[PP-F4] Another Repetition of History

[Morningstar 0]

Quest

Every two hundred years, for a brief period, the frigid landscape of the fourth floor melts into a nearly temperate climate. Residents of Snowfrost, lucky to witness it, celebrate the coming of the warm sun solstice with a grand festival. The event lasts no more than a day but draws in merchants, performers, and artists like nothing you could imagine. The lantern-lit streets are packed with game stalls and food carts, and at night, beautifully crafted floats and kites soar across the starry sky.

Morningstar was pretty sure this was his third festival, and he was nowhere near celebrating his six hundredth birthday. He visited Snowfrost once a year like clockwork, just to see if they were holding another festival. Once, he had confided in an NPC how much he had enjoyed the last festival, at which the NPC promptly laughed.

"The last festival?" The NPC snorted. "You were there two hundred years ago?"

At the time, Morningstar couldn't comprehend what he meant, so he had awkwardly walked away. Now, he realized that the NPCs of Snowfrost had no recollection of their past celebrations.

"Eerie," Morningstar muttered, watching a pair of teenagers put the finishing touches on their float. He recognized them from last year—and the year before that. Each time, they built a long, red dragon, perfectly identical to the last. It was as if they were trapped in a time loop, forever reliving their favorite holiday.

Maybe it wasn’t the worst day to relive. Everyone he saw appeared cheerful and oblivious as they partook in the celebrations. Shopkeepers closed up for the day, only to open booths for themselves instead. Maybe it was for visibility, but everyone seemed drawn to the town square.

He glanced around, wondering if he would find Levi in the same spot as before.

| MORNINGSTAR  | Lv. 65 >> P. 32, Lv. 33  | Status: [ // ]  Notes:  //

Hide contents Morningstar | HP: 800/800 | EN: 116/116 | DMG: 22 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 5 | BH: 43 | LD: 6 | REC: 8 | FLN: 16 | AA | PARA-V equipped Dying Sun FLN II, AA, PAR VEN Inner Focus EVA II, REC II Sapphire ACC III, EVA I battle-ready inventory Magdalyn's Cuckoo skills   Hide contents mod count: 4/5 STRAIGHT SWORD | RANK 5/5 precision, stamina, ferocity shift: aoe MARTIAL ARTS | RANK 5/5 COMBAT MASTERY: DMG | RANK 3/3 SEARCHING | RANK 4/5 (5) night vision, detect, tracking, reveal BATTLE HEALING | RANK 5/5 UNHINDERED ENERGIST CHARGE extra (active) SURVIVAL FORGOTTEN KING'S AUTHORITY LADY LUCK DISGUISE data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== buffs   Hide contents statue # | # consumables # # paragon Lv. 5 | Gain additional col equivalent to 15% of EXP earned in that thread. Lv. 10 | +1 LD to looting. data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== sword arts   Hide contents en cost matches multiplier unless stated otherwise. shift underlined. ST | x12 -> x15 | x20 AOE | x15 -> x18 TECH-A | x16 | STUN | 13EN TECH-B | x16 | DELAY TECH-D | x16 | SHATTER TECH-F | x12 | AOE STUN TECH-G | x16 | BURN data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== misc/housing buffs   Hide contents Dimensional Backpack | +2 Battle-Ready Inventory Slots. 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.  fishing # data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==   data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==

 

 

[Acanthus 0]

Acanthus decided a break was in order after her ordeal on the tenth floor. So a trip down to the wintery town of Snowfrost was in order. Acanthus loved the snow—winter was her favorite season. Everything was so calm and quiet, and the weather made for a good excuse to stay inside.

But nobody in Snowfrost was inside. As she teleported in, it looked like the entire town had turned out for what looked like a large festival. Booths set up, full of crafts and food and all sorts of fun, colorful things. A pair of teenagers appeared to be working on a large red dragon. The air of the town was one of excitement, and Acanthus couldn’t help but to be swept up in it as well. Walking around with a small amethyst necklace—good luck, the merchant told her—she made eye contact with a familiar face.

“It’s… Honeydew, right? From Honeydew and Hushwind? I’m Acanthus.” She gestured to her equipment. “We traded gear a few weeks ago. Or was it longer? Either way, it’s been immensely helpful.” She paused to look around the festival again. “Is this usual for Snowfrost? I didn’t realize I would be walking into a big occasion.”
 

 

Spoiler

 

Acanthus | Lvl 31 (T4) | HP: 660/660 | EN: 80/80 | DMG: 21 | MIT:66 | ACC:5 | EVA:1 | BLD: 36  | PARA | LD:5                                                                              

Equipment Meteor | T3 Longsword | BLD 2 | PARA 1 In Noctem | T3 Light Armor | MIT 2 | EVA 1 Vow of Return | Trinket | ACC 3	Skills Straight Sword R5 Addon: Focus Addon: Precision Light Armor R5 Addon: Resolve Mod: Meticulous Searching R5 Mod: Night Vision Hiding R3 Combat Mastery: Damage R3 TECH Shift
Battle-Ready Inventory None (I'm out so here's hoping nothing goes wrong) Consumables Used None.

 

Edited September 11 by Acanthus

[Pinball 1]

Pinball had a weird relationship with the Fourth Floor. He tried not to linger on it, but at the end of the day, he seemed to be inexplicably drawn to it. 

Today was such a day. In the main settlement of the Fourth, Snowfrost, began a questline that Pinball had never touched. Not for any particular reason, of course. He didn't remember when it had popped up, but there seemed to be a pretty large gap in his memory regarding just when the Night King's Trilogy had even become a thing. Had it always been, and he'd just never noticed the celebrations taking place in Snowfrost? It was true he didn't hang around settlements very often, but... 

He walked invisible amongst the crowd, keeping his eyes out for who looked like the quest giver. He didn't find them -- but what he did was much more surprising. Morningstar and Acanthus? Pinball leaned against the side of a building and watched from a distance. If they were here for what he thought they were, he'd probably be able to join them just through his proximity. It'd certainly make things easier for him. 

Hopefully they wouldn't mind. 

*** 

Stealth: ID#231233 LD: 17+6= 22 Stealth Rating 

Player Stats: 

Spoiler

Level: 33 (Paragon Level 43)
Health: 840 | Energy: 120
DMG: 20  | ACC: 5  | EVA: 4  | BH: 37 | LD: 6 
Shift: Tech

Skills:

Combat Skills:
► Battle Healing [22/30]
► Energist [8/8]
► Combat Mastery: Damage [13/13]

Weapon Skills:
► Thrown Weapons [30/30] 
    Add Ons: 
►Focus 
►Precision 
►Stamina 

Utility Skills:
► Quick Change [8/8] 
► Searching: [22/30] -> (Skylight: R5) 

Extra Skills:
► Disguise
► Survival
► Forgotten King’s Authority 
► Hiding [30/30]

Familiar Skill: 
► Rending Familiar [10/10]

Armor Skills:
► Unhindered 

Modifiers:
► Sneak Attack: Trickster 
► Vanish 
► Tracking
► Untraceable

Miscellaneous: 
► +1 LD to Looting, Searching for/Opening Treasure Chests (Paragon) 
► Earn Col Equivalent to 15% of player’s EXP earned in a thread (Paragon) 

Inventory:
»[Equipped] [Demonic] Hellfire: Burn, Blight, Bleed, Static
»[Equipped] [Perfect] Warrior’s Focus: +3 ACC
»[Equipped] [Perfect] Black Cloak: +3 EVA 

Battle Ready: 
» [Soundtrack] Sound of the Wild {Instant Incarcerate} 
» [2x] Teleportation Crystal 
» [x2] Lacrimosa - HP Recovery III Crystal {Instant}
» [Demonic TW] Cold Fervor: +2 Freeze, Phase, Cursed
» [Demonic TW] Astral Blade: Holy, Fallen, Phase, Damage
» [Uncommon TW] Tyrfing: Absolute Accuracy 
» [Perfect Cloth] Cloak of the Harbingers: +3 LD 

Housing Buffs: 

Spoiler

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 
Skylight (Searching): +1 Expertise to declared utility skill. Cannot boost a skill without ranks, or increase a skill past its maximum rank. Cannot boost a skill the user has not learned yet. Ranks obtained using this buff will make the mods of that rank available for purchase. Mods obtained this way are unusable if this buff is removed until the skill is returned to the appropriate rank by way of SP purchase.
Multipurpose: Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll
Working: +2 EXP per crafting attempt

 

 

Edited September 13 by Pinball

[Morningstar 0]

Star tried his absolute hardest to remember where he had seen the girl's face. Frontlines? He didn't think so. A party? Oh shit, was she from that birthday party he went to?

“It’s… Honeydew, right?"

No. No, she was not. Both her straight sword and her armor gave away her identity because they had once been his. Meteor was a pleasant sight. The sword had done him good for a very long time, and he was glad to see it helping another. Had he kept it, it would have collected dust in his shop for the rest of its career. "Morningstar," he corrected. "But, yes. From Honeydew & Hushwind. Sorry—remind me your name?" He thought it started with an A or a C.

Levi and another unnamed NPC were mumbling about Star's target in the background while the pair reintroduced themselves. "Never seen the guy before. Wore a strange wool and leather cloak with chainmail underneath it. Wore a helmet too. Looked like he got caught in a blizzard, all covered in snow and ice, even looked a bit frostbitten. But what was even more weird were his eyes." 

"How could his eyes be more weird than his condition?" 

Morningstar had heard it all before. Twice, actually. It never changed. The King's Soldier wasn't as scary as they made him out to be, but he recalled Levi being a generally scared NPC. A squirrel could probably make him jump. 

"There's a festival happening today. Kind of fun, if you like games and food. I need to go to talk to those guys," he pointed at Levi and his lumberjack friend. "Come with, if you feel like a quest."

[Acanthus 0]

When Morningstar corrected her, Acanthus turned beet red. “I’m sorry, I made a wrong assumption. That was silly of me.” She gave a quick bow. “Acanthus. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Morningstar mentioned that the people of Snowfrost were having a festival.

“Games and food are fun, I suppose.” She tried to avoid the topic. Games were a mystery, and she hadn’t tasted much food in Aincrad that agreed with her palate. But there was no need to be negative to someone she’d just met. The flow of a conversation behind her rose to the front of her attention. It sounded like two men talking to each other. A frostbitten soldier with… strange eyes? It sounded intriguing. Morningstar appeared to notice her attention had diverted.

Quote

 I need to go to talk to those guys," he pointed at Levi and his lumberjack friend. "Come with, if you feel like a quest."

“That sounds excellent. I’d love to be involved.” Games and food she could take or leave, but she had a hard time turning down the opportunity for a quest.

A chill traveled down her spine as they approached the two NPCs. It was almost like someone was watching her, someone familiar. With a brief glance around, she scanned the crowd, but found nothing. “Must be the wind,” she murmured to herself.

 

Spoiler

Post Action: Hide and Seek
231249 | LD 5 + 5 = 10. Pinball wins this round...

 

Edited September 13 by Acanthus

[Pinball 1]

Pinball watched from where he stood, propped up against the building. Acanthus and Morningstar were talking. About what, exactly, he couldn't tell. They were too far. He hoped they were talking about the quest. He hoped they were there for the quest. Pinball realized that they could just be meeting up. Oh no. That would look bad. 

He decided not to stress and to instead trust his intuition. If they weren't, no biggie. He looked like a creep and went and finished the quest by himself. So what? It wasn't like people's perception of him could get much worse. He kept his eyes on the two, and if they began to trail away, he would follow, sticking to the edges of buildings and close to alleyways. Maybe the guards were busy with the festival, but he didn't want to chance it. Pinball wasn't a huge fan of getting thrown out on his ass. 

*** 

Stealth: ID# 231255 LD: 14+6 = 20 Stealth Rating

Edited September 13 by Pinball

[Morningstar 0]

Morningstar smiled, glad for the company, and the pair wandered over to Levi and his pal. As expected, Levi did not remember him. Star drew out the quest dialogue by showing interest in someone named Darian. Levi offered to join them, and Star agreed. He had never had a bad experience with the companion before, and the slingshot he wielded was kind of cool.

"Off we go then," Star said.

Whatever whiff of player Acanthus had noticed, Morningstar had not.

On the way out of Snowfrost, Star equipped some more comfortable gear, as well as his sword. He didn't exactly need Levi to guide them, considering it was his third time to Darian's camp. He glanced at Acanthus. "First time to Floor 4, or are you a regular?"

He was neither. Actually, in the last year, he thought he had only come to the fourth once. It was a bit cold for his taste.

Spoiler

ok i wanna play the stealth game too

where's pinball:
ID231361 | LD6 + 7 = 13

ok i don't wanna play the stealth game anymore

 

[Acanthus 0]

“First time. It’s odd. I love the cold, but I haven’t come to this floor before. I didn’t have a reason to visit either; I just needed a little break from the current quest that I’m working on. So I checked the Aincrad floor index, saw this floor, and decided to visit.” Acanthus took a deep breath of the frosty air, exhaling a large cloud of vapor. “I spend most of my time on the warmer floors. My shop is on Floor 24 in the main settlement. And as much as I love Floor 24, this is a welcome change of pace. In fact, I don’t know that I’d enjoy winter if it lasted forever. Part of the enjoyment is the anticipation, wouldn’t you say?”

They walked along a snowy embankment with the quest NPC. But she noticed that it was Morningstar leading the way. “You seem to know exactly where we’re going. Do you come here often?”
 

Spoiler

 

Post Action: Find Pinball
231368 | LD 6 + 5 failure.

 

 

Edited September 13 by Acanthus

[Pinball 1]

He followed them out of Snowfrost, and stayed hidden until they were well away from the settlement and any other prying eyes. They were traveling with an NPC, but that didn't matter. NPCs were usually easier to hide from anyways. Acanthus and Morningstar were in the middle of conversation when Pinball reappeared. He popped up a few feet behind him, and walked a little bit with them and would say nothing until they noticed him. He figured it was rude to interrupt, and he didn't want to scare them by popping out of nowhere and saying hello. Pinball had done that plenty of times, and the most common reaction was the person practically jumping out of their skin. And while it amused him, it was also a little rude. So he walked silently for the time being, awaiting an appropriate lull in conversation to interject himself, or for them to notice that he was walking right behind them. 

Was that creepier? He wasn't sure. Hopefully not. Pinball hadn't given it much thought. 

[Morningstar 0]

"Not often. Once every two-hundred years, for the festival," he joked. "I live on 24, actually. Raitoboru Bay. I'm a warm temperature enjoyer as well. I've walked through this quest a few times, though, so I know the way. More or less. Felt like I should redo it again before I move on to part two. Jog the memory a bit, you know?"

Star would never have noticed Pinball if it wasn't for Levi. He turned his head, bothered by the crunching of snow behind them, probably. A shriek left his lips, so loud that he thought the Night King himself had climbed off his icy throne to greet them. Nope. It was just Pinball.

"You can text, you know," Star said. He wanted to laugh at Levi, but the poor kid was going through a hard enough time already. "It was nice of you to unstealth, though. Last time, you waited until we were already in combat."

[Acanthus 0]

“Raitoboru Bay sounds lovely. I’ve been meaning to visit, but never really found the time. Is it true what I’ve heard about ‘beach episodes’? Many players talk about them, and I wonder—”

Just then, Levi’s shrieked so loudly that the birds in the nearby trees scattered at once. Acanthus yelled and fell face first into the snow. She shot up, ears ringing, sword drawn, and ready for action. You got this. You skimmed the quest information on the way over. King’s Soldier, mid-level minion, compiled information suggests his attacks become fiercer at half-health and frost has a reduced effect…

“Oh.” Acanthus sheathed Meteor. “Hello, Pinball,” she said calmly as dusted the snow off of her armor. “It’s strange to see you here. Pleasant, but strange.” She turned to Morningstar and said, “and it seems you already know him, so I believe there’s no need for introductions.” Looking back at Pinball, she added, “I did ask you to warn me the next time you did that.”

[Pinball 1]

"Sorry," he said. He had not even reacted to the shrieking of the NPC, and his blank expression did not change even as Acanthus fell face first into the snow. It did occur to him that he could have texted, and also that he had said he would warn Acanthus next time. The best he could offer was a sheepish shrug. "Bad habit. Didn't want to be rude." 

He nodded to Morningstar. They had met a few times previously, and like Acanthus had said, there was no need for introductions. "Night King's Trilogy?" He asked. 

Pinball kept his fingers crossed that he had been right in his assumptions, though from the NPC trailing behind them, his suspicions had been all but confirmed. Levi was the NPC that came along for most of the quest, if he was not mistaken (although he very well could be). "Hope it's okay if I invite myself." 

[Morningstar 0]

Morningstar was continuously impressed by his group—first by Levi, who had the voice of a banshee, and second by Acanthus, who did appear embarrassed by her fall in the slightest.

"Yeah. Night King's. You're welcome to join. The more, the merrier. We're coming up on the camp now, actually."

At the end of the trail, they came to a clearing. It was small, with a fresh layer of snow. A frostbitten lake spanned for miles, entirely frozen over. To their left, was Darian's camp.

Levi covered his mouth, and his eyes had grown wide and teary. Darian's body was mangled and bloody, thrown off to the side of the lake for the animals to fight for later. An old, rugged soldier sat beside the fire, ripping apart wolf meat with his teeth. Levi's whimpers caught his attention, and the soldier looked over at them with wild eyes.

"Good, I'll have the honor of slaughtering more of you blasphemers."

---

Spoiler

Post Action | Searching for Camp

ID231429 | LD: 9+6=15

Camp Found.

 

[Acanthus 0]

Her brief skim of the quest had prepared her for the mechanics of the quest, but it did little to prepare her for the horror. 

Morningstar found the camp quickly, at the end of the trail they walked. Darian’s camp rested alongside a lake, frozen solid in the cold. Although looking at the scene, it was clear the camp was no longer Darian’s. His twisted corpse laid off the the side, already picked at by hungry and desperate predators. In a game that often depicted blood and wounds with nothing more than faint red marks, Darian’s mangled body was a stark contrast. In Darian’s place sat a cold, ominous figure. He was devouring wolf meat—perhaps one of the desperate predators attracted to Darian’s corpse. He looked at them with cold, feral eyes.

"Good, I'll have the honor of slaughtering more of you blasphemers."

Acanthus drew her weapon out of instinct. Fierce attacks, frost resistant. She moved cautiously toward the soldier; ihe soldier stood up and grinned, reaching for his spear. As the two came into range, the soldier struck out first, using his range to keep Acanthus at bay. She caught the spear with Meteor and shifted the blow to graze her face. No pain, but the ferocity of the strike shocked her.

With his spear outstretched, she pressed inside of his reach for a solid strike. Getting as close as she could possible, Acanthus drove the hilt of the sword into the icy soldier’s ribs to stun him. She heard him groan in pain. If this were a one-on-one, it would be smart to stay inside spear range. But this monster is about to have a hail of knives in him, and I’d rather not make Pinball have to avoid me. Brushing past the soldier, she took one long swipe along his back as she retreated, cutting from shoulder to thigh. Thick, congealed globs of blood oozed from his back.

“That’s a good start. You’re doing well.” She whispered to herself.
 

Spoiler

 

Begin Combat!

Acanthus | Lvl 31 (T4) | HP: 660/660 | EN: 64/80 | DMG: 21 | MIT:66 | ACC:5 | EVA:1 | BLD: 36 | PARA | LD:5
Pinball | HP: 840/840 | EN: 120 | DMG: 20  | ACC: 5  | EVA: 4  | BH: 37 | LD: 6 
Morningstar | HP: 800/800 | EN: 116/116 | DMG: 22 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 5 | BH: 43 | LD: 6 | REC: 8 | FLN: 16 | AA | PARA-V

<<Night King's Soldier>> HP: 764/1000 | DMG: 200 | MIT: 100 [BLD 35 0/2] Stunned

Abilities:

• Soldier's Insight | Howl does not produce hate against the King's Scout. Instead it focuses his attack on the howler for one post. Afterwards he continues to attack those with the highest hate. If players hate values are equal, he targets the player with the least mitigation and lowest total health, in that order.
• Battle Fury | When his health reaches 500 or lower, every other post, his attacks deal 50 additional damage. On the turns he does not receive this bonus damage, he holds his shield up to mitigate 50 additional damage against him until his next turn.
• Frozen Soldier | If the freeze enhancement is activated on him, he will not receive the frozen affect, but instead receive -1 EVA and -1 ACC for one post.

Post Action: TECH-A -> Night King's Soldier
231457 | BD 8. Focus Critical! 21 * 16 = 336 - 100 = 236 damage. Stunned. Bleed applied.

 

 

Edited September 14 by Acanthus

[Pinball 1]

They came upon the soldier's camp suddenly. The mangled corpse of an NPC laid off to the corner, prompting the NPC traveling with them to burst into tears. The soldier stood, tearing meat off a bone with his teeth, and announced his pleasure in their emminent slaughter. The enemy's eyes were wild, bloodlusted, soulless. 

Same old, same old. 

Acanthus threw herself into the thick of it first, landing a solid strike and applying bleed to the Night King's Soldier. Not wanting to take up too much space, she shifted her position, leaving Pinball with enough room to make a clean shot. With both Morningstar and Acanthus on his side and attacking, the unfortunately named Night King's Soldier was not long for this world. No need to get fancy, he thought. Pinball flicked a knife at the mob. The blade left a thin slice across its left cheek and continued into the wilderness beyond, causing the Soldier to laugh wildly in response. His attack had barely connected, after all! 

From beneath his cloak Pinball produced the Soundtrack and activated it. He held it gingerly aloft in his palm, not raised and not outstretched, and watched. 

Stemming from the cut, a dark sickness seemed to pollute the Soldier's blood, spreading rapidly across its face, down its neck, and everywhere else. Black, wormlike veins bulged from beneath its skin and tears ran down the Soldier's face like ink. It had been a long time since he'd seen the weapon's effects on a humanoid opponent. The last person to experience it, Pinball realized, had been Bahr. 

There was music in the air. 

***

Spoiler

Free Action: {Vanish} [-5 EN] - ID#231488 LD: 11+6= 17 Stealth Rating 
Action Taken: {Well Rested} [Basic Attack] [SneakAttack!T] [-8 EN] 
ID#231489 BD: 8 (Crit) - 1+1 = 2-100 = 1 DMG, Status Effects Applied 
Free Action: Sound of the Wild {Instant Incarcerate} - DoT Damage Doubled

(H:1) Acanthus | HP: 660/660 | EN: 64/80 | DMG: 21 | MIT:66 | ACC:5 | EVA:1 | BLD: 36 | PARA | LD:5
(H:1) Pinball | HP: 840/840 | EN: 107/120 | DMG: 20  | ACC: 5  | EVA: 4  | BH: 37 | LD: 6 | BRN: 56 | BLD: 48 | BLT: 32 | STC: 40 [Rend CD: 0/5] 
(H:0) Morningstar | HP: 800/800 | EN: 116/116 | DMG: 22 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 5 | BH: 43 | LD: 6 | REC: 8 | FLN: 16 | AA | PARA-V

<<Night King's Soldier>> HP: 763/1000 | DMG: 200 | MIT: 80 (-20) [BLT REDUC: 1/2] [112 BRN: 0/2] [96 BLD: 0/2] [64 BLT: 0/2] [80 STC: 0/2] [56 RND: 0/2] {Stunned}

Abilities:

• Soldier's Insight | Howl does not produce hate against the King's Scout. Instead it focuses his attack on the howler for one post. Afterwards he continues to attack those with the highest hate. If players hate values are equal, he targets the player with the least mitigation and lowest total health, in that order.
• Battle Fury | When his health reaches 500 or lower, every other post, his attacks deal 50 additional damage. On the turns he does not receive this bonus damage, he holds his shield up to mitigate 50 additional damage against him until his next turn.
• Frozen Soldier | If the freeze enhancement is activated on him, he will not receive the frozen affect, but instead receive -1 EVA and -1 ACC for one post.

 

Edited September 15 by Pinball

[Morningstar 0]

Someone else doing the stunning was a new experience for him. Usually, that was his job. Acanthus and Pinball slapped the stunned Night King's Soldier around like it was a pinata, poking at its health and applying every DoT under the sun. Morningstar engaged last, activating Charge and speeding in like lightning. He struck the warrior in the stomach with a closed fist, the impact reverberating through the old man’s weathered armor. As the King's Soldier stumbled back, gasping for breath, the swordsman didn’t hesitate. In a fluid motion, he twisted his body, bringing his sword up in a swift arc. The blade cut through the air with precision, aimed at the warrior’s exposed side.

The soldier tumbled down the snowy bank and slid onto the frozen lake. He lifted himself to one knee as the stun wore off, and lifted his long, steel-tipped spear from the ice. The fight slowly drained from his body, but he stood regardless.

Spoiler

POST ACTION | Charge + AOE-I
FREE ACTION | Lady Luck (cd 0/5)

ID231549 | LD: 19 | PARA-V -> DMG
ID231550 | BD: 6+6=12 | (23+3+16)*15 = 630-80 = 550 DMG to Night King's Soldier

(H:1) Acanthus | HP: 660/660 | EN: 64/80 | DMG: 21 | MIT:66 | ACC:5 | EVA:1 | BLD: 36 | PARA | LD:5
(H:1) Pinball | HP: 840/840 | EN: 107/120 | DMG: 20  | ACC: 5  | EVA: 4  | BH: 37 | LD: 6 | BRN: 56 | BLD: 48 | BLT: 32 | STC: 40 [Rend CD: 0/5] 
(H:1) Morningstar | HP: 800/800 | EN: 116/116 | DMG: 22 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 5 | BH: 43 | LD: 6 | REC: 8 | FLN: 16 | AA | PARA-V

<<Night King's Soldier>> HP: 213/1000 | DMG: 200 | MIT: 80 (-20) [BLT REDUC: 1/2] [112 BRN: 0/2] [96 BLD: 0/2] [64 BLT: 0/2] [80 STC: 0/2] [56 RND: 0/2] {Stunned}

Abilities:

• Soldier's Insight | Howl does not produce hate against the King's Scout. Instead it focuses his attack on the howler for one post. Afterwards he continues to attack those with the highest hate. If players hate values are equal, he targets the player with the least mitigation and lowest total health, in that order.
• Battle Fury | When his health reaches 500 or lower, every other post, his attacks deal 50 additional damage. On the turns he does not receive this bonus damage, he holds his shield up to mitigate 50 additional damage against him until his next turn.
• Frozen Soldier | If the freeze enhancement is activated on him, he will not receive the frozen affect, but instead receive -1 EVA and -1 ACC for one post.

---

Mob's turn

Pinball DoTs:
112 BRN
96 BLD
64 BLT
80 STC
56 RND

Night King's Soldier takes 408 DMG.

(H:1) Acanthus | HP: 660/660 | EN: 64/80 | DMG: 21 | MIT:66 | ACC:5 | EVA:1 | BLD: 36 | PARA | LD:5
(H:1) Pinball | HP: 840/840 | EN: 107/120 | DMG: 20  | ACC: 5  | EVA: 4  | BH: 37 | LD: 6 | BRN: 56 | BLD: 48 | BLT: 32 | STC: 40 [Rend CD: 0/5] 
(H:1) Morningstar | HP: 800/800 | EN: 116/116 | DMG: 22 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 5 | BH: 43 | LD: 6 | REC: 8 | FLN: 16 | AA | PARA-V

<<Night King's Soldier>> HP: 0/1000 | DMG: 200 | MIT: 80 (-20) [BLT REDUC: 1/2] [112 BRN: 0/2] [96 BLD: 0/2] [64 BLT: 0/2] [80 STC: 0/2] [56 RND: 0/2] {Stunned}

Abilities:

• Soldier's Insight | Howl does not produce hate against the King's Scout. Instead it focuses his attack on the howler for one post. Afterwards he continues to attack those with the highest hate. If players hate values are equal, he targets the player with the least mitigation and lowest total health, in that order.
• Battle Fury | When his health reaches 500 or lower, every other post, his attacks deal 50 additional damage. On the turns he does not receive this bonus damage, he holds his shield up to mitigate 50 additional damage against him until his next turn.
• Frozen Soldier | If the freeze enhancement is activated on him, he will not receive the frozen affect, but instead receive -1 EVA and -1 ACC for one post.

 

[Acanthus 0]

Pinball and Morningstar followed up with a practiced ease that made Acanthus envious. She wondered how long it would take before her fighting seemed so effortless. She told herself to be patient, reminding herself that she would level up and learn how to fight in good time. Acanthus also noticed how Morningstar alternated between punches and sword strikes. She did her best to observe him in the heat of battle, hoping to catch something to apply to her own fighting.

Acanthus charged in, trying to mimic Morningstar’s movements. But without the <<Charge>> skill assisting her, she fared poorly. Stumbling over the uneven terrain, the frozen soldier had plenty of time to turn and block the blow. I should have known that would suck—get it together, Acanthus! *Maybe* the time for experimentation isn’t the heat of combat. Recovering from the failed strike, she moved away from the edge of the lake. Perhaps hypothermia wasn’t an issue in this game, but it was certainly not a risk she was willing to take.

Spoiler

 

+4 EN.

Acanthus | Lvl 31 (T4) | HP: 660/660 | EN: 66/80 | DMG: 21 | MIT:66 | ACC:5 | EVA:1 | BLD: 36 | PARA | LD:5
Pinball | HP: 840/840 | EN: 107/120 | DMG: 20  | ACC: 5  | EVA: 4  | BH: 37 | LD: 6 
Morningstar | HP: 800/800 | EN: 116/116 | DMG: 22 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 5 | BH: 43 | LD: 6 | REC: 8 | FLN: 16 | AA | PARA-V

<<Night King's Soldier>> HP: 213/1000 | DMG: 200 | MIT: 100 [BLD 35 0/2] Stunned

Abilities:

• Soldier's Insight | Howl does not produce hate against the King's Scout. Instead it focuses his attack on the howler for one post. Afterwards he continues to attack those with the highest hate. If players hate values are equal, he targets the player with the least mitigation and lowest total health, in that order.
• Battle Fury | When his health reaches 500 or lower, every other post, his attacks deal 50 additional damage. On the turns he does not receive this bonus damage, he holds his shield up to mitigate 50 additional damage against him until his next turn.
• Frozen Soldier | If the freeze enhancement is activated on him, he will not receive the frozen affect, but instead receive -1 EVA and -1 ACC for one post.

Post Action: TECH-B -> Night King's Soldier
231587 | BD 1. Critical Miss.

(Didn't actually need it because the DoT did the job. If anyone asks about the crit miss it never happened, never ever)

 

 

Edited September 15 by Acanthus

[Pinball 1]

The soldier died quickly. The crystal, like his knives and his arms, disappeared beneath his cloak. Pinball remained motionless where he stood, allowing the two to recover themselves from the heat of battle. Was that the whole quest? Pinball was unfamiliar with the trilogy, despite his frequent visits to the Fourth Floor. He was about to ask as much, but his mouth shut before it could form the words. For one reason or another, he didn't want to ask. Instead, he turned his attention to the performer. 

"Thank you for the crystals, Acanthus," Pinball said. They had been very helpful, and he had no doubt that they would continue to be. He kept saying it, but he would have another order for her at some point down the line. It was just a matter of funds, and he could accrue such funds fairly quickly if he set his mind to it. It was just that recently, he'd been occupied with other things. Pinball looked to Morningstar, wondering if their quest was officially completed. "That it?"

[Morningstar 0]

Star looked over his quest rewards. A whole lot of nothing. That was expected, considering it was his third playthrough of part one. "Yeah," Star confirmed. "That's it. Quick and easy."

He half expected Pinball to disappear on the spot. It was a reoccurring theme, Star had come to realize, for the two to meet out of the blue before a quest, and then depart just as suddenly. There was never really a chance to figure out what he was all about.

"Thanks for the help," he said. Not that he particularly needed it, but it was nice to have company in such a cold place. "Meteor suits you," he told Acanthus. "Glad I gave it up. Nice work today. There's more to the questline, if either of you are up for it. No pressure, though."

Star would be continuing on either way. Levi stood around, looking antsy as he watched the dissolving soldier's body, as if it might stand back up and attack again.

[Acanthus 0]

“I would enjoy another quest with you both. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Pinball before. I enjoy seeing him.” She hoped he would see that as the compliment and admonishment she intended.

Acanthus turned away to smile faintly when Morningstar complimented her. Composing herself, she returned Morningstar’s gaze. “I’m sure you were both more than able to handle this quest yourselves. Thank you for allowing me to come and earn experience alongside you all.” She gave a quick bow.

Shivering at a sudden gust of wind, Acanthus looked around the icy landscape. “Where will we need to go for the next step of the quest? I am taking a break from another quest, so I could start right now. But I also understand wanting to take a few days. Pinball and I have been doing as much during Scent of the Wild."

“Whatever we decide to do, it has been a pleasure. Please keep me in mind for any future quests you would like help with.”