[PT-PP-F8] Homicide Honeymoon Pt. 3 (SoW: Leeching Nightmare)

[Mari 1]

Quest Objective | Must travel to the Stygian River [1/3]

After a blissful reprise where Mari had managed to fall asleep, enjoying a small nap the two made the long walk up to the 10th floor. Hand in hand, talking about their plans for dinner, the absolute ridiculous manner of the quest-line, their distaste for stairs. Mari was used to such things; Lancaster, not so much - his separation from the Laughing Coffin still proving difficult for him. "Yanno...." Mari said, pausing before they moved to the next floor. "If you need, I'll fund you so you can create more of those...." She'd roll her hand, "transportation methods." He already knew of her own - but that was beyond costly, and used only in dire circumstances. Mari needed to remain tight lipped about it till she had a chance to talk to Raidou. She fell silent, tallying in her head how much more she'd need to fight to fund that. Several days maybe? That should be enough time to allow her to create the funds for a network for the man to use. Separate from the hand. She squeezed his hand tighter, inwardly apologizing, after this she'd just need to work a little bit harder... a little bit longer. Just a little longer...

"This floor...can have such a negative effect on your mental competence." Mari warned as she pushed the door to the 10th floor open. Mari flicked open her HUD, reading the notes of the floor aloud - "An oppressive malaise that can quickly sour into full blown depression.  Some reports suggest that prolonged exposure can lead to dementia, or even outright insanity and the negative thoughts and emotions that pervade the entire floor relentlessly assault the minds and convictions of those who come to visit."  She'd close her HUD and turn to Lancaster. "Yanno, this wasn't always apparent - maybe thats why I went..." She'd pause to point to her head, spinning a finger round and round - signalling how crazy she had been in her past. "Not the entirety of course. But it wouldn't help."

Mari would step closer to him, wrapping an arm around his waist, leaning in to lean her head on his shoulder. "Welcome to the place I spent most of my life ." She'd gesture to the grim expanse. "Want the tour whilst we try to find this next creature?" Mari asked, handing him the etching so he could look over it.

**GIVES LANCASTER THE FOLLOWING**
Perfect T4 Potion 251574 | 'Guard' | Mit III
Perfect T4 Potion 251573 | 'Guard' | Mit III

---

<<Assist System Engaged: Lancaster>>
Level: 34
Paragon: 13
True Tier: 14

Final EXP reward: 0%

---

Consumed:
Perfect T4 Potion 251579 | 'Guard' | Mit III
{Sullivan's Cove} | Protein 2, ACC 2 [Feast - 251363]) {Lancaster} [2/6]
Regretful Memories - Draught of the Pink PK'er (Gungir's - DMG 3 | MITI 1 [Crate - 245931]) {Mari} [2/6]

---

PT: 

REMOVED:
Charge: 10 SP
Rending Familiar: 10 SP
Squabble UP: 10 SP
Hiding rank 5- 30SP
 

Taken:
Biting 20 SP | Effect: Player gains +2 Base Damage 
Letting Cost: 20 SP| Passive Effect: Increase Activation Range for all DoT effects by 1 (I.E.  Bleed 2 becomes 7-10)

remaining: 30 SP

--
*Stats incomnig8

Edited 3 hours ago by Mari

[Lancaster 1]

A small reprieve, a bit of shut eye to relax the chaotic schedule the pair had held the last few days. Albeit Lancaster's not nearly as demanding as Mari's yet even still it wasn't easy. Something as simple as a nap and a conversation not racked by tension and drama had worked wonders in thinning out stress that had been building for the man for some time. Fingers intertwined with Mari's, finding the warmth welcoming as they'd travel through the sights and sounds of multiple floors. Organic yet long, the red head couldn't help but draw that normally this would have been frustrating but Mari made it bearable at worst, but he was actually enjoying the trek. Like a hiking trip, all this walking was actually inviting. Probably simply because he got to spend time with his beloved, and admire her expertise. It was clear that she'd done this for a long while, how she seemed to have her bearings and knew where they were time and time again.

The 10th floor, Yomi. An absent and empty settlement that had always been ignored. It had little of worth, and even less to pilfer. "Might be worth the investment, don't think I could stomach all this travel alone. With you, is enjoyable." He'd mutter plainly, his expression twisting into a smile. "As to the effects of the floor, I am aware. Is where recruits for the guild are sent to 'break them in'." Lancaster would provide a snapshot to his own knowledge of the floor with added emphasis, although he'd hardly visited it personally. This was Genma's domain. "Is best we keep our time here to a minimum, it will loosen screws we didn't know we had." Looking toward Mari, watching her wiggle her finger in a small circle toward her noggin. "Yet, you've outgrown it." Pecking her forehead, he'd round a strand of dangling hair around her right ear. "Isn't too bad, a tour sounds good. Like to find some of that brilliance of yours mi amore. If you're willing to share?"

Quest Objective | Must travel to the Stygian River [2/3]

---

<<Assist System Engaged: Lancaster>>
Level: 34
Paragon: 13
Tier: 4
True Tier: 5

Final EXP reward: +5%

---

Consumed:
Perfect T4 Potion 251282 | 'Guard' | Mit III
{Sullivan's Cove} | Protein 2, ACC 2 [Feast - 251363]) {Lancaster} [1/6]
Regretful Memories - Draught of the Pink PK'er (Gungir's - DMG 3 | MITI 1 [Crate - 245931]) {Mari} [1/6]

---

PT:
Taken: Volatile Potency (3)

Remaining SP: 1

---

Lancaster | HP: 720/720 | EN: 110/110 | DMG: 27 | MIT:76 | ACC:6 | BRN-IM | FL.AURA: 16 | FL.THORNS: 16/96 | BH:36 | BLI: 96/-20 [8-10]  | BRN: 168 [8-10]

Spoiler

Name: Lancaster, The Emberheart
True Tier: 5
Level: 34
Paragon Level: 13
HP: 720/720
EN: 110/110

Stats:
Damage: 27
Mitigation: 76
Accuracy: 6
Battle Healing: 36
Stealth Rating: -3
BRN-IM FL.AURA: 16
FL.THORNS: 16/32 BLI: 32/-20 
BRN: 56
Equipped Gear:
Weapon/Armor/Trinket: 
  - All Consuming Pyre - Hades [T4/Demonic/Throwing/200384n] | BRN 2, BLI 2
Armor/Trinket: 
  - Hydra Hide Jacket - Erebus [T4/Demonic/Heavy Armor] Flame Aura 2, Flame Thorns 2
Shield/Armor/Trinket: 
  - Inset Etching Tongue Piercing - Cerberus [Tierless/Demonic/Trinket] Accuracy 3, Fireproof

Combat Mastery:
  - Combat Mastery: Damage R3

Combat Shift:
  - AOE Shift

Familiar Skill:
  - 

Custom Skill:
  - 

Skills:
  - Battle Healing R5
  - Energist
  - Heavy Armor R3
  - Thrown Weaponry R5

Extra Skills:

Inactive Extra Skills:

Addons:
  - Focus
  - Precision
  - Stamina

Mods:
  - Impetus

Inactive Mods:

Battle Ready Inventory:
  - Anthem of Finality - Destruction [Tierless/Perfect/Debuff/Instant] Catalyst | 230758, 230778, 230779, 230780, 230781 x1
  - Anthem of Finality - Destruction [Tierless/Perfect/Debuff/Instant] Catalyst | 230782, 230783, 230784, 230785 x5
  - Resonance of the Grave [Tierless/Perfect/Debuff/Instant] Incarceration | 186790, 191009, 191013, 198351, 181560, x5
  - Teleport Crystal x4

Housing Buffs:
  - Dining Room: 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.
  - Living Room: Increases out of combatHP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.

Guild Hall Buffs:

Scents of the Wild Totem:

Wedding Ring:
  - Strong Will
Crafting Profession:

Gathering Profession:

 

[Mari 1]

Quest Objective | Must travel to the Stygian River [3/3]

Might be worth the investment.

It was all the motivation Mari needed to do just that, "Then I shall make it happen. You should see the col I've amassed lately!" Mari said to him as she'd turn to offer him a kiss on the underside of his chin. Her eyes fluttered close as she took a moment to breathe deep, enjoying the mix of earthy and chemical scents that came from him. The scent of gasoline and acetone a little stronger than usual. Mari couldn't help but laugh into her kiss before pulling away. "I can tell you've been working, Vincent." She softly said, hints of amusement and delight in her tone. "Is good you're keeping busy whilst I'm..." She'd turn her cerulean gaze over the wasteland before her. "stockpiling supplies." In truth, Mari had been incredibly concerned, having left him more or less alone the last few days before their wedding. Waking up before the sun rose - and going to bed long after it had set.

This trip was still tiring, and yet - it didn't seem to exhaust Mari. She was finally spending time with Lancaster - time where they weren't fighting for their lives. Where they weren't on edge, always looking over their shoulders. It was a relief. It cemented their relationship. It actually felt like she could just enjoy Lancaster for all that he is. "I can't wait for you to show me what you've done." Mari thought aloud to herself as she pulled him along, closer toward the Stygian river.

Mari would listen to Lancaster and with a small nod, she'd point to a location, a little beyond the horizon - "Somewhere near there, no?" Mari asked. "I've seen many a player, both orange and green alike make the trip to that particular set of caverns. Most think they are alone but..." Mari tapped her temple. "Night Vision. I see what others do not. I am perhaps more familiar with this floor than your previous company, even."  Mari would squeeze his hand tighter. "Sometimes, I would want to follow to see just what they were doing, but curiosity like that is a fools errand. One time A broad shouldered fellow saw me nearby, but we each left each other well enough alone - Not my business. I too thought about bringing people here, leave them to see how long it'd take. But...I'm not one to experiment with peoples minds, anymore." Mari said with finality. 

The two walked hand in hand toward the river, every so often Mari would pull Lancaster into a different direction - pointing out the cave she met Atan, her 'associate' who helped her with her workshop, making a point to tell him about the bacteria in the stagnant pond there. nagleria fowleri  - And how she wanted to experiment with it, but held back. Concerned what her brother would think. Mari told him about the echo flowers around the void - and even explained in detail how she had thrown herself in it at one point. The effects it had on her. How even to this day, every so often she'd hear the faintest of whispers.

Of all the players in all of Aincrad, Mari was probably one of the few who had managed to build up a small tolerance to the floor. Not completely immune to its effects, but she'd last longer than most. 

"After this quest, we can stop by my store, if you like?" Mari offered. "It sits on the outskirts of Yomi. But - ah..." Mari paused, her nose wrinkling, the acrid smell of iron and the hiss of acid in the air. "We're close."

 

Edited 1 hour ago by Mari

[Lancaster 1]

PH

Quest Objective | Must defeat an initial pack of 4 <<Stygian Warriors>> before engaging the boss.