMG (13*27=351)
ID #188582 | BD: 8+6=14 (hit, Fallen +8).  DMG (13*35=455)

ID #188582 | MD: 1 (miss)

Freyd | HP: 894/900 (746+49+99) | EN: 73/124 (88+1-16) | DMG: 27 | MIT: 111 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 6 | BH: 49 | DOTE: 3 | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3 | | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | TXV: 24/3 | V.O.: 99

Dark Elf #5 | HP: 0/620 | DMG: 186 | TXV 24 (2/3) (41-468-24)
Dark Elf #6 | HP: 0/620 | DMG: 186 | TXV 24 (2/3)  (56-455-24)
Dark Elf #7 | HP: 0/620 | DMG: 186 (95-351)
Dark Elf #8 | HP: 165/620 | DMG: 186 (620-455)

Loot Dark Elf #5: ID #188584 | LD: 14+8=22 | CD: 11

T3 Perfect Trinket ([188584a]
+2 materials (+2 LD odd)
8463 col (HP[620]*13, incl +2 CD even+5% Col Deposit)

Loot Dark Elf #6: ID #188585 | LD: 8+8=16 | CD: 8

T3 Rare Consumable [188585a]
T3 Rare Armor/Shield[188585b]
6510 col (HP[620]*10, incl +4 LD/CD even+5% Col Deposit)

Loot Dark Elf #7: ID #188586 | LD: 5+8=13 | CD: 12

T3 Rare Armor/Shield [188586]
+2 materials (+2 LD odd)
6510 col (HP[620]*10, incl +2 CD even+5% Col Deposit)

Edited April 24, 2021 by Freyd

[Freyd 0]

"Help!  HELP!!!"

More dark elf scouts emerged from the darkness, gathering from different directions as the panicked warrior, now missing his whistle, fled from whatever monster had decimated his fellows.  

"There's something out there!  It took out two squads in ten seconds flat!"

"Get a grip!"

"Speaking of which, where's your weapon, Shian?"

The panicked man's eyes swiveled like his head was a bobble, barely processing that he'd dropped it.  The rest followed suit, looking outward a threat that already stood in their midst.  Black eyes shifted to red and a curved blade elongated to a rod made out of nightmares, only to fall upon the unsuspecting patrol an instant later.

"What the..?!  Aaargh!"

The runner fell first, and easily, even as the rest scrambled to recover under a barrage of blows from the Whisper in their midst.  Montjoy scampered about, only adding to their confusion.  A few stray crystals in the area cast a low level of light, just enough to cast shadows like titans clashing on the walls around the melee.  No one else was coming.  The last few stragglers of their force were racing to help, but it seemed unlikely that it would make any difference.  

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN
Freyd regains +49 HP from BH
Odin's Wrath (CD 4/4)
Wallbreaker (CD 2/3)
Double or Nothing (CD 1/3)

Free Action | Shades of the Gemini (CD 0/2)
Post Action | Twister (CD 0/2) (x10 AoE, 8 EN +2/hit): 16 EN - (Stamina) = 14 EN.  

ID #188587 | BD: 8+6=14 (hit, Fallen +8).  DMG (10*35=350)
ID #188588 | BD: 3+6=9 (hit).  DMG (10*27=270)
ID #188589 | BD: 1 (miss)
ID #188590 | BD: 6+6=12 (hit, Fallen +8).  DMG (10*35=350)

ID #188588 | MD: 8-5=3 (miss)
ID #188589 | MD: 7-5=2 (miss)
ID #188590 | MD: 9-5=4 (miss)

Freyd | HP: 900/900 (894+49) | EN: 60/124 (73+1-14) | DMG: 27 | MIT: 111 | EVA: 4 (+1) | ACC: 6 | BH: 49 | DOTE: 3 | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3 | | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | TXV: 24/3 | V.O.: 99

Dark Elf #8 | HP: 0/620 | DMG: 186  (165-350)
Dark Elf #9 | HP: 350/620 | DMG: 186 (620-270)
Dark Elf #10 | HP: 620/620 | DMG: 186 
Dark Elf #11 | HP: 270/620 | DMG: 186 (620-350)

Loot Dark Elf #8: ID #188591 | LD: 12+8=20 | CD: 12

T3 Perfect Weapon [188591]
9114 col (HP[620]*14, incl +4 LD/CD even+5% Col Deposit)

Edited April 24, 2021 by Freyd

[Freyd 0]

A whirlwind suction of void wrapped itself like a bubble around Freyd, shielding him from any direct assault even as it tore his enemies to pieces.  His hands moved methodically, with a grace that they had never possessed in real life, even as their motions devastated the forms of the creatures about him.  He felt nothing, registered none of their pleas, or cries or anger.  It didn't matter.   This was just a game, and they were pawns on a never-ending field of battle.  So was he.  The only difference was, he know what he was, and would embrace it.  

A degree of certainty that had evaded him for weeks before the raid finally settled upon Freyd's shoulders like a mantle resumed.  Shadows in proximity to him warbled and distorted, as if brought unwillingly under his fold.  Leaping high into the air, like a drop of inky blackness falling skyward, his motion reversed itself in midair.  An instant later, Freyd came crashing down amidst his foes with such force that is cratered the ground and released a ring-like wave of shrapnel-laden force that it decimated everything within twenty feet.

When it was finally done, nothing else remained.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +1 EN
Wallbreaker (CD 3/3)
Double or Nothing (CD 2/3)
Shades of the Gemini (CD 1/2)
Twister (CD 1/2)

Free Action | None
Post Action | Odin's Wrath (CD 0/4) (x18 AoE, 16 EN +2/hit): 24 EN - (Stamina) = 22 EN.  Charge (CD 0/3) (-8 EN)

ID #188592 | BD: 3+6-1= 8 (hit, Charge +5).  DMG (18*32=576)
ID #188593 | BD: 7+6-1=12 (hit, Charge +5, Fallen +8).  DMG (18*40=720)
ID #188594 | BD: 8+6-1=13 (hit, Charge +5, Fallen +8).  DMG (18*40=720)
ID #188595 | BD: 6+6-1=11 (hit, Charge +5, Fallen +8).  DMG (18*40=720)

Freyd | HP: 900/900 | EN: 31/124 (60+1-22-8) | DMG: 27 | MIT: 111 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 6 | BH: 49 | DOTE: 3 | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3 | | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | TXV: 24/3 | V.O.: 99

Dark Elf #9 | HP: 0/620 | DMG: 186 (350-576)
Dark Elf #10 | HP: 0/620 | DMG: 186 (620-720)
Dark Elf #11 | HP: 0/620 | DMG: 186 (270-720)
Dark Elf #12 | HP: 0/620 | DMG: 186 (620-720)
 

Loot Dark Elf #9: ID #188596 | LD: 3+8=11 | CD: 8

T3 Rare Weapon [188596a]
T3 Uncommon Consumable [188596b]
+2 materials (+2 LD odd)
5208 col (HP[620]*8, incl +2 CD even+5% Col Deposit)

Loot Dark Elf #10: ID #188597 | LD: 6+8=14 | CD: 8

T3 Rare Weapon [188597a]
T3 Uncommon Consumable [188597b]
6510 col (HP[620]*10, incl +4 LD/CD even+5% Col Deposit)

Loot Dark Elf #11: ID #188598 | LD: 8+8=16 | CD: 7

T3 Rare Consumable [188598a]
T3 Rare Armor/Shield[188598b] 
+2 materials (+2 CD odd)
5208 col (HP[620]*8, incl +2 LD even+5% Col Deposit)

Loot Dark Elf #12: ID #188599 | LD: 8+8=16 | CD: 4

T3 Rare Consumable [188599a]
T3 Rare Weapon [188599b]
6510 col (HP[620]*10, incl +4 LD/CD even+5% Col Deposit)

Edited April 25, 2021 by Freyd

[Freyd 0]

No one noticed another dark elf entering the gates of Tomoika.  There were so many around these days that it had become a trivial occurrence.  This one looked just like all the rest, his worn scout's cloak billowing slightly in the permanent breeze from the bellows that constantly scoured the slag-skimmed streets.  The hood on his cowl granted an anonymity that was commonplace here.  Something about his bearing and the fierceness of his gaze cause those before him to part and grant him access to the portal plaza without even realizing they were doing it.  Shadows danced all about him from the furnaces, torches and open fire pits that were plentiful in a mining town.  For those brave enough to steal a glance, all they could recall was a cold, menacing smirk confirming that they wanted nothing to do with whatever purpose drive him through their town. 

Here was a stranger best avoided.

Edited April 25, 2021 by Freyd

[Freyd 0]

Sidling up to a bar off the main plaza, the stranger seemed like just another face in a moody crowd that wanted no one else paying any mind to whatever business they had at hand.  A quick word produced a steaming carafe of vanilla-scented coffee and a battered tin cup that struggled to hold its shape even as the warped wire loops along one side pretended to serve as a handle, and failed.  A black-gloved hand filled the poor excuse for a vessel with one hand, but the red gaze beneath its cowl was focused entirely on the small vial of viscous crimson fluid in its other open palm.  Hunched as he was against the heavily worn wood, Freyd's illusory self couldn't help but smile.  With a bit of careful planning and preparation, this little, accidental discover could change everything.

His fist closed around the glass, dismissing it back to his inventory, even as the other brought the steaming, scheming cup to his lips for a draught.

***

Thread Summary:

2,884 EXP (800 for page, 2000 for field boss, +3% for Paragon 10)
97,687 Col (400 page + 96,999 from loot + 288 for Paragon 5)
16 materials (16 from loot)

Troll’s Blood (field boss drop)

F23 Dungeon Map [188556]
T3 Rare Consumable [188567a]
T3 Rare Armor/Shield [188567b] 
T3 Perfect Armor/Shield [188573a]
T3 Perfect Trinket [188573b]
T3 Rare Consumable [188574a]
T3 Rare Armor/Shield [188574b]
T3 Perfect Armor/Shield [188575a]
T3 Perfect Weapon[188575b]
T3 Perfect Trinket ([188584a]
T3 Rare Consumable [188585a]
T3 Rare Armor/Shield[188585b]
T3 Rare Armor/Shield [188586]
T3 Perfect Weapon [188591]
T3 Rare Weapon [188596a]
T3 Uncommon Consumable [188596b]
T3 Rare Weapon [188597a]
T3 Uncommon Consumable [188597b]
T3 Rare Consumable [188598a]
T3 Rare Armor/Shield[188598b] 
T3 Rare Consumable [188599a]
T3 Rare Weapon [188599b]
 

US roll eligible

NIGHT:

ID191458 | LD1