>>625942
Just grab the handhold, gems are worth nothing if we die. Our silverwing armor helps us climb so I assume they give better grip or something too, try to make use of that effect.

>>625942
So the choice is between trying to grab the gem or grabbing the last handhold?

>>625997
>>625942
Supporting. Life is good.

>>625942
If the CG is in easy reach grab it but hand holds take priority

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You lash out to grab one of the anchored stones beneath you, feeling your arm yanked sharply in its socket as the leverage afforded you stays the rest of your body. Now still atop the plateau, you breathe a sigh, lying in place. Damn, you think. So close.

> [[ HP: 10 / 35 ]]

Eunoia lands on your shoulder, whistling brightly before flapping its wings and disappearing in an iridescent glow. The rest of the party arrives shortly afterward: Tatsumaki crouches next to you, Aelriss kneeling by her side. Smith stands behind them, while Crow is in the process of slowly wandering over.

“Good work, team.” Crow says, inspecting his UI holo-screen as you pull yourself to your feet. “You alright, Scrapbook?”

“Been better.” You respond. “Checking in with the raid?”

“Things aren’t looking good.” Crow responds. “Leaders are having them make a rotation to get the wounded off the frontlines, but at the rate that crowd is going they’re gonna be drowning in flesh by the time they’re ready to make a big move.”

“Great.” Smith shakes his head. He and the girls are looking concerned, to say the least, though you can’t be entirely sure why at this point. “What will we do, then?”

“Well, if things get bad, we’re gonna have to scoot.” Crow says. “But given that we managed to underestimate our foe’s numbers by about an order of magnitude, Averron is going to be in serious trouble if the main force is forced to retreat.”

> Crow will be Crow, but the others look shaken; party comes first. “You guys alright?”
> You’re about spent, but you can lend your blade. “The frontlines could use our help.”
> Sounds like you’ve got one chance to do this, then. “Is there a shortcut to the Seam’s location?”
> Better to double back now so you don’t lose your city. “We should defend Averron.”

>>626207
> Sounds like you’ve got one chance to do this, then. “Is there a shortcut to the Seam’s location?”

Event doesn't end until the plot is resolved. We should be on the lookout for crafting items. We'll need to live of the land

>>626207
>Sounds like you’ve got one chance to do this, then. “Is there a shortcut to the Seam’s location?”

>>626207
> Crow will be Crow, but the others look shaken; party comes first. “You guys alright?”
> Sounds like you’ve got one chance to do this, then. “Is there a shortcut to the Seam’s location?”
Also have them tell the shortcut's location while we heal up just in case.

>>626207
> Crow will be Crow, but the others look shaken; party comes first. “You guys alright?”

>>626266
>>626207
I'll support this. Everyone else should know of what we're doing just in case.

>>626266
>>626207
Supportan

>>626207
>You’re about spent, but you can lend your blade. “The frontlines could use our help.”
For Honor and XP!

And is there REALLY someone who thinks differently, or can we put that point in PP already?

We back?

>>626371
Ehh. We won't be able to even do anything with it. Concussive strike costs 5 PP

>>626398
it isn't 1 to 1, you know.

>>626371
>>626398
I agree we need more PP thankfully each point in it adds more than 1 point.

>>626398
1 exp doesn't mean 1PP, it probably is 10 or 5

>>626422
I think 5 is optimistic considering we only have 8 to start with

>>626445
iirc it's like four

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You look over Aelriss and Tatsumaki. “You guys alright?”

“Yeah,” Aelriss nods. “We’re fine – just, your Artifacts are something else, is all. I was at a loss for words…”

Tatsumaki also nods, looking a bit more nervous than you’ve ever seen her.

“Right,” You say, then begin scanning your inventory for consumables, turning in Crow’s direction. “Crow, it sounds like someone’s going to have to seal the deal soon, regardless of whether or not the main force is going to be able to break through. We have an idea of where they’re coming from. Is there a shortcut?”

“There are two.” Crow says. “The fast way from here is technically through the upper segment of the araneid nest. We’d be flying mostly blind, though…”

“Surely there must be a map.” Smith says.

“Nope.” Crow responds. “It’s mostly straightforward, but there’s a few twists and turns; issue is, it usually gets too hot in there for anyone trying to map it out, so there hasn’t really been a concerted effort.”

“What’s the other way?” You ask.

“Straight ahead across the plateau.” Crow responds. “There’s a cliff leading down over the magma chamber that’s traversable enough. It’s precarious, so it’d take time to get a full party or larger down there. Big issue I’m having is I don’t know how much time we have.”

> What are you even going to do if you make it down there? “Aelriss, what do you know about sealing a rift?”
> Start patching yourself up.
> Suggest a course of action. (Write-in)
> Other.

Started gaming in the interim. Back in action in just a bit here.

>>626464
If it's four then it's pretty much pointless right now, we need something more immediately useful for closing the seam. I don't really understand the new level up system though.

>>626445
We didn't spend a single point on PP, those 8 are what we get from simply leveling up.

>>626485
>> What are you even going to do if you make it down there? “Aelriss, what do you know about sealing a rift?”
>> Start patching yourself up.
>"wonder if I can get a discount for all these healing consumables."

>>626485
>w how much time we have.”
>> What are you even going to do if you make it down there? “Aelriss, what do you know about sealing a rift?”
>> Start patching yourself up.
>spend our EXP

>>626485
>> What are you even going to do if you make it down there? “Aelriss, what do you know about sealing a rift?”
> Start patching yourself up.
>can we get the mainforce to hold a choke point then get some hitters to come with and finish this?

>>626485
> Start patching yourself up.
Araneid nest path

>>626499
I'm pretty sure 8 is just the starting amount. It only increases if we spend a point on it.

>>626565
This is actually correct. Those eight are just the Brawler's starting PP.

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You take the time to rest, consuming a healing potion as you pan through your menu, wondering what to invest in next.

> [[ HP: 28 / 35 ]]

“Bigger issue.” You say. “We make it down there, then what? Aelriss, you’re an Artificer: what do you know about sealing this thing?”

“Pretty much nothing,” She responds, shaking her head. “It won’t stop me from trying, if that’s what it comes to. But I’m not as powerful as Florica and I don’t study this game like Ayla does.”

“What about our route?” Smith says. “If the three of you Artifact users are to be at full capacity, we’ll need time before we get there regardless. And there’s no telling what danger we could face in another head-on engagement…”

“Again, I can’t even make a good estimate as to how long we’ve got.” Crow says. “Liza’s still acting confident as ever, but I’ve got a feeling things aren’t looking so good down there. Stands to reason the situation is either going to stabilize or get worse in the time frame we’re looking at.”

There’s a pause, leaving you to contemplate. A moment passes, before Tatsumaki points down the path you came from. There’s a figure making her way towards you; it’s Freya, looking rather unperturbed, with her scythe held like a yoke over her shoulders.

The five of you watch her carefully as she approaches. As she draws within proximity, she raises an eyebrow, evidently confused as to why anyone would want to keep their guard up around her.

“My,” She says, smiling. “The lot of you look like you’ve been through the wringer. I couldn’t help but overhear – it sounds like you’re in need of help.”

[[ 1 ]]
> Spend EXP on HP or PP.
> Spend EXP on a Perk. (Armsmaster / Fleetfoot / Guardian)
> Spend EXP to improve a weapon skill.

[[ 2 ]]
> “Maybe - we're planning on skipping to the end. Have you been following us?”
> “Why are you here, and what do you want?”
> Other

>>626860
>> Spend EXP on HP or PP.
PP
Before I vote for the second option could someone remind me if she is the current Freakshow leader?

>>626860
>> Spend EXP on HP or PP
PP

>Sounds like you have an offer Freya, let's here it.

>>626866
she is

>>626860
> Spend EXP on a Perk. (Armsmaster / Fleetfoot / Guardian)
Fleetfoot
> “Maybe - we're planning on skipping to the end. Have you been following us?”
>>626866
Yeah she is. But I think it would put out a good message if we can work with her.

>>626860
>PP

>What are you offering, exactly?
>I mean, if you could go over to the frontlines and take care of all the earthsea mongrels, that'd be pretty great already.

>>626860
>> “Why are you here, and what do you want?”

My vote goes to PP.

Being rude is kinda counterproductive don't you think? Freakshow is working together with the alliance for this raid.

>>626939
>trusting Freakshow

>>626943
There's a difference between trusting her and letting her help us.

>>626949
>trusting Freakshow

I'm not him, but...

>>626939
they've been rather deliberately suspicious at this point.

Being accusatory is probably not the best idea, but it's not good at all to keep giving them ground to do questionable things.

>>626964
Freakshow members are already fighting and dying with the main group as we speak. It's more practical to just work together since everyone is fucked if this goes badly.

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Spending your spare experience point on PP, you watch, satisfied, as your new maximum rises to more than enough to use Concussive Strike. Your current amount scales up to an equivalent percentage of your maximum – unfortunately, it’s still zero.

“What are you offering, exactly?” You ask. “Cause, it’d be great if you could go over to the frontlines and take care of the everything marauding about down there.”

“Oh, calm yourself.” She scoffs, shaking her head to toss her wild white hair. “You may think this is an opportunity for everyone to fight in the name of Averron City and earn esteem, but my options here – that’s as someone who’s hated personally by the Crimson Queen – are rather limited. I thought it’d be prudent for me to skirt around and at least try to be useful; imagine my surprise when I happen upon all of you here.”

“Scouting ahead.” Crow says, rolling his eyes. “Got caught up in a fight.”

“Ma’am.” Smith chimes in, adjusting his vest. “I believe Ascheritte asked what you had to offer. I, too, am eager to hear it.”

“You’re wondering about the nature of their source, correct? How to close it?” Freya nods. “Because it’s beginning to look like the raid won’t be able to push through despite their numbers?”

“Go on.” Through the lull in the conversation, you hear the sounds of fighting in the distance, echoing through the magma chamber.

“I can help.” She smiles, continuing. “I believe I’m quite capable, and, well. I’m here. Surely, we’ll not fail with the combined abilities of your Artificer friend and I? You’ve got a plan to get down there, correct?”

> Accept. “Sure – you’re in?”
> Decline. “Thanks, but we’ve got it under control.”
> Ask Freya something else. (Write-in.)

>>627086
> Accept. “Sure – you’re in?”
> Ask Freya something else. (Write-in.)
Have you scouted the surrounding areas or encountered any especially dangerous enemies? We hit a troll that hit me for twenties through my plate after we went ham on it with our artifacts.

>>627086
>> Ask Freya something else. (Write-in.)
Freya, I know you enjoy being deliberately vague and mildly threatening as a matter of course, but for once could you please speak plainly? What exactly can you do? A sixth person turns this into a raid, which is going to make this even more dangerous if the game logic holds true.

>>627086
Also, the big question!

>Why did she throw Anax out, and where is she steering Freakshow to now without him?

We have to know this in order to see if this alliance is going to work at all.

>>627086
> Accept. “Sure – you’re in?”
The sooner we get this done the better.

>>627086
What do we know about her powers again? I wasn't actually kidding about her helping the frontlines: her meaty scythe there seems more suited to taking down the big targets than stalling for someone to seal the hole.

>>627112
Her power is pretty much lifesteal

>>627112
The main forces have so many players that she wouldn't make a noticeable difference

>>627112
>>627128
Yeah, it's a lifesteal scythe.

>>627086
>> Ask Freya something else. (Write-in.)
We can help take you down, but judging from your weapon type and our party size, it might be better if we don't stick together. Maybe you can find a choke point to slowdown the enemy reinforcements going towards the frontlines?

>>627169
You're really overestimating her anon. She's just one player. Also your tactic doesn't actually make sense to be blunt

>>627180
lifesteal? chokepoint to limit dps on both sides?

as for sending her out alone.....well, why the FUCK is she going around alone? Where are her Freakshow guildies? If she wasn't confident in her abilities alone, wouldn't she bring some along?

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>>627098

“What exactly can you do, Freya?” You ask. “I know you like to be mysterious, but we’re going to need transparency if we’re going to get this done – especially given that a sixth player will turn this into a raid, which will make things more dangerous if prior experiences are any indication.”

“Very well,” She exhales sharply – a bit of a laugh, smirking, eyes closed – before she strides towards you. The others watch, poised to move, as she extends her arm, palm upturned, as if offering you her hand. “I’ll be honest, if it pleases you.”

She’s showing you something: her palm is labelled with an abhorrent black mark. The rune is somehow familiar, but it is both dizzying in its intricate design and repulsive in its appearance. Exposed before you, it glows faintly.

“This old mark of mine is related to the lands below.” Freya twists her wrist, studying her hand like a girl inspecting her manicure. “I have reason to suspect it can obviate a number of the measures required to seal the gate, so to speak. It’s something I believe I have to do to learn more about it, and to find more information regarding the Earthsea – information I believe will edify our efforts to proceed.”

> Ask if she’s done any scouting.
> Ask about Anaximander.
> Accept her help.
> Decline her offer.
> Other.

>>627223
>> Ask if she’s done any scouting.
> Ask about Anaximander.
> Accept her help.

>>627100
I thought Anaximander just let her take over while he had business elsewhere

>>627223
>>> Accept her help.
Good enough.

>>627223
>> Accept her help.

>>627223
Here's a query lads. Do we tell her about the funny business we have with the King when we first activated our artifact? She might know more about such visions.

>>627223
>Accept her help.

>>627223
> Accept her help.
We're on the clock here. We can talk to her later or on our way to the seal.

>>627243
No. We don't tell anyone we don't trust fully, and we don't do so until we can back it up with proof we aren't just making shit up.

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“Fine,” You nod. “We’re on the clock.”

“Yeah, sounds good enough to me.” Crow says. Smith and Tatsumaki look indifferent, while Aelriss is looking rather nervous. “I guess I’m gonna go ahead and tell Liza we’re skipping down?”

> Follow the path through the Araneids’ nest.
> Follow the path down the rocks.
> Head back toward the front lines and try to punch through the horde or find a side route.
“Fine,” You nod. “We’re on the clock.”

“Yeah, sounds good enough to me.” Crow says. Smith and Tatsumaki look indifferent, while Aelriss is looking rather nervous. “I guess I’m gonna go ahead and tell Liza we’re skipping down?”

> Follow the path through the Araneids’ nest.
> Follow the path down the rocks.
> Head back toward the front lines and try to punch through the horde or find a side route.

>>627286
>Follow the path down the rocks.

>>627286
>> Follow the path down the rocks.
ANAXIMANDER DID NOTHING WRONG

>>627286
> Follow the path through the Araneids’ nest.
Gotta go fast

>>627286
>> Follow the path through the Araneids’ nest.


hoyya go fast

>>627286
> Follow the path down the rocks.
Can we use our exploring gear to traverse it quickly?

>>627286
>>> Follow the path through the Araneids’ nest.

Gonna have to deal with some stuff tonight. Will tiebreak if there's still a tie and do one last update - continuing tomorrow most likely.

>>627286
>> Follow the path through the Araneids’ nest.

>>627286
> Follow the path through the Araneids' nest.
What could possibly go wrong.

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“Do it.” You respond. “Which way to the nest, Crow?”

“You sure about this, Ashe?” Aelriss asks.

“What could possibly go wrong?”

> [[ Underground: Lower Averron – Tethiss’s Claw // PVP Enabled ]]

With Crow and Freya – seems she knows the way here – leading your company, the six of you make your way out of the magma chamber, a distance back the way you came, around a long and winding road that passes through the tunnels beneath the raid. The caverns open up significantly here, but are much darker, lit by bioluminescent mushrooms in small patches dotting the earthen floors and ceilings. In the distance, you believe you can hear running water.

The rock formations are roughly hewn and unfamiliar in their shape. Cut from a different type of stone, they appear out-of-place at best and somehow-malicious at worst.

“What exactly is an Araneid?” Aelriss says, lighting the path with a glowing orb adorning the end of her staff. She’s hunched low to the ground, braid bouncing as she maneuvers around stone pillars.

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>>630237


You catch a glimpse of something on the ceiling – a look up reveals thick threads, white and wispy, roped tightly in reticulated stretches between inverted columns. “They spin webs?” You look down at Tatsumaki, who’s unperturbed; you get the sense you might be afraid of more things than she is.

“I guess?” Crow says, looking up. “I mean, I’ve never seen it happen, but why else? And – they are quite spidery.”

“Spider-like?” Smith raises an eyebrow.

“Like if a centaur was a spider.” Crow says. “Y’know, spidery.”

“They have more in common with scorpions.” Freya says. “But they’re organized, regardless of what they might look like. I’ve no doubt there’s a Precursor somewhere in these caves – and if ever there was one I’d like to see myself…”

“Which way are we going, Crow?” You ask. He’s pushed up against a high rock wall, climbing a ways up to look over; then, he turns, sliding down and speaking quietly.

“I believe the path we’re looking for is right over there; it spits out on a ridge overlooking the very bottom of that whole side of the magma chamber we were just on, which is our projected target location.” Crow responds.

“And not very far from the Earthsea proper, assuming all of these things are connected the way we’re led to believe they are.” Freya nods. “Shall we?”

“Unfortunately,” Crow continues. “There’s a couple of ladies blocking the way.”

“Not your type, I’m guessing?” Aelriss asks.

“No chance, Pretty Bird.” Crow sighs. “I guess we could wait for them to pass on, since we can’t really afford to take another fight with what’s ahead of us?”

“Keep in mind, I’m with you.” Freya smiles. “If it comes to that, I plan to pull my weight.”

“Think we can run past them, Crow?” You ask.

“Ascheritte, they have eight legs.” Smith says. “It stands to reason…”

“Looks can be deceiving, or something.” You shake your head. “I don’t know.”

> Plan to engage the araneids.
> Plan to run past them.
> Plan to sneak by.

This week is going to be all over the place for me. I'll try and keep this thread alive another day or so and just plan a time to actually continue properly.

>>630240
>>> Plan to sneak by.
Scorpiony driders are the best at being the worst.

>>630240
Engage them, cripple their legs, then run past them.

>>630259
If you're gonna invest the time you'd need to cripple like 5/8 or their legs, why not spend another 30 seconds to turn them into loot and exp?

PS: Bugs love swarming. Just saying.

>>630268
>arachnids
>bugs
Also I think crippling one or two legs would be enough

>>630240
> Plan to sneak by.

>>630275
Probably need to disable at least 3 on either side to make them stop being able to walk. Bugs are pretty painproof.

>>630307
I just want to slow them down enough to ensure our escape

>>630240
>> Plan to sneak by.

scorpions have bad eyesight

They have human eyes and brains anons they're not gonna act like bugs or scorpions

>>630335
[citation needed]

>>630341
>“Like if a centaur was a spider.” Crow says. “Y’know, spidery.”

>>630341
>Freya says. “But they’re organized, regardless of what they might look like.

>>630348
That says nothing about Our Driders Are Different being in effect or not.

>>630240
>> Plan to sneak by.
I know we will critfail

>>630240
I'm prepared to fail so badly that Ashe pegs a rock at them.
>Plan to sneak past

>>630240
>Plan to sneak by.
This is entirely likely to fail.

But more legs generally means less acceleration but more top speed. If we're going to book it, may as well get as far as possible before we need to run and get caught in a web

>>630259
The only one who can engage and disengage fast enough to do that are asch with the dash and blindfire pistols. Maybe Freya, but shadow lord is on cooldown.

So is another update coming tonight or should I stop waiting? The spoiler was a bit vague.

>>630464
>But more legs generally means less acceleration but more top speed
That's literally the complete opposite of how insectoids move.

>>632053
......fair point, I forgot about pouncing spiders. I was thinking more about horses/centaurs.

Which begs the question of which applies more due to its size, but I guess we can assume it'll pounce like a motherfucker?

>tfw a good QM has a life outside of questing