[SP-PT-F24] Cracking Crustaceans <<In Too Deep>>

[Freyd 0]

Rumours had reached his desk of some powerful new threats arising in distant corners of Aincrad.  But there was always some tidbit about some epic threat lurking over the horizon floating about.  Freyd didn't usually put much stock into them, but something about the tales of an abomination terrorizing the Paradise Islands had struck a little more true than most.  Eager for a reprieve from more mundane drudgery, he granted himself permission to go for a stroll and investigate personally.  If it turned out to be nothing, a bit of time on a sunny beach would still prove worthwhile.  

Everyone else seemed occupied, at the moment, so it looked like this was going to be a solo trip.

Is that wise?

Montjoy, how many times have you asked that question and watched me do whatever it was anyway?

Fair point.

"This is as far as I'll take you."  The boat captain he'd chartered to bring him here had been skittish from the start.  It was enough to get Freyd's attention, but could still just be an act to shake down thrill-seeking players.  Coins paid in full, the Whisper hopped overboard and waded the rest of the way to shore, instructing the captain to wait.

"If I die, you can leave.  If I kill whatever's out here and found that you've left me out here, I'm hunting you down.  Capisce?"

The man's eyes widened into saucers, even as his head nodded feverishly in ascent.

***

Freyd | HP: 1035/1035 | EN: 124/124 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 163 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 6 | BH: 51 | LD: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | TXV 24/3 | REC: 8

Consumed:

Spoiler

Gugnir Shard: ACC 2 [https://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/19579-freyds-evaluations/?do=findComment&comment=642553]
Liquor of Light (Potion) | Damage 3 [178026]
Smores (Snack) | Evasion 2 [173981-2] + Filled
Berry Crumb Bars (Snack) | LOOT DIE 3 [175909]
Divinity's Wait (Meal)| T4 Mitigation 3 [190704-1]
Max Level Courage (Meal)| Over-Health 3 [179562]
Viperion (Salve) | T3 Toxic Venom [178479]

Full Stats (Playtest Event):
(adjusted to include AoE Specialist Shift with Stamina, Ferocity, Precision and Focus weapon skill add-ons)

Spoiler

Freyd,
Level: 31
Paragon Level: 62
HP: 900/900 (+135)
EN: 124/124

Stats:
Damage: 23 (+3)
Mitigation: 78 (+60+25)
Accuracy: 4 (+2)
Evasion: 3 (+3)
Battle Healing: 45 (+6)
Loot Dice: 5 (+3)
FLN: 16
HLY: 16
(TXV 24/2)
REC: 8

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: Samael's Pride (T4-WH, HOLY 2, FLN 2)
Armor: Fallen Angel Garb (T4 LA, MIT 2, REC 2)
Misc: Aspect of the Void (T4-Trinket, ACC 1, EVA 3)

Skills:
War Hammer R5 (+Ferocity +Stamina +Precision +Focus)
Light Armor R5
Searching R5
Battle Healing R5
Charge
Energist
Extended Weight Limit
Charge
Extended Mod Limit

Active Mods:
Large Pockets
Meticulous
Resolve

Inactive Mods:

Active Extra Skills:
Disguise (+Shades of the Gemini)
Survival
Meditation
Brawler

Inactive Extra Skills:
Forgotten King’s Authority
Shatter

Battle Ready Inventory:
Teleport Crystals: 15
Mass HP Rec [Instant] (+10% max HP): 15
Mass HP Rec [Instant] (+10% max HP): 10
Vitality 2: 8
Perfect HP Rec (+15% of max hp): 15
The Thing Behind All Lies (T4 WH)
Crystal of Divine Light (Free, Instant [after roll], +1 slot of holy/fallen, double dmg next turn): 1
Rhino's Horn (Free, Instant [after roll], +3 DMG to one hit, -1 EVA for battle): 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.
Master Angler: +1 CD/LD for fishing.  +2 Fishing EXP per attempt
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:
Tanos Statue: +25 MIT for a thread

Wedding Ring: n/a
 

 

[Freyd 0]

The island was aptly named, possessing every trait one might expect: crystal blue water, wide sandy beaches lined with banana and coconut trees, a conspicuous lack of animal life and a giant mound of sand thirty feet wide that had no natural reason for being there.  Freyd just groaned.  Grabbing a nearby stone from the sand, one of those black flat ones worn smooth by water that are great for skipping, he tossed it at the mound.  The projectile bounced off with a soft thud before landing nearby.  An eyebrow arched as he waited, then the ground shook.  From out of the sand came a giant crab claw, the size of a pick up truck, to rub the spot where the stone had impacted.

"Yeah,"  Freyd said to himself.  "I think we can call this myth confirmed."

A pair of black, beady eyestalks popped up from the sand, each the size of a bowling ball and black as the inky depths.  Instinct kicked in and Freyd dashed forward before his foe could gain the initiative, smashing one eye into the other to discombobulate it before it emerged.  Things were about to get a lot more complicated.

Spoiler

Post Action | TECH-A (x12, 13 EN): 13 EN - (Rested 1/2; Stamina) = 10 EN. 
Free Action | None

ID #197551 | BD: 5+6+1=12 (hit).  DMG (12*26=312-125=187)

Sand's Claw stunned.  Action lost.

Freyd | HP: 1035/1035 | EN: 114/124 (124-10) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 163 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 6 | BH: 51 | LD: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | TXV 24/3 | REC: 8

Sand's Claw | HP: 3813/4000 | DMG: 220 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 3 | EVA: -1 | STUNNED | STUN IMM (0/4) (4000-187)

Tough Shell: This monster’s MIT and ACC cannot be reduced, and it remains unaffected by Incarcerate, Paralysis and Freeze effects.
Too Large: Familiars’ Grappling Skill cannot be used to stun the boss. Only normal stuns will work on it as a result of SAs or skills being used, and they will have a 4 turn cooldown.
Pincer Attack: Sand’s Claw will attack two times during its turn, targeting the player with the highest hate, and then the player with the second highest hate. Perform one attack roll for each attack.
Sand Cloud: Upon rolling CD 9+ and LD 10+ during one of its attacks, the boss will instead raise a cloud of sand from the beach, lowering each player’s ACC by -1 for their next two turns.
King’s Grip: On an MD 10, Sand’s Claw will lower the target’s MIT by 15 for the next two turns. This effect stacks up to two times, and any further activations will refresh its duration.
Bubble Spray: On an MD 10 and CD 6+, Sand’s Claw will instead hit the entire party for 125 unmitigatable DMG, lowering every player’s EVA by 1 for two turns. This effect does not stacked and any further activations will refresh its duration.
Gobble Up: If the boss’ health reaches 2000, on its next turn it will skip its attack and start eating rocks. It must be hit with 3 or more Delay SAs until its next turn, otherwise it will expend it on healing 1000 HP. This can only occur once per battle.
Soft Skin: Once afflicted with Bleed, the effect will not wear off for the remainder of the battle.
Unguarded Sides: Area of Effect attacks consume twice the base energy, but deal 50% (rounded up) more damage.

 

[Freyd 0]

The gigantic crustacean stumbled even as it struggled to pull itself out of the ground. Seizing the opportunity, Freyd smashed furiously against exposed joints and perceived weak points, seeking to fracture and weaken his foe.  Legs splayed wildly, making the creature dance like its claws ended in rollerskates.  It was almost amusing until the smashed him back, twice.

"Two attacks?!  This is new, and not good!"

It raised such a cloud of sand as it rose and slung entire dunes about that Freyd found it difficult to maintain eye contact, even dressed as he was for such things.  Scrambling through the haze, he could only hope that the same conditions that obscured his target did the same to conceal him from it.  Tumbling and rolling as he ran, part of him wondered whether he might have bitten off more than he could chew.

"Nah," he told himself.  "Just need to think through it."

Spoiler

Freyd regains +4 EN
CD 3 (no REC proc)

Post Action | TECH-G (x12, BURN, 12 EN): 12 EN - (Rested 2/2; Stamina) = 9 EN. 
Free Action | None

ID #197552 | BD: 10 (Crit +3, Holy +16). DMG (12*45=540-125=415).  TXV applied.  Burn applied.

ID #197553 | MD: 10 (Crit +2). CD 10.  LD 15. Bubble Spray triggers.  King's Grip triggers.  Sand Cloud triggers.
ID #197554 | MD: 7+3-5=5 (miss).  CD 10. LD 15. Sand Cloud refreshes.

Freyd | HP: 910/1035 (1035-125) | EN: 109/124 (114+4-9) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 163 (-15, 0/2) | ACC: 6 (-1, 0/2) | EVA: 6 (-1, 0/2) | BH: 51 | LD: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | TXV 24/3 | REC: 8

Sand's Claw | HP: 3318/4000 | DMG: 220 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 3 | EVA: -1 | STUN IMM (1/4) | TXV 24 (1/3) | Burn 56 (1/2) (3813-415-24-56)

Tough Shell: This monster’s MIT and ACC cannot be reduced, and it remains unaffected by Incarcerate, Paralysis and Freeze effects.
Too Large: Familiars’ Grappling Skill cannot be used to stun the boss. Only normal stuns will work on it as a result of SAs or skills being used, and they will have a 4 turn cooldown.
Pincer Attack: Sand’s Claw will attack two times during its turn, targeting the player with the highest hate, and then the player with the second highest hate. Perform one attack roll for each attack.
Sand Cloud: Upon rolling CD 9+ and LD 10+ during one of its attacks, the boss will instead raise a cloud of sand from the beach, lowering each player’s ACC by -1 for their next two turns.
King’s Grip: On an MD 10, Sand’s Claw will lower the target’s MIT by 15 for the next two turns. This effect stacks up to two times, and any further activations will refresh its duration.
Bubble Spray: On an MD 10 and CD 6+, Sand’s Claw will instead hit the entire party for 125 unmitigatable DMG, lowering every player’s EVA by 1 for two turns. This effect does not stacked and any further activations will refresh its duration.
Gobble Up: If the boss’ health reaches 2000, on its next turn it will skip its attack and start eating rocks. It must be hit with 3 or more Delay SAs until its next turn, otherwise it will expend it on healing 1000 HP. This can only occur once per battle.
Soft Skin: Once afflicted with Bleed, the effect will not wear off for the remainder of the battle.
Unguarded Sides: Area of Effect attacks consume twice the base energy, but deal 50% (rounded up) more damage.

 

[Freyd 0]

"The brush!"

Managing an extra strike on his way by, Freyd darted for the tree line, hoping to use it as cover as well as to turn the creature's size against it.  Weaving his way between palm trees and bamboo shoots, it sounded like an avalanche was crashing through the jungle behind him, devastating everything in its path.  Scarcely able to spare a glimpse, it was all he could do to run parcourt through the underbrush as entire chunks of the landscape were thrown about by his pursuer.  He'd apparently pissed it off - one of his special talents, when it came to mobs and bosses.  

Higher ground.  He needed to get to higher ground, he told himself, where the terrain might be better used to his advantage.  Duplicate images of his form suddenly broke off, running at odd angles to his own trajectory to keep the boss guessing.  He needed time, even as he struggled to maintain the pace of his breathing and pulse pounding in his ears, and would use every trick in his arsenal to obtain it.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +4 EN
CD 12 (+8 EN from REC proc)
Freyd regains 51 HP from BH

Post Action | ST-I (x12, 12 EN): 12 EN - (Stamina) = 10 EN. 
Free Action | Disguise (CD 0/5)

ID #197555 | BD: 10 (Crit +3, Holy +16). DMG (12*45=540-125=415)

ID #197556 | MD: 5+3-5=3 (miss)
ID #197557 | MD: 3+3-5=1 (miss)

Freyd | HP: 961/1035 (910+51) | EN: 111/124 (109+4+8-10) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 163 (-15, 0/2) | ACC: 6 (-1, 0/2) | EVA: 6 (+1)(-1, 0/2) | BH: 51 | LD: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | TXV 24/3 | REC: 8

Sand's Claw | HP: 2823/4000 | DMG: 220 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 3 | EVA: -1 | STUN IMM (2/4) | TXV 24 (2/3) | Burn 56 (2/2) (3318-415-24-56)

Tough Shell: This monster’s MIT and ACC cannot be reduced, and it remains unaffected by Incarcerate, Paralysis and Freeze effects.
Too Large: Familiars’ Grappling Skill cannot be used to stun the boss. Only normal stuns will work on it as a result of SAs or skills being used, and they will have a 4 turn cooldown.
Pincer Attack: Sand’s Claw will attack two times during its turn, targeting the player with the highest hate, and then the player with the second highest hate. Perform one attack roll for each attack.
Sand Cloud: Upon rolling CD 9+ and LD 10+ during one of its attacks, the boss will instead raise a cloud of sand from the beach, lowering each player’s ACC by -1 for their next two turns.
King’s Grip: On an MD 10, Sand’s Claw will lower the target’s MIT by 15 for the next two turns. This effect stacks up to two times, and any further activations will refresh its duration.
Bubble Spray: On an MD 10 and CD 6+, Sand’s Claw will instead hit the entire party for 125 unmitigatable DMG, lowering every player’s EVA by 1 for two turns. This effect does not stacked and any further activations will refresh its duration.
Gobble Up: If the boss’ health reaches 2000, on its next turn it will skip its attack and start eating rocks. It must be hit with 3 or more Delay SAs until its next turn, otherwise it will expend it on healing 1000 HP. This can only occur once per battle.
Soft Skin: Once afflicted with Bleed, the effect will not wear off for the remainder of the battle.
Unguarded Sides: Area of Effect attacks consume twice the base energy, but deal 50% (rounded up) more damage.

 

[Freyd 0]

Rounding a rocky outcropping with a low rise, Freyd sensed an opportunity and climbed to its peak.  Taking a flying leap without waiting to confirm the crab's precise position, he soon discovered that his timing was off and sailed harmless through the air just a few seconds too early.  Two reddish claws snapped just behind him, missing him by a hair's breath.

Snagging a few vines to slow and control his descent seemed like a good idea until one of them hissed violently and tried to bite him.  Apparently, the paradise after which these islands had been named wasn't for players, but for all the other things that liked to eat them.  Releasing the vine before it constricted around his arm, Freyd twisted and landed with cat-like grace.  A rumble under his armor conveyed Persi's approval, though he was at a complete loss to tell how she could possibly know what was happening.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +4 EN
CD 12 (+8 EN from REC proc)
Freyd regains 51 HP from BH
Disguise (CD 1/5)

Post Action | ST-B (x20, 20 EN): 20 EN - (Stamina) = 18 EN.  Previous SA: ID 197555 | CD 12 - Missed (2 EN instead)
Free Action | None

ID #197558 | BD: 1 (miss)

ID #197559 | MD: 5+3-5=3 (miss).  CD 10, LD 15.  Sand's Cloud refreshes.
ID #197560 | MD: 6+3-5=4 (miss).  CD 5, LD 20.  No procs.

Freyd | HP: 1012/1035 (961+51) | EN: 121/124 (111+4+8-2) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 163 (-15, 2/2) | ACC: 6 (-1, 0/2) | EVA: 6 (-1, 2/2)| BH: 51 | LD: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | TXV 24/3 | REC: 8

Sand's Claw | HP: 2799/4000 | DMG: 220 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 3 | EVA: -1 | STUN IMM (3/4) | TXV 24 (3/3) (2823-24)

Tough Shell: This monster’s MIT and ACC cannot be reduced, and it remains unaffected by Incarcerate, Paralysis and Freeze effects.
Too Large: Familiars’ Grappling Skill cannot be used to stun the boss. Only normal stuns will work on it as a result of SAs or skills being used, and they will have a 4 turn cooldown.
Pincer Attack: Sand’s Claw will attack two times during its turn, targeting the player with the highest hate, and then the player with the second highest hate. Perform one attack roll for each attack.
Sand Cloud: Upon rolling CD 9+ and LD 10+ during one of its attacks, the boss will instead raise a cloud of sand from the beach, lowering each player’s ACC by -1 for their next two turns.
King’s Grip: On an MD 10, Sand’s Claw will lower the target’s MIT by 15 for the next two turns. This effect stacks up to two times, and any further activations will refresh its duration.
Bubble Spray: On an MD 10 and CD 6+, Sand’s Claw will instead hit the entire party for 125 unmitigatable DMG, lowering every player’s EVA by 1 for two turns. This effect does not stacked and any further activations will refresh its duration.
Gobble Up: If the boss’ health reaches 2000, on its next turn it will skip its attack and start eating rocks. It must be hit with 3 or more Delay SAs until its next turn, otherwise it will expend it on healing 1000 HP. This can only occur once per battle.
Soft Skin: Once afflicted with Bleed, the effect will not wear off for the remainder of the battle.
Unguarded Sides: Area of Effect attacks consume twice the base energy, but deal 50% (rounded up) more damage.

 

[Freyd 0]

Convinced that he had gauded his enemy enough to let it think it had him, Freyd suddenly reversed his strategy and charged back towards it in an all-out attack.  Both beady eye stalks widened when they saw him, but too late to do anything about it.  Rearing up on its hind legs to try and keep clear of his reach, the beast played right into his hands instead.  Leaping high into the air, the Whisper drove the butt end of his staff into the crab's under-carapace with such force that a concussive blast shook the surrounding jungle.  It also toppled the massive creature onto its back, where it squealed and thrashed in a desperate attempt to right itself, wiping out a fair chunk of foliage in the process.  Finally snaring a claw full of broken tree trunks, it cleverly used them to prop and flip itself back upright, roaring its displeasure, but having lost track of its elusive quarry.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +4 EN
CD 6 (No REC proc)
Freyd regains 51 HP from BH
Disguise (CD 2/5)

Post Action | ST-B (x20, 20 EN): 20 EN - (Stamina) = 18 EN.  Previous SA: ID 197558 | CD 12
Free Action | None

ID #197561 | BD: 9 (Crit +2, Holy +16).  DMG (20*44=880-125=755).  TXV applied.

ID #197562 | MD: 3+3-6=0 (miss).  CD 4, LD 1
ID #197563 | MD: 5+3-6=2 (miss).  CD 9, LD 14.  Sand's Cloud refreshes.

Freyd | HP: 1035/1035 (1012+51) | EN: 107/124 (121+4-18) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 163 | ACC: 6 (-1, 0/2) | EVA: 6 | BH: 51 | LD: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | TXV 24/3 | REC: 8

Sand's Claw | HP: 2020/4000 | DMG: 220 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 3 | EVA: -1 | STUN IMM (4/4) | TXV 24 (1/3) (2799-755-24)

Tough Shell: This monster’s MIT and ACC cannot be reduced, and it remains unaffected by Incarcerate, Paralysis and Freeze effects.
Too Large: Familiars’ Grappling Skill cannot be used to stun the boss. Only normal stuns will work on it as a result of SAs or skills being used, and they will have a 4 turn cooldown.
Pincer Attack: Sand’s Claw will attack two times during its turn, targeting the player with the highest hate, and then the player with the second highest hate. Perform one attack roll for each attack.
Sand Cloud: Upon rolling CD 9+ and LD 10+ during one of its attacks, the boss will instead raise a cloud of sand from the beach, lowering each player’s ACC by -1 for their next two turns.
King’s Grip: On an MD 10, Sand’s Claw will lower the target’s MIT by 15 for the next two turns. This effect stacks up to two times, and any further activations will refresh its duration.
Bubble Spray: On an MD 10 and CD 6+, Sand’s Claw will instead hit the entire party for 125 unmitigatable DMG, lowering every player’s EVA by 1 for two turns. This effect does not stacked and any further activations will refresh its duration.
Gobble Up: If the boss’ health reaches 2000, on its next turn it will skip its attack and start eating rocks. It must be hit with 3 or more Delay SAs until its next turn, otherwise it will expend it on healing 1000 HP. This can only occur once per battle.
Soft Skin: Once afflicted with Bleed, the effect will not wear off for the remainder of the battle.
Unguarded Sides: Area of Effect attacks consume twice the base energy, but deal 50% (rounded up) more damage.

 

[Freyd 0]

A screeching sound, like the high pressure of a tornado bearing down upon an unwary victim, keened through the cloud of dust and debris that clung heavily to the air.  Sand's Claw heard but couldn't see the streak of black rushing towards it as Samael's Pride unleashed the void within.  Freyd drove the blade straight into the titan's back, using his weight and momentum to rend a long rift as he slid down its left flank, his weapon carving through the mob's very fabric as it went.  He then quickly dove back into the jungle to prepare his next run.

Unexpectedly the mob just started to devour everything in sight, rather than give chase.  Rocks, trees, even one of its own limbs that had been severed in the battle.  It at them all, and soon the injuries it had suffered to date began to heal.

"Aww crap.  This could be a problem."

Spoiler

Freyd regains +4 EN
CD 9 (+8 EN from REC proc)
Disguise (CD 3/5)

Post Action | TECH-G (x12, BURN, 12 EN): 12 EN - (Stamina) = 10 EN. 
Free Action | None

ID #197564 | BD: 7+5+1=13 (hit, Fallen +16).  DMG (12*42=504-125=379).  Burn applied.

Gobble Up triggers.  Sand's Claw gains +1000 hp.  Cannot take other actions.

Freyd | HP: 1035/1035 | EN: 109/124 (107+4+8-10) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 163 | ACC: 6 (-1, 1/2) | EVA: 6 | BH: 51 | LD: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | TXV 24/3 | REC: 8

Sand's Claw | HP: 2561/4000 | DMG: 220 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 3 | EVA: -1 | TXV 24 (2/3) | Burn 56 (1/2) (2020-379-24-56+1000)

Tough Shell: This monster’s MIT and ACC cannot be reduced, and it remains unaffected by Incarcerate, Paralysis and Freeze effects.
Too Large: Familiars’ Grappling Skill cannot be used to stun the boss. Only normal stuns will work on it as a result of SAs or skills being used, and they will have a 4 turn cooldown.
Pincer Attack: Sand’s Claw will attack two times during its turn, targeting the player with the highest hate, and then the player with the second highest hate. Perform one attack roll for each attack.
Sand Cloud: Upon rolling CD 9+ and LD 10+ during one of its attacks, the boss will instead raise a cloud of sand from the beach, lowering each player’s ACC by -1 for their next two turns.
King’s Grip: On an MD 10, Sand’s Claw will lower the target’s MIT by 15 for the next two turns. This effect stacks up to two times, and any further activations will refresh its duration.
Bubble Spray: On an MD 10 and CD 6+, Sand’s Claw will instead hit the entire party for 125 unmitigatable DMG, lowering every player’s EVA by 1 for two turns. This effect does not stacked and any further activations will refresh its duration.
Gobble Up: If the boss’ health reaches 2000, on its next turn it will skip its attack and start eating rocks. It must be hit with 3 or more Delay SAs until its next turn, otherwise it will expend it on healing 1000 HP. This can only occur once per battle.
Soft Skin: Once afflicted with Bleed, the effect will not wear off for the remainder of the battle.
Unguarded Sides: Area of Effect attacks consume twice the base energy, but deal 50% (rounded up) more damage.

 

[Freyd 0]

"So it's going to be that kind of race, is it?  Hmm, Bubba?"  Nicknames seemed to have become a thing whenever Freyd faced off against big, nasty critters that were trying to kill him.  He wasn't quite sure when the habit had started, but it tended to lighten the mood and keep him focused.  So, 'Bubba' it was.

If this damnable thing was going to heal itself, then there was only one option left at his disposal: kill it faster.

Jumping back onto its massive, bulbous body, Freyd retraced his steps and pulled his weapon behind him like a plow blade, carving open again the very wounds it had just tried to heal. Bubba didn't appreciate that, but his heavy carapace combined with the thick exoskeleton on his giant pincer arms couldn't manage to reach the top of its shell.  Freyd was left to frolic menacingly on the thing's back long enough to undo much of the healing it had just completed.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +4 EN
CD 8 (+8 EN from REC proc)
Disguise (CD 4/5)

Post Action | ST-B (x20, 20 EN): 20 EN - (Stamina) = 18 EN.  Previous SA: ID 197564 | CD 9
Free Action | None

ID #197565 | BD: 7+5+1=13 (hit, Fallen +16).  DMG (20*42=840-125=715)

ID #197566 | MD: 3+3-6=0 (miss)
ID #197567 | MD: 1 (miss)

Freyd | HP: 1035/1035 | EN: 103/124 (109+4+8-18) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 163 | ACC: 6 (-1, 2/2) | EVA: 6 | BH: 51 | LD: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | TXV 24/3 | REC: 8

Sand's Claw | HP: 1766/4000 | DMG: 220 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 3 | EVA: -1 | TXV 24 (3/3) | Burn 56 (2/2) (2561-715-24-56)

Tough Shell: This monster’s MIT and ACC cannot be reduced, and it remains unaffected by Incarcerate, Paralysis and Freeze effects.
Too Large: Familiars’ Grappling Skill cannot be used to stun the boss. Only normal stuns will work on it as a result of SAs or skills being used, and they will have a 4 turn cooldown.
Pincer Attack: Sand’s Claw will attack two times during its turn, targeting the player with the highest hate, and then the player with the second highest hate. Perform one attack roll for each attack.
Sand Cloud: Upon rolling CD 9+ and LD 10+ during one of its attacks, the boss will instead raise a cloud of sand from the beach, lowering each player’s ACC by -1 for their next two turns.
King’s Grip: On an MD 10, Sand’s Claw will lower the target’s MIT by 15 for the next two turns. This effect stacks up to two times, and any further activations will refresh its duration.
Bubble Spray: On an MD 10 and CD 6+, Sand’s Claw will instead hit the entire party for 125 unmitigatable DMG, lowering every player’s EVA by 1 for two turns. This effect does not stacked and any further activations will refresh its duration.
Gobble Up: If the boss’ health reaches 2000, on its next turn it will skip its attack and start eating rocks. It must be hit with 3 or more Delay SAs until its next turn, otherwise it will expend it on healing 1000 HP. This can only occur once per battle.
Soft Skin: Once afflicted with Bleed, the effect will not wear off for the remainder of the battle.
Unguarded Sides: Area of Effect attacks consume twice the base energy, but deal 50% (rounded up) more damage.

 

[Freyd 0]

"A sprinkle of void, mix with a solid thrashing and combine by adding insult to injury."  Reaching deep into his reserves, Freyd unleashed a ring of black and purple flames as he fractured his enemy's armor, letting it spread is all directions as the caustic sword art engulfed everything in its path.  It hadn't been one of his more popular sword arts in the past, but seemed to be serving quite well against this particular foe.

Bubba was in a mood, now, rolling himself once more onto his back, desperately trying to extinguish the fires that were cooking him inside his own shell.

"Make up your mind," Freyd taunted from a safe distance.  "Up, down, up, down - which is it gonna be?"

The titan's health had already been pressed beyond the point when it had last healed itself, suggesting that it was either a one-time effect, or on a cooldown.  Freyd grinned gleefully.  The race was still on, and now he knew that he actually had a chance to win it.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +4 EN
CD 9 (+8 EN from REC proc)
Disguise (CD 5/5)

Post Action | TECH-G (x12, BURN, 12 EN): 12 EN - (Stamina) = 10 EN. 
Free Action | None

ID #197574 | BD: 4+6+1=11 (hit).  DMG (12*26=312-125=187).  Burn applied.

ID #197575 | MD: 5+3-6=2 (miss).  CD 4.  LD 12.  No proc.
ID #197576 | MD: 7+3-6=4 (miss).  CD 3.  LD 6.  No proc.

Freyd | HP: 1035/1035 | EN: 105/124 (103+4+8-10) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 163 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 6 | BH: 51 | LD: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | TXV 24/3 | REC: 8

Sand's Claw | HP: 1523/4000 | DMG: 220 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 3 | EVA: -1 | Burn 56 (1/2) (1766-187-56)

Tough Shell: This monster’s MIT and ACC cannot be reduced, and it remains unaffected by Incarcerate, Paralysis and Freeze effects.
Too Large: Familiars’ Grappling Skill cannot be used to stun the boss. Only normal stuns will work on it as a result of SAs or skills being used, and they will have a 4 turn cooldown.
Pincer Attack: Sand’s Claw will attack two times during its turn, targeting the player with the highest hate, and then the player with the second highest hate. Perform one attack roll for each attack.
Sand Cloud: Upon rolling CD 9+ and LD 10+ during one of its attacks, the boss will instead raise a cloud of sand from the beach, lowering each player’s ACC by -1 for their next two turns.
King’s Grip: On an MD 10, Sand’s Claw will lower the target’s MIT by 15 for the next two turns. This effect stacks up to two times, and any further activations will refresh its duration.
Bubble Spray: On an MD 10 and CD 6+, Sand’s Claw will instead hit the entire party for 125 unmitigatable DMG, lowering every player’s EVA by 1 for two turns. This effect does not stacked and any further activations will refresh its duration.
Gobble Up: If the boss’ health reaches 2000, on its next turn it will skip its attack and start eating rocks. It must be hit with 3 or more Delay SAs until its next turn, otherwise it will expend it on healing 1000 HP. This can only occur once per battle.
Soft Skin: Once afflicted with Bleed, the effect will not wear off for the remainder of the battle.
Unguarded Sides: Area of Effect attacks consume twice the base energy, but deal 50% (rounded up) more damage.

 

[Freyd 0]

Hoping to turn the tide of battle, Sand's Claw launched a fresh spray of grit into the air.  Freyd was ready for it, this time, instantly turning the crab's ploy against it and using the cloud to screen his own assault.  Two massive pincers closed in behind him, grasping at where he was, and they expected him to be.  Emerging from the cloud like a mad, dark dervish, the Whisper ripped open another massive tear in the creature's crusty hide, limned with a trail of corrosive poison to help stave off its own healing talents - or so he silently prayed.

His latest strafe complete, Freyd vanished back into the same turncoat cloud, eager to play out his gambit and fell what had proven itself to be an unexpectedly worthy foe.  It wasn't what he had expected.  It was far better.  He thrived under these conditions, when every action mattered - a game of wits between two adversaries.  Even more amazing was the realization that his energy wasn't at the bottom end of a dumpster by now.  

Spoiler

Freyd regains +4 EN
CD 4 (No REC proc)

Post Action | ST-B (x20, 20 EN): 20 EN - (Stamina) = 18 EN.  Previous SA: ID 197544 | CD 9.  Charge (CD 0/3) (8 EN)
Free Action | None

ID #197577 | BD: 8+6-1+1=14 (Crit +1, Charge +5, Fallen +16).  DMG (20*48=960-125=835).  TXV applied.

ID #197578 | MD: 4+3-6=1 (miss).  CD 12.  LD 16.  Sand Cloud procs.
ID #197579 | MD: 6+3-6=3 (miss).  CD 4.  LD 5.  No proc.

Freyd | HP: 1035/1035 | EN: 83/124 (105+4-18-8) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 163 | ACC: 6 (-1, 0/2) | EVA: 6 | BH: 51 | LD: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | TXV 24/3 | REC: 8

Sand's Claw | HP: 608/4000 | DMG: 220 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 3 | EVA: -1 | TXV 24 (1/3) | Burn 56 (2/2) (1523-835-24-56)

Tough Shell: This monster’s MIT and ACC cannot be reduced, and it remains unaffected by Incarcerate, Paralysis and Freeze effects.
Too Large: Familiars’ Grappling Skill cannot be used to stun the boss. Only normal stuns will work on it as a result of SAs or skills being used, and they will have a 4 turn cooldown.
Pincer Attack: Sand’s Claw will attack two times during its turn, targeting the player with the highest hate, and then the player with the second highest hate. Perform one attack roll for each attack.
Sand Cloud: Upon rolling CD 9+ and LD 10+ during one of its attacks, the boss will instead raise a cloud of sand from the beach, lowering each player’s ACC by -1 for their next two turns.
King’s Grip: On an MD 10, Sand’s Claw will lower the target’s MIT by 15 for the next two turns. This effect stacks up to two times, and any further activations will refresh its duration.
Bubble Spray: On an MD 10 and CD 6+, Sand’s Claw will instead hit the entire party for 125 unmitigatable DMG, lowering every player’s EVA by 1 for two turns. This effect does not stacked and any further activations will refresh its duration.
Gobble Up: If the boss’ health reaches 2000, on its next turn it will skip its attack and start eating rocks. It must be hit with 3 or more Delay SAs until its next turn, otherwise it will expend it on healing 1000 HP. This can only occur once per battle.
Soft Skin: Once afflicted with Bleed, the effect will not wear off for the remainder of the battle.
Unguarded Sides: Area of Effect attacks consume twice the base energy, but deal 50% (rounded up) more damage.

 

[Freyd 0]

"Come on, Bubba.  You've gotta be able to do better than that!"

Enraged by its inability to land a blow on this pervasively pesky shadow, the giant mob rushed forward intending to crush the comparatively tiny player beneath its overwhelming bulk.  Bubba managed to launch itself about six inches into the air, which was reasonably impressive given its size and weight.  Its chitinous mass pulverized the ground beneath it, which it then promptly devastated by burrowing to batter its enemy with all of its amazing might.  Except that Freyd wasn't actually there.  The thing had just wasted all of its energy smooshing a shadow, which promptly wiggled its fingers at it before pointing up towards the sky.

Bubba looked up, just in time to see a spot of darkness growing in the sky.

*WHACK!*

Right between the eyes.

The monster flopped flat into the crater of its own making, completely dazed and confused about what had just happened.  Meanwhile, its lone remaining health bar dipped down into the red.

"Check."

Spoiler

Freyd regains +4 EN
CD 11(+8 EN from REC proc)
Charge (CD 1/3)

Post Action | TECH-A (x12, 13 EN): 13 EN - (Stamina) = 11 EN. 
Free Action | None

ID #197580 | BD: 2+5+1=8 (hit).  DMG (12*26=312-125=187)

Note: Incorrectly labeled action as ST-B in roller, which was meant to be TECH-A.  ST-B could not have been used as CD 9+ was not rolled.  Roll sucked anyway, so I just kept it.

Sand's Claw loses its action because of stun.

Freyd | HP: 1035/1035 | EN: 84/124 (83+4+8-11) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 163 | ACC: 6 (-1, 1/2) | EVA: 6 | BH: 51 | LD: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | TXV 24/3 | REC: 8

Sand's Claw | HP: 397/4000 | DMG: 220 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 3 | EVA: -1 | STUNNED | STUN IMM (0/4) | TXV 24 (2/3) (608-187-24)

Tough Shell: This monster’s MIT and ACC cannot be reduced, and it remains unaffected by Incarcerate, Paralysis and Freeze effects.
Too Large: Familiars’ Grappling Skill cannot be used to stun the boss. Only normal stuns will work on it as a result of SAs or skills being used, and they will have a 4 turn cooldown.
Pincer Attack: Sand’s Claw will attack two times during its turn, targeting the player with the highest hate, and then the player with the second highest hate. Perform one attack roll for each attack.
Sand Cloud: Upon rolling CD 9+ and LD 10+ during one of its attacks, the boss will instead raise a cloud of sand from the beach, lowering each player’s ACC by -1 for their next two turns.
King’s Grip: On an MD 10, Sand’s Claw will lower the target’s MIT by 15 for the next two turns. This effect stacks up to two times, and any further activations will refresh its duration.
Bubble Spray: On an MD 10 and CD 6+, Sand’s Claw will instead hit the entire party for 125 unmitigatable DMG, lowering every player’s EVA by 1 for two turns. This effect does not stacked and any further activations will refresh its duration.
Gobble Up: If the boss’ health reaches 2000, on its next turn it will skip its attack and start eating rocks. It must be hit with 3 or more Delay SAs until its next turn, otherwise it will expend it on healing 1000 HP. This can only occur once per battle.
Soft Skin: Once afflicted with Bleed, the effect will not wear off for the remainder of the battle.
Unguarded Sides: Area of Effect attacks consume twice the base energy, but deal 50% (rounded up) more damage.

 

[Freyd 0]

"Sorry, Bub."

Lifting his staff high overhead, Freyd drove it down between the mob's broken eyes, each staring off in a different direction.  Its brain had been addled.  Its senses, scrambled.  Its fierce attacks had found no purchase.  The best it had managed was to toss a bunch of sand in the air to sting its opponent's vision.  Ineffective, and a run of bad luck that Freyd was quite content to accept, especially given how such things normally went for him.  The black haft crashed through the creature's fractured carapace.  the last of its health bar vanished.  Within a heart beat, Freyd was falling, but had expected it.  Like a cat on the prowl, he landed on his feet, a Cheshire grin pasted on his face, beneath his trademark cowl.  

"Checkmate."

Multicoloured shards of light like broken glass capturing the images of cherry blossoms fell all about him.  This was an achievement, ridiculous in scope and foolhardy to have attempted, but true nonetheless.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +4 EN
CD 3 (No REC proc)
Charge (CD 2/3)

Post Action | ST-B (x20, 20 EN): 20 EN - (Stamina) = 18 EN.  Previous SA: ID 197580 | CD 11.
Free Action | None

ID #197581 | BD: 5+5+1=11 (hit).  DMG (20*26=520-125=395)

Freyd | HP: 1035/1035 | EN: 70/124 (84+4-18) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 163 | ACC: 6 (-1, 2/2) | EVA: 6 | BH: 51 | LD: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | TXV 24/3 | REC: 8

Sand's Claw | HP: 0/4000 | DMG: 220 | MIT: 125 | ACC: 3 | EVA: -1 | STUNNED | STUN IMM (1/4) | TXV 24 (3/3) (397-395-24)

Tough Shell: This monster’s MIT and ACC cannot be reduced, and it remains unaffected by Incarcerate, Paralysis and Freeze effects.
Too Large: Familiars’ Grappling Skill cannot be used to stun the boss. Only normal stuns will work on it as a result of SAs or skills being used, and they will have a 4 turn cooldown.
Pincer Attack: Sand’s Claw will attack two times during its turn, targeting the player with the highest hate, and then the player with the second highest hate. Perform one attack roll for each attack.
Sand Cloud: Upon rolling CD 9+ and LD 10+ during one of its attacks, the boss will instead raise a cloud of sand from the beach, lowering each player’s ACC by -1 for their next two turns.
King’s Grip: On an MD 10, Sand’s Claw will lower the target’s MIT by 15 for the next two turns. This effect stacks up to two times, and any further activations will refresh its duration.
Bubble Spray: On an MD 10 and CD 6+, Sand’s Claw will instead hit the entire party for 125 unmitigatable DMG, lowering every player’s EVA by 1 for two turns. This effect does not stacked and any further activations will refresh its duration.
Gobble Up: If the boss’ health reaches 2000, on its next turn it will skip its attack and start eating rocks. It must be hit with 3 or more Delay SAs until its next turn, otherwise it will expend it on healing 1000 HP. This can only occur once per battle.
Soft Skin: Once afflicted with Bleed, the effect will not wear off for the remainder of the battle.
Unguarded Sides: Area of Effect attacks consume twice the base energy, but deal 50% (rounded up) more damage.

Loot Sand's Claw: ID #197582 | LD: 12+8=20 | CD: 9 

T3 Perfect Weapon [197582]
2 materials (+2 CD odd)
37800 col (HP[4000]*9 - incl. +2 LD even, +5% Col Deposit)

[Freyd 0]

Smaller mounds rose in the sand around the beach, nowhere near the size of the rooting around in random directions.  Not an immediate threat, so far as he could tell, but it would be unwise not to check.  Poking one with a stick out to do the trick, or so his reasoning went.  A small, animated sand dollar popped out the sand.  Freyd couldn't quite tell how it was moving, but the thing was definitely mobile.  Snagging it with quick reflexes, he held it up to the sun for a better look.  

A system prompt suddenly appeared, granting him the option of collecting the thing as a quest item.  Shrugging, Freyd accepted, curious to see what benefits might accrue.  

"Looks like more col.  Huh?"  Searching around, he wondered how many more might be laying around.  "Could this be part of its reward?"  The whole situation seemed rather random, but some quests are just like that.

***

Search the beach: ID #197583 | LD: 10+8=18 (Success.  1 <<Sand Dollar>> found)

Freyd regains +4 EN
Charge (CD 3/3)

[Freyd 0]

Freyd half-wondered whether there might be more titanic monsters to be found on this island chain, then promptly scolded himself for even thinking it.  He'd been lucky against Sand's Claw, nothing more.  How many others had wandered out here only to fall to its predations?  He paused his search long enough to imagine how much player blood might have been spilt there.  

A shake of his head cut loose any tentative regrets.  They were gone, and he could do nothing about it.

"Eye on the prize, Takeshi."  

It was too easy to slip from morose contemplation into wallowing despair.  Pragmatism was his salvation.  It didn't allow for the distractions, especially at his level of extreme application.  Walking slowly along the beach, Freyd surveyed what he could, which wasn't much.  The boat wouldn't wait indefinitely.  Bending down, he ran his hands through the sand. 

"Are we just grains of sand, ourselves?  Is that our role here?"

Spoiler

Freyd regains +4 EN
CD 5 (No REC proc)

Post Action | ST-I (x12, 12 EN): 12 EN - (Rested 1/2, Stamina) = 9 EN.
Free Action | None

ID #197584 | BD: 7+6=13 (hit, Fallen +16).  DMG (12*42=504-5=499)

Freyd | HP: 1035/1035 | EN: 69/124 (74+4-9) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 163 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 6 | BH: 51 | LD: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | TXV 24/3 | REC: 8

Sand Dollar #1 | HP:  0/25 | DMG: 10 | MIT: 5 (25-499)

Stacked: Defeating a Sand Dollar will result in the Players getting +200 EXP each, as well as +2,000 Col to split however they please at the end of the thread.
Heavy Pockets: Once a group of Sand Dollars is defeated, one of the players may roll CD. On a CD 10, Unidentified Demonic T4 Trinkets are found. On a CD 11, Unidentified Demonic T4 Weapons are found. On a CD 12, Unidentified Demonic T4 Armors are found.  These rolls are not affected by buffs, and the amount of equipment found is equal to the players present in the party.
Few Stragglers: No more than two groups of Sand Dollars can be found in a single thread.

Heavy Pockets: ID #197585 | CD: 3 (nothing)

[Freyd 0]

"Maybe I need to let myself spend a bit more time appreciating the scenery?"  Rising to full height, Freyd watched as the tides crashed relentlessly against the shore.  Gulls cawed in the sky, overhead, voicing disappointment at the fragmentation and disappearance of what might have been an absolutely splendid feast.  SAO was weird that way.  It carried an ever-present dread of imminent death, and yet let none of the usual symbols linger.  Blood and bodies vanished.  Aches and pains were dulled.  As much as they were reminded, daily, that they were trapped in a digital hell, the system itself also imposed a sense of numbing detachment.

"It's like some sort of crazy sociology experiment gone mad," Freyd offered to himself, by way of explanation.  The truth of it lay closer to the surface than anyone here could actually, willingly accept.  The potential for death lingered around every corner, especially including the ones you believed were safe.  It was also that kind of thinking that had trapped him in the Town of Beginnings, and in his own head, for his first several years.

***

Search the beach (2/6): ID #197586 | LD: 4+8=12 (Failure)

Freyd regains +4 EN

[Freyd 0]

The captain from his taxi boat could be seen standing on deck, waving for his attention, clearly still marveling at the battle he'd just witnessed.  Cheers and hollers of encouragement reached Freyd even over the distance and open water.  A wave was all he managed.  His thoughts were elsewhere, and eyes locked on the orange and pink clouds of the horizon as the sun sunk lower in the sky.  They should be leaving, returning to Skalabis before dark.  The seas were far from safe here, especially at night, and who knew when this crustacean terror might respawn?

Just a moment more.

Montjoy's plea echoed in his mind.  It wasn't like his alter ego to make such requests, so he indulged him.  Side by side, the two figures stood, each a shadow of the other, simply absorbing the beauty of the deepening sunset.  Sometimes, it's important to just stop and appreciate such things.

***

Search the beach (3/6): ID #197587 | LD: 1+8=9 (Failure)

EN Refreshed

[Freyd 0]

Come on.  We can't linger any longer.

His shadow nodded, on its own accord.  A hint of sadness buried behind the gesture.  Slowly, they waded together into the shallows, reaching the boat just as the sun touched the horizon.  It always seemed larger at dawn and dusk, when the tension of twilight was at its greatest.  

"I never really thought of myself as an explorer."  Freyd wasn't sure where the words came from.  They just spilled out.

"Aren't you one of them 'splorer types," the captain asked still giddy at the whopping tale he'd have to tell his buddies about when they got back to port.  His charter business was about to take off, after this one.  "That was quite the thing you did there, son!  Mind if I know yer name for the telling?"

"Oh, was it?"  The Whisper seemed lost in a haze, daydreams and exhaustion threatening to catch up and overwhelm him. 

"Freyd.  My name is Freyd."

***

Search the beach (4/6): ID #197589 | LD: 10+8=18 (Success.  1 <<Sand Dollar>> found)

[Freyd 0]

"Freyd, huh?  Did yer parents not like you err sumthin?  HAR HAR HAR" 

The sailor slapped him across the back, guffawing so heavily at his own joke that he threatened to plummet off the side of his own vessel.  Freyd was momentarily tempted to help him along, but decided against it.  He didn't want to have to sail this rickety contraption home on his own in the dark, especially across unfamiliar waters.  Let the man have his moment.  He was in a good mood, and it served the Whisper's interests.  To have single-handedly defeated such a monstrosity was a deed worthy of recognition - something he normally cared nothing about.  And yet, part of him felt very satisfied at the accomplishment, and without the aid or benefit of a tank to draw its ire.

"Not bad," he admitted to himself, alone with his reflections in the growing darkness. "Not too badly done at all."

Spoiler

Post Action | ST-I (x12, 12 EN): 12 EN - (Rested 1/2, Stamina) = 9 EN.
Free Action | None

ID #197590 | BD: 8+6=14 (hit, Fallen +16).  DMG (12*42=504-5=499)

Freyd | HP: 1035/1035 | EN: 115/124 (124-9) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 163 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 6 | BH: 51 | LD: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | TXV 24/3 | REC: 8

Sand Dollar #2 | HP:  0/25 | DMG: 10 | MIT: 5 (25-499)

Stacked: Defeating a Sand Dollar will result in the Players getting +200 EXP each, as well as +2,000 Col to split however they please at the end of the thread.
Heavy Pockets: Once a group of Sand Dollars is defeated, one of the players may roll CD. On a CD 10, Unidentified Demonic T4 Trinkets are found. On a CD 11, Unidentified Demonic T4 Weapons are found. On a CD 12, Unidentified Demonic T4 Armors are found.  These rolls are not affected by buffs, and the amount of equipment found is equal to the players present in the party.
Few Stragglers: No more than two groups of Sand Dollars can be found in a single thread.

Heavy Pockets: ID #197591 | CD: 2 (nothing)

[Freyd 0]

Leaning back against the ship's gunnels, allowing himself to slump down to the deck.  Freyd let the gentle action of the waves upon the hull transfer through to his increasingly cloudy mind.  He'd been pushing too hard, for too long.  The pace inevitably caught up to him, and he was overdue.  Flopping his head back against the railing, it lolled to the left, watching as brilliant hues gave way to long shadows of violet and indigo stretching over the fading island battleground.  A pleasant, contented smile crept onto the Whispers face.  A rare moment of blissful satisfaction, yet stamped with the surreal aura of a dream too good to be real.  From atop the wheel house a small skeletal figure winked and wave, somehow managing the former without working eyelids.

Whatever.  It felt good, and that was enough, this time.  Maybe he'd find this place outside of slumber, some day.  Maybe he'd face off against the Sand's Claw for real.  Darkness swallowed his vision, accompanied by a sense of joy and hope. 

[Freyd 0]

Freyd woke in his bed amidst the stark black and white contrast of his home, the Liminal Blind.  Images of seascapes and crab claws danced at the edge of his consciousness, even as he smacked his lips to rid himself of a pervasive sensation of sand and grit.  Rousing himself, slowly, to a seating position, he palmed his face to wipe away an unusually deep sense of drowsiness.  Maybe he'd just been pushing himself too hard?  It was the first time in week's that he'd even allowed himself a bed to sleep in, his desk having become a more common location for enforced repose.  Try as he might, the system inevitably won and forced him to sleep, no matter how much work he still had left to do.  Aincrad itself never slumbered, nor did Cardinal.  

'Only human', he reminded himself, though parts of him refused to accept the limitations that such categorization carried, especially in here.

Still, sometimes it was nice to just sit back and just enjoy a nice sunset.  He should really do that more.

***

Thread Summary: 

6386 EXP (1 page [800] + quest [5000] + 2 sand dollars [400] +3% from Paragon 10)

57838 col (1 page [400] + quest [15000] + loot [37800] + 2 sand dollars [4000] + Laurel Wreath [638])

2 mats (loot [2])

T3 Perfect Weapon [197582]
Shore’s Treasure (T4/Unique/Consumable): Doubles a user’s Prosperity buffs for a single thread.

 

[Thread closed after playtest closed.  Only standard thread rewards apply]

 

3382 words / 30 = 112*5= 563*Tier
3382 / 300 = 11 seeds

Freyd receives:

7431 EXP (Word Count [563*11] + 20% from event)
1968 col (400 [1 page] + 1114 [Laurel, +15% of EXP as col] + 30% from event)
15 mats (10 [tag] + 50% from event)

11 Seeds (Event)
1 tags (none) ID: 199982 (CD 2); 199983 (CD 2); 199984 (CD 11)
10 materials, +5% EXP to the party