[PP - F01] | The Investigation of Lyle | <<The Second Lesson>>

[Wulfrin 0]

Wulfrin had messaged Freyd to meet him at Lyle's. It took a minute to find after having made his stop at the Evening Star. He was still waiting on his gear to be ready from Knight Shift but didn't feel the need to rush the smith. as long as it was ready before they went after the Land Shark Freyd had mentioned, that was fine with him. He wandered the streets for a bit before he found the shop. Wulfrin entered the hot forging area he was directed to by Zackariah. The steady clang of a smith hard at work rang throughout the dimly lit shop's interior. Unlike Zackariah there was no kindness to this mans demeanor. He was pushing seventy and had a long white beard that was caked with soot and grime. "I'm busy," Lyle said as he continued his rhythmic work. Wulfrin hadn't seen Freyd yet, but that was understandable. He tended to blend in to darker places.

"But I ju-" Wulfrin was stopped by a heavy clang from the hammer as the stern eyes of Lyle fell upon him.

"I don't do anything without payment." Lyle said with a wave of his leather gloved hand. "Go kill a couple of those pesky boarlets for me, and bring back their tusks. They're pretty weak, so even you shouldn't have any trouble.  Do that, then I'll hear you out." 

"Yeah sure," Wulfrin said under his breath. Lyle didn't seem to take notice as he had already returned to work. Wulfrin retreated out of the shop where Freyd was waiting outside. "Well he's a charmer." Wulfrin pointed back towards the shop entrance. "Guess its time to hunt some boars." With that his quest log updated with the start of <<The Second Lesson>>. "Lets head towards Tolbana, maybe I can pick up the fishing profession while I'm there."

* * *

 

Wulfrin | Lvl: 2 | HP: 40/40 | EN: 22/22 | ACC: 3 | DMG: 4 | LD: 3

Equipped Items:

• Rare one-handed straight sword: ACC: 2
• Dioscuri. | TIER 1 JEWELRY | ACC 3
• Crystal. | TIER 1 TRINKET | LD 3

Battle Ready Items:

• 3 Starter Healing potions (Heals 50 hp each)
• 1 T1 Uncommon Overhealth potion (Adds +2 Max HP)
• 1 T1 Uncommon Damage Potion (+1 DMG for thread)
• 6 T1 Uncommon Health Potions: Heals 5% of Maximum HP. (2 HP each)

Skills:

• Straight Swords Rank 1/5
• Light Armor Rank 1/5

Edited February 13 by Wulfrin

[Freyd 0]

"Well he's a charmer," Wulfin grunted, emerging from Lyle's forge and smithy, soot already forming a thin layer of his gear.  Freyd laughed heartily in response, that certain twinkle in his eye.

"Really?  I think so too," he replied, beaming.  "Got you to do what he wanted without negotiating terms, though, didn't he?"  There was tangible admiration in the Whisper's voice.  "Which either means you're a sucker, or they've definitely laced his programming with a few psychology subroutines.  And, I don't think you're a sucker, so let's just blame the system and go kill some boars."  Whatever anyone might think of his quirks, Freyd definitely had an oddly insightful perspective on mob and NPC behaviours.

Directing them towards the fallow fields outside of Tolbana, where the big boars roam, he quickly point out a few key combat basics.  "Energy is the bane of your existence in most fights.  Multi-target attacks, or A.o.E.'s are the worst for that, but carry their own advantages.  You'll eventually get to pick a specialization when you hit the second tier, choosing between single target, AoE, or the more support-based 'Tech' spec.  For now, let's just see how rusty that sword arm of you is, as you try to channel those real world talents in a fantasy environment."

Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he leaned slowly against a lone oak tree offering the only tangible shade and nudged Wulfrin forward towards the nearest boar, one with its head turned away from them.

"Try one on its own before considering a full group.  Get the hang of it.  If I step in and kill them for you, it'll ruin your drop chances.  Oh, and you might want a bite of this before you go all ham."  Summon a small platter from a weirdly shaped amulet, Freyd partook from its contents, offering another portion to his companion.

***

Freyd consumes:

Gugnir’s Shard (Untradeable/Unique/Reusable Consumable): Crème Brûlée Tray | ACC 2 | Feast (6/6) - Freyd takes 1 portion (filled) and offers the rest to the party.

Freyd | HP: 1140/1140 | EN: 152/152 | DMG: 21 | MIT: 45 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 7 (incl. AA) | BH: 62 | LD: 6 | BLGT: 32 | PARA IMMUNE | P.V.O | REC: 8 | STK: 40 

Note: CS (Shades of the Gemini) is in use.  If any other player objects to this, please state in first post and it will be considered inactive.

Spoiler

Freyd, The Whisper in Shadows
Level: 33
Paragon Level: 124
HP: 1140/1140
EN: 152/152

Stats:
Damage: 21
Mitigation: 45
Evasion: 2
Accuracy: 4+2+1
Battle Healing: 62
Loot Dice: 6
AA
BLGT: 32
PARA IMMUNE
P.V.O
REC: 8
STK: 40

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: The Thing Behind All Lies (T4 Demonic MA, AA, Blight, Static, Para.Ven (Off))   
Armor: Black Cowled Traveling Garb | T4 CA | VD 2 | REC 2
Misc: Shadowed Rose (ACC 3 | Para.Imm.)

Combat Mastery: Damage R3
Combat Shift: AOE
Familiar Skill: Grappling Familiar
Custom Skill: Shades of the Gemini

Skills:
Martial Arts R5
Battle Healing R5
Cloth Armor R5
Searching R4
Charge
Energist
Quick Change
Extended Mod Limit
Extended Weight Limit
Fighting Spirit
Howl

Active Mods:
Night Vision
Tracking
Athletics
Emergency Recovery
Untraceable
Detect

Inactive Mods:

Addons:
Focus
Precision
Nimble
Reveal
Stamina
Focused Howl

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

Inactive Extra Skills:
Frozen Hide
Brawler
Photosynthesize
Hiding R2

Battle Ready Inventory:
Teleport Crystals x7
Mass HP Rec [Inst] (+10% HP) x7
T4 Vitality (+16 EN) x7
Crystal of Divine Light (Reusable) x1
Rhino's Horn (Reusable) x1
Hmr.Pk:  Hope's Covenant - Resolve +4 (T4 Demonic Weapon (MA) - AA, Phase, Frostbite, VO)  x1
EWL: Samael's Pride | T4 MA | FLN 2 | HLY 2   x1
EWL:  Fight O'er Flight (ACC 2 | EVA 2) x1

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: +2 Fishing EXP per attempt
Practiced Angler: +2 Fishing EXP per attempt, addition +1 LD/CD to fishing attempts
Advanced Training: +10% Exp to a thread. Limit one use per month [1/1]
Multipurpose: Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll
Decor [Potted Tanabata Bamboo Tree]: This buff affects the player and their choice of up to two party members.

Guild Hall Buffs:
Lucrative: Reduce LD needed for Salvage by 5 (10+ for Alchemist crystals, 6+ for everything else). +2 EXP per craft. Rank 9 crafters receive +1 crafting attempt per day. Rank 10 crafters receive +2 crafting attempts per day.
Col Deposit: +5% bonus col from last-hit monster kills and +10% bonus col from treasure chests.

Scents of the Wild:
Tanos Statue: +25 Mitigation for a thread.

Wedding Ring: n/a

Fishing: Level 5 | 576 XP

 

[Wulfrin 0]

Wulfrin accepted the gift but decided against consuming right away. Instead, Wulfrin took a deep breath moving closer to the nearby boar. He held his sword out to his right side and prepared to strike using <<Horizontal>>. Then he felt the system take over as he took a step forward and slashed horizontally across the boar's center of mass. His aim was true as he watched the HP bar of the boar drop to zero. He knew it was overkill, but Wulfrin was too focused on the rush. He had never moved that fast or with such ferocity. As the boarlet dissipated into a shower of pixels, Wulfrin couldn't help but reminisce. He had forgotten the feeling of swinging that sword from his childhood years ago, but now he made a silent vow to return to practice once he escaped this game.

"That wasn't so bad," Wulfrin said triumphantly. "Once that motion is down its just a matter of aiming." He returned the short sword back to its scabbard at his waist. He picked up the tusk left over from the boar before turning back to Freyd. "I may still be rusty with basic attacks but those can be built over time. For now its focusing on the Sword Arts." He began to trail off into his own head mumbling under his breath like he was trying to decide which would be more his style, AoE or Single Target arts. He still had some time before hitting tier 2,so he decided it was probably best to see what he feels would be easiest to work into his existing knowledge.

* * *

Start of Combat:

[0] Wulfrin | Lvl: 2 | HP: 40/40 | EN: 22/22 | DMG: 4 | ACC: 3 |

[0] Freyd | Lvl: 33 | HP: 1140/1140 |  EN: 152/152 | DMG: 21 | MIT: 45 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 7 (incl. AA) | BH: 62 | LD: 6 | BLGT: 32 | PARA IMMUNE | P.V.O | REC: 8 | STK: 40

Boarlet | HP: 5/5 | DMG: 3 |

 

ID: 219001 | BD: 9 + 3 = 12 | <<ST-I>> vs Boarlet.

• The strike lands! (-4 EN)

| 4 * 4 = 16 DMG

 

[0] Wulfrin | Lvl: 2 | HP: 40/40 | EN: 18/22 | DMG: 4 | ACC: 3 |

[0] Freyd | Lvl: 33 | HP: 1140/1140 |  EN: 152/152 | DMG: 21 | MIT: 45 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 7 (incl. AA) | BH: 62 | LD: 6 | BLGT: 32 | PARA IMMUNE | P.V.O | REC: 8 | STK: 40

Boarlet | HP: 0/5 | DMG: 3 |

• Boarlet drops 1 tusk.

End of Combat

Edited February 15 by Wulfrin

[Freyd 0]

"Good," Freyd replied, watching and nodding as Wulfrin dispatched the porcine critter.  "I'd say your talents are at least offering you some inherent insight into navigating the mechanics.  It gets to be second nature after a while, though also considerably more complex.  The closest comparison, I've always found, is the sort of muscle memory demonstrated by practiced gamers.  They can fly through wicked combos on a console controller, or navigate the interactions of complex macros through a keyboard without batting an eyelash.  Weird as it might sound, those are the skill sets of frontliners... except your actual life might be on the line."

Dismissing his gaudy tray back to some unknown elsewhere, Freyd went on to point at the morsel Wulfrin had taken, but yet to ingest.  "Now, try taking that and see the effects.  Aim is within your control, but also subject to the vagaries of the random number generator.  You need to be prepared for those eventualities.  Even the best aimed strike will still occasionally miss.  Conversely, even the wildest swings can still product fantastic success.  Life is just strange that way."

[Wulfrin 0]

Wulfrin downed the snack as he waited for the next unsuspecting boar to cross their path. He agreed that his previous knowledge was helping a bit with the instincts, but there was still a majority of it that relied on the system. "What RPG would be complete with out a random number generator?" Wulfrin chuckled. "Gotta have something to blame for the terrible luck. Won't do much good in the 'Oops boss got a crit now your brain is mush' department, but for your run of the mill stuff." Wulfrin shrugged. There was a hint of agitation. It was highly possible Wulfrin had mumbled something under his breath. Maybe soothing along the lines of "Like gathering materials from under rocks." Never the less Wulfrin spotted a boar that was wandering close to where the duo had set up. Wulfrin held his sword at the ready and waited patiently for the boar to continue its approach. He was still riding the high of the previous kill and was ready to continue his hunting of boarlets.

* * *

Wulfrin consumed:

Gugnir’s Shard (Untradeable/Unique/Reusable Consumable): Crème Brûlée Tray | ACC 2

[Freyd 0]

Oddly enjoying the role of informal sensei, Freyd had never actually pictured it for himself.  Yet, truth be told, it was one he'd donned many more times than most would ever consider possible.  Offering only a smile at Wulfrin's venting.  The life of an appraiser was to make the RNG your nemesis and savor those fleeting moments when fate intervened to give you something that wasn't a complete and total piece of crap.  Good times.

"I won't pretend to sit here and give you tips to instantly improve your game.  Experience and time are the best teachers you could find, though maybe the system would enable a few useful shortcuts.  We'll get to those once you've gotten your gear.  In the meantime, keep at it.  I'd say you've already gotten the gist, and a good knack for it to boot.  Practice will make it easier."  Echoes of his own origins flittered behind his eyes, taunting him with awkwardness that made Wulfrin look like a total star by comparison.  He chuckled without explaining, waving off any questions about it and flicking a finger towards another boar.

"Have at it.  These things don't quite manage to kill themselves."

[Wulfrin 0]

With tremendous force, Wulfrin leaped at the boar. The distance was closed almost instantaneously Wulfrin's aim was true. It seamed the shard was exceptionally effective, as any discrepancy he had felt on the previous attack had vanished. The boar stood no chance in surviving the strike; its HP gauge falling almost instantly to zero. Wulfrin regained his composure quickly as the shower of polygons covered him. Same as before he collected the tusk dropped by the boar. "I assume there is only so much you can do to manipulate the system in your favor?" Wulfrin became lost in thought. "In most games with a random number generator, there is always one value that guarantees a miss in a detrimental way and like wise a guaranteed hit with great success." His gaze fell back towards the grass fields as he search for his next victim. "At any rate at least this one is going faster than the last one." He spotted another boar that had wondered a bit to far from its herd. Wulfrin made his move to intercept.

* * *

Start of Combat:

[0] Wulfrin | Lvl: 2 | HP: 40/40 | EN: 22/22 | DMG: 4 | ACC: 3 + 2 = 5 |
[0] Freyd | Lvl: 33 | HP: 1140/1140 |  EN: 152/152 | DMG: 21 | MIT: 45 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 7 (incl. AA) | BH: 62 | LD: 6 | BLGT: 32 | PARA IMMUNE | P.V.O | REC: 8 | STK: 40

Boarlet | HP: 5/5 | DMG: 3 |

ID:  | BD: 4 + 5 = 9 | <<ST-I>> vs Boarlet.

• The strike lands! (-4 EN)
  | 4 * 4 = 16 DMG

[0] Wulfrin | Lvl: 2 | HP: 40/40 | EN: 14/22 | DMG: 4 | ACC: 3 + 2 = 5 |
[0] Freyd | Lvl: 33 | HP: 1140/1140 |  EN: 152/152 | DMG: 21 | MIT: 45 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 7 (incl. AA) | BH: 62 | LD: 6 | BLGT: 32 | PARA IMMUNE | P.V.O | REC: 8 | STK: 40

Boarlet | HP: 0/5 | DMG: 3 |

• Boarlet drops 1 tusk.

End of Combat

[Freyd 0]

"There are limits, but you can skew pretty deep.  What you'll come to realize fairly quickly is that any choice in one direction is a trade-off against the benefits of another.  Gear counts for a lot, for example, but the math if governed by choices.  It's like those guys who excel at crunching all the numbers to tell you how to optimize your build to play in your latest favourite MMO.  Put twelve of them in a room and you'll get eleven different reasons why their is the best, and one bitching about how they can't get enough advertisers on their stream and it's all your fault."  Freyd blinked.

"Sorry.  That might have been a flashback.  Not really sure. Moving on."  Walking casually as Wulfrin continue his baconator murder-spree, he went on to explain.  "People get all hot and bothered about unique enhancements on their gear, for example, but other than on weapons, standard enhancements are generally better - again, depends on the build.  I don't know... maybe it's all just downhill after paragon 50, you know?  Maybe you don't - yet - but you will.  I'm rambling, and going to go over here now."

Freyd conjured another honey bun from his nowhere and promptly stuffed it into his mouth wholesale to shut himself up.

[Wulfrin 0]

"Let's finish this," Wulfrin murmured as he approached the boar. Once again he lunged towards the boar with blinding speed, his sword glowing a brilliant blue light. The sword pierced the boar's body with no resistance, dropping the boar's HP to zero. As the polygons dissipated, there was another item along side the usual boar tusk. It was a small vial of a viscus red liquid. Upon a closer inspection, the vial appeared to contain blood. "Well that's new," Wulfrin said as he got closer to the vial. "Guess its a rare, drop." Little did Wulfrin know there was another threat making its way up to him. He turned as Mama Boar made her presence known.

The mama boar was much larger than the others he had faced. She looked pissed. The hairs along her back stood on end and her tusks looked sharp and ready to take revenge. Wulfrin was paralyzed, he contemplated just grabbing the vial and running, but as he reach for it, he heard the sound of its durability hitting 0 and shattering into its own shower of polygons. Wulfrin could feel he was low, not detrimentally, maybe just below half. All he could do was hope he could take this beast. Worst case, he had the tusks all he needed was to teleport out using a crystal.

* * *

Start of Combat:

[0] Wulfrin | Lvl: 2 | HP: 40/40 | EN: 22/22 | DMG: 4 | ACC: 3 + 2 = 5 |
[0] Freyd | Lvl: 33 | HP: 1140/1140 |  EN: 152/152 | DMG: 21 | MIT: 45 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 7 (incl. AA) | BH: 62 | LD: 6 | BLGT: 32 | PARA IMMUNE | P.V.O | REC: 8 | STK: 40

Boarlet | HP: 5/5 | DMG: 3 |

ID: 219031  | BD: 4 + 5 = 9 | <<ST-I>> vs Boarlet.

• The strike lands! (-4 EN)
  | 4 * 4 = 16 DMG

[0] Wulfrin | Lvl: 2 | HP: 40/40 | EN: 10/22 | DMG: 4 | ACC: 3 + 2 = 5 |
[0] Freyd | Lvl: 33 | HP: 1140/1140 |  EN: 152/152 | DMG: 21 | MIT: 45 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 7 (incl. AA) | BH: 62 | LD: 6 | BLGT: 32 | PARA IMMUNE | P.V.O | REC: 8 | STK: 40

Boarlet | HP: 0/5 | DMG: 3 |

• Boarlet drops 1 tusk.
• Boarlet drops 1 mysterious vial.

End of Combat

Quest Choice: Wulfrin examines the vial.

[Freyd 0]

Freyd smirked, watching Wulfrin stare at the red vial with wonder, then that moment of dawning realization of a massive mother boar barreling down on him.  Ah, the good old days...

"Persi, be a dear and buy our friend a little time,"  he spoke aloud to no one in particular.

A small amorphous head of inky blackness poked up from the collar on the right side of his neck, opening twin azure orbs adorned with horizontally slotted pupils.  The tiny thing's muzzle wrinkled and sniffed, then darted with the speed and silence only a shadow could achieve.  Persi closed the distance almost instantly, popping up beneath the boar to resume three dimensional form and solid consistency that wracked the beast with a most unexpected uppercut, utterly ruining its charge.

Freyd tapped Wulfrin in the shoulder to rouse him from shock, then pointed to the dazed and up-ended boar lolling around on the grass mere yards from his backside, the pleased as punch silhouette of a mongoose grooming herself atop her victim.

"You just triggered the local boss mob.  I suggest you take advantage before it recovers."

***

Post Action | Basic Attack (1 EN): 1 EN - (Rested 2/2; Stamina) = 1 EN (minimum)
Free Action | Grappling Familiar (CD 0/5)

ID #219052 | BD:7+7+1=15 (hit).  DMG (1-5=1) to Mama Boar.  Familiar Stun applied.

Mama boar stunned.  Stun fades.

Wulfrin | HP: 40/40 | EN: 10/22 | DMG: 4 | ACC: 5 
Freyd | HP: 1140/1140 |  EN: 151/152 (152-1) | DMG: 21 | MIT: 45 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 7 (incl. AA) | BH: 62 | LD: 6 | BLGT: 32 | PARA IMMUNE | P.V.O | REC: 8 | STK: 40

(0,2) Mama Boar | HP: 59/60 | DMG: 15 | MIT: 5 | EVA: -1 | F.Stun.Imm (1/3) (60-1)

 

Edited February 16 by Freyd

[Wulfrin 0]

Wulfrin snapped back to reality as Freyd nudged his shoulder. He still had some shock in his body, but finally the adrenaline started pumping. He readied his blade just as he had against the smaller boars. "Alright mama," Wulfrin stammered. "Let's see what I'm made of!" He rushed the Mama Boar slashed horizontally across her center of mass just as Persi got out of the path. The brilliant blue trail left by the sword skill <<Horizontal>> lingered briefly. As it faded the gash in her hide became visable. A brief glimpse at her HP and Wulfrin felt his stomach sink. The attack had left a larger dent than he thought but way less than he had hoped. This is going to be a challenge, He thought to himself. Then he noticed that Mama Boar seemed to be more focused on Freyd and Persi than on him. The confidence started to come back. He mouthed a silent thanks to Freyd as he lept back and prepared for his next assault.

* * *

Wulfrin gains +1 EN
Post action: ST-I vs. Mama Boar

[0] Wulfrin | Lvl: 2 | HP: 40/40 | EN: 11/22 | DMG: 4 | ACC: 3 + 2 = 5 |
[2] Freyd | Lvl: 33 | HP: 1140/1140 |  EN: 152/152 | DMG: 21 | MIT: 45 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 7 (incl. AA) | BH: 62 | LD: 6 | BLGT: 32 | PARA IMMUNE | P.V.O | REC: 8 | STK: 40

(0,2) Mama Boar | HP: 59/60 | DMG: 15 | MIT: 5 | -1 EVA

ID: 219056  | BD: 6 + 5 = 11 +1 (Mama -1 EVA) = 12 | <<ST-I>> vs Boarlet.

• The strike lands! (-4 EN)
  | 4 * 4 = 16 DMG - 5 (Mama Boar MIT) = 11 DMG

[1] Wulfrin | Lvl: 2 | HP: 40/40 | EN: 7/22 | DMG: 4 | ACC: 3 + 2 = 5 |
[2] Freyd | Lvl: 33 | HP: 1140/1140 |  EN: 152/152 | DMG: 21 | MIT: 45 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 7 (incl. AA) | BH: 62 | LD: 6 | BLGT: 32 | PARA IMMUNE | P.V.O | REC: 8 | STK: 40

(1,2) Mama Boar | HP: 48/60 | DMG: 15 | MIT: 5 | EVA: -1 | F.Stun.Imm (1/3) (60-1)

[Freyd 0]

"There it is!  Keep that up," Freyd offered by way of encouragement, watching Wulfrin manage to do what was required.  There was no mockery in his tone.  Countless players had died at the tusks of such creatures in the earliest days of Aincrad.  Boars still claimed far too large a portion of the names on the Monument of Life.  Figuring that the threat was now controlled, his own strikes drawing attention away from his companion, he hoofed the portly piggy on the backside with a gentle tap - just enough to count as a hit without taking away from Wulfrin's efforts.  

"Are you feeling that drain, yet?  That's what happens when your energy reserves get low.  Learn to recognize it.  It could save your ...oof."

Not appreciating his mentoring efforts, Mama Boar had leapt up and thrown her entire weight upon the Whisper with the least graceful belly flop in recorded history.  What first sounded like muffled cries were soon revealed to be laughter as a largely uninjured Freyd struggled to dislodge the heavy beast in its infuriated state.  The absurdity of it all was just too rich not to enjoy.  Every time he started to lift it off, he'd start cackling madly again and crumple under it once more.

***

Freyd regains +4 EN
CD 12 (+8 REC proc) ID #219071
Cooldowns: Grappling Familiar (1/5)

Post Action | Basic Attack (1 EN): 1 EN - (Rested 1/2; Stamina) = 1 EN (minimum)
Free Action | None

ID #219072 | BD:3+7=10 (hit).  DMG (1-5=1) to Mama Boar.

ID #219073 | MD: 9 (Crit +1).  DMG (16-45=1) to Freyd

Wulfrin | HP: 40/40 | EN: 7/22 | DMG: 4 | ACC: 5 
Freyd | HP: 1139/1140 (1140-1) |  EN: 151/152 (151+4+8[cap]-1) | DMG: 21 | MIT: 45 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 7 (incl. AA) | BH: 62 | LD: 6 | BLGT: 32 | PARA IMMUNE | P.V.O | REC: 8 | STK: 40

(1,4) Mama Boar | HP: 47/60 | DMG: 15 | MIT: 5 | EVA: -1 | F.Stun.Imm (2/3)  (48-1)

Edited February 16 by Freyd

[Wulfrin 0]

Wulfrin landed in battle stance and was ready to swipe again. His body felt heavy, he found himself gasping for breath out of exhaustion. For the first time he could actually feel the strain his body was going through. Despite the sheer exhaustion that had befallen his avatar, he readied his strike. Whilst Freyd cackled with laughter from under the boar, Wulfrin activated the <<Horizontal>> skill that he had grown so fond of. The blue colored blade of his sword left another gash in Mama's hide. As he recovered from the strike, his body seized. He had almost reached empty on his energy reserves.

"I've got maybe one more in me," Wulfrin said between heavy breaths. "After that, I'll be hitting it for next to nothing." The exhaustion kept creeping its way deeper throughout his virtual form. "But to answer your question, yes. I'm definitely feeling it." Wulfrin readied himself for what would be his last big hit for a bit.

* * *

Wulfrin regains +1 EN

Post Action | <<ST-I>> (4 EN)
Free Action | None

ID #219128 | BD: 2 + 5 = 7 + 1 =8 (hit).  DMG (4 * 4= 16 - 5 = 11) to Mama Boar.

Wulfrin | HP: 40/40 | EN: 3/22 | DMG: 4 | ACC: 5 
Freyd | HP: 1139/1140 (1140-1) |  EN: 151/152 (151+4+8[cap]-1) | DMG: 21 | MIT: 45 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 7 (incl. AA) | BH: 62 | LD: 6 | BLGT: 32 | PARA IMMUNE | P.V.O | REC: 8 | STK: 40

(2,4) Mama Boar | HP: 36/60 | DMG: 15 | MIT: 5 | EVA: -1 | F.Stun.Imm (2/3)  (48-1)

[Freyd 0]

Noting the growing fatigue behind Wulfrin's voice and gradual slowing of his motions, Freyd slid forward to deliver a little delayed action aid and lesson in the subtleties of combat in SAO.  Tumbling past his companion towards the creatures flank, he gaze it but a grazing touch.  Wulfrin would see a sickening purple miasma gather like an ethereal cloud about Freyd's hands as he delivered the blow, dodging gracefully away just as quickly as he'd approached.  Mama Boar squealed and shuddered in seemingly disproportionate pain and her joints locked and froze with rictus, her eyes bulging wide at the unexpected reaction.  From the point of impact, violent violet lightning spread across her body to deliver a lethal withering blight that would consume her from within.  

Freyd stood nearby, watching with a slightly saddened expression on his face and hands stuffed into his pockets once more.  This fight was already over.  It took another moment for the contagion to spread, the mob's skin blistering, then beginning to flake away to reveal the orange model mesh beneath.  It's health bar suddenly plummeted to nothing.  One final twitch, as the poison in its veins denied it anything more, and she collapsed into a cloud of fractal motes to be carried away like dandelion seeds upon the wind.

"Well fought, champion."  Freyd's voice could have just as easily been mistaken as belonging to some NPC trainer, save the slight hint of regret over the cruelty of the critter's final moments.  "We should get you back to Lyle," he added with greater cheer, urging the new warrior back towards town.

***

Freyd regains +4 EN
Freyd regains 62hp from BH
Not worrying about Recovery...
Cooldowns: Grappling Familiar (2/5)

Post Action | Basic Attack (1 EN): 1 EN - (Stamina) = 1 EN (minimum)
Free Action | None

ID #219150 | BD: 9 (Crit +2).  DMG (3-5=1) to Mama Boar.  Paralyzed.  Blight applied.  Static applied.

Wulfrin | HP: 40/40 | EN: 3/22 | DMG: 4 | ACC: 5 
Freyd | HP: 1140/1140 (1139+62[cap]) |  EN: 151/152 (151+4[cap]-1) | DMG: 21 | MIT: 45 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 7 (incl. AA) | BH: 62 | LD: 6 | BLGT: 32 | PARA IMMUNE | P.V.O | REC: 8 | STK: 40

(2,7) Mama Boar | HP: 0/60 | DMG: 15 | MIT: 5 | EVA: -1 | F.Stun.Imm (3/3)  (36-1-32-40)

Edited February 17 by Freyd

[Wulfrin 0]

"I don't know about champion," Wulfrin sighed as he returned his blade to the scabbard at his waist. "If it weren't for you, I'd have been that boar's dinner." Wulfrin turned to his mentor. "At any rate thanks for stepping in. Also what was with that odd miasma leaking from the boar?" Wulfrin eyed the hands that had disappeared into Freyd's pockets. "That one of those fancy martial arts moves?" Wulfrin navigated swiftly through his UI to the social section and sent a friend request to Freyd. "Best I do that before I forget again." Wulfrin said with a smile. "Let's go pay an old blacksmith a visit. Maybe the old man will actually hear me out this time." Wulfrin collapsed, the adrenaline finally wearing off.

"On second thought," Wulfrin forced out. Physically he felt and looked fine, but it looks like the energy drain may have been a bit too much of a first time experience. "Let's take a quick break before heading back. You got anymore of those honey buns?"

[Freyd 0]

"Sounds like you might actually have learned a valuable lesson after all," Freyd mused aloud, chuckling to himself.  "Who knew these old quests could still do that?"  Pulling his hands out of his pockets, Wulfrin saw that they were wreathed in a blue-black cloud of vapours that roiled like dark plasma - almost like a halo orbiting his palms.  "This?  Heh.  This is one of several weapons that I carry, each tailored to different needs.  These happen to be called The Thing Behind All Lies.  They have a penchant for inflicting particularly punishing misery on any soul unfortunate enough to feel their touch, and that's without even adding the weight of a sword art behind the blow."  Slipping them back into the pocket-sheathes, Freyd swung the conversation in a different direction. 

"Don't be afraid to rely on more standard fare for the first little while.  Some weapon effects are tied to tier and will become obsolete quickly as you level up.  I can help hook you up with better and more customized gear once you hit tiers 3 and 4.  There's little point before that."  Accepting Wulfrin's friend request without hesitation, he also tossed him another honey bun while conjuring one for himself.  "My friend Freya makes these.  It took her awhile to get the recipe right, but she's definitely nailed it.  You don't want to know how many of these are packaged in stasis in my inventory," he added, laughing at his own strange addiction to the sweets.  In truth, they just reminded him of the things and people he cared about most.

[Wulfrin 0]

"You mentioned Freya last time," Wulfrin remarked as he unwrapped the small sugary bun. "I'm going to have to hit her up as well. These may not do much system wise, but they sure do remind me of the lives we had before." Wulfrin sat for a moment and enjoyed the moment of respite ash he devoured the bun. He began to reflect on the previous skirmish. "If Mama Boar was anything to judge my progress by, I doubt I'll be doing much to help in the fight with Terra Firma." Wulfrin jumped to his feet and dusted himself off. He hated the thought of not being able to contribute, but he hoped he wouldn't be dead weight for too much longer. "I'll probably have to rely a lot more on you in that fight." Wulfrin turned to Freyd and placed his left hand on the pommel of the short sword he carried at his waist. In a single motion his right hand made a fist that was placed against his chest about where his heart should be and executed a deep bow. 

"I'm sure you've heard it before," Wulfrin said as he exited the bow. "But you've been a fantastic mentor. Thanks for taking the time to help." Wulfrin turned to head back to Tolbana. "Come on, I think Lyle needs his tusks."

[Freyd 0]

"The hardest part of starting out is accepting that you can't do it all yourself.  Some have, and succeeded.  Vastly more failed, some selling their lives to feed their egos.  It isn't worth it.  It's been my pleasure to help, and we'll go smash Terra Firma into avocado paste as soon as you feel you're ready.  Let me take the carry on that one, and then I suspect you'll be more than ready to stand on your own."  Freyd smiled appreciatively as Wulfrin bowed with respect.  As odd as it seemed, given his often irreverent attitude, Freyd deeply respected such gestures and returned in turn. 

"Come on, bud.  Let's go wrap up this business and get you going on the really fun stuff.  You've got reams of adventure laid out before you, ready to be explored.  And, if you ever need me, you know how to call.  I'm generally around... pretty much everywhere, actually." Freyd laughed, deliberately neglecting to explain.

[Wulfrin 0]

The pair returned to Lyle's shop. The old man was still hammering away at his most recent project. Wulfrin made his way to the forge and set the tusks out for Lyle to see. Wulfrin cleared his throat to get the craftsman's attention. "Don't know why these were so important," Wulfrin said. The old man stopped his hammering project. "But now that I got them, can you please tell me if you took a loan from Dorian?"

"I use these on hilts," Lyle spoke with a stern voice. Then there was a nod of approval. "You did good Kid, but I'll have you know that I don't take loans from anyone." The approval left as swiftly as it had arrived. "Especially not from men like Dorian White."

Wulfrin sighed. Another dead end. "You know of anyone who might take a loan from men like Dorian?" Wulfrin asked with a slightly irritated tone.

"Try Pete Larkin," Lyle scoffed. "Without a real rob, the man could probably use the charity. He spends all his time fishing for river monsters or some such nonsense." Lyle returned to his work, but then gestured with hi head towards a near by table. "Grab a weapon or armor set from those bins on your way out. They're just about worthless, but consider it payment for the tusks."

The rocky interaction handled Wulfrin grabbed a small breastplate from a bin. It wasn't the sturdiest but it would get the job done until his commissions were completed. Wulfrin regrouped with Freyd outside the shop. "Another lead to follow," Wulfrin sighed. "I say lets tackle Terra Firma, then I can find this Pete Larkin. Hopefully he is the last one I have to hunt down." He looked at his companion clinging to the shadows of the alley across the street. "But first I got to get me some of Freya's cooking, I can only eat so much stale bread without going insane." With that Wulfrin began his trip back to the Town of Beginnings to make use of the teleport gate.

[Freyd 0]

"Fishing, right?  I swear, a fish will be the end of me someday."  Freyd groaned with an exaggerated aura of gloom about him, as if past experiences had taught him to expect the worst from such sources - ironic, given that Wulfrin had watched him sitting and fishing through most of his first lesson. 

"So, I can definitely help with one of those goals, but not necessarily the other.  Terra Firma's actually the easy one.  I have that all lined up and will give you a should when it's time to meet me in Fortaleza... err, Floor Five.  As to Freya's cooking, you might be out of luck.  I think she and Gaius decided to finally get hitched and they've been AFK for a bit.  You can probably expect signage to match on their shop doors.  Fortunately, I'm well stocked and like to share."  Freyd flipped him another honey bun, even as he headed for the portal.  "Finish it before walking through. Otherwise, the heat will melt the glaze, and then it just gets everywhere."  

With a flick of his wrist, the oddball they called the Whisper flipped his new companion a quick informal salute and vanished into the crowd, a disembodied voice calling back to Wulfrin from afar.

"And keep up the good work!"

***

Thread Closing:

Wulfrin receives:

784 EXP (Word Count [4415/10*1*0.7] + Quest [475])
900 col (1 page [400] + Quest [500])
Unlock <<The Third Lesson>> Quest. 
1x Boar Jerky | T1 Perfect Consumable | DMG II, MIT I
1x Tealeaf Armor | T1 Uncommon Armor of Choice | MIT I

Freyd receives:

4,939 EXP (Word Count [4415/10*16*0.7] + Quest [0])
740 col (15% P5 Reward [740])
 

Edited February 18 by Freyd