[F13 - PP] Recruiting and Replacing of Reptiles <<Feeding the Enemy>>

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

<<Feeding the Enemy>>

This quest may take place on any Floor.
This quest is not repeatable, unless your previous familiar is dead or has died.

An old gypsy NPC woman approaches you. She tells you that if you feed a monster, it may become tamed and accompany you on adventures, and sometimes even help you. However, taming a familiar is very rare, and you may even be damaged by the familiar. Use caution. This quest can be taken on any floor.

Requirements:

Thread Length: 1 Page/20 Posts

The monster tamed must be smaller than a large dog and within reason. The tamed monster must also be logically tamed, and as such most humanoid monsters will not be tamable. Staff reserves the right to deny certain types of familiars. If you're worried that your familiar may not be approved before searching for it, please PM a member of Staff.

Rewards:

1. The title <<(Insert beast's type name) Tamer>>
2. A familiar (Possibly, view chart below.)
3. 1 Skill Point

Familiar Results:
When feeding a familiar, you have one chance to tame a familiar every 15 posts. That means you may only roll the loot die for the familiar on the fifteenth post. If you don't want a familiar that you tamed without buffs, you may kill it and continue searching. Use the loot die(LD) to see if you do. Familiars may only be attempted to be found in intervals of 15 posts of the attempting player.

LD 1 - 10	Failure	No monster is found or the taming attempt is unsuccessful.
LD 11-18	Success	Monster is found and may be successfully tamed.
LD 19+	Success	Monster is found and successfully tamed. Player may choose an extra skill from the Familiar Enhancements, submitted for approval via the Evaluations forum.

 

Only one familiar may be obtained per thread.

It was time for Shield to come to terms with a few things. For one, Norbert was not easy to carry around. Furthermore, as much as the expansive carapace of the beast added to the motif of his build, damage mitigation was now provided by his equipment as well as by his familiar. He set the over-sized snapping turtle down outside of his shop and tapped the creature's shell. There, at the bottom of the combat specs for the unwillingly faithful familiar was an option he did not expect any time soon to be touching, but with a heavy sigh, he selected the "Dismiss" button and watched as the turtle turned away from him and began shuffling off into a corner of the courtyard. There, it plopped down face first in the corner of the stone walls.

"No. Norbert, that's not how hiding wor-" he threw his hands into the air, turning towards the road and making the slow, arduous journey to Taft.

As he walked, he made his way to the teleportation plaza, he drafted a message to post to the bulletin board of the thirteenth floor where he was headed. Ordering the gate to transport him up two floors to the thirteenth, he stepped out and hit send on his bulletin:

Quote

Front-line tank seeking mid to high level DPS for loot gathering while I search for my familiar. Meet me outside of the north safe zone exit. Ask for Shield.

With that, he headed to the rendezvous spot, keeping his eyes peeled for worthwhile items. As he walked, he scarfed down the Meat Haunch that had been tossed at him not too long ago.

Spoiler

Consuming Meat Haunch: +3 LD

ID# 83721 results: Loot: 5 + 3 consumable + 1 skill = 9 - No materials (0 total)

 

Edited May 3, 2017 by Shield

[Hirru 0]

If there were ever a time that someone would be looking at the bulletin board, it would be every single moment, as everyone and their sister would be looking for more prominent jobs that they could get a quick Cor in.  With the front lines getting ever closer to the next floor, the mid level ranged population were making their own through the floors that were already conquered.  Unfortunately, with many of the quests and events already swept up by the front lines, they would have to scrap by with whatever comes out.  Their only chance were to help low levels, or grow bonds with others while forming groups.  

One could see where the money was truly at.

Unfortunately, a lone hunter wasn't needed in these areas anymore.  Especially when the enemies that appear for him are too much for other individuals.  He would shrug to himself as he looked upon his Hunter for Hire bulletin that had been on every bulletin board from the first floor to the twentieth.  It wasn't getting him much of anywhere, as fewer people have been calling him up for anything.

"I guess I'm just one of the general population, in that regard."

He would say to himself before noticing a new bulletin.  A front line tank?  He only knew of Morgenstern, Calrex, and his guild commander, Knights of the Blood Oath founder, Commander Heathcliff.  In a quick message, all he sent to this "Shield" was this:

Quote

"Howdy,

So the front lines have new blood.  Might as well have a meet and greet.  

I'll be there soon.  You'll notice me by my green hair and crimson armor."

~Jade Hunter, Hirru

The hunter sent the message while on the warp shrine.

"Warp: Angel's Point"

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 83722 results:

 Battle: 1 - Miss, +1 Hate [Taunt]

 MOB: 1 - Miss

[H:1] Shield - HP: 1114/1114: EP: 98/98 | DMG: 1 | EVA: -1 | MIT: 134 | RGN: 54 | BH:40 | THN: 14 | FLA: 16 | TNT: 1

[Fallen Angel 1]: HP: 490/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3
[Fallen Angel 2]: HP: 490/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3
[Fallen Angel 3]: HP: 490/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3
[Fallen Angel 4]: HP: 490/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3

Shield checked the ping of his inbox, managing to scan the message briefly. It was a relief that a response had come so soon. Before there was time for reinforcements, Shield found out a little of the irony behind the name "Angel's Point." As he stood with his back to the town, from behind him he heard a rushing of air and several heavy thuds as bare feet hit the ground. Whirling around, he saw four angelic beings, their wings tarnished and tattered, each holding out curved swords that were easily the length of their bodies. 

"This floor sure has an unpleasant looking welcoming committee," he thought to himself, pulling down the Manticore Mask that he wore and brandishing his axe. "Come on then."

He rushed forward, slashing into their midst, but as he did so, with a flurry of dingy feathers, they scattered. The fallen angels retorted with swipes of their own weapons, but each one fell short of the tank as he hopped back a little at a time until he had evaded four attacks.

I really don't want to give them the satisfaction of getting first blood before the cavalry arrives.

 

Edited May 3, 2017 by Shield

[Hirru 0]

Spoiler

[ID: 85723] [BD: 7+2] Hit
[Sword Art: Shadow Explosion] 14x9 = 126 AOE

[H:1] Shield - HP: 1114/1114: EP: 98/98 | DMG: 1 | EVA: -1 | MIT: 134 | RGN: 54 | BH:40 | THN: 14 | FLA: 16 | TNT: 1
[H:1 Everything] Hirru   - HP:  895/  895: EP: 70/88 | DMG: 13~14 | MIT 0 | ACC: +2 | EVA: +1 | LD: +8

[Fallen Angel 1]: HP: 364/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3
[Fallen Angel 2]: HP: 364/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3
[Fallen Angel 3]: HP: 364/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3
[Fallen Angel 4]: HP: 364/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3

[Wtf is wrong with my spoilers]

It seems that the man known as Shield was quite the tank indeed.  Although one couldn't see it at first, it was easy to tell a full tank build from the weight of their character.  Without much words between them, the hunter could feel how far along in his role that he had trained through.  Significantly more than Morgenstern, when the hunter first met him.  If he could say anything, Shield may be higher than he was, which was later confirmed after they partied up.

It didn't take long for them to head out into the dead wasteland that was the thirteenth floor.  He had heard from some of the other front liners that this floor was a hell hole of a great time.  He was about to see why.

Four angelic being came forth from nothing and seemed to menacingly float in front of them while Shield took his stance as a proper tank, though didn't Howl.  Should probably say something about that later.  Instead, the hunter forced out a heavy AOE sword art.

"Keep them off me, I've taken off my armor for good reason."

Edited May 3, 2017 by Hirru

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 83724 results:

 Battle: 7 - Hit! - 1 dmg, +1 Hate - [Taunt]

 MOB: 6 + 3 + 1 = 10 - Hit! - 147 dmg - 134 mit = 13 dmg x 4 = 52 dmg [Insignificant after Regen], Thorns - 14 dmg, Flame Aura - 16 dmg

[H:2, #1:3] Shield - HP: 1114/1114: EP: 98/98 | DMG: 1 | EVA: -1 | MIT: 134 | RGN: 54 | BH:40 | THN: 14 | FLA: 16 | TNT: 1
[H:1] Hirru   - HP:  895/  895: EP: 70/88 | DMG: 13~14 | MIT 0 | ACC: +2 | EVA: +1 | LD: +8

[Fallen Angel 1]: HP: 333/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3
[Fallen Angel 2]: HP: 334/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3
[Fallen Angel 3]: HP: 334/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3
[Fallen Angel 4]: HP: 334/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3

Shield turned to Hirru, tapping the mask that he wore to indicate that he had things covered. Despite not having howled or even landed a hit, the winged beings continued to focus their burning gaze upon the tank. With their attention squarely on him, he took a skipping step to rush forward again, this time catching the corner of one of the being's wings before it had a chance to escape. His damage was nonexistent, but as the angels retaliated the same could almost be said of them. 

Their vicious blades sliced cleanly through various parts of Shield, through his shoulder and leg, and even through his stomach, but even as the damage was dealt, his health bar began to climb back up to full, unhindered by the flying foes. Furthermore, each of their own health bars seemed to have taken hits in the wake of their attacks, their arms and wings now decked with tiny scrapes and scorches from the thorns and flame aura that Shield bore.

"Don't worry about taking hits," he called out to Hirru. "Just worry about landing them. I'll handle the rest."

Edited May 3, 2017 by Shield

[Hirru 0]

Spoiler

ID# 83725 results:

Battle: 6+2= 8, Hit
Sword Art: Shadow Explosion = 14x9 = 126 AOE

[H:2, #1:3] Shield - HP: 1114/1114: EP: 98/98 | DMG: 1 | EVA: -1 | MIT: 134 | RGN: 54 | BH:40 | THN: 14 | FLA: 16 | TNT: 1
[H:2] Hirru   - HP:  895/  895: EP: 63/88 | DMG: 13~14 | MIT 0 | ACC: +2 | EVA: +1 | LD: +8

[Fallen Angel 1]: HP: 207/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3
[Fallen Angel 2]: HP: 208/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3
[Fallen Angel 3]: HP: 208/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3
[Fallen Angel 4]: HP: 208/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3

 

It seemed that he was keeping his end of the deal with keeping the enemy off of them, but he still wasn't using his howling technique.  With his current mitigation at an all time low, he could not do anything against damage of that magnitude.  However, he wouldn't say anything until this fight was ended, or there was further cause to say something.  Without anything else to talk about, the hunter would instead be able to observe Shields practical numbers and fighting style.  It seemed that he was using the best build that a tank can have.  His mitigation cut through nearly all of their attacks; and, before they were through, had healed all of the damage.  Even after, it looked like the enemy had taken damage from what he could only think were thorns and.. flames?  Did this guy have Flame Thorns?  The hunter would have to ask later.

It made the hunter miss his own regen build, but it had long since lost its use.  Instead, fast movement or high mitigation was required of him.  That quick movement would be registered as AOE damage against these foes.

 

Edited May 3, 2017 by Hirru

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

+54 HP x 4 - Regen, +40 HP - BH

+1 Hate [Taunt]

ID# 83726 results:

 MOB: 1 - Miss

[H:3, #1:3] Shield - HP: 1114/1114: EP: 98/98 | DMG: 1 | EVA: -1 | MIT: 134 | RGN: 54 | BH:40 | THN: 14 | FLA: 16 | TNT: 1 | LD: 4
[H:2] Hirru   - HP:  895/  895: EP: 70/88 | DMG: 13~14 | MIT 0 | ACC: +2 | EVA: +1 | LD: +8

[Fallen Angel 1]: HP: 207/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3
[Fallen Angel 2]: HP: 208/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3
[Fallen Angel 3]: HP: 208/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3
[Fallen Angel 4]: HP: 208/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3

With the constant punishment, both on offense and defense, the angels seemed to be faltering. Shield paused, watching to see what they were up to, but really all they were doing was flapping about angrily, howling out it pain and frustration at having so little impact against their target while continually dropping in health.

Shield could only remember being in a similar situation once, and he thought that the AI's reaction was appropriate considering how frustrating it had been for him facing the mighty Biceps Archelon. He debated whether he should change out his gear, but for now such steps would be unnecessary. The angels were not long for this world, and even with marginal luck they would be dead long before Shield could put any real damage on them with his bleed axe. Besides, with Hirru dealing area damage, his single target strategy would be wasted energy.

I'll switch it up for the next fight.

Edited May 3, 2017 by Shield

[Hirru 0]

Spoiler

ID# 83727 results:

Battle: 2+2=4 Miss

[H:3, #1:4] Shield - HP: 1114/1114: EP: 98/98 | DMG: 1 | EVA: -1 | MIT: 134 | RGN: 54 | BH:40 | THN: 14 | FLA: 16 | TNT: 1
[H:2] Hirru   - HP:  895/  895: EP: 62/88 | DMG: 13~14 | MIT 0 | ACC: +2 | EVA: +1 | LD: +8

[Fallen Angel 1]: HP: 207/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3
[Fallen Angel 2]: HP: 208/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3
[Fallen Angel 3]: HP: 208/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3
[Fallen Angel 4]: HP: 208/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3

 

"I don't know about you, but I'm not liking this floor.."

The hunter said while charging up another Shadow Explosion sword art.  It wasn't going so well when the enemy attacks were inching more his way, and he would have to throw his attack away to side step to either side.  Although he was told that he shouldn't worry about being hit, that didn't mean that he still wanted to be hit.  These winged beings seemed to be getting less accurate at hitting Shield, and more firing randomly at everything around them.  If the hunter didn't know any better, he would think that this was some sort of test or quest puzzle that they would need to figure out, but those events were long gone from this floor.  Still makes him wonder why most of the events have been happening on the lower floors, though.  Was the creator of this world being benevolent, or was he truly sadist to give low levels hope of enjoying this world.

"Still.. better than those damned bugs."

Edited May 3, 2017 by Hirru

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 83728 results:

 Battle: 8 - Hit! 1 dmg, [+1 Hate - Taunt]

 MOB: 1 -  Miss

[H:4, #1,2:4] Shield - HP: 1114/1114: EP: 98/98 | DMG: 1 | EVA: -1 | MIT: 134 | RGN: 54 | BH:40 | THN: 14 | FLA: 16 | TNT: 1
[H:2] Hirru   - HP:  895/  895: EP: 62/88 | DMG: 13~14 | MIT 0 | ACC: +2 | EVA: +1 | LD: +8

[Fallen Angel 1]: HP: 207/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3
[Fallen Angel 2]: HP: 207/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3
[Fallen Angel 3]: HP: 208/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3
[Fallen Angel 4]: HP: 208/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3

"I know what you mean," Shield called out, not even bothering to dodge anymore as the angels swooped almost randomly about in the sky. "It's like this floor was never meant to house players, or even really let them pass. Then again, there aren't many floors above about floor 8 that are particularly welcoming."

As one angel swooped particularly low, he took a sweeping cut with his axe and managed to clip the edge of its foot, but aside from that and acting as a very occasional meat shield, he felt as if he were not even participating in this fight.

"You think they'd be offended if I took a nap?" he said, his words telegraphing sarcasm despite the lack of discernible emotion on his features. He was hardly making an unpleasant face, but he still had the tendency to come across as a little cold to strangers, whether intentional or not.

Edited May 3, 2017 by Shield

[Hirru 0]

Spoiler

ID# 83729 results:

 Battle: 8+2 - Hit!
Shadow Explosion = 126 AOE

[H:4, #1,2:4] Shield - HP: 1114/1114: EP: 98/98 | DMG: 1 | EVA: -1 | MIT: 134 | RGN: 54 | BH:40 | THN: 14 | FLA: 16 | TNT: 1
[H:3] Hirru   - HP:  895/  895: EP: 45/88 | DMG: 13~14 | MIT 0 | ACC: +2 | EVA: +1 | LD: +8

[Fallen Angel 1]: HP: 81/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3
[Fallen Angel 2]: HP: 81/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3
[Fallen Angel 3]: HP: 82/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3
[Fallen Angel 4]: HP: 82/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3

 

There was no escaping this time.

After Shield had taken a small lick off of one of the Fallen Angels, it gave the hunter a small window to cause some more moderate damage to the enemy.  Their health was well into the yellow zone and possibly getting into the red, but there was little room to say for sure.  It was possible that they could easily take them out with one more area of effect sword art, but he was getting low on energy.  If he missed too much now, they would be in trouble.  At least, if they were anything but front linesmen, though.  Since they were where they were, there wasn't much concern for it.  Shield had taken his position through the enemies enmity; easily tanking all of their damage, if they ever hit him.  This quest was for him to find a new familiar, if the hunter remembered correctly, but what was he going to search for?  A fighter would do him well in solo bouts, but as a front liner, it would be a slight waste.  Possibly a protector, but something seems to tell otherwise.

Whatever it is, the hunter would have to wait.

Edited May 3, 2017 by Hirru

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 83730 results:

 Battle: 3 - Miss [+1 Hate - Taunt]

 MOB: 6 + 3 + 1 = 10 - Hit! - 147 dmg - 134 mit = 13 dmg x 4 = 52 dmg, Thorns - 14 dmg, Flame Aura - 16 dmg

[H:5, #1,2:4] Shield - HP: 1114/1114: EP: 98/98 | DMG: 1 | EVA: -1 | MIT: 134 | RGN: 54 | BH:40 | THN: 14 | FLA: 16 | TNT: 1
[H:2] Hirru   - HP:  895/  895: EP: 45/88 | DMG: 13~14 | MIT 0 | ACC: +2 | EVA: +1 | LD: +8

[Fallen Angel 1]: HP: 51/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3
[Fallen Angel 2]: HP: 51/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3
[Fallen Angel 3]: HP: 52/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3
[Fallen Angel 4]: HP: 52/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3

Something about the attacks that Hirru had landed seemed to knock some sense into the winged enemies. They flew straighter, with more purpose and intent behind their movements. Flocking together, they swooped about in a wide arc, coming back towards the players with deadly intent. Shield tried to meet the first in midair, but his attack failed to connect.

As they soared past Shield, their curved blades bit into his body. It was a sensation he had experienced many a time, and although his body did not recoil at all from the assault and although Sword Art Online was devoid of pain, there was no pleasant way to feel something pass through your body, painful or otherwise. It was likely a sensation he would never fully get used to. However, despite the unpleasantries, the result of the attack was that the once angelic beings had dropped even nearer to death.

"One more should be more than enough!" he called out.

Edited May 3, 2017 by Shield

[Hirru 0]

Spoiler

ID# 83731 results:

 Battle: 8 = Hit
Shadow Explosion = 126 AOE

[H:4, #1,2:4] Shield - HP: 1114/1114: EP: 98/98 | DMG: 1 | EVA: -1 | MIT: 134 | RGN: 54 | BH:40 | THN: 14 | FLA: 16 | TNT: 1
[H:3] Hirru   - HP:  895/  895: EP: 28/88 | DMG: 13~14 | MIT 0 | ACC: +2 | EVA: +1 | LD: +8

[Fallen Angel 1]: HP: 0/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3   [ID: 83732] [CD: 2] [LD: 6+8= 14]   = 1 T2 Rare Weapon (Accuracy / Accuracy)
[Fallen Angel 2]: HP: 0/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3   [ID: 83733] [CD: 5] [LD: 1+8= 9]     = 1 T2 Material
[Fallen Angel 3]: HP: 0/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3   [ID: 83734] [CD: 5] [LD: 13+8= 21] = 1 T2 Perfect Armor (Edit later)
[Fallen Angel 4]: HP: 0/490 | DMG: 147 | ACC: 3   [ID: 83735] [CD: 8] [LD: 19+8= 27] = x15 Col

Total Loot

13,230 Col
1 T2 Mat
1 T2 Perfect Armor
1 T2 Rare Weapon

 

"Got it!"

The hunter shouted back before unleashing hell with a final flurry of strikes and slashes from yet another Shadow Explosion sword art.  It felt as though this sword art, along with Meteor Break were his go to sword arts for everything.  Energy be damned, if ever needed before or after this moment.  Without a wink of his eyes, the sword art was done and the Fallen Angels each gasped out a final cry before shattering into millions of shards of light.

In their wake, each would drop something completely different.  One seemed to have left their sword behind, which could be a blessing, or a trap, who knows with angelic beings.  The second of the group seemed to lose a feather from their being.  A mighty fine material for anyone to use.  The third had shed their armor for the two, but it didn't seem like either of them would make much use out of it.  The last one seemed the more charitable, as a large sac of coin dropped from where it stood.  All of the loot would disappear into an event window to show us everything that was collected into the party shared inventory.

The hunter made a low whistle from the sight of the col amount.

"It's been some time since I've seen that much from a group."

 

Edited May 3, 2017 by Hirru

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

Swapping gear:
- Pain Drinker (-54 Regen), - Manticore Mask (-1 Taunt, -18 Mit, - 16 Flame Aura), + Finder's Keeper (+1 skill rank: search & detect), +Seeking Aura (+3 LD)

ID# 83736 results: Loot: 12 + 3 item + 1 skill + 1 skill item + 3 consumable = 20 - +2 Materials (2 total)

Shield checked the totals in the loot window that appeared before him, nodding in agreement with Hirru's assessment. Despite his merchant rank, "Millionaire" was more metaphorical than anything, so seeing a large drop like that was a welcome event. With that, he closed the first window to open another, swapping out his gear to maximize his odds of finding that which was worth finding. With the combat over, he turned to Hirru and motioned for him to follow.

"I appreciate the assistance, by the way," he said, glancing over his shoulder. As he did so, his earring lit up, the golden thread of wire that ran through the otherwise silver band shining out in the dismal misty air that the floor always had in spades. "Soloing as a tank can be tedious, to say the least."

He cast about in the dim light, aided by the light of his trinket that indicated something valuable nearby. Sure enough at his feet, he spotted not one but two glinting fragments of something that upon closer inspection turned out to be finely cut crystals of some sort. He stowed the valuable materials in his inventory before straightening back up.

Edited May 3, 2017 by Shield

[Hirru 0]

[ID: 83737] [LD: 11+8= 19] Nothing...=(

The hunter nodded before letting himself fall to the ground as hard as possible.  Without his armor, it wasn't as uncomfortable as one would think, which seemed much soft at first, but the dead earth could only be that much worse.  The ground seemed like it was devoid of much else, other than the obvious grey scaled earth and brown foliage that could actually be seen.  Not much to actually use, so to find anything would be a miracle all of its own.

Of course, it would only be for the up and coming tank to find a familiar for themselves.  It still perplexed the hunter on what the tank would find that could help him out here.  It seemed that the only thing around here would be those winged creatures that everyone and their sister call 'Angels', which is apparent to the hunter only through their monster names that appear through his trinket.  Maybe an angel could really help this one with some proper damage, or something.  Though, healing would maybe be better.

The hunter shrugged to himself before shouting out to his companion,

"I'm just gonna rest here.  Let me know if you need me."

[1 / 3 OOC regen]

Total Loot

13,230 Col
3 T2 Mat
1 T2 Perfect Armor
1 T2 Rare Weapon

Edited May 3, 2017 by Hirru

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 83738 results: Loot: 20 + 3 item + 1 skill + 1 skill item + 3 consumable = 28 - Success!

As Shield nodded to Hirru it occurred to him that there was still a faint light emanating from his earring. Something else was nearby that was noteworthy. As he watched, the glow that was shed into the misty fog, it seemed to grow brighter and dimmer.

It was moving, whatever it was.

"Could it be?"

He tread lightly, stepping with careful steps until he saw a stone break through the denser fog that hugged the ground. There, on the flat stone, trying desperately to sun itself, there lay a bright and vibrantly colored serpent that seemed to have no business being on such a dismally colored floor. He knelt down slowly, studying the curious creature.

Slowly, the snake lifted its head. Now that Shield was closer to it, he could see it more clearly through the obscuring mist. Its scales swept away from its body as each narrowed towards the tip, giving the appearance of feathers or tassels.

"What are you doing all the way out here?" he asked, leaning a little closer. To his pleasant surprise, the beast did not shy away from him. Its tongue flicked from its mouth, tasting the air as if to judge the scent of the tank above his appearance. Slowly, he reached out a hand, giving the serpent more to smell.

Although the creature's head was angular, like that of a viper, it did not bare its fangs at the approaching hand. Instead, it hesitated for a moment before slithering forward, uncoiling its body as it snaked its way up Shield's arm. It was heavy, likely nearly five feet when stretched from nose to tail. Its muscular body crept up his arm and coiled itself around his shoulders. Almost too surprised to question it, he straightened back up. The curious tongue flicked his earlobe as it double-checked its primary scent assessment.

"Well, you're certainly less of a pain than Norbert," he said with a not, turning and making his way back over to Hirru. "Well, that was a stroke of luck. I made a new friend already."

Edited May 3, 2017 by Shield

[Hirru 0]

[ID: 83741] [LD: 14+8= 22] +2 T2 Mats

It didn't take long for the new tank of the front lines to come back with news.

The hunter looked up from nearly going into a little nap.  There wasn't much to see that hasn't already been shown, except for a mismatched coloring around his shoulders.  Was that a snake?  From afar, the hunter couldn't tell, and he didn't want to get up to examine it.  Instead of that, he just bent his elbow a bit to raise his hand, giving a thumbs up to Shield.  The hunter had heard that these sort of ventures could take hours to even days, with one person taking two weeks to chase down their new found friends.  He had not gone through with the venture himself, but that wouldn't be a problem for him.  Finding the impossible was his job, after all.

"Well, I'd say we could find a sub-dungeon, but I don't feel like it."

The hunter said while forcing his hand back down to the ground.  The impact made something graze his hand, to which he picked up to examine.  Two ores of some fashion, it seemed.

Total Loot

13,230 Col
5 T2 Mat
1 T2 Perfect Armor
1 T2 Rare Weapon
1 Upgrade Familiar (Shield)

Edited May 3, 2017 by Hirru

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 83746 results: Loot: 12 + 3 item + 3 consumable + 1 skill + 1 skill item = 20 - +2 Materials (4 total)

Shield gave a very subtle shrug, careful not to dislodge his new scaly companion. Hirru seemed to have lost most of his fight now that the battle was over, but he might be persuaded to make one last little foray.

"I'd say there's no need to push through a dungeon, but we could always look to find one and at least make note of its location," he suggested. As he took a few more steps towards the other player, his earring shone brightly once again, its light bathing the coils of the snake that was draped across his shoulders. Glancing down at the ground, he spied two more chunks of the same crystalline materials he had found before. "If we decide to tackle it together on a later day, we can, or if nothing else, one of us could make use of it."

He bent down and retrieved the items, stashing them with the others before straightening back up and turning towards the face of the serpent which, surprisingly, was already facing towards him. Its tongue flicked out, just grazing the tip of his nose.

"What should I call you?" he asked aloud, looking into the creature's slitted eyes.

Edited May 3, 2017 by Shield

[Hirru 0]

[ID: 83748] [LD: 5+8= 13] Nothing

[3 / 3 OOC regen]

After a bit more rest, the hunter could see that his energy was fully recovered by now.  With a quick movement, he would sit up to really get a look at the new obelisk of the front lines.  The requirements for a tank on the front lines was to pull the enemies attention away from the others, while keeping one self protected through heavy mitigation.  Shield had already proven that much while showing the regen tank build that was so popular now-a-days.  His damage was something that he was lacking, but that's okay.  Not everyone can be a Calrex.

While looking him over, the hunter finally saw the guild symbol for the Celestial Ascendants.  They were really growing in strength lately.  It was a good thing, as the other two guilds of the front lines were more centered around training their current ranks than adding more.

"Glad to actually see your combat abilities before the big raid."

Total Loot

13,230 Col
7 T2 Mat
1 T2 Perfect Armor
1 T2 Rare Weapon
1 Upgrade Familiar (Shield)

Edited May 3, 2017 by Hirru

[Shield 0]

Spoiler

ID# 83747 results: Loot: 4 + 8 = 12 - No Materials (4 total)

"Same here," Shield said, offering a hand to help Hirru up. "My trip to the front lines as been a very rapid one, and although it got me where I am now, I've had very little opportunity to meet other players who can keep pace on the higher levels. As long as you're not a PKer, I'd say the opportunity to meet new allies is always worth taking." 

He took a moment to look up into the gloomy sky. He could barely see beyond the range that the angels had been flying in with their tight combat formations, and in their looser combat panics.

"After all," he went on, a note of foreboding in his voice, "with the exception of a few, we're all on each other's side now." 

With that, he let his feet turn their way back in the direction of the gateway that would teleport him home. Still, he kept his eyes open for anything unusual in the fog banks that might denote the entrance to a dungeon.

It's never a bad idea to look...

Edited May 3, 2017 by Shield

[Hirru 0]

[ID: 83750] [LD: 3+8= 11] Nothing

"Just be careful what you say around those Player Killers that you talk so vehemently about.  We have a few in the front lines, if you haven't already known by now.  One of them, I think you already know.  I'm sure that you could take it, but you never know."

He would smirk while looking on at the Celestial Ascendant guild emblem.  It had been some time since Hikoru was a player killer, but since his redemption he hasn't heard anything from him.  Though, that could be from the news of Lowenthal's death to Hik's ex-wife, Ariel.  Everyone should know about that by now, at least those that want to be in the front lines.  The final one being newly found family member and sister, the Crimson Maiden, Teayre.

The hunter took out his Jade Badge that signified his importance as Tea's family.  A warm feeling would come over him before pocketing it once again.

"Just be careful about who you talk to when you go up there.  I'm not sure what was talked about in the meeting; I haven't messaged Macradon yet."

Getting back on his feet, the Jade Hunter dusted himself off.

"Far too busy to think about anything else."

 

Total Loot

13,230 Col
7 T2 Mat
1 T2 Perfect Armor
1 T2 Rare Weapon
1 Upgrade Familiar (Shield)

Edited May 3, 2017 by Hirru