08
Learning the ropes
Day 2 Default 1
The beach stretched out for miles and miles. The waters teemed with dolphins, whales, and predators. With only a telltale sign of a dorsal fin, tail splash, or water blasts of an ungodly force of nature. A few ships were out catching fish or other monsters. On the beach giant crabs attacked a passerby and sand fleas had ambushed another. The dunes, where they had just gotten through, was an onslaught of hopeful players trying to have a nice day at the beach, while wild dogs hunted fearful players in packs, and snakes and lizards attack unsuspecting and unprotected gamers.
Now that the team was at the beach they had wondered what would await them. Maybe a PvP match, or a fight with a crab, or they could attack the walking seaweed. The stress was prominent in the air, everyone had leveled up at least ten levels just getting here, and the trek wasn’t that easy. They had a good team, nobody had died, they all had each other’s backs. Another’s survival was their own.
They had all of each other’s backs until… someone had stepped in quicksand and was sucked down and underground in a matter of seconds. There wasn’t anything they could do, they tried pulling, but they failed.
They all stood there, thinking about the stupidity of it all, making it through dangerous lands to their destination, only to have the first team member killed by…wait, his death didn’t register. He was still alive, and his Health wasn’t dropping. Someone sent a text. “Are you alright?”
“I guess so… flashlight works. I’m in a cave. Only creeps.”
One team member jumped into the quicksand and was taken down, another one jumped, the whole team came down moments later, flashlights and torches out, kill the creeps.
It was an underground system of caves, and it led them around, lower and lower and beneath the ocean.
The players started shooting and slashing with their knives and swords, some even had fire magic, but only succeeded in creating a whole lot of steam and boiled crab.
They continued on through the caves, one leading to another, some only exited under water, through a pool of electric eels.
Their tactics and skills were sufficient and they had made their way to the last cave, a wonderfully large cave, a ship docked on the rocks. A stoic undead pirate stood at the helm, and as they entered his grotto, he suddenly turned his gaze to the intruding team. The pirate pulled out his saber, and with the hilt, rung a giant bell.
DONG!!!
The bell rang and his crew of undead pirates swarmed out and manned stations. In a matter of seconds, the cannons were lit and balls of sped past and more were coming.
The team didn’t know what to expect, but maybe that was their forte. They all had very separate skills and knew how to use them in their team.
Counter spells were cast, a machine gun was loaded and firing. Magic shields up, and they were bathed in battle buffs.
They all took separate stations and they knew their goals, take down the long range before the melee arrives, then make it to the Captain.
The player in first person held a glowing red knife in one hand and grenades with the other. He ventured closer and closer, watching the cannoneers stepping out of the way for the archers. One had to be fast and erratic. He made it to the ship as the undead started jumping overboard to meet him on land.
He used his Force spell to push some back, causing some to shatter on impact. Others that came close had to suffer with a hot and heavy knife breaking limbs off.
He was good, very good, but not with this number of skeletons. Very soon he was surrounded, Force Push and flaming knife attacks only did so much. He activated a special, causing all the pirates to fly back and suffer knockdown damage… if the impact didn’t kill them first. That depleted his Mana, so he retreated behind a rock and downed a few potions, nearly the last one, his stock was getting low.
All good, Mana back to 75%, he started again. The onslaught of undead pirates hardly abated, but he had his tactics down to maximal effective damage, and before too long he was able to climb up and board the ship. There were no less undead on the ship.
He kept up his game for another few minutes until the deck was cleaned. Inert Skeletons, whole or broken, were scattered all around the ship’s deck.
He stood with his teammates, all five, huffing and puffing, offering handshakes and saying, “good job”. They knew it wasn’t over yet. And just to confirm it, the bell rang again.
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DONG!!!
All their attention shifted to the helm once more and the captain with his own personal crew came to them.
Another potion, Buffs, Magic shields up, and everyone took their stances.
A grenade flew into the middle of the pirates and did a decent amount of damage, a few more burst from the machine guns and the crew of pirates started dropping.
But more pirates came from below.
The player took his cue and kept up the defense and attack to keep his team’s backs safe. Force Push, in and attack. Repeat.
His Stamina and Mana took most of the stress. HP was still high, but he knew it would only be a matter of seconds once the other important bar dropped to zero. He yelled back for a little help.
Fireballs flew from behind him and burst on the undead’s chests, causing them to explode in a smoldering pile of bones.
He had taken the reprieve to down the last Mana potion, 5x Mana regen for 1 minute. Decent, but only for a minute. He took it and followed through, a few more critical strikes and another Force Push, but he was saving for the special, he needs Mana maxed out.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1…
Electric bolt came down and punished every enemy within fifty feet.
The bell rang, but this time no one was at he helm.
Pop ups and notifications streamed past their faces.
One notification stood out:
You are now the proud own of The Holy Mary Pirate Ship.
You are granted level 10 in Intelligence: Knowledge: Pirate Ships.
KillPrinsX woke up, her Mana was depleted, she felt like she was running a marathon and her arms were terribly sore. Icons of battle Buffs, and Debuffs, lined her top view while she noticed…she had jumped to level 15!
Notifications filled her eyes before she even had a chance to sit up properly.
Time slept: 2 hours 37 minutes
While in Nap Time you have gleaned skills and XP from another player:
You have gained 8680 XP.
You have learned the skill Force Push (tier 3)
This skill is a very handy skill while in close combat. That is, if you really don’t like it that close. Give your opponent some space with Force Push. Maybe they’ll get the hint.
Cost:
30 MP
Gives:
3 MP per rank
+1 Wisdom: Attack: Force per rank
You have earned rank 3 in Force Push.
You have earned rank 5 in Knives.
You have earned rank 6 in Focus.
You have learned skill Steel Skin (tier 2).
This is a skill buffing one up to take some serious damage, at least you know you’ll be ready. Steel Skin is a skill used before battle to make one’s skin as tough as steel, and nearly impossible to break.
Costs:
20 MP
Gives:
-25% damage taken
75% resistant to piercing or cutting damage
1 HP per rank
2 MP per rank
+1 Wisdom: Buffs: Enhance: Defense per rank
You have learned the skill Quick Hands (tier 2).
This is a skill making your very own hands…very much faster. When used with a knife or pistol, things get hot. When used mid battle, give the enemy a surprise by upping your speed, just enough to get ‘em where it hurts.
Increases manual dexterity. 25% faster attack speed when using hands. +10% damage given when using hands or physical weapons.
Costs:
20 MP
Gives:
+1 SP per rank
+2 MP per rank
+2 Wisdom: Buffs: Enhance: Condition per rank
You have learned the skill Stamina Regen (tier 3).
This skill is relentless in giving the user that much more energy to get it done. When things go on for ever and you just can’t move another inch, use Stamina Regen.
Costs:
30 MP
Gives:
+1 SP per rank
+3 MP per rank
+1 Wisdom: Buffs: Recover: Stamina per rank
You have earned rank 2 in Stamina Regen +50% (tier 3)
You have learned the skill Force Shock Wave 360 (tier 4)
This skill is one of the best skill to have in your arsenal when fighting creeps and overwhelming little bastards. There’s only so much you can do to keep them away from you. And just when they think they have a hold on you, knock ‘em back with Force Shock Wave 360! Those creeps will think twice before coming back to see you.
Uses magical force to push back enemies from all directions, causing knock back damage while stunning.
Costs:
50 MP
Gives:
+4 MP per rank
+4 Wisdom: Attack: Force
You have learned the skill A Curse From The Heavens (tier 5)
This godly skill is truly what it sounds like. You want good, they want evil, given them what they asked for with a little lightning.
Sends down multiple strong bolts of lightning to remaining enemies on the field. AoE 15 feet for 5 seconds (variable with given Mana). Causes Electric Damage and stuns enemies.
Costs:
100 MP
Gives:
+3 HP per rank
+5 MP per rank
+2 Wisdom: Attack: Elemental per rank
You have learned a skill in Boating: Pirate Ships.
This skill is fantastic for those ocean goers who love the nostalgic feeling of being on a vintage pirate ship. But, sitting on a pirate ship and knowing how to captain a pirate ship is an entirely different thing.
This skill gives one the knowledge to sail Pirate Ships and causes one to be 30% more likely to drink rum.
Gives:
+1 Endurance: Pain: Damage per rank
+1 Wisdom: Attack: Other per rank
+1 Wisdom: Defense: Other per rank
+1 Intelligence: Knowledge: Pirate Ships per rank
+1 Charisma: Appearance: Clothing per rank
+1 Luck: Opportunities per rank
You have reached Level 10!
You have received a bonus skill point for reaching level 10!
You have 11 skill points for your use!
Achievement unlocked! Use Nap Time without defaulting. “You have successfully taken a nap!”