Bob stuck his tongue out at Gerald's back, earning a snicker from Karen, who winked at the imp.
They proceeded house to house, using Stacia to lock down two adds at a time which made all the trash easy mode. With Gerald tanking and Tiny picking up one to help mitigate damage, nobody else even took any damage.
“This is even easier now,” Marysue commented as they stood before the Chieftain’s hut. “Two succubi makes it really easy.”
Gerald nodded, “Maybe Summoners aren't as useless as so many people think.” He looked Alburet in the eye briefly, “You have made many of our runs much easier, thanks.”
Grin on his lips, Alburet chuckled, “Not a problem. After all, we all want the same thing right? To grow more powerful and see the world.”
Karen snorted, “I want to kill lots of stuff and take their loot.”
The group laughed, as that was what all adventurers really wanted. Though some of them wanted a challenge, to feel like they earned it.
“Okay, we’re going to do this like last time, but with a twist,” Gerald began to explain. “The Chieftain has an area stun and an area interrupt both of which will break the daze effects as Stacia will stop singing. I’m thinking two imps. Use Stacia to lock down one of the healers while you all jump on the second one. Tiny takes the other adds and I take the boss. If he interrupts or stuns to save the shaman, then Stacia switches to the other one as the first will be immune for thirty seconds.”
Gerald paused, lips pursed, before continuing, “Remember, he will use his damage mitigation ability as soon as one shaman hits half life. No idea how long he might pause before shutting Stacia out. If he uses both of his abilities back to back, then Stacia switches over to the other mobs to keep Tiny up as long as possible. Everyone good with this plan?”
Alburet nodded and dismissed the copy of Stacia, then pulled up a second Bob, “Okay Bob, time to shine, my small red friend.”
Both Bobs grinned, showing off their sharp pointy teeth, “I will show you the power of the infernal.”
Everyone gathered around the door, waiting for Alburet to open it so they could rush in. He buffed Tiny then opened the door just a bit. As soon as Alburet opened the door a fraction, Gerald kicked it in, rushing towards the boss. Tiny went in and left, picking up the adds. Fluff and Karen rushed in to the right to get to the shamans as Stacia entered and stepped left, beginning to sing at one of the shamans, causing its eyes to glaze. Alburet went in next, following Fluff, while both Bobs went in and right to start casting at the shaman that wasn't controlled. Marysue entered last, standing in the doorway as she began to cast heals onto Gerald.
About five seconds into the fight the Chieftain used his interrupt, freeing the one shaman from the daze. Stacia switched to the other one as the DPS switched over to the one that was now free of the daze. The switch was done smoothly, they had gotten used to working with each other and were expecting the change.
As soon as the Chieftain noticed his other shaman was now controlled he used his stun ability, which freed the second shaman from the control effect as well as locking down the group. Tiny took a beating as the multiple adds on him took advantage of his being stunned. The Chieftain used his big damage ability, but Gerald had taken advantage of one of the patch additions. Using the Unbreakable ability, he was able to mitigate much of the damage and avoid losing a huge chunk of his life.
The Chieftain seemed shocked at that development, more so when Gerald came free of the stun with a feral smile on his face. “Not again, you fucker,” Gerald snarled as he slashed with his sword.
Not long after the first shaman went to half life and the Chieftain used his damage shield ability to help them. Alburet took advantage like he did last time to dart across the room to rebuff Tiny, as all damage to the orcs was cut in half. He got back in time for the shield to wear off and as soon as it did Gerald used his area stun to lock down the shamans.
With the shamans locked down and the shield no longer on them, the first shaman fell quickly followed by the second. The damage dealers crossed over to the other adds, taking the one with the shield first while the ranged one got dazed by Stacia.
Less than a minute later all the adds were down and the group focused on the Chieftain. It didn't take them long after that to kill the boss, though he did get one more stun off before the fight was over. Gerald took the damage this time as his mitigation ability was on cooldown, but as he had been at full life before the hit it wasn't life threatening.
The group let out a cheer as the Chieftain finally fell over dead. “That was easier than the first time,” Gerald commented. “Being able to use my mitigation ability during a stun really makes a big difference in my life there. Also, making him use both his interrupt and stun right near the start of the fight made things easier as well.”
“Summoners are the worst, though,” Alburet said sarcastically with a smirk.
Gerald nodded, “Well, flat damage wise you really are, but you make up for it with a lot of utility. Every single fight we’ve done has been made easier either because of the off tank or the crowd control.”
Fluffball chimed in, “People get so caught up looking at raw numbers they sometimes disregard the things that can really make a difference.”
“But I like it raw,” Karen chirped with a wink at Alburet.
Shaking his head. Alburet waited for his loot to pop as Marysue touched the boss. “I got a plus five ring of wisdom,” Marysue said, putting on her new find.
Gerald ended up with chain leggings with five stamina. Fluffball got a single-handed axe with five strength. Karen ended up with a leather coif that gave five to agility. Alburet got leather gloves with intelligence on them.
“Guess I can sell them,” Alburet said, holding up the gloves.
“I'll give you five gold for them,” Marysue said.
He tossed her the gloves and took the gold in return, “Always glad to help a party member.”
Marysue and Gerald thanked them for the group, using their Homestones to return to Stormguard.
Alburet turned to the other two, “It's coming up on time for Fluff to go and Karen needs to turn in the quest, so should we head back to the fort before we break for the night?”
The others agreed and they set out. It didn't take them long to make their way back. Alburet swapped out the extra Bob for the extra Stacia again to help with the patrols they had to kill on the way. Once they reached the fort, Fluff sold off her loot while Karen went to turn in her quest.
“Thank you for having me,” Fluff said with a smile. “It’s been really nice hunting with you and Stacia. You make me feel very comfortable and safe around you. Well, except for the Romeo quote the first day.”
Alburet chuckled as a smile touched his lips, “It's been great to be around you, Fluff. Seriously, anytime you are on and want to hook up just let us know.”
Stepping over, Stacia gave her a hug, “Ma' will be waitin' for ya whenever ya be ready. I know she can help ya, Fluff. I hope we can meet up again tomorrow.”
Nodding, Fluff took out her Homestone, giving them another bright smile before she vanished. Karen showed up just as Fluff disappeared. “Aww, I was hoping to get another snuggle in first,” Karen said.
“She had stuff to go do. What are your plans?” Alburet asked, a pronounced smirk on his lips.
Shaking her head, Karen cocked her hip to the side, “Well, I’m thinking of getting clean first, then maybe, just maybe, I would consider getting really dirty.”
Stacia slid over to her and nuzzled Karen's neck, “Ya be welcome to join us for the eve.”
Karen snagged Stacia, bending her backwards in a dip as she kissed Stacia passionately. Bob, evidently enjoying the sight, wolf whistled.
“Work that succubus,” Bob said before whistling again.
“You are done for the day, Bob. You as well, Tiny. See you both tomorrow,” Alburet told them.