[outdated] Caustic Arrow Solo Map MFer (20/300+)

https://www.pathofexile.com/passive-skill-tree/AAAAAwIAAF4DHgYjCC4PqxUgFr8ZihmOGbQbyB9BJIsmlS2DNj1JE1VLYeJirGyMbWx1y3aCfXWJ4JMflwabjZ2qtNG7476nwzrEosgMy73TfuOE5ljmge2D73r2o_66

This is another tale about Fog, my poison arrow Scion, and her encounter with the nefarious villain, Hobbs. Skip if not interested.

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In one of Sarn's worst neighborhoods lived Hobbs, a mean-spirited cheat. Hobbs greatest pleasure in life was the swindle. Posing as a vendor, Hobbs would offer items of great value for sale to unsuspecting buyers. At the moment of purchase Hobbs would secretly replace whatever high value item was being sold with a worthless item of similar appearance.

Hobbs' eyes lit up as a prospective mark appeared.

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"What can I do for you, fair lass?," inquired Hobbs in his most solicitous voice.

Cautiously, the target of Hobbs inquiry approached Hobbs' booth.

"I'm looking for a chestpiece capable of warding off the most powerful attacks. It must be of the finest workmanship and free of blemish. I'm prepared to pay handsomely for such a piece," said the lass.

"Indeed. Indeed! I have just the thing you're looking for," replied Hobbs, scarcely concealing his greed.

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What luck!, thought Hobbs. This swindle couldn't be easier. The mark - a slight women of average height - was all alone without retainer or guard or indeed anyone to protect her... and, from the sound of it, she was rich!

Upon further inspection the lass waiting at Hobbs' booth did appear to be armed; but only with a bow. Hobbs wore a sturdy coat of ringmail underneath his outer garments, proof against any arrow the lass might fire.

Yes, thought Hobbs, this was going to be a piece of cake.

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"You've caught me at just the right time," continued Hobbs. "Just yesterday I acquired this chestpiece."

"The craftsmanship, as you can see, is of the highest caliber. In fact, this brigandine is twin to one worn by the great Havoc himself."

The lady seemed to be impressed as she examined the chestpiece.

"I'll take it," she said mater-of-factly.

"Well, now," said Hobbs, rubbing his hands together in glee. "That's all well and good... but there's the small matter of price. This brigandine is worth no less than five exalted orbs."

Five exalted orbs was an enormous sum. But the chestpiece Hobbs displayed was one of the finest in all of Wraeclast and was worth the price he named.

"Fine," said the lass. "Here, take your sum."

And with that, Hobbs took the orbs and in return gave a brigandine to the lady.

Only it wasn't the brigandine Hobbs had earlier shown; instead, as the exchange was being made, Hobbs replaced the original chestpiece with a worthless counterfeit.


As usual, Hobbs' mark was unaware of his duplicity. The lady unknowingly took the counterfeit chestpiece and walked away from Hobbs' booth.

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As soon as the lady disappeared into the crowded marketplace, Hobbs packed up his booth and headed immediately for home. It wouldn't be wise to be seen in this area for the next few months. An angry mark often proved dangerous, and so, was best avoided.

Once home Hobbs withdrew the five exalted orbs from his pocket in order to place them inside a sturdy lockbox he kept under his bed.

That's strange, thought Hobbs. These orbs are a mess. Perhaps I should clean them.

And so Hobbs began to wipe off the orbs which had somehow become coated with a sticky green substance. But as he worked to clean the orbs, Hobbs began to feel ill. Something was wrong. Very, very wrong.

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Later that day, the lass was observed in town. And she was wearing a new piece of armor.