[SP-F8] A Time To Train - Scouting out a New Place, and some Training to Boot - COMPLETE!

[Brax 0]

ID 47739

Spoiler

BD 7 +2 ACC LD 9 MoBD 6

Brax 84/84 EN 10/21

Alligator -3/84 DEAD [9 x 12 Dynamic Violence - 21 MIT] = 87 DMG

     As Brax materialized on Floor Eight, his eyes beheld the wondrously verdant lushness of Florenthia Village.  Suspended in midair by crisscrossing ancient tree branches over dangerous monster infested waters, the city was reminiscent of the Wookiee home planet of Kashyyyk.  Trees reaching heights that could not been seen dominated the landscape, vine-lashed ropes bridged the gaps that the majestic trees and their feelers could not reach.  Buildings constructed either from discarded bark and branches or developed right into the trunks themselves lined the trunk-sized streets.  All in all, a harmonic tableau of man living at one with nature.  It was...a fascinating spectacle.  But again, much like the previous floors, Brax was not here to admire the scenery, rather to explore it and train himself to new heights.  Perhaps, he would practice his single target Grandmaster Sword Arts this time around, at least on a few of the various mobs that inhabited the choppy waters below.

     He slid down a rope ladder to the ground below, a shoreline that bordered a large lake that appeared...most unusual, due to the dark and violently agitated waves that lapped angrily against the bank.  As Brax stared into the water, he was...disturbed to find a pair of yellow eyes peer back at him from beneath it.  Lunging back, he managed to avoid a devastating chomp of multiple rows of teeth tearing into his armor as one very large alligator rose from the choppy waters to combat the stalwart stoic.  It eyed him cautiously to determine how strong the man was, which proved to be an error in judgment, for as it was contemplating how best to end his life, Brax was preparing the Sword Art to end the alligator's instead.  Setting his axe low and to the left, he felt a new attack begin to power up, and once it reached critical mass he released it's power into the beast, three powerful slashes to the gator's face and midsection as it rolled over in confusion, finishing with a leap backwards to hit the creature with a shockwave thrown by an empty swing of his weapon.  The force of the wave pushed the monster back into the water, where it dissipated into pixels that got washed away by the waves.

+1 material

Edited February 9, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     The water cleansed the area of any reminders of his battle, and Brax turned around to leave as he put his axe to rest against his shoulder.  The looming forest of giant foliage called to his sense of exploration so recently discovered, and he ventured forth to find another group of monsters to test his skills upon.  The verdant life-giving plants rustled as he walked past, gently waving as a breeze blew through with a hint of fresh flowers.

Edited February 9, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

   The lush forest held a myriad of flowers, a veritable garden of sweet smelling...and not so sweet smelling...herbs and florets.  It was an alchemist's paradise, a nature lover's dream as he strolled through the domineering grasslands beneath the canopy of leaves above.  Although he could sense danger and peril around many corners, and logically knew that the entire forest could not be as...idyllic as this, nonetheless Brax appreciated the view for the moment, allowing for a time to bask in the aesthetically pleasing nature of the place.

Edited February 9, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     He perused through the bushes that lined the well worn path he currently was following, but none of the plants he could get his hands on were...stable enough to be inventoried.  Their durability was...poor, to say the very least.  Even as he drew them from their resting places, the delicate buds lasted only mere seconds before disapperating into a pixel shower, bathing his hand in light.  Brax was...irritated that he could not seem to gather much from the smorgasbord before his eyes, but knowing that he was here for scouting and battle allayed his...perturbed demeanor.

Edited February 9, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

ID 47741

Spoiler

BD 6 +2 ACC LD 4 MoBD 10

Brax 80/84 [24 + 2crit - 30 MIT] x 4 = 4 DMG EN 4/21

Nepent Mutation 1 0/65 DEAD [9 x 9 Exploded Catapult - 16 MIT] = 65 DMG

Nepent Mutation 2 0/65 DEAD [9 x 9 Exploded Catapult - 16 MIT] = 65 DMG

Nepent Mutation 3 0/65 DEAD [9 x 9 Exploded Catapult - 16 MIT] = 65 DMG

Nepent Mutation 4 0/65 DEAD [9 x 9 Exploded Catapult - 16 MIT] = 65 DMG

     His frustrations distracted him from the dangers of the forest, however, and as Brax reached for another bouquet of herbs and flowers he was struck from behind by several tendrils coming from deep within the bushes.  Forcefully knocking him over even with the protection of his armor, Brax spun around on a metal clad foot to see what had ambushed him.  As the vines began to retreat, he saw giant Nepents emerge from the bushes, a mutated breed of angry red and purplish mottled skin.  They looked much more powerful than their variants that populated the first floor, and with feelers wildly dancing in the air they attempted to attack the emotional unresponsive man once more.  Parrying their flailing tentacles, Brax began to charge forward to end the threat they posed to his existence.  He drew closer and closer until finally, he laid down the hammer, or rather the axe, as he activated his Explode Catapult, and three devastating slashes and slams later the Nepent Mutations were...a crystalline storm floating away on the wind.

+4 materials

Edited February 9, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     As Brax recovered from the impromptu battle, he chastised himself yet again for the lapse of attention.  Needing a boost to ensure he could see whatever came his way, he opened his inventory window to summon some of his Carrot Tabs, downing one with some water to improve the accuracy of his gaze.  Now, he would miss nothing, and his...prey...would stand little chance of ambushing him again.  Not only that, but his scouting might improve as well, lending to a...better search for potential dungeon locations.

Consumed 1 Carrot Tab (+1 BD for a thread)

Edited February 9, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     Brax crossed over fallen trees and moss-coated paths as he continued to explore the vast tree covered landscape.  His axe at the ready, he did not drop his vigil for even a moment.  His thoughts intruded upon his time out and about, however, and soon he found himself distracted yet again by his next moves in Aincrad.  After a few more hunting trips, he would need to begin advancing to the frontlines.

Edited February 9, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     The message boards were all aflutter with some kind of War of the Ancients, a Unique Quest event that would trigger the opening of the 13th Floor Boss Room.  What the quest itself contained was...unclear, even to the info brokers that were experts in such things.  They told tales of soulstealers and golden armored angels with mighty swords and fearsome visages, but as many of the frontline fighters were still engaged in battle not much information could be obtained.

Edited February 9, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

ID 47742

Spoiler

BD 8 +3 ACC LD 18 MoBD 8

Brax 79/84 [24 - 30 MIT] x 4 = 4 DMG EN 4/21

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

Corrupted Bear 2 0/65 DEAD [9 x 9 Exploded Catapult - 16 MIT] = 65 DMG

Corrupted Bear 3 0/65 DEAD [9 x 9 Exploded Catapult - 16 MIT] = 65 DMG

Corrupted Bear 4 0/65 DEAD [9 x 9 Exploded Catapult - 16 MIT] = 65 DMG

     Putting aside his train of thought for the moment as Brax wound around a group of tightly packed trees, he came upon a clearing, or perhaps a glen, that was inhabited by some rather bellicose Bears, corrupted by some unknown force that twisted their normal countenances into horrible demonically charged forms.  Black molted fur bristled like armor across heavily muscled frames, easily topping a weight of several tons of hatred and fury.  Red tinged eyes stared at the man, and saliva covered fangs grinned evilly from mouths large enough to tear Brax limb from limb.  Taking the lead to put the deranged beasts down, he charged into their midst with axe prepared for an Explode Catapult.  As he drew close enough to tear into them, the Bears managed to catch Brax with several well timed paw swipes, battering the man like a tin can.  He used the force of the blows to move his body into position, taking advantaged of the increased inertia to land solid hits with his Sword Art, and as his metal frame twisted through the maddening mob, he slammed his entire body into the final slamming shockwave of his Grandmaster move.  The power resonated through the Bears and tore them to pieces, the remains spilling out and covering the area with a misty pixel shower.

+4 materials

+1300 col

Edited February 9, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     'Hmm, it seems that there is...some corruption occurring on this floor somewhere,' Brax mused to himself as he exited the now peaceful glen.  He had heard of transformed creatures inhabiting the higher floors, including humans on the thirteenth floor, but Brax would visit it himself soon enough.  He was in preparations to advance to level 25 soon, and once that occurred he would be able to join the frontliners, at least for a time.  Not one for groups, the silent soloist did wish to observe...what went on in the assault team.

Edited February 9, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     Before that, though, he would need to continue his explorations and training beyond the Grandmastering he had already accomplished.  Passing beneath the trees as their branches swayed above, Brax wondered what the frontlines were actually like.  His solo work had...a certain appeal, but unfortunately...it ill-prepared a person for group combat.  His axe skills were impressive, that much was certain, but his weapon abilities were the only thing he truly had to offer.  And to accept a man based on a single trait was...highly illogical.

Edited February 9, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     Perhaps that was the other reason Brax was spending his time wandering and exploring these lower floors, to skill himself in other avenues for the future.  With the appearance of sub-dungeons, a keen eye and high levels of skill in Search and Detect were...a necessary thing.  His own naturally analytical capabilities would be well served to follow such a path, thus Brax was focused on reaching the Grandmaster levels ahead of him.

Edited February 9, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

ID 47743

Spoiler

BD 3 +3 ACC LD 13 MoBD 2

Brax 82/84 EN 4/21

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

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

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

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

     The density of the tree cover was enough to plunge the area he began entering into shadows.  Brax was thankful that he had consumed the Carrot Tab previously to aid his vision, for without it the darkness might have proven too much for his accuracy in battle.  The area was rife with the sounds of chittering animals, and he kept his axe at the ready incase any tried to ambush him again.  And they did, for as Brax stepped further along the gloomy path he was assailed by a pack of Dire Wolves.  The overcast trees and the inky blackness beneath proved too much for them to overcome, though, and the heavily armored man dodged their attacks with relative ease even from inside his tin can protections.  His Battle-Axe flashed with light as he brought an Explode Catapult to bear, and the force of his attack shook the leaves off of the tree branches above, raining them down to mix with the pixel storm that rose from the ravished remains of the wolves.

+4 materials

+1300 col

Edited February 9, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     'Wolves in a forest, how...intriguingly normal,' thought Brax as he wiped the pixelated mess from his weapon before bringing it again to lay across his rightmost armored shouldergaurd.  He moved quickly to exit the dark patch of forest he had found himself in, coming into the light once more after waling just a few dozen feet.  His contemplations about the 'normal' fare of monsters here, such as they were, was cut short as he realized the futility of the idea.  Every floor was different, and no area had a set type of mob that only appeared to do battle with traveling players.  For every bear that wandered the forest for honey and fun, there was a mighty dragon waiting in the depths to terrorize the hearts of every player who found it.  Such was the nature of SAO and Aincrad.

Edited February 9, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     Instead, to prepare for anything, one must be comfortable and trained in one's own shoes, to turn a phrase.  His weapon, as he again touched on, was still in need of experience and discipline, and in a few more levels Brax would be capable of equipping a higher tier of gear.  Gear that would...be most useful in advancing to the frontlines and the war they all fought for, the one that ended at Floor 100.  But truly, that was not the reason Brax would fight.  He did battle not for others, people he had never met nor did he at the moment desire to.  Instead, he trained and would fight for the chance to see others there on the assault team, to experience all he could so as to jog his memories.  His past, or lack thereof, was his mission.

Edited February 9, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     But even as he walked the primrose paths through the forest and it's wonders, and rededicated his mind and heart, such as it was, to his long sought-after goal, Brax was reminded of a single and penetrating fact: perhaps his past...was not something he should seek.  Much like the emotions he currently had put on hold until such time as he might better be equipped to handle them, his memories...might not be as desirable as he made them out to be.  If so, what then would he do, with nothing to fight for and nothing to look forward to?

Edited February 9, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

ID 47744

Spoiler

BD 10 +3 ACC LD 15 MoBD 1

Brax 84/84 EN 4/21

Deer 1 0/74 DEAD [9 + 2crit x 9 Explode Catapult - 25 MIT] = 74 DMG

Deer 2 0/74 DEAD [9 + 2crit x 9 Explode Catapult - 25 MIT] = 74 DMG

Deer 3 0/74 DEAD [9 + 2crit x 9 Explode Catapult - 25 MIT] = 74 DMG

Deer 4 0/74 DEAD [9 + 2crit x 9 Explode Catapult - 25 MIT] = 74 DMG

     A smell wafted on the wind, tearing Brax's attention away from his dark musings.  His sensitive senses detected monsters in the area, and thus he crouched down to mask some of his presence in case they too were hunting for him, much like he was on the prowl for them.  Taking cover behind some bushes and advancing behind them towards the smell, Brax found himself peering out from the brush to observe a herd of tranquil deer grazing.  While he wouldn't normally be in the mood to slay such defenseless creatures, a quick look at their cursors gave Brax all the incentive he needed: they were a rare mob, capable of dropping a decent amount of loot.  Not extremely so, but still worth the effort.  A wan smile crossed his face as his axe began to glow, giving him a fearsome visage in the shadows of the foliage he was hidden in.  Once his Explode Catapult had reached sufficient power levels, Brax leapt from his hiding place and struck forcefully to contain the skittish beasts.  HIs first two swipes bunched the mob together, and as they looked up as his armored body Brax slammed his axe down atop them, shaking the ground with his attack and collecting the loot drop once they disappeared.

+4 materials

+ 1480 col

Edited February 9, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     Brax was not the only one on the hunt for this particular herd of beasts, however.  Yellow tinged eyes stared out from the face of a Dire Wolf as Brax laid the hurt upon the deer, it's body hidden much as his had been in the underbrush.  The eyes widened in fear as it beheld the power the armored man could bring to bear, and not caring whether he saw it escape or not the wolf bolted from it's position of safety and ran away, tail betwixt it's legs to rejoin with the pack it traveled with, believing that perhaps strength in numbers would save it's hide.

Edited February 9, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     Brax heard a rustling sound come from further ahead, and before he could react a lone Dire Wolf sprang from the bushes and ran from the scene as fast as it could.  Not one to allow a monster to flee when he could hunt it down for EXP, Brax began to give chase.  He was mildly frustrated that he had missed the animal whilst killing the deer, but no matter: his strength was sufficient for the task of tracking and killing it post-hastily.

Edited February 9, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     His armor clanked and clanged as Brax pursued the creature, plates rubbing against one another as he vaulted over rock and tree close behind.  The Wolf itself twisted and turned a myriad of direction to shake off it's hunter, trying desperately to get back to the pack before he overtook it.  They both huffed and puffed as the chase wore on, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, half an hour, and more as the sun moved languidly across the sky.  Brax was thankful indeed for his toned body, for if he was not in excellent shape he doubted the chase would have gone on so long.

Edited February 9, 2016 by Brax