[BR-F28] Paving the Way to Floor 29 [Team 4: Jomei]

[Plot Master 0]

From the broken earth at their feet, a low hanging mist began to form, a cacophony of whispers and moans rising to meet them. Lost souls rose from the depths below once more. Tethered to this withering grove by some unknown power. Forced against whatever of their will remained to do the bidding of this corrupted creature. Without direction or much purpose, the spirits circled the grouping of players, creating their own tightrope between the realm of spirits and the physical world. Callisto was able to cross this threshold, becoming partially ethereal in the process. His form would blend with the other souls, his physical form blinking in and out of existence. Blades would phase through the cyan vortex of spirits as they attempted to pin Callisto's form down once more. Only with pinpoint precision could they cut the thread that the raging beast walked upon.

Round 9 has begun.
Players will have until 12/14/2024 | 11:59:59 PM (EST) to complete their post
[Countdown Timer]

---

Lair action Descriptions:
Blooming Decay | LD 1-5 | Callisto will regenerate 1% of his maximum hitpoints at the start of his next turn, when this occurs this effect ends. This buff can be removed before Callisto's turn if Burn is applied/refreshed by your party.
Nature's Fury | LD 6-10 | At the start of Callisto's next turn, all players are inflicted with bleed 2. If this would refresh an existing bleed, the entire damage is dealt before refreshing. This effect is removed when your party uses their post actions to make a culminative LD (Nimble + Evasion Modifier) roll of 30 to free themselves from their binds and assist their team.
Stride the Spirit Realm | LD 11-15 | While Callisto has this buff, his evasion is set to 10 and the first successful attack does not deal damage (Status effects will still apply). After the first successful attack, this buff is removed (i.e., successive attacks will deal damage and his evasion is reset to its normal amount). In addition, while under the effects of Stride the Spirit Realm, all activated Accuracy bonuses (Rally, Concentration, etc.) provide double the normal accuracy modifier during player's attacks.
Addled Memory | LD 16-20 | Harrowing sounds of old drown out deeper thoughts, your party can no longer use items until the start of Callisto's next turn. This effect is removed when your party uses their post action to make a culminative LD (Searching + Detect + Trinket + Food) roll of 30 to shake themselves out of this stupor. 

Lair Action Roll:

ID 238724| LD 11 -> Stride the Spirit Realm

[Bahr 0]

Bahr was so mortified he could laugh. But he knew if he started, he'd never stop. What cruel games was death playing with them? It seemed that whatever damage Freyd had sustained had been reversed. Bahr was starting to believe that death was anything but permanent in this realm. Kayaba's announcement on launch day was surely nothing more than a ruse.

However still. Bahr wasn't keen on being felled just yet, supposing he could be wrong.

His form would flicker before taking its place at Callisto's feet, a line traced with the edge of Dawn's Demise cleaving directly through the monster's dilapidated form. A couple more like that, and we'll be through with this thing.

---

Recovery?
ID: 238779 | CD: 11, +4 EN.

Free Action.
Vanish, -5 EN.

Post Action.
ST-I vs Callisto the Tainted via Surprise Attack: Trickster, -12 EN.
ID: 238780 | BD: 4, Autohit, 0 damage inflicted against Callisto the Tainted due to Stride the Spirit Realm.

Spoiler

Party Stat Blocks:
[13] Jomei | HP: 984/1152 | EN: 121/134 | DMG: 12 | MIT:214 | ACC:5 | TAUNT | F-SPIRIT | EVA: 8 | BH:63 | HB: 51 | VAMP-D: 127 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1 | Clean | DOTE: 2/3 | [TXC VNM 64/2], [ENV-O 64/2] | COUNTER [25%]
[8] Arabelle | HP: 816/816 | EN: 14/106 | DMG: 30 | MIT:80 | ACC:5 | EVA:1 | THORNS:40 | BH:41 | HB: 33 | VAMP-D: 82 | RISK: 8 | FLN: 8 | BLD: 48 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | STNG [x1] | HYPE 1/3
[5] Cordelia | HP: 920/920 | EN: 42/114 | DMG: 32 | MIT:80 | ACC:7 | AA | PHASE | EVA:5 | BH:51 | HB: 20 | HLY: 16 | LD: 0 | TROLLS-B | DOTE: 3/3
[7] Pinball | HP: 1032/1032 | EN: 33/122 | DMG: 29 | ACC:7 | EVA:6 | BH:73 | HB: 45 | BLD:48 | BLI: 32/-20  | BRN: 56 | STC: 40 | TXC-V: 32 | LD:6 | DOTE: 3/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | STNG [x1] | JEWEL | Clean
[0] Lessa  | HP: 1081/1081 | EN: 104/126 | DMG: 13 | MIT:187 | EVA:2 | THORNS:72 | BH:32 | HB: 43 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | HLY: 8 | DOTE: 3/3 | PROB:36 | Clean
[11] Bahr | HP: 1035/1035 | EN: 86/124 | DMG: 24 | MIT: 163 | ACC: 7 | EVA: 4 | BH: 52 | HB: 21 | REC: 4 | FLN: 8 | HLY: 16 | PHASE | LD:5 | DOTE: 1/3 | Clean

Cooldowns:
Jomei | Focused Howl 4/4, Charge 1/3
Lessa | Hyperactive 3/3 Press The Attack 1/3
Pinball | Vanish 1/3
Cordelia | Charge 1/3
Arabelle | Charge 1/3
Bahr | Vanish 0/3

 

Edited December 15 by Bahr

[Arabelle 0]

she is party to a kind of comedy or something and this is her cue to laugh.

laugh.

she doesn't. arabelle cuts and chops and hacks away at callisto's decaying body, ignoring the remnants of ghosts bahr had dispelled. confusion and cautious hope ripples through the raid, starting with a booming yell from a voice she doesn't recognize, and she's sure they'll all dissolve into a puddle of happy tears once this is all over. even the bear looks disgruntled. had she been in a less foul mood, and in any other team, perhaps the one involved, she might have dipped into the obligation to play along. as it is, they seem to be scraping all the boons without the payoff. how perverse.

she has stopped looking at her energy the moment callisto's second-to-the-last health bar turned red. she resists the temptation to collapse as she brings down the final blow of her sword art. as she recovers and pulls far out of the way from their rallying attackers, she thinks of a dozen other names infallibly struck dead.

her red eyes on callisto's death throes, arabelle holds her scythe behind her, fingers drumming impatiently across its stem.

 

-> post action: aoe-ii vs callisto the tainted: 605 dmg.

Spoiler

PASSIVE: 4 + 3 (HYPERACTIVE) = +7 EN

POST ACTION: AOE-II vs Callisto the Tainted [14 + (2 * 1) = -16 EN]
238793: BD 3 + 5 = 8: CD 10: (26 + 4) * (18 + 1) = 570 - (65 - 20) =  525 + 80 = 605 DMG -> Callisto the Tainted

• ST-B: Ready.

Party Stat Blocks:
[13] Jomei | HP: 984/1152 | EN: 121/134 | DMG: 12 | MIT:214 | ACC:5 | TAUNT | F-SPIRIT | EVA: 8 | BH:63 | HB: 51 | VAMP-D: 127 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1 | Clean | DOTE: 2/3 | [TXC VNM 64/2], [ENV-O 64/2] | COUNTER [25%]
[9] Arabelle | HP: 816/816 | EN: 5/106 | DMG: 30 | MIT:80 | ACC:5 | EVA:1 | THORNS:40 | BH:41 | HB: 33 | VAMP-D: 82 | RISK: 8 | FLN: 8 | BLD: 48 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | STNG [x1] | HYPE 0/3
[5] Cordelia | HP: 920/920 | EN: 42/114 | DMG: 32 | MIT:80 | ACC:7 | AA | PHASE | EVA:5 | BH:51 | HB: 20 | HLY: 16 | LD: 0 | TROLLS-B | DOTE: 3/3
[7] Pinball | HP: 1032/1032 | EN: 33/122 | DMG: 29 | ACC:7 | EVA:6 | BH:73 | HB: 45 | BLD:48 | BLI: 32/-20  | BRN: 56 | STC: 40 | TXC-V: 32 | LD:6 | DOTE: 3/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | STNG [x1] | JEWEL | Clean
[0] Lessa  | HP: 1081/1081 | EN: 104/126 | DMG: 13 | MIT:187 | EVA:2 | THORNS:72 | BH:32 | HB: 43 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | HLY: 8 | DOTE: 3/3 | PROB:36 | Clean
[11] Bahr | HP: 1035/1035 | EN: 86/124 | DMG: 24 | MIT: 163 | ACC: 7 | EVA: 4 | BH: 52 | HB: 21 | REC: 4 | FLN: 8 | HLY: 16 | PHASE | LD:5 | DOTE: 1/3 | Clean

Cooldowns:
Jomei | Focused Howl 4/4, Charge 1/3
Lessa | Hyperactive 3/3 Press The Attack 1/3
Pinball | Vanish 1/3
Cordelia | Charge 1/3
Arabelle | Charge 2/3
Bahr | Vanish 0/3

 

Edited December 18 by Arabelle

[Jomei 0]

"What the hell is going on?" Jomei would mumble to himself under his breath as he dodged and weaved to avoid Callisto's assault. Just as quickly as he had perished, nothing left but shattered fragments to the stale wind, he was back to the land of the living. Now was definitely not the time to be pondering reality, and questioning how such a thing could happen.

But the threat of death, in a world made to kill them, kept them living a dangerous life of caution for what felt like years. Was it all an empty threat? 

Would their real lives actually end when their digital forms died? Was the key to releasing themselves from this prison the lie that was fed to them from the start? 

No, he quickly shook away the thought as a plume of viscous, blue smoke rose from under him. He had friends that had died, he's watched players die. If they were able to come back, like Freyd apparently had, at least one of them would have. This had to have been some fluke, some bug, something. The pad of his thumb pressed into the soft spot of his temple. 

It was giving him a headache thinking about it. 

As Callisto phased back to their physical form, the grip on Viscous Mockery would tighten, and the ginger would stride forth. No matter what had happened, they still had to finish this fight. Their foe clung to a little more than a single health bar, not low enough to say this battle's conclusion was obvious, but enough to instill them with just a tidbit of confidence.

No musical accompaniment, no bard-like flair, just Callisto and Jomei. The Emerald Duelist felt the confidence surge within him, the desire to keep the ones he cared about safe. With the tip of his blade pointed towards the muck at his feet, he stood as a shield between his comrades, and Callisto. "Come on you fucker. You couldn't kill Freyd, you sure as hell can't kill me." Tilting his chin up in a taunting manner, his lips would curl into a smirk. "Take your best shot."

Spoiler

> +4 EN, +64 BH, +51 HB
Vamp D | ID 238834 | LD 11 -> +127 HP
> - 64 ENV-O, -64 TXC-VNM

Post Action: Parry [Vengeful],[Justified]
- 9 EN
 

Party Stat Blocks:
[13] Jomei | HP: 1098/1152 | EN: 116/134 | DMG: 12 | MIT:214 | ACC:5 | TAUNT | F-SPIRIT | EVA: 8 | BH:63 | HB: 51 | VAMP-D: 127 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1 | DOTE: 2/3 | [TXC VNM 64/1], [ENV-O 64/1] | COUNTER+PARRY [75%] [Vengeful] | [Justified]
[9] Arabelle | HP: 816/816 | EN: 5/106 | DMG: 30 | MIT:80 | ACC:5 | EVA:1 | THORNS:40 | BH:41 | HB: 33 | VAMP-D: 82 | RISK: 8 | FLN: 8 | BLD: 48 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | STNG [x1] | HYPE 0/3
[5] Cordelia | HP: 920/920 | EN: 42/114 | DMG: 32 | MIT:80 | ACC:7 | AA | PHASE | EVA:5 | BH:51 | HB: 20 | HLY: 16 | LD: 0 | TROLLS-B | DOTE: 3/3
[7] Pinball | HP: 1032/1032 | EN: 33/122 | DMG: 29 | ACC:7 | EVA:6 | BH:73 | HB: 45 | BLD:48 | BLI: 32/-20  | BRN: 56 | STC: 40 | TXC-V: 32 | LD:6 | DOTE: 3/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | STNG [x1] | JEWEL | Clean
[0] Lessa  | HP: 1081/1081 | EN: 104/126 | DMG: 13 | MIT:187 | EVA:2 | THORNS:72 | BH:32 | HB: 43 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | HLY: 8 | DOTE: 3/3 | PROB:36 | Clean
[11] Bahr | HP: 1035/1035 | EN: 86/124 | DMG: 24 | MIT: 163 | ACC: 7 | EVA: 4 | BH: 52 | HB: 21 | REC: 4 | FLN: 8 | HLY: 16 | PHASE | LD:5 | DOTE: 1/3 | Clean

Cooldowns:
Jomei | Parry 1/3, Justified Riposte 1/4, Vengeful Riposte 1/4, Charge 2/3
Lessa | Hyperactive 3/3 Press The Attack 1/3
Pinball | Vanish 1/3
Cordelia | Charge 1/3
Arabelle | Charge 2/3
Bahr | Vanish 0/3

 

[Cordelia 0]

Cordelia’s jaw almost dropped to the ground.

“What the fuck!” she exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air incredulously. Well, she guessed she shouldn’t be too mad since she prayed for the man, but *what the fuck!* Inwardly, she cursed Kayaba for whatever the heck that was, but she didn’t have much time to dwell on it. Freyd was alive(?) and in one piece, and that’d save her from feeling bummed out for the rest of the fight.

Now with a burden off her shoulders, Cordelia had no hesitation going back into her fight. Bahr was fortunate enough to land a hit, knocking Callisto out of his enhanced state. With him partially staggered, Cordelia drew her katana and sliced across the bear’s ragged pelt. 

Holyless once again.

She wasn’t allowed to use her weapon apparently. Onimaru is a stubborn thing, always withholding its power until the very last second. Maybe she won’t activate holy at all this fight. Who knows. Who cares. Not her. Not Cordelia!

---

ST-I vs Callisto | ID: 238936 | BD: 8, hit
32x(12+3)= 480- 45= 435 DMG

42+4-(11-2)= 37 EN

Spoiler Party Stat Blocks: [13] Jomei | HP: 1098/1152 | EN: 116/134 | DMG: 12 | MIT:214 | ACC:5 | TAUNT | F-SPIRIT | EVA: 8 | BH:63 | HB: 51 | VAMP-D: 127 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1 | DOTE: 2/3 | [TXC VNM 64/1], [ENV-O 64/1] | COUNTER+PARRY [75%] [Vengeful] | [Justified] [9] Arabelle | HP: 816/816 | EN: 5/106 | DMG: 30 | MIT:80 | ACC:5 | EVA:1 | THORNS:40 | BH:41 | HB: 33 | VAMP-D: 82 | RISK: 8 | FLN: 8 | BLD: 48 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | STNG [x1] | HYPE 0/3 [5] Cordelia | HP: 920/920 | EN: 37/114 | DMG: 32 | MIT:80 | ACC:7 | AA | PHASE | EVA:5 | BH:51 | HB: 20 | HLY: 16 | LD: 0 | TROLLS-B | DOTE: 3/3 [7] Pinball | HP: 1032/1032 | EN: 33/122 | DMG: 29 | ACC:7 | EVA:6 | BH:73 | HB: 45 | BLD:48 | BLI: 32/-20  | BRN: 56 | STC: 40 | TXC-V: 32 | LD:6 | DOTE: 3/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | STNG [x1] | JEWEL | Clean [0] Lessa  | HP: 1081/1081 | EN: 104/126 | DMG: 13 | MIT:187 | EVA:2 | THORNS:72 | BH:32 | HB: 43 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | HLY: 8 | DOTE: 3/3 | PROB:36 | Clean [11] Bahr | HP: 1035/1035 | EN: 86/124 | DMG: 24 | MIT: 163 | ACC: 7 | EVA: 4 | BH: 52 | HB: 21 | REC: 4 | FLN: 8 | HLY: 16 | PHASE | LD:5 | DOTE: 1/3 | Clean Cooldowns: Jomei | Parry 1/3, Justified Riposte 1/4, Vengeful Riposte 1/4, Charge 2/3 Lessa | Hyperactive 3/3 Press The Attack 1/3 Pinball | Vanish 1/3 Cordelia | Charge 1/3 Arabelle | Charge 2/3 Bahr | Vanish 0/3

 

Edited December 15 by Cordelia

[Lessa 1]

"What."

She said nothing more as Lessa watched Freyd return from the dead, though her lips moved soundlessly on words she couldn't find. Shock had melded into such a powerful grief that this sudden pivot made her a bit nauseous. Apparently unable to settle on an appropriate emotion, her body chose to shut down completely, her arms limp, her blue eyes wide and glazed over. If everyone quieted down, they could likely hear the dialup tone drifting from somewhere between Lessa's ears.

It was Jomei's shout that she latched onto first, borrowing his courage just as readily as she might have taken an outstretched hand. He cried out his defiance, and she let it fall over her like a cold rain. It soothed. It refreshed. Then it invigorated.

"Goddamn," Lessa huffed, hefting Arcael's Might like a batter approaching the plate. "This fight is flipping through the feelings faster than my middle school diary." Then she swung the blade toward Arabelle, hitting the young woman with what was likely her last energy boost of the battle. "Let's kill this ass and go get a drink."

♫

Spoiler POST ACTION: Energize > Arabelle 104 +4 (passive) - 10 (Energize) = 98 Additional 8 EN has been added to Arabelle's statblock. Party Stat Blocks: [13] Jomei | HP: 1098/1152 | EN: 116/134 | DMG: 12 | MIT:214 | ACC:5 | TAUNT | F-SPIRIT | EVA: 8 | BH:63 | HB: 51 | VAMP-D: 127 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1 | DOTE: 2/3 | [TXC VNM 64/1], [ENV-O 64/1] | COUNTER+PARRY [75%] [Vengeful] | [Justified] [9] Arabelle | HP: 816/816 | EN: 13/106 | DMG: 30 | MIT:80 | ACC:5 | EVA:1 | THORNS:40 | BH:41 | HB: 33 | VAMP-D: 82 | RISK: 8 | FLN: 8 | BLD: 48 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | STNG [x1] | HYPE 0/3 [5] Cordelia | HP: 920/920 | EN: 42/114 | DMG: 32 | MIT:80 | ACC:7 | AA | PHASE | EVA:5 | BH:51 | HB: 20 | HLY: 16 | LD: 0 | TROLLS-B | DOTE: 3/3 [7] Pinball | HP: 1032/1032 | EN: 33/122 | DMG: 29 | ACC:7 | EVA:6 | BH:73 | HB: 45 | BLD:48 | BLI: 32/-20  | BRN: 56 | STC: 40 | TXC-V: 32 | LD:6 | DOTE: 3/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | STNG [x1] | JEWEL | Clean [0] Lessa  | HP: 1081/1081 | EN: 98/126 | DMG: 13 | MIT:187 | EVA:2 | THORNS:72 | BH:32 | HB: 43 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | HLY: 8 | DOTE: 3/3 | PROB:36 | Clean [11] Bahr | HP: 1035/1035 | EN: 86/124 | DMG: 24 | MIT: 163 | ACC: 7 | EVA: 4 | BH: 52 | HB: 21 | REC: 4 | FLN: 8 | HLY: 16 | PHASE | LD:5 | DOTE: 1/3 | Clean Cooldowns: Jomei | Parry 1/3, Justified Riposte 1/4, Vengeful Riposte 1/4, Charge 2/3 Lessa | Press The Attack 2/3, Energize 1/3 Pinball | Vanish 1/3 Cordelia | Charge 1/3 Arabelle | Charge 2/3 Bahr | Vanish 0/3

[Pinball 1]

More of the same. Pinball wasn't forced aside, targeted, or otherwise impeded, so his strategy did not change. He hung around in the back, cloak drawn across his shoulders, moving quietly and quickly, waiting for the most opportune moment to strike. He was dialed in, for lack of better words, and he hadn't missed a moment yet. He was aware that he wasn't contributing a lot of damage to the fight, but it seemed like he was providing decent enough utility to not be complete dead weight; and he'd brought such an array of status effects that'd helped cover the gaps of the other teams. He hadn't needed to pop his own Perpetuate since the beginning of the fight, and so his role was relegated to the occasional attack and the anxious tracking of his team's health bars. His gaze flitted from battlefield to healthbar. Callisto didn't have much left in the tank. Was the fight nearly finished? 

*** 

ACTION: 435 DMG + DELAY

Spoiler

+4 EN 
ACTION TAKEN: [TECH-B] [-14 EN] 
Callisto: ID#238953 BD: 4+7 (Hit) - 25*16= 400+80-45= 435 DMG + DELAY 

Party Stat Blocks:
[13] Jomei | HP: 1098/1152 | EN: 116/134 | DMG: 12 | MIT:214 | ACC:5 | TAUNT | F-SPIRIT | EVA: 8 | BH:63 | HB: 51 | VAMP-D: 127 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1 | DOTE: 2/3 | [TXC VNM 64/1], [ENV-O 64/1] | COUNTER+PARRY [75%] [Vengeful] | [Justified]
[9] Arabelle | HP: 816/816 | EN: 5/106 | DMG: 30 | MIT:80 | ACC:5 | EVA:1 | THORNS:40 | BH:41 | HB: 33 | VAMP-D: 82 | RISK: 8 | FLN: 8 | BLD: 48 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | STNG [x1] | HYPE 0/3
[5] Cordelia | HP: 920/920 | EN: 37/114 | DMG: 32 | MIT:80 | ACC:7 | AA | PHASE | EVA:5 | BH:51 | HB: 20 | HLY: 16 | LD: 0 | TROLLS-B | DOTE: 3/3
[8] Pinball | HP: 1032/1032 | EN: 23/122 | DMG: 29 | ACC:7 | EVA:6 | BH:73 | HB: 45 | BLD:48 | BLI: 32/-20  | BRN: 56 | STC: 40 | TXC-V: 32 | LD:6 | DOTE: 3/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | STNG [x1] | JEWEL | Clean
[0] Lessa  | HP: 1081/1081 | EN: 104/126 | DMG: 13 | MIT:187 | EVA:2 | THORNS:72 | BH:32 | HB: 43 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | HLY: 8 | DOTE: 3/3 | PROB:36 | Clean
[11] Bahr | HP: 1035/1035 | EN: 86/124 | DMG: 24 | MIT: 163 | ACC: 7 | EVA: 4 | BH: 52 | HB: 21 | REC: 4 | FLN: 8 | HLY: 16 | PHASE | LD:5 | DOTE: 1/3 | Clean

Cooldowns:
Jomei | Parry 1/3, Justified Riposte 1/4, Vengeful Riposte 1/4, Charge 2/3
Lessa | Hyperactive 3/3 Press The Attack 1/3
Pinball | Vanish 3/3
Cordelia | Charge 1/3
Arabelle | Charge 2/3
Bahr | Vanish 0/3

 

Edited December 15 by Pinball

[Plot Master 0]

The beast staggered forward, its massive form looming like a shadow cast over the dying land. Once a proud guardian of the forest, the bear now stood as a grotesque reflection of its former self, its fur matted and blackened with the corruption that seeped through its flesh. Deep, jagged wounds bled darkness rather than blood, oozing onto the cracked earth as though the forest itself were trying to purge its own sickness. Its breath came in ragged, guttural heaves, hot vapor curling from its maw like smoke from a smoldering pyre.

Around it, the forest crumbled. Towering oaks twisted into warped spirals, their bark flaking off in ashen sheets, disintegrating into the fetid air. The ground buckled and cracked beneath the bear’s weight, roots writhing as though trying to retreat from the corruption that poured from every step it took. Leaves that had once glistened in the dappled light of day now hung limp and gray, as if drained of their life. The world itself recoiled in silent agony.

The bear’s eyes glowed with a pale white stained with venomous ink, swirling like a storm caught behind glass. Madness danced within them, but deeper still lay a glimmer of something else—pain. This was not its war, not its hatred, but a curse it could no longer fight. With a shuddering roar that split the deadened air, it charged forward, each lumbering step shaking the earth. Its claws, now jagged obsidian talons, carved furrows into the soil as it swung at unseen foes. Every movement was met with the groaning of the forest, the very earth threatening to collapse into itself, as if trying to bury the beast and its torment forever.

Adjustments:
Press The Attack removed form blocks
Arabelle | Hyperactive removed from block
Cordelia | Hate Adjusted: +1 = 6

Cooldowns:
Jomei | Focused Howl restored, Charge 2/3
Lessa | Hyperactive recharges, Press The Attack 2/3
Pinball | Vanish 3/3
Cordelia | Charge 2/3
Arabelle | Charge 2/3

Lair Action Defense:
Bahr -> Stride of the Spirit Realm Fades

Applications:
[Delay] ACC -2 under rampage | -1 CD
Shatter, Rend, Bleed, Blight, Burn, Frostbite, Static fade from Callisto

Damage:
Jomei | 0
Pinball | 435 ,{Delay}
Arabelle | 605
Lessa | 0
Cordelia | 435
Bahr | 0
DoT | 504
Total Dealt: 1475 + 504  DMG
Rampage Stacks | 4 (+200 DMG, +4 ACC)

---

Totem of the Bear -> Jomei's Hatred reduced by -1
Post Action Target -> Jomei
ID 239023 | BD 8 (Crit w/ Focus) | CD 9(-1)=8 | Reckless Ensnare
Jomei is Ensnared

[Delay] Fade
Rampage reset to 0

---

Players:

[12] Jomei | HP: 1098/1152 | EN: 116/134 | DMG: 8 | MIT:214 | ACC:5 | TAUNT | F-SPIRIT | EVA: 8 | BH:63 | HB: 51 | VAMP-D: 127 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1 | DOTE: 2/3 | [TXC VNM 64/1], [ENV-O 64/1] | COUNTER [25%] | ENSNARED
[9] Arabelle | HP: 816/816 | EN: 13/106 | DMG: 26 | MIT:80 | ACC:5 | EVA:1 | THORNS:40 | BH:41 | HB: 33 | VAMP-D: 82 | RISK: 8 | FLN: 8 | BLD: 48 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | STNG [x1]
[6] Cordelia | HP: 920/920 | EN: 37/114 | DMG: 28 | MIT:80 | ACC:7 | AA | PHASE | EVA:5 | BH:51 | HB: 20 | HLY: 16 | LD: 0 | TROLLS-B | DOTE: 3/3
[8] Pinball | HP: 1032/1032 | EN: 23/122 | DMG: 25 | ACC:7 | EVA:6 | BH:73 | HB: 45 | BLD:48 | BLI: 32/-20  | BRN: 56 | STC: 40 | TXC-V: 32 | LD:6 | DOTE: 3/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | STNG [x1] | JEWEL | Clean
[0] Lessa  | HP: 1081/1081 | EN: 98/126 | DMG: 13 | MIT:187 | EVA:2 | THORNS:72 | BH:32 | HB: 43 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | HLY: 8 | DOTE: 3/3 | PROB:36 | Clean
[11]Bahr | HP: 1035/1035 | EN: 86/124 | DMG: 24 | MIT:163 | ACC: 7 | EVA: 4 | BH: 52 | HB: 21 | REC: 4 | FLN: 8 | HLY: 16 | PHASE | LD:5 | DOTE: 1/3 | Clean

Callisto the Tainted | DMG: 300[+200] | MIT: 65 | ACC: -1[4][-1] | EVA:0 | BLIND 2 (8-10) | RAMPAGE [4/6] | Iron Flesh | [TXC-V 64/1] | [ENV-O 32/2] | [ENV-O 32/2]

[Plot Master 0]

From the broken earth at their feet, a low hanging mist began to form, a cacophony of whispers and moans rising to meet them. Lost souls rose from the depths below once more. Tethered to this withering grove by some unknown power. Forced against whatever of their will remained to do the bidding of this corrupted creature. Without direction or much purpose, the spirits circled the grouping of players, creating their own tightrope between the realm of spirits and the physical world. Callisto was able to cross this threshold, becoming partially ethereal in the process. His form would blend with the other souls, his physical form blinking in and out of existence. Blades would phase through the cyan vortex of spirits as they attempted to pin Callisto's form down once more. Only with pinpoint precision could they cut the thread that the raging beast walked upon.

Round 10 has begun.
Players will have until 12/19/2024 | 11:59:59 PM (EST) to complete their post
[Countdown Timer]

---

Lair action Descriptions:
Blooming Decay | LD 1-5 | Callisto will regenerate 1% of his maximum hitpoints at the start of his next turn, when this occurs this effect ends. This buff can be removed before Callisto's turn if Burn is applied/refreshed by your party.
Nature's Fury | LD 6-10 | At the start of Callisto's next turn, all players are inflicted with bleed 2. If this would refresh an existing bleed, the entire damage is dealt before refreshing. This effect is removed when your party uses their post actions to make a culminative LD (Nimble + Evasion Modifier) roll of 30 to free themselves from their binds and assist their team.
Stride the Spirit Realm | LD 11-15 | While Callisto has this buff, his evasion is set to 10 and the first successful attack does not deal damage (Status effects will still apply). After the first successful attack, this buff is removed (i.e., successive attacks will deal damage and his evasion is reset to its normal amount). In addition, while under the effects of Stride the Spirit Realm, all activated Accuracy bonuses (Rally, Concentration, etc.) provide double the normal accuracy modifier during player's attacks.
Addled Memory | LD 16-20 | Harrowing sounds of old drown out deeper thoughts, your party can no longer use items until the start of Callisto's next turn. This effect is removed when your party uses their post action to make a culminative LD (Searching + Detect + Trinket + Food) roll of 30 to shake themselves out of this stupor. 

Lair Action Roll:

ID 239027 | LD 11 -> Stride the Spirit Realm

[Jomei 0]

(♫)

The pounding thrum of his heart, beating so hard it could perhaps burst from his chest, matched the quake of Callisto's foot falls. Closer and closer the best drew towards Jomei, that primal, animalistic rage burned with an invisible inferno that was destroying what remained of the long rotted grove. With every movement made by the bear, the dry earth beneath their feet cracked and splintered as if it were a thin veil of ice.

The vile cloud of otherworldly energy continued to seep into their realm, allowing Callisto once more to make use of the ethereal threads that bound him to both the living and the dead. A last ditch effort to gain the upper hand, in the face of certain demise. 

No, they've come this far, overthrew everything Callisto tossed at them, and they would still go home with the scars of a fierce battle. It was time to end this. 

A twirly of Vicious Mockery within his palm, and Jomei would adjust his grip so he held the sword backwards. With a downwards jerk, he would plant the sharp edge of the blade into the ground. He knew he could rely on the others to get the job done, he just needed to do his job of keeping the boss at bay and off their backs. 

Launching themselves from the ghostly mist, Callisto's toothy maw opened wide enough that it could grab hold of him like some dog's chew toy. The size of this bear was truly massive, and it only seemed more apparent now as he could almost stare directly down its throat. 

No, not again.

Taking hold of both the lower jaw and upper lip, Jomei wrestled against the bear's strength. He fought against the clamping force that could snap a tree like a tiny twig, rows of jagged teeth digging into his hand and fingers. His boots tore through the dirt and muck as the bear overpowered Jomei, but the ginger was persistent. Catching a crack in the ground, Jomei was able to plant himself firmly against the advancing beast. All of his muscles tensed, veins protruding as Jomei fought back. Growling as he summoned every ounce of his strength to gain the upper hand. 

The desire to see this through. The trust his comrades put in him to keep them safe during this battle. The want to see a certain someone safe, and their warm smile, after they came out victorious.

He had heard that in moments of absolute desperation, a parent could summon the strength to lift a car to save their child. This moment seemed rather similar. Using Callisto's momentum against him, Jomei would turn his back foot and flip the massive bear over, before slamming them onto their back.

"You've only got a second!" Jomei shouted, "Yank him out and hit him with everything you've got!"

Spoiler

-> +4 EN, +64 BH, +51 HB
-> -64 ENV-O, -64 TXC-VNM
Vamp D | ID 239048 | CD 11 -> + 127 HP

Post Action:
Escape Attempt ID 239049 | LD 18 -> No longer Ensnared

[12] Jomei | HP: 1151/1152 | EN: 120/134 | DMG: 8 | MIT:214 | ACC:5 | TAUNT | F-SPIRIT | EVA: 8 | BH:63 | HB: 51 | VAMP-D: 127 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1 | DOTE: 2/3 | COUNTER [25%] 
[9] Arabelle | HP: 816/816 | EN: 13/106 | DMG: 26 | MIT:80 | ACC:5 | EVA:1 | THORNS:40 | BH:41 | HB: 33 | VAMP-D: 82 | RISK: 8 | FLN: 8 | BLD: 48 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | STNG [x1]
[6] Cordelia | HP: 920/920 | EN: 37/114 | DMG: 28 | MIT:80 | ACC:7 | AA | PHASE | EVA:5 | BH:51 | HB: 20 | HLY: 16 | LD: 0 | TROLLS-B | DOTE: 3/3
[8] Pinball | HP: 1032/1032 | EN: 23/122 | DMG: 25 | ACC:7 | EVA:6 | BH:73 | HB: 45 | BLD:48 | BLI: 32/-20  | BRN: 56 | STC: 40 | TXC-V: 32 | LD:6 | DOTE: 3/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | STNG [x1] | JEWEL | Clean
[0] Lessa  | HP: 1081/1081 | EN: 98/126 | DMG: 13 | MIT:187 | EVA:2 | THORNS:72 | BH:32 | HB: 43 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | HLY: 8 | DOTE: 3/3 | PROB:36 | Clean
[11] Bahr | HP: 1035/1035 | EN: 86/124 | DMG: 24 | MIT:163 | ACC: 7 | EVA: 4 | BH: 52 | HB: 21 | REC: 4 | FLN: 8 | HLY: 16 | PHASE | LD:5 | DOTE: 1/3 | Clean

 

[Pinball 1]

Was this it? Callisto's health was low, and everybody seemed to be gearing up for the final push. All in all, it wasn't too bad, was it? Pinball exhaled. His party -- every party, for that matter -- rushed into the beast's proximity, subjecting it to a veritable light show of sword arts, status effects, and the flashes of item uses. Pinball's strategy, like during the rest of the fight, still remained the same. He hung back, took his knives out, and waited for the perfect opportunity to strike. He did not have to wait long. Pinball capitalized on Jomei's grapple, leaping forward and flipping both blades into the exposed gut of the monstrous bear that'd given them so much trouble. He exhaled sharply. He was too close for comfort, even still. Pinball used the bear's tough hide as a springboard to leap backwards into safety. His cloak flapped in the air behind him. He landed nimbly and quietly and waited to see if that was the end of the boss of Floor 28. 

*** 
ACTION TAKEN: {TRICKSTER} - 195 DMG, DOTS REFRESHED, DELAY 

Spoiler

+4 EN 
[VANISH] [-5 EN] - ID#239058 LD: 11+6= 17 STEALTH RATING 
ACTION TAKEN: [TECH-B] [-14 EN] {TRICKSTER / -8 EN} 
CALLISTO: ID#239059 BD: 4 (Auto-Hit) - 25*16= 400+80= 480/2= 240-45= 195 DMG, DOTS, DELAY 

Party Stat Blocks:
[13] Jomei | HP: 1098/1152 | EN: 116/134 | DMG: 12 | MIT:214 | ACC:5 | TAUNT | F-SPIRIT | EVA: 8 | BH:63 | HB: 51 | VAMP-D: 127 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1 | DOTE: 2/3 | [TXC VNM 64/1], [ENV-O 64/1] | COUNTER+PARRY [75%] [Vengeful] | [Justified]
[9] Arabelle | HP: 816/816 | EN: 5/106 | DMG: 30 | MIT:80 | ACC:5 | EVA:1 | THORNS:40 | BH:41 | HB: 33 | VAMP-D: 82 | RISK: 8 | FLN: 8 | BLD: 48 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | STNG [x1] | HYPE 0/3
[5] Cordelia | HP: 920/920 | EN: 37/114 | DMG: 32 | MIT:80 | ACC:7 | AA | PHASE | EVA:5 | BH:51 | HB: 20 | HLY: 16 | LD: 0 | TROLLS-B | DOTE: 3/3
[9] Pinball | HP: 1032/1032 | EN: 0/122 | DMG: 25 | ACC:7 | EVA:6 | BH:73 | HB: 45 | BLD:48 | BLI: 32/-20  | BRN: 56 | STC: 40 | TXC-V: 32 | LD:6 | DOTE: 3/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | STNG [x1] | JEWEL | Clean
[0] Lessa  | HP: 1081/1081 | EN: 104/126 | DMG: 13 | MIT:187 | EVA:2 | THORNS:72 | BH:32 | HB: 43 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | HLY: 8 | DOTE: 3/3 | PROB:36 | Clean
[11] Bahr | HP: 1035/1035 | EN: 86/124 | DMG: 24 | MIT: 163 | ACC: 7 | EVA: 4 | BH: 52 | HB: 21 | REC: 4 | FLN: 8 | HLY: 16 | PHASE | LD:5 | DOTE: 1/3 | Clean

Cooldowns:
Jomei | Parry 1/3, Justified Riposte 1/4, Vengeful Riposte 1/4, Charge 2/3
Lessa | Hyperactive 3/3 Press The Attack 1/3
Pinball | Vanish 1/3
Cordelia | Charge 1/3
Arabelle | Charge 2/3
Bahr | Vanish 0/3

 

Edited December 20 by Pinball

[Arabelle 0]

"i don't drink," she says automatically. then she blinks, no, she is more out of it than she thought, that wasn't the point, and soon amends, "but for today i'll make an exception."

the last shot of energy is more forceful, almost painful as it shocks her body out of falling into a sleep state all at once, and she but pours it out of her before it could eat its way through her veins, feeling herself take a step forward and the scythe held by herself be poised for another strike. callisto and His very domain are in agonal breathing. a grander finale meant asking for one more shot. she doesn't want to.

because it hurts!

she leaves lessa's side, gritting out a "thanks," with grave finality before the healer could recast. more deceitful souls bode more poisoned knives. her dogged march takes her right where she wants to be, where jomei, tussling with the beast, throws Him over, exposing the vulnerable flesh of His underside. she slams her scythe down into the rotten unwilling flesh, breath heaving, and in place of an outpouring of guts, blood black like ink paints the weapon's curved blade.

somewhere in the final rally there are hearts filled with the bright flame of hope. we can make it! we can make it! the frontlines are unassailable! truly: anything can grow in ten years on the soil of hundreds of lost names. a bacchanal is only known as such when its revelers recognize its filth. otherwise it is a church.

and her hand trembles with
          a theory, miss adler. every string that cardinal has pulled thus far, has been against itself.
the need to cut into the offerings. she needs to--

so deeply had she stabbed down that when she tugs on her weapon it won't come free. she tries it again. again. callisto is beginning to struggle back onto His feet. a high, desperate noise escapes her and she grips amaterasu's stem so hard that her nails dig scores through her gloves into her palms. she throws her full weight backwards and it finally dislodges her but she cannot abate.

an area effecting sword art has up to fourteen strikes. she does not stop until she has used every single one.

--put corpses back where they should be. she needs to kill this fucking bear!!

 

-> post action: aoe-i vs callisto the tainted: 431 dmg.

Spoiler

PASSIVE: +4 EN

POST ACTION: AOE-I vs Callisto the Tainted [11 + (2 * 1) = -13 EN]
239076: BD 5 + 5 = 10: 26 * (15 + 1) = 416 - 65 = 351 + 80 = 431 DMG -> Callisto the Tainted

Party Stat Blocks:
[12] Jomei | HP: 1151/1152 | EN: 120/134 | DMG: 8 | MIT:214 | ACC:5 | TAUNT | F-SPIRIT | EVA: 8 | BH:63 | HB: 51 | VAMP-D: 127 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1 | DOTE: 2/3 | COUNTER [25%]
[10] Arabelle | HP: 816/816 | EN: 4/106 | DMG: 26 | MIT:80 | ACC:5 | EVA:1 | THORNS:40 | BH:41 | HB: 33 | VAMP-D: 82 | RISK: 8 | FLN: 8 | BLD: 48 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | STNG [x1]
[6] Cordelia | HP: 920/920 | EN: 37/114 | DMG: 28 | MIT:80 | ACC:7 | AA | PHASE | EVA:5 | BH:51 | HB: 20 | HLY: 16 | LD: 0 | TROLLS-B | DOTE: 3/3
[9] Pinball | HP: 1032/1032 | EN: 0/122 | DMG: 25 | ACC:7 | EVA:6 | BH:73 | HB: 45 | BLD:48 | BLI: 32/-20  | BRN: 56 | STC: 40 | TXC-V: 32 | LD:6 | DOTE: 3/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | STNG [x1] | JEWEL | Clean
[0] Lessa  | HP: 1081/1081 | EN: 98/126 | DMG: 13 | MIT:187 | EVA:2 | THORNS:72 | BH:32 | HB: 43 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | HLY: 8 | DOTE: 3/3 | PROB:36 | Clean
[11] Bahr | HP: 1035/1035 | EN: 86/124 | DMG: 24 | MIT:163 | ACC: 7 | EVA: 4 | BH: 52 | HB: 21 | REC: 4 | FLN: 8 | HLY: 16 | PHASE | LD:5 | DOTE: 1/3 | Clean

Cooldowns:
Jomei | Parry 1/3, Justified Riposte 1/4, Vengeful Riposte 1/4, Charge 2/3
Lessa | Hyperactive 3/3 Press The Attack 1/3
Pinball | Vanish 1/3
Cordelia | Charge 1/3
Arabelle | Charge 3/3
Bahr | Vanish 0/3

 

Edited December 18 by Arabelle

[Bahr 0]

"I'm done."

All other emotions Bahr had experienced up to this point had given way to a palpable sense of annoyance. He no longer had the impression that this bear was some sort of indomitable force that threatened their lives. There were now Players virtually suplexing it - such was not the mark of a fearsome beast.

The whiplash between Freyd having died (if that was even real) and now was so stark, it didn't even feel real. Literal minutes ago, everyone was shaking in their boots in the face of a powerful enemy. Now, Bahr didn't even feel threatened by it. He wondered how many of his peers felt the same.

He simply couldn't bring himself to pour any further emotional investment into the fight. The system had already decided the Players had won. They were now only going through the motions of knocking down yet another obstacle placed in their path. Bahr obliged destiny with yet another swing of Dawn's Demise to bring the skirmish to its ultimate conclusion.

---

Recovery?
ID: 239078 | CD: 6, no proc.

Post Action.
ST-II vs Callisto the Tainted, -15 EN.
ID: 239079 | BD: 3, Hit, 24x15=360 damage inflicted against Callisto the Tainted

Edited December 18 by Bahr

[Cordelia 0]

Cordelia’s patience was whittling down with every minute of this boss fight. Between failing to proc a single instance of holy— the entire point of her build, mind you— and the emotional roller coaster of the fight itself, her temper was on a short fuse. 

Fuck this.

Fuck this stupid bear! Callisto’s health bear was close to nothing at this point, and she couldn’t help but think that if she had procced her holy just *once*, this fight would have been over minutes ago. Onimaru, Slayer of Demons, her ass. 

Whatever.

Her sword glinted a dim light as if to taunt her critless streak, but she ignored her frustration and charged in for what was hopefully her final strike against the undead boss. Briefly planting her feet in the ground, she dashed off with a cloud of dust. Like a bullet, she imbedded the metal into the bear at breaknecking speed. Though her holy enhancement still refused to proc, it did a sizable chunk of damage. Grunting with the weight of the attack, she ripped out her sword, breath catching in her throat as she hoped for the moment of its demise. 

---

ID: 239098 | 28x(15+3)= 504-65= 439 DMG
BD: 3, hit | CD: 4
37+4-(15-2)= 24/114 EN

Spoiler Party Stat Blocks: [12] Jomei | HP: 1151/1152 | EN: 120/134 | DMG: 8 | MIT:214 | ACC:5 | TAUNT | F-SPIRIT | EVA: 8 | BH:63 | HB: 51 | VAMP-D: 127 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1 | DOTE: 2/3 | COUNTER [25%] [10] Arabelle | HP: 816/816 | EN: 4/106 | DMG: 26 | MIT:80 | ACC:5 | EVA:1 | THORNS:40 | BH:41 | HB: 33 | VAMP-D: 82 | RISK: 8 | FLN: 8 | BLD: 48 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | STNG [x1] [7] Cordelia | HP: 920/920 | EN: 24/114 | DMG: 28 | MIT:80 | ACC:7 | AA | PHASE | EVA:5 | BH:51 | HB: 20 | HLY: 16 | LD: 0 | TROLLS-B | DOTE: 3/3 [9] Pinball | HP: 1032/1032 | EN: 0/122 | DMG: 25 | ACC:7 | EVA:6 | BH:73 | HB: 45 | BLD:48 | BLI: 32/-20  | BRN: 56 | STC: 40 | TXC-V: 32 | LD:6 | DOTE: 3/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | STNG [x1] | JEWEL | Clean [0] Lessa  | HP: 1081/1081 | EN: 98/126 | DMG: 13 | MIT:187 | EVA:2 | THORNS:72 | BH:32 | HB: 43 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | HLY: 8 | DOTE: 3/3 | PROB:36 | Clean [11] Bahr | HP: 1035/1035 | EN: 86/124 | DMG: 24 | MIT:163 | ACC: 7 | EVA: 4 | BH: 52 | HB: 21 | REC: 4 | FLN: 8 | HLY: 16 | PHASE | LD:5 | DOTE: 1/3 | Clean Cooldowns: Jomei | Parry 1/3, Justified Riposte 1/4, Vengeful Riposte 1/4, Charge 2/3 Lessa | Hyperactive 3/3 Press The Attack 1/3 Pinball | Vanish 1/3 Cordelia | Charge 2/3 Arabelle | Charge 3/3 Bahr | Vanish 0/3

 

Edited December 20 by Cordelia

[Lessa 1]

Lessa stood behind her party, her gaze flitting between the five health bars that hovered above their heads. All green. All full. All safe. There was satisfaction in that - a job well-done. She had succeeded in keeping her team alive, as was the task given to her when she accepted the role of support. But more than that, there was a comfort in those green bars. A knowing that her friends, the people she loved most, were okay. That they'd all walk out of there together. That the future still held too many unknowns, but this day, this fight, they would see the end of. No one would die today. Tomorrow, maybe. But not today.

The white-haired enigma with the French accent and the scythe, who fought like the devil for teammates she hardly knew.

The beautiful storm, her guildmate, whose grace and skill with the katana left echoes of her mentor's careful teaching.

The ray of light clad in emerald, with hair like fire and a heart that burned even hotter, who she was blessed to call her best friend.

The dark horse, steeped in shadow and uncertainty, who had nearly met his end right before her eyes.

And the man who had held the sword. The man who had held everything, once. Been everything, once.

She loved them. She would protect them. They would leave this place unscathed.

With a final slash of her sword, she replaced Jomei's single missing hit point.

 

♫

Spoiler POST ACTION: First Aid > Jomei 98 +4 (passive) - 15 (First Aid) = 87 Additional 1 HP has been added to Jomei's statblock. Party Stat Blocks: [12] Jomei | HP: 1152/1152 | EN: 120/134 | DMG: 8 | MIT:214 | ACC:5 | TAUNT | F-SPIRIT | EVA: 8 | BH:63 | HB: 51 | VAMP-D: 127 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1 | DOTE: 2/3 | COUNTER [25%] [10] Arabelle | HP: 816/816 | EN: 4/106 | DMG: 26 | MIT:80 | ACC:5 | EVA:1 | THORNS:40 | BH:41 | HB: 33 | VAMP-D: 82 | RISK: 8 | FLN: 8 | BLD: 48 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | STNG [x1] [7] Cordelia | HP: 920/920 | EN: 24/114 | DMG: 28 | MIT:80 | ACC:7 | AA | PHASE | EVA:5 | BH:51 | HB: 20 | HLY: 16 | LD: 0 | TROLLS-B | DOTE: 3/3 [9] Pinball | HP: 1032/1032 | EN: 0/122 | DMG: 25 | ACC:7 | EVA:6 | BH:73 | HB: 45 | BLD:48 | BLI: 32/-20  | BRN: 56 | STC: 40 | TXC-V: 32 | LD:6 | DOTE: 3/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | STNG [x1] | JEWEL | Clean [0] Lessa  | HP: 1081/1081 | EN: 87/126 | DMG: 13 | MIT:187 | EVA:2 | THORNS:72 | BH:32 | HB: 43 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | HLY: 8 | DOTE: 3/3 | PROB:36 | Clean [11] Bahr | HP: 1035/1035 | EN: 86/124 | DMG: 24 | MIT:163 | ACC: 7 | EVA: 4 | BH: 52 | HB: 21 | REC: 4 | FLN: 8 | HLY: 16 | PHASE | LD:5 | DOTE: 1/3 | Clean Cooldowns: Jomei | Parry 1/3, Justified Riposte 1/4, Vengeful Riposte 1/4, Charge 2/3 Lessa | Press The Attack 2/3 Pinball | Vanish 1/3 Cordelia | Charge 2/3 Arabelle | Charge 3/3 Bahr | Vanish 0/3

[Plot Master 0]

They swarmed Callisto like angry insects, a dark mockery of the honeybee and grumpy bear trope. Light in a kaleidoscope of colors burst like fireworks as Players fell on the dying Floor Boss, weapons of various shapes and sizes piercing its tough hide. The display was hauntingly beautiful against the blood reds and dark shadows of the creature’s lair. Callisto roared its protest, but in its final moments of life, some of the fight seemed to leak away. Did it simply accept its own demise? Was it so discouraged by its failure that it gave up completely? Or were the memories of another life slowly navigating the red haze of rage that clouded its mind? Of a simpler time, when its thoughts were consumed by fish, berries, and long, uninterrupted rests? When the humans simply existed at the edges of his consciousness, as he posed no threat to him, nor they to him. When had that changed? What had lit the fire of all-consuming hatred at its core, and what had continued to stoke the flames until it lost all sense of self? All sense of control?

As the last of its strength drained away, Callisto’s legs buckled, and its enormous mass crashed to the ground with enough force to send Players stumbling. Eyes glazed with pain and confusion the once magnificent guardian of the woods turned its gaze to the heavens. Rather than the stars, diamonds strewn across black velvet, it found only an oily, otherworldly purple smog. That is wrong, was Callisto’s final thought, before it burst into shimmering slivers of data.

With its protector felled, the door to worlds yet unexplored stood silent and waiting. Yet as the Players approached, the door creaked open on its own - had it done that before? - and though the gesture was one of welcome, a strange sense of foreboding fell upon the gathered Frontliners. Perhaps it was the unnerving creak of the door swinging on its hinges, or the relentless drum of rain that could be heard even before crossing the threshold. Or something else entirely.

Undaunted, the bravest among them forged ahead, and emerged into the aforementioned storm. They found themselves in the center of a city, the flickering light from lanterns reflecting off the wet bricks that lined the road. Ducking through open doorways to escape the pelting rain revealed homes and businesses hurriedly abandoned, as rotted food rested on tables, and children's toys lay forgotten on floors. Shutters clung crookedly from broken windows, and the blackened fingers of mold spread across waterlogged walls.

Each building checked held the same - nothing. No NPCs, no answers, and perhaps most disturbing…

“Wait a second,” one Player called out, pausing as her companions gathered around her in the center of town. She jabbed with one finger, directing their attention across the rain-slicked central plaza. “The Teleport Gate is right there, so this has to be the main settlement. But… unless I’m missing something, we’re not in a safe zone. Is that right? Is something broken? Or, God, what is the chance that there are no safe zones here?"

As if in answer, a sound unlike any they had ever heard filled the empty city. The unearthly bellow seemed to invade their very minds, and even as some Players clapped their hands over their ears, all eyes turned toward the source. As lightning forked across the dark sky, it illuminated the behemoth that towered above them.

Welcome, Frontliners, to the twenty ninth floor.
 

---

Activity Strikes:

• Crozeph | 2
• Morningstar | 1
• Oscar | 2
• Alkor | 3 -> Removed from Raid
• Cordelia | 1
• NIGHT | 1

Total Word Count:

• Raid Prep: 14,464
• Team 1: 15,794
• Team 2: 18,374
• Team 3: 15,255
• Team 4: 19,126
• Staff: 5,386
• Total: 88,399

Spoiler

Player

Player	True Tier	Exp Multiplier*	Staff Rewards**	Final Exp	Laurel Wreath
Macradon	10	1		44199	6629
Wulfrin	5	1.1	2154	27559	4133
Morningstar	7	1	2154	33093	4963
Freyd	18	1.1		87515	13127
NIGHT	16	1.1	2154	80160	12024
Hirru	10	1		44199	6629
Jomei	11	1	2154	50773	7615
Zandra	11	1.1		53481	8022
Crozeph	8	1		35359	5303
Baldur	10	1.1		48619	7292
Acanthus	6	1		26519	3977
Arabelle	4	1		17679	2651
Oscar	9	1		39779	5966
Alkor	9	1	2154	2154	323
Katoka	6	1.1		29171	4375
Cordelia	7	1		30939	4640
tricolor_mina	6	1.1		29171	4375
Koga	10	1.1		48619	7292
Pinball	9	1		39779	5966
Bahr	9	1		39779	5966
Lessa	9	1.1	2154	46126	6918
Zajcica	7	1.1		34033	5104
Ariel-The Crowned Lion	10	1.1		48619	7292
Astralin	5	1		22099	3314

* from slime farm. please notify staff if your slime farm was active but missed.
** Staff rewards based on the average participating tier of 8

 

Raid Rewards | Choose two (2) of the following items:

• Callisto Claw: (Unique Material); Removes one enhancement on a weapon and replaces it with [Envenom Offensive]. (This effect cannot override the Envenom Offensive enhancement cap. Consumed on use.)

• Bear Trap: (T4/Consumable - Free Action/Reusable); Once per combat as a free action can reduce a targets EVA to 0. Effect ends at the start of the user's next turn.

• Bottled Darkness: (T4/Consumable); A salve that applies [Blind] to a weapon for a single thread.

• Tainted Hide: (T4/Consumable); Lasts for one thread. DoTs inflicted on the user deal half as much damage.

• Maddening Hex: (Unique Material); Removes an enhancement on a weapon and replaces it with [Madness]. (This cannot override the Madness enhancement cap. Consumed on use.)

   

New Enhancements:

[Blind] 
Cost: 3 Slots
Cap: 1 Slot
Effect: Natural Critical Attack Rolls of 9-10 reduce the target's Accuracy, Evasion, and Loot Die by 2 for 2 turns. Does not stack but can be refreshed.
Applicable to: Salves

[Madness]
Cost: 1 Slot
Cap: 2 Slots
Effect: Natural Critiacal Attacks rolls of 9-10 (one slot) or natural succcessful attack rolls of 8-10 (two slots) deal (3 * Tier) unmitigated Psychic damage each enemy turn for 4 turns on a Non-Boss enemy. Additional applications increase the stacks by 1. This does not increase the damage, but instead once a target has sustained [Madness 3] the target's next turn is decided by the inflictor of [Madness 3]. This cannot cause an enemy to do anything harmful to itself, but it does treat the inflictor and party members as an ally.
Applicable to: Weapons 
 

 

 

 

Edited 2 hours ago by Wulfrin

[Arabelle 0]

-> claiming: (2) maddening hex.

[Cordelia 0]

ph

---

Claiming:
[1x] Maddening Hex
[1x] Bear Trap

Edited Thursday at 10:19 PM by Cordelia

[Jomei 0]

-> Claiming Bear Trap and Maddening Hex