The black snakes were the worst. Most, but not all, of the serpents were venomous, but the black ones with the yellow spider web-looking design on their scales were the most toxic. They injected a venom that destroyed tissue and ruptured veins, vessels, and arteries as it coursed through a victim’s system. Death came within seconds.
Momentarily distracted by the man’s piercing cries, a brown and black snake sank its three-inch fangs through the leather armor covering the khan’s thigh. He severed the beast’s head and pulled the fangs out of his flesh. The wound began seeping blood uncontrollably due to the anticoagulating venom.
“Healer!” Eoselm shouted even as two more of his men fell.
Naughty looked at Riccon who gave her a slight shake of his head.
The khan caught the exchange and his rage boiled over. “We had a deal!”
Riccon smirked at him. “The deal has been renegotiated.”
“You traitorous bastard!”
The khan sprinted toward Riccon with his sword poised to strike off his head. He knew he was a dead man without healing, but he would take the traitor with him if he could.
Riccon laughed at the oncoming man and sent a pair of eldritch arrows blasting into his chest. “You must not be a fan of Raiders of the Lost Ark or you would know that shooters beat swords every time.”
He drew back another arrow, spent the mana to imbue it with a special attack, and loosed it toward the chamber’s high ceiling. The magical volley sent a shower of flaming arrows streaking down, peppering everything within a twenty-foot diameter, including the three remaining NPCs. The three men and several snakes died under the assault.
“The boss is at twenty percent,” Riccon called out to his party. “Time to burn her down.”
Bonin the Bonarian triggered his berserker rage and tore into the Shahmaran with wild abandon, hewing into her with his twin axes. Shank Williams broke off from the boss and cleaned up the few remaining snakes before racing back and driving his daggers into her scaly hide.
The Shahmaran struck at Bonin with her serpent tail and caught him in the chest. The fangs pierced his chain armor and sank into his flesh. One of his hand axes cut deep into the tail, and it withdrew before pumping more than a few drops of venom into him.
Four of the Shahmaran’s centipedal snake legs snapped at Shank. He cartwheeled in midair and slashed at two of them with his blades as he flew over them. It was a graceful, masterful move until a fifth fanged appendage struck him and sent him into a tumble.
Bonin shouted, “Darvin, we’re getting chewed up and my stamina is tanking. Pull the goddam aggro!”
Darvin’s eyes flicked to Riccon who gave him the same slight wag of his head he had given Naughty when the khan needed healed.
“Sorry, Bonin, my mana and stamina are bottoming out as well,” Darvin said before realizing he was almost telling the truth. “I think we’ve been hit with draining debuffs!”
“Shit, heals!” Bonin roared.
Naughty cast a group heal to catch all three of her party members who were in the melee and taking damage. Her mana bar dropped again but it was not going back up. In fact, it continued to slowly decline. She checked her condition screen and saw that she did indeed have a mana drain debuff on her, but a quick look at the combat log showed it was cast by unknown enemy and not the boss.
“I think there’s something else in here!” Naughty said. “That or maybe some kind of area debuff enchantment. She’s almost dead. You two get clear so Riccon and Darvin can finish her off.”
Riccon saw Shank and Bonin successfully disengage, which made him the primary damage dealer and the new focus of the Shahmaran’s rage. “Damn it! Darvin, pull the aggro.”
Darvin triggered his Templar’s taunt spell, and the boss focused on him instead. He used his shield to block the multitude of strikes coming from almost every direction as her many serpent heads tried to find a way past his defenses.
“What the shit, Darvin?” Bonin cursed as he watched him cast the spell he claimed not to have enough mana for just a moment ago.
A throwing knife spun out of the darkness and sank into the boss’ neck just below her human head.
“Now!” Nyx shouted as she chased after her hurled blade and drove her dagger and shortsword into Naughty’s back.
You hit Shahmaran with a throwing knife for 12 damage (base x sneak attack minus target defense.)
You hit Naughty with flurry strike sneak attack for 42, 34, 47, and 37 damage. You have killed Naughty.
Riccon roared as he swung his bow toward Nyx, “Healer down! Incoming!”
He loosed an arrow at his healer’s killer and gained some satisfaction when he read his combat log.
You hit unknown shadow mistress with Crippling Shot for 11 damage. Target’s movement speed and dexterity reduced by 30%.
Nyx yelped in pain and gathered the shadows back around her as she scrambled for cover. Riccon leapt from his perch and raced after her, refusing to let her get away. His Eagle Eyes scout ability increased his already enhanced perception enough to let him glimpse even into Nyx’s magical concealment. He drew back his bow and shot three arrows in rapid succession into the darkness.
You hit unknown shadow mistress three times with eldritch imbued Rapid Fire for 48 physical and 39 magical damage.
Nyx managed to dodge the fourth imbued arrow and was glad she did. Those three had shredded her health. She saw the arcane archer leap atop a table to get sight of her hiding behind a large chest. He smiled as he drew back for another shot that would surely finish her off. Black tendrils erupted behind him and pulled him to the ground.
Your Dark Tendrils cause 6 falling damage to Riccon.
Nyx did not care about the trivial damage. All that mattered now was getting the time she needed to heal her wounds before he managed to kill her. She half-crawled toward the far side of the room while keeping the arcane archer within range of her leeching spells. Every second he lay pinned to the floor she took his health and mana to replace her own.
Jandar and Saefa rushed into the chamber with weapons cocked back and ready to strike. The rogue and the fighter stood between them and the boss, and they turned toward the ambushers at a shout from the archer on the far side of the room.
The simian berserker ran at Jandar with his twin axes ready to meet the assault. At least he thought he was ready. He was not. Jandar cocked the hammer in his right hand back, filled it with earth energy, and let it fly. The weapon tumbled end over end, struck the simian in the chest, and knocked him flat on his back.
Jandar did not break stride as he switched his high steel hammer into his main hand and hurled it at the Shahmaran. He stepped on the simian as he reached behind him and unlimbered the maul strapped to his back. Using the berserker’s flat face as a springboard, he leapt as high as he could, bellowed at the terrifying creature before him, and brought the maul arcing over his shoulder to bash it between the eyes when it swung its head around to look at him.
You hit Bonin with steel war hammer for 13 physical and 24 earth damage. Secondary Stone Touch effect knocks down Bonin and damages his iron mail hauberk.
You stomp Bonin for 7 points of physical damage.
You hit Shahmaran with high steel War hammer for 14 physical and 27 frost damage (+50% weakness to cold.) Frost secondary effect freezes Shahmaran’s head for 3.2 seconds.
You hit Shahmaran with Bullard’s Blood Steel Maul Power Attack for 58 damage (+50% vulnerable state) and 33 cold damage. Critical strike due to frozen effect applied.
Shahmaran’s head shatters. You have killed Shahmaran.
A shield bashed him in the side and ruined Jandar’s momentary feeling of triumph. He stumbled away from the Templar and shook his head in an attempt to clear the dazed effect. Darvin wasted no time in following up his shield bash with his sword. The blade bit through the breastplate and mail covering Jandar’s chest.
Darvin hits you with shield bash for 15 physical damage. You are stunned for 1.3 seconds (adjusted fo
r body attribute and items. (High Steel Cap of Focus)
Darvin hits you with longsword for 16 physical damage. (Adjusted for vulnerable state and armor)
Jandar recovered from the stun in time to parry Darvin’s follow up swing. He delivered a powerful, two-handed blow with his hammer, but the Templar blocked it with his shield and mitigated most of the damage.
After a few more exchanges, it became clear that simple brute force was not going to win the day for either of them. Jandar could deal out far more damage, but Darvin’s defense was so high that very little got through. While the Templar’s attacks were not overly powerful, Jandar’s defense was a lot lower.
Darvin was also a higher level and had more health than Jandar did. The arcane smith’s only real advantage was his magic, which bypassed the Templar’s defenses better than his physical attacks did. Thankfully, Saefa appeared to have the rogue tied up, so he did not have to worry about him striking him in the back. He had seen how much damage Nyx could do with a surprise attack and had no desire to be on the receiving end of one.
Jandar had exhausted much of his mana pool in his opening assault, but his mana bar was going up at a steady rate. He was not able to see Nyx, but she must be nearby feeding him energy. With her support, he should be able to overcome Darvin eventually. Unfortunately, he might not have the time he needed to do it.
Riccon hits you with eldritch arrow for 15 physical and 19 magical damage.
Jandar instinctively rolled away from the sudden pain in his shoulder. He looked up to see a hand axe poised to cleave into his skull. A throwing star caught Bonin in the neck, causing him to stagger back, gagging on the steel and blood inside his throat.
Black veins began crawling across his face as the poison did its work. Bonin toppled over dead, his purple, bloated face locked into a hideous rictus. Riccon searched the darkness for the shadow priestess but was unable to find her. He was sure he had nearly killed her with his initial attacks and doubted she had healed much in the few seconds since then.
She was lower level than any of his party members, and it was unlikely she had access to potent healing potions, nor did this group appear to have a proper healer. Still, she clearly used poisoned weapons and could cause a problem if ignored. He saw a burst of energy flash from the man’s maul when it struck Darvin’s shield and knocked his friend back several paces.
If he went looking for the assassin, the arcane warrior might defeat him. He was clearly the strongest of the small group, at least in terms of damage output. Riccon decided to stay and support Darvin. Not because he was his friend, not only because of that, but because he could not afford to underestimate this hammer-wielding maniac should he get past Darvin and come for him. Riccon positioned himself so a thick pillar stood between him and from where the shuriken had come. He sent a rapid-fire stream of frost-imbued arrows at the warrior.
Jandar saw the bow swing his way and jumped behind a large, velvet-upholstered sedan. He growled in pain as two of the four shafts struck his left leg.
Riccon hits you in the leg with frost arrow (x2) for 32 physical and 24 cold damage. You are under the effects of Frostbite. -29% movement and dodge for 24 seconds.
Jandar saw Saefa cut down the rogue with a powerful strike that cleaved him from his collarbone to his sternum. “Saefa, the archer!”
Saefa looked over and saw Riccon trying to line up another shot on Jandar. He rushed toward him, trying to keep furniture and columns between himself and the archer. An arrow skipped off a pillar and sent stone shards into his face. He charged past the last column and took an imbued arrow to the gut. Saefa let out a low groan and dove behind a cabinet.
“Get those fuckers!” Riccon shouted to Darvin. “I’ll pick them off when you draw them out.”
“Got it!” Darvin replied and charged toward Jandar’s position.
Jandar waited until the Templar was only a few paces away before leaping out from behind the sedan with his maul raised over his head. Darvin lifted his shield and prepared to drive his sword into the huge opening he presented.
The maul came down onto the floor, and it seemed as if the world had exploded. Darvin felt like a football being kicked for a field goal as he flew backward at least three times his own length. He flicked his eyes at his combat log.
Arcane smith hits you with earth-enhanced, Bullard’s Blast power attack for 42 earth damage and 26 air damage.
You take 12 falling damage.
You are knocked prone and are in a vulnerable state for 1.8 seconds.
You are shaken for 3.6 seconds (-18% to attack and defense)
Your high steel heater shield takes 29 durability damage. Your high steel heater shield is broken.
What the hell is an arcane smith? Darvin thought dazedly as he tried to get a read on Jandar.
He shook off the thought as he looked over the tops of his toes and saw the warrior running at him to deliver another blow with his maul.
“I got him!” Riccon shouted as he readied an imbued combo shot.
He caught a flash of movement out of the corner of his eye and narrowly dodged a shuriken. Riccon swung his bow toward the new target, changed his shot, and loosed the shaft. The arrow ricocheted off a pillar, and a sharp yelp made him smile.
You hit shadow mistress with eldritch-imbued reflecting shot for 9 physical and 17 magical damage.
“You better stay hidden, you little bitch!” Riccon shouted at the deep shadows as he swung his aim back toward the battle.
While the assassin had missed her shot, she had managed to distract him long enough for the hammer-wielding warrior to reach Darvin. Darvin watched the maul appear over his head to deliver what would surely be a fatal blow.
You like to push people around do you? Darvin thought to himself. Two can play at that game.
An invisible force struck Jandar full on, and it was his turn to go flying.
Darvin hits you with Righteous Repulsion for 20 air damage.
You take 7 falling damage.
You are prone for 3.6 seconds and vulnerable.
You are shaken for 1.6 seconds.
You are disarmed.
Jandar looked around from his position on the floor and saw his maul laying several feet away. The Templar was up and stalking toward him with unsteady but determined steps, his sword gripped in his hand.
Darvin advanced on the defenseless man, his desire to deliver the killing blow evident by the fury in his eyes and the grim set of his jaw. He reached the arcane smith, whatever the hell that was, and raised his sword.
Something struck him hard in the back and made him stumble forward a step. The previously unarmed man now held a hammer in his fist and passed it to his off-hand. A shuriken embedded itself in his shoulder and caused him to spin in the direction of the surprise attack. Darvin had time to blink once before another hammer caught him square between the eyes. He read his combat log as he fell toward the floor.
Arcane smith hits you with steel war hammer for 12 damage.
Shadow mistress hits you with shuriken sneak attack for 9 damage. You resist poison.
Arcane smith critically hits you with high steel war hammer for 22 damage.
You have died.
Jandar’s other hammer slapped into his waiting palm as he struggled to his feet and stalked toward the arcane archer.
Riccon drew back his bow and aimed at Jandar’s chest. “Another idiot who failed to learn Raider’s lesson about bringing a sword to a gunfight. I can still finish off the three of you walking wounded on my own.”
Lexon’s voice echoed from the distant doorway. “There’s four of us actually.”
Riccon’s aim shifted slightly toward the voice. To his horror, the Shahmaran stirred, leapt to its many snake legs, and charged toward him.
“Shit!” Riccon cried and loosed an empowered combo shot at the boss.
All four glowing arrows streaked harmlessly through it and shattered the brickwork behind her.
“What—?” was all Riccon got a ch
ance to utter before Jandar’s hammer struck him in the chest.
Riccon stumbled backward and sent his next shot into the ceiling. Before he could attempt to draw the air blasted from his lungs, twin, sharp pains sent fire stabbing into his lower back and dropped him to his knees.
Arcane smith hits you with thrown steel war hammer for 25 physical and 12 electrical damage. You are stunned for 3.6 seconds.
Shadow mistress critically hits you with Twin Blades sneak attack for 45 physical damage. You lose 1 HP per second from bleeding for 27.1 seconds or until you are healed.
Jandar hooked his remaining hammer onto his belt, picked up the maul, and strode toward the archer until he loomed over him.
“You!” they both said at the same time.
Riccon spat a bloody wad of phlegm at Jandar. “Fucking blacksmith! I swear to God, I will hunt you down and kill you. I will make it my sole purpose in life.”
“Not in this one,” Jandar replied coldly and brought his maul crashing down onto Riccon’s head.
Nyx looked from the pulped mess atop the archer’s shoulders to Jandar. “You knew each other?”
He nodded slowly. “You might say he’s the reason I’m here.”
The pair walked back to Saefa, who was pressing a wad of cloth to his stomach in an effort to staunch the bleeding gut wound.
Nyx knelt beside him. “Are you all right?”
The Caprian gave her a bloody-toothed smile. “Hardly, but I will survive.”
She turned and saw Jandar standing near the dead Shahmaran. A shimmering, pearlescent stone the size of an apple hovered above the boss. Jandar reached toward it, and it vanished at his touch. Nyx mentally tore open her log, screamed in rage, and attacked. Jandar looked up just in time to raise a warding arm.
Nyx hits you with crippling strike for 8 damage.
You are bleeding. You will lose 1 HP per second for 27.1 seconds or until healed.
Chaos Unchained- The Mad Smith Page 26
