End of the Line

Well, short post or not, I'm just gonna say that today at approximately 2:30pm EST, this mage is no more.  You read right, Soulrider1 is gone!  At level 85.65, I've decided to just ultimately pull the plug and simply say that it's not worth continuing when I'm involved in two other games.  Alas, Soulrider1 was chosen as the digit to be severed so the hand may live.  Granted deleting him is a point of no return, but I chose it to be so.

As for this blog, I'm keeping it here as a chronicle.  Yet, it'd be highly doubtful I may find appeal to start over in this game in the future, but now I'm gonna say to all you Isyans, "Farewell, God Bless and may we run into each other again in different games!"

Another Decision

Well, first time in almost 6-8 months since I've actually gone through a normal 2 hour session in game today.  I'm still at this tough decision:  either just continue on my journey to 100 for Warlock or just cut it off right here while I'm still ahead.  But for the time being, I'll just remain dormant like I have been.

My Fiesta story is possibly one of its own.  While browsing around for another MMO game, I just happen to find this and decided to try it out.  Next thing I know and about 15 months and 85.68 levels later, I'm almost hooked.  One highlight was reaching lvl 60 and Enchanter before my b-day along with graduating from the Wolf_Clan academy to the guild itself.  One truth is, after 60, it gets hard or next to impossible to solo the rest of the game without joining a party for such instances as Crystal Castle or Dragon's Tomb.  Just like any other such game, there's always the usual "my gear's more epic than yours" trip and the shoutin out for a party.  I may be a bit competitive, but not so much where winning's the only thing.

In fact, I've already made my decision for now:  remaining dormant until my ultimate one's made.  Once it's made, everything I have goes and this blog'll end and just remain as a chronicle.  So, once more, good fight, good night!

Spiritshade, Jan. 2011-May 27, 2011

A much needed farewell to my cleric, Spiritshade.  Wanted to keep him on but couldn't seem to keep up with two different characters let alone my mage.  The next thing to do was to pick which one to keep.  Answer's a no-brainer there.

It's just the way I am:  only have one character per game.  Just as Fatal says that Fiesta is a two way street now with the free-to-play and pay-to-win trip, this is the truth I'll explain a bit more in another post.  But for now, let's stick to my late Cleric.

At first I wanted to choose the class for their healing abilities, but chose mage instead for their damage and "Elven" charm.  That said, I just have a thing for elves and spell casting.  So, about 8 or 9 months in the game, I decided to create Spiritshade to see what made clerics tick.  I have until level 21 and later decided to choose who to keep.  Soulrider1 was already in his early 70's when Spiritshade was created and had to let 'im go so I can focus more on the mage.  Yet, the name lives on in a couple other games though.

Anyways, long story short, I had the fun of trying out a cleric for the first 21 levels and had to cut 'im off for Soulrider1 to live on.  Good fight, good night!

A Year in Review

Yep, it has been a year since this blog started and maybe 13 or 14 months since Soulrider1 came into the scene.  If you're expecting balloons, piñatas and them other party favors to recognize this first year of "A Mage's Journey", look elsewhere.  This is more of a time to reflect upon my first of possibly several years of this here game.

At time of post as an 85 Mage, I too have gone through a Felldew effect.  For those that never heard of it or Elder Scrolls, here's the rundown which is better explained in the previous post.  So, the short story is even though a fellow mage in Wolf_Clan has made it to 97, it doesn't mean I have to hit it soon.  It just means that I'll make it, but it's gonna take time and patience to get there.

Again, just another short post to keep fresh on the blog and recognizing Soulrider1's 1st year.  Good fight, good night!

I've Come Too Far to Back Down Now!

Well, it had to hit me again.  I had to play around in Isya once more, gettin my Mage groove back.  After some pep talk with Wolf_Clan master Damien14, I've decided to stay on a bit longer.  This time, not be in so much of a hurry to reach 100.

The thing is that both of us are past the halfway mark, Damien being 93 and I'm still 68.  Yet, it's still like Thadon, Duke of Mania said about Felldew (Elder Scrolls:  Shivering Isles for those unaware), craving the next fix, wanting and hating it at the same time, then hating yourself for all of it (if I'm right).  That is, I'd like to quit and delete Soulrider1 to indicate I'm through, but don't wanna do so since I've to start all over to get to where I'm at now.  Long story short, I'll keep playing the game, but not as much as I had.  I've already made my goal of reaching Enchanter before my b-day and I'll leave the rest to time and patience.  I'm no longer in any hurry to reach 100 since the exp. increases insanely more each level.

Anyway, like the post title says, I'll try to not look at it as how far I've to go, but how far I'd gone.  Good fight, good night!

Time to Hibernate

I've thought long and hard about this, but for now, I'm gonna have Soulrider1 hibernate like a bear.  Granted I'm only 32 lvls from Warlock, but from the looks of it, it's gonna be a grind fest just to get him there.  There have been some players that gone for up to a year on just one level.  That's not really me and I've already spent nearly $60 in SparkCash.

On another note, I may end up calling it quits for Fiesta.  First off, I'd only wanted to try it out to see how it's any different than Wizard101.  That's right, Asda Story was the first MMO I can remember playing, but 101 there was the first I'd truly involved myself into.  Second, I've also about 80-90 console games I hardly play much often now.  If so, it had been fun while it lasted and as before, leveling would be such a grind fest.

Until next post (yep, I'm gonna keep posting till I do decide to quit), good fight, good night.  May change my mind later, but this here's gonna be my decision for now.

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1.03.01

65 and Doing Fine for Now

Well, just as it says, I finally made said level last night and already upgraded my Magic Blast and Frost Nova to start off with. The twin swords on my back are just a cash shop item which I gotten at 60 and wanted to use for job change. Problem there was that it came into my backpack the following day but it's alright.


For those who don't know, Magic Blast 3 allows an instant cast and use while running like Lightning Bolt and Blast. Nothing new with Nova 2 other than it being an upgraded version. The fun part: I was able to hit them queen spiders solo with little or no additional help but still would welcome it. With Fear in hand, should they come too close, I'd hit 'em with that and start my usual combo again until they turn back my way.  Other than that, I've a feeling that it's gonna be fine leveling for now.

Once again, til next post, "Good fight, good night!"

Call Me Enchanter Soulrider

After over a month in the 50's, I finally made it!  The Rider is now 60, gotten his Job Change, Chain Cast, Nova and Drain Mind, or Fear as everyone else calls it.  One thing I wanted to do before my birthday on this game was to reach Enchanter and I've finally made it.

Now, the story:  since I had a few SC items saved up for this rainy day except the Crusader set, I went on ahead and suited up with a few higher tier scrolls I collected throughout the lower levels and an Endure brought my HP/SP up to the 4000's.  With that, I made the job change within the hour unlike the one at 20.

During the third part, some academy members came on askin a few things and even the guild master was on at the time to give the buff on top of my concentration scroll and Dark Knight suit.  Even he was surprised himself:  I'm the first to graduate the academy in over a year.  That's because I didn't piddle around wit alts I haven't got and was busy questin while taking a few breaks.  In the end, Wolf_Clan Master Damien14 invited me to the actual guild and I'd gladly accepted.  Still gets better:  so many members left the guild and I became an Admin.  When the chat led to my birthday, even he was surprised at my age.

Long story short, not only did I hit 60 last night, also completed the "Over Time and Space" quests for the promotion and learned the skills above.  Until next time, "go hurt/heal something."

Almost a Month Later...

The post says it all:  I'm at 59.3x as of 6:45PM EST.  Already upgraded my Ice Blast and still not gonna bother w/Life Tap since it costs health to replenish SP when I don't need it.  Don't wanna say this early, but here it is:  one birthday wish for me is to at least make lvl 60 by then if not Enchanter.  That is, should I make said title by then, that'd be great, if not, at least 60.  Been saving a few things for the quest anyway like the dark knight suit I got at 45, some SC items like HP/SP Extender, T3 SC potions and some the usual buff scrolls.  I'm gonna wait and start using these items when I ever do hit said level and find a cleric with a high enough Endure to buff me when I'm ready to take on the job change quest.  Unlike last time where it took me about 5-6 tries, maybe more, I'm gonna make some effort into gettin the Enchanter one done in one attempt and within the hour.  Since I've been hearing the Prestige quest is just talking to NPC's, no need to fight anything special.

As for build, I'm gonna stick to 40 END til I get INT balanced out on the same page.  The decision to start buildin on damage was back at 51, I've been seeing other mages offin weak ogres in a few hits while I take twice as long.  Price to pay just to have extra health and physical defense.  After the decision to start focusin on INT for a while, I've been lookin into gettin gear w/END and INT.  As long as they have the two stats, I'm not worried of anything else on the items.

Everything else is another show, so until then, continue to "hurt/heal something."

50 At Last, 50 At Last!

Yep, you heard it here on A Mage's Journey first.  Soulrider1 has finally reached level 50 last Tuesday and his academy was nice enough to give him a nice upgrade to his mini house.  Just the item reward I didn't want to spend silver on since it's part the item perks.  Now, I'm gonna try to take a week off that to catch up on Ninja Gaiden II which I just gone through the first few chapters in a couple hours.

Again, just another short post and finally finished said console game a few hours back.  Now, the next worry is whether the Wolf_Clan kicked me out for being inactive for a week.  If so, I'll get a hold of a couple in game friends to talk 'em into puttin me back in.

Why the "hiatus" or break?  I've been on the MMO almost everyday since April 11 and wanted to take a little time off to see if I could get a better rest bonus.  Currently, once after 18-24 hours off, the bonus is +10% EXP for 2 hours.  If my figures are right, I may have up to 14 hours.  That aside, I'm ready to get back on it tomorrow and work myself up to Enchanter so I can get Frost Nova, then Inferno.

Updates just ahead.  In the meantime, "go hurt/heal something!"

GM Razia

This happens to be one of the designers, employees, interns or somethin, for Outspark.  This isn't the first time I went into the OX Field for an event involving her, but I happened to get a nice mug of her yesterday.  And yes, that's my current health/ammo with the gear on (mini slime, Power Staff, silk shirt, shoes, and pants, emerald earrings and a couple rings).  I did mention that I'd found a decent level appropriate staff a couple posts back and here it is.

Back on topic, Razia somehow chooses her name off a Magic the Gathering character of said name like I chose Soulrider instead of Solidus off of this one.  There was an "event" goin on at OX field and thought this'll be another chance to get a decent shot of Razia here, but my mage had his eyes closed.  Anyway, she's an archer from the tag on top when I figured her for another mage.

Just like here, Hurricane Lag poured down again and as that other event, I once more braved the ocean of it til I got at least one good mug of this Razia.  Wish I had something else to say than, "go hurt/heal somethin!"

Wolf_Clan

Remember yesterday when I mentioned to take note of the academy name?  Here it is:  couple the first word of the academy name with my mage's name without the "1" and you get this.

By this, I mean the name of my other character where Soulrider1's came from.  I didn't dump The_Black_Hand academy just for the new one's name, but I heard they gave more silver than the second one I enrolled when I first ditched The Hand, SaigoKuusou.  Just in the latter part of last week, I was in Saigo for the "up to 65s (that's silver) for the 54-60 level range and heard the Clan gives up to 100, only if the guild storage has sufficient funds, which I check almost everyday or when I'm nearing the next level.  Anyway, there's also a few on my friend list that's also enrolled and at 50, I'll get an upgraded minihouse which'll replenish my H & SP faster than the basic.

Back to why I left The Hand.  First off, I was the only one in the entire academy that was on at all most the time and they gave no decent perks.  In fact, none at all, only the standard buff at each level progression.  Long story short, I dumped them after hearing SaigoKuusou was advertising their perks and then, the Clan for their better monetary rewards.  Now, go hurt/heal something.

An Assault on Cuteness,...

...But still a better mount.  I'm talkin about my White Tiger 'Coon.  Pricewise, it was between the brown one and the dragon, but I didn't felt like spendin another couple hundred Sparkcash for the latter since white goes better with my mage's name.

Had to make the critter buck though.  Take note of the academy name, that'll be another show.  The "Werebear" title comes wit my new lvl appropriate staff.  Had a 30 staff up until a couple days back because I couldn't find any decent 40 ones that gives more END (that's health and phys. defense for those without a clue).  Then, just the other day, I found such a staff and was able to afford it, so, I obviously snatched it up and build up the new extra health.

To end this post, I found a faster mount than the Hobby and a decent level appropriate staff with +END.  Go hurt/heal something.

Just "Manking" it to the Streets

One of my best strategies while solo:  ice, missile, kite lightning (on the fly), missile, fire, burst, swing, repeat or use next available skill.  That's how I've been offin them critters now.  Should they have more health to off at the first burst, not only will I repeat, but also try to tank.  That is, making sure I'm stocked enough on potions, stones and ammo.

Yep, I had this one quest to off 10 bone imps, 20 goblins, and 30 procks.  While I was in Vine Tomb huntin them procks up, the only way I can get their upper hand is to mank it to 'em.  I was readin on one blog or forum post that "mank" is just a contracted word for mage tank.  So, along with my usual combo, I made it fine.  The catch was that they're projectile creatures, so if I was to burst, I gotta close the gap with my strap and a second lightning en route and hit the burst, hoping it doesn't draw any other unwanted attention.  Long story short, I'm still about twenty levels from any real AOE spells like inferno or frost nova, but can still manage one at a time.

Once again, "go hurt/heal somethin!"

0-60 or Should I Say 28-41?

Well, it's been a long few weeks since Soulrider1's been leveling from 28-41, but he made it.  I thought it'd take at least 6-8 months before he reaches 80-100, but I was wrong, it may be shorter than that.

In only a few short weeks of grinding, questing and perseverance, I've finally gotten my little mage up 13 levels.  The next challenge awaits, the job change to Enchanter and 40 after that, my choice of Wizard or Warlock.  As the levels shave closer to it, the more I look up which would be better and still aiming for Warlock since they can morph into a bird for recon and that's up my alley.  With a name like Soulrider, I should make 'im as stealthy as I can.

My plan for stat building now is that after using 35 of 'em for END, I'll put about 20 for INT.  That or still put the rest of the points onto END for a load of HP and phys. defense.  Anyway, I'll give it some thought when the time comes.

So, until next post, "go hurt/heal somethin!"

Ho Yeah! Made 35 and...

Still hangin on and finally made 35 after about a week.  Also, this final act as 34 by soloing a Zombie Master brought me 64% of the way to 36.  I was tryin to get another Magic Burst in, but this seems just right.  May have lost EXP and wasted scrolls upon each death, but again, still hangin on.

Could've used my confident war cry, "I am the Soulrider", but I can wait til the "Prestige" job change to say that.  It's just that I'd leveled almost twice in one single quest is what's so interesting about this.  In the meantime, "go hurt/heal something."

The Rider Keeps on Going

You can off 'im, you can make 'im lose EXP, but nothing's gonna outlast the Soulrider's determination.  He'll keep on going and going and going...

Sounds kinda like the Energizer Bunny, yeah?  In only a few days time, I'm already up to lvl 33 with Soulrider1 and the XP to the next level is 90K and it's but another stepping stone.  Earlier, I mentioned that it may take a good 4-8 months to get him to at least 100, but the way I'm leveling him, it may be less.  But another challenge is trying to craft enough scrolls to reach at least 1600 points to gain the T2 Vitality which increases max HP by 500 instead of 200 like the T1.  Though, I have a T3 which increases it by 900, but that won't be for a while yet.

So, in the meantime, I'm just gonna try to level at least once per day.  Now, "go hurt or heal something."

At Long Last, Level 30!

I thought it'd take forever to get Soulrider1 to 30, but I pulled him through.  I found a way to grind with more XP per critter offed.  For those without an idea, it's called a Free Battle Zone, FBZ.  Not only did I get to 30, but even reach 31 in a matter of hours, not days.  This would make leveling easier.

Beware the name though, you may get more XP in there to level faster, but if you're hit, you lose double the points.  At my level, it's somewhere along the lines of 430-something EXP lost each time I'm out.  But, in the fbz's, I'd lose about 750-800.

The name fbz says it all, but beware the PVPers who'll off just anyone or create a gauntlet at the exit.  This happened to me several times today by a couple 30-somethin Fighters.  This is just another reason to prepare for there.  Anyways, "go hurt/heal somethin!".

New Heaters for the Soulrider

Granted it may not be too significant, but here's the story of how I came across one.

Just a few hours back, while grinding Ice Vivis in Moonlight Tomb, one of them ended up droppin one of these lvl 30 wands.  Obviously, I had to snatch it up before it's swiped by another player.  Why a wand?  First off, I heard Warlocks can morph into birds for recon, a thing I like doing in games along with stealth or enough shielding to mow through.  If I'm right, it's called the Sad Moon Geste Wand.  Just a little bit ago today, I found a staff with the same name, but ...Staff instead of Wand.  The latter increased my health while the former with the mana.

Anyway, back at lvl 20, I could've chose the wand for my promotion bonus, but stuck to the staff.  So, long story short, I was lookin for a wand and a Vivi decides to drop one for me.  Even though I'll find more as I get closer to 100 when I'll finally choose either Wizard or Warlock.

Slowly Gettin Stronger

I've already introduced him in a few other blogs.  So, for the rest of Soulrider1's progress, I'll post 'em here.

Anyway, he's up to level 29 as of 3 or 4pm today.  Just shortly after that moment, the game crashed or messed up while I was in the middle of offin another Ice Vivi for a grinding quest.  The thing was I had a couple Cleric buffs increasing my HP/SP and a few scrolls for even more health and defense.  A couple hours ago, the server went back on, sending me back to Elderine, losing said buffs and 250HP.  No matter, it didn't send me back to lvl 28 as I feared.

Yet, I was tryin a new strategy to fight:  kite, hit, close in, Burst, repeat while healing when necessary.  For those unfamiliar with the term "kiting", it's basically in my words, "hit and run" on the fly.  For mages my level, the only such spell is Lightning Bolt.

Speaking of lvl 29, he's already c. 23-25% of the way to 30.  Anyway, I'm still gonna try to make this Soulrider as powerful as the other one.  So, "go hurt or heal something."