First Colosseum Run!

So I decided to make a Colosseum run. Alone. Just to see what the fuss was about (I had never done a run before)

The first thing I did was go to the AC Vault website and read up on what damage types you'll need. Hrm. Nothing for levels 1-5. But no worries. I've got tons of piercing arrows left over, and I might as well use them up first.

Master Arbitrator says, "Arena One is now available for new warriors!"

You make a big bundle of deadly fire arrows.

Apparently, I need these for mossies.

Master Arbitrator says, "Arena One is now available for new warriors!"

I get it, I get it.

You have created the Fellowship of Tai Flagged.
Tai Flagged is now an open fellowship; anyone may recruit new members.
Fox too has come online.
You tell Fox too, "Heyas =)"

So do I invite Foxy? But she KNOWS what she's doing. And the only way I'll learn about this place is if I do a run-though at least once by myself.

You make a big bundle of deadly lightning arrows.

I'll need these for the Blues.

Master Arbitrator says, "Arena One is now available for new warriors!"
Fox too tells you, "hey tai"

Let's cut her a break. No sense in getting her killed asap.

Master Arbitrator says, "Arena One is now available for new warriors!"
You give Master Arbitrator Colosseum Ticket.
Your fellowship is now locked. You may not recruit new members. If you leave the fellowship, you have 15 minutes to be recruited back into the fellowship.
Tai Flagged is now a closed fellowship.

A fellow (army) of One. One gimp.
Well, I've got this lockpick rare. It's not doing any good for me, so . . .

Master Arbitrator gives you Colosseum Ticket Stub.

[Fellowship] Master Arbitrator says, "Your fellowship will be battling in Arena One."
Master Arbitrator says, "Attention Patrons! Combat will soon begin in Arena One."

Don't TELL everyone I'm doing this alone! I mean, there was no one there at the time, but STILL!

[Fellowship] Master Arbitrator says, "Use one of the two portals to enter your Arena. If every member of your group is powerful enough you may skip the lower battles by using the Advanced Colosseum Arena, but any one member of your fellow may be restricted from using that portal so be careful or you may be split up."

[Fellowship] Master Arbitrator says, "Don't forget that you must wait one full hour after the time you enter the colosseum before I will reward you for your achievements in the Arenas."

[Fellowship] Master Arbitrator says, "Good Luck!"

After thinking about it, I'm sure of it -- I want to make one run through the whole thing first.

Master Arbitrator says, "Arena Two is now available for new warriors!"

At least he'll spam a little differently now.

Colosseum Arena teleports you with Colosseum Arena.

Ok -- first off, we have golems. Obviously a piece of cake, even for me.

Iron Golem's perforated corpse falls before you!
Granite Golem is fatally punctured!
Granite Golem's death is preceded by a sharp, stabbing pain!
Copper Golem is fatally punctured!
You resist the spell cast by Unstable Magma Golem
Magma Golem explodes from your attack!

You say, "I AM SPARTACUS!"

You so have to know I was saving up time JUST to scream that out in the Colosseum. ;-)

Next spawn. Yawn. Not that I'm complaining.

Skeleton Lord tried and failed to cast a spell at you!
Skeleton Lord's death is preceded by a sharp, stabbing pain!
Risen Knight's perforated corpse falls before you!
As the skeletal archer clatters to pieces on the mossy battlements, it groans the name of Aerfalle.

You say, "The Colosseum's floor is a "mossy battlement?" Looks pretty clean and well-kept to me!"

A Door appears on the North wall.

Oooooh. THAT is cool!

What's in here?

Oh. Dolls.

Innocent Doll tells you, "We prefer action figures."

Whatever.

You resist the spell cast by Contained Rift
Contained Rift is fatally punctured!
You resist the spell cast by Pristine Doll
You knock Innocent Doll into next Morningthaw!

And fire elementals. Glad I'm using a physical attack.

You resist the spell cast by Flare
You run Gout through!
You resist the spell cast by Flamma

You say, "I AM SPARTACUS!"

Woot! After action figures, what's next? Transformers?

Oh -- bandies.

Banderling Striker's death is preceded by a sharp, stabbing pain!
You resist the spell cast by Banderling Striker

Banderling Striker cast Bludgeoning Vulnerability Other IV on you

WATAF!!?!???

The deadly force of your attack is so strong that Banderling Striker's ancestors feel it!

Beyotch.

Whoops. Out of ammo. Don't bandies hate piercing attacks?

You make a big bundle of deadly armor-piercing arrows.

You resist the spell cast by Banderling Striker
You resist the spell cast by Banderling Striker
You resist the spell cast by Banderling Striker
You resist the spell cast by Banderling Striker
You resist the spell cast by Banderling Striker
You resist the spell cast by Banderling Striker
You resist the spell cast by Banderling Striker
You resist the spell cast by Banderling Striker

Spell-happy, ain't they?

Banderling Striker cast Bludgeoning Vulnerability Other IV on you, surpassing Bludgeoning Vulnerability Other IV

Oh, FFS. It's not going to affect me, but sheesh.

You slay Banderling Striker viciously enough to impart death several times over!
A Door appears on the North wall.

Woo hoo. That's cool, but creepy.

Time for more fighting!

Your missile attack hit the environment.

Whether there's an enemy or not.

Oh, I like Tummies. Taste my death, j00!

Tumerok Gladiator's perforated corpse falls before you!
Tumerok Gladiator's death is preceded by a sharp, stabbing pain!
You run Tumerok Gladiator through!

Oh, crap -- I forgot

You say, "I AM SPARTACUS!"

Bobo's Quickening has expired.
Brighteyes' Favor has expired.
Ketnan's Eye has expired.

Time to keep drinking!

You cast Bobo's Quickening on yourself, surpassing Ogfoot
You cast Brighteyes' Favor on yourself, surpassing Honed Control
You cast Ketnan's Eye on yourself, surpassing Calming Gaze

Woot.

Demented Zharalim cast Magic Yield Other IV on you
You resist the spell cast by Demented Zharalim
Demented Zharalim cast Vulnerability Other IV on you

I still don't know what the heck a "Zharalim" is, but I'm thinking they look like weird Mujahadeen.

Demented Zharalim nicks you for 34 points with Force Bolt IV.
Maddened Zharalim's perforated corpse falls before you!
Demented Zharalim singes you for 16 points with Flame Bolt IV.
You resist the spell cast by Maddened Zharalim
You run Demented Zharalim through!
You resist the spell cast by Maddened Zharalim
You lose 6 points of stamina due to Crazed Zharalim casting Drain Stamina Other III on you
You resist the spell cast by Maddened Zharalim
You lose 30 points of mana due to Crazed Zharalim casting Drain Mana Other III on you
You knock Demented Zharalim into next Morningthaw!

This is taking too long, and I'm taking too much damage. Time to switch attacks.

Your lightning coruscates over Demented Zharalim's mortal remains!
Blistered by lightning, Maddened Zharalim falls!

Well, THAT worked.

Demented Zharalim cast Imperil Other V on you
Demented Zharalim cast Magic Yield Other IV on you, surpassing Magic Yield Other IV
Demented Zharalim cast Imperil Other V on you, surpassing Imperil Other V

Wow. So much for lowering Magic Defense to trained.

You heal yourself for 93 Health points. Your Treated Healing Kit has 5 uses left.
A Door appears on the North wall.

Okies. Now according to my little ol' chart here, I'm to face bugs.

You say, "I HATE BUGS!"

I wonder if I can get away with using piercing on these guys.

Red Rune Silveran Bow cast Moderate Bow Aptitude on you, surpassing Moderate Bow Aptitude
Red Rune Silveran Bow cast Honed Control on you, but it is surpassed by Brighteyes' Favor
You run White Phyntos Wasp through!

That would be a yes. But I bet bludgeoning would do better. I'd just be burdened if I made THOSE kinds of arrows, too."

You resist the spell cast by Black Phyntos Wasp
You obliterate Black Phyntos Wasp!
You resist the spell cast by White Phyntos Wasp
Black Phyntos Wasp's perforated corpse falls before you!
Black Phyntos Swarm sparks you for 32 points with Lightning Bolt V.
Black Phyntos Swarm shocks you for 37 points with Lightning Bolt V.

You say, "I AM STILL SPARTAGUS!"

But I *am* starting to take some damage.

You resist the spell cast by Black Phyntos Swarm
Black Phyntos Wasp sparks you for 22 points with Lightning Arc IV.
You resist the spell cast by Black Phyntos Swarm
Black Phyntos Swarm sparks you for 9 points with Lightning Blast V.
Black Phyntos Swarm sparks you for 10 points with Lightning Volley IV.
Black Phyntos Swarm sparks you for 9 points with Lightning Volley IV.
You resist the spell cast by Black Phyntos Wasp


You heal yourself for 101 Health points. Your Plentiful Healing Kit has 67 uses left.

Whew.

This is weird now. There are two hives left. Just standing there, doing nothing, like the monoliths from 2001. Except these two don't have a pack of screaming monkeys surrounding them.

Black Phyntos Hive is fatally punctured!
Black Phyntos Hive is incinerated by your assault!

Time for the second round.

You say, "WFT? More bugs?"

Yes, I actually typed "WFT." Sigh.

Hey, fire worked well on that last hive. Let's try it on the bugs.

You bring Black Phyntos Wasp to a fiery end!
White Phyntos Wasp is incinerated by your assault!
White Phyntos Wasp is incinerated by your assault!
Black Phyntos Wasp's seared corpse smolders before you!
Black Phyntos Wasp's seared corpse smolders before you!
Black Phyntos Swarm is incinerated by your assault!
You obliterate White Phyntos Wasp!
You bring White Phyntos Wasp to a fiery end!
Black Phyntos Wasp is incinerated by your assault!
You bring Black Phyntos Swarm to a fiery end!

THAT is a yes.

Oh good. More hives.

Black Phyntos Hive's seared corpse smolders before you!
Black Phyntos Hive is incinerated by your assault!

You say, "EFFING DRUDGES?!"
That's code for, "And now drudges."

These guys HATE fire, right?

You bring Augmented Drudge to a fiery end!
You bring Altered Drudge to a fiery end!
Altered Drudge catches your attack, with dire consequences!
Altered Drudge's seared corpse smolders before you!
You bring Altered Drudge to a fiery end!
You knock Altered Drudge into next Morningthaw!
Augmented Drudge is reduced to cinders!
Altered Drudge is reduced to cinders!

Seems it.

Baktak the Human Slayer says, "Time for a little payback!"
Kerthump the Ear Taker says, "I'm gonna bite me off some human ears!"

Ooooh. How neat! Named Drudges?! I bet they're something out of the Drudge "fight club" quest. Wish I knew about it more than that.

You smite Baktak the Human Slayer mightily!
Baktak the Human Slayer says, "Not Again!"
You resist the spell cast by Kerthump the Ear Taker
You resist the spell cast by Kerthump the Ear Taker
You say, "Har"
You knock Kerthump the Ear Taker into next Morningthaw!
Kerthump the Ear Taker says, "No! Don't take my belt you dirty humans!"

Oh, DEFINITELY from that fight club quest.

A Door appears on the North wall.

Next round. Me and my fire bow "blaze" in. Get it? Har.

You resist the spell cast by Cursed Wisp
You resist the spell cast by Fire Wisp
You resist the spell cast by Fire Wisp
You resist the spell cast by Fire Wisp

Um, maybe I shouldn't be using fire.

Fire Wisp is fatally punctured!
Fire Wisp's perforated corpse falls before you!
You run Cursed Wisp through!
Stasis Wisp is fatally punctured!

You say, "Well, just as well that I switched from fire!"
You say, "I HATE WISPS!"

I'm not always this negative. But this is like a hit parade of things that have killed me. A lot. In a row.

It's at this point that things got bad for the first time.

You say, "Gromnies? Who let the dawgs out!?"
You say, "Har."

But not so fast.

I'm doing SQUAT for damage. I realized that the colors of these dawggies corresponds to what damage you shouldn't do to them, elemental wise.

@e is color blind.

You say, "Uh oh."

So I hit on this method --

Royal Runed War Bow cast Moderate Bow Aptitude on you, surpassing Moderate Bow Aptitude
You cast Gossamer Flesh on Emerald Gromnie
You cast Gossamer Flesh on Emerald Gromnie, surpassing Gossamer Flesh
You heal yourself for 111 Health points. Your Plentiful Healing Kit has 66 uses left.
You heal yourself for 76 Health points. Your Plentiful Healing Kit has 65 uses left.
Red Rune Silveran Bow cast Moderate Bow Aptitude on you, surpassing Moderate Bow Aptitude
Red Rune Silveran Bow cast Honed Control on you, but it is surpassed by Brighteyes' Favor
Emerald Gromnie's perforated corpse falls before you!

I hit them with my War bow until I Gossamer'd them, then I switched to pierce vuln'd weapon.

This.
Took.
Time.


You cast Gossamer Flesh on Brass Gromnie
Brass Gromnie's perforated corpse falls before you!

Royal Runed War Bow cast Moderate Bow Aptitude on you, surpassing Moderate Bow Aptitude
You cast Gossamer Flesh on Sapphire Gromnie
Red Rune Silveran Bow cast Moderate Bow Aptitude on you, surpassing Moderate Bow Aptitude
Red Rune Silveran Bow cast Honed Control on you, but it is surpassed by Brighteyes' Favor
You obliterate Sapphire Gromnie!

And more time.

Royal Runed War Bow cast Moderate Bow Aptitude on you, surpassing Moderate Bow Aptitude
You cast Gossamer Flesh on Amethyst Gromnie
Red Rune Silveran Bow cast Moderate Bow Aptitude on you, surpassing Moderate Bow Aptitude
Red Rune Silveran Bow cast Honed Control on you, but it is surpassed by Brighteyes' Favor
You run Amethyst Gromnie through!

Whew. Finally.

Then (naturally) more came in.

You say, "MORE OF YOU IDJITS?"
You say, "What more could go wrong?"

The spell Inferno's Bane on Asheron's Supreme Raiment has expired.
The spell Inferno's Bane on Ancient Armored Long Boots has expired.
The spell Inferno's Bane on Ancient Armored Gauntlets has expired.
The spell Inferno's Bane on Ancient Armored Leggings has expired.
The spell Inferno's Bane on Ancient Armored Bracers has expired.
The spell Inferno's Bane on Ancient Armored Vestment has expired.
The spell Inferno's Bane on Ancient Armored Helm has expired.

You say, "Uh oh"

The spell Gelidite's Bane on Ancient Armored Leggings has expired.
The spell Gelidite's Bane on Asheron's Supreme Raiment has expired.
The spell Gelidite's Bane on Ancient Armored Long Boots has expired.
The spell Gelidite's Bane on Ancient Armored Gauntlets has expired.
The spell Gelidite's Bane on Ancient Armored Leggings has expired.
The spell Gelidite's Bane on Ancient Armored Bracers has expired.
The spell Gelidite's Bane on Ancient Armored Vestment has expired.

The spell Gelidite's Bane on Ancient Armored Helm has expired.
The spell Astyrrian's Bane on Asheron's Supreme Raiment has expired.
The spell Astyrrian's Bane on Ancient Armored Long Boots has expired.
The spell Astyrrian's Bane on Ancient Armored Gauntlets has expired.
The spell Astyrrian's Bane on Ancient Armored Leggings has expired.
The spell Astyrrian's Bane on Ancient Armored Bracers has expired.
The spell Astyrrian's Bane on Ancient Armored Vestment has expired.
The spell Astyrrian's Bane on Ancient Armored Helm has expired.

So I have to rebuff. And yes, the MOBs are STILL IN THE ROOM. Ignoring me. They've literally walked away, and aren't even FACING me. I had taken that long to kill the others, that the second crew got BORED.

You shake your fist.

But I'm not stupid.

You cast Inferno's Bane on Ancient Armored Long Boots
You cast Inferno's Bane on Ancient Armored Gauntlets
You cast Inferno's Bane on Ancient Armored Vestment
You cast Inferno's Bane on Ancient Armored Leggings
You cast Inferno's Bane on Asheron's Supreme Raiment
You cast Inferno's Bane on Ancient Armored Helm
You cast Inferno's Bane on Ancient Armored Bracers

You cast Gelidite's Bane on Ancient Armored Long Boots
You cast Gelidite's Bane on Ancient Armored Gauntlets
You cast Gelidite's Bane on Ancient Armored Vestment
You cast Gelidite's Bane on Ancient Armored Leggings
You cast Gelidite's Bane on Asheron's Supreme Raiment
You cast Gelidite's Bane on Ancient Armored Helm
You cast Gelidite's Bane on Ancient Armored Bracers

You cast Astyrrian's Bane on Ancient Armored Long Boots
You cast Astyrrian's Bane on Ancient Armored Gauntlets
You cast Astyrrian's Bane on Ancient Armored Vestment
You cast Astyrrian's Bane on Ancient Armored Leggings
You cast Astyrrian's Bane on Asheron's Supreme Raiment
You cast Astyrrian's Bane on Ancient Armored Helm
You cast Astyrrian's Bane on Ancient Armored Bracers

You cast Tusker's Bane on Ancient Armored Long Boots, surpassing Tusker's Bane
You cast Tusker's Bane on Ancient Armored Gauntlets, surpassing Tusker's Bane
You cast Tusker's Bane on Ancient Armored Bracers, surpassing Tusker's Bane
You cast Tusker's Bane on Ancient Armored Vestment, surpassing Tusker's Bane
You cast Tusker's Bane on Ancient Armored Leggings, surpassing Tusker's Bane
You cast Tusker's Bane on Asheron's Supreme Raiment, surpassing Tusker's Bane
You cast Tusker's Bane on Ancient Armored Helm, surpassing Tusker's Bane

You cast Swordsman's Bane on Ancient Armored Long Boots, surpassing Swordsman's Bane
You cast Swordsman's Bane on Ancient Armored Gauntlets, surpassing Swordsman's Bane
You cast Swordsman's Bane on Ancient Armored Vestment, surpassing Swordsman's Bane
You cast Swordsman's Bane on Ancient Armored Leggings, surpassing Swordsman's Bane
You cast Swordsman's Bane on Asheron's Supreme Raiment, surpassing Swordsman's Bane
You cast Swordsman's Bane on Ancient Armored Helm, surpassing Swordsman's Bane
You cast Swordsman's Bane on Ancient Armored Bracers, surpassing Swordsman's Bane

Almost done!

You say, "Malar Quaril"
Your spell fizzled.

Or not.

Fast forward -- back to it.

Emerald Gromnie's perforated corpse falls before you!
You cast Gossamer Flesh on Sapphire Gromnie
You cast Gossamer Flesh on Emerald Gromnie
You run Brass Gromnie through!
Emerald Gromnie is fatally punctured!
Sapphire Gromnie's death is preceded by a sharp, stabbing pain!

You say, "24 minutes left!"

The spell Archer's Bane on Asheron's Supreme Raiment has expired.
The spell Archer's Bane on Ancient Armored Long Boots has expired.
The spell Archer's Bane on Ancient Armored Gauntlets has expired.
The spell Archer's Bane on Ancient Armored Leggings has expired.
The spell Archer's Bane on Ancient Armored Bracers has expired.
The spell Archer's Bane on Ancient Armored Vestment has expired.
The spell Archer's Bane on Ancient Armored Helm has expired.

The spell Swordsman's Bane on Asheron's Supreme Raiment has expired.
The spell Swordsman's Bane on Ancient Armored Long Boots has expired.
The spell Swordsman's Bane on Ancient Armored Gauntlets has expired.
The spell Swordsman's Bane on Ancient Armored Leggings has expired.
The spell Swordsman's Bane on Ancient Armored Bracers has expired.
The spell Swordsman's Bane on Ancient Armored Vestment has expired.
The spell Swordsman's Bane on Ancient Armored Helm has expired.

You say, "COULD EVERYTHING STOP EXPIRING ON ME, PLEASE?!"

Back to it.

You cast Archer's Bane on Ancient Armored Bracers
You cast Archer's Bane on Ancient Armored Long Boots
You cast Archer's Bane on Ancient Armored Gauntlets
You cast Archer's Bane on Ancient Armored Vestment
You cast Archer's Bane on Ancient Armored Leggings
You cast Archer's Bane on Asheron's Supreme Raiment
You cast Archer's Bane on Ancient Armored Helm

The spell Tusker's Bane on Asheron's Supreme Raiment has expired.
The spell Tusker's Bane on Ancient Armored Long Boots has expired.
The spell Tusker's Bane on Ancient Armored Helm has expired.
The spell Tusker's Bane on Ancient Armored Gauntlets has expired.
The spell Tusker's Bane on Ancient Armored Leggings has expired.
The spell Tusker's Bane on Ancient Armored Bracers has expired.
The spell Tusker's Bane on Ancient Armored Vestment has expired.

And now, the mossies. THESE guys I know don't like fire.

You obliterate Mosswart Swamp Lord!

Mosswart Scrounger is incinerated by your assault!
Mosswart Scavenger is incinerated by your assault!
Mosswart Swamp Lord is incinerated by your assault!
You bring Mosswart Scavenger to a fiery end!
Mosswart Scrounger is incinerated by your assault!

You say, "So, I'm liking you guys better than the Gromnies . . ."

Understatement of the year.

Mosswart Scrounger's seared corpse smolders before you!
You resist the spell cast by Mosswart Swamp Lord
Mosswart Scavenger is reduced to cinders!
You knock Mosswart Swamp Lord into next Morningthaw!
Mosswart Swamp Lord is incinerated by your assault!

You say, "WTF?"

I have thought and thought about this -- I have no idea why I said that.

You expertly heal yourself for 99 Health points. Your Plentiful Healing Kit has 65 uses left.
You heal yourself for 93 Health points. Your Plentiful Healing Kit has 64 uses left.
You heal yourself for 200 Health points. Your Plentiful Healing Kit has 63 uses left.

Unless it was because I was nearly dead, and hadn't noticed??

So now, according to the chart, you are supposed to use lightning on the lugians and mattys.

But I am having a freaking TOUGH time, even with the War Bow.

Royal Runed War Bow cast Moderate Bow Aptitude on you, surpassing Moderate Bow Aptitude
You cast Gossamer Flesh on War Mattekar
You cast Gossamer Flesh on War Mattekar, surpassing Gossamer Flesh
Your lightning coruscates over War Mattekar's mortal remains!

Remember - I filter all combat, so trust me, this took a LONG time.

So I decided to take a look.

You succeeded to remove a global squelch.
You evaded War Mattekar!
You evaded War Mattekar!
You evaded War Mattekar!
You spark War Mattekar for 57 points of electrical damage!
Bobo's Quickening has expired.
You evaded War Mattekar!
Gotrok Juggernaut grazes your abdomen for 4 points of bludgeoning damage!
You evaded War Mattekar!
You evaded War Mattekar!
You evaded War Mattekar!
You spark War Mattekar for 51 points of electrical damage!
You evaded War Mattekar!
You evaded War Mattekar!
You evaded War Mattekar!
War Mattekar scratches your upper leg for 2 points of slashing damage!
You evaded War Mattekar!
Gotrok Juggernaut grazes your lower leg for 4 points of bludgeoning damage!
Brighteyes' Favor has expired.
Ketnan's Eye has expired.
You spark War Mattekar for 68 points of electrical damage!
You evaded War Mattekar!
You evaded War Mattekar!
You evaded War Mattekar!
You evaded War Mattekar!
You evaded War Mattekar!
You spark War Mattekar for 62 points of electrical damage!

This is NOT a lot of damage.

You spark War Mattekar for 28 points of electrical damage!
In fact, it's downright sucky.

Screw it. Let's try fire.

You scorch War Mattekar for 116 points of fire damage!
You scorch War Mattekar for 140 points of fire damage!
You scorch War Mattekar for 107 points of fire damage!
You scorch War Mattekar for 114 points of fire damage!
You scorch War Mattekar for 128 points of fire damage!
War Mattekar is reduced to cinders!

Ok, so I like that MUCh better.

Critical hit! You burn War Mattekar for 292 points of fire damage!

WAY MUCH BETTER.

You say, "Ok, so whoever had "Lightning" as the attack on IGN can BITE ME"

Har. Back to filtering.

You succeeded to add a global squelch.

You bring War Mattekar to a fiery end!
You say, "Ok, so this is MUCH easier"
You say, "No offense, Mattys"
War Mattekar is incinerated by your assault!
You bring War Mattekar to a fiery end!
War Mattekar is incinerated by your assault!
You bring War Mattekar to a fiery end!
You bring War Mattekar to a fiery end!

A Door appears on the North wall.

I am SO happy to see a door at this point. Sheesh.

Ok, here we go again.

You have killed 9 Repugnant Eaters! You must kill 50 to complete your task.
You say, "PUGS?"
You have killed 10 Repugnant Eaters! You must kill 50 to complete your task.
You have killed 11 Repugnant Eaters! You must kill 50 to complete your task.
You have killed 12 Repugnant Eaters! You must kill 50 to complete your task.

You say, "Woo - hoo! I'll make great headway on that kill task!"
You say, "And it only cost me a rare! Oh . . ."

You split Ravenous Eater apart!
You cleave Ravenous Eater in twain!

You say, "Not just Pugs. =("

You have killed 13 Repugnant Eaters! You must kill 50 to complete your task.
You have killed 14 Repugnant Eaters! You must kill 50 to complete your task.
You have killed 15 Repugnant Eaters! You must kill 50 to complete your task.
You have killed 16 Repugnant Eaters! You must kill 50 to complete your task.
You have killed 17 Repugnant Eaters! You must kill 50 to complete your task.
You have killed 18 Repugnant Eaters! You must kill 50 to complete your task.
You have killed 19 Repugnant Eaters! You must kill 50 to complete your task.
You have killed 20 Repugnant Eaters! You must kill 50 to complete your task.

You say, "8 minutes?!"
You say, "Holy crap! I might not die in this place!"

You say, "Er, but it would be helpful if I --DID--"

I meant this. Because I wanted the answer about whether you got vitae and/or dropped items. I'd heard both.

And then the Blues showed up. Pshaw. I have lightning arrows, fool! I eat you idiots for breakfast!

Blistered by lightning, Viamontian Tribune falls!
Blistered by lightning, Viamontian Tribune falls!

See?

Adept of Acid sears you for 44 points with Disintegration.
You resist the spell cast by Adept of Fire
Adept of Frost chills you for 50 points with Icy Torment.
Adept of Lightning sparks you for 14 points with Luminous Wrath.
Adept of Lightning cast Wrath of Harlune on you
Adept of Frost cast Wrath of Harlune on you, surpassing Wrath of Harlune
Adept of Fire singes you for 15 points with Silencia's Scorn.
Adept of Acid blisters you for 17 points with Dissolving Vortex.
Adept of Frost cast Wrath of Harlune on you, surpassing Wrath of Harlune
Adept of Lightning cast Wrath of the Hieromancer on you
You resist the spell cast by Adept of Acid
Adept of Fire scorches you for 46 points with Ilservian's Flame.
Adept of Fire cast Wrath of Harlune on you, surpassing Wrath of Harlune
Adept of Frost cast Wrath of Adja on you
Adept of Lightning cast Wrath of Harlune on you, surpassing Wrath of Harlune
Adept of Acid blisters you for 23 points with Dissolving Vortex.

You say, "WTF?"
You say, "YOU BROUGHT SPELLCASTERS!?"

Adept of Frost cast Pacification on your Teak Electric Bow
Adept of Acid blisters you for 25 points with Celdiseth's Searing.
Adept of Fire singes you for 22 points with Silencia's Scorn.
Adept of Lightning sparks you for 20 points with Luminous Wrath.

Uh oh.

You fail to heal yourself. Your Renegade Herbal Kit has 33 uses left.

Uh oh uh oh.

Viamontian Tribune beats you to a lifeless pulp!
You have retained all your items. You do not need to recover your corpse!

You say, "Ahem . . ."
You say, "Let's see . . ."
You say, "All spells gone? Check."

You're no longer protected by the Lifestone's magic!

You say, "Tons of arrows stuck on me, leaving me burdened? Check check."
You say, "Oh! 6 minutes left! Woot!"
You say, "Shurov Thipaj"
The spell consumed the following components: Prismatic Taper
Colosseum Arena teleports you with Colosseum Arena.

You say, "Sweet! I can go back where I was!"
You say, "Wait. Not rebuffed yet."
You say, ". . ."
You say, "And I *do* have vitae!"

You say, "Well, the mossies were relatively easy, I'll kill them and get rid of vitae"

Tai Fung rings the bell in Arena 6
Tai Fung waits

You say, "Oh."
You say, "Ah, what the heck -- how fast can I die in the Viamont room, anyway?"

Adept of Frost frosts you for 123 points with Icy Torment.
Adept of Fire singes you for 18 points with Silencia's Scorn.
The thunder of Viamontian Tribune crushing Tai Fung is followed by the deafening silence of your death!
Adept of Fire cast Wrath of Harlune on you
You have retained all your items. You do not need to recover your corpse!
The Lifestone's magic protects you from the attack!

You say, "Oh."
You say, "Ahem"
You say, "Now it's personal"
You say, "Shurov Thipaj"
Your actions have dispelled the Lifestone's magic!

Colosseum Arena teleports you with Colosseum Arena.
You cast Blackmoor’s Favor on yourself
You cast Asheron’s Benediction on yourself
You say, "BITE ME, BLUE SKINS!"

Blistered by lightning, Adept of Frost falls!

Ha. Got one. I'm pleased.
You say, "HA!"
See?

Adept of Lightning tried to cast a spell on you, but was too far away!
Its lifespan finished, your Colosseum Ticket Stub crumbles to dust.

Well, now -- time for my fat reward!

You've earned 500,000 experience.

You say, "..."

Master Arbitrator tells you, "You fought well! You are a skilled combatant."
Master Arbitrator tells you, "You shall be known to all as a "Gladiator"!"
Master Arbitrator tells you, "Take this knowledge as a reward for your accomplishments."

Master Arbitrator says, "Arena Two is now available for new warriors!"

Master Arbitrator says, "Arena One is now available for new warriors!"

Because the gimp just left Arena One. Don't mind his pee-pee puddles.

Wrath of Adja has expired.
Inferno's Gift has expired.
Wrath of the Hieromancer has expired.
Wrath of Adja has expired.
Gossamer Flesh has expired.
Logging off...
You have left the General channel.
You have left the Trade channel.
You have left the LFG channel.
You have left the Roleplay channel.
You have left the Allegiance channel.

Sigh.

Overall, it was actually great fun. I'm genuinely pleased. I think I lost a TON of time with the Gromnies, and whoever wrote to use lightning on the mattys can bite me. I can see why that place is addictive, though.

Doing this solo for my maiden run was no Aerlinthe (when I soloed it on my first time through that quest, but it took me 2+

hours, and a consult from Capt. Justice). But it was fun.

And that is what Asheron's Call is all about.

Saving, searching, saving . . . oops.

When I logged in patch day (night) Foxy told me to check my pack for a robe . . . nothin.

Okies, she says, you just have to do the Search for Asheron quest. So I talk to this guy, and he sends me ALL THE HELL OVER DERETH to pick up necklaces, rings, goblets . . . whatever.

As I'm doing all this, I'm thinking to myself, "Damn, this seems familiar somehow." Anyway, I finish up the quest, and talk to the guy in Cragstone (Osment something).

And get the same message.

So I do a little research, and it's the SAVING Asheron quest that I have yet to do, in order to get Bur recall (and presumably this stupid robe?).

There goes a perfectly good Thursday night -- glad I'd already run, and had a decent dinner before I settled in.

Foxy griefed me, and she didn't even KNOW it! ;-) :-P

Va Tech

--Initial reports indicate the shooter was a foreign student here on a visa, which we (the US) give out like candy. You think my RL work was intense before? This could be really, really bad. I might not see the light of day soon.


--So, remember all these emo college kids who post on VN about how (1) they hate cops, (2) cops are pigs, (3) cops are fascists, etc. Who was it that charged into the building where the shooter was? Who was it that laid on top of the students, and hustled them into cars and/or safety? Nice.


--Think also of how you have these people saying, "Those who would trade freedom for security (blah blah blah)." So, you want to ban all guns now, or increase gun control, but you don't want to take your shoes off at the airport? Hypocrisy, anyone? Security isn't a bad thing, and the Constitution is not a suicide pact.

May those poor students and their families find some peace.

Oh good, more Biakas . . .

. . . I jumped on a Sepulcher run mid-afternoon today (sans Decal, which is still giving me significant problems). We fought Zefirs and Biakas.

Biakas, as in "Dragons."

http://gimpyarcher.blogspot.com/2005/03/dragons.html

Ugh.

WOOOT!

I think I just got Decal reinstalled! Marie suggested I retry it, and it seems to have worked!

Woot!

Looks like I made quite an impression! :-D

Pardon me while I laugh. A lot. :-)

If I can find the YouTube link, I'll put up a route to Jon Stewart's view of the Duke case, complete with showing Nancy Grace for being quite the, um, "Marcella."

Hell, I am cracking up big time over Marcella's reaction to the Duke implosion, but with the video, pardon me while I laugh even MORE now.

*giggle*


Edit: Found it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXizCq6ODTg

*snort*

Remember, in Marcella Chester's world, you have to prove you DIDN'T commit a crime once you're accused. Marcella Chester and Nancy Grace . . . separated at birth?

Death says, "I've missed you!"

But Harby didn't.

It's well after midnight as I write this (Foxy was right, I wasn't able to crash so quickly), so allow me to toss a few choice events from the Harby run tonight as I think of them (I forgot to run a chat log, still rusty):

--There were only about 7 of us there, prompting Don II to go on the @cg channel to see if anyone from "genpop" wanted to come. Nada. Uh-oh.

--We plow through to Harby, and beam in. At this point, things took a turn for the worse. Kinda like Titanic post-iceberg.

--As SOON as we beam in, Harby focuses on me like I'm a long-lost brother, just pounding me like crazy. I am working the "4" key, eating field health rations, when Harby hits me with the "drain 100% of your stamina" spell. Ugh. So I reach for the "2" key (which is the field stamina rations). Instead, because it's been a while since I've played, I hit the "3" key. What's the "3" key?

Hello, Aphus Lassel. Damn.

Time to run back to Yanshi.

--By the time I got back, I saw that Foxy died early, as her alt Shysie. Of course, me being who I am, I died pretty fast.

Time to run back to Yanshi. Damn damn.

I followed, quickly (naturally, this time, and ran back to Yanshi).

--Since I don't have self-buffing anymore (no Covenant), I hit on the brilliant idea to recall to the Whispering Blade Chapterhouse, touch the life crystal, and THEN run back to Yanshi. I'd be missing certain creature buffs, but I had a full array of beer, and the super-duper-composite bow seemed to pick up the rest (bow buffs, major coord, etc).

--That lasted about 5 minutes, when Harby put the Harbing-ownage on me again.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

At this point, we're up to 2 deaths, when we get Harby down to (this is true) like 2-5% of health. Here we go! We're on him! Free XP awaits!


--Insert 3rd death here.

You say to your fellowship, "As if on cue."
Shysie says to your allegiance, "lololol"
(Yes, she posted that in flipping @a chat!!!)

I made it back JUST in time to get my Arm token, as well as depart via the right portal so I could get my other XP.

Anyway, we get our XP, and I'm thinking of logging, when Don says, "Time to clean up the mess."

Oh good. More elementals. Except these are the ones dressed in the Viamontian-looking suits of armor, called "Knights of Verdancy/Strife/Whatever."

I'm serious -- at one point, I had 3 pounding on me with spells, weapons, debuffs, you name it. I was surrounded by so many buff men in colored armor, you'd think I was Liza Minelli at a Gay Pride march. All of this led to . . .

--Insert 4th death here. And at that point, I wasn't just doing heals for myself, I wasn't even fighting. And yet ZAPZAPZAPZAPDIEPORTALPORTALPORTAL.

Grrrr. Time to run back to Yan---ah, you get it.


--So now, by the time I'm back, we have the "Reflection of the Harbinger," who had arrived within (this is true) SECONDS of me saying, "Back!" in open chat.

And yes . . .

--Insert 5th death here.

Some things NEVER change. At this point, Foxy is just doubled over laughing, one person I hadn't met in the alliance actually had to apologize for laughing so much, and I seriously think I heard a wood target drudge snicker at me as I ran by for the SEVENTH time.

In the end, the competent folks got pseudo-Harby. But I got a free pack Harbinger from Enos. With the inscription, "5 times. ;)" on it. Now THAT is a welcome-back gift. ;-) :-P

--The good news was that I remembered to bane.

Time for bed. <3 to all. ;-)

Creeeeeeeeeaaaaaak!

I'm psyched to go on a Harby run tonight (I spent last night getting the kinks out by running to the train/untrain place for some gems). Hopefully, I'll be 700 million XP richer after tonight (and that much closer to my last Clutch o' the Miser gem!).

:D

De-can't

I've just spent the evening trying to install Decal. Crash n' burn. Feh.

That's two!

So I found myself with 2 billion XP saved up (thank you Harby, despite you complete bastard).

And now I'm faced with a question, based on the advent of the Coliseum/Collesseum/Col/ (I prefer to call it "the vitae bowl").

Do I get the "no drop buffs after you die" augment? That's FOUR billion XP. Up until this point, I was waiting for another "Clutch of the Miser" augment.

What to do, what to do.

Actually, not much of a choice. I freaking HATE dropping items, even if they are pretty easy to recover. It will be GREAT not to have to carry a pack full of DIs around.

And besides (I hate to admit this) . . . I still haven't been to the Coliseum.

Tai Fung has acquired the Clutch of the Miser Augmentation!

Yay for (more) memory!

I typically play AC on a laptop. I have a (very stable) iMac for photos, e-mail, music, etc., but since I can't play AC on it, I use my relatively older Dell Laptop. As of late, I've noticed performance dropping waaaaaaay down, so I bought some memory on the cheap, and went from 256MB of RAM to 1GB. Biiiig difference.

Yay. :-)

Now then, comes the question -- should I install Decal? I can only imagine how many majors I must miss out on, and while I only used Decal for about 9 months (tops) over the 7 years I've played AC, there has got to be some good apps out there.

Hmmmm.

Wow. Rough night.

I missed doing the EOL's coliseum run tonight (I confess that I still actually haven't BEEN to the place yet, with all the quests and/or running about I'm doing).

So I thought I'd hit Vissidial for no other reason than to try out my Royal Bow again. I'd previously had a great time with it, killing everything I saw.

TWO deaths (in 15 minutes!!) later . . .

Ouchie. Time for bed, I think.

You've earned 6 million XP.

WTF?

If you go to Yanshi, there's this tomb of Antius Blackmoor. You go downstairs to the tomb, "use" it, and you'll see that you will (1) pray over the guy (with it saying something like, "despite any political differences you may or may not have"), and (2) cry over the guy.

You'll then be given a %age of XP. In my case (level 183) it was 6 million points.

Um, yay?

Same Harbinger . . .

. . . same result.

Hello, Lifestone. Gawd I suck.

On the other hand, I at least made it back to the bastard in time to get my 800 bazillion points, so I'll deal. I'm 100 million points away from my second "clutch of the miser" augment, so I'm that much closer to being like Cyrano and leaving bodies everywhere all over Dereth.

But at least Foxy died too. <3 :-)


P.S. There was one bright spot. I'd died with Harby at (this is true) 5% of health, and the EOL deliberately just kept him at bay (by this point 3% of health) so I could make the quick recall back to Yanshi, and then run for the dungeon (at 124% burden). Thank goodness I keep a backpack full of town gems (like 25 each) for quick zips around Dereth. Anyway, it was really cool of them to hold on like that. And really typical for me to croak that close to Harby's friggin demise. :-(

Effing Bloodletters

In preparation for tonight's Harby quest, I just spent NINETY MINUTES looking for a lousy Drudge Bloodletter Charm, must have killed a good 100 of those buggers before I finally found one.

Kit needed a Bandy Aggressor scalp, and had spent nearly 30 minutes out where she was, trying to find one. Of course, because I'm a sap, I decided to help out with that, and found one on about the 10th Aggressor I killed.

And I know that I could just go untrain/retrain something, and pump it up to within 2 points, but it's not that easy. EVERY time I go to the Train/Untrain temple, I get pwned. I SWEAR, I pick something up, read the little blurb about how long you have to wait, and the next thing you know, BAM, there's a two week period imposed, and I'm there with a 51 bow skill.

So pardon me if I stick to things by the book, and keep looking for Bloodletters. Because even if it takes 90 minutes, that's still shorter than two weeks. ;-)

A Colleseum??

Oh, great. So now I get to die with an audience.

Oh, well, thanks Turbine . . .

. . . for THAT vote of confidence!

I was going to pre-pay for AC for a year. But for some reason, there's no explanation from Turbine about that "no refund" policy sitting out there.

Soooooo, I went to the page where you go to pre-pay, and instead of writing in my credit card number, just submitted a question. Specifically, I stated that I loved AC, and had a concern about the "no refund" thing, and how that worked out for the pre-pay.

Here's the response I got:

"Thank you for your inquiry. Turbine does have a "no refund" policy in the Terms
of Service. If you
are concerned about renewing for an entire year, we do offer the 3 and 6 month
renewals as well. "

Um, is THAT not the answer I was hoping for, or WHAT?!

And with that, Death started to cry --

Congratulations! You have succeeded in acquiring the Clutch of the Miser Augmentation!

Only 4 billion XP to go!

Royally Pwned.

"Oh! You're huntin Vissidial now, Tai? Well, you just GOTTA get a Royal Runed Bow!"
"Hey Tai! Did you get that Royal Runed Bow yet?"
"Tai! You suck if you don't get that Royal Runed Bow!"

Ok, I get it. I should go get the Royal Runed Bow. Fortunately, it looks like it's no big deal.

1. Run to dungeon.
2. Kill humanoids in dungeon.
3. Get key.
4. Open chest.
5. Recall back to Whispering Blade place for some XP Lovin.

This, of course, means it's a problem. Specifically:

1. The dungeon is located just on the other side of a range of mountains, only slightly more impassable than the Germans had at Omaha Beach.

Of course, after getting stuck on top of various sharp angled mountain points, I finally jump off of Mount Polygon to (eventually) land near the portal. Which is un-tie-able.

2. The humanoids are all wearing what looks like GSC armor, and proceed to gang attack me like I'm Rodney King.

So after dying (this is a surprise why?), I repeat step #1 (getting stuck AGAIN) and finally get back to the dungeon (although this time I loaded up lightning arrows).

3. I decided that instead of fighting, I'd just do the patented "Tai runs like hell through a dungeon, while the baddies chase after him like he's the Beatles" method. Eventually, I found the acid pit.

Which I fell in, and thus had to recall out (see Step #1 YET FRIGGING AGAIN).

Anyway.

So I finally find the "Chief Bad Guy," and kill him, and loot his key.


4. I open the chest, expecting to see a range of Royal Runed Weapons (I was only planning on taking the bow, really!). Instead I see: A Mace. I wonder if Lews can use it?

(censored)


5. I go back to the Whispering Blade chapterhouse thing, get my 15 million (which I could have gotten in 10 minutes elsewhere), and then re-read up on the quest.

The only bright spot was a quick chat with Lews and Chu-Chu, who is still as nice as ever.

I'm off to bed. Eff the freaking Royals. Call me a peasant. ;-)

Aw, the drama

Back from Chicago!

It was FREAKING cold, but there was plenty o' good food and beer.

Anyway, VN looks like it has TONS of good drama threads (particularly compared to lately). Why does all this good stuff happen while I'm gone? And Anna Nicole died too!?

Can't wait to catch up! ;-)

Um, oh.

I think I need to re-figure out how to do that character builder.

Skill credits with the layout I'd picked = -8

Oops.

Screw it. I don't want to pick between life or creature, so what the heck.

Spec lore. =D

Move to 3 schools?

Someone posted on VN about an archer template, and everyone was crapping on specing lore.

@e is lore-spec'd.

Is that bad? Um, oops?

So I just went through my favorite character generator, at AsheronsGuide.com, and it seems that if I ditch missle D completely (already done), and ditch lore completely, I actually might be able to:

Train Life AND Creature. So I'd be:

Spec'd in:
Bow
Melee D
Magic D

Trained in:
Lockpick
Healing
Item
Life
Creature
Fletching
Mana Conversion

Sure, with Life trained, I wouldn't land Imps on anything, but the good news is that I'd be back to being a self-buffer.

Hmmmm.

This could be fun. I mean, sure, I wouldn't have 2 hour buffs anymore (I'm saving ALL my XP for Clutch of the Miser, and the "no need to rebuff after you die" augments).

But -- I could just rebuff after I die without having to go get a bot. Hell, in THAT case, maybe I bail on the "Enduring Whatever" Augment, and pump those points into the magic schools?

Heh. Guess it might be time to learn the names of those stupid spells after all. ;-)

Woo-hoo!

I am no longer a "3-D" archer. I used to be spec'd in Missle/Melee/Magic D's, but I've realized that I'm probably wasting serious skill credits through the missle D spec'ing. I asked Marie, who said that NONE of her chars even have it trained, so out it went.

I know this much -- I DEFINITELY don't want any other magic schools right now. I can barely keep myself alive as an archer, and have a helluva time even remembering to freaking BANE, so I give myself a 0% chance or remembering spells with names like, "Fafhard's Gratiutious Wedgie," or "Lithia's Greater Benediction of Wii," or whatever.

So what does that leave? I'm not sure. So far, I've trained up Mana Conversion, so that when I DO remember to bane, it won't take me 30 minutes of doing that insipid "Casting Stein Trick Thingie" (although I'm thankful for it).

Now I'm left with 6 skill credits, and too many to specialize at this point (so far, I'm spec'd Bow, Melee, Magic D, and Lore).

Of course, I wonder if there's room to spec Run? ;-)

AGAIN with the chopping off of heads?!

I've been faced with a problem as of late: I moved my LS from Ayan, to the one just outside the Viss. Isle portal (the cool, gyroscope looking LS), but sometimes I still need to get to Ayan.

What to do?

Ohhhhh! I'm a member of the Whispering Blade thingie (the good guys). There's a recall orb I can just quest for and then I'll have a nice quick and easy way back to Ayan! Woooooot!

But first, you have to get to Ayan, to get to the WB chapterhouse. I went to Holt, and couldn't get my typical method (a bot named Mia) to cast. Grrr. So off I run to Ayan, using a FREAKING LONG WAY I DON'T MIND TELLING YOU.

Anyway.

After getting your orders at the WB Chapterhouse, the quest starts with having to go to Eastwatch, and find some idiot called "The White Spear." I kept thinking of "The White Shadow," from that old TV show. But instead of being surrounded by troubled black basketball players, "The White Spear" is surrounded by penguins.

Anyway, you're supposed to whack Whitey, and then, as if that's not enough, chop off his head.

I blogged about getting the head of Baron Entemerrewhatever a while back (he was the torturous tyrant, who it turns out is the height of a Pack Drudge). But you're supposed to whack him, and then take his head.

Same deal with the Dereth version of Ken Howard (Google that line, it's hysterical). Whack, kill, chop.

Sigh. Whatever, I killed him, and went back to Ayan (taking another FREAKING LONG WAY because I couldn't get the portal bot in Holt to work).

But THIS head isn't good enough for the chick. She wants: ANOTHER shubbery, er, head!

Grrrrr. Yup, I'm to run to Vissidial, where I'm supposed to run to some Mukkir place, and chop off yet another head.

Which I did. After only dying twice (once running to the dungeon, once in it).

So I got the orb, and some bow-thingie, and then triumphantly announce that I have a quick way to Ayan in @a chat.

At that point, someone said something like, "Yeah, I really want the Ulgrim Spell, so I can get back there fast"

Which prompted me to (literally) smack my head.

OMG.

I actually HAVE that spell.

Another Sunday night, down the drain.

Whispering Bladowned.

Foxy cracks me up.

Short version (har) of the conversation I just had with her:

--She has, apparently, half the population of TD on her accounts. By the time we were done talking, I became convinced that I need to start sending @tells of "<3" to freaking VENDORS.

--She drinks Cheerwine. The only people who I've ever known who drank that stuff usually had thick white handlebar mustaches, and were, technically, Robert E. Lee. On the other hand, believe it or not, Cheerwine drinkers are just seriously old-skool, like folks who still drink Tab.

I dig that chick. She's smart, funneh, and damn knowledgeable about this game.

Then again, she's also likely the person who plays Asheron, so she should know.

I bet she's sorry she called me. =P

A 310 million XP mistake. Ouchies.

But oh, so typical. =/

It was a nutty Saturday afternoon, when Kitra asked if I had the time to make a quick Harby run. I really didn't. But she hates doing that stuff alone, and I thought I'd try to help out (and basically be a target).

The trouble was that I still hadn't:

1. Untrained/Retrained Bow
2. Found a new Bloodletter Drudge Charm

So I was scrambling to do that stuff (a huge tip-in/save from Marie, who just handed me one, I so heart her), when at the same time I've got something going on in RL around me (distracting me), as well as trying to type out/talk out to guide Kitra to the train/untrain place. On top of that Polendra something, who was totally nice to chat to was also talking to me.

Oh, and in @a chat, people were trying to explain how you could (this is baffling) actually RUN Harby BEFORE you give Vincadi the item. WTF? I have a hard enough time getting flagged for a freaking "Go kill 50 Repugnant Eaters" quest!!!

Anyway, in the middle of everything, I started to raise up my XP in to Bow. You know, where you get it to where you need 310 million for a point, and then stop, so you get the extra 310 and 350 million?

Click. Click. Click click click click click.

And just like that, in the middle of everything: Click.

Your base Bow skill is now 380!

Um, oops.

So I didn't get any XP post Harby, just so I could "Fred Berry" my ass to the Train/Untrain dungeons.

"You may complete this quest again in 6d 14h 23s."

Crap.

At that point, I just recalled to Yanshi, talked to Vincadi, and got my free 350 million.

That's 310 million XP down the tubes, but it's a lesson learned: I do NOT like to rush to get ready for a quest. I'd rather miss it. And sometimes, I need to just let a few lines of text fly by, and catch up on the reading later.

Bah.

That Gwyd vs. pkhere bet

That's a seriously gutsy move, and Gwyd handled herself with class. She was the one who first stepped up to the plate and was willing to absent herself from VN.

To run, or to run?

There's Harby run coming up this Saturday, and I'd love another free 700+ million. But I've got a 10 mile training run scheduled for the same time.

Grrr.

Hot Monkey Love

That's what was going on with my bodies when I got back to them.

Freakin' Assailers. Again. Twice.

It all comes down to forgetting that there's those "Tusker's Gift" spells hitting you every which way (and me without life magic).

Ouchie. Maybe going back to my Life/Critter Major Covenant suit is the way to go after all?

Hrm.

At least I look good in both outfits. What's that quote about leaving a pretty corpse? ;-)

500th death, and it was memorable.

This was a wierd weekend. It had good, bad, and ugly moments as usual. But what was funny was that my 500th death, which I'd been planning to be something momentous, was actually pretty stressful. I even had to get an Envoy.

The Good: At the last minute tonight (Sunday), I saw that Enos, Kasen, someone named "Lyr" who I think was actually "Ashai," and Legend of Bow were going off on the Composite Bow Upgrade Quest. This seemed fun, and while it was REALLY frustrating at times (you have to find this portal tucked deep in these caves), it was all worth it, and the upgrade is quite nice. It apparently does really well against Harby, so I'm looking forward to trying it out soon.

The Bad: 20% vitae. Including 2 deaths in about 10 minutes. Some things never change. I can't get over how bad I am at this stuff.

The Ugly: That would be death #500. Specifically, I died in the PoTB, above the pit, after being too stingy to crack an Aphus Gem. Humph. Fine. So my body is at PoTB, being used as some sort of marionette by the Lugies ("Now make him kick like a Rockette!"), when I head back.

I pretty skillfully (lots of experience at this) manage to open my body, loot a bit, heal, loot a bit, heal, etc. And JUST as I get the last pyreal off of myself, I took about two paces back, and slap my finger down on the "3" key, for an Aphus ejection to safety. But I looked up just in time to see this:

The force of Tukora Lieutenant's attack flattens you!

So maybe I'm not THAT skillful at this stuff. Anyway.

Hello, LS, goodbye (again) buffs. At this point, I'm having a hard time reconciling what to do about augments to not drop items, or to not lose your buffs. I know that I'm wasting bots' time by using them repeatedly from dying.

Anyway, I recalled back to the PoTB, and ran to where I died to find: Nothing.
So, maybe I actually DID hit that recall gem! So I recalled to Aphus (via another gem, because the lugies were yet again beating the crap out of me), to find: Nothing.

At this point, I know what you're saying: TAI OMFG YOU GIMP! YOU WERE IN THE WRONG POTB!

Nope. Because I went to EACH of them at this point. Right to where I know I died, to find: Nothing.

No body. But I'd dropped items. I sure as hell had vitae (10% now). And I was a mite confused.

So I LS recalled. No body. I LS "floated." No body.

I paged for an Envoy, and while I was waiting, it occurred to me that maybe I should log to the desktop and back in. I did that, and hit the PoTB main: No body.

So I hit PoTB West: Oh. "Corpse of Tai Fung" Right where I'd left it.

At that point, I grabbed by body's stuff, recalled (goodbye another gem), and kind of thought -- did I just have a brain lock? Was I not in Main? But I just *KNOW* I went through the three dungeons first. It had to have been the desktop logging.

Because I can't suck so badly at hunting in Dereth that I forgot where I was, can I?

I think the Envoy peed himself from laughing at me so hard.

And I checked -- this was my 500th death. Well, it turned out to be memorable after all. Env-owned.

Oh, I was wrong, too!

Got a PM from the guy who is (was, etc.) The_Corinthian. It's apparently him. At least the PM was more convincing. I remember him as being this class act, at the time he was a TD monster who people looked to, etc. For lil' ol' Ken Po (with no schools of magic, not even item), it was pretty intimidating.

Anyway, it seems to be him. Lots of old players coming back as of late.

I dig that.

My nemesis is named, "Bur Lizk?!"

I've been trying to do the Gateway to the Deep quest for months. Months and months. Hell, Es has been promising to take me for about that time. But, lo and behold, the EoL set up the Quest for 31 December, Sunday, right at 11am. WOOT!

Anyway, Kitra wasn't available for this quest, but I was, and I thought it was time to jump at the chance. Here's the log. My comments have this type thing "--" Everything else is the actual chat transcript, with appropriate snips.

Sorry for the length, but it was a long quest, probably one of the longest I've ever done in years.

[Allegiance] Colette Hawkins says, "Gateway to the Deep quest meeting at mansion for buffing in 10 min"

---Ah, ha! Just what I’ve been waiting for! This calls for decisive action! This calls for independence! This calls for the actions of a true SOLOIST!

You tell Gbb, "bow"
Gbb tells you, "Your 'bow' request added. You are first in line.. Tell me REMOVE to delete your requests."
Gbb tells you, "Now starting your 'bow' request."
You tell Gbb, "*afk*"

---Screw you. I went and got a diet coke while he was buffing me. THAT is decisive. =P

Timarra says, "Hi folks :)"

---That’s actually Marie the Loyal. She’s my Monarch, i.e., boss.

Xarkath says, "Hi Marie"

---See?

Brown Trucker says, "hello fearless leader"

---Who the heck is THAT? What an effing name, lol. =D

Gbb tells you, "Finished! Your buffs required 00:02:02 to perform. using 10 tapers and 0 plats."

---Ah, never mind. Time to go get access to the Deep! Or Vissidial! Or whereever the heck we’re going.

You have been recruited into the Deep fellowship, a fellowship led by Colette Hawkins.

Timarra eyes the golden boy

----Sheesh – it was someone all in gold. The guy looked like a walking academy award.

You say, "Is Marie here?"
Timarra says, "yup :)"

--Clearly, I not only am a gimp. I have the retention of a lab rat. But everyone’s a comedian.

Kasen says, "no =P"

-—Some better than others.

You smack your head.
Kasen giggles
Colette Hawkins says, "ok, who here is going for flagging"
Fluker waves.
Alanna Mosvani =D
You wave high in the air.

Biaka is now a member of your Fellowship.
Biaka has given you permission to loot his or her kills.
Biaka may now loot your kills.

Colette Hawkins says, "biaka, i know you are"

-–This Biaka guy is formerly Puncture. I think he was a TD bigwig back in the days when I sucked. I realize that’s not a very good differentiation, since I’m not exactly Mr. Uber Guy now, either. But when I was REALLY sucky. As in, “I can TEN shot a Drudge Slinker” sucky. I better do something to show this guy that I mean business! That I have CLASS!

Tai Fung sends himself up a flagpole

-–That’ll do it.

Timarra says, "Tai and Alanna also I believe"
Tai Fung nods

-–I heart emotes.

Alanna Mosvani nods

–-I heart chicks who emote too. ;-)

-–And now for the Most Optimistic Statement to Date(tm), 2007

Colette Hawkins says, "ok we should have no problems with this group"

-–Har. She don't know me very well, do she?

Colette Hawkins says, "most of my instructions will be for those that are flagging"

Biaka says, "me sister got engaged today <3"
-–Well, yay for Sister Biaka. Two words: Get. A. Prenup.

Dark Balrog counts his DIs
–-I don’t know who THAT guy is, but he’s smart.

Fox too says, "grats :)"
–-Oh look. My new Patron. Kind of. Well, mostly. But not really. She hates me. But also wubs me. Is it any wonder I have issues?

[Fellowship] Kasen says, "wow grats!!"

Colette Hawkins says, "anyone not ready?"

Kasen says, "wow grats!!"
-–For the record, this is now way too excited to be over someone else’s marriage. =P

Alanna Mosvani says, "poor girl =)"
-–Har. I already dig this chick.

Alanna Mosvani says, "just kidding"
–-Noooooo! Don't back down! OWN it girl!

Colette Hawkinssays, "ok, please head in the portal"

–-This is going to be a messy New Year’s Eve.

Biaka says, "going to be a messy night"
-–Ok, whether he's referring to his engaged sister or not, when you’re right, you’re right. ;-)

At this point, we talk to the first of many Talking Rocks. Talking Rocks are very important to this quest, despite their worthless-looking appearance. Kind of like Tom Petty's impact to the music industry.

Colette Hawkins says, "E side of town is a lugian, talk to him"

Shuthoth tells you, "Welcome, friend. I seek warriors in search of great adventure. I represent one who would grant the Isparians of this world much power, much knowledge."

Shuthoth tells you, "She has found something. Something powerful beneath the waves of this world. A city, ancient and doomed. The blue-skinned King did his part to raise it from the deep, but I daresay he could not have done it alone."

-–Yeah, yeah, yeah. Gimmie flagging, dammit.

Shuthoth tells you, "Now that the island exists, the lady would ask Dereth's hunters and adventurers to explore its mysteries."

–-Yawn.

Shuthoth tells you, "If you seek such a challenge, I bid you take this gem and place it within the empty eye of one of Aerlinthe's Watchers. The Watchers will tell you what else you must do."

--By “Watchers,” he means those Talking Rocks. Or the Heartbreakers, who I think are all now working at "The Gap." One or the other.

Shuthoth tells you, "You have the spark of adventure within you. Good luck, my friend."
Shuthoth gives you Watcher Token.

[Fellowship] Colette Hawkins says, "when you are done here, please use Aerlinthe Recall"

–-Ok, so let’s have a big YAY for solo flagging of this quest a few months ago! Only took me 3 hours to do it! ;-)

Silver Staff cast Major Item Enchantment Aptitude on you

-–I might be Item-Only, but my Staff is a serious Kickass stick.

Silver Staff cast Item Enchantment Mastery Self V on you, but it is surpassed by Celcynd's Boon

–-Well, that and the buffs.

You say, "Shurov Thiloi"
The spell consumed the following components: Prismatic Taper, Prismatic Taper
You have been teleported.

[Fellowship] You say, "I actually HAVE that spell! Woot!"

–-Not that I’m immodest or anything.

[Fellowship] Alanna Mosvani says, "lol"

–-Guys dig chicks with senses of humor. And those who laugh at corny jokes.

[General] Leggy says, "i know i got in it a long time ago"

–-Humph.

You tell Timarra, "Glad Kitra couuldn't make it -- she still has to get Aerlinthe recall yet!"

-–Throwing Kitra underneath the bus at this point.

Timarra tells you, "she could have gone the D note route"
-–Women always take each other’s side. Humph.

--Anyway, off we go to run. But where, I wonder?

Biaka says, "87.3n 51.2e"

–-Thanks. So I take off running. So does everyone else. But for the record. I got there first. By a mile. My run is INSANE. I figure, I have no other real defenses, might as well go with that one. I still pump points into it.

Death tells you, "And yet Lugian rocks are still faster."
You tell Death, "Eff j00"


You resist the spell cast by Banderling Mangler

-–SCREW YOU, BANDIE! I AM *NOT* THE LITTLE GIMP YOU REMEMBER!

Specter cast Blade Vulnerability Other IV on you

-–Oh, for eff's sake. He landed it. A freaking FOUR? Pardon me while I drink drano now.

Specter tells you, “owned, lolza”

-–I’m freaking coming back here, that’s for sure. Not that I’m petty or anything. (Insert Tom “Petty” joke here. Where’s DM when you need him?)

Altered Drudge tried and failed to cast a spell at you!
Altered Drudge tried and failed to cast a spell at you!
Altered Drudge tried and failed to cast a spell at you!
--Har. So I run by. Only to see this.
Altered Drudge was laughing too hard at Tai’s speed to get the spell off.
Altered Drudge pities Tai.

–-Sigh. Even mobs emote at me. Must have been a Dev at the keyboard for that one.

[Fellowship] You say, "@e Marvels at the body imprints he's left all over these beaches from back in the day"

-–That’s true. You wouldn’t believe the imprints. Like I was filming the effing scene from “From Here to Eternity” or something.


[Fellowship] Fox too says, ":P"

-–Beyotch.

[Fellowship] Alanna Mosvani says, "nasty boy"

-–If she only knew!

Fox too says, "xar gonna diiieeeee"
-–Har. At least she griefs EVERYONE!

Blade Vulnerability Other IV has expired.
–-Well that was quick.


--Anyway, Giant Talking Rock, meet Tai. Tai, meet the Rock.
Death tells you, "WTF, don't you know enough Lifestones now?"
You tell Death, "Eff you. The LSs don't talk back."

You give Devastated Watcher Watcher Token.
The gem clicks into place within the Watcher's empty eye socket. The statue hums to life and looks down upon you. You hear a whisper in your mind, "Appease the Gatekeepers," then all grows quiet.

Colette Hawkins says, "ok, from here on this is very important"

-–I leaned in real close here, at this point. Just to see:

[LFG] Unarmed One says, "Anyone lvl 42-52 want to fellow in wasps?"

-–STFU NOOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


[Fellowship] Colette Hawkins"at every NPC, please form a line"
[Fellowship] Colette Hawkins says, "do NOT use or hand the NPC anything until the person in front of you is done"
[Fellowship] Colette Hawkins says, "they will usually be portaled so that will tell you if they are done"
[Fellowship] Colette Hawkins says, "those that are being flagged will go first"
[Fellowship] Colette Hawkins says, "as for the dungeons, we'll be running through them for the most part"

–-This concept, I am quite familiar with.

[Fellowship] Colette Hawkins says, "at times we'll have to stop and fight"
[Fellowship] Colette Hawkins says, "please watch your health carefully"
[Fellowship] Colette Hawkins says, "anyone want to be a dedicated healer?"


Timarra nominates Foxy
Timarra grins
Fox too says, "lol i will"

–-Nooooooooo! You’re playing into her hands!

Colette Hawkins says, "ok"

Tai Fung counts his health rations

–-Seriously.

[Allegiance] Jaid al-cya says, "I was stuck in portal space earler, and when I relogged, I was standing in front of Gbb. I don't know how long I was there, but hope it didn't inconvenience anyone. : )"

–-Random point. See how nice folks in the EoL are? What a nice thing to point out.

Colette Hawkins says, "any questions?"

-–Um, lots. Like, “Can you just cast “Vissidial Flagged VII” on me and let me go rock in the fetal position in the corner?


Colette Hawkins says, "ok, let's do it =)"

Doomed Spirit scratches you for 14 points with Bed of Blades.
Your killing blow nearly turns Entropy Wisp inside-out!

-–Hahahahaha! Die wisp! Taste my arrows! Bleed! (Well, as much as a cloud can do that)

Doomed Spirit is utterly destroyed by your attack!

–-OWNED!

Doomed Spirit cast Healing Ineptitude Other VI on you

–-Sigh.

You say, "EEEK!"


Colette Hawkins says, "hold here"
Colette Hawkins says, "ahead is a large room"
Colette Hawkins says, "there is a stair case there, go to teh right side of the staircase and fight there"

---Oh, hell. Asheron save us. Directions.

Tai Fung prepares to run smack dab into the nearest wall.
Kasen says, "ok"
You smite Doomed Spirit mightily!

-–What the heck ARE these things? Can I fight them, like daily? No wonder they’re “Doomed.” I mean, if *I* can beat them . . .

Colette Hawkins says, "ok, portal is just ahead, i'll open the door"
Colette Hawkins says, "when i run off, wait 10 seconds, then run up and S"

-–CRAP! Is that 10 “seconds seconds,” or 10 “ Mississippis?”


[Fellowship] Colette Hawkins says, "go"

-–AIEE!

You resist the spell cast by Lightning Trap
Entropy Wisp casts Enfeeble Other VI and drains 39 points of your stamina.
Entropy Wisp scorches you for 47 points with Flame Bolt VI.
You resist the spell cast by Bone Scourge
Bone Scourge bashes you for 44 points with Crushing Shame.

-–Ok, this could suck.

Timarra casts Adja's Gift and restores 83 points of your health.

–-Have I mentioned I heart Scottish Lasses?

–-At this point, we’re blocked from the portal. By what? A cloud. A wisp. A freaking CLOUD is stopping our progress. What is this, the first Star Trek Movie? Effing V’ger is our means of demise. I bet someone will help us.

Alanna Mosvani says, "trapped"
You resist the spell cast by Entropy Wisp

-–That’s the culprit. I bet an experienced EOL’er will help us.

[Fellowship] Fox too says, "pfth hit the port in in in"

–-But not her. >:-(

Healing Ineptitude Other VI has expired.

Alanna Mosvani says, "cant"

–-Crap.

[Fellowship] Alanna Mosvani says, "in"

–-Whew.

[Fellowship] You say, "Baddies were blocking the port. =( Did you see all those bodies?"
[Fellowship] You say, "Ick."
[Fellowship] Alanna Mosvani says, "yeah i saw =)"

–-Heh, yeah, I bet YOU noticed. You were blocked. ;-)

[Fellowship] Fox too says, "and see, you didnt add to it :P"

–-Seriously, she’s enjoying this waaaaay too much.

[Fellowship] You say, "First time for everything. ;-)"

Colette Hawkins says, "well done on that part everyone"
[Fellowship] Fox too says, "stick w/ us tai, find a whole new way to quest :p"

–-What’s she implying? That I can’t die with them?

You put your hands on your hips.
You let out a hearty laugh.

Colette Hawkins says, "please line up at Shemza"

–-Shemza? All I see are spinning rocks.

Colette Hawkins says, "do NOT do anything yet"
Colette Hawkins says, "first you must talk to Shemza, then give it the Yellow Gem"
Colette Hawkinssays, "do this one at a time"
Colette Hawkins says, "when the person ahead of you is portaled, then the next person can start"

-–WTF is she talking about? There’s nothing here but us and spinning rocks.

Biaka says, "go?"
Alanna Mosvani nods
Colette Hawkins says, "ok, first person"
Colette Hawkins says, "next"
Alanna Mosvani says, "*poff* lol"

-–Then I realize. They’re talking TO the rocks.

You say, "That thing has a name? It's a rock."

–-No one responds, since I'm stating the obvious. I shrugged, and then I double click, er “talk” to it.

Shemza tells you, "A warrior! A warrior comes! Brothers, feast your eyes on one who would give their lives willingly to the great lord!"

-–Oh, for eff's sake.

Fox too says, "pet rocks 4 the win"

[Fellowship] You say, "You want me to do WHAT to the rock Foxy??! =O"

-–I crack myself up.

-–Anyway, at this point, I’m dumbfounded. We’re now talking to ROCKS for our quests. ROCKS.

Shemza tells you, "You seek to bask in the glory of Grael, do you not? You seek to join us in the worship of he who is more powerful, more glorious, than all who have come before? My brothers and I, we were the first to join his side. We were there when he led us to victory over the old ones. We helped him slay the mages and lay waste to their cities. We were there when he led an army upon the heretics of the light."

Shemza tells you, "When defeat fell upon us, we knew that our ascendance was only delayed. One day, we knew that our god would rise from the depths and claim that which is his. And we knew that ones such as you would seek to free him from his chains."

Shemza tells you, "And now you are here. You seek to barter with us who have given our souls in exchange for life eternal. Those of us who have lengthened our lives for the sole purpose of delivering warriors unto him."

Shemza tells you, "Yes. You are here now. And now you will aid me. And then you will aid my brothers."

Shemza tells you, "I seek a boon. One small boon. The masters of the portal carry a token of golden hue. A token that I would claim as mine own. Find it and deliver it to me. Then the first part of your quest shall begin."

Shemza tells you, "I have altered your body. You may now use our portal near Ayan Baqur."

-–Yeah, yeah, yeah, you effing Stalagtite. Bite me.

You give Shemza Yellow Jewel.

Shemza tells you, "Seek out the Radiant Crystal. Bring a shard to my brother Lurza. Then he will treat with you."

–-Oh look. The rock has a brother. It’s like Bananarama, but with rocks.

Colette Hawkins says, "ok, at the end of this part is a crystal that we need to kill, it will drop shards, everyone that needs flagging needs a shard"

Colette Hawkins says, "same as the last dungeon, mostly running"

Tai Fung scotch guards his armor since he's wetting it so much

Doomed Spirit scratches you for 22 points with Sau Kolin's Sword.
Doomed Spirit scratches you for 20 points with Sau Kolin's Sword.

-–WTF? They have personalized weapons? Eek.

Your killing blow nearly turns Doomed Spirit inside-out!

-–So much for HIM

Timarra casts Adja's Gift and restores 38 points of your health.

-–This is becoming a recurring theme with me and Marie.

Doomed Spirit cast Blade Vulnerability Other VI on you
You cleave Doomed Spirit in twain!
Doomed Spirit cast Imperil Other VI on you

-–Moral of that stuff? You lose some, you win some, you lose some.

Entropy Wisp cast Exhaustion Other VI on you
Doomed Spirit cast Imperil Other VI on you, surpassing Imperil Other VI

-–Some of us lose more than others.

Colette Hawkins says, "everyone in"

-–No kidding. Lemme out.

Doomed Spirit cast Blade Vulnerability Other VI on you, surpassing Blade Vulnerability Other VI

-–Sigh.

Colette Hawkins says, "ok when we jump, run W, then come to the wall, then S"

-–Again with the directions???? This is gonna hurt.

You resist the spell cast by Entropy Wisp
Doomed Spirit is torn to ribbons by your assault!
Doomed Spirit cast Blade Vulnerability Other VI on you, surpassing Blade Vulnerability Other VI
You resist the spell cast by Entropy Wisp
You resist the spell cast by Entropy Wisp
Blade Vulnerability Other VI has expired.

Colette Hawkins says, "kill here"

-–I seriously wondered at this point who she was talking about. Me or the wisps?

You resist the spell cast by Entropy Wisp
You cleave Entropy Wisp in twain!
Entropy Wisp cast Mana Depletion Other VI on you
Imperil Other VI has expired.
Exhaustion Other VI has expired.
You cleave Doomed Spirit in twain!

-–Haha! I rock!
Colette Hawkins says, "we'll kill as we go from here"

-–Must have meant us killing THEM. ;-)

Imperil Other VI has expired.
Blade Vulnerability Other VI has expired.

Colette Hawkins says, "kill all here"
Colette Hawkins says, "those for flagging get a shard from the ground"

-–Righto! Time to contribute my share to this quest!

Your missile attack hit the environment.

--I can't believe how much I suck.

Colette Hawkins says, "well done"
Colette Hawkins says, "ok, this time line up at Lurza, talk first then give the shard you got"
You say, "Oh look, another talking rock."

-–And it was. Another rock. That talked.

Lurza tells you, "You must bring to me a shard of the Radiant Crystal. Only when Shemza sings your name to the lord of the deep will you gain access to that Crystal."

Mana Depletion Other VI has expired.

You give Lurza Radiant Shard.

Lurza tells you, "Long have we waited, trapped within these crystalline forms, waiting for those who would join him in his quest. And now you come. You come seeking our approval. But are you worthy?"

Lurza tells you, "There is something I seek. The key to one who once followed our cause. A traitor who makes his home among the winged demons of the dark. Bring the key to this fallen lord, and I will grant you passage."

You give Lurza Sezzherei's Lair.

Lurza tells you, "The demon Sezzherei once called himself our brother. But when he betrayed our lord to the ancient mages, he fell from Grael's favor. Our brother Tursh slew Sezzherei on the battlefield, or so we all believed. Now he claims the dark as his master, and seeks to appease its twisted whims."

Lurza tells you, "Sezzherei will once again know the taste of his own blood. When Grael rises and marches across this land, Sezzherei will kneel once again."

Lurza tells you, "Now find the Dazzling shard, and give it to my brother Dmesne."

Colette Hawkins says, "this time we kill as we go"

-–I am contributing TWICE as much this time!

Your missile attack hit the environment.
Your missile attack hit the environment.

–-Sigh.


[Allegiance] The Elite Ua says, "morning all"
[Allegiance] Timarra says, "hiya"
[Allegiance] Kasen says, "hiya elite"
[Allegiance] Tai Fung says, "Hey there"

Colette Hawkins says, "ok, we have to run this part, we are running S after the jump"

–-A jump?
–-Running wildly?

Colette Hawkins says, "when we get to the end, stand where i will be standing and do a full power jump to get on the ledge"
Colette Hawkins says, "here we go"

–-Ok, this is NOT going to go well.

You suffer 14 damage from acid!
You suffer 14 damage from acid!
You suffer 14 damage from acid!
You suffer 13 damage from acid!

-–See?
--Still trying to make the jump. A simple jump, "up."

You suffer 14 damage from acid!
You suffer 14 damage from acid!
You suffer 14 damage from acid!
You suffer 13 damage from acid!
You suffer 13 damage from acid!
You suffer 12 damage from acid!
You suffer 13 damage from acid!
You suffer 13 damage from acid!
You suffer 13 damage from acid!

–-See see?

Fox too casts Adja's Gift and restores 81 points of your health.

You suffer 14 damage from acid!
You suffer 14 damage from acid!
You suffer 14 damage from acid!
You suffer 13 damage from acid!
You suffer 14 damage from acid!

You say, "ROFL"

–-At this point, I manage to finally make the jump up out of the acid.

You say, "Whee"

[Allegiance] The Elite Ua says, "kool i got hellos from the monarch, the "new" toon, and the death by the chicken guy :P"

He’s referring to this picture, my photo signature on the EOL page:
http://www.photodump.com/direct/Tai_Fung/TaiFungsignature.jpg

--Is it any wonder I inspire so much respect?

Colette Hawkins says, "ok, this time line up at Dmesne"

Rock. Talking. Again.

Dmesne tells you, "I require a shard of the Dazzling Crystal. Until you have acquired one of these from my brother Lurza, I will have naught to do with you, little one."

[Fellowship] Biaka says, "not gonna behappy if the quest breaks because someone can't wait 3 seconds for me to hand stuff to a crystal"

-–This struck me as weird. I make it a habit to stand back and/or go out of my way to hit the back of a line. I didn’t notice anyone else crowding either. Ah well, people can be tense on quests.

[Fellowship] Alanna Mosvani says, "we all do our best"

-–Bingo.
-–Anyway.

You give Dmesne Dazzling Shard.

Dmesne tells you, "There is a metal, a pure metal of great power. You use it to strengthen your arms, barbarians that you are. One bar is all I ask. One bar and you shall have my blessing."

You give Dmesne Pyreal Bar.

Dmesne tells you, "Within this chamber lies the Brilliant Crystal. Take a shard to my brother Rhujun, and you will be escorted to the isle of water."

Colette Hawkins says, "we are fighting through this time"
Your killing blow nearly turns Bone Scourge inside-out!
You split Bone Scourge apart!
Your killing blow nearly turns Bone Scourge inside-out!

-–Well, hell. NOW I’m cooking!

Doomed Spirit cast Imperil Other VI on you
Your missile attack hit the environment.

-–Or not.

Colette Hawkins says, "take out the crystal"

-–No screwups THIS time!

Your missile attack hit the environment.

-–Yup. 100% with these guys every time.

Colette Hawkins says, "when you get the shard, head out"

Colette Hawkins says, "ok, this time give the shard to Rhujun"

-–AGAIN-ROCKTALKING-BLAHBLAHBLAH

Rhujun tells you, "A shard of the Brilliant Crystal is all I require. Until I have it, you are not fit."

You give Rhujun Brilliant Shard.

Rhujun tells you, "There are those of wet skin and barbaric means. They carry the meanest of stones, a stone whose power is unknown even to them. I would have it, little one."

Rhujun tells you, "I would have it now."

You give Rhujun Swamp Stone.

Rhujun tells you, "The cousins of these young ones make their homes on the bones of the ancients. They know not the power that surrounds them. Such simple creatures they are."

-–So we hit the portal, and now we’re on this little island. It looks like the Islands of Veseyanwhatever, so I’m immediately pissed. And wary. But on the bright side, this person isn’t a Talking Rock. He’s just a Guy on Fire.

Flame Guardian tells you, "Welcome to my lonely isle, little one. You seek the mysteries of Vissidal, do you not? Many have come before you. Many will follow in your footsteps. The power which once lay dormant beneath the waves has surfaced. I fear the new rulers of this world will regret their meddling before all is done."

Flame Guardian tells you, "You seek a boon from me, do you not? You seek my permission to further your quest?"

Flame Guardian tells you, "You must prove yourself, little one. You must bathe in the cleansing waters of the deep. You must destroy the spirits of Water that lay claim to this isle."

Timarra says, "ok go kill 5 golems"

-–Kill 5 golems? WATER golems? WTF???

You say, "5 little water golems? Easy!"

Water Golem casts Harm Other VI and drains 42 points of your health.
Xarkath tried to cast a spell on you, but was too far away!
Water Golem casts Harm Other VI and drains 48 points of your health.
Water Golem frosts you for 71 points with Frost Bolt VI.

-–Uh oh.

Timarra casts Adja's Gift and restores 62 points of your health.
Timarra says, "not normal golems :p"

-–Yay, Boss-Lady.

You have killed 1 Water Golems! You must kill 5 to complete your task.
You flatten Water Golem's body with the force of your assault!

Water Golem cast Cold Vulnerability Other VI on you
Water Golem frosts you for 126 points with Frost Bolt VI.

-–Double uh oh.

[Fellowship] Biaka says, "done"

-–This guy is like 34 levels below me, and he’s DONE?

–-Anyway, after a while:

You have killed 5 Water Golems! Your task is complete!

Timarra casts Adja's Gift and restores 86 points of your health.
Fox too casts Adja's Gift and restores 47 points of your health.

–-My babes watch out fo’ me, yo.

Flame Guardian tells you, "The waters of the deep cover your flesh. You have been cleansed. I sense the spirit of Grael about you. I deem you worthy, little one."

–-So we portal to . . . The Hub.

You say, "Am I nuts, or is this the Hub?"
Colette Hawkins says, "ok, this place is just like Hub, except at the jump, when we get there do NOT jump down"
You say, "Oh"
Fox too says, "not hub :p"

Colette Hawkins says, "ok, high level undead down there"

Colette Hawkins says, "mages please debuff all except the boss"

–-There’s a boss?

Colette Hawkins says, "you can imp the boss, just do NOT vuln"

–-Clearly there must be. I'm hitting the "+" key furiously, trying to find him.

-–But then I finally ID the boss. His name? “Bur Lizk.” Seriously now. Say that out loud. For the record, “Bur Lizk” is basically a sound you make after eating day old pizza and drinking warm diet coke out of a 2-liter bottle. "Whoa, sweetie, stand back, I might have to Bur Lizk in a hurry!"

-–At this point, I’m incredulous. Effing talking rocks. More rocks. That talk. Exits being blocked by CLOUDS. And now, the boss’ name is an Intestinal Event. So (in the spirit of his name) I vented a bit.

You say, "Wait, the Boss' name is "Bur Lizk????" That's not a name, that's a body sound."

--While I'm complaining (and emoting)
Tai Fung had too much pasta, and makes a "Bur Lizk" sound.

Colette Hawkins says, "get in portal"

--They kill him, and we hop in the portal.

Colette Hawkins says, "ok, this place is like the last island"
Colette Hawkins says, "only those that are flagging, talk to guardian"
Colette Hawkins says, "then head out and kill 5 golems"
Colette Hawkins says, "return here when done"

-–Wait – now we’re talking to a guy made of water? He looks like he’s in a commercial for Pepto.

Water Guardian tells you, "You have done much to reach this point. You have appeased the Gatekeepers. You have been bathed in the waters of the Deep. You have bested the warrior Bur Lizk. And now you seek my blessing."

Water Guardian tells you, "As you were bathed in the waters of the deep, now must you be cleansed by its fires. Slay the spirits of Flame. Bask in their glory."

[Fellowship] Colette Hawkins says, "just to let you all know, this is the last test"

-–Glory be. At this point, I’ve had it. I run out there to kill.

You say, "PREPARE TO BUR LIZK YOU EVIL BEINGS!!!!!!!!"
You say, "WHO DARES DISTURBE THE SLEEP OF BUR LIZK??????"

Fire Golem cast Fire Vulnerability Other VI on you

-–Ok, so these guys are “special,” too. But at this point, I’m just totally Done. I want my effing flag to Vissidial, dammit!

You have killed 1 Fire Golems! You must kill 5 to complete your task.
You beat Fire Golem to a lifeless pulp!

You say, "FEAR MY BUR LIZK, I JUST HAD IT CLEANED!"

Fire Golem cast Fire Vulnerability Other VI on you, surpassing Fire Vulnerability Other VI

[Fellowship] Biaka says, "done"
-–Speedy McUber Buff, did it again. Time to show him how *I* roll.

Your missile attack hit the environment.
Your missile attack hit the environment.
Your missile attack hit the environment.
Your missile attack hit the environment.

--Someone please just buy me WoW so I can start over in anonymity.

You have killed 2 Fire Golems! You must kill 5 to complete your task.
Fire Golem is shattered by your assault!

Your missile attack hit the environment.
Your missile attack hit the environment.
Your missile attack hit the environment.

–Sigh.

You have killed 3 Fire Golems! You must kill 5 to complete your task.
You flatten Fire Golem's body with the force of your assault!

You say, "I HAD BUR LIZK UNTIL I TOOK SOME PEPTO BISMOL!"

You have killed 4 Fire Golems! You must kill 5 to complete your task.
Fire Golem is shattered by your assault!

You say, "VOTE BUR LIZK IN 2008!"

Fire Golem casts Harm Other VI and drains 36 points of your health.
Fire Golem cast Fire Vulnerability Other VI on you, surpassing Fire Vulnerability Other VI
Fire Golem cast Fire Vulnerability Other VI on you, surpassing Fire Vulnerability Other VI
Fire Golem cast Fire Vulnerability Other VI on you, surpassing Fire Vulnerability Other VI

You have killed 5 Fire Golems! Your task is complete!
You flatten Fire Golem's body with the force of your assault!

[Fellowship] You say, "Done, my Bur Lizk is sated"

Colette Hawkins says, "we still have 2 out there"

[Fellowship] You say, "Bur Lizk will not wait much longer!"

Fire Vulnerability Other VI has expired.
Fire Vulnerability Other VI has expired.
Fire Vulnerability Other VI has expired.
Fire Vulnerability Other VI has expired.

--Ok, so I did wait a while, in fact.

Water Guardian tells you, "You have been cleansed by the spirits of Flame. The essence of Grael wraps about you like a lover's embrace. Soon, you will be his."

Water Guardian tells you, "Give this to the Watcher of the Deep, and then you shall know glory."

Water Guardian gives you Watery Token.

Colette Hawkins says, "those that are flagging, give the token to the watcher"

You give Watcher of the Deep Watery Token.
You feel a low rumble, and the statue looks down upon you. You hear a whisper in your mind, "The isle of the deep is yours," then all grows quiet.
You've earned 190,000,000 experience.

Colette Hawkins says, "you are now flagged to go to Viss Island =)"

You say, "WOOT!"
You say, "Thanks Collette!!!"

You have attuned your spirit to this Lifestone. You will resurrect here after you die.
You hear a low rumble deep within the stone artifact. The sound lasts for just a moment, then falls silent.

And with that, I now have a whole new Island in which to add to my vitae. :-)

300th entry!

I can't believe I've done 300 of these things. This was going to be originally just a little way to record my attempts at getting around in Dereth, took on a political bent at times, and veered off in the personal attack venue every so often. But ultimately, it's just about a little solo, item-only archer winding his way around Dereth, trying to minimize pwnage, while maximizing fun. If a little decent loot showed up along the way, great. WHEN a lot of vitae hit, that's deal-able too. Because THIS gimpy archer doesn't quit. I take breaks, sure, but I don't quit.

Besides, if I did quit, sooooo many monsters would miss me. I'm told I have a "tasty body." (PM of that will NOT be released to protect the innocent!!) =) =P

Down with Tufa!

Seriously -- there is NO easy way to this place. WTF????

I know there's a portal at the Jungle Hub, but I just moved my tie to Umbral Hub (also on the Veyseywhatever Isles). But moving between those isles is easier than moving from East to West Berlin in 1954.

Always scary when women talk to each other . . .

Kit encountered Marie in the Egg Orchard, and recounted me their conversation. Let me put the gist of it this way: You know when your mom would encounter a teacher of yours in the grocery store or something? You remember that combined feeling of both "busted," and "worlds are colliding!" you'd get?

Yup, that was basically the look on my face this morning at breakfast.

Eek. At least they got along. Or perhaps I should be lamenting that!

I wonder how many majors I miss out on?

I was just thinking about this today as I had a quick run through the PoTB pit with some guys with the name "Dim" in their name.

How many Majors must I miss out on? I don't use Decal since ToD started, so no Bandit Sight. I mean, in dungeons like that, I just kill, and don't look at loot -- I just look for stuff like XP items.

Humph.

Such a softie --

I just gave my armor tinkering and item tinkering rares to Jade Dragon in the MP. I know I'd swore I was going to keep and sell them for MMDs, but I can't. There's got to be someone in the alliance who can use them instead.

Heh, my mule "Howard Stern" gave the stuff to Jade. THAT's going to be a funny log entry. Especially since I still haven't remember to swear Howard into the EOL. =)

Wow, so THAT didn't take long . . .

. . . hello, Lifestone.

I played again today, beaming in to hear that a PoTB (I'm so glad that's back "in" as a possible place to go) fellow was going on in the pit. I showed up, got swarmed, and promptly died. As in, we hadn't even barely set up yet.

. . . goodbye, buffs.

Again, it wasn't that long that I'd just hit a mana stone on myself, recharge everything I was wearing, and zoom! Back I go, wow-ing everyone with how fast I'd return (ok, so maybe I wow'd them over easily I'd died, and yet seemed so eager to come back).

But not now. Now I gotta go rebuff at the bot. Well, at least I have this awesome armor.

Oh, wait. Why exactly did I switch over to Ancient Armor?

Riiiiiiiight. Because I can bane this stuff.

Which I'd forgotten to do. Again.

Sigh.

SO ALONE! SO ALOOOOOOOOONE!

Well, for all of about 5 minutes. ;-)

I realized that I'm still sworn to Chung's buffbot, Chunglee II, and needed to move myself to a regular active player. I was just assessing Catherine the So-So and Gbb, the two buffbots, when someone beamed in at the mansion.

Her name was "Shiksa" or something like that, so I went ahead and ID'd her.

Ah HA! Her patron! "Fox Inc."

That's it! TEH FOXAH!

I've known Foxy for friggin YEARS on the Boards, she's classy and funny and smart, and while she has a penchant to get her vassals killed (a lot, apparently), dying is something I'm intimately acquainted with.

Death says, "Yeah, in Massachusetts, we'd be married."
You say, "STFU you"
Death says, "Don't you have to go beaming into some hot zone with just your dapper suit on? Isn't it time for that yet?"

Anyway.

Freaking brilliant. So I got Foxy to boot me (for which she had to log on like 57 other alt accounts to find whatever, probably a stepstool to reach my ass), and I got all melodramatic after I was booted.

You say, "SOOOOOOO ALOOOOOOONEEEE!"
You say, "Whatever will I do?!"
You say, "Whereever shall I go?!"
You say, "But wait -- perhaps TEH FOXAH will take me in!"

Alas, but she didn't. She got her other alt, "Shiksa," or whatever to do it. ;-)

But I'm still in the alliance, and happy to now be Lookie's co-vassal. Maybe he'll give me some fashion tips (beyond the standard, "Don't wear pleated armor.").

Oh, by the way, I so hope this is how Foxy spells her alt. char that is my patron:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiksa

Ha-HAH!

It's a year old, but . . .

. . . I'm still happy over something I threw together a year ago. =D

http://gimpyarcher.blogspot.com/2005/12/vn-style-of-twas-night-before.html

Harbing-owned

I logged in for the first time in a month, as I've gotten a decent hold on work vs. running vs. play as of late, and wanted to get some time in again. What do I find?

--Chung's gone. Temporarily, hopefully, but gone right now. A sweetie named "Marie the Loyal," who was never anything but cool to me is the new monarch.

--@a chat is buzzing about stuff that can only mean one thing -- a Harbinger Quest. Woot! In 30 minutes! Yay! And I've even got my item!

It turned out that Kitra didn't, so we ran off and killed aggressors until we could find one. In the meantime, I noticed that the alliance has this curious "alt/main" run style of the quest (apparently the alts go first a half hour earlier, then log at the point where they would fight Harby). The mains then kill Harby, and the alts run in and grab arm tokens. Interesting!

Anyway, we find a scalp, and off we go to kill The Evil One. Now, it's been a while since I've done Harby, but I have done the "hard" Harbinger. Still, with all of the other upgrades, I expected to see that his avatar has been converted to Mel Gibson. It wasn't. Instead, his avatar might have just been wearing a sandwich board saying, "Will give you all l33t XP if I can just kill Tai."

I didn't have the chat log on, but suffice to say two things were apparent:

1. I couldn't so much as ding Harby, and
2. (Harbinger casts (Tai is WTF Pwned and drains 378 health)

Yup. A drain spell. ALL of my health, gone-zor.

Well, no problem, right? I'll just recall and head back to keep fighting!

Two other points:

1. I now am no longer self-sufficient for buffing since I moved from creature/life equipment Covenant and converted to Ancient Armor, and

2. I'd forgotten to bane.

So, this very helpful clanmate named "Melissandra" (or close to that) was coaching me through stuff, and told me to run fastfastfastfast to Yanshi, and hit the Harby portal, so I'd beam right back to Harby.

But I thought she meant the Harby PORTAL:

--as in, just stand outside this room while we fight everything under the sun and tell you to come back in.

Instead, I beamed in, and found myself literally staring at Harby in the face.

Harbinger tells you, "OMG are you dense."

Even Kitra was like, "Didn't you understand what she meant?"

Mellisandra says to your fellowship, "Just cower in the corner Tai"
You say, "AIEEEE!"
Tai Fung cowers.

Someone else kept mentioning Lokkie in all of this, and I can only assume that was teh Foxah, but I didn't see a character name with Fox in it. Bah.

Anyway, the bastard (Harbinger) dies, and I get my body. I passed on a token to make sure that alts would get one, and just maxxed melee D (so now that's bow, coord, and melee D). Kit grabbed a token anyway and got more XP.

So about 700 million XP for about 60 minutes of time.

Gawd I dig this alliance. ;-)

Now I just gotta remember how to bane, and how to not die.

Yeah, like either is possible. =P

The Corinthian

There's no way that this new poster, "The Corinthian" (with whatever weird spelling) is actually him. No way. The original was a serious, older guy. Definitely not this new poster.

Hola!

Back from Guatemala!

Not much time in game, but I am indeed still playing. Almost no time for VN, which is a real bummer. I actually miss reading and catching up. =(

Anyway, here's the link to the Flickr shots, the Guatemala set should be easy to find!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/76275986@N00/

Off to Guatemala!

Two vacations so soon is possibly the rarest thing I've ever done in my adult life, but circumstances kinda took over. I'm off to Guatemala for about a week (fly into Guatemala City, then a shuttle to some city called "Antigua"). I'm there for a few days, then off to some resort by a lake.

Be good!

I should take long AC breaks more often!

I got to play a fair amount yesterday, and spent time getting some old haunts revisited (jaws, tusks, library books). I also got my Nightclub shirt --- wub that place, although it was just me there. Spent time talking with Ling Li (Rainia), which was nice, and gave me a chance to catch up -- she traded villas with Avy(!!).

Anyway, one of the first things that happened (as it always does when I miss a great deal of time), is that the AC rare system kicked in, and I was promptly given my rare . . .

Armor Tinkering! Again!

The last one I got happened the LAST time I took a long break. I had taken that rare, and just stuck it on Chunglee II, the alliance buffbot, with some sort of jaunty inscription about trying to "earn my keep" in AC and the EOL.

So what do I do with this one? Maybe I'll just give it to Chunglee again -- Karma seems to be paying off! ;-)

Oh, and Kit found an Item Tinkering rare, but I'm not sure those are in demand. I'll almost certainly give that one to Chung as well.

But then again, that would mean I was playing more . . . ]:-)

Marathon report

Overall, it was a total blast, and I finished much faster than I thought I would, particularly since I’d bailed on many of the long training runs that are expected for marathons.

The first few miles were just packed with people, so I kind of nestled in and just waited for the thinning out. That happened right in Mystic’s work neighborhood, around mile 4-5, as we ran though Georgetown. I sped up and tried to do my best Christopher Walken impression, asking people for “more cowbell.” (Lotsa folks bring them to bang as runners go by)

Rock Creek parkway was most of miles 6-9, and that was a little boring, so I used the time to figure out why my pace was so far ahead of what I thought it should be. I hit the 10 mile mark as we came into downtown D.C., which was a total party atmosphere. That covered roughly from miles 10-15. The half-marathon point was pretty exciting for me, because it was astronomically ahead of where I thought I’d be, and I wasn’t winded or tired.

We headed into Hains Point for miles 16-20 (which is where someone unfortunately died), and I passed more than a few runners who had stopped to stretch our cramps, barf, or otherwise quit.

I unfortunately then made the decision to stop and pee just prior to mile 20. This was a mistake. I lost 3-4 minutes at a port-a-john, and took off at a tear to make up the time afterwards. That definitely caused me to stiffen up by mile 23, which was my last decent split time. At that point, I made my way through Crystal City, past the Pentagon, and up to the Iwo Jima memorial. Unfortunately, I was running a lot slower, and was in way more pain. I finished well ahead of my goal, but was cursing myself for the potty break.

Random musings

So, it's been a hard road getting back into AC, and I miss it. Work is crazy, but even when it's not, I'm usually so tired from training for the Marine Corps Marathon that I just pass out.

So let's go over some random musings:

--I was psyched to get to play some AC, poolside, in Hawaii, but having gekkos run along while I was sipping mai-tais was a bit unnerving.

--I saw some post from Jezza_Belle, ranting about how Socialism was the best system of government, and threw up a little. Sure, Socialism is great, if you're a deadbeat who can't compete. As I stated before:

http://gimpyarcher.blogspot.com/2006/04/socialism.html


--The South Park on WOW was pretty damn funny. It was, um, so funny, that I actually did go out and buy a copy from Circuit City for $19.99. I haven't opened the box yet, and might return it. Or I might install it. But if I don't have time to play AC, how could I possibly have time to play WOW?

--Woot! The halloween icons are back! :D

--I'm bummed I didn't get a chance to log in and wish Lookie a happy birthday. It's been a rough go o' things. Moreover, it sounds like Lookie still isn't fully recovered from his accident. If that flippin' mo-ron would listen to me and go find himself a personal injury lawyer (or three) and have a free consultation, I bet that insurance company would start to pony up MUCH faster!

--I logged in and paid the rent on my villa. The one I'd bought the day it was released, and obtained after a near-month of planning, buying necessary housing items, and even with a little help from a now-departed Monarch.

Then I realized I hadn't played all month.

Crap. =(

By the way . . .

. . . I logged in this afternoon for a good 3+ hours, and it RAWKED. I got to talk to EOLers on @a chat, watched the general talk with horror, and caught up on tusks/pincers/jaws and some other runs I do.

I even got Ishaq's key for a free 10 million, then promptly saw with horror that "Es (everything)" was running a member named (I think?) Collette through the dungeon. Oops. I'll help out next time, but it's been so long, I was the proverbial kid in a candy store.

@e peeks

Um, so . . . Hi. =)

Been a while. Not just since I've posted, since I've blogged, but since I've even logged in. Ack. I haven't just been busy -- I've been EFFING busy!

Sheesh. This has really sucked! And just when I was enjoying the hell out of logging in, and really loving interacting with the EOL.

But all is not lost -- I'm off to the Big Island of Hawaii, starting 11 September (yes, I'm getting on a big giant plane in Portland, OR, and leaving for San Fran, then off to Kona).

2+ weeks of sun, relaxation . . . and free Wi-Fi in the pool and other areas of the condo array.

I just CANNOT wait for this Saturday. I leave for Oregon this Thursday, then something happens Friday and Saturday, then on Monday, it's off to Hawaii.

I am SO logging in and playing AC poolside. :D