[F03-PP] Definition of Insanity (Part 1)

Freyd · July 28, 2023

It was a ridiculous idea, which was probably its greatest appeal.

"I still haven't tracked down a few of these since the last patch. Might as well update my records and see if they've improved their drops at all." Cycling through a catalogue of field bosses, Freyd updated his notes. It was a slow day around Aruyt. Most of the local humans and fauns milled about doing whatever they were programmed to do to make the place look more busy than it actually was. There were few quests in this area, and even fewer reasons for players to hang around unless they happened to like the scenery - or were monster hunting completion-ists like himself.

"That Dark Elf scout should still be around here somewhere." Looking through his own shadow, Freyd spied him in the woods not far from Flora. He'd spent very little time here himself, the front lines having already made its way well into the twenties long before he started his own rise through the ranks. A small bunny-eared child waved her hand at him, despite his face being buried deep within his cowl. A small mischievous smile returned, with a bonus wink. She tittered and ran to bury her face in her mother's face who scowled in the direction of the spoopy human by the waterfall. Surely, he was up to no good. Of course he wasn't.

"Let's see, now, who would be crazy enough to sign up for something like this?" It didn't take long to generate a list. The invites were instantly sent.

***

@Katoka @Morningstar @Nari-Lanreth

Freyd consumes:

Freyd shares:

T4 - Freyd | HP: 1140/1140 | EN: 148/148 | DMG: 29 | MIT: 78 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 7 | BH: 62 | LD: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | REC: 8
T3 - Freyd | HP: 1130/1130 | EN: 143/143 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 66 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 7 | BH: 62 | LD: 8 | FLN: 12 | HLY: 12 | REC: 6
T2 - Freyd | HP: 1120/1120 | EN: 138/138 | DMG: 23 | MIT: 54 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 7 | BH: 62 | LD: 8 | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | REC: 4
T1 - Freyd | HP: 1110/1110 | EN: 123/123 | DMG: 20 | MIT: 42 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 7 | BH: 62 | LD: 8 | FLN: 4 | HLY: 4 | REC: 2

Spoiler

Freyd, The Whisper in Shadow
Level: 32
Paragon Level: 116
HP: 1140/1140
EN: 148/148

Stats:
Damage: 24+3+2
Mitigation: 78+45-40
Evasion: 2+2
Accuracy: 4+3
Battle Healing: 62
Loot Dice: 5+3
FLN: 16
HLY: 16
REC: 8

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: Samael's Pride (T4 MA | HLY 2 | FLN 2)
Armor: Fallen Angel Garb (T4 LA | Mit 2 | Rec 2)
Misc: Fight O'er Flight (T3 Trinket | ACC 2 | EVA 2)

Skills:
Martial Arts R5
Battle Healing R5
Light Armor R5
Searching R4
Charge
Energist
Quick Change
Extended Mod Limit
Fighting Spirit

Active Mods:
Night Vision
Tracking
Meticulous
Untraceable
Vanish
Surprise Attack (Assassin)

Addons:
Ferocity
Precision
Resolve
Reveal
Stamina

Active Extra Skills:
Disguise
Survival
Hiding R5
Forgotten King’s Authority

Inactive Extra Skills:
Meditation
Brawler
Photosynthesize
Frozen Hide

Battle Ready Inventory:
Teleport Crystals x7
Mass HP Rec [Inst] (+30*T HP) x7
Mass HP Rec [Inst] (+30*T HP) x7
Crystal of Divine Light (Reusable) x1
Rhino's Horn (Reusable) x1
Hmr.Pk: The Thing Behind All Lies (T4 Demonic MA, AA, Blight, Static, Para.Ven (Off)) x1

Housing Buffs:
Rested: -1 energy cost for the first two expenditures of each combat
Clean: The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 20% (rounded down)
Working: +2 EXP per crafting attempt
Filling: Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot.
Item Stash: +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot
Delicious: Turn 3 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Feast. A Feast contains 6 portions of the food items sacrificed.
Relaxed: Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
Skylight (Searching): +1 Rank to the Searching skill.
Angler: +1 material gained when fishing
~~Advanced Training: +10% Exp to a thread. Limit one use per month [1/1]~~
Multipurpose: Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll
Decor [Potted Tanabata Bamboo Tree]: This buff affects the player and their choice of up to two party members.

Guild Hall Buffs:
Lucrative: Reduce LD needed for Salvage by 5 (10+ for Alchemist crystals, 6+ for everything else). +2 EXP per craft. Rank 9 crafters receive +1 crafting attempt per day. Rank 10 crafters receive +2 crafting attempts per day.
Col Deposit: +5% bonus col from last-hit monster kills and +10% bonus col from treasure chests.

Scents of the Wild:
Kumatetsu Statue: +1 Base Damage for a thread

Wedding Ring:

Edited July 29, 2023 by Freyd

Nari-Lanreth · July 28, 2023

"-alright I'll be home for...oh, right..." Nari blinked as the whiteness of the transportation faded, leaving her standing on a teleporter pad surrounded by...well, no one. Instead, there was the open forestry that made up the city of Aruyt, and the areas beyond. She slowly stepped off the pad, realising that others may be intent on arriving, before blinking again.

Just below her torso, to her right, was the indication of a waiting message. With a flick of her hand, she opened the waiting message and glanced over it, her surprise causing her eyebrows to rise. "Well, that's either extremely luck, or extremely creepy..."

She typed up a response, sending it off quickly before taking off to the side of the main arrival area, not wanting to be in the way. She settled onto one of the nearby walls, letting her feet hang as she glanced around for the man she had met once, or twice, but barely knew. Odd that he would be reaching out to me, of all people. But...I guess with times as they are...

To: Freyd
From: Nari-Lanreth

Kinda creepy, but just arrived in Aruyt. If you're around, I'd be interested in joining up.

As she sat, glancing around, she realised the difficulties of the coming event. She wasn't entirely familiar with the third floor's field boss, but she knew that these minor bosses usually had scaling effects - things that she would've loved to avoid if she was given the chance. She quickly brought up her left hand, swiping through her menu as she looked for anything that would make the entire encounter easier. "Let's see here..."

Nari Consumes:
Percephonius Pyratius (DMG III)
Caribou Stew (Protein II)

Tier Locked Statblock:
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 49 | HP: 830/830 | EN: 100/100 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 17 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 32 | B.Healing [+47] | LD: 5 | Static: 10/6

Statblock

Spoiler

notes

[Theme]

Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 49 | HP: 860/860 | EN: 100/100 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 21 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 78 | B.Healing [+47] | LD: 5 | Static: 40/24
Tier 4 | Tier 8

equipped

Reaper's Charge
[Scythe; Tier 4 Daemonic]
Enhancement: Accuracy [3 Slots]
Enhancement: Static [1 Slot]
Reaper's Aegis
[Light Armour; Tier 4 Perfect]
Enhancement: Evasion [2 Slots]
Enhancement: Mitigation [2 Slots]
Twin-Fox Bracelet
[Tier 4 Perfect Jewellery]
Enhancement: Recovery [2 Slots]
Enhancement: Evasion [1 Slot]

battle-ready inventory

Teleport Crystal {3}
Starter Healing Potions {4} | Heals 50 HP
Divinity's Wait {4} | Tier 2; Perfect Potion | Mitigation III
Divinity's Protection {4} | Tier 3; Perfect Potion | Overhealth III
Cold Brew Coffee {3} | Tier 1; Perfect Potion | HP Recovery III
Percephonius Pyratius {5} | Tier 4; Perfect Potion | Damage III
Ketchup Chips {3} | Tier 4; Perfect Snacks| Probiotics III
Siúil a Rún {2} | Tier 3; Perfect; Masterpiece Support Song | HP Recovery III [Mass]

skills

Spoiler

Utility Skills
Extended Weight Limit [Active: Passive. Effect: +2 additional Battle-Ready inventory slots.]
Searching [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: +1 LD per rank. +1 to Stealth Detection per rank.]
[Rank 3 Searching Mod] Detect [Active: Passive. Effect: Grants +2 Stealth Detection. Grants +1 LD when searching for dungeons and labyrinths.]
Quick Change [Active: Free Action. Effect: Allows the user to instantly equip, unequip, or swap any equipment in their battle-ready inventory. All active and temporary buffs and conditions granted to the player by the unequipped item are immediately lost, unless the new item carries the same enhancement (e.g. Keen, Heavy Momentum, Risky, etc.).]

Combat Skills
Battle Healing [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: While in combat, recover 1% per rank of your maximum HP (rounded down) at the beginning of your turn.]

Weapon Skills
Polearm [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: +7 DMG]
Dagger [Rank: 1. Active: Passive. Effect: +3 DMG]
[Rank 5 Weapon Addon] Stamina [Active: Passive. Effect: Reduces EN of all attacks by 2.]
[Rank 5 Weapon Addon] Precision [Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 ACC.]
[Rank 5 Weapon Addon] <<Weapon Type>> Focus [Active: Passive. Effect: Decreases minor critical threshold by 1. Also reduces DoT thresholds by 1. Players cannot use Focus and Ferocity at the same time for the same Weapon Type.]
[Rank 5 Shift] TECH Specialist [Active: Passive. Effect: For TECH Sword Arts, +4 to multipliers, +3 to EN cost. No other Shifts may be taken.]

Armour Skills
Light Armour [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: 30 MIT. Mitigation is capped at 2 slots.]
[Light Armour Mod] Meticulous [Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 base Damage.]
[Light Armour Add-on] Resolve [Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 Accuracy and +10 * Tier HP.]

Active Extra Skills
Concentration [Active: Free Action. Cooldown: 5 turns. Effect: As a free action, gain Absolute Accuracy on your next attack. In the case Absolute Accuracy is already present, increase your Accuracy by 1 instead. Effect lasts until the start of next turn.]
Meditation [Active: Post Action. Cooldown: 3 turns. Effect: Recover an additional (4 * Tier) energy.]
Parry [Active: Post action. Energy cost: 9 EN Cooldown: 3 Turns. Effect: Apply the energy cost upon proc, not activation. Reduces the final damage of the next successful attack against you by 50% (rounded down) and negates stun/paralysis effects of that attack. If hit by multiple attacks, only apply parry to the first attack against you. Parry lasts for three turns. Cooldown starts when the player activates the Skill. If the player is hit when using Parry, the cooldown is reset to 3 turns.]
[Parry Mod] Vengeful Riposte [Active: Passive. Cooldown: 4 Turns. Effect: A successful Parry also returns 50% (rounded down) of the raw damage that would be dealt to you back to your opponent. The reflected damage can be mitigated by the opponent.]
Survival [Active: Passive. Effect: Increases Healing effects received from all sources by 10%. Grants immunity to all damage dealing environmental attacks/effects.]

Inactive Extra Skills
Assault Mode [Active: Free Action. Energy Cost: 5 EN. Cooldown: 4 Turns. Effect: As a free action, switch your accuracy and evasion values until the start of your next turn.]
Brawler [Active: Free Action. Energy Cost: 5 EN. Cooldown: 5 Turns. Effect: Increase mitigation by 10*tier until the start of your next turn.]
Frozen Hide [Active: Free Action. Energy Cost: 5 EN. Cooldown: 4 Turns. Effect: As a free action, apply one slot of Frost Aura and one slot of Frost Thorns equal to your tier to yourself until the start of your next turn.]
Lady Luck [Active: Free Action. Energy Cost: 5 EN. Cooldown: 5 Turns. Effect: Replace a single enhancement slot on your weapon with a random enhancement using the Appraiser’s Identification roll until the start of your next turn.]

Combat Mastery
Damage [Rank: 3. Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 * Tier additional Base Damage per rank. Ranks of this Skill obey Damage enhancement caps.]

Familiar Skills
Protector Familiar [Active: Free Action. Cooldown: 3 Posts; Effect: The next time you would take damage, your familiar rushes to your aid, reducing the final damage by 10%.]

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sword arts

Spoiler

[x12] ST-I (12 10 EN) | A single-target sword art.
[x15] ST-II (15 13 EN) | A powerful single-target sword art. Only available for use when ST-I was used and successfully struck an enemy the previous turn or if ST-II had been used and had missed the previous turn.
[x20] ST-B (20 18 EN) | A devastating single-target sword art. Can only be used if the sword art used the previous turn is not ST-B and had rolled a natural CD9+. When performing an AoE attack, use only the first roll.
[x11] AOE-I (11 9 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once.
[x14] AOE-II (14 12 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE | A powerful sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. Only available for use when AOE-I was used and successfully struck an enemy the previous turn or if AOE-II had been used and had missed the previous turn.
[x16] TECH-A (16 14 EN) | STUN | A single-target sword art that stuns an enemy.
[x16] TECH-B (15 13 EN) | DELAY | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, applies [Delay] on the enemy. [Delay] is a status condition that reduces the enemy’s ACC by 1 for one turn.
[x16] TECH-C (15 13 EN) | COUNTER | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, places [Counter] around the player. [Counter] reduces the final damage taken by its user by 25% (rounded down) for one turn.
[x16] TECH-D (15 13 EN) | SHATTER | A single-target sword art that applies [Shatter] to an enemy for 3 turns. [Shatter] is a debuff that can stack up to a cap of 3. Each stack of [Shatter] removes -20 MIT from an enemy, down to 0, if it has MIT.
[x12] TECH-F (11 9 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE STUN | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. All struck targets are stunned for one turn.
[x16] TECH-G (15 13 EN) | BURN | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, applies [Burn] on the enemy. [Burn] is a DoT ailment that deals [14 * Player Tier] unmitigated Burn damage for 2 turns.

buffs

Spoiler

Estate Buffs
Bedroom [-1 energy cost for the first two expenditures of each combat.]
Living Room [Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.]
Storage Closet [+1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot]
Basement [Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll.]
Extended Workshop [+2 Crafting EXP per crafting attempt & +1 crafting attempt per day.]
Greenhouse [+2 Gathering EXP per Attempt and additional +1 LD & CD to gathering attempts.]

Morningstar · July 28, 2023

Morningstar eyed up a variety of potions and consumables, deciding what of the bunch would be worth taking. It did not appear to be a dangerous outing; the basics would do fine. Gathering up his belongings, he jogged to the door, the bell ringing as it opened.

"Honey, I'm heading out!" he called into his empty shop, and with a chuckle, he left.

With the click of a button, his simple, green sweater transformed into a radiant suit of armor. Meteor glowed at his hip, dazzling in the summer sun that poked through the treetops. He crushed a teleport crystal, beaming down to the Third Floor. Aruyt appeared before him, a different sort of woodland than he was accustomed to. He stepped off the teleport pad, passed a group of whimsical NPCs singing an odd song, and scanned the area for his new pal. He collected a number of curious looks from the locals, rabbit-like in their features. He found them to be friendly folk, the few times he had interacted with them. He wondered if it was specifically him they were interested in or humans in general. So many had passed through the city—he wondered if they ever stopped to speak with the Faune.

Freyd was nowhere to be seen, but he did spot Nari. She shuffled through her inventory, fully focused on the screen in front of her. To say the least, it was unexpected to see her there, so far from the top floor. It was hard to find reasons to go to a place like the Third, especially with a raid boss on the horizon. Time ticked faster and faster; soon enough, the final second before the fight would arrive. But perhaps that was the reason she had come. The Dark Elf was notorious for the salve it dropped. Surely it would come in handy for the tanks.

Today's event was probably the same as the Lich King hunt he had gone on only a few days prior. Frankly, he had not expected to see Freyd until the day of the raid; and yet, here he was with another invitation. He waved to Nari, eager to talk to his pirate acquaintance.

"Morning," he said, disregarding whatever time of day it was.

TIER 1 STATS:
Morningstar | HP: 675/675 | EN: 89/89 | DMG: 16 | ACC: 6 | MIT: 28 | LD: 5 | BLD: 12 | PAR: 1 | Stealth Rating: -5 | EN Cost: +1 (+0 on first 2 turns)

[ lv. 37 -> l. 32 / p. 5 ]
MORNINGSTAR | HP: 720/720 | EN: 104/104 | DMG: 25 | ACC: 6 | MIT: 82 | LD: 5 | BLD: 36 | PAR: 1 | Stealth Rating: -5

Hide contents

notes.

consuming the following:
- Gugnir's Shard | +2 ACC
- Breakfast Fry | +2 DMG, -40 MIT
- Yui's Grace | +800 EXP
basic training | +5% EXP, 30 day cooldown

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equipped

meteor
BLD II, PAR I
armor of fallen radiance
MIT III
lexa's light
ACC III

battle-ready inventory

teleport crystal

skills.

Hide contents

mod count: 3/5

2HSS | RANK 5/5
- precision, stamina, ferocity
- shift: tech
HEAVY ARMOR | RANK 5/5
- impetus, iron skin
COMBAT MASTERY: DMG | RANK 3/3
SEARCHING | RANK 5/5
- night vision, detect
BATTLE HEALING | RANK 1/5
ENERGIST
CHARGE

extra

SURVIVAL
FORGOTTEN KING'S AUTHORITY
LADY LUCK

buffs.

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statue

n/a

consumables

n/a

paragon

Lv. 5 | Gain additional col equivalent to 15% of EXP earned in that thread.

arts.

Hide contents

en cost matches multiplier unless stated otherwise. shift underlined.

ST | x12 -> x15 | x20
AOE | x11 -> x14
TECH-A | x16 | STUN | 13EN
TECH-B | x16 | DELAY
TECH-D | x16 | SHATTER

misc.

Hide contents

Rested | -1 energy cost for the first two expenditures of each combat.
Clean | The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 20% (rounded down).
Filling | Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot. This can exceed normal Cook enhancement caps. Ex: A perfect T2 MIT food gives 35 MIT instead of 30.
Tasty | Turn 2 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Lesser Feast. A Lesser Feast contains 4 portions of the food items sacrificed. Lesser Feasts created this way cannot be used outside of the thread they are created. Limit 1 item created per thread.
Relaxed | Increases out-of-combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
Basic Training | +5% EXP to a thread. Limit one use per month. Must be used on a player's first post in a thread. Cooldown begins counting down when used in a post.

gathering

n/a

Edited July 29, 2023 by Morningstar

Katoka · July 29, 2023

Exiting from the teleport gate, Katoka took a deep breath as she inhaled the fresh air of Aruyt. She smiled as she looked around taking in he sights, it had been far too long since she had been on the third floor. In fact, the last time she had been there had been with Freyd and Elora, she smiled and stifled a laugh. It had been during the Dragon Hunter quest when they had a dance battle against some elves, "That brings back memories." The rest of the walk to meet up with Freyd she had spent grinning like an idiot thinking about that fight, the locals giving her odd looks as she passed them by.

It didn't take her long to find her guild mate that had sent her an invite to fight a field boss, he had once again laid out a spread of food stuffs for her and their soon to be hunting party to snack on before the fight. She knew at some point she would need to start being a productive party member and bring her own supplies soon enough, but she still needed to get the hang of potion brewing. "At this rate you should open a food truck. Wagon? Something like that." she gave Freyd a friendly jab in the arm, "Nice to see you again old friend. Keeping out of trouble?"

Kat sat down and began munching on the food he had shared.

----

Katoka consumes:

T4 Katoka | HP: 720/720 | EN: 106/106 | DMG: 28 | MIT: 38 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 6 | BH: 31 | AA | BLGT: 32 | P.V.O | REC: 3 | STK: 40
T3 Katoka | HP: 710/710 | EN: 101/101 | DMG: 25 | MIT: 36 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 6 | BH: 31 | AA | BLGT: 24 | P.V.O | REC: 3 | STK: 30
T2 Katoka | HP: 700/700 | EN: 96/96 | DMG: 22 | MIT: 34 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 6 | BH: 31 | AA | BLGT: 16 | P.V.O | REC: 2 | STK: 20
T1 Katoka | HP: 690/690 | EN: 91/91 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 32 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 6 | BH: 31 | AA | BLGT: 8 | P.V.O | REC: 1 | STK: 10

Spoiler

Katoka, The Cerulean Storm
Level: 32
Paragon Level: 12
HP: 720/720
EN: 106/106

Stats:
Damage: 23+2+3=28
Mitigation: 78-40=38
Evasion: 1
Accuracy: 4+2=6
Battle Healing: 31
AA
BLGT: 32
P.V.O
REC: 3
STK: 40

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: Raijin's Corruption (T4/Demonic/Katana) | Abs.Acc, Blight, Para.Ven (off), Static
Armor: Oni Haori (T4/Demonic/Light Armor) | MIT 2, REC 2
Misc: Black Zephyr’s Zeal (T3/Perfect/Trinket) | ACC 2, REC 1

Custom Skill:

Skills:
Battle Healing R4
Katana R5
Light Armor R5
Energist

Active Mods:
Meticulous
Vengeful Riposte

Inactive Mods:

Addons:
Ferocity
Stamina
Resolve
Precision

Active Extra Skills:
Survival
Concentration
Parry
Forgotten King’s Authority

Inactive Extra Skills:

Battle Ready Inventory:
Teleportation Crystal x5
Starter Healing Potion x3

Housing Buffs:
Rested: -1 energy cost for the first two expenditures of each combat
Clean: The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 20% (rounded down)
Filling: Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot.
Relaxed: Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
Col Stash: +5% bonus col from monster kills and treasure chests
Basic Training: +5% Exp to a thread. Limit one use per month [0/1]

Guild Hall Buffs:
Lucrative: Reduce LD needed for Salvage by 5 (10+ for Alchemist crystals, 6+ for everything else). +2 EXP per craft. Rank 9 crafters receive +1 crafting attempt per day. Rank 10 crafters receive +2 crafting attempts per day.
Col Deposit: +5% bonus col from last-hit monster kills and +10% bonus col from treasure chests.

Scents of the Wild:

Wedding Ring:

Edited July 29, 2023 by Katoka

Freyd · July 29, 2023

"Morning, Morning," Freyd responded, not skipping a beat. "Thanks for being quick to gather. We all want to get to the raid, and there's a narrow window of time to gather a few last items before the clock does whatever crazy elemental nonsense Cardinal has in store for us. I figured that we could all benefit from a bit of practice working together better and coordinating our efforts. Floor bosses aren't known to be especially forgiving to dissention in front line ranks."

Apparently, that was it for his pep speech. Having handed out the day's goodies and ensured that everyone was reasonably prepared, Freyd led them out into the wilds, away from Aruyt. The forest was dense but hardly seemed to phase him as he closed in on their prey, pausing only occasionally to gaze into his own shadow. "I've beaten this mob before, albeit an older version. Tracking will make it faster and easier for us to do what needs doing. The spyglass will also help." Holding up a fist to call a momentary halt and silence, Freyd pointed two fingers to their left implying a flanking attack.

The quarry was a scout of some sort, traveling light and crouched down in search of his own goals, blissfully unaware of his own approaching doom. Something small and dark darted from Freyd's direction in the woods, running up the elf's backside and scaring a substantial fart out of his backside. Persi - Freyd's shadowy and mischievous familiar - was up to her old tricks, drawing the scout's attention to her just as Freyd fell out of the tree canopy to clock the man on the back of the head with his fist. Something cracked. The man's helmet, it seemed, which slipped forward to cover his eyes for a moment. The Whisper rolled clear to give his companions a line of advance, ready in a crouch to pounce back into action if required.

***

Spoiler

Post Action | TECH-D (x12, 12 EN, SHATTER): 12 EN - (Rested 2/2; Stamina) = 9 EN.
Free Action | None

ID #214281 | BD:3+7=10 (hit). DMG (12*20=240-10=230) to Dark Elf

T1 - Freyd | HP: 1110/1110 | EN: 114/123 (123-9) | DMG: 20 | MIT: 42 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 7 | BH: 62 | LD: 8 | FLN: 4 | HLY: 4 | REC: 2
T1 - Nari-Lanreth | HP: 830/830 | EN: 100/100 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 17 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 32 | B.Healing [+47] | LD: 5 | Static: 10/6
T1 - Morningstar | HP: 675/675 | EN: 89/89 | DMG: 16 | ACC: 6 | MIT: 28 | LD: 5 | BLD: 12 | PAR: 1 | Stealth Rating: -5 | EN Cost: +1 (+0 on first 2 turns)
T1 - Katoka | HP: 690/690 | EN: 91/91 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 32 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 6 | BH: 31 | AA | BLGT: 8 | P.V.O | REC: 1 | STK: 10

(2,0,0,0) Dark Elf: HP: 170/400 | MIT: 30 (-20) | DMG: 30 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 0 | Shatter (1/3) (400-230)

Abilities:

Elf’s Wit | On LD 15+, the Dark Elf will attack the target with the lowest hate instead.
Parry | On CD 6+, Dark Elf will prepare to parry the next attack, taking 50% less damage (rounded down).
Weapon Lock | Only Sword Arts of Rank 3 or lower may be used against this boss.
Tier Lock | For the duration of the fight, all of the participants’ stats that scale with Tier are calculated as though they’re Tier 1. [DMG/MIT/BLEED enhancements etc.]

Edited July 29, 2023 by Freyd

Nari-Lanreth · July 29, 2023

Introductions were conducted rather quickly, with most of the group knowing one another. Nari gave a slight nod to Morningstar as the man showed up, waving briefly but otherwise remaining silent. A blonde woman, one that Nari vaguely remembered from the raid meeting, had shown up as well. She gave the newcomer a small glance before turning her attention back to Freyd, listening as the man explained their purpose here today, if ever quickly and impatiently. She gave a quick glance at the mention of a spyglass and tracking skill - making a mental note to keep the trick in mind in the future - before following their pseudo-leader called for silence.

Nari watched as the man leapt from the branch he'd been on, dropping to the ground and striking the Elfen figure, before rolling out of the way. A quick look towards Morningstar and the other woman, and Nari had moved out into the field - her scythe twirling behind her as she slipped over the grass. A quick movement had placed her in front of the Dark Elf, the blade behind her beginning to glow a soft violet colour as the flames licked out at the air, the sword art already burning along the weapon's sharp edge. "Return to that from which you came, and find peace..."

It was over in a matter of seconds, the entire conflict lasting no more than mere seconds from the moment Freyd had dropped onto the poor Elf. Nari cocked her head, glancing down at the notification that had appeared in front of her at the Elf's demise. "Well, that was...easy..."

Combat
T1 - Freyd | HP: 1110/1110 | EN: 114/123 | DMG: 20 | MIT: 42 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 7 | BH: 62 | LD: 8 | FLN: 4 | HLY: 4 | REC: 2
T1 - Nari-Lanreth | HP: 830/830 | EN: 86/100 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 17 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 32 | B.Healing [+47] | LD: 5 | Static: 10/6 | -14 EN
T1 - Morningstar | HP: 675/675 | EN: 89/89 | DMG: 16 | ACC: 6 | MIT: 28 | LD: 5 | BLD: 12 | PAR: 1 | Stealth Rating: -5 | EN Cost: +1 (+0 on first 2 turns)
T1 - Katoka | HP: 690/690 | EN: 91/91 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 32 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 6 | BH: 31 | AA | BLGT: 8 | P.V.O | REC: 1 | STK: 10

~~(2,1,0,0) Dark Elf: HP: 0/400 | MIT: 10 | DMG: 30 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 0 | Shatter (1/3) -276 HP~~

Elf’s Wit | On LD 15+, the Dark Elf will attack the target with the lowest hate instead.

Parry | On CD 6+, Dark Elf will prepare to parry the next attack, taking 50% less damage (rounded down).

Weapon Lock | Only Sword Arts of Rank 3 or lower may be used against this boss.

Tier Lock | For the duration of the fight, all of the participants’ stats that scale with Tier are calculated as though they’re Tier 1. [DMG/MIT/BLEED enhancements etc.]

ID204637 | BD: 5+5 = 10 | <<Tech-G vs. Dark Elf>> | Hit: 17 x 16 + 14 - 10 = 276 damage

Freyd · July 29, 2023

"Well, that was...easy..."

"Yes it was, and as it should be. Anyone who tells you we should give the mobs a fair fight is lying to you, or an idiot. You don't win wars by playing fair. We take every advantage at our disposal and use it to our benefit, or we die." Blunt, but that was the theme of any raid season. "Apologies for the brisk pace, but we haven't much time if we want these to be useful. Consumables tend to go wonky in a leadup to a raid and sometimes lose their potency if you don't catch them at the right moment. It's almost like Cardinal sets a limit on when they can be gathered. Go beyond it and anything you collect goes dormant for a while." Freyd just shrugged his shoulders beyond that point, having no further insights into the oddities of the system's mechanics.

Rushing everyone back to Aruyt, he practically ran through the portal yelling out "Yōgan village." It felt particularly odd to be outpacing all the humanoid hares in town. Somewhere, a city full of turtles was likely celebrating and cheering them on. As soon as all were gathered there, he called on Katoka, telling her to "Do the thing" while making stretching-like telescoping gestures with his fingers.

***

Freyd uses Tracking to locate Pheonix (floor 9 Field boss) - Can now be found on post 16.

[@Katoka Please use spyglass to reduce the cooldown to post 11.]

Morningstar · July 29, 2023

The Dark Elf fell as abruptly as the fight had started, with Nari taking up Freyd's flank and landing a killing blow. It was a quick and easy field boss, as expected. The party leader hurried through his monologue as they rushed back to town. Their next goal was Floor Nine's field boss, the Phoenix. Morningstar had been meaning to spend some time grinding the Phoenix since the item it dropped was so useful to a DPS player like himself. It was always so far out of the way; he was never on the Ninth.

Suddenly, he was in Yōgan Village, a place he was not fond of. It was too hot, even more so than Fortaleza on the Fourth. The outskirts of the village were no better, with golems and elementals loitering in the flatlands that made up so much of the floor.

"Dark Elf, Phoenix, and then? Any others you three have on your lists?" Morningstar asked, curious about the plan going forward. "The Wasp Queen on Floor Two has a decent drop, I've heard. Floor Eight's got the Ashen One, as well."

Katoka · July 30, 2023

It had a been a bot disappointing to Katoka that she didn't get a chance to really fight the elven man. It shouldn't have made her surprised that Nari was strong, all of the players in her hunting party were frontliners. The samurai would just have to be quicker on the draw, even though that was her specialty. Following the group from the teleport gate to floor 9, Kat was surprised by the drastic change in temperature of this floor. It took her a few seconds to adjust herself before she noticed Freyd gesturing at her to use the spyglass he had brought along.

Opening her inventory she quickly pulled it out and began searching around the area for their target. "What am I looking for again? A phoenix right?" she asked looking about, leaning forward as if that would help the creature appear in view faster. "So Morningstar, I saw Nari use a scythe but what's your weapon of choice? You a tank? DPS?" she asked in an attempt to make small talk.

----

Katoka uses Spyglass to locate Field boss - Can now be found on post 11

Morningstar · July 30, 2023

Morningstar shuffled alongside Katoka. "A phoenix, yeah."

It seemed like she was around his level, which was uncommon. The players he encountered were usually leagues higher or way below him. His weapon materialized at his waist. It was a sword, glistening gold, called Meteor. "Two-handed straight sword," he smiled, "I'm a DPS—at least, I'm trying to be."

"What about you?" Morningstar asked.

Eyeing up her equipment, he assumed the same of her. He recalled her presence in the raid meeting but, like many others in the large crowd, nothing about her particularly stood out. They were supposed to be on the same team, he thought he remembered, under Freyd's command.

The Phoenix came into view rather quickly. Its infernal, winged form took up much more space than he had expected but he had a strong feeling that the fight would, once again, be over in an instant. He looked to his group, curious to see who would be the first to approach.

Freyd · July 30, 2023

The bird's flight could be a problem and had to be neutralized. Reaching into his cowl, Freyd pulled out a long, slender form of black shadow with twin azure orbs for eyes. The beast seemed startled and displeased at having its slumber disturbed by such a lumbering lummox, but was never given a chance to protest. With a running start and leap, Freyd spun mid-air and whipped his familiar at the Pheonix, both beasts being completely caught off guard by the unusual familiar. Persi reacted first, choosing to take out her frustrations on the first thing in her path. Moments later, the dazed and crumple bird came crashing to the ground, its glorious majesty undone by the unorthodox tactic. Freyd began his own run the instant that Persi was launched and came crashing down on the flaming peacock before it had barely raised its addled head. The resulting crash cratered everything within ten feet, eliciting a painful squawk from the Phoenix as he tumbled on and yanked out a few tail feathers for good measure.

***

Spoiler

Post Action | TECH-D (x12, 12 EN, SHATTER): 12 EN - (Rested 2/2; Stamina) = 9 EN.
Free Action | Grappling Familiar (CD 0/5)
Reactive Free Action | Crystal of Divine Light

ID #214448 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Holy +12, autohit from Tracking). DMG (12*36=468-30=438) damage. Pheonix is stunned by familiar. (CD 3 | ST-B Locked)

Freyd will take double damage until his next turn.

T2 - Freyd | HP: 1120/1120 | EN: 138/138 | DMG: 23 | MIT: 54 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 7 | BH: 62 | LD: 8 | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | REC: 4
T2 - Nari-Lanreth | HP: 840/840 | EN: 100/100 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 44 | B.Healing [+47] | LD: 5 | Static: 20/12
T2 - Morningstar | HP: 700/700 | EN: 94/94 | DMG: 19 | ACC: 6 | MIT: 46 | LD: 5 | BLD: 24 | PAR: 1 | Stealth Rating: -5 | EN Cost: +1 (+0 on first 2 turns)
T2 - Katoka | HP: 700/700 | EN: 96/96 | DMG: 22 | MIT: 34 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 6 | BH: 31 | AA | BLGT: 16 | P.V.O | REC: 2 | STK: 20

(3,0,0,0) Pheonix: HP: 535/975 | MIT: 50 (-20, 1/3) | DMG: 90 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 (0) | Stunned. (975-438)

Abilities:

Ashborn | Upon dropping to 0 HP, the Phoenix’ health will go back to 225, and its DMG will be boosted to 110. This can only happen once per battle.
Inferno| On an MD 9-10, the Phoenix will rain fire onto its opponents, hitting the Player with the highest hate for 150 mitigatable DMG and applying T2 Burn to the entire party.
Tier Lock | For the duration of the fight, all of the participants’ stats that scale with Tier are calculated as though they’re Tier 2. [DMG/MIT/BLEED enhancements etc.] This skill only locks downward. Those at Tier 1 will still have T1 stats.

Edited July 30, 2023 by Freyd

Morningstar · July 30, 2023

Freyd moved first, thinking quickly and using his familiar, Persi, to disorient the flaming bird. Morningstar followed up, blade raised high. He praised the man for his battle awareness, although only in his head. In a quick bolt, he dashed toward the Phoenix, bashing its limp body with his heavy straight sword. Already crippled from Freyd's attack, its health bar dropped further. Morningstar watched as it fell into the red zone; a single attack should have been enough to finish the job. Allowing his team to swoop in and take the last hit, he backed up a few steps.

He was curious to see Katoka in action. She was the sole member of the party left who had yet to fight, not that he minded. "Go for it," he called out, "it'll heal up the moment it's killed for a 'phase two' of sorts."

"Shouldn't be any more difficult, though," he added.

Spoiler

Post Action | Charge + TECH-D vs Phoenix
Free Action | None

ID214453 | BD: 2+6-1=7 | (19+3)*16 = 352-30 = 322 DMG

T2 - Freyd | HP: 1120/1120 | EN: 138/138 | DMG: 23 | MIT: 54 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 7 | BH: 62 | LD: 8 | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | REC: 4
T2 - Nari-Lanreth | HP: 840/840 | EN: 100/100 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 44 | B.Healing [+47] | LD: 5 | Static: 20/12
T2 - Morningstar | HP: 700/700 | EN: 74/94 | DMG: 19 | ACC: 6 | MIT: 46 | LD: 5 | BLD: 24 | PAR: 1 | Stealth Rating: -5 | EN Cost: +1 (+0 on first 2 turns)
T2 - Katoka | HP: 700/700 | EN: 96/96 | DMG: 22 | MIT: 34 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 6 | BH: 31 | AA | BLGT: 16 | P.V.O | REC: 2 | STK: 20

(3,0,0,0) Pheonix: HP: 213/975 | MIT: 30 (-40, 2/3) | DMG: 90 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 (0) | Stunned. (535-322)

Abilities:

Ashborn | Upon dropping to 0 HP, the Phoenix’ health will go back to 225, and its DMG will be boosted to 110. This can only happen once per battle.
Inferno| On an MD 9-10, the Phoenix will rain fire onto its opponents, hitting the Player with the highest hate for 150 mitigatable DMG and applying T2 Burn to the entire party.
Tier Lock | For the duration of the fight, all of the participants’ stats that scale with Tier are calculated as though they’re Tier 2. [DMG/MIT/BLEED enhancements etc.] This skill only locks downward. Those at Tier 1 will still have T1 stats.

Edited July 30, 2023 by Morningstar

Nari-Lanreth · July 30, 2023

They'd rushed through the floor, back into Aruyt, and onto another - a faster dash than Nari had been expecting, and she found herself wondering if she'd joined a party of windwalkers, rather than players. She remained silent as their conversation turned comparative, knowing that she had nothing of worth to add. The blonde had briefly mentioned her name, noting her weapon of a choice. Nari had reflexively swung the scythe behind herself, into a ready position, but had otherwise remained aloof to the conversation - her eyes peeled for the phoenix they were chasing down.

She wasn't entirely sure who had noticed it first, but Freyd was once more the lead in striking their target. Nari watched the man rush forwards, engaging the phoenix in an attempt to push it towards the ground, and providing an opening for those who followed. Morningstar rushed in after Freyd, providing another solid blow before Nari could make her own attack on the creature. She glanced at the blonde as Morningstar called out to them, edging Katoka on to engage next. Instead, Nari stepped forward, calling back to Katoka as she went. "You finish it off...if it recovers after this strike, you should be the final blow."

Combat
T2 - Freyd | | HP: 1120/1120 | EN: 129/138 | DMG: 23 | MIT: 54 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 7 | BH: 62 | LD: 8 | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | REC: 4
T2 - Nari-Lanreth | HP: 840/840 | EN: 86/100 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 44 | B.Healing [+47] | LD: 5 | Static: 20/12
T2 - Morningstar Morningstar | HP: 700/700 | EN: 74/94 | DMG: 19 | ACC: 6 | MIT: 46 | LD: 5 | BLD: 24 | PAR: 1 | Stealth Rating: -5 | EN Cost: +1 (+0 on first 2 turns)
T2 - Katoka | HP: 700/700 | EN: 96/96 | DMG: 22 | MIT: 34 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 6 | BH: 31 | AA | BLGT: 16 | P.V.O | REC: 2 | STK: 20

(3,0,1,0) Phoenix | HP: 0/975 | MIT: 0 | DMG: 90 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 (0) | Stunned | Shatter [-60 MIT; 1/3]

Ashborn | Upon dropping to 0 HP, the Phoenix’ health will go back to 225, and its DMG will be boosted to 110. This can only happen once per battle.

Inferno| On an MD 9-10, the Phoenix will rain fire onto its opponents, hitting the Player with the highest hate for 150 mitigatable DMG and applying T2 Burn to the entire party.

Tier Lock | For the duration of the fight, all of the participants’ stats that scale with Tier are calculated as though they’re Tier 2. [DMG/MIT/BLEED enhancements etc.]

ID214462 | BD: 2+5 = 7 | <<Tech-D vs. Phoenix>> | Hit: 20 x 16 = 320 damage

Phoenix's Ashborn ability takes effect.

(3,0,1,0) Phoenix | HP: 225/975 | MIT: 0 | DMG: 110 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 (0) | Stunned | Shatter [-60 MIT; 1/3]

Katoka · July 31, 2023

Katoka watched her party members as they bombarded the flaming bird boss with attack after attack, pulverizing it into a crippled broken heap on the ground. She was a bit disappointed that she hadn't managed to get a hit in before there was a burst of fire from it's body instead of the normal shattering animation that she was used to. The creature was reduced to a pile of ashes instead, "Uhhh, well then." she said as she stared at the pile.

"You finish it off...if it recovers after this strike, you should be the final blow."

The samurai looked confused but before she could speak there was another burst of flame as the creature sprang forth from the ashes. "Ah! Right, they do stuff like that don't they?" she yelled as she almost lost her balance for a moment. She made eye contact with Freyd and gave him a wild grin, "What about me?" she finally replied to Morningstar, turning to meet his eyes, "I fuck shit up."

With that she crouched down and felt her weapon begin to hum in it's sheath, placing a hand on the hilt she drew it ever so slightly so that the light of her charging sword art illuminated the area. Electricity began to arc around her, snapping and cracking like an angry viper. In an instant she was gone, appearing a half second later on the other side of the large bird with her sword drawn and a large wound dripping a black substance on it's chest. A bolt of lightning crashed down onto the phoenix as if it was a lightning rod, frying the bird to a crisp. The field boss fell once again to the ground, shattering into thousands of glass like fractals before them.

The samurai, dubbed the Cerulean Storm by her guild members, turned to her party members. She swung her katana up to rid it of any remaining blood left by her prey before she returned it to it's home at her side.

"This was supposed to be a boss right?"

----

Post Action | ST-I (x12, 12 EN): 12 EN - (Rested 2/2; Stamina) = 9 EN.
Free Action | N/A

ID# 214469 | BD: 10 CRITICAL HIT! | DMG: (12*22+2) 266 dmg to Phoenix | Static Proc | Blight Proc

T2 - Freyd | | HP: 1120/1120 | EN: 129/138 | DMG: 23 | MIT: 54 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 7 | BH: 62 | LD: 8 | FLN: 8 | HLY: 8 | REC: 4
T2 - Nari-Lanreth | HP: 840/840 | EN: 86/100 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 44 | B.Healing [+47] | LD: 5 | Static: 20/12
T2 - Morningstar Morningstar | HP: 700/700 | EN: 74/94 | DMG: 19 | ACC: 6 | MIT: 46 | LD: 5 | BLD: 24 | PAR: 1 | Stealth Rating: -5 | EN Cost: +1 (+0 on first 2 turns)
T2 - Katoka | HP: 700/700 | EN: 87/96 | DMG: 22 | MIT: 34 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 6 | BH: 31 | AA | BLGT: 16 | P.V.O | REC: 2 | STK: 20

~~(3,0,1,2) Phoenix | HP: 225/975 | MIT: 0 | DMG: 110 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 (0) | Stunned | Shatter [-60 MIT; 1/3] (225-266)~~

Ashborn | Upon dropping to 0 HP, the Phoenix’ health will go back to 225, and its DMG will be boosted to 110. This can only happen once per battle.
Inferno| On an MD 9-10, the Phoenix will rain fire onto its opponents, hitting the Player with the highest hate for 150 mitigatable DMG and applying T2 Burn to the entire party.
Tier Lock | For the duration of the fight, all of the participants’ stats that scale with Tier are calculated as though they’re Tier 2. [DMG/MIT/BLEED enhancements etc.]

Edited July 31, 2023 by Katoka

Freyd · July 31, 2023

Watching as the others coordinated their efforts, Freyd permitted himself a small but satisfied grin. Working together, they made swift work of the flaming bird, each sliding in effective and progressive strikes to take it down as fast as possible. The ever-satisfying ping of their sought-after prizes having been delivered was all that had been missing. Once collected, he permitted himself a glance at his interface. "Not much time left to get ready for the raid. We should make our way back to town and make our way topside."

A nod and sidestep towards @Nari-Lanreth was meant to glean her attention. "I've been busy gathering what I can for myself, with extras to spare. If you need a King's Core, Terra Firma Scale or Darkness Salve, let me know. I'm not sure what your plan or strategy is for tanking, but would rather see everyone pull out of this alive." The offer was genuine, and though his interactions were often transactional, Freyd saw player survival as within his spectrum of interests. In short: this was a sound investment.

Nari-Lanreth · July 31, 2023

The fight had finished almost spectacularly as Katoka had rushed forwards to deliver the final blow. Nari couldn't help but grin at the woman's confusion, questioning whether they had been facing an actual difficult opponent, or not. She shook her head, remembering the days when she would've had issue with the creature. "Believe it or not, Katoka, yes. That was a field boss...You've just grown beyond it."

She glanced over at Freyd as the man approached Nari, bringing up the topic of the coming boss fight. His offer of the pieces caused her to bite her lip, her mind considering it for a brief second. She pulled up her own menu, flipping through her inventory before answering the man. "The terra firma scale I have one of...but the King's Core and Darkness Salve may be beneficial...but, I'll be owing you something for it. In this world...I can't take things freely."

She paused long enough to glance towards the city they had come from, her eyes shifting slightly as she thought. "If you're unwilling to take payment for it, then I'll have to figure out another way to repay you - so name your price, and if it's in my capabilities, consider it promised."

Freyd · July 31, 2023

"Let's call it an investment for mutual benefit and a favor owed. Live through the raid and I'll be happy to claim something suitably scaled in the future. I'm sure to need the assistance of a tank or otherwise 'warm body' for something-or-other at some point down the road. You'd always have right of refusal, or course." With a nod as good as a handshake, and the matter considered settled, Freyd guided them back to the settlement where the yawning portal awaited their departure. Katoka got an elbow to the ribs for her efforts and to echo Nari's assessment. She had come a very long way since they first met and it was nice to see her growing into that power. Captain of the Assault division, indeed.

"We're unlikely to have time for anything else before the raid," he added, bluntly. Things were about to get real and Freyd never sugar-coated when it came to lethal risks. Everyone had to know what they were facing. "Assuming that we all make it through whatever's coming, feel free to call on my whenever you have need. It's good to see good, solid players joining the front lines."

Katoka · July 31, 2023

"You've just grown beyond it."

That gave Katoka a great sense of pride. It just felt like yesterday that she was too afraid to leave the town of beginnings, her fear so grand that it became all of what she was. Now here she was, the captain of the assault division of her guild and able to dispatch a field boss with what felt like very little effort. As she followed Freyd and the others back into town along the road, she thought about the road she had taken so far. Her mind wondered back to the first quest she had taken from the old man in a shop, her first time in the desert with Freyd, when she first asked Sam to go on a date with her. Despite being trapped inside a virtual prison while her body in the real world wasted away, Katoka never felt more strong than she had today. She had friends, comrades in arms, and a lover; these were the people she was proud to call family.

"Thank you all for coming along today. I have a better idea of how this future fight will go now and I look forward to fighting alongside you." she placed her left hand on the hilt of her sword as she bowed.

Morningstar · July 31, 2023

"And, of course, same to you," He told Freyd, in reference to his comment about calling on him.

It was nice to work with others for once. Morningstar was always trekking through things alone. It felt easier; there was nobody else at risk if he fought by himself. However, the comfort and safety he felt amongst the group was unmatched. He prayed that the three of them made it through the raid.

He prayed that he did as well.

"Good to meet you, Katoka," Morningstar said. Turning to the group, he smiled, "I've got a few more things to deal with before the boss fight. I'll see you all there."

His body disappeared at the crack of his teleport crystal and after a bit of of a hike through the forests of Floor Eight, he was back in his shop, standing over a workbench. A collection of straight-swords and armor sets lined the room, alongside some potions and trinkets. He sat down, clicked on his music, and got to work.

Freyd · July 31, 2023

The companions parted as haphazardly as they had been called together, each bound for whatever pre-raid rituals they required for themselves. Freyd, being the last to linger, found himself staring at the mundane coming and going of daily life in Yogan. Another child, like the one that squealed and ran from him earlier in the day passed by again, oblivious to his presence. To much of her lifetime had passed since then for her to recall his presence. 'Shouldn't that same logic apply to all mobs,' he wondered, thinking that it would go a long way towards explaining why some seemed so two-dimensional. Persi shifted underneath his shift, shifting her shadowy form to a different spot. He had no idea what guided her preferences, and it didn't matter as long as she wasn't trying to bite.

Above them, the sun made its final foray through the skies, same as it was doing on every floor - at least wherever there was one. "Tick tock, tick tock," Freyd muttered to himself. "Time is almost up. We'd better hope we're all as prepared as we need to be, or this is going to get ugly." Sparing a moment longer to watch the shadows sway beneath the canopy, he found himself chuckling. "Who am I kidding? It's going to be exactly the same thing as last time, just dolled up a bit."

***

Thread Closing:

Freyd receives:

3737 EXP (Word Count [4530/10*15*0.5] + T1 FB [100] + T2 FB [240])
660 col (1/4 page [100] + 15% P5 Reward [560])
1x “Elven Armor Salve" (T1/Consumable/Re-usable); Once applied to the user’s armor, all attacks they perform will generate +1 hate. Does not stack with Fighting Spirit. [Misses generate 1 hate, hits 2 hate, and crits 3 hate.]
1x “Hellstorm" (T2/Consumable/Single Use); Apply 20*Player's Tier DMG to every attack (as Phase damage) for a single thread.

Nari receives:

2378 EXP (Word Count [4530/10*9*0.5] + T1 FB [100] + T2 FB [240])
456 col (1/4 page [100] + 15% P5 Reward [356])
1x “Elven Armor Salve" (T1/Consumable/Re-usable); Once applied to the user’s armor, all attacks they perform will generate +1 hate. Does not stack with Fighting Spirit. [Misses generate 1 hate, hits 2 hate, and crits 3 hate.]
1x “Hellstorm" (T2/Consumable/Single Use); Apply 20*Player's Tier DMG to every attack (as Phase damage) for a single thread.

Morningstar receives:

2148 EXP (Word Count [4530/10*4*0.5] + T1 FB [100] + T2 FB [240] + Yui [4*200] +5% Basic Training)
422 col (1/4 page [100] + 15% P5 Reward [322])
1x “Elven Armor Salve" (T1/Consumable/Re-usable); Once applied to the user’s armor, all attacks they perform will generate +1 hate. Does not stack with Fighting Spirit. [Misses generate 1 hate, hits 2 hate, and crits 3 hate.]
1x “Hellstorm" (T2/Consumable/Single Use); Apply 20*Player's Tier DMG to every attack (as Phase damage) for a single thread.

Katoka receives:

1472 EXP (Word Count [4530/10*5*0.5] + T1 FB [100] + T2 FB [240])
320 col (1/4 page [100] + 15% P5 Reward [220])
1x “Elven Armor Salve" (T1/Consumable/Re-usable); Once applied to the user’s armor, all attacks they perform will generate +1 hate. Does not stack with Fighting Spirit. [Misses generate 1 hate, hits 2 hate, and crits 3 hate.]
1x “Hellstorm" (T2/Consumable/Single Use); Apply 20*Player's Tier DMG to every attack (as Phase damage) for a single thread.

Edited July 31, 2023 by Freyd

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