Ace_of_Hearts

I have had an idea for an ice/storm controller that concentrates on the slowing effects of both powers and therefore uses soft controls rather than hard holds etc.

My idea is to slow mobs down to such an extent they are virtually immmobile you do this by slapping down an iceslick, follow it up with shiver and snow storm then run into the mob with artic air switched on, then spam freezing rain and the normal holds etc. These powers are all slotted with -rech I/O's slowing down foes attacks to a virtual stand still and any that do take place would be partially protected by Steamy Mist.

Initial problems as far as I can see would be damage during early game (although this will not be an issue lvl 32 onwards) and massive endurance draining toggles (which hopefully will be resolved with the correct slotting)

Problem is I don't know whether this would actually work or whether I am barking well and truely up the wrong tree. Also I am not too experienced with Frankenslotting - Comments would therefore be appreciated.

Obviously the build in question is optimum level 50 therefore very expensive no doubt

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.401
http://www.cohplanner.com/

[u]Click this DataLink to open the build![u]

Winter Goddess: Level 50 Magic Controller
Primary Power Set: Ice Control
Secondary Power Set: Storm Summoning
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Psionic Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Chilblain <ul type="square">[*] (A) Trap of the Hunter - Chance of Damage(Lethal): Level 50[/list]Level 1: Gale <ul type="square">[*] (A) Force Feedback - Chance for +Recharge: Level 50[/list]Level 2: Block of Ice <ul type="square">[*] (A) Basilisk's Gaze - Accuracy/Endurance/Recharge/Hold: Level 30[*] (3) Lockdown - Accuracy/Endurance/Recharge/Hold: Level 50[*] (3) Ghost Widow's Embrace - Accuracy/Hold/Recharge: Level 50[*] (5) Basilisk's Gaze - Chance for Recharge Slow: Level 30[*] (5) Ghost Widow's Embrace - Chance of Damage(Psionic): Level 50[*] (7) Lockdown - Chance for +2 Mag Hold: Level 50[/list]Level 4: Frostbite <ul type="square">[*] (A) Gravitational Anchor - Immobilize: Level 50[*] (7) Gravitational Anchor - Immobilize/Recharge: Level 50[*] (9) Gravitational Anchor - Accuracy/Immobilize/Recharge: Level 50[*] (9) Gravitational Anchor - Accuracy/Recharge: Level 50[*] (11) Gravitational Anchor - Immobilize/Endurance: Level 50[*] (11) Gravitational Anchor - Chance for Hold: Level 50[/list]Level 6: Swift <ul type="square">[*] (A) Run Speed IO: Level 50[/list]Level 8: Arctic Air <ul type="square">[*] (A) Pacing of the Turtle - Endurance/Recharge/Slow: Level 50[*] (13) Malaise's Illusions - Endurance/Confused: Level 50[*] (13) Perplex - Endurance/Confused: Level 50[*] (15) Tempered Readiness - Endurance/Recharge/Slow: Level 50[*] (15) Pacing of the Turtle - Chance of -Recharge: Level 50[*] (17) Malaise's Illusions - Chance of Damage(Psionic): Level 50[/list]Level 10: Air Superiority <ul type="square">[*] (A) Mako's Bite - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge: Level 50[/list]Level 12: Ice Slick <ul type="square">[*] (A) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 50[*] (17) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 50[/list]Level 14: Fly <ul type="square">[*] (A) Freebird - +Stealth: Level 50[/list]Level 16: Shiver <ul type="square">[*] (A) Pacing of the Turtle - Accuracy/Slow: Level 50[*] (19) Pacing of the Turtle - Damage/Slow: Level 50[*] (19) Pacing of the Turtle - Accuracy/Endurance: Level 50[*] (23) Pacing of the Turtle - Range/Slow: Level 50[*] (23) Pacing of the Turtle - Endurance/Recharge/Slow: Level 50[*] (25) Pacing of the Turtle - Chance of -Recharge: Level 50[/list]Level 18: Health <ul type="square">[*] (A) Numina's Convalescence - +Regeneration/+Recovery: Level 50[*] (46) Miracle - +Recovery: Level 40[/list]Level 20: Stamina <ul type="square">[*] (A) Performance Shifter - Chance for +End: Level 50[*] (21) Endurance Modification IO: Level 50[*] (21) Endurance Modification IO: Level 50[*] (42) Endurance Modification IO: Level 50[/list]Level 22: Freezing Rain <ul type="square">[*] (A) Touch of Lady Grey - Defense Debuff: Level 50[*] (25) Touch of Lady Grey - Defense Debuff/Recharge: Level 50[*] (27) Touch of Lady Grey - Defense Debuff/Recharge/Endurance: Level 50[*] (27) Touch of Lady Grey - Recharge/Endurance: Level 50[*] (29) Touch of Lady Grey - Defense Debuff/Endurance: Level 50[*] (29) Touch of Lady Grey - Chance for Negative Damage: Level 50[/list]Level 24: Steamy Mist <ul type="square">[*] (A) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed: Level 50[*] (42) Steadfast Protection - Knockback Protection: Level 30[*] (43) Red Fortune - Defense/Endurance: Level 50[*] (43) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance: Level 50[/list]Level 26: Snow Storm <ul type="square">[*] (A) Pacing of the Turtle - Accuracy/Slow: Level 50[*] (31) Pacing of the Turtle - Damage/Slow: Level 50[*] (31) Pacing of the Turtle - Accuracy/Endurance: Level 50[*] (31) Pacing of the Turtle - Range/Slow: Level 50[*] (33) Pacing of the Turtle - Endurance/Recharge/Slow: Level 50[*] (33) Pacing of the Turtle - Chance of -Recharge: Level 50[/list]Level 28: Hurricane <ul type="square">[*] (A) Dark Watcher's Despair - To Hit Debuff: Level 50[*] (46) Dark Watcher's Despair - To Hit Debuff/Recharge: Level 50[*] (48) Dark Watcher's Despair - To Hit Debuff/Recharge/Endurance: Level 50[*] (48) Dark Watcher's Despair - Recharge/Endurance: Level 50[*] (48) Dark Watcher's Despair - To Hit Debuff/Endurance: Level 50[*] (50) Dark Watcher's Despair - Chance for Recharge Slow: Level 50[/list]Level 30: Hasten <ul type="square">[*] (A) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 50[*] (33) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 50[*] (34) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 50[/list]Level 32: Jack Frost <ul type="square">[*] (A) Edict of the Master - Accuracy/Damage: Level 40[*] (34) Edict of the Master - Damage/Endurance: Level 40[*] (34) Edict of the Master - Accuracy/Endurance: Level 40[*] (36) Edict of the Master - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance: Level 40[*] (36) Edict of the Master - Damage: Level 40[*] (36) Edict of the Master - Defense Bonus: Level 40[/list]Level 35: Tornado <ul type="square">[*] (A) Sovereign Right - Accuracy/Damage: Level 50[*] (37) Sovereign Right - Damage/Endurance: Level 50[*] (37) Sovereign Right - Accuracy/Endurance: Level 50[*] (37) Sovereign Right - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance: Level 50[*] (39) Sovereign Right - Accuracy: Level 50[*] (39) Sovereign Right - Resistance Bonus: Level 50[/list]Level 38: Lightning Storm <ul type="square">[*] (A) Apocalypse - Damage: Level 50[*] (39) Apocalypse - Damage/Recharge: Level 50[*] (40) Apocalypse - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge: Level 50[*] (40) Apocalypse - Accuracy/Recharge: Level 50[*] (40) Apocalypse - Damage/Endurance: Level 50[*] (42) Apocalypse - Chance of Damage(Negative): Level 50[/list]Level 41: O2 Boost <ul type="square">[*] (A) Doctored Wounds - Heal/Endurance: Level 50[*] (43) Doctored Wounds - Endurance/Recharge: Level 50[*] (45) Doctored Wounds - Heal/Recharge: Level 50[*] (45) Doctored Wounds - Heal/Endurance/Recharge: Level 50[*] (45) Doctored Wounds - Heal: Level 50[*] (46) Doctored Wounds - Recharge: Level 50[/list]Level 44: Indomitable Will <ul type="square">[*] (A) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed: Level 50[/list]Level 47: Mind Over Body <ul type="square">[*] (A) Aegis - Resistance/Endurance: Level 50[*] (50) Titanium Coating - Resistance/Endurance: Level 50[*] (50) Impervium Armor - Resistance/Endurance: Level 40[/list]Level 49: Psionic Tornado <ul type="square">[*] (A) Positron's Blast - Chance of Damage(Energy): Level 50[/list]------------
Level 1: Brawl <ul type="square">[*] (A) Empty[/list]Level 1: Sprint <ul type="square">[*] (A) Empty[/list]Level 2: Rest <ul type="square">[*] (A) Empty[/list]Level 1: Containment

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What about Mako vs Barracuda at the end? Cos Barracuda is Mako's girlfriend...

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I thought he was just her mentor? Or am I thinking of Scirocco and Ice Mistral?

If she is his girlfriend - even better. A woman scorned!

I really hope I14 fulfills its true potential and allows us to make these ideas. I think they're great. For my part I was thinking of a Love Story based on Beauty and the Beast where a young heroin has been kidnapped by Captain Mako and (shock horror) actually falls in love with him! Queue several missions of rescues, EB fights and even teaming with Mako himself to get her back (which will be extremely novel for a hero but not unheard of - after all they get to team with Arbiter Sands).

Dont know whether she will die at the end - most tragic love stories do but fairy stories they live happily ever after.... oh the possibilities!

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and Ghost Widow as the scarecrow....

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Wouldnt Scirocco make a better scarecrow and GW could be the fairy or something?

Just a thought

Aladdin immediately springs to mind.

The "liberation" of a lamp type object from a cave mission, the rescuing of a princess akin to the Spelunker mission. The defeating of an evil grand Vizier (Death Mage COT).

You could even have a Nerva Spectral Demon Lord posing as the genie.

I know you said you didnt want to see this but as an idea definitely /signed!

----

Another idea - lets be fair the best villains from fairy tales are actually villainesses (if thats a word) - Queue the Carnival of Shadows. Illusionists and Master Illusionists would make perfect wicked witches and evil stepmothers and the like.

I'll shut up now. Supposed to be working

This was very easy to read and a well told story.

The simplised style was well suited for childrens book and you accomplish your aim here well. The vehicle you chose was very clever - as children I am sure we all remember being told cruel and totally unsuitable stories by parents who just want to make a point - yet because a parent is telling the story we accept them without question!

Factually it is inconsistent with how Lord Recluse got his powers but I assume you know that - here we have a mother who is not bothered about getting the facts right she simply wants to tell her daughter why it is wrong to kill spiders. From that point of view it is like all childrens stories - moralistic and slightly cruel.

You state that you wouldnt want to tell a child this, I disagree, most childrens stories are as gruesome as this (if not more so) and its no more frightening than say Hansel and Gretle or Little Red Riding Hood. Children will accept most things so long as the bad guy gets whats coming to him.

Hope you find my comments positive and helpful - that was the aim. if you have any questions please pm me.

I've done it with a fire rad troller and found it easy.

I did it by hunting out and freeing infernal first - he wasnt guarded by an EB and so freeing him was relatively easy. He will summon demons to help you. By the time I went for the first EB (who was Mako iirc) I had Infernal, Numina, Sis Pysche and possibly Swan on side (I think). With this team I was more or less unstoppable - especially with my fire imps helping. The key is to free Infernal (who summons) and Numina (who can Rez) early enough in the mission and you should be OK.

Ravenswing is right in the hardest part is ensuring that none of the heroes get left behind (although I had problems with Infernal and Swan getting stuck in the landscape - if that happens you have to leave them) but by the time the Jade Spider showed up all I did was use my debuffs and more or less left the npcs to do the work (with a little help from my fire imps).

In actual fact I found this TF a lot easier than the 5th Column/Council over throw one which was a lot harder - soloing Nosfartu is no joke!

After my last attempt at creative writing I have to confess that I am hooked!

I have started to write a longer story than my last attempt and, having completed the first two chapters, want to publish. However I have one problem.

I find that posting entries on these forums difficult to read and edit and would prefer to post my work on another site with a link to the story on the forum. Trouble is I'm still a novice and dont know any sites that will allow me to upload what I write and share it with everyone.

I know that some of you publish their work this way. Can anyone give me some ideas how to do this please.

Thanks

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I enjoyed reading this. It’s well written and the story, as a start to something bigger, kept me wanting to know more. I particularly liked some of the characterisation of the Librarian.

....

Also, there is the end of the first chapter. It doesn’t seem to have anything to make someone read on. Not that I would encourage the kind of cliff hangers Dan Brown managers (that’s far too much over egging of an already mass produced, plastic wrapped, cake in my opinion), but it might be worth adjusting things slightly. It really depends how you want to present the story as a whole.


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Oh I actually hadnt thought of developing the story further. It was just one of those things that popped into my head and I thought I would write it down. Thats why it came to an abrupt ending (I actually am not happy with the ending myself and think it needs work).

Your feedback was really appreciated Leigh and very helpful and as a result I will keep writing - I just don't know whether I will be developing these characters or starting something new (I already have another idea).

Thanks again

ARBITER DAOS AND THE LIBRARIAN - PART TWO

“Arbiter Daos,” exclaimed a cheerful, almost naive voice behind him. “What a pleasant surprise.” It was the kind of voice that would grate on a pessimists nerves for just being far too jolly. He turned to face a grey haired middle aged man dressed in old fashioned, good quality yet worn grey three-piece suit and the Arbiter was mildly amused to note that he still had a pocket watch and chain dangling from the waistcoat. He didn’t know men still carried them. He didn’t reply but smiled and nodded to the man in a half formal greeting.

“It is rare that an Arbiter, especially one as highly regarded as you, takes the time to visit me,” continued the man in the same happy tones that people rarely, if ever used in the presence of an Arbiter. “Is this an official visit? Of course it is. Silly of me.”

“Yes Librarian it is,” replied Daos.

“Your time must be pressing,” said the Librarian. “But you must take time to have tea. Earl Grey isn’t it? Come through to the Lounge. It gets far better light at this time of day.”

They went through to a slightly smaller but better lit room with the same old fashioned worn furniture. However this room was not as oppressing. Chintzy touches were added here and there in an attempt to make the room more friendly looking and welcoming. Arbiter Daos was not certain whether or not this worked.

The Librarian went to a small circular old yet solid looking table with two high backed chairs and gestured the Arbiter to sit. The tea things were already laid out. Two dainty china cups, matching saucers, milk in a matching jug, lemon, sugar, spoons and plates. Daos sat where directed and made himself comfortable and he had to admit that the chairs was a lot more comfy than they looked. The Librarian sat opposite.

“We will just wait for the tea then when we are refreshed you must tell me the reason for your visit,” said the Librarian calmly and without any shred of either fear or even curiosity in his voice. “In the meantime, do tell me, how is Grandville? It has been so long since I last visited.”

“It has changed a lot over the course of the last few years,” replied Daos.

“So I understand. I really have been meaning to go over and have a look at The Web. I understand it is quite an astonishing piece of architecture. Is it true there is a large statue of Lord Recluse in the central plaza?”

“Yes. It was completed two or three years ago.”

“Goodness. Such industrial endeavours. And how is Lord Recluse? It has been too long since he last visited me. Such a gracious man don’t you think?”

Daos was surprised. He had no idea that Recluse himself had visited this house. He couldn’t help himself. He had to ask. “Lord Recluse has taken tea with you?”

“Oh goodness me no!” laughed the man clapping his hands in an almost childish manner. “Lord Recluse doesn’t take tea!” he paused, allowing himself to calm down. “He prefers coffee of course.”

The door opened slowly and the butler entered with a trolley carrying tea, an assortment of sandwiches and a large Victorian sponge. The two men watched him in silence as he set the tea things down on the table and left.

“And his Lieutenants?” asked the Librarian pouring a cup of tea out for the Arbiter. “They are well? Ghost Widow? Scirroco?”

“Mako is in good form,” replied Daos with only a touch of syrup in his voice. Mako was a monster. A true psychopath. There were rumours there was a certain amount of friction between him and the gentle cheerful man in front of him although the details were a little sketchy. Knowing what he knew about both men, it wouldn’t surprise Daos if the Librarian had just been a bit too cheerful with Mako. That sort of thing wound him up terribly.

The comment about Mako was not lost on the Librarian but he barely reacted. “Such an... angry young man,” he said choosing his words carefully. “One does hope that he will one day find his own inner peace. Do you know what I think?”

“No,” replied Daos. This should be interesting.

“I think that the worst thing Captain Mako could have done for himself was kill Scrapyard all those years ago. The two were practically each other’s Yin and Yang. Oh I appreciate Captain Mako did what had to be done at the time and no one could blame him for that but I have often wonder if the moment of satisfaction of him killing his arch-nemesis has left him feeling.... well.... hollow. Sandwich?”

The insight was unusual but not one that Daos had not heard before. He had several of Arachnos Psychiatrics conduct indepth studies into the minds of all of Lord Recluses’ lieutenants and that was one theory about Mako that had been offered up by them. He wondered if the Librarian, who had access to more books than he could imagine had conducted a similar private endeavour but in the end he decided not to comment and, instead, selected a sandwich. He bit into it and took a mouthful of tea to wash it down. He had to admit it was rather good and he could not remember if he had eaten at all that day. He suddenly remembered how hungry he was and, despite himself, he was actually enjoying the company of this overly cheerful gossipy man.

“Ghost Widow of course cannot take tea with me,” he continued happy to have someone to talk to. “But she is so gracious in her dealings. She actually allows me to conduct my little tea making ceremony when she is here and lets me ramble on even though she cannot properly participate. She is a true lady you know? Is it true she was a Fortuna before her death?”

“Before and during her death.”

“Ahh yes, one hears rumours you know. Quite a sad story I understand. Especially for her bodyguard. Wretch isn’t it? His sister sometimes drops by you know asking if I would look into various rituals that could restore him to his former self. Such a pleasant girl. Have you met her? I suppose not. People generally don’t socialise with Arbiters do they?”

“Not if they can help it,” said Daos with a cruel smile on his face.

“Must be such a difficult life for you. But rewarding no doubt,” he paused to top up the Daos’ tea cup. “I said the same to Black Scorpion when he last visited. He sat in that chair like you and we had a pleasant little gossip about the world in general.”

Daos nearly burst out laughing. It was difficult enough to imagine Black Scorpion in his huge armoured suit getting through the doorway of the room let alone sitting in the delicate and threadbare chair. And as for him sipping tea from a dainty china cup and saucer. Well, the idea was just to hysterical to ignore. He must remember that story next time Scorpion oversteps the mark.

“He likes herbal tea,” said the Librarian almost half to himself. “Camomile or mint. Soothing on the stomach I understand.”

“I will remember that at Christmas,” said Daos with a wry smile on his face attempting to hold back the laughter. The irony was completely lost on the Librarian. To save embarrassment he helped himself to another sandwich. “Why was he here?” he asked.

“My Dear Arbiter Daos, I couldn’t possibly divulge that. Not even to an Arbiter. I don’t have many rules of business but one is complete confidentiality. And payment of course.” He took a sip of tea and picked out a second sandwich.

Daos knew there was little point in insisting. It was true that as an Arbiter, he could have the man hauled off to Grandville, interrogated to within an inch of his life and pretty soon he would have a complete list of his clients and what he researched for them. This would in turn lead to many arrests and more torture, numerous plots would be foiled and Lord Recluse would be quite happy. The Librarian himself would be put to a quick death and no one would say anything.

Except, it was not always that simple.

Here was a man who was far more useful alive than dead. His work was invaluable. You needed research doing and if you had the money (and Arachnos always had money) you would ask him what you needed to know and he would shuffle off to his collection of many rare books and tomes and within a few weeks or even a few days you would have an answer. His research was always reliable and always correct. There was many an occasion when his work had made Arachnos and particularly Lord Recluse, extremely happy.

And that was the point, it was better to have Lord Recluse extremely happy all of the time than only quite happy on one occasion. Still, better at least let him know that he is not untouchable. “We know you do work for the Longbow,” he said running a finger round the rim of his tea cup.

“I do work for anyone that can pay me Arbiter Daos,” he replied innocently. “My needs are simple but it is very difficult to make ends meet. Cost of living you know. If people find my little talents of use then it is only right that they pay me what they feel I am worth. I make no judgment nor question the morality of what is needed. I simply offer my little talents where I can.”

Arbiter Daos drained the tea from his cup. Perhaps now was the time to talk business. “That is why I have come to see you,” he said softly. The affect was amazing. The silliness and the cheerfulness immediately vanished. The Librarian put down his cup and leaned forward.

“Go on,” he said.

“You have heard of the Destined Ones?” he asked.

“Of course,” replied the Librarian, a little of the silliness returning. “Such an interesting collection of people. I have, of course, met a few of them. Normally if they are working with the Mu or Circle of Thorns. In fact Magus Mu’Dhraken sent one of them over to me just the other day to collect some information I had been gathering for him. I believe she was a metahuman. Some are a little on the crude side and would rather go out and indulge in terrible violence than take tea but others are a little more generous with their time. Nevertheless, they are all likeable in their own way.“

“Yes, we had noticed that some had come your way,” said Daos. “Lord Recluse anticipates that more will cross your path over the course of the next few months and not just carrying out errands for the various so called movers and shakers of the Rogue isles. Many will have their own projects. Some of these projects will be dangerous. Some may even threaten Lord Recluse himself.”

“I see,” the Librarian looked uncomfortable.

“No,” said Daos comfortable with the fact that he was finally in control of the situation. “I don’t think you do. I am here at the behest of Lord Recluse to tell you that should any of these people come to you with such a request that you do your job and give them as much help as you possibly can. Send the bill to me personally and, in fact, double your charges. It will be paid.”

“Goodness. Such generosity by Arachnos.”

“Indeed. There is however one small point.”

“Do tell.”

“It is only a small matter but when you send your bill if you could perhaps put brief synopsis of what research you did for such people in with it we would consider that most helpful.”

The Librarian sat back in his chair, his fingers arched at his lips deep in thought. “What of any other little commissions I may receive.”

“We have no interest in them,” said Daos with a wave of his hand. A lie. In fact Arachnos would give him all the tea in China for to have him in their pocket but some things are just not for sale. But maybe they can be rented. “I assure you,” he added. “Most of these people will have no way of paying you for work. If you carry out their jobs they get to progress their careers, Arachnos gets to keep tabs on them and you get regular payment. It is a win win situation.”

“Hmmm...” the Librarian appeared to be thinking. The pause seemed to last a lifetime. Eventually he spoke. “Pheasant!” he exclaimed.

“I beg your pardon.”

“I have not had pheasant in such a long time. They were once native to Cap au Diable until the Circle of Thorns moved in and those uncouth Cold Demons started walking round the woods. It is so expensive to import now and when you do it is hardly fresh. Your little commission will allow me to buy a fresh pheasant once in a while. I should enjoy that.”

“Is that an acceptance then?” asked Daos growing impatient.

“Indeed!” said the Librarian. Both men stood up and shook hands warmly and Daos left the room unceremoniously. The Librarian sat down and helped himself to a third cup of tea and he sipped it with a smile on his face.

The butler entered the room. “Shall I clear away the tea things Sir,” he asked.

“Oh goodness me no,” came the reply. “But do freshen the pot Maitland. Sister Psyche will be here in a moment and no doubt will have a commission for me. She does so enjoy her tea and chats with me

THE END - FOR NOW!

This is my first attempt at creative writing but given that I am a bit of a frustrated writer and seem addicted to COX I thought this would be a good place to start. I have written a short story involving a conversation between Arbiter Daos (a person every villain is familiar with) and an eccentric character I made up called the Librarian. Nothing much happens in this story except they have a cup of tea and a gossip so don't expect action or car chases. I hope you enjoy it nonetheless.

As always please feel free to give me feedback but please be gentle... this is my first time

ARIBTER DAOS AND THE LIBRARIAN - PART ONE

He could never work it out but, to Arbiter Daos, it always seemed to rain whenever he arrived in Cap Au Diable. It was just after 1pm when he touched down at the small yet functional private airport on just outside Aeon City although the cold November weather and dark clouds hanging threateningly in the air made it feel much later.

He noticed that the wind was picking up as he stepped down from the jet and was hurried through to a Private Limosine by a Fortuna holding an umbrella. He said nothing to the young girl, he found it difficult to communicate with many of Arachnos soldiers for two reasons, one he held their lives in his hand and two, it was genuinely hard to communicate with people whos uniform covered them from head to foot with few visible features.

Once settled the Limosine started its journey through the streets of Cap Au Diable. He had only done this journey a couple of times before but knew what to expect. The airport was on the wrong side of town and they would pass through streets that were charged to the Goldbrickers. So called technical thieves but basically just a street gang with a leader with more money than sense. He knew as the Arachnos Limosine would pass them there would be a few rocks thrown or whatever but he paid them no heed. It is a sad day for Arachnos when an Arbiter’s private car could be taken out with a rock or bullet or rocket launcher for that matter.

Actually this part of the journey was fairly uneventful. No one paid much attention to the Limo as it passed quietly through the streets. Some citizens stopped and stared as only the very rich could afford cars in the Rogue Isles (Lord Recluse like it that way) and certainly Limosines were not something seen regularly. He occasionally saw a few Goldbrickers but they were otherwise engaged with Arachnos troups who were trying to cull their presence. If an Arachnos Soldier could not handle a Goldbricker, they had no right calling themselves Arachnos.

The downpour started in earnest has the Limosine came out of the slums of New Haven and made a sharp right turn onto the main bridge that would take him into Aeon City and the driver switched on the wipers of the car. He half listened to their rhythmic scrapping along the windshield as he mused about the town. It was called Aeon City as a mark of respect to the islands Governor and much revered scientist, Dr. Aeon, but in actual fact it was barely more than six or seven tall skyscrapers around a central statue of a globe. He knew most of the city could not have been constructed without Dr. Aeons amazing leap forwards in both magical and scientific discoveries. Now a good number of companies had set up here. He knew that Crey Corporation had a large branch office here, as did Arachnos itself (if only to remind Dr. Aeon that he was still being watched). Aeon Corp had its head office here and numerous professional firms had also set up in the relative safety of the central city.

But the Limosine passed by all those buildings and through Aeon City itself, he did not have business there today. Instead the car headed out of town and down a second bridge towards Aeon University, the Rogue Islands only school for higher education. Here the buildings were much older, more Victorian Gothic than the pristine silver white steel skyscrapers but they were also a lot more affluent. The Elite of the Rogue Islands lived here.

Eventually the car pulled up alongside a large black gothic-esque townhouse and the driver got out of the car and opened the rear passenger door so that the Arbiter could get out. He escorted him to the front door under an umbrella and the Arbiter pulled the large cord that was the bell.

“Wait here,” he said to the driver without looking at him.
The door was opened by a youngish man with non-descript brownish blond hair. The arrogance of youth caused the man to look the Arbiter up and down. Daos made a mental note to remember that.

“Arbiter Daos,” he snapped at the youth. “To see the Librarian.” He presented the youth with his card. He didn’t normally do that. He was an Arbiter, not only that but the Senior Arbiter with Arachnos and if he wanted to gain access to a building then he would show up and the Proprietors would ensure that access was given. There were exceptions however and this was one of them.

“Of course Sir,” replied the youth in a pleasant tone. “Please be so good as to come in and wait in the Library. I will enquire whether or not the Librarian is in.”

The Arbiter entered the house and was shown into a large oppressive looking room. At first glance the room looked rich and plush however a closer look yielded a different story. The chairs, although of high quality, were threadbare. The lights purposefully lit with low voltage bulbs to obviously save electricity and the carpets were in definite need of replacing. There was once money in this family but like many of the old families in the Rogue Islands, Lord Recluses rule had not been good to this house.

But this house had fared better than most. After all most of the old families had sold their properties and either downsized or paid to relocate. Not only had this family retained the ancestral home but the occupant could still afford a servant and judging by his age, could afford to pay the going rate. Not only that the books on the shelves were very old and extremely valuable. Despite not have much of an expert eye for the arts, Daos did notice several old tomes and one or two first editions that most experts would be amazed that they still existed. Of course, this was the house of the Librarian and Daos knew that this was only the tip of the iceberg.

He wondered over to the large arched window and twitched the heavy velvet curtain to one side to check up on his driver. It was still raining and the driver was leaning up against the Limosine enjoying a cigarette. Although he himself thought the habit disgusting, it was a better vice than most. Arachnos did not mind smokers, especially when the taxes on tobacco were such a good income to Lord Recluse.

Thought I would add mine to the frey:

fire/rad
ill/storm
ice/storm
mind/kin

Thought it would be too good to be true

A simple (albeit possibly silly) question....

Can you activate vengance using a defeated Mastermind Pet as I am thinking of respecing and taking it.

[ QUOTE ]
EBs are meant to be soloable by the right character, AVs are meant to be unsoloable. In practice, my Scrapper can solo EBs without much trouble (aside from one or two, Venessa da Vore being a case in point), and some AT/set combinations can solo some AVs.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think this is correct. I remember taking on Maestro as a tank and amazed how easy he was however it was a different story when I faced him with a fire/rad 'troller. However the same tank struggled to defeat Hercules while the fire/rad 'troller breezed over him!

Vanessa De Vore deals mainly in psionic damage (if memory serves) so some tanks and scrappers will find her hard. She is however easier for debuffers.

As for insps I always have one of each red, yellow, purple and orange up and running at all times when facing EB's. Makes life sooo much easier!

I have a ninja/poison MM which seems to do the job quite well. TBH I reckon any MM will get you through the majority of the storylines but there is the problem of summoning and upgrading everything at the start of the missions.

The good thing about poison is that there are some nice debuffs that make the individual battles go a lot quicker (just make sure they're slotted for accuracy). Ninjas are good for damage too and they're a bit quicker than necro. Their defence is rubbish though.

A stalker may be a good bet if you dont like MM and want to get from Level 1 to 50 quickly but I don't have much experience with them so can't give too much advice.

I thought I would add an update to my original post as last night I managed to defeat Infernal with the aforementioned ninja/poison mm.

I used Valkrysts suggestion but concentrated on taking out his demons first and then concentrated on infernal.I started by attacking then when he summoned directed all my pets to take out his demons one at a time. The moment my pets were down I retreated and resummoned until the demons were all taken care of.

I then retreated again, resummoned, used my purple insps and let a full frontal assault on Infernal whilst repeatedly using my poison debuffs on him. I'm not sure but I think the affects of poison debuffs stack - he certainly seemed to be hitting me less and less as the battle went on.

He managed to summon a second set of demons towards the end of the battle but TBH it was all over by then so I just ignored them. They automatically die when he is defeated anyway.

Thank you everyone who took the time to reply to this post and help me out of a frustrating moment!

P.S - Valkryst - Lilitu was easy

Loving this idea Valkryst but what about my own personal favourite - Nemesis? They could spawn from the underground moles that appear in some of the missions and a badge awarded for taking out the mole. If thats possible from a game point of view. I would have thought that drilling moles coming up from the ground would be harder to do than drop ships but it does keep in with the whole Nemesis theme.

Question - how would this invasion spawn? Rikti invasion spawns when a certain point in the LGTF is reached. Would the idea be to create a similar spawning point in a tf? Would you use an existing TF? (Hess or Citadel are the closest choice but they involve the council) or make up a new tf all together?

Bind commands that will allow you to target the nearest minion / lieutenant / boss would be really handy.

A bind command allowing you to target anyone in your team whether or not they are in your LOS

Just a couple of suggestions

It seems that the ol' hit'n'run technique is worth a shot. I have just got Magus Mu'Drakhen as a contact and Infernal pops up there so I will give it a go and report back.

I have solo'd Calystix a couple of times successfully but I think that was more luck than judgement. Seem to remember taking the aggro of his pets while mine beat him to a pulp but that was a while ago so I could be wrong.

I mentioned Frostfire on heroes before. I have recently discovered if you stay at range then his pets won't attack. its only a problem if you get into melee range with him. Also confusing his pets works wonders (if you are a mind/illusion troller) so thats worth baring in mind. I suppose a similar tactic would work on Infernal but you would have to be a mind dominator to pull that off, of course.

Further comments appreciated.

I solo alot as I like my characters to get all the storylines as they progress from level 1 to level 50. My current main villain is a ninja/poison mastermind and so far has done very well except for one small problem.

Every time I come to face Infernal he serves my [censored] up to me on a plate. The praetorian version on heroes is easy enough as he is basically just a tank but the one on villains is a different matter because he always summons three or four demons that easily take out my minions before having a go at me.

The only way I have found to beat him was to take the "Defeat Infernal" mission at level 32, level-up to level 34 by doing other missions and then do his mission. This way I am a lot more powerful than he is.

Does anyone have any fool proof ways of soloing infernal as a mastermind? or any other villains for that matter.

Incidently, its not just Infernal, any AV / EB that can summon gives me problems - Frostfire is the bain of my life!

I dont know if this has ever been suggested before but I would like to be able to customise the mastermind henchmen a bit. It would be nice if you could choose between male or female henchmen and have limited costume choices or just be able to change the colours of their uniforms.