All Across The Board.

So, it's been a few days since I've updated. And in those few days quite a bit has happened...firstly! Over a LimitBreakRadio.Com, I start a new segment called "The Rogue's Den" (Ta-da) which has me as the main host and currently Veloxe as the Co-host. The first the ten episodes will be about the 10 Assault Ranks. So, check it out.

Next on the list, is a small Salvage update! I'm pretty low on priority overall in our Salvage thing, so I've been going but we're concentrating on the other members who have been waiting longer then I have for pieces. Currently, I've got 15 Boots and 15 Hands, and just recently (a couple weeks ago) I got the 25 Hands as well! Hurrah!
We did Salvage these past two day and didn't get anything too amazing, however, Samuraisoldier did get some 35 Legs for Usukane, so congratulations.

Here's a few pictures of me and Gamer farming at his (our) favorite spot!
Moving on...went to Dynamis after a pretty long vacation from it (not by choice) and I finally, finally got my 5\6 piece of Relic. Ta-da! And, after receiving these great pieces of Steal Gear. I proceeded to not steal a damn thing. =P Go figure, huh?

Been managing to keep up with Campaign very well! I'm ranking up every 5 days, getting lots of Allied Notes, doing all my Ops! I'm close to getting my last piece of Gear from Allied Notes (5k away as of now). And as of yesterday...That puts me only a few days away from the highest current medal! Woo!

Now...onto something that's going to seem a bit serious, a bit fun, but in the end, totally worth it. The topic if which I speak...is Zeni Notorious Monsters. Experimental Lamia to be precise, one of the holders of my Enkidu's Leggings. Now, there are a few things I'm going to go over in regards to this topic. Things like the NM itself, location, strategies and, I think, most importantly, etiquette and understanding.

Now, where to begin...I suppose, we could start from the beginning and I'll just address thing as I go. There was about an hour, maybe 45 minutes until Salvage was to start when I decided to try and get people together for Experimental Lamia -- I figured that a party of 12 could handle it, after a few quick messages into LimitBreakRadio LS and CoveredinBees LS, I had 18 people...wow. I know, right?

It should also be mentioned I wasn't entirely educated on this NM (as much as I would've liked, or as much as I think I needed). And trying to co-ordinate 18 people, half of which don't know each other is very tough. Especially when Salvage was very soon and three key people for Salvage where helping me out. We had a Bard who said he knew where he was going, since I didn't really. So, I had everyone follow him -- now at this moment as we're zoning into Arrapago Reef from Dvucca Isle Staging Point...I realize I forgot the pop item. So, I go back to get it and tell people to follow the Bard.

Somehow, and I've heard different stories and I'm claiming any as true or false -- but our party got separated, aggro was taken and things began to look grim...people began to get frusterated, no one knew what was going on, no one had answers and I was starting to freak out.

Luckily, Omoi and Ringthree where both there and kept me stable and helped immensely with the situation. Here is where things began to get complicated though, internally, meaning amongst the players not something to do with the game itself.

My group of people was composed of LimitBreakRadio LS, a completely social Linkshell with players from varying degrees of background and people from CoveredinBees, players from a dedicated, very skillfull, succesful End Game Linkshell. I've known both sides for quite awhile. And let me say this overall, just because someone is giving you orders or advice and they're in an End Game LS -- that doesn't automatically make them elitist asshats. Same goes the other way, just because someone has never been in an End Game situation, doesn't make them newbs.

We managed to re-group from a real bad set back and while waiting for weakness to wear on some members so we didn't take blood aggro one of our CiB Players gave a small lecture. Afterwards, one of our LBR members made a comment that made me feel very sick to have them in my linkshell. It rude, it was uncalled for and was extremely distasteful.

When mistakes are made, either by one person, or by many -- something has to be addressed. Someone has to be embarrassed, guilty, whatever -- you have to feel some type of negative feeling for your mistake or you're just going to keep making them. The CiB member who gave the lecture knew this. By giving this lecture it reminds everyone to be more cautious, more aware and pay attention.

Now, what aggravates me even more about the player who made the comment after the lecture, was the fact that the CiB player was a lot nicer about it then he needed to be, he didn't point any fingers or name any names and whats worse, is the player that I'm disappointed in, the one who made the tasteless comment at the end...wasn't even at fault. The lecture wasn't even for them.

Another LBR member voiced a concern to me, that perhaps the CiB member was a bit excessive in his lecture. Perhaps, but you have to realize as well -- as members of a Social Linkshell the most we have to deal with is Exp Parties where we might lose some Exp, or quests, small events that can be planned and executed the day of. In End Game, there's a lot more at risk -- weeks, even months of over 18 peoples time. All of it can be gone because of one person. So, yes, lectures like that, lectures worse then that are completely necessary.

While we're on the topic...I realize you pay 15$ a month to play your way, I know that at LBR we encourage people to experiment...but, dammit people, for the love of fucking Altana -- when I've invested MY time and MY money into something and YOU fuck it up because YOU want TRY something out or play YOUR way...god, it makes me want to choke the life out of things in the IRL.

...sorry. Got a little deep there, didn't I? Anyhow...there was one person throughout this entire ordeal that I really wish would not have been there and you can bet they're on the B List now and they're never setting foot in another party, let alone alliance with me.

Moving on...and this is where strategy comes in...

We made it to the other side of Arrapago Reef where we zoned into Caedarva Mire, that's where the ??? is. If you've ever been a Merit\Exp party on Colibri's through Alzadaal, that's what this area is like. 3 levels, two zone lines. One at the top, one at the bottom and blood\sound\sight aggro alike all over the place. Now, the strat I read said to have a tank and some mages kite the mob to the zone and back because she pop 3 lesser lamia who the party needs to deal with.

The lesser lamia share hate with Experimental, but Experimental does not share hate with them. Also, you're not going to want to use the closest zone (the top), you just aren't. Here's what you do.

A. Put a WHM or RDM in a party with your main tank. I recommend a PLD\NIN as she hits HARD and FAST. This way he can cure himself and take a few hits. Also, the person popping the NM has to be in the party.

B. Everyone else allies up in another party.

C. Everyone goes south to the zone into Arrapago Reef.

D. The person who pops it...hopefully has flee, PD, Invincible, something that'll make this easier -- and runs to the zone. All the way there. Zone everything! Your tank will pick up the Lamia. Now, in our case, we had to actually do a bit of damage before she summoned her three lesser Lamia. 2 RDMs and 1 SAM, all of which use 2 hours.

E. The Melee Alliance kills the Adds while the kite alliance kites lamia. Now, this is how you kite her...shadows up, stand by the zone...when shadows are down, zone. Zone back ASAP because she moves back pretty quick and she doesn't stop at all. Soon as you can, claim her again -- repeat.

F. She has alliance hate -- so it's extremely important that the people in the melee alliance do not act upon her in any way whatsoever until the Lesser Lamia are dead.

G. When they are dead -- reform, and kill her.

We had lots of problems...we wiped after the Lessers were dead. We had some people not on their game and others were out to 'prove' something apparently. Word of advice...if you don't know what to do, and someone else starts giving orders. Follow them, or GTFO. Because by trying to do something 'you' think is right you fuck shit up. The same person I mentioned above nearly wiped us on the Lamia herself because they where just doing stupid shit.

By at least GTFO or listening to people who have dealt with these situations before -- you abstain yourself from all blame.

The people in my party who helped killed Lamia might have told you it was hard. I don't think it is. I think she's difficult yes...but in our case the difficulty came 50% from Lamia and the other 50% from one or two people being...(breaths)...(under control)...from a few other people not being smart about what they were doing.

...here are some pictures.

The first picture is us taking safe haven on the other side of the zone. I think is still in Caedarva making out with Experimental Lamia's arrows. The second picture is our victory picture...that's right. After much death, stress, frusteration, exp loss, blood, weakness, horror, etc. etc. etc. We did down her.

And let me tell you this -- there where at least 5-6 times I just wanted to say 'fuck it' and have everyone warp out. Cutting our losses. Thanks to several people though, they kept me strong and we made it through...here are the drops.
Yay! They dropped! /dance! Ringthree ended up winning the Water Grip. And those feet are NOT Pink...they're Salmon.

Anyhow! I need to give a big {Thank You} to the people in this next picture.
And and extra basket eternal gratitude to these people especially; Neelia, Sayl, Ringthree, Aniero, Godsbane, Omoi and Izman.

Aniero and Godsbane for putting their Alexander fight on hold which got cancelled

Omoi, Ringthree and Izman for sticking with me and keeping me focused and helping lead the group to recovery (and for putting Salvage on hold).

And also to Hiryo! Who didn't help, but waited patiently for us to finish so he could do his Salvage with us. =)

Alrighty! On to happier news! Evaine roped me into a static for ENMs with a bunch of clowns she found. This is how it started out (at 11am in the morning.)Yea, shut up. Anyway, our line up for the ENMs where..."Brothers", "A Sheep In Antlion's Clothing" and "Bionic Bug".

We started with "Brothers" here are some pictures and the loot we got...
And from "A Sheep In Antlion's Clothing."
And lastly, "Bionic Bug."
So, overall...not the best. But, it wasn't horrible. The Scouter's Rope is 100k, so it should even out to 20-30k a piece. Not to mention you get Exp\LP rewards too -- so, I got 9,000 LP which helped me shave another -2 Seconds off my Sneak Attack recast.

So, to end todays super long post...a quote, a note if you will...from Midgards Saskiot to me. See, I asked him to deliver a few words to the equally infamous Thief, like myself, Mii from LevelUp. And this is what she had to say...
Ooh...isn't it cute when they think they're in control with the upper hand? =)