New Perspectives

Anticipating Camera Changes

While I am sure most are anxiously awaiting for a HoT release date, I am actually counting down to Tuesday for the update to the camera's field-of-view. I'm not that excited for first person perspective, although this could be fun for PVE immersion. What I REALLY want is to be able to zoom out more than we have been able to in the past, especially in WvW. 

With a better FOV I am hoping there will be less awkwardly placed AoE and more successful bombs. Nothing upsets me more than fighting on the side of a cliff and having issues being able to drop my skills where they would be more useful. I am aware of ways to re-size your screen or having a larger monitor to help you but as I don't have this luxury, these changes should be refreshing. Can't wait for a bird's eye view of the battle field. ::crosses fingers:: Enemies beware!

Farming Orr

Pressing buttons might look easy but it was a bit more complex than that. She constantly had to remind them to be patient and no they could not try. Asuran technology is not for bookahs to play with. Ennvii entered a signal coordinate checking for the density of orichalcum ore in the area and today there had been no success. It had been more than two weeks since they had last found any of the highly sought out ore but with more and more of the Pact spreading across Orr, orichalcum had become even rarer.

"Are you sure you are pushing the right buttons?" asked Willow.

"For the fourteenth time, you are not capable of operating the heavy machinery. Only a Static College student can even begin to understand how this functions," said the small asura. She was tiny even by asuran standards. Pitch black skin, she was easily unseen and overlooked on the darkest nights, although she did have the talents to go unnoticed in broad daylight. She was exactly the kind of person you needed to get past the Risen for jobs like these.

"How can we be sure we haven't already searched close to this area?" asked Mitsuko.

"Questions! Again with the redundant questions," responded Ennvii impatiently, flailing her tiny arms around the air. After a brief pause, "We can't be sure." She had a higher tolerance for Mitsuko. She was a bit more sophisticated than Willow but that did not make her any weaker. She had met the two human women after they had appeared at Rata Sum searching for a long list of materials. While they were both humans, which all look alike to her, their style of dress and demeanor were at the opposite ends of the spectrum. Mitsuko kept her hair cropped short, while Willow kept hers down to her shoulders. Mitsuko wore battle-hardened armor and Willow wore silky clothing meshed with metallic pieces. Their upbringing was apparent in their speech. Social class was so obvious in humans. But opportunity comes in different forms and Ennvii saw her chance for a research project that she could submit next season.

Willow kicked dirt at a boulder and cursed, "By Grenth's nose hairs! We've been here too long. The Pact has probably stripped this land of what we need. What about those airships we keep hearing about? You think they have some of the items we need?"

"Probably. It wouldn't hurt to try and find out if they do," responded Mitsuko.

"If it would be more beneficial I can activate a magi-matter-transportive device near Lion's Arch or back to Rata Sum," interjected Ennvii.

"Waypoint! They are called waypoints!" yelled Willow. "You asura and your fancy talk. OoOoh, I'm doing well! Not me, momma, I'm doing good. Have you ever seen someone say, 'I'm doing well' with a smile?"

Ennvii and Mitsuko exchanged expressionless glances and looked back at Willow who just rolled her eyes. It had not been an easy three months.

The Triple B is Back!

After a year and a half, I have finally finished my M.A. and can focus again on my little blog on GW2. I never stopped playing, just moved my focus to writing papers for class. In this post, I will explore my life in Tyria since the last time I posted.

WvW and USSR

So the Mists War has certainly drawn me in for good. I will always have fond memories following Odinzu when TC first started or my days learning with the [TV] guild on how to zerg. But being a part of Die Kompanie [USSR] will always be the most important or best times I have ever had in WvW. I have been lucky enough to learn the tactics and strategies needed for WvW and make some great friends along the way. Let me just say how wonderful it has been to see the Toast grow and evolve into a T1 server that truly takes the competition seriously while keeping it cordial. To those who have bravely fought with me: For the Mother Toast!

diekompanie.org

3rd Legendary: The Minstrel

Before I went fully into WvW end-game mode, I had to get the last legendary that I wanted. Every time I hear the harp sound now, I am glad I did it. It wasn't easy and World Completion was a bit more painful this time, especially doing it on a Mesmer. But in the end, it was well worth it. I have no aspirations for the other legendaries, but with the current HoT expansion announcement, you better believe that I will be saving my T6 mat and hoarding other materials for the new legendaries.

New Inspirations

The freakishly tall asura grumbled and he shuffled through the snow, "I will never understand why Norn enjoy such hyperborean regions. The chillier the mountain, the more sanctified. A bit imprudent if you ask me."

Betty snickers. "Missing the sauna heat of the Tarnished Coast?"

"Most definitely, bookah. Most definitely," said Swagg.

"Will both of you quiet down. There is a presence here that is giving off a rancid energy. Full of cold. Could it be Jormag?" asked the slender charr.

"We are not that far North, yet. But his influence does reach out over all the Shiverpeaks. We must keep an eye out if you do sense something," Betty replied to Afasia. 

They had been traveling for days through the Shiverpeaks. The only animals encountered, lazily trekked across the landscape, never minding the three. They were searching for a shrine, long lost to Norn tales and legends but not by Priory records. When it was brought to Betty's attention that the shrine did exist, she knew that she had to pay homage. She had already had an encounter in the Mist War. While the Pact readied to face Mordremoth on the Western frontier of the Maguuma jungle, the Mist warriors prepared for the great battle, getting stronger as each day passed. She had heard the call on the borderlands, calling her gently but with a confidence she knew could only be one of the Spirits of the Wild. Afasia heard it too, but then again, she many times heard and saw things that couldn't be explained. 

Two ravens came flying back. One as black as night, the other as white as snow. Ob and Od in the truest sense, flying together in unison, headed to their trusted ranger. The ravens, Quoth and Nevermore landed on the brush near Swagg and cawed a quick and apathetic response. "This can't be good," said Swagg. "They have informed me that our target is frozen over and covered entirely in ice."

"It can't be that bad. If it is just some frost...," Betty began.

"It's not just that, bookah. It is guarded."

Concern came across Betty's face as she looked in the direction that the ravens came from. She had worked too hard to come this far and not follow through with her pilgrimage. She knew that the Spirit guide was there. It could not have met the same fate as Owl, this Spirit was calling her. She urged her group on towards the shrine, tucked away slightly to the West from the true damage that Jormag had laid upon the Northern Shiverpeaks. They finally came upon large stalagmite columns and clusters of ice. It reminded Afasia of the crystal formations that she had seen in the Branding caused by Kralkatorrik. This was not the ice or frost that forms in nature, this was corruption, twisting and forming in unnatural, barbarous shapes. These were the effects of Jormag, trying to consume and freeze over all life in the area. As if to mock them and to reconfirm their fears, a chunk of the icy heap began to move. It moved its limbs, making a sickening, crunching sound as its joints of ice cracked. Moving on two skinny pillars of ice that served as legs, its deformed over-sized body had an eerie look as it crept towards them. A Son of Jormag, corrupted by the ice and controlled by the dragon.

"This must have been the shrines attendant," said Betty.

"Looks like he gave into Jormag and didn't put up much of a fight seeing how far corrupted he truly is," affirmed Afasia.

"What're you waiting for? Reinforcements?" asked Swagg. He pulled out his bow, lit three arrowheads on fire and began shooting the flaming arrows upon the corrupted shaman. 

Afasia popped out of existence as Betty pulled out her hammer which gave off a dull glow. Swagg's three arrows landed and sizzled, cracking the ice surrounding the shaman's head. Thick antlers, decayed with time, could be seen through what was left of the ice, jutting out of the shaman's helm. The corrupted shaman bellowed as a chunk of ice bursted off of his knee. For a split second Betty could see Afasia hacking at the shaman's knees and then she was gone again. Mesmers can really give you a headache, she thought. With Swagg continuing to shoot arrows and Afasia hacking away at the icicle legs like a Banyan sapling, Betty looked for her opportunity. She charged the corruption and with a mighty blow, went straight for its chest. "Watch out!" she cried as she ran in and landed a shattering blow that sounded like a thousand mirrors being broken. The shriveled body of the corruption laid twisted on the snow, writhing in pain. Afasia appeared and quickly struck the heart of the demented creature with precision, stilling it. 

After burning the body, the three started large bonfires around the shrine's area, melting the blocks of ice that had consumed the sacred spot. Looking into the large blocks, Betty could see something, hear something. Something trapped.

Days later, it became even more noticeable. The constant roar of the fires kept up to melt the ice had warmed even Swagg to the point that he couldn't take it anymore. 

"I am sweating in the Shiverpeaks! This must be some extremely corrupted ice to take this long in the ablation process."

"We almost have it, Swagg," answered Betty. "Soon enough we will have accomplished what we have set out to do." Peering into the ice, she could see it now. The aust of the Spirit she had come to honor was above a golden plate of offering. She saw the gaze of the Moose staring down at her, looking through the ice, calling her to be set free. 

Afasia stood next to Betty, gazing into the ice at the distorted statue and asked, "Why the Moose? Why not your Snow Leopard?"

Betty gently smiled. "Snow Leopard teaches we must adapt to our surroundings and show ferocity. What better way to adapt then to seek out the assistance that we need to fight the Elder Dragons? Moose is the Spirit that has called on me to improve and we share many traits. Confidence, courage, and fearlessness. These are the things I must reinforce to be able to take on Mordremoth and the other dragons."

"Yes, yes. And the records show that Moose is clumsy yet graceful. Kind of like you, bookah," jested Swagg. Betty gave him a killer look but the asura quickly disregarded her.

"Those records also state that the Moose is the true expression of joy," chimed in Afasia. "To express joy through accomplishments. Not for pride or ego but in the true sense of sharing your accomplishments with others to spread joy and confidence."

Betty turned to her companion and nodded. "My accomplishments are my friend's accomplishments. There is no time for ego or self-glory in the traditional Norn sense. We are all in this battle together and must rely on each other in the coming battle. Moose will guide us."

"Moose better be there for me when I finish my coursework for the semester, bookah. After this long trek, I am hoping for acknowledgements for my extracurricular activities! Shiverpeaks land surveillance and topography, weather acclimatization, etc. etc.!"

"Lazy asuras. You want a badge of honor and a pat on the head for everything," responded Afasia.

"Lazy? I remind you that I am still on the Dean's List for the Dynamics College, an exemplary student! Why, if it wasn't for me, this krewe would have never succeeded!"

"What? You miserable rodent..."

"Please! Stop!" Betty bellowed. "We all did our fair share of what was needed. Once we leave a proper offering, we must head back into the Mists. Commander Adun and Sergeant Candrian should be expecting us."

Swagg studied the Norn and realized how serious she was about her mission. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and shook his head in acknowledgment. "Fine. Fine. Just don't expect me to be a sentry after this!"

GW2 Desktop Theme, Binge Drinking and a Cute Buddy

A local legend that the Blue Lady looked over homeless children in Miami (1997)

Got a little tired of seeing all my game icons scattered on my desktop so I cleaned it up and put them in a folder. My background was game play pictures on rotation but I decided to go all out with a Guild Wars theme.

Goddess Dwayna

I used to pass this graffiti mural everyday on the drive home from work. It was probably done for Art Basel in Miami and is in the Miami Design District. The subject is most likely based on a myth story created by homeless children in the late 1990s. She could be this woman that protects children or the helpless or be a version of Yemaya (Afro-Cuban Sea Goddess) but after a while, I just began to call her Dwayna. A blue beauty with wings, come on, who else can it be? o.o Even Malchor would be convinced.

As far as icons, I just took it to the next level:

--Spotify became the Mesmer Trait art and labeled it, Inspiration. Music is always an inspiration. Heh.

--GW2 icon is a must for this theme. Nuff said.

--For my games folder, I used a portrait on the coolest Engineer ever, Twig Deschain. ;p

--My anti-virus has been relabeled Poison and given Plague artwork. Which is the ONLY Necromancer Elite skill. Don't argue with me, it is true.

--For Chrome, I changed it to Asuran technology, i.e. an asura gate.

--My Comcast TV was a funny thing. I didn't know what to use and then DUH! My guild IS TV, so I used our symbol. Genius! Check us out if you're on the Tarnished Coast server, Transcendent Veneration. 

--Gw1 filled the last empty spot to balance it out. And the recycling bin, I had to idea how to change the icon, so there it stays. If you know how to change it, please let me know.

More on the Blue Lady in Miami in this article: 
Click here ->http://www.miaminewtimes.com/1997-06-05/news/myths-over-miami/

EDIT: I had a comment from a reader (I have readers :O ) saying I should have more on the Blue Lady, read my comment below for more. Here is a quote from an inner city child in 1997 explaining about how the Blue Lady helps others from the article linked above. 

"If you and your friends on a corner on a street when a car comes shooting bullets and only one child yells out her true name, all will be safe. Even if bullets tearing your skin, the Blue Lady makes them fall on the ground. She can talk to us, even without her name. She says: 'Hold on.'"

Patience is another one of Dwayna's traits and as a Priest of Dwayna told the great Cobiah, she will bring you peace. I'm sure this story brought many of these children in need, peace. And some Guardian magic! ;D

Frog Frat Boy

Ew! You so nasty! Didn't your mother teach you to say, "Excuse me?"

Okay. After getting a Crystal node delivered to my Home Instance, I figured why not just finish the rest of the Bazaar of the Winds achievements. I need the points and I am just shy of 6,000. I went after Belcher's Bluff and found it quite entertaining. Betty, true to form, even beat Adnul Irongut(Very Hard, pft) on the first try. I guess all those hours she spent drinking at the Snow Leopard Lodge were put to good use.

The most annoying was Poyaqui himself, who I came to know as the Frog Frat Boy with his annoying, loud belching. Yes, yes, I know it is called Belcher's Bluff for a reason. But Betty was insulted.  The next drinker on the annoyance list was Maddie. In the words of the Great Smosh, "Shut up!" Your "Woooooo" is so annoying and makes my head hurt. But then again, she was the only Belcher that Betty had a hard time beating.

Get off the Stage! >:(

Come one, come all, for KooKooChoo the Incredulous!

Super cute, this guy. But then again all quaggan are cuUuUuuute. On an interesting note, I found it funny how people who get on stage are yelled at. Last week I read Social Exclusion, Power, and Video Game Play: New Research in Digital Media and Technology by Embrick, Wright and Lukacs, and found how the social pressure mentioned in this book was demonstrated when people overpowered the person who did not belong on stage. It is a virtual show and you get the achievement just by standing near it but people were clearly upset that someone wanted to stand next to KooKooChoo and impose on the experience of the show.

Qoo! Get down from there!

Running the Jumping Puzzle, this little mischievous creature decided to hang on the edge. I've decided to call mine QooQoo, no relation.

Still Surprised

I remember running for my life here back in late 2004.

After roaming around Ascalon, trying to level Twig (currently lvl 54), I found myself surprised yet once again at the thought that went into this game. I stopped for a moment to take in the beauty and detail of this area on high resolution settings and realized I knew this place. I remember the runs in Prophecies from Ascalon City to Piken Square, running through Seared valleys with little water. Now after 250 years, this land is budding with life again. It was nice to connect the two and look forward to having these moments of recollection again.

Politics

Evon Gnashblade gets my full support!



Next post I'll be talking about my obsession with Southsun Survival and the election. All I can say for now is, #TeamGnashblade.

Also working on my next short story. Looking forward to writing more and making connections with my other short stories. Check out my latest short story in the post below.

Kitty Roadkill

Vigil Training: And you thought the Legions were tough?

I've included pictures from my travels across Tyria to help illustrate my story. They are more to give an impression of the characters I am writing about and do not necessarily go with the actual story. So here it is. :D

On the Road Again

Being born into the Road warband is indication of a rough upbringing, even for a charr. You must be able to move, adapt and being the runt of the group can also lead to humiliation if you're not already stomped over and left to die on the side of the road. They named the young warrior Kitty. He was a joke to all of them, expected to be left behind for the devourers and peckish moas. But that didn't stop him. Persistence was key on the road. Unfortunately, he was the last to go through a growth spurt. But a growth spurt it was. He outgrew and outweighed everyone in the warband the last two years of training. Now he goes by Roadkill. Kitty has never been too fond of his name, but he always took pride in how he overcame even when the odds were against him.

The Road warband is an expansionist organization. The original concept was to scout further into Tyria, way past the influence of the Legions and to take note of easily domitable lands. Things have changed with the High Legions and Krytan humans making peace. The new mission: to document as much as possible across the globe and note any possible causes for war. A charr can live a peaceful life, only if they are constantly looking over their shoulder.

Fresh and ready to see the world on his own.

Five gold was given to the fierce youth. Eighteen years old and green, they sent him to the center of it all, Lion's Arch. Near the heart of Kryta, yet a world apart and not under the constant watch of old enemies. What a disgusting, primitive place is Lion's Arch to a charr raised on the open roads. Humans running amuck everywhere, mixing their scent with the other races. 

A curious creature, one of the newest race in all of Tyria, the sylvari, makes eye contact with our protagonist. She introduced herself as Eithne and she explained how the Dream worked for her kind and said it was empty. Empty? She knew speech, habits of her people but other than that, she was empty, a walking void. Pushed out of the Grove Tree, their sacred Mother. She was not alone. This Tree must be spitting out an army. Something was wrong here. Although Kitty did not have much experience in the world, military strategy was something all charr children studied. He knew what to look for, the signs of war.

The Grove

Twig and Tree: A Family Portrait

Walking back to where he entered Lion's Arch, Kitty realized how the races have become so trusting of each other. Dragons. Sure, tell someone Dragons are attacking and they'll believe you. I'll believe it when I see it, he thought. These Sylvari though, I don't trust them. Their homeland is alive and pushing them out in masses. And what a coincidence. Looking up at the asura gate to the Grove, he realized it was the highest most defensible gate of all the races in Lion's Arch. This can't be a coincidence. This Tree will consume us all.

If he thought L.A. was humid, the Grove was much, much damper and made Kitty's fur feel funny and sticky under his heavy armor. But the smell was much better. Too good and sweet. Taking in the sights and scenery, the horror that overwhelmed him when he realized that the city was the Tree! Not only was it pushing out an army but it was terraforming and creating a city out of an unlimited supply. With as much effort and resources the Iron Legions are putting into advancing the Charr, this "creature" just thinks and creates. This is dangerous. Sitting on a mound, looking up at the monstrous tree, two sylvari and an oddly dressed charr approach Kitty.

Delonix thought he was a cutie ;p

"You there! What brings you to the Grove?" asks what is assumed to be a male sylvari in a friendly tone. His pale blue skin, the color of the noon sky, shimmered in the sunlight. His orange hair reminded Roadkill of a rooster's cockscomb which brought him some odd amusement. Strapped around his waist were explosives and pistols which caused Roadkill a slight bit of concern and a burst of adrenaline rushed through his veins.

Standing at attention, Roadkill replied in a sarcastic tone, "Oh, the same reason all travelers come to your 'city'. Take in the scenery and the smells." Flashing a dangerous set of teeth, a low grumble erupted from the charr's throat.

"That'll be enough of that! Blood Legion, I should have known," the female charr interjected.

"And you are?"

"I am Afasia Brokenmirror of the Ash Legion. Here on a special assignment. I highly doubt one of your Legion is here to pick pretty flowers. What is your name, soldier?"

Looking at the oddly dressed minx, Roadkill realized this was no ordinary Ash Legion. Dark pink, shades of lavender and dark royal blues with gold trimming decorated her from head to toe. Colors you never see in the Black Citadel or any area remotely near it. Something about her was unnatural, even for Ash Legion.

"I go by Roadkill. And that is all you need to know. Ash Legion," he spit.

The peach colored, sylvari woman, who had stayed quiet throughout the encounter, gave a sly smile. She leaned on her staff and stared at the charr with piercing, pitch black eyes. "He'll do," she finally spoke. Afasia turned quickly with surprise and eventually relaxed. "I guess you're right," she replied.

"What is this about?" asked Roadkill.

The blue sylvari smiled and extended his hand which Kitty reluctantly took and shook. "I am Twig, Twig Deschain. This is Delonix Regina." She nodded in acknowledgment. Twig continued, "We woke from the Dream not too long ago and have found work with your fellow...countrywoman? At any rate, we need someone of your expertise and training for a mission."

The beautiful and slightly insane, Afasia Brokenmirror.

Roadkill raised a furry eyebrow with curiosity and responded, "What kind of mission?"  

"We need a warrior with battle skills and strength. We cannot do it alone," said Afasia.

"Why should I help the likes of you, minx?"

Obviously perturbed with his remark, she replied, "As I told you before, my name is Afasia, not Minxx! I'm not some asura that you can bully around, sir! And furthermore, I can pay you handsomely for your service."

"I have gold aplenty. Still don't see what is in it for me."

Afasia nervously looked at her friends and a grin spread over her face as calmly as a breeze when realization hit her. Four reassuring words came out with ease, "The glory of battle."

Roadkill let out a loud, rumbling laugh. A sylvari walking nearby with a makeshift wagon, slipped and fell on his side after hearing a charr laugh for the first time. "You got me there. But I'll be wanting the payment with the glory," answered Kitty.

29:12

The following morning, the newly acquainted group of four met at the asura gate leading back to Lion's Arch.

"We're headed to Lion's Arch? I thought we were headed North?" asked Roadkill.

"Not exactly," said Twig. "Swagg! You there?" he whispered. 

Swagg...nuff said. Don't hate! LoL

A young asura came out from hiding behind bushes not too far away from the gate, shushing the young sylvari, "You bafoon! Don't speak my name en voz alta! Everyone from Rata Sum to Ebonhawke knows it!" He was dressed in bright yellow garbs which gave the illusion of gold. Two ravens, one white, the other black, perched on the bushes he appeared from, watching him intently. "Don't you know that the Dean of the Dynamics College would have me stripped of Honors and picking golem scrap metal for interacting, calibrating and re-configuring an asura gate without graduating?"

"Really?"

Swagg raised his right index finger in protest and opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out and he turned back to the asura gate. "Nevermind. Newborn sylvari," he grumbled. "Coming out more and more with less brains." He turned to Afasia and asked, "Still the same coordinates?" She nodded in agreement as Swagg began to work and lecture, "Inquest infested lands? I still say the opportunity cost does not equate and there are other methods that pragmatically..."

"Believe me, young asura, I'm exploring all options," interjected Afasia.

Roadkill looked on with boredom. The afternoon before, Afasia had explained their mission. To infiltrate an Inquest Inquiry Center in search of Charged Lodestones. Roadkill had never heard of these stones but he was told they were extremely expensive and she needed a whole stack of them.

Turning his attention now to the cocky asura, he wondered what was he getting himself into and why so many different types of races were getting involved.

A trip to Skrittsburg...Shiny!

"Twenty-nine, twelve. Brisban Wildlands. Duskstruck Moors to be exact. Better you than me to go to that wretched place. Your target location is due west on arrival, the Thaumacore Inquiry Center. Mind you, there will be no signs posted," he said as he smirked. "However, I believe you are capable of recognizing Inquest architecture? Yes? If not, listen for the not so subtle bombilate, emanating from the hills."

"A what?" asked Roadkill.

"A loud humming noise!" yelled the asura throwing his arms up in exasperation. He immediately looked around in paranoia after remembering where he was. "And remember," he whispered. "You never saw me."

A Dirty Surprise

After stepping through the asura gate, the unlikely group of four made their way due West when they came to an open area. Before they could clear the forest, Delonix firmly states, "Stop. There is danger here." The party turned to her in confusion. "There," she said, pointing across the field. A herd of raptors were casually searching for prey.

"We can take them," said Roadkill.

"You Blood Legion. Always so quick to rush into battle. There are other methods, said Afasia as she closed her eyes. She raised the scepter from her belt above her head and whispered some arcane words, that in Roadkill's opinion, no charr should ever speak. In the blink of an eye, his party members disappeared. 

Upgraded: Just missing the Monocle I got later that day.

What Ash Legion ambush is this? They cowardly just left me exposed to the raptors to fend for myself? All these thoughts of betrayal and deceit were swimming through his mind when he glanced down and realized he could not see himself either.

"Quickly. Passed the clearing near those Mimosa trees," he heard Afasia whisper. 

The raptors never even suspected them and nonchalantly went about their business. Reaching their destination, the party popped back into existence.

"Enough with these Ash Legion tricks without my consent," grumbled Roadkill.

"This was not some simple Ash Legion trick but an elite technique of the Mesmer profession," responded Afasia.

"A charr mesmer?" said Roadkill in disgust. "Do you pray to the human gods as well?"

"Will you both quiet down," interjected Delonix. "There is our target."

On the side of the mountain, strange columns decorated the entrance to the Inquest center.  Roadkill could not recognize the stone material these columns were made of. Certainly nothing the charr used or let alone were aware of. He could also hear the humming noise the asura had mentioned.

Twig with his buddy QooQoo.

Delonix placed a finger over her mouth and pointed left and right with the other hand. Roadkill rolled his eyes at all the subterfuge but was at least glad there was no magic involved. Afasia sunk down on all four and silently crawled into the Center. Not standard Blood Legion technique but he guessed it had its own merit.

Turning the corner, three Inquest members dropped down from a trap door in the ceiling. "Stop where you stand," yelled one pointing a pistol at them.

"I think not," said Twig while quickly removing a shield he wore as a backpiece. It began to glow a pale, bright blue, a shade or two lighter than his skin. The intensity of the light brightened and surrounded him and the party. The angry asura unloaded his weapon at the blue light and the bullets were immediately shot back at him, dropping him down and killing the assuming asura. The blue light was released and flung the other two asura back onto the floor. "En-Gee! Not Guard-EE!" roared Twig triumphantly. 

"I am ice cold!" exclaimed Delonix as she held her staff with both hands. Frost surrounded the two asura and encapsulated them in ice. Roadkill was glad she used water and ice instead of fire and flame. Some magics are just intolerable. "Come," she uttered.

They reached the central chamber that was filled with light. Only two more asura stood in their way. "I thought they would take care of you bookahs. I guess not." At this point, Roadkill had enough and pulled his greatsword off his back. The asura panicked and turned to a screen and yelled, "Initiative S-Four!" 

Two bulky golems came through a doorway on the other side of the room. Roadkill glanced at Afasia and she gave him a knowing nod. He gave the golems an evil grin and charged at them with his greatsword in tow. "For the Blood Legion!" Furious swipes at the golems left them in shreds and scraps.

"Not again," squeaked the asuras as they bolted out of the room.

"Quick, under the reactor, in the fusion box," said Afasia.

Twig ran over while putting on a pair of thick metal looking gloves. He began going through a trap door under the reactor core and stood up with a look of worry and announced disappointingly, "It's a bag of developmental material."

"Yes?" Afasia insisted.

"Only a bone chip and three copper," Twig said sadly. "Someone beat us to it. But who?"

Hmmm? Who is this mysterious woman at the Thaumacore Inquiry Center?

On the Road to a Legendary

After deciding to focus on a legendary weapon, I had to put the blog on the back burner. Seven months is a long time to go without a blog post but ...

Arah Runs

Probably the most painful part of my whole experience were the Arah Dungeon runs. Starting in November, this was no easy feat as most people were still getting to know Lupi. At first, most runs were unsuccessful yet I was glad to get 6 or 12 shards even if I didn't make it to the end of the dungeon.  The one thing you needed more than anything for these runs was patience. Not so much with the n00bs but with people who actually knew what they were doing.  There is always 1 or 2 members in a PUG who have no clue with what they are doing and many veterans/elitists were relentless. It isn't worth grinding while being harrassed or don't appreciate how a party member is acting towards others.

My ghetto photoshop attempt. Sent this to Mitusko one fine evening.

T6 Mats

Farming Orr is your best friend.  Most people complain about the repetition of shelter/pen/jofast but I find it to be enjoyable.  Maybe it's because I am a zombie afficionado and find killing zombies fun.  With leftover l00t, I found myself buying stacks of Heavy Moldy Bags and took a chance of getting more T6 mats.  And as  much as people complained about the new karka inhabited Southsun Cove, the Northeast area is full of baracudas who multiply quickly and drop armored scales with enough Magic Find.

The Infamous Precursor

I was lucky. Oh so lucky! Not that one dropped from a chest or random mob but that I was able to buy mine when it was still cheap. Around 200g was not easy buy I got it quick because I knew it would soar in pricing.  Now the prices have stabilized so you can just buy it when you get enough gold. But for me, this was a first step and a push/investment to ensure I went all the way with this.  When you get the precursor, you can say you have achieved 25% of your goal...well...kinda.

Mystic Clovers

Oh RNG, how we all love you.  There were times when I found myself praying to the RNG gods and other times, cursing them. Lyssa confound you! I used mostly the 10 at a time recipe since I read somewhere that statistically it was a better gamble.  Whether it is true or not, the person who wrote it in the forums had some fancy math formulas. I'm no mathematician but they seemed to know what they were talking about.  Besides, a 10 at a time gamble seemed less grueling than a 1 at a time gamble.

Gift of Battle & World Complettion

I learned to love the WvW jumping puzzles.  After Arah or farming, I found them relaxing.  WvW is a fun place to hang out and join the zerg.  Anytime a Mesmer announced they were at the JP, I came running. Some days I'd use 5 different characters in the borderland puzzles to rack up the badges.

World Completion is most tricky when it comes to WvW.  Getting all the areas sometimes takes weeks depending on your server.  I took care of this when Tarnished Coast was still Tier 3 and dominating the map.

Bloodstone Shard and the 3 Month Hiatus

After I had just about everything, I found I needed about 90 more skill points for a Bloodstone Shard.  Willow was my second level 80 and I didn't think to use Betty for mystic clovers or skill points.  Ah well, lesson learned. The most frustrating part was that I only needed 25 skill points more for my legendary and had to leave the country for three months ....and with NO internet connection.  Yes, yes, traveling was awesome and it was a life changing experience. But I wanted my Bifrost! HA! It was a nice coming home gift. And let me tell you. Guild Wars 2 or not, it is hard not having internet after you have become so used to it.

 

It's not easy being green.

While Abroad

Some nights I had internet when staying at a hotel, so I was able to play a bit.  The connection wasn't always the best so I did a lot of sPVP and found I enjoyed the Mesmer the most for this.  Necro might be my favorite class for crowd control but on their own, not the strongest with all those lurking thieves.  Mesmer has invisibility and clones galore! The perfect troll build for sPVP and those horrible heartseeking theives. I currently have my Mesmer at level 80 and just got my Warrior to level to 80 this week.

 

Ran the new event dungeon when I got back once. This is what I got. Not bad!

What Now?

When I finally got to my Bifrost I asked myself, "What now?" I realized I had such a good time working for the Bifrost that I should just go for another legendary.  With my Mesmer being my next focus and scepter being an awesome weapon for it, the Meteorlogicus seemed the best bet. It doesn't have particle effects but it is so big, you should see it a mile away.  And thankfully, CoE seems a lot easier than Arah. Now, if I can just get those darn charged lodestones!

Next post: A Warrior's Tail

Mad King Thorn

Mad King Thorn busted through the deteriorating Lion in the Grand Piazza at 3pm on the East Coast. Here are some pictures for those over on the other side of the world who are sleeping or if you had to work.

That is one big Daddy!

Mad King Thorn returning to Lion's Arch in Guild Wars 2 for Halloween.

Since the hole has left a dungeon, I am guessing the only thing really missed was the cut scene that is shown above. You receive a 10 slot trick or treat bag which is useful if you ask me. I had just bought an extra slot with my last 400 gems and was thrilled. Also dropped all my gold to get that Halloween skin I wanted. XD

Bring it!

Being able to zoom out as much as I wanted. It felt good! Come on Anet, give us this option or at least halfway there. This made the battle feel epic.

Joined the Dirtbags Guild...[Dirt] Here I am with fellow guildy Yzzabel.                   

Act 2 and fighting a Family-Sized Candy Corn Elemental in Mad King's Labyrinth. I thought the name was super witty.

Ghastly Grinning Skull Shield. Should I have Betty use Flameseeker shield and save this for an expansion character? Willow can't use a shield being a Necro.