The Great NM Offensive
1 October 2008 by AzulmagiaWell, it’s definitely been awhile since we’ve updated, so I’m going to try and get things caught up.
Dropping Like Flies
This BCNM is (admittedly) the first I’ve ever won. I unfortunately had to duck out of my first party because I was going to be late for work. They were still there for me when I got back, though, so I was thankful for that. Our party set-up consisted of me (BLU/RDM), Alraunne (SMN/WHM), Chrisstreb (SMN/RDM), Tiupiu (SMN/WHM), and Mistweave (THF/NIN). It was a very easy BCNM – our strategy was to have Mist run in and get hate from the flies and use Perfect Dodge once her shadows were down. The SMNs then spammed Diamond Dust while I used AoE spells and enfeebles and kept Mist cured as needed. The flies went down quickly enough, and we set the server record for the BCNM. The Emperor Hairpin did drop and since it was my orb, I got it. I also got a scroll of Magic Finale and a Wyvern Mantle, and let Rau have the Mannequin Head.
Befitting a Blue Mage
I didn’t have that Emperor Hairpin for long. About a week later, after totalling the amount of Gil I would need in order to purchase the materials for my artefact armour (and other supplementary level 50-60 gear), I figured I was approximately 350,000 Gil short of being able to afford it all. Being level 50 at the time, basically the only way I was going to be able to afford it all (in a timely manner) was to sell my Emperor Hairpin. I had about 11,000 Gil to my name, and it cost 10,000 just to put it up on the Auction House (for 500,000 Gil). It sold within ten minutes. So, after that, every Japanese day I gave the supplies and payment to have my clothes made, one piece at a time, until I had, in addition to my charuqs, my shalwar, bazubands, and jubbah. I still haven’t been able to do the quest for my keffiyeh. In addition to my AF, I bought myself new earrings and a cape. What was left of it went to skilling my woodworking and smithing so that I could make goldfish bowls for Rau and me during the summer festival. I’m now level 59.
The Paladin in the Sunlit Rose Garden
I’ve been working on Paladin a lot, too. I recently got to the big 30 so that I can wear Eisen gear, Mercenary latent gear, and other goodies, like my Ajase Beads. I solo’d most of the way from 10-20, and I had excellent parties in Qufim and Yhoator to get to 30. /BLU seems to be a marvelous subjob for soloing, meriting a higher VIT score than /WAR (after spells) and about the same HP with a decent MP boost. Cocoon also bolsters PLD’s already high defense into the stratosphere. I’m also looking forward to having Auto Regen at 32 (BLU16) and Auto Refresh at 35. Anyways, back to Yhoator. I ran into an interesting character in a random tunnel in Yuhtunga on the way to my party: Rose Garden. It was out of its pop zone, of course, but it was already claimed, much to my dismay. It wasn’t moving, however, so I figured someone must have slept it and fled after realising it was too tough or something. It eventually lost claim and slithered back to its nest. At that point, I called my friend Nuilvian to the scene (since I clearly had no chance as a PLD29) where he then took it on as a WHM75/SCH37. He nearly gave me a heart attack, starting the fight with a mere 73 MP. Nuil’s skill was quite exceptional, however, and he won quite handily despite a few close calls. In fact, he never once cast a curative spell.
I am now the proud owner of a Malboro Vine.
The Great NM Offensive
So Tiupiu, Chrisstreb, and I are now on a crusade to find and defeat every standard NM from the lowest levels up. I love hunting NMs, so naturally, this is exciting to me. For sanity’s (notably mine) sake, we started in West Sarutabaruta to hunt for Nunyenunc and Tom Tit Tat. Big, big news for me. I had been camping Tom for months and have yet to see him. That was all about to change: right after we defeated Nunyenunc (I actually one-shotted it with a 548 damage Pinecone Bomb on BLU59) and got Nyunyu her Pilgrim’s Wand, we ran into Tom Tit Tat. I was very, very, very excited. To say the least. I really didn’t want to kill him. So Nyu did instead. </3
On the other hand, I now own a nice, new pair of Fruit Punches. <3
We then continued onto East Sarutabaruta where we didn’t have nearly as much luck. After about two hours, we were able to get Sharp-Eared Ropipi to pop, but no sign of Spipi at all.
The very next day, I logged in right next to Spiny Spipi. Mist Silk Cape dropped. That’s twice in a row for me now. I could be onto something. Maybe. Hey, Nadrs dropped twice in a row, too. My luck can’t be that bad, can it?
Anyways, I guess that’s all for now. There’s Blazin’ Buffaloes going on right now, but it doesn’t interest me much, really. Especially since Dash Sash isn’t a prize this time around. Oh well, Rau can fill you in on that. She and Nyu seemed to enjoy it. I’ll probably do the Ronfaure NMs next. I’d really like a Rabbit Charm. Or 150k so I can buy one. Maybe it’ll convince me level THF for BLU/THF again.
