The Sea of Data, a massive collection of unused and deleted data, where memories of the past...
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.SAO//Sign lag backup thread.
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Redon
the baka nerbie
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The Sea of Data, a massive collection of unused and deleted data, where memories of the past float around inactive and forgotten, until a need arises great enough for someone to pull them back up from the void.
"Welcome back to the world ... and I'm sorry."
A clean tone rings out of the darkness signalling your return to consciousness.
[embed=425,349]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN987vxtiuQ[/embed]
The first thing you notice as you slowly bring yourself back to consciousness is pain.
Not sharp agonizing pain that comes from being injured, but the dull constant ache that comes being in an uncomfortable position for too long.
A part of your mind whispers to you that this is a familiar sensation.
A more traitorous part mentions that you are just as familiar with the other type of pain as well, with images of a man standing over you, hand raised in anger coming to mind.
That really doesn't matter at the moment, as you slowly become aware of the slightly warm wood bench you appear to have been sleeping on. You should start by figuring out where you are.
Slowly leveraging yourself up, you grab your staff while looking around the area, taking in the large entryway, high vaulted ceiling, the Gothic pillars lining the rows of benches facing
the raised dais on top of a small stairway.
It is framed by a beautiful stained glass window that is illuminated by the early morning sun.
"Where am I? This is ... Hulle Granz Cathedral, but why is that here?" Your voice is soft and effeminate in your ears.
That being the Chaos Gate currently occupying what should be the normally empty Dias at the front of the room.
Also, you don't remember ever seeing one of them being so fancy, instead of the usual blue circle surrounded by a gold ring there are larger three ornate rings spinning in opposing directions around a much smaller blue center.
"What was I doing before I fell asleep?" An image of a floating cat and a chest opening flows through your mind, then darkness.
You look down at yourself and note the gray robes hanging loosely on what appears at first glance to be a slender male figure. Right, so you are a guy then, that sounds about right to your own mind.
"This is The World right? But ... Who am I?" The name Tsukasa flashes through your mind, but no details follow it. You guess that's your name in The World at least, but what about your real name, try as you might you just can't seem to remember it.
'And what should I do now?' As panic starts to rise from the realization that you have no details of whom you are beyond flashes of painful memories, your first response is to.
[X] Walk over to the chaos gate and log-out.
[X] Go back to sleep, this is all a dream and when you wake up you are sure that it'll go away.
[X] Explore the church, maybe there's a clue to what's going on somewhere.
[X] Walk to the entryway and head outside.
"Welcome back to the world ... and I'm sorry."
A clean tone rings out of the darkness signalling your return to consciousness.
[embed=425,349]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN987vxtiuQ[/embed]
The first thing you notice as you slowly bring yourself back to consciousness is pain.
Not sharp agonizing pain that comes from being injured, but the dull constant ache that comes being in an uncomfortable position for too long.
A part of your mind whispers to you that this is a familiar sensation.
A more traitorous part mentions that you are just as familiar with the other type of pain as well, with images of a man standing over you, hand raised in anger coming to mind.
That really doesn't matter at the moment, as you slowly become aware of the slightly warm wood bench you appear to have been sleeping on. You should start by figuring out where you are.
Slowly leveraging yourself up, you grab your staff while looking around the area, taking in the large entryway, high vaulted ceiling, the Gothic pillars lining the rows of benches facing
the raised dais on top of a small stairway.
It is framed by a beautiful stained glass window that is illuminated by the early morning sun.
"Where am I? This is ... Hulle Granz Cathedral, but why is that here?" Your voice is soft and effeminate in your ears.
That being the Chaos Gate currently occupying what should be the normally empty Dias at the front of the room.
Also, you don't remember ever seeing one of them being so fancy, instead of the usual blue circle surrounded by a gold ring there are larger three ornate rings spinning in opposing directions around a much smaller blue center.
"What was I doing before I fell asleep?" An image of a floating cat and a chest opening flows through your mind, then darkness.
You look down at yourself and note the gray robes hanging loosely on what appears at first glance to be a slender male figure. Right, so you are a guy then, that sounds about right to your own mind.
"This is The World right? But ... Who am I?" The name Tsukasa flashes through your mind, but no details follow it. You guess that's your name in The World at least, but what about your real name, try as you might you just can't seem to remember it.
'And what should I do now?' As panic starts to rise from the realization that you have no details of whom you are beyond flashes of painful memories, your first response is to.
[X] Walk over to the chaos gate and log-out.
[X] Go back to sleep, this is all a dream and when you wake up you are sure that it'll go away.
[X] Explore the church, maybe there's a clue to what's going on somewhere.
[X] Walk to the entryway and head outside.
Last edited by a moderator:
Redon
the baka nerbie
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Alright, putting aside the pressing questions about who you are for a moment, you decide to try to figure out what is going on, because no matter how hard you try the only images you get are an outline of that man, bottle in one hand and fist raised in the other, and you really don't want to think about that at the moment.
A quick glance at the front of the church continues to display that weird looking Chaos Gate, it's like they upgraded or something since the last time you woke up, but that would be impossible without you being kicked offline, wouldn't it?
Anyway, you put that out of your mind as well for the moment, a stray thought notes you are really good at ignoring things it seems, you wander down the aisle searching for a clue as to why you were sleeping in the church in the first place.
The somber background music continues to fill the air as you peer under random benches and between the pillars noting the markings of a long gone epic battle that once took place in this building and wonder what great event must have occurred in this place to leave such marks.
'It just my luck that there'd be nothing to be found,' goes through your head as you reach the end of the aisle. It's only on turning around to head back towards the Chaos Gate that you notice the chest hidden in the shadows of the corner alcove.
An unfamiliar green cursor appears over the chest upon noticing it, proving once again that you are indeed in a game, even if the particulars seem different from what you can remember. Even the chest appears different from the one in your memory, a simple wooden box instead of the decorative chests you recall are typical in The World.
Walking towards the chest, you note that it lacks the blue coloring that marks a trapped chest and figure it safe enough to open, your curiosity peaked on what might be inside. Smacking it with butt of the staff in your left hand causes it to fly open, and another unfamiliar looking message box to appear, though it appears you received 10 <Spell Xialin>'s, 10 <Magic Amber>'s, and 10 <Fan Oolong>'s.
After spitting out an absurd amount of items the treasure box disappears, leaving behind another surprise, a glowing message appears in the air. You just hope this will be the clue to what is going on that you have been searching for.
Nope, that did not help at all, in fact all it does is raise more questions, like who was the Goddess? Why did she flee and let her world end? And just what is this darkness that is now approaching?
A sigh escapes your lips as you take one last look around for anything else you might have missed, but find nothing. Well, if nothing else you can look at the items you got from the chest, though they should not be all that valuable if it gave you that many of them.
Now all you have to do is open your inventory and ... well that's odd, your menu doesn't seem to open, maybe you did it wrong guess you'll try it again...
Several minutes, and many increasingly frantic attempts later, you are forced to admit to yourself that the menu is not going to open. All that panic you'd put aside to search the church is now back in full force and you'd REALLY like an end to this nightmare.
So Tsukasa, you are all alone, mostly amnesiac, and approaching a full blown panic attack, what do you do now?
[X] The Chaos Gate, logging out is the quickest way to end this nightmare.
[X] This has to be a dream, going back to sleep will end it right?
[X] Go outside and find a mob, maybe dying will reset the UI. Though you can't seem to remember any mobs being on Hulle Granz Cathedral's map.
[X] Something else?
A quick glance at the front of the church continues to display that weird looking Chaos Gate, it's like they upgraded or something since the last time you woke up, but that would be impossible without you being kicked offline, wouldn't it?
Anyway, you put that out of your mind as well for the moment, a stray thought notes you are really good at ignoring things it seems, you wander down the aisle searching for a clue as to why you were sleeping in the church in the first place.
The somber background music continues to fill the air as you peer under random benches and between the pillars noting the markings of a long gone epic battle that once took place in this building and wonder what great event must have occurred in this place to leave such marks.
'It just my luck that there'd be nothing to be found,' goes through your head as you reach the end of the aisle. It's only on turning around to head back towards the Chaos Gate that you notice the chest hidden in the shadows of the corner alcove.
An unfamiliar green cursor appears over the chest upon noticing it, proving once again that you are indeed in a game, even if the particulars seem different from what you can remember. Even the chest appears different from the one in your memory, a simple wooden box instead of the decorative chests you recall are typical in The World.
Walking towards the chest, you note that it lacks the blue coloring that marks a trapped chest and figure it safe enough to open, your curiosity peaked on what might be inside. Smacking it with butt of the staff in your left hand causes it to fly open, and another unfamiliar looking message box to appear, though it appears you received 10 <Spell Xialin>'s, 10 <Magic Amber>'s, and 10 <Fan Oolong>'s.
After spitting out an absurd amount of items the treasure box disappears, leaving behind another surprise, a glowing message appears in the air. You just hope this will be the clue to what is going on that you have been searching for.
The Goddess fled the land,
and the world did end.
From the shadows of the twilight,
Comes the wave of a new dawn.
Ever still does the Goddess watch,
And protect her people from afar.
Fear not the encroaching darkness,
For it is only darkest before the dawn.
and the world did end.
From the shadows of the twilight,
Comes the wave of a new dawn.
Ever still does the Goddess watch,
And protect her people from afar.
Fear not the encroaching darkness,
For it is only darkest before the dawn.
Nope, that did not help at all, in fact all it does is raise more questions, like who was the Goddess? Why did she flee and let her world end? And just what is this darkness that is now approaching?
A sigh escapes your lips as you take one last look around for anything else you might have missed, but find nothing. Well, if nothing else you can look at the items you got from the chest, though they should not be all that valuable if it gave you that many of them.
Now all you have to do is open your inventory and ... well that's odd, your menu doesn't seem to open, maybe you did it wrong guess you'll try it again...
Several minutes, and many increasingly frantic attempts later, you are forced to admit to yourself that the menu is not going to open. All that panic you'd put aside to search the church is now back in full force and you'd REALLY like an end to this nightmare.
So Tsukasa, you are all alone, mostly amnesiac, and approaching a full blown panic attack, what do you do now?
[X] The Chaos Gate, logging out is the quickest way to end this nightmare.
[X] This has to be a dream, going back to sleep will end it right?
[X] Go outside and find a mob, maybe dying will reset the UI. Though you can't seem to remember any mobs being on Hulle Granz Cathedral's map.
[X] Something else?
Last edited by a moderator:
Redon
the baka nerbie
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In which being Tsukasa is still suffering.
[X] The Chaos Gate, logging out is the quickest way to end this nightmare.
Alright, you've had just about enough of this nightmare and would like to end now.
If the Chaos Gate works like it should, all you have to do is walk up to it and make the motions to start the logout process.
At which point you can stop thinking about the fact that you can't access any of the menus, or that you cannot feel the Face Mounted Display on your head, and hopefully remember WHO THE HELL YOU ARE.
Your breath hitches as you race back down the aisle, panic having set in at full force. Your hands shake as you raise your staff skyward to active the logout command.
This is it, the final chance to deny the evidence mounting against you and wake up from this nightmare. It of course comes as no surprise to you when nothing happens. You try a couple more times before falling onto the ground.
It feels like the weight of the world has settled on your shoulders as your butt hits the ground, the pain providing even more proof that this isn't some sort of bad dream.
'This is impossible; The World is just a game after all, I can't seriously be inside it.' The panic you felt before has gone full circle, leaving you numb.
For a while you stare blankly at the damning proof of your imprisonment wondering why this is happening to you, but of course the Chaos Gate has no answers.
In a daze you rise and slowly walk to the exit of the church, wishing to get away from the constant reminder of your predicament and the darkness of your thoughts.
Opening the door, you are treated to yet another surprise, instead of the vast stretch of empty wastelands and a bridge leading to nowhere, you have a pleasant small pond connected to the downward slope of a grassy hill. The early afternoon sun illuminates the area.
Walking down the cathedral steps, you are struck by how vast the area appears to be, seeing no loop around effect in sight. If you hadn't experienced evidence to the contrary you would wonder if you were in a game at all.
To the east you see a wide open plain, which eventually leading to a road in the distance. To the west is a dark forest surrounding a tower connecting to the heavens … a heavens that appears to be partially covered by another floating landmass, not the strangest thing you've ever seen in The World, but definitely different from the norm.
But it's to the north that you notice something that you have never seen before in The World; a town located in the middle of an area is just something that is not done. From this vantage point it appears to have windmills, but you would have to get closer to find out for sure.
It appears things are even stranger then you thought.
So Tsukasa, it appears you have choices would you like to.
[X] Wander aimlessly to the East and see where the road takes you.
[X] Head into the dark forest and explore the dungeon to the West.
[X] Head for the strange town to the North.
[X] Continue to mope around the Church.
[X] The Chaos Gate, logging out is the quickest way to end this nightmare.
Alright, you've had just about enough of this nightmare and would like to end now.
If the Chaos Gate works like it should, all you have to do is walk up to it and make the motions to start the logout process.
At which point you can stop thinking about the fact that you can't access any of the menus, or that you cannot feel the Face Mounted Display on your head, and hopefully remember WHO THE HELL YOU ARE.
Your breath hitches as you race back down the aisle, panic having set in at full force. Your hands shake as you raise your staff skyward to active the logout command.
This is it, the final chance to deny the evidence mounting against you and wake up from this nightmare. It of course comes as no surprise to you when nothing happens. You try a couple more times before falling onto the ground.
It feels like the weight of the world has settled on your shoulders as your butt hits the ground, the pain providing even more proof that this isn't some sort of bad dream.
'This is impossible; The World is just a game after all, I can't seriously be inside it.' The panic you felt before has gone full circle, leaving you numb.
For a while you stare blankly at the damning proof of your imprisonment wondering why this is happening to you, but of course the Chaos Gate has no answers.
In a daze you rise and slowly walk to the exit of the church, wishing to get away from the constant reminder of your predicament and the darkness of your thoughts.
Opening the door, you are treated to yet another surprise, instead of the vast stretch of empty wastelands and a bridge leading to nowhere, you have a pleasant small pond connected to the downward slope of a grassy hill. The early afternoon sun illuminates the area.
Walking down the cathedral steps, you are struck by how vast the area appears to be, seeing no loop around effect in sight. If you hadn't experienced evidence to the contrary you would wonder if you were in a game at all.
To the east you see a wide open plain, which eventually leading to a road in the distance. To the west is a dark forest surrounding a tower connecting to the heavens … a heavens that appears to be partially covered by another floating landmass, not the strangest thing you've ever seen in The World, but definitely different from the norm.
But it's to the north that you notice something that you have never seen before in The World; a town located in the middle of an area is just something that is not done. From this vantage point it appears to have windmills, but you would have to get closer to find out for sure.
It appears things are even stranger then you thought.
So Tsukasa, it appears you have choices would you like to.
[X] Wander aimlessly to the East and see where the road takes you.
[X] Head into the dark forest and explore the dungeon to the West.
[X] Head for the strange town to the North.
[X] Continue to mope around the Church.
Redon
the baka nerbie
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[X] Head for the strange town to the North.
You are not all that interested in meeting players at the moment, but maybe you can find out if anybody else is having the difficulties you are.
With that in mind you trudge north, feet leaden by the weight of your thoughts.
It's been 15 minutes since you started the trip north down the hill and into a lightly wooded area that you figure makes you a little over halfway to the town, on any other day and you would have marvelled at the beauty of the landscape but at the moment all you are focused on is the internal thoughts running rapid through your head.
You do however at least keep an eye out for monster portals, but so far none have appeared within the line of sight.
So it goes without saying that you barely react in time to the rustling of branches. A «Ruins Kobold Bandit» launches itself towards you from up high with a bloodcurdling scream.
Rolling forward, the small dagger its carrying misses your head by inches, you wonder if you have ever seen a mob spring an ambush like this. That's about all the time you have to think before you have to parry another attack, pushing off to unbalance the mob and give yourself space to cast a spell.
"I'm in no mood to play around today, so it sucks to be you. GiVak Kruz", speaking the command phrase for a medium level fire spell to end this quickly, after all, killing things with fire always did put you in a better mood when feeling down.
As it is, you get nicked on the shoulder by the Kobold's knife when the spell fails to go off and you are forced to dodge once again. Pain flares in your arm for a moment and a few drops of blood escape before the wound closes again and your sleeve repairs itself
At least it appears you don't have to worry about bleeding to death, that's one good thing you guess. Though the pain sure is annoying, and not something you wish to experience very often.
"Does anything in this shitty game work?" you huff in annoyance as you take your first glance at the hp bar to see how much damage you'd received.
Once again it appears that the game has kicked you while you are down, "what the … where did my levels go?"
The status bar reads 220/270 HP and 150/150 SP so nearly a fifth of your health bar was taken off in that one glancing blow, even more discouraging are the words Lv: 1 next to them.
More frantic parries and dodges ensue as you try to figure a way out of this mess. Well you still have an SP bar and a staff, so that means you should still have magic, it just means finding the right spell .. you hope you find the correct one before the Kobold gets in a lucky shot.
You start with fire spells, but find both Vak Rom and Vak Don do nothing. Another parry and push back to give you space finds that the spells of wood and earth, Juk Kruz and Gan Don, are also ineffective.
It's at this moment that the Kobold seems to grow a brain cells, it feints an attack, leaving you wide open for the real one.
The pain that blossoms in your stomach is indescribable blood pouring from the wound, your HP drops dangerously into the red, and you realize that this is probably the last chance to survive this battle. With the pain being this bad from a stab wound, you really don't want to know what will happen to you if you die now.
"R-Rue Kruz!" This time you feel your body lock up, as the spell takes effect, a fountain of water appearing under the «Ruins Kobold Bandit» knocking it upwards and back, more importantly knocking it over and taking the knife with it.
Just as you start coughing up blood the wound disappears as if it never was, leaving you with just a phantom feeling of the pain you had before.
The Kobold is still alive though, that one attack had removed half of it's HP. Even though you are still shaky from the near death experience it is still a simple matter to cast the spell again now that you know what you can use, and the mob doesn't get a chance to regain it's feet as it's juggled by the rushing water.
It shatters like broken glass as the HP bar reaches zero, but no Exp message pops up cluing you in that the battle is not over yet.
Turning around you see two more «Ruins Kobold Bandit»'s had been spawned behind you while you were busy with the first and were now approaching you.
A smirk graces your lips as you tear into them mercilessly, no longer completely powerless. You drop the first one quickly, but play around with the second, letting it get back on it's feet and make it halfway to you before hitting it again.
Finally the battle ends and the reward box pops up, yet another unfamiliar box it seems; apparently you made 796 Exp and 300 Col in that one battle. It also reports 2 items were dropped, but since you can't access your inventory, you have no idea what they are at the moment.
Your HP is down to 25 out of 270 and your SP is 35 of 150 and you are exhausted and still feeling the phantom pains of being STABBED. More thoughts of 'why is this happening to you?' and 'games aren't supposed to hurt' run through your head as plop on the ground and absentmindedly mutter "Repth".
It's probably the best news you've had all day when the spell works and the phantom pains go away, but you are too shell shocked to care at the moment.
You just sit there in a daze watching your SP Bar refill itself over the next couple minutes, too exhausted by the course of events to do much of anything at the moment.
You remain in this position long enough for the tree to rustle again and the «Ruins Kobold Bandit» drops down to attack, thankfully out of position to land right on top of you.
You don't even bother to move from the base of the tree as you tiredly raise your staff and cast Rue Cruz at it and his two friends, awarding you another round of 796 Exp and 300 Col. You are mildly concerned when this does not level you, but like everything else that happened today it does not surprise you.
Realizing you can't stay here, well ok it appears you COULD stay here since they re-pop after your SP fills but then you'd constantly be attacked and that just doesn't sound appealing to you at the moment, you stand up after regenning again and return to making way towards the town, mindful of the surroundings this time.
You are slightly delayed by two more ambushes, which still does not result in you getting a level, before reaching the town's entrance.
Instead of there being one windmill like you thought, it appears the small town is actually ringed by them, with what appears to be a large fountain plaza in the town's center.
The background music which you'd been ignoring changes and the unfamiliar purple words «Safe Zone» appear before your eyes as you cross the entryway into town.
"Safe from what exactly?" you idly wonder aloud as you ponder where to go. There doesn't appear to be any other PC's nearby so instead you try...
[X] The Windmills look like they can be climbed, head to one of them and see what the town looks like from up high.
[X] Head to the fountain area and look for people around there and see if they have the same difficulties you do.
[X] There looks to be some sort of Inn nearby, you can't seem to remember such a building in The World but maybe there would be someone people there like some other game.
[X] Got a better idea? Write-in
You are not all that interested in meeting players at the moment, but maybe you can find out if anybody else is having the difficulties you are.
With that in mind you trudge north, feet leaden by the weight of your thoughts.
It's been 15 minutes since you started the trip north down the hill and into a lightly wooded area that you figure makes you a little over halfway to the town, on any other day and you would have marvelled at the beauty of the landscape but at the moment all you are focused on is the internal thoughts running rapid through your head.
You do however at least keep an eye out for monster portals, but so far none have appeared within the line of sight.
So it goes without saying that you barely react in time to the rustling of branches. A «Ruins Kobold Bandit» launches itself towards you from up high with a bloodcurdling scream.
Rolling forward, the small dagger its carrying misses your head by inches, you wonder if you have ever seen a mob spring an ambush like this. That's about all the time you have to think before you have to parry another attack, pushing off to unbalance the mob and give yourself space to cast a spell.
"I'm in no mood to play around today, so it sucks to be you. GiVak Kruz", speaking the command phrase for a medium level fire spell to end this quickly, after all, killing things with fire always did put you in a better mood when feeling down.
As it is, you get nicked on the shoulder by the Kobold's knife when the spell fails to go off and you are forced to dodge once again. Pain flares in your arm for a moment and a few drops of blood escape before the wound closes again and your sleeve repairs itself
At least it appears you don't have to worry about bleeding to death, that's one good thing you guess. Though the pain sure is annoying, and not something you wish to experience very often.
"Does anything in this shitty game work?" you huff in annoyance as you take your first glance at the hp bar to see how much damage you'd received.
Once again it appears that the game has kicked you while you are down, "what the … where did my levels go?"
The status bar reads 220/270 HP and 150/150 SP so nearly a fifth of your health bar was taken off in that one glancing blow, even more discouraging are the words Lv: 1 next to them.
More frantic parries and dodges ensue as you try to figure a way out of this mess. Well you still have an SP bar and a staff, so that means you should still have magic, it just means finding the right spell .. you hope you find the correct one before the Kobold gets in a lucky shot.
You start with fire spells, but find both Vak Rom and Vak Don do nothing. Another parry and push back to give you space finds that the spells of wood and earth, Juk Kruz and Gan Don, are also ineffective.
It's at this moment that the Kobold seems to grow a brain cells, it feints an attack, leaving you wide open for the real one.
The pain that blossoms in your stomach is indescribable blood pouring from the wound, your HP drops dangerously into the red, and you realize that this is probably the last chance to survive this battle. With the pain being this bad from a stab wound, you really don't want to know what will happen to you if you die now.
"R-Rue Kruz!" This time you feel your body lock up, as the spell takes effect, a fountain of water appearing under the «Ruins Kobold Bandit» knocking it upwards and back, more importantly knocking it over and taking the knife with it.
Just as you start coughing up blood the wound disappears as if it never was, leaving you with just a phantom feeling of the pain you had before.
The Kobold is still alive though, that one attack had removed half of it's HP. Even though you are still shaky from the near death experience it is still a simple matter to cast the spell again now that you know what you can use, and the mob doesn't get a chance to regain it's feet as it's juggled by the rushing water.
It shatters like broken glass as the HP bar reaches zero, but no Exp message pops up cluing you in that the battle is not over yet.
Turning around you see two more «Ruins Kobold Bandit»'s had been spawned behind you while you were busy with the first and were now approaching you.
A smirk graces your lips as you tear into them mercilessly, no longer completely powerless. You drop the first one quickly, but play around with the second, letting it get back on it's feet and make it halfway to you before hitting it again.
Finally the battle ends and the reward box pops up, yet another unfamiliar box it seems; apparently you made 796 Exp and 300 Col in that one battle. It also reports 2 items were dropped, but since you can't access your inventory, you have no idea what they are at the moment.
Your HP is down to 25 out of 270 and your SP is 35 of 150 and you are exhausted and still feeling the phantom pains of being STABBED. More thoughts of 'why is this happening to you?' and 'games aren't supposed to hurt' run through your head as plop on the ground and absentmindedly mutter "Repth".
It's probably the best news you've had all day when the spell works and the phantom pains go away, but you are too shell shocked to care at the moment.
You just sit there in a daze watching your SP Bar refill itself over the next couple minutes, too exhausted by the course of events to do much of anything at the moment.
You remain in this position long enough for the tree to rustle again and the «Ruins Kobold Bandit» drops down to attack, thankfully out of position to land right on top of you.
You don't even bother to move from the base of the tree as you tiredly raise your staff and cast Rue Cruz at it and his two friends, awarding you another round of 796 Exp and 300 Col. You are mildly concerned when this does not level you, but like everything else that happened today it does not surprise you.
Realizing you can't stay here, well ok it appears you COULD stay here since they re-pop after your SP fills but then you'd constantly be attacked and that just doesn't sound appealing to you at the moment, you stand up after regenning again and return to making way towards the town, mindful of the surroundings this time.
You are slightly delayed by two more ambushes, which still does not result in you getting a level, before reaching the town's entrance.
Instead of there being one windmill like you thought, it appears the small town is actually ringed by them, with what appears to be a large fountain plaza in the town's center.
The background music which you'd been ignoring changes and the unfamiliar purple words «Safe Zone» appear before your eyes as you cross the entryway into town.
"Safe from what exactly?" you idly wonder aloud as you ponder where to go. There doesn't appear to be any other PC's nearby so instead you try...
[X] The Windmills look like they can be climbed, head to one of them and see what the town looks like from up high.
[X] Head to the fountain area and look for people around there and see if they have the same difficulties you do.
[X] There looks to be some sort of Inn nearby, you can't seem to remember such a building in The World but maybe there would be someone people there like some other game.
[X] Got a better idea? Write-in
Redon
the baka nerbie
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2013
- Messages
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- 420
[X] The Windmills look like they can be climbed, head to one of them and see what the town looks like from up high.
Ok first things first, you should be able to find where the players gather if you look from a higher vantage point. The town did not appear to be all large from outside so hopefully the local gathering places will be visible.
The giant windmills surrounding the town would make an excellent vantage point you think.
Entering the windmill is easy, climbing the ladder inside ... not so. You had not realized just how tired you had become from your little adventure to get to the town, but each rung of the ladder felt like another large weight was placed on your shoulder, attempting to push you down.
You breathe a sigh of relief upon reaching the top and pull yourself onto the wooden platform, taking a moment to catch your breath before heading out a conveniently placed door and onto a viewing ledge overlooking the town.
The mountains in the distance to the south appear to be an interesting place to explore if you felt like it but otherwise unremarkable. You hadn't noticed them from the Church, but then again you hadn't really spent all that much time looking behind it.
It's the scene laid before your eyes in the opposite direction that is enough to take your breath away again.
Just to the north of town is the end of the zone, and beyond it is a vast sea of clouds that appear to stretch on forever, giving the appearance that the very land was floating in the air.
The view is both awe-inspiring and terrifying at the same time, making someone a feel so insignificance in the grand scheme of things.
Tearing your eyes away from the sight, you look around for any obvious gatherings of players, and find none. Sure there are plenty of individual bodies scattered around town but they all appear to be conducting repetitious movements, or just standing still making you believe that they are just NPC's.
There's no way a town with this much tranquil beauty should be this empty, sure you can not make out a Chaos Gate from here but even if the Hulle's Granz Cathedral had become a warp in spot for this strange field and out of place town somebody should have traveled here, it would be pretty unique in The World after all.
"Everything looks so real here, it's hard to believe this is The World."
So caught up in the view you hardly notice that you had reached the end of platform, though it was readily made apparent when your foot met air instead of wood and you toppled over the side like a sack of potatoes.
Nobody is around to hear your screams of terror, nor the resulting thud when you hit the ground but you quickly come to two conclusions. The first conclusion you reach is that you figured out what they meant by «Safe Zone», after all the fall didn't kill you. The second conclusion is less pleasant and more pointed, falling from great heights hurts ... a lot.
A shaky "Repth" later removes the pain, but the general course of events leaves you feeling even more exhausted then before.
You kinda just want to curl up into a corner and cry now. All the events of today have left you an emotional wreck, and it's only been an hour or two!
This sounds like a perfect time for the game to once again kick you while your down. So when you begin to be immersed in a blue light after hearing the chiming of a bell, the only thought that comes to your head is, 'what now?'
Darkness and a sensation not unlike the falling you had experienced not a minute ago causes a quick burst of panic before the light returns just to fade away again heralds your entry into another unfamiliar area.
The first thing you notice is that you are surrounded by people dressed in various sets of armor, body shapes, and hair colors, making you wonder when The World became so customizable.
Being around so many people seems to make you uncomfortable but is quickly squashed by the second thing you notice after a few seconds go by.
By their conversations, they are all experiencing the same thing you are! Maybe you will finally get some answers as to what is going on.
For the first time today, a shred of hope appears, 'maybe the GM's have figured a way out of this mess.'
Then a shout direction your attention skyward rings out, and you notice the words [warning] and [system announcement] plastered in red on the platform above.
What comes next does not exactly fill you with the warm and fuzzies.
Liquid the color of blood appeared, and quickly formed into the shape of giant hooded man, although it had no face. Murmurs of unease rippled through the crowd.
And then it spoke, and chilled your blood even further. "Players, I welcome you all to my world"
"My name is Kayaba Akihiko. Right now, I am the only person who can control this world." The name doesn't ring any bells.
"I think that most of you have discovered the fact that the Log Out button has disappeared from the main menu. This is not a bug; it is all part of «Sword Art Online»'s system." Well, yeah, hey wait what does he mean by Sword Art Online? This isn't The World?
He continues speaking and none of it is good, "until you get to the top of this castle, you cannot log out of your own free will."
"All attempts to remove yourself from the game are pointless, not even the outside world could remove you now, for at this very moment your minds, no your very souls are trapped within the servers, and any attempts of outside forces to tamper with the servers will be met with instant deletion of all data residing within them, this of course would mean everyone dies."
LIES, LIES, LIES, LIES, it's all lies, people can't have their souls trapped within a game, it's impossible!
"But I ask of you all to understand that «Sword Art Online» is no longer a simple game. It is a second reality.... From now on, any form of revival in the game will no longer work. The moment your HP reaches 0, your avatar will be gone forever. And at the same time..."
So only 270 points separate you from death, and you came so close to dying before, a cold shiver runs down your back at how close a call it really was.
"...your mind will be erased by the Server."
"...regretfully 93 players have already died in this game, and the real world, forever." ... People, have died, how can this monster get away with that?
"Players, there is no need to worry about the bodies you left on the other side. As of this moment, all TV, radio, and Internet media are repeatedly reporting this situation; including the fact that there have been numerous deaths. So you can relax... and concentrate on beating the game."
Many shouts of disbelief could be heard, things about the game being hard and that clearing 100 floors would be impossible, but that was all white noise to you at the moment, your thoughts spiraling around just how close you had been to death before.
But it seems the bastard was not finished yet, "Then I will show you evidence that this is the only reality. In your inventories, there will be a gift from me. Please confirm this."
Ha, how the hell are you supposed to check your inventory all your past attempts have failed miserably after all, but then you spy the motions of the players around you and the screens popping up before them and decide to give it a try.
Putting a finger and thumb together, you make a downward motion, and nearly gasp in surprise when it actually WORKS. Oh it looks nothing like The World's interface, and honestly you have no clue how you appeared in a completely different game in the first place, though you suspect your messed up memories might have something to do with it, but that doesn't matter because at least you are no longer flying blind in this crazy death world.
Stumbling through the menu you find the item tab, and the only item listed there is «Hand Mirror», and after a bit more fumbling, manage to bring the rectangular mirror into existence.
Staring at it dumbly, you wonder what sort of "proof" he's going to bring, you still can't wrap your head around being trapped in a game after all. Suddenly you are engulfed in light again, this time it feels like your center of balance has changed, though it's not until the light has faded that the full implications, not in the face, the steel grey eyes and short, shaggy brown hair does nothing to spark recognition ... something that makes you feel a bit sad.
No it's what's slightly south of the face that causes you to freeze up, the impossibility just too much for your brain to handle at the moment. Two slight mounds under your robes announce to the world your gender, and it sure doesn't match the 'male' that was previously believed to be correct.
'I guess I should consider myself slightly boyish instead of effeminate' are the last thoughts to pass through your head as darkness begins to claim you once again and the ground quickly rises to meet you.
On waking the first thing you think you see is.
[X] Something Black
[X] Something White
[X] Something Red
[X] Something Blue
[X] No... it's something Pink
[X] ... Whiskers?
Welp, have fun with this one, I'll give you some time to decide now.[/warning]
Ok first things first, you should be able to find where the players gather if you look from a higher vantage point. The town did not appear to be all large from outside so hopefully the local gathering places will be visible.
The giant windmills surrounding the town would make an excellent vantage point you think.
Entering the windmill is easy, climbing the ladder inside ... not so. You had not realized just how tired you had become from your little adventure to get to the town, but each rung of the ladder felt like another large weight was placed on your shoulder, attempting to push you down.
You breathe a sigh of relief upon reaching the top and pull yourself onto the wooden platform, taking a moment to catch your breath before heading out a conveniently placed door and onto a viewing ledge overlooking the town.
The mountains in the distance to the south appear to be an interesting place to explore if you felt like it but otherwise unremarkable. You hadn't noticed them from the Church, but then again you hadn't really spent all that much time looking behind it.
It's the scene laid before your eyes in the opposite direction that is enough to take your breath away again.
Just to the north of town is the end of the zone, and beyond it is a vast sea of clouds that appear to stretch on forever, giving the appearance that the very land was floating in the air.
The view is both awe-inspiring and terrifying at the same time, making someone a feel so insignificance in the grand scheme of things.
Tearing your eyes away from the sight, you look around for any obvious gatherings of players, and find none. Sure there are plenty of individual bodies scattered around town but they all appear to be conducting repetitious movements, or just standing still making you believe that they are just NPC's.
There's no way a town with this much tranquil beauty should be this empty, sure you can not make out a Chaos Gate from here but even if the Hulle's Granz Cathedral had become a warp in spot for this strange field and out of place town somebody should have traveled here, it would be pretty unique in The World after all.
"Everything looks so real here, it's hard to believe this is The World."
So caught up in the view you hardly notice that you had reached the end of platform, though it was readily made apparent when your foot met air instead of wood and you toppled over the side like a sack of potatoes.
Nobody is around to hear your screams of terror, nor the resulting thud when you hit the ground but you quickly come to two conclusions. The first conclusion you reach is that you figured out what they meant by «Safe Zone», after all the fall didn't kill you. The second conclusion is less pleasant and more pointed, falling from great heights hurts ... a lot.
A shaky "Repth" later removes the pain, but the general course of events leaves you feeling even more exhausted then before.
You kinda just want to curl up into a corner and cry now. All the events of today have left you an emotional wreck, and it's only been an hour or two!
This sounds like a perfect time for the game to once again kick you while your down. So when you begin to be immersed in a blue light after hearing the chiming of a bell, the only thought that comes to your head is, 'what now?'
Darkness and a sensation not unlike the falling you had experienced not a minute ago causes a quick burst of panic before the light returns just to fade away again heralds your entry into another unfamiliar area.
The first thing you notice is that you are surrounded by people dressed in various sets of armor, body shapes, and hair colors, making you wonder when The World became so customizable.
Being around so many people seems to make you uncomfortable but is quickly squashed by the second thing you notice after a few seconds go by.
By their conversations, they are all experiencing the same thing you are! Maybe you will finally get some answers as to what is going on.
For the first time today, a shred of hope appears, 'maybe the GM's have figured a way out of this mess.'
Then a shout direction your attention skyward rings out, and you notice the words [warning] and [system announcement] plastered in red on the platform above.
What comes next does not exactly fill you with the warm and fuzzies.
Liquid the color of blood appeared, and quickly formed into the shape of giant hooded man, although it had no face. Murmurs of unease rippled through the crowd.
And then it spoke, and chilled your blood even further. "Players, I welcome you all to my world"
"My name is Kayaba Akihiko. Right now, I am the only person who can control this world." The name doesn't ring any bells.
"I think that most of you have discovered the fact that the Log Out button has disappeared from the main menu. This is not a bug; it is all part of «Sword Art Online»'s system." Well, yeah, hey wait what does he mean by Sword Art Online? This isn't The World?
He continues speaking and none of it is good, "until you get to the top of this castle, you cannot log out of your own free will."
"All attempts to remove yourself from the game are pointless, not even the outside world could remove you now, for at this very moment your minds, no your very souls are trapped within the servers, and any attempts of outside forces to tamper with the servers will be met with instant deletion of all data residing within them, this of course would mean everyone dies."
LIES, LIES, LIES, LIES, it's all lies, people can't have their souls trapped within a game, it's impossible!
"But I ask of you all to understand that «Sword Art Online» is no longer a simple game. It is a second reality.... From now on, any form of revival in the game will no longer work. The moment your HP reaches 0, your avatar will be gone forever. And at the same time..."
So only 270 points separate you from death, and you came so close to dying before, a cold shiver runs down your back at how close a call it really was.
"...your mind will be erased by the Server."
"...regretfully 93 players have already died in this game, and the real world, forever." ... People, have died, how can this monster get away with that?
"Players, there is no need to worry about the bodies you left on the other side. As of this moment, all TV, radio, and Internet media are repeatedly reporting this situation; including the fact that there have been numerous deaths. So you can relax... and concentrate on beating the game."
Many shouts of disbelief could be heard, things about the game being hard and that clearing 100 floors would be impossible, but that was all white noise to you at the moment, your thoughts spiraling around just how close you had been to death before.
But it seems the bastard was not finished yet, "Then I will show you evidence that this is the only reality. In your inventories, there will be a gift from me. Please confirm this."
Ha, how the hell are you supposed to check your inventory all your past attempts have failed miserably after all, but then you spy the motions of the players around you and the screens popping up before them and decide to give it a try.
Putting a finger and thumb together, you make a downward motion, and nearly gasp in surprise when it actually WORKS. Oh it looks nothing like The World's interface, and honestly you have no clue how you appeared in a completely different game in the first place, though you suspect your messed up memories might have something to do with it, but that doesn't matter because at least you are no longer flying blind in this crazy death world.
Stumbling through the menu you find the item tab, and the only item listed there is «Hand Mirror», and after a bit more fumbling, manage to bring the rectangular mirror into existence.
Staring at it dumbly, you wonder what sort of "proof" he's going to bring, you still can't wrap your head around being trapped in a game after all. Suddenly you are engulfed in light again, this time it feels like your center of balance has changed, though it's not until the light has faded that the full implications, not in the face, the steel grey eyes and short, shaggy brown hair does nothing to spark recognition ... something that makes you feel a bit sad.
No it's what's slightly south of the face that causes you to freeze up, the impossibility just too much for your brain to handle at the moment. Two slight mounds under your robes announce to the world your gender, and it sure doesn't match the 'male' that was previously believed to be correct.
'I guess I should consider myself slightly boyish instead of effeminate' are the last thoughts to pass through your head as darkness begins to claim you once again and the ground quickly rises to meet you.
On waking the first thing you think you see is.
[X] Something Black
[X] Something White
[X] Something Red
[X] Something Blue
[X] No... it's something Pink
[X] ... Whiskers?
Welp, have fun with this one, I'll give you some time to decide now.[/warning]
Redon
the baka nerbie
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2013
- Messages
- 1,236
- Likes received
- 420
And now for something totally different, while I wait.
The wanderer stares up at the now empty skies, where just moments ago yet another evil had shown it's true colors, digesting all that she had learned since waking up in this strange land. Her form now resembling the young girl of the real world, she guesses that means that self image truly is tied to the soul.
She remembered dying, giving up everything so another may live. The Beast raging as it too was consumed by the light. The legacy she left behind for another to take up.
Then she knew nothing, like the true death she had been searching for, or at least that's what she thought would happen, but it appears that the story was not done with her yet. It seems true death would have to wait a little longer.
She remembered waking up in a an unfamiliar church, her cherished blade replaced with a newbie's <Iron Sword>. Another was there, but he would not awaken and she was too consumed by the amazement of being alive and a need to see what was happening to stick around and wait for him to arise.
So she had left him there and headed east to see where the road would take her.
But for now she had to plan, her body had been adapted to this world's rules as well, and just like the madman had said, it was impossible to leave the server without killing the players, and she would not allow herself to flee at the expense of 9906 other lives.
That girl would never have backed down from this challenge and neither would she.
Oh how she wishes she could contact her and see if she survived, no that's not correct of course she lived, there was never any doubt in her mind of the final outcome.
I wonder if those two managed to get together, or how that harvest cleric friend of her's made out, or even those two funny people from that Canard guild. I hope none of them are trapped here as well, I should have looked while everyone was gathered.
But while she was lost in thought it appeared that many people had already left the plaza, but no worries, she knew their faces and could find them if they were around.
Information was now the name of the game, she would learn the rules and master the system, then she would beat this death game and free as many people as she could, there was no point in worrying about anything else till then.
She had already sped up her processing to gather all the data locally available, so all that was left was to accumulate experience, and that means killing mobs and gaining experience points so that's what she will do.
Idly she wonders what death would mean for her in this world, but as long as other people were counting on her she would not give in to that temptation, she was given a second chance and she wanted to LIVE.
Her heart beats as she once again attempts to 'walk the path that is just', like that little fox spirit wannabe wished of her.
Look out Kayaba Akihiko, the Professional Victim Midori is back and coming for you.
The wanderer stares up at the now empty skies, where just moments ago yet another evil had shown it's true colors, digesting all that she had learned since waking up in this strange land. Her form now resembling the young girl of the real world, she guesses that means that self image truly is tied to the soul.
She remembered dying, giving up everything so another may live. The Beast raging as it too was consumed by the light. The legacy she left behind for another to take up.
Then she knew nothing, like the true death she had been searching for, or at least that's what she thought would happen, but it appears that the story was not done with her yet. It seems true death would have to wait a little longer.
She remembered waking up in a an unfamiliar church, her cherished blade replaced with a newbie's <Iron Sword>. Another was there, but he would not awaken and she was too consumed by the amazement of being alive and a need to see what was happening to stick around and wait for him to arise.
So she had left him there and headed east to see where the road would take her.
But for now she had to plan, her body had been adapted to this world's rules as well, and just like the madman had said, it was impossible to leave the server without killing the players, and she would not allow herself to flee at the expense of 9906 other lives.
That girl would never have backed down from this challenge and neither would she.
Oh how she wishes she could contact her and see if she survived, no that's not correct of course she lived, there was never any doubt in her mind of the final outcome.
I wonder if those two managed to get together, or how that harvest cleric friend of her's made out, or even those two funny people from that Canard guild. I hope none of them are trapped here as well, I should have looked while everyone was gathered.
But while she was lost in thought it appeared that many people had already left the plaza, but no worries, she knew their faces and could find them if they were around.
Information was now the name of the game, she would learn the rules and master the system, then she would beat this death game and free as many people as she could, there was no point in worrying about anything else till then.
She had already sped up her processing to gather all the data locally available, so all that was left was to accumulate experience, and that means killing mobs and gaining experience points so that's what she will do.
Idly she wonders what death would mean for her in this world, but as long as other people were counting on her she would not give in to that temptation, she was given a second chance and she wanted to LIVE.
Her heart beats as she once again attempts to 'walk the path that is just', like that little fox spirit wannabe wished of her.
Look out Kayaba Akihiko, the Professional Victim Midori is back and coming for you.
Redon
the baka nerbie
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2013
- Messages
- 1,236
- Likes received
- 420
[X] Something black.
The blackness of death, a terror overwhelming, a boy of black, blues and greens, then black, red and white. A beast of unimaginable power, a will unbreakable. These images and more flash before you on your return to wakefulness, and none of them make any sense.
It comes of no surprise to you when pain is the first thing to greet your return to the living, your head pounding like someone is going at it with a sledgehammer, it's almost a given at this point.
Then you hear the pounding of a fist and a voice raised in anger. You flinch at that, memories of that man come to mind.
"I can't believe this crap, how the hell did that man get his hands on an AIDA server?" The male voice is rough and forceful.
Then another voice speaks up, this one female. "Just calm down, Haseo, I'm sure the people on the outside are doing everything they can to free us." Her voice is calm and soothing to hear.
"Feh, as if anybody on the outside ever managed to solve these problem before, no it's going to be up to us to solve this mess." Comes the retort.
A third voice joins the conversation this one another female. "Cool your jets Haseo, while you might be right about it being up to us solve this problem that's no reason to go off half-cocked." This one has an air of confidence and pride.
"I'm sorry Haseo, if I hadn't pushed to try this game, none of this would have happened." The calm voice is now full of sorrow.
"Now don't you start with that crap Atoli, you have done nothing wrong." Now the male sounds annoyed.
"Yeah it the fault of that Kayaba Akihiko guy, blame him." The prideful one asserts.
At this point the pain in your head reasserts itself and a groan escapes your lips.
"Oh she is waking up," the calm one states the obvious.
Wait, who is she calling a girl? You open your eyes and see yourself laying in a bed. Oh right, that would be you.
Panic overwhelms pain, this isn't possible, you are not a girl!
You start thrashing in the bed.
Your struggles to get away from yourself are met by the hands of a young woman with short brown hair and brown eyes gently grabbing your shoulders. "Hey calm down, you are safe, everything will be ok." This would be the prideful one, she looks rather boyish herself.
The boy, no make that young man with the rough voice snorts, "for a certain definition of ok, I don't think anybody will be truly ok for a while." He has bright red eyes and short light brown hair.
"Not helping Haseo!" Anger just doesn't sound right coming from the calm one, another young woman, she has long blond hair and brown eyes, she's kinda pretty.
"Anyway, as I was saying, my name is Alkaid. She is Atoli and the grumpy one is Haseo." The two wave. Well ok, Atoli waves while Haseo just sticks his hand in the air before dropping it.
"I am not grumpy," comes a half-hearted denial that absolutely nobody in the room pays any attention to.
Your strength gives out as you push your identity crisis to the back of your mind to deal with the people now completely focused on you. They probably want a name don't they?
"Tsukasa," comes out in a quiet voice.
They spend a bit of time making sure you were fine and you pass it off as shock from the announcement and not what's actually troubling you, well troubling you at the moment anyway. You sure have a lot of troubles don't you?
"Well Tsukasa, I know it's a bit early but, how would you like to form a party with us?" Asks Alkaid.
"Hey! Don't be asking random people to join us," Haseo interjects.
"Don't worry, it'll be fine, trust me," brushes off Alkaid.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea," from Atoli.
Alkaid beams, "you've been out voted Haseo."
"Tsk, Fine but don't blame me later if she's useless," ouch that one kinda hurt, the guy doesn't even know you ... you guess that's kinda the point.
The three continue to banter like old friends while you come to a decision.
So Tsukasa from what you've heard this group is very likely to be headed out into the wilderness to face certain danger and maybe death ... will you go with them?
[X] Yes
[X] No
Also your headache is flaring up again, do you deal with it?
[X] Yes.
[X] No.
Very simple choices here, obvious consequences are obvious.
The blackness of death, a terror overwhelming, a boy of black, blues and greens, then black, red and white. A beast of unimaginable power, a will unbreakable. These images and more flash before you on your return to wakefulness, and none of them make any sense.
It comes of no surprise to you when pain is the first thing to greet your return to the living, your head pounding like someone is going at it with a sledgehammer, it's almost a given at this point.
Then you hear the pounding of a fist and a voice raised in anger. You flinch at that, memories of that man come to mind.
"I can't believe this crap, how the hell did that man get his hands on an AIDA server?" The male voice is rough and forceful.
Then another voice speaks up, this one female. "Just calm down, Haseo, I'm sure the people on the outside are doing everything they can to free us." Her voice is calm and soothing to hear.
"Feh, as if anybody on the outside ever managed to solve these problem before, no it's going to be up to us to solve this mess." Comes the retort.
A third voice joins the conversation this one another female. "Cool your jets Haseo, while you might be right about it being up to us solve this problem that's no reason to go off half-cocked." This one has an air of confidence and pride.
"I'm sorry Haseo, if I hadn't pushed to try this game, none of this would have happened." The calm voice is now full of sorrow.
"Now don't you start with that crap Atoli, you have done nothing wrong." Now the male sounds annoyed.
"Yeah it the fault of that Kayaba Akihiko guy, blame him." The prideful one asserts.
At this point the pain in your head reasserts itself and a groan escapes your lips.
"Oh she is waking up," the calm one states the obvious.
Wait, who is she calling a girl? You open your eyes and see yourself laying in a bed. Oh right, that would be you.
Panic overwhelms pain, this isn't possible, you are not a girl!
You start thrashing in the bed.
Your struggles to get away from yourself are met by the hands of a young woman with short brown hair and brown eyes gently grabbing your shoulders. "Hey calm down, you are safe, everything will be ok." This would be the prideful one, she looks rather boyish herself.
The boy, no make that young man with the rough voice snorts, "for a certain definition of ok, I don't think anybody will be truly ok for a while." He has bright red eyes and short light brown hair.
"Not helping Haseo!" Anger just doesn't sound right coming from the calm one, another young woman, she has long blond hair and brown eyes, she's kinda pretty.
"Anyway, as I was saying, my name is Alkaid. She is Atoli and the grumpy one is Haseo." The two wave. Well ok, Atoli waves while Haseo just sticks his hand in the air before dropping it.
"I am not grumpy," comes a half-hearted denial that absolutely nobody in the room pays any attention to.
Your strength gives out as you push your identity crisis to the back of your mind to deal with the people now completely focused on you. They probably want a name don't they?
"Tsukasa," comes out in a quiet voice.
They spend a bit of time making sure you were fine and you pass it off as shock from the announcement and not what's actually troubling you, well troubling you at the moment anyway. You sure have a lot of troubles don't you?
"Well Tsukasa, I know it's a bit early but, how would you like to form a party with us?" Asks Alkaid.
"Hey! Don't be asking random people to join us," Haseo interjects.
"Don't worry, it'll be fine, trust me," brushes off Alkaid.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea," from Atoli.
Alkaid beams, "you've been out voted Haseo."
"Tsk, Fine but don't blame me later if she's useless," ouch that one kinda hurt, the guy doesn't even know you ... you guess that's kinda the point.
The three continue to banter like old friends while you come to a decision.
So Tsukasa from what you've heard this group is very likely to be headed out into the wilderness to face certain danger and maybe death ... will you go with them?
[X] Yes
[X] No
Also your headache is flaring up again, do you deal with it?
[X] Yes.
[X] No.
Very simple choices here, obvious consequences are obvious.
Last edited by a moderator:
Redon
the baka nerbie
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2013
- Messages
- 1,236
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- 420
[X] Yes
[X] Yes
While some small part of you thinks that your situations are a bit different from each other, it is kind of reassuring that it isn't just you left locked in the game with no way out.
Thinking about it for a bit you realize that if you don't do anything you might be trapped in this game forever, but on the other hand do you even want to go back to a world with 'that man' or the other lying adults?
Your headache makes it hard to think, but you believe you are asking the wrong question, the correct question is 'do you wish to sit back and let an evil man kill innocent people just to fuel his sick game?' You know in your heart the answer to that one.
Then there's these people, they have such an easy chemistry with each other, like comrades that had been through many battles together and had come out of it ok. Joining with them would be a measure of safety in this mad world, even if they were going to rush off and put their lives on the line. Is it possible that you could trust them with your life as well and ... be their friends?
Even with your spotty memory you are pretty sure friends are something that you have in short supply.
Well, it's not like you can't leave them if it goes south, now is it? ... and you've noticed that the room as gone quiet again and the trio are staring at you.
"Well your answer?" Goes Haseo. Not one to mince words is he?
"Sure ... that sounds, nice." you say. This causes the two girls to start up their energetic conversation again now focused on planning what they would do first.
Haseo just puts his head in his hand and groans as he manipulates the status screen.
<You have been invited to a party>
It's now your turn to fumble with the unfamiliar window, thankfully it pops up on the first page.
<You have joined the party>
Now to deal with your headache.
Searching for your staff, you notice it leaning against the headboard of the bed.
Grabbing it with both hands, you bring it over your head, focus your intent and say the magic word "Repth" and the sparkles of light surround you.
Ah that feels so much better ... and once again the conversation has died and the trio is staring at you again, great.
"That was ... magic, and not just any magic but The World magic, it was clearly stated that there's no magic in <Sword Arts Online>, is this a side effect of the AIDA Server as well?" Haseo ponders aloud.
"This is great, I knew my intuition was right about you, hey how did you find it anyway?" Says Alkaid.
Atoli seems especially interested in knowing your answer.
The problem is ... you don't have an answer, you just woke up in the church with it already available to you, hell you didn't even think you were in this game at all.
But on the other hand, you did pick up some items earlier, maybe the answer lies there.
Searching through the Status Window you locate the three strange pieces of equipment <Fan Oolong>, <Magic Amber>, and <Spell Xialin>. Bringing them out causes Atoli's eyes to light up, especially when the <Spell Xialin> appears.
"Oh that one, can I have that one?" She's practically jumping for joy now, you can almost see the sparkly aura she's pumping out.
Without much thought to the matter you work through the process of trading with people and give her the staff. <-1 Spell Xialin>
She instantly equips the staff and starts the motion to cast a spell. "Repth"
Somehow you just knew it wasn't going to work.
Still not willing to give up she fiddles with the status screen, till she beams triumphantly. "Ah ha! I got it!"
For a few seconds a wall of light and then Atoli reappears, her <Light Metal Coat>, <Light Metal Pants>, and <Light Metal Boots> missing. For a few seconds everybody just stands there, nobody daring to move and then the inevitable happens.
"Waaaaahhhhhhh!" The bright red blushing Atoli nearly takes your ear-drums out.
You quickly find out that a staff makes for a good club as you and her two friends are quickly ushered out the door. Oh and though no damage was done, your headache is back, go figure.
Whelp it appears a trip to the local blacksmith is in order, and the three spent most of their money renting a room for 4, so it appears that getting equipment is up to you. Thankfully you
have a little bit of money ... 1200 and 6 apples worth about 30 col in total if you sold them. Also the pair of <Light Metal Coat>, <Light Metal Pants> and <Light Metal Boots> that Atoli
can no longer use are worth 10 col a piece. It does not appear that the items from the chest sell for anything. That makes 1310 col in total if you include what they had left over. You
must at least buy an outfit that Atoli can wear, the specifics are currently unknown to you but at worst it's cloth though it could be leather; failure to do so will result in her never
forgiving you and not leaving the room. The rest can be spent however you wish, but at the moment Haseo prefers two-handed swords and Heavy Plate but probably couldn't wear both till he
levels up some. Alkaid would like some sort of speed weapon and isn't too particular on the type, and she'll stick with light-metal armor.
The available NPC merchants for stuff you can afford and, in some cases maybe, use are as follows (Max weight is 20 at the moment btw, 1 str ftw!)
[X] <Brown Robe with Cowl> «over-wear 200/200 durability weight 1» 10 col
[X] <Brown Shoes> «Foot wear 200/200 durability weight 0.5» 10 col
[X] <Two-Handed Sword> «two-handed sword +20 Attack, Medium, Slow 200/200 durability weight 10» 100 col
[X] <Rapier> «Rapier +10 Attack, Short, Fast 200/200 durability weight 3» 100 col
[X] <Dagger> «Knife +10 Attack, Very Short, Very Fast 200/200 durability weight 1» 100 col
[X] <Bronze Half Plate Armor> «Heavy Metal Chest Armor +13 defense 200/200 durability weight 5» 100 col
[X] <Bronze Half Plate Pants> «Heavy Metal Leg Armor +13 defense 200/200 durability weight 5» 100 col
[X] <Bronze Half Plate Boots> «Heavy Metal Leg Armor +6 defense 200/200 durability weight 3» 100 col
[X] <Bronze Chain Mail> «Light Metal Chest Armor +6 defense 200/200 durability weight 3» 100 col
[X] <Bronze Subligar> «Light Metal Leg Armor +6 defense 200/200 durability weight 3» 100 col
[X] <Bronze Chain Boots> «Light Metal Boots +3 defense 200/200 durability weight 3» 100 col
[X] <Old Leather Shirt> «Leather Chest Armor +3 defense 200/200 durability weight 2» 100 col
[X] <Old Leather Pants> «Leather Leg Armor +3 defense» 200/200 durability weight 2» 100 col
[X] <Old Leather boots> «Leather Boots +1 defense 200/200 durability weight 1» 100 col
It seems there's are no weapons for you or Atoli, go figure.
You can also buy pots if you feel like it.
[X] <Half Empty Small HP pot> «Very small HP regeneration over time, must continue to drink for full effect <30 seconds maximum effect with 30 second cooldown>, weight 0.1» 20 col
[X] It's been several hours now and you feel the need to eat (strange to need to do that in a game, but go figure), find an NPC restaurant and ...
-[X] Order bread and water-10 per person 40 col total (Not very tasty but it is food)
-[X] Order the stew-20 per person 80 col total (Slightly better fare)
[X] Information is key; find out the local dungeons, skills, quests, whatever you can think of from an available source.
-[X] What to ask (Cost unknown at this time)
Finally, how do you level afterwards
[X] The Atoli approach: Quests are the name of the game (Lowest Exp potential, chance of death barely on the scale, highest loot to exp ratio)
[X] The Alkaid approach: Slow and steady nearby mobs and any quests attached to them (Low-mid Exp potential, chance of death only if you royally mess things up, low loot potential)
[X] The Haseo approach: Balls to the wall, find the nearest labyrinth and grind there (mid-high Exp potential, chance of death moderate, medium loot potential)
[X] What's this item in your inventory, it seems familiar.
Alrighty after this I'll put up a proper info page.
[X] Yes
While some small part of you thinks that your situations are a bit different from each other, it is kind of reassuring that it isn't just you left locked in the game with no way out.
Thinking about it for a bit you realize that if you don't do anything you might be trapped in this game forever, but on the other hand do you even want to go back to a world with 'that man' or the other lying adults?
Your headache makes it hard to think, but you believe you are asking the wrong question, the correct question is 'do you wish to sit back and let an evil man kill innocent people just to fuel his sick game?' You know in your heart the answer to that one.
Then there's these people, they have such an easy chemistry with each other, like comrades that had been through many battles together and had come out of it ok. Joining with them would be a measure of safety in this mad world, even if they were going to rush off and put their lives on the line. Is it possible that you could trust them with your life as well and ... be their friends?
Even with your spotty memory you are pretty sure friends are something that you have in short supply.
Well, it's not like you can't leave them if it goes south, now is it? ... and you've noticed that the room as gone quiet again and the trio are staring at you.
"Well your answer?" Goes Haseo. Not one to mince words is he?
"Sure ... that sounds, nice." you say. This causes the two girls to start up their energetic conversation again now focused on planning what they would do first.
Haseo just puts his head in his hand and groans as he manipulates the status screen.
<You have been invited to a party>
It's now your turn to fumble with the unfamiliar window, thankfully it pops up on the first page.
<You have joined the party>
Now to deal with your headache.
Searching for your staff, you notice it leaning against the headboard of the bed.
Grabbing it with both hands, you bring it over your head, focus your intent and say the magic word "Repth" and the sparkles of light surround you.
Ah that feels so much better ... and once again the conversation has died and the trio is staring at you again, great.
"That was ... magic, and not just any magic but The World magic, it was clearly stated that there's no magic in <Sword Arts Online>, is this a side effect of the AIDA Server as well?" Haseo ponders aloud.
"This is great, I knew my intuition was right about you, hey how did you find it anyway?" Says Alkaid.
Atoli seems especially interested in knowing your answer.
The problem is ... you don't have an answer, you just woke up in the church with it already available to you, hell you didn't even think you were in this game at all.
But on the other hand, you did pick up some items earlier, maybe the answer lies there.
Searching through the Status Window you locate the three strange pieces of equipment <Fan Oolong>, <Magic Amber>, and <Spell Xialin>. Bringing them out causes Atoli's eyes to light up, especially when the <Spell Xialin> appears.
"Oh that one, can I have that one?" She's practically jumping for joy now, you can almost see the sparkly aura she's pumping out.
Without much thought to the matter you work through the process of trading with people and give her the staff. <-1 Spell Xialin>
She instantly equips the staff and starts the motion to cast a spell. "Repth"
Somehow you just knew it wasn't going to work.
Still not willing to give up she fiddles with the status screen, till she beams triumphantly. "Ah ha! I got it!"
For a few seconds a wall of light and then Atoli reappears, her <Light Metal Coat>, <Light Metal Pants>, and <Light Metal Boots> missing. For a few seconds everybody just stands there, nobody daring to move and then the inevitable happens.
"Waaaaahhhhhhh!" The bright red blushing Atoli nearly takes your ear-drums out.
You quickly find out that a staff makes for a good club as you and her two friends are quickly ushered out the door. Oh and though no damage was done, your headache is back, go figure.
Whelp it appears a trip to the local blacksmith is in order, and the three spent most of their money renting a room for 4, so it appears that getting equipment is up to you. Thankfully you
have a little bit of money ... 1200 and 6 apples worth about 30 col in total if you sold them. Also the pair of <Light Metal Coat>, <Light Metal Pants> and <Light Metal Boots> that Atoli
can no longer use are worth 10 col a piece. It does not appear that the items from the chest sell for anything. That makes 1310 col in total if you include what they had left over. You
must at least buy an outfit that Atoli can wear, the specifics are currently unknown to you but at worst it's cloth though it could be leather; failure to do so will result in her never
forgiving you and not leaving the room. The rest can be spent however you wish, but at the moment Haseo prefers two-handed swords and Heavy Plate but probably couldn't wear both till he
levels up some. Alkaid would like some sort of speed weapon and isn't too particular on the type, and she'll stick with light-metal armor.
The available NPC merchants for stuff you can afford and, in some cases maybe, use are as follows (Max weight is 20 at the moment btw, 1 str ftw!)
[X] <Brown Robe with Cowl> «over-wear 200/200 durability weight 1» 10 col
[X] <Brown Shoes> «Foot wear 200/200 durability weight 0.5» 10 col
[X] <Two-Handed Sword> «two-handed sword +20 Attack, Medium, Slow 200/200 durability weight 10» 100 col
[X] <Rapier> «Rapier +10 Attack, Short, Fast 200/200 durability weight 3» 100 col
[X] <Dagger> «Knife +10 Attack, Very Short, Very Fast 200/200 durability weight 1» 100 col
[X] <Bronze Half Plate Armor> «Heavy Metal Chest Armor +13 defense 200/200 durability weight 5» 100 col
[X] <Bronze Half Plate Pants> «Heavy Metal Leg Armor +13 defense 200/200 durability weight 5» 100 col
[X] <Bronze Half Plate Boots> «Heavy Metal Leg Armor +6 defense 200/200 durability weight 3» 100 col
[X] <Bronze Chain Mail> «Light Metal Chest Armor +6 defense 200/200 durability weight 3» 100 col
[X] <Bronze Subligar> «Light Metal Leg Armor +6 defense 200/200 durability weight 3» 100 col
[X] <Bronze Chain Boots> «Light Metal Boots +3 defense 200/200 durability weight 3» 100 col
[X] <Old Leather Shirt> «Leather Chest Armor +3 defense 200/200 durability weight 2» 100 col
[X] <Old Leather Pants> «Leather Leg Armor +3 defense» 200/200 durability weight 2» 100 col
[X] <Old Leather boots> «Leather Boots +1 defense 200/200 durability weight 1» 100 col
It seems there's are no weapons for you or Atoli, go figure.
You can also buy pots if you feel like it.
[X] <Half Empty Small HP pot> «Very small HP regeneration over time, must continue to drink for full effect <30 seconds maximum effect with 30 second cooldown>, weight 0.1» 20 col
[X] It's been several hours now and you feel the need to eat (strange to need to do that in a game, but go figure), find an NPC restaurant and ...
-[X] Order bread and water-10 per person 40 col total (Not very tasty but it is food)
-[X] Order the stew-20 per person 80 col total (Slightly better fare)
[X] Information is key; find out the local dungeons, skills, quests, whatever you can think of from an available source.
-[X] What to ask (Cost unknown at this time)
Finally, how do you level afterwards
[X] The Atoli approach: Quests are the name of the game (Lowest Exp potential, chance of death barely on the scale, highest loot to exp ratio)
[X] The Alkaid approach: Slow and steady nearby mobs and any quests attached to them (Low-mid Exp potential, chance of death only if you royally mess things up, low loot potential)
[X] The Haseo approach: Balls to the wall, find the nearest labyrinth and grind there (mid-high Exp potential, chance of death moderate, medium loot potential)
[X] What's this item in your inventory, it seems familiar.
Alrighty after this I'll put up a proper info page.
Redon
the baka nerbie
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2013
- Messages
- 1,236
- Likes received
- 420
Ok, looks like I'll simplify things
Do you with your 1310 col buy
Buy Haseo a
[X] Two Handed-sword 100 col
and/or
[X] Armor 300 col
Which he can only use 1 of at this time, but is only a single level from using both.
Buy Alkaid a
[X] Rapier 100 col
or
[X] Dagger 100 col
and/or
[X] upgrade her starter armor 300 col
Buy Atoli a
[X] Robe and boots 20 Col
and/or
[X] Attempt to see if Leather armor is equitable 300 Col
Buy anything for yourself
[X] Attempt to see if Leather armor is equitable 300 Col
Total cost of buying enough for everyone is 1420 so you could buy one of everything if you felt like it, and only miss equipping one guy. (which would still leave you with 90 Col, and 29 items to barter with)
Or don't buy anything except the robe and boots, there's plenty to spend money on in this game.
[X] Buy pots 20 col* how many
Then do you eat and/or go see what players know (which means finding out what they want for information) before levelling. Please remember you are 2 healers and two DPS (well technically you are both, Atoli is just a healer) in a game that is currently NOT balanced around magic when choosing.
Or
[X] GM decides the shopping
[X] Eat Yes/No
-[X] What type
[X] Go hunt up some information yes/no
[X] The pick your level of difficulty
Do you with your 1310 col buy
Buy Haseo a
[X] Two Handed-sword 100 col
and/or
[X] Armor 300 col
Which he can only use 1 of at this time, but is only a single level from using both.
Buy Alkaid a
[X] Rapier 100 col
or
[X] Dagger 100 col
and/or
[X] upgrade her starter armor 300 col
Buy Atoli a
[X] Robe and boots 20 Col
and/or
[X] Attempt to see if Leather armor is equitable 300 Col
Buy anything for yourself
[X] Attempt to see if Leather armor is equitable 300 Col
Total cost of buying enough for everyone is 1420 so you could buy one of everything if you felt like it, and only miss equipping one guy. (which would still leave you with 90 Col, and 29 items to barter with)
Or don't buy anything except the robe and boots, there's plenty to spend money on in this game.
[X] Buy pots 20 col* how many
Then do you eat and/or go see what players know (which means finding out what they want for information) before levelling. Please remember you are 2 healers and two DPS (well technically you are both, Atoli is just a healer) in a game that is currently NOT balanced around magic when choosing.
Or
[X] GM decides the shopping
[X] Eat Yes/No
-[X] What type
[X] Go hunt up some information yes/no
[X] The pick your level of difficulty