[PP-F09] Into the Fire <<Gatekeeper of Fire>>

[Mishiro 0]

in the forest she peers over pinball’s shoulder to look at the dungeon map but the world around them is already shifting. the ground pries apart to reveal a staircase, and she waits, quiet, for pinball to make his final preparations.

“...”

she turns her eyes to their health bars. three mass heal crystals in her pocket and a teleport each between them. the moment he goes, mishiro follows.

their steps echo as they descend. the domain is spacious, walled off on all sides by stone, and still as brightly lit as though they were still outside even if she couldn’t quite tell where the light was coming from. a lone tree stands at the far end of the space, eerily still without the touch of a breeze. pinball’s boot touches the ground and the first wave spawns.

four coyotes -- smaller than the wolves that wander the fields and forests near sibyl's estate. she leaves the woodland creatures there be, even. now, they are held down by a stun and mishiro, clearing the last few steps with a leap, unleashes a sword art with deadly precision. they melt. their remnants coalesce into a data crystal, which she disperses without a glance. she quickly moves closer to her companion, her eyes on the tree.

 

-> combat: aoe-i vs coyotes 1-4 [wave 1 slain]

Spoiler

PASSIVE: BH: 16 * 1.1 = +17 HP

POST ACTION: AOE-I vs Coyotes 1-4 [11 + (2 * 4) = 19 - 2 = 17 EN]
236327: BD 1 + 6 + 1 = 8 - 1 = 7: 22 * 11 = 242 - 60 = 182 DMG -> Coyote 1
236328: BD 5 + 6 + 1 = 12 - 1 = 11: 22 * 11 = 242 - 60 = 182 DMG -> Coyote 2
236329: BD 7 + 6 + 1 = 14 - 1 = 13: (22 + 6) * 11 = 308 - 60 = 248 DMG -> Coyote 3
236330: BD 9: (22 + 1) * 11 = 253 - 60 = 193 DMG -> Coyote 4

Pinball | HP: 865/989 | EN: 106/122 | DMG: 26 | ABS.ACC | ACC: 8 | EVA: 6 | BH: 41 | LD: 6 | TAUNT
Mishiro | HP: 549/552 | EN: 49/66 | DMG: 22 | MIT: 99 | ACC: 6 | AA | EVA: 3 | FLN: 6 (6-8) | BH: 16 | VO: 10%

Coyote 1: HP: 0/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1
Coyote 2: HP: 0/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1
Coyote 3: HP: 0/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1
Coyote 4: HP: 0/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1

--

LOOTING: Coyotes 1-4
236331: LD 16: CD 2: 400 * (3 + 2 + 2) = 2,800 Col, T4 Rare Consumable, T4 Rare Weapon
236332: LD 13: CD 8: 400 * (3 + 2) = 2,000 Col, 2 Materials, T4 Rare Weapon, T4 Uncommon Consumable
236333: LD 11: CD 7: 400 * 3 = 1,200 Col, 4 Materials, T4 Rare Weapon, T4 Uncommon Consumable
236334: LD 5: CD 2: 400 * (3 + 2) = 2,000 Col, 2 Materials

CURRENT TOTAL:

Quote

• 17,750 Col
• 8 Materials
• (4) T4 Rare Weapon [ID: 236335, 236331, 236332, 236333]
• (1) T4 Rare Trinket [ID: 236336]
• (1) T4 Rare Consumable [ID: 236331]
• (3) T4 Uncommon Consumable [ID: 236335, 236332, 236333]

 

 

Edited October 24, 2024 by Mishiro

[Pinball 1]

"Easier than Cerberus, isn't it?" But maybe he was speaking too soon. After they'd made short work of the coyotes, Pinball led the way and they traveled deeper into the dungeon. Descending down the cracked stone stairs, he noticed that despite moving further and further into the dungeon, the light never dimmed. Mighty roots tore through the stone walls, and wildflowers sprouted from the cracks in the floors. In the next room awaiting their arrival was a pair of wolves. 

He flicked a blade unerringly into each of their russet pelts; he wouldn't give either a chance to attack, if he could help it. They halted, immobilized, low growls emanating from behind twin pairs of bared fangs. Pinball took a step back and flipped a fresh blade into his palm. It was Mishiro's go, and afterwards, he'd see if he couldn't finish the two off before they were able to fully recover. 

*** 
EN Recovery: +4 
BH: +41 HP 
Action Taken: {Well Rested} [TECH-F] [-12 EN]
Timber Wolf 1: ID#238683 BD: 10 (Crit) - 26+3= 29*12= 348-120= 228 DMG 
Timber Wolf 2: ID#238684 BD: 1+8-1 (Hit) - 26*12= 312-120= 192 DMG 

Pinball | HP: 906/989 | EN: 98/122 | DMG: 26 | ABS.ACC | ACC: 8 | EVA: 6 | BH: 41 | LD: 6 | TAUNT
Mishiro | HP: 549/552 | EN: 49/66 | DMG: 22 | MIT: 99 | ACC: 6 | AA | EVA: 3 | FLN: 6 (6-8) | BH: 16 | VO: 10%

Timber Wolf 1: HP: 472/700 | DMG: 280 | MIT: 120 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1 {STUNNED} 
Timber Wolf 2: HP: 508/700 | DMG: 280 | MIT: 120 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1 {STUNNED} 

Edited December 10, 2024 by Pinball

[Mishiro 0]

a soft hum of agreement follows pinball's chatter.

behind the stagnant tree, a path opens. they continue to descend. content with her place a few steps behind pinball, mishiro considers their surroundings in the halcyon space between enemy waves. there are small flowers, weeds, really, blooming between the stones that she carefully avoids stepping on. the walls narrow the further they venture into the dungeon but once spilled out of the claustrophobic throat and faced with two prowling wolves, the area spreads in allowance for a fight. at least merely being here does not bring them immediate peril.

again, pinball moves first. the wolves are downed quickly. rooted to the ground. mishiro replaces him as soon as he allows her, striking with her rapier. she doesn't need to try so hard against immobilized mobs: a simple clean slash blooms across their twin forms. but as she moves to recover, her hand disturbs the violin half's strings, and the notes produced thus, though untuned, sear through the air and deepen the first wolf's wounds.

 

-> post action: aoe-ii vs timber wolves 1-2.

Spoiler

PASSIVE: BH: 16 * 1.1 = +17 HP
PASSIVE: +3 EN

POST ACTION: AOE-II vs Timber Wolves 1-2 [14 + (2 * 2) = 18 - 2 = -16 EN]
239017: BD 6 + 6 + 1 = 13 - 1 = 12: (22 + 6) * 14 = 392 - 120 = 272 DMG -> Timber Wolf 1
239018: BD 4 + 6 + 1 = 11 - 1 = 10: 22 * 14 = 308 - 120 = 188 DMG -> Timber Wolf 2

Pinball | HP: 906/989 | EN: 98/122 | DMG: 26 | ABS.ACC | ACC: 8 | EVA: 6 | BH: 41 | LD: 6 | TAUNT
[H:1,1] Mishiro | HP: 552/552 | EN: 36/66 | DMG: 22 | MIT: 99 | ACC: 6 | AA | EVA: 3 | FLN: 6 (6-8) | BH: 16 | VO: 10%

Timber Wolf 1: HP: 200/700 | DMG: 280 | MIT: 120 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1 {STUNNED} [StunImmune: 1/3]
Timber Wolf 2: HP: 320/700 | DMG: 280 | MIT: 120 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1 {STUNNED} [StunImmune: 1/3]

 

Edited December 30, 2024 by Mishiro

[Pinball 1]

There wasn't much more to say about it. He turned his focus to the wolves who'd, since his last attack, managed to regain their footing. Thankfully, they'd managed to get the drop on them, and so the actual danger of the fight was little to none. No, Cerberus had been much more difficult than the first two waves of the dungeon, and the hardest of the day's fights was still ahead of them. Pinball let his daggers fly. He stayed close to Mishiro, baiting the mob's aggression and paying close attention to any shift in their behavior. Though he was playing the roll of tank, Pinball was on the back foot. That's where he preferred to be. "After this we can take a breather if you need to. I've got to swap some equipment around before the boss." His hands disappeared beneath his cloak. Mishiro was already handling finishing the wolves off, and Pinball wasn't close behind regardless. 

*** 

Spoiler

BH: +41 HP 
+4 EN 
POST ACTION: TECH-F vs Timber Wolves 1-2 {Well Rested} [-12 EN] 
239329 BD: 3+8 (Hit): 26*12= 312-120= 192 DMG -> Timber Wolf 1 
239330 BD: 7+8 (Hit): 26*12= 312-120= 192 DMG -> Timber Wolf 2 

[H:5,4] Pinball | HP: 947/989 | EN: 90/122 | DMG: 26 | ABS.ACC | ACC: 8 | EVA: 6 | BH: 41 | LD: 6 | TAUNT
[H:1,1] Mishiro | HP: 552/552 | EN: 36/66 | DMG: 22 | MIT: 99 | ACC: 6 | AA | EVA: 3 | FLN: 6 (6-8) | BH: 16 | VO: 10%

Timber Wolf 1: HP: 8/700 | DMG: 280 | MIT: 120 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1 {STUNNED} [StunImmune: 1/3]
Timber Wolf 2: HP: 128/700 | DMG: 280 | MIT: 120 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1 {STUNNED} [StunImmune: 1/3]

 

Edited December 30, 2024 by Pinball

[Mishiro 0]

she knows her own stamina without having to shift her focus to that spot in her peripheries.

"need to," another fifth vanishes to power the next sword art, then mishiro flicks her gaze to her display anyway, bent slightly lower to check on pinball's. she adds, guilty, "sorry."

it is difficult to count these things down to the last number in the heat of a fight. she thrusts her rapier at the wolves for the second time, ends up behind them with a data crystal blooming just above the back of her hand. but as she swiftly turns around to face what she expects to be the mobs' dissolving remnants, she hears the furious rally of the last timber wolf, clinging on to life by a thin red line.

it snaps its teeth at the empty air where pinball had previously been standing.

mishiro forces down another apology and holds off on sheathing her blade.

 

-> post action: aoe-i vs timber wolves 1-2.

Spoiler

PASSIVE: +3 EN

POST ACTION: AOE-I vs Timber Wolves 1-2 [11 + (2 * 2) = 15 - 2 = -13 EN]
239494: BD 3 + 6 + 1 = 10 - 1 = 9: 22 * 11 = 242 - 120 = 122 DMG -> Timber Wolf 1
239495: BD 4 + 6 + 1 = 11 - 1 = 10: MD 3 + 2 = 5 - 6 = -1: 22 * 11 = 242 - 120 = 122 DMG -> Timber Wolf 2

[H:4] Pinball | HP: 947/989 | EN: 90/122 | DMG: 26 | ABS.ACC | ACC: 8 | EVA: 6 | BH: 41 | LD: 6 | TAUNT
[H:2] Mishiro | HP: 552/552 | EN: 26/66 | DMG: 22 | MIT: 99 | ACC: 6 | AA | EVA: 3 | FLN: 6 (6-8) | BH: 16 | VO: 10%

Timber Wolf 1: HP: 0/700 | DMG: 280 | MIT: 120 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1 [StunImmune: 1/3]
Timber Wolf 2: HP: 6/700 | DMG: 280 | MIT: 120 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1 [StunImmune: 1/3]

--

LOOTING: Timber Wolf 1
239496: LD 5: CD 7: 700 * 3 = 2,100 Col; 4 Materials

CURRENT TOTAL:

Quote

• 19,850 Col
• 12 Materials
• (4) T4 Rare Weapon [ID: 236335, 236331, 236332, 236333]
• (1) T4 Rare Trinket [ID: 236336]
• (1) T4 Rare Consumable [ID: 236331]
• (3) T4 Uncommon Consumable [ID: 236335, 236332, 236333]

 

 

Edited December 30, 2024 by Mishiro

[Pinball 1]

"Don't apologize," he replied. He'd figured she'd need to, and it didn't bother him at all. Time was not of the essence; he'd much rather have her with him operating at peak strength. He took a momentary breather himself as Mishiro thrust her rapier forward in graceful flashes. The elegant flourishes spelled the end for one of the two timber wolves, but the last one held on with just a sliver of health remaining. It snapped its jaws at empty air. Wildly whipping its head towards him, the last thing it would see was the pointed edge of a dagger hurtling towards its skull. 

And that was the last of them. 

His blades disappeared beneath his cloak, and he immediately made for the stairs of the next room, stopping beside it. He leaned against the wall and swiped open his inventory. 

"I've never actually been to this floor," Pinball admitted. "I would have thought it was another vacation spot by the looks of it." 

But that wasn't to say he didn't like it. 

*** 

Spoiler

PASSIVE: +4 EN
+41 HP 

POST ACTION: TECH-F vs Timber Wolves 2 [-10 EN] 
Timber Wolf 2: ID#239763 BD: 2+8 (Hit) - 26*12= 312-120= 192 DMG -> Timber Wolf 2

[H:6] Pinball | HP: 988/989 | EN: 84/122 | DMG: 26 | ABS.ACC | ACC: 8 | EVA: 6 | BH: 41 | LD: 6 | TAUNT
[H:2] Mishiro | HP: 552/552 | EN: 26/66 | DMG: 22 | MIT: 99 | ACC: 6 | AA | EVA: 3 | FLN: 6 (6-8) | BH: 16 | VO: 10%

Timber Wolf 2: HP: 0/700 | DMG: 280 | MIT: 120 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1 [StunImmune: 1/3]

Looting Timber Wolf 2: 
ID: 239764 | LD: 26 (20, +6) | CD: 11 (11, +0) | 3500col, Materials (2), Gleaming Scale/Demonic Shard (1), Random Dungeon Map (1)    

 

Edited January 5 by Pinball

[Mishiro 0]

she joins him not long after, sliding her rapier back into its sheath and standing an arm's length away from him. her pale eyes follow the spillage of the light up to the unbroken ceiling it is strangely emanating from. more than halfway deep into the dungeon, without the busyness of a fight, without the sounds of their steps moving past this empty space to the next, she almost feels the quiet like a texture.

pinball is looking through his inventory, which almost inspires mishiro to check the drops she had received. but he also talks.

because it is the frontlines? despite that it is the frontlines?

she can't chart where asking that might lead to and she doesn't want to stagger her focus on the upcoming fight.

"neither have i," mishiro says after a pause. the unchanging routine of her duties in the fifteenth aside, sibyl or loth or (rarer) her cohorts normally liked to invite her to the new floor once it has been safely mapped. this time, everyone seems to have forgotten or put it off. kept putting it off. she doesn't feel particularly inclined one way or the other, and she doesn't picture herself blameless, given how much of her time she has tipped over to pinball. "the main settlement... doesn't appear to be as busy as the rest. guarded, for that matter," mishiro continues.

the offer, or at least the carefully lowered bridge to it, hangs in the few moments of silence between them.

she has another thought she is contending with. it hadn't occurred to her on the twenty-seventh. "do you prefer it this way? the peaceful, picturesque floors."

 

-> [ooc regen: 1/3]

Edited January 6 by Mishiro

[Pinball 1]

He finished his inventory management and waved the interface away. 

"I guess not," he replied. He'd entered stealth reflexively upon entering the settlement, and they'd left quickly after. "I hadn't really noticed." He looked at her for a moment and immediately felt that little desire in his chest swell once more. He took it gently in both hands and crushed it. Those thoughts, no matter how pleasant they might be, were not meant for him. But believing that-- wasn't it getting a little old? Wasn't it tiring, denying himself those experiences? He thought of all the pain he'd inflicted on others, the horrible things he'd done. He thought of the anguish he'd endured, the loneliness, that horrible period of time between his isolation and his return where he had to learn how to interact with people like a human again. Hadn't he done enough to atone? No, of course not. But maybe just this once... 

His mouth felt dry when he spoke, his throat burned, his voice was barely above a whisper. "Maybe we can check it out." 

Pinball coughed quickly and cleared his throat. "Yes, I think. Pretty, less players around. Talking to people is probably my least favorite thing in the world, so maybe it just works out that way." He trailed off. Those few unspoken words hung in the air between them: "Except you, of course."

*** 

EN RECOVERY: 1/2 

EQUIPPED: Tyrfing -> Hellfire 

[Mishiro 0]

"okay," she says, "we'll try."

and if his words were shaped around some strange foreign emotion, she again quietly lets it pass. pinball was the one who could name these things, not only because they were his. and he talks over himself anyway, spilling out surface thoughts as though in a rush. he abruptly stops and she can only conclude that he'd hit a verbal dead end. without her knowledge, the corners of mishiro's lips twitch upwards in faint amusement because the figure he casts at the edge of her gaze almost appears flustered at proving his own point... or as visibly flustered as a pinball could ever be.

she also understands that he isn't talking about her. of course he isn't. they've been friends for years.

she twines her fingers behind her back, continuing to wait. on her side, she finds it less difficult to share the more disorderly part of her mind with pinball. "i... earlier just found that i don't know what to think of these floors. there hasn't been a new one like this in a while. and what's not to like, really. i remember--" (does she?) (she doesn't.) "--enjoying the twenty-fourth when it opened. but recently the lesser half of myself can't put up with these guises. because no matter what form it takes, it's all a part of the game, isn't it?

"but as you said. it is pleasant here. i can appreciate pretty things still, i think."

 

-> [ooc regen: 2/3]

Edited January 13 by Mishiro