Java Goes Apexis Hunting

Java Goes Apexis Hunting

Sigh, Java can't help herself. She was supposed to be happy with her gear and done with chasing shinys. She was supposed to be done with Tanaan, too, but saw an opportunity she couldn't resist. Java received 2500 apexis crystals when she made it into the Tanaan Jungle. While there, she mostly did some mapping and kept up her routine of gathering flowers and rocks. She kept returning to the the Fangri'la area, though. Her one goal other than just getting settled into Tanaan was to complete the Rumble in the Jungle quest, which requires slaying three elites. She had opportunities, killing one elite, and on another day taking out the first and second elites. But she still couldn't complete the quest without killing the final elite, and she needed help from other players.

She finally got another chance with a full group of five players. Java even tanked the first two elites, although it wasn't that tough given the firepower of the other players. Still, she was happy to do it. The final boss was tougher. Splitting the tanking on the third elite, Java and a warrior tank kept the boss busy while the rest killed it. Java had her Rumble in the Jungle quest completed.

Back at the Lion's Den, Java was checking her gear and noticed that she now had 3,373 apexis crystals. She wondered if there was anything she might be able to buy with them. Well, she quickly learned that she could buy baleful gear with it - for 5,000 apexis crystals she could get an i650 piece of gear! That would be nice to have, if she could get 5,000 apexis crystals. Hmmm.
Java remembers Tiphaine running a weekly quest, Unseen Influence, to collect ten fragments that could be turned in for more apexis - 1,500 of them, to be precise. Another, longer Hmmmm. Doing the math in her head, that would add up to 4,873.

Okay, this is getting serious. She picked up Unseen Influence. There should have been a daily to run, too, but she couldn't find it. Never mind, she can't get quest credit, but she can still go to the quest area and kill things for apexis and fragments. She went to work, slaying her way through the Ruins of Kra'nak and  Zethgor. 

Java was having fun. Sure, there'd been a few close encounters, dipping into single digit health, but hey, she was still alive and laying waste. Then she entered the Temple of Sha'nar. Java wasn't worried. She knew all about the elites in this place and knew how to avoid them. Java took the tunnel into the deeper area of Sha'nar. She easily killed the guards there, but when she encountered her first Demon level 100, she got a little worried. The damn demon was hell to kill! She made some adjustments in both gear and attitude. Stay focused. Tanaan is dangerous.

Java was being careful, but she also wanted her fragments, and there should be at least one or two inside this area. She was also keen to try her luck on a special boss - non elite, but tougher than the normal Demon. And what a lucky break - Java walked right into him. Not so fortunate was aggroing a warlock and a team of slavering dogs as well. It was a great battle, but . . .  Java and her bodyguard were very, very dead.

Getting out of Sha'nar after reviving was almost as tricky as getting in. She made it, though, and limped home to the Lion's Den. Among her loot was an i655 gun she couldn't use, an i650 agility sword that she could equip but didn't need, and an i650 +int trinket that might (but probably won't) be used for healing.

On the brighter side, her pockets were full with the ten fragments she needed. Even better, she won TWO pieces i650 baleful gear, a ring and shoulders. Just a minute, Java wants to crack them open to see if she gets an upgrade. Here goes: The Ring held true at i650. The shoulder gear hit the upgrade jackpot and became an i675! With the new gear she earned EPIC gear level, too! Java's new gear level is now i638.
 
Java wasn't done, though. She still needed more apexis crystals. After tallying everything up, her total came to 4,899. Time to find a good quest.

Java chose the Battle in the West quest to earn the needed apexis crystals. The massive killing spree was again fun for awhile, though if she had to do it multiple times (as Tiphaine did) it would definitely turn into drudgery. Java got her 5,000 apexis crystals, turned in her i575 cloak, and replaced it with a baleful cloak that raised her gear level to i643.

Java still has 1,970 apexis crystals. She is mulling over the possibility of earning another piece of baleful gear. There is some sisterly competition going on now. Java has unmercifully   teased Rakta that she didn't really earn her i644 gear set, acquired mostly with Boosted gold. Rakta won't admit it, but the jab stung. Rakta returned the jab, claiming Java had spent guild money to get all her gear. 

Java nearly exploded, pointing to the months of leveling she had to endure. Java pressed Rakta, challenging her skill and declaring she would top her i644 gear. That would put Java second, behind only Tiphaine, in claiming who had the best gear.

Let the hissing and cat fighting begin.

Tiphaine just smiled. Not a bad day's work.

Update: Later this same day,  Crafty Tiphaine decided to add a twist to the arguing girls, Rakta and Java. Tiphaine has over 23k in apexis crystals. She spent 20k of those crystals to get an Empowered Apexis Fragment. When used on a piece of baleful gear, the i650 item is Empowered and rises to i695. Tiphaine slipped the fragment to Java.

Imagine Rakta's surprise - and fury - when she saw Java's new gear. She's now at gear level i646, number two behind Rakta's i644. Tiphaine is now wondering how to get Sista involved in this little murder party.