[PP-F27] Operation Pompeii

[Vigilon 0]

                                       Morningstar shared some thoughts to Freyd, who proceeded to groan into his cowl before admitting that he had the tracking skill the whole damn time. Vigilon considered remarking, "And you didn't think to tell us when Krysta asked?", but, well, better late then never, so 
Vigilon decided to try and overlook this for now. Freyd asked what the endgoal was for what the party was now doing. "I mean, Krysta's calling the shots here, but if they really planned on creating an ambush made entirely of potentially dangerous monsters like Morningstar theorized, it would be a problem if they were to have the frontlines overrun. Sure, there's a chance we could make it out of the mess alive, but I'm pretty sure there are quite a few in the front who wouldn't want to take any chances." Vigilon noted. "That being said, if it were up to me, I'd try to at least increase our odds by taking out as many of the monsters as possible, weaken their captured garrisons until the plan proves ineffective." He thought aloud. "After all, they'd be much weaker individually than they would be in a large mass of a swarm."

                           Freyd would reveal the current distance and direction of the tracked player, then suggest to unleash the captured monsters onto the Cinnabar goons instead. "...No offense Freyd, but as you've probably noticed, not all of us are stealthy enough to pull it off." Vigilon remarked. The excuse he decided not to say, however, was that as long as the party didn't get overwhelmed, it might prove to be a mild grinding opportunity, get an extra paragon or two before the raid if at all possible. Any experience is better than no experience, and the same would go for col, for those in need. Seeing that the Cinnabar Goons wasted their chances for experience or loot in attempt to pull off a cruel plot, Vigilon thought it might be neat to reap the benefits of fighting the monsters off a little at a time, while adding insult to injury against the opposing Guild simultaneously.

                                             Soon, Vigilon could faintly hear a voice in the distance, so he positioned both his hand and his ear as to hear more clearly. "I'm sure of it. What happens, happens. Just...be ready, you dimwit."
                         Alvion.
              The faint sound of footsteps was briefly heard, which probably meant that he wasn't there anymore...but could the same be said for whoever he might have been talking to? "Well Krysta," Vigilon began. "Let's see if your preferred attempt will work first."

             With that, he made his way over towards the source of sound, finding two more Cinnabar Players, each working with one stone box. "Up to anything in particular?" He asked. The two Cinnabar goons flinched and then looked to see Vigilon. "None of your concern." The first goon shot back. Vigilon's expression became a deadpan. "Of course, what else could I expect...from someone so obviously trying to hide something, like...oh, I dunno...whatever it is you call 'Operation Pompeii', perhaps?" Vigilon remarked. Both Cinnabar players looked ready to start sweating buckets. "He uh, from that party the other guy was talking about? The same one that we were messaged a warning about? Whaddo we do?" Spoke the second goon softly, to the first. "Did you not hear the details? You should know what to do by now." Claimed the first Cinnabar Player. Said Cinnabar player would then facepalm as the second Cinnabar goon would pull a paper out of his inventory. "Well uh... 'If confirmed resistance is encountered, be prepared to retaliate against hostile force if necessary'." He read aloud.
       Regardless if the other party members were with Vigilon by now or not, Vigilon would near-quietly remark, "You know you're sending the wrong guy when he has to bring paper instructions he'll read out loud..."
                    The second Cinnabar Goon would then look to his distraught ally. "Well, I dunno, maybe we could let the mobs do it, I don't feel like getting an orange cursor." Very clearly agitated, the first Cinnabar player would proceed to have an outburst. "That's not even what it meant! That's not even the current situation! I don't even know why you were let into this operation in the first place!!" The player stopped, then looked to the party of frontliner players. "Uhhh, ignore the dummy beside me, he doesn't know what he's doing, and he's definitely not gonna release the-"
                       "Oops, already done, let's go." The second goon interrupted, holding both of the boxes' lock rods in his hands. The first goon's face went pale. "Damn it, you weren't supposed to do that! Now we've got two less for the operation! Just- ugh, come on, you damn idiot, let's get out of here before we become targets!" He burst out, before grabbing the second goon by his armor and dragging him away, as the second goon had nothing else for the party but an emotionless expression and a hand up in a rude gesture.

        Vigilon blinked. "Well...that happened." As if on cue, the two stone boxes burst open, revealing the two Fire Elementals that were trapped inside. One appearing as a large serpent, the other appearing like a lion. Both set their sights on the party of players in front of them, and their cursors turned red. Vigilon sighed. "Here we go."
       So much for trying to settle this the easy way...well, now onto grinding while foiling plans. Vigilon drew his sword, and tore into both Elementals. However, these two seemed to suffer less of a drop in their HP as the first encounter's Elemental did... "Looks like these might be a little stronger, keep your eyes open!" He added.

 

ID# 220446 BD: 3+4-1=6(hit)

ID# 220447 BD: 3+4-3=6(hit)

AoE-I: 28x15=420 Damage to Greater Fire Elementals 2 and 3!

 

[0-0]Krysta | HP 897/897 | EN 112/112 | 28 DMG | 98 MIT | 4 ACC | 4 EVA | 26 BH | 8 REC | 8 HLY | 48 BLD | 3 LD | 3 Pros.
[1-1]Vigilon | HP 920/920 | EN 97/114 | 28 DMG | 98 MIT | 4 ACC | 4 EVA | 56 BRN | 32 BLGT | 16 FLN | 9 LD | 3 Pros.
[0-0]Morningstar | HP: 851/851 | EN: 106/106 | DMG: 26 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 182 | LD: 9 | AA: 1 | VO: 122 | STK: 40/24 | BH: 15 | Pros: III
[0-0]Freyd | HP: 1357/1357 | EN: 152/152 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 163 | EVA: 5 | ACC: 7 | BH: 74 | LD: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | REC: 8 | PROB: 36

 

Greater Fire Elemental 2: HP 3580/4000 | 240 DMG | 2 ACC | 1 EVA 

<<Wildfire Rush>>: When rolling a CD 10-12 during its attack, this monster's attack becomes an AoE and must be rolled for the other players in the target's party.
<<Spirit of Fire>>: Greater Fire Elemental is immune to Burn, Bleed, Envenom, and Stun, and inflicts T4 Burn on Critical rolls of MD 9-10.

 

 

Greater Fire Elemental 3: HP 3580/4000 | 240 DMG | 2 ACC | 1 EVA 

<<Wildfire Rush>>: When rolling a CD 10-12 during its attack, this monster's attack becomes an AoE and must be rolled for the other players in the target's party.
<<Spirit of Fire>>: Greater Fire Elemental is immune to Burn, Bleed, Envenom, and Stun, and inflicts T4 Burn on Critical rolls of MD 9-10.

Edited March 20 by Vigilon

[Krysta 0]

                     Krysta would remember this, that Freyd had to be prodded to admit that he had tracking. Something wasn't right, but the more pressing matters had to come first. 

      When Freyd asked what the plan of action was, Krysta inhaled softly, then exhaled slowly. "They seem to have green cursors, so clashing with them directly would not be the best idea to begin with. On top of that, we have only seen three of their members, and there's no guarantee that the rest are unwilling to heed the voice of reason." Krysta noted. "It is not likely, but nor is it impossible." Freyd warned that reason would most likely end poorly. "And thus we must prepare for the worst, yet hope for the best." Krysta replied. Vigilon would proceed to add his own thoughts, while also suggesting a potential battle plan that might be of use, should these Knights of Cinnabar truly not heed the voice of reason in general. A battle plan that involved picking off the monsters little by little until there were too few of them to be any real threat to the frontlines, if not wipe out the captured monsters entirely. It was a fair battle plan, though there was but one variable, and that variable was number. No one in the party knew how many of these monsters had been captured by these individuals, so while the plan was good, there was a potential flaw in it. "I shall keep this in mind, as a combative contingency for if there truly is no reasoning with them. Thank you for your input, Vigilon." Krysta acknowledged.

                     It was not long before Vigilon would catch wind of a voice in the air. He then proceeded to press on ahead, and when Krysta followed, she would find that indeed, there were more Cinnabar Players, with not one, but two stone boxes in tow, most likely holding monsters within. Unfortunately, Vigilon's attempt at conversation was subpar at best, and aggressive at worst. Perhaps Krysta should be the one to attempt the next encounter's conversation. Krysta could only nod her head in agreement when Vigilon remarked about the second member's...apparent incompetence. He also turned out to be rather slothful, and released the monsters against his ally's wishes. This would have a rather inconclusive result, in Krysta's mind, so now it was back to monster slaying. She took position, and her weapon glowed, her sword art ready to strike. The serpentine fire elemental managed to avoid the attack, but the lion shaped one was not spared from Krysta's blade.

 

ID# 220448 BD: 2+4-1=5(miss)

ID# 220449 BD: 3+4-1=6(hit)

AoE-I: 28x15=420 Damage to Greater Fire Elemental 3!

 

[0-1]Krysta | HP 897/897 | EN 97/112 | 28 DMG | 98 MIT | 4 ACC | 4 EVA | 26 BH | 8 REC | 8 HLY | 48 BLD | 3 LD | 3 Pros.
[1-1]Vigilon | HP 920/920 | EN 97/114 | 28 DMG | 98 MIT | 4 ACC | 4 EVA | 56 BRN | 32 BLGT | 16 FLN | 9 LD | 3 Pros.
[0-0]Morningstar | HP: 851/851 | EN: 106/106 | DMG: 26 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 182 | LD: 9 | AA: 1 | VO: 122 | STK: 40/24 | BH: 15 | Pros: III
[0-0]Freyd | HP: 1357/1357 | EN: 152/152 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 163 | EVA: 5 | ACC: 7 | BH: 74 | LD: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | REC: 8 | PROB: 36

 

Greater Fire Elemental 2: HP 3580/4000 | 240 DMG | 2 ACC | 1 EVA 

<<Wildfire Rush>>: When rolling a CD 10-12 during its attack, this monster's attack becomes an AoE and must be rolled for the other players in the target's party.
<<Spirit of Fire>>: Greater Fire Elemental is immune to Burn, Bleed, Envenom, and Stun, and inflicts T4 Burn on Critical rolls of MD 9-10.

 

Greater Fire Elemental 3: HP 3160/4000 | 240 DMG | 2 ACC | 1 EVA 

<<Wildfire Rush>>: When rolling a CD 10-12 during its attack, this monster's attack becomes an AoE and must be rolled for the other players in the target's party.
<<Spirit of Fire>>: Greater Fire Elemental is immune to Burn, Bleed, Envenom, and Stun, and inflicts T4 Burn on Critical rolls of MD 9-10.

Edited March 20 by Krysta

[Morningstar 0]

Two elementals, fiercer than their predecessor, towered before the party. Flames jumped from their bodies like scalding rain, pouring down in a ring around them. They were boxed in, forced to fight.

Maybe Freyd was right. The labyrinth wasn't so far away. Maybe they should have left, even if it meant splitting up the four of them, and gone on to the raid team.

But whatever the right answer was, it didn't matter. A decision had been made and it led them to a battle of another kind. Morningstar slipped into a fighting stance, taking off behind Vigilon and Krysta. His blade became a red flash as he swiped through the healthier elemental. Once again, it felt odd to attack fire. It's material form was barely real; it was like slicing through hot air. The flaming serpent hissed at him, full of rage.

***

Post Action | TECH-B (x16, 15 EN): 15 - (Well Rested 3/3; Stamina) = 12 EN

220801 | bd9 | cd11 | dmg = (26+1) * 16 = 432 | -> Greater Fire Elemental 2

[0,1]Krysta | HP 897/897 | EN 97/112 | 28 DMG | 98 MIT | 4 ACC | 4 EVA | 26 BH | 8 REC | 8 HLY | 48 BLD | 3 LD | 3 Pros.
[1,1]Vigilon | HP 920/920 | EN 97/114 | 28 DMG | 98 MIT | 4 ACC | 4 EVA | 56 BRN | 32 BLGT | 16 FLN | 9 LD | 3 Pros.
[0,0]Morningstar | HP: 851/851 | EN: 106/106 | DMG: 26 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 182 | LD: 9 | AA: 1 | VO: 122 | STK: 40/24 | BH: 15 | Pros: III
[0,0]Freyd | HP: 1357/1357 | EN: 152/152 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 163 | EVA: 5 | ACC: 7 | BH: 74 | LD: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | REC: 8 | PROB: 36

Greater Fire Elemental 2 | HP 3148/4000 | 240 DMG | 2 1 ACC | 1 EVA | DELAY | STK: 40 DMG (0/2)
Greater Fire Elemental 3 | HP 3136/4000 | 240 DMG | 2 ACC | 1 EVA (3160-24)
Wildfire Rush | AoE on CD 10-12
Spirit of Fire | Immune to Burn, Bleed, Envenom, and Stun. T4 Burn on MD 9-10.

Edited March 26 by Morningstar

[Freyd 0]

Resigning himself to the unfamiliar role of obedient bloodhount, Freyd focused solely on the task at hand: leading them to Alvion to do whatever was going to need doing next.  Standing silently aside as Vigilon and Krysta bantered, he simply led the way only to once again encounter Alvion and his Cinnabon Menace (tm).  Watching the two bumbling knights unleash another pair of elementals, Freyd smiled slightly as he pictured the whole lot having giant twirled mustachios.  Outrageously ornate top hats worn on top of their helmets might also have worked.  

Watching Morningstar spring into action, Freyd quickly followed.  These things had to be dealt with, ideally swiftly.  Slamming both mobs with hefty blows, both flaring bright with pulses of heavenly light, the two mobs recoiled under the players' assault, struggling to do much more than singe the Whisper's whiskers.  Giving himself over to the fray, Freyd aggressively pressed the mobs back, wondering if there might be some way to return them to their containers. 

"If those two yahoos pulled it off, there must be a way to push these thing back into their box!"

***

Spoiler

Note: Added hate from Morningstar's post action.

Post Action | AoE-I (x15, 11 EN, +2 shift, +2/hit): 17 EN - (Rested 2/2; Stamina) = 14 EN.  
Free Action | None

ID #220876 | BD: 9 (Crit +2, Holy +16).  DMG (15*44=660) to Greater Fire Elemental 2 (CD10 | ST-B Unlocked)
ID #220878 | BD: 10 (Crit +3, Holy +16).  DMG (15*45=675) to Greater Fire Elemental 3

ID #220879 | MD:1 (miss)
ID #220880 | MD: 9 (Crit +1) | CD 7 |.  DMG (241-163=78) damage dealt to Freyd by Greater Fire Elemental 3.  T4 Burn applied.

[0,1] Krysta | HP 897/897 | EN 97/112 | 28 DMG | 98 MIT | 4 ACC | 4 EVA | 26 BH | 8 REC | 8 HLY | 48 BLD | 3 LD | 3 Pros.
[1,1] Vigilon | HP 920/920 | EN 97/114 | 28 DMG | 98 MIT | 4 ACC | 4 EVA | 56 BRN | 32 BLGT | 16 FLN | 9 LD | 3 Pros.
[2,0] Morningstar | HP: 851/851 | EN: 106/106 | DMG: 26 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 182 | LD: 9 | AA: 1 | VO: 122 | STK: 40/24 | BH: 15 | Pros: III
[3,3] Freyd | HP: 1279/1357 (1357-78) | EN: 152/152 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 163 | EVA: 5 | ACC: 7 | BH: 74 | LD: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | REC: 8 | PROB: 36 | BRN 56 (0/2)

Greater Fire Elemental 2 | HP 2448/4000 | 240 DMG | 2 ACC | 1 EVA | DELAY | STK: 40 (1/2) (3148-660-40)
Greater Fire Elemental 3 | HP 2461/4000 | 240 DMG | 2 ACC | 1 EVA (3136-675)

• Wildfire Rush | AoE on CD 10-12
• Spirit of Fire | Immune to Burn, Bleed, Envenom, and Stun. T4 Burn on MD 9-10.

 

Edited March 28 by Freyd

[Vigilon 0]

Let's roll, shall we!?

 

ID# 222008 BD: 4+4-1=7(hit), CD: 12(ST-B Available!)

ID# 222009 BD: 2+4-1=5(miss)

 

AoE-II: 28x18=504 Damage to Greater Fire Elemental 2!

 

[0,1] Krysta | HP 897/897 | EN 97/112 | 28 DMG | 98 MIT | 4 ACC | 4 EVA | 26 BH | 8 REC | 8 HLY | 48 BLD | 3 LD | 3 Pros.
[2,1] Vigilon | HP 920/920 | EN 85/114 | 28 DMG | 98 MIT | 4 ACC | 4 EVA | 56 BRN | 32 BLGT | 16 FLN | 9 LD | 3 Pros.
[2,0] Morningstar | HP: 851/851 | EN: 106/106 | DMG: 26 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 182 | LD: 9 | AA: 1 | VO: 122 | STK: 40/24 | BH: 15 | Pros: III
[3,3] Freyd | HP: 1279/1357 (1357-78) | EN: 152/152 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 163 | EVA: 5 | ACC: 7 | BH: 74 | LD: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | REC: 8 | PROB: 36 | BRN 56 (0/2)

Greater Fire Elemental 2 | HP 1944/4000 | 240 DMG | 2 ACC | 1 EVA | DELAY | STK: 40 (1/2)
Greater Fire Elemental 3 | HP 2461/4000 | 240 DMG | 2 ACC | 1 EVA 

• Wildfire Rush | AoE on CD 10-12
• Spirit of Fire | Immune to Burn, Bleed, Envenom, and Stun. T4 Burn on MD 9-10.

Edited April 10 by Vigilon