Dungeon- Time Ravaged Grove of the Ancient Ones
Entering the Dungeon was like walking through a grove of trees. It appeared as if they had never even left the Eternal Forest and Jacob had to check his HUD and map to confirm that they were in the actual dungeon. A path was laid before them though, and it helped define where they would go. Jacob took it all in as the Dungeon Quests popped up...
Dungeon Quest Issued: Twisted Thought, Twisted Trees
Description: The Grove of the Ancient Ones, was once revered by creatures and Druids of the Eternal Forest. It is now a wrecked and twisted remnant of the past. Cleanse it and hopefully, something new will grow here again.
Deranged Sprites: 0/200
Deranged Wood-Nymphs: 0/50
Deranged Water-Nymphs: 0/50
Deranged Dryads: 0/20
Deranged Treants: 0/10
Rewards: 50,000 Experience, 1,000 Gold
Dungeon Quest Issued: Ancient Specters and Twisted Leaders
Description: The leaders of the Grove of the Ancient Ones have become corrupted by long imprisonment and the warped magic the gods placed on the Valley of Origins. End their suffering at last.
Defeat Olivea of the Twisted Oak: ---
Defeat Perdithas Stormcaller: ---
Defeat Alderflesh the Ancient: ---
Rewards: 50,000 Experience, Unknown
Jacob dismissed the quests as everyone got oriented from entering the dungeon. All his bonded were level 42 now after yesterday, and Thelgrum was only a handful of experience points from level 43. "Ok, so we are going to be facing twisted woodland beings and monsters in this Dungeon,' Jacob called out as everyone started Buffing themselves. 'So Shigna is going to draw a lot of attention for being a Pyromancer, so please watch his back. Both Thelgrum and I will do our best to keep their attention, but Fire and forests have never gotten along. Chalxae on point, be careful I am sure the Sprites will have some racials to counter Stealth." Jacob stated as he added his own Buffs to the mix. Chalxae nodded and kissed him before darting forward and into Stealth. Minx!!!!
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Jacob threw himself into a forward roll as the Treant slammed the ground with its makeshift club. An ambush had caught them flat-footed. A dozen Sprites, two or three Nymphs, and a Treant had swarmed them as Jacob triggered War Cry while back peddling out of the kill zone. Eight of the Sprites, one of the Nymphs, and the big bruiser, the Treant followed him as he analyzed them quickly.
Name: Deranged Sprite
Level: 40 (Elite)
Health: 80,000/80,000
Abilities: Poisoned Shot, Concussive Shot, Arcane Shot, Unknown
Name: Deranged Water-Nymph
Level: 41 (Elite)
Health: 110,000/110,000
Abilities: Water Blast, Water Shield, Unknown
Name: Deranged Treant
Level: 42 (Elite)
Health: 160,000/160,000
Abilities: Thunderous Charge, Entangling Roots, Unknown
Jacob cursed as he deflected arrows with his shield as the Water-Nymph closed in with a conjured Trident. Suddenly roots shoot out of the ground surrounding and ensnaring him.
Battle Alert...
De-Buff Entangling Roots: Dodge Chance decreased by 25%, Movement slowed by 50% (Duration 30 Seconds)
Battle Alert...
Jacob cursed as he triggered Shield Bash into the Nymphs face causing her to reel back as she conjured a few blades of water sending them toward Jacob but he got behind his shield in time. The Treant bellowed as he started bringing this oversized club down on Jacob. Jacob snarled as he did his best to dodge out of the way but the roots were slowing him down to a crawl. He felt the wind disperse as the club slammed into the ground.
"I COULD USE SOME HELP OVER HERE!!" Jacob called out as the Sprites closed in. Jacob triggered Power Slash at the Treants wrists and chopped through the bark and flesh underneath severing one hand and leaving the other dangling. The Treant glared at Jacob as a new hand started to regrow while the other was repairing itself. A Fireball slammed into the Treants back causing it to stagger forward. The Water Nymph had managed to get a Water Shield up in time to protect herself but three nearby Sprites were not so lucky.
Jacob gave them a feral smile as he triggered Battle Stomp stunning all the nearby enemies as they continued to burn Jacob then began his assault on the Water-Nymph. As soon as Moonlight slammed into her side she was moving, her Trident spinning in a defensive pattern as most of Jacob's slashing, thrusts, and hacking were deflected. She was good until Junes Fire Arrow slammed into her side igniting her flesh immediately as she entered the fray. Her spider already targeting the Sprites as she fired her arrows at nearly point-blank-range as she danced, darted, and jumped around them.
The Treants massive haymaker immediately got Jacob attention as it sent him stumbling backward. Luckily it didn't break anything but it did take nearly a quarter of his health. Jacob chuckled as he triggered Piercing Lunge followed by Tripple Slash sending the Treant reeling back as Jacob party finally arrived adding their destructive power to the mix. Time to end this Jacob thought as he continued his assault on the overly large tree.
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The first boss Olivea of the Twisted Oak had an escort of four Nymphs and a dozen Sprites. No Treants though, at least no apparent Treants. They were excellent at camouflaging themselves with the surrounding trees laying in weight to ambush any interlopers. The Sprites were in groups of three patrolling the glade as the Dryad and Nymphs talked about something near the center.
The Sprites were all level 40 to 41, Nymphs were 41 or 42, nothing too hard for their group. Olivea was 42 as well, but she was a Mini-Boss. A Meteor flashed across the sky and slammed into the group of five as Jacob, Thelgrum, and Rory charged across the glade.
Name: Olivea of the Twisted Oak
Level: 42 (Mini-Boss)
Health: 189,183/190,000 (Burn)
Abilities: Poisoned Bloom, Sun Scourge, Unknown
Jacob dismissed the information as he engaged the nearest Sprites. They were short, fast, and wielded paired blades, or bow and arrows. Jacob snarled as he tried to keep his shield between him and those shooting arrows but eventually some got through.
Battle Alert...
De-Buff Lancet Poison: 30 DPS (Duration 30 Seconds), Health Regeneration decreased by 25% (Duration 5 Minutes)
De-Buff Sunspot Poison: Primary Stats decreased by 10%(+15% due to race)(Duration 10 Minutes)
Battle Alert...
Jacob cursed as his health nose-dived and his speed decreased as he pulled an Anti-Venom from his belt and downed it as he triggered Battle Stomp buying him some time and allowing his health to regenerate. If he got hit again with that Sunspot Poison, he would be screwed because he couldn't take another Ant-Venom for another 5 minutes.
Jacob triggered Shield Charge pushing through the Sprites with blades and getting into close range with those firing arrows. Their eyes bulged as Jacob closed the distance and they tried to stay away but Jacob triggered Piercing Lunge causing one of them to scream in pain as Moonlight skewered one. The other Sprite was going to shoot Jacob point blank in the face but a plated boot to the nuts quickly distracted the other Sprite and left him completely exposed to a Power Slash to the neck that nearly decapitated him as his surviving three brothers swarmed Jacob.
Thelgrum was dealing with the other two patrols with Rory, while Chalxae, June, a Bone and Magma Golems fought Olivea and the quartet of Nymphs. "Trade dance partners with me!!" Jacob called to the Assassin who gave him a feral smile as she disappeared into Stealth as June and her Spider moved his way. Jacob smiled turned feral as he triggered Charge, Moonlight leading as he slammed into Olivea. He immediately triggered War Cry and Hemorrhage causing all five opponents to immediately zero in on him.
Jacob dodged, feinted, slashed, hacked, and stabbed keeping the opponents at bay as the two Golems continued to pound them from behind. Jacob continued to rotate his attacks, Shield Bash, Triple Slash, Hemorrhage, and Reaver Attack, targeting the closest opponent with each attack and never staying on one for more than 3 regular attacks. Jacob also always used Battle Stomp every time it came off cooldown to interrupt the Nymphs while Olivea of the Twisted Oak continued her assault ignoring the interrupt half the time.
Suddenly the Dryad slammed her staff into the ground and spat out a phrase of words. Two things happened roots burst from the ground encircling Jacobs' legs and a blast of light slammed into Jacob causing him to scream.
Battle Alert...
De-Buff Sun Burn: 50(+50 Due to Race) DPS (Duration 30 Seconds)
De-Buff Sun Blindness: Accuracy and Sight are decreased by 90% (Duration 90 Seconds)
Battle Alert...
Jacob cursed as he staggered back blindly groping at his belt for a health potion as his health plunged dangerously closer to empty. He couldn't see almost anything though so he was swinging Moonlight wildly when suddenly he was tackled to the ground and a liquid was forced in his mouth!!! Cherry flavored Medium Healing Potion flowed down his throat and into his veins as his health stopped dropping at 5% and started crawling back up as Thelgrum engaged the Boss and her escorts.
Chalxae rolled off Jacob as multiple healing spells hit him, Rejuvenate and Healing Roots boosted his health pool up to 1/4 of its capacity as his health bar continued to fill. Jacob waved at the two healers as Shigna, Fenwyn, and Patemal continued to dish out magical destruction on their enemies.
Jacob never rejoined the fight as Olivea of the Twisted Oak died to Thelgrum well-placed hammer caving in her skull. The fight went out of the two remaining Nymphs quickly after that and they died wailing and crying. Jacob brought up the dungeon quests and checked to see how they were doing.
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Dungeon Quest Updated: Twisted Thought, Twisted Trees
Description: The Grove of the Ancient Ones, was once revered by creatures and Druids of the Eternal Forest. It is now a wrecked and twisted remnant of the past. Cleanse it and hopefully, something new will grow here again.
Deranged Sprites: 80/200
Deranged Wood-Nymphs: 12/50
Deranged Water-Nymphs: 12/50
Deranged Dryads: 4/20
Deranged Treants: 3/10
Rewards: 50,000 Experience, 1,000 Gold
Dungeon Quest Updated: Ancient Specters and Twisted Leaders
Description: The leaders of the Grove of the Ancient Ones have become corrupted by long imprisonment and the warped magic the gods placed on the Valley of Origins. End their suffering at last.
Defeat Olivea of the Twisted Oak: Dead
Defeat Perdithas Stormcaller: ---
Defeat Alderflesh the Ancient: ---
Rewards: 50,000 Experience, Unknown
Jacob dismissed the quests as he munched on some jerky as he gazed at his people as they looted corpses, checked weapons, downed potions or prepared in some way to continue the dive.
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Jacob was tired, sore, and ready to end the dive as they approached the Heart of Grove of the Ancient Ones. Downing Perdithas Stormcaller, a powerful Druid, had almost gotten Thelgrum killed. The Druid was a pain in the ass and a spectacular healer, but only had two offensive spells Jacob had seen. Niether one had kept him alive in the end.
Everyone was ready to end the Dungeon crawl, having two close calls was new for all of them. Yes Jacob had died once before, but none of his Bonded has ever gotten that close, but the Druid Mini-Boss had two Treants and two Dryads as his escort, but they had managed to down him at last.
Approaching the heart revealed an overly large Treant...yeah fun Jacob thought as he analyzed the final boss.
Name: Alderflesh the Ancient (Unique)
Level: 43 (Boss)
Health: 250,000/250,000
Abilities: Unknown
"INTERLOPERS!!!" The Ancient Treant bellowed out and the forest came alive as a dozen Treants awakened, each one Level 43 Elite sporting a health pool of 180,000.
Shit...they were so boned Jacob thought as he triggered War Cry as he dashed toward the Boss, "Thelgrum Portal and get everyone out NOW!!" Oh well, they had managed to finish one of the two quests at least he thought as he continued his suicidal run. Thelgrum had already pulled a scroll and tossed it too June who activated it magics as Thelgrum and Rory would hold the line as the remainder of the party fled once the Portal opened.
Jacob triggered Battle Stomp causing the nearest Treants to grind to a halt as Jacob followed the skill up with Shield Charge plowing through the last two defenders over their bellowing roars. With a snap of thunder, the Portal opened and his War Party started to flee as Jacob made it too Alderflesh who snapped out roots snaring Jacobs feet and arms halting his mad charge. "What do you think you accomplished little mortal...Your friends have fled and you will die soon."
Jacob smiled as he tried to tug his arms free but failed against the Ancient Treants overwhelming strength, "They are alive and that is what matters most too me." Jacob replied
Jacob was pulled closer to the Treants face as he studied him, "You have something old on you and powerful."
"You are going to have to be more specific, all my armor and my sword are at least 3,000 years old," Jacob told the Treant.
Alderflesh frowned at his impudence, "This piece is closer to 10,000 years old and should not be here. I didn't sense it until you were closer, but now that it is here...What are you doing with it?"
Jacob did his best to shrug, "I cannot destroy it and I have run out of safe places to hide dangerous items so until I find another hiding spot I am keeping it on me. I know I risk having it stolen, but I don't have a better idea at this moment in time."
Alderflesh considered his words as he released Jacob, his silent guardians continued to watch him but did nothing else as Alderflesh the Ancient closed his eyes and shuddered as his mouth opened unnaturally widened and another being emerged robed and carrying a staff of sorts. "Understandable, but carrying a Spark of Chaos around is dangerous. It will tempt and warp your mind every chance it gets. The only reason why it has not enslaved you yet is that the armor and blade you wear. They are jealous guardians and do not like outside influences, they can protect you for a time...." Jacob nodded his head as he analyzed this new persona.
Name: Alderflesh the Ancient (Unique-Avatar)
Level: 43 (Boss)
Health: 250,000/250,000
Abilities: Unknown
Well, that was interesting, Jacob thought only gods could create Avatars, this put the Ancient Treant into a whole different league altogether and nearly made him step back as Alderflesh started channeling magic and bits and pieces of the Treant flew off him and assembled into a box of sorts. "Put the necklace in here, it will keep it safe and secure for the next 1,000 years or so. Keep it closed and in your Inventory until you find a safe place to store it." He stated as he handed Jacob the jewelry box.
Spoiler: Spoiler
Name: Warded Box of Containment
Durability: 10,000/10,000
Description: This box was crafted by Alderflesh the Ancient, one of the Ancient Treants of the world of Ithea with one purpose. To contain a Spark of Chaos. It cannot be lost or stolen, only given from one being to another.
Jacob whistled as he analyzed the box and all the wards on it as he placed the Spark of Chaos within it and pushed it back into his inventory. Well, that was one headache he didn't have to worry about for now, "Why are you helping me instead of killing me?" Jacob asked him as he sheathed Moonlight.
Alderflesh continued to study him before he responded, "What do you know of the Dark Lands?"
Jacob whistled before he responded, "Its a name that covers several regions. All wild lands, unclaimed by any one nation or city. There are a some villages, towns, and a couple of small cities but its a lawless paradise overall, and a high-level area. The minimum level of 100 to 120 for the outer Regions, and closer to 200 for the inner Regions. High risk but high reward area in other words. Why?"
Alderflesh smiled at him, it wasn't too friendly more of a conspiratorial smirk...shit. "Once long ago before the Chaos War, there was a grove there, ancient and powerful. The forces of this world lost control of it and we never reclaimed it, ever since then it has become a haven of lawlessness and chaos. It also might provide a foothold for Chaos when she does return to this plane. I want you to reclaim it."
Jacob took a moment then started laughing until he cried, "I cannot do that Alderflesh, I have my own responsibilities and declaring war on the Dark Lands...it would be insane and not to mention I don't have the strength to do it."
A twinkle entered the Ancient Treants eyes now, full of amusement and maybe insanity, "You will do it in two years. You will take my heart and plant it in the dead grove reclaiming the Dark Lands and bringing stability to that portion of the world."
Jacob was growing frustrated now, "Even in two years, I will not reach level 200. Maybe closer to 5 years I could do it, but if you think I can do it in two...its insanity. It cannot be done and I already have enough craziness going on without adding this on top of it."
"Do you want this world to survive the coming of Chaos or not?" Alderflesh stated as he walked around Jacob inspecting every inch of him and found him lacking.
Jacob frustration was causing him to start losing his control so he took a deep breath as he closed his eyes and let it out, "Yes I want the world to continue, I like Ithea overall, some things could be changed about it, but overall its a good place if brutal at times." Jacob replied as he opened his eyes.
The Ancient one nodded as he finally found something he did like in the other being, "You will take my heart and plant it in the dead grove in the center of the Dark Lands. This I charge you with Vampire. that ring hides you from most magic and senses, but your Aura cannot be changed by normal means. Treants can see that, I can also see your growing Mantle of Divinity, I assume you got that from the Blood Lord when you attained his armor. You have his drive and ambition, just don't let the thirst for power destroy you." Alderflesh stated as he turned and walked up to his body. Bark and flesh parted revealing a still-beating heart as the Avatar started chanting and channeling magic in and around the Heart as he slowly withdrew it from his body.
"Take this Heir to the Blood Lord. Conquer the Dark Lands, reclaim them and bring order to those lands and plant my heart in the grove in the center of those lands. Take my Blessing as well, I am the eldest of the brethren and it carries weight among the mortal races and some of the gods. When the time comes...when Chaos returns, I will fight beside you. You have my word." Alderflesh stated as his Avatar started to crumble and the ancient Treant died.