World Tree Online: The Order of Epic Grinders: 4th Dive
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After I buffed everyone, refilling my mana pool twice in the process, I also gave myself ‘Edda of Light and Dark’. It was my most expensive buff spell and only usable as a self-buff, but it was also one of my most powerful.
Spell: Edda of Light and Dark
Level: 55
Experience: 13.43%
Description: A lost Norse spell. This Edda tells the tale of Skoll and Hati, light and dark, haste and patience.
Spell Duration: 10-minutes
Spell Cast Speed: Instant
Range: 20-yards
Spell Effect (Active): Your next attack will slow your target attack speed 3.75% and increase your attack speed 3.75%. (Stackable x10) (Personal use only).
Mana Cost: -1,575-MP
“And now we go hunting,” Rose said, equipping a shield to each arm.
“Or not,” said Olaf, pointing to a group of undead wolves that were shambling in our direction from the south.
“Jack, pin one for us, I’ll pick up the others,” Rose said.
When Rose asked me to pin one, she was talking about my ‘Heavenly Blade’ spell. A crowd control ability that would both pin a target to the ground, as well as burn them with holy fire.
Spell: Heavenly Blade
Rank: Lesser
Level: 7
Experience: 91.47%
Description: Call down a burning blade from the heavens to pin a single target to the ground.
Spell Damage: -7-8-HP per second
Spell Duration: 15-seconds
Spell Cast Speed: Instant
Range: 20-yards
Cooldown: 60-seconds
Spell Effect (Active): Pierce a target with heavenly blades that burn with Holy Fire, pinning the target to the ground and adding a stack of ‘Holy Burning’. Each cast of 'Holy Fire' resets the duration of 'Heavenly Blade' and resets the Cooldown timer. Any damage to the target other than ‘Holy Fire’ damage will break the pinning effect.
Mana Cost: -114-MP
“Incoming, three from above,” Olaf bellowed in warning, his hand cannon firing at one of the dive bombing
“Okay, new plan,” Rose started, then shouted. “Jack, pick up as many of the wolves as you can, I’ll grab whatever you miss, and I’ll get the three condors. Olaf and Heath, destroy Jack’s target first. Then the condors. We’ll take out the wolves after that.”
“I think a little battle music is in order,” Heath said, appearing from ‘Stealth’ with his guitar in hand. He began plucking at the strings and within seconds I had an ‘Increased Damage’ buff. I grinned as I recognized the song.
As soon as the undead wolves got in range, I cast ‘Heavenly Blade’ on one wolf and leaped in at another of the undead monstrosities. My spear flashed with holy light as it struck, instantly cleaving the
I had hoped the undead wolves would have been slow and zombielike. They weren’t. I needed to leap again, stabbing into an
I heard a jarring chord from behind me, causing me to turn swiftly.
Heath’s ax . . . guitar had just cleaved into the other wolf. “Less than thirty until my buff wears off,” he said, spinning around and swinging his guitar upward into the underbelly of the same wolf. One stab from me finished it.
Knowing I didn’t have long left on my ‘Heavenly Blade’, I cast ‘Holy Fire’ on the pinned beast, extending the duration of the crowd control.
Spell: Holy Fire
Rank: Beginner
Level: 4
Experience: 7.14%
Description: Burn a single target with Holy Fire.
Spell Damage: -112-113-HP per second
Spell Duration: 30-seconds
Spell Cast Speed: Instant
Range: 25-yards
Cooldown: 10-seconds
Spell Effect (Active): Each cast of Holy Fire will afflict 'Holy Burning' on your target to a maximum of 4.
Mana Cost: -248-MP
The other three wolves were lagging behind the rest and lucky for me, they were grouped tightly together. With a thought, I dropped a ‘Boar Charge’ right on top of them, mowing them down with ease.
Spell: Boar Charge
Level: 30
Experience: 0.47%
Description: Summon a stampede of spectral boars.
Blessing of the Boar Spirit (Charm Earned): +10-Endurance, +10-Stamina
Spell Damage: -750-950-HP per second
Spell Cast Speed: Channeled
Spell Duration: 5-seconds
Cooldown: 29-minutes
Range: 35-yards
Spell Effect (Active): Spectral boars will charge a targeted area dealing damage and knocking down anyone in the area of effect.
Mana Cost: -800-MP
It was an expensive spell mana cost wise but oh so powerful. The wolves didn’t stand a chance.
“Condors!” Rose shouted then grunted as there were two loud impacts to her shield-wall. “Left to right,” she ordered as an afterthought.
I was still channeling my ‘Boar Charge’ when she called out. Thankfully, Olaf and Heath were paying attention. Heath started playing his guitar again, renewing the damage buff while Olaf moved in from behind Rose and took advantage of the angle to fire both hand cannons.
As soon as my channeling ended and the three wolves were trampled to death . . . again, I moved to the side of the condors and fired off a ‘Holy Blast’ spell, letting the cone of damage boost my next physical attack.
Spell: Holy Blast
Rank: Lesser
Level: 2
Experience: 5.25%
Description: Unleash a directional blast of holy bolts.
Spell Damage: -104-118-HP
Spell Cast Speed: Instant
Spell Damage Radius: 30⁰ Cone
Range: 5-yards
Cooldown: 10-seconds
Spell Effect (Active): Release a cone of holy damage from the palm of your hand in a single direction. Next physical attack to each target struck will deal an additional -104-HP damage.
Mana Cost: -308-MP
Another critical strike tore through the zombified birds, nearly killing all three. But also gaining aggro on all three as they turned to me as one to attack.
“Bye-bye, jump clear,” Olaf ordered.
I jumped backward just in time for Olaf to charge into the small flock of condors, impaling one on his horns and killing it, while trampling the other two into the ground.
I smiled a little as I started casting ‘Holy Lightning’.
Spell: Holy Lightning
Level: 1
Experience: 5.00%
Description: Call down lightning charged with Holy Energy.
Spell Damage: -100-150-HP
Spell Cast Speed: 5.00-seconds
Range: 25-yards
Spell Effect (Active): Holy Lightning strikes at a single target and will branch to strike 1 additional random enemy. Next physical attack to each target struck will deal an additional -100-HP damage.
Mana Cost: -400-MP
It was a longer cast, but two stunned birds were the perfect targets to use it on. Bright white lightning struck from the cloudless sky, impacting one of the condors. The single fork of lightning shot off toward the single crowd-controlled monster. And just like that, my pinned target was very, very dead.
Rose’s shields crashed down on the final remaining condor, stunning it.
“I’ve got this,” I said, feeling confident after we so easily handled the others. I cast ‘Holy Shock’ stunning it again.
Spell: Holy Shock
Rank: Beginner
Level: 4
Experience: 16.58%
Description: Send a shock of Holy energy through a single target.
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Spell Damage: -106-111-HP
Spell Cast Speed: Instant
Range: 25-yards
Cooldown: 30-seconds
Spell Effect (Active): Stun a single target with a shock of Holy energy, stunning your target for 5-seconds. Next physical attack to the target will deal an additional -116-HP damage.
Mana Cost: -306-MP
Nearly dead and stunned, I leaped in. Striking down with my spear and activating ‘Justice Strike’ as I did.
Skill: Justice Strike
Rank: I
Level: 65
Experience: 16.14%
Description: A righteous weapon strike in the name of Justice.
Damage Modifier: +35.50
Cooldown: 30-Seconds
Range: *Weapon Dependent
Skill Effect (Active): Next spell cast will deal an additional -75-HP damage or +75-HP healing.
Stamina Cost: -115-SP
With combat done, we burned the carcasses after scavenging what we could, talons from the condors, fangs and claws from the wolves. I didn’t know if they would be worth much but better to have them than not.
When the last body started burning, I asked, “Is it me, or was that way too easy?”
I knew it was a mistake to say it as soon as I did. The growling, howling, and screeches that filled the woods around us told me as much.
“You just had to go and say it, didn’t you?” Rose asked, stepping up next to me.
“It seemed like a good idea at the time,” I said, readying my spear for the nightmare fuel that was undoubtedly heading right for us.
Chapter 7 – Micaela
After saying goodbye to her husband and friends, Micaela waited for her daughter and her daughter’s friend. It was kind of nice to just sit back and see the wildly different players coming and going from the tavern, though it seemed there were far fewer players compared to the last time she was in Hurligville. Still, it was fun. She made a game of guessing classes based on the weapons, armor, and races she could see coming and going. The Gnome in robes was clearly a mage of some kind. A Dwarf in leather with twin daggers must have been a Rogue, Thief, or Assassin. An Elf in chainmail, a Warrior. A diminutive Sprite in leather with a quiver on his back and bow in hand was an Archer of some kind, maybe a Ranger.
Finally, Penelope and Bell came skipping down the stairs of the inn. Both of them looking extremely excited to start their day . . . to start their own adventure.
“Mum, you’re still here?” Penelope asked, trying, and failing, to sound happy about it.
“I am,” Micaela said. “And I promise I won’t stop you from going on your own adventure. That said, before you leave, I just want to make sure you have everything you need.”
Penelope sighed. “Yes, mum, I think we have everything. I have my weapon and a couple spells from the Goddess. And Bell has her spells to rain down death and destruction. We’re good.”
“And you have a quest or two?” Micaela asked.
“Yes, we have a few quests,” Penelope confirmed.
“Do you need any money?” Micaela asked, she had a fair amount of money but with such a large construction project, she needed to be careful how she spent it. “I can’t give you much, but you don’t really need a lot for what’s available in town here.”
“I’m good, I still have the gold piece you gave me yesterday,” Penelope answered.
“Okay, I suppose the rest is up to you two,” Micaela said, unable to stop feeling nervous for her daughter.
“Thanks, mum,” Penelope said, this time with true enthusiasm before hugging her mother. “Alright, let’s go, Bell.”
“Oh, one more thing,” Micaela said, stopping her daughter in her tracks. “Just a final piece of advice. I suggest you go back to the temple at some point today and ask Trinico to use the Puzzle Rooms. The skill you two could gain if you can complete the quest is really worth the effort.” she said, then she added in a whisper, “Be careful who you tell about that.”
Penelope nodded, then said, “We will. I’ll need to work on the altar for the Goddess Pasiphae at some point today anyway.”
Micaela smiled and nodded. “That’s good. Okay, you two go have fun. I have a hole to dig,” she said.
“Are we finally getting started?” Sooty asked gruffly, sipping from a mug of something. Normally, Micaela would have assumed it was coffee. But Sooty was a Dwarf. There was a solid chance that it was ale in that mug, especially as that was Dogson’s preferred hangover cure. Not that she had ever noticed if Sooty was hungover.
“Yes, we can get started. Did you get your storage all sorted out?” Micaela asked.
“Aye,” Sooty replied, pouring whatever was left of his drink down his throat.
“Then it sounds like we’re all ready to go,” Micaela said cheerfully.
The unfortunate reality for Micaela was that her part in the digging of the hole was to sit and do nothing. Simply use her ‘Spiritwalk’ spell and let Mover and Shaker do all the work while her other totems trained with Kali and Palm . . . more Kali. Loral, Sooty, and Marie kept a constant train of wagons moving from the dig site to the moat where they would push the dirt out of the back of the wagon.
Hours of work later and Micaela was almost two and a half stories down. It was then she hit her first snag. Bedrock. Slanted bedrock at that. It angled gently down away from the mountains far to the north.
“I can’t move this,” Mover said, his large gorilla arms crossed in annoyance.
“Shaking won’t help either,” Shaker added, his pose matching Mover’s.
“Alright,” Micaela said with a sign. “Let me go talk to the others and see if they have any ideas.” If this was the real world, it would most likely require laser cutters or blasting equipment. The former was unlikely to be an option while the latter held possibilities. Still, she needed to ask someone who knew better for advice.
Back in the mortal plane, Micaela looked around for Sooty, Loral, or Marie, but it appeared they were all out delivering dirt. She looked toward the town hall and considered approaching Homer but shook her head. She had no idea where the man might have been or if he wasn’t lost in an alcoholic daze. Despite Sergeant Butters giving Homer a good reality check, she knew that people didn’t necessarily snap out of things that quickly. But thinking of the Sergeant gave her the impetus to go ask the old soldier for advice.
Micaela found the Sergeant exactly where she expected to find him, in the back of the barracks, putting a couple of players through their paces. She saw one with a sword and another with a mace and shield at work while she waited. None of it was overly exciting as the players were all low level, as were their skills.
When the Sergeant finally had a free moment, Micaela approached with a large smile and a friendly wave and shouted, “Morning, Sergeant Butters!”
“Good morning, Mrs. Crushhammer,” Sergeant Butters replied. “What brings you by this fine morning?”
“I need advice,” Micaela started simply. “I am digging the hole for my foundation. Everything was going perfectly, then I hit bedrock. I wanted to see if there was a way to dig past it or if there was some kind of magic I should be looking for?”
Sergeant Butters nodded in understanding, then said, “I see. Well, the good news is that you have several options. First, you can go see Giggle-Ana and ask her to use her explosives to clear away the rock. This is probably going to be your fastest option, but costly. Second, you can head over to Malcolm’s and see about purchasing some ‘Construction’ spells. This will not be as fast as the first option as you will need to level the spells up. But it will also probably be the best option in the long term for your profession. And third, you could put your mining pick to work and start cutting through the rock yourself. This is the slowest but cheapest path.”
“Do you think I can gain enough proficiency with the spells to have completed up to the first floor of the Order House by the time the undead come?” Micaela asked.
“That I cannot say for certai
n,” Sergeant Butters said. “You need to do what is best for you. That said, I would prefer you complete your Order House as quickly as possible. The sooner you finish it, the sooner you will be able to start building improved defenses for the town.”
Micaela nodded in agreement. “Thank you for the advice,” she said. “I should get back to work.”
“I wish you the best of luck, Mrs. Crushhammer,” the Sergeant said.
Though Micaela loathed to do so, she knew visiting Giggle-Ana was the right thing to do. Still, she put it off for the short term. Instead, choosing to return to Malcolm’s shop. Even if she were going to use Giggle-Ana’s services, she knew well enough that she should get whatever spells she could.
Malcolm’s shop was empty when Micaela arrived. And seeing as there wasn’t another customer, Malcolm greeted her immediately, “Ah, Mrs. Crushhammer, welcome, welcome. How might this humble purveyor of all things arcane serve you this fine afternoon?”
“Construction spells,” Micaela replied, eyeing Malcolm with suspicion, he was being way too nice considering the sale she cost him the day before.