The Silent Spearman had just finished a fun evening of running around in the Mayoi Hills murdering things for their meager belongings. It had been fun for him (less so for Chinook, who had fallen at the hands of Zefirs, Lugians, and combinations of the two numerous times), and it looked like the night was about to come to an uneventful conclusion.

Lightning Yari in hand, the mute warrior crested the hill with all of the ungodly speed that starting with 10 Quickness will give you. The Yari, unlike the speed of it's wielder, though, was certainly noteworthy. A gift from fellow mid-20's monarch Mr Smack, the weapon was finely crafted (3-11 base instead of the usual 3-9) and possessed the ability to ignore most metal armor. A fearsome weapon, and since obtaining it, the Silent Spearman had had to refuse offers of 5k, a mote, and finally 5k and a mote, opting instead to keep the yari in question as his trusted PvP ally and route to victory.

The Lifestone had two interesting figures skulking nearbye. Bagheera, an early 20's mage and killer of the innocent in Yanshi, and his croney The Lord Nun, a tireless warrior and highwayman who would pounce on the weak and injured in the South Dires with evolution-challenged lapdogs like Elemental Blast and Soul Reaper at his side in case the prey proved too much for him. The two murderers were at ease, safe in the assumption that while a lone target is easy prey, two is a formidable force.

The Silent Spearman knew this was just an illusion. He knew that in a one on one fight with The Lord Nun, he would EASILY win. An unarmed item cannot deal with a Spear/Item who was built to fight hand to hand. The problem was Bagheera, who, TSS knew, was more than a match for him if buffed.

The trick was that Bagheera, who was just sitting around shooting the shit with The Lord Nun, was probably unbuffed. And so Silent chose this time to strike, and avenge the deaths of the many innocent shoppers and travellers who had met unfortunate ends at the hands of the duo in question.

Tearing across the mountainside like a man possessed, the mute gladiator (fully buffed with LV III Item spells on his weapon and shield) tore into Bagheera while the surprised mage fumbled with his wand.

You blast Bagheera for 31 points of lightning damage!
You shock Bagheera for 14 points of lighting damage!

Bagheera says, "Helkas Quasith".

The effect of the incantation was immediate, as Bagheera's form, near death, was surrounded by an effective protective field.

You jolt Bagheera for 6 points of lightning damage!
You shock Bagheera for 7 points of lightning damage!

Then, of course, Bagheera started the predictable Drain festival.

You lose 31 points of health from Bagheera casting Drain Health Other I on you.
You lose 24 points of health from Bagheera casting Drain Health Other I on you.
You lose 19 points of health from Bagheera casting Drain Health Other I on you.

It was about this time that The Lord Nun finally removed his thumb from his ass and joined in the defense.

Silent knew that if Bagheera did not fall soon, he was in deep trouble. So he took aim at Bagheera's head and charged his attack bar to full.

You run Bagheera through!

Though the Lord Nun was about as effective and formidable as Stuart Little compared to the Silent Spearman, his relentless attacks were wearing down the big guy's stamina. After a duo of failed attempts to heal himself, TSS decided that instead of dieing to The Lord Nun's pecking electric cestus, he'd whip out his wand and portal recall.

Buff and rest. Full stamina, full buffs again.

Lord Nun made the GRAVE mistake of still being there when he returned. It wasn't even close. After exchanging a few misses, it went like this over a period of five seconds.

You blast The Lord Nun for 42 points of lightning damage!
The Lord Nun jolts you for 2 points of lightning damage!
You shock The Lord Nun for 42 points of lightning damage!
You evade The Lord Nun's attack.
Your lightning coruscates over the Lord Nun's fried remains!

That is what The Lord Nun gets for wearing Yoroi leggings. The Silent Spearman, of course, was wearing Reed Legs and his newly acquired Matty Coat.

This is just a snippet of what life is like on Darktide! Come to the Darkside!

TSS

PS: Hope you enjoyed this story, tell me if you'd like to hear more about the Source on DT's exploits!