[PT-SP-F29] Knights in the Underbelly

Freyd · June 30

Unexpected, not to mention unwelcomed. Staring into the depths of a familiar portal, Freyd had not expected it to be capable of opening on twenty nine. Yet, here it was. Nemo's realm. A dungeon full of plentiful delight and dangers alike, players had been plumbing its nature's infinite treasure since the earliest days. It had changed, over time, and floated between all of Aincrad's know floors, but it presence here and now disturbed more than comforted.

"If the Spectral Knights spread into this domain, the could potentially gain access to every floor in the castle." He'd never considered how back channel access might be possible from the nomadic dungeon, vowing to explore the underlying potential at a later date, and also when less completely soaking wet.

"Should we come with you?" Foyle. Steady and stalwart as always. It made sense for him to offer.

"No. You're needed here. Rally those you can. Shuttle the wounded and worn back to Ilridge for rest. Recovery is a luxury, teetering on becoming necessity."

The old scout nodded, hands grasped to each other in silent salute. It was his way.

"I'll come back as soon as I can shut down the doorway, and be assured that nothing has infested the place."

***

Note: CS (Shades of the Gemini) and CSA (Beckon the Void) are in use. If any other player objects to these, please state in first post and it will be considered inactive.

GUILD RANK 5 (+5% col, +5% EXP)

Freyd Consumes:

Freyd | HP: 1320/1320 | EN: 168/168 | DMG: 37 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 8 (incl AA) | EVA:1 | LD:25 | PROSP:16 | QTY: 8

Spoiler

Name: Freyd, Bara no kuro kishi True Tier: 19
Level: 34
Paragon Level: 156
HP: 1320/1320
EN: 168/168

Stats:
Damage: 25+12
Mitigation: 0
Accuracy: 7+AA
Evasion: 1
Loot Die: 13+12
Prosperity: 12+2+2
QTY: 2+6

Combat Mastery:
- Combat Mastery: Damage R3

Combat Shift:
- AOE Shift

Skills:
- Energist
- Katana R5
- Searching R4
- Unhindered
- Biting x6 (Specialties; 120 SP)
- Keen Sight x6 (Specialties; 30 SP)
- Discerning x6 (Specialties; 60 SP)

Extra Skills:
- Disguise
- Survival
- Meditation
- Forgotten King's Authority

Inactive Extra Skills:
- Lady Luck
- Photosynthesize
- Brawler
- Assault Mode
- Frozen Hide

Addons:
- Focus
- Precision
- Stamina

Mods:

Inactive Mods:

Battle Ready Inventory:
- Bear Trap (Reusable 1/combat) x1
- Bear Trap (Reusable 1/combat) x1
- Crystal of Divine Light (Reusable 1/thread) x1
- Mass HP Rec [Inst] (+10% HP) x7
- Meathook (Reusable 1/combat) x1
- Ordsea Crystal-B (Reusable 1/combat) x1
- Ordsea Crystal-B (Reusable 1/combat) x1
- Rhino's Horn (Reusable 1/combat) x1
- Teleport Crystals x1
- Veritas | T4 Katana) | AA, PVO I, VO I, Taunt x7

Housing Buffs:
- Bedroom: -1 energy cost for the first two expenditures of each combat
- Bathroom: The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 20% (rounded down)
- Basic Kitchen: 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.
- Storage Closet: +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot
- Living Room: Increases out of combatHP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
- Attic (Bedroom): +1 Expertise to declared utility skill. Cannot boost a skill without ranks, or increase a skill past its maximum rank. Cannot boost a skill the user has not learned yet. Ranks obtained using this buff will make the mods of that rank available for purchase. Mods obtained this way are unusable if this buff is removed until the skill is returned to the appropriate rank by way of SP purchase.
- Basement: Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll
- Guest Room: Players can have one «Amenity» in a «Guest Room» and the «Amenity» cannot be recovered. Players are allowed to change which «Amenity» is in the «Guest Room». Multiple instances of the same «Amenity» do not stack. This buff affects the player and their choice of up to two party members.
- Extended Workshop: +2 Crafting EXP per crafting attempt and +1 crafting attempt per day
- Ornate Fishing Pond: +2 Fishing EXP per Attempt and additional +1 LD & CD to fishing attempts.
- Dining Hall: Turn 3 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Feast. A Feast contains 6 portions of the food items sacrificed. Feasts created this way cannot be used outside of the thread they are created. Limit 1 item created per thread.
- Mega Slime Farm: +10% 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.

Guild Hall Buffs: [Firm Anima] -
- Guild Hall II: Allows a Guild the ability to create up to two Guild Quests. Narratively, it also allows players to teleport back to the Guild Territory when using Teleport Crystals.
- Storage Vault: Allows a guild to create a Storage Vault in their Guild Page. Members can use this thread to store and withdraw items. Any items that have trading restrictions cannot be moved to a Storage Vault.
- Trading Hall III: Reduce LD needed for Salvage by 5 (9+ for Alchemist crystals, 6+ for everything else). +2 EXP per craft. Rank 9 crafters and Rank 4 merchants/performers receive +1 crafting/identification attempt per day. Rank 10 crafters and Rank 5 merchants/performers receive +5 crafting/identification attempts per day. Appraisers gain an initial additional reroll per identified item at no cost.
- Treasury: +5% bonus col from last-hit monster kills and +10% bonus col from treasure chests.
- Laboratory I: Once per charge, when receiving single-use consumables from Quest Rewards, if a Guild Treasurer were to receive additional tokens, one guild member may claim 1 x (Additional Token / 2) copies of the consumable.
- Bureau II: Once per charge, if two or more Guild members are present in a thread, allow two dungeons to be spawned/explored in that thread, regardless of Dungeon-searching cooldowns. This buff may only apply once per thread.
- Library I: Once per charge, if a Storyteller is eligible to claim a Guild Token, their character gains +10% bonus EXP at the end of the thread. This buff may only apply once per thread.
- Armory II: Once per charge, players may submit a Skill Refund evaluation regardless of the 30 day cooldown window. In addition to Armory buffs, when submitting a Skill Refund evaluation, guild members have the option to pay an additional Token to refund up to 30 additional SP.
- Menagerie III: Guild members undertaking <<Feeding Your Enemy>> gain +1 LD to familiar searching rolls and +1 to familiar taming rolls. In addition to Menagerie II buffs, the maximum number of familiars guild members can tame narratively is five (5). Guild officials may also appoint a familiar mascot, shared between their guild members to accompany them narratively in their threads.

Scents of the Wild Totem:
- Yamata no Orochi
Wedding Ring:

Crafting Profession:
- Appraising[3478exp] R5
Gathering Profession:
- Fishing[576exp] R5

Looting Math (LD and CD bonuses always result in LD 25+, CD 9+, includes: +15% col bonuses for Treasury, Col Deposit and Guild Rank bonus; extra x1 and 1 mat from looting in Nature's Treasure; +1 mat per kill from Materialistic):

Round A: AoE-I

+6 materials, +12,765 col - (if CD/LD are both odd)
+4 materials, +14,041 col - (if CD/LD are one odd and one even)
+2 materials, +15,318 col - (If CD/LD are both even)
Each kill will always award 1 random dungeon map
Each kill will always award 1 Demonic Shard or 1 Gleaming Scale

Round B: AoE-II

+6 materials, +14,552 col - (if CD/LD are both odd)
+4 materials, +16,083 col - (if CD/LD are one odd and one even)
+2 materials, +17,615 col - (If CD/LD are both even)
Each kill will always award 1 random dungeon map
Each kill will always award 1 Demonic Shard or 1 Gleaming Scale

Edited July 7 by Freyd

Freyd · June 30

Peaceful and pastoral as ever, Freyd found no immediate source of trouble. Too easy.

"Montjoy?"

Nothing. If they're here, I cannot sense them. But something stirs here nonetheless.

A grimace in mild irritation. Not exactly useful as tactical analysis went, but hardly surprising. Scanning the wide sweeping valley, Freyd found nothing immediately out of place, save the dearth of players normally pilfering its plenty. Eyes narrowing in search of anomalies, the void had taught him to search for the importance of absence.

"No gilded hands. No critters. No fishers or foragers. Only the bat-like breed of mobs normally patrolling the outskirts. Except now, they're everywhere. And nothing else is to be found." A sideward check saw his shadow nod. It was wrong. They traveled in packs, but their vigil was more sinister than before.

"Do they look shinier to your, or is it just my imagin.... aww fuck."

A the nearest pack turned in his direction, there was no doubt. They'd all be turned. Every last one of them.

***

Post Action | AoE-I (x15, 11 EN, +2 shift, +2/hit): 21 EN - (Rested 2/2; Stamina) = 18 EN.

Freyd | EN: 168/168 -18 = 140 (other stats are irrelevant)

BD: X+8(AA) = (can't miss). DMG (15*37=555, plus crits, so always dies)
Attack rolls: 246852, 246853, 246854, 246855

Knight of Gaia 1 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Knight of Gaia 2 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Knight of Gaia 3 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Knight of Gaia 4 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3

Loot Knight of Gaia 1: ID #246856 | LD: 9 | CD: 8 | +4 mats | +14041 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Knight of Gaia 2: ID #246857 | LD: 9 | CD: 6 | +4 mats | +14041 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Knight of Gaia 3: ID #246858 | LD: 10 | CD: 5 | +4 mats | +14041 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Knight of Gaia 4: ID #246859 | LD: 20 | CD: 5 | +4 mats | +14041 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale

Edited July 7 by Freyd

Freyd · July 3

Open melee is rarely a silent business, especially when there is little to nothing left to clutter the ambience with anything else. No sooner had Freyd waded into the first group - to be fair, they started it - than another cluster of knights fall upon him. Bigger... more... converted than the first batch. They were toughest, taller, the added reach of their limbs enhanced by the viciously lancing mirror shard shoots the fully evolved mobs had demonstrated to lethal effect.

"This place is crawling with these things. It's like whatever is behind this has been breeding in here, treating Nemo's domain as some sort of isolate incubator that could burst open and spill its borrowed soldiers anywhere it pleased."

Clever.

"Don't agree with me! I hate it when we both find this type of shit cool. That normally means very, very bad things, and we've all had more than our fair share of those lately."

***

Post Action | AoE-II (x18, 14 EN, +2 shift, +2/hit): 24 EN - (Rested 1/2; Stamina) = 21 EN.

Freyd | EN: 140/168 +4-21 = 113 (other stats are irrelevant)

BD: X+8(AA) = (can't miss). DMG (18*37=666, plus crits, so always dies)
Attack rolls: 246860, 246861, 246862, 246863

Elite Knight of Gaia 1 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Elite Knight of Gaia 2 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Elite Knight of Gaia 3 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Elite Knight of Gaia 4 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3

Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 1: ID #246864 | LD: 1 | CD: 6 | +4 mats | +16083 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 2: ID #246865 | LD: 6 | CD: 12 | +2 mats | +17615 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 3: ID #246866 | LD: 14 | CD: 1 | +4 mats | +16083 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 4: ID #246867 | LD: 6 | CD: 6 | +2 mats | +17615 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale

Edited July 8 by Freyd

Freyd · July 3

Fighting an entire floor full of mutating mobs hell bent on his destruction didn't seem like the best of ideas. Caverns full of creepy-crawly phasing death spiders seemed positively charming by comparison, and almost made him miss crawling about the Chittering Halls. Almost.

"Send word. Let the others know what we've found in here."

I can't talk. Welll. more like they all aren't very good at listening...

"Shut it, Montjoy! Improvise." Maybe a bit harsh, and tad too on the nose, but the sentiment was forcefully conveyed. His shadow stared at him a moment as if to add more. They both knew what he was asking. If Montjoy departed, Freyd's power to slip through shadow would weaken. Given the added constraints on dungeons and the unknown added effect of the proto-knights...

"I know," Freyd managed, grunting mid-swing between thrashing mobs. "This trumps other consideration. Understood? Good. Go."

Montjoy winked out of existence without another word.

***

Post Action | AoE-I (x15, 11 EN, +2 shift, +2/hit): 21 EN - (Stamina) = 19 EN.

Freyd | EN: 113/168 +4-19 = 98 (other stats are irrelevant)

BD: X+8(AA) = (can't miss). DMG (15*37=555, plus crits, so always dies)
Attack rolls: 246868, 246869, 246870, 246871

Knight of Gaia 5 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Knight of Gaia 6 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Knight of Gaia 7 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Knight of Gaia 8 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3

Loot Knight of Gaia 5: ID #246872 | LD: 14 | CD: 6 | +2 mats | +15318 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Knight of Gaia 6: ID #246873 | LD: 2 | CD: 6 | +2 mats | +15318 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Knight of Gaia 7: ID #246874 | LD: 3 | CD: 2 | +4 mats | +14041 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Knight of Gaia 8: ID #246875 | LD: 2 | CD: 3 | +4 mats | +14041 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale

Edited July 8 by Freyd

Freyd · July 3

"Well... I suppose I could kite them in circles? If Ren, Foyle and Jeeves made it work... worth a shot?" Carving an opening in the thinnest part of the advancing waves, Freyd surveyed and chose his path with care. Getting cornered with so many converging on his position would seal his death sentence. If he could funnel them into small, more manageable numbers, he might be able to hold them and pick his pinch points.

"Staying in any one spot too long will only worsen the odds." He'd need to pick his choke points and timing carefully. "Come on Freyd. You've done this a dozen, dozen times. What's another little grindfest between you and an army of close, personal murder hobos?"

Groaning at his own dark humour, he tromped his way to a nearby cluster of trees. Not exactly ideal, but they offered enough cover to keep the shooting shards manageable, at least for a time.

***

Post Action | AoE-II (x18, 14 EN, +2 shift, +2/hit): 24 EN - (Stamina) = 22 EN.

Freyd | EN: 98/168 +4-22 = 80 (other stats are irrelevant)

BD: X+8(AA) = (can't miss). DMG (18*37=666, plus crits, so always dies)
Attack rolls: 246876, 246877, 246878, 246879

Elite Knight of Gaia 5 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Elite Knight of Gaia 6 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Elite Knight of Gaia 7 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Elite Knight of Gaia 8 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3

Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 5: ID #246880 | LD: 11 | CD: 3 | +6 mats | +14552 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 6: ID #246881 | LD: 18 | CD: 1 | +4 mats | +16083 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 7: ID #246882 | LD: 4 | CD: 2 | +2 mats | +17615 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 8: ID #246883 | LD: 2 | CD: 3 | +4 mats | +16083 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale

Edited July 8 by Freyd

Freyd · July 3

Exploding tree back and tree branch shrapnel signaled time for a change, the Whisper cursing under his breath as he dodged the latest pack of mobs to breach his hold. The entire valley grumbled and groaned, as if the place were alive in the worst possible way, rousing itself to devour him by means of landscape if its minions failed.

"You know, Cardinal, you and I really need to have words someday." Convinced that the system had been his earliest nemesis, Freyd never fully shed the notion, Even if it were nothing more than Kayaba's computational engine, Freyd hated how much power it had over players, and the role it played in their imprisonment. Willing or not, its actions were evil. He conveniently ignored all the protections and advantages it also offered. More than a grudge, but less than vendetta, the two just seemed to glare at each other without eyes.

***

Post Action | AoE-I (x15, 11 EN, +2 shift, +2/hit): 21 EN - (Stamina) = 19 EN.

Freyd | EN: 80/168 +4-19 = 65 (other stats are irrelevant)

BD: X+8(AA) = (can't miss). DMG (15*37=555, plus crits, so always dies)
Attack rolls: 246884, 246885, 246886, 246887

Knight of Gaia 9 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Knight of Gaia 10 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Knight of Gaia 11 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Knight of Gaia 12 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3

Loot Knight of Gaia 9: ID #246888 | LD: 16 | CD: 1 | +4 mats | +14041 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Knight of Gaia 10: ID #246889 | LD: 9 | CD: 8 | +4 mats | +14041 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Knight of Gaia 11: ID #246890 | LD: 1 | CD: 6 | +6 mats | +12765 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Knight of Gaia 12: ID #246891 | LD: 15 | CD: 1 | +6 mats | +12765 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale

Edited July 8 by Freyd

Freyd · July 3

"Storm clouds? Here? This place is always a paradise." Thunder cracked, leaving no doubt that whatever malaise had swallowed Ilridge and its surroundings was also making its way here. "Just like in Glyndebourne. What the hell is going on this floor?"

Sliding out of reach just as another cohort of knights lanced the rockface beside him with their freaky spider fingers, things were slowly getting hairier. Fat rain droplets splattered against the soft fresh grass, sizzling and steaming wherever they touched, like the clouds were weeping acidic spite meant to do nothing more than spread ruin. Checking his clothes and armor, Freyd found them strangely unaffected, not that his gaggle of groupies were leaving him alone long enough to spend much time pondering.

"Is this how it began?"

As the sun faltered and faded to little more than a hazy orange blur beyond the clouds, the droplets darkened towards black, raising hackles at the eerie and disturbing similarity to something he'd see before. Orgoth's tained blood. Shadow's Flood.

"No..."

***

Post Action | AoE-II (x18, 14 EN, +2 shift, +2/hit): 24 EN - (Stamina) = 22 EN.

Freyd | EN: 65/168 +4-22 = 47 (other stats are irrelevant)

BD: X+8(AA) = (can't miss). DMG (18*37=666, plus crits, so always dies)
Attack rolls: 246892, 246893, 246894, 246895

Elite Knight of Gaia 9 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Elite Knight of Gaia 10 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Elite Knight of Gaia 11 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Elite Knight of Gaia 12 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3

Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 9: ID #246896 | LD: 16 | CD: 7 | +4 mats | +16083 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 10: ID #246897 | LD: 10 | CD: 12 | +2 mats | +17615 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 11: ID #246898 | LD: 5 | CD: 5 | +6 mats | +14552 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 12: ID #246899 | LD: 4 | CD: 3 | +4 mats | +16083 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale

Edited July 8 by Freyd

Freyd · July 3

Dread nested into a pit in his stomach, abandoned since floor twenty-five's raid boss fell. Epic beyond recounting, that battle had rattled Aincrad's foundations to the point of failure, possibly even beyond their bearing. Everything had been swallowed by the bile spewed by that malevolent entity, on a magnitude that made his and Mari's Gemini regurgitations look like a mild case of the hiccups. Watching the darkness grow, nature's bounty wither and die at its touch, the Whisper cringed at the implications, all while fighting off its latest wave of corrupted minions. Clashing steel and gossamer glass fractured the weaker of the two, buying hard fought reprieve along with the growing humiliation of endless retreat.

"This place is overrun, and I won't be able to hold them off forever."

Shelter. Protection. Safe harbour... that last bit hadn't helped Ilridge much, had it? There had to be some place where he could catch his breath, even for just a few precious moments.

***

Post Action | AoE-I (x15, 11 EN, +2 shift, +2/hit): 21 EN - (Stamina) = 19 EN.

Freyd | EN: 47/168 +4-19 = 32 (other stats are irrelevant)

BD: X+8(AA) = (can't miss). DMG (15*37=555, plus crits, so always dies)
Attack rolls: 246900, 246901, 246902, 246903

Knight of Gaia 13 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Knight of Gaia 14 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Knight of Gaia 15 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Knight of Gaia 16 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3

Loot Knight of Gaia 13: ID #246904 | LD: 3 | CD: 12 | +4 mats | +14041 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Knight of Gaia 14: ID #246905 | LD: 18 | CD: 5 | +4 mats | +14041 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Knight of Gaia 15 | ID #246906 | LD: 12 | CD: 4 | +2 mats | +15318 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Knight of Gaia 16: ID #246907 | LD: 20 | CD: 5 | +4 mats | +14041 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale

Edited July 8 by Freyd

Freyd · July 3

A fissure, narrow, but leading to a broader cave beyond, he'd set up camp there once before, in another lifetime. If he could reach it, the mouth could be sealed. He knew its secrets and other points of entry, which meant other exits. Racing like a madman, Freyd fell like a comet upon the last spectral warriors between him and his only lingering hope, shards of glass and broken mob skittering against stone in every direction. Boots pounding the ground buried the last ground dregs into the growing muck at his passage.

Elation nearly turned to panic as he wedged himself sideways into the narrow slot, only to find his armor barring him passage. He'd still been rocking combat pajamas last time he was here. Pursuers near, he had little choice but to dismiss the gear and suck in his bellybutton till it got frisky with his spine to squeeze through.

*POP*

Tumbling to the ground on the far side, Freyd spared no seconds to slide the waiting stone into place and prevent the multitude of mirror lances from following.

***

Post Action | AoE-II (x18, 14 EN, +2 shift, +2/hit): 24 EN - (Stamina) = 22 EN.

Freyd | EN: 32/168 +4-22 = 14 (other stats are irrelevant)

BD: X+8(AA) = (can't miss). DMG (18*37=666, plus crits, so always dies)
Attack rolls: 246908, 246909, 246910, 246911

Elite Knight of Gaia 13 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Elite Knight of Gaia 14 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Elite Knight of Gaia 15 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Elite Knight of Gaia 16 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3

Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 13: ID #246912 | LD: 1 | CD: 11 | +6 mats | +14552 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 14: ID #246913 | LD: 14 | CD: 9 | +4 mats | +16083 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 15: ID #246914 | LD: 3 | CD: 8 | +4 mats | +16083 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 16: ID #246915 | LD: 11 | CD: 11 | +6 mats | +14552 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale

Edited July 8 by Freyd

Freyd · July 3

Breathing heavily, his armor back in place as quickly as shaking hands could send the proper signal, Freyd's nerves were shaken. Not a thing that happened easily or often, and never lightly.

"The somber malaise afflicting ten... "

"The Blight on thirteen..."

"Shadow the Malevolent on twenty five..."

"Now, the black consuming twenty-nine?"

Could they be related in some way? Would its power grow the higher up the castle they climbed? Was it climbing even when their progress stalled? Forcing himself to stillness, redirecting his thoughts towards the peace and serenity of his sheltered valley home and the touch of a certain green-haired beauty, Freyd's breathing finally slowed. Mania gave way to calm and reason, heart rate reducing its hammering in his ears enough to confirm the pounding on the stone walls of his hidey hole.

"I can't stay here long. They'll find another way around before long."

Trying to rise, fatigue found him before he managed more than propping a knee up.

"Maybe... maybe I'll just a minute first ..."

***

EN Recovery 1 of 2.

Edited July 8 by Freyd

Freyd · July 3

Propping himself up on his blade, Freyd found himself staring at the shimmering mithril-laden blade. Mentor's Pride. Wilfrin's gift, given and accepted with shared gratitude, reforged in absolute commitment.

People are counting on me...

Catching the reflection of his own weary eye, night vision piercing the gathering gloom to spite the gathering darkness, Freyd found the well he required. Soothing resurgence reinvigorated his limbs, granting strength where none remained mere moments before. Rising to feet steadying beneath him.

"Nemo. I have to find Nemo. He holds the key to this place, and escape from it. I can only hope that Montjoy got through. Nothing here can be permitted to escape."

Raising his weapon to readiness, Freyd grunted to warn away bodily protests. Seized muscles groaned, but complied, if slightly slower than he would have liked. The grove wasn't far. If he could just make his was there, whatever remained of the guardian wouldn't be far. Or, it would have already turned and this was yet another fools errand.

Cardinal's Jester? Yeah. I suppose that would make a fine epithet, or obituary.

***

EN Recovery 2 of 2.

Edited July 8 by Freyd

Freyd · July 3

Like a shambling horde of sludge zombies moping about Angel's Point, they first gaggle of knights to discover his return had very little to say, mostly because they died instantly. Streaking back into battle, his armor made mince meat of stealth as an option, leaving him no other choice. This was gonna get messy, Oscar-styles, with glassy body bits flung about with complete disregard. Somewhere in there would be at least a few phallic references made in homage to the glizzy man. Something, something, paying the piper. There wasn't time for effort, and this crowd wouldn't appreciate the effort made anyway.

Smashing through the near ranks, the Whisper bounced between milling groups with dizzying speed meant to keep them off balance, all while moving him through the teeming throng towards his destination. Their mutations were progressing, forms more closely resembling those encountered by the Frontlines.

There! Another horde amassed up ahead, but facing away from him. Another battle. A chance...

***

Post Action | AoE-I (x15, 11 EN, +2 shift, +2/hit): 21 EN - (Rested 2/2; Stamina) = 18 EN.

Freyd | EN: 168/168 -18 = 140 (other stats are irrelevant)

BD: X+8(AA) = (can't miss). DMG (15*37=555, plus crits, so always dies)
Attack rolls: 246917, 246918, 246919, 246920

Knight of Gaia 17 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Knight of Gaia 18 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Knight of Gaia 19 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Knight of Gaia 20 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3

Loot Knight of Gaia 17: ID #246921 | LD: 11 | CD: 10 | +4 mats | +14041 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Knight of Gaia 18: ID #246922 | LD: 9 | CD: 2 | +4 mats | +14041 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Knight of Gaia 19: ID #246923 | LD: 10 | CD: 2 | +2 mats | +15318 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Knight of Gaia 20: ID #246924 | LD: 18 | CD: 8 | +2 mats | +15318 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale

Edited July 8 by Freyd

Freyd · July 3

Colliding with the rear of the amassed mobs assaulting the place still somewhat resembling Nemo's grove, the first (last?) few ranks fell quickly. It took them a few seconds to realize they were getting slaughtered from behind, suggesting they thought the greater threat lay in the other direction.

Nemo? Really? I didn't think he had it in him.

A deafening roar granting plausible credibility to the unlikely forced the throng of humanoid wind chimes to falter and fall back, at least for a moment. Bulls in china shops could only aspire to the cacophonous mess reverberating from up ahead. Broken glass, mixed with the acrid scent of melting mobs, gave further credence to impossibility.

"NEMO?!" Freyd's scream barely made a dent against the decimation. "Hang on, buddy. I'm coming!"

A watery cone of glowing energy burst forth immediately to the Whisper's right, disintegrating an entire column of assailants and offering him a path forward, if he were crazy enough to accept being surrounded.

***

Post Action | AoE-II (x18, 14 EN, +2 shift, +2/hit): 24 EN - (Rested 1/2; Stamina) = 21 EN.

Freyd | EN: 140/168 +4-21 = 113 (other stats are irrelevant)

BD: X+8(AA) = (can't miss). DMG (18*37=666, plus crits, so always dies)
Attack rolls: 246925, 246926, 246927, 246928

Elite Knight of Gaia 17 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Elite Knight of Gaia 18 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Elite Knight of Gaia 19 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Elite Knight of Gaia 20 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3

Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 17: ID #246929 | LD: 5 | CD: 5 | +6 mats | +14552 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 18: ID #246930 | LD: 1 | CD: 3 | +6 mats | +14552 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 19: ID #246931 | LD: 6 | CD: 4 | +2 mats | +17615 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 20: ID #246932 | LD: 18 | CD: 6 | +2 mats | +17615 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale

Edited July 8 by Freyd

Freyd · July 3

Slipping through the momentary breach with the slickness of a greased eel, Freyd found himself standing in the heart of the only remaining untainted section of the entire valley. All else had fallen, the rain sluicing their way from all directions along with an army of cuddly critters turned deadly mirror mob. Nemo, in his dragon form, was far larger and fiercer than Freyd remembered. Either time had been kind, he'd been working out hard, or there was more to the kindly mob than most suspected and he'd been playing them all along.

Covered in punctures and raking wounds, the dragon fought as a cornered animal might, with the added incentive of saving its own home. The knights were paying a hefty price for incurring that wrath, and yet their numbers seemed endless.

Just like around Ilridge.

"You've been holding out on me! I don't think I've ever been so glad to be deceived."

***

Post Action | AoE-I (x15, 11 EN, +2 shift, +2/hit): 21 EN - (Stamina) = 19 EN.

Freyd | EN: 113/168 +4-19 = 98 (other stats are irrelevant)

BD: X+8(AA) = (can't miss). DMG (15*37=555, plus crits, so always dies)
Attack rolls: 246933, 246934, 246935, 246936

Knight of Gaia 21 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Knight of Gaia 22 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Knight of Gaia 23 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Knight of Gaia 24 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3

Loot Knight of Gaia 21: ID #246937 | LD: 1 | CD: 1 | +6 mats | +12765 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Knight of Gaia 22: ID #246938 | LD: 13 | CD: 9 | +6 mats | +12765 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Knight of Gaia 23: ID #246939 | LD: 18 | CD: 6 | +2 mats | +15318 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Knight of Gaia 24: ID #246940 | LD: 8 | CD: 2 | +2 mats | +15318 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale

Edited July 8 by Freyd

Freyd · July 3

"WHO ARE YOU AND WHY ARE YOU STILL ALIVE?"

Sheer size made Nemo's query mid-battle frenzy slightly deafening, Freyd's ears wringing within his cowl and regretting for the first time his disdain for helms. Mirror lances speared towards them from all sounds, manifesting as a most unfriendly pike wall. Most failed to pierce the dragon's thick hide, but enough did for concern. Parrying and fancy footwork had spared the Whisper the worse of the coordinated assault.

"A friend, who stumbled onto your realm after stumbling through another nightmare world. How did this all happen? Were others like myself present? Are any still alive?"

It was too many questions. Freyd knew it just by the length of time it had taken to speak them. A sudden spiral tail lash flattened most of the surrounding mobs, last minute acrobatics barely sparing the lone player from a similar fate.

"Ah. So you remember me."

Their last interactions had been less than stellar.

***

Post Action | AoE-II (x18, 14 EN, +2 shift, +2/hit): 24 EN - (Stamina) = 22 EN.

Freyd | EN: 98/168 +4-22 = 80 (other stats are irrelevant)

BD: X+8(AA) = (can't miss). DMG (18*37=666, plus crits, so always dies)
Attack rolls: 246941, 246942, 246943, 246944

Elite Knight of Gaia 21 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Elite Knight of Gaia 22 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Elite Knight of Gaia 23 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Elite Knight of Gaia 24 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3

Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 21: ID #246945 | LD: 18 | CD: 10 | +2 mats | +17615 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 22: ID #246946 | LD: 17 | CD: 8 | +4 mats | +16083 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 23: ID #246947 | LD: 19 | CD: 3 | +6 mats | +14552 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 24: ID #246948 | LD: 2 | CD: 7 | +4 mats | +16083 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale

Edited July 8 by Freyd

Freyd · July 3

"I REMEMBER, LITTLE THIEF. FOUL MURDERER AND..."

"Oh please. Playing the altruistic high and mighty card? Look around, Nemo. This isn't really the time or the place. And this is me actually trying to help you!"

Flurried blade set to rest the few lingering mobs spared the worst of the dragon's assault, buying them a momentary reprieve.

"Look. We can argue semantics or try to purge whatever this all is. And, if you have any insights on that topic, I'd live to hear them. None of mine lead anywhere good."

The glaring pair of furious draconian eyes debating whether or not to eat the mouthy human remained stayed, if only barely.

"This is a limited time offer, friend..." Hating how much he sounded like Billy, the phrasing remained apt. "I can get help, and have already sent word, but it means having to escape your realm, capisce?"

When the hell did I become Italian?!

***

Post Action | AoE-I (x15, 11 EN, +2 shift, +2/hit): 21 EN - (Stamina) = 19 EN.

Freyd | EN: 80/168 +4-19 = 65 (other stats are irrelevant)

BD: X+8(AA) = (can't miss). DMG (15*37=555, plus crits, so always dies)
Attack rolls: 246949, 246950, 246951, 246952

Knight of Gaia 25 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Knight of Gaia 26 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Knight of Gaia 27 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Knight of Gaia 28 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3

Loot Knight of Gaia 25: ID #246953 | LD: 12 | CD: 6 | +2 mats | +15318 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Knight of Gaia 26: ID #246954 | LD: 15 | CD: 6 | +4 mats | +14041 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Knight of Gaia 27: ID #246955 | LD: 2 | CD: 7 | +4 mats | +14041 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Knight of Gaia 28: ID #246956 | LD: 15 | CD: 1 | +6 mats | +12765 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale

Edited July 8 by Freyd

Freyd · July 3

"CORRUPTION... THIS BLIGHTED SKY... IT ALL BEGAN WHEN A MAN IN YELLOW CAME TO MY VALLEY. FIND HIM. STOP HIM."

Yellow? Yellow. Liked the masked figure from the moments when all the gawkers has arrived, right after the raid. He was the one who'd summoned the fiendish fish hordes upon them and loosed the champion monstrosities.

"Someone said something about a King in Yellow. You mean him?"

The conversation ended, barely stillborn, as more of the wretched knights surged over the rapidly disintegrating remains of their brethren. Little more than mindless peons to whatever power was behind all this, Freyd saw only inverted Shadowlings, their gleaming interiors as perfect antithesis to the light sucking nothingness of their comparators. Nemo's wounds had healed slightly, but nowhere near enough.

"Can you hold?"

Reptilian eyes are hardly the most expressive, save to convey the degree to which they currently wish to devour, but Freyd sensed an definite abundance of doubt. This wasn't a holding action. It was a final battle, the likes of which are only told in tragic tales.

"I don't do lost causes."

***

Post Action | AoE-II (x18, 14 EN, +2 shift, +2/hit): 24 EN - (Stamina) = 22 EN.

Freyd | EN: 65/168 +4-22 = 47 (other stats are irrelevant)

BD: X+8(AA) = (can't miss). DMG (18*37=666, plus crits, so always dies)
Attack rolls: 246957, 246958, 246959, 246960

Elite Knight of Gaia 25 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Elite Knight of Gaia 26 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Elite Knight of Gaia 27 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Elite Knight of Gaia 28 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3

Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 25: ID #246961 | LD: 2 | CD: 2 | +2 mats | +17615 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 26: ID #246962 | LD: 10 | CD: 10 | +2 mats | +17615 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 27: ID #246963 | LD: 8 | CD: 6 | +2 mats | +17615 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 28: ID #246964 | LD: 1 | CD: 1 | +6 mats | +14552 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale

Edited July 8 by Freyd

Freyd · July 3

A derisive snort lost in a tornado blast that scoured a dozen knights from the field. Freyd fought with ferocity enough to warrant the guardian's unexpected respect as wave after wave crashed against them from all sides. They couldn't win. There were simply too many foes, and for each one felled two more would take its place. Freyd kept pace, despite this energy reserves depleting. There was no other choice.

"If we get through this, I'll stick strictly to finish from now on. Swear to... whatever." Nemo looked at him with confusion. "Never been the religious type. Sorry. What would mean anything to a dragon anyway? I have no idea."

A giant clawed hand flattened the mob sneaking up behind him, tail lashing a further pair on the far side.

"WE VALUE HONESTY."

"The Thing Behind All Lies," Freyd muttered to himself, slowly resigning himself to the inevitable outcome of this senseless battle.

***

Post Action | AoE-I (x15, 11 EN, +2 shift, +2/hit): 21 EN - (Stamina) = 19 EN.

Freyd | EN: 47/168 +4-19 = 32 (other stats are irrelevant)

BD: X+8(AA) = (can't miss). DMG (15*37=555, plus crits, so always dies)
Attack rolls: 246965, 246966, 246967, 246968

Knight of Gaia 29 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Knight of Gaia 30 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Knight of Gaia 31 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Knight of Gaia 32 | HP: 0/555 | DMG 150 | ACC 3

Loot Knight of Gaia 29: ID #246969 | LD: 15 | CD: 1 | +6 mats | +12765 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Knight of Gaia 30: ID #246970 | LD: 7 | CD: 5 | +6 mats | +12765 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Knight of Gaia 31: ID #246971 | LD: 10 | CD: 4 | +2 mats | +15318 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Knight of Gaia 32: ID #246972 | LD: 18 | CD: 6 | +2 mats | +15318 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale

Edited July 8 by Freyd

Freyd · July 3

"Close enough." Barely heard above the din of battle, Nemo's gaze spoke volumes. "Maybe you can learn, after all..."

Roaring again unleashed successive concussive blasts the broken another wave of knights, flattening many ranks beyond. Another momentary reprieve.

"Don't forget this, Freyd. Or your promises."

"Wait... wut?"

Before he could utter another word, a massive claw wrapped itself around him, tossing him high into the air, where the deadly tail that had nearly killed him earlier was waiting. Slapped incomprehensibly silly by the blow, everything went dark as Freyd was certain he'd just been killed again. Sprouting from a waterspout, the Whisper skipped like an admirably tossed stone across water before tumbling ass over tea kettle to a stop at the edge of Old Pete's pier. Every part of him hurt, even if it shouldn't most especially his pride. Despite repeated testing, arguably to excess, no pain suppression ever seemed to work on that.

***

Post Action | AoE-II (x18, 14 EN, +2 shift, +2/hit): 24 EN - (Stamina) = 22 EN.

Freyd | EN: 32/168 +4-22 = 14 (other stats are irrelevant)

BD: X+8(AA) = (can't miss). DMG (18*37=666, plus crits, so always dies)
Attack rolls: 246973, 246974, 246975, 246976

Elite Knight of Gaia 29 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Elite Knight of Gaia 30 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Elite Knight of Gaia 32 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3
Elite Knight of Gaia 33 | HP: 0/666 | DMG 150 | ACC 3

Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 29: ID #246977 | LD: 20 | CD: 6 | +2 mats | +17615 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 30: ID #246978 | LD: 4 | CD: 7 | +6 mats | +14552 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 31: ID #246979 | LD: 17 | CD: 12 | +4 mats | +16083 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale
Loot Elite Knight of Gaia 32: ID #246980 | LD: 4 | CD: 8 | +2 mats | +17615 col | Dungeon Map | +1 Demonic Shard or +1 Gleaming Scale

Edited July 8 by Freyd

Freyd · July 3

Thread Closing:

Freyd receives:

13,150 EXP (Word Count [3131/5*20] + 5% Guild Rank bonus)
974,383 col (Loot [972411] + 15% P5 Reward [1972])
244 Materials (Loot [244])
+22 Demonic Shards
+42 Gleaming Scales

1 Mon

Random Dungeon Maps:
246856 | 246857 | 246858 | 246859 | 246864 | 246865 | 246866 | 246867 | 246872 | 246873 | 246874 | 246875 | 246880 | 246881 | 246882 | 246883 | 246888 | 246889 | 246890 | 246891 | 246896 | 246897 | 246898 | 246899 | 246904 | 246905 | 246906 | 246907 | 246912 | 246913 | 246914 | 246915 | 246921 | 246922 | 246923 | 246924 | 246929 | 246930 | 246931 | 246932 | 246937 | 246938 | 246939 | 246940 | 246945 | 246946 | 246947 | 246948 | 246953 | 246954 | 246955 | 246956 | 246961 | 246962 | 246963 | 246964 | 246969 | 246970 | 246971 | 246972 | 246977 | 246978 | 246979 | 246980

Edited July 8 by Freyd

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