As promised in my last entry, I vowed to get out and rescue today in
what little free time outside the library I had. Poor Qoroite has
that endearing novice ability to get in over his head repeatedly, so
he kept me busy today for a while.
I honestly think I'm going to have to consider getting some Hardia
training at some point. That little extra defense can make all the
difference in the world in the places I find myself rescuing most
often. Here, though, I had enough Higgrus training to withstand the
rockodile blows until Qoroite was up and safe. Glad to see someone
taking my advice and hunting on this fine beach so close to town.
A more difficult rescue was to be had in the North Bear Cave complex
where Wrath was fallen deep inside. I had to run past several snakes,
a pair of Chocolate Bears and assorted creatures outside the cave to
chain Wrath to the safe cave. I barely made it on red. Wish I had
a visionstone of that so I could sketch it, but the heady feeling of
a tough rescue didn't last. I soon learned Gold Moon was fallen at
the midpass well.
After a lengthy run through the East Forest (alas, even with the
pathfinder shortcut, it is now a minimum of seven sn'ell crossings
from the East Field for me, unless a new shortcut exists that I
don't know about), I pulled out my chain and ran into the pass.
I had some confidence, knowing other exiles were en route and knew
I was on the job, but first, I had to try to lure some beasts away
from my path.
Unfortunately, I wasn't careful enough so that by the time I got
to the well and close enough to Gold Moon to chain her, I was only
a couple of hits away from falling. Another 50 Higgrus ranks or so,
and I could have made it.
Fortunately, Veer and a very tough group of fighters soon came
in and cleared out the monsters. Once up, Charlos and Afrit
suggested we head to the Greymyr Village for a brief hunt with
Norm and any others who wanted to join. Well, how often do I
get an invitation to the Greymyr Village for a hunt! I couldn't
say no!
We were lucky enough to find several well-spaced Greymyr in
the East Village, and we dispatched them one at a time. Gold
Moon was kind enough to keep one busy while we fought the one
I sketched here, and Veer's healing speed kept us all healthy.
Coeur fell to a powerful Greymyr punch, but I had no problem
raising him, so the hunt went well.
Gold Moon had never seen the Greymyr Chief, so I showed her
where to find him. He is still repeating the same mysterious
phrases he always seems to, at least during those rare times
he chooses to speak. What Obelisk is he talking about? He
says the Greymyr are guardians. Of what? Is there something
hidden in this village that we should be looking for, I wonder?
Back in town, I arranged to meet with a new student...
I've mentioned Sargon in my journal before. He is making a real
name for himself with his persistent rescue duties, and I know
he's pulled quite a few exiles out of scrapes in out-of-the-way
places. In the meantime, he's been working a lot on his healing
speed, really tuning himself to pass the test. Finally today, he
passed to congratulations all around. I was honored to take him
on as a student in the art of healing those closer to death.
I went up there to explore and ran into several other exiles thinking
along the same lines. Basically, the area is an extension of the
northern plains, as shown on my crude map below.
The trees that once lined the West edge of the northern plains
now have some large gaps to walk through leading to an extended
area. The terrain here is similar to the northern plains and
goes on for three sn'ells. In the Southwest corner of this new
area is an entry tree, which I sketched here.
Inside the tunnel is a strange character named Frankale who
has some details about this forest, which holds some dangerous
new creatures called Forest Chamelopods.
Frankale's warning wasn't much help. Once you enter the tunnel,
there is no way to back out. You have to go forward and out up
the ladder, which comes out by this tree in the Northeastern
sn'ell of the Chamelopod Forest.
Fortunately, a little frantic running reveals two exits from this
new forest. First, as my map shows, at the south edge of the
entry sn'ell is a way through the trees.
Also, if you walk West from the entry tree along the rocks on
the northern edge, you eventually will run into a narrow
pathfinder path (I couldn't open it with my meager skills,
which are barely enough to enter the Northwest forest).
You can see in my sketch here that I almost fell trying to follow
Sa'Wrap out. Those hard-to-spot green beetle-like things are
Forest Chamelopods. They have a lot of darkus (as much as a
strong bolok) and speed/tactics to match a very fast feral. In
short, a nightmare for healers.
This path Sa'Wrap took is a one-way path to the north beach
Also on this beach is a two-way high-level pathfinder path that
leads to the Northeastern sn'ell of the fringe, so it is a useful
shortcut back toward town.
I fell once during my explorations here, but fortunately,
Sa'Wrap chained me to safety and Perkusi came to heal me.
I hope exiles find this information useful, and I hope a
better-looking map of this area comes out soon. Perhaps
tomorrow I'll try my hand and mapping out the changes in
the passes and east forest!
Though our party did its best to retreat to safety, two powerful
Orga Hatreds and assorted other nasties spawned in our retreat
sn'ell right as several of our most powerful exiles were weak
or fallen. As usual, I remained cautious and alive, hoping to
salvage the situation, but it was to no avail.
I eventually had five exiles on my chain as I ran looking
for a safe spot, but I can't survive long on my own, so we
were all soon fallen in the Outback outside of the Village
and at the mercy of the Orga Zealots.
Several of our group departed, and I felt awful about missing the
wedding of Kira and Brae at Tenebrion's Keep, but I was exhausted
and needed a rest. Boy, I got plenty. My patience was rewarded
along with that of Yor, PureHero, Tonoto and Thuja. A rescue
expedition showed up about 8 puddlehours later (including members
of the original party, led by Gurgi and Band).
I sketched only about half the rescue party here. Veer and J'jh
were also among the healer leaders, and I lost track of how many
other fighters were with them. Well, believe it or not, that was
only the beginning! As the rescue party was making its way through
the Outback, we heard news over the sunstone of a major Orga
invasion of town! Those sneaky orga!
Upon entering East Field from Tanglewood, Thuja and I heard cries
for help near the south edge, but the field was packed with extra
powerful orga (even Zerks were acting more like Rages, and Rages
were acting like Wraths), so we had to retreat into East Forest.
Turns out the East Forest was their main staging area, so we walked
out of the frying pan and into the fire. Soon we were both fallen
again and having to wait for a long time for help to arrive! And
not only that, the Orga were continuing to build their forces...
Fortunately, it didn't take 8 puddlehours this time before Yor,
Kiriel d'Sol and Prince Valiant arrived on the scene. But it was
so crowded due to the spawns that even these three mighty exiles
were not enough on their own to fend off the crowd.
Fortunately, exiles soon got themselves well organized and cleared
out the forest and field. A few went on toward Orga Camp to finish
the job, but for me, it was time for the beginning of my very first
Dun'ilsar competition as a member of the Clan of the Rising Claw.
This was to be a "falling mystic" challenge, as two visiting exiles
had the goal of falling to as many different creatures as possible with
the assistance of the two clans. Polerand, DeathLord and I were
assigned to try to spoil the efforts of the Lords of the Wamphyrii
clan, so I put on my doddering old fool persona and headed out.
Unfortunately, the wily LoW members split up in the ocean and went
into several different entrances of Fire Island, losing those of us
trying to tag along to interfere. So we had a long wait while we
tried to locate our target. Meanwhile, my own clan took their mystic
through the South Beach, the Meshra Cave, the Marsh, East Field, Spirit
Wood, etc. on a long practiced journey. Both mystics were falling left
and right, but Rising Claw slowly pulled into the lead.
With only about 15 minutes to go in the contest, I finally found
the other mystic on Tenebrion's Isle, and I did my best to get in
the way and be a nuisance. For the few minutes I could keep up
with them, I did my best to cause chaos. Polerand also did a good
job of killing several beasts before they could kill the mystic.
In the end, we weren't all that effective, but we had fun. Our clan
emerged victorious by a score of 42-33 according to Charlos, who
had volunteered kindly to judge for us.
While several of us were still around, we took advantage of
the opportunity to induct a new member, Drax. I look forward
to hunting and rescuing with my new clawmate in the future!
Also, as you might have guessed from my title shot above, I
have finally attained 700 trainings with Master Horus, and
Lorikeet has as well. For fun, we decided to train each other.
I'm now alternating my Horus ranks with Eva ranks so that I
can improve my speed a bit. I suspect it'll be another puddleyear
or so before I finally realize a significant increase in my speed.
Anyway, I digress. The induction of a new member into the clan
must be followed by that member's first hunt (and first fall), so
we took Drax into the Greymyr Village.
Drax enthusiastically fell several times, including a couple to
flying rocks. Fortunately, Perkusi and I were able to heal
everyone up to full before I finally managed to make it to the
library for a well-deserved rest.
Click here to go forward in the archive
to Spring 541, Part 1.
Back to Koric's Journal Archives
Click here to go backward in the archive
to Winter 541, Part 3.
A cad rescue on NN beach.
Luring Wendecka away from the mid-pass well entrance.
A rescue is about to end badly in midpass.
Saved by Veer and friends in the midpass well.
I get a rare chance to tag a Greymyr.
Gold Moon visits the Greymyr Chief.
The newest 3rd circle healer in the lands now trains with me.
Warning: Spoiler map ahead.
Koric's map of the new area.
This large willow hides an entrance tunnel.
A helpful warning before we enter.
Up the ladder and into the forest, but is there a way out?
It is a good idea to locate the exit before hunting.
A pathfinder way out, but watch the chamelopods!
I am unable to go back south to the Chamelopod Forest
The dirt marks a two-way path leading to the fringe.
Dredlocks and lightning awaited us at the Orga Village.
I try to pull several exiles to safety, but to where?
An Orga Zealot prepares to send us all deep into the Village.
Rescued in the Orga Village.
Fresh from our rescue, Thuja and I run crazily into more danger.
This is not what you want to see when you cross into a sn'ell.
A large spawn of Orga Angers makes my rescue more difficult.
A brave chaining attempt runs into trouble.
DL and I try to sneak into the Wamphryii group to wreak havoc.
Playfully interfering with some LoW members.
Induction of a new member of Rising Claw.
The two Horus trainers teach each other.
A greymyr punch provides Drax as first fall as a clawmate.