Pinball 1 Posted August 11 #1 Share Posted August 11 (edited) <<USING: Mega Slime Farm>> <<USING: x1 Yui's Grace>> He'd popped a squat in front of the boss room, chowing down on a whole feast of consumables as he went over his notes. No special abilities. No evasion. Decent mitigation. He had a couple things for that, though. He took a large bite out of his Tofu Burger (the faster he finished the nasty thing, the better). Pinball kept reading. Immune to disablements -- that was the fancy way of saying Freeze, right? Stuns, Paralysis, those kinds of things. That was fine. Just meant he didn't use that knife, but the other two. No debuffs either, though. Unfortunate. He dipped Hellfire in poison and kept reading. Apparently in the lore, this guy was supposed to have been some crazy conquerer, coming back in death to destroy the people he'd once fought for. Tragic. Pinball honestly couldn't care less. He was here for the skill and the skill alone. The lore could come after, and could be enjoyed at home with a nice cup of tea. He dismissed his notes, finished his feast, and stood. The boss room, if you could call it that, was an endless expanse of water. The water came up to his ankles. There wasn't any roof that Pinball could see, and it seemed to be raining. Weird, considering how deep into the cave systems of Floor 21 he was. Way off in the distance, the only thing in sight other than the water and the rain, rose the throne of the Forgotten Time King. He sat with his head bowed, unmoving, slouched upon the jagged monolith of rock that was his royal seat. His hand firmly grasped a monstrous greatspear. Apparently his body hadn't gotten the memo... he was supposed to be dead. Consuming: x1 Evasion Cake: +2 EVA -> +3 EVA {FILLING} x1 Tofu Burger: +2 DMG (Protein) x1 Liquor of Might: +3 DMG (Potion) x1 Viperion (T3 Toxic Venom) - [24 TVM: 0/3] -> Applied to {Hellfire} Statblock -> Pinball: 800/800 HP | EN: 118/118 | DMG: 25 | 4 ACC | 6 EVA | BH: 44 | {Hellfire Equipped} Player Stats: Spoiler Level: 33 (Paragon Level 38) Health: 800 | Energy: 118 DMG: 20 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3 | BH: 44 Skills: Combat Skills: ► Battle Healing [30/30] ► Energist [8/8] ► Combat Mastery: Damage [13/13] Weapon Skills: ► Thrown Weapons [30/30] Utility Skills: ► Quick Change [8/8] Extra Skills: ► Disguise ► Survival ► Hiding [30/30] Familiar Skill: ► Rending Familiar [10/10] Armor Skills: ►N/A Modifiers: ► Sneak Attack: Trickster ► Vanish ► Emergency Recovery ► Untraceable Miscellaneous: ► +1 LD to Searching, Lockpicking, Treasure Chests (Paragon) ► Earn Col Equivalent to 15% of player’s EXP earned in a thread (Paragon) Inventory: »[Equipped] [Demonic] Hellfire: Burn, Bleed, Blight, Static »[Equipped] [Perfect] Warrior’s Focus: +3 ACC »[Equipped] [Perfect] Dragon Skin: +3 EVA Battle Ready: » [2x] Teleportation Crystal » [x5] Lacrimosa - HP Recovery III Crystal {Instant} » [Demonic TW] Cold Fervor: Freeze II, Phase, Cursed » [Demonic TW] Astral Blade: Holy, Fallen, Phase, Damage Housing Buffs: Spoiler Housing Buffs: Squeaky Clean: The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 25% (rounded down) Well Rested: -1 energy cost for the first three expenditures of each combat 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. Relaxed: Increases out of combatHP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts. Item Stash: +1 BR Slot Edited August 12 by Pinball Link to post Share on other sites
Pinball 1 Posted August 12 Author #2 Share Posted August 12 (edited) "Zomekko," he murmured. Ever loyal, his familiar emerged and enveloped him in suffocating shadow. Eventually the shadow sputtered out and dissipated, and Pinball was gone. For the moment, he was invisible to all those who weren't looking. Not that there was anyone who would be looking for him here. The rain fell. The water swirled at his feet. The throne, and the king for that matter, seemed to grow exponentially in size as he approached. Pinball was unfazed, but from an objective perspective, it was an intimidating sight. But he was totally confident in his abilities. That, and confident in the whole slew of raid consumables he'd downed before he'd even stepped foot in the room. He drew his knives. Immediately, black wormlike veins bulged from beneath his skin. A pretty trippy effect, considering he couldn't feel it -- it was a holdover from when the weapon had been cursed. How best to start the fight? He stood at the foot of the throne, and the foot of the monstrous man he was meant to slay. Stab his ankles? Throw a knife at his crotch? Best not to overthink it. Rolling Stealth - 225686 LD: 6+6= 12 {Hidden} Pinball: 800/800 HP | EN: 118/118 | DMG: 25 | 4 ACC | 6 EVA | BH: 44 | {Hellfire Equipped} | [HIDDEN] Edited August 12 by Pinball Link to post Share on other sites
Pinball 1 Posted August 12 Author #3 Share Posted August 12 (edited) He tested the weight of the knife in his hand, bouncing it in his palm. It was still a little surreal, having two weapons in his hands. A dagger, a spear, a sword, a knife... he'd used a variety of different weapons throughout his life in Aincrad, but somehow, these felt the most natural. He remembered doing tricks with his daggers back on the first floor for pocket change, back when he'd never left. Back when Lucy was still alive. Back when things were simpler. Memories of Lucy, Mishiro, the Emerald Harbingers, and everything after that came rushing back. He stood there for a moment, his head bowed, the rain wetting his hair and running down his cheeks. Well, enough reminiscing. It was time to wake the big guy up. Emerging from invisible shadow, three knives flew from his hand landing chest, neck, forehead, before shattering into hundreds of crystalline fractals. The damage was done and the king was roused. His cloak whipped at his back. He spun his knife away and produced another, swapping Hellfire for his Astral Blade. The golden knives shimmered pale in the gloom. Maintaining Stealth: ID#225958 LD: 10+6= 16 {Hidden} Combat: {Well Rested} Basic Attack, Sneak Attack!Trickster [-8 EN] - 1 DMG, [Applies DoT] ID#225689 BD: 7 (Hit) MD: 2+3= 5-6 = Miss Quick Change, {Hellfire} -> {Astral Blade} Pinball: 800/800 HP | EN: 110/118 | DMG: 25 | 4 ACC | 6 EVA | BH: 44 | {Hellfire Equipped} -> {Astral Blade Equipped} The Forgotten Time King: HP: 2,771/3,000 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 3 [56 BRN: ½] [48 BLD: ½] [32 BLT: ½] [40 STC: ½] [28 RND: ½] [24 TVM: ½] Edited August 13 by Pinball Link to post Share on other sites
Pinball 1 Posted August 12 Author #4 Share Posted August 12 (edited) The Forgotten King rose. Pinball watched, knife in hand. He was probably invulnerable for a moment as he stood, anyway. Pinball realized that he only came up to about the King's knees as he stood. But he'd cut down bigger and worse. Probably. The Forgotten King stared down at him, as one would an ant. Or a cockroach. Pinball flipped his knives in his hands, ready to throw another couple into his exposed chest -- but the sound of the monster's voice surprised him. "SUCH ANGER IN YOUR HEART." Jump. A little voice in his head told him to jump. Pinball leapt backwards, and it was a good thing that he did. In an instant, the Forgotten was on top of him. Lightning sparked from his weapon, from his dilapidated form, from the sky. The sparks connected and in the blink of an eye the weapon struck the earth, electrifying the water beneath him. As he flew backwards, Pinball swore he could taste the sparks. "IT WILL BE YOUR UNDOING." Pinball landed some several yards away with a small splash. His expression remained unbothered, if not a little annoyed. Great. It was one of those quests. Combat: {Well Rested} ST-I [BD 1, C.MISS] [-1 EN] ID#225699 BD: 1 (C.Miss) MD: 6-6= (MISS) Pinball: 800/800 HP | EN: 113/118 | DMG: 25 | 4 ACC | 6 EVA | BH: 44 | {Astral Blade Equipped} The Forgotten Time King: HP: 2,543/3,000 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 3 [56 BRN: ½] [48 BLD: 2/2] [32 BLT: 2/2] [40 STC: 2/2] [28 RND: 2/2] [24 TVM: 2/3] Edited August 12 by Pinball Link to post Share on other sites
Pinball 1 Posted August 12 Author #5 Share Posted August 12 (edited) The Forgotten Time King corrected his posture, maybe assessing Pinball as a threat. Pinbal twirled the knives in his hands, staring right back with an icy glare. Even though he'd come prepared, a few hits from a monster like this meant death. The knowledge was enough to start his heart hammering in his chest, ignite the blood roaring in his ears, have each and every atom that made up his very being hum with adrenaline. He waited for the King to move first. He stayed on the tip of his toes. He stayed reactionary. Instead, the ghoulish warrior spoke again. "YOU FIGHT UNARMORED... INTERESTING." The beast charged forward, spear extended in a wicked thrust. But Pinball was ready. He dodged with a swiftness, his cloak whipping behind him, and buried another four knives in the back of the forgotten king as he charged past. Still, Pinball was unfazed. He'd been through this whole song and dance before. The Forgotten King turned to face him once more, his voice like thunder. "FOR WHAT, I WONDER, IS THE REASON...?" Combat: {Well Rested} ST-I [-9 EN] - (BD 9) 25+8= 33*12= 396-100/2= 358 DMG ID#225702 BD: 9 (woop) MD: 7-6= 1 (Miss) Pinball: 800/800 HP | EN: 108/118 | DMG: 25 | 4 ACC | 6 EVA | BH: 44 | {Astral Blade Equipped} The Forgotten Time King: HP: 2,161/3,000 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 3 [24 TVM: 3/3] Edited August 12 by Pinball Link to post Share on other sites
Pinball 1 Posted August 12 Author #6 Share Posted August 12 (edited) Nevermind. If he was going to keep talking, Pinball was going to take the offensive. He gripped his knives in both hands and rushed forward at a blistering pace. As he got closer, he leapt several feet into the air, viciously hurling both knives into either shoulder of the forgotten king, where they found lethal purchase -- "AH... I UNDERSTAND." -- and as if punished for his recklessness, was gifted an opened stomach courtesy of Mr. Zombie's wicked spear. The force of the slash completely altered his trajectory, and Pinball was sent whipping backwards, the telltale red shards of an injury trailing behind him like the tail of a comet. He hit the wet earth and was set sprawling, but managed to come to on all fours. He stood and produced a healing crystal, crushed it, watched it do his work. Ugh. One hit had taken him down to nearly half his health. He couldn't afford to take more hits like that. Back to the original plan. Play defensive, play reactionary. The king-who-once-was had more words for him. "YOU ARE NOT UNLIKE THE BERSERKERS OF MY TIME. THOSE WHO CHARGED INTO BATTLE NAKED AND HOWLING LIKE BEASTS. THE MAD DOGS WHOSE THIRST FOR BLOOD WERE UNQUENCHABLE." He pointed at him. "BUT THAT'S NOT QUITE IT, IS IT?" Combat: ST-II [-13 EN] - (BD 9) 26+8= 34*15= 510-100/2= 460 DMG ID#225703 BD: 9 MD: 9 (276 DMG) Free Action -> Lacrimosa: HP III Recovery {Instant | 120 HP} Pinball: 644/800 HP | EN: 99/118 | DMG: 25 | 4 ACC | 6 EVA | BH: 44 | {Astral Blade Equipped} The Forgotten Time King: HP: 1,701/3,000 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 3 Edited August 12 by Pinball Link to post Share on other sites
Pinball 1 Posted August 12 Author #7 Share Posted August 12 (edited) "Zomekko." Shadows enveloped him and carried him away. The Forgotten Time King stood alone, and yet did not seem confused, or angry, or bothered. He stood as still as a statue, relaxed, as if to say, "Go on and hide, and run, and use your little tricks. I will remain here." Quick Change was off cooldown. He swapped his knives again. He tried to find a better angle. The king spoke. "NO... YOU ARE DIFFERENT." God almighty, was this guy going to talk the whole time? If he wanted to be psychoanalyzed while he fought for his life, he would have gone and done Calming the Soul instead. "BENEATH THE BLOOD LUST AND SAVAGERY, THEY FOUGHT FOR HONOR. FOR GLORY. FOR THE THRILL OF THE FIGHT. YOU DO NOT. YOU ARE SOMETHING ELSE. YOU ARE COLDER. YOU ARE SOMETHING ALTOGETHER MORE VILE AND WICKED." There was silence as the rain fell. Silence as Pinball crept around, lining up the perfect shot. Combat: Vanish [-5 EN] - Stealth ID#225731 LD: 17+6= 23 STEALTH Quick Change, {Astral Blade} -> {Hellfire} Pinball: 688/800 HP | EN: 98/118 | DMG: 25 | 4 ACC | 6 EVA | BH: 44 | {Hellfire Equipped} | [Stealth 23] The Forgotten Time King: HP: 1,701/3,000 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 3 Edited August 12 by Pinball Link to post Share on other sites
Pinball 1 Posted August 12 Author #8 Share Posted August 12 (edited) "YOU FIGHT FOR DEATH. YOU ARE LIKE ME. AND FOR THAT REASON ALONE, YOU ARE DAMNED." The black dagger sunk into the back of the king's head and he whirled around to face Pinball again, sweeping low and wide with his spear in a wild counterattack. Pinball deftly leapt out of the way, hurling three more knives into the soft, unarmored flesh of his enemy. The Forgotten Time King roared, and charged. Pinball was ready for him. The spear whistled overhead and Pinball slipped away, sliding across the water beneath the legs of the giant warrior. He twirled a new pair of daggers into his hands, ready for the follow up, but it didn't come. Instead, the Time King turned, empty sockets where eyes should glaring daggers at him. His next words reverberated in his ears, though they were croaked, not spoken. Was there a hint of regret in the forgotten king's voice? "THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WARRIOR AND A KILLER. A DIFFERENCE I, LIKE YOU, AM INTIMATELY FAMILIAR WITH." Maintaining Stealth: ID#225959 LD: 19+6= 25 {Hidden} Combat: Basic Attack, Sneak Attack!Trickster [-9 EN] - 1 DMG, [Applies DoTs] ID#225739 BD: 10 MD: 7-6= 1 (Miss) Pinball: 732/800 HP | EN: 93/118 | DMG: 25 | 4 ACC | 6 EVA | BH: 44 | {Hellfire Equipped} The Forgotten Time King: HP: 1,501/3,000 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 3 [56 BRN: ½] [48 BLD: ½] [32 BLT: ½] [40 STC: ½] [24 TVM: 1/3] Edited August 13 by Pinball Link to post Share on other sites
Pinball 1 Posted August 12 Author #9 Share Posted August 12 (edited) Maybe he was just deflecting, but Pinball was getting frustrated. He really didn't understand why every quest nowadays had to be a lesson in philosophy and morals. Who enjoyed this stuff? When he first ventured out of the starting city, quests were simple. Straightforward. "Oh no, my wagon is being attacked by wolves! Help!" Or, "There's a troll in the woods! If you kill him, I'll give you some of this sweet bread I made!" Lord, what he would give for some sweet bread right now. But Pinball didn't reply, he didn't flinch. He didn't let the creature's words cut him deep. They were meant to rattle him. To give him pause. They were programmed to. This time he didn't rush forward. The thing across from him didn't, either. He lumbered forward, his weapon down, his guard dropped, as if he was sharing some terrible knowledge of deep import. Great. That made it easier to keep his distance, hopping backwards, tossing a few more daggers at him. Making him his personal pincushion was, ironically, making him feel a little better about the whole thing. He didn't let himself read too deeply into that, either. "WHEN I RULED, I FOUGHT TO PROTECT MY KINGDOM. MY PEOPLE." Cool story, man. Pinball threw another dagger at him. It landed in his arm. The boss kept marching along. "WHEN I RETURNED, IT WAS TO SLAUGHTER THEM." The Forgotten King's pace quickened. "I DID SO. WITH RUTHLESS EFFICIENCY. WITH ABSOLUTE IMPARTIALITY. AND I ENJOYED EVERY. SINGLE. MOMENT." Combat: ST-I [-10 EN] - 25*12= 300-80= 220 DMG ID#225740 BD: 7 (HIT) MD: 8-6= 2 (Miss) Pinball: 776/800 HP | EN: 87/118 | DMG: 25 | 4 ACC | 6 EVA | BH: 44 | {Hellfire Equipped} The Forgotten Time King: HP: 1,081/3,000 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 3 [56 BRN: 2/2] [48 BLD: 2/2] [32 BLT: 2/2] [40 STC: 2/2] [24 TVM: 2/3] Edited August 12 by Pinball Link to post Share on other sites
Pinball 1 Posted August 12 Author #10 Share Posted August 12 (edited) Lord of Blood "OH, HOW THEY STRUGGLED IN VAIN! HOW EASILY THEIR HOPES WERE EXTINGUISHED! LIKE ANTS BENEATH MY BOOT! LIKE LAMBS TO THE SLAUGHTER! I WAS LIKE A GOD TO THEM. AND I RULED WITH ABSOLUTE IMPUNITY! AND FINALLY, I HAVE MET SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS." His voice trembled. It reached its thundering crescendo. It dawned on Pinball then that it was not regret he had earlier sensed in his voice, but pleasure. More blades peppered the monster's skin but the monster continued unfazed. "DOES IT NOT FILL YOU WITH GLEE, CHILD? TO WIELD ABSOLUTE DOMINION OVER LIFE AND DEATH? IT'S EUPHORIC! IT'S EROTIC! THE THEFT OF LIFE. THE DESECRATION OF SOULS. THE DEFILEMENT OF ALL YOU HOLD DEAR. VIOLENCE IS THE ONLY CONSTANT! STRENGTH IS THE ONLY LAW! IT IS MY PLACE TO RULE. IT IS MY RIGHT. The Forgotten Time King shuddered. He faced Pinball once more. His demeanor shifted. Lightning sparked from his weapon. His body. It sparked from his one free hand. "OH, CHILD... AND IF IT IS TO BE YOURS... YOU KNOW THE WAY." Combat: ST-II [-13 EN] - 25*15= 375-100= 275 DMG ID#225741 BD: 5+4= 9 (Hit) CD: 10 (useful later) MD: 3 (Miss) Pinball: 800/800 HP | EN: 78/118 | DMG: 25 | 4 ACC | 6 EVA | BH: 44 | {Hellfire Equipped} The Forgotten Time King: HP: 802/3,000 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 3 [24 TVM: 3/3] Edited August 12 by Pinball Link to post Share on other sites
Pinball 1 Posted August 12 Author #11 Share Posted August 12 (edited) The challenge was clear. Pinball almost didn't want to answer it. But he didn't want to leave the guy alive a lot less. He was running for the King's flank, tossing knives as he went. The monster's attack patterns were different now. Instead of rushing forward with his spear, he was fighting at range, shooting bolts and arcs of lightning from his palm, from his weapon. Pinball dodged each and every one, though it was especially difficult to do so when each zap electrocuted the water in such a large area. He was hopping around as frantic as a rabit, throwing knives to match every stream of energy shot his way. The only difference was that Pinball's attacks were landing. And this enraged the beast. And he did something different again. He tossed his weapon aside and began to charge up something nasty. Red sparks of energy glowed, shining from beneath his skin like his veins were LEDs. He roared again. The cavern trembled. Combat: ST-B [-18 EN] - 25*20= 500-100= 400 DMG ID#225742 BD: 3+4= 7 (Hit) MD: 2 (Miss) Pinball: 800/800 HP | EN: 64/118 | DMG: 25 | 4 ACC | 6 EVA | BH: 44 | {Hellfire Equipped} The Forgotten Time King: HP: 382/3,000 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 3 Edited August 12 by Pinball Link to post Share on other sites
Pinball 1 Posted August 12 Author #12 Share Posted August 12 (edited) Whatever he was charging, he couldn't let it happen. Screw the range, he had to finish this. Pinball charged forward now, and this time his approach was unimpeded. Lightning sparked from the King's skin. Zaps, sparks, bolts. The room trembled and shook. Pinball's feet flew across the puddled floor, kicking up water as he ran. He was close enough and then he jumped. His knives shone in the gloom, reflecting the electricity filling the air. Pinball flew and flew, coming up to the face of the king that time forgot. He buried his knives in the fiend's skull and he twisted them. Violently. He clung tight to the blades and used the king's chest as leverage to stay on top of him, burying the blades deeper, feeling the crunch, seeing red, feeling the give, watching the health bar drop faster, faster, faster. Lower, lower, lower. The lightning began to fade. Combat: ST-I [-10 EN] - 25*12= 300-100= 200 DMG ID#225743 BD: 6 (Hit) CD: 12 MD: 3 (Miss) Pinball: 800/800 HP | EN: 58/118 | DMG: 25 | 4 ACC | 6 EVA | BH: 44 | {Hellfire Equipped} The Forgotten Time King: HP: 182/3,000 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 3 Edited August 12 by Pinball Link to post Share on other sites
Pinball 1 Posted August 12 Author #13 Share Posted August 12 (edited) And that was it. The lightning was gone. The Forgotten Time King's form began to glow. Split apart. Break. Pinball let go of his blades and fell softly to the floor. The would-be conquerer fell with a thundering crash, flat on its back. Pinball watched silently as the 3D mesh that held his body together dissipated, turned to crystalline fragments carried away by an unseen wind. He'd killed hundreds of mobs the same way. Watched them disappear, reverted to the same fragments of code they were made of. Watched them to return to whatever digital weave had birthed them. This one, despite all of its talk, had not turned out to be any different. It continued to rain. Slowly, the Forgotten Time King turned his head, setting those sightless eyes on him for one last time. Its jaw opened, and pathetically, it croaked, "JUST AS I FOUGHT TO PROTECT MY PEOPLE, SO TOO WILL YOU, LIKE ME, RETURN TO DELIVER THEM A RUINOUS END. IN THAT, WE ARE NO DIFFERENT." Combat: ST-B [-18 EN] - 25*20= 500-100= 400 DMG ID#225745 BD: 2+4= 6 (Hit) MD: 1 (Miss) Pinball: 800/800 HP | EN: 40/118 | DMG: 25 | 4 ACC | 6 EVA | BH: 44 | {Hellfire Equipped} The Forgotten Time King: HP: 0/3,000 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 3 Edited August 13 by Pinball Link to post Share on other sites
Pinball 1 Posted August 12 Author #14 Share Posted August 12 (edited) Pinball stood there for a moment as the last of its being splintered and exploded into nothingness. When the last of its spark was carried away and disappeared into the gloom, Pinball looked up. Above him, water still fell like rain. There were no clouds. He figured that, since he was so deep underground, that he was probably beneath a lake or similarly giant deposit of water. Floor 22 was above them. There was a lake there -- he'd fished there a couple of times when he needed to relax, or think, or just wanted a moment of quiet to himself. Maybe a visit to Floor 22 was in order now. He had a fishing rod, and probably a bit of time to burn before the sun went down. The rain continued to fall, and Pinball began to walk, the throne towering behind him like a monument to sins not so unlike his own. Edited August 12 by Pinball Link to post Share on other sites
Pinball 1 Posted August 12 Author #15 Share Posted August 12 He kind of liked the feeling of the rain on his face, so he didn't try to dry himself or put the hood of his cloak up. He walked in silence, partially because he had nobody to talk to, and partially because he was still processing the words of the king. What was there to process, though? To him, they sounded like nothing more than the ravings of an NPC programmed to be as disgustingly deranged and evil as possible. But then why did that whole encounter feel so pointed? Why was the monster so insistent on likening him to himself? And what was this strange feeling in his chest? The air seemed to twist and darken around him. Shades, specters, ghosts of shadow surrounded him, barring his exit. Strange. Nothing in the quest's documentation mentioned this. They were humanoid, barely, and readied weapons of swirling shadow. One last challenge before he was allowed to leave. Link to post Share on other sites
Pinball 1 Posted August 12 Author #16 Share Posted August 12 (edited) The shades were a nice respite from thoughts of more aggravating things. They rushed at him, surrounded him, and attacked ruthlessly with blades of shadow. Axes, swords and shields, a spear. He sidestepped the axe. It whistled past his cheek. As he dodged he caught the sword swipe with a knife, but the spearman was able to take advantage of that brief moment and get a nasty stab in. Didn't matter. He had a knife for each of them, including the fourth shade that had no space to attack, and when he was done he kicked the swordsman into the group with the rest of him, freeing himself from being boxed in. He produced several more blades, checking their health bars. One more would do it. But behind them, more shades began to flicker into existence. How many more were there going to be? The shades began to approach, but Pinball was ready. Combat: {Well Rested} Quick Change, AOE-I [-16 EN] ID#225774 BD: 7 (Hit) MD: 2 (Miss) - 25+8= 33*11 = 363 DMG to Shade 1 ID#225775 BD: 3+4= 7 (Hit) MD: 8-6= 2 (Miss) - 25*11 = 275 DMG to Shade 2 ID#225775 BD: 4+4= 8 (Hit) MD: 9 (Crit) - 25*11 = 275 DMG to Shade 3 | 133 DMG to Pinball ID225776 BD: 6 (Hit) MD: 1 (Miss) - 25+8= 33*11= 363 DMG to Shade 4 Pinball: 667/800 HP | EN: 102/118 | DMG: 25 | 4 ACC | 6 EVA | BH: 44 | {Hellfire} -> {Astral Blade Equipped} Shade 1: 33/396 HP | 132 DMG Shade 2: 121/396 HP | 132 DMG Shade 3: 121/396 HP | 132 DMG Shade 4: 33/396 HP | 132 DMG Edited August 13 by Pinball Link to post Share on other sites
Pinball 1 Posted August 12 Author #17 Share Posted August 12 (edited) They weren't even able to get close. One, two, three, four -- his blades were thrown in quick succession. He didn't aim at any particular vulnerabilty. He didn't need to, and he wasn't sure if they even had any in the first place. They seemed to be made out of some shadowy ghost stuff that could retain a solid form. It was kind of similar to Zomekko, his familiar. But he wasn't sure where they had come from, or why they hadn't been documented in the first place. Maybe this was something unique to him? He knew that there were some quests that had stuff like that. Calming the Soul, for example. But unlike the Forgotten Time King, these things didn't seem to be trying to appeal to some tortured psyche. Still, they were a good way to waste time. They didn't seem to be strong enough to pose him a real threat... for now, at least. Combat: {Well Rested} AOE-I [-16 EN] ID#225781 BD: 10 - KILLS SHADE 1 ID#225782 BD: 8 - KILLS SHADE 2 ID#225783 BD: 2+4= 6 - KILLS SHADE 3 ID#225784 BD: 6 - KILLS SHADE 4 Pinball: 711/800 HP | EN: 90/118 | DMG: 25 | 4 ACC | 6 EVA | BH: 44 | {Astral Blade Equipped} Shade 1: 0/396 HP | 132 DMG Shade 2: 0/396 HP | 132 DMG Shade 3: 0/396 HP | 132 DMG Shade 4: 0/396 HP | 132 DMG Looting: ID#225785 LD: 2 CD: 5 ID#225786 LD: 16 CD: 7 ID#225787 LD: 10 CD: 5 ID#225788 LD: 4 CD: 1 Total: Spoiler 8,316 Col 8 Materials [ID 225786-a] Rare T4 Unidentified Weapon [ID 225786-b]Rare T4 Unidentified Consumable [ID 225787] Rare T4 Unidentified Trinket Edited August 13 by Pinball Link to post Share on other sites
Pinball 1 Posted August 13 Author #18 Share Posted August 13 (edited) The second group approached, and it ended up being basically more of the same. He didn't let them get close this time. They were slow, and didn't attempt to run or dodge or chase after him. Pinball kept backing up, tossing knives. One was able to lift his shield in time, through luck or through reflex, but the other three found a home in the miasmic ectoplasm of the shades. He watched the health bars drop. He kept backpedaling. The exit was not far. But his mind began to wander. The Forgotten Time King's final words had stuck with him, try as he might to ignore them. Uncomfortable thoughts began to encroach, and he let his mind go blank. First things first. He had to get out of this room. The rain continued to fall. More shadows began to materialize. Close, far, in front of him. They seemed to be spawning in greater numbers, but at slower speeds. He didn't have long to get out of there before he ended up woefully outnumbered. Combat: {Well Rested} AOE-I [-14 EN] ID#225850 BD: 1 MD: 1 ID#225851 BD: 5+4= 9 MD: 4 (Miss) - 25*11= 275 DMG ID#225852 BD: 5+4= 9 MD: 2 (Miss) - 25*11= 275 DMG ID#225853 BD: 3+4= 7 MD: 7-6= 1 (Miss) - 25*11= 275 DMG Pinball: 755/800 HP | EN: 80/118 | DMG: 25 | 4 ACC | 6 EVA | BH: 44 | {Astral Blade Equipped} Shade 1: 396/396 HP | 132 DMG Shade 2: 121/396 HP | 132 DMG Shade 3: 121/396 HP | 132 DMG Shade 4: 121/396 HP | 132 DMG Edited August 13 by Pinball Link to post Share on other sites
Pinball 1 Posted August 13 Author #19 Share Posted August 13 (edited) More shades. More danger. More annoyances, more likely than not. What kind of a quest was this, again? Hadn't he finished it already? Pinball kept throwing the knives. There was only one group that was on him, and it was the one that seemed to be relentlessly marching towards him with little variance. But he was running out of time, so he tried to pick up the pace a little. Tried something new. He produced four knives in the same hand and hurled them towards the group at the same time -- which, in hindsight, was maybe not the best idea. Three of them hit, killing two, putting a third on death's door, and the fourth went whistling into the distance. A complete whiff. The first group was a lot cleaner than this. But now he was getting distracted. He was getting angrier. Why was he getting angry? There was no time to dwell on it. He had to kill the shades. Combat: AOE-I [-17 EN] ID#225854 BD: 10 MD: 6 (Miss) - 25+2+8= 35*11= 385 DMG ID#225855 BD: 7 MD: 6 (Miss) - 25*11 = 275 DMG ID#225856 BD: 1 MD: 4 (Miss) ID#225857 BD: 5+4= 9 (Hit) MD: 7-6= (Miss) - 25*11= 275 DMG Pinball: 799/800 HP | EN: 67/118 | DMG: 25 | 4 ACC | 6 EVA | BH: 44 | {Astral Blade Equipped} Shade 1: 11/396 HP | 132 DMG Shade 2: 0/396 HP | 132 DMG Shade 3: 121/396 HP | 132 DMG Shade 4: 0/396 HP | 132 DMG Looting: ID#225858 LD: 14 CD: 8 ID#225859 LD: 14 CD: 7 4,756 Col 2 Materials [ID#225858-a] Unidentified T4 Rare Weapon [ID#225858-b] Unidentified T4 Consumable [ID#225859-a] Unidentified T4 Rare Weapon [ID#225859-b] Unidentified T4 Consumable Edited August 13 by Pinball Link to post Share on other sites
Pinball 1 Posted August 13 Author #20 Share Posted August 13 (edited) Two left, then the exit. He was practically there. One, two, a throw with each arm -- both knives landed, and the shades simultaneously expoded into fractals of light. Pinball whirled around, his cloak whipping behind him. The room was positively fit to burst with shades, now, and still there was only the sound of the rain. The shades ambled forward silently, featureless faces of shadow, weapons drawn, marching slowly onwards, marching towards the intruder... but Pinball wasn't about to stick around. He was done. Done with the quest and done with the room filled with enemies. Any other person of his level would look at a room packed with mobs like a can of sardines and think "Oh sweet, payday." Pinball didn't think that. He was annoyed, and he was leaving. On swift feet he exited the room, and his boots carried him through tunnels and caves without pause for rest. Combat: AOE-I [-13 EN] ID#225860 BD: 8 MD: 5 = ENOUGH TO KILL ID#225861 BD: 5+4= 9 MD: 5 = ENOUGH TO KILL Pinball: 800/800 HP | EN: 58/118 | DMG: 25 | 4 ACC | 6 EVA | BH: 44 | {Astral Blade Equipped} Shade 1: 0/396 HP | 132 DMG Shade 3: 0/396 HP | 132 DMG Looting: ID#225862 LD: 5 CD: 3 ID#225863 LD: 3 CD: 7 The Loot: 2,376 Col 8 Materials Edited August 13 by Pinball Link to post Share on other sites
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