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[F5 - SP] <<Blood in the Sand>> (Zuel)


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Zuel would arrive in Fortaleza, the town on the 5th floor that was a village completely blocked off with a wall of brick to prevent sandstorms, after having heard some information about a field boss on the floor. The majority of the towns buildings are constructed out of polished sandstone, or a wooden material that is sturdy to withstand the harsh winds at times. Zuel would reach the most popular tavern in the town and would enter to find an old style tavern with dim lighting. Zuel would walk over to the bar he would order himself a drink, bringing it over to a lone table sitter there as he began to drink from his mug. I wonder if I will be able to find someone to party for the field boss here. Zuel looked around the tavern as there were many npc around but a few player characters around as well. This floor seemed pretty unpopular do to the harsh weather and environment. Zuel would continue to sip from his mug as he went over the information about the boss on this floor that supposedly dropped a power alchemic concoction that could increase the mitigation and would be useful on a later floor but was going to be a challenging fight. This would probably be the toughest boss Zuel will have to face so hard and it would probably be best not to challenge it alone. With that in mind Zuel looked around the room for any potential players that he could party with.

Spoiler

Combat:

Two-Handed Weapons
Rank 4/5
Passive
Effect: Gain +3 base damage for rank 1, then +1 base damage for ranks 2-5.

Weapon:

Two Handed Straight Sword: Zuel holds his two handed sword in one hand.

High General's Blade (Perfect Quality Tier One, Two Handed Straight Sword)

Slot 1

► Damage
Cost: 1 Slot
Cap: 3 Slots
Effect: Gain +(1 * Tier) base damage per slot.

Slot 2

► Damage
Cost: 1 Slot
Cap: 3 Slots
Effect: Gain +(1 * Tier) base damage per slot.

Slot 3

► Accuracy
Cost: 1 Slot
Cap: 3 Slots
Effect: Gain +(1 per slot) to the BD when attacking. Cannot be used to cause a critical hit.
Applicable to: Weapons

 

Armor:

Jacket:

High General's Armor (Perfect Quality Tier One, Heavy Armor)

Slot 1

► Mitigation
Cost: 1 Slot
Cap: 3 Slots
Effect: Prevent (9 per slot * Tier) damage from successful attacks against you.

Slot 2

► Mitigation
Cost: 1 Slot
Cap: 3 Slots
Effect: Prevent (9 per slot * Tier) damage from successful attacks against you.

Slot 3

► Mitigation
Cost: 1 Slot
Cap: 3 Slots
Effect: Prevent (9 per slot * Tier) damage from successful attacks against you.

 

Gauntlets:

High General's Gauntlets (Perfect Quality Tier One, Heavy Armor)

Slot 1

► Thorns
Cost: 1 Slot
Cap: 2 Slots
Effect: Successful non-critical attacks against you deal (9 per slot * Tier) unmitigated damage to the attacking enemy. Only activates on damage dealing, melee attacks.

Slot 2

► Thorns
Cost: 1 Slot
Cap: 2 Slots
Effect: Successful non-critical attacks against you deal (9 per slot * Tier) unmitigated damage to the attacking enemy. Only activates on damage dealing, melee attacks.

Slot 3

► Heavy Momentum
Cost: 1 Slot
Cap: 2 Slots
Effect: After an unsuccessful attack, gain +(1 per slot * Tier) base damage until your next successful attack, at which point this bonus is removed. Another unsuccessful attack will reactivate this enhancement. [For Area of Effect attacks: This effect only activates if you miss all enemies targeted by the attack.]

 

Edited by Zuel
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After waiting quite sometime it didn't look like anyone was interested in trying to take on the field boss. It seemed like most people on the floor were scared of it and didn't want to to leave the comfort of the town. Zuel with no other option decided he was going to need to go it alone again as he gathered his things and set out for the edge of the city. There was a huge gate that was made of stone they used to protect from the harsh storms throughout the floor. Zuel would venture out immediately getting bombarded with heavy sandstorms making it a bit difficult to see what was ahead of him but continued to press on. Eventually Zuel would make it to the sand dunes where the boss was supposedly supposed to spawn as he cautiously looked around as in the distance he could see something. It was a shark like fin peeking above the sand moving at very high speeds as the Sand Shark would jump from dune to dune. This must be the boss. Zuel drew his blade and prepared for his toughest fight yet.

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Trying to be a bit cautious, Zuel would inch closer and closer not knowing entirely where its aggro range would be and engage the boss. The sand shark was staying in a fixed location jumping from dune to dune to travel around the sand occasionally swimming in it almost like it was water. It seems it follows a fixed path, It probably won't engage unless I get any closer than this. Zuel would study the Sand Shark for a bit to formulate a strategy before engaging it. There was no one around the immediate area, npc or player. They must be avoiding the Sand Shark, It must be pretty tough. Having had easily deal with the Avalanche boss on the previous floor he should be able to handle this fight perfectly fine especially with his knew crafted glove that he made in his workshop. Zuel had managed to craft three perfect pieces of equipment for himself so he should be as strong as possible until reaching the level needed to tier 2. Decided it was best to hit it with a frontal attack so it didn't hide in the sand would be his best option as he drew his blade, ready for battle.

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As the sandstorm would pick up you could feel the tension in the air as all was calm despite the fact there was a monstrous sand shark lurking around while a storm was around. Zuel waited for his moment as the shark was going through its determined path, right until he was close enough for him to attack. Zuel would rush forward his sword in hand as the Sand Shark would notice him immediately as it decided to rush at Zuel as well. Zuel didn't back down as he knew that if he was going to land an attack it was going to have to be while the Shark was attacking as well. Zuel would prepare his most powerful sword skill Astral Hell as the Sand Shark would jump out ready to bite down hard on Zuel. Zuel's Astral Hell sword skill would go off hitting the Sand Shark with a powerful multi-hit sword art that chains three sweeping strokes with four deft thrusts at varying points. The Sand Shark would be sent flying backwards completely cancelling its attack as it would take massive damage. The Sand Shark hit the ground hard sliding across the sand causing dust to pick up as it did causing the boss to retreat back into the sand. 

Spoiler

ID: 107308

BD: 9 + 1 = 10 (+1 Critical Hit)

Astral Hell (7 Energy) (Base Damage 9) 9 + 1 = 10 x 7 = 70 damage

MOB: 5 (Miss) 

<Zuel> HP: 340/340 EN: 27/34 (- 7 EN)

<Sand SharkHP: 55/125 Damage per Attack: 50 (-70 HP)

 

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After sending the Sand Shark flying it became clear to Zuel that he was greatly above the recommended level for this quest as the Boss' HP would instantly drop less than half and appear yellow to him. I wasn't expecting that sword skill to do so much damage. The Sand Shark would continue to hide behind the sand only allowing its fin to be shown above it as if it was a shark in water. It would circle the area a bit more weary of Zuel now after taking massive damage from him. However it was still a boss mob and decided to jump from dune to dune until it was within range of Zuel. Zuel would prepare himself for the sharks attack as it leaped out of the sand right for him. Zuel would jump into the air as well as they would both pass each other, Zuel slashing through with his sword to the side of the boss and the Sand Shark giant tooth would cut Zuel's shoulder with a powerful attack but hurting itself in the process. Zuel would land holding his arm as he held his sword in the other, the Sand Shark land painfully onto the sand, being forced back underground as its health bar was now in the red. 

Spoiler

ID: 107311

BD: 6 + 1 = 7 (Hit)

(Base Damage 9) 9 + 18 (Thorns) = 27

MOB: 9 (+1 Critical) 

(Base Damage 50) 50 + 1 = 51 damage

51 - 27(MIT) = 24 damage

<Zuel> HP: 316/340 EN: 27/34 (-24 HP / +1, -1 EN)

<Sand SharkHP: 29/125 Damage per Attack: 50 (-27 HP)

 

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Zuel was close to victory, having already cut the Sand Sharks health to red health. The boss would continue to swim under the sand trying to stay hidden to protect itself knowing it is close to death but Zuel wasn't going to give it the chance as he began to rush toward him again his sword in his hand. It was difficult to run in the sand but Zuel had run on much more dangerous terrain in his days of service. The sand shark was quicker than he was but Zuel studied it patterns and began to cut it off as he began to attack. The boss now within attack range of Zuel had no choice to launch an attack of its own. Zuel would launch into the air as he would drive his sword into the mouth of the shark as its tooth would scrape Zuel's armor causing it be effected by the thorns as the Boss health bar would reach 0 causing it to glow bright before shattering into white pieces and disappearing into nothing. Zuel had once again solo'd a floor boss, although this one may have been a bit tougher he was still able to handle it with ease. 

Spoiler

ID: 107448

BD: 10 + 11 = 7 (+2 Critical Hit)

(Base Damage 9) 9 + 2 = 11 + 18 (Thorns) = 29

MOB: 6 (Hit) 

(Base Damage 50) 50 damage

50 - 27(MIT) = 23 damage

<Zuel> HP: 293/340 EN: 27/34 (-23 HP / +1, -1 EN)

<Sand SharkHP: 0/125 Damage per Attack: 50 (-27 HP)

 

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With the Sand Shark defeated Zuel would receive a confirmation screen for the loot form the boss. Hitting accept Zuel is reward with the alchemic concoction that was promised from killing the boss as he would place it in his inventory for a later use. Zuel would dust himself off as he had gotten sand everywhere on him as he began to walk away as the earth behind him would begin to rumble causing him to sink into the sand. Zuel would struggle to stay up but it was no use it seemed there was now way to stop himself from sinking as he fell through the sand. He would dust himself off again as he was in a dim lit cavern underneath the sand that had many paths. It seemed that he was going to have to navigate through these caverns if he wanted to get out and back to the surface again. He would look at each path feeling a bit of a draft coming from one as he determined that would be the best corse of action following the path onwards into the unknown.

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Zuel would notice as he walked that the cavern was filled with veins but there weren't like any he had seen before but the seemed a bit familiar to the ice cavern he entered on the last floor. Entering the a main room he saw a pedestal that was identical to the one in the ice cavern he visited with the same space on it allowing something to be placed there. It is just like the last caver. Are they connected? Knowing it was like last time Zuel decided he was going to need to mine for the piece as he noticed a nearby sand vein. . Walking up to one of the sand veins Zuel would strike down gently on the ore vein causing sand to break apart to reveal what was inside the ore vain as it could be seen shining through the outer vein. Zuel continued to chip away at the sand to try to preserve the ore inside. After hitting it a couple of more times the vein would be completely depleted and Zuel would begin to sift through the sand hoping to find ore that he could use. Zuel was unable to find anything that fit the description that he was looking for and decided to venture deeper hoping the vein was somewhere there.

Spoiler

ID# 107569 results:

CD: 12 (Failure)

 

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Venturing deeper into the sandy cavern Zuel noticed a bunch of writings on the walls almost as they were placed there by the floor designer. They were pictures of players fighting a giant snake like creature and defeating it being rewarded a crystal. It was almost like what he went through with Avalanche and the Sand Shark as well coming to this cavern. I wonder if I will find another crystal like in the ice cavern. Zuel would enter an open area seeing more sand veins as he got his axe pick ready. Walking up to one of the sand veins Zuel would strike down gently on the ore vein causing sand to break apart to reveal what was inside the ore vain as it could be seen shining through the outer vein. Zuel continued to chip away at the sand to try to preserve the ore inside. After hitting it a couple of more times the vein would be completely depleted and Zuel would begin to sift through the sand hoping to find ore that he could use. Once again he was unable to obtain the fixture he needed to press on. He decided to take a quick break drinking from his container before going deeper.

Spoiler

ID# 107570 results:

CD: 11 (Failure)

 

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After taking his break Zuel would press on into the Cavern there was light above the sandy ceiling that would seeping through so he could see ahead of him. He went down a dark corridor that was leading to a larger room as there was a room for of sand veins as Zuel looked around. Am I going to need to mine these all? There has to be a way to tell which one will have it. With no other option Zuel had to just start one by one. Zuel would strike down gently on the ore vein causing sand to break apart to reveal what was inside the ore vain as it could be seen shining through the outer vein. Zuel continued to chip away at the sand to try to preserve the ore inside. After hitting it a couple of more times the vein would be completely depleted and Zuel would begin to sift through the sand hoping to find ore that he could use. The first one proved to yield nothing as Zuel looked around at the many Veins he was going to have to get through.

Spoiler

ID# 107571 results:

CD: 6 (Failure)

 

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It seemed like it was endless but if Zuel wanted to get out of here he was going to have to mine until he found the piece that he needed in order to open up the door. I wonder how long it has been, it is hard to get a sense of time while down her in this cavern.Judging by the light still coming through the top there was probably still time for Zuel to get out of there until night time.  Walking up to one of the sand veins Zuel would strike down gently on the ore vein causing sand to break apart to reveal what was inside the ore vain as it could be seen shining through the outer vein. Zuel continued to chip away at the sand to try to preserve the ore inside. After hitting it a couple of more times the vein would be completely depleted and Zuel would begin to sift through the sand hoping to find ore that he could use. Zuel would wipe his forehead as this vein was no use to him as well, as it began to seem a bit hopeless. He had to do something to narrow his search but what?

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Zuel began to search each vein seeing if there was a way to tell in the sand if there was possibility for materials inside but as he expected there was no real way to confirm it. The game designers wouldn't just have you search them all. There has to be a riddle to this...somewhere. Zuel looked around and noticed there were more writings on the wall like the ones he saw in the cavern before. It was of adventures mining the area and it showed them hitting the sand ore but it had a unique vine coming out of it. Zuel immediately began to look around and sure enough there were sand veins with veins coming out of them.  Walking up to one of the sand veins Zuel would strike down gently on the ore vein causing sand to break apart to reveal what was inside the ore vain as it could be seen shining through the outer vein. Zuel continued to chip away at the sand to try to preserve the ore inside. After hitting it a couple of more times the vein would be completely depleted and Zuel would begin to sift through the sand hoping to find ore that he could use. To his surprise a piece to the symbol had appeared but it was incomplete. Am I going to have to mine all the ones with a vine in it?

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There were a total five veins with the vine that was coming out of them meaning there were most likely a total five pieces we needed for him to collect in order to make them whole and get out of here. With little options left Zuel headed to the end of the room where the remaining ores where and got started. Walking up to one of the sand veins Zuel would strike down gently on the ore vein causing sand to break apart to reveal what was inside the ore vain as it could be seen shining through the outer vein. Zuel continued to chip away at the sand to try to preserve the ore inside. After hitting it a couple of more times the vein would be completely depleted and Zuel would begin to sift through the sand hoping to find ore that he could use. To his surprise a piece to the symbol had appeared but it was incomplete still needed more pieces. He would wipe the sweat from his forehead. 

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With only four more veins to go Zuel was getting pretty exhausted from this whole ordeal. Was obtaining another vanity item even worth this much trouble, but I guess for him it was more for getting out of there. Zuel rolled his shoulder to stretch it out from extensive mining as he prepared to continue. Walking up to one of the sand veins Zuel would strike down gently on the ore vein causing sand to break apart to reveal what was inside the ore vain as it could be seen shining through the outer vein. Zuel continued to chip away at the sand to try to preserve the ore inside. After hitting it a couple of more times the vein would be completely depleted and Zuel would begin to sift through the sand hoping to find ore that he could use. Not uprising to Zuel it was another piece to the item he needed to progress. The inertia of the cave began to dim a bit as the clouds outside would block the sun making it hard for Zuel to see but he already knew where the last three veins were so he should be alright for the time being.

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Zuel would hold the vanity item in his hand from the last dungeon he visited, the ice diamond bracelet. It was a pretty vague description at best leaving most player to probably believe that it was just jewelry in a video game but Zuel wasn't convinced. He inspected it a bit to find there was etchings on the side of it as if it was placed into something before. With no other information to go off of he would go back to his mining. Walking up to one of the sand veins Zuel would strike down gently on the ore vein causing sand to break apart to reveal what was inside the ore vain as it could be seen shining through the outer vein. Zuel continued to chip away at the sand to try to preserve the ore inside. After hitting it a couple of more times the vein would be completely depleted and Zuel would begin to sift through the sand hoping to find ore that he could use. In the sand there was another piece as he was able not to put some of them back together forming a object that look like it would fit the pedestal back at the entrance and probably the door deeper in the cave if it was like the previous dungeon.

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Sitting on a nearby rock Zuel would completely finish his canister full of water tossing it to the side as it would begin to glow before shattering into tiny pieces as they would float away and disappear. Zuel had only two piece to get left and it was getting late as the cave grew darker from the lowering sun. It also began to become much colder which also pressed Zuel for time even further. I'd better hurry. Walking up to one of the sand veins Zuel would strike down gently on the ore vein causing sand to break apart to reveal what was inside the ore vain as it could be seen shining through the outer vein. Zuel continued to chip away at the sand to try to preserve the ore inside. After hitting it a couple of more times the vein would be completely depleted and Zuel would begin to sift through the sand hoping to find ore that he could use. Picking up the second to last piece zuel would waste no time as he would wipe the sweat from his head and keep his eyes on the last vein with the root in it.

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With no time to waste Zuel would rush over to the last sand vein. Walking up to one of the sand veins Zuel would strike down gently on the ore vein causing sand to break apart to reveal what was inside the ore vain as it could be seen shining through the outer vein. Zuel continued to chip away at the sand to try to preserve the ore inside. After hitting it a couple of more times the vein would be completely depleted and Zuel would begin to sift through the sand hoping to find ore that he could use. He would find the last piece as he would place them together and they would glow bright, combining into one piece. Zuel would head a path open up in the distance as he would investigate the noise going down the corridor. At the end of the hall was a door just like before with an etching in the middle for an object to be place that was a perfect fit for the one he just created. Zuel would place it into the door as it would begin to slowly open revealing a huge room with a pedestal with another vanity item, Sand Diamond Bracelet. Picking up the bracelet would immediately teleport Zuel back to the beginning of the dungeon with the piece still in hand.

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Zuel would head a path open up in the distance as he would investigate the noise going down the corridor. At the end of the hall was a door just like before with an etching in the middle for an object to be place that was a perfect fit for the one he just created. Zuel would place it into the door as it would begin to slowly open revealing a huge room with a pedestal with another vanity item, Sand Diamond Bracelet. Picking up the bracelet would immediately teleport Zuel back to the beginning of the dungeon with the piece still in hand. As he was back in the entrance he would place the object into the pedestal as it would begin to ascend creating a stairway that would allow Zuel safe passage out of the dungeon. Making his way to the top he was greeted with the sun setting the temperature dropping. Just in time huh? He began to make his way back to Fortaleza as there was nothing left for him here having obtain his prize as well as taking down the floor boss.

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Picking up the bracelet would immediately teleport Zuel back to the beginning of the dungeon with the piece still in hand. As he was back in the entrance he would place the object into the pedestal as it would begin to ascend creating a stairway that would allow Zuel safe passage out of the dungeon. Making his way to the top he was greeted with the sun setting the temperature dropping. Just in time huh? He began to make his way back to Fortaleza as there was nothing left for him here having obtain his prize as well as taking down the floor boss. Once he arrived back into town the temperature became normal as he would look around. Players would look to him and whisper as they thought he wouldn't come back when they heard he was going to fight the floor boss by himself as he entered the old tavern sitting at the bar as no words needed to be spoken as a stiff drink was placed down in front of him by the npc bartender. Zuel would take a sip from it as he looked at his inventory taking out both bracelets to inspect them together.

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 Once he arrived back into town the temperature became normal as he would look around. Players would look to him and whisper as they thought he wouldn't come back when they heard he was going to fight the floor boss by himself as he entered the old tavern sitting at the bar as no words needed to be spoken as a stiff drink was placed down in front of him by the npc bartender. Zuel would take a sip from it as he looked at his inventory taking out both bracelets to inspect them together. He would place the the diamonds together as they seemed to fit neatly next to each other but there was room for one more. Interesting, looks like there is a third diamond that I need to complete the set. But the question is where is it? And once I have it what do it do with them? Zuel's thoughts began to race as he thought of the possibilities but his best bet was the next floor since the other two were both the two previous floors. Zuel woudl pull out his map of Aincrad as he began to try to piece together the two locations in order to determine where the final location was.

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