[F09 - SP] Not Jack's Weapon Anymore <<Burning Pheonix Feathers>>

[Bahr 0]

Spoiler

• LEVEL: 46
• HP: 940 | ENERGY: 92
• DMG: 16 | MIT: 54 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 3
  SKILLS 3/7 | MODS 3/5
  
  HOME BUFFS
  » RESTED
       ➥ -1 EN FOR THE FIRST TWO TURNS OF COMBAT
  » RELAXED
       ➥ +10 TO OUT OF COMBAT HP REGENERATION
       ➥ FULL ENERGY REGENERATION AFTER TWO POSTS OUT OF COMBAT
•  
• SKILLS
• EXTRA SKILLS
  » DISGUISE
       ➥ FREE ACTION
       ➥ +1 EVA UNTIL START OF YOUR NEXT TURN
            ➥ COOLDOWN: 3 TURNS
  » MEDITATION
       ➥ POST ACTION
       ➥ RECOVER AN ADDITIONAL 10 ENERGY - GETTING HIT BY AN ATTACK BEFORE YOUR NEXT TURN REDUCES ADDITIONAL ENERGY RECOVERY TO 6
            ➥ COOLDOWN: 3 TURNS
  
  COMBAT SKILLS
  » PARRY
       ➥ POST ACTION
       ➥ REDUCE FINAL DAMAGE OF NEXT ATTACK AGAINST YOU BY 50% (ROUNDED DOWN) AND NEGATES STUN/PARALYSIS EFFECT OF THAT ATTACK
            ➥ COOLDOWN: 2 TURNS
            ➥ 5 ENERGY CONSUMED ON USE
  
  WEAPON SKILLS
  » TWO-HANDED STRAIGHT SWORD R5
       ➥ +7 DMG WHEN TWO-HANDED WEAPON IS EQUIPPED
  
  ARMOR SKILLS
  » LIGHT ARMOR R4
       ➥ +18 MIT 
  
  MODS
  » LIGHT ARMOR MOD: ATHLETICS
       ➥ +1 DMG
       ➥ +20 HP
  » PARRY MOD: JUSTIFIED RIPOSTE
       ➥ POST ACTION: COMBINE WITH PARRY
       ➥ SUCCESSFUL PARRY STUNS OPPONENT
            ➥ COOLDOWN: 3 TURNS
  » WEAPON MOD: PRECISION
       ➥ PASSIVE
       ➥ +1 ACC
  » WEAPON MOD: TWO-HANDED STRAIGHT SWORD FEROCITY
       ➥ PASSIVE
       ➥ +1 DMG WHEN USING 2HSS SWORD ARTS
  
  SWORD ARTS
  » [X2 AOE] BLAST
       ➥ 2 ENERGY +2 PER TARGET HIT CONSUMED ON USE
  » [X2] STRAIGHT
       ➥ 2 ENERGY CONSUMED ON USE
  » [X3] SCOOPED
       ➥ 3 ENERGY CONSUMED ON USE
  » [X4 STUN] LIGHTNING
       ➥ 7 ENERGY CONSUMED ON USE
  » [X4] CYCLONE
       ➥ 4 ENERGY CONSUMED ON USE
  » [X5] BACK RUSH
       ➥ 5 ENERGY CONSUMED ON USE
  » [X6 STUN] FIGHT BLADE
       ➥ 9 ENERGY CONSUMED ON USE
  » [X7] ASTRAL HELL
       ➥ 7 ENERGY CONSUMED ON USE
  » [X8 AOE STUN] TEMPEST
       ➥ 8 ENERGY +2 PER TARGET HIT CONSUMED ON USE
  » [X12] CALAMITOUS TRAGEDY
       ➥ 12 ENERGY CONSUMED ON USE
  » [X13] GALAXY DESTROYER
       ➥ 13 ENERGY CONSUMED ON USE
  » [X12 AOE] CALAMITY DISASTER
       ➥ 13 ENERGY +2 PER TARGET HIT CONSUMED ON USE

INVENTORY
ARMOR
» [EQUIPPED] "COAT OF THE BLOODEDGE" - LIGHT ARMOR (T1 - PERFECT)
     ➥ +3 EVA
» [EQUIPPED] "HERO'S HAKAMA" - LIGHT ARMOR (T2 - PERFECT)
     ➥ +36 MIT
     ➥ RECOVERY 1
» [EQUIPPED] "GLOVES OF CAERUS" - LIGHT ARMOR (T1 - PERFECT)
     ➥ +3 LD

WEAPONS
» [NOT EQUIPPED] "SCARECROW'S SICKLE" - TWO-HANDED STRAIGHT SWORD (T2 - DEMONIC)
     ➥ +6 DMG
     ➥ BLEED

FAMILIAR
» [EQUIPPED] SWINE BAJESUS R3
     ➥ +3 ACC

YUI'S GRACE CONSUMED (+1 SP FOR THREAD)

The blacksmiths and tailors of Aincrad were really starting to become more ingenuitive. Working together? What a strange concept.

Worked out for Bahr, though. He had recently acquired a weapon from the zombie event that seemed promising, but the name was bothering him. Jack's Inferno Divider. Had they not bested that charlatan? Why did his name need to be attached to something Bahr was using?

Though, Scarecrow's Sickle shared the same legacy. But as it held such rich history and a kinship to Lessa's blade, he had no desire to change it. In fact, he wondered if moving on and using a different blade was even in his best interest. He had never used a weapon that didn't have Bleed, and there was something about not having a weapon akin to Lessa's that felt strange to him. 

Still, he found himself on the ninth floor searching for materials. And, perhaps too easily, he found one immediately. An amber-colored flower that didn't dissolve into shimmering pixels the moment he retrieved it.
 

Spoiler

ID: 130624
LD: 17+3=20
1/5 Materials found.

 

[Bahr 0]

Seemed almost insane that he was wasting his time over a vanity change like this one. But he just couldn't bring himself to wield anything that had Jack's name attached to it. Was this vain? Prideful? Absolutely. But Bahr knew what he wanted - usually - and carrying around a weapon labeled "Jack's" anything would irk him until he inevitably gave it up. 

Then again, there was also Dracbane - a rare weapon that he had had Dagger identify for him after his time spent in the swamp. The day he saw Zayne's blip on the location data. Anxiety came flooding in, but when Bahr was reminded of what it had led to, he quelled the frenetic urges that surged through his veins. It had all been for the better. Well, no, it hadn't. But he had to cling to the silver linings when he could.

Another flower, this time tangerine. He plucked it from the soil and placed it into his inventory.
 

Spoiler

ID: 130625
LD: 15+3=18
2/5 Materials found.

 

[Bahr 0]

As Bahr surveyed the area, he didn't see any more flowers to steal away. Not surprising, considering the entire floor was a lava infested crag of pure misery. The fact that any flowers had grown there was a miracle in its own right. And here Bahr was, eager to pluck them for an item the likes of which he hardly even needed. Some might consider it a shame, but he was positive they would have met their end the moment a splash of lava made contact.

There was, however, an abundance of cool looking rocks. How could a blacksmith and tailor turn a collection of flowers and rocks into a Nametag? Why, with the mystical properties of the Pheonix Feather, of course. Bahr rolled his eyes at the notion as he bent over and scooped up one such rock, gray in coloration with crimson crystalline structures jutting out at random points along its smooth surface.
 

Spoiler

ID: 130632
LD: 17+3=20
3/5 Materials found.

 

[Bahr 0]

He picked up a few more of the glimmering minerals, but they were all reduced to azure ash that slid between his fingers and back to the soil from whence it came. It seemed as though it was time to move on, off to... another descriptionless crag that seemed identical to the first. Perhaps he would find another batch of flowers there? Doubtful. But the first couple had existed, so one could never be too sure.

Nothing interesting in the new spot, either. Bahr absently kicked a rock, and it skittered along the rock hard ground before inevitably combusting into a minuscule cloud of triangular blue pixels. Somewhat of a boring "quest," so far. He was hoping that the fight against the Pheonix later on would give him a bit more of a rush, but he wasn't holding his breath. There was no guarantee it would be a challenge whatsoever. This was, after all, only the ninth floor.
 

Spoiler

ID: 130633
LD: 6+3=9
Material search failed.

 

[Bahr 0]

Still nothing. It seemed as though this wasteland was as truly as scarce as it seemed. A part of Bahr wondered if he could collect lava as a material, but he wasn't eager to watch his flesh and bone melt away before his eyes. Though, if he found a way to be impervious to the heat, and laval did turn out to be a gatherable material, it would easily become the most farmable in the entirety of Aincrad. Had someone else thought of doing something like this in the past?

Heatproof. It was the sort of enhancement that could make something like this possible. If Bahr could just get his hands on something like that, he could give this bizarre angle a shot. Corner the market for lava collection. How would clothes made from lava look or feel? In the end, there was only one way to find out.

Not that he could do it now, anyways. At the moment, his best bet was to keep looking for more rocks, which was exactly as interesting as it sounded.
 

Spoiler

ID: 130644
LD: 9+3=12
Material search failed.

 

[Bahr 0]

Why was he wasting his time with something like this, anyways? He could totally just use the weapon as-is. The parameters for gathering materials for this Nametag were extremely strict. Five materials from the ninth floor, along with a Pheonix Feather. The feather was easy enough to procure, but this place was a wasteland. The fact that he had found even three materials so far was nothing short of an absolute miracle.

Though, he usually felt that way, no matter where he went. And it wasn't like he could shove his arms into any holes around here. Knowing his luck, it would come back skeletal and charred. Instead, he meandered along to the next venue, gradually nearing the spot that the Pheonix was supposedly supposed to nest at. If he could fine two more materials along the way, great. If not, it would need to wait until after he had slain the monster.
 

Spoiler

ID: 130645
LD: 4+3=7
Material search failed.

 

[Bahr 0]

As he sauntered along, his boot caught something and it skittered along the ground for a moment before coming to a stop. It didn't disintegrate, so Bahr picked it up. He couldn't exactly make out what it was. It was hard, but extremely lightweight. After silently musing for a few moments, he came to the conclusion that it was a fragment of hardened lava. Which meant that, presumably, lava could be gathered as a material.

He stuffed it in his inventory as the wheels began turning in his head. The ninth floor was extremely close to his home on the tenth floor. Acquire Fireproof, establish a routine on the ninth floor, profit.

But a disappointed scowl graced his visage as he realized that this meant he would only be farming T1 materials. That wasn't particularly useful, considering there couldn't have been too many players still in that level bracket. They'd be useless in a year or two.
 

Spoiler

ID: 130646
LD: 14+3=17
4/5 Materials found.

 

[Bahr 0]

There was still a part of him that really wanted to try it, though. Simply for the prestige. "There he goes," they would say, "Dude was crazy enough to scoop lava into his inventory and make clothes out of it." He wondered if this sort of thing would further exacerbate his ostracization. With a shrug, he decided it didn't matter if it did or not. He'd gotten along just fine without being popular, which made his shameless chase of clout all the more easy.

There were only a few people in his life in Aincrad that he genuinely couldn't go without. Kit, Alec, Macradon, Oscar, and Lessa. Hell, even Kirbs made the list, despite her recent outbursts and strangely violent demeanor. She was beginning to go down the wrong path, but that didn't mean it was time to abandon her. 

He hadn't heard from her in quite awhile. He hoped she was okay.
 

Spoiler

ID: 130647
LD: 5+3=8
Material search failed.

 

[Bahr 0]

Curious, Bahr opened his friend list and scrolled down to Kirbs' name, tapping on it to provoke another panel to populate that gave the player information. LOCATION DATA UNAVAILABLE. Strange - it had said that the last time he went to check in on her, also. 

Suddenly, a knot of unease tied itself around his stomach. Sure, it was a possibility that she was simply isolating herself in an area that blocked location data. This would make sense, given how she had up and left everything and everyone behind the way that she had. But something didn't feel right. Perhaps it was Bahr's years of tapping on Zayne's name and reading the same thing. 

He resolved to get in contact with Conciliator soon and see if she could track down Kirbs. Bahr wasn't the sleuthing sort, or at least not to the degree that his info broker was. If anyone could find Kirbs, it was her.
 

Spoiler

ID: 130658
LD: 1+3=4
Material search failed.

 

[Bahr 0]

He had been so lost in thought that he had almost missed it. Another flower, this one a rich azure that stood out in stark contrast to its surroundings. As Bahr plucked it from the stone it had somehow managed to work its way out of, the stem that remained anchored evaporated while the flower itself remained. Perfect, the fifth and final material that was necessary. He stowed it away and set his sights on the nest he had been slowly approaching. It couldn't have been more than a few minutes away, at this point. With a nod, he started in its direction.

He wondered what type of fight this would turn out to be. Difficult enough to present at least a bit of a challenge, he hoped. Though, if it was too difficult, he'd probably catch an earful from somebody about it once he made his way back. One person in particular came to mind.
 

Spoiler

ID: 130659
LD: 13+3=16
5/5 Materials found.

 

[Bahr 0]

As he neared the spot, he stopped just before what looked like the obvious boundary to the arena. He opened his menu with the swipe of a finger, navigating to the inventory panel and swapping out his Gloves of Caerus. Their luck boost had aided him well in the gathering of the materials, but for what would happen next, he didn't need it. Scarecrow's Sickle, which hadn't been equipped until now, took its place on his lower back in a ribbon of light as it was selected. He double checked the rest of his gear to make sure that he was ready before dismissing the panels.

With everything seeming like it was good to go, he took a step into the arena. But nothing seemed to be happening. As he looked around for any traces of the Pheonix, he saw nothing but more crag and piles of ash. No doubt the remnants of previous spawns. This had probably become a popular hunting ground ever since the invention of the Nametag, so it wouldn't be surprising if Bahr had to wait a bit for it to respawn.

GLOVES OF CAERUS (+3 LD) REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH SCARECROW'S SICKLE (+6 DMG | BLEED 1)

Spoiler

Bahr: HP: 940/940 | EN: 92/92 | DMG: 16 | MIT: 54 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 3 | BLEED 1

 

[Bahr 0]

All at once, the ash around him started to shift. It rose, whirled, and coalesced into a ball of swirling gray, the fragments of previous Pheonixes whispering against once another as the collided an uncountable number of times. Their friction caused the floating sphere to adopt a red-hot pigment, and Bahr instinctively unsheathed his blade in preparation for what came next. Suddenly, the smoldering ash was dispelled, and an avian creature emerged from the explosion with a mighty screech. 

Embers cascaded from its wings as it began flapping to remain airborne, giving the puny mortal before it an inquisitive look. "Don't be coy with me," Bahr mused as his grip on Scarecrow's Sickle tightened. "How many times have you been slain here? Or do you have no recollection of that? A bit sad, if it's the latter. You don't even know what's about to happen." His boots shifted beneath him as he widened his stance, preparing for the battle ahead. It was time to see what this fried chicken was capable of.
 

Spoiler

Encounter: Pheonix
HP: 460
DMG: 138
MIT: 50
ACC: 2
EVA: 2
<< Hellstorm >> : On attack rolls of 9-10, the Phoenix raises to the skies and with a flap of its wings shoots feathers upon the player with the most hate, dealing 50 more damage to its base, additionally the player suffers Burn damage at 24 damage per turn for two turns.

Spoiler

Bahr: HP: 940/940 | EN: 92-1=91/92 | DMG: 16 | MIT: 54 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 3 | BLEED 1

Bahr used [x13] Galaxy Destroyer, -1 EN FOR MISS ("RESTED" HOUSE BUFF REDUCES EN COST BY 1)

Pheonix: HP: 460/460 | DMG: 138 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | ID: 130660 | BD: 2+4-2=4, Miss | MD: 5+2-3=4, Miss

 

[Bahr 0]

With another deafening screech, the mob closed in, dipping down with its mighty beak pointed forward and poised to strike. Bahr managed to properly predict where the attack would land in the short time it took for the Pheonix to close in, bracing his sword against his shoulder and catching the tip of the beak in a deflection. He attempted to use their close ranks as an opportunity to retaliate, but by the time he had swung his sword, the creature was gone.

It had taken to the skies yet again, far beyond Bahr's reach. "Coward!" he yelled, his voice rippling through the expanse as it bounced off of the countless stony edifces that lined the craggy valley. "Come back and meet your end! I haven't got all day to lollygag!" This was why mobs that could take flight had always annoyed Bahr. Thei maneuverability didn't necessarily make the fight more difficult, it simply increased the duration.
 

Spoiler

Bahr: HP: 940/940 | EN: 91+3-1=91/92 | DMG: 16 | MIT: 54 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 3 | BLEED 1
CD: 7 (2 extra energy recovered this turn)

Bahr used [x13] Galaxy Destroyer, -1 EN FOR MISS ("RESTED" HOUSE BUFF REDUCES EN COST BY 1)

Pheonix: HP: 460/460 | DMG: 138 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | ID: 130661 | BD: 2+4-2=4, Miss | MD: 3+2-3=2, Miss

 

[Bahr 0]

It seemed that, for now, Bahr's taunting had worked. With another thrill shriek rippling through the sky, the Pheonix made its descent. Bahr had felt the power that it held when it came it for its first pass, and he knew that he could take several of its hits before he had anything to worry about. Keeping this in mind, he figured that it was about time to put a little skin in the game and risk taking a hit in order to place one. Staying reactionary forever would get him nowhere.

So when it was within range, Bahr poured as much energy into his blade as he could muster and swatted the thing like a baseball player would a baseball, sending it hurtling back with a pained cry toward one of the nearby rocks. It crashed through the stony structure, the fragments of rock that were cast away disintegrating where they came to rest. Seemed the attack had dealt about a third of its damage, which was perfect. A couple more like that and he could call it a day.
 

Spoiler

Bahr: HP: 940/940 | EN: 91+1-13=79/92 | DMG: 16 | MIT: 54 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 3 | BLEED 1
CD: 1 (No extra energy recovered this turn)

Bahr used [x13] Galaxy Destroyer, -13 EN

Pheonix: HP: 460-158=302/460 | DMG: 138 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | ID: 130662 | BD: 6+4-2=8, Hit for 16x13=208-50=158 | MD: 5+2-3=4, Miss

 

[Bahr 0]

Though Bahr was proud of his hit, there was still work to be done. For now, it seemed that the Pheonix was grounded. If he didn't take advantage of this and strike again while he still had the opportunity, he would regret it later. So he made a break for it, taking long and swift strides toward where the Pheonix now stirred on the ground, preparing to take flight and return to the safety of the skies. Not today...

He caught it just as it flapped its wings for the first time, his gleaming blade carving through the over sized bird and sending it hurtling straight through another rock, the same as the first. Another pained shriek, and another steady depletion of the health bar. Now it sat at a smidgen below one third full, safely in the yellow. One more hit was all it would take to get this damned feather and not have to think about the ninth floor again for a long time. Until he got Fireproof, anyways.
 

Spoiler

Bahr: HP: 940/940 | EN: 79+3-13=69/92 | DMG: 16 | MIT: 54 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 3 | BLEED 1
CD: 11 (2 extra energy recovered this turn)

Bahr used [x13] Galaxy Destroyer, -13 EN

Pheonix: HP: 302-158=144/460 | DMG: 138 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | ID: 130663 | BD: 5+4-2=7, Hit for 16x13=208-50=158 | MD: 4+2-3=3, Miss

 

[Bahr 0]

Since it had worked so well the first time, Bahr decided to run a repeat of the strategy he had used before. Powerful bounds carried him from where he had delivered the hit to where the Pheonix landed, catching it with the third and final strike before it even finished skittering across the ground. With one final, weak shriek, it burst into a cloud of pixels that slowly dissipated into oblivion. 

Shortly after, a loot window populated in front of bar, alerting him to the acquisition of a Pheonix Feather. Perfect, he had gotten exactly what he came for. Now all that needed to happen was a trek back to town and teleport to the blacksmith and tailor that were working together on the first floor to make something like this possible. The thought that his weapon would soon be ready was equally as exciting as it was a little bittersweet. Soon he would let go of Scarecrow's Sickle forever, and with it, a huge chapter of his life would be left behind.

Or would it?
 

Spoiler

Bahr: HP: 940/940 | EN: 69+3-13=59/92 | DMG: 16 | MIT: 54 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 3 | BLEED 1
CD: 10 (2 extra energy recovered this turn)

Bahr used [x13] Galaxy Destroyer, -13 EN

Pheonix: HP: 144-158=0/460 | DMG: 138 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | ID: 130665 | BD: 4+4-2=6, Hit for 16x13=208-50=158 | Pheonix defeated
<<Pheonix Feather>> obtained!

 

[Bahr 0]

On his way back to town, his nerves got the best of him and he swiped down to open his menu, navigating to the messaging panel. He clicked on the conversation between him and Conciliator, and began composing a message.
 

Quote

To: Conciliator

There's someone who's gone missing that I'm starting to get a little worried about. Her username is Kirbs. I haven't had any location data on her for several weeks, and it's getting to a point where I'm having to talk myself down from assuming the worst. Anything you can turn up that might point me in the right direction is appreciated. As usual, there's money in it for you if you do. The more info, the better the payment.

- Bahr

As the message sent confirmation populated, Bahr dismissed the prompt and kept his eyes on his inbox. It was surprisingly scarce. Though, perhaps it wasn't that surprising. He had always been the sort that would rather talk to someone face-to-face as opposed to through a screen.

[Bahr 0]

His eyes came to rest on his conversation with Lessa. Few messages were shared there, but probably more than most of the other people he talked to on a regular basis. Without even thinking about it, his finger reached to compose a message, and he began writing.
 

Quote

To: Lessa

Something weird is happening with a friend of mine, and it's got me all twisted. A part of me feels like I shouldn't be worried, but the other part of me can't help it. 

I sat here for years and saw a "LOCATION DATA UNAVAILABLE" prompt under Zayne's information in my friend list. And now it's there under hers. Maybe I'm just conditioned to feel this way, but it's almost like I can't prevent myself from assuming the worst.

I could really use you right now. Do you want to meet up?

- Bahr

When he had finished composing the message, his finger stopped right before hitting send. He could really use her right now? That's all it would be - using her. And she had her own problems to deal with. Did he really want to disturb her just so she could be his shoulder to cry on over something that would probably turn out to be fine, anyway?

No.

So away to the archived filed it went.

[Bahr 0]

One Bahr reached town, it didn't take him long to navigate to the teleport plaza. He stepped up to the gate and announced his destination. "Floor One, Town of Beginnings." And seconds later he was whisked away.

FLOOR 1

When he materialized on the other side, he breathed a breath of fresh air. No longer would hot, airborne soot cling to his lungs with every breath he took. The temperature was warm, but it felt cool to Bahr. It must have been over one hundred degrees the entire time he was on Floor Nine. Coming back down to a normal temperature was an extremely soothing endeavor.

It just so happened that the duo Blacksmith/Tailor shop was right there in the teleport plaza. A prime location amidst the chaos that was the Town of Beginnings, and convenient for travelers that were undertaking the quest to receive this unique item that only they could craft. He strode through the doors and into the shop, opening his inventory as he did so.

[Bahr 0]

He materialized all of the items he had found and placed them on the counter for the pair that stood behind. A tall, burly man and a petite, shy woman. Cute pair.

"Flowers? You found these on the ninth floor?" the man mused, picking up the tangerine bloom.

"Careful with that," Bahr warned, "It's fragile. What'll this cost me?"

"Well, you're Bahr, right? The 'Bloodedge?'" the woman inquired, already inspecting the Pheonix Feather for authenticity. Bahr wanted to roll his eyes, but he didn't. Surely his outcast status would earn him an extra fee or two for this transaction.

"Yeah, that's me. But I don't go by that anymore. They call me the Crimson Marauder now." It was a bit of a fib, of course. Nobody called him that. But he'd much rather start spreading the word now and leave that cursed moniker behind.

"Ahh, so you're the one who's been helping all the noobs around town with free gear." Bahr perked up a bit. A positive reputation? Since when? "In that case, I'd say it's free of charge. You've given enough to the community, it's time the community gave something back. Isn't that right, dear?"

"My thoughts exactly."

Bahr was a bit flabbergasted. He'd never had a pair of strangers treat him so nicely, especially not ones that knew him by that derogatory nickname. "Uhh... Thank you. Sincerely, thank you. It means a lot."

"We'll have this out for you in a jiffy," the small woman said cheerfully. "Just take a seat and make yourself comfortable."