>>346264
Shift so the outside of your shield is on the ground and you have your weight on it, then kick off and pivot around so your head is around where your leg is now.

Here comes the tricky part.
Kick your legs off the ground and pull them into a roll so you can to carry the motion into what could have been a handstand. This will have you upside down and facing the mage.

If you can hit him then uncoil your legs and shove off with your arms so your feet slam into where his head is now. This will give you the best chance of injuring and disorienting him while forcing him to the ground.
If he dodges then carry the motion through into a roll to get back to your feet and lunge at him before he can regain his balance.

Either feint so you can quickly get the important stuff out of the way and come in for an attack, or just go for the kick.

>>346266
Oh, and he's preparing a fireball. You want to stay close so he'll burn himself as much as you if he tries it.

Swing the shield up into his face as you recover. It'll take the armor rot, but it won't matter, because then you'll be free to stab that bastard in the face while he's off-balance.

Cmon, you're in close combat with a fucking mage, it's time to be aggressive.

Shield bash, follow up with stab in the eye.

>>346265
Yeah, he's about to fireball you next. Block it and counter with some STABS.

1/2 Fen 2011/09/07(Wed)10:28 No. 346303 ID: c811c4
File 131541651230.png - (28.32KB , 600x600 , 180.png )

>Prepare for a fireball

I've got to stay offensive, but I don't want to chance getting hit with a full blast while trying to stab.

2/2 Fen 2011/09/07(Wed)10:28 No. 346304 ID: c811c4
File 131541653676.png - (50.33KB , 600x600 , 181.png )

He's still pretty fast!

Uh... that's new. That must be the gas ball Momo was talking about. And it was implied he can keep it up while casting a fire... he's not going to do something crazy, is he?

if he is your going to be able to take it better than he can.

Well, whatever he needs to do, he can't do it if you're standing between him and the gas. So PUSH him away from it. Keep up the pressure. If I were him, I'd realize that he can't land a fireball at all if you've got that shield, and preparing gas leaves him open for an attack. He's either banking on this taking you out in one hit through the shield (unlikely) or he's going to rot your shield next instead of lighting the gas. So yeah, keep attacking. Also, be sure to disperse the gas by shoving your shield into it. He could just light you on fire then but you can handle THAT long enough to take him out.

Shit, we should've brought some source of fire ourselves. Then we could eliminate gas pockets at a safe distance, or when he's standing in them.

It's too bad we didn't get the chance to learn to use poisons. If we had, the fight would be won now.

Having the gas directly behind you seems like a bad idea, as gas tends to spread, so he could ignite it by aiming to the side of you.
I think moving to the side and circling around him might be your best bet.

1/4 Fen 2011/09/07(Wed)11:52 No. 346320 ID: c811c4
File 131542155809.png - (39.88KB , 600x600 , 182.png )

>You can take it better than him.

Well, I don't know, he IS a fire mage, I wouldn't think it out of place that he's gotten pretty resilient to his own fire! That gas is close, I'm trying to avoid it, but it's difficult without having to run away. I'll keep on attacking, another stab! Again, only a flesh wound, but if I keep thi-

flick

Uh oh.

2/4 Fen 2011/09/07(Wed)11:52 No. 346321 ID: c811c4
File 131542157322.png - (84.85KB , 600x600 , 183.png )

It's about now that I realized the gas doesn't disperse easily. He keeps it together, and it's like trying to swat away a swarm of gnats. At least it's not behind me?

3/4 Fen 2011/09/07(Wed)11:53 No. 346322 ID: c811c4
File 131542159215.png - (14.62KB , 600x600 , 184.png )

BWOOSH

4/4 Fen 2011/09/07(Wed)11:54 No. 346325 ID: c811c4
File 131542169416.png - (42.39KB , 600x600 , 185.png )

Ow. Ow. Ow.

Oh. I think he wanted to make some distance between us.

Owwwww.

roll a little to put yourself out and run closer, zigzag.

Fen 2011/09/07(Wed)12:25 No. 346331 ID: c811c4
File 131542351365.png - (40.50KB , 600x600 , 186.png )

Alright! I'm up, not on fire, and going to close the distance with zig zags!

Wait a second. Did he just alter the course of the fire ball? He can do that?!

>>346331
Seems so! The fireball is probably going to hit you from behind, but you can't really worry about that since he can cast another one if you try to deal with it.
Forget zig-zagging, just drop into a dead run and tackle him with a shield bash.
[Cast Heal on Fen]

dead run towards him. go fast enough use HIM as a shield.

>>346340
If you're going to cheat, do it right.
>idkfa

1/2 Fen 2011/09/07(Wed)13:40 No. 346349 ID: c811c4
File 131542801591.png - (33.85KB , 900x600 , 187.png )

>Dead run

One, two, three... the fireball is catching up quick, he's already fired another metal eating ball, and is about to shoot off another gas ball! I might barely be able to reach him before he fires a fourth if I keep this sprint straight at him, but...

2/2 Fen 2011/09/07(Wed)13:40 No. 346350 ID: c811c4
File 131542802988.png - (38.29KB , 600x600 , 188.png )

I don't know if I can afford to do a dead run! The metal eater looks like it's going to try and take out my defenses a split second before the others catch up. The gas ball and the fireball will hit me at the same time, if I keep going at the same pace.

go right, hold your breath, and dive THROUGH the gas ball.

>>346350
Catch the gas on your shield. Use the blast from the fireball to launch you at high speeds towards the mage. You'll take a lot of damage but if done right you will get a one hit kill.

>>346352

I second surfing an explosion.

>>346352
>>346354
It's my personal opinion that if a plan would have been schemed by Wile E. Coyote, it's worth trying at least once.

>>346350
The gas and fire will combine if you keep going the same pace? Well, there's an easy solution to that. Throw something at the fireball to disperse it before it catches you. Like your scimitar. Then draw your dagger. You want to keep moving after the rot spell takes out your shield, TACKLE the fucker and stab him to death.

...or, if we're gonna try to surf the explosion, throw the scimitar at the rot spell. We have to get rid of that or the fireball.

1/5 Fen 2011/09/07(Wed)15:31 No. 346372 ID: c811c4
File 131543468733.png - (11.11KB , 600x600 , 189.png )

>>346361
I'd rather throw my dagger at the rotball! I don't think throwing my scimitar would do much against the fireball. Actually, this served as a good test, the dagger didn't do much anyway! Oh well, that's why it was a backup!

2/5 Fen 2011/09/07(Wed)15:31 No. 346373 ID: c811c4
File 131543471781.png - (93.33KB , 600x600 , 190.png )

>Dive through the gas ball, and use the fireball blast to accelerate.

Also, I've come to another realization! Running as hard as I possibly can does not feel nice after being whipped, exploded and tossed around!

3/5 Fen 2011/09/07(Wed)15:32 No. 346375 ID: c811c4
File 131543474083.png - (62.18KB , 600x600 , 191.png )

It hurts almost as much as getting exploded again, only without my shield to cover much of the blast.

4/5 Fen 2011/09/07(Wed)15:32 No. 346376 ID: c811c4
File 131543477284.png - (64.50KB , 600x600 , 192.png )

Can't... really see or feel if I got him...

5/5 Fen 2011/09/07(Wed)15:33 No. 346377 ID: c811c4
File 131543480198.png - (10.17KB , 600x600 , 193.png )

.... eh?

>"Fen!"
>"Ah, good to see you alive, Sir."

>>346377
Ask how long you were out.

Expect to get the life squeezed out of you by Lily.

Fuck yes you are the best gladiator ever!
Also: Feign amnesia and freak everyone out a bit. Needs more shenanigans.

>>346377
Well, you're alive, so I take it you won. Dunno how Death then winner KO's work.

Make sure all your limbs are still in the right places and ask if you won.

>>346380
Presumably the other persons dead, he's not, thus he wins!

Did we win?

1/3 Fen 2011/09/07(Wed)16:12 No. 346394 ID: c811c4
File 131543716088.png - (15.71KB , 800x600 , 194.png )

"Wh.. where am I? Who am I?"
>"F... fen..?!"
"Ahh, I'm kidding, Lily!"

Smack!

>"Fen, don't joke about that! I was so worried!"
"Hahah- o- ow."

Well, I seem to be in one piece.

"So, Kip, uh... did I win?"
>"Of course, Sir. You passed out after flying past Spike. The audience thoroughly enjoyed that fight, and between them and the tournament officials feeling that a stab through the heart was more of a defeat than simply passing out, you were declared the winner. Besides, between you and Spike, you are the only one who can fight in the fourth matchup. You should rest, and then begin thinking about your next fight."
"Oh, right. Who is my next opponent, anyway?"

2/3 Fen 2011/09/07(Wed)16:13 No. 346395 ID: c811c4
File 131543719214.png - (6.64KB , 600x600 , 195.png )

>"A dragon knight."
"Wh.. what?! Who?!"
>"Me, Sir. I've been fighting my own matches whenever you were away."
"What?!"

3/3 Fen 2011/09/07(Wed)16:13 No. 346396 ID: c811c4
File 131543722031.png - (8.22KB , 600x600 , 196.png )

>"Just kidding, Sir."
"Hey! Don't jo- errrg. Well, who is my next opponent, then?"
>"Oh, the first part wasn't a joke, sir. It really is a dragon knight you're fighting next."

does he know which knight it is? and what they can do?

>>346396
So how do I kill you... er, him?

Damn it, Kip flipped the joking tables on us! We are now the joke-ee instead of the joke-er!

Anyway. Get information. Did Kip know him, what are his talents, ect.

>>346396
Oh god. How strong are they? Do we stand a chance? Kindof odd, I thought we were facing Momo next. Or was that the fight after this next one?

Fen Quest (CQ Intermission 3) - End Fen 2011/09/07(Wed)16:44 No. 346405 ID: c811c4
File 131543904636.png - (14.31KB , 800x600 , 197.png )

That's right. After the fight with the Knight, Momo would be next. I'm not looking forward to that.

"Do you know which knight it is, and what they can do?"

>"Yes, Sir. His name is Lance, and, though not the strongest Knight in the kingdom by any stretch of the imagination, he does have an uncanny talent for weapon use. He has been known to make a weapon out of everything. He does not have any magic, aside from his armor, which I will train you in the manner of breaking through. That is very important, as he will most likely not present his eye socket so easily. I will cover more details later, Sir."

"Do I have a chance, honestly?"

>"Right now, you would be crushed in a disconcertingly unceremonious manner. Thankfully, Sir, there is a three day rest, as the tournament is halfway over. Therefore you will have time to train for both the Knight, followed by Momo. Alternatively, you may spend the time attempting to escape into town if you wish for an alternative to the tournament."

"Well, whatever I do, I'm still exhausted. I'm going back to sleep, if you don't mind."

>"Of course, Sir, it is not as though Lily and I are going anywhere, regardless. Although, Momo and your brother have gone to Momo's room to discuss the looks of Kiki, so that Lily may have a disguise. Until then, do rest."

>"Sleep well, Fen."

"Thank you, Lily, Kip. Goodnight!"

Kip is the best NPC.

>>346405
Time is short and the future uncertain, so take Lily to bed with you.

oh huh, intermission end. Cheelop must be waking up.
well alright Fen. see you next time Chee goes to sleep, probably. This whole soultime thing is a bit like a lottery.