Creature Handler Archive
Thread: A Tale of A Six Month Quest of Frustration and Victory -- My GPS Story (UPDATED w/PHOTOS 09/15/04)
Page 1 of 2
digiwrath
Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:03 pm
#1
Tycalibur wrote:
It was VERY bizarre, sitting there unarmed with my pet, and not being detected or attacked.
i made a topic about that shortly after the pub 10 patch. they nerfed off their signiature ferocity, as well as that of the swamp stalker. they will no longer insta-spaz on anything within their radius when they spawn, or in general.
TivoTenook
Mon Sep 13, 2004 3:49 pm
#2
this story could inspire the deepest darkness into light. i congratulate you on your trophy, old friend
/deepbow
Hazarstanagge
Mon Sep 13, 2004 4:17 pm
#3
Great tame, GRATS!
Also, what a cool way to relates the expierence..I realy enjoyed the read.
MorningLord
Mon Sep 13, 2004 8:16 pm
#5
I'm not even a creature handler, just a tkm/rifleman, and I'm only in here to learn about other professions, but damn man, that was a nice clean story, well paced and neat. There were a few grammatical errors and some sentences need cleaning up. But you tell a good yarn. I was engrossed.
Tycalibur
Mon Sep 13, 2004 9:17 pm
#6
There were a few grammatical errors and some sentences need cleaning up.
__________________________________________
Noted, and agreed. I went back and re-read it after a few hours. Ick. I am surprised that it had been viewed 96 times. So, thank you to anyone who did. I went back and revised the entire thing start to finish to clear up some things, and correct some things. As a published writer of SW Fan Fic on TF.N, I should know better.
enigma_writer
Mon Sep 13, 2004 10:07 pm
#7
Cheer wildly
You deserve this so much and am very happy you have succeeded in acquiring this wonderful creature. This is one of the reasons I formed BEAST is to help master ch get such prized creatures and am very glad my field guide helped you.
Next time you are on I will log on Naritus to take some screenshots.
Milteck (BEAST)
Master CH
Rare Pet Collector
Leader of Galactic CH Guild_radiant
Tycalibur
Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:54 am
#8
Ok, as I promised after doing the screecher story, here's my newest rare triumph. NOTE: I changed the SWG 'gameplay' up in the story a little to make it a little more 'believeable' as a story, but to keep the gameplay of SWG tied into what is going on in the story. You will hopefully understand what I mean when you read it.
[roleplaying on]
It was another early morning on Corellia. I had flown into Doaba Guerfel after a night of running Mokks into the ground on Dantooine, just passing through, then a notion hit me. It was still early in the morning. I could hear the corellian butterflies chirping just outside the city through the noisy hustle and bustle of the starport, and decided -- against my better judgment -- to set out and take a ride in the cool morning air through the mountains.
I enjoy friendships, and appreciate my friends more than they know in this galaxy. But I also enjoy my freedom. Running crazy on alandspeeder through the Corellian landscape was exhilirating, to say the very least.
Needless to say, the cold ice peaks of the mountains gave me a rush, and I plunged my protesting vehicle at top speed down out of the mountains of Doaba Guerfel, screaming all the way down.
Well, this kind of freedom when you get it -- and it doesn't come often for me -- gives you the notion to take a ride further out, since you already came this far.
So, I did venture out, further and further away from the starport.Before I knew it,I was crossinginto the Corellian flatlands, even dangerously close to the lair of the fabled Lord Nyax. I rode around, received a few comm calls from a friend of mine who was doing some business on Dathomir. We just shot the breeze, and set aside our cares of the current GCW for just a morning.
The entire time, I kept literally SHOVING into the back of my mind what I didn't want to think about. And that was the fact that I had strayed into GPS territory. After 6 months of failed attempts to capture one of these magnificent behemoth cats, I simply adopted a philosophy that -- if I ever ran across one --that I would make an attempt. Until or if that time ever came, I didn't worry about it.
I'm also good at denial.
Subconsciously, I WAS worrying about it. After all, why would I have chosen my X34 for travelling? A swoop would have been so much more satisfying in terms of speed.
But I rode along anyway, not wanting to break my moment of freedom. This time, though, something felt different. There was nothing seemingly special about what I saw...typical krahbus and gurrcats along the way, an occassional Rogue Corsec. Butthe thoughtsof where I was stayed in the back of my mind.
That cat; the fabled monstrous cat with nearly the same attack power and HAM of a standard Dathomirian Rancor. Second in power in terms of wild creatures of its species only to the fabled Mire Marauder of Talus. I knew some good friends who went after Mire Marauders. They never returned.
After a time, I decided to head back to Doaba Guerfel. Subconsciously, I knew I had been searching after all, but had still been enjoying the ride.Although, I no longer deniedthis to myself...my search, that is. The fact that -- in spite of all the fun I had just had -- I was still keeping my eyes open. I started North, and was just kicking back with what was left of the cool morning breeze blowing through my Lekku....
....suddenly, a flash of brown &crimson blazedover my eyes, I heard a roar, and before Icould even think aboutit -- Iwas knocked clean from my speeder. The force of thehit to my midsectionfelt like a hand (or a paw) the size of my own head. And it HURT.
I staggered to my feet, and started to pull my radar out of my pocket,realizing in an instant that I didn't need to.Before me stood theadult, circling slowly like a Sullustian Shark, and bearing down on me, preparing to strike. I immediately put two fingers between my lips and gave a harsh, loud whistle. My Level 69 Bio-Gurreck, Kijo, came rushing out of my Landspeederfrom behind me and intercepted the beast before it could do anything else to me. I ran back to my vehicle. I had to act.
Still bleeding like a stuck Boar Wolf,I took a moment while Kijo held the monster at bay and dug around in my Landspeeder for what I needed. Yes, there it was. The best of the best of my guns.And off in thedistance, theself-proclaimed nemesis in my mind was doing battle with the best of the best of my pets. A creature I had battled many times and had been obsessing over in the last 6 months.
The weapon, which I pulled from my backpack in my X34, was my seldom-used Krayt Laser Rifle. I did not hesitate, the safety was already off. Once in range, I opened fire. Volley after volley of strafing and stunning attempts. Yes, I thought, this one is stubborn like they all are. Together, Kijo and I took down the creature in just a few moments.
But I was lucky this time. Just like I was every time. The close brush with death each time I went in search of one of these creatures usually resulted in my near-death, and parts of my body having to be re-cloned. When it was over, I walked to the corpse of my opponent.
The Great Plains Stalker adult laid dead at my feet in the edge of the water where I had ended it. I always end it mercifully with a shot to the head. Although they are great game, I have kept in mind the field guide produced by fellow veteran Master Creature Handler Milteck over the holonet of late, and have kept in mind that these beasts are endangered... so inmy personal opinion,there is no point in making them suffer when you take them down.
In my entire lifetime, I have probably seen close to two dozen of these creatures near the wooded waters of the Corellian riverbanks. They are, even in adult form, a sight to behold. So very like their descendant cousins, the Greater Sludge Panthers of Talus, yet so different. Pure power in a package of intimidating size, especially for a cat. The first time I'd ever even heard of them, I was shocked. Many I passed the tale onto about these animals were equally surprised that they even existed.
"There will be more," I thought to myself suddenly, my thoughts returning to the present. Must've been a surgeof the Force within me.....
My intuition was answered immediately, and I sent Kijo into hiding. I always try to study each one before I strike it. I pulled my radar tracking device from my gunner's duster. The device showed a red blip approaching at 72 metres. The energy readings were as the last GPS -- off the scale. I was ready.
I whistled again for Kijo, who came out from behind her tree,bounding past me at breakneck speed at the creature, the wind of her passing by causing my cloak to billow underneath me. The GPSwas caught as surprised I was when the first one attacked me. I raised my Krayt Laser, powered it up, and opened fire, again ending it mercifully for my opponent.
Then.... all went silent again. The silence following the end of a battle with a GPS always seems to be eerie as you wait it out. Don't you think?
Quite some time passed. Again, I sent Kijo into hiding. I decided to pitch a camp nearby. The area seemed to be crawling with them this Corellian morning, I decided.
I sat, unarmed in my camp for a moment to take a breather. I was exhausted from the adrenaline rush that had come from the earlier driving around, then coming across not one, but two adults.
You can imagine my shock when yet aTHIRDadult came out from behinda tree not5 metres from my camp. My scent mask was still on, fortunately, and I was unarmed. I wasn't sure at the time, but I think the beast can sense when you are going to be hostile, and when you are not. At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to just rest.
I silently motioned for Kijo to join me this time. She came to rest at my side. I studied the creature, closer than many mortals have probably ever gotten to it without becomingshredded GreatPlains Stalker breakfast. This one was a female. How do I know this? It was the way she acted (and because of what happened next). She didn't attack, but stared at me curiously for a few minutes. I dared not move while she eyed me up. She made direct eye contact with me for a few agonizingly tense moments. At first, I thought she was just going to walk away and let me be...
Kijo reared up without warning suddenly and growled. She sensed something. Thank goodness my pets are quicker on the draw than I am. The two ran straight at each other and slammed body-to-body in mortal combat. This third Plains Stalker seemed far more angry than the last. Her attacks on Kijo were of a viciousness I had not seen the likes of. She was out for blood, but she had to have been protecting something. I know she was. I was so mesmerized that it took me a moment to regain my conscious thought to focus on the task at hand and protect my pet. I once again engaged my rifle and did the merciful headshot to take her down.
I stared down at her dead body for a long time....
...why....
....so long that I didn't notice my radar device at my side beepingfranticallyat me.
What was that all about, I thought? Why did she just stare at me and not attack? I also couldn't explain Kijo's behavior, but I sent her back to rest by my vehicle until we left.
My radar continued to beep impatiently. Ifinally yanked it up to my face thinking, Geez, what NOW?
A lone,yellow dot stood on my radar, registering as high energy for its size, but not aggressive. Then I looked up.....
.....and thevery crux, the pinnacle of what I had been searching for for the last 6 months crawled out from under some protective brush.
My first thoughts were of guilt. I couldn't help but feel some semblance of guilt. I had, after all, taken out its mother. She was protecting him...so it made sense now. It was a baby, male. He simply regarded me with a child-like, curious look.
I had to take him in...raise him as my own. But also, I had to take the responsibility of being his caretaker now that his parent was dead.
I slowly walked toward him. I disarmed. I covered myself again in a scent mask, just in case. I remembered my encounter previous with a mantigrue screecher baby I almost lost due to foolish, impatient and miscalculatedactions. I would make no such mistakes with this baby if I could help it. I knew this one was going to have to be taken in carefully, and I was going to have to use all my skills to succeed. I cleared my throat and conjured the most confident and gentle voice I could muster...
"Don't be scared," I said, going through the motions I had gone through what had seemed like a million times before, only this time -- trying to be a million times more careful.
The creature started to run away, but looked back at me and decided his curiosity was worth giving me my time to speak to him.
"Don't bite me," I tried again, focusing all of my will into not appearing frightenedof him.
He began to sprint toward the riverbank. No! I immediately pursued before my concentration broke. I knew he could still hear me.
"Steady,"I said.
He began to walk toward me. This was it, the moment of making or breaking the deed I was attempting to do.
He did not attack.
Another moment passed......
He did not walk away. I reached my hand out, and pethim on the head. He nuzzled my hand with his head.
[You have successfully tamed the creature.] 
I stood up, and he followed me. This was finally it. I clapped my hands together so hard they stung and threw my arms up in the air wildly. He was MINE!
I was so happy. This was my victory dance. Happier than I've ever been in my short life in this big galaxy. My most crowning achievement yet as a creature handler. I was joyous, overjoyed.....
.....so overjoyed I didn't see the other two, VERY angry male adults that had come out from under the brush and were stalking me.
But Kijo sensed them, and this time she came back out on her own, fronting the attack by herself. My Bio-Engineer friendwho birthed her in the lab sure did a good job, because my poor newly tamedpet might have been incapacitated or killed by these monsters in an effort to re-claim him.
I put my new GPS in my now-dead campsite, and stowed him in the tent. I raised my rifle and let loose multiple volleys of strafing on the two adults to help Kijo. Finally I killed the two remaining ones, called Kijo back to me, and made sure she was ok, applying first-aid to her (even a CL69 gurreck gets a little beaten up after going a few rounds withfiveGPSs!).
So ended my morning, with quite a shockingyet triumphant ending.
I made sure the area was clear. It seemed that it was, but I did not wish tosearch anymore, nor exterminate the entire GPS populationin the area. Plus, with mid-day approaching, I could notfind a reason to stay any longer. I hopped back into my landspeeder with Kijo, and my newlytamed friend. He purred lightly (did you know a GPS purring can rattle the seats?). Kijo sniffed him and turned her head away indifferently.
We headed for home, where I would put Kijo away and begin my newest pet's training. I would have to think of a name for him, but thatcould wait. For now, the elation of knowing my search had indeed at lastcome to an end would be enough.....
Thank the Force for today's spawn!
~~Tycalibur Bakado/Naritus Server
===========================================================
[roleplay OFF]
I want to thank my friends who kept believing in me as a MCH, even when they dropped CH for a FOTM profession. I also want to extend a very special thanks to Milteck (enigma_writer), who kept me going after I had given up. So many of my friends were getting successful tames, but not me. Nothing but big old, mean adults. lol
Seriously, Milteck, thanks. I mentioned you in the story for that very reason. BEAST is a great organization, and because of our support of one another, I didn't give up, even after 6 months of searching.
IN a nutshell, I killed 3 adults, tamed one baby, then killed 2 more adults. It was likely a double spawn. Oh, and the part in the story about the GPS spawning not 5 meters from my camp....the truth. I believe I got a screenshot of that. It was VERY bizarre, sitting there unarmed with my pet, and not being detected or attacked.
And to those that are curious where the waypoint of the spawn occurred, of course I will provide that information.
It was at 618 -1396.
It was a long road. And yes, I admit to being jealous of some of you guys when you got your tames, but gratified to see the GPSs still being tamable. And to any of you that are still looking DON'T GIVE UP! You WILL get one sooner or later, and it probably won't take as long as it did me.
So anyway, that's my GPS story. Hope you liked it.
Tycalibur Bakado -- Senior Guild Leader -- The Order of Praxeum/Naritus -- BEAST Correspondent for Naritus BEAST Chapter
Tycalibur Haruhara -- BEAST -- Radiant Server
Pictures
Kijo, the CL69 BE Gurreck, whom I am very proud of for helping me get the job done.
http://www.swgscreenshots.com/photo/?p008192
GPS Vs. Kijo 1
http://www.swgscreenshots.com/photo/?p008186
GPS Vs. Kijo 2
http://www.swgscreenshots.com/photo/?p008187
Tamed GPS Baby -- The reward of 6 months of not giving up!
http://www.swgscreenshots.com/photo/?p008189
Message Edited by Tycalibur on 09-16-2004 03:31 PM
Tycalibur
Wed Sep 15, 2004 3:24 pm
#10
Ok, some screenshots to add to the event (shoulda put these up days ago).
Kijo, the CL69 BE Gurreck, who I am very proud of for helping me get the job done.
http://www.swgscreenshots.com/photo/?p008192
GPS Vs. Kijo 1
http://www.swgscreenshots.com/photo/?p008186
GPS Vs. Kijo 2
http://www.swgscreenshots.com/photo/?p008187
Tamed GPS Baby -- The reward of 6 months of not giving up!
http://www.swgscreenshots.com/photo/?p008189
Tycalibur
Grambacca
Wed Sep 15, 2004 5:02 pm
#11
Congrats man! Nice story, makes me wanna go looking for my GPS now!
Page 1 of 2