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[PP-F22] Time to return | <<Witch of the West>>


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Posted (edited)

As normally, Zandra woke up by the sun hitting her eyes thru the bedroom-window in her mansion on the 22nd floor. She blinked a few times before she sat up on the edge. She took a deep sigh. So there another day starts in the death-game Aincrad. Another day, where she had no idea what to do. She threw herself back on the bed. Still the other side was empty.

''When will he come back?'' She said to herself with a sad tone. The man that should be on the other side have been gone for so long by now, she have started getting used to it. Probably he had just dumped her, finding a better girl to be with. She have given up quite long time ago. Even stopped sending him any mails.

''No Zan!!'' she just said with a determined voice as she suddenly sat up again. ''You need to take yourself together!'' she continued. No, this would be the day. The day she getting back into what she have done for so long. After all, she maybe had been slacking off, but she still was a frontliner. There have been this huge update that have changed so much which have partly been the reason she had slacked off. She didnt had full knowledge off how it worked nowadays. That was when the thought reminded her, On her latest quest, well the only quest she had done in she didnt knew how many months, Freyd had said he could help her with that. She opened her screen and quickly sent away a letter to him. Now it was time, time to get her back into business.

 

Hello Freyd.

Hope everything is fine with you. When we did that doggo quest, you mentioned
you could help me get back into how stats and party building works nowadays.
Just gonna check if offer still open and if yes, when you have time? Myself Im
ready anytime.

-Z

 

After that, she headed into town to check out if there possibly was any fitting quests. There was still a chance he didnt wanted to help her, it had been quite a long time since the last time, had been a bit unrespectful. Still, if she got a no, she was gonna get back into business. It wasnt like she was used to doing solo-quests anyway she thougth with a giggle as she followed the dirt road towards the main settlement Coral.

 

Stats:

Spoiler

Name: Zandra
Level: 33
Paragon level: 67
HP: 980 (920(level)+60(armor mod)) 920 13 SP=65+165=230
Energy: 110 (110(level))
Damage: 18 (1(base)+7(2h-skill)+8(combat mastery)+2(Ferocity))
Mitigation: 135 (40(skill)+15(addon)+48(armor mit)+32(flame aura))
Defensive dmg: 16 (16(flame aura))
Accuracy: 1 (1(Precision))
Fallen: 16 (16(Axe))
Burn: 56 (8-10) (56(8-10)(Axe)) 

Skills:

Axe r5
-Precision
-Ferocity
Heavy armor r5
-Iron skin
Combat mastery: Damage r2
Healing familiar
[SHIFT] AoE

Mods:

-Purify
-Energize [Hyperactive]
-Barrier
-Steadfast
-Impetus

Equipment:

-Teseleths fury: t4 Axe [+2 Fallen][+2 Burn]
-Inferno: t4 Hvy armor [+2 Flame aura][+2 mitigation]
-Santas cloak: t3 Light armor [+Never-freeze][+Anti-paralyze][+20% Life mend]

Extra skills:

-First Aid r5 [Field Medic]
-First Aid r5
-Leadership r5
-Leadership r5

Battle ready inventory:

-Energizing Eclipse Armor: t3 Hvy armor [+27 Mitigation][+6 Recovery]
-Handwraps of accuracy: t1 Trinket [+3 ACC]
-5x mass heal crystal
-Horn of the unicorn
-Amphibian war rally
-True-light lantern: [+1 LD][+1 ACC] to everyone in party
-
-Dimensional backpack
-Dimensional pouch

Guild hall/house buff

-Col Despoit: +5% bonus col drop
-Well rested: -1 energy cost 3 first expenditures/combat
-Squeaky clean: -25% DoT dmg from first DoT attack/thread
-Hard working: +2 Crafting EXP and +1 attempt/day
-Practiced angler: +2 EXP fishing, +1 LD & CD to fishing attempts
-Delicious: Turn 3 food into a 6player-feast
-Mega slime farm: +10% EXP one thread/month
-Filling: +1 t1 slot to a food buff
-Item stash: +1 BR inventory slot
-Relaxed: +20 HP ooc regen, energy full refill 2 posts
-Col stash: +5% col from monster kills and treasure chests

Quest: Witch of the West

Edited by Zandra
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Posted (edited)

It was that time again.  Flocks of winged monkey-folk blotted out the skies overhead as Freyd made his way silently to the outskirts of the Forest of Memories.  Firm Anima's guild hall was located within the woods and occasionally required someone to clear out the pesky neighbours.  Most prominent among them was the Witch of the West - not quite the green-skinned hag of Oz, but equally noxious in her manner.  Her airborne servants were even worse, tossing about their waste like it was some sort of confetti.  The woods literally stank when their numbers reached a certain critical mass, then culling was required.  Freyd had drawn the short straw, this time, meaning it was his turn to purge the mobs from the area and hand what's-her-face her latest respawn.  

"Why can I never remember her name?"  Did she even have one?  A memory picked away at the edges of his mind, making him think he might have heard it once.  No matter.  Just about to break cover, he paused upon notification of an incoming message.  "Zandra?  Heh.  I wasn't sure if she'd actually take me up on my offer.  Glad she did.  We should really get to know each other better if we're going to keep joining raids together."  

Other than brief bouts of shared combat, the Whisper knew relatively little about the veteran frontliners.  Given the current state of that group, it seemed wise to change that.  If another raid was to be called soon, every participant might count.  

To: Zandra
From: Freyd

The offer stands.  I'm about to clean house at the Witch of the West's tower.  Map coordinates and party invite will follow.  Bring your gear.  I can cover the ACC buffs.  Looking forward to this.

Cheers.

Nestling back into the underbrush, he'd wait until she arrived.  Zandra's zeal always shone through in combat.  Maybe one-on-one, he might learn a little bit more about the woman he'd once heard called the 'berserker healer.'

***

Freyd consumes:

Gugnir’s Shard (Untradeable/Unique/Reusable Consumable): Crème Brûlée Tray | ACC 2 | Feast (6/6) - 1 portion.  Filled. Shares rest with party.
Armageddon Juice (Potion) | Damage 3 | 197123

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.

Freyd | HP: 1180/1180 | EN: 156/156 | DMG: 24 | MIT: 45 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 6 | BH: 64 | LD: 6 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | REC: 8 | V.D.: 129

Spoiler

Freyd, The Whisper in Shadows
Level: 33
Paragon Level: 130
HP: 1180/1180
EN: 156/156

Stats:
Damage: 21+3
Mitigation: 45
Evasion: 4
Accuracy: 3+2+1
Battle Healing: 64
Loot Dice: 6
FLN: 16
HLY: 16
REC: 8
V.D.: 129

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: Samael's Pride | T4 MA | FLN 2 | HLY 2  
Armor: Black Cowled Traveling Garb | T4 CA | VD 2 | REC 2
Misc: Fight O'er Flight (ACC 2 | EVA 2)

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
Forgotten King’s Authority
Hiding R4

Inactive Extra Skills:
Meditation
Frozen Hide
Brawler
Photosynthesize

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: The Thing Behind All Lies (T4 Demonic MA, AA, Blight, Static, Para.Ven (Off))    x1
EWL:  Shadowed Rose (ACC 3 | Para.Imm.) 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 | 576XP                                         

 

Edited by Freyd
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She didnt had far left to Coral when she heard a notification. With a few, quick swipes in the air she had opened it, it was a reply from Freyd. Her eyes quickly swiped thru it. ‘’Heck yeah!’’ it seemed he hadnt forgot the offer as well as it was still standing. It even seemed he was gonna do a quest on her home-floor. She took a turn away from the path she was taking towards Coral before the mail came. While she followed the coordinates Freyd had sent she accepted the party invite and opened up the inventory. ‘’Well, it is time for you to work again.’’ she said as the two-handed, doubeledged axe Teseleth’s fury pixelated in the air. She threw it in the air and gripped it, raising it high with one hand. ‘’It is time for the Berserk Healer to return!’’ she shouted with fire burning in her crimson eyes. A couple of seconds later she realised the embarrassing thing she had just done and quickly scanned around her. Luckily it seemed she was alone. With a sigh of relief she pretended like nothing had happened and continue walking down the path, her focus was back on the screen to sort her battle ready inventory, and equipping her trusted heavy armor Inferno.

As she got closer she started to search the area with her eyes after Freyd. But she couldnt see anyone. Had he just tricked her? Giving her some random coordinates. But when she got closer she could spot him. ‘’Well hello there.’’ she said with a wave as she walked up to him. ‘’Thanks for last time, how have you been?’’ she started politely. ‘’I'm glad the offer was still up.’’

Consumes:
-Gugnir’s Shard (Untradeable/Unique/Reusable Consumable): Crème Brûlée Tray | ACC 2 | Feast (6/6) - takes 1 portion [filled]
Total: +3 ACC

Zandra | HP: 980/980 | EN: 110/110 | DMG: 18 | MIT: 135 | FLM.AUR. 16 | ACC 4 | FLN 16 | BRN 56 | MENDING 20% | FRZ-IM | PARA-IM

Edited by Zandra
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Raising a solitary finger to his lips, a smile perched upon mouth and eyes alike, Freyd acknowledged her arrival with an added nod.

"Always glad to help," whispered the Whisper.  "Things have been good.  Surprisingly good," he added with emphasis.  Renown for his persistently stern glare, it was unusual to see Freyd so seemingly relaxed and genuinely... happy?  Life was riding high, lately, and he was determined to enjoy the wave while it lasted.

"We haven't had many opportunities to get to know each other, and with another raid on the horizon it seemed like a good idea.  Besides, I make it a point to assist anyone I can."  Sparing a moment to check the skies from their hidden vantage, Freyd didn't want to get caught off guard by flying monkey business.  "Was there something in particular you were looking to clarify?  You'd mentioned feeling out of touch with stats and party building.  Hrm.  Maybe I should ask your profession first?  It might help me provide some context starting on more familiar ground."

Surveying her equipment with a practiced appraiser's eye, a subtle furring of his brow signaled momentary confusion.  "Are you wearing two sets of armor?"

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Seemed like everything was good with Freyd, and he also went straight to business. ‘’Hmm.’’ she said with a lowered voice. ‘’Basically I want to go down the support role path. The thing is that I am not sure if it is really wanted or needed in boss fights nowadays. I do have picked up all First aid and leadership skills, mods and addons. Is there any other support players and how are they doing? Or is it  more needed with dps or tank builds?’’ she said as an answer to if there was something particular she wanted to know. ‘’Thou I dont mind any other information, the more one knows the better right.’’ She gave the man a smile. ‘’Thats true indeed, havent hanged out alot. I guess there is a new frontline squad compared to when I was more active. I have been slacking off for quite awhile.’’ then she raised her eyebrows as she started replying. ‘’If I am wearing two sets of armor? I am sorry, dont get what you mean.’’

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"Hrm."  He seemed to ponder for a moment, a hand wrapped in cloth darkest than blackest night drawing long slender fingers to his chin. 

"I know a few excellent supports: Hirru and Shiina jumping to the top of the list.  Both lean heavy into healing and leadership arts, wearing heavy armor for resilience.  They're as tough as tanks - giving even Shield a run for his money - but they don't generate any hate.  Catch is that they literally can't deal any damage.  Both are invaluable in a raid, but I'd personally struggle with sitting on the sidelines to that extent.  To each their own, I guess.  Their contributions are always hugely helpful.  Hirru really turned the tide for us in the last raid."  Images of Wushen's massive draconic form wreathed in elemental lightning flashes to mind.

"You strike me as if you're trying to be a mix of everything right now: damage, healing and tank. I get it. This used to be possible, but most of Cardinal's recent changes make that near impossible.  You can be decent at all three, but you won't really be very good at any of them as a result.  Pick one as a focus, and another to grow into, or mix and match as a hybrid."  Freyd blinked, realizing that he'd just launched into some sort of monologue without ever intending it.

"Heh.  Sorry.  I spend a lot of time trying to understand Cardinal's machinations.  Knowing the system can help us beat it.  At least, that's the working theory."

To her last question, he pointed to her cloak and jacket.  "Those both read as different forms of armor. I'm an appraiser by trade and tend to keep a fairly close eye on what sort of gear others are sporting. It helps refine the art and help me understand others' builds.  You're not the first I've seen do that, but it's become rarer since some of the code exploits were plugged."

Sparing another glance skyward, he saw that they remained safely hidden for the time being.

"Was that helpful? Not really sure how best to provide you with feedback or advice without knowing your intentions. Where do you want to see yourself?"

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Zandra sat in silence, listening to Freyds explanations, nodding from time to time to show that she got what he meant and still listened interestlingy.

''Yeah, Hirru have passed my lab and order a big order. Kept me busy for many days.’’ she said as she remembered the Jade Hunters order of over 100 items. ‘’It is nice to hear that he is doing good. So I take that as support players actually have a useful spot in the fights now.’’ she continued as her mind started processing what Freyd just had told her.

''Well yeah, guess it can look like that at the moment. But no, I am not trying to be a mix of everything. Back before I got into this death game, I often had the support or healing role in games. But in my early days here, support was not an option. I mean, the only way to support others was with mass heal crystals. That was the reason I picked up the Alchemy profession line.’’ Memories of nostalgic alchemy days popped up in her mid, when her laboratory was just a cart, that also worked as her home. Then she continued. ‘’So I kept on the road as a damage dealer. I do wanna go the support path thou, been planning to maybe reset some of my skills, but since Ive been slacking off, I wanted to check with someone that have kept up with changes as stuff. Maybe should have asked Hirru instead?’’

She looked down on her black heavy armor, that had been with her thru so much. ‘’Yeah, I have always been a heavy armor user, ever since my earliest quests. Then this cloak.’’ she grabbed the santa cloak. ‘’It is a boss drop, and I am using it since it do have two slots of life mend and immunity to freeze and paralyze. So combined with Steadfast, it will make the party Im in immune to those. Would be great with the bleed and burning immunities as well. Which is next on my todo list. The cloak dropped as light armor, so yeah, they are different.’’

Zandra gave him a smile and a few nods. ‘’It have been pretty helpful. Hope I have explained good enough, but I would like to see myself as a support or healer. Taking a discussion with someone about what would be the best way to go.’’

Zandra followed his glance to the sky, ‘’This is one of the few quests I actually have not done, are we waiting for them or will it start when we advance further?’’

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"I'm fairly certain that you and Hirru are very close to the same level, so it should be easy for you to mimic his build.  The Jade Hunter is a generous, friendly sort.  I'm sure he'd be happy to open up and share his thoughts, and you likely have a little time yet, before the raid, to rebuild whatever you might need.  I may be able to help out with any gear components, if you need them, being an appraiser.  You'll find my shop in Angel Point, or can always just send me a message with what you requirements.  I keep way more stuff around than I need for myself."

Glancing skyward again, Freyd grinned just as Zandra asked what they were waiting for.  Holding up a dusty old tome in his off hand, he points to a darkening horizon with the other.  

"That."  It looked like a rapidly approaching storm, but with a greenish, unnatural tinge. "It's our ticket to starting the assault on the tower.  This is gonna sound a little crazy, but we need to jump into a tornado to enter the instance that surrounds the quest.  Otherwise, you can fight flying monkeys forever, but never actually close the distance.  Not fun, believe me.  I once spent an hour trying to grind my way through.  What a bloody mess that was."  Cringing at the memory, Freyd had tested the limits of this quest many times, mostly out of curiosity, or even boredom.  It being so close to his guild hall made it a natural choice.  Stubbornness might also have been a factor.

"Okay.  Here it comes.  We'll get attacked almost instantly on the other side, so stand ready."

Winds ripped through the surrounding woods as clouds spiraled overhead with increasing speed, a funnel forming remarkably fast and touching down only a few dozen yards away.

"GO!"  Like a lunatic, Freyd rushed toward the churning vortex of destruction, diving in at the last second, only to be swept up his into the sky.  He was either telling the truth, or completely off his rocker.

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Zandra sat in silence as she listened to Freyd. He seemed to thought that taking contact with Hirru would be a good idea as well. So she would probably put that on her calender for tomorrow, at least send him a mail. She tried to remember if she had ever visited his appraising shop, couldnt get a memory off it thou. It wouldnt be strange either since ever since she had met Anise, she had been a customer to her. But she havent herd anything from Anise in a long time, didnt even knew if she was still alive. Take a visit at his place would probably not be a bad thing to do. At least a look wouldnt hurt.

What he said next made her turn her head and looking straight at him after she had followed what he had been pointing on. She wasnt sure she had been hearing correctly. ‘’Wait, hold on. Are you saying we shall just jump into…’’ she never finished her sentence because she suddenly got interrupted when Freyd rushed toward the churning vortex of destruction. Zandra just still sat in their hiding place as she had been totally stunned by the sudden action. It took a few moments before she had gathered her thoughts and darted out after him. She activated her charge skill to catch up to him. ‘’Right, I dont have that anymore.’’ she said to herself as she remembered she had abandoned it. ‘’Guess nothing will be like before.’’

At least she close enough that she could still spot her partymemeber as she darted into the the tornado that carried them towards a castle. As she saw the other half of her group landing amongst a small group of weird looking humanoids she took a steady grip of her axe. They was blue and humanoids, probably those monkeys he had mentioned. A quick count got it to half a dozen. Was probably no sweat for them. She charged up one of her attacks as she landed beside Freyd. A big smile on her face as she felt the joy of combat starting to build up in her. ‘’Hehe, havent you cleared the landing spot of monkeys yet? Guess I should let my axe do some talking before going down the supportive path.’’ she said as she released the attack on them. She maybe didnt have charge anymore, but she could unleash fury upon her enemies.

Post Action | AoE-I (11+6(3*2)-1=16 Energy, x15 multiplier) 
Free Action | None

ID #223803 | BD: 5+4=9 Hit! 18*15=270-35=235 DMG to Elite Flying Monkey 1. 
ID #223804 | BD: 6+4=10 Hit! 18+16=34*15=510-35=475 DMG to Elite Flying Monkey 2. 
ID #223805 | BD: 1+4=5 Miss! 0 DMG to Flying Monkey 1. 
ID #223806 | BD: 6+4=10 Hit! 18+16=34*15=510-20=490 DMG to Flying Monkey 2. 

Zandra | HP: 980/980 | EN: 94/110 | DMG: 18 | MIT: 135 | FLM.AUR. 16 | ACC 4 | FLN 16 | BRN 56 | MENDING 20% | FRZ-IM | PARA-IM
Freyd | HP: 1180/1180 | EN: 156/156 | DMG: 24 | MIT: 45 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 6 | BH: 64 | LD: 6 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | REC: 8 | V.D.: 129

(0,0) Elite Flying Monkey 1 | HP: 0/220 | DMG: 90(Minimum 45) | MIT: 35
(0,0) Elite Flying Monkey 2 | HP: 0/220 | DMG: 90(Minimum 45) | MIT: 35
(0,0) Flying Monkey 1 | HP: 150/150 | DMG: 70(Minimum 35) | MIT: 20
(0,0) Flying Monkey 2 | HP: 0/150 | DMG: 70(Minimum 35) | MIT: 20
(0,0) Flying Monkey 3 | HP: 150/150 | DMG: 70(Minimum 35) | MIT: 20
(0,0) Flying Monkey 4 | HP: 150/150 | DMG: 70(Minimum 35) | MIT: 20

Edited by Zandra
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Tumbling out of the vortex, Freyd took advantage of the added momentum, hurtling through the front ranks of monkey folk attempting to block their path.  Mobs exploded left right and centre until their phalanx crumpled under the weight of the assault, leaving only a few stragglers.  Emerging from the storm, moments later, mopping most of them up with a decisive axe swipe that splattered their shards ignobly into  the wind. 

‘’Hehe, havent you cleared the landing spot of monkeys yet? Guess I should let my axe do some talking before going down the supportive path.’

Blinking twice, and about to protest, Freyd just laughed the comment off as a quirk of circumstance and delayed arrival.  He wasn't here to prove anything, and Zandra's playful banter helped lighten the mood.  Grabbing one of the few remaining mobs, a twist, flip and throw sent it crashing into the only other survivor, scattering them like pins behind a furious bowling ball.  Dozens more remained in the skies, too frightened by what they had just witnessed to dare come anywhere close to the ground.  Freyd took the opportunity to lead Zandra to the tower door, chatting with her as they went.

"Yeah.  That axe of yours really does the trick.  Does it have a story behind it?  I vaguely recall Teseleth being a name I should recognize."  

***

Note: Players cannot spawn more than 4 mobs at a time unless expressly required by a quest.  Flying Monkeys #3 and #4 are considered to have arrived in this post after Zandra wasted their buddies.  FYI.

Spoiler

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

ID #223851 | BD: 3+6=9 (hit).  DMG (15*24=360-20=340) to Flying Monkey 1. Dies.
ID #223852 | BD: 7+6=13 (hit, Fallen +16).  DMG (15*40=600-20=580) to Flying Monkey 3. Dies.
ID #223853 | BD: 3+6=9 (hit).  DMG (15*24=360-20=340) to Flying Monkey 4. Dies.

Zandra | HP: 980/980 | EN: 94/110 | DMG: 18 | MIT: 135 | FLM.AUR. 16 | ACC 4 | FLN 16 | BRN 56 | MENDING 20% | FRZ-IM | PARA-IM
Freyd | HP: 1180/1180 | EN: 142/156 (156-14) | DMG: 24 | MIT: 45 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 6 | BH: 64 | LD: 6 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | REC: 8 | V.D.: 129

(0,2) Flying Monkey 1 | HP: 0/150 | DMG: 70(Minimum 35) | MIT: 20 (150-340)
(0,2) Flying Monkey 3 | HP: 0/150 | DMG: 70(Minimum 35) | MIT: 20 (150-580)
(0,2) Flying Monkey 4 | HP: 0/150 | DMG: 70(Minimum 35) | MIT: 20 (150-340)

Note: All mobs below loot minimum threshold.

Edited by Freyd
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Freyd made quick work of the few blue humanoids that was still stupid enough to come close to the party. Just as her, he also easily cleared them out with some quick bowling. She totally didnt doubted he wasnt kidding when he mentioned he had spent an hour, just keeping up slaying blue monkeys. Zandra had let Teseleths fury do the talking, still she got a little surprised by the question he followed up after his attack. She looked back at the almost completly black axe. A smile on her face as she looked on it like she was looking at something far away. ‘’Yeah, Teseleth is the dragon we slayed while paving the way to floor twentytwo. He was a great opponent and we had a great fight. Luckily for me, I landed the final strike on it, getting the boss-drop from him. But yeah...’’ she held out one of her arms like showing her dragon-themed armor. ‘’...that cave was way to small for two dragons.’’ She looked towards where they had entered this floor back on the day of the fall of Teseleth. ‘’Hehe, and ever since that day, it have been by my side. Just as these.’’ she followed up with a quick flip on the cloak as well. ‘’Was a good way to make sure I wont get frozen or paralyzed, and since my damage was filled, started building around the other unic enchantments on the cloak. Now thou, cant do that anymore, have to decide on role to cover Ive herd.’’ then she went back to the axe. ‘’Beeing support is something that is kind of a wanted thing. But this swing, getting remembered about the joy of fighting, I suddenly started feeling a little uncertain.’’ she continued with a slight pondering look in her crimson eyes.

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"It's really a choice, at the end of the day.  The more ways you try to specialize yourself, the less specialized you become.  Kinda makes sense, when you think about it.  At least you have the benefit of being high level, with a lot of points to spread around how you see fit.  It's much harder for newer players coming up, where every point counts."  After fiddling with the lock on the tower door for a minute, Freyd just gave up and channeled a sword art through a swift kick, blowing the unfortunate fixture to pieces.

"You can be decent at damage AND a support.  Just don't expect to be tops at either.  That sort of thing seems to matter for some.  I used to focus on AoE damage above anything else.  Then the last raid needed a tank.  Now I'm a damage dealing tank running around in pajamas."  Not quite, but is seemed an effective way to describe tanking in cloth armor, if you could even call it that.

Screeching from above matched a rain of explosive alchemical grenades thrown by the Witch herself, perched on a higher level in the tower.  This part was always a bit of a gauntlet, dodging fireballs while trying to get into range.  "Have you considered one of the new ranged builds?  I hear that's a thing now.  Teseleth's Howitzer has a nice ring to it!"

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"To be honest, I do prefer it beeing like that. The tank, dps and healer slash support system is a pretty good but didnt really work if one can be top damage dealer with no risk of going down. It is nice that they have released skills and stuff that giving tanks and supports more options." Zandra replied while thinking about all the different guild raids she had arranged back when the game she played was infront of a screen with a headset over her ears.

As they reached the entrance of the tower, he first started to fiddling with lock. Zandra smirked as he seemed to give up on trying to lockpicking it up, instead he went we the trusty way, using force. "Nice kick there mate." she said with a smirk. "Can always trust in force. I was also focused on aoe damage before the latest release. May sounds weird beeing a dagger user doing aoe damage, as from the start I actually was a dagger user. Beeing in pajamas sounds nice and comfy thou. It isnt that terrible, but if I shall be honest with you, this armor is not the most comfortable equipment in the game.'' she said with a wink.

"Huh? Ranged builds? This I have totally missed. Is there even ranged wea..." then she got interrupted in the middle of her sentence by a little boom. It was a grenade thrown from a platform a few floors above them. From where they was standing she could spot a black haired woman. "I guess that is the witch that is the quests target right?" a quick scan over their surrondings and she spotted some stairs leading up to the platform. "Last one up is a rotten egg." she said before she had her axe in a stady grip again and darted towards the stair leading up to the woman.

She felt her heart beating. It was so long time since she had been in a combat. Was it really this much fun? A smile on her face as she was charging up her sword art while not caring if any possible projectile would hit her. "Peak-a-boo!" she said to the witch as she released her swordart. Her axe got released again, it cleaved thru the woman and reduced her health by close to fifty percent.

Spoiler

Post Action | AoE-II (14+2(1*2)+2-1=17 Energy, x18 multiplier)

ID #223934 | BD: 6+4=10 Hit! Fallen triggered! 18+16=34*18=612-75=537 Damage to Witch of the west

Zandra | HP: 980/980 | EN: 77/110 | DMG: 18 | MIT: 135 | FLM.AUR. 16 | ACC 4 | FLN 16 | BRN 56 | MENDING 20% | FRZ-IM | PARA-IM
Freyd | HP: 1180/1180 | EN: 142/156 (156-14) | DMG: 24 | MIT: 45 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 6 | BH: 64 | LD: 6 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | REC: 8 | V.D.: 129

(1,0) Witch of the west | HP: 663/1200 | DMG: 150 (Minimum 75) | MIT: 75
-Potion of Fireball | on nat MD 9, auto hits 120 AoE damage and t3 burns to each target for 2 turns
-Poisioned Dagger | on nat MD 10, target is paralysed and takes 20 unmitigatable damage for 3 turns.
-Unnatural Swiftness | gets EVA 3 on her next turn after reaching 400HP or less. Lasts rest of the fight.

 

Edited by Zandra
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Backpedaling from Zandra's fiercesome strike, the witch stumbled suddenly as her own dress and cloak went taught as if pinned to the ground beneath her feet.

"Hurk!  What the...?!" 

Gazing down, she found only a small pool of shadow in the form of a mongoose, its piercing blue slotted eyes staring back at her smugly while its front paws held her clothes firmly in place.  A flick of the azure orbs teased the mob to look upward.  Brow furrowed with anger and confusion, arms tugging at her own collar to keep her from suffocating, the witch glanced upward only to see Freyd and his fist emerging from Zandra's shadow.  The latter smashed into the poor woman's face so hard that her entire head exploded into a mass of scintillating shards that sprayed across the far tower wall like an entire box of fireworks.  The rest of her body went limp and toppled onto the floor, spilling into fractal fragments like a spilled bag of marbles.  Freyd blinked, looking down sheepishly at his own fist.

"Hrm.  Uh.  That might have been a bit too hard, but it got the job done."

***

Spoiler

Freyd regains +4 EN
CD 2 (No REC proc) ID #223939

Post Action | AoE-I (x15, 11 EN, +2 shift, +2/hit): 15 EN - (Rested 2/2; Stamina) = 12 EN.  
Free Action [skill] | Grappling Familiar (CD 0/5)

ID #223937 | BD: 9 (Crit +2, Holy +16).  DMG (15*42=756-75=681).  Witch explodes.

Zandra | HP: 980/980 | EN: 94/110 | DMG: 18 | MIT: 135 | FLM.AUR. 16 | ACC 4 | FLN 16 | BRN 56 | MENDING 20% | FRZ-IM | PARA-IM
Freyd | HP: 1180/1180 | EN: 134/156 (142+4-12) | DMG: 24 | MIT: 45 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 6 | BH: 64 | LD: 6 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | REC: 8 | V.D.: 129

(1,3) Witch of the west | HP: 0/1200 | DMG: 150 (Minimum 75) | MIT: 75 (663-681)
-Potion of Fireball | on nat MD 9, auto hits 120 AoE damage and t3 burns to each target for 2 turns
-Poisioned Dagger | on nat MD 10, target is paralysed and takes 20 unmitigatable damage for 3 turns.
-Unnatural Swiftness | gets EVA 3 on her next turn after reaching 400HP or less. Lasts rest of the fight.

Loot Witch: ID #223938 | LD: 19+6+1=Z | CD: 8
+2 materials (+2 LD odd)
14400 col (HP[1200]*12 - incl. +2 CD even, +7 from roll)
T4 perfect weapon 223938a
T4 perfect weapon 223938b
T4 perfect weapon 223938c

Edited by Freyd
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Zandra felt a slight gust of wind beside her at the same time she saw a knit fist appearing and flying towards the witch. The punch striked the so called boss straigth in the face. The head bursted out in an explosion of crystals and Zandras smiling face letted out a short laugh as several of the crystals hitted her, like drips of blodd if it had been in real. "Haha, that was awesome. Dont think it was to hard, most of the time the harder the better after all." As the crystals had fully disapeared, sudddenly a portal appeared in her place. "I guess that is the way out of here?" She asked, pointing at the portal, before she was also adding. "You mentioned something about ranged builds, what do you mean with that? The closest I have been to that is back when I used a whip. It did give long range but was still melee weapon." 

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"I don't really know much about it, yet.  It's been making the rounds among the brokers and rumour mongers for a few days.  Sounds interesting, and might be a bit of a game changer.  Mobs have been able to pull off this sort of thing for a while.  Look at the witch lobbing potions at us.  I guess the system just took a while to rebalance and give us the option."  He flexed his fist again, evaluating the new mechanic's potential.  "I'm not likely to make any big changes myself.  These handwraps have already been a sword and a staff.  Kinda want to keep them the way they are at the moment."

Eying the portal, Freyd surveyed their vacant surroundings wondering why this quest had so little content.  It seemed trivially easy now, though perhaps his perspective was just too far removed.

"So, was this helpful at all?  I'm always available to discuss and help out, if you need anything more."

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Zandra listened to what Freyd had to say and then took a steady grip of her axe again. "Yeah, it sounded interesting, but I do think I am not gonna abandon Teseleths fury, not after all this time we have had together. Both dagger and whip was nice, but not sure if you also have same feeling but in one way, axe just feels right for me. At least now, maybe will change in future thou." She did a few swings thru the air, accidentally striking a wase that stood on a short piller. It shattared into a bunch of crystals before it faded away.

"Woopsie." she said before contiuing. "Well I am not sure." she said as she scratched her chin."The two fights made me kinda feel the enjoyment of fighting, doubting if I really wanna go to the supporting side. How is the need of the different roles at the moment? Is healers slash supporters needed, or is there others that have taken the role and covered it up?"

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"Supports shine in specific situations.  Sometimes, it's just all about smiting shit until it breaks."  He paused, pointing at the vase.  "But in a raid, or a really tough fight, you'll be glad to have someone with support skills on your side."  Rubbing his chin thoughfully, Freyd pondered what best advice to conclude with, given their conversation so far.  "It really seems to me like you want to be able to deal damage, with a bit of support capacity on the side.  That's not Hirru.  He's full support and couldn't hurt a boar unless it attacked him and thorns-ed itself to death." 

Her attachment to the axe was perfectly understandable.  Those kinds of memento were not easily cast aside, nor the familiarity with their fighting styles easily abandoned.

"Why not keep yourself DPS focused, with some basic mitigation, but lean into either first aid or leadership for support.  Don't do both.  Then, see how far that takes you?  Choose your mods and extra skills wisely."

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"It will be a little investment if I would abandon first aid or leadership. And going full support as it sounds like Hirru have done, that is one big downside, not beeing able to do any damage. As that is the path I would like to go. But then I am gonna have to find pals to go adventuring with if I would like doing quest. Where few quest one can complete with zero damage." Zandra mentioned as she had listened to what Freyd had told her. "But indeed, after following you on this, beating the monkeys and the witch, my memories about beeing a damage dealer came back. I think Im gonna have to check on next bigger event or fight to see how needed supporters are, to see what kind of role the front is in need of. Hirru may be a strong support, but if the raid is to big, it can be rough." she replied and finished off with question as she scratched her chin. "What kind of build journey have you been going? If its okay of me asking."

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Chuckling at the query, Freyd seemed hesitant to respond.  Not that he wouldn't, but that the answer was more complicated than it should have been.

"Truth is that my build is a bit of a mess at the moment.  I swapped a few things around to make it possible to tank against the last raid, but that really isn't my strong suit.  I'm getting by on raw numbers more than any special tactics or insights, which is likely to come back and bite me in the backside at some point.  You're not the only one who's trying to figure out what they want."  A smirk marked the irony.

"For the moment, my choice is to be what others need me to be.  There also isn't a whole lot of content left that I haven't been able to beat, at least until more get unlocked.  So, why not?"  It didn't feel like a good reason; more like a cheap excuse for the fact that he was faking it at tanking because all of the usual suspects had gone to ground.  Their only hope was that others might rise to take their place, or that the veterans might come out of retirement.  The mantle of tanking a raid wasn't one that sat comfortably.

"Maybe we've both come out of this with something more to think about.  Thank you for that.  I definitely miss the pure madness of just wading into combat to deal damage.  It was easy letting someone else take all the risk.  Probably too easy.  Now that I'm the one painting a bullseye on myself?  Let's just say that it changes your perspective."

***

Thread Closing:

Zandra receives:

5,273 EXP (Word Count [5397/10*10*0.7] + Quest [1500])
8,390 col (1 page [200] + Loot [7400] + 15% P5 Reward [790])
1x Witch’s Brew | Unique Consumable [potion] | Gain +1 to CD rolls for one thread, or for a day's allocation of crafting (including Crafting Respite)

Freyd receives:

6,414 EXP (Word Count [5397/10*17*0.7] + Quest [0])
8,562 col (1 page [200] + Loot [7400] + 15% P5 Reward [962])
2 Materials (Loot [2])
1x Witch’s Brew | Unique Consumable [potion] | Gain +1 to CD rolls for one thread, or for a day's allocation of crafting (including Crafting Respite)

T4 perfect weapon 223938a
T4 perfect weapon 223938b
T4 perfect weapon 223938c

Note: Looted col was split 50/50.

Edited by Freyd
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