Snake Mounds

"Sounds great. Thanks, Belle." QJ closed comm just as Ringo and Lotte ported into the Keep; Sato and Breeze arrived a moment later.

Sato's face lit up when he spotted QJ. "Where are we heading?"

"South to the Magna Forest." QJ walked out of the Keep and immediately summoned Scorch.

"That's where we ran with Lilly." Ringo smiled at the memory; she and QJ had ridden for nearly a day trying to flee Morbin's men.

QJ brought up his hud and showed them on the map. "There is a whole colony of 30-level elite Sassara living there."

Lotte shuddered, "those giant Snake thingies?"

"Yes," QJ admitted. They drop high-value leather, lots of credits, and give a ton of XP."

Breeze looked around, "crap... no heals?"

Ringo shook her head. "Leeta has some personal offline stuff going on, and Dessi is with her guild."

QJ shrugged, "it's fine. We'll have to make due."

Breeze stared at him as he raced off. "Sure, you aren't the tank."

An hour of riding due south brought them to the edge of the Magna forest. The forest was saturated with thick timbers, three meters in diameter and hundreds of meters in height. The canopy created by the giant trees blocked out most of the sunlight, creating a cool environment.

Lotte turned toward QJ, who was riding beside her. "This is beautiful, does the Keep own some of this."

"We didn't at first, but since we've been upgraded to level two, we own a sizable chunk of it." QJ and Ringo had already gone over the differences with Robin.

Ringo, who was riding behind them, spoke up. "Tonight, the Keep with be emptied out at 2200 hours server time. It will undergo some pretty big changes. The walls and courtyard area will increase in size. The Keep itself will add an additional floor."

Lotte glanced over her shoulder, "Chainy told me that on the Legends server, the guilds all had to build their own Keeps and that only the top two or three guilds have been upgraded to level 2."

Breeze whistled from behind them; she was bringing up the rear with Sato. "I hope our instances don't disappear. I haven't had a chance to check out 'Lover's Embrace yet.'"

QJ didn't comment, although he really wanted to. He brought his map up and slowed his horse down to a walk. "We'll have to go in the rest of the way on foot. Straight west about two kilometers."

They dismounted and stowed their horses. QJ led the way off of the worn trail toward the colony. It was mostly flat, although you couldn't see your feet when you walked. The ground was covered with several inches of thick moss that made it seem like you were plodding through snow. To make matters worse, the waist-high ferns were too dense even to see the ground.

"Glad you are going first, QJ. Who knows what we'll step in." Breeze's voice called to him from the back.

After a few minutes, they exited into a large meadow that stretched for several hundred meters. There were several large mounds of red dirt popping out of the knee-high grass.

"Um... The dirt mounds?" Lotte started counting them. "I count nine smaller ones and three medium-sized ones."

Ringo nodded, "if we clear the three mid-sized, we'll gain access to the largest one. It's underground."

"Do some scouting Sato; we'll probably start on the nearest mound." QJ checked his guns while Sato stealthed and disappeared.

Breeze stood there silently, her long hair loose and blowing in the slight wind. "How are we taking down elites without a healer?"

QJ took a long steel spike out of his inventory and started pounding it into the ground with a sixteen-pound hammer. "We are going to set a trap. Breeze will keep it taunted but stay out of range. The rest of us are range dps anyway." He took out a separate rope and secured it to the spike."

Lotte watched him carefully, "why not use your lasso?"

QJ grinned at her, "then I won't be able to use it to pull."

[Goup: Sato] Trouble, guys. There might be a group here already.

[Group: QJ] Are they hitting the smaller mounds?

[Group: Sato] Three of the smaller mounds on the far side are clear.

[Group: QJ] Where are they now?

[Group: Sato] Can't see them.

[Group: QJ] Crap... check the mid-sized mounds.

[Group: Ringo] Maybe they wiped and gave up.

QJ's hud dinged, and he opened it to see Aji's face. "My favorite MajorDomo."

Aji smiled at him. "You really like saying that word, boss."

QJ nodded in agreement, "what's up?"

"A messenger has shown up at Briar Rose. They represent a person named Annabelle."

"Oh, I see... they'll have to wait for a bit. We just started. They can either wait or come to my location at the Sassara Colony."

"Okay, sir." Aji signed off without saying anything further.

[Group: Sato] All three mid-sized mounds have been cleared.

[Group: QJ] Okay, come back then.

QJ glanced at Ringo, "what do you think?"

[Group: Ringo] Well... we don't want to step on another guilds toes. It won't hurt to take a look, let's clear a small mound and head over.

[Group: QJ] Sounds good. I'll start pulling.

*Fade*

You have faded from view.

QJ approached the first mound. According to his information, there would be two guards on the outside and two more, plus a mini-boss on the inside.

The Sassara were mostly snake. They had a hooded head like a cobra, which sat on a muscular set of arms and shoulders. Its lower body was completely snake, and they were usually around thirty feet in length.

*Lasso*

An Elite Sassara Foot Soldier has been roped and is closing in on your position.

*Kneecap*

An Elite Saassara Foot Soldier has been slowed by forty percent.

QJ ran back to the spike and picked up the free end of the rope. "If I miss, prepare to jump in!"

Breeze cackled at him from a few yards away, "I'll consider it if you call me sugarpie."

QJ swung the rope over his head in a circular motion; when the Snakeman moved within range, QJ let it fly and then jumped free. It settled nicely over his head and then pulled tight as the mob leaped after him.

[Group: QJ] He's all yours, sugarpie."

*Breeze has activated Blood Feud*

An Elite Sassara Foot Soldier has been taunted.

*Quick Shot*

Ringo has hit target for 3,132 damage.

*Aimed Shot*

[Head-Shot Bonus]

QJ has hit target for 16,330 damage.

Fire scorches your target for 3,366 damage.

*Double Direct Shot*

Lotte has hit target for 6,430 and 9,515 damage.

*Six-Gun Fan*

Ringo has emptied her gun into target for 5414 damage, 3174 damage, and 3111 damage.

*Six-Gun Fan*

Lotte has emptied her gun into target for 5414 damage, 3174 damage, and 3111 damage.

*Tendon Slice*

[Critical Hit]

Sato has hit target for 13,540 damage

[Group: Sato] Check out my crazy DPS !! Hey, where's QJ?

*Lasso*

An Elite Sassara Scout has been roped and is closing in on your position.

*Kneecap*

An Elite Sassara Scout has been slowed by forty percent.

[Group: Sato] The hell?"

*Double Direct Shot*

Ringo has hit target for 8,433 and 5,432 damage.

An Elite Sassara Foot Soldier has been slain. You have gained 33,450 xp and 25,323 credits.

A pristine snakeskin has dropped x3.

QJ grabbed the rope and shook it loose as he kicked the old corpse out of the way. He swung the rope once, and it dropped neatly over the incoming mob.

*Breeze has activated Blood Feud*

An Elite Sassara Scout has been taunted.

*Tendon Slice*

[Critical Hit]

Sato has hit target for 10,250

*Aimed Shot*

[Head-Shot Bonus]

QJ has hit target for 12,450 damage.

Fire scorches your target for 2,490 damage.

[Group: Breeze] Lame... all I'm doing is taunting.

[Group: Ringo] Quit complaining, sugarpie.

*Double Direct Shot*

Lotte has hit target for 6,300 and 9,345 damage.

*Six-Gun Fan*

[Critical Hit x3]

Ringo has emptied her gun into target for 11,414 damage, 10,700 damage, and 9,655 damage.

*Lasso*

An Elite Sassara Henchman has been roped and is closing in on your position.

*Kneecap*

An Elite Sassara Henchmen has been slowed by forty percent.

*Six-Gun Fan*

Lotte has emptied her gun into target for 4,544 damage, 6,220 damage, and 5,600 damage.

An Elite Sassara Scout has been slain. You have gained 35,440 xp and 24,653 credits.

A pristine snakeskin has dropped x2.

[Group: Sato] Shit... Is it always like this?

[Group: Breeze] Yep.

[Group: Ringo] Aye.

[Group: Lotte] Yes!

*Breeze has activated Blood Feud*

An Elite Sassara Henchman has been taunted.

*Tendon Slice*

[Critical Hit]

Sato has hit target for 11,440 damage

*Aimed Shot*

[Head-Shot Bonus x Critical Hit]

QJ has hit target for 28,454 damage.

Fire scorches your target for 5,690 damage.

*Double Direct Shot*

[Critical Hit]

Ringo has hit target for 9,730 and 9,032 damage.

*Six-Gun Fan*

Lotte has emptied her gun into target for 6,814 damage, 7,000 damage, and 5,435 damage.

*Lasso*

An Elite Sassara Mauler has been roped and is closing in on your position.

*Kneecap*

An Elite Sassara Mauler has been slowed by forty percent.

*Six-Gun Fan*

Ringo has emptied her gun into target for 7,904 damage, 6,910 damage, and 5,400 damage.

An Elite Sassara Henchman has been slain. You have gained 36,400 xp and 31,600 credits.

A pristine snakeskin has dropped x4.

QJ shook loose the rope and dropped it neatly over the incoming mob's head before jumping free. "After this, follow me for the Mini-Boss."

*Breeze has activated Blood Feud*

An Elite Sassara Mauler has been taunted.

*Breeze has activated Blood Feud*

An Elite Sassara Henchman has been taunted.

*Tendon Slice*

[Critical Hit]

Sato has hit target for 12,040 damage

*Aimed Shot*

[Head-Shot Bonus]

QJ has hit target for 16,404 damage

Fire scorches your target for 3,280 damage.

[Group: Ringo] Does Tendon Slice always crit?

[Group: Sato] Yes.

*Six-Gun Fan*

Lotte has emptied her gun into target for 4,334 damage, 6,990 damage, and 4,600 damage.

*Double Direct Shot*

Ringo has hit target for 10,220 and 9,041 damage.

*Aimed Shot*

[Head-Shot Bonus x Critical Hit]

QJ has hit target for 31,400 damage.

Fire scorches your target for 6,280 damage.

An Elite Sassara Mauler has been slain. You have gained 40,400 xp and 31,990 credits.

A pristine snakeskin has dropped x3.

*Group: Breeze* Ding 25.

*Group: Ringo* Ding 27.

*Group: Lotte* Ding 27.

*Group: Sato* Damn it. No ding for me!

QJ rolled up the rope and pulled the stake out of the ground. He placed both in his inventory before breaking into a trot. The entire group followed him.

*Group: QJ* This time, you get to hit sugarpie. Everyone stay here while I get in position.

QJ climbed up on the mound and made his way over the doorway. He opened the noose and then lowered it partway.

[Group: QJ] Shoot it, Lotte.

Lotte nodded and took aim through the open doorway.

*Direct Shot*

Lotte has hit target for 4,544 damage.

QJ dropped the noose over the mini-bosses head and then braced himself. It pulled outward, sending QJ and the rope slamming into the ground in a cloud of dust. Immediately it chased after Lotte dragging QJ with it.

*Breeze has activated Blood Feud*

A Sassara Prince has been taunted.

The Sassara Prince changed its focus to Breeze, who stood there frozen in place. QJ clung to the rope with one hand while aiming with the other.

*Kneecap*

A Sassara Prince has been slowed by forty percent.

[Group: QJ] Run in a circle, Breeze! Kite the bastard! Everyone else, attack!

Breeze started running in a large circle. It was obvious that she was struggling to run while laughing.

*Six-Gun Fan*

Lotte has emptied her gun into target for 4,377 damage, 6,100 damage, and 4,666 damage.

*Double Direct Shot*

Ringo has hit target for 10,980 and 9,111 damage.

*Tendon Slice*

[Critical Hit]

Sato has hit target for 12,011 damage

*Six-Gun Fan*

Lotte has emptied her gun into target for 3,333 damage, 6,710 damage, and 4,340 damage.

*Double Direct Shot*

Ringo has hit target for 10,120 and 9,800 damage.

QJ had given up trying to shoot and clung to the rope while getting dragged through the red dirt.

*Double Direct Shot*

Lotte has hit target for 10,120 and 9,000 damage.

*Six-Gun Fan*

Ringo has emptied her gun into target for 5,374 damage, 7,920 damage, and 4,650 damage.

*Breeze has activated Blood Feud*

A Sassara Prince has been taunted.

*Back Blast*

Sato has hit target for 8,652 damage.

*Six-Gun Fan*

Lotte has emptied her gun into target for 4,004 damage, 6,044 damage, and 4,632 damage.

*Double Direct Shot*

Ringo has hit target for 12,220 and 9,551 damage.

*Tendon Slice*

[Critical Hit]

Sato has hit target for 13,040 damage

A Sassara Prince has been slain. You have gained 98,400 xp and 65,940 credits.

A pristine snakeskin has dropped x6.

QJ sat up and spit the red dirt out of his mouth. He looked like he had been rolled in red flour. "Well... that sucked."

Breeze was laughing so hard that she had to sit down. "That was the funniest thing I've ever seen."

[Group: Sato] Good thing I recorded it. Ding 24

[Group: Ringo] Put me in for a copy.

[Group: Lotte] Me too.

[Group: Breeze] Same here.

[Group QJ] Very funny. Ding 30

[Phoenix Server Announcement] Viscount Kingslayer QJ is the first player to reach level 30.

[System Message] You have received the Pioneer Title: +2 to all Stats.

[System Message] You have been awarded Fifty Thousand Credits.

[System Message] Your World Reputation has increased by 5.

[Group: QJ] Who's laughing now?

[Group: Ringo] Still me.

[Group: Breeze] Yep, me too.

QJ dusted himself off as he headed toward the nearest mid-sized mound. The rest of the group followed him. There were doorways leading down in each mid-size mound. Once all three mounds had been cleared, the doors would open.

"Might as well see what's going on." QJ went through the door. There was one flight of stairs that led to a long hallway. The ominous sound of hissing filled the air.

The doorway ended abruptly in a large room. It was at least a hundred meters across, and there were several cookfires burning.

[Group: QJ] Wolfmen?

There were two furry-looking wolf creatures that were tied up near a large fire. As the group from One Problem watched, they were lashed onto spits.

"Aren't you going to help us?"

A feminine voice from above them caused them all to look up. No one spoke as they watched the person who was suspended in a crow cage a few meters over their heads.

[Group: QJ] Um...

[Group: Breeze] Huh...

[Group: Ringo] I got nothing.

The woman's face was painted white except for her nose and cheeks, which were brilliant red. She had bright red hair, and her shoes that hung out of the cage seemed a half dozen sizes too big. She was a circus clown.

[Group: Sato] How the hell did you do that?

[Group: Lotte] Clowns are creepy; let's shoot her.

Lotte pulled her guns out and pointed both of them at the circus clown.

The clown covered her head with both hands. "What? Don't shoot me. I'm a healer from Chupa Lupa!"

QJ looked at her and then back at the two wolf men. "You did this during character creation, didn't you?"

The clown nodded. "Smart, aren't ya? We all work in special effects together. We put our disguises on and then based our avatars on us."

Ringo laughed from behind QJ, "Why aren't they eating you also?"

The clown sighed heavily. "Apparently, I'm fun to look at. While those two seem tasty."

[Group: Sato] Yep... streaming everything from this moment on.

QJ glanced at Ringo; she was smiling widely. "Leave em?"

Ringo nodded, "I guess so."

The group from one problem walked out of the huge room and back to the entrance mound. Sato was grinning from ear to ear. They could hear the clown cursing them.

[Group: Sato] Are we really going to leave them?

[Group: Ringo] How many Sassara did you see in there?

[Group: Breeze] Sixteen and the big boss.

[Group: Lotte] How did the boss even get down three? He's too big to fit through the doors.

[Group: Ringo] Smart girl.

[Group: QJ] Yep, did you see the bars on the inside of those doors? Lure everyone back into one of the mounds and then bar the door from the inside.

[Group: Lotte] Yeah, then it's just us and the boss.

[Group: Ringo] And the clown.

[Group: QJ] Sato, you stealth, then go back inside and wait by this door. The rest of you go into the second one. When they chase me out, everyone bar their door. I'll run for the third mound and bar that door.

[Group: Ringo] Worth a try.

[Group: Breeze] What if it doesn't work?

[Group: QJ] Run... I'm not getting eaten.

[Group: Ringo] Nope, me neither.

QJ gave his group a few minutes to get into place. He stood by the doorway, picking his targets. Sato was stealthed nearby, waiting to bar the door. He had picked the three farthest Sassara; if they ran in a straight line, they should aggro everything in the large room.

Three quick shots, and it was started. All three Sassara immediately spotted him in the doorway and gave chase. QJ waited for a moment, making sure they aggroed everything before he turned and sprinted up the stairs. He was into the mound and out the door, the hissing close behind him. He ran across to the third mound and then went back down the stairs. Ringo was smart enough to be waiting by the door and slammed it shut when he dived through. She had just barred it when it shook with the impact of bodies.

"Thanks... They were way faster than I thought." QJ stood up and walked toward the middle of the room; all the Sassara were gone except for the King, who hadn't moved from his throne.

The clown was clapping happily from her cage. "Gotta say, that was pretty slick. You're QJ? I'm Bobo."

"Hey, Bobo," QJ chuckled when he said it. "Everything about you makes me smile."

Bobo grinned from her cage. "Of course, I'm a clown."

[Group: QJ] Free the wolfmen, Sato, while I get the clown out.

QJ walked over to the hand-crank that suspended the cage by a long chain and slowly lowered it to the ground. Ringo was waiting to open the cage door. A few minutes later, the two wolfmen and the clown were safe and sound.

Ringo pulled her out gently. "You're a healer? What are your two companions?"

"Joco is a shammy, and Rork is a Rider." The clown hugged her two friends when they walked over. QJ tried not to laugh; the sight of it was quite funny.

[Group: Breeze] Can we keep them? Please?

QJ examined the surroundings more thoroughly. There were four crow cages. The other three were still suspended in the air; each housed the bones of different creatures. QJ walked to the nearest crow cage and started lowering it.

Ringo watched him for a moment before copying him and moving to the next crow cage. "Got a play QJ?"

"Yep, lower the last one, Sato." QJ's cage finally landed softly on the ground. There was a winged creature of some kind; if forced to guess, QJ would have said Harpy. "Grab the spits also, please."

QJ tipped the crow cage on its side just as Breeze handed him one of the spits. "Wedge it like this so the pointed end sticks out the bottom." After putting it in place, he cranked it back up to its highest position. His guildmates were already copying him with the other three.

"You guys from OP want to try the boss?" Bobo was watching QJ work, "this is a trap of some sort, right?"

QJ nodded, "you three want in?"

Bobo looked at her friends, who both nodded. "The split?"

"If something specific to your class drops, then you'll have priority. If it doesn't, then we are taking it." QJ smiled at the face she made.

Bobo nodded. "We agree. And thanks again for saving us."

QJ walked to each crow cage and scratched a big X in the ground where they would land. "Am forming the raid. We'll all be in one big group."

[Raid: QJ] I'll lure him in initially and spring the first trap. After that, Breeze will slowly position him to the next one. Me and Breeze will handle that part; everyone else just fight and heal normally.

*Joco has cast AoE Raging Bull*

+ ATK to all Allies

QJ took careful aim.

[Raid: QJ] Incoming.

*Kneecap*

King Shiff Sassara has been slowed by forty percent.

*Aimed Shot*

[Head-Shot Bonus]

QJ has hit target for 17,200 damage.

Fire scorches your target for 3,440 damage.

QJ stood next to the X and took aim at the chain suspending the first cage, even slowed the King covered the distance quickly. He judged the timing and pulled the trigger. The chain snapped easily, and the cage plummeted toward the ground striking the Sassara King on the back of the head.

[King Shiff Sassara has been stunned]

King Shiff Sassara has been hit for 89,550 damage.

Breeze has activated Blood Feud

King Shiff Sassara has been taunted.

*Joco has cast Tar Pit*

King Shiff Sassara has been slowed by 60 percent.

[Raid: QJ] Start moving to the next cage, Breeze.

[Raid: Ringo] Well done.

[Raid: Sato] That was slick.

*Double Direct Shot*

Lotte has hit target for 9,120 and 9,650 damage.

*Six-Gun Fan*

Ringo has emptied her gun into target for 5,004 damage, 7,110 damage, and 5,650 damage.

*Snap Shot*

Rork has hit target for 24,033 damage.

*Tendon Slice*

[Critical Hit]

Sato has hit target for 11,040 damage

*Med-Pac*

Bobo has healed Breeze for 14,800 hp.

QJ waited until Breeze had positioned the King on the next X, then he shot the chain loose, sending it crashing down again.

[King Shiff Sassara has been stunned]

King Shiff Sassara has been hit for 74,110 damage.

[Raid: QJ] Good Job, same thing again, Breeze.

The group continued to maneuver the Snake King while whittling him down. When the fourth cage struck him, he died immediately. Everyone in the raid gained a level except QJ.

QJ looted the King; he dropped three items.

[King's Fang]

Necklace: Unique

+200 to ATK

[Snakebite]

Boots: Unique

Adds a poison counter

to all attacks.

Range Rider Only

[Silver Dice]

QJ handed the boots to the Rider from Chupa Lupa.

[Raid: QJ] Slingers and Sato roll for the necklace. We'll all roll for the dice.

Lotte won the necklace, and QJ won the dice.

[Raid: Ringo] Careful with those dice, QJ.

"Let's do this again sometime!" Wolfman Rork sent them all a friend request and then ported out.

Joco refreshed the group's shammy buffs. "For real... Now I know why OP leads the way!" He ported out with a friendly wave.

"Well done, OP." Bobo favored QJ with a glance. "Everything about you makes me smile too." She winked at the group and ported out.

QJ ended the raid and put his guildies back in a group.

[Group: Sato] The hell... Did you hit on that clown, QJ?

[Group: QJ] No.

[Group: Ringo] She seemed friendly.

[Group: Lotte] Very...

[Group: QJ] Now that they are gone, we'll roll for one last item.

[Harpi Haven]

Ring: Epic

Description: Adds winged

form to any player for one minute, three

times a day.

[Group: Ringo] Where did you get that?

[Group: QJ] From that skeleton in the crow cage, Roll-em.

QJ: 65

Ringo: 51

Breeze: 93

Lotte: 15

Sato: 96

[Group: QJ] All yours, Sato. Let's see it!

Sato turned his back and equipped the ring. Shimmering black wings sprang out of his back. "Check these out; they look like Raven wings!"

QJ stared, just managing to keep a straight face. "Very nice."

Ringo elbowed QJ, "suits you perfectly."

Lotte and Breeze didn't say anything, but they both wore big grins. The beautiful black wings were accompanied by a hooked orange beak.

By the time they left the Sassara colony and got back on the main trail, there was a messenger waiting.