[F5-SP] Shark fin Sandwhich? <<Blood in the Sand>>

[Nikodemus_Blackwood 1]

Having found himself on Floor 5, Nikodemus grumbled about sand having found it's way into the seams of his armor. With a sigh he made his way through the town and then out of the safezone. He had come to stop another of Aincrad's field bosses. This one was said to be a large shark that swam through sand dunes. With axe and shield in hand, Nikodemus made the 3 hour trek into the farthest reaches of the desert. He had been pointed to three spots where the beast was said to have been seen. The closest was the second sighting. A set of ruins where a low level party had come in search of a floor sub-dungeon. That group had made it away with their lives, luckily. It made Nikodemus wonder if they truly saw the <<Sand Shark>>, or one of the many <<Dune Scorpions>> that made the dunes their home, and would bury all of themselves but the tip of their stingers so that they could catch people unawares and poison them.

 

Making good time, Nikodemus foudn himself near the ruins before the sun had began to make it's ascent in the eastern sky. With his eyes scanning the sand, Nikodemus sighed. His assumptions were correct. The group had seen the tips of <<Dune Scorpion>> stingers protruding from the sand. He saw one in the middle of the ruins main thorough fare, and one a few feet away. He knew the others would be scattered deeper within the ruins and about the dune behind them. This site had been a bust, but he would get some EXP and possibly some materials if he slew those 2. He would also leave a sign that the <<Sand Shark>> was not here. Walking down the dune carefully, Nikodemus made his way towards the ruins, preparing his axe to strike at one of the <<Dune Scorpions>>
 

 

 

 

Quest info:

Spoiler

<<Blood in the Sand>>

This Repeatable quest takes place on Floor 5

 

Word from the Information Brokers speaks of a hidden respawning Field Boss on Floor 5. A small party reported having encountered a dangerous unknown enemy in the sand dunes of Floor 5. 'Swimming' through the sand, the shark like creature would attack by bursting out of the sand and biting with powerful jaws. This monster <<Sand Shark>>, proved to be a dangerous opponent for the relatively low leveled party, and dropped a powerful alchemical concoction.

 

This RP will not count in the benchmark

 

Requirement: 

<<Sand Shark>> must be defeated, Maximum Party Size of 3

At least two [2] Pages  (21 or more posts)

 

Rewards: 

1. [sand Armor Potion] This incredibly potent alchemical salve can be applied to a piece of armor, increasing damage mitigation/resistance by one point for one battle. (MIT +27)
2. [3 Skill Points]

 

 

<<Sand Shark>> is a respawning Field Boss and has the following statistics:

HP: 125

Damage per Attack: 30

 

• Parties or Groups of low level players are encouraged.
• You are free to control Sand Shark yourself, however he must be Rp'd responsibly.

 

Note:

While you may repeat this Quest as many times as you like, the 3 Skill Point reward will only be obtained on the first completion of the Quest. Repeat completions will only yield <<The Sand Armor>>

 

Good Luck Players!

 

[Nikodemus_Blackwood 1]

 

Having gotten close enough, Nikodemus prepared his Sword Art <Lightning Axe> and then brought his axe above him and brought it down, hitting the <<Dune Scorpion>> and creating a zagging lightning pattern along it's carapace. The sand around the <<Dune Scorpion>> burst away as it shattered into pixels. The second <<Dune Scorpion>> burst from it's hiding and began to charge Nikodemus. Leaping up and over the beast, beating it's tail away with his shield, Nikodemus landed behind the beast and rolled backwards a few feet, putting distance between himself and it. Grinning, Nikodemus prepared to lunge in and strike at the beast. His axe was held out to his side and his shield before him, prepared for any hit to come his way.

 

ID# 58344 results:

 Battle: 6 + 1 = 7 hit

 Craft: 9

 Loot: 6

 MOB: 2 Miss

 

Sword Art: Lightning Axe – 3x2 - (6 Energy) - A mid-level sword art that Follows the path of lightning with each swipe

 

My DMG: 5 x 3 x 2 = 30 - 5 = 25

 

Nikodemus: Lvl: 11 | 44/44 HP | Energy: 5/11 | MIT: 35 (3+5+9+18) | Thorns: 14 (7+7) | DMG 5 (1+1+3)

 

<<Dune Scorpion>>: 22/22 HP | 15 DMG | 5 MIT. DED. +1 mat.

<<Dune Scorpion>>: 22/22 HP | 15 DMG | 5 MIT.

Edited May 6, 2016 by Nikodemus_Blackwood

[Nikodemus_Blackwood 1]

 

As the second <<Dune Scorpion>> turned and came skittering in, Nikodemus swung his axe in an attempt to remove the stinger. His blade missed by an inch, and the beast swung it's left claw and attempted to put him in a vice. Seeing the move, Nikodemus beat the claw away with his shield and took a couple steps back. He was feeling the heat, and his mind was drifting to the <<Sand Shark>>. He wanted to finish this pathetic bug off and go find the creature that brought him to this accursed desert. Making a side step that turned into a roll, Nikodemus put another few feet of distance between himself and the <<Dune Scorpion>>. He began to circle the beast and it tried to shuffle it's bulk around to follow him, having some difficulty.

 

ID# 58345 results:

 Battle: 3 + 1 = 4 miss

 Craft: 2

 Loot: 9

 MOB: 3 miss

 

Nikodemus: Lvl: 11 | 44/44 HP | Energy: 3/11 | MIT: 35 (3+5+9+18) | Thorns: 14 (7+7) | DMG 5 (1+1+3)

 

<<Dune Scorpion>>: 22/22 HP | 15 DMG | 5 MIT. DED. +1 mat.

<<Dune Scorpion>>: 22/22 HP | 15 DMG | 5 MIT.

Edited May 6, 2016 by Nikodemus_Blackwood

[Nikodemus_Blackwood 1]

 

Swinging his axe hard, the blade began to glow a sickly emerald green color as he activated his Sword Art <Swinging Arc>. The blade came in and slammed into the side of the <<Dune Scorpion>>, passing through, then he brought it back around for a second swing to the opposite side, splitting it in the side once again. The beast burst into pixels and vanished from sight, a chunk of material laying where it had once been. Gathering it up, Nikodemus took a small slip of parchment and wrote upon it, then fastened it to a chunk of stone by an iron nail he found by his feet. The makeshift sign warned of the <<Dune Scorpions>>, and that no <<Sand Shark>> was nearby.

 

Leave the ruins, Nikodemus hiked towards the southern edge of Floor 5 and whistled to himself . He hoped this next area would be where the <<Sand Shark>> was located. He kept his spirits high, despite the heat, and made his way at a quick pace. He wanted to find the beast and slay it before a sand storm came and stranded him in some god forsaken cave.

 

ID# 58346 results:

 Battle: 10 +2 crit, <Bleed> procs. Mob takes -8 HP for two turns.

 Craft: 2

 Loot: 9

 MOB: 5 miss

 

Sword Art: Swinging Arc - 2x2 - (4 Energy)

 

My DMG: 5 + 2 x 2 x 2 = 28 - 5 = 23

 

Nikodemus: Lvl: 11 | 44/44 HP | Energy: 0/11 | MIT: 35 (3+5+9+18) | Thorns: 14 (7+7) | DMG 5 (1+1+3)

 

<<Dune Scorpion>>: 0/22 HP | 15 DMG | 5 MIT. DED. +1 mat.

<<Dune Scorpion>>: 0/22 HP | 15 DMG | 5 MIT. DED. +1 mat.

Edited May 6, 2016 by Nikodemus_Blackwood

[Nikodemus_Blackwood 1]

Hiking nearly 3 hours through tall sand dunes, Nikodemus stopped for a time beside a small rock outcroping. Small lizards and snakes skittered about, looking for any place to lay about. Nikodemus took a seat for a time and decided to relax for an hour, His legs were fine, and he was not exhausted, but he did not like being in the sun and needed a moment to breath. Sitting with his back facing the way he had came, Nikodemus scanned the horizon for anything. Nothing came into view, but he had the feeling he would be running into something soon. With a sigh, he shook the paranoia away and then closed his eyes. He let his mind drift from him for a moment, the sound of a gentle breeze pushing tiny grains of sand came to his ear. The skittering of lizards running and the shifting of sands as sidewinders and cobras burrowed into the sands were all picked up by his ear. Far off, he thought he heard voices on the air, a party searching for that travellers caravan maybe? 

 

After a moment, Nikodemus opened his eyes and stood once more. He stretched his limbs and muscles, popped his back, neck, and then knuckles, and then began to move on once again. His feet left strange patterns in the sand that were covered almost instantly by the shifting sand. He made his way down one dune and then up another, and came to a crested point where he could see a small valley below. In the center of the valley was a small Oasis. It was here that the 3rd sighting was. Only 2 of the players made it back alive from this place. He wondered if the <<Sand Shark>> was here, but was doubtful. 

Edited May 6, 2016 by Nikodemus_Blackwood

[Nikodemus_Blackwood 1]

Coming down the dune half way, Nikodemus stopped a few hundred feet from the edge of the Oasis. He felt something shift in his stomach, and the hair on his neck bristled as if he was being touched by a cold icy hand. With a grunt, he stepped back up the dune a couple feet and sat down. Sliding his helmet off, he checked the inside of it to make sure nothing was inside it. Finding nothing he reached back and felt inside the collar of his armor. Nothing was there either, and his armor from the shoulders down was sealed along the inside so if anything got into it, it wouldn't be able to get past his collar and into the helmet.

 

Knowing something was wrong, he closed his eyes and tried sense what it was that was bothering him. With his mind cleared, he could once again hear the sounds of the breeze, the voices on the air, and the shifting sands. But a new sound came to his ear. A shifting of cloth, a soft breath on the wind, and the slight murmur of a voice to near than he would have liked it. Realization came to him and his eyes darted open. Leaping to his feet he backed crawled back up the dune and looked down for what he expected to be there, yet he saw nothing.

[Nikodemus_Blackwood 1]

Readying himself, Nikodemus sighed and decided the creature would not show itself. It wasn't the <<Sand Shark>>, but it was almost as bad. With a smirk, he decided that while he was here he would have to deal with it himself. Stepping down the dune, he came to the edge of the Oasis and then stepped over onto the tufts of growing greenery. A copse of palm trees were growing along the edges of the small pond in the center of the Oasis. With a slight clearing of his throat, Nikodemus spoke clearly. "Come on... Show yourself... I have no patience for this." With the words hanging on the air, a shimmer of light formed and then a slender humanoid creature slid through the shimmer and made itself visible. It had long legs and slender arms. It's body was curved much like an hourglass and it took the form of a female. Its skin was the color of fresh cream and veiled in silks the color of the sky. It's head was humanoid also, but it's eyes were black coals with a slight inner fire. It's red stained lips were curved in a feline-esque smile and rows of sharp teeth could be seen. The hair on it;s head was a raven color, and hung in long tresses down it's back and shoulders. Sighing, Nikodemus smiled and then crouched ready to fight. "Well, come along Djinn. Let us get this over with."

 

Nikodemus: Lvl: 11 | 44/44 HP | Energy: 11/11 | MIT: 35 (3+5+9+18) | Thorns: 14 (7+7) | DMG 5 (1+1+3)

 

<<Djinn>> 25/25 HP | 15 DMG | 5 MIT.

Edited May 6, 2016 by Nikodemus_Blackwood

[Nikodemus_Blackwood 1]

 

Charging forward, Nikodemus swung his axe in a scything arc. The blade came within a mere hairs breadth from the <<Djinn>>'s eyes. It ducked back and let forth a demonic shriek. With a flick of it's wrist, the creature flicked a long strand of the blue silk from it's arm and turned it into a whip. Striking at Nikodemus, the newly formed whip cracked along his chest and knocked the breath from his lungs. Grabbing his chest, he took a step back and inhaled deeply. With a grunt he shook the pain away and then prepared his axe to strike, hoping to lop the creatures head from it's shoulders.

 

 

ID# 58360 results:

 Battle: 2 + 1 = miss

 Craft: 6

 Loot: 13

 MOB: 10 +2 crit

 

<<Djinn>>: 15 + 2 = 17 - 35 = 0 + 1 = 1

 

Nikodemus: Lvl: 11 | 43/44 HP | Energy: 9/11 | MIT: 35 (3+5+9+18) | Thorns: 14 (7+7) | DMG 5 (1+1+3)

 

<<Djinn>> 25/25 HP | 15 DMG | 5 MIT.

Edited May 6, 2016 by Nikodemus_Blackwood

[Nikodemus_Blackwood 1]

 

Nikodemus began to circle the <<Djinn>>, who in turn countered him by following his path to keep him from getting behind her. With a snarl, it spoke in a breathy voice. "So, another fool comes to my Oasis. I have slain many, and will be glad to add your life to my tally." Smirking beneath his helmet, Nikodemus shook his head softly. "I thought you were supposed to grant people 3 wishes and came in a brass lamp. Lemme guess, the only wish you'll grant is death right? Quite cliche if you ask me..." Knowing that would push the creature into a rage, Nikodemus prepared himself.

 

Just as expected, the pitch black eyes of the <<Djinn>> began to burn brighter than before. With a shriek of anger it leapt out, lashing it's whip at him. Side stepping to the left, Nikodemus dodged the projectile, and then telegraphing it's next move, He stepped back to the right again just as it's left hand swung in, clawed talons having formed where the fingers once were. It's head was exposed momentarily, and Nikodemus swung, but misjudged the distance between the two. His axe went past the beings neck and the handle bounced off it's shoulder. With another shriek, the being burst into a gale of sand and then reformed itself 3 feet away, begging to pace back and forth in anger.

 

ID# 58363 results:

 Battle: 3 + 1 = 4 miss

 Craft: 2

 Loot: 12

 MOB: 4 miss

 

 

Nikodemus: Lvl: 11 | 43/44 HP | Energy: 8/11 | MIT: 35 (3+5+9+18) | Thorns: 14 (7+7) | DMG 5 (1+1+3)

 

<<Djinn>> 25/25 HP | 15 DMG | 5 MIT.

Edited May 6, 2016 by Nikodemus_Blackwood

[Nikodemus_Blackwood 1]

 

While the <<Djinn>> paced back and forth, Nikodemus calmed his mind and cleared his thoughts. As soon as the being made a turn to begin pacing back the other way, Nikodemus took advantage of the moment and charged in. Closing the distance between him and the creature in the blink of an eye, Nikodemus planted his armored knee into it's abdomen. As the <<Djinn>> loosed the breath from it's lungs and doubled over in pain. With little time to spare, Nikodemus raised his axe in the air and then brought it down hard, blade glowing a sickly emerald green. With a clean cut, the axe passed through the <<Djinn>>'s neck and removed it's head clean from the body. Upon the health dropping to 0, it burst into pixels and vanished. In it's place, a small material sat. Leaning down, Nikodemus gathered it up and pocketed it. Turning to the west, Nikodemus left the oasis and began hiking to the last are the <<Sand Shark>> could be.

 

 

 ID# 58365 results:

 Battle: 6

 Craft: 12

 Loot: 8

 MOB: 3

 

Sword Art:  Lightning Axe – 3x2 - (6 Energy) - A mid-level sword art that Follows the path of lightning with each swipe

 

My DMG: 5 x 3 x 2 = 30 - 5 = 25

 

Nikodemus: Lvl: 11 | 43/44 HP | Energy: 2/11 | MIT: 35 (3+5+9+18) | Thorns: 14 (7+7) | DMG 5 (1+1+3)

 

<<Djinn>> 0/25 HP | 15 DMG | 5 MIT DED. +1 mat on death

Edited May 6, 2016 by Nikodemus_Blackwood

[Nikodemus_Blackwood 1]

Leaving the Oasis in the valley behind, Nikodemus made his way west. The last area he was headed for was the first sighting, and only one player survived the encounter. With a sigh, Nikodemus hoped this wasn't some wild goose chase. As he marched onwards, he looked around for any other spawned mobs or parties of players. Seeing nothing left him slightly relieved, but also slightly worried. Keeping his axe at the ready, Nikodemus moved at a quick pace and made his way through the desert, climbing and then sliding down large dunes of sand, snaking his way through small valleys between sandstone cliffs, and passing by a few water wells. Not trusting the water, Nikodemus never stopped at the wells, nor did he stop to rest for some time.

[Nikodemus_Blackwood 1]

After nearly 3 hours of walking, Nikodemus finally decided he was in a secure area. Sitting down, he crossed his legs and placed his hands on his knees. Relaxing slightly, Nikodemus let his mind drift about and thought of the things he needed to do once he was done on this floor. He had orders to fill, more jobs to complete, and there was rumor of an NPC looking for a raid group to deal with a Boss near Floor 1. With a sigh, he let his mind return to the present. checking his map, he noticed he was not too far from the last target area. With a smile, he closed the map and then stood up. He could sleep when it was done. Moving on, Nikodemus began to whistle a wordless tune he once heard in a movie.

 

Up and over dunes, through more winding valleys, past rocky outcropings. Nikodemus kept moving onwards and didn't let his pace up. He kept moving quickly through the sand, Nikodemus made sure he did not stumble upon a sand pit or buried rock. With a smile, he came up to the final leg of his journey. Standing on a rocky sandstone cliff, Nikodemus was looking down on an abandoned caravan path. He knew it lead off into the distance, then circled around to the main settlement and then back to the exit to floor 4.

Edited May 6, 2016 by Nikodemus_Blackwood

[Nikodemus_Blackwood 1]

Climbing down the sandstone cliffs, Nikodemus took his time to make sure he reached the bottom safely. After touching the ground, Nikodemus smiled and brushed the dust and dirt from himself. Turning back to the abandoned caravan trail, he began to hike the length towards a specified area. Keeping his eyes scanning about, and ears open, Nikodemus was cautious and ready to strike at the enemy. Taking deep breathes, Nikodemus moved along the beaten trail and watched for the inevitable sigh of a sharks fin above the sand. After making good time from the cliffs to his current position, Nikodemus stopped and scanned the horizon.

 

A few hundred feet away, a large 15 foot creature burst through the sand, was airborne for a minute, and then slammed into a nearby sand dune and began circling, a large fin protruding from the sand. Nikodemus was sure that he saw black and white feathers fluttering down through the air. Shoulders sagging, Nikodemus sighed and then pouted for a moment. "Aw damn! This is gonna be a pain... Why did I open my mouth? Well, let's get it over with..."

 

Nikodemus: Lvl: 11 | 44/44 HP | Energy: 11/11 | MIT: 35 (3+5+9+18) | Thorns: 14 (7+7) | DMG 5 (1+1+3)

 

<<Sand Shark>> HP: 125/125 | Damage per Attack: 30

[Nikodemus_Blackwood 1]

With a want to deal with this quickly, Nikodemus leapt high into the air and brought his glowing axe down in a zagging pattern, slicing the <<Sand Shark>> as it tried to emerged to bite him. The beast slammed back into the sand and writhed there for a moment, then resubmerged into the sand. It charged onwards and then spun around and began to charge back with an angry speed. Preparing his axe once more, Nikodemus hoped the battle would end before it began, but he was sure it would be a struggle. Leaping out the way of the <<Sand Shark>> and rolling to his feet, Nikodemus prepared himself for the next attack.

 

 

 ID# 58369 results:

 Battle: 10 +2 crit, <Bleed> Proc's on nat 10. Mob takes +8 dmg for next 2 turns.

 Craft: 4

 Loot: 11

 MOB: 3 Miss.

 

Sword Art: Lightning Axe – 3x2 - (6 Energy)

 

My DMG: 5 + 2 x 3 x 2 = 42 DMG

 

Nikodemus: Lvl: 11 | 44/44 HP | Energy: 5/11 | MIT: 35 (3+5+9+18) | Thorns: 14 (7+7) | DMG 5 (1+1+3)

 

<<Sand Shark>> HP: 83/125 | Damage per Attack: 30

Edited May 6, 2016 by Nikodemus_Blackwood

[Nikodemus_Blackwood 1]

 

With one more leap into the air, Nikodemus brought his axe down again. The glowing blade burned with a sickly emerald hue as it cut through the air, gaining momentum. As he landed and brought the blade down through the <<Sand Shark>>, he kept his shield up in case the beast attempted to thrash. It landed into the sand and re-burrowed into it, then swam a few feet and turned, preparing to come back for another pass. Nikodemus was feeling the exhaustion and wanted to bring an end to it.

 

 ID# 58370 results:

 Battle: 10 +2 crit, <Bleed> procs. mob takes +8 damage for next 2 turns.

 Craft: 6

 Loot: 17

 MOB: 5 Miss

 

Sword Art:  Lightning Axe – 3x2 - (6 Energy) - A mid-level sword art that Follows the path of lightning with each swipe

My DMG: (5 + 2) x 3 x 2 = 42 DMG

Bleed: 8 dmg (ignores mitigation, BD 10 - bleed refreshes to next 2 turns)

 

Nikodemus: Lvl: 11 | 44/44 HP | Energy: 0/11 | MIT: 35 (3+5+9+18) | Thorns: 14 (7+7) | DMG 5 (1+1+3)

<<Sand Shark>> HP: 33/125 (-50 HP) | Damage per Attack: 30

Edited May 6, 2016 by Nikodemus_Blackwood

[Nikodemus_Blackwood 1]

As the <<Sand Shark>> came in for another pass, Nikodemus charged in as well and swung his axe. The beast took the brunt of the strike and didn't flinch. Attempting to thrash and bite him, Nikodemus batted it's mouth away with his shield, but took it's tail slamming into him. Falling back, he was glad his armors <Thorns> kicked in. The <<Sand Shark>> thrashed in the sand for a moment, taking both <Thorns> and <Bleed> damage surges. Standing to his feet, Nikodemus ran a couple feet back and growled readying his axe for another swing.

 

 ID# 58412 results:

 Battle: 8 Hit

 Craft: 2

 Loot: 18

 MOB: 7 Hit <Thorns>

 

My DMG: 5 DMG

 

<Bleed> -8 HP, <Thorns> -14 HP. Combined DMG is 27.

 

Nikodemus: Lvl: 11 | 44/44 HP | Energy: 0/11 | MIT: 35 (3+5+9+18) | Thorns: 14 (7+7) | DMG 5 (1+1+3)

<<Sand Shark>> HP: 6/125  | Damage per Attack: 30 <Bleed> for one remaining turn.

Edited May 6, 2016 by Nikodemus_Blackwood

[Nikodemus_Blackwood 1]

As the <<Sand Shark>> came back around for its attack, Nikodemus charged forward and slashed the beast across the face. As he did, it lashed about, but it was ineffectual. With a final thrash, the <<Sand Shark>> burst into pixels, taking the final damage from the <Bleed> effect. After letting the pixels clear, Nikodemus smiled and walked to the place where the <<Sand Shark>> had just been. Sitting in the sand, a potion of <Sand Armor> glimmered in the sunlight. leaning down, he picked it up and pocketed it. Turning the way he came, Nikodemus began his trek back to the safezone.

 

 

 ID# 58413 results:

 Battle: 8 Hit

 Craft: 9

 Loot: 8

 MOB: 4 Miss

 

My DMG: 5 DMG

 

<Bleed> -8 DMG. Total, 13 DMG

 

Nikodemus: Lvl: 11 | 44/44 HP | Energy: 0/11 | MIT: 35 (3+5+9+18) | Thorns: 14 (7+7) | DMG 5 (1+1+3)

<<Sand Shark>> HP: 0/125  | Damage per Attack: 30  Drops <<Sand Armor>>

Edited May 7, 2016 by Nikodemus_Blackwood

[Nikodemus_Blackwood 1]

Having begun the long trek back, Nikodemus made his way through the small sandstone canyon and scaled the cliff face by hand once again. Reaching the top, he began to hike Southeast and followed a second trail that he knew would lead back to the safezone. His boots kicked small plumes of sand into the air as he trudged through it. His body was a little sore from the days activities, and he was thinking of nothing more than returning to Nimbus and his shop, the slipping in a warm bath and cleaning the sand from his entire body. Not wanting to be caught unaware, Nikodemus kept his axe in hand and scanned the area with his eyes, ensuring no ambush or accidental confrontation with anything happened.

Occasionally, Nikodemus would stop and activate his map, checking the direction and then closing it and moving one. Only once did he need to adjust his direction, having followed a bend out and around to wind directly East. This wouldn't have been to bad, but he did not wish to have to hide an extra mile west to the safezone as he would have passed it.

After an hour, Nikodemus found himself standing before one of the many water wells. Resting against it, he had his eyes closed and was listening to the breeze. Aside from the sounds of animals, there was nothing further. No parties, no solo players, no NPC caravans. Nothing. With a sigh, Nikodemus looked around and then looked at the water well. He still did not trust it to be unmolested. With a grunt he began to hike once again. Up and over large dunes, down through winding valleys, across sections of rocky shale and sandstone. The landscape was lifeless to his gaze, and it unsettled him. The sun sat just over his right shoulder and was in it's descent. With a grumbled curse, Nikodemus picked up the pace to a brisk jog, worried that a sandstorm would creep up.

Edited May 6, 2016 by Nikodemus_Blackwood

[Nikodemus_Blackwood 1]

Another hour had passed, and Nikodemus had stopped long enough to check his map. Looking over his shoulder, he noticed the oncoming sandstorm. It was no more than an hour behind him. two at best. With a sigh, Nikodemus resumed his hike, but this time he began to run. Sandstorms on Floor 5 were dangerous. The grains could slice through armor, shredding skin to the bone. Nikodemus had heard the stories of people being caught in the storms and reduced to nothing but their armor. Pumping his legs as hard as he could, Nikodemus ran as fast as he could. The air came in and out of his lungs in striding pants, and his skin began to be covered in sweat.

 

Charging through the sand, Nikodemus tried to keep his pace and outrun the storm. With a growl, he pushed harder, his muscles knotting up harder and forcing his legs to push off the ground quicker. Extending his gait, Nikodemus began to cover 3 feet in each leaping run, moving through the sand at a break neck pace. The sounds of the storm were reaching him now, and he could hear the howling wind, as if it was alive. He cursed loudly and tried to force himself to move faster through sheer will. His only hope was the safezone. Once he passed that barrier, he would be safe from the storm and would be able to relax. With each minute that passed, he was closer to the safezone, but he knew the storm was almost upon him. Sweat trickled from his brow, down his jaw and towards his neck. He felt a chill run through him at the thought of being caught in the storm, and he wished he had not wasted time dealing with the other sighting areas.

Edited May 6, 2016 by Nikodemus_Blackwood

[Nikodemus_Blackwood 1]

Feeling the storm at his back, Nikodemus began to spout a string of curses. His body moved at as quick a pace as he was capable, and he grunted with the exertion. A sweat had covered his skin, and his hair was doused as well. Muscles burning, Nikodemus kept struggling forward and prayed that he would make the safezone. Seeing it in view, he cheered himself and continued to fight his way there. The storm was no more than a few feet behind him, and he could feel the first bits of sand fluttering through the air about him. With wide eyes, Nikodemus decided that he had but one last course of action. Planting his right foot deep in the sand, Nikodemus put all his strength and power into it and pushed off with all his might. Leaping into the air, Nikodemus soared over the last few feet of sand and felt the first gust of the storm hit his back, just as he crossed the safezone barrier. Landing in a heap in the sand, Nikodemus began to laugh hysterically and rolled onto his side, watching the sandstorm rage beyond the barrier. Panting in deep breaths, he smiled and thanked the heavens he had made it. Checking his HP meter, he saw he was fine and had sustained no damage. Laying there in the sand, Nikodemus continued to laugh until tears formed in his eyes and his sides hurt. Resting for a time, he let his mind drift as he lay there amidst the warm sand, the sounds of the settlement nearby reaching his ears.