[EV-PP-27] Making the Rounds for Ronbaru <<Purusartha>>

[Rencesvals 0]

As a ail of arrows rained down, the last surviving member of the mortar crew tumbles down the far side of the ridge, only to find himself facing a pair of heavily polished purple boots.

"They're violet, actually," Ren added, as if reading his mind.  "It's a common error.  Don't feel bad."  The downward plunge of his blade popped their final foe instead, sending a shower of sparks like flares into the air.

"Ren?  You dead?"  Freyd's humorous way of showing he cared.

"Not yet, I'm afraid.  And you can't have my room.  The daylight would kill a shadow-puppet like yourself."  Rounding around the road's winding path and returning to view, he noticed that one of the wagon's wheels has been damaged and set himself to repairing it without a second thought.

Foyle just folded his arms, grinning at him appreciatively, as if promising to let Griswold about how he always looked out for others without a moment's hesitation.

***

Spoiler

Rencesvals recovers 2 EN.

Post Action | ST-I (x12, 12 EN): 12 EN - (Stamina) = 10 EN 
Free Action | None

ID #237840 | BD: 10 (Crit +2).  DMG (12*18=216) vs. Brigand 17.  Dies.

Freyd | AOE | HP: 310/310 | EN: 6/56 | DMG: 18 | MIT: 91 | ACC:6 (+AA) | F-SPIRIT | TAUNT | EVA:2 | BH:17 | VAMP-D: 17 | VAMP-O: 34 | PVO | LD:10
Foyle | ST | HP: 280/280 | EN: 26/46 | DMG: 18 | MIT:42 | ACC:6 | REC: 2 | BLD: 24 | PARA | LD: 3
Rencesvals | TECH | HP: 310/310 | EN: 24/46 (32+2-10) | DMG: 16 | MIT:91 | ACC:6 | EVA:1 | BLD: 24 | PARA | LD: 3
Jeeves | HP: 280/280 | EN: 27/46 | DMG: 17 | MIT:12 | ACC:6 | EVA:3 | BLD: 24  | PARA | LD: 3

(0,0,0,0) Brigand 17 | HP: 0/168 | DMG: 56 (168-216)

Loot Brigand 17: ID #237841 | LD: 20+3=23 | CD: 9
+23 Flower Petals
+2 materials (+2 CD odd)
2032 col (HP[168]*11 - incl. +2 LD even, +6 from roll, +10% [Col Deposit & Treasury])
T2 Perfect Consumable 237841

Edited November 29 by Rencesvals

[Freyd 0]

At first glance, Torgok itself might have been a bandit camp.  Braso's polar welcome already left much to be desired, including the freak and sporadic blizzards that ended as suddenly as they began, often with a bonus cold snap to freeze any potentially lingering moisture.  Combined with the ever-present, ambient winter's dark, it made for quite the cozy hellhole.

"People actually live here by choice?  It makes Snowfrost look like a summer paradise."

What might have otherwise elicited a chuckle barely garnered a shivering clatter of teeth from his traveling companions.

"Wow.  Tough crowd."

A band of burly Braso bros emerged from the darkness, politely demanding their goods.  It first sounded like a shakedown, until he realized that they actually meant their order from the wagon.

"What do you have for this bunch," Freyd asked the wagonmaster, thinking it would likely be a stock of firewood, or maybe hunting supplies.

"Marshmallows."

***

Visits Targok in Braso for quest objective.

+2 EN, EN Recovery 1/2

Edited Friday at 02:45 AM by Freyd

[Foyle 0]

"Seriously?!"  Foyle's beard was so caked with snow and ice that he looked like the secret bastard child of Avalanche and Santa Claus.  Cheers erupted from the nearby bonfire as the first crate was opened and fluffy white sugar puffs were violently speared before being roasted to charred perfection over open flame.

"You know... it might actually make more sense than I first appreciated."

Grabbing another load from the wagon, the scout made his way over with his offering, greeted like some hero returned from myth and legend.  They soon had him in various forms of headlocks, jeering and cheering as they ploughed him with offerings of ale and tales.  He looked half-drunk and mauled by feral reindeer by the time he finally returned several hours later.

"I think they like me. It's also possible that I just joined their tribe got married, though I'm not quite sure to whom.  Fun people."

***

Visits Targok in Braso for quest objective.

+2 EN

Edited Friday at 02:52 AM by Foyle

[Rencesvals 0]

Ren, meanwhile, had wandered away from the main group and unintendedly found himself drawn into the Cave that served as a famed trial and rite of passage among the locals.  Stepping into the shelter and surprising warmth of the dimly lit cavern, he spotted something fleeting flitting between breaks in the rock strata leading him deeper and deeper in.  Rounding the final corner, Ren came face to face with the gathered spectral faces of his fallen friends, gathered in the round to stand in judgment.  Face blanched more by the sight of them than the cold, his knees begged to collapse, but were somehow denied.

"I'm so sorry," was all he managed, at first.  "I should have done more.  I'm still trying to do more."  Features downturned and plagued by a battery of guilt and sorrow that relentlessly assault his heart and conscience, he was surprised to see it draw gentle, sympathetic smiles from the fallen.

One in particular, towards whom he's always felt deep affection, stepped forward to run her hand along his cheek. Closing his eyes to nestle into the memory, his skin registered nothing.  When Rencesvals opened his eyes once more, the ghosts were gone and he found himself standing alone outside the Cave.

***

Visits Targok in Braso for quest objective.

+2 EN

Edited Friday at 03:04 AM by Rencesvals

[Jeeves 0]

Huddled by the fire beneath a dozen borrowed furs, Jeeves remained unseen and content to hide out in blissful coziness while the others did whatever they felt like doing.  This was precisely the sort of moment he'd craved since... well... forever.  The embracing warmth further enhanced by the miraculous delivery of marshmallows someone had left by the mouth of his improvised hidey hole.

"Don't mind if I do," the whispered, giddily, light fingers surreptitiously yoink-ing them into his sanctum for purely protective purposes.  

"They'll be even safer in my belly, I'm sure," he added, eyes gleaming behind his goggles as adept fingers shoved the goodies into his gob.

Much as he had often done aboard Miri's ship - it never felt like his, or ever worthy to be called home - Jeeves hid out their time listening to the tales told by those gathered around the bonfire, falling asleep to vague recollections of Freyd regaling them all with some con about marshmallow insurance.

***

Visits Targok in Braso for quest objective.

+2 EN

Edited Friday at 03:12 AM by Jeeves

[Freyd 0]

"What happened to you guys last night?"  Freyd had spent most of the night by the fire, swapping stories with the Braso Bros, unexpectedly finding them a friendlier bunch than their reputation had suggested.  Foyle was still looking pretty rough in the morning, leading them all to speculate that his marriage fever dream might have involved post-nuptual celebrations.  No official records had been filed, no ring or other bindings found, suggesting he might have gotten lucky, in every way.

"Just be grateful you didn't break any bones.  Those ladies had more meat on their bones than half the frontliners."

Ren, meanwhile, had been silent since he rejoined them, steadfastly refusing to speak about his whereabouts.  Only the pensive, contented smile on his face convinced the others not to press the issue.

Jeeves, lastly, had nearly been left behind, until someone followed a trail of puked up marshmallows to find him and have an empty crate of the things wrapped in a little fur fort.

***

Travel to Lichten, Ordsea (1/2)

EN recovery 2/2

Edited Friday at 03:29 AM by Freyd

[Foyle 0]

"I swear that they're not even trying anymore."  Three marks floundered and fell a hundred yards out, Foyle's weapon relentlessly pummeling before they could even begin their advance.  The last of the latest ragtag mobs standing between them and their final destination would be mowed down by Freyd and Ren within moments.  Jeeves was still napping in the back of the wagon, wrapped around a bag of flour like some sort of adorable kitten.  The others hadn't had the heart to wake him for what turned out to be a near-instant rout of their latest laughable opposition.

"I almost feel bad.  Almost.  Freyd must be rubbing off on me."

The wagonmaster just chuckled, snapping the reigns to catch up to the vanguard.  They'd have decimated the enemy long before that happened.

"I'm just glad to have the lot of you.  This would have been a far less fruitful journey without you.  I might actually be able to retire after this run."

***

Travel to Lichten, Ordsea (2/2)

Spoiler

Foyle recovers 2 EN.

Post Action | AoE-I (x11, 11 EN, +2/hit): 19 EN - (Stamina) = 17 EN (-2 miss)
Free Action | None

ID #237842 | BD: 4+6=X (hit).  DMG (11*18=198) vs. Brigand 21.  Dies.
ID #237843 | BD: 3+6=X (hit).  DMG (11*18=198) vs. Brigand 22.  Dies.
ID #237844 | BD: 8+6=X (hit).  DMG (11*18=198) vs. Brigand 23.  Dies.
ID #237845 | BD: 1 (miss). vs. Brigand 24.  

Freyd | AOE | HP: 310/310 | EN: 56/56 | DMG: 18 | MIT: 91 | ACC:6 (+AA) | F-SPIRIT | TAUNT | EVA:2 | BH:17 | VAMP-D: 17 | VAMP-O: 34 | PVO | LD:10
Foyle | ST | HP: 280/280 | EN: 15/46 (28+2-15) | DMG: 18 | MIT:42 | ACC:6 | REC: 2 | BLD: 24 | PARA | LD: 3
Rencesvals | TECH | HP: 310/310 | EN: 26/46 | DMG: 16 | MIT:91 | ACC:6 | EVA:1 | BLD: 24 | PARA | LD: 3
Jeeves | HP: 280/280 | EN: 29/46 | DMG: 17 | MIT:12 | ACC:6 | EVA:3 | BLD: 24  | PARA | LD: 3

(0,0,0,0) Brigand 21 | HP: 0/168 | DMG: 56 (168-198)
(0,0,0,0) Brigand 22 | HP: 0/168 | DMG: 56 (168-198)
(0,0,0,0) Brigand 23 | HP: 0/168 | DMG: 56 (168-198)
(0,0,0,0) Brigand 24 | HP: 168/168 | DMG: 56 

Loot Brigand 21: ID #237846 | LD: 12+3=15 | CD: 11
+15 Flower Petals
+2 materials (+2 CD odd)
1234 col (HP[168]*7 - incl. +2 LD even, +2 from roll, +5% [Treasury])
T2 Rare Armor/Shield 237846

Loot Brigand 22: ID #237847 | LD: 14+3=17 | CD: 4
+17 Flower Petals
1234 col (HP[168]*7 - incl. +4 CD/LD even, +5% [Treasury])
T2 Rare Consumable 237847a
T2 Rare Weapon 237847b

Loot Brigand 23: ID #237848 | LD: 13+3=16 | CD: 3
+16 Flower Petals
+4 materials (+4 CD/LD odd)
529 col (HP[168]*3 - incl. +5% [Treasury])
T2 Rare Consumable 237848a
T2 Rare Weapon 237848b

Edited Friday at 03:40 AM by Foyle

[Rencesvals 0]

Fighting with renewed vigor, Ren actually beat Freyd to the last of their foes, slashing the bandit clean in half with his greatsword.

"What's gotten into you?"  The Whisper hadn't seen this much zeal in his companion's heart since they'd left Ronbaru.

"Maybe I just found my muse?"  Coy, but honest.  It simply wasn't in the man to lie, though he'd insist on some degree of privacy.  Freyd already knew the story anyway, the two having discussed it shortly after their first meeting.  Ren always suspected that the cunning captain knew more than he'd let on, before ever asking, but he'd taken the story to heart and respected Ren's intentions.  He'd even gone to sponsor his store in Tomoika, allowing him to establish The Knight Shift and feel like he was truly making a difference for others.  He'd always appreciate that.

"Looks like Lichten's not far.  We might even make it in time for lunch."

***

Spoiler

Rencesvals recovers 2 EN.

Post Action | ST-I (x12, 12 EN): 12 EN - (Stamina) = 10 EN 
Free Action | None

ID #237849 | BD: 9 (crit +1).  DMG (12*17=204) vs. Brigand 24.  Dies.

Freyd | AOE | HP: 310/310 | EN: 56/56 | DMG: 18 | MIT: 91 | ACC:6 (+AA) | F-SPIRIT | TAUNT | EVA:2 | BH:17 | VAMP-D: 17 | VAMP-O: 34 | PVO | LD:10
Foyle | ST | HP: 280/280 | EN: 15/46 | DMG: 18 | MIT:42 | ACC:6 | REC: 2 | BLD: 24 | PARA | LD: 3
Rencesvals | TECH | HP: 310/310 | EN: 18/46 (26+2-10) | DMG: 16 | MIT:91 | ACC:6 | EVA:1 | BLD: 24 | PARA | LD: 3
Jeeves | HP: 280/280 | EN: 29/46 | DMG: 17 | MIT:12 | ACC:6 | EVA:3 | BLD: 24  | PARA | LD: 3

(0,0,0,0) Brigand 24 | HP: 0/168 | DMG: 56 (168-204)

Loot Brigand 24: ID #237850 | LD: 4+3=7 | CD: 4
+7 Flower Petals
1293 col (HP[168]*7 - incl. +4 CD/LD even, +10% [Col Deposit & Treasury])
T2 Uncommon Consumable 237850

Edited Friday at 03:46 AM by Rencesvals

[Freyd 0]

Something about Ordsea gave Freyd the creeps, like the entire region carried a palpable veneer of benevolence it hadn't earned and didn't deserve.  Sure, the various churches and academies were all impressive, but they felt pompous and arrogant in their decor.  Maybe it was just his father's preference for sterile modern aesthetic being channeled through unpurgeable indoctrination, but his spy-dey senses were tingling just as strongly.  There were threats here, sinister and insidious. The type that would smile at you while their agents lined up their custom order daggers to stab you with the gravest degree of artistry so they could boast about it at their next soire. Suffice it to say that the Whisper chose not to partake of the celebrations Lichten had to offer, choosing to stand guard over their wares and wagon instead.

"Will you be needing an escort back to Ronbaru?"

"No, thank you," replied the wagonmaster.  "My sister and her family live in town. I'll be staying with them for a time until a new commission is made to charter my cart.  Please, pass on my gratitude to the rest of your team."

***

Visits Lichten in Ordsea for quest objective.

Edited Friday at 03:56 AM by Freyd

[Foyle 0]

Wary by virtue of the proxy vibe emanating from his captain, Foyle's nature kept him close and alert.  Ordsea seemed the more urban of the regions they had visited, and he had long been one to prefer the wilds.  Time with Sewallus and his kin might have reinforced that particular bias, if unintentionally.  Seeing to the cargo, and ensuring that proper payment was made, Foyle spared himself a moment to collect a small sample of local offerings and return to share them with the others.  Each was appreciative, not having expected the kind gesture.  Ren, especially, seemed touched.

"It was always commonplace, in my family, to share the spoils whenever we would go hunting.  Everyone contributed in some way to the experience and was deserving of recognition."

"A fine tradition," Freyd agreed with a short bow, which Foyle promptly returned.

"Maybe, if we keep this up, we will build up our own in time."

Three smiling, nodding faces confirmed their agreement.

***

Visits Lichten in Ordsea for quest objective.

Edited Friday at 04:05 AM by Foyle

[Rencesvals 0]

Compared to their other stops, Ren was in a state of utter bliss at the sight of Ordsea.  Even Ronbaru's cultural treasures paled in their appeal at the sight of so much learning and lore.  Like a kid in a candy store, he ran between libraries and lecture halls faster than a gaggle of kids between doors on Halloween, gorging his curiosity at every stop along the way.

"We have to stay here awhile," he practically begged the others, returning to their rally point bearing an untold number of scrolls and manuscripts.

"You're free to remain as long as you like, Ren.  The rest of us have business to wrap up in Ronbaru."  

Pain flickered over the paladin's face, along with understanding.  The collected materials vanished, dismissed to his inventory for later review.

"Good man."

Sighing, Ren stared wistfully back towards the nearest cathedral.

"It will all still be here when I return."

***

Visits Lichten in Ordsea for quest objective.

Edited Friday at 04:23 AM by Rencesvals

[Jeeves 0]

Still wary and unaccustomed to the rigors of group travel and adventures, even Jeeves had to acknowledge that their combined talents had proven capable and fruitful.  Unlike the star-struck Ren, still ogling the local centres of learning, he was already mapping out potential exploits and access points, evaluating the potential of each location to contain restricted information.  There were secrets here.  He could practically smell them, and his curiosity would see him return to claim however many he could.

"Yeah.  Good run, guys," he offered, with more vim than he'd intended, surprising even himself.

Ren patted him on the back.

"You did well out there, my friend.  We all did.  I'd dare say we..."

"Dare say?  Who even talks like that?"  It was a light-hearted jibe and taken in the spirit intended.  Despite their odd mix, the crew actually seemed to be developing the elusive bond Freyd had hoped they could.

"Look whose talking," the Whisper chimed in.  "You were the one spewing post-consumer Staypuff Marshmallow man last night."

***

Visits Lichten in Ordsea for quest objective.

***

Thread Closing:

Simmone receives 2 bonus guild tokens as Treasurer of Firm Anima (4 members present)

All UNID items have been given to Freyd.

All Flower Petal totals rounded down to nearest increment of 50, with the balance given to Jeeves, 'cuz he's had a hard time.

Freyd receives:

5,464 EXP (Word Count [5285/10*18*0.5] + Quest [0] + Assist +15%)
14,456 col (1 page [0] + Loot [13437] + Quest [2000] + 15% P5 Reward [819])
30 Materials (Loot [30])
250 Flower Petals
1 mon
1 guild token 
1x Dagan | String of Dharma (quest item)
1x Srona | String of Kama (quest item)
1x Braso | String of Moksha (quest item)
1x Ordsea | String of Artha (quest item)

T2 Perfect Consumable 237792a
T2 Perfect Consumable 237792b
T2 Perfect Armor/Shield 237792c
T2 Perfect Armor/Shield 237792d
T2 Perfect Weapon 237793
T2 Perfect Weapon 237794a
T2 Perfect Weapon 237794b
T2 Perfect Weapon 237794c
T2 Perfect Consumable 237795a
T2 Rare Trinket 237795b
T2 Perfect Trinket 237800a
T2 Perfect Weapon 237800b
T2 Rare Weapon 237801a
T2 Uncommon Consumable 237801b
T2 Rare Armor/Shield 237802
T2 Perfect Armor/Shield 237804a
T2 Perfect Weapon 237804b
T2 Perfect Weapon 237804c
T2 Rare Trinket 237809
T2 Perfect Consumable 237810a
T2 Rare Trinket 237810b
T2 Perfect Consumable 237811a
T2 Perfect Consumable 237811b
T2 Perfect Armor/Shield 237811c
T2 Perfect Armor/Shield 237811d
T2 Rare Trinket 237812
T2 Perfect Armor/Shield 237817a
T2 Perfect Consumable 237817b
T2 Perfect Consumable 237817c
T2 Rare Trinket 237818
T2 Rare Weapon 237819a
T2 Uncommon Consumable 237819b
T2 Perfect Consumable 237820
T2 Perfect Weapon 237827a
T2 Perfect Weapon 237827b
T2 Perfect Weapon 237827c
T2 Rare Consumable 237828a
T2 Rare Armor/Shield 237828b
T2 Perfect Consumable 237829a
T2 Perfect Consumable 237829b
T2 Perfect Armor/Shield 237829c
T2 Perfect Armor/Shield 237829d
T2 Rare Consumable 237830a
T2 Rare Weapon 237830b
T2 Rare Trinket 237836
T2 Rare Trinket 237839
T2 Perfect Consumable 237841
T2 Rare Armor/Shield 237846
T2 Rare Consumable 237847a
T2 Rare Weapon 237847b
T2 Rare Consumable 237848a
T2 Rare Weapon 237848b
T2 Uncommon Consumable 237850

Foyle receives:

1,757 EXP (Word Count [5285/10*2*0.5] + Quest [1000] + Assist +15%)
9,229 col (1 page [0] + Loot [7229] + Quest [2000])
12 Materials (Loot [12])
100 Flower Petals
1 mon
1 guild token 
1x Dagan | String of Dharma (quest item)
1x Srona | String of Kama (quest item)
1x Braso | String of Moksha (quest item)
1x Ordsea | String of Artha (quest item)

Rencesvals receives:

1,910 EXP (Word Count [5285/10*2*0.5] + Quest [1000] + Assist/M-Slime Farm +25%)
11,052 col (1 page [0] + Loot [9052] + Quest [2000])
10 Materials (Loot [10])
100 Flower Petals
1 mon
1 guild token 
1x Dagan | String of Dharma (quest item)
1x Srona | String of Kama (quest item)
1x Braso | String of Moksha (quest item)
1x Ordsea | String of Artha (quest item)

Jeeves receives:

1,757 EXP (Word Count [5285/10*2*0.5] + Quest [1000] + Assist +15%)
5,575 col (1 page [400] + Loot [3175] + Quest [2000])
4 Materials (Loot [4])
75 Flower Petals
1 mon
1 guild token 
1x Dagan | String of Dharma (quest item)
1x Srona | String of Kama (quest item)
1x Braso | String of Moksha (quest item)
1x Ordsea | String of Artha (quest item)

Edited Friday at 04:49 AM by Jeeves