Baldur 0 Posted February 1, 2015 #1 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 Baldur's form resolved into the town of Nimbus. All the building of the city were hewn from stone, and the only light given to the cavernous city were from the glowing crystals protruding from the roof of the cave above and lights in the windows of the building and along the streets. Most of this floor was either underground, or on mountainous terrain. Baldur had grown up in the mountains for a time, however, and was curious to explore the area and see what could be found. The teleportation gate was located in a square under the very apex of the city's cave, but buildings loomed up around it on all side, with the road running straight from the square to the exit of the cave. A small underground river ran through the village at one point, and the main path arched over it with a bridge which had been worn by time and shaped by hands into a beautiful, slender, curving roadway. The town itself seemed sparely populated, both from adventurers and NPCs alike. The NPCs which were there seemed to dressed as miner's and had helmets with small candles built into headlamps. The effect was almost comical if it hadn't seemed to practical for a dark environment. If Baldur traveled deep into any of the trickier caves, he would have a difficult time seeing, which is why he planned to head outside onto the slopes of the mountain. Link to post Share on other sites
Baldur 0 Posted February 1, 2015 Author #2 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 By the time Baldur made it close to the entrance, his eyes had adjusted to the dimmer light of cave, so seeing the white light streaming in was painful to look at until he got closer to the mouth of the cave. He had to shield his eyes from the sun for several moments before they had adjusted to the light. What he saw was breathtaking to him. Baldur took a deep breath; the air outside of the cave was crisp and clean and rejuvenated him. He thought the underground city was beautiful, but the open air here felt free, while in the depths of the caves it felt stagnant. The BGM also changed, from something more soft and dark, with low brass instruments to something more whimsical with woodwinds. High above, he heard the cry of a hawk as it fly effortlessly across the valleys. He was seven floors up, but it hardly seemed like they had really gotten smaller. But then, the Town of Beginnings took up massive real estate on the first floor and the ones above it did not have that problem. Link to post Share on other sites
Baldur 0 Posted February 1, 2015 Author #3 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 Baldur started down the slope of the mountain, enjoying the clouds which seemed to linger at their peak. While the view was pleasant rolling hills, where the tunnel mouth came out was rocky and steep. Baldur had to be careful as he picked and chose his way down and around some protruding rock formations. Much of this would be impossible in the read world, the geology was nonsensical, but that was why Baldur loved it so much. It was a fantastic landscape unlike anything you could see in the real world. Finally, Baldur found himself down a ravine where several minotaur looking creatures roamed, but these were grey and seemed to have much more leather, crag-like features. He focused his vision on the nearest one and the targeter popped up. <<Mountain Minotaur>> was the name of the creature. He would have to be lucky or quick, because if they were BAF mobs, he might get over-whelmed quickly, and this was a higher floor than he had soloed before. Link to post Share on other sites
Baldur 0 Posted February 1, 2015 Author #4 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 Baldur slide down the rocky slope of the ravine to reach the bottom where there was better footing. His actions attracted the attention of the nearest minotaur, but as soon as Baldur was almost to the ground, he switched into his crouched position, with his left hand on the Saya and his right hand loosely on the Tsuka. His thumb pressed against the Tsuba, pushing it free and the inch of bared blade glowed blue. "Nukiuchi." He said aloud, though quietly as he felt the system assist kick in and he flew towards the minotaur, an azure trail of light slicing through the air as his blade was drawn and cut in a single motion, landing him behind the <<Mountain Minotaur>> as it's HP bar went almost to red in a single hit. The Minotaur's swing of its two-handed axe hit the ground where Baldur had been a moment before. [iD: BD:9 MD: 2] <<Baldur>> 22/22 HP - <<Charged R:1>> the Minotaur for 9 DMG (1 base + 2 skill + 3 weapon + 1 Athletics + 1 Charge + 1 Critical) <<Mountain Minotaur>> 2/11 HP - misses Link to post Share on other sites
Baldur 0 Posted February 1, 2015 Author #5 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 With a careful and practiced step, Baldur stood up from his Charge powered Nukiuchi, brought the blade horizontal, thrust forward with it, driving the blade through the back of the <<Mountain Minotaur>> and then with a firm step drug the blade sideways and out of the minotaur in a powerful but controlled slash. The minotaur let out a bull like cry, and then shattered into polygons floating through the air. Whipping the blade down to his side, and then drawing the back of it across his hand which once again held the saya, he sheathed the blade and looked down at his menu. [iD: 8165 BD: 4+2=6 LD: 13] 7 DMG <<Mountain Minotaur>> Drops 55 Col & 1 Mat With a downward gesture of his two fingers, Baldur pulled up the menu and looted the 55 Col and 1 material which dropped from the creature. Down the path a dozen yards, Baldur saw another <<Mountain Minotaur>> glaring at him with red eyes, but this one had a mean looking Talwar. "Come on then." Baldur dropped back down into what would be considered his signature move. He crouched low, one hand on the saya, one hand on the Tsuka. As the thumb of his left hand pushed the Tsuba forward and revealed that inch of glowing blue blade, Baldur launched into a <<Charge>> as he whispered, "Nukiuchi." He and his blade rocketed forward, drawing and slashing in the same motion while they cleared the dozen yards in under half a second, the light trail cutting the <<Mountain Minotalwar>> through the middle. But the Minotalwar had made a giant slash, unlike the axe wielding Minotaur which had made a chop. The <<Minotalwar>>'s swing carried through and the tail end of the strike caught Baldur in the back, knocking him to the ground. [iD: 8176 BD: 5+2=7 MD: 6] <<Baldur>> Hit <<Mountain Minotalwar>> for 8 DMG <<Mountain Minotaur #2>> Hit Baldur for 1 DMG <<Baldur>> 21/22 HP <<Mountain Minotalwar>> 6/14 HP Link to post Share on other sites
Baldur 0 Posted February 1, 2015 Author #6 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 Baldur was quick to move, his body spinning as he rose from the ground and his katana, Tsurugi, cutting through the back leg of the <<Mountain Minotalwar>>. Unfortunately for the creature, this was the end of it. Multicolor polygons floated through the air behind Baldur, twinkling out in his peripheral vision. [iD: 8182 BD: 6+2=8 LD: 18] 7 DMG <<Mountain Minotalwar #1>> Drops 70 Col & 1 mat Again the inventory icon popped up in the corner of his field of vision. With a downward swipe, Baldur pulled up the loot menu and claimed the drops. He had always given his mats to Tyger, and between the two of them, they had been able to keep her well stocked. Now that he had his own shop, they had to divide the materials, so it became more difficult. They really needed to bring in as many mats as possible. <<Baldur>> 21/22HP Link to post Share on other sites
Baldur 0 Posted February 1, 2015 Author #7 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 Baldur was half way through the small, rocky ravine and the final Minotaur was the toughest looking. It was considerably larger than either the <<Mountain Minotaur>> and the <<Mountain Minotalwar>>. It wielded a s sickly looking trident, with horrible fish-hook points on each prong. "Ouch, that looks so painful..." He felt a shiver run down his spine at the thought of being hit with that weapon. "Well... the bigger they are, the heavy my bag of Col." Baldur tapped the toe of each boot onto the ground one after the other, before dropping into his customary crouch. The system began to recognize his manuver and just as it kicked in, Baldur whispered "Nukiuchi." He and his sword were a wave of blue as the <<charge>> flew him through the enemy <<Minotaur Commander>>. The blow struck him with such concussive force that it staggered the mob, it's own blow flying wild and off coarse as Baldur repositioned to get ready for a follow-up attack. <<Baldur>> 21/22 HP - Hit's Minotaur Commander for 10 DMG (7 base + 2 crit + 1 Charge) <<Minotaur Commander>> 7/17 HP - Misses Link to post Share on other sites
Baldur 0 Posted February 1, 2015 Author #8 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 In one continuous motion from when he stopped moving, Baldur brought the Katana down with both hands through the back of the <<Minotaur Commander>>, the azure light trail following his blade had never stopped moving from where it began a dozen yards away. As the mob died in a shower of shards, Baldur took in a deep breath. The entire fight with the creature had only lasted a single second. [iD: 8188 BD: 10 LD: 2] 9 DMG <<Minotaur Commander>> drops 1 mat With practiced grace, Baldur whipped the sword to the side and then proceeded with his notto, the ceremonial sheathing of his katana at his side. His eyes raised towards the end of the ravine where he now found himself. He grabbed a few rocks and scrambled to the top. Considering how quickly he had dispatched them all, it would be a while before any of them began to respawn. His eyes focused then on a trail which seemed to be going higher and higher towards the peak of the mountain which contained the city of Nimbus. With an already exhausted sign, Baldur began to climb the mountain. Link to post Share on other sites
Baldur 0 Posted February 1, 2015 Author #9 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 As Baldur made his way up the mountain, he saw what he at first thought were billy goats, grazing peacefully on the mountainside. However, that quickly proved incorrect when one of those "billy goats" suddenly stood up on its hind legs and leaped an incredible distance to come crashing down where Baldur was hiking up a steep path. The <<Mountain Goat Ambusher>> crashed into Baldur's chest with hits curled horns. Baldur was sure that if he didn't have this armor he would have heard his ribs crack. Or you know, if this wasn't a video game. He stumbled backwards, but came to a stop ready to draw. Because of how steep the hill was, and the rockiness of the terrain, Baldur couldn't do his signature draw, so instead he rushed the creature and turned sideways, pulling the Tsurugi forth in a vertical draw and slashing downward at his ambusher, slicing it from head to toe. [iD: 8208 BD: 10 MD: 10] <<Mountain Goat Ambusher>> Hits Baldur for 3 DMG - 2 Mitigation = 1 DMG <<Baldur>> hits <MGA> for 9 DMG <<MGA>> 5/14 HP <<Baldur>> 20/22 HP Link to post Share on other sites
Baldur 0 Posted February 1, 2015 Author #10 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 Cleaved in two by the trail of azure light the mob may have been, but while it was a killing blow outside of the game, inside it only took the creature into the red, not killing it right out. The giant goat leaped into the air and kicked Baldur square in the chest with both of it's legs before landing in the narrow trail. "Aiyah!" Baldur roared, pushed forwards towards the mob and raising it's blade. It tried to move away, but Baldur's sword became a blade of blue light as he retraced his first slash and tore through it once again. As its health bar dropped to zero Baldur held the blade out and tapped the Tsuka with his fist before flipping the blade around vertically, and sheathing the sword into his saya with a backhanded grip. He had trained for those narrow hallways, but had never felt that such a form would really be useful in such a way, until he had been stuck in this narrow, rocky path. [iD: 8216 BD: 4+2=6 LD: 16] 7 DMG <<Baldur>> 19/22 HP <<MGA>> 0/14 HP - drops 70 Col & 1 Mat Link to post Share on other sites
Baldur 0 Posted February 1, 2015 Author #11 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 Baldur climbed to the top of the rocky stone outcropping and took a moment to survey the whole valley below him. It was a beautiful sight, and he was only half way to the top of the mountain from where he had started. The peak which held the main settlement for this floor was huge. But that was when he heard the rattling sound from behind him. Baldur didn't hesitate, he simply stepped back with his right foot and spun, drawing his sword in a single smooth cutting motion. His katana bit into the scaly hide of the <<Giant Diamondback>>, but just barely. Instead the snake latched onto his chest, sinking its forearm length teeth into his chest. "Aaaugh!" Baldur cried out and coughed at the powerful blow. [iD: 8219 BD: 5+2=7 MD: 9] <<Baldur>> 19/22 HP - Hits the snake for 7 DMG <<Giant Diamonback>> 7/14 - Hits Baldur for 2 DMG - Baldur mitigates the damage and only takes 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Baldur 0 Posted February 2, 2015 Author #12 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 The snake had a death grip on Baldur. Or a death bite? It lifted him off his his feet and brought him towards its cave. Baldur knew that if it got him into that cave, he would surely die. That could not be allowed to happen. He wouldn't make her cry. "Aaaaargh!" Baldur cried out, slashing with his Katana at the neck of the snake as best he could and thankfully it was enough. His sword slice through the snake just behind its head, and it shattered into thousands of tiny shards. Baldur roughly fell to the ground. "Oof!" Panting, he slowly sat up and looked around. It seemed to be the only one. Slowly pushing himself up from the ground, Baldur sheathed his sword and then dusted himself off. "Why does it always have to be snakes." He swipped downwards to loot the snake. At least it was worth his time. [iD: 8220 BD: 7 LD: 16] <<Baldur>> 19/22 HP - hits the snake for 7 DMG <<Giant Diamondback>> 0/14 - drops 70 Col and 1 Mat Link to post Share on other sites
Baldur 0 Posted February 2, 2015 Author #13 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 It was the calm before the storm. Apparently once the giant snake was gone, it made the ledge free reign for the <<Mountain Goat Ambushers>>. The first of the blue furred creatures leaped up onto the ledge a good ten meters from him. Baldur grabbed his sword and without wasting a heartbeat, he <<charged>> his Ambusher, his sword drawing and slashing in a single motion, but he ran out of ground and had to stop in front of the mob instead of behind it. Drawing his blade up high above his head and gripping it with both hands, Baldur deflected Goat's overhand blow. [iD: 8221 BD: 5+2=7 MD: 2] <<Baldur>> Deals 7 DMG to <<Mtn Goat Amb #2>> <<Mtn Goat Amb #2>> Misses <<Baldur>> 19/22 HP <<MGA#2>> 7/14 HP Link to post Share on other sites
Baldur 0 Posted February 2, 2015 Author #14 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 After parrying the Goat's blow, Baldur brought his sword down for a follow-up slash to its chest, but the goat had hops and leaped high into the air up towards the sun. Baldur's slash hit nothing but the air, and as he looked up he was blinded by the sun until the goat landed on him, knocking him back - thankfully away from the edge. "Oof!" Baldur grunted and blinked his eyes. On the opposite side of the platform, he could see another goat in the distance making its way here. He had to dispatch this one before the next got here or he would find himself outnumbered. "Son-of-a..." His eyes refocused on the goat in front of him and he gripped his Katana tightly with both hands. [iD: 8227 BD: 2 MD: 8] <<Baldur>> Missed <<MGA#2>> Hits Baldur for 1 <<Baldur>> 18/22 HP <<MGA#2>> 7/14 HP Link to post Share on other sites
Baldur 0 Posted February 2, 2015 Author #15 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 The mountain goat, now that it had created distance with Baldur, used it's super spring powered legs to rocket it at him horn first. Baldur remembered his attack, however, and dove down into a roll under the goat. it's powerful horns slammed into the mountainside doing more damage to the stone than the other way around. Instantly coming to his feet, he spun around and slashed at the exposed back of the Goat, sending it into a shower of tiny polygons as another goat appeared on the platform. Baldur cursed, unable to have even the time to open his inventory. "So you want a piece of this too, huh?" He dropped down into a charging stance, but with his blade held horizontally beside his eyes. "Unfortunately for you, you made a baaaaad decision." [iD: 8230 BD: 9 LD: 13] <<Baldur>> 18/22 - Hits <<MGA#2>> for 8 DMG (+1 crit) <<MGA#2>> 0/14HP - drops 70 Col & 1 mat Link to post Share on other sites
Baldur 0 Posted February 2, 2015 Author #16 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 As Baldur crouched down, he could feel the system pulling him into a charge motion. He rode the edge, waiting for the right moment. The <<Mountain Goat Ambusher #3>> baa'ed its battle cry and raised a Khopesh. It began to lower its arms and crouch into a jump... And Baldur let the system explode forward for him. He flew across the outcropping he was beginning to refer to as Pride Rock with a trail of blue light from his sword as he slashed through the creature just as it lowered its guard. It's jumping attack had just been released, but his blow sent it spinning end over end as it crashed into the stone. "Baa ram you." Baldur spit, and prepared to finish it off. ID: 8231 BD: 6 MD: 4] <<Baldur>> 18/22 - Hits <<MGA#3>> For 7 DMG <<Mountain Goat Ambusher #3>> 7/14 HP misses Link to post Share on other sites
Baldur 0 Posted February 2, 2015 Author #17 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 Baldur moved up to finish the Goat off, swinging his blade down towards it as it lay on the ground, but it's hooves found purchase and it attempted to push itself off and ram into Baldur. Unfortunately for both of them, the Ram's hooves met Tsurugi's blade, and an excruciating sound filled the air as both them stumbled away from one another. "Ow!" Baldur cried, putting a hand up to one ear and a fist holding his sword to the other. The goat seemed to stagger drunkenly as if stunned for a moment as well. [iD: 8232 BD: 2 MD: 3] <<Baldur>> 18/22 HP - misses <<MGA#3>> 7/14 - misses Link to post Share on other sites
Baldur 0 Posted February 2, 2015 Author #18 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 Neither Baldur nor this bloody goat would give up an inch. The two ran towards one another and their swords cut through the air, clashing together with the sound of metal ringing on metal and ricocheting off one another. Again and again their blades came together, strike, parry, counter. They fought ferociously, but the Khopesh was an unfamiliar weapon to Baldur, and he had a hard time dealing with that wicked, catching curve. "You can't win this! You need a hundred more hits, but I only need one!" Baldur's katana and the Khopesh clashed together once more and Baldur disengaged, hopping back another few feet to try and create some more openings. [iD: 8233 BD: 3 MD: 1] <<Baldur>> 18/22 HP - misses <<MGA#3>> 7/14 HP - misses Link to post Share on other sites
Baldur 0 Posted February 2, 2015 Author #19 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 As Baldur created space, he let out a deep breath and focused on the Goat in front of him. "You're not gonna get off this rock alive. I am the rightful ruler of Pride Rock!" He held the blade forward and horizontal, his arms crossed at the wrist as they ran for one another. As they got closer, Baldur's blade glowed with a blue light and slashed across in front of him, slicing under the blow of the Khopesh, and obliterating the Goat. As Baldur sheathed his katana, the Goat exploded into polygons as his sword clicked into its sheath. He let out another deep breath. [iD: 8234 BD: 5+2=7 LD: 10] <<Baldur>> 18/22 HP - Hits for 7 DMG <<MGA#3>> 0/14 HP - drops 1 mat Link to post Share on other sites
Baldur 0 Posted February 2, 2015 Author #20 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 Baldur took a moment to pause and look around from his pristine view. He had fought hard enough for it, he might as well enjoy it. "I wish Tyger could have been here to see this." He smiled softly then turned around to look back at where the snake had come out of its hole. He thought he saw something in there. Moving over to the small cave, he knelt down and found a bloom of flowers just outside of it. There was nothing inside the hole, but the beautiful flowers reminded him of his quest for Tyger. To get her a flower from every level of this bloody castle. He smiled and plucked one of the vibrant yellow and white flowers. "I guess I had better deliver this to her." He walked to the edge that would lead towards the city rather than the round about way he had come here so he could return to his lady. Link to post Share on other sites
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