[SP-F7] A Time To Hunt - Testing and Exploration - COMPLETE!

[Brax 0]

ID 47567

Spoiler

BD 8 +2 ACC LD 11 MoBD 4

Brax 84/84 EN 4/21

Rock Troll 1 0/65 DEAD [9 x 9 Explode Catapult - 16 MIT] = 65 DMG

Rock Troll 2 0/65 DEAD [9 x 9 Explode Catapult - 16 MIT] = 65 DMG

Rock Troll 3 0/65 DEAD [9 x 9 Explode Catapult - 16 MIT] = 65 DMG

Rock Troll 4 0/65 DEAD [9 x 9 Explode Catapult - 16 MIT] = 65 DMG

     "Teleport, Nimbus!"  Those words rang out from the teleport pad as Brax vanished from Floor Six and reappeared on Floor Seven, in the stone fortress city known as Nimbus.  As the entire establishment was protected inside a giant mountain cavern, it was...difficult to determine whether it was day or night.  Several holes in the ceiling let outside light through, but mostly the only illumination came from verdant crystals bathing the town in a greenish hue.  He had never yet stepped foot on the floor, so Brax took in every sight and sound he could, so as to better understand...what the place had to offer.  He had heard of the special training grounds of a temple nearby, and perhaps at a later date would visit in case he needed...more specific training, but for now he wanted to explore the floor, the area outside of Nimbus.  Specifically, he wanted more training with his Grandmaster Sword Arts, as the last trip, while fruitful, still left him less enthused regarding his skills.

     Exiting the town, he found himself in a winding cave that lead through many twists and turns, eventually coming to an end outside in the noonday light.  The cave exited to a path leading around the large mountain itself, going off further than he could currently see into the majestic rocky range before him.  This entire floor was dominated by them, and Brax could only assume that other cities were housed inside of the craggy containers.  But, he was not here to explore the towns, no, he was here to explore the wilds and whatever monsters lay hidden about.  For instance, as he cleared the safe zone surrounding Nimbus, Brax had attracted a smattering of Trolls that populated the path.  They were...most unlike the ones that lived and died on the lower floors, much more natural in their armor and weapons, relying on their fists and hides instead of crudely fashioned weapons and makeshift armor.  With a less than intimidating roar, at least to an unemotional man like he, the mob charged with murderous intent.  But, a quick activation of his Explode Catapult dealt with them easily, two sweeping strikes to keep them at bay and a final earthquake rendering slam to the ground that chucked them off of the perilous path.  As they fell into the deep ravine below, Brax could barely see their forms at the moment the Cardinal decided to destroy them and spread their pixels out into the ether.

+4 materials

+1300 col

Edited February 8, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     The trolls having been dealt with, Brax kept his weapon at the ready as he navigated the rocky embankment very carefully.  He had just used the environment to deal with a mob, and did not wish to join them in oblivion.  HIs heavy armor clanking as he moved, Brax observed his footsteps carefully as he walked, making sure that every crunch of his metal clad feet was on solid purchase before continuing.  One wrong step, and down you go.  Hopefully, soon, he would find a safer path and could look out more for monsters instead of his own two feet.

Edited February 7, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     Slowly and surely he made his way forwards, and just as he had suspected Brax found a more secure area of ground: the path widened considerably into a verifiable road, with little fear of falling off the edges and rolling down the mountainside.  Idly, he wondered if there was, in fact, a bottom to these domineering crags that could be found, though as he had just seen, perhaps it was so far down that the System killed you before you could find it.  It made a certain logical sense that if the floor was a mountain range that the Cardinal would wish to keep you up rather than let you...find the bottom.  It might make an interesting quest, though, to attempt the feat.  But Brax shook his head; this was not his mission, for now.

Edited February 7, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     As he walk along the 'road', Brax saw many things, from NPCs hawking their wares, to other players continuing on to Nimbus, at least that was his assumption.  The path was long, but quite safe, and soon Brax found himself facing the next mountain over.  There were various tunnels branching off of the beaten path, and he could see one that was protected by the safe zone barrier, indicating that it was the 'expected' travel route from settlement to settlement.  He, however, was in the mood for a more dangerous path, and after consideration chose a less...conspicuous one to the left.  Climbing into the hole, Brax began to follow it's path into a large cavernous area, though much smaller than the one that had housed Nimbus.

Edited February 7, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

ID 47568

Spoiler

BD 8 +2 ACC LD 7 MoBD 5

Brax 84/84 EN 4/21

Subterranean Serpent 1  0/65 DEAD [9 x 9 Explode Catapult - 16 MIT] = 65 DMG

Subterranean Serpent 2  0/65 DEAD [9 x 9 Explode Catapult - 16 MIT] = 65 DMG

Subterranean Serpent 3  0/65 DEAD [9 x 9 Explode Catapult - 16 MIT] = 65 DMG

Subterranean Serpent 4  0/65 DEAD [9 x 9 Explode Catapult - 16 MIT] = 65 DMG

     The rocky enclosed cave held many wonders, dripping stalagmites and luminescent plants that brought a strange hue to the place, giving it an ominous feel as if there were dangers around every corner.  Though in SAO, there usually was.  To prove it, several Subterranean Serpents began to slither across the ground towards the stalwart stoic, sharp fangs gnashing at fetid cavern air.  Leaping up in almost supernatural fashion, Brax was forced to parry each creature with his Veteran's Axe, battering each snake to the side and keeping their teeth at bay.  As the last one tried to chew into his armor, Brax activated his Explode Catapult for the win, his first swipe catching the creature and tossing it into it's brethren.  With his second attack, a sweep from the left side, he managed to group the pack together for his 'piece de resistance'.  Bringing his axe down hard, the final shockwave hit every Serpent with it's full power, shattering them into a crystalline storm.

+4 materials

Edited February 7, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     The pixel shower swirled around him, beginning to vanish as Brax grabbed his loot drop.  The colors combined with the glowing plants to form a vortex-like psychedelic light show.  He did not sheath his weapon, as he seemed to instinctually know that more enemies were waiting somewhere nearby.  Brax walked the cavernous space, climbing over the various protrusions emerging from the ground to reach the other side, which from the distance he could see contained another group of tunnels leading off to various places, so he believed.

Edited February 7, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     Again taking the leftmost one, his trail curved downwards deeper into the mountain.  It was slow goings due to the actual size of the tunnel itself, mainly because Brax was a larger man and his armor only increased that size.  Not only that, but maneuvering in such weighty platemail was an arduous task to begin with.  Thus, he almost felt trapped in the bowels of the earthen alp in which he was exploring, forced to crawl in places on his hands and knees due to the confined space of the tunnel.

Edited February 7, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     Finally, the passageway opened wider, though just barely taller than his imposing 6 feet by a few inches, while stretching out far enough to hold four or five people standing shoulder to shoulder.  The rocks that littered the floor gave off an usual power, seemingly possessed as they vibrated softly in the arching tunnel.  They also gave off an unsettling heat, the air shimmering around them ominously.  As Brax watched intently, they began to shake even more violently until...

Edited February 7, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

ID 47570

Spoiler

BD 4 +2 ACC LD 20 MoBD 4

Brax 84/84 EN 4/21

Stone Golem 1  0/65 DEAD [9 x 9 Explode Catapult - 16 MIT] = 65 DMG

Stone Golem 2  0/65 DEAD [9 x 9 Explode Catapult - 16 MIT] = 65 DMG

Stone Golem 3  0/65 DEAD [9 x 9 Explode Catapult - 16 MIT] = 65 DMG

Stone Golem 4  0/65 DEAD [9 x 9 Explode Catapult - 16 MIT] = 65 DMG

     ...until they rolled into each other, crashing with extreme force to merge into a rocky figure, or rather several stone figures.  The stones seemed to come alive, and after an explosion of heat and energy they took on the appearance of Stone Golems, guardians of the earth.  Red unblinking eyes radiated from deep recesses in their rocky skulls, training themselves on Brax's well defended frame.  With a bellowing that shook the tunnel with power, they began to lumber forth to engage in battle.  Their reflexes, however, were slow and despite their mighty power, as they rained blows upon him Brax avoided every attack.  Powering up his Explode Catapult, he dropped his axe to the side and unleashed his own mighty strength into the unflinching stone soldiers, and two swipes and a powerful shockwave slam later the Golems fell silent, their animated forms disintegrating into their constituent parts.

+8 materials

+1300 col

Edited February 7, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     Walking past the defeated golems, Brax found the tunnel narrowing once again.  This time it curved upwards, and he once again dropped to his hands and knees in order to navigate the cramped passage.  The path did not go far, so much sooner than he expected Brax was able to rise and stretch out the kinks that had accumulated from his extended time crawling through the labyrinthine mountain.  He twisted twice, to the right then the left, and afterwards looked about the cave he now found himself in.

Edited February 7, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     More luminescent plants lit up the area, though the glow this time was more...peaceful in nature.  A trickling stream of water crossed the center of the room, and as it babbled by the light reflected off it in such a fashion as to cause a dancing brilliance to shimmer along the calcified walls.  Various gemstones embedded in the rock twinkled like starlight, catching the soothing tones of the plants and refracting them artfully.  It was...quite hypnotic, a lulling of the senses that would lower anyone's guard down just to bask in it's splendor.  All that art was lost on one such as Brax, though, for all he saw and understood was the scientific principles behind the wondrous display of beauty.

Edited February 7, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     Thankfully he was not distracted by the light show, for another group of beasts had taken up residence in the captivating room.  Taking advantage of the brilliant tableau that charmed the minds of travelers who found it more than compelling to watch, a mob of Rock Trolls stood just out of sight behind several outcroppings to ambush their prey whilst they were distracted.  The performance above was a good trick, as before anyone could react to their presence they would be entranced by the dancing beams.  Thinking that Brax was sufficiently enthralled, they sprung their attack.

Edited February 7, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

ID 47571

Spoiler

BD 7 +2 ACC LD 14 MoBD 10

Brax 80/84 [21 + 2crit - 30 MIT] x 4 = 4 DMG EN 4/21

Rock Troll 1  0/65 DEAD [9 x 9 Explode Catapult - 16 MIT] = 65 DMG

Rock Troll 2  0/65 DEAD [9 x 9 Explode Catapult - 16 MIT] = 65 DMG

Rock Troll 3  0/65 DEAD [9 x 9 Explode Catapult - 16 MIT] = 65 DMG

Rock Troll 4  0/65 DEAD [9 x 9 Explode Catapult - 16 MIT] = 65 DMG

     Unfortunately, the lights had indeed distracted Brax enough that he almost didn't avoid the bulk of the Rock Troll's ambush, getting caught by several surprising rock projectiles before he managed to raise his weapon in defense of himself.  Using the bulk of the strength from mastering his axe, he threw several of the charging Trolls back into their compatriots.  As they lay in a heap atop one another, Brax began to advance himself with his axe set low on the right.  The axe head began to glow with power, his will flowing down the weapon as he prepared to end their existences.  His power reaching it's peak, he unleashed the force of his Explode Catapult, and his final slamming shockwave rippled through the prone creatures before causing them to explode themselves into pixels.

+4 materials

+1300 col

Edited February 8, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     Brax quickly exited the distracting cavern, unwilling to remain and perhaps find more monsters lying in wait to take advantage of the area.  The next few connecting caves were not nearly as well formed, not nearly as aesthetically pleasing, but were of course necessary for exploration purposes.  He knew that logically, not every place he searched would be worth his attention.  There would be treasures, for sure, but also areas of little interest but for traveling through to the next place.  He burned through those caverns quickly, his attention instead on building a map for future treasure hunts.

Edited February 8, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     Again, he found himself outside of the mountain, looking out over the landscape of the rocky ranges as they jutted towards the sky like jagged fingers reaching for the clouds.  Brax stood upon a clearing of stone, widening out like a makeshift arena primed for combat.  Several cuts and gouges ran crisscross along the stone floor, remnants of long ago battles that had to have ended in success for one side or the other.  Perhaps it was the sight of a warrior's final stand against an implacable foe, and the scars left were of the player's last attempts at glory.  Even if that wasn't the case, very soon it would be the stage for another fight of decent proportions.

Edited February 8, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     For as Brax stepped forth to look and see where next he would direct himself on this, his first showing on Floor Seven, the walls began to rumble and shake with an outside presence that was making themselves known.  He heard a skittering sound of clawed feet on rough stone, a fluttering of leathery wings and screeching howls that heralded the appearance of several lesser drakes as they landed on the rocky embankment before him.  Brax held his powerful axe at the ready, prepared for battle against the draconic foes.

Edited February 8, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

ID 47573

Spoiler

BD 8 +2 ACC LD 6 MoBD 6

Brax 79/84 [21 - 30 MIT] x 4 = 4 DMG EN 4/21

Lesser Drake 1 0/65 DEAD [9 x 9 Explode Catapult - 16 MIT] 65 DMG

Lesser Drake 2 0/65 DEAD [9 x 9 Explode Catapult - 16 MIT] 65 DMG

Lesser Drake 3 0/65 DEAD [9 x 9 Explode Catapult - 16 MIT] 65 DMG

Lesser Drake 4 0/65 DEAD [9 x 9 Explode Catapult - 16 MIT] 65 DMG

     Dark scales armored the four monsters' sinewy bodies, tails swishing behind them in threatening fashion.  Looking at them clearly, Brax could see that the fluttering came from useless wing, tattered skin stretched over bony protrusions extending from their muscled backs.  Snarls and screeches came from their beak-like mouths, razor sharp teeth chomping at non-existent prey.  Each rushed forward on four sharply clawed appendages, snapping at Brax and his well worn armor plating.  They managed to catch him somewhat as he leapt backwards, scratching his chest as he pushed back to get a running start.  His axe set low, Brax pushed off the heels of his feet and applied that power to his Explode Catapult, his three power-filled blows making short work of the offending Drakes.  The cave entrance shook with the energy of the Sword Art, and as the shaking subsided he sheathed his weapon.

+4 materials

Edited February 8, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     After the cave entrance had finished shaking, Brax stepped outside and made his way to the next mountain.  A stone bridge connected the two, crossing the divide with an ornate structure of several different kinds of stone.  Giant slabs of granite were puzzle-pieced together to form the main bridge itself, with masonry work done along the seams with sand stone.  The granite was layered with slate for additional support, with railings formed of laterite and marble for aesthetics.  It was not a very long structure, but as bridges go it served a purpose.

Edited February 8, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     Brax idly wondered if it had been built by the NPCs of Nimbus, whom he assumed possessed perfectly adequate stone masonry skills, or Kayaba's design team.  The ornate beauty of the structure suggested a artistically gifted individual, and he did not know if the computer driven characters would possess the necessary level of skill.  He supposed that either way, the group that designed the game would have been ultimately responsible, as they would have programed the NPCs themselves with the talent needed if the team itself had failed to create it.  'But, enough on that,' thought Brax, 'I must be off.'

Edited February 8, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     Crossing the bridge, Brax looked up to the sky as he ran his gauntleted hand over the polished rails of the bridge.  The sun was still crossing the sky, indicating that it was not yet evening.  Though, a quick check of his status window and the clock therein, told a story of him being out for several hours.  That meant that it would soon be dark, and thus time to return to town, whether it was Nimbus or some other establishment in a designated safe zone.  His hunting and scouting trips had not yet granted him the power necessary to truly fight in the dead of night, and while he could have risked such a thing, it would be...unnecessary.  He was in no hurry to explore.

Edited February 8, 2016 by Brax