“Hey guys, Fomalhaut here again, and I wanted to address something I've seen a lot in the comments and other places about which, like, why do people always tell you not to farm the last stage? Of Suppression? The what is it, the Starclose Guardian. What else am I supposed to do with my Supply is what they ask, and what's better. So I'm making a video about that that I hope helps people out.

“So you look at the Starclose gear, it's gold, it's the last in the game, it has big crit numbers. OK, but right away, crit in this game is kind of . . . I mean first of all ults don't crit. Novas. Sorry, I call them ults. Except for Groom Figro, but, and anybody in the future who specifies it, but right now it's just the one. And then you have the other stats, you want Attack, Speed, ult rate, and so where do you fit in crit and make it worthwhile? Mostly on Champions, really. And that's fine, but it's not too many characters, since it's one class, not entirely but mostly, and only on the DPS ones or if they do something on crit, which a bunch do, but still.

“Now we have to think, why are the numbers so big? It's because there's a condition, right? Right, and it's you have to be full health, or over 95% anyway. So newer players, or like ones who haven't farmed as much so they don't know, or they're asking about these things, you use Medics and tanks in every group, right? To get through the story, that's the safe way. But when you're strong enough, I mean really strong, if you look at some of my other videos, the team comps, it's just, heh, it's 5 DPS with buffs and that's it. And you win before anything bad can happen. It works, but they won't be at full health, so you lose your crit stuff with that. So even for your crit Champions, maybe look at Ancient from the Trial, or Ministry, or Enzet's a good one that people overlook because it's earlier.

“Of course I haven't talked about the footage that's running yet, but it's what a lot of people do now. It's farming this guy, the New Eclipse Dragon, for that Ralarum equipment that's good for Eclipses ONLY. More and more of those are coming out though, and we're in a position where, with the enemies, um, you don't need 33% damage or 50% with Sibyl or another intensifier to win with the gear veterans have now. You just put Ralarum on your Hilliarde and Tiboleus and Christmas Hemt and you win. But that's not for new players, all right? Don't make that mistake.”

“Happy 100!” Poppers popped and confetti rose and fell like water from a sprinkler. The Rare closet's normal water dripped as well to make a little clapping sound each time it hit the ground.

Hyune Giling rose and pushed up his glasses. “As your predecessor in terms of reaching the Rare level cap, I thought it incumbent on me to say a few words.”

“Not a soul else agrees.” Half the party-goers, inspired by Stan's words, helped him wrap bandages around Hyune's head and, subsequently, his entire body before dumping him on the floor.

“Fight General Mummy long enough and you become a mummy yourself,” Saptres Muria said.

“Teehee!” The reason for the season, Vinnette Melban, seemed to be enjoying herself ever since she managed to get the party hat over her tiara. The banner above her seat said, “Congratulations on Level 100 Vinnette Melban Rare Quake Medic,” to let everybody know how things stood, some of that in small letters pushed up against the side. Storm officers believed in art, not measuring. Her cushion was stuffed with extra Short Feathers, Long Feathers, and Wide Feathers for the occasion as well.

The Rares were unsure what to do for merriment once Hyune Giling was trussed up, for which reason they untrussed and subsequently retrussed him. Saptres Muria took the record, followed by Clyse, then Ebulan Prav, but there were no losers. Some might have said Hyune lost, forgetting he was level 100 himself and therefore forever a winner.

“When I'm level 100,” Quille Treten declared.

“Yes?”

“Do continue.”

“Hm. I'm not sure. Suppose I'd better do some research if I want to be a good Santa.”

“You're never going to be Santa!”

“Hence the research, young Tramda. Ho ho ho!”

“That's something I've been thinking about,” Dennet said. “Getting to level 100 doesn't really get us anywhere, does it? What do you say, Vinnette? Have all your problems been solved?”

“Yes!”

“Oh. Well, all right.” He looked unconvinced, but seeing Burmin discuss the nuances of spices with Leaznalo while Reginald and Clyse went over the attendees signed up for their next session made him shrug. “Maybe it's just me.”

“It's never just you!”

“I think it might sometimes just be you, Tramda dear, but you're a special case.”

“Thanks, Sindze.”

With Dennet's downer talk headed off, the Rares were free to celebrate Vinnette's ascension and by extension their own, at least for the aspirationals. Sindze U. Radalo had attained 93 already and Quille's cap had been raised, thanks to an ineffectual little guy with a habit of losing his head. The atmosphere grew so joyous as to resemble the conditions a naive Rare might have imagined to prevail in the elemental lounges at all times.

“Is anybody here? Oh, it looks like everybody's here.” The door opened and closed quietly, letting in Cadmos. “I saw a new 100 Rare and came to congratulate her, but I see that's being done. In style, too. That banner makes a huge difference, and so does being surrounded by your friends.”

“There he goes again.”

“Main characters, I swear.”

“In any case, congratulations, Vinnette Melban! It's a real achievement to max out your level. I hear some of the officers wouldn't mind going into Vigilant Patrol with 100 Rares.”

“Thank you!”

“Wait, really? Is that true?”

“It's what I heard, Dennet. 'Why not? It's just idle mode.' That's the kind of thing they've been saying.”

“Sweet!”

“That's all I wanted to say. I'll let you get on with your party without any uninvited URs making things awkward.”

“A great point. You made me realize a lot today, Cadmos. About etiquette and about knowing when to leave. Goodbye!”

“Um . . .” Ulrik paused in his Cadmos-propelling efforts when the party princess spoke. “Before you go . . . tie up Hyune . . .”

“What's that?”

The Rares explained the procedure to Cadmos, and after a warm up, he seized second place. Clyse gave a gracious concession speech, but Tramda Olex demanded she take back what was hers and thereby kicked off a new tournament series. The fever of competition struck, and soon everyone forgot that Cadmos was supposed to leave. Competitive Hyune-trussing, trivia contests, and a variant of chess involving seven officers yelling at either of two players to put the horsey over there broke out all over. Even End of Service was hauled out, the board game few liked and fewer could resist.

They partied all night, and with the approach of the new day put away their toys such as the chess set and Hyune Giling. The qualified officers, including Cadmos, went out in a body to check who had Public Service that day, and rumor said that Vinnette Melban skipped part of the way and capered the rest.