[PP-F22] Flying Monkeys & Such | <<Witch of the West>>

[Morningstar 0]

Quest

Morningstar generally avoided the Forest of Memories. Historically, he had encountered unpleasant things there, and his track record for reacting sensibly to them was poor. He had once seen his mother in the mist and chased after her, only to discover that it was an illusion, and she had not, in fact, joined him in the game. Another time, he saw a duplicate of himself, the Gemini he had killed not long ago. Today, he had stepped past two tall oaks and into desert ruins, a recreation of a memory he longed to forget. He had not come to the forest by choice; instead, he lacked directional awareness and had found himself in the midst of it after taking a wrong turn out of Coral.

Separating his hallucinations from reality was difficult in the forest. So when an unusual and unexpected objective appeared on his display, Morningstar did not know what to think. Obviously, it would guide him towards a quest, but it was unclear whether it was real or a figment of his imagination. Instead of deciding for himself, he considered adding another player into the confusing mix. 

He cycled through his friend's list, stopping on a name that had not crossed his mind in some time: NIGHT.

morningstar: evening.
morningstar: down for a quest? in the forest of not-so-pleasant memories.

[ lv. 51  ->   lv. 33 / p. 18 ] MORNINGSTAR | HP: 828/828 | EN: 110/110 | DMG: 28 | MIT: 60 | EVA: 6 | ACC: 6 | BH: 39 | LD: 8 (9) | BLD: 48 | FB: 40 | REC: 4 | Pros. III | Probio III   Hide contents notes. advanced training is active. +10% EXP   Hide contents equipped bleeding giant BLD II, FB II red longcoat EVA II, REC I sapphire ACC III, EVA I battle-ready inventory n/a skills.   Hide contents mod count: 3/5 2HSS | RANK 5/5 precision, stamina, ferocity shift: tech CLOTH ARMOR | RANK 5/5 athletics, nimble COMBAT MASTERY: DMG | RANK 3/3 SEARCHING | RANK 4/5 (5) night vision, detect BATTLE HEALING | RANK 5/5 ENERGIST CHARGE extra SURVIVAL FORGOTTEN KING'S AUTHORITY LADY LUCK DISGUISE buffs.   Hide contents statue n/a consumables  liquor of light | DMG III crème brûlée | ACC II mortal instants | MIT III smores | EVA II gelato | LD III mousse | Prosperity III shadows withal | OH III breakfast fry | Protein II yogurt | Probiotics III paragon Lv. 5 | Gain additional col equivalent to 15% of EXP earned in that thread. Lv. 10 | +1 LD arts.   Hide contents en cost matches multiplier unless stated otherwise. shift underlined. ST | x12 -> x15 | x20 AOE | x11 -> x14 TECH-A | x16 | STUN | 13EN TECH-B | x16 | DELAY TECH-D | x16 | SHATTER TECH-F | x12 | AOE STUN misc.   Hide contents Well Rested | -1 energy cost for the first three expenditures of each combat. Squeaky Clean | The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 25% (rounded down). Filling | Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot. This can exceed normal Cook enhancement caps. Ex: A perfect T2 MIT food gives 35 MIT instead of 30. Tasty | Turn 2 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Lesser Feast. A Lesser Feast contains 4 portions of the food items sacrificed. Lesser Feasts created this way cannot be used outside of the thread they are created. Limit 1 item created per thread. Relaxed | Increases out-of-combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts. Multipurpose | Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll. Skylight (Searching) | +1 Expertise to declared utility skill.  gathering n/a

Edited March 23 by Morningstar

[NIGHT 0]

night: sure
night: which is it?

she'd been on the twenty-eighth, on a bench facing a stream running through town, hiding away from people in plain sight. the floor worked to her advantage, when night wanted to be alone in theory, but not so much in practice. sure, it took some amount of dress up; the switch from sportswear to fall fashion was one she didn't appreciate, but it wasn't so overwhelming that she'd hated it, either.

admittedly, it was also one of the only places in aincrad that would serve quality frappucchinos.

night didn't think she'd been to the forest of memories before. not that she needed it. remembering anything, the player believed, was a special kind of hell already fresh in her mind. even living in the present was difficult from her back and forth into the past.

well, if it meant she'd cut through them with her sword on the way there, she'd been subjected to worse before.

night: also
night: need coffee?

| NIGHT  | Lv. 144 >> P. 112, Lv. 32  | Status: //  Notes:  //

Spoiler NIGHT | HP: 1080/1080 | EN: 146/146 | DMG: 21 | ACC:  | EVA: 4 | MIT: 44 | LD: 9 | BH+HB: 108 | FLN/HLY: 16 | Stealth Rating: 6 | DOTE: 3/3 equipped oathkeeper. FLN II, HLY II regards. EVA II, HB II signet. ACC III, EVA battle-ready inventory Teleport Crystal (3) | TELEPORT imugi's inspiration. (5) | MASS HP RECOVERY skills Spoiler mod count: 5/7 STRAIGHT SWORD | RANK 5/5 focus, stamina, precision shift: aoe CLOTH ARMOR | RANK 5/5 athletics, nimble COMBAT MASTERY: DMG | RANK 3/3 SEARCHING | RANK 3+1/5 BATTLE HEALING | RANK 5/5 emergency recovery ENERGIST QUICK CHANGE CHARGE FIGHTING SPIRIT HOWL focused howl SCOUTING FAMILIAR EXTENDED MOD LIMIT extra SURVIVAL CONCENTRATION HIDING untraceable, vanish, surprise attack-t buffs Spoiler statue BIALAS | +TAUNT MOTHRA | +1 EN Recovery TANOS | +25 MIT MORETSUNA | +50 HP OROCHI | +1 LD KUMATETSU | +1 DMG consumables Crème Brûlée (1) | filled | ACC III tiger's balm. (1) | DOTE III  paragon Lv. 5 | Gain additional col equivalent to 15% of EXP earned in that thread. Lv. 10 | +1 LD to looting. sword arts Spoiler en cost matches multiplier unless stated otherwise. shift underlined. ST | x12 -> x15 | x20 AOE | x15 -> x18 TECH-A | x12 | STUN | 13EN TECH-B | x12 | DELAY TECH-D | x12 | SHATTER TECH-F | x8 | AOE STUN  TECH-G | x12 | BURN misc. Spoiler housing Dimensional Backpack, Item Stash | +2 Battle-Ready Inventory Slots. Well Rested | -1 EN for the first three expenditures of each combat.  Relaxed | +(5 * Tier) HP per out-of-combat post. Full energy restoration occurs after two turns out of combat. Squeaky Clean | -25% DoT damage taken from the first DoT applied to this player in a thread. Skylight: Searching | +1 Expertise to declared utility skill. Cooldown of 30 days to reassign. Multipurpose | +1 LD/Prosperity/Stealth/Detection to one post per thread. Can be applied after a roll. Filling | +1 T1 slot to a food consumed by this player in a thread. Can exceed Cook enhancement caps. Col Deposit | +5% col from loot-minimum mobs, +10% col from treasure chests. foraging | r2 | xp: 69/150 Greenhouse | +2 G.EXP, +1 CD&LD to gathering attempts. Familiar: Profession | +2 G.EXP Demeter's Cornucopia | +1 CD to gathering attempts.

 

[Morningstar 0]

NIGHT asked a valid question. What quest had he invited her on? He followed the quest objective to the end of the forest path. It led him to a patch of undergrowth, which confused him for only a moment before he scavenged the bushes. He felt his fingers brush something leathery and rectangular. Digging it out of the leaves and foliage revealed that it was a book. No title was engraved on its face, and there was nothing to identify its subject matter or author. It was ratty and damaged, as if time had taken a toll on it.

morningstar: not sure. found an old book though?
morningstar: never seen this quest before.

Taking a brief peek inside, he glimpsed some sketches that seemed to imply alchemy. He shut the book without reading a word, realizing he had forgotten to answer a paramount question.

morningstar: oh and yes please to the coffee.

She was a saint for offering it to him.

[NIGHT 0]

night: ? book

she'd sent the intel to bistro, expecting an immediate reply with the broker's confidence behind the message. in the minute night hung around the bench, however, she got nothing back. it was only after star had sent her the approval for coffee that she got up and started walking back to the streets.

night: how do u take it

what little col it had cost her was nothing to consider between friends.

she bounded over to the teleporter directly after, with three orders saved to her inventory. hadn't thought to change out of her fit after arriving on the twenty-second; somehow, she felt as though switching to her work gear might've drawn a little more attention -- attention she wasn't looking forward to have. night messaged star once more with a snap of her frappe still in hand.

night: co-ords?

once she'd received his location, she'd set off again in earnest. but while she was at the teleporter, she'd enjoy the artificially pleasant day in silence.

[Morningstar 0]

morningstar: black is fine.
morningstar: book is ancient-looking. found in bush. no update to quest.

He sent his location and closed his menu, peering back into the book. Filled to the brim with information specific to alchemy, it was mostly undecipherable to Morningstar. He flipped the pages, casually skimming through the material while he waited for NIGHT to arrive. There were instructions for spells and recipes with ingredients he had never heard of (what the hell was a duckbilled bat and what was so special about its hair?).

Vague and unspecific quests bugged him. It bothered him that he didn't know how to approach the quest to proceed to the next objective. He had found the book and yet, nothing changed. What more was there to do?

The end of the book showed a recipe for a better-crafting potion—or, it would have if the pages hadn't been ripped out. He slammed the book shut, confused of its relevance, and hoisted himself onto a large rock amidst the greenery of the forest.

[NIGHT 0]

night: wow sounds lame

if it helped, night had been doing her best to remain enroute to star's position. the way the forest went, getting lost in it was an easy trap to fall into, and if she'd let it, the forest might've consumed her existence for the next three months or longer.

so she stuck to her better judgement and avoided white rabbits she wanted to chase.

night: whats the objective now

it was when she got close enough to spot star's silhouette (and incidentally then, the player marker above his head) that she started to feel the wind pick up. sure, it had been chilly on the upper echelons earlier, and past the lake of reflection, the waves had been cool. but the breeze felt like the whisper of an ominous premonition.

night simply chalked it up to the quest in action.

she hollered to star, and sent him a party invite to busy him as she approached. then, a different distraction, with the spawn of his order offered to him with a few gestures in the air. "so i was thinking on the way here," she started, once star had taken the drink, "that if this lead is new, it might have some pre-requisites before the questline continues. like, beating up a set amount of monsters or something?" night shrugged, sipping on her cup, complacent.

[Morningstar 0]

morningstar: same as before. find the book. but i found it?

Was it just him or had it the wind picked up? The trees rustled gently at first, gathering momentum the longer he watched. It was nothing, probably. NIGHT appeared from the woods with coffees, as promised. "Monsters? Maybe. But what kind? I read the book; it didn't tell me anything."

"There were a lot of potions, actually. Maybe we need to craft some?" He sipped his coffee. It was hot and bitter, precisely how he liked it. "Mm. Thank you for this."

Before another word could escape his lips, violent crashes boomed from behind him. The wind pushed the trees powerfully now. NIGHT's arrival had distracted him from how bad it was getting. He leaped down from the boulder, careful to not spill his drink, and peeked about for the source of the noise.

His jaw dropped when he saw the tornado ripping up the forest, speeding directly at them. It immediately set him into panic mode, which for Star included a long sip of his coffee, an awkward run while he attempted to keep from dropping it, and a lot of swearing.

[NIGHT 0]

"potions?"

that sounded familiar. although she wasn't entire sure if they were meant to craft the potions. night felt she was onto something when the air around them began to bluster through the forest, but hesitated bringing her hunch up. there was something, between the forest itself and her mention of the memory, that made her realize she was about to sound like an aincrad boomer.

so she finished her drink. crushed it and threw the ashes to a side. at the very least, if her guess was correct, she'd look more like a maniac than an ancient individual -- that she could live with.

in fact, she event went so far as to contemplate holding her hand out to star.

"--''some things i cannot change...''"

as the tornado raced towards them, night closed her eyes, and completed her quote with a simple leitmotif from a song unforgotten. then, she held her breath as the ground beneath her vanished, feeling the wind claw at her form, threatening to tear her form into shreds.

[Morningstar 0]

At no point did he think he could outrun a tornado. He made it five—maybe seven—steps before his feet no longer touched the soft grass of the forest. They spun, twisting and tumbling in a spiral until a loose tree branch flicked him in the face and his vision went dark.

Later, he awoke with a full health bar and a dark coffee stain on his coat. At first, he was calm, his eyes dancing around each star in the sky. It was twilight. When had it gotten so late? He looked at his wrist, a silly habit he had picked up. There was nothing there.

An effortless sit-up and he was back in the land of the living. A castle, ominous and foreboding, loomed over them from atop a distant cliffside. Obviously, they had found the next quest objective—or rather, it had found them.

Panic only set in when he realized that when the weather had scooped him up, he had not been alone. Where was NIGHT?

[NIGHT 0]

"and goodness knows, the wickeds' lives are lonely..."

bright-eyed and distant, sitting perched on a tall rock just a distance away from star. she'd been watching the sky to pass the time, and though she didn't have to wait long, night had already started to get comfortable with the loneliness of their silence. in the corner of her vision was the castle, and on occasion her sights would snap to the flying monkeys' silhouettes against the cosmos.

she barely heard the sounds of her companion waking, lost in thought. but once star had started to move, night cut off her humming, a glance over her shoulder. from here, she wouldn't need information from bistro to advance further -- the song and dance was already familiar enough to her.

with a slide, night dropped to the ground. how should she open? 'welcome to salem?' that didn't sound genuine, but it got the point across. still, night gestured to the castle approaching her companion. "it'll be a witch hunt. like the wizard of oz, if you're familiar with it. do you remember how the story goes?"

[Morningstar 0]

There she was.

After what had been Morningstar's worst flight, the pair reconnected, the silhouette of the castle in the distance. "You missed the perfect chance to say 'I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore,'" he replied. "I'm familiar with the story. I played the scarecrow once."

Sometimes he felt like the scarecrow, with straw where his brain should have been. Maybe he had been type casted.

NIGHT was right, though. An update to their quest objective had appeared and hunting the Witch of the West was included in the requirements, alongside a billion flying monkeys. He was more excited about them than anything else. Soon enough, he would be crossing "close up view of a winged monkey" off of his bucket list.

His memory of the original Wizard of Oz was a lot less violent than he anticipated their recreation would be. But maybe that's what the story was missing. "Shall we?" He gestured similarly to the castle.

[NIGHT 0]

"you missed the perfect chance to say 'i've a feeling we're not in kansas anymore,'" star had said.

to that, night returned a wry smile.

"was it in a middle-school play?" she queried him, as they started to walk. "when you played the scarecrow, i mean." the question wasn't entirely serious, but night wasn't sure when the wizard of oz would be involved in anyone else's life as something other than a story from a book.

the trek up towards the castle was more a winding path up several slopes, from the route night had opted to take. short and easy. there was the choice of scaling the rock face directly, but that seemed more a hassle than anything, so she decided to avoid that strategy.

"it's curious," night began, "that the wicked witch would be present here, but unlocking this quest hadn't required the wizard himself. in that same vein, shouldn't there be a second witch to kill, too? hypothetically, of course."

she too believed she'd missed a second opportunity -- one where she'd click some red heels twice for show.

[Morningstar 0]

"was it in a middle-school play?"

"No, Broadway," Morningstar said casually, and without a proper explanation.

Her comment about skipping acts made him think. "Yeah, you're right. They missed out on a lot of the cast. I'm surprised we haven't fought any Kalidahs," he recalled the half-bear, half-tiger mutants from his childhood. "If they were going to skip anything, why not the tornado?"

Reaching the castle had been a simple feat. They snaked up the winding path, crossed the stone bridge and hobbled up to the front gate. It creaked open slowly and ominously, as if they were expected. In reality, it was probably coded to let them through once they stepped close. The courtyard was dark with painfully gothic architecture. It was a bit gloomy for his taste, but fitting of a wicked witch. Flapping wings tore through the sky from high above, a platoon of winged monkeys welcoming them to their doom. They carried no weapons; their teeth and claws would be enough. They circled NIGHT and Star, leaving them with no choice but to fight back.

"Duck," Morningstar barked. Bleeding Giant materialized in his hand like magic. He twirled, cutting down each of the winged monkeys simultaneously.

***

Spoiler

Post Action | TECH-F (x12, 19 EN): 19 - (Well Rested 3/3; Stamina) = 16 EN
Free Action | N/A

ID220651 | BD: 7+6=13 | DMG: 28*12-20=316 to Flying Monkey 1
ID220652 | BD: 9+6=15 | DMG: 29*12-20=348 to Flying Monkey 1
ID220653 | BD: 3+6=9 | DMG: 28*12-20=316 to Flying Monkey 1
ID220654 | BD: 8+6=14 | DMG: 28*12-20=316 to Flying Monkey 1

Morningstar | HP: 828/828 | EN: 94/110 | DMG: 28 | MIT: 60 | EVA: 6 | ACC: 6 | BH: 39 | LD: 8 (9) | BLD: 48 | FB: 40 | REC: 4 | Pros: 3 | Probio: 36
NIGHT | HP: 1080/1080 | EN: 146/146 | DMG: 21 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 4 | MIT: 44 | LD: 9 | BH+HB: 108 | FLN/HLY: 16 | Stealth Rating: 6 | DOTE: 3/3

Flying Monkey 1 | HP: 0/150 | DMG: 70(Minimum 35) | MIT: 20
Flying Monkey 2 | HP: 0/150 | DMG: 70(Minimum 35) | MIT: 20
Flying Monkey 3 | HP: 0/150 | DMG: 70(Minimum 35) | MIT: 20
Flying Monkey 4 | HP: 0/150 | DMG: 70(Minimum 35) | MIT: 20

slain mobs are below loot parameter; they cannot be looted.

 

Edited March 24 by Morningstar

[NIGHT 0]

night's face scrunched up. she then promptly skipped over the highlight of the answer that most people would've likely honed in on: "...the wizard of oz was on broadway?"

"yeah, you're right. they missed out on a lot of the cast. i'm surprised we haven't fought any kalidahs." 

"gesundheit."

"if they were going to skip anything, why not the tornado?"

the question hung in the air on their trek, though night considered it as they made their way to the castle. once they'd entered the courtyard and alerted the first squadron of flying monkeys, she darted, stance low, past star's initial attack. in a swing he was able to take down the vanguard -- and while night hadn't expected reinforcements in her run, she was definitely prepared to take them on.

so that's what occurred further ahead and to the side when larger bat-beasts came diving in. like comets, they twisted through their trajectory with tucked wings, that only spread once the monkeys had gotten close to night. she didn't let them have the initiative moving forward; them getting ready for an attack just as well had meant being vulnerable to oncoming destruction.

a short run from the gate would lead them to the castle's main entrance. as it opened slow, night pushed against its surface harder, ushering star to get through to safety -- and fast.

Spoiler

POST ACTION | AOE-I

ID220661 | bd6 +6 = 12 | -> Elite Flying Monkey #1
ID220662 | bd3 +6 = 9 | -> Elite Flying Monkey #2

21 * 15  = 315 DMG
315 - 35 = 280 DMG

15 + (2*2) -2-1 = 16 EN

Elite Flying Monkey #1 | HP: 0/220 | DMG: 90 | MIT: 35
Elite Flying Monkey #2 | HP: 0/220 | DMG: 90 | MIT: 35

Morningstar | HP: 828/828 | EN: 94/110 | DMG: 28 | MIT: 60 | EVA: 6 | ACC: 6 | BH: 39 | LD: 8 (9) | BLD: 48 | FB: 40 | REC: 4 | Pros: 3 | Probio: 36
NIGHT | HP: 1080/1080 | EN: 130/146 | DMG: 21 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 4 | MIT: 44 | LD: 9 | BH+HB: 108 | FLN/HLY: 16 | Stealth Rating: 6 | DOTE: 3/3

 

[Morningstar 0]

He followed her through the courtyard, passing stone statues and fountains and evading the assault of the flying monkeys. They tucked inside the castle, and the door slammed shut behind them. They dove head-first into the belly of the... witch.

At the end of the main corridor, dim flames spat from candelabra, and a black chandelier hung from the ceiling. At the top of a wide staircase was the famed Wicked Witch. She wasn't as Morningstar expected. He had pictured a longer nose, for starters, and maybe worse skin. She cackled, launching a series of fireballs at them, hitting nothing but the tiled floor below as the pair danced around them. Star escalated the stairs, squatted beneath a low ember, and swiped the Witch of the West with his blade. 

Unrelated, and probably inappropriate considering the unfolding events, he called to NIGHT. "If you're Dorothy, does that make me the dog?"

Spoiler

POST ACTION | TECH-A

ID220676 | cd7 | +4 EN
ID220677 | bd8 + 6 = 14 | -> Witch of the West

28 * 16 = 448 DMG
448 - 75 = 373 DMG

15 -2-1 = 12 EN

Witch of the West | HP: 827/1200 | DMG: 150 (Minimum: 100 after MIT) | MIT: 75 | ACC: 0 -1 | Frostbite: 40 (0/2) | Bleed: 48 (0/3) | Stunned | StunImm[P]: 0/3

Potion of Fireball | On a natural MD 9, the Witch of the West throws a vial of swirling flames the sprays to affect the entire party, engulfing them in fire. This ability automatically hits and deals 120 AoE damage, then applies T3 Burn to each target for 2 turns.
Poisoned Dagger | On a natural MD 10, the Witch of the West paralyzes her target for one turn.  The target is also poisoned, taking 20 unmitigatable damage per turn for 3 turns.
Unnatural Swiftness | When the Witch of the West's health is reduced to 400 HP or less, she will drink a potion as a Free Action on her next turn. This potion grants her EVA 3 for the rest of the fight.

Morningstar | HP: 828/828 | EN: 90/110 | DMG: 28 | MIT: 60 | EVA: 6 | ACC: 6 | BH: 39 | LD: 8 (9) | BLD: 48 | FB: 40 | REC: 4 | Pros: 3 | Probio: 36
NIGHT | HP: 1080/1080 | EN: 130/146 | DMG: 21 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 4 | MIT: 44 | LD: 9 | BH+HB: 108 | FLN/HLY: 16 | Stealth Rating: 6 | DOTE: 3/3

 

Edited March 24 by Morningstar

[NIGHT 0]

the witch had definitely changed as far as her memory was concerned.

it wasn't elphaba any longer -- no green skin, and no visible broomstick-staff. the same sort of cackle, however, and goth-looking attire; placed in any modern-day street, night would've assumed it a random middle-aged goth and paid her no more attention.

so when star decided to get to work, so too did night into the fray.

"If you're Dorothy, does that make me the dog?"

she clambered up the stairs by the side, away from the bulk of the fireballs. star's assault was her distraction -- night took advantage of the witch's blind spot to strike her through with a lunge.

"whatever made you say that?"

atop the stairs was a safe place to be; the stage was even, flat. maybe the carpet, however rugged would pose a possible environmental threat, but night felt unlikely to lose her footing on the cloth. she stepped back at the comment, sword at the ready. "i'm not dorothy," she stated, "but between you and me, do you just like being inhuman for a bit? first the scarecrow, now the dog..."

Spoiler

POST ACTION | AoE-II

ID220679 | bd2 +6+1-1 = 8 | -> Witch of the West

18+2-2+5 -4-1 = 18 EN

(21+3) x 18 = 432 DMG
432 - 75 = 357 DMG

---

ID220680 | md5 | -> NIGHT
^{oh lol she's stunned mb}

---

[1, 2] Witch of the West | HP: 470/1200 | DMG: 150 (Minimum: 100 after MIT) | MIT: 75 | ACC: 0 -1 | Frostbite: 40 (0/2) | Bleed: 48 (0/3) | Stunned | StunImm[P]: 0/3

Potion of Fireball | On a natural MD 9, the Witch of the West throws a vial of swirling flames the sprays to affect the entire party, engulfing them in fire. This ability automatically hits and deals 120 AoE damage, then applies T3 Burn to each target for 2 turns.
Poisoned Dagger | On a natural MD 10, the Witch of the West paralyzes her target for one turn.  The target is also poisoned, taking 20 unmitigatable damage per turn for 3 turns.
Unnatural Swiftness | When the Witch of the West's health is reduced to 400 HP or less, she will drink a potion as a Free Action on her next turn. This potion grants her EVA 3 for the rest of the fight.

Morningstar | HP: 828/828 | EN: 90/110 | DMG: 28 | MIT: 60 | EVA: 6 | ACC: 6 | BH: 39 | LD: 8 (9) | BLD: 48 | FB: 40 | REC: 4 | Pros: 3 | Probio: 36
NIGHT | HP: 1080/1080 | EN: 112/146 | DMG: 21 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 4 | MIT: 44 | LD: 9 | BH+HB: 108 | FLN/HLY: 16 | Stealth Rating: 6 | DOTE: 3/3

 

[Morningstar 0]

He shrugged, tumbling below another loose fireball. "I don't want to be the dog. I didn't want to be the scarecrow either. For the record, I auditioned to play the wizard."

Between his attacks and NIGHT's, the Wicked Witch of the West fell, melting at the sting of their swords. His memory was a little foggy but that part of the story evaded him. What did Dorothy use again? He was pretty sure it was not a sword.

A portal opened up at the base of the stairs, circular and filled with a kaleidoscope-esque pattern. It would take them home, he figured—or rather, return them to the Forest of Memories. Yet, the castle still went higher, and while Morningstar was satisfied with the Witch's Brew that had dropped, there was sure to be more worth uncovering on the floors above.

He pointed his sword at the next level of stairs. "Yes?"

Spoiler

DOTs | 40 + 48 = 88 DMG | -> Witch of the West

POST ACTION | TECH-D

ID220682 | cd8 | +4 EN
ID220681 | bd8 +6+1-1 = 8 | -> Witch of the West

12+3 -2-1 = 12 EN

28 x 16 = 448 DMG
448 - 55 = 393 DMG

[2, 2] Witch of the West | HP: 0/1200 | DMG: 150 (Minimum: 100 after MIT) | MIT: 75 55 | ACC: 0 -1 | Frostbite: 40 (0/2) | Bleed: 48 (0/3) | Shatter: -20 MIT (1/3) | StunImm[P]: 1/3

Potion of Fireball | On a natural MD 9, the Witch of the West throws a vial of swirling flames the sprays to affect the entire party, engulfing them in fire. This ability automatically hits and deals 120 AoE damage, then applies T3 Burn to each target for 2 turns.
Poisoned Dagger | On a natural MD 10, the Witch of the West paralyzes her target for one turn.  The target is also poisoned, taking 20 unmitigatable damage per turn for 3 turns.
Unnatural Swiftness | When the Witch of the West's health is reduced to 400 HP or less, she will drink a potion as a Free Action on her next turn. This potion grants her EVA 3 for the rest of the fight.

Morningstar | HP: 828/828 | EN: 86/110 | DMG: 28 | MIT: 60 | EVA: 6 | ACC: 6 | BH: 39 | LD: 8 (9) | BLD: 48 | FB: 40 | REC: 4 | Pros: 3 | Probio: 36
NIGHT | HP: 1080/1080 | EN: 112/146 | DMG: 21 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 4 | MIT: 44 | LD: 9 | BH+HB: 108 | FLN/HLY: 16 | Stealth Rating: 6 | DOTE: 3/3

LOOTING

ID220683 | cd12 | ld3 +9 = 12
(1200*6) + (1200*2) = 9,600 col
2 materials
T4 Rare Armor/Shield | ID220683

 

Edited March 24 by Morningstar

[NIGHT 0]

night hummed, surprised, and stumbled back once the witch had fallen. nothing but ashes -- just like the books. but given that star hadn't moved through the portal home yet, she steeled herself to pay attention: her companion was directing her upstairs.

they never did explore the rest of the castle, so surely it begged the question of what it must've been for.

"i never took you to be interested in exploration," she replied, arms folded. "but then again, i never took anyone else to be interested in doing more work than what was necessary, either." still, she strolled forward, taking the lead on their ascension upwards.

in the original tale, there were a lot more enemies the witch had sent out against the tinman, scarecrow and lion. for elphaba, she recalled, there wasn't anyone else she was sure was kept captive on purpose. experiments from the wizard at best, but no more.

"they put you as the scarecrow anyway." night spoke aloud, almost to beat back the fear of being in the dark while going through the stairwell. "out of pity, you figure?"

Spoiler

consuming the following and updating stats:

• liquor of light | dmg iii
• breakfast fry | protein ii
• smores | eva ii
• berry crumb bars | ld iii
• mousse | prosp iii

NIGHT | HP: 1080/1080 | EN: 146/146 | DMG: 26 | ACC: 7 | EVA: 6 | LD: 12 | BH+HB: 108 | FLN/HLY: 16 | PROSP: 3

 

[Morningstar 0]

He was a tad astonished that she hadn't favored the portal. "Exploration's kind of my whole thing," he admitted, following her up the stairwell. He wondered if others had explored the rest of the castle before them, or if they were the first to think of it. In any other game, it might have been a given. When lives were at stake, it was logical to take what you came for and get the hell out, without wasting time or energy.

But that was boring.

His eyes widened dramatically and his mouth formed a perfect 'O'. "Wow," He shook his head at her lack of confidence in his acting abilities. "I'll have you know that I did a good job as the scarecrow."

Before he could point out anything else, they had reached the next story. Aimlessly wandering like zombies were four short... people? They had yellow hair—not to be mistaken with blonde hair—and their eyes had a purple hue to them. Their expressions were emotionless, as if they weren't completely conscious. They were also rather short. Aside from their absurd physical features and strange bright gowns, Morningstar noticed that they each carried a freshly sharpened dagger.

One noticed him and charged forwards. He tackled it to the ground and the knife in its hand flew to the side. He zigzagged to the rest, setting up a path for NIGHT to follow.

Spoiler

Morningstar uses Random Dungeon Map #220215

POST ACTION | TECH-F

ID220688 | cd8 | +4 EN
ID220689 | bd2 +6-1= 7 | -> Bewitched Winkie 1
ID220691 | bd4 +6-1 = 9 | -> Bewitched Winkie 2
ID220693 | bd4 +6-1 = 9 | -> Bewitched Winkie 3
ID220694 | bd6 +6-1 = 11 | -> Bewitched Winkie 4

8+3 +2*4 -2-1 = 16 EN

28 x 12 = 336 DMG
336 - 60 = 276 DMG

[1,0]Bewitched Winkie 1 | HP: 124/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1
[1,0]Bewitched Winkie 2 | HP: 124/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1
[1,0]Bewitched Winkie 3 | HP: 124/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1
[1,0]Bewitched Winkie 4 | HP: 124/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1

Morningstar | HP: 828/828 | EN: 86/110 | DMG: 28 | MIT: 60 | EVA: 6 | ACC: 6 | BH: 39 | LD: 8 (9) | BLD: 48 | FB: 40 | REC: 4 | Pros: 3 | Probio: 36
NIGHT | HP: 1080/1080 | EN: 146/146 | DMG: 26 | ACC: 7 | EVA: 6 | LD: 12 | BH+HB: 108 | FLN/HLY: 16 | PROSP: 3

 

Edited March 24 by Morningstar

[NIGHT 0]

"oh yeah?" it wasn't as though she was disinterested, even if she sounded to be as such. rather, small talk like this wasn't exactly comfortable for night to handle, and behind that calmness was a mind constantly active, hard at work. most would've followed the statement up immediately with a better response, but there was a long pause before she added, "where've you been?"

lackluster. night tried not to look at star when she said that, nor her accidental offense towards him. big oopsies. she only shrugged. "you're going to have to tell me more about this wizard of oz on broadway, fiyero. was it a musical or a play? doesn't the scarecrow get more screentime than the wizard, or am i getting that the other way around?"

there wasn't time for them to get complacent, even though night had already sunk into that mentality. munchkins? no, she wasn't sure of who'd they encountered. but when the party drew their attention, it wasn't fair not to be hostile against them. they started it first, night reasoned, dissatisfied about ending them without negotiations.

Spoiler

POST ACTION | AOE-I

ID220695 | bd5+7-1= 11 | -> Winkie #1
ID220696 | bd8+7-1= 12 | -> Winkie #2
ID220697 | bd5+7-1= 11 | -> Winkie #3
ID220698 | bd2+7-1 = 8 | -> Winkie #4

15 + (2*4) -2-4 = 17 EN

26 * 15 = 390 DMG
390 - 60 = 330 DMG

 

[1,0]Bewitched Winkie 1 | HP: 124/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1
[1,0]Bewitched Winkie 2 | HP: 124/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1
[1,0]Bewitched Winkie 3 | HP: 124/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1
[1,0]Bewitched Winkie 4 | HP: 124/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1

Morningstar | HP: 828/828 | EN: 86/110 | DMG: 28 | MIT: 60 | EVA: 6 | ACC: 6 | BH: 39 | LD: 8 (9) | BLD: 48 | FB: 40 | REC: 4 | Pros: 3 | Probio: 36
NIGHT | HP: 1080/1080 | EN: 96/146 | DMG: 26 | ACC: 7 | EVA: 6 | LD: 12 | BH+HB: 108 | FLN/HLY: 16 | PROSP: 3

 

ID: 220702 | LD: 13 (4, +9) | CD: 7 (7, +0) | 3,360col, Tier 4 Materials (2), Tier 4 Rare Weapon (1), Tier 4 Uncommon Consumable (1)
ID: 220701 | LD: 19 (10, +9) | CD: 8 (8, +0) | 4,200col, Tier 4 Perfect Armor (1), Tier 4 Perfect Trinket (1)
ID: 220700 | LD: 28 (19, +9) | CD: 3 (3, +0) | 2,520col, Tier 4 Materials (4), Tier 4 Perfect Consumable (2), Tier 4 Perfect Armor (2)
ID: 220699 | LD: 21 (12, +9) | CD: 12 (12, +0) | 6,300col, Tier 4 Perfect Trinket (1)

TOTAL COL: 16,380
MATERIALS: 6

Tier 4 Perfect Armor (3) | [220701] | [220700a] | [220700b]
Tier 4 Perfect Consumable (2) | [220700a] | [220700b]
Tier 4 Perfect Trinket (2) | [220701] | [220699]
Tier 4 Rare Weapon (1) | [220702]
Tier 4 Uncommon Consumable (1) | [220702]