The Belmont Tales

I recieved my Fisherman's Signboard on TheMithra last week. Once again, because of my own futility I don't have a screenshot.

I now need a woodworker that doesn't totally suck to make me a Stuffed "Big One" for her Mog House.

What did I do this weekend:
- Fished
- Moblin Maze, which as usual was epic fail of nothingness
- Dynamis
- Limbus
- Fenrir
- Uh...I think that's it. Annoyed ShiaPet. Though that's not really an event. I can do that while I do everything else.

Oh, I helped Failkenger do a Salvage Boss run. Next time I think I'll just afk for an hour and then return and use cells before I need to do the nukey nukey.

As far as my fanfic writing goes, it's on hiatus for a bit. I'm reading Dan Brown's "The Lost Symbol" right now, and playing some NCAA Football '08. Also reading some other fanfics and trying to take a look at how the authors do their dialogue transitions, etc. I hope to have the finished updates for Chapter 1 done by the end of the year.

I think the linkshell would just be happier if I left. I'm always in the middle of the controversy when people decide to leave.

I'm not pissed off this much in real life, seriously.

Who wants to help me dump all of my Beastmen Seals and Kindred Seals before April?

Every. Single. One.

And I've got a ton. It's something like 1500 Beastmen and 600 Kindred.

Before it's even mentioned - No, I won't waste them on the mimic.

Somebody buy this Mercurial Kris and Brio Dart while they are at it.

I think it's time to firesale stuff off my characters.

New content(synergy + nms) = meh. I can't get myself to care.

Fishing up a storm and doing Fishing Guild Points on TheMithra. Otherwise, still doing Limbus & Dynamis. I go to Einherjar once a week. Every two days, Jofjax and I attempt five Maze Voucher 08 tabulas. No Seagull Rings yet, three Heron rings, one of which went to a Lv1 mule that can't wear it because Jof and TheMithra both have one.

A huge blizzard went over the area the last two days so yesterday I had what was effectively a snow day. This gave me some time to do some things.

I've not posted any "new" content for the Fanfic. However, there are changes. The previous opening chapter is now the Prologue, since the dialogue is straight out of the final scene of the episode "Apocolypse" and the dialogue is not my own work. The next chapter is now 'Chapter 1'.

Let me say 'Thank You' for those that have given me some constructive criticism on my fanfic. With these comments in mind and the extra time, I gave each an initial proof and rewrite.

I've come to the following conclusions:
1. I fancy myself a wordsmith to my own detriment
I try to communicate a lot of details, and sometimes I just end up being wordy and convoluted.

2. I have issues with dialogue transitions and inserting commentary (descriptions, reactions) during interchanges.
Parts of Chapter 1 dialogue didn't flow how I'd like and seemed more like blocks of small conversations.

3. Integrating the characters with the surroundings didn't help.
I tried to make it so it seemed in real time and very descriptive(a.k.a food ordering, small talk, waiter coming back with orders). Certain times I couldn't find a good place to have the waiter return. Was it too soon? They had spoken like five lines of dialogue since he took thier order, if he comes back now the beef will still be red and bloody. Should I ditch the waiter and not try to say write about the little gestures, the side props(reaching to the middle of the table for menus, etc.)? This let to the next one.

4. At the end, I maybe half-gave up.
What the hell was I going to get them to talk about for another hour as they ate? So basically it was detail, detail, detail, get food and leave. Otherwise it was turning into effectively an episode with a single scene between the same two people at the same place for the entire hour.

5. My writing sucks.
The last one is the conclusion I tend to stamp on most things I attempt, so it's not like it's anything new. For whatever reason I feel a strong need to find something I have a real talent for and for that talent to be recognized. This is not it. If I continue, it'll be because I feel good enough about it to post it somewhere with a readership of larger than five people.

I suppose this makes me sensitive to criticism and that's probably true. I realize though that it's the only way I'm going to get any better at writing (or anything).

I'm not sure how much longer I'll keep up at this, I don't see myself having time to write about anything in the next few days, and quite frankly I'm not sure whether to continue on in a longer storyline, or just stop here and declare it a one-shot and write a different one.

I'm rambling. Anyways, the rewrite sections are up. Perhaps I'll give it another proofread sometime, but over the next few days(and weeks) I'll be focused on work and the holidays.

Future chapters will be posted under Live-Journal Cut with the tags "smallville" and "fanfic". Thanks to ShiaPet for letting me know about this cool trick.

Note that constructive criticism is very appreciated. However, do not critique this Chapter yet as I have not proofread it yet.

( Chapter 1 )

I feel like a tool...
( Prologue )

'Cause he helped me get x2 Penguin rings, one for TheMithra, one for Belmont. Tomorrow: Gugrus

Heron Ring on one of the Maze Tabulas from Maze Mongers last night. No Brigand's Charts, which seemed wierd.

Did x2 Campaigns last night on TheMithra, she now has the fourth Star.

Tonight: Leveling low levels out in lowbie zones tonight on TheMithra unit she gets the last 4k CP she needs for her Master Caster Bracelets. After Guild Points are turned in for today which are Elshimo Newts. It could be worse. Only 60k yet from Signboard. Hope to be done in three weeks, good fish day streaks willing. Belmont has 100k Fishing Guild points stored up, and I'm not certain what to use them for yet. I'll probably just keep saving up.

Yep, nothing to see here, move along...

Time to start a lol Red Mage tp set for TheMithra. I'm not wanting to do anything fancy with it. I only use it to whittle monsters down in Campaign off to the side so that I can rank up. The issue is...it takes freakin' forever. It'd probably take me an hour to finish off a Quadav.

For the moment, I'm going to stick with a sword build because a) TheMithra's dagger skill is underleveled and b) I can't get any good rare/ex daggers or the Blau Dolch for him(too pricy for the purpose). I'll pick up some cheap pieces and work for a Haste build - Dusk Hands, Scorpion Harness(upgrade to Goliard Saio), Walhara Turban, Swift Belt, Amemet Mantle(nq), Chiv Chain, x2 Woodsman's.

Plan tonight mostly is to pop a bunch of Brigand's Charts, then do some Moblin Maze for some more Charts and Rings. The only current screenshot I've seen for Seagull ring is by using Salinty Shift, which I don't want to but after tonight's runs I might have to give it a try.

Thought I'd post something today since I haven't posted in three weeks. The reason for this is because, to be blunt, I don't really do anything new and different that I haven't been doing for the last several weeks. It's part of why I like reading Samhain's blog, he goes out and solos something new and different just about each and every day.

However - after having said that some good stuff has happened for me, if not completely interesting or new.

My dedication to getting Ebisu is starting to waver. I have one piece for the rod on TheMithra already, and he does have about 140k in Guild Points toward her Fisherman's Signboard. The sticking point for me lately is the stupid Penguin's Ring and the Brigand's Chart. I'm spending loads of time on the ferry each week in an attempt for Brigand's Charts and am failing on the mini-game for the ring. Its about the same each time, I get about three chests and a pugil, and I time out while pulling up the fourth chest. I've now come to learn a trick on increasing your chances to only get chests without getting even one Puffer Pugil, so I probably will use that strategy next time. It requires, unfortunately, a second person with a Brigand Chart.

I did attempt the new MMM Fishing Voucher yesterday, with mixed results. TheMithra has almost no marbles, so she can't buy the rune, so I have to buy it on Belmont and for the most part just let TheMithra come along. I also have only one 'good' fishing rod. I attempted to use the bait and rod that the goblin lets you use, which for the most part, are pretty worthless. Sinking Minnow seemed to work well for Giant Catfish, I didn't have a Worm Lure to do Monke-Onke. The real kick in the groin was when I exit with one minute left only to find that I have to get an npc to fish up my hoardbox. It took the remaining time for me to have the npc fish up the hoardbox and click it. I saw the treasure icon over my party, but didn't get to see what the drops were even in the chat log. Mostly thirty minutes for nothing. I now understand the event better though, so I shouldn't have many problems in the future.

I must admit, one good thing has happened with all the Marlin Fishing. I've gotten Mercurial Kris twice in two of the last three attempts at the mini-BC. I gave two million to my LuckyTaru helper, then sold them both.

Limbus is still strong; however it is somewhat tedious lately. Belmont did get a Nashira Manteel for his Black Mage, but for the most part the linkshell is flooded with Homam Hands. There are no more members that need them that can wear them. Mostly they go to people that might be able to wear them someday. We've been unable to get takers for purchase; at this point I'd be thankful to just trade items with another linkshell. We're in dire need of a lot of feet at the moment, and some bodies. Thanks to Moods on passing the Nashira Manteel for me.

Legacy is having a mini-resurgance of sorts; there had been some execution issues but last couple weeks we've done well. TheMithra was honored by being allowed to lot a freelot Duelist's Tabard in the last Beaucidine run (the 4th that run) before it hit the floor. TheMithra is now 3/5 on Red Mage Relic (Hands, Head).

Doing Zeni fights quite a bit lately, though not popping my own because I'm fresh out of Zeni. >.>. Doing some Tinnin tonight, I have the Tier III pops but not enough Zeni for the Tinnin pop, at this point I can't even get the Islet access item. I've been giving some opportunity to tank Tinnin and Gotoh Zha lately, which was quite fun. I also did a three-pop Suzaku that went swimmingly.

I've been leveling TheMithra's jobs up to Lv12 when I need a break from fishing so that she can be a AstralBurn candidate. It helps that her name starts with 'A'.

Tinnin Independence Day
We did three Tinnin pops on Friday afternoon.  The group let me tank, which was quite a lot of fun, but not that hard.  Nerve Gas rather sucks, but it's easy to just start casting :Ichi once he uses it after a Bulwark, and that will guarantee a fresh set of shadows for people to Cursna you and to cast Cure 4 on yourself.  It took a ton of time to get through three pops though, but we did get three items of Enkidu as opposed to lolOracle's Cap.

Fishing
Mostly fished up Grimmonites for Belmont's Pelican Ring.  I got one that scored under 400, I'm hoping that's enough. 

Low Level Jobs
Took TheMithra out and slaughtered newbie zone mobs in Sarutabaruta on Samurai, Ranger, Blue Mage, and Bard.  Each of those are now Lv 7-8.  I'll continue until I get each to Lv12 then decide what to do next.

Outside of game, I've decided that I'll cancel my content IDs before 2011.  I've played this game since PC release, and it's been a lot of fun, but I need to spend some time on some more constructive things also.  Maybe I'll start taking some classes.

Spending time doing stuff on TheMithra as of recent.  Unless of course I'm called into duty to help out on Black Mage in order to lose large amounts of xp. 

Campaign
Most of last night was spent doing Campaign in order to get TheMithra another Star before the seal wore.  I would have sworn I had at least one more week, and I had to miss Tinnin because of it.  I'm not sure it matters much, since I don't have Zeni on Belmont or TheMithra to get the Monkey Wine.  It is surprisingly easy to pull a mob off to the side and solo it on Red Mage.  It just takes forever to kill, and by forever, I mean eternity.

Storms of Fate
TheMithra finished off Storms of Fate on Sunday night, next up I need to finish the last Zilart Mission and then climb the Promvyion Crags for the slivers.  Bahamut was simple; had some deaths near the middle because he became spam-happy near the middle due to pouring on the damage too quickly.

Ru'Avitau(sky)
Momma told me if you can't say anything good, say nothing at all.  lolGenbu, Three hours. 

Moblin Maze Mongers
Did more runs last week, after getting our face raped pretty consistently for a couple runs we swapped back to a gravity/kite/nuke strategy that worked much better.  Congratulations to Eyrhika and Foldypaws on their Koggelmanders.

Fishing
Lots of Bhefhel Marlins, but no Charts for like the past week.  I'm still doing Guild Points, and TheMithra is at about 65000, while Belmont is at 40000.  TheMithra is shooting for the 200000 Signboard to help on the quest to Ebisu. 

Unlocking Advanced Jobs
Went on a quick spree this weekend and unlocked the six jobs that TheMithra had not unlocked.  I probably will start leveling them to Lv12, 13 and hope I can get into some Tunnel Astral Burns if it means I can get Conquest Points for Combat Caster Bracelets.

Leveling Next...
I am considering leveling Corsair on TheMithra.  I must be insane.  That would also mean leveling Ranger to Subjob level on TheMithra, which I suppose would not be that bad.

Latest exploits:

Belmont received a Nagelring after months of dust collecting on his pop item.  Bloody mess of a run it was too, but the drops were decent.
Saturday - I mostly cleaned up around the house, and then went to see Zombieland.  Good movie.
Finished CoP on TheMIthra, did cutscenes on Monday and picked up my Tamas Ring.
Little help from Shiala, I was able to finish another Pirate's Chart and Brigand's Chart.  We got a surprise in the Pirate's Chart fight, a Mercurial Kris!  Brigand's Chart failed me again, I'm 1/4 on getting a fishing ring from it.  Jacks now has quite a bit of gil in sellables on his character that refuse to sell.  Goto, Shiala, and Samhain will get some tips for helping me out when I do the fights. 
Belmont skilled up his Great Sword more on Paladin with the Mercurial Sword, it is now at Lv242.  Eight more levels and I'll sell it and swap to Dark Knight, and pick up the Great Sword of Trials.
Tried Tanihwa last night with BLM + x2 SCH.  Face eaten.  Bind did not stick for very long compared to the previous run we did.  I've no idea what the heck was happening.  Need more nukers with Utsu for this fight most likely.
Dynamis tonight and Limbus + Sea tomorrow, so I probably won't finish capping Great Sword on Paladin until this weekend.

Beastmaster Updates = lol.  Square Sucks.

Yes, I'm depressed.  Why, do you ask?  It's simple...

...I'm a citizen of Windurst again.

I spent my Conquest Points on a San d'Orian ring, a few Rank 1 sellables, a Kingdom Aketon, and a Kingdom Signet Staff that I gave to Illysia. 

Couple things happened this weekend.  On Saturday TheMithra went around with Goto the Puppetmaster and killed worms in Ronafure[S] until we hit Lv13.  Then we went to take some breaks, and I was going to watch my alma mater's football game when I received a tell asking me to be the level sync candidate for a Korroloka Tunnel astral burn.  I accepted, since I'd much rather not level Summoner to Lv20.  I've got some other jobs that I level up faster than Summoner on TheMithra. 

TheMithra is now Lv22, so I can do the Pirate's Chart Quest with it for more fishing rings.  Belmont and TheMithra also have ~17k in Guild Points, working toward the 200k for the Fisherman's Signboard.

In Temenos, we attempted to dual run Temenos-East and -West.  I took in x3 Black Mages and a Red Mage into -East, but we had some issues.  Some things we learned:
- Elementals seem to have a strong Magic Damage Taken reduction.  It takes quite a few nukes for three Black Mages to nuke one dead.  Dark Elementals seem to lack the strong Magic Damage Reduction.
- Mystic Avatars are easier than the elementals;
- Fenrir does not sleep/bind/gravity, though he takes decent enough damage from magic, it just depends on whether you can kill him before he rips your face off.  Stun works.  Fenrir runs faster than a player though.

Need some A+ Black Mages to do this with three I think, four would be better.  Rotate Elemental Seal Bind or Gravity on Fenrir. 

TheMithra also finished the Zdei Mission CoP 8-3 last night, though it did not go smooth.  Weak damage dealing jobs, and we were not that strong from a zerg perspective.  Only one more mission left, and there was some talk of continuing to Apocolypse Nigh, but I don't think I'm going to attempt to do Apocolypse Nigh on this character.

TheMithra finished off Rank 10 San d'Oria last night! 

I'm somewhat interested in giving her some more furniture to make her Mog House look a little more like a home instead of this huge space.  I do like the San d'Oria storyline, I think it is excellent, just like the Windurst one.  Bastok storyline is dead last on the interesting scale.  Couple furnishings, and some more mannequins this time perhaps. 

Objective tonight:  Spend a bunch of Conquest Points, change allegiance to Windurst.  I'll have to change Belmont's nation at some point, because he has Retrace.  Otherwise I can just level TheMithra's Black Mage to Lv60, but I don't want to do that.  Perhaps I'll change the home point to Whitegate. 

TheMithra is almost done with CoP now, having just finished CoP Mission 8-2 on Sunday.

TheMithra has also finished San d'Oria Mission 8-2 and is mostly done with 9-1.  I'm hoping I can knock Rank 10 out tonight, in which case I can move back to Windurst...

... I apologize, I threw up in my mouth again ...

and start gathering up fishing guild points for the Signboard.

I started fishing up Bhefhel Marlins last night, and managed to get a Pirate's Chart, but I don't have Summoner leveled to Lv20 on this character.  q.q  More fun. 

He also has Salvage access now, so might be able to burn down some QQTH and QQA, and get some Alexandrite for a certain taru. 

I'm not sure how long I could do it though, I would need more Assault Points and I don't have Second Lieutenant in order to spam RvB.  I'd need to get three more rank ups for that.  I'd also like Yigit Seraweels and Yigit Gages for TheMithra.

I'm frustrated today, for almost no good reason.

Defeating Verdelet with x3 Beastmasters made me wonder if I should go back to gearing for pet-burn scenarios.  Herder's Subligar, Pallas' Shield,  Liontamer.  It seems, though, that most gear with Pet: Defense +10 just gives a job trait to the pet of "Defense Boost" and doesn't stack across items. 

I suppose then for most utility, I should attempt to get myself a Herder's Subligar and a Liontamer, as it is probably much easier to get a Liontamer than it is a Pallas' Shield.

It happened.

I spent two short sessions pulling up more Lik for Zaldon to gut, expecting him to toss 880g back in my face each time.  I only got twelve total, but I had dynamis later so I figured I'd leave and turn in what I had. 

Made the trek to Selbina, trekked over to Zaldon with my usual greeting.

TheMithra:  Hey, stingy fatass.  I've got twelve more for you.  Feel like giving up some Opal Silk today?

Zaldon:  Hey ChickenLegs.  Enjoying your hours staring at the lake in Meadows?

TheMithra:  Screw you, Fatty.  Here's my twelve, gut 'em quick so I hurry up and waste more of my life fishing up Lik.

Zaldon:  I hope you fall in the lake and drown.

TheMithra:  I hope you eat yourself to death.  Gut.

*Zaldon guts 11 fish.  No result*

Zaldon:  Awww, last one.  Looking like more Meadows for you.

TheMithra:  "I hate you."

Zaldon:  "Likewise."

TheMithra:  Just finish the last one already.

*Zaldon guts the last Lik*

Zaldon:  ... crap.  This one has an Opal Silk in it. 

TheMithra:  Liar...

Zaldon:  Nah, no kidding.  Here you are. 

TheMithra:  Wow.  I'm so happy at this moment I can't think of anything vile to say to you.

Zaldon:  Good Luck fishing up Gugru without both rings though.  I'll be seeing you again.

TheMithra:  Bite me, fatty.

Yes, TheMithra has her Opal Silk.  I've reviewed my plan for Fishing based on this update.  It now looks like:
- Fish up ton of Bhefhel Marlins.  Stockpile Charts.  Obtain Fishing Rings.
- Finish San d'Oria Missions.  Use up my Conquest Points on items.  Recommendations here on what items are best would be helpful, as I know some are best made into San d'Orian and Kingdom type gear.
- Change back to Windurst. 

Apologies, I just threw up in my mouth.

- Change from Woodworking Guild Points to Fishing.  I'm not actively leveling Woodworking on Avist, nor do I have that many points I'm losing.
- Obtain the Signboard, then other items.  Do this while fishing up Gugru.
- Obtain Ebisu.  Hand over Lu Shang's to Belmont. 
Question is at this point, do I let TheMithra fish up more crap just so that I can get another Ebisu on Belmont.  Perhaps.  I'll wait until I see the Fishing effect from the Signboard.

Don't try to kill Seiryu with 10 people when part of your 10 people are:
- One person with -na spells 
- Three Paladins
- Three People Dual Boxing
- One Lv74 Dancer
- Not setup in the proper party configuration.

The More you Know... <Cue Shining Star>

Belmont and TheMithra are having a very productive week. 

Last night, Celestial Guardians attempted their first two Byakko pop sets.  Each of the pops went smooth; there were some near deaths but no knockouts.  Each had some very nice loot pools, including a pair of Byakko Haidite.  I'm now a proud honor of a pair of Byakko Haidite, after a awesome lot of 26.  I look forward to using them on Bard and Beastmaster.

Shadow Ring from the Dynamis Lord - {Congratulations} Jofjax - and some other drops like Corsair, Dragoon, Samurai, x4 White Mage, x2 Thief Armlets - on consecutive mobs, no less - and a couple hundred pieces.  We managed to defeat Animated Great Axe for his fragment also.  It was a very good run; ended with a wipe though as we deviated from our normal farming path due to lack of time.

TheMithra went and tagged along on Failkenger's Limbus run in Northwest and was able to receive ten Ancient Beastcoins for being a refresh/bind/sleep puppet.  I'd like some upgrades at some point but I'm content with some coins for now so that he can get a Locq. Earring.  Otherwise there's not much for TheMithra to do, and I need some other gear upgrades before I can think about soloing stuff like Zipcana.  
 
I managed to also upgrade TheMithra to the highest Campaign Ribbon and Belmont back to the first Medal.  Dark Knight is also now about 24,000 xp from Lv75. 

I spent some assault tags on Floor 80 in an attempt for Belmont's Goliard Saio, and was rewarded on the last one! 

TheMithra is also Rank 6 San d'Oria now and hopes to have a Tavnazian Ring after finishing CoP 8-1 planned for the coming Sunday.

I turned in another 31 Lik to Zaldon last night, still no Opal Silk.  Meh.

Thanks to everyone that helped out with this week's activities - Shuri, Chewzer, Xinef, Dynas, Foldypaws, Odude, Samhain, Shiala, Goto, Malek, Rassitier.  I'm sure I missed someone, apologies.