Quest: Save the Slaves
Reward: A surprise at the Stormguard Keep
“What the fuck,” Gerald said not daring to turn around.
“Bob is unlocking the cells,” Alburet said. “Since this guy is a cream puff right now it shouldn't be an issue.”
“He got another buff when the slave fled. Lost Slave, it gives him 10% more health.” Gerald replied, “Stop freeing them.”
“Bob, change of plans,” Alburet said before Bob could free another slave. “We’ll free them after hopefully.
The group went back to working the boss and when he went to 3200/4400 he rushed to the cell of the slave that had been freed, then growled and turned back to Gerald. As the boss rushed by Gerald the group stepped back, but as the boss went back to attacking Gerald they relaxed. When the next time came at 2800/4400 he again rushed to the closest cell, which was still empty, then went back to Gerald again.
“So if you get two cells empty somehow he won't keep getting buffs,” Mary said between heals. “We have the new strategy.”
“Good, now we just have to keep chipping away,” Gerald said.
The rest of the fight was anti-climactic for the most part. Alburet had to recast Retribution on Gerald before the last 10% phase. When the boss hit frenzy he doubled in size and began to hit anyone in melee range, which forced Fluffball to retreat as her health took a beating. Mary was able to keep Gerald up through the frenzy, even with Fluffball not being able to help, eventually the boss dropped dead.
A flash of light happened for everyone in the group. Alburet went to level eight as did DrFrank, the other three all hit level nine. “Level up before we move on,” Gerald said.
The group let out a cheer and sat down to level as Bob went down the row of cells releasing slaves. “He seems way more useful than I thought he would be,” DrFrank said grudgingly.
“Hear that Bob? The Doc gives you a good review,” Alburet called out as the imp was freeing the last slave. He finished adding his points into Wisdom and checked his new spell.
“Yeah, but all of his patients are dead so that doesn't bode well,” Bob said as he skipped back to them.
Alburet laughed then nodded at his spell. Demonic Haze: Mana cost: 50. Duration: 5 minutes/1 minute. On a friendly target raises Constitution by 10 for 5 minutes. On a hostile target lowers Constitution by 5 for 1 minute. May only be cast on one target at a time. To use this spell, point your finger into the air then at your target while saying the words “Infernal Mist.” (You may modify this spell due to an ability.) Alburet changed it, leaving the hand motion the same but changing the words to 'Bloody Haze'.
Mary giggled, “Oh! I get it now. Doctor Frankenstein right?”
Alburet closed his eyes in sympathy for Gerald, who seemed to care for the woman who didn't get the Necromancers name right away.
“That is correct,” DrFrank said with a laugh. “I want to make a monster, after all.”
Gerald coughed, “So, the loot is a necklace with +2 Constitution. Anyone else think they need it?” No one spoke up so Gerald took it and put it on, “Okay. We head back up then take the stairs leading up to the next floor. One pack of trash then the boss.”
They all got back to their feet and started walking, “Hey, we’re doing really well and found a new quest to boot.” Marysue said happily as they climbed to the first floor. “Thanks all of you for coming with.”
“Thanks for having us,” Alburet said automatically.
“It's been good,” Fluffball said brightly. “Two levels, all my quests done, and bonus quests to boot.”
“Wish I had been here at the start,” Frank said before sighing. “Oh well, it was nice of the dungeon quest to credit me with both kills when the jailer died. I should probably submit it as a bug just in case, though.”
“Yeah,” Mary nodded, “that way they’ll know we didn't try and cheat the system.”
They climbed the stairs to the second level with Alburet in the lead. A hall lay before him with two large goblins standing before the single door, Goblin Bodyguards level 11, 900/900 health. No visible weapons which concerned Alburet, so looked back at Gerald. “No weapons?”
Gerald nodded, “They use unarmed attacks but still hit like a truck. Buff me and let's go,” he said with a smile.
Alburet nodded, casting Retribution followed by Demonic Haze on Gerald before targeting one of the Bodyguards. He cast Fire Blast, throwing it down the hall like a missile. It splashed against the studded leather the goblin was wearing. He hurried down the stairs to Gerald at the base of the landing.
The two goblins rushed down only to met Gerald and his shield. Alburet understood the Bodyguards used no weapons, allowing their attacks to come very fast. He targeted the first one to be hit three times, landing a Sap Strength on it then the other before starting up his Fire Blast spam.
When the first Bodyguard went down the other one went into a rage and his speed and damage ramped up. “Fuck, they had a linked rage counter,” Gerald said as he all but huddled behind his shield.
Gerald ended up with 100 health remaining even with Mary’s heals by the time the second one dropped. Panting, he spoke, “Fuck that was intense. Like having a jack hammer attacking you.”
Alburet bit his lip, not saying the first thing that came to his mind but Bob didn't hold back. “So like me going after the last Succubus I was with.”
Marysue's eyes went big and round, Fluffball blushed crimson while DrFrank laughed hard. Gerald shook his head, “You might want to muzzle that thing after all.”
Alburet shook his head, “Bob is not a thing. Bob is a he as he just clearly stated. Even if he did do so in a rather inappropriate way.” The others all began to climb the stairs. Alburet held out his hand palm up and Bob slapped it, chuckling. “Good one.” Bob held up a thumbs up as they followed the others up the stairs and into the hall.
“Okay,” Gerald said, “last boss is right ahead of us in his office. He’ll summon adds at each quarter of his life. Kill the adds first, caster adds have priority over others. At every 10% he throws a poison cloud at a random player. Just move out of it, but note that it stays until the fight is over so when you move be mindful of it. I'm sure he’ll frenzy at the end as well, that seems to be the go to mechanic in here.”
No one had any questions so they approached the door and paused. Gerald held out his fist, “Let's get us some loot.” Everyone bumped fists, then Alburet buffed Gerald before Gerald opened the door walking in followed by the others.
The room was large, easily sixty feet square. The only two things taking up floor space were a desk and a large map table with figurines on it. The Commander was massive for a goblin, easily twice the size the Captain had been. Alburet focused on him to acquire the information: Guglug, Goblin Commander level 12, 1800/1800 health. Guglug was dressed in a chain shirt minus the rust and held twin swords.
“Okay everyone, you know the plan. Let's kill him,” Gerald shouted as he crossed to Guglug, who came around the desk to meet him wielding dual swords.
“I shall send your corpses back to your pathetic king,” Guglug roared as he lunged at Gerald.
Alburet tossed a Sap Strength on Guglug, hoping that it would help at least a little as he waited for the third attack so he could start his damage. Once Gerald shouted he started in along with the others. The first part of the fight was boring until he threw the first vial of poison at Fluffball. She darted, aside catching a small part of the cloud which drained almost 10% of her life in that single second she was inside the cloud.
Fluffball was coughing hard for a few seconds as she cleared her lungs, “It burns, so be careful.” She paused for another second before rejoining the fight. The second Poison Cloud went to DrFrank, who was moving as the vial was in the air, easily dodging it thanks to the distance it had to travel and being prepared.