Pride, Thornlings, and Ichor

As I sit in the Los Cabelleros Allegiance Hall rummaging through my pack, I take stock of the fact I have no room in it . . . AGAIN! I've done well that day hunting the forests and beaches of Arramora, and have returned with several interesting pieces of loot and Tarot Cards which have been appearing. Smooth, with an almost "slick" feel to them, they are patterned with exquisite artwork. I get the feeling there is more to them than simple appearances would suggest, so I'm disinclined to sell or cash those.

Dumm, dee, dumm . . . Ah, a Hive of the Sea! Hmm, nice! (shaking it experimentally, but stopping abruptly when I hear the ANGRY hum of what seems to be dozens of wasps that I'd rather not release accidentally, clumsy Hooman that I am, into the Allegiance hall). Cashed, carefully and slowly, at arms length.

I also had taken a Raider Leader that day, which was my happiest accomplishment! I avoided mudball except for one time, and with my purple text Venge War Bow actually drove him back in time for me to escape mudball, pursue and kill him with a fast shot of Hunter's Intuition followed by Lilitha's Vengeance!

Lets see . . . Sandals of Impenetrability . . . Nice AR! But I have five toes, not three, and these appear to be size 32 in human terms (cashed).

I was also able to help a fellow adventurer, who was mobbed by two Olthoi Drones. A deadly Tumerock, he was nevertheless faced with two horrible opponents capable of delivering rapid, meat-shredding attacks! With Cujo streaking ahead to engage as well, I dispatched the second Drone rapidly while the Tumerock finished off the first Drone.

Hmmmm . . . Gloves of Flame Bolt, no, I don't need those (cashed), and after the Hive, perhaps best I don't try to fiddle around with those.

Hmmm, hrrrmm, as I pick through the pack I hear a light clinking sound, and reaching down I retrieve two items: A bloodstone Ichor, glistening green with life like summer's grass, and an odd mossy-greenish gem, somewhat dull. As I handle the gem I receive the vague impression of a narrow, spite-filled face topped by a wide reed hat. A Reaper. I place the Ichor back into the pack out of habit, where it had likely been sitting for some time, and contemplate something that had been in my packs for even longer.

Reapers are . . . unpleasant opponents. Lanky and tall, they have a powerful, ranged spear attack, as well as a fireball. Also, they appear to have some relationship to Crones that are often nearby. Narrow, spite filled eyes are typically all one sees in their faces when fighting them, and the Shock Reapers on Arramora are entirely the worst of the lot, making the Reapers found on Osteth look like Vermin in comparison. This gem had come from a "Jangled" Shock Reaper, now that I think about it. If memory serves I was perhaps at level 52, using a Crystal Bow of Ether. That fight was a little challenging as I had to deal with more than one add as well, but, I did succeed, and as it died I thought I heard it whisper something about " . . the Splinterlegs . . .".

Ah yes! Ivorin Splinterlegs! And this is a portal gem to his lair!

I had thought to end the day with some pack clearing, but an evil grin settles on my face as I realize perhaps it's time for "the mob" to face something dire for a change. I'm level 57 now, wield a Mirra enhanced Venge War Bow, and Cujo is level 61. Heh! I'm thinking Ivorin Splinterlegs and his underlings are in for a nasty surprise, while I explore a place I've never been!

Looking about the hall, I see that it is empty with no one else to invite. So, I step to a spot near one of the huts in the hall and trigger the portal gem. A portal springs into being over the floor, and I step in . . .

. . . . to a beautiful cavern-like grotto. Much like hall in Millstone, including a ledge running all the way around about 15 feet up, this area is much larger and open with no structures cluttering it. Grass, flowers, and some trees are evident, and it's actually quite beautiful. Hmmmm. I stop a moment to scan the upper ledge running the circumference of the cave/grotto. I recognize it as a perfect spot for opponents to fire down upon me, but, it is clear, and no threats are apparent.

I move forward across the grass, and hearing the distinctive sound of a woodlands flute catch site of two Thornling Tortures flanking an entrance in the side of the grotto. Interesting. Thornlings guard the lair of Ivorin Splinterlegs? And, these are Arramoran Torturers who launch what are more like hardwood, steel tipped quarrels from their bladed blowguns than the lighter arrows of their Osteth cousins.

Reapers, and Crones, and Thornlings, oh my?

I'm not overly concerned however, because for the last several levels I've learned how to deal with these creatures made of living bramble and shoot, like fey little gnomes in capes and hats.

Both Thornlings die, and it appears no alarm is given.

I step into the entrance, and begin to stalk those tunnels, looking to find the way, and killing Thornling Torturers as they are encountered. I have no need to summon Cujo, and continue taking a turn here, and looking for a way there, up or down, left or right.

I suddently hear a muffled boom up ahead, and, was that a muted flash of flame round the corner?

Suddenly, I pick up the presence of other adventurers on radar! Two to be precise, along with the tiny dots of dead corpses. Hmmm. As I move forward to the intersection and turn, I see two Lugians, one certainly a Tactician who had a turret up. As I start to give a friendly "Hello" the Lugian shouts out "You'll never out-kill us, muahahaha", and runs past down another turn in the corridor, a manic look in his eyes.

Ooookay. As I stand there with my hand raised in the air and my mouth open, I had to wonder about the look on his face.

I continue to explore the tunnels, killing Torturers foolish enough to challenge me, turning this way and that, looking for familiar landmarks in case I've come back to a same spot.

And, again, I pick up another adventurer on radar, this time an Allegiance mate named Reijuani, a Tumerok Healer!

"Reijuani, hello! You just jumped into that portal hanging in the air in the Allegiance Hall, eh?", I ask.

"Yes, indeed", he replies.

"Want to fellow? I believe we need to find Ivorin Splinterlegs, and kill his unpleasant self"

The two of us meet in the tunnels, and he replies with "Sure, this sounds like fun".

We fellow, and begin to work the tunnels together. The Thornlings weren't much of a danger, but it was still fun watching the bold Tumerok attack them with Lightning, and other spells tumbled forth from rythms tapped on his drum. It seems at times Thornlings are somewhat . . "uneasy" . . . when facing Tumeroks. Perhaps it is their common sensitivity with things living? Since Thornlings look to be made of living branch and bramble.

We take some turns to the left, killing as we go. We take some turns to the right, killing as we go. We take some tunnels straight, when we can, killing as we go.

Ah hah! There! To the left it goes up! Bingo! We go up that tunnel and enter a cavern at the top, with Crones and Reapers! This is it!

Uh, no it's not. We kill the Crones and Reapers, none of which are Ivorin Splinterlegs, and note the cavern is a dead end.

Ok. So, we missed a turn.

We take the tunnel down, then left, and right, killing, killing, killing, and left again, and right again. "Wait, don't I recognize that split in the tunnel?" (says the Ranger with his "honed" tracking skills, now with the same "manic" look in his eyes as the Lugian met earlier). And on it goes for several minutes as we work the tunnels back and forth, seeing places we've been, clearly repeating the same circuit over and over.

We're lost. Doh.

Suddenly, a CHANGE! Yes! (Oh, yes, yes, yes) We see light at the end of that tunnel (snicker), and we come out of the tunnels up on the ledge that runs all the way around the original grotto! Phew!

Reijuani goes to the left, and I head to the right. It's time to find Ivorin Splinterlegs, kill him, and go home for some Dillo Burgers and Redberry Wine!

Hmmm. Reijuani indicates "it's over here", and when I run back to him I see he's stopped by a pile of rocks blocking the ledge. But, they definitely can't be jumped over. I indicate, "but look at this over here", and run back to where I had been (back, forth, left, right - manic look returning to our faces). That pile of rocks appeared to be illusory, because you could jump right through them. We do so and proceed.

We come to second pile of rock blocking our way, which means the ledge is blocked both to the left, AND the right. However, this pile is not illusory, looks as if it can be jumped over. Hah! And, as we both make the attempt and get partially over, we fall OFF the ledge right back down to the starting point down in the grotto.

"That makes baby Tumeroks cry." says the normally unflappable Tumerok, ears drooping.

Now, understand, I started this whole adventure at the end of the day, ready to sit back and congratulate myself on what a slick Ranger I've become. Now however, I, as well as my Tumerok partner, are engaged in a bad case of being tunnel lost, and wish nothing more than to finish the job and go home. Of course, much of the issue is the inescapable thought in the back of our minds that it's just not that hard, if you pay attention and find the way.

Back we go. It's not that hard now surely. We just work our way back up to the ledge again, and be more careful in the jump past the second rock pile to the right.

Soon the tunnels are filled with the echoes of Tumerok and human voice saying "Here?, no here . . this way surely . . . no, over here . . . that way . . . this way". And now we both have manic looks in our eyes. Not a pretty site on a Tumerok face by the way.

Reijuani stops and indicates he must for a short time leave, but not to worry, he will be right back. I indicate while he's logged I'll just work the tunnels in the immediate area, trying to keep near his relog position. As he disappears I step past the Thornling bodies we've recently dropped, and decide I WILL find the way. When Reijuani returns, viola! The brilliant Ranger has saved the day, we can kill the boss and go home!

After a few more turns and Thornling kills, I suddenly find myself at a familiar place. Again. I now decide I need to move FASTER. Forget the killing. Run the halls and FIND THE WAY to Ivorin Splinterlegs. It's gotta be a simple turn that's being overlooked! The Thornlings, more dangerous a few levels ago, can't do enough damage to me now to impede this strategy.

I begin running the tunnels, dodging Thornlings blocking my path, skipping sideways at two in an intersection, running left, right, straight, again and again passing Thornlings who connect with a shot occassionally, but of no real consequence. Running, stopping to look, peering for an opening or a turn that is new, passing more Thornlings.

As soon as I see something new, I know I'll break the cycle of running the same set of tunnels! I just have to find it! We made it to the upper ledge once!

Unfortunately, what I see, again, is a tunnel rising up recognizable as the one leading to the cavern with Reapers, Crones, and some Thornlings. Turning around I suddenly stop in shock as I look at radar: Doh. The tunnel BEHIND me is almost completely washed out on radar, packed shoulder to shoulder with what had to be every Thornling I had been running past! Whaaaa!!!?

And, it's a bunch. No way to count them, but, again, the dots are so closely packed on radar it's quite a horde squeezing through the tunnels coming my way.

Laughing like a madman I turn to get a little distance as the first set of Thornling arrows bounce from my armor. But, I stop realizing the only place to go is up into that cavern respawned with Reapers and Crones, and I'd rather not be surrounded by what has to be 20 Thornlings or so, plus the Reapers and Crones in the cavern. So, I stop before going up that ramp, turn, summon Cujo, and start to fight the flute-tooting Horde of Thornling Tortures coming up the tunnel behind me!

Now, these are "just Thornlings", but, they are Torturers, and there are SO MANY. I take down one, then two, then three, but a hail-storm of Thornling arrows are striking me. The tunnels echo with the sound of angry flutes, the "sping" and "spang" of arrows on my armor, and the angry growling of Cujo as he engages each target as well.

And, I now see I've got a problem. My health is actually dropping.

I suddenly feel the hit of something harder, and I catch on fire for a few seconds as well. This is followed by more impacts from BEHIND me! I quickly turn, and to my consternation see a Shock Reaper, a crone, and two Thornlings from the cavern above have come partially down the tunnel to attack me as well!

And then Cujo goes down.

No, no, no, no, no! This can't be happening! It's just Thornlings for crying out loud! (Wishing I had an AoE fervently).

I eliminate the Shock Reaper first, because he's the most dangerous, followed immediately by the Crone as the hailstorm of arrows from the Thornling mob rakes me from behind. Both the Reaper and Crone die, as do the two Thornlings with them, and I turn back to the 15 or so Thornlings doing everything they can to feather me dead. I've got Thornling arrows sticking from joints in my armor, some are inflicting damage, and I quickly summon Cujo again because I see I'm at 40% health, and dropping.

If I die, how do I live this down? Killed by Thornlings? Bah. Humbug. I'm imagining Reijuani returning to the "corpse of Tombo", wondering how the heck that happened, and I having no good explanation.

And suddenly, I remember my patron Coriander's advice from a long time ago: " . . . Yep, ichor is nice. Always keep one on me. Never know when you'll need one . . ."

Muahahahaha. Thornlings shall now ALL die. I reach into my pack, pop the seal on the bottle, drink the Ichor, and dropping the bottle to the floor continue the attack.

As my health continues to go up due to the ichor, the number of Thornlings continues to go down. Soon, the tunnels are silent again, with a STACK of Thornling bodies blocking the tunnel. With Cujo again beside me, I pull some arrows out of my armor, breathe a sigh of relief having avoided embarrassment, and note the presence on the far edge of radar that Reijuani had returned!

As the Tumerok moves my way responding to my hail, he stops in surprise coming around the corner.

"Wow. You've been busy.", states Reijuani.

"Uh, yeah. I sort of got mobbed", I reply.

"Hmmm. How'd that happen? That is a LOT of bodies.", he questions.

"Well, uh, I thought I'd try running the halls without killing, to try and find the way before you returned", I say, as I yank another arrow from a joint in my armor. I also hear one of those amused "Phss-Haw" guffaws from him as I turn around pointing to the opponents who has been behind me.

"Hmm. I see. So the Ichor saved you?", he asks, picking up the empty vial from the floor. (Bah, where I had left it for all to see).

"Well, I always keep one in my pack. Never know when you may need one.", I say sagely, moving past him.

"Ah. Well, the first lessons are usually the best", Reijuani says with a "serious" look on his face, "Phss-Haw-ing" again in humor as I move in front to take the lead.

We did find the way back to the outer ledge, eventually, after taking mostly rights from the initial entrance. Coming back to the pile of rocks we fell from before, we simply moved past them with more care to the other side! Wooot!

Moving to another opening, up a sloping tunnel to another cavern, we could see our quarry, Ivorin Splinterlegs, accompanied by several attendants, both Crones and Reapers.

Now, Reijuani must have been feeling the need to finish the job as keenly as I was, because that "tanking heaker" sprinted right up the tunnel and began to toss lightning to the left, right, and then all over Ivorin Splinterlegs. The lanky Reaper, apparently much feared, had something to fear himself. I took down the adds, then turned my attention to Ivorin. I'm sure I got in some shots, but exercising what had to be a secret Tumerok special attack, Ivorin Splinterlegs went down when Reijuani stopped casting spells and simply bashed (BONK!) the Shock Reaper boss over the head with the bottom of his drum, chanting all the while "I'm ready - BONK! - to go home now!"

As we recall to our Hall and part ways amiably, I start up the ramp to the upper hall. I pass a couple of female allegiance mates, and straighten my back a bit. They must be engaging in some "girl talk", because as I pass them I hear some giggling. What's primarily on my mind is that I had avoided embarrassment in that dungeon. Killed by Thornlings? Bah!

Moving through the upper hall, my gear shifting and clinking against my armor . . . .

Clinking?

I step forward a few steps and stop. Clink. From . . . behind me?

I can't see too well over my shoulder, so I reach my arm back trying to find what's making the noise and discover a final Thornling arrow, lodged into a joint in the back of my greaves in a rather . . . undignified place. Pulling the arrow free I see at some point in our adventure Reijuani has tied the empty Ichor vial to the nock end of the arrow, dangling by it's stopper-cord!

Pride allowed Thornlings to nearly make an ass of me, but Ichor saved my butt.

Bah! Tumerok humor!